https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/essay-in-elle----goodbye-to-all-that Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Wed, 29 Apr 2026 22:16:02 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/essay-in-elle----goodbye-to-all-that#post-1315473 Sat, 26 Jul 2014 18:52:15 +0000 goldenpig 1315473@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Great article Ummlila, thanks for posting. I definitely can relate to wanting to look more polished and having the urge to totally revamp your wardrobe.</p> <p>I would totally love it if Angie could come edit my closet, because she has such a good eye and knows my style. But I'm not sure I would trust a random stranger to do it. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/essay-in-elle----goodbye-to-all-that#post-1315414 Sat, 26 Jul 2014 17:31:17 +0000 E 1315414@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I really enjoyed reading the article, although I wouldn't have been happy with a black &amp; white based wardrobe like she finally describes&nbsp;either. I liked how she tied in clothes to identity, and described her one poet friend as dressing her true self.</p> <p>If I had the money, I think it'd be neat to have a stylist appointment, just to see my style/preferences through a separate pair of eyes, one who doesn't know me or my history. But luckily, YLF provides all that &amp; more! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/essay-in-elle----goodbye-to-all-that#post-1315113 Sat, 26 Jul 2014 03:56:11 +0000 Anonymous 1315113@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>lol Aida. </p> <p>I do appreciate the articles perspective of leaving the old self, to change your perspective. I think I struggle with this a lot. I am no longer young, my life situation is different, I want to portray a more polished confident persona BUT I am not ready to be be my mother. Not sure if I would want to do it all in one swoop but I am here at YLF for basically the same reason that the author called in outside help. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/essay-in-elle----goodbye-to-all-that#post-1315087 Sat, 26 Jul 2014 03:26:00 +0000 Firecracker (Sharan) 1315087@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Interesting article, Ummlila, and a great discussion. Aubergine, I love your comment:<i> I hate to think that what's most appropriate for my age is paying a lot<br /> of money to just end up with a beautifully austere closet of neutral<br /> t-shirts and jeans. This is probably just my issue, but I can think of<br /> few things that would give me less joy to wear.</i> I agree--I had the same kind of thought. Also, I kind of wondered, as Rabbit did, about the makeover show type of experience, and how long-lasting it would be. But it seems to have been a turning point, and an important one. <br />Ummlila, I&nbsp; enjoyed your comment about the "ideas" the article "shook loose" for you. I was thinking about whether I ever quite achieved this level of awareness about my style. I have been trying to work it out since joining YLF. But personal style is such a work in progress. I keep thinking I have a good portion of it figured out, and then I veer off into a different direction than I could have anticipated. <br />I paid someone to consult with me on body type and to do a closet edit with me, several years ago. . .&nbsp; only to return to my old ways of wearing things that aren't necessarily conventionally flattering. (And reading on YLF that conventional figure flattery isn't the only way to go.)</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/essay-in-elle----goodbye-to-all-that#post-1315066 Sat, 26 Jul 2014 03:09:22 +0000 Beth Ann 1315066@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Interesting read.&nbsp; I think there are certain points in life where we redefine ourselves, and not just in terms of fashion.&nbsp; I believe in pulling in outside assistance -- whether its seeking advice from Angie and the forum, or seeking a career mentor or master teacher in other areas of my life, but I've learned that I have to lead the changes, or I'm just following a "guru."&nbsp; I guess I find the idea of buying a new style identity all at once at the direct guidance of someone else disconcerting, although I'm guessing a lot of people would love i!&nbsp; </p> <p>For myself, I'd compare it to interior decorating.&nbsp; Most of us (myself included) dream of unlimited budgets and the opportunity to design our dream house from scratch.&nbsp; It seems, however, that homes that are pieced together over time, with creativity required by restraints of space, time and money, have a life and a personal character that can't be duplicated in one fell swoop -- no matter the budget.&nbsp; I've also wondered how a wardrobe (or a home) purchased all at once would age.&nbsp; Angie's outfit posts seem always remind me that old mixed with new produces brilliant results --- looks that are modern, but grounded in a consistent thread of personal flair.</p> <p>Thanks for sharing! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/essay-in-elle----goodbye-to-all-that#post-1315057 Sat, 26 Jul 2014 02:59:51 +0000 Mo 1315057@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I came here right after turning 40 and it <i>is</i> a not quite young not quite old age that is hard to dress for. &nbsp;Or I should say, it was hard to find what I wanted in my head out in the stores. &nbsp;I'm still in that between stage, but on the older end of it. &nbsp;Online shopping was a savior in finding some funky stylish things that weren't in the typical departments of most department stores. &nbsp;Not juniors, but misses dept.&nbsp;wasn't it either. &nbsp;&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/essay-in-elle----goodbye-to-all-that#post-1315044 Sat, 26 Jul 2014 02:49:46 +0000 Anonymous 1315044@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I'm about the age she's talking about. On one hand, I kind of relate, because it's hard to be at the point&nbsp;where lots of things you're used to wearing are&nbsp;suddenly too young, yet you don't want to look overly mature either.&nbsp;</p> <p>On the other, I hate to think that what's most appropriate for my age&nbsp;is paying a lot of money to just end up with a beautifully austere closet of neutral&nbsp;t-shirts and jeans. This is probably just my issue, but I can think of few things that would give me less joy to wear.</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/essay-in-elle----goodbye-to-all-that#post-1315010 Sat, 26 Jul 2014 02:23:06 +0000 UmmLila (Lisa) 1315010@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>This article shook loose a few ideas for me. I have had several style changes in life, many imposed (or nearly so) by choice of school and career and geography/culture. When I find myself thinking about going back to what I liked 30-odd years ago, I have to be a bit more careful with implementation. We can't all be Vivienne Westwood on Carnaby Street, especially at almost 48, unless we really are Vivienne, still going strong in her 70s. But I still like zippers and black and white prints, and find myself going back to them, with current twists. I also admire pink spiky hair, but that's not happening on me (again).</p> <p>O'Rourke is young (to me) and I think perhaps taken with the idea of a mature presentation. When I was first starting as a lawyer in the mid 1990s I really liked the idea of presenting as powerful and serious. For example. I had a Liz Claiborne red skirt suit that all the paralegals knew was my "court suit," so it was a definite totem for me. </p> <p>I think that when you pass that 'mature' bump, you think less about what other people expect and more about what you like. And the 'mature' bump is not necessarily associated with any particular age, but comes more at a time of self assessment and acceptance. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/essay-in-elle----goodbye-to-all-that#post-1315008 Sat, 26 Jul 2014 02:21:57 +0000 Eliza 1315008@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Good read. So true that getting rid of the stuff that isn't you helps move you towards what is you. Some variant of this can be achieved across price points and accumulated over time. </p> <p>Thanks for sharing. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/essay-in-elle----goodbye-to-all-that#post-1314989 Sat, 26 Jul 2014 02:07:38 +0000 Beth 1314989@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Nice article that really resonated. Thanks for sharing! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/essay-in-elle----goodbye-to-all-that#post-1314975 Sat, 26 Jul 2014 01:52:03 +0000 Gaylene 1314975@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Good article because it helps explain why we often have trouble letting go of certain styles even we have the sneaking suspicion that they may no longer be right for us. If I've always been the girl in the low-rise skinnies, at what point does that change? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/essay-in-elle----goodbye-to-all-that#post-1314970 Sat, 26 Jul 2014 01:46:28 +0000 Aida 1314970@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Interesting and well written. Though I must say, if she's happier with a canary yellow skirt then that's what she should get; sounds like she has plenty of neutrals to pair with it </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/essay-in-elle----goodbye-to-all-that#post-1314944 Sat, 26 Jul 2014 01:29:27 +0000 Alana in Canada 1314944@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Wonderful article--thank you so much for posting all of it!&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/essay-in-elle----goodbye-to-all-that#post-1314930 Sat, 26 Jul 2014 01:24:22 +0000 Jen W 1314930@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thanks for posting this! It really helps validate that this process of expressing the self is important. I loved when she said "clothes are totems". </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/essay-in-elle----goodbye-to-all-that#post-1314923 Sat, 26 Jul 2014 01:20:04 +0000 rabbit 1314923@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Oh yeah, <b>Mo </b>that $$$&nbsp;part, and the part about someone else determining&nbsp;her new style direction (unless she figured out&nbsp;bits of it herself&nbsp;and communicated it&nbsp;and just didn't mention that part), reminded me a bit of makeover shows. &nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <p>You do everything at once, and there are professionals directing the show, and it's exciting. &nbsp;But the skeptical streak in&nbsp;me thinks that&nbsp;there has to be a bit of a placebo effect that kicks in too.&nbsp;</p> <p>I identified with what she said about how dressing in between young and old can be quite a tricky proposition.</p> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/essay-in-elle----goodbye-to-all-that#post-1314917 Sat, 26 Jul 2014 01:16:41 +0000 Sal 1314917@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Food for thought, an interesting read. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/essay-in-elle----goodbye-to-all-that#post-1314911 Sat, 26 Jul 2014 01:04:44 +0000 Anonymous 1314911@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Ooh - can't wait until the new issue hits the newsstands here ! &nbsp;Thanks for the teaser - look forward to reading it. &nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/essay-in-elle----goodbye-to-all-that#post-1314910 Sat, 26 Jul 2014 01:04:32 +0000 K. Period. 1314910@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Wow! I totally love it. &nbsp;I'm fascinated by the ongoing culls, both on the forum and in my own life. It is interesting to realize that by getting rid of things, you may have even more to wear--because what you have, you love now, and you are less distracted by what you feel obligated to wear. &nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/essay-in-elle----goodbye-to-all-that#post-1314907 Sat, 26 Jul 2014 00:59:28 +0000 Mo 1314907@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thanks, I liked that. &nbsp;Rings very true for me (except for the revamp all at once with lots of $$$ ) &nbsp;But maybe that will be my approach at the next milestone shift!&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/essay-in-elle----goodbye-to-all-that#post-1314905 Sat, 26 Jul 2014 00:58:19 +0000 lari 1314905@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>thanks ummlila! it was a good read.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/essay-in-elle----goodbye-to-all-that#post-1314903 Sat, 26 Jul 2014 00:56:54 +0000 rabbit 1314903@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Interesting read! &nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/essay-in-elle----goodbye-to-all-that#post-1314878 Sat, 26 Jul 2014 00:36:57 +0000 UmmLila (Lisa) 1314878@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Can't find a link but here are screen shots. I think O'Rourke should be on YLF with us! </p>