YouLookFab Forum » Topic: Is Fashion important to you?

YouLookFab Forum » Topic: Is Fashion important to you? https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/is-fashion-important-to-you Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Tue, 21 Apr 2026 02:59:39 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 <![CDATA[Search]]> q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php Theodora on "Is Fashion important to you?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/is-fashion-important-to-you/page/3#post-1252970 Fri, 16 May 2014 03:50:40 +0000 Theodora 1252970@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Speaking of sheer, these are so cool, if I had the nerve to wear them: numbers 4&5 <a href="http://www.bcbg.com/Runway-Gabriel-Pant/MXL2F374-003,default,pd.html?dwvar_MXL2F374-003_color=003&cgid=runway-bottoms" rel="nofollow">http://www.bcbg.com/Runway-Gab.....ay-bottoms</a> Both pants from BCBG Runway. Meanwhile, my daughter has been dying her hair in different shades of pastel for years now! SHE would wear those pants. Look at how she mixes her prints. I never was good at that. Somehow it all works on her. So, Anna, I really like the pastel trend, especially in hair, and the plastic too, for younger people(20's and 30's). Or any age person who has the chutzpah! Also love the designer Saccai. In fact, walking through the designer sections of some stores is more like visiting an inspiring art gallery for me mrseccentric on "Is Fashion important to you?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/is-fashion-important-to-you/page/3#post-1252664 Thu, 15 May 2014 21:45:58 +0000 mrseccentric 1252664@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I think that Dana nailed it - this site is mostly about Dressing. Not so much cutting edge fashion, or imo Personal Style as an obsession and discipline. I realize that as much as i like to obsess about various wardrobe theories and such thrilling topics as "what is the optimum shape/color/sheen/size palette from which you choose your buttons - enumerate and discuss", most people don't have the inclination. My clothing interests lay in developing a strong, very coherent and unique personal style while completely accommodating my practical considerations (lifestyle, comfort, durability).  I enjoy the discipline involved in developing a tightly defined style vocabulary which speaks to me so truthfully that i can wear it day in and day out with joy. But most people want to keep up on trends, look good, have some fun getting dressed while not blowing their budgets, spending hours shopping, or having to live at the dry cleaners. They don't want to iron for hours a week or handstitch yards and yards of facings. Fortunately, there are a few places on the web where people share those obsessions of mine, and we can get it out of our system Meanwhile, here at YLF, i get a taste of everything - including up to the minute fashion on you, Anna! I also have to say that this forum is brilliant for many discussions on fashion/clothing/style as it relates to society, literature, psychology, and etc. People here are smart, great writers, dress to die for, and all is overseen by Angie's tender hearted guidance. No drama, no sniping. It's a special place, and i hope Anna you can still enjoy it (and keep on posting your awesome WIW's).  Have fun! stpeh April on "Is Fashion important to you?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/is-fashion-important-to-you/page/3#post-1252628 Thu, 15 May 2014 20:57:47 +0000 April 1252628@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Anna, a lot of my interest in capital F Fashion was kindled by being here and seeing contributors like you pushing the style envelope to include capital F Fashion. Way back when I was first here, I was just trying to get dressed every day.  I was perhaps the only person in America who had never seen Project Runway because (I told myself) I had "no interest in runway shows -- give me something I can use."   Now I'm interested in both, and a lot of that is because of YLcapitalF members such as yourself. MovingFashionForward on "Is Fashion important to you?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/is-fashion-important-to-you/page/3#post-1252552 Thu, 15 May 2014 19:11:08 +0000 MovingFashionForward 1252552@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Whilst I am too tight-fisted to spend a lot of money on others' designs, I am passionately interested in fashion and watch all the shows and peruse the collections endlessly. Even more exciting is finding new designers I love, like, for example, Ximon Lee's graduate menswear collection, "Children of Leningradsky" and others whose work seems to me creative and beautiful. I am interested in the philosophy of fashion, the psychology of fashion, and how fashion affects the evolution of ideas about dressing and style. In general I find shopping-based fashion blogs and standard dressing fashion blogs boring -- I tend to follow blogs that feature outfits that seem to me creative and fashion-forward despite being mainly composed of clothes from charity shops (though don't get me wrong -- I applaud you and others who are willing to do what I am not, and put your money where your interest lies -- if everyone interested in fashion were like me the industry would go out of business, and that would be bad!). I like fashion editorials, such as on visualoptimism. I come to YLF (when time permits) always in the hope of finding interesting threads on interesting questions (including yours!), and of course I also very much enjoy Angie's analytical posts. Re plastic pastels, Susie's post reminds me of happy outfits one sees in Harajuku. I would adopt them in small doses as opposed to big ones, because plastic doesn't seem comfortable to me, and because although I absolutely love the clear plastic collar neckwear piece filled with little pastel coloured sweets (candy) I saw on trendhunter.com recently, it really would look ridiculous on me, with my 50-year-old face. But if I were 16... Re sheer, hasn't it already been in for some years now? I am still very much into it myself anyway. Re designers, I tend to find that the moment I make a blanket statement that I like such-and-such a designer, they bring out a collection I dislike, but if I had to pick some anyway I'd say Alexander McQueen (both when he was alive and now), Gareth Pugh, Comme des Garcons, Rick Owens, Thom Browne. But at the moment I am obsessing over a few looks from Bottega Veneta's Pre-Spring/Resort 2015 collection. This dress is perfection in my eyes: <a rel="nofollow">http://www.style.com/fashion-s.....eneta_001_</a> Looking forward to more fashion-related discussion with you, Anna! Sarah Nicole D on "Is Fashion important to you?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/is-fashion-important-to-you/page/3#post-1252519 Thu, 15 May 2014 18:22:30 +0000 Nicole D 1252519@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I would like to think that I love Fashion!  It's art in a  cultural context.  My other sources of fashion inspiration are mostly magazines and watching reruns of "Ugly Betty".  I kind of like that I live in a  community which is not particularly fashionable so one doesn't have to work very hard to be a fashionista.  Also, most people around here wouldn't even know if my handbag is from Rebecca Minkoff or Jessica Simpson, so usually it is like a secret pleasure that only I can truly appreciate. rae on "Is Fashion important to you?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/is-fashion-important-to-you/page/3#post-1252502 Thu, 15 May 2014 17:56:15 +0000 rae 1252502@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ You remind me a lot of myself, Anna - the part about not having other expenses and funneling most of them into clothes, especially. I have no car payment, and we're DINK (dual income, no kids)... I often feel I have to announce this "disclaimer" when I buy something new and show it off at work where people haven't known me as long as YLFers. Even in a "Fashion" environment, it is very tough when any assumptions are made. I can see how that could feel alienating, although I still do think YLF does much better at not judging people than other forums I've encountered... from place to place, I never joined up feeling that I either didn't spend *enough* or that I was too old or had too average a body or had too pedestrian a camera situation. You know the phrase it's lonely at the top? I think that applies to you as a very trend-forward, early-adopter of fashion, too. People in general are not as brave about trying new things, and so many people of the world aren't even out there scouring designers until they feel in a rut. I see you as a fashion leader - and there are always fewer leaders than followers. I know I have been exposed to many brands because of you. Maybe you could embrace that role and feel special instead of alienated?  Ledonna N. on "Is Fashion important to you?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/is-fashion-important-to-you/page/3#post-1252498 Thu, 15 May 2014 17:46:21 +0000 Ledonna N. 1252498@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ See I acutally think that fashion comes from the street it seems that as each decade repeats itself with a modern twist.  I remember when African print were all of the rage and the " Fashion Forward" started wearing these prints but from my heritage we have been wearing these prints in modern ways.  Remember the punk movement from the late 70's to the early 80's again from the street.  So even if your not into F Fashion  I think when you put your own spin onto the clothing that is when it becomes fashion/style. cciele on "Is Fashion important to you?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/is-fashion-important-to-you/page/3#post-1252494 Thu, 15 May 2014 17:32:16 +0000 cciele 1252494@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I enjoy seeing what catches your attention, Anna! It's quite fun "knowing" an early adopter. I like Fashion as viewable art, and occasionally like to wear it too But I'm also constrained budget-wise to indulge in the capital F Fashion. I wait until trends trickle down from the runway -- but by then, I know the fashionistas will have already moved on to the next cool thing :) I do like to support local fashion designers, so when I feel indulgent I will buy those types of designer pieces - Alexandria Von Bromssen, Amy Fink, Katherine van der Spek, Miranda Caroligne, etc. christieanne on "Is Fashion important to you?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/is-fashion-important-to-you/page/3#post-1252493 Thu, 15 May 2014 17:31:01 +0000 christieanne 1252493@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Fashion with the big F is always something I watched and absorbed with interest until the last five years. Maybe it is my own growing cynicism with Big Fashion and how it seems to be so over hyped. Maybe I got bored. Or too busy.  I AM more interested now in how the Big F is interpreted in small doses on the street level and how mass fashion can be applied to personal style. Since apparel retailing is my chose field of work, I have seen high to low end and my heart belongs with helping people find their own way with their style.  The two questions you raised do apply to the average person who just wants to Dress. The pastel trend will always resurface in limited runs and slight variations. The sheer thing - bah! - will remain my personal pet peeve as I fear it will linger.  I look at YLF and other fashion blogs in the same way I look at restaurants: one restaurant may be a dependable, comfortable favorite but I can't eat only there or I wouldn't appreciate it for very long. I don't have the time to post often or even do daily pics, etc. but love the sound, common sense and stylish nature of this place. Just like I love my favorite restaurant :)  rachylou on "Is Fashion important to you?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/is-fashion-important-to-you/page/3#post-1252485 Thu, 15 May 2014 17:14:19 +0000 rachylou 1252485@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Now that I think is interesting, Anna, that the big house stuff hasn't drawn you in so much. I'm not sure what that says about what fashion is and is not. annagybe on "Is Fashion important to you?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/is-fashion-important-to-you/page/2#post-1252481 Thu, 15 May 2014 17:07:16 +0000 annagybe 1252481@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Lots of interesting points. But perhaps I need to temper my expectations. Something to ponder. The funny thing is that I don't necessarily have a lot of big house designer Fashion. I own no Chanel or Valentino, except for a few lipsticks.  Faith on "Is Fashion important to you?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/is-fashion-important-to-you/page/2#post-1252173 Thu, 15 May 2014 04:22:59 +0000 Faith 1252173@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I haven't managed to read all the comments yet, but YES, Anna, I am interested in big-F Fashion. Anthropologically, aesthetically, and personally. I always have been, I suppose, although I don't think I realized that what I was into was Fashion until it was pointed out to me one day by a young man who was going on about how everyone should have a hobby. I said that I agreed with him in principal, but to be honest, as a graduate student, I wasn't sure that I could lay claim to one at that time. He looked me up and down and pronounced, confidently, "Your hobby is Fashion." When I looked surprised, he hastened to add, without a trace of embarrassment, "It's my hobby too."  On another personal note, I am often regretful that I don't manage to contribute more here, and am actively plotting how to do so in the coming months. This regret has recently hit me particularly hard when reading about your perceived alienation -- which has everything to do with the inspiration you provide to me. I thought hard about your designers thread, but to be honest I came up a bit short, which was in a sense what you were saying as well. Which is funny, as I am completely in love with clothes at the moment -- why on earth can't I name a handful of designers? The truth is that most of what I'm wearing, save denim and some trouser silhouettes, is a few years old, just remixed to suit my present mood. I'm sorry I didn't try harder to engage with the conversation, however. Having moved from a Fashion-type city to a place that, well, isn't, I struggle with where and how to source the inspiration that used to be all around me, every day, in shop windows and on other women. I don't seem to have much patience for trawling pinterest, or for reading a gazillion blogs (although I do attend to a handful). Yet another reason why I am invariably delighted to see one of your WIWs pop up on the forum. As to your other discussion points, I don't think we've seen sheers go as far as they're going to yet, something that I certainly wouldn't have anticipated looking at Marc Jacobs Spring 2008, which is when it first hit my radar. Likewise, I am going to go against the building conventional wisdom on plasticy pastels. I am enchanted by that Suzy Bubble post, and I actually think plasticy pastels have a future. Not as full-on vinyl raincoats, perhaps, but as something closer to patent leather, in shoes and clutches, for example. I think it's a natural direction for the pastel trend to turn in, opening up a variation in texture. Fashion's interest in pastels, which is to say, in making pastels sophisticated, it seems to me, is actually quite a big deal. When was the last time that pastels were sophisticated? The 1950s? The 1810s? This could be a once-in-a-century moment that we're living in, and I don't think we should count out high shine versions! MsLuna on "Is Fashion important to you?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/is-fashion-important-to-you/page/2#post-1252049 Thu, 15 May 2014 02:05:31 +0000 MsLuna 1252049@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I'm a former fashion design student, so I'm naturally inclined to be in tune with fashion. I check Style.com every season as much as I can (lately I have not had time) and I read/look at different blogs, magazines, articles and Pinterest pins. That said... Fashion is an art form to me and a basis/jumping point in influencing personal style. I'm aware of trends, but I'm often a late adopter, due to my inclinations to wear (modern) classic silhouettes and comfort. I tend to simply an joy fashion, and almost see it as a social/historical commentary on society (don't get me started on this, guys because this is border lining NERD territory). I see current events through fashion and it is a source of creative inspiration and entertainment for me. Jaime on "Is Fashion important to you?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/is-fashion-important-to-you/page/2#post-1252044 Thu, 15 May 2014 02:03:53 +0000 Jaime 1252044@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Anna I have become more and more interested in Fashion over the last 7 (!) years of following YLF/Angie and also looking at any number of other style related sites and reading lots of books. I also read lots of books on other topics. I love Gaylene's thoughtful contribution and I also love yours. I know you feel sensitive about comments about your spending but I honestly feel you should just brush them off. People are conditioned to think x should cost y but not blink at spending 10 or 100 times that much on something else (car, furniture, housing, golf clubs).  As for your questions about traction, plasticy pastels not so much, sheers have much more mass appeal (in small doses as mentioned above) and I absolutely love the outfit on Kingdom of Style you posted. Deborah on "Is Fashion important to you?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/is-fashion-important-to-you/page/2#post-1252031 Thu, 15 May 2014 01:57:36 +0000 Deborah 1252031@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Anna, I have't had time to read the other comments yet, but I am interested in Fashion. Fashion is interesting on many level. I love it for the creativity, and for how it so often reflects what is going on in the world. I watch interviews with designers and am fascinated by the hows and whys of their work. I have also started watching the Fashion Week shows and love analysing what's going on etc. My knowledge of various designers is growing, partly thank to you:) Personally my own style appears to be narrowing, so I spend quite a bit of time looking at Rick Owens work and reading blogs of people who wear that aesthetic. Rick is the designer at the moment that I really want to add to my wardrobe. I would welcome more discussion on 'Fashion'. I think there is room for that along with our conversation about our own outfits and how we dress. I looking after a sick child today, but will check out your links and come back. xxx Karie on "Is Fashion important to you?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/is-fashion-important-to-you/page/2#post-1251991 Thu, 15 May 2014 01:25:53 +0000 Karie 1251991@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Well, I love it all. Big F Fashion, style, dressing. And I have loved it all since I was a little girl. One of my aunts used to buy me fancy dresses from the big Phila. dept. stores for Christmas and my birthday, and I still have photographs of me in those dresses. My bridal gown came from the cover of "Modern Bride" magazine.  I read (I love to read) many blogs, magazines, articles, etc., with YLF being my favorite blog. I appreciate all the outfit advice, ensembles, recommendations, etc., but I especially appreciate the supportive community that YLF is. I have learned more about fashion, style, and dressing here than anywhere else. I love the arts, and I view fashion as a form of artistic expression. I love reading about it, and I love seeing all the different interpretations of fashion/style here on the form. ManidipaM on "Is Fashion important to you?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/is-fashion-important-to-you/page/2#post-1251982 Thu, 15 May 2014 01:19:13 +0000 ManidipaM 1251982@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Interested in Fashion and always have been, but for me it is aspirationsl or audience-level mostly. Not enough time or money. Plus I hate shopping. I like to go buy a bunch of things at ONE place and stop for a few months. This means not doing Fashion, but trickledown fashion at best. I totally agree possible to dress well and interestingly and fashionably at any budget. With a touch of bravery or bravado. Time and other priorities though... I lurrrve YLF but I barely lurk and pop in like at a coffee shop when trying to cut down caffeine these days. I see other sites only by the way. Only two style blogs I read regularly and the other one is not interested in Fashion at all. To rae's comment I find this reassuring after a bit of time lusting after what I cannot have. And I consume no newspapers or news sites or news channels deliberately... Just skim on Google and down. Don't have the bandwidth for more at the moment and news is not a big priority in life just now (and I am a journalist!). The same way, Angie is a fab aggregator for my fashion needs. I think the truth is Anna that you are unique on this site. I cannot think of anyone with the same degree of engagement and that possibly gets lonely for you? You inspire us... And yet possibly don,t get the same degree of input or inspiration back as you provide? To your questions, it is heavily influenced by climate but in my corner of the world the sheers are everywhere and the plastics not at all. ATLynn on "Is Fashion important to you?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/is-fashion-important-to-you/page/2#post-1251961 Thu, 15 May 2014 00:54:48 +0000 ATLynn 1251961@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ This site was my gateway drug to an interest in Style.  Many of your posts (along with those from some other Fashion forward and knowledgeable forum members) have been my gateway drug to an interest in capital F Fashion.   However, I'm a total neophyte in that space.   As a very active consumer, but not so active producer on this forum, I am VERY grateful to you and everyone else who puts themselves out there to share photos, feelings, finds, adventures, interesting outfits, and new perspectives. I am particularly enamored by anything new to me, striking, intriguing, or that makes me think.    UmmLila (Lisa) on "Is Fashion important to you?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/is-fashion-important-to-you/page/2#post-1251954 Thu, 15 May 2014 00:49:05 +0000 UmmLila (Lisa) 1251954@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I love fashion in the artistic, seasons in and seasons out look, and I've been reading Vogue and its kindred for more than 30 years. The entrance of the fashion bloggers has made life more interesting. And I make an effort to be well turned-out. However, I've always felt a disconnect between my height, my shape, my purchasing power, now my age, and the fashions being shown. Recently I've gotten the shape and some of the purchasing power to do more of what I want. However, it remains difficult to see a look on the runway, and while appreciating it from the artistic point of view, also understand how I might make it work in real life. I live in a Patagonia and Merrells type of town, while I'm a black leather and stilettos woman in my heart (even if the feet are dragged along screaming behind). Finding YLF this year has been very eye opening for me, because I get to see women of all ages and sizes trying out all kinds of fashions, looks and trends. Not to insult the six foot Ukrainian beauties out there, but they aren't really role models for me. Some of you Fabbers really are ... And even if I don't feel a connection with everyone's style, I appreciate all of your courage for putting yourself out there in your digital beauty. Gigi on "Is Fashion important to you?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/is-fashion-important-to-you/page/2#post-1251924 Thu, 15 May 2014 00:24:23 +0000 Gigi 1251924@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Anna, as far as your privilege goes about being able to buy the more expensive items, I agree with Tierra. It's fun to be able to see those items in action, on a real body, in a real place. I feel like your taking pictures of your outfits for your WIWs enables you to share those items with the rest of us who don't have Fashion-friendly budgets. :^) Caro in Oz on "Is Fashion important to you?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/is-fashion-important-to-you/page/2#post-1251923 Thu, 15 May 2014 00:24:06 +0000 Caro in Oz 1251923@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I appreciate fashion in the same way I appreciate any art form. I may not want to take it home but I love seeing an artists vision: I also appreciate quality fabrics, cut & workmanship.   What I want to do is make fashion work for me & my life. I also want to be able to pick & choose, not be told that to be "fashionable" then I must wear X. Inevitably that means diluting fashion in some way to make it part of my style. I think we are all influenced by fashion whether we like it or not.  minimalist on "Is Fashion important to you?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/is-fashion-important-to-you/page/2#post-1251921 Thu, 15 May 2014 00:21:24 +0000 minimalist 1251921@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ On an anthropological level, yes, I'm fascinated by Fashion. During the years I was on the road a lot in a conservative job and living in well-made, well-fitting but decidedly non-Fashionable suits, I loved watching fashion shows or at least looking at the still pictures of most designers' work. And I don't get the costumey-judgy thing I've heard thrown around. Your post asking about new designers was a welcome breeze reminding me of long-ago pleasure. I didn't have anything to contribute, and didn't want to spam the thread by chiming in just to thank you for new names to look up. In practice? Fashion? These days? I'm in nearly constant pain, and energy is the lowest it's been in a while. It was a triumph that I showered today, and put the clothes I've been wearing every day for a week in the washer. I've barely kept up with hair/nail/wax/etc appointments, and a fresh shipment of underthings has been sitting on the entry table barely opened. Lounge capsules are the one thing I've managed to get together, clothing-wise, since joining YLF. So grateful for that. But it's not even Dressing. Watch out, here comes overuse of the word love in the colloquial sense: I love that Gaylene is here and I don't need to see WIWs from her to have a sense of her style. I love Una's meta threads and the array of opinions they elicit. I love the members who are blatantly, unapologetically inconsistent. I love Angie's encouragement of style for everyone, and the back-end work Greg does to make it accessible for anyone with internet access. I feel like there's space for me here, even though I'm in the same pair of black chinos every day, with the Mephisto Helens I'd meant to wear only as house shoes, and all I aspire to is a 10-item core wardrobe of excellent classics. Anna, I love that you're here, and your WIWs, and I feel like the board would be richer if there were another few people with perspectives similar to yours. I hope that you stick around while they find their way here. Tierra on "Is Fashion important to you?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/is-fashion-important-to-you/page/2#post-1251881 Wed, 14 May 2014 23:46:13 +0000 Tierra 1251881@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I am a serial lurker here (I'm around almost every day to look at outfits, but just do not have time to post...) BUT --- I just had to chime in to say this: I also mostly focus on Dressing vs. any real kind of capital-F Fashion, but I always love your posts Annagybe because you show Fashion in a way that is actually real. Meaning you look like a person doing real things, not like someone like Atlantic-Pacific, who to me always looks like she is on the way to some kind of crazy fantasy life activity.  So you are inspiring as someone who can actually translate Fashion to LIFE. I hope this made sense...I meant everything in the most complimentary way! :-) rabbit on "Is Fashion important to you?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/is-fashion-important-to-you/page/2#post-1251854 Wed, 14 May 2014 22:59:15 +0000 rabbit 1251854@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I think unfrumped makes good points about style evolution, and personal perception/filter/bias.    I actually really like the variety of personal tastes here.   For example, I've run into the word 'costumey' on YLF for the first time, and it's usually used in a statement like something looks too costumey to someone or feels that way on.   I'm all for listening to that inner voice and of course don't usually want to wear something that makes me feel awkward or self-conscious in a negative way (but on the flip side I think there can be a positive self-consciousness too),  but for me 'costumey' isn't a negative, it tends to be a plus.  It's something that brings me joy to see on others and occasionally to sport myself.   I love the biodiversity of looks including all the dramatic plumage. The same with dressing 'bombshell'.   I understand the safety and harassment and perception issues and of course use caution, but it's something that generally fascinates me when I see it on others rather than turns me off. I've learned to see and appreciate more subtle looks on YLF, and the components that make up fit and proportion and flatter a variety of body shapes.   unfrumped on "Is Fashion important to you?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/is-fashion-important-to-you/page/2#post-1251830 Wed, 14 May 2014 22:33:51 +0000 unfrumped 1251830@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I'm pretty low on the Fashion-interest scale relative to some, but it's not nil or I wouldn't be here. I like caro's Style vs. Fashion comparison, but even those are linked. When we say "my style is evolving" that occasionally is true at some bedrock level, or maybe for some of the more basic descriptors--girlie vs. tomboy; dressy vs sporty; high-contrast vs. low. But a large part of "style evolution" is informed by FASHION--if not, no one would be evolving toward pointy toes one year and Birks the next and cropped this or fluid that, and short blazers one year and longer ones the next and on and on. These are all things that start to LOOK different to us over time as Fashion changes. So one year something starts to seem appealing for some reason--why then and why not 3 years ago? Well, for one reason if you buy retail and don't design and sew your own clothes, your options are what's in the stores and so you'll be choosing from that. But some items are actually still available but we move on. And in the reverse, I've sometimes hunted for a certain style skirt or pants in re-sale shops because I thought that worked for my style even though it was not supported by current Fashion (sometimes learning that I really wanted 2 things--something about the fit or fabric that was no longer available, but wished it were available in a "modern" or tweaked construct.) So Style vs. Fashion may mean, my Style requires choices and I will focus on these Fashion items this year. Dressing I think of as being more occasion-driven and lifestyle driven, so in general the percent of that would be more ordinary. But there's room for higher "levels" of Fashion there, too. My personal tendencies are to see "big Fashion" as often costume-y,as I'm more conservative by nature and I know I don't have a good eye or appreciation for what it means as a creative thing, or that it's a way to get from point A to point B without having to explain itself. So if someone were to show a WIW with a large headress thing,or something with wings or flaps, for example, I'm likely to go, what on earth is that! Instead of, ooh, I like those cool colors and textures, and that looks amazing and gives me an idea for how to style my T-shirt! Angie calls that my narrow style filter, but it could be a Fashion filter. This does limit some of the posts I'll reply to. because I think it's not considered polite to say, that looks very weird on you --what is your goal here? But hey, at some level it's all just clothes and if we look through history, people have worn the weirdest things when we look at them with our "today" eyes, but it didn't seem so at the time. Or even currently, in different cultures. I like to think that I have gotten a bit more open to it, if not for immediate additions to my wardrobe, but for the reasons above--good things might come from observing and appreciating it, the way exposure to all sorts of creative arts can be. Plus circling back to how I started this post, it's all a continuum, just more or less of something. Greyscale on "Is Fashion important to you?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/is-fashion-important-to-you/page/2#post-1251802 Wed, 14 May 2014 21:45:44 +0000 Greyscale 1251802@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Fashion-with-a-capital-F is a hobby of mine, though my own style doesn't always follow the trends closely. I enjoy fashion as performance art. I struggle a bit with the same thoughts Rabbit mentioned about consumerism and advertising, but that doesn't keep me from being very attracted to high-end clothes, especially from less mainstream or newer designers. I like this site because of the amazing supportive environment for each of us to find our own look. There are other sites I read for fashion insider news or shopping/trends stuff (but I find them rather boring, honestly). I'd also love to find an intelligent, arts-focused venue for fashion writing/thoughts and I think there are a few new magazines that might be in that niche.  (And for what it's worth, I was avidly following the responses on your thread about new designers to look out for, Anna!) Gigi on "Is Fashion important to you?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/is-fashion-important-to-you/page/2#post-1251733 Wed, 14 May 2014 20:13:53 +0000 Gigi 1251733@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I guess I wouldn't call myself interested in Fashion, but I do have a growing appreciation for it, as a result of this forum. I don't follow other fashion/style blogs regularly because my focus right now is on developing my own style and having fun, and I find that Angie does the best job of any blogger as to explaining how to put together certain outfits or how to wear certain types of clothing. I also do not have a Fashion-friendly income, so I am reliant on what becomes mainstream. I do not work outside the home, nor do I go out much (or really at all, due to health issues), so I would have nowhere to wear an outfit that was more cutting-edge.  I do enjoy seeing others try out more avant-garde things, however, stuff that's outside of the mainstream. That is why I enjoy your WIWs, Anna, because you're always wearing something that others aren't wearing.  I'm sorry you're feeling alienated. :^( Ledonna N. on "Is Fashion important to you?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/is-fashion-important-to-you/page/2#post-1251723 Wed, 14 May 2014 20:00:52 +0000 Ledonna N. 1251723@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Annagybe, as my Pastor says there is room at the table for all of us.  This is what makes the world go round.  If you left your voice and your fashion would be missed.  I personally know that I can come off a bit strong and I also know that when a thought is typed is can be misconstrued.  You are one of the strongest reasons I have enjoyed YLF so much.  Please don't feel discouraged.  Fashion is for everyone to enjoy and we all bring different perspectives to the fashion table. ironkurtin on "Is Fashion important to you?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/is-fashion-important-to-you/page/2#post-1251722 Wed, 14 May 2014 20:00:44 +0000 ironkurtin 1251722@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ AG, I did mention you have more to spend, but that's not a judgement, just an observation.  It can be hard for some people to engage in big-F Fashion discussions because there's a price point barrier.  But you -- you can pretty much buy what you like, and it's fun to watch!  I also want to say that as someone who has spent more than $200 on jeans, I totally don't care about cost -- unless I think it's not good value for money, because who wants to waste money on THAT when they could buy this beautiful OTHER that?  Besides, who can place a price on joy?  Not me, that's for sure. viva on "Is Fashion important to you?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/is-fashion-important-to-you/page/2#post-1251717 Wed, 14 May 2014 19:53:22 +0000 viva 1251717@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I'm sorry you feel alienated, too. And I'm sorry if a small response to your "designer" question added to that feeling. After reading the responses to your question here, though, it makes sense to me. The big-F interest is small here in proportion to the small-F. That doesn't make it unimportant or marginalized; it's just not foremost in many forum members minds. But clearly you are not alone. You did get some answers to your question. And there were probably more like me, who did not answer, because I read the question when it was late and my brain was fried and I was like, designers? What? and the best I could some up with was -- "IK, you like Erdem? That's so cool. So do I." And it didn't seem worth posting. There is a continuum of interest and commitment to the big-F here, and maybe you are at one end of it, but some of us are sprinkled along the way. We don't speak an entirely different language. As for the spending thing, when I initially came on YLF it took me a little while to get into the groove of not EVER considering cost when looking at people's WIWs and K/R -- unless they asked for that feedback. It was hard, because I do consider cost when I buy, and I have a pretty generous clothing budget, but even still I am a sales hound. Anyway, it took time and personal training to let cost go and just rejoice for someone who loved her $5 top or her $500 top, whatever it was. I remember once being a little snarky to Angie about a post of hers that included really expensive jeans -- around $1,000 I think, and Angie just said, "Yes, we include all price points." And I was like, okay, that's fair. So just keep in mind that takes time for some people, like me, to get it. Hang in there, Anna. As I have said to you in the past, I really appreciate your voice and your vision on YLF.