YouLookFab Forum » Topic: Confidence In Your Style?

YouLookFab Forum » Topic: Confidence In Your Style? https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/confidence-in-your-style Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Sun, 05 Apr 2026 02:14:54 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 <![CDATA[Search]]> q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php RandomThoughts (Andrea) on "Confidence In Your Style?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/confidence-in-your-style/page/2#post-1155329 Sat, 01 Feb 2014 23:10:29 +0000 RandomThoughts (Andrea) 1155329@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ YLF has really helped me be more cognizant of what I'm wearing. What "fit" means, waistband placement, proportions, trouser length, how quality affects fit and appearance... It's helped improve my eye, I think. I TRY to wear what looks good on me but I know for sure as I've matured I'm more comfortable wearing what I like. My personal style isn't that remarkable but I really have fun dressing for my dog events and I always get comments. In a sea of boring, badly fitted suits my pattern mixing and eclectic style stand out. In my "eff you guys" punk days I had this. Lost it for a while, but now it's back! :D HI guys! *traipsing through* DonnaF on "Confidence In Your Style?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/confidence-in-your-style/page/2#post-1155288 Sat, 01 Feb 2014 21:36:09 +0000 DonnaF 1155288@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Ummmm, late to the party as usual.  I never even thought about style, much less trends, until a couple of years ago when I found YLF.  When I was in my late 50s.  Before that, my goal was probably to look presentable and not embarrass DD.  I had little money until my early thirties, and then I used to hit the sales on my lunch hour.  After DD was born when I was 40, I had no time to shop for me.  The few times I did, I got credit card fraud alert calls!  Dazzled by pretty pictures, I bought way too much Lands End stuff which I now realize fit but did not really flatter me. Trends?  What trends?  At least now, I'm mildly aware.  I just know that for over a decade I did not care for what I saw in the stores (cardigans, low waist pants, empire tops and dresses) so I just didn't buy.  I was also disinclined to take the time and effort to root out different stuff.  As DD prepared to leave the nest several years ago, I figured I better get my act together style-wise since she would not be around to advise me. The wonders of the internet for research and shopping!  Post-YLF, I think I have honed my style and become more daring.  People comment on what I wear (I think/hope in a good way), and this used to never happen.  It has taken me sixty years. . . .  Karie on "Confidence In Your Style?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/confidence-in-your-style/page/2#post-1154949 Sat, 01 Feb 2014 13:53:54 +0000 Karie 1154949@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I remember Laura Ashley dresses - I always hated them!  I actually feel quite the opposite about how I dress - I'm not so confident anymore. I have always loved trendy dressing. In my 20's, 30's, and even my 40's, I dressed as trendy as I wanted to and was happy as a clam. Now that I have entered my 5th decade, I have begun to question whether or not I am dressing in an "age appropriate" manner. I think it all goes back to when I was a child and I saw a much older woman in the grocery store who was dressed in white go-go boots, a mini-skirt, and too much make-up. I thought "She's too old to wear that!" (I was a fashionista even as a little girl). I also think she was dressed in the wrong decade, but I'm not sure. While the bottom line is I don't really care what other people think, I still don't want them to think that.  So maybe the key to my confidence is that I know not to wear too-short skirts and too much make-up?  Elizabeth P on "Confidence In Your Style?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/confidence-in-your-style/page/2#post-1154943 Sat, 01 Feb 2014 13:32:13 +0000 Elizabeth P 1154943@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I didn't have a chance to add to this thread properly last night.  Like most, I've hit, or am hitting, my style stride in my 40's.  In Jr high and high school, I was very influenced by a friend, who had an amazing sense of style, even at that age.  She still does, but we only see each other every decade now.  I thnk I drove her nuts, copying her as much as I could, and never understanding why it didn't work as well on me.  In high school I also liked going a bit against the norm, not totally crazy, but I didn't really follow trends, and did what I liked.  University was a blur of jeans and hand knit sweaters.  In my early days of working, I bought quite expensive clothes, in an effort to be professional and look good, it took me ages to clue in that spending money like that wasn't necessary where I worked!  And nor did it make "style". I think I've always liked nice clothes, but have been completely clueless as to what was "in style".  Nor did I really care.  I got really boring in my late 30's and early 40's, as I had young kids, and most of my disposable income went to camera gear.  Again, I had nice things, looked presentable etc, but in no way was fashion forward, current, modern, any of those words.  Just dressed. :) It's been YLF, and "Dressing your truth" that have really pulled things together for me.  DYT for colours, design lines, fabrications, make up... and YLF for figuring out how to add some real "style" within those elements.  I would NEVER have worn pleather pants prior to developing the confidence those two influences have given me.  Nor decided to grow out my grey, which I am loving.  Thanks for this thread Deborah!  Very interesting to see the commonalities among us. Now to dig out those dresses :).  Ironically they are sitting in the laundry room... they'd been hanging at the back of a closet at my mothers house, and I brought them back at Christmas to wash and figure out what to do with them.  Too funny. Lantana on "Confidence In Your Style?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/confidence-in-your-style/page/2#post-1154901 Sat, 01 Feb 2014 07:50:27 +0000 Lantana 1154901@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Deborah this has been an interesting and useful thread and I really appreciate the energy you have put into your responses. Deborah on "Confidence In Your Style?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/confidence-in-your-style/page/2#post-1154898 Sat, 01 Feb 2014 07:31:22 +0000 Deborah 1154898@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Woops...corrected lol Lyn D. on "Confidence In Your Style?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/confidence-in-your-style/page/2#post-1154879 Sat, 01 Feb 2014 06:57:07 +0000 Lyn D. 1154879@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Ha! Not in her teeth Deborah - on her bottom ;o Deborah on "Confidence In Your Style?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/confidence-in-your-style/page/2#post-1154873 Sat, 01 Feb 2014 06:37:41 +0000 Deborah 1154873@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Beth Ann....a but bow!! Do you think being creative in your closet actually helps you to view your situation or challenge more creatively? Beth Ann on "Confidence In Your Style?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/confidence-in-your-style/page/2#post-1154870 Sat, 01 Feb 2014 06:32:27 +0000 Beth Ann 1154870@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Such an interesting thread.  My style confidence comes and goes.  It is a reflection of where I am internally,  and I'm starting to recognize it as a sort of sentinel of sorts.  When I feel less confident in my dress, it often signals some short of shift, not just in fashion, but in self.  It's not always super deep -- I feel less confident when I'm tired or overworked, for example.  Strangely enough, sometimes when I'm stuck on an issue in life I'm having trouble resolving, working in my closet, creating new outfits and presenting myself to the world in a fresh way, can keep me moving forward until a life solution arrives. And Suz and Jody --- I had both of the patterns in my sewing box.  I did make the lace blouse --- with the v-neck, of course! Deborah:  I had a dress much like yours -- only mine was so sophisticated......OK, it was a floral with a black background........and a butt bow. Deborah on "Confidence In Your Style?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/confidence-in-your-style/page/2#post-1154868 Sat, 01 Feb 2014 06:12:18 +0000 Deborah 1154868@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Thanks everyone for sharing. This is so interesting:) And sorry for taking time to get back here, insane day for a Saturday and finally alone with my laptop :) Lyn D, I have always thought a stylish woman wearing something different to the majority was a sign of really confidence (and style) and I have always envied women like this:) jenanded, I am loving my forties! And I agree our younger years are a great time to try things out as we get a sense of who we are. gryffin, you made me laugh with embarrassment! In my first job at 20 I think I dressed like a woman of 40! There was no sense of my youth in how I dressed. And how funny is it that at 40/50 we become rebellious! You comments echo how I feel also. I wear my skull scarf to church because I want to make a point about stereo types, once upon a time I just wouldn't do that lol. kkards, having access to the internet has been huge hasn't it. Having so much available makes it so much easier to dress they way we want. MRL, looks like Im not alone on the Laura Ashley dress front :) Lantana, you have really hit on an important point. For so long I bought clothes that did not suit my lifestyle! It took me ages to get past what i liked to sensibly consider things like when will I wear this?, where will i wear this, how many formal functions do I attend in one year etc:) annaj, not giving much a away!!! Were you Laura Ashley offender?? AnnieMouse, it can be really challenging to separate who we are from what we do so to speak. I am a Pastor's wife and the temptation is to confirm to how the other pastors' wives dress but I don't! Windchime, so many of us owe so much to Angie and YLF I agree too that our personal development and growth can relate directly to how we style and present ourselves. I realise I have become more outspoken and confident of my opinions, experience and knowledge in my 40's. Joy, I cannot imagine you being anything but incredibly stylish but it looks like for most of us it's a journey. mtgirl, I love your spirit. It would take a lot to get me back into that style of dress lol. Even though you may not look like anyone in your town stylewise, I bet you fit right in because you are being true to yourself. ManidipaM, the time after having a baby is challenging. I bought a skirt that was so not me just before I had my son with a view to wearing it after the birth. What was I thinking? But, it was one step toward working out what worked and what didn't. Shevia, we have the incredible luxury of YLF and time to ponder and explore and discuss style which clearly has really helped us all in our style progression. Life events (like having kids) can really hinder that journey lol. MuseumGal, interesting point. In our 'youth' we don't tend to worry about age appropriate, anything goes, and we are almost expected to experiement and be different. There is a definite freedom in that. Catnip, authentic and happy! This might just be the mantra I adopt for my wardrobe. Mo, I wonder if the expressing ourselves thing comes into play later because that is when we feel more in touch with who we are? IK, the ongoing dilemma...budget!! When I was young, foolish and single I would not hesitate to spend my whole wage on a garment, now days with a family and commitments the challenge is obtaining the look I want within my means. lol Suz, the truth is deep down I thought it was ugly then too lol. I have NEVER like that much volume or floral. I just wasn't confident enough to stand up and be my own person stylewise. Oh my goodness Suz, I had a wrap white organza blouse similar to the one you posted and I wore it with a long black skirt.... what you describe still has an element of style and tweaked would probably work today. So would my blouse and skirt with tweaks but I voting no hope for the floral dress. I wonder had I been photographing outfits during my Laura Ashley period, would I have in fact every left the house??? Ruth, maybe we should start a What was I thinking thread lol. You raise the point that we can look good, and people can compliment us, but the outfit may not be what we want or feel it reflects who we are. rachy, interesting that you seemingly more of a free spirit now and I see you as someone who makes their own rules. Aquamarine, feeling like a poseur is generally a bit of a give away to me that Im not feeling comfortable and may have strayed too far out of my comfort zone :) Angie...no If we are adopting a uniform I propose Rick Owens...lots of black lol. E, you sound you have a really balanced approach to life and a pretty clear picture of what you like and what works for you. patsymaloo, we should shop together. I see soooo many things I don't like in the stores but soooo little that I do. It makes it difficult. Don't hesitate to start posting. Part of the fun here is doing the journey together. Elizabeth P you need to show us these dresses:) Lynne, you would have looked gorgeous I am sure And Im always telling my son we learn from our mistakes but why are fashion mistakes so painful? lol Caro, relocating and changing jobs threw me a bit. It's almost like you have to work out who you are in your new environments. You clearly have fallen on your feet, cos your style is amazing:) Greyscale, I think your confidence shows in your outfit choices. And I have learnt here that quality certainly can up how we feel in our clothes. Knowing what is 'you' I guess, is what allows you to make the new trend "you" Amiable, you have been on an amazing journey and your growing confidence shows in every new post. Adelfa, I do think we have to be prepared to accept the mistake and move on. It would be nice to have the money to buy exactly what we wanted and would certainly make it easier to curate the style we wanted, but doing it on a budget can be fun (ok that's what I tell myself) Suz on "Confidence In Your Style?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/confidence-in-your-style/page/2#post-1154859 Sat, 01 Feb 2014 05:34:12 +0000 Suz 1154859@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Such a great point, Jody. We all need to let go in order to develop confidence and true style. I think that is so right.  Also, I wanted one of those dresses, too. :)  I do think Greyscale is right that having a bit of cash makes a difference -- it's part of what allows us to let go of what isn't working. You can't do that if you don't know how you'd ever replace it. It's tough to allow ourselves to make mistakes (such a necessary part of learning) if we are very, very tight for money. I think this was my position for many years of my life -- part of why I didn't feel I developed an authentic style until YLF and even now it is nascent, not fully developed.  Adelfa on "Confidence In Your Style?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/confidence-in-your-style/page/2#post-1154849 Sat, 01 Feb 2014 05:13:04 +0000 Adelfa 1154849@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ When I was in my 20's (in the 80s) I wanted this RL (below) so badly but never sewed it because I thought I'd look bad in it. I agree that it can help not to be super strapped for cash. Although I saw DD develop a lovely style buying from thrift stores when she was a poor student. She lived in West LA though which helped a lot. Maybe it's not the cash or lack of it. Maybe it's also partly the abundance or scarcity mentality that can hinder style development. You can have money but it you think "I spent $XXX on this and I can't let it go" then it might be hard to open yourself to things that work. You have to be able to let go, no matter what your budget is. Because we all buy things that don't end up working and they can clog our closets and our fashion brains. amiable on "Confidence In Your Style?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/confidence-in-your-style/page/2#post-1154761 Sat, 01 Feb 2014 02:49:34 +0000 amiable 1154761@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Haha!  I remember wanting those dresses! I have gained so much confidence in the past year since coming to ylf.  It's made an immense difference - I had no idea what to look for or how to see any differences between what was just clothes before.   Now, I not only am comfortable and feel like 'me' in what I wear, but I can recognize to some extent what won't or doesn't work on me, and what I like only on others.  It's a great feeling. At the same time, I find myself in the past few weeks anyway, wanting to put less effort into dressing.  I know that I like the clothes I have, and that they fit well.  Now I just want to throw on clothes and go, and know that I look fine (maybe not stellar, but  whole lot better than a few years ago).  It's nice to know that clothes CAN take very little effort and still result in a reasonable look. Greyscale on "Confidence In Your Style?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/confidence-in-your-style/page/2#post-1154748 Sat, 01 Feb 2014 02:28:32 +0000 Greyscale 1154748@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I hit my stride (for now) when I turned 30, I think. I'm 35 now. Honestly, one thing that's made a difference is money, much as I hate to admit it. When I was in grad school in my 20s, I was great at living on my small stipend. I shopped almost entirely at consignment stores. I'm pretty happy with what I owned and wore - a lot of second-hand Gap, Banana Republic, and J Crew. I was lucky to be in a college town with excellent secondhand stores. But it was all fairly boring and basic (especially because yes, it was all black). I still buy most things second-hand, but I stalk higher-quality consignment stores and the Rack. What has let me be so comfortable with my clothes is having a closet that is full of high-quality things that I love and chose very intentionally. (That includes a lot of moderately priced things like Gap tshirts, but now I buy those new and choose them carefully.) There are many women who can do far more with far less money than me, but I don't think I had the innate sense of style that would let me buy cheap new clothes and look fabulous. Of course, much more than the money, I've also developed a really strong sense of my style over the past 5-10 years. It changes over time but I always know what things feel like "me" and how I can make a new trend more "me" by tweaking it a bit.  This is such a strange place to be in, for me, because as a teenager I was anything but comfortable in my body and my clothes. (I'm sure that's a very common experience.) My roommate in grad school basically had an intervention to make me buy women's clothes that fit instead of boy's clothes that made me look huge and didn't even manage to make me look androgynous anyway! I remember my first pair of bootcut women's jeans, bought in 2003 after a decade of wearing men's 505s. Caro in Oz on "Confidence In Your Style?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/confidence-in-your-style#post-1154731 Sat, 01 Feb 2014 01:48:18 +0000 Caro in Oz 1154731@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I felt very confident with my style until about 10 years ago. That's not to say I didn't wear clothes that weren't "me" but I knew fairly quickly what was & wasn't me & I had a clear picture of how I wanted to look. A combination of ageing, health concerns & subsequent weight gain, followed by retiring & moving all combined to throw me off my game. I feel I've come back to myself since finding YLF Lynne on "Confidence In Your Style?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/confidence-in-your-style#post-1154666 Sat, 01 Feb 2014 00:01:56 +0000 Lynne 1154666@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Deb, I would have loved that dress in the 80's, and worn it with big, permed hair and too much highlighter to boot!  Great observations about style confidence evolving; I feel I have been a very slow, but steady, learner and have probably learned best from some of those 'it looked good on someone else' mistakes.  Elizabeth P on "Confidence In Your Style?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/confidence-in-your-style#post-1154651 Fri, 31 Jan 2014 23:37:38 +0000 Elizabeth P 1154651@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ OMGosh, Laura Ashley!  Yes! (I still have a few of mine.  Not that I wear them, just can't bring myself to get rid of them...  Shh) patsymaloo on "Confidence In Your Style?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/confidence-in-your-style#post-1154645 Fri, 31 Jan 2014 23:32:25 +0000 patsymaloo 1154645@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I think this post is really interesting.  I'm a regular reader (lurker!) on here while I am trying to figure out my own style which got lost somewhere along the way (motherhood, lack of funds, changes to job, etc).  I know more what I don't like than what I do and am quietly trying to pick up tips from all the wonderful posts on here while summoning the courage to ask for guidance!  Many things that seem to be suggested for my body shape are just not what I feel comfortable in.  Part of me just thinks blow it I'll wear what I like and the other part doesn't want to fluff it and look ridiculous (I tend towards the blow it attitude most of the time).  Its great that so many people here seem to be well on the way to working their own style out - and looking great. rachylou on "Confidence In Your Style?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/confidence-in-your-style#post-1154543 Fri, 31 Jan 2014 21:40:46 +0000 rachylou 1154543@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Ahaha, Angie! E on "Confidence In Your Style?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/confidence-in-your-style#post-1154514 Fri, 31 Jan 2014 21:17:57 +0000 E 1154514@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ OMG that dress is intense. But I'm pretty sure our family albums have my mom in a similar one! Funnily enough, I was wearing a thrifted Laura Ashley dress yesterday, but it's plain navy blue wool (<a rel="nofollow" href="http://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wiw-pumpkin-pie-and-pilgrims">this one</a>). I didn't realise that brand was the source of the big floral prints. Back to the real topic, I'm in my late 20s, but I've had a less than typical experience of my 20s due to health stuff, which has really allowed me the space to grow into myself without being influenced as much as usual by mainstream society (aka having to shop secondhand instead of retail, so I'm not as affected by trends that take over the shops). I still enjoy experimenting, but I think I have a pretty strong sense of what I prefer already. I hope I hang on to that over the next two decades, although I'm sure I'll change as I age! I loved reading about everyone who is happier in their 40s and 50s: I know I'm much happier (in the sense of content, confident, etc.) in my late 20s than early 20s, so I look forward to getting older. Angie on "Confidence In Your Style?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/confidence-in-your-style#post-1154481 Fri, 31 Jan 2014 20:42:37 +0000 Angie 1154481@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I think the Laura Ashley dress should be the new YLF Uniform. Very Elaine from Seinfeld.  Aquamarine on "Confidence In Your Style?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/confidence-in-your-style#post-1154470 Fri, 31 Jan 2014 20:36:30 +0000 Aquamarine 1154470@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Hmmm...I think I always felt pretty good in my skin in my 20s. Sure, there are photos that make me cringe, but at the time I must have thought I looked pretty good In my 30s I was raising small children and was lucky to get a shower in, never mind look good. Sadly, I was a bit overweight then too and didn't care that much what I wore. I would say that in the last few years I have really started to question my style as my shape changed due to weight loss and exercise and more "me" time. I really question what I can wear and what feels like me...I struggle with feeling like a poseur as I experiment with trends. And there's the age-appropriate thing too....I don't want to dress like my college-age daughter, nor do I want to dress like my mother Lyn D. on "Confidence In Your Style?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/confidence-in-your-style#post-1154462 Fri, 31 Jan 2014 20:29:39 +0000 Lyn D. 1154462@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Now that I am more awake- I do remember having a L.A. dress, but it was the plainest one I ever found. Because I don't wear dresses much it didn't get much wear. I think I have always been attracted to the more plain and simple looks, but do remember having a pair of ultra-baggy 80's jeans that must have made every-one's hips and thighs look huge at the time! Love Suz's reference to knowing what questions to ask ourselves about new purchases, instead of just automatically buying what is 'in' right now but not authentic to our own style. rachylou on "Confidence In Your Style?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/confidence-in-your-style#post-1154437 Fri, 31 Jan 2014 20:01:08 +0000 rachylou 1154437@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Lol. Laura Ashley was world wide. Never fear. We all looked like mutton dressed as lamb, toddlers included. But interesting thoughts. It occurs to me that in my younger days I was more concerned with proper dress, adhering to prescribed uniforms and dress codes. Even when the style was not on the proper side, I'd deduce rules. It was a "just add water" approach. Everything came in a box for me (or I'd put it in a box). No doubt part of my problem with not communicating myself clearly. I never once thought about it truly. Anonymous on "Confidence In Your Style?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/confidence-in-your-style#post-1154432 Fri, 31 Jan 2014 19:51:38 +0000 Anonymous 1154432@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I've always had confidence in what I wear, and have received compliments from people. That's not to say I'd wear that stuff now, lol. I have many "what was I thinking?" pictures. My lifestyle has taken a number of twists and turns, too, and my wardrobe reflects those changes. Angie and the YLF forum has helped me refine my style, too. :cool: Suz on "Confidence In Your Style?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/confidence-in-your-style#post-1154416 Fri, 31 Jan 2014 19:37:22 +0000 Suz 1154416@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Interesting reflections, Deb. And oh....the Laura Ashley. I couldn't afford the real deal but did wear some near copies, back in the day. The thing is...the style seems unattractive and unappealing now, but how much of that is just the way the eye adjusts? I still don't think that type of look would ever be truly "you" -- (or me, for that matter) -- yet perhaps we'll look at today's styles with a similarly jaded eye one day. I do remember wearing one formal outfit, for example -- it was based on an Oscar de la Renta Vogue pattern -- my mother sewed it for me -- full length fuchsia taffeta skirt, a sleeveless lace shell with a ruff collar, and a short black velvet jacket -- truly -- it was a bit over the top, but I would wear something similar today, and it felt wonderful at the time.  Couldn't find the actual pattern but the top <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Vogue-2805-Oscar-de-la-Renta-Blouses-Camisole-FF-Uncut-/271366017493">was like the one on the left. </a> To your point, though -- for myself, I think one problem was an inability to view myself objectively in any way. So that made it impossible to evaluate styles -- certainly how they looked, but even how they felt, to a degree. Plus, it was so difficult to find things that I truly liked and could afford. I think, the more we come to know ourselves, the easier this becomes (even when we continue to face some financial constraints). Because we quickly rule out a whole lot that we might have felt we "had" to try simply because it was what was available.  "YLF has taught me many things and one of them is what questions I need to ask myself when I am buying new pieces." I agree with that completely. I'm certain that without YLF I would still be mired in fashion ignorance! So grateful to the community and Angie! ironkurtin on "Confidence In Your Style?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/confidence-in-your-style#post-1154246 Fri, 31 Jan 2014 16:08:13 +0000 ironkurtin 1154246@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Huh.  I always had confidence in what I wore.  It was more that I aspired to items I could not afford.  I remember in particular one issue of Harrper's Bazaar in the 90s when I opened it and was like, YES.  THIS IS HOW I WANT TO DRESS.  It was all women in slim, tailored pants and amazing sleek boots with sharp tops.  I still want to dress that way.  Veering *away* from that is more of a challenge than the other way around. Mo on "Confidence In Your Style?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/confidence-in-your-style#post-1154233 Fri, 31 Jan 2014 16:03:42 +0000 Mo 1154233@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Funny thing, I had a similar floral number, a bit more fitted in the bodice, but anyway . . . fast forward 10 or 15 years and I found the exact same print in different dress styles in 2 of my other friends' closets.  And we all lived in other parts of CA at the time of purchase, and yet all had them!  Too funny.  We were different ages, as well, one 7 years older than I and the other 12 years.  LOL.  It was an epidemic, I tell you! I did spend some time emulating friends in my 30's without overtly realizing it.  Of course, the shopping pool was pretty small in our town (Clothestime and a handful of boutiques) so it was inevitable you'd have similar things.  But not until nearing 40 did I start to think of dressing to express myself rather than just to look good or 'cute'.  I was always pretty comfortable in what I wore but am more so now, in my 40's.  I am struggling a little bit this year with changing shape.  But my style I'm 100% comfortable with.  Catnip on "Confidence In Your Style?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/confidence-in-your-style#post-1154190 Fri, 31 Jan 2014 15:32:43 +0000 Catnip 1154190@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ What an interesting topic. For decades I had to wear business formal dress.  A few years before I retired business casual became acceptable and, for the first time, I began to enjoy fashion.  Now I don't own a blazer and am trying to decide whether I really need one.  This is the first time in my life I have had the freedom to dress entirely for myself, and it's an interesting challenge. My goal is to acquire a wardrobe that makes me feel both authentic and happy.  MuseumGal on "Confidence In Your Style?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/confidence-in-your-style#post-1154158 Fri, 31 Jan 2014 14:35:55 +0000 MuseumGal 1154158@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I actually dressed much more authentically "me" in my 20s and 30s.  Then we moved to Oklahoma and I started grad school, and then I turned 40  and I started worrying about what was "appropriate."  It's actually way more complicated than that, but that's the short version.  After several years of that nonsense, I am now (at 46) making an effort to work my way back to learning to dress myself in a way that brings me joy.