https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/hello-a-ridiculously-long-style-introduction Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Fri, 10 Apr 2026 02:16:41 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/hello-a-ridiculously-long-style-introduction#post-1083952 Wed, 13 Nov 2013 19:59:07 +0000 rachylou 1083952@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Interesting! I was wondering about your thrifting thought process and strategy. (These things interest me, hehe.)</p> <p>And haha... if I saw something from Old Navy at my Goodwill, I'd be over the moon. I'm convinced - and I've had this reaffirmed by people I know who work there - my Goodwill sucks in particular. It's all strange black pants... </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/hello-a-ridiculously-long-style-introduction#post-1083835 Wed, 13 Nov 2013 18:42:13 +0000 Dee 1083835@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Hi E! As someone who also has RA, I totally share your shoe difficulties! Shoes that are comfortable, supportive AND cute are elusive at the best of times, not to mention the environmentally friendly angle,&nbsp;so I'm looking forward to seeing your posts/pictures. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/hello-a-ridiculously-long-style-introduction#post-1083375 Wed, 13 Nov 2013 08:46:19 +0000 anne 1083375@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Hi E,</p> <p>We are "twins"&nbsp;in some ways.I agree with &nbsp;"My main fit challenges are my long torso &amp; long rise, comparatively broad shoulders, and comparatively small waist"&nbsp; share your difficulty with shoes, and am also on &nbsp;a small budget, most of which is reserved for shoes.<br />Welcome!<br />I have checked out your 2 WIWs and like your vintage charm ( I am also keen on dresses with tops underneath) </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/hello-a-ridiculously-long-style-introduction#post-1082208 Tue, 12 Nov 2013 05:51:48 +0000 E 1082208@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Sry shemarie: cross posted! Thank you for all your kind words; I tend to overanalyse and research anything I'm interested in to death.&nbsp;;) </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/hello-a-ridiculously-long-style-introduction#post-1082204 Tue, 12 Nov 2013 05:50:00 +0000 E 1082204@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thnx Goldenpig!</p> <p>Lol Jeanie! I do actually. (And my outfit post shows them on my foot, fyi.) My foot is 3 3/4" at its widest point, which for me is right before my toes begin &amp; I can wear the boots comfortably with medium or lightweight wool socks. They fit pretty snugly with the medium weight but not uncomfortable.&nbsp;I also have between 1/2" and 1" of length between where my foot ends and where the boot ends, so the pointy-ish tips don't squish my toes (my baby toe hates being squished). Hope that helps! And yay for wool &amp; muted tones! Some of my clothes are so dark they're one step removed from black, so it's definitely a process. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/hello-a-ridiculously-long-style-introduction#post-1082202 Tue, 12 Nov 2013 05:49:42 +0000 shemarie 1082202@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Welcome, E! I'm new here too, but wow! You seem to have <i>such</i> a&nbsp;great grasp of your style, goals, and aspirations...thank you for sharing it!&nbsp; I'm learning so much.&nbsp; I also loved reading all of the in-depth shoe/company analysis.&nbsp; So interesting! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/hello-a-ridiculously-long-style-introduction#post-1082191 Tue, 12 Nov 2013 05:43:38 +0000 Jeanie 1082191@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Welcome E! &nbsp;Great background summary. &nbsp;I share your love for wools and a lot of your color pallet though I still do black. &nbsp;Trying to move out of the black zone though. &nbsp;I have similar foot issues. &nbsp;I was eyeing those Frye boots but they looked narrow to me. &nbsp;My foot is a little over 4" at the toes. &nbsp;Do you know how wide your foot is? &nbsp;OK, yes, that's a weird question for a first welcome post....LOL! &nbsp;Can't wait to see your pics.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/hello-a-ridiculously-long-style-introduction#post-1082186 Tue, 12 Nov 2013 05:33:42 +0000 goldenpig 1082186@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Another welcome to YLF, E! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/hello-a-ridiculously-long-style-introduction#post-1082173 Tue, 12 Nov 2013 05:11:35 +0000 Vix 1082173@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Welcome, E; sounds like you know yourself, your style preferences, and your shape. It'll be fun to see/hear that in action! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/hello-a-ridiculously-long-style-introduction#post-1082166 Tue, 12 Nov 2013 05:04:14 +0000 Word Lily 1082166@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>"[A] banner year for blogging failure" sounds like a pretty good description for me too, alas. But cheers! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/hello-a-ridiculously-long-style-introduction#post-1082161 Tue, 12 Nov 2013 04:59:52 +0000 E 1082161@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>You do Lily! I was actually just planning on getting back to blogging regularly; this has been a banner year for blogging failure. lol (And I was totally wondering the same thing. The internet is such a small world!) </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/hello-a-ridiculously-long-style-introduction#post-1082138 Tue, 12 Nov 2013 04:35:37 +0000 Word Lily 1082138@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Welcome, welcome, E! I'm new here too.&nbsp;(I'm curious, do I know you from book blogging?) </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/hello-a-ridiculously-long-style-introduction#post-1082128 Tue, 12 Nov 2013 04:25:56 +0000 E 1082128@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thank you Angie! I feel bad replying &amp; bumping this post back to the top, but I just wanted to say how much I appreciate your blog and forum and all of the time and effort you and Greg have put in to making it such a celebratory, welcoming, uplifting place. Your specific advice and formulas are of course incredibly helpful, and I have several of your blog posts bookmarked for easy reference,&nbsp;but I think the most beneficial aspect of&nbsp;YLF is your attitude that style is fun and for absolutely everyone, and that there's always a solution to any style problem, large or small. You meet women (and men I'm sure) where they're at and somehow magnify their own qualities into fabulousness, and always with a cheerful and supportive attitude. It's wonderful, and I'm thrilled to be a more active participant in your site, if only so that I could tell you that. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/hello-a-ridiculously-long-style-introduction#post-1081841 Tue, 12 Nov 2013 00:28:40 +0000 Angie 1081841@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>And another welcome from me.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/hello-a-ridiculously-long-style-introduction#post-1081825 Tue, 12 Nov 2013 00:18:55 +0000 E 1081825@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thanks to everyone for the welcome!</p> <p>Rachy, I doubt the reality lives up to your expectations, but I hope you aren't too disappointed. I love your style!</p> <p>The thrift shops around here are usually mainly full of 'mall brands': Gap, Old Navy, Target, Banana Republic, Talbots, Ann Taylor, J Crew, and not too much in the way of unusual brands/designers. So I more get excited about objects than brands: wool cardigans, silk blouses, and vintage skirts that are super full and meant to sit at the natural waist! And of course skirts and dresses with pockets. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/hello-a-ridiculously-long-style-introduction#post-1081676 Mon, 11 Nov 2013 22:14:07 +0000 deb 1081676@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Welcome! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/hello-a-ridiculously-long-style-introduction#post-1081669 Mon, 11 Nov 2013 22:09:27 +0000 rachylou 1081669@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Welcome! I'm very excited to see you gamine, British countryside looks! And you go to the ballet - nice :D</p> <p>Out of curiosity, are there any brands you get excited to see when thrifting? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/hello-a-ridiculously-long-style-introduction#post-1081616 Mon, 11 Nov 2013 21:37:38 +0000 Inge 1081616@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>A big welcome E. It's fun to hear more about you and your style, and I'm already looking forward to seeing pics </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/hello-a-ridiculously-long-style-introduction#post-1081609 Mon, 11 Nov 2013 21:35:45 +0000 Debra 1081609@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Hello E, I too am looking forward to seeing how you style the lovely colours and shapes you have mentioned.....Welcome </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/hello-a-ridiculously-long-style-introduction#post-1081595 Mon, 11 Nov 2013 21:24:57 +0000 peacechick 1081595@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Hi E, I'm a fellow newbie and I hope to see more of you round here! You've picked out some nice classic shoes, and I look forward to pictures! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/hello-a-ridiculously-long-style-introduction#post-1081588 Mon, 11 Nov 2013 21:20:02 +0000 Deborah 1081588@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Welcome E! I look forward to getting to know you and I hope we get to see your fab style soon:) </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/hello-a-ridiculously-long-style-introduction#post-1081587 Mon, 11 Nov 2013 21:18:05 +0000 Marmee 1081587@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Welcome! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/hello-a-ridiculously-long-style-introduction#post-1081575 Mon, 11 Nov 2013 21:13:34 +0000 E 1081575@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thank you for the welcomes Shedev &amp; Ceit!</p> <p>Hi Amy K!</p> <p>To be honest, it's only this past year or so&nbsp;that I've been in a position to afford to buy nice shoes via&nbsp;retail instead of secondhand so I've just begun doing research. And it's SO difficult to track down the kind of information I need, so I do my best but accept that I can't know for sure.&nbsp;Also, since I live a casual life and don't mind a kind of rustic feel to my style, I often compromise on looks in the name of comfort, ethics, and quality. Oh and I'm in the US, which affects my shopping options.&nbsp;With those caveats, Timberland has excellent information on their ethics via their website:&nbsp;<a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.timberland.com/about-timberland/">http://www.timberland.com/about-timberland/</a>. I got a pair of lace up taupe suede ankle boots that I love and are super comfy but I can't find them on the website anymore (I actually ended up getting them new w/o box&nbsp;on Ebay for much cheaper&nbsp;but I would have be comfortable going retail as well). You have to search, but some of their styles are really nice (as opposed to their work boots). I've since ebay'ed a pair of Timberland old school waterproof&nbsp;leather hiking boots that I just love. Super comfy and stylish in a kind of nerdy way. hehe If they still carried similar styles, I'd definitely save up for another pair in a different colour and pay retail.&nbsp;I also bought a pair of shoes from Aurora Shoe Co (<a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.aurorashoeco.com/">http://www.aurorashoeco.com/</a>) which is a small company in upstate NY w very transparent manufacturing (shoes are made by hand)&nbsp;and high standards. The type of shoe they make&nbsp;definitely won't work with everyone's style, but I love mine (navy blue West Indians) and they're beyond comfortable once you've worn them in (about a week). I took them with to me on a month-long trip to Ecuador in September &amp; they were completely up to all the walking that sightseeing brings. I can also wear them sockless&nbsp;even in Texas summers, when it passes 100 almost every day (although I should mention my feet are always cold and never sweat, which helps in the heat!).&nbsp;&nbsp;I'm saving up for another pair, and I'm happy to be supporting a small ethical company as well as my feet. :)</p> <p>My sister's getting married&nbsp;in December, and I'm a bridesmaid,&nbsp;so suddenly I had to have some dressy grey&nbsp;heels: I ended up going with Naot (their pump called Trendy: <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.zappos.com/naot-footwear-trendy-gray-patent-leather-navy-nubuck">http://www.zappos.com/naot-foo.....avy-nubuck</a>), which is another small-ish company with just one manufacturing facility located in the same country as the company itself&nbsp;(<a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.naot.com/pdfs/FeelFreeGuide.pdf">http://www.naot.com/pdfs/FeelFreeGuide.pdf</a>). I can't find out quite as much about their manufacturing, but I really like that they have repair facilities listed on their website. And just last week I ordered a pair of Frye lace up ankle boots that were on sale (<a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.6pm.com/frye-carson-lace-up-slate-antique-soft-vintage-full-grain">http://www.6pm.com/frye-carson.....full-grain</a>), so now I'm researching them but it's a bit tricky to find a lot of info on their non-US manufacturing. That being said, they also have a repair center and even a warranty for free repairs&nbsp;for the first two years! I know there's a lot of Frye love on the forum, so maybe someone else knows more about their ethics and can help me out?</p> <p>Those shoes, assuming I keep the Fryes, add up to far more than I would usually spend, but as I said this is an unusual year, and I doubt I'll have as large a shoe budget in the future, so I thought it wise to get a few pairs that go with everything in my closet and will last for years. I didn't have many super comfortable, supportive shoes, so I was kind of&nbsp;building from scratch.&nbsp;The wedding shoes were unavoidable but at least they're comfy and durable!</p> <p>From the environmental angle, for me at least,&nbsp;getting&nbsp;shoes that are made to last for years and designed to be repaired/resoled, and then taking as good of care as them as possible,&nbsp;is key. It cuts down on how many resources I'm using, assuming I don't buy tons of pairs, as well as the manufacturing waste&nbsp;byproducts. As a vegetarian, I debated about leather shoes, but the non-leather alternatives seem even worse for the environment and my feet and/or aren't as durable, so I decided a few pairs of leathers shoes that I treat with love and respect are the best solution. I don't buy leather clothing though since they're lots of good non-leather options! All of the manufacturers I mention say that they source high quality leather, but I'm sure that the treatment and dying processes to create the leather use and/or create at least a few harmful substances. So limiting the numbers of pairs I buy seems the best solution, as well as only buying retail&nbsp;from companies that are at least aware of their environmental impact and seek to mitigate it.</p> <p>I've written another novel. Apologies! I find shoe shopping/wearing/etc. a million more times challenging than any other aspect of style, so I've thought a lot about it. And I'm very interested in sustainable lifestyles, so I've read and thought a lot about that too and clearly have far too much to say on the subject. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/hello-a-ridiculously-long-style-introduction#post-1081491 Mon, 11 Nov 2013 19:49:13 +0000 Anonymous 1081491@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Welcome, E! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/hello-a-ridiculously-long-style-introduction#post-1081479 Mon, 11 Nov 2013 19:36:23 +0000 minimalist 1081479@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Hi, E! </p> <p>I look forward to seeing your pictures.</p> <p>You wrote,<br /> "since I'm buying retail, and my money thus supports the company (vs secondhand), I do my best to ensure the company has high environmental/labour practices."</p> <p>This really, really resonates with me. Which companies have you found that are in line with your eithical values as well as with your style needs? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/hello-a-ridiculously-long-style-introduction#post-1081474 Mon, 11 Nov 2013 19:33:01 +0000 shedev 1081474@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>&nbsp;Welcome E. You are right that every shape has its challenges. Cant wait to see your pics. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/hello-a-ridiculously-long-style-introduction#post-1081468 Mon, 11 Nov 2013 19:22:16 +0000 E 1081468@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I thought it would be awkward to start commenting on other people's threads before introducing myself, so here's yet another newbie hello post. :)</p> <p>Like&nbsp;<span>quite a few others, while I'm a newbie to participating&nbsp;I've been reading the blog &amp;&nbsp;forum for awhile and 'playing along at home' on my style journey. I didn't join before because a) I have rheumatoid arthritis which is especially strong in my hands so try to limit my typing and b) I didn't want to post photos that could be pinned on Pinterest. The new privacy policy fixes the 2nd issue &amp; as for the first I'll just have to curb my natural long-windedness!</p> <p>My main style challenges are probably&nbsp;a small budget (around&nbsp;$25-$30/month for clothes, not including shoes) which sees me thrifting (and occasionally ebaying)&nbsp;almost everything except undies, shoes, and&nbsp;socks/tights&nbsp;and the climate of south Texas, which is super hot when my natural tastes run to wool everything&nbsp;and boots and coats&nbsp;and fall &amp; winter (I'm planning a move up north next year that will fix this). I don't work outside the house, so I don't have any dress codes to follow, and I'm 27 so don't have to worry too much about age related conventions yet (although I like my skirt/dress&nbsp;hemlines around my knees and my necklines fairly high anyway).</p> <p>My main fit challenges are my long torso &amp; long rise, comparatively broad shoulders, and comparatively small waist.&nbsp;Finding jeans &amp;&nbsp;trousers is difficult:&nbsp;any rise less than 10" doesn't really&nbsp;provide enough coverage and my hip region&nbsp;requires a size or two larger than my waist so pant waistbands&nbsp;almost always gape. The waistbands on a&nbsp;lot of dresses and jackets&nbsp;hit a few&nbsp;inches above my natural waist. And woven shirts and blazers, if they fit my shoulders, are almost always too big in the waist, unless they're vintage.</p> <p>Shoes are also a challenge, as my arthritis affects my feet, requiring high quality, supportive shoes, which I budget for separately since I consider it a health issue rather than just a style one. I'm often caught in between 6.5 and 7 (a Euro 37 seems to be a better bet) and need shoes that are generous in the toe area but narrow at the heel, as well as deep enough to give my arches room to be comfortable.&nbsp;I almost always wear 'flats' (1.5" heel or less) and most of my shoes look sturdy/clunky, but I think they match my general style and look intentional so I don't worry too much about it. I don't wear shoes in my house, but I love to walk when I go out&nbsp;so I expect almost all of my shoes to stand up to at least 1-3 miles/8 hour days. I also don't wear black shoes (I don't wear black clothes and have dark blonde hair, so no bookending options), which makes things trickier. And since I'm buying retail, and my money thus supports the company (vs secondhand), I do my best to ensure the company has high environmental/labour practices.&nbsp;When it comes to footwear, I definitely take the 'quality over quantity' approach, although sometimes I get lucky on ebay and can buy quality brands&nbsp;for less money (and without the ethical dilemmas of retail purchases).</p> <p>All of that being said, I have a closet full of clothes I love (and I love my body: I imagine every shape presents difficulties)&nbsp;and get dressed happily every morning, so I've figured out ways around my challenges! My favourite silhouettes are knee length full skirts that hit my natural waist&nbsp;+ tucked in top (either blouse or tee)&nbsp;and slim trousers/jeans (or shorts in summer)&nbsp;+ woven blouse + cardigan. I'm inspired by elements of vintage and&nbsp;gamine styles&nbsp;as well as traditional British countryside looks. I love muted colours and think I look better in cooler colours than warmer (sadly, mustard yellow makes me look jaundiced). Much of my closet is s</span>ome shade of grey,&nbsp;navy, or&nbsp;taupe; the rest is mainly shades of blue, pink, blue-green, and&nbsp;off-white<span>. More recently&nbsp;I have started allowing cool, bitter chocolate browns in, and am thrilled with how well they play with the rest of my palette. </p> <p>I'm not an aspiring style minimalist: my closet is probably around 150-200 pieces,&nbsp;and I'm happy with it to stay that way. But I am trying to focus mainly on filling wardrobe holes with purchases right now. I finally found a skirt fancy enough to wear to the ballet this last&nbsp;weekend, which was a fairly urgent need (going to a performance in three weeks), so now&nbsp;I'm taking a break&nbsp;from clothes shopping until February, what with the holidays coming up and wanting to focus on enjoying what I already own.</p> <p>And now I've written a novel (with typing breaks for my hands) even though I promised myself I wouldn't! I suppose I'm just too excited to finally be&nbsp;joining in, so I want to show you all that I've learned from everyone in the past couple of years. I'll post photos when I'm able and can't wait to see everyone's outfits again! ;)</p> <p>-E</span> </p>