https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/fashion-horror-show Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Mon, 11 May 2026 10:04:55 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/fashion-horror-show#post-41514 Sat, 03 Jan 2009 01:04:33 +0000 shiny 41514@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Marianne - you nailed it on the head! I think more than anything I would love to achieve a timeless and classic, yet still fashion-forward, style. I still don't know how one does that, especially because, even now, I'm drawn to trendy styles. </p> <p>I look back on these photos and I think: It wasn't the trend that was the problem; it was the fit and how I wore the trend. With the right fit, even shoulder pads could look good... assuming that trend came back. (Not that I want it to!!) For example, my ex-boss: she was wearing shoulder pads but at 5'1" she chose her shoulder pads more wisely (also helped she is a seamstress and painstakingly made her own clothes or tailored them herself). </p> <p>I do know, looking back at wedding photos, that my sister (who married a year after I did) looks absolutely timeless in her wedding dress - whereas I look like a fashion victim - no, a fashion disaster! I would burn all those pics if I didn't have my kids, for whom I save them all. But you'll note I didn't scan any of those in!!</p> <p>Shell, up until my 20s I was a blonde. But my hair darkened and the brown was/is my natural color (especially when it is short and dosen't have time to lighten in the sun before it's cut). I started regularly highlighting it about 10 years ago. I started highlighting it after one too many comments from strangers asking where my two blondies got their blonde hair! They got their blonde hair from me. My hair as a teen was exactly halfway between DD14's white-blonde hair, and DD16's caramel blonde hair. </p> <p>I have no intention of going natural again - until it's time to go grey. I really like being a blonde. However, I have toyed on and off with the idea of going red. I have a lot of red in my natural color, my mom was a red-head and my sister is a red-head. My hairdressers have always said I could pull it off, it just takes way too much maintenance and upkeep (even more than blonde highlights!), which is why I haven't done it. </p> <p>Looking at these pics, I do have to say I kinda like the short hair. Not so much the bangs, but I do like the idea of going shorter, so that is likely in my future one of these days. </p> <p>Maya - I feel like I was between generations and was too old for the real fashion fun of the 80s, then was pregnant or raising young children during the height of the 90s, so missed all those trend too. When everyone here talks about Doc Martens - I don't remember that trend at all!! Passed right by me! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/fashion-horror-show#post-41510 Sat, 03 Jan 2009 00:43:37 +0000 shell 41510@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>oh, and i forgot to mention - i'm a 90's child too, maya! i totally remember the shirt clips and the slap bracelets. i'm pretty sure my mom dolled me up in tons of leggings. and the oversized t-shirt phenomenon. and my brother was big into windpants and his starter jacket. </p> <p>for as much heat as the 90's get for being unfashionable, i should had fun wearing them! and we totally had the best cartoons and toys! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/fashion-horror-show#post-41509 Sat, 03 Jan 2009 00:41:21 +0000 shell 41509@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>how fun to see you over the years, shiny! i must agree, as soon as i saw the photo with dark hair, i thought "oh wow, she looks great as a brunette!" </p> <p>i'm assuming your current blonde-ish color is your natural color? would you ever consider trying brown again? i think it would look smashing for fall/winter, especially with all the rich jewel tones you've stocked up on this year! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/fashion-horror-show#post-41491 Fri, 02 Jan 2009 22:58:43 +0000 Laura 41491@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Oh! Now that I see the photo Maya posted, I know what shirt clips are. I was thinking they were like those plastic clips you use to seal an opened bag of potato chips :)</p> <p>I used to knot my oversized t-shirts. Guess I wasn't fashion-forward enough to use the sequined clips! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/fashion-horror-show#post-41450 Fri, 02 Jan 2009 17:19:36 +0000 Tanya 41450@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Shiny, thank you for sharing these with us, it was so much fun going through the fashion decades with you. I was a child in the 80's and a teenager in early 90's, so I have never actually seen a lot of it in reality. </p> <p>And Patience is right, it seems that your 'Shiny pose' is a part of you! Lovely indeed. And I also like how you looked with the darker hair. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/fashion-horror-show#post-41435 Fri, 02 Jan 2009 16:06:49 +0000 Patience 41435@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Maya, I do recall those shirt clips now although I never wore one.</p> <p>Shiny, I love knowing that you have been doing Shiny poses your whole life! Thanks for sharing the pics. I actually love the one with the shiny blue dress and camel jacket although the shoulder pads are terrible. This just goes to show that you have been stylish your whole life even if it was under wraps at some points. You look really cute with shorter hair too. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/fashion-horror-show#post-41401 Fri, 02 Jan 2009 04:54:34 +0000 Maya 41401@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I tried to find pictures of them but I'm not sure exactly what they were called. I just called them shirt clips. You'd get a long shirt--about tunic length, bunch it up on the side around your hipbone, and then pull the excess fabric through this clip thing. If you didn't have a clip, you could just use a scrunchie to hold it in place. </p> <p>Oh, I finally found a picture, and I actually had this exact one, but in green! In fact I think I might still have it somewhere.</p> <p><a href="http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m35/jeninifer_2006/TSHIRTSLIDE.jpg" rel="nofollow">http://i100.photobucket.com/al.....TSLIDE.jpg</a> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/fashion-horror-show#post-41395 Fri, 02 Jan 2009 04:12:47 +0000 Laura 41395@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Yes Maya, do tell: what are shirt clips?? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/fashion-horror-show#post-41393 Fri, 02 Jan 2009 04:03:07 +0000 marianne 41393@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Shiny, I really enjoyed your pictures and seeing how you changed. I grew up wearing mostly hand-me-downs and random thrifted or altered stuff, so I never had anything fashion-forward in the 80s, and it's fun to see it now. I actually like the blue shirtdress on you. I also thought that your boss would look very appropriate now and it makes me wonder how to achieve that. You know how you can always date photos or movies to a certain period by their fashions, but some look sleek and some horrendous... maybe that's what personal style is </p> <p>Maya, I guess I was so oblivious to fashion in the 90s that I have no idea what clips you're talking about. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/fashion-horror-show#post-41375 Fri, 02 Jan 2009 02:45:57 +0000 Angie 41375@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>How fabulous! You have been busy. Thanks for sharing fashion memory lane with us. Rest assured we all wore some of those “interesting” ensemble pieces. I actually like you with darker hair too </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/fashion-horror-show#post-41371 Fri, 02 Jan 2009 02:28:33 +0000 Julia 41371@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Shiny I love your smile and confidence in those pictures! What a good idea to scan the old pictures and store them in the computer. I enjoyed reading your stories more than noticing those fashion fou-paux. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/fashion-horror-show#post-41359 Fri, 02 Jan 2009 01:41:15 +0000 Becky 41359@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Maya, I graduated high school in the early 90s, so I was a victim of both decades' fashion horrors! I desperately wanted a pair of parachute pants, but was denied by the Powers that Were (Mom). I had forgotten the one strap overalls until you mentioned them! I also had a couple of shirt clips... </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/fashion-horror-show#post-41340 Fri, 02 Jan 2009 01:02:23 +0000 Maya 41340@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Oh come on, wasn't anyone else here a kid in the 90's? </p> <p>My favorite outfits involved a LOOOOONG shirt that was clipped to the side with one of those silly shirt clips, or knotted with a scrunchie, super light wash jeans, and literal riding boots. I used to ride horses when I was young and I would wear my horsey boots everywhere. I remember some of my shirts came with the clip included and they came in all kinds of shapes...stars, hearts, circles, squares, etc.</p> <p>And of course I would accessorize with a slap bracelet, and those silver beads that all the cool kids wore. </p> <p><a href="http://lib.store.yahoo.net/lib/myjewelbox/fatsbckr.jpg" rel="nofollow">http://lib.store.yahoo.net/lib.....tsbckr.jpg</a></p> <p>I also had a giant ring that would light up, and at some point I got into the habit of wearing a ring on every finger. Not nice rings of course, but strange and cheap little baubles. My favorite was an eyeball ring but I was also a fan of chunky acrylic rings. </p> <p>Oh and my brother had a pair of PARACHUTE PANTS with a ridiculous neon geometric pattern all over them. </p> <p>Sorry for hijacking your topic Shiny. I just want to reinforce the fact that if ever there was a decade that was less stylish than the 80's, it was the 90's, and that was true for all ages.</p> <p>Edit: wait one more thing: overalls with only one strap! OK I am done. That was fun! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/fashion-horror-show#post-41328 Fri, 02 Jan 2009 00:21:13 +0000 Alecia 41328@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Shiny, thank you so much for sharing this. Like Becky, I'm a little younger than you but remember some of those fashions. My favorite outfits as a kid in the late-80s (I think that's about when it would've been) included a dayglo orange and pink esprit number that was a skirt with built in bike shorts underneath and real body glove bike shorts worn with a t-shirt. Oh my. </p> <p>I even wore shoulder pads at the ripe age of 10 and 11. Goodness. </p> <p>It's fun to look back on this and laugh. Your daughters are beautiful! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/fashion-horror-show#post-41293 Thu, 01 Jan 2009 21:34:45 +0000 Anonymous 41293@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Shiny and Tarzy you both are so good to share your fashion history with us.<br /> Tarzy your story is very interesting and you have come a long way.<br /> Both of you are very stylish. You each seem to really know yourself and what works and makes you comfortable. That is exactly my goal which I am taking longer to reach since I am retired and home alone most of the day. I don't have a uniform for a lifestyle, so I'm pretty loose at pulling it all together. However I am learning an amazing amount from all of you stylish ladies, and I LOVE fashion and fabrics. In fact I'm leaning towards beginning garment sewing. I've been checking out the patterns online and they look interesting. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/fashion-horror-show#post-41291 Thu, 01 Jan 2009 21:03:12 +0000 Becky 41291@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Hee, hee, Shiny, I loved the fashion flashbacks! I'm several years younger than you, but I remember wearing many of the same trends, such as acid-wash jeans, huge shoulder pads, and stirrup pants. Then there was the mom phase with sweat pants, athletic sneakers, and oversized tees (which I did even before I was a mom). I just so thankful for YLF and all of you fab ladies here who have been so instrumental in helping me dress in a more current and flattering way. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/fashion-horror-show#post-41283 Thu, 01 Jan 2009 19:34:46 +0000 tarzy 41283@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I think a lot of us have fashion-horror pasts!</p> <p>It took me years and years to get over the thrift-store clothing of my childhood. All my clothes until I was about 16 were from thrift stores or were hand-me-downs, and believe me - not all thrift store clothes are fabulous vintage pieces. For many, many years, I did not know the first thing about putting together an outfit (how can you when nothing "goes" together and nothing really fits right?) I never dressed like I was part of the times I lived in, and was totally unaware of trends or styles, even though I read Seventeen magazine religiously. But for some reason the advice never sunk in. Then when I was in my 20's, I didn't know the basics, and stumbled around trying to figure things out. We didn't have the internet back then for all this great advice and support!</p> <p>Even today I can not shop at second-hand stores, no matter how trendy it has become. I think that's also why I tend to try to "match" too much and play it safe - because I'm afraid of looking like "that weird kid" again. But I do feel I've come a long, long way, and at least now I look like I belong on this planet. And in my 50's, I'm finally at a point where I can say "Who cares what other people think," and figure out what I like. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/fashion-horror-show#post-41282 Thu, 01 Jan 2009 18:53:56 +0000 Anonymous 41282@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I guess I was the odd one out even back in the late 80's, I never ever wore shoulder pads. I took them out of garments if I could. My best friend who was a banker absolutely loved the shoulder pads. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/fashion-horror-show#post-41280 Thu, 01 Jan 2009 18:47:39 +0000 Laura 41280@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Yes, I meant to say how darling your daughters look in every photo!</p> <p>I completely recognized the work outfits you wore. I too wore lots of Liz Claiborne, can't remember AK as much as you do, but I do remember stalking clothes in Ann Taylor on 57th Street, back when they carried lots of different brands. I had a Liz Claiborne lavendar sweater skirt, matching sweater (with shoulder pads) AND sweater jacket (with gi-normous shoulder pads) that I would wear simultaneously (imagine TWO layers of shoulder pads!!). Then I would layer on a coordinating silk scarf and grey pumps and grey sheer hose. That was my absolute favorite outfit of the late 80s for work. Oh my gosh, I am almost fainting at the thought! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/fashion-horror-show#post-41274 Thu, 01 Jan 2009 18:19:32 +0000 Anonymous 41274@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Shiny you are gorgous. Thankyou so much for letting us enjoy these stylish pictures. You have always had IT.<br /> Your blondie daughters are so cute too. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/fashion-horror-show#post-41272 Thu, 01 Jan 2009 18:14:51 +0000 Maya 41272@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>This is exactly why I stopped wearing skinnies! I know in another 20 years I will look back at pictures of myself and wince. They look good and normal now because our eyes have adjusted to the look, but I don't think they're going to stand the test of time. In the end we'll all wonder why we let ourselves look like ice cream cones. I still think they look stupendous on a slim boyish frame, but I draw the line there unless you're covering your hips and thighs with a tunic or tucking them into boots. I don't want to waste my 20's on trends that I'll cringe at in a few years!</p> <p>I too love how you were doing Shiny poses from the very beginning. And I actually really like those slouchy ankle boots your sister(?) is wearing. </p> <p>You have made a real transformation. I actually think you look younger now than you did then. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/fashion-horror-show#post-41267 Thu, 01 Jan 2009 17:42:28 +0000 shiny 41267@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Joy, that's because my father is a big photography buff. I grew up with a camera in my face all the time. Very annoying! I have lots of photos of me sticking my tongue out at him or crossing my eyes. </p> <p>Looking at all the photos (not just the ones I scanned) it's clear to me that in my teens I loved to strike a pose... then from my 20s through mid-30s I just look awkward and uncomfortable... in such very bad clothing choices.... it's no wonder! Those years were one big blur of feeling fat, frumpy, and dumpy. Even when I was thin. </p> <p>It's YLF that has me posing once again! (Thanks Angie!) </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/fashion-horror-show#post-41265 Thu, 01 Jan 2009 17:32:42 +0000 Anonymous 41265@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>What a memory trip! I wonder what we will laugh at when we see ourselves in photos from 2008. Thanks for sharing. I loved how you posed even as a kid! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/fashion-horror-show#post-41264 Thu, 01 Jan 2009 17:24:10 +0000 shiny 41264@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Tarzy, my first boss and I have remained good friends all these years. She is so stylish and classic, if you look at how she is dressed back then, she fit in with the times and yet could be transported to 2009 and still look appropriate. I have other pics - including one of her at my first wedding - in which her outfit is timeless (but my wedding gown is not.... yeessshhh!)</p> <p>(Incidentally, in that same photo, to the left, you can see my sister - the one with the auburn hair)</p> <p>San, sorry - I forgot I have my albums password protected! Laura has the correct password but I think it is lowercase ylf2008.</p> <p>Laura, I'm glad you enjoyed!! I did work for about 6 years before leaving to raise kids for 5 years. For some reason I have no photos of me in work clothes - I'm sure they're kicking around somewhere in storage. I had a much better work wardrobe back then, not quite so cringe-worthy! Yes, lots of shoulder pads but at least with suits, I could find petite sizing. I wore a lot of Liz Clairborne, Ann Klein, and Petite Sophiticate. Ann Klein was my favorite. I would save and save and save to be able to afford AK. Plus, I had my first boss to help guide my work wardrobe choices - she and I would go hit the mall over our lunch break. </p> <p>I recall hating the weekends because then I'd have to wear casual clothes, and casual clothes I just didn't know how to do - as you can see by these photos!!! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/fashion-horror-show#post-41262 Thu, 01 Jan 2009 16:54:42 +0000 Laura 41262@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>The password I used was YLF2008 (just a guess, and it worked!)</p> <p>Shiny, this is just priceless. It actually brought tears to my eyes so I must be feeling overly hormonal AND reflective today, a dangerous combo!! Since we are the same age, I could completely remember everything you wore in every era. Except for the fact that you became a mom while I was still playing Working Girl in NYC, I could relate. I loved the jeans, the big sweaters over stirrup pants, the shoulder pads in everything, the pastels, the silk blouses with ties, the leather jackets -- EVERYTHING. Thanks for taking us on the journey ... </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/fashion-horror-show#post-41241 Thu, 01 Jan 2009 06:30:49 +0000 Anonymous 41241@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>How fun that you did this Shiny. What is the password to have a look? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/fashion-horror-show#post-41240 Thu, 01 Jan 2009 06:21:13 +0000 tarzy 41240@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Too funny! Thanks for posting those! But don't beat yourself up - it wasn't you, it was the times. </p> <p>My fave is the pic with your boss behind you. She's looking at you like she's seriously studying your shoulder pads, but I'm not sure if she's admiring them or plotting how to remove them. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/fashion-horror-show#post-41232 Thu, 01 Jan 2009 03:12:21 +0000 anne 41232@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Shiny<br /> That was very entertaining. I think you have come a long way! I can see what you mean about your baby face when you were younger.<br /> Happy new year to you too. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/fashion-horror-show#post-41222 Thu, 01 Jan 2009 02:27:26 +0000 shiny 41222@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Because we're stuck in the house and I'm dreadfully, terribly bored with way too much time on my hands, I went through some old photos and scanned them in. </p> <p>I'm not going to editorialize here - you can read the titles and captions if you like. Here is my "Fashion Horror Show" - from junior high (late 70s) until as recent as 2000 (after which I moved to digital - I probably could dig up even more fashion horror pics after that date, but things did start improving in the past few years). You'll see mom jeans, acid wash jeans, shoulder pads, and much, much more... </p> <p><a href="http://s386.photobucket.com/albums/oo309/lookingfabat43/fashion%20horrors/" rel="nofollow">http://s386.photobucket.com/al.....20horrors/</a></p> <p>This was an interesting exercise for me. The more I scanned, the more it clicked with me that (with exception of a few years where I gained a ton of weight - and have, on purpose, very few pics from that time) I'm really about the same size throughout. I just looked a lot dumpier way back when, because it was sooo much harder to find petite sized clothes, and the styles were all about VOLUME. Which didn't help. </p> <p>Happy New Year. </p>