https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/i-don%e2%80%99t-know-enough-to-set-goals Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Wed, 15 Apr 2026 19:34:51 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/i-don%e2%80%99t-know-enough-to-set-goals/page/2#post-1866091 Thu, 07 Dec 2017 16:49:25 +0000 Stagiaire Fash 1866091@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thanks, LP! The “ordinary” meaning of your handle adds interesting richness. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/i-don%e2%80%99t-know-enough-to-set-goals/page/2#post-1866089 Thu, 07 Dec 2017 16:43:55 +0000 SarahD8 1866089@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Oh! I love The Spell of the Sensuous! Wow, I am so delighted to learn of someone else who knows that book. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/i-don%e2%80%99t-know-enough-to-set-goals/page/2#post-1866087 Thu, 07 Dec 2017 16:41:28 +0000 LaPed 1866087@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>fashiontern, I gotta run (spent way too long ruminating on style goals this morning), but the three most formative books I read in school were The Spell of the Sensuous by David Abram; And Our Faces, My Heart, Brief As Photos by John Berger; and A Field Guide to Getting Lost by Rebecca Solnit.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <p>Re: usernames -- I think there was a long thread Angie started a while back asking for the inspirations behind our avatars. I'm "la pedestrienne" just about everywhere on the internet (including a stagnant blog). I adopted the moniker after reading Geoff Nichols' The Lost Art of Walking, which touches on the history of pedestriennes (women who participated in competitive walking in the 19th century). I'm a pretty devoted walker and hiker, and I also like to think I'm riffing on the secondary meaning of pedestrian (mundane, ordinary).&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/i-don%e2%80%99t-know-enough-to-set-goals/page/2#post-1865948 Thu, 07 Dec 2017 02:03:55 +0000 Kathie 1865948@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Fashiontern, I’ve already told a bunch of work colleagues about this site, so that ship has sailed. Glad I can share a helpful, supportive corner of the internet! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/i-don%e2%80%99t-know-enough-to-set-goals/page/2#post-1865942 Thu, 07 Dec 2017 01:28:41 +0000 Stagiaire Fash 1865942@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Kathie, that makes sense. My first name is one that’s taken. Even though I have a web presence elsewhere, I don’t expect a lot of crossover. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/i-don%e2%80%99t-know-enough-to-set-goals/page/2#post-1865934 Thu, 07 Dec 2017 01:00:24 +0000 Kathie 1865934@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>So, I’ll answer as to why I use my real first name. First and foremost, I always have a hard time coming up with something that’s interesting, describes me, and that I think I’d use for a long time. Also, since I do have an externally facing job in academia, my picture, full name, and bio are available elsewhere on the web, so I’m not anywhere close to a fully private individual. On this site, and the other one I use, I’ve posted pictures of myself, so even if I used a fake name, work colleagues could easily recognize me. Ultimately, I’ve come up with a “middle road” of a somewhat anodyne social media presence, but with my actual name, that works for me. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/i-don%e2%80%99t-know-enough-to-set-goals/page/2#post-1865884 Wed, 06 Dec 2017 22:03:35 +0000 Stagiaire Fash 1865884@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Ha!<br /> Your interpretation of a “turn” towards fashion is somewhat more accurate.<br /> The funny thing about so many people misunderstanding it is that I meant it to be a real signal that I don’t know what I’m talking about, so please excuse (and answer!) all my dumb questions, don’t roll your eyes too hard at my bad ideas, etc. So much for waving a flag of humility, if it isn’t understood! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/i-don%e2%80%99t-know-enough-to-set-goals/page/2#post-1865878 Wed, 06 Dec 2017 21:29:29 +0000 Cardiff girl 1865878@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Even if everyone else thinks it’s a seagull(lol)! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/i-don%e2%80%99t-know-enough-to-set-goals/page/2#post-1865876 Wed, 06 Dec 2017 21:28:05 +0000 Cardiff girl 1865876@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Correct I am a woman living in Cardiff!.I agree with you that I feel freer to comment under a pseudonym but my mind always goes blank when I try to think of a name so I find it best to keep it simple but I really admire people like yourself who have chosen names that have real resonance for them. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/i-don%e2%80%99t-know-enough-to-set-goals/page/2#post-1865870 Wed, 06 Dec 2017 21:10:45 +0000 Stagiaire Fash 1865870@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Cardiff girl, I'm curious too! One thing I find surprising is that many people seem to use their real names. I feel much more free to say what I want under a pseudonym (even though you can see my face). Am I correct that your name is straightforward and you are a  woman living in or near Cardiff?</p> <p>Aren’t they amazing? If those boots came in my size, I'd be dangerously close to ordering them.</p> <p>Wah! This find has nothing to do with the conversation, but refuses to go away.  </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/i-don%e2%80%99t-know-enough-to-set-goals#post-1865855 Wed, 06 Dec 2017 20:18:51 +0000 Cardiff girl 1865855@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I am going to lower the tone here-I really like those sparkly boots!I thought your name was a play on fashion turn as in ‘I m doing a turn,’sea birds never crossed my mind.!I m curious about every one else s online names now and why they chose them. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/i-don%e2%80%99t-know-enough-to-set-goals#post-1865829 Wed, 06 Dec 2017 18:17:43 +0000 Stagiaire Fash 1865829@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Approprio, I'm very curious to hear your thoughts, once you have time to think them and wifi to communicate them. Enjoy your trip! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/i-don%e2%80%99t-know-enough-to-set-goals#post-1865827 Wed, 06 Dec 2017 18:09:55 +0000 approprio 1865827@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I just want to say this is a brilliant thread and I am bummed that I'm sitting in a k'sar with a mobile phone and flakey wifi, because I've been wearing a headscarf for ten days and by now I don't want to take it off. I'm certain this is somehow apropos, but I can't say how just yet. I will ponder this on the way to Marrakech. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/i-don%e2%80%99t-know-enough-to-set-goals#post-1865704 Wed, 06 Dec 2017 11:43:48 +0000 Stagiaire Fash 1865704@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>“Contemporary social issues” is a pretty broad field. ;). My diss was on anti-Islamic animus. Cool that you’ve read some geography, La Ped. I should’ve figured you might have, because there are geographers who write about fashion. I’m pretty sure Jenn was also joking about inferiority. If you’d care to drop a couple of your favorite sources, I’d be interested to read them. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/i-don%e2%80%99t-know-enough-to-set-goals#post-1865703 Wed, 06 Dec 2017 11:39:38 +0000 LaPed 1865703@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Jenni, I thought you were a doctor? I'm totally in awe of your skill set, and I'm sure much of what you studied in school would be way over my head. I have a lot of friends who work in health care, a few of them still in school, and I get overwhelmed just looking at their coursework. :)</p> <p>Fashiontern -- Cosgrove was an interesting guy. He was the one who was told as a child that geography was a girls' subject, right? Off to think about semiotics, now... I lucked out and had some good profs who encouraged us to apply theory to contemporary social issues.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <p>Lol, Rachy, I don't have time to take the humanities/wealth bait! My two cents: you don't get true innovation without engaging the creative parts of the brain. I think we lose a lot of human potential when we siphon people off into highly compartmentalized fields, and emphasize skills acquisition over problem solving. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/i-don%e2%80%99t-know-enough-to-set-goals#post-1865653 Wed, 06 Dec 2017 03:29:34 +0000 Stagiaire Fash 1865653@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Maybe I need to change the moniker a little earlier than expected. I’m still learning a lot, but am not a tern, plover, or sandpiper. No offense to shorebirds intended. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/i-don%e2%80%99t-know-enough-to-set-goals#post-1865652 Wed, 06 Dec 2017 03:25:35 +0000 anne 1865652@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I always read it as fashion - tern - referencing terns too. That is DESPITE the fact that I know you mean fashion intern!</p> <p>I'll get there in the end, just as, to reference Angie's recent post, I've finally stopped clicking on "holiday outfit" posts and expecting to see resort, sightseeing or activewear (even though I already knew the american usage, just wasn't instinctive)</p> <p></p> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/i-don%e2%80%99t-know-enough-to-set-goals#post-1865585 Tue, 05 Dec 2017 21:12:03 +0000 annagybe 1865585@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I always thought your name referenced terns too, plus the sailboat avatar fit that.<br /> I really like Sal’s second post.<br /> And yes those boots </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/i-don%e2%80%99t-know-enough-to-set-goals#post-1865580 Tue, 05 Dec 2017 21:02:53 +0000 cheryl 1865580@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I just had to jump on and say I am broken hearted that those gorgeous mermaid boots are not available in my size </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/i-don%e2%80%99t-know-enough-to-set-goals#post-1865399 Tue, 05 Dec 2017 13:31:17 +0000 Stagiaire Fash 1865399@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Rachylou, you hold out the bait and tell me not to take it? Oh, you are cruel! </p> <p>JenniNZ, it is pretty inappropriate for me to spit lit sources on here. I must’ve been trying to tell LP that I have too used that stuff, (even if I am unprepared to connect it to the things she does). </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/i-don%e2%80%99t-know-enough-to-set-goals#post-1865382 Tue, 05 Dec 2017 12:15:17 +0000 rachylou 1865382@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Lol! Don’t take the bait, fashiontern. Don’t do it </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/i-don%e2%80%99t-know-enough-to-set-goals#post-1865381 Tue, 05 Dec 2017 12:09:14 +0000 Stagiaire Fash 1865381@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Oh dear, Rachylou, the supposition that universities and education in general exist only for the purpose of creating better workers—the basis for Rick Scott, Donald Trump, and many other current piliticians’ demands for cuts to public schooling from elementary to the land grant universities, and now even including grad students being taxed out of their education, so that many will need to find employers willing to fund them, is really not something you want to get me started on! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/i-don%e2%80%99t-know-enough-to-set-goals#post-1865369 Tue, 05 Dec 2017 09:35:56 +0000 lyn67 1865369@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Why not asking here, Rachy?:-) </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/i-don%e2%80%99t-know-enough-to-set-goals#post-1865365 Tue, 05 Dec 2017 08:08:35 +0000 rachylou 1865365@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Lol, Jenni.</p> <p>For laughs, I like to ask people, ‘What, in your opinion, is the role of the humanities in the production of wealth?’ What makes this really funny, is that my brother is THE only person who’s ever answered. Hahaha! ;)</p> <p>Year of the Ox he was born in, in case you wanted to know. So he answered at length. Lol! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/i-don%e2%80%99t-know-enough-to-set-goals#post-1865363 Tue, 05 Dec 2017 08:00:10 +0000 Jenni NZ 1865363@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Ahh. Perhaps I right now feel the least academic I've ever felt! Best be off to some lighter threads methinks... </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/i-don%e2%80%99t-know-enough-to-set-goals#post-1865269 Tue, 05 Dec 2017 01:01:58 +0000 Stagiaire Fash 1865269@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thank you, <b>Le Pedestrienne</b>! </p> <p>I will be working on that for a long while. My mind connects to it easily, of course, but it will take a while to really sink in. My reading of phenomenology has been very heavily tilted towards landscapes—Dennis Cosgrove is the go-to guy there, but there was a wave of geographers “doing” phenomenology in the 70s, and then again in the 90s (<i>Spaces Through the Body </i>is a useful collection). You might also be interested in the journal <i>Gender, Place, and Culture</i>. </p> <p>We are, of course, all involved in the creation of social landscapes, but it is rare for any individual to be able to shape a human landscape with anywhere near the articulation a person’s self-presentation can bring. Semiotics must also work very differently—another thing for me to mull over. </p> <p>Your comments and the connections you make to that lit were a happy surprise to me. I agree with you on the nature of discussion and the “puzzling out” of fashion done on YLF. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/i-don%e2%80%99t-know-enough-to-set-goals#post-1865243 Mon, 04 Dec 2017 23:34:19 +0000 rachylou 1865243@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>This has just become my favorite new thread. Just wanted to say that. Thank you LaPed. The ‘speech act’ is one of my favourite concepts of all time. Hehe.</p> <p>Speech acts and tribal calls... </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/i-don%e2%80%99t-know-enough-to-set-goals#post-1865228 Mon, 04 Dec 2017 22:49:05 +0000 LaPed 1865228@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Argh, I wrote a long response to you yesterday, and then my phone ate it! So I rewrote it just now. <p>So, performativity! I saw my name, and I’ve been meaning to write up some thoughts on your initial performance theory question for weeks, if not months. Yes -- theory, including performance theory, does influence how I get dressed. First off, though: phenomenology, and embodied mind theories more broadly -- really, anyone who critiques Cartesian dualism -- had a pretty profound impact on my ability to take style/fashion seriously. When you start from the notion that thought manifests itself within bodies, and not on a separate abstract plane, then how the body behaves, its sensory experiences, become valid and worthy of consideration.</p> <p>As for performances -- there’s gender presentation obviously, which I have a lot of fun with, but I’m equally interested in how we perform class and age, how we signal culture and values through dress, how we communicate from-here/not-from-here. This last has maybe the most impact on my day-to-day looks. I tend to think about it in terms of liminality and margins. Personally, I like to give little nods to a lot of different cultural referents, but I’ve had my toes dipped into so many different circles for so long -- the arts/lit world, the outdoor/adventure travel world, schools/mommyland, etc. -- &nbsp;I’m also interested in the degree to which “environmental norms” are actually constrained by environment (shoes!), and when the norms are actually expressions of culture. The popularity of athleisure in certain locales but not in others is a great example, or the rise of puffer jackets in temperate climates…</p> <p>So, I didn’t give you any feedback on your goals, but they all make sense to me, and sound like things you can take on as casually or as analytically as you want. And that’s my last thought -- analysis. Learning to consider personal style through an analytical lens, rather than a judgmental lens, helped me overcome a lot of body image issues when I was younger. A lot of people (esp women) think about style in terms of judgment (eg “Can I wear cold shoulder tops?”), but the analytical frame allows you to ask, “How can I wear cold shoulder tops?” It becomes a series of problem-solving exercises.</p> <p>Anyway, I ended up at YLF because there are a lot of smart people here who bring an interesting mix of perspectives and backgrounds. And Angie’s advice and guidelines are genius in how broadly applicable they are -- very different than a lot of forums, where the focus is on a specific look or demographic (“dress like an academic!” “petite fashion!”). And it’s fun. :D</p> <b><br /> </b> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/i-don%e2%80%99t-know-enough-to-set-goals#post-1864893 Sun, 03 Dec 2017 19:22:30 +0000 Sal 1864893@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Side track here (sorry) - I also think fashion and clothes can be shallow and deep.&nbsp; I have mulled it around a lot but come to the following conclusions:</p> <p>1) Most cultures and ages have placed importance on dressing and style.<br />2) We all have to get dressed in some way during the day so we may as well make it a pleasure.<br />3) Dressing well does not mean you are superficial, nor does it mean you are deep and interesting.&nbsp; Dressing poorly dos not mean you are deep and interesting, nor does it mean you are shallow.&nbsp;&nbsp;<br />4) A good outfit and sense of style means you are proud of yourself and respect the people you are interacting with.<br />5) Dressing well does not have to be expensive or that you have a large closet.</p> <p> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/i-don%e2%80%99t-know-enough-to-set-goals#post-1864760 Sat, 02 Dec 2017 22:11:07 +0000 Stagiaire Fash 1864760@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Such lovely comments. Thank you, everyone! </p> <p><b>Sal</b> and <b>Sarah</b>, I didn’t expect to have anything in common with people here, but clearly I do! I’ve enjoyed posts by both of you recently, each of us on a different continent. Sal, you are quite right about the appeal of texture to me. </p> <p><b>Rachylou</b>, mine is absolutely a crossbody. Once I put it on, I don’t think about it any more. It is just there, and part of having everything in such a tightly defined spot is that I never have to look at it. My hands just know exactly where to go—unless it’s in that mesh bag, of course. I’ve never had to carry an insulin pump, but did have an inhalor for my son for a while. That sort of thing trumps all other considerations. You are right about the deep and shallow. It’s funny, but despite reading lots about performativity in grad school, it never occurred to me that fashion would interact with that in anything but extremely surface ways—until I ran into le Ped, who ties them together. </p> <p>It’s time to go frost some cookies! </p>