https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/fantasy-lifestyle-versus-new-style-direction Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Wed, 15 Apr 2026 08:14:54 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/fantasy-lifestyle-versus-new-style-direction#post-1855877 Thu, 26 Oct 2017 03:24:56 +0000 3style 1855877@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Sounds like folks are still reading this, so I will try my best to get a photo of the gilet posted on the weekend. I usually read the forum in my pajamas first or last thing during the day. </p> <p>Today, I was recovering from a medical procedure which was more painful than expected (not anything to be concerned about just near my ear so that it hurts when I move my head) and I had more time than usual to putter around the forum. I enjoy reading and posting here. It's a comfortable group of people who hold civilized discussions and I enjoy reading about how everyone approaches their lives. </p> <p>As far as the academics, I've been occasionally overdressed, but I tried polar fleece and I felt too under dressed. I'm finding that as long as I don't wear bold (large scale) prints, people aren't unduly distracted meeting me at these social events. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/fantasy-lifestyle-versus-new-style-direction#post-1855821 Wed, 25 Oct 2017 23:35:27 +0000 Stagiaire Fash 1855821@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Now that you have it, will you show us? I’m curious! </p> <p>For the “reverse snobbery”—I’ve heard this claimed about academics before. My usual thought is just that I don’t have time to go through all the steps that some people take to look good, not that a person who’s well put together is compensating for being vapid. If you are going to meet some of those people and actually care about making a good impression on them, you could arrive with just the casual top and then put the gilet on once the temps drop in the evening. But that sounds like an awful lot of effort because of their silly idea.</p> <p>Your other point, about dressing for where you are heading, so you’re prepared when you get there, hits home with me. I’ve been trying to retool for a return to the office and for weight loss. Last week was the first day I needed to dress in line with that step, and I was glad to have choices of what to wear. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/fantasy-lifestyle-versus-new-style-direction#post-1855815 Wed, 25 Oct 2017 23:04:49 +0000 3style 1855815@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Sal, I will take a look at Trinny's site. I think I remember Angie featuring it. Is that right? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/fantasy-lifestyle-versus-new-style-direction#post-1855814 Wed, 25 Oct 2017 23:02:54 +0000 3style 1855814@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Deborah,<br /> I liked the look of a sleeveless top underneath but I can't figure out what to do about air conditioning. In the summer I often wear a sleeveless top and then add cardigan or blazer under air conditioning. This would be very strange with a third layer on top for indoors in summer! If you have any suggestions for me I would love to hear them. </p> <p>For outdoor use and quick errands done in stores under AC, I think that a dressy light windbreaker over it will work. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/fantasy-lifestyle-versus-new-style-direction#post-1855812 Wed, 25 Oct 2017 22:59:57 +0000 Sal 1855812@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I don't have a gilet but agree with Deborah either a tank/singlet top or elbow or longer sleeves work well.</p> <p>Trinny Woodall wears a lot of lightweight gilets as layering - you could check out her facebook or instagram for inspiration.</p> <p>And I am not a huge remixer - I am more of an outfit wearer in general - and some of my favourite pieces get basically worn one way (might change the shoes but that is about it) </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/fantasy-lifestyle-versus-new-style-direction#post-1855811 Wed, 25 Oct 2017 22:41:29 +0000 Deborah 1855811@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>You are probably the other side of the world to me (it's getting hot here) but I just wanted to add the thought of wearing a gilet over a sleeveless top.&nbsp; I agree that a tshirt sleeve just doesn't look right and a sleeve at least to the elbow, or longer, is best proportionately.&nbsp; I find that no sleeve can also work really well.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <p> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/fantasy-lifestyle-versus-new-style-direction#post-1855794 Wed, 25 Oct 2017 21:39:28 +0000 3style 1855794@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Wanted to post an update for all the folks who have encouraged me to take a risk and get a new style of gilet....</p> <p>It fits me very nicely. I was concerned about how it works with pants, and it seems to work with any type of bottoms that go past my knees. </p> <p>It turns out to be more problematic in terms of tops to wear under it. It needs sleeves at least to the elbow to look balanced and looks really awkward with a t-shirt. I was thinking that my inverted triangle figure would compensate for more fabric on the bottom, but I really need more shirt fabric on top to make it work. </p> <p>I think that it serves a great function for me. It turns nearly any spring or fall outfit with a jersey top from casual into smart casual or business casual depending upon the denim factor. I don't like to wear most woven tops because they feel constricting and often scratchy to me, so I'm glad to have something to dress up knit tops. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/fantasy-lifestyle-versus-new-style-direction#post-1853466 Mon, 16 Oct 2017 16:30:20 +0000 texstyle 1853466@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I'm glad you got it sorted out. And the reminder about<br /> "the pressure of wardrobe item versatility," </p> <p>is a good one. I have some tops that work with just a couple of bottoms for example and I'm totally fine with that. Same goes for certain shoes, jackets, etc. I think as long as you will wear your clothing items enough that it makes you happy, you are on the right path. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/fantasy-lifestyle-versus-new-style-direction#post-1853346 Mon, 16 Oct 2017 03:07:26 +0000 3style 1853346@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I wish to thank all of you for encouraging me to buy it. I’ve realized that any type of vest or gilet has an extremely high longevity factor in my closet. For me an unsuccessful vest lasts three or four years and most of those I own are approaching the ten year mark. Depending upon the weather some years I wear some more than others, but I do wear all of them frequently. I tend to find I am tougher on shoulder seams and sleeves so most jackets don't last that long for me. </p> <p>I tend to wish I had the kind of wardrobe where I could just mix and match to the point where every single thing could be worn with everything else. Angie wrote a great post called "the pressure of wardrobe item versatility," and I have to remember that as long as everything is in frequent rotation, there is no fashion police that says I have to constantly remix outfits. </p> <p>In this case I have six daytime appropriate dresses and none of them will work with this gilet, but I am sure that the gilet will work with blue jeans or white or colored denim. This might be adequately versatile for the gilet, or I might find it also goes well with trousers.</p> <p>Six daytime dresses is a good number for me, so I'm not going to rush out to buy more. When the gilet arrives, if it is true to the measurements, I might have time for posting for advice for some more specific outfit ideas. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/fantasy-lifestyle-versus-new-style-direction#post-1853281 Sun, 15 Oct 2017 23:05:41 +0000 Mary Beth (formerly LBD) 1853281@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I second Joy, and will add ", and make yourself wear it".&nbsp; &nbsp;I have a casual life, too, but tend to reach for the lowest common denominator of casual, when smart casual would be every bit as suitable, and not overdressed. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/fantasy-lifestyle-versus-new-style-direction#post-1853131 Sun, 15 Oct 2017 02:35:38 +0000 Anonymous 1853131@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I have a similar "sleeveless jacket" that gets lots of wear and can be paired with jeans. I like to wear it most in warm weather with a tank or other sleeveless top. Buy it. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/fantasy-lifestyle-versus-new-style-direction#post-1853124 Sun, 15 Oct 2017 02:26:06 +0000 Anonymous 1853124@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I think they can have a kind of practical look to them especially if they have pockets, and I almost wish there were more variations, like outdoor versions etc, The longer length is more covered and coat like than a vest and I like that there are no sleeves.</p> <p>If it really is like a trench coat what you wear with it and how comfortable you are in it will make a big difference.</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/fantasy-lifestyle-versus-new-style-direction#post-1853065 Sat, 14 Oct 2017 20:49:49 +0000 Anonymous 1853065@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I recommend buying it as well, but make sure you check out the return policy first. &nbsp;Hope it works for you. &nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/fantasy-lifestyle-versus-new-style-direction#post-1853055 Sat, 14 Oct 2017 19:19:21 +0000 Jenni NZ 1853055@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>It's sounding like you'll be upset if someone else buys it... so sure, buy it! Otherwise you can just post the Find, or a photo, the vendor won't know it's being discussed in this corner of the Internet! I don't see anything unethical about that. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/fantasy-lifestyle-versus-new-style-direction#post-1853019 Sat, 14 Oct 2017 13:02:12 +0000 3style 1853019@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Firecracker: I’m usually pretty good at visualization but while I know that it would look good over a dress or over jeans like Bijou suggests, I cannot tell if it would be nice with any or all trousers unless I purchase it from online and try it on. </p> <p>Jenni, as far as whether I mind being dresser, it depends upon the context. In most situations I don't mind, but most of my friends have friends who attend their parties who come from the "reverse snobbery" academic mindset and tend to first assume upon meeting you that dressing nicely is about showing off and compensation for not being very smart. But I guess that meeting friends of friends only happens every other month at most. </p> <p>Rachylou, I think that part of the issue is that how I will be spending my time is going to be changing. In the near future, I know that I will be attending more meetings where I need to make a good impression and look like I am capable but practical, and I do think that the gilet fits this new image. I'm admittedly apprehensive about the change.... Previously, I had been projecting more preppy and girlish, but I am 43 and my old look is starting to feel like forced cheerfulness and not a natural expression of my style. </p> <p>Kkards the thing is that there is only one left online and I don't know what the etiquette is about posting it. I was hoping for arguments to buy it (though the returns are not free from this vendor and actually fairly expensive return fee) or not. And then show folks when I bought it. Obviously someone else not on ylf could buy it in the interim, but it feels weird giving a pointer for the only item left. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/fantasy-lifestyle-versus-new-style-direction#post-1853017 Sat, 14 Oct 2017 12:28:23 +0000 kkards 1853017@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>seconding everything rachyou said....<br />can you link or add a find to the gillet you are eyeing? we, the collective eyes of YLF, maybe able to help you style it in a way that moves you toward your new style direction without taking you out side your more casual real life.... </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/fantasy-lifestyle-versus-new-style-direction#post-1852996 Sat, 14 Oct 2017 08:16:03 +0000 rachylou 1852996@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Out of curiosity, how do you spend your days? What sort of activities occupy your time? If it's an issue of practicality, then I might pass. But if it's just being a bit fancier, I'd maybe go for it... </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/fantasy-lifestyle-versus-new-style-direction#post-1852992 Sat, 14 Oct 2017 07:46:44 +0000 Jenni NZ 1852992@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Do you mind if you're more dressed up than some at the weekend? I never mind, I feel more put together. I do live in a fairly affluent area so there will always be some other women around who are more dressed up than me I guess, so environmental norms affect me, to my advantage in this case. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/fantasy-lifestyle-versus-new-style-direction#post-1852986 Sat, 14 Oct 2017 06:41:19 +0000 Bijou 1852986@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Can you wear it over jeans? If you can, then I think you can dress it down and will be able to get a lot of wear from it. I have a rather formal gilet that I wear with dressy clothes to work, but on weekends, I can put it on with my jeans and a long sleeved t-shirt and it is a great weekend look - casual yet smart at the same time. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/fantasy-lifestyle-versus-new-style-direction#post-1852981 Sat, 14 Oct 2017 05:26:41 +0000 Firecracker (Sharan) 1852981@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Over a dress is just one way to wear it. Would it work with some pants outfits you have now? Then you could gradually add dresses that would go with it, as you find them. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/fantasy-lifestyle-versus-new-style-direction#post-1852974 Sat, 14 Oct 2017 04:50:39 +0000 3style 1852974@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I’ve been eyeing a particular gilet for the last few days. When I read Angie’s blog post I realized that it would not be suitable for wearing over any of my existing dresses. It is in the style direction which I would like to be heading, but it is fancier than I typically dress now, and I am concerned about potentially shopping for a fantasy lifestyle. A more casual style of gilet seems like it would be more practical, but it doesn't appeal to my love of structure. The one I like has a belt and is almost like a sleeveless trenchcoat. Thoughts? </p>