YouLookFab Forum » Topic: How do I find my authentic style? eta my first pictures

YouLookFab Forum » Topic: How do I find my authentic style? eta my first pictures https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-do-i-find-my-authentic-style Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Sat, 11 Apr 2026 11:24:35 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 <![CDATA[Search]]> q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php Vix on "How do I find my authentic style? eta my first pictures" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-do-i-find-my-authentic-style#post-962303 Sat, 22 Jun 2013 16:39:13 +0000 Vix 962303@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Hi Peri -- I see there's an advantage to being late the this party -- you posted photos of yourself looking gorgeous in tops you love *and* have had such great advice from members!  [And yes, I do love your choices, and can see why Suz kindly suggested me as a loose example and dug up links. Thx Suz!] I definitely think figuring out what feels right style-wise at any given moment in one's life involves trial and error + listening to gut reactions + some navel-gazing. Can you tell I'm a big believer in right brain/left brain integration? I think your realization that "I can go fun shape/solid color or from another new favorite, fun print/classic shape. Not both." is going to serve you really well -- and it can always shift if you find your responses to try-ons or even clothes you see shifting. As Suz mentioned, I do love me a bit of boho. I decided that I actually have 3 style persons (because hey, why not?):  <ul> <li>Contrarian Classicist</li> <li>Minimalist Magpie</li> <li>Persnickety Bohemian</li> </ul> Like you, I had an aha moment which led me to see that overall I like to mix classic with shiny things, classic with color, and classic with boho. Because I feel better with a smaller-but-at-this-point-not-small closet, I actually consider all 3 personas when buying *and* when combining items to skew a certain way. How I make the most of them is summarized with photos here: <a rel="nofollow" href="http://buildingacolorfullife.wordpress.com/2012/11/18/towards-a-closet-with-more-method-than-madness-or-making-the-most-of-my-style-personas/">http://buildingacolorfullife.w.....an-madness</a> Below is a direct and slightly more organized way to view how I put together a warm weather clothing in a red-hot hurry using 10 new items, existing clothes, and a limited color palette. [Plus it interlinks to the some of the items like my crazy multi-way silk dress and top.] <a rel="nofollow" href="http://buildingacolorfullife.wordpress.com/2013/05/07/expanding-my-warm-weather-clothing-capsule-in-a-red-hot-hurry/">http://buildingacolorfullife.w.....apsule-in-</a> [BTW, self-chosen constraints are the opposite of restrictive to me; I feel I have lots of freedom to explore what feels 100% right. Such a process might work for you or not. ;)] I know a lot of people are doing Pinterest or other virtual libraries and I do think it's really useful to ask oneself "WHAT do I like about each image" after the impulse to grab it surfaces. Maybe it's *just* the textures, or the color combos, or the cuts/shapes, or the specific vibe...or maybe it's some from column A and some from B. The more you can hone in on likes/dislikes the easier it is to put things in your closet that will be USED and enjoyed. You can always revisit dislikes to see if they've changed, or if they've dropped from "dislike to neutral -- and hey, really useful when worn with Item I Love." Please keep us posted as I'd love to see what else you end up discovering and buying/putting together! MNsara on "How do I find my authentic style? eta my first pictures" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-do-i-find-my-authentic-style#post-962257 Sat, 22 Jun 2013 15:08:32 +0000 MNsara 962257@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Yay for first pics :-)  You're adorable too!  I can easily see the pink sleeves having awesome movement while playing piano! You're getting some wonderful direction here, and I hope you enjoy your style journey.  I have no wisdom to impart (as usual), so just wanted to cheer you on! Irene on "How do I find my authentic style? eta my first pictures" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-do-i-find-my-authentic-style#post-962174 Sat, 22 Jun 2013 11:29:41 +0000 Irene 962174@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ OMG, you are like Snowhite!!!! Suz on "How do I find my authentic style? eta my first pictures" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-do-i-find-my-authentic-style#post-962173 Sat, 22 Jun 2013 11:11:07 +0000 Suz 962173@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/  A few recent ones from Vix; she also <a rel="nofollow" href="http://buildingacolorfullife.wordpress.com">has a blog. </a> <a rel="nofollow" href="http://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wiw-will-i-learn-to-love-my-flat-stanley-sandals">http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....ey-sandals</a> <a rel="nofollow" href="http://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wiw-cherry-picked-trends-for-my-spsu-mostly-work-capsule-color-palette">http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....sule-color</a> Judging from these pics, your colouring may be similar.  Anonymous on "How do I find my authentic style? eta my first pictures" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-do-i-find-my-authentic-style#post-962081 Sat, 22 Jun 2013 01:29:18 +0000 Anonymous 962081@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ You *are* stunning. Your hair and skin tone are lovely! I really like both those tops on you. Peri on "How do I find my authentic style? eta my first pictures" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-do-i-find-my-authentic-style#post-962077 Sat, 22 Jun 2013 01:13:38 +0000 Peri 962077@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Oh PS... Alaskagirl, thank you! Stunning is way kind, don't know what to say. I'd better avoid posting close ups so reality doesn't intrude! Beth Ann, interesting! 40s actress...I could do those big shoulder looks for sure. :) Suz...yes! Deb is one of my board idols! I wish I had watched her posts more closely when she was in summer weather. I will look out for Vix...thanks. Peri on "How do I find my authentic style? eta my first pictures" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-do-i-find-my-authentic-style#post-962074 Sat, 22 Jun 2013 01:05:10 +0000 Peri 962074@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Racheylou...I teach piano. My background is classical, but anything short of jazz improv is just fine! So...I can wear what I want and my commute is downstairs. No fussy cause it's irritating and frilly is where I was going wrong in anthro I think. My requirements are comfort, being casual, and looking okay to teenagers! rachylou on "How do I find my authentic style? eta my first pictures" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-do-i-find-my-authentic-style#post-961993 Fri, 21 Jun 2013 22:21:26 +0000 rachylou 961993@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Are you a classical pianist? Jazz? Jack of all trades? Any requirements for clothing when it comes to playing piano or otherwise leading your life? Also, I'm curious as to how much of the fussy and frilly you like on your clothing? I can imagine you in a whole gamut of styles - from Russian Baroque to minimalist soft blues. Beth Ann on "How do I find my authentic style? eta my first pictures" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-do-i-find-my-authentic-style#post-961986 Fri, 21 Jun 2013 22:07:14 +0000 Beth Ann 961986@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Yeah!  Pictures!  You do have lovely high-contrast Snow White coloring, and somewhat of a 40's actress retro look besides.  Love you in brilliant color. Love the idea of sizing up on the Lantern dress.  Also, have you checked out Karen Kane? BTW -- a pianist is definitely an artist! Suz on "How do I find my authentic style? eta my first pictures" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-do-i-find-my-authentic-style#post-961980 Fri, 21 Jun 2013 21:52:49 +0000 Suz 961980@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Yeah, you can be arty without being boho. See Deb (Australian) for some inspiration there, too. And Vix. Vix has her boho side, but it's reined in so much by the classic and the urban that the sum effect is more arty, IMO.  catgirl on "How do I find my authentic style? eta my first pictures" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-do-i-find-my-authentic-style#post-961955 Fri, 21 Jun 2013 21:15:50 +0000 catgirl 961955@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ okay, Suz summed it all up so well as usual, I'm just chiming in to say you are just stunning! Peri on "How do I find my authentic style? eta my first pictures" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-do-i-find-my-authentic-style#post-961951 Fri, 21 Jun 2013 21:08:35 +0000 Peri 961951@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Hi Suz...I'm trying to copy Joy...I ordered the lantern dress! But I wish I had sized up...too much bombshell and you know I hate that! I may exchange. Stacey...thank you! And I think I'm going to agree with you about anthro for me...it's too far towards boho. I guess artsy to boho is a continuum. Racheylou...thank you too! I'm not an artist, I'm a pianist. rachylou on "How do I find my authentic style? eta my first pictures" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-do-i-find-my-authentic-style#post-961842 Fri, 21 Jun 2013 18:41:29 +0000 rachylou 961842@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Interesting interesting. First off, you *are* pretty as Snow White, lol. Second, I love the green colour on you and the sleeve shape of the fuschia top. I agree with Stacey that Anthro is very sweet and can start to feel twee. I can totally see you head-to-toe in Anthro looking very pretty, but uncomfortable. My Anthro stuff has started to fall by the wayside, in any case; it's not bossy enough for me, I don't think. Are you an artist? Anonymous on "How do I find my authentic style? eta my first pictures" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-do-i-find-my-authentic-style#post-961796 Fri, 21 Jun 2013 17:54:41 +0000 Anonymous 961796@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ For starters, you are very pretty, Peri! What you've shown here looks perfectly casual arty classic to me. The shape of the tops and how they drape on your body definitely gives off an arty vibe. What I really like about your style is that it's arty sophisticated -- and I think that's why Anthro isn't making you happy. Anthro is much more bohemian, sometimes even twee, in my mind. I'm not getting that vibe from you at all.  You look wonderful in saturated color -- perhaps colors and shapes could be guiding points?  Suz on "How do I find my authentic style? eta my first pictures" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-do-i-find-my-authentic-style#post-961794 Fri, 21 Jun 2013 17:53:43 +0000 Suz 961794@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Advice? Let joy be your inspiration. "Joy" metaphorically -- as you obviously respond to colour. And Joy, our forum mate, because she's elegant eclectic with a bit of arty flair, and has a similar body type!  Not all EF is dull neutrals. And dull neutrals play well with rich mid-tones. So please don't write off the designs completely. They can form good basics and backbone.  Peri on "How do I find my authentic style? eta my first pictures" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-do-i-find-my-authentic-style#post-961787 Fri, 21 Jun 2013 17:47:18 +0000 Peri 961787@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Okay, here goes! First pictures added...if it works. I decided to be less shy. The green T shirt picture I took this morning. This is one of the things I have bought lately that I do like. And it is actually from anthro. I love the color and the softness. I also like the shape...somehow it's a cap sleeve that doesn't draw attention to my side shoulders, don't know why. The pink sweater I took when I was being goofy and having fun with the sleeves...took it months ago with no intention to post, but here it is. I love it because of the fun sleeves, and it has a cool back detail too...criss cross straps. So from the advice here I took a look at what I liked about these things and realized that I can go fun shape/solid color or from another new favorite, fun print/classic shape. Not both. That was a helpful realization and explains why I keep rejecting things at anthro...wild prints and shapes together are overwhelming on me. Age or something else, I don't know. I looked at Eileen Fisher online and the colors underwhelm me. I'm Snow White and just look bleh in too much neutral. Okay...advice from here? Lantana on "How do I find my authentic style? eta my first pictures" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-do-i-find-my-authentic-style#post-961568 Fri, 21 Jun 2013 13:20:21 +0000 Lantana 961568@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ You say that the clothes you love don't look good on you but it sounds like you're only seeing yourself in mirrors. A camera tells a more illuminating story than a mirror; I'd like to know your judgment if you were to see photos of yourself in the kind of clothes you love. Suz on "How do I find my authentic style? eta my first pictures" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-do-i-find-my-authentic-style#post-961546 Fri, 21 Jun 2013 12:52:11 +0000 Suz 961546@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Peri, it sounds as if focusing on detailing (type of detailing) might be helpful to you, from what you say about the distinction between the Anthro pieces and the ones you actually liked and kept. The other aspect is cut, as other said. If the clothes aren't cut right for your body, they won't look good and you'll get the wrong feeling from them. Thistle on "How do I find my authentic style? eta my first pictures" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-do-i-find-my-authentic-style#post-961282 Fri, 21 Jun 2013 01:58:27 +0000 Thistle 961282@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Ummm, what Suz said!! Honestly, I am know where you are coming from. I totally wanted the a urban Prince look for myself, but my body doesn't really fit the mold. I have found, however, that I learned quickly to like a more feminine classic style because it loved me back! I have curves, better to work with them, of rme, than against them. Still, arty works with soooo many shapes. Wile either recommend Eileen Fisher, I have had a tougher time with her pieces. Very arty and drapey, and so far, it has fought my curves rather than played nice. Suz on "How do I find my authentic style? eta my first pictures" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-do-i-find-my-authentic-style#post-961237 Fri, 21 Jun 2013 00:51:40 +0000 Suz 961237@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ First step, let Angie help you get absolutely clear on your body type. Often we think we are this or that -- but it is tough to be objective about ourselves. All my life I thought I was a pretty pear. Hmmm. Well, maybe I was, as a teen, but probably not. Small busted slim hourglass/ rectangle with very slight IT tendencies, reporting for duty. Like, um, the opposite of what I thought.  Body type is number one. Then consider proportion. And colour. There are a zillion colour "systems" out there, and IMO it is crazy to get too religious about it, but it does help to know generally whether you suit cool or warm colours, and in what intensity range.  Some of us have found <a rel="nofollow" href="http://seasonalcolor.yuku.com/topic/1340#.UcOiLRZh5UM">Kibbe's categories useful. </a>Confusing as all get out, but also very instructive on line, proportion and detail that is harmonious with your personal features.  Another system is <a rel="nofollow" href="http://dressingyourtruth.com">Carol Tuttle's Dressing Your Truth</a>. I have not read the book and don't go along with everything she says (nor do I like her examples much), yet she is onto something in terms of the categories themselves. You can take a free five day "course."  But the best aid to figuring things out is to take photos. Experiment. Try things out. Consider which specific items and which clothes in particular make you feel wonderful. Think of your favourite outfits ever. Think specifically. What were the colours? The fabrics? The textures? What was the occasion? Level of dressiness or polish? Ask yourself if there are any common themes between one and another of your most loved outfits.  This might be very difficult to see at first. I remember when I tried this exercise -- my two very favourite outfits dated from the 80s. (Yup. I had been ignoring fashion for a long time!) One was faded jeans, Monk strap Doc Martens, a belt, a houndstooth B&W tweed blazer, a black turtleneck.   The other was a  silk two piece blue-grey midi dress with pumps and pearls.  All I could think was ????? In retrospect, both were classic, simple (even minimal), strong, modern (jeans, jacket and dress were all very up to date silhouettes of the time), a bit trendy (the shoes and accessories were au courant). They also were comfortable and fit me extremely well; I could STRIDE in them. And they were polished (for their respective settings). In short, they were very "urban princely."  Taking pictures and looking yourself is helpful; asking for the forum's thoughts will speed your learning even more. Angie is a genius, but she works best with visuals! Jaime on "How do I find my authentic style? eta my first pictures" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-do-i-find-my-authentic-style#post-961235 Fri, 21 Jun 2013 00:51:04 +0000 Jaime 961235@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I would start not by looking for your authentic style but by putting on the outfit that you love the most on you and thinking about what you love about it. (Of course by posting it you will get loads of extra insight you can then consider.) Don't lock yourself into an abstract style descriptor - that should come from the outfits not determine them. Peri on "How do I find my authentic style? eta my first pictures" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-do-i-find-my-authentic-style#post-961234 Fri, 21 Jun 2013 00:49:37 +0000 Peri 961234@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I think you are all right. And thanks Angie...I will be brave one day. I've thought about it and I think that while I like anthro, it is going too far in the boho direction. The things I have bought that I really love lately were a purple silk roll sleeve blouse from BR and a hard to describe but really fun butterfly sleeve sweater. Both of those were sleeker than anthro style. Still not too structured, just cleaner looking. I have not looked at Eileen Fisher except for Joy's lantern dress, which I have ordered. I hope I like it! I will put that on my list to investigate. Thanks for the help. bj1111 on "How do I find my authentic style? eta my first pictures" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-do-i-find-my-authentic-style#post-961213 Fri, 21 Jun 2013 00:10:28 +0000 bj1111 961213@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ How about eileen fisher for grown up arty? How about asos.com for something between anthro and ef? rachylou on "How do I find my authentic style? eta my first pictures" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-do-i-find-my-authentic-style#post-961210 Fri, 21 Jun 2013 00:03:58 +0000 rachylou 961210@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I was just gonna say what chewy said. Shops and lines only cut and sew for a handful of shapes... this local designer I talked to once said there were 38 basic shapes and a line has to pick 1 or 2, 3 at the most to manufacture. So maybe Anthro for inspiration and somewhere else for actual items. Angie on "How do I find my authentic style? eta my first pictures" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-do-i-find-my-authentic-style#post-961208 Thu, 20 Jun 2013 23:59:05 +0000 Angie 961208@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ It may just be a question of fit, Peri. I have little to go on because I don't think we've seen a photo of you, so bear with me. Anthropologie does slant towards the "cutesy", "girly", "boho", "retro" and "juvenile", which *might* be throwing things off. Again, I might be off because we don't know you - yet :). I'm picking pieces from there more and more carefully for all my clients actually - but there is fabulous stuff for sure and I go into Anthro with about a quarter of my clients. Perhaps you need to find arty and casual clothing with a slightly more sophisticated edge? And Eileen Fisher springs to mind. chewyspaghetti on "How do I find my authentic style? eta my first pictures" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-do-i-find-my-authentic-style#post-961203 Thu, 20 Jun 2013 23:47:56 +0000 chewyspaghetti 961203@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ It may not be that your style is off, it may just be that the places you are shopping don't cut to flatter your body shape. Do you find pieces at other shops that have an arty, casual, classic vibe that you do like on you? lyn* on "How do I find my authentic style? eta my first pictures" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-do-i-find-my-authentic-style#post-961202 Thu, 20 Jun 2013 23:46:23 +0000 lyn* 961202@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Hmm, I think that there's a range of stuff - a lot of the things I think would look smashing on SOMEONE end up looking terrible on me. I know I have been struggling to identify my own style, but I find consolidating ideas and things that I like with Pinterest has been helpful. To change from Pins to my real life though, has been a challenge! For example, I love fit and flare, but all those stupid retailers keep on making things super short. For awhile there, I bought them anyway, because they looked so cute on the models (later I found out they were 5'3" to 5'5", which is why my thighs keep on hanging out at 5'7"!) I have been able to find things more appropriate for longer limbs, but still adhering to the aesthetic that I enjoy. I find a lot of stuff at Anthro is really trying - they look great on the model, but would look weird on anyone - remember it's the clothes, not you!!! The classic pieces at Anthro sell really fast because there are some things that look good on a lot of people. There are things that look good on everyone except me (like that stupid horizontal striped skirt) and it's hard to remind myself at times that it's not my fault :p Or my body's fault. I hope you don't give up on casual artsy classic! Peri on "How do I find my authentic style? eta my first pictures" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-do-i-find-my-authentic-style#post-961196 Thu, 20 Jun 2013 23:39:02 +0000 Peri 961196@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I've been noticing lately that many of the things I like, think I like, want to like...don't like me back. What I think of as my style may be way off. Example: I've been shopping a lot at anthropologie. I feel so happy when I walk in. I gather up about ten things to try on that I think look really cool, but when I put them on I think they look completely wrong. I love them on the website, on the hangers, I just don't love them on me. My "casual arty classic" may be way off base. Or living in the past. Or may be something I love on 20 something models and just wish I could love on me. How do i find my authentic style, when the things I'm drawn to, aren't?