YouLookFab Forum » Topic: How much do you like informal dressing?

YouLookFab Forum » Topic: How much do you like informal dressing? https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-much-do-you-like-informal-dressing Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Thu, 16 Apr 2026 20:27:34 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 <![CDATA[Search]]> q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php unfrumped on "How much do you like informal dressing?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-much-do-you-like-informal-dressing/page/2#post-1445053 Sat, 21 Feb 2015 00:08:53 +0000 unfrumped 1445053@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ What Isabel said! Don't go uptight, but maybe upscale and with stricter attention to flattering shapes and colors, good design, good construction, and maybe coordination. That fits strict, but not uptight. Not necessarily expensive, but carefully chosen. rachylou on "How much do you like informal dressing?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-much-do-you-like-informal-dressing/page/2#post-1445052 Sat, 21 Feb 2015 00:08:33 +0000 rachylou 1445052@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Thanks for the link, texstyle. It's opening up in my browser right now :D old chic, gauche - Interesting thought about shoes! I think there might be something too that, because I do put on shoes to work at home or do chores - but not necessarily lace ups. I think I will join style fan in trying lace ups (!) New note on the subject: Went to get blood labs today for my check up next week with my neighbor (who also coincidentally was going over to the medical center). While we were hanging out, we were - of course - checking out what everyone was wearing. This one girl came in wearing cigarette pants, a soft collared blouse, a short brick-red cardigan, and flats. Very Audrey Hepburn and also rather nun-like. I think that could be a good work-at-home look. Neat, slim legged, but not relaxed like leggings. My neighbor thought she was showing too much lower leg (as if she were expecting a flood), but I liked the pedal-pusher aspect. I have one pair of these type pants, but not enough to get me through the week. I also have ankle pants in colour, but they're *roomier* and I'm not feeling rainbow colour for work at-home... but maybe it would be good enough. texstyle on "How much do you like informal dressing?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-much-do-you-like-informal-dressing#post-1445012 Fri, 20 Feb 2015 21:52:59 +0000 texstyle 1445012@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Fun slideshow link on casual celebrity fashion here (at least I think so). It helped me see looks that are clearly close to my style and ones that I loved on others but were clearly not my style. <a href="http://www.look.co.uk/pictures/celebrity-casual-style-the-best-a-list-outfits/jennifer-lawrence-teams-statement-slippers-with-a-camel-coat-shopping-in" rel="nofollow">http://www.look.co.uk/pictures.....rence-team</a> ETA: rachylou, I saw many outfits that fit the uptight-at-home look in my eye. Style Fan on "How much do you like informal dressing?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-much-do-you-like-informal-dressing#post-1445011 Fri, 20 Feb 2015 21:49:16 +0000 Style Fan 1445011@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I need to buy lace-up shoes.  Then maybe I will have a cleaner house. Anonymous on "How much do you like informal dressing?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-much-do-you-like-informal-dressing#post-1445008 Fri, 20 Feb 2015 21:28:54 +0000 Anonymous 1445008@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ FlyLady (the cleaning expert) advises women to "get up and get dressed to lace-up shoes right when your feet hit the floor in the morning." No slippers or bare feet at home -- helps with discipline, feeling in control and getting things done. That's actually her 2nd "baby step" for frazzled women who don't like to clean. (As I type, I'm sitting in a recliner looking at my bare toes.) old chic on "How much do you like informal dressing?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-much-do-you-like-informal-dressing#post-1444997 Fri, 20 Feb 2015 21:01:14 +0000 old chic 1444997@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Just putting on some jewelry -- particularly pearls or rings -- adds formality to leggings or other comfy hang-out wear. And I definitely feel more uptight when I substitute shoes for slippers. rachylou on "How much do you like informal dressing?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-much-do-you-like-informal-dressing#post-1444761 Fri, 20 Feb 2015 04:57:12 +0000 rachylou 1444761@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Yes! That's the ticket! Anonymous on "How much do you like informal dressing?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-much-do-you-like-informal-dressing#post-1444754 Fri, 20 Feb 2015 04:05:16 +0000 Anonymous 1444754@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ A wimple. rachylou on "How much do you like informal dressing?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-much-do-you-like-informal-dressing#post-1444752 Fri, 20 Feb 2015 04:01:43 +0000 rachylou 1444752@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I think I need a pilgrim bonnet. deb on "How much do you like informal dressing?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-much-do-you-like-informal-dressing#post-1444741 Fri, 20 Feb 2015 03:15:40 +0000 deb 1444741@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ No, women and men wear hat indoors all of the time. Consider it a fashion statement. Jaime on "How much do you like informal dressing?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-much-do-you-like-informal-dressing#post-1444740 Fri, 20 Feb 2015 03:14:30 +0000 Jaime 1444740@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Of course! A hat! An unfancy formal one though - none of that casual millinery for you! rachylou on "How much do you like informal dressing?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-much-do-you-like-informal-dressing#post-1444738 Fri, 20 Feb 2015 03:11:04 +0000 rachylou 1444738@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Lol, deb. But would that be weird indoors? Lol. Vildy - you could also wear heels with the sweats... a little *Candies*, but hey! deb on "How much do you like informal dressing?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-much-do-you-like-informal-dressing#post-1444700 Fri, 20 Feb 2015 00:20:42 +0000 deb 1444700@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Rachy, just add a hat. Hats change everything. Vildy on "How much do you like informal dressing?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-much-do-you-like-informal-dressing#post-1444696 Fri, 20 Feb 2015 00:07:48 +0000 Vildy 1444696@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I like to screw up the formality.  Seems to me the only way to dress up informality is with luxurious fabric. So, say I wore some cashmere sweats. You guys might eyeball them as cashmere but I'm never going to run into anyone who's going to think, "That lady has cashmere sweats!"  I don't think people can identify cashmere the way we often suppose they can. I have some black and some chocolate brown pull on velvet pants. They're not silk velvet. Again, if they were, I don't think I"d encounter anyone who's ever seen silk velvet. AM on "How much do you like informal dressing?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-much-do-you-like-informal-dressing#post-1444652 Thu, 19 Feb 2015 22:37:27 +0000 AM 1444652@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Margaret Howell is great. Just checked out the site. My current winter uniform is 100% Cozy. (50% Cardi/50% Legging -- pretty close to that equation). I'd have to replace 50% with structure. So trouser or blazer/shirt. Oh, that feels painful just saying it. rachylou on "How much do you like informal dressing?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-much-do-you-like-informal-dressing#post-1444646 Thu, 19 Feb 2015 22:09:32 +0000 rachylou 1444646@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Oh, Margaret Howell is very interesting, gauche. In the nun arena all right. Also the preppy and utilitarian. Anonymous on "How much do you like informal dressing?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-much-do-you-like-informal-dressing#post-1444645 Thu, 19 Feb 2015 21:58:11 +0000 Anonymous 1444645@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Just put me in Spanx, and I'm uptight. I mean, my facial expression would change and I'd truly resemble a nun, LOL. rachylou on "How much do you like informal dressing?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-much-do-you-like-informal-dressing#post-1444643 Thu, 19 Feb 2015 21:49:36 +0000 rachylou 1444643@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Tricky tricky, bettycrocker. I'd put your cocktail dress in 'dressy informality.' It's true that there's a dress code for cocktail parties, and it's not what you'd call as dressed-up as black-tie / evening wear - but there's less decorum involved with cocktail parties. I think you called it right, by all accounts, when you said you go for dressy informality. You slide the lever up on the fancy, which it brings it more on par with the formal. So... yes, on Team Uptight (mwahaha ;)) Anonymous on "How much do you like informal dressing?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-much-do-you-like-informal-dressing#post-1444639 Thu, 19 Feb 2015 21:35:26 +0000 Anonymous 1444639@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ rachylou, uptight or upright? There's a British designer called Margaret Howell who makes what I'd call upright, Gentlewomanly clothes ... probably too boring for most, but perhaps hitting the "nunlike" mark in their simplicity. rachylou on "How much do you like informal dressing?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-much-do-you-like-informal-dressing#post-1444636 Thu, 19 Feb 2015 21:33:28 +0000 rachylou 1444636@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Of course, a fleece cocktail dress really appeals to me, caro, in a totally off-topic way... lol KM... I do think sporty luxe would be dressy informality. That's a good thought, Isabel, on upping the elegance factor. I'll have to think about ways to do that. Sidebar on uptightness... sadly I was raised by very uptight medieval-style traditionalists. Enthusiasm is not a factor: If you don't like it, you can drink gin. I am now uptight, lol. betty... Haha. For me, Spanx is just tight... Anonymous on "How much do you like informal dressing?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-much-do-you-like-informal-dressing#post-1444634 Thu, 19 Feb 2015 21:29:34 +0000 Anonymous 1444634@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ So I have it in reverse, Rachylou, or do I dress up more than most people? I'm trying to define my style, so please help me out. Where does my cocktail dress fit in? I figure it's not formal like an evening gown, which is why I placed it in the dressed down formality category. In my mind, there are various levels of casual and dressy. rachylou on "How much do you like informal dressing?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-much-do-you-like-informal-dressing#post-1444632 Thu, 19 Feb 2015 21:24:03 +0000 rachylou 1444632@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ 'Plain, unadorned, but inherently more strict components' - I like that. Yeah, was just looking at my terms: dressy informality and dressed-down formality. Rather hard to parse. Haven't nailed it down really. But yes, I feel there's some sort of inherent plainness and strictness to formality (which is reflected in the difference between movie stars and royalty in evening wear). So, yes, I agree that (if I've got it right) 'dressy trousers paired with a nice blouse or sweater, dressier jewelry and dressy shoes' is 'dressy informality' and that a 'button down shirt and trouser jeans' is 'dressed-down formality.' And adding 'fancy' to informality and taking away 'fancy' from formality can bring them closer together - even though they're very different. Hmm. Maybe I need to work on defining "uptight" too - beyond *I know it when I see it*... Anonymous on "How much do you like informal dressing?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-much-do-you-like-informal-dressing#post-1444628 Thu, 19 Feb 2015 21:17:19 +0000 Anonymous 1444628@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Dressy informality for me would involve a cocktail dress and heels, with appropriate jewelry and shoes. Just sayin' - and that's as dressy as I get. For me, uptight would be Spanx, LOL. I always buy dresses that are lined so I can eliminate the need for a slip. Anonymous on "How much do you like informal dressing?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-much-do-you-like-informal-dressing#post-1444625 Thu, 19 Feb 2015 21:07:33 +0000 Anonymous 1444625@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Your choice of the descriptor "uptight" makes me doubt your enthusiasm for this project. Mix in some uncomfortable sexless clothing that needs constant readjusting? Maybe you would consider upping the elegance factor instead? Blocks of strong color, black, white, blue, red, well cut shapes with ease and drape, with relatively few well executed statement like details? Leggings with tunics, boots and a cocoon coat? K.M. on "How much do you like informal dressing?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-much-do-you-like-informal-dressing#post-1444624 Thu, 19 Feb 2015 21:07:06 +0000 K.M. 1444624@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ caro, that's funny! rachylou... what a riddle. I don't like informality, yet I find myself always casual. It wasn't so before I became a mom, but now I feel overpowered by the circumstances... Would sporty luxe be dressy informality? I would picture a dressed down formality as: trousers with a silky t-shirt (instead of a button-down). A wrap dress with flats. For home, with fuzzy slippers. Caro in Oz on "How much do you like informal dressing?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-much-do-you-like-informal-dressing#post-1444623 Thu, 19 Feb 2015 20:59:42 +0000 Caro in Oz 1444623@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I can't think of a straight answer so what about a pants suit or cocktail dress made of fleece?  Alassë on "How much do you like informal dressing?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-much-do-you-like-informal-dressing#post-1444615 Thu, 19 Feb 2015 20:46:55 +0000 Alassë 1444615@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Dressed-down formality - that's a very interesting concept. Would that be something like a button-down (buttoned to the collar) plus nice trousers/skirt? Plain, unadorned, but inherently more strict components? texstyle on "How much do you like informal dressing?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-much-do-you-like-informal-dressing#post-1444614 Thu, 19 Feb 2015 20:46:10 +0000 texstyle 1444614@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I think winter has me feeling too cozy. I feel like I look my best after a good long hike with some color to my cheeks. I feel kind of awkward when I dress up lately. But I *feel* stylish enough in my jeans/shorts when they seem current, fit well and when I have on a flattering comfortable top in a favorite color (often navy, white, wine or charcoal). Maybe a belt and a long pendant necklace, or a few bracelets. Rolling the jeans "just so" probably doesn't count, right? I nearly always do my hair and makeup, of course most people can't tell I'm wearing makeup so I'm not sure I should bother so much. I guess uptight-at-home style for me would be anything that required ironing before putting it on, or anything that I truly felt would get ruined beyond repair if I splashed something on it in the kitchen since I'm usually cooking at home and aprons feel uptight. ;-). Or wearing white jeans - those sometimes feel just too uptight for me. trekkiegirl on "How much do you like informal dressing?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-much-do-you-like-informal-dressing#post-1444613 Thu, 19 Feb 2015 20:43:54 +0000 trekkiegirl 1444613@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Button down shirt and trouser jeans. Or like you said, a nun robe Anonymous on "How much do you like informal dressing?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-much-do-you-like-informal-dressing#post-1444608 Thu, 19 Feb 2015 20:33:12 +0000 Anonymous 1444608@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ ROFL, Rachylou! I guess I have to be uptight right along with you. Personally, I prefer dressy informality for home and work, and dressed-down formality for special occasions. I don't do down-home casual or super dressy well. You'll find my style somewhere in between those two extremes. So let's see... uptight at-home style... hmmm... for me that would be dressy trousers paired with a nice blouse or sweater, dressier jewelry (I love a chunky gemstone necklaces set in sterling silver with coordinating earrings and a nice wristwatch) and dressy shoes. Made-up face, too, of course; I rarely go without makeup. And yes, I dress that way on weekends. I did that last Saturday, as a matter of fact, and we didn't go anywhere. I just wanted to look good because when I look good, I feel good. Also, to me the outfit I just described is informal dressing. Doubt I'd ever dress like a nun, LOL!