https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/help-me-style-a-very-maximal-midi Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Tue, 21 Apr 2026 08:04:03 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/help-me-style-a-very-maximal-midi/page/2#post-1212277 Wed, 02 Apr 2014 16:42:03 +0000 rabbit 1212277@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p><b>Jules</b> - interesting how you see seasons first. &nbsp;I live in the PNW so seasons aren't very sharply defined all the time and temperature can vary a lot within a day, but I understand what you are saying and how the seasonal connotations of the skirt effect how you see the accompaniments - especially bare legs.</p> <p><b>racheylou</b> - that's a good point, because the skirt can be candy sweet whimsical if I let it. &nbsp;Needs some grounding energy.</p> <p>Thanks all!! &nbsp; I think I'm going to tally the votes just for fun&nbsp;;) &nbsp;It's interesting because there are some overall favorites, but it also tells me a lot about personal preferences and how individual ways of seeing process outfits differently. &nbsp;It's been very educational, no wrong answers, just a lot of insights to keep in mind. &nbsp;Very much appreciated!</p> <p> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/help-me-style-a-very-maximal-midi/page/2#post-1212010 Wed, 02 Apr 2014 06:19:13 +0000 An 1212010@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I love #2, 4, 6, 7, &amp; 10 (1st top). &nbsp;This is not something that I could wear but it looks so fab on you.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/help-me-style-a-very-maximal-midi/page/2#post-1211763 Wed, 02 Apr 2014 00:02:18 +0000 Firecracker (Sharan) 1211763@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>These outfits are amazing. I'm so impressed with your ability to style this skirt so many ways, and so beautifully. It's hard to pick favorites, but I'm most drawn to 1, 2, 3, 4, and 6, oh, plus a few of the others! Of the looks in 11, I like the hoodie best. I think the proportions are great. <br />Truly, you could wear any of these. Thanks for sharing! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/help-me-style-a-very-maximal-midi/page/2#post-1211742 Tue, 01 Apr 2014 23:40:31 +0000 Anonymous 1211742@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>How did I miss this! I like the pattern mixing best and my top choices would be 4 and 5. These are exciting outfits. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/help-me-style-a-very-maximal-midi/page/2#post-1211719 Tue, 01 Apr 2014 23:11:11 +0000 Marmee 1211719@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I like #2 and #6 best. &nbsp;I also like the&nbsp;button downs and leopard print. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/help-me-style-a-very-maximal-midi/page/2#post-1211598 Tue, 01 Apr 2014 20:21:00 +0000 rachylou 1211598@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Just chiming in here at the end to say that I liked the skirt with the darker colours best - black, olive, deep blue top, saturated pink top. I feel they add a little sophistication, balance the sweetness of the pattern. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/help-me-style-a-very-maximal-midi/page/2#post-1211574 Tue, 01 Apr 2014 19:41:57 +0000 Jules 1211574@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I like #4 without the cardi best. I think I would like #2 (without the coat)&nbsp;better if we could see some bare leg. <br />My conclusion, relevant only to myself, is that seasonal confusion (or seasonal "juxtaposition", I suppose) bother me more than other kinds of juxtaposition (which is something I have a bit of trouble with). Since I read the skirt as spring/summer/light/floral, I like it best with bare legged, short-sleeved looks, whatever the pattern or colour scheme. Even though I never, ever&nbsp;would have said "oh pair that with a grey/black leopard or skull shirt, naturally!".</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/help-me-style-a-very-maximal-midi/page/2#post-1211572 Tue, 01 Apr 2014 19:39:24 +0000 Suz 1211572@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>How did I miss this yesterday? What an amazing assemblage of outfits. And what an amazing skirt.&nbsp;</p> <p>I am going to echo every word that Angie said in both her comments. I am so inspired by your willingness to experiment and by your intelligent eye.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/help-me-style-a-very-maximal-midi/page/2#post-1211548 Tue, 01 Apr 2014 19:13:46 +0000 rabbit 1211548@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p><b>Jeanie</b> - thanks, I hear what you are saying about the boots. &nbsp;With a delicate small top it might be different, but with larger/bolder tops I definitely agree.</p> <p><b>goldenpig </b>- thank you! &nbsp;I think you are right that if I wanted a more dressy/tea party look the silver ballet slippers would be better with the first outfit. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/help-me-style-a-very-maximal-midi/page/2#post-1210148 Mon, 31 Mar 2014 07:25:47 +0000 goldenpig 1210148@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Wow, I love these! I think my favorites are 1, 2, 6, and 12, and I also like 3, 4, 7, 8, 9b and 10a. I love the pattern mixing! And the butterfly top and butterfly skirt matching is divine...maybe that combo with the ballet slippers in 8? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/help-me-style-a-very-maximal-midi/page/2#post-1210083 Mon, 31 Mar 2014 04:54:42 +0000 Jeanie 1210083@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>How fun for you and us! &nbsp;I love it with the boots and shirt&nbsp;in #7 &nbsp;the best. &nbsp;I feel like the skirt needs those boots (rather than sandals)&nbsp;to ground it for some reason and you can wear almost anything on top.&nbsp;&nbsp; You and <b>adorkable</b> are really opening my eyes to how much I like unexpected pattern mixing! &nbsp;Thanks for this wonderful fashion exercise. &nbsp;&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/help-me-style-a-very-maximal-midi/page/2#post-1210057 Mon, 31 Mar 2014 04:30:13 +0000 rabbit 1210057@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thanks <b>laura</b>, <b>neonginger</b>, <b>caro</b>, <b>Deborah</b>, and <b>em</b>!</p> <p><b>Kat </b>- I tend towards minimalism/clean/harmonius too, so this was a departure for fun and experimentation. &nbsp;But I too love a statement skirt! Like you,&nbsp;I usually prefer it with black and will keep wearing it that way. &nbsp;I like the edgier black in #2 also.</p> <p><b>Tina</b> - thanks, very wise, choosing an outfit is all in the 'persona' I want to inhabit that day, along with where and what I'll be doing. &nbsp;Some of these I'd really have to be in a super confident bubbly mood to wear (but I fairly often&nbsp;feel that way, so there you go :)).&nbsp;</p> <p><b>Torontogirl</b> - I like mixing feminine/soft/flowery with edgy too. It's a big part of my artwork, so it's interesting that it carries over into clothes preferences as well.</p> <p><b>Sarah A</b> - thanks, I probably will wear the cage sandals with the second loose black top, it would be very comfortable and a way to casualize the skirt while keeping the look classic. &nbsp;I did try out a variety of shoes with this and it was fun to see that if I was okay with leg shortening at times I could actually wear quite a variety.</p> <p><b>Manidipa</b> - I usually avoid pattern mixing too, and tend to prefer more harmonious looks, but this was fun, and I liked a few of them enough that I will wear them out for the right occasions. &nbsp;The leopard one is interesting. &nbsp;It's one that I wasn't sure about too at first. &nbsp;I wonder how much has to do with whether ones' eye is very accostumed to leopard patterns? &nbsp;Or if the silhouette overcomes the pattern difference depending on what one focuses on first?</p> <p><b>Annagybe</b> - I love the skirt too, even though it was more hectic than my usual style when I bought it, and still is now. &nbsp;I'm always finding something new in the pattern. &nbsp; I welcome any ideas you have, as you are a master of making a lot of visual information work well in one outfit, and also have a very educated eye about proportion and what feels current.</p> <p><b>fuzzylogic</b> - high five! &nbsp;:D &nbsp;This was fun, but it wasn't easy. &nbsp;There were several looks that worked in the mirror but didn't on film, some that I rethought and reshot the next day, and also I wasn't the photographer (and he had limited patience) so I couldn't try everything out. I tended to skip the tops I already knew looked good with it (often dressier black ones) and tried for things I hadn't yet considered so that it would be a learning process.</p> <p><b>Gigi</b> - I hear you, &nbsp;your preferences are the same as mine :). &nbsp;That's why I tried this out, to push my boundaries a bit. &nbsp;My default tends to be matching plain tops and shoes that form a backdrop but don't compete with the skirt, and previously I had stuck with either tall boots or low-vamped dress shoes. &nbsp;I tried some shoes that really didn't work at all (black converse) because of the leg shortening effect. &nbsp;I decided to keep some of the high vamped shoes because I wanted to add something a little unexpected. &nbsp;For example, the white Guess tennis shoes in the first outfit were to balance out&nbsp;the whole thing from looking a bit to much&nbsp;like a sugary Mamie Eisenhower outfit ;)</p> <p><b>adorkable </b>and <b>rae</b> - bold solid tops will be my default - it's what I'm most comfortable with too, but some of these pattern mixes might make it out of the house if I'm feeling roguish :)&nbsp;</p> <p><b>Rae</b> - I found that bag at Goodwill the other day, I was contemplating whether a beat up brown leather Coach had any&nbsp;potential when it meowed out to me, I had to have it. &nbsp;I think it's from the same Japanese company that does the pug bags? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/help-me-style-a-very-maximal-midi#post-1210010 Mon, 31 Mar 2014 03:53:35 +0000 rae 1210010@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I love 2, 8, 9, and 11. Especially with fashion going more minimal, I love the skirt with solids up top. Also, I have contemplated that cat bag a few times - glad to see a YLFer rock it! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/help-me-style-a-very-maximal-midi#post-1210004 Mon, 31 Mar 2014 03:47:54 +0000 adorkable 1210004@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>This skirt feels very true to you. Personally, I like the bold solid tops the best (and you've got quite a set), but I'm excited to see how versatile this will be for you! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/help-me-style-a-very-maximal-midi#post-1209968 Mon, 31 Mar 2014 03:22:07 +0000 Gigi 1209968@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Rabbit, I always enjoy your posts and seeing what you come up with! This was a fun experiment.</p> <p>My favorites were 2 (with the jacket closed up), 6 (with the jacket on), 7 (sandals version), 9 (heels version), and 10 (with the shirt that has two shoulders).&nbsp;</p> <p>I think my reasons for liking the above outfits the best were that I generally like having only one real focal point in an outfit; I don't like too much going on. So I found that I did not prefer the pattern-mixing outfits for this reason. I would even have preferred to have seen a solid scarf with the closed-up jacket in 2. :^) I really liked the silhouette of outfit 5, but due to the pattern-mixing issue, I would have liked it better with a solid-colored version of the top. I guess I am really allergic to pattern mixing! :^)</p> <p>I also noticed that I much preferred the lower-vamped footwear with this skirt, which is no surprise because midis are often leg shortening. So I preferred the sandals and heels to the booties and high-tops, and my second fave would be the knee-high boots.&nbsp;But when it's winter or rainy, there's not much of a choice, I know! :^)&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/help-me-style-a-very-maximal-midi#post-1209946 Mon, 31 Mar 2014 03:08:26 +0000 fuzzylogic 1209946@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>A feast for the yes, rabbit! Thanks so much for posting these!!!</p> <p>My personal fave is #2! Love, love LOVE IT!</p> <p>But I also love it with the whimsical butterfly top, and the gladiator sandals with the black asymmetrical top. And you are owning the tough ballerina look which is no mean feat!!</p> <p>I could high five you right now (if it were still cool......)!! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/help-me-style-a-very-maximal-midi#post-1209944 Mon, 31 Mar 2014 03:07:32 +0000 ManidipaM 1209944@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Good grief, you are.glorious.in that skirt... and the things you have done with it!</p> <p>I do have a cultural bias for pattern mixing. But tend to be timid myself. That said, I luurrve #1-3, 6, 7 with the boots, 10, and the second panel in 11. I am not so sold on 4 and 9 but see others like 4 a lot so I must be using poison eye there. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/help-me-style-a-very-maximal-midi#post-1209930 Mon, 31 Mar 2014 02:58:50 +0000 annagybe 1209930@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I adore the skirt. The pattern reminds of some of the stuff Alexander McQueen would do. However I am going to have to ponder styling.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/help-me-style-a-very-maximal-midi#post-1209928 Mon, 31 Mar 2014 02:57:13 +0000 ManidipaM 1209928@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Good grief, you are.glorious.in that skirt... and the things you have done with it!</p> <p>I do have a cultural bias for pattern mixing. But tend to be timid myself. That said, I luurrve #1-3, 6, 7 with the boots, 10, and the second panel in 11. I am not so sold on 4 and 9 but see others like 4 a lot so I must be using poison eye there. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/help-me-style-a-very-maximal-midi#post-1209889 Mon, 31 Mar 2014 02:16:18 +0000 Em 1209889@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>That's such a pretty and versatile skirt, Rabbit! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/help-me-style-a-very-maximal-midi#post-1209887 Mon, 31 Mar 2014 02:15:09 +0000 Deborah 1209887@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I just love how creative you are with your outfits Rabbit:)&nbsp; #2 is just out of the ball park for me.&nbsp; So fab!!&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/help-me-style-a-very-maximal-midi#post-1209884 Mon, 31 Mar 2014 02:12:58 +0000 Sarah A 1209884@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Just had to stop by to vote for #4 without the topper and 6 and 10. would love to see the short for #10 photo 2 with the sandals from #10 photo 1. Super fun styling exercise and you have a fantastic shoe collection </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/help-me-style-a-very-maximal-midi#post-1209876 Mon, 31 Mar 2014 02:08:13 +0000 Angie 1209876@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Chiming in to say that you are classy to address every reply individually.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/help-me-style-a-very-maximal-midi#post-1209835 Mon, 31 Mar 2014 01:32:34 +0000 Caro in Oz 1209835@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I love the second one in #4. Great looks &amp; fab exercise. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/help-me-style-a-very-maximal-midi#post-1209812 Mon, 31 Mar 2014 00:39:00 +0000 Helena 1209812@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Wow, you are quite fearless! I love it with the skull shirt (like the mix of the flowery with something edgy), and the classic white tee and jean-jacket looks. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/help-me-style-a-very-maximal-midi#post-1209799 Mon, 31 Mar 2014 00:18:37 +0000 Tina 1209799@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thanks for the mini series on the maximal midi. #7 is my favorite but I think they all work, you just need the right 'persona' (not sure if that's the right word) to execute them. By your expressions it looks like your have that figured out. You have a lot of creative talent to come up with son many different variations and then to style<br /> them so they look purposeful. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/help-me-style-a-very-maximal-midi#post-1209777 Sun, 30 Mar 2014 23:55:52 +0000 Kat 1209777@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Oh gosh, I'm a sucker for a statement skirt. &nbsp;As much as I try to create a clean, harmonious style, I'll always be drawn to the statement skirt! &nbsp;I think you did great things but I have to say that&nbsp;I LOVE #2. The jacket and boots give the outfit an edge, and I just love the pop of a statement skirt against the black. &nbsp;The t-shirt is also great. &nbsp;I love how you own&nbsp;your style! &nbsp;That's the most lovely thing in the world to my eye. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/help-me-style-a-very-maximal-midi#post-1209776 Sun, 30 Mar 2014 23:54:59 +0000 neonginger 1209776@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I am loving 2,3,5,and 6!!!&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/help-me-style-a-very-maximal-midi#post-1209765 Sun, 30 Mar 2014 23:43:37 +0000 rabbit 1209765@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thanks all for sharing your picks and wisdom!</p> <p><b>deb</b> and <b>fastkat </b>- good point on the pink sweater. &nbsp;It does match a portion of the print but I think the dark and saturated other colors on the print&nbsp;may prevent the whole skirt as reading quite in&nbsp;harmony with it. &nbsp;I will probably wear the skirt&nbsp;with the white sweater in this outfit as an alternative:&nbsp;<a rel="nofollow" href="http://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wiw-floral-white-pointy-toes">http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....ointy-toes</a></p> <p><b>catnip</b> and <b>ladywone</b> - I was surprised too that more hectic could end up equaling more neutral.&nbsp;</p> <p><b>rute</b> and <b>MaryK</b> &nbsp;- I agree with you that the proportions of the&nbsp;jackets and short cardigans help. &nbsp;That jean jacket had languished unworn because I didn't have anything highwaisted enough that it looked good with, but it appears to work here.</p> <p><b>carter</b> - yes I was surprised that I could make a 'dress' out of it too :)</p> <p><b>momo</b> - I wasn't sure about the leopard at first but my husband convinced me. &nbsp;It didn't work as well without a belt, but I think the belt provides a good break.</p> <p><b>Janet</b> - I hear you, I&nbsp;usually have the same minimalist preferences and wear this skirt with plain&nbsp;black and white tops and shoes&nbsp;with clean simple lines. &nbsp;This was a fun exercise to see if I could discover something new by pushing my comfort zone :)&nbsp;.</p> <p><b>Angie</b> - thanks! &nbsp;Those are some of my favorites too. &nbsp;I am having fun and I'm so glad that in general these outfits&nbsp;work for this year.</p> <p><b>fastkat </b>- good point about the fitted tops making a nice counterpoint to the fullness of the skirt.</p> <p><b>Missey</b> - yes! &nbsp;You are right, it's hard to avoid girly with this skirt, but it's nice if it can be brought down to earth a little. &nbsp;The gray tee is a great idea and I have a few that might work, thanks! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/help-me-style-a-very-maximal-midi#post-1209759 Sun, 30 Mar 2014 23:39:34 +0000 Laura (rhubarbgirl) 1209759@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I like 2, 6, 7, and the right of 11. </p>