YouLookFab Forum » Topic: How do you dress?

YouLookFab Forum » Topic: How do you dress? https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-do-you-dress Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Sun, 19 Apr 2026 04:27:25 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 <![CDATA[Search]]> q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php Eirlys on "How do you dress?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-do-you-dress/page/2#post-1336150 Wed, 20 Aug 2014 19:08:38 +0000 Eirlys 1336150@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I have been thinking about my attitude to clothes. I suspect it goes back to WW2 when here in The Uk we had clothes coupons (very few) and not many clothes in the shops. As a result I collect clothes! My wardrobes are full even though I have sent bags of stuff to local charity shops. A psychologist would have a field-day with me, I reckon. (Even cupboards are full of groceries)From 1939-1945 we had an evacuee from London and we are still in touch. She thinks of me as a foster sister, and shares my love of clothes. It seems London has gone the way of all cities: grunge dressing. However, as several people here have pointed out , life is more casual these days and I have to admit wearing "uniform" takes the stress (and the fun) out of wondering what to wear! Usually I dress in "sombre" colours as I love black and white but as I've mentioned in another rant of mine, my husband gets fed up of always seeing me in  these two colours. Thank you for the good wishes, Ladies, You have been very kind. celia on "How do you dress?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-do-you-dress/page/2#post-1335867 Wed, 20 Aug 2014 14:26:36 +0000 celia 1335867@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Happy birthday! You reminded me of my grandmother. She was a hardworking woman, working on a men's environment, doing all the home renovations by herself at home, but she was always dressed with care and certainly for special occasions. In a way I also miss the days when people would dress up for going out to dinner or to the movies. From my perspective is not a question of impeding anyone's right to dress what they want but Beauty(in the broad sense of the word) is a precious commodity in life and sometimes we have to create it around us. We enjoy nature for its beauty, we visit museums for their beauty, so why can we not aspire for that in our daily lives or at least special occasions. It gives me great pleasure when people around me dress in a color that makes their eyes shine, have a great haircut that suits them, chose an item of clothing that looks perfect on them. I like to see people shinning with their own beauty(being external or internal). There have been times when I might be too tired or coming from some other place and have no chance to change but for a special occasion and knowing it in advance my choice is always to dress up a bit. texstyle on "How do you dress?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-do-you-dress/page/2#post-1335801 Wed, 20 Aug 2014 13:25:17 +0000 texstyle 1335801@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Happy Birthday!  You looked great in your birthday dinner outfit. I do think if it's a special occasion dinner and the place is considered "nice" that others should at least try to dress up a bit too. l I mean going for pizza is one thing, but going out for a celebration dinner at a nice spot is another (to me).  I agree that everyone seems to be much more casual these days. crutcher on "How do you dress?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-do-you-dress/page/2#post-1335733 Wed, 20 Aug 2014 10:37:40 +0000 crutcher 1335733@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Happy ( late wishes) Birthday...I loved your post and the lovely picture...You dress to please Eirlys and going out to dinner is an occasion to do just that...I am in your corner and have long ago learned to just let what everyone else wears go into my blind vision corner...Dressing and feeling good about me is what is important...You set your own tone and from the looks of you, it is done very well... (Besides, anyone who uses salubrious properly is probably an interesting person..smile..) Lucy on "How do you dress?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-do-you-dress/page/2#post-1335723 Wed, 20 Aug 2014 09:47:41 +0000 Lucy 1335723@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Best of birthday wishes! You look lovely, and certainly not over-dressed or stuffy. The brights look gorgeous on you and you should wear them at every opportunity!  I feel a bit mixed about this. On one hand, I tend to over-dress. I work at a university, so that is not hard! But even on the weekends, I don't do sweats like most other people here. I think I have just come to accept that not everyone will be frocked up, even for dinner! But I do agree it is a shame to go out for a nice meal and not use clothes to "celebrate" the special occasion.  Either way, I'm sure you were the best dressed girl in the room.  Sal on "How do you dress?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-do-you-dress/page/2#post-1335716 Wed, 20 Aug 2014 09:19:51 +0000 Sal 1335716@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Happy Birthday!!  I think you look great in these bright colours. I also like to dress up for special occasions.  After all most of us have these things there so it is fun to have a chance to wear them. I guess dressing up does mean different things to different people - at times it might mean jeans and heels and a jacket, other times a suit or a dress. fathenry on "How do you dress?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-do-you-dress/page/2#post-1335683 Wed, 20 Aug 2014 05:40:37 +0000 fathenry 1335683@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ You look lovely, what an interesting conversation.Growing up, I was always taught to dress up for dinner out, the opera or the ballet. We went out quite often and frankly, I miss it. It's nice to make a special occasion out of things, which I rarely do today. I feel in some ways like dining has been taken over by our phones and tv's. JAileen on "How do you dress?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-do-you-dress/page/2#post-1335679 Wed, 20 Aug 2014 05:26:33 +0000 JAileen 1335679@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I try to dress up for dinner out. Last week I ask YLF for help in choosing an outfit for a dinner party at a very nice restaurant, and got some good advice. This week we're having a special dinner for my mother's 90th birthday. I've been wrestling with what to wear. We'll be in San Francisco at a restaurant on the water, and may in fact be taking the ferry, so I need to dress warmly, yet festively, and seasonally appropriate. Whew! That's a lot of figure out. Gaylene on "How do you dress?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-do-you-dress/page/2#post-1335669 Wed, 20 Aug 2014 05:03:39 +0000 Gaylene 1335669@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ It's fascinating to read the range of comments here. I'm hesitating to write my thoughts because I'm siding with you, Eirlys, and I know that position might upset some people who strongly feel that what they wear is their business and no one else's. In my defense, though, it was drilled into me at a very young age that public dress was worn for those who saw me in public places. Putting the interests of others first made for a more civilized society and was considered a sign of good manners. According to this line of thinking, by dressing the way you did, Eirlys, you made being at the restaurant a nicer experience for everyone who saw you that night--and that's a nice gift to give others on your birthday. Happy Birthday, Eirlys! MsMary on "How do you dress?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-do-you-dress/page/2#post-1335643 Wed, 20 Aug 2014 03:40:24 +0000 MsMary 1335643@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Happy Birthday!  You look beautiful in your birthday outfit! Yes, it would have been nice if the people in your party had dressed a bit more festively, but I honestly don't think it occurs to some people. I generally like to dress nicely wherever I go.  But I must admit that I went to lunch last Sunday after running a 5K race, still in my racing gear.  I was kind of mortified, but my friends wanted to go celebrate and I felt like it was more important to participate in the occasion than to stand on my ideas of proper dress.  We all have our fab moments and our not-so-fab moments, and I try to give everybody the benefit of the doubt. Even when it's hard.  Which it often is.  Echo on "How do you dress?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-do-you-dress/page/2#post-1335629 Wed, 20 Aug 2014 03:19:12 +0000 Echo 1335629@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ DH and I live near a resort town. That town has the nicest restaurants in the area, and for celebrations we commonly make reservations and go to one of them. However, because it is a resort area, restaurants do not enforce any sort of dress code, so there are people in shorts and flip-flops and even swimsuit cover-ups. I find it appalling that a person would pay that amount per plate and not have the decorum to wear real clothes.  I equate looking nice with respect for one's surroundings, the people around you and most importantly, self respect. Then again, I am "old fashioned" in many of my views. I find it jaw-droppingly rude when a man does not remove his hat for dinner, for example. I believe in having fun with fashion and I understand that everyone has a different path in life and a different opinion on things. I just also believe that certain events have certain standards - or they ought to. You looked beautiful for your birthday, and I hope you inspired others that day. Happy Birthday! Debbie on "How do you dress?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-do-you-dress/page/2#post-1335626 Wed, 20 Aug 2014 03:15:53 +0000 Debbie 1335626@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Happy Birthday! You looked great for your dinner.i love dressing up for dinner. I think we have gone so casual that people do not know how to dress. I went to a job interview last week and the hiring manager was in flip flops. I was shocked. Continue to dress up. You will and look wonderful! Anonymous on "How do you dress?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-do-you-dress/page/2#post-1335593 Wed, 20 Aug 2014 02:54:21 +0000 Anonymous 1335593@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Eirlys, happy 84 years! You look lovely in your happy colors and certainly appropriate for a birthday dinner. I will be 68 next week and times and dress have changed so much. One of the things I loved most about my mother-in-law (born in 1917) is that she celebrated as much as possible, especially going out for dinner. Just bring with her was a celebration. She always looked polished and wore only dresses and bright colors, although she worked long hours going a man's job with big machines in a manufacturing plant after her husband died. It was a great gift to me and all who knew her. So is your celebrating and dress a gift to your family and friends. Don't give up. Perhaps others will notice and take their cue from you. A couple of years ago I noticed how casual and sloppy people looked at church. I decided to always wear a dress or skirt to services and have noticed more and more females of all ages also wearing dresses. Now it is over half. I really believe that women want to dress up, especially if they don't often get a chance. But they don't want to stand out as different. If they know that other women will be there in a skirt or dress they may be more likely to wear one. May you have a wonderful 84th year. Jaime on "How do you dress?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-do-you-dress/page/2#post-1335578 Wed, 20 Aug 2014 02:41:24 +0000 Jaime 1335578@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Happy Birthday! I think you were perfectly right to dress as you did. Societal norms swing but we do not have to swing with them. I can't imagine my grandmother dressing down even to eat breakfast and there is something very powerful about that memory. Gigi on "How do you dress?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-do-you-dress/page/2#post-1335378 Tue, 19 Aug 2014 23:02:58 +0000 Gigi 1335378@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ You look beautiful! I am with you that I think that things are overly casual these days. I too look for excuses to dress up. It's fun! I think it adds to society in general when we can have lots of avenues for self-expression, including more-formal styles. I would hate for things to become so overly casual that we can't even dress "smart casual" without sticking out like a sore thumb. I think that finding excuses to dress up is a great way of honoring yourself and your body as something beautiful. MsMaven on "How do you dress?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-do-you-dress/page/2#post-1335249 Tue, 19 Aug 2014 20:33:33 +0000 MsMaven 1335249@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Despite all the books, blogs and websites and TV shows, many people do seem clueless about appropriate dress today.  It isn't that hard to be well-turned out for a special occasion, and to me it seems to be disrespectful to show up at a nice place/event looking like you had done home repairs all day and didn't change. I don't think you are overdressed--you would look just fine at a nice restaurant in the Bay Area or in Chicago (two places I spend the most of my time these days.)  It's funny to me that back in the 60s there was all this talk about rebelling against 1950s conformity and dressing with creativity and originality and so on.  Nowadays I look out and see a mass of black or denim T-shirted clones.  For this we rebelled?   Happy birthday and keep on being true to yourself. shedev on "How do you dress?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-do-you-dress/page/2#post-1335248 Tue, 19 Aug 2014 20:31:16 +0000 shedev 1335248@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ First of all happy birthday. You look really pretty in your brights. Your question has two answers to me. An inn that is cozy, with lots of nooks and crannies, seems like a more casual than upscale venue. Were those in your party aware that you would have liked them to dress up? Could casually, but nicely dressed have meant that they were wearing their good clothes. A fun theme event would be cool to see how your party interprets old world glamour. I mean no disrespect but I feel that judging people outside your party might be a little intolerant. I work 60 to 80 hours a week and I want to wear things that make me happy in my downtime. My style is pretty rate, so I probably would look ratty to you. Even when I'm dressed up. I also think that too much comparing us to others never makes us happy, but being fully who we are in the moment will. As a young lady, I used to go to a cheap 24 hour place and get breakfast after work a couple times a week. There was usually another young lady there. She was always dressed in a white full length dress with a sweetheart neckline and pumps. jennifer on "How do you dress?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-do-you-dress#post-1335240 Tue, 19 Aug 2014 20:14:53 +0000 jennifer 1335240@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ For the somber clothes choice? A few years back we were celebrating my Grams's birthday by going out to a steakhouse for a late lunch/ early dinner. That morning Mom and I also had to attend a close friend's father's funeral. Her dad didn't go to our church and we were one of the few from hers that was there for her. We had to leave the service and head directly to the steakhouse to celebrate with family. I wore dark gray herringbone trousers with a silvery sheen, a gray sweater with silver threads and a almost the same colour pashmina wrap.( it was February). I felt it was a bit somber of an outfit for a birthday event but that it really wouldn't have been appropriate to have been wearing festive colours to the funeral service . retailgirl on "How do you dress?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-do-you-dress#post-1335237 Tue, 19 Aug 2014 20:06:30 +0000 retailgirl 1335237@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ You look wonderful and happy birthday. I agree with you, it makes me sad to see how casually people dress today...and that "casual" is quite often not far from sloppy! I am younger than you are, I was a child in the 50's and a teenager and college student in the 60's, so I have seen lots of changes, as far as dress goes. I remember when almost any excursion outside the house had a dress code...church, of course, a visit to the doctor's, a plane or train trip, a restaurant meal, going to the movies downtown, visiting relatives. Times are so different now, peoples lives are different but I still think it's a mark of respect for yourself and others to pay attention to how you present yourself. Susie on "How do you dress?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-do-you-dress#post-1335229 Tue, 19 Aug 2014 19:51:04 +0000 Susie 1335229@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Happy Birthday! You look quite lovely in your bright colors. I understand what you are saying and somewhat share your dismay at the casualization of society. I believe that there are occasions and venues where dressing up should still be the norm. But when we feel nostalgic for days gone by, we tend to focus on the positive and on what we miss..."gone are the macho men...gone are the gentlemen..." But....gone too are the men who underpaid us or refused to hire us just because we are women...gone are the men who believed a woman's place is in the home or that a woman could be a secretary or a nurse but not a CEO or a doctor. (Well, they aren't totally gone of course but their influence is no longer as great.) Sorry....I know I've gone off topic and your point was not about equality in the workplace and just the social norms of dressing up, or not. But I think it's important than when we reflect on what we've lost, we also need to remember what's been gained. Suz on "How do you dress?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-do-you-dress#post-1335227 Tue, 19 Aug 2014 19:48:51 +0000 Suz 1335227@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Eiryls, happy birthday! You looked absolutely radiant in your lovely outfit. I adore teal with blue and white -- so crisp, fresh, and vibrant. I hope it is okay to tell you that you also look at least a decade younger than your actual age.  I have not read all the comments yet. (I intend to pore over them after I respond here). But I'm guessing many people said that they do dress up to go out, or at least make an effort to dress for the occasion. We're a fashion forum and we care about these things here!  Now, I must admit. I live in a small and casual university city. So if am going to a very casual pub, I don't dress "up," exactly. I will often be wearing jeans.  Still, I choose my outfit with care, and wear my very favourite, most flattering casual clothes. And if I go out for a nicer dinner with my husband -- and especially for a celebratory meal --- you had better believe I dress for it! It might not be pearls and silks, but I absolutely love the excuse to put on a dress and a nice pair of shoes.  Which is exactly what I plan to do in an hour or two. :)  Sadie on "How do you dress?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-do-you-dress#post-1335194 Tue, 19 Aug 2014 18:48:54 +0000 Sadie 1335194@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <a rel="nofollow" href="http://allwaysinfashion.blogspot.com/2014/08/over-dressed-or-under-appreciated.html"><a href="http://allwaysinfashion.blogspot.com/2014/08/over-dressed-or-under-appreciated.html" rel="nofollow">http://allwaysinfashion.blogsp.....iated.html</a> </a> You are not alone in this way of thinking! unfrumped on "How do you dress?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-do-you-dress#post-1335189 Tue, 19 Aug 2014 18:40:01 +0000 unfrumped 1335189@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Happy Birthday! You look great; those colors are perfect on you. I hear what you are saying--you can dress up as you please, but it's getting harder to find a place, occasion, establishment where there you get that special celebretory vibe from the whole package--the restaurant, the food, the people looking shiny and nicely turned out. I think any place that sees itself as a "family" restaurant--which probably defines most of the places I go, except for the rarest of  special occasions,--is trying to get and keep all the business it can and has to see dress code as a lower priority. Even the arts scene has had to give way--symphony and even opera see their share of jeans ( though they could be more "dressy jeans"!). rachylou on "How do you dress?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-do-you-dress#post-1335187 Tue, 19 Aug 2014 18:39:10 +0000 rachylou 1335187@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I must read Joan Collins's book (publishing possessive apostrophe there, just for fun, in case anybody was wondering about the *s's*). I completely agree, Eirlys. I very much miss the old world. Sadly, the question is moot for me... there are no nice places to eat anymore where I live. Last week my best friend and I went off to the high street for dinner. Our choices were: Pizza or pizza or pizza or... pizza. As you might imagine, we chose pizza You look lovely in your pic. I'm glad you dressed. So nice to see. Zibbets on "How do you dress?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-do-you-dress#post-1335137 Tue, 19 Aug 2014 17:43:54 +0000 Zibbets 1335137@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Happy Birthday, Eirlys! I would have pegged you at least a decade younger! Whatever you're doing, it's working.  I agree with you completely that there are not enough macho men, real ladies or polite children any more. I also agree that going out, whether it be to a festive birthday dinner or simply running errands, is a time to pull oneself together and look presentable. When I was in high school and college, I was not the only girl on campus in a skirt, tights and pretty shoes. Now, I daresay a girl who went to school dressed that way would be considered quite an oddball in most places.  When we go out, especially to celebrate an occasion at a nice restaurant, my daughters and I wear dresses or skirts and my husband, bless him, is often the one to iron someone's blouse, if needed. (A macho man who irons is an exceptional man indeed.) Dressing up is FUN!  Let not your heart be troubled. You are not alone, Eirlys. Janet on "How do you dress?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-do-you-dress#post-1335121 Tue, 19 Aug 2014 17:19:44 +0000 Janet 1335121@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ First off, Happy Birthday! I cannot believe you're 84 -- you look absolutely fantastic, and your outfit looks totally appropriate and lovely for the occasion. The colors are wonderful on you. My mom was of the same generation as you, and she loved to have a reason to get a bit dressed up. She was always very attentive to her grooming and clothes, and she always looked great. I learned a lot from her, and one of the things I got was a desire to err on the side of being overdressed for an occasion rather than underdressed. I don't love how casualized everything has become -- people wearing jeans to weddings, etc. So I say follow your heart and dress to make yourself happy! I will certainly be continuing to do the same. lyn67 on "How do you dress?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-do-you-dress#post-1335111 Tue, 19 Aug 2014 17:05:54 +0000 lyn67 1335111@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Wow, you look so radiant in these brights, and I just love  green and blues together! You certainly are very right, people are dressing more and more casual-yet, we should really  make difference between weekdays and a celebration. Just my 2 cents, here. Many Happy Returns of The Day! lyn67 on "How do you dress?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-do-you-dress#post-1335108 Tue, 19 Aug 2014 17:03:02 +0000 lyn67 1335108@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Wow, you look so radiant in these brights, and I just love  green and blues together! You certainly are very right, people are dressing more and more casual-yet, we should really  make difference between weekdays and a celebration. Just my 2 cents, here. Many Happy Retrns of The Day! Mary Beth (formerly LBD) on "How do you dress?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-do-you-dress#post-1335097 Tue, 19 Aug 2014 16:52:35 +0000 Mary Beth (formerly LBD) 1335097@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ "Guess my age is showing very badly in my attitude and re-actions these days.big sigh!!" If it took you this long to reach your opinion about dressing up, let me just point out, I have a 22-year lead on you!   I took the fall semester off in college in 1991, to do an internship at The Happiest Place on Earth.   When I left for that internship, all my sorority sisters and friends did what I used to do - get up, put on a cute outfit, put on makeup, style our hair. When I got back to my school in January of 1992, to my horror, I found that something called 'grunge' had taken over all of my sisters and friends - and not in the fun, Marc Jacobs-y catwalk way.   People were wearing pajamas to class, not washing their hair, and complaining how much life sucked.   I swear, it was like entering an alternate dimension in a parallel universe.   And I spent the next several years (okay, ten years or so) lamenting the casualization of style.  Then I moved to Okinawa and found that there was such a thing as wearing 'my good flops' to the restaurant.  And I liked it! Okay, so seriously...I don't think you are being unreasonable, or overly old-fashioned.  I think you look beautiful and radiant, and ladylike    I hope this is the start of your best year yet!   xoxoxo E on "How do you dress?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-do-you-dress#post-1335093 Tue, 19 Aug 2014 16:48:52 +0000 E 1335093@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Personally, while I enjoy seeing people dress nicely, and dress up myself for any 'life event', I'm also incredibly grateful that we no longer live in an era when I'd have to be wearing a hat, girdle, & pantyhose to be considered respectable. If more casual dressing is the price to be paid for loosening social mores, and better treatment of women, racial minorities, and GLBT folks, I'll deal with a more casual crowd. Luckily, the casual people can't force me to change my fancier clothes, so I wouldn't force them to change either. Perhaps next year, you should find a restaurant that has a dress code for your birthday? You don't look overdressed in that picture & the brighter clothes look lovely on you! I think there's a point to dressing nicely regardless of how strangers around you dress, if it makes you feel happier. And happy belated birthday!