https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ive-found-a-style-icon-kind-of-silly-but-exciting-to-me Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Sun, 19 Apr 2026 02:36:31 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ive-found-a-style-icon-kind-of-silly-but-exciting-to-me#post-1699760 Fri, 22 Jul 2016 12:10:32 +0000 Alassë 1699760@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I'm happy for you! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ive-found-a-style-icon-kind-of-silly-but-exciting-to-me#post-1699744 Fri, 22 Jul 2016 11:09:53 +0000 Anonymous 1699744@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>If there's one thing I'd copy from Kate Middleton, it would be her color palette. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ive-found-a-style-icon-kind-of-silly-but-exciting-to-me#post-1699702 Fri, 22 Jul 2016 08:55:12 +0000 Anonymous 1699702@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>That's great Ginger. It's lovely that you have found so much inspiration in the Duchess's &nbsp;style. It's interesting to read Suz's point about how you and TG pick different aspects of Kate's style to inspire you. So fun!</p> <p>Love the 'Duchess next door' plan btw :)&nbsp;</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ive-found-a-style-icon-kind-of-silly-but-exciting-to-me#post-1699672 Fri, 22 Jul 2016 06:50:38 +0000 rachylou 1699672@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I love Kate Middleton's 'aged' looks. I read at the checkout stand (lol) the Queen told her to lower her hems. I think it was good advice. I find her just that wee bit more dignified and stunning now. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ive-found-a-style-icon-kind-of-silly-but-exciting-to-me#post-1699624 Fri, 22 Jul 2016 04:00:30 +0000 Sally 1699624@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Nice. I wish I had a style crush or icon. I think you need to look at the similarities and what speaks to you from what she wears etc....and use that to adapt to your own style crush......polished structured..etc also think about how you can adapt to your lIfe style.<br /> I have always liked jennifer anistons style but she looks impossibly thin and small..maybe I should take my own advice and look for what it is about her. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ive-found-a-style-icon-kind-of-silly-but-exciting-to-me#post-1699581 Fri, 22 Jul 2016 02:40:33 +0000 Mochi 1699581@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>(I did not read the above comments yet)</p> <p>Ginger, it is great fun and really exciting--and frustrating--to have a style icon. I have one too. I haven't thought about her in a while; my devotion to fashion obsession comes and goes. But she is a genius, an editor of Italian Vogue named Giovanna Bataglia.&nbsp;</p> <p><a rel="nofollow" href="http://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/new-mad-style-crush-and-what-if-anything-it-means-for-me">http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....ans-for-me</a></p> <p>And incidentally, she could not look more different than me (well, maybe if she were blonde...) Tall, leggy, very slim and small in the bust. Long hair. Ultra drama. Habitually struts around in the highest of heels. She even smokes!&nbsp;</p> <p>Not to mention she's said herself that she has thousands of pairs of shoes, that it's an illness. And a lot of money, apparently.&nbsp;</p> <p>But her fashion sense--it's brilliant. I can't help crushing on her insanely.&nbsp;</p> <p>I don't know what that means for me. Just something to make me really happy every once in a while. And want to do better, and not settle. I guess.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ive-found-a-style-icon-kind-of-silly-but-exciting-to-me#post-1699566 Fri, 22 Jul 2016 02:20:21 +0000 Carla 1699566@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Ginger, your are spot on about the similarities between your figure and Kate's, and that you appreciate her style...well all the better! </p> <p>I check out another royal - Charlene of Monaco, to see how she deals with her strong swimmer's shoulders. It is something I can relate to. How are her tops cut? and what necklines does she choose? </p> <p>I follow 'The Royal order of Sartorial Splendor' and 'What Kate Wore'. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ive-found-a-style-icon-kind-of-silly-but-exciting-to-me#post-1699525 Fri, 22 Jul 2016 01:51:20 +0000 Beth Ann 1699525@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I would love to have a style icon -- but I have yet to make her acquaintance! &nbsp;So glad to hear that you're finding inspiration from Kate. &nbsp;I think it's a grand match! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ive-found-a-style-icon-kind-of-silly-but-exciting-to-me#post-1699515 Fri, 22 Jul 2016 01:44:57 +0000 Anonymous 1699515@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>How fun that you found a style icon!&nbsp;I absolutely love the blush-colored dress in #1! I could see myself wearing that, actually.</p> <p> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ive-found-a-style-icon-kind-of-silly-but-exciting-to-me#post-1699452 Fri, 22 Jul 2016 00:32:25 +0000 Anonymous 1699452@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I think it's great to have someone to either shamelessly copy (!) or to get inspiration from. I have a few myself, far lesser known than Kate. &nbsp;I also find it fascinating how different we all are, and what is one woman's inspiration leaves another cold. &nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ive-found-a-style-icon-kind-of-silly-but-exciting-to-me#post-1699383 Thu, 21 Jul 2016 23:06:29 +0000 columbine(erin) 1699383@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I love to read What Kate Wore. So many elements of her style appeal to me. You've done a lovely job identifying similarities and it will be fun to see the outfits inspired. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ive-found-a-style-icon-kind-of-silly-but-exciting-to-me#post-1699375 Thu, 21 Jul 2016 22:52:02 +0000 Bonnie 1699375@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Good choice - she is amazing!! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ive-found-a-style-icon-kind-of-silly-but-exciting-to-me#post-1699365 Thu, 21 Jul 2016 22:38:42 +0000 Style Fan 1699365@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Very exciting.&nbsp; She has a great style.&nbsp; As Suz said Toronto Girl also has Catherine as a style icon.&nbsp; There may be others. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ive-found-a-style-icon-kind-of-silly-but-exciting-to-me#post-1699305 Thu, 21 Jul 2016 21:24:59 +0000 deb 1699305@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Good for you, she has the best style! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ive-found-a-style-icon-kind-of-silly-but-exciting-to-me#post-1699299 Thu, 21 Jul 2016 21:18:12 +0000 Jane 1699299@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I love Catherine's style, but I also like, Sophie, Countess of Wessex, perhaps slightly more, because she is nearer me in age, than Catherine.&nbsp;</p> <p>I love the Royal family, so it was lovely to see Catherine's outfits, and I like your Duchess Next Door strap line. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ive-found-a-style-icon-kind-of-silly-but-exciting-to-me#post-1699193 Thu, 21 Jul 2016 18:35:09 +0000 Ginger 1699193@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thanks, Suz! :D</p> <p><b>gradfashionista</b>, I'd probably feel the same. Sometimes watching the press, there really is no choice she can make that will be universally approved - so erring on the conservative side is definitely the smart move. And yes, there are certain items that I've got my eye on! :)</p> <p><b>BC</b>, thanks! It will be fun. :)</p> <p><b>Sterling</b>, I had resigned myself to never finding one. It's interesting that this happened while I was pursuing a totally different subject, but one that I was still interested in. Maybe that could be an approach? I certainly never found anything while searching through fashion bloggers. I'm curious what sorts of things would speak to you, though I'm about as far as you can get from an expert. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ive-found-a-style-icon-kind-of-silly-but-exciting-to-me#post-1699157 Thu, 21 Jul 2016 17:46:33 +0000 Anonymous 1699157@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I love her style.&nbsp; You could not have picked a better style icon.&nbsp; I want a style icon.&nbsp; I have yet to find one that speaks to me.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ive-found-a-style-icon-kind-of-silly-but-exciting-to-me#post-1699154 Thu, 21 Jul 2016 17:44:25 +0000 Anonymous 1699154@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Yes, "The Duchess Next Door" is just right! I can't wait to see what outfits you come up with. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ive-found-a-style-icon-kind-of-silly-but-exciting-to-me#post-1699153 Thu, 21 Jul 2016 17:43:18 +0000 gradfashionista 1699153@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I emphathize with her more conservative tastes. Imagine having paparazzi dog you for the rest of your life, day in, day out, photographing what you wear. I'd be inclined to want coverage whenever possible and to wear garments that would age well. But that's me. Given your body similarities, and her preference for high/low fashion, you have access to a number of her garments. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ive-found-a-style-icon-kind-of-silly-but-exciting-to-me#post-1699151 Thu, 21 Jul 2016 17:42:47 +0000 Suz 1699151@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I think you're totally right about Kate's style icon, and her stylist is very smart (or she is) because of course this helps everyone view her as royalty and not as ...well....something else.&nbsp;</p> <p>I also really understand what you mean about trying to find a place between costume-vintage and vintage inspired. I used to wear a lot of retro fashions in my 20s and I still really admire aspects of vintage style and yet I &nbsp;know how easily it veers into "not really wearable" territory or feels discontinuous with the items you have to wear for a modern life.&nbsp;</p> <p>The Duchess Next Door is PERFECT!!! I love it!!!&nbsp;</p> <p> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ive-found-a-style-icon-kind-of-silly-but-exciting-to-me#post-1699142 Thu, 21 Jul 2016 17:32:33 +0000 Ginger 1699142@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p><b>Traci</b>, it really is! I've pretty much got a style, but it's evolved over about 10 years by starting from pure 1940s vintage. It's kind of amazing to have someone to look to for inspiration that <i>will </i>work for me.</p> <p>I agree, <b>Xtabay</b>. I think she deliberately started creating her own "uniform" before the wedding. That's pretty wise, looking forward to decades of public engagements!&nbsp;<br /> But it's executed in a way that's uniquely hers, and not modeled after any other young royal or celebrity.&nbsp; If she's taken inspiration from anyone, I think it's from Her Majesty; they both consistently wear coat + dress + pumps + bag + statement jewelry item. </p> <p><b>Suz</b>, you express it so well! That's a really good point about helping with style persona, and with shopping &amp;c.&nbsp; I'm so excited because this gives me a huge amount of confidence in my choices, as well as direction going forward. Like most of us, I'm pretty insecure and question my choices and aesthetic. Am I veering into costume territory? Is this silly-looking on someone my age? Am I too out of touch with what's current?&nbsp; WWKD is perfect.</p> <p>I remember your excitement about the "urban prince" persona! The excitement was infectious, and I could really see how it helped you make decisions.</p> <p>That reminds me, I actually did have a possibility pop into my mind earlier this week.&nbsp; I've had "the girl next door" come to mind before, because of its vintage connotations; at one time I wanted to be the 40s girl in candid photographs, riding her bicycle around town in her cute skirt and blouse and loafers. That look is perfectly wearable for running errands in a car even nowadays, and incredibly easy to tweak into acceptable business casual.&nbsp; But I've been drawn to a more refined version now, especially pointy toes and smaller but shinier jewelry (wearing pearls today).&nbsp; So I'm considering "The Duchess next door." A hat and coatdress won't be regular daywear for me, but the aesthetic is there. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ive-found-a-style-icon-kind-of-silly-but-exciting-to-me#post-1699127 Thu, 21 Jul 2016 17:10:01 +0000 Ledonna N. 1699127@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Winning, It is great you can find an inspiration and move forward from there. I cannot wait t see what you come up with moving forward. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ive-found-a-style-icon-kind-of-silly-but-exciting-to-me#post-1699122 Thu, 21 Jul 2016 17:06:00 +0000 Anonymous 1699122@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I think she looks terrific in everything she wears, and agree she's a great icon. Can I share her with you, lol? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ive-found-a-style-icon-kind-of-silly-but-exciting-to-me#post-1699121 Thu, 21 Jul 2016 17:05:10 +0000 JAileen 1699121@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Good for you! She dresses beautifully. I love 9 and 10. Without the hat in 9, it doesn't look stewardess, it looks military to me. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ive-found-a-style-icon-kind-of-silly-but-exciting-to-me#post-1699112 Thu, 21 Jul 2016 16:56:56 +0000 Traci 1699112@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>That's fantastic! &nbsp;It can be so liberating to figure out a particular direction or inspiration for your style. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ive-found-a-style-icon-kind-of-silly-but-exciting-to-me#post-1699108 Thu, 21 Jul 2016 16:55:42 +0000 Suz 1699108@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>ETA, I also identify with the excitement of finding an icon. I've never really had one, either, although maybe Angie comes closest...but I was one of those who really came alive given a style persona. I don't actually identify with that persona anymore, but wow, did "urban prince" ever give a boost to my style at the time!!&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ive-found-a-style-icon-kind-of-silly-but-exciting-to-me#post-1699107 Thu, 21 Jul 2016 16:54:34 +0000 Anonymous 1699107@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Oh, she's fabulous.&nbsp; She is always turned out, but it seems to be "her," and not a style that's been thrust upon her.&nbsp; In other words, I think she probably dressed like this before she became a royal.&nbsp; It would be hard to find a better muse! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ive-found-a-style-icon-kind-of-silly-but-exciting-to-me#post-1699101 Thu, 21 Jul 2016 16:49:25 +0000 Suz 1699101@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>How wonderful, Ginger!I can sense your delight and creative energy at this discovery. And how thoughtful is this analysis? You've narrowed down precisely those elements of Kate's style that can be instructive and helpful to you. As for imitation, why not? That is how we all learn. I confess, I've copied some of Angie's outfits. And a few other forum members' as well.&nbsp;</p> <p>The effect of figuring this out might be a bit like the effect, for other members, of defining a "style persona." It could help you when you're shopping or sewing and help with outfit creation as well. WWKD? (What would Kate do?) could be your directive question.&nbsp;</p> <p>Did you know that Torontogirl is shares your style icon? And it's interesting because she is responding to different features of the style and has different commonalities, so the looks she comes up with are completely different from any you might create -- yet equally inspired.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ive-found-a-style-icon-kind-of-silly-but-exciting-to-me#post-1699083 Thu, 21 Jul 2016 16:29:14 +0000 Ginger 1699083@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I've NEVER had a style icon. My default has been Grace Kelly, but that's because she's a New Look/early 1950s icon. I like the style of those years very much, but I also like other vintage styles (late 30s/early 40s) that don't have a single icon associated with them. I'd also search for style bloggers and didn't find one who remotely resonated. Even the vintage bloggers didn't hit the particular balance of current/retro that felt right for me.</p> <p>However, I've started reading a few current royalty blogs. Mostly for the tiaras and jewels, but there's also clothing discussion of various royals in Europe as well as the rest of the world. I enjoy most of these for the evening looks. Formal royal events have a very different appearance than award show red carpets or the Met Gala. Daytime royal appearances aren't as interesting to me; I can appreciate, but mostly they don't appeal.</p> <p>Until I realized that there IS a royal whose appearances I really do like. I'd happily wear 85% of her wardrobe if I could: Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge.</p> <p>Is it too egotistical to say that this was an electrifying realization? Because it was! I mean, see above. I've <i>never</i> felt drawn to the current style of any living person. No one I've ever admired enough to emulate. Until now. I'm riding high!</p> <p>Perhaps egotistical, but I find it interesting to compare.</p> <p>1. We're almost the same age (I'm a year younger) and exactly the same height.<br />2. We favor the fit-and-flare aesthetic and defining the waist.<br />3. We tend to wear a lot of color and few neutrals.<br />4. We almost never wear trousers; only leggings or skinnies on occasion. We regularly wear hose and tights, depending on the temperature.<br />5. We can carry off hats and rock updos.<br />6. We favor medium-sized earrings and sometimes small necklaces.</p> <p>But there are also differences.</p> <p>1. Build: I'm much curvier. I'm short-waisted and she's long-waisted, though she positions waistlines to minimize that.<br />2. Coloring: She is more autumnal, a brunette, and green eyed. I suspect I'm wintry, with gold/brown/red hair and blue eyes.<br />3. Climate: Very different.<br />4. Hair: She's famous for her long loose curls, while I prefer shorter and curlier.<br />5. Boho: She does go boho on occasion. I have a hard time carrying it off, though it's a "wannabe" descriptor for me.</p> <p>Many of these factors I've used in the past to explain why "I don't have a style icon." And somehow they don't make a difference here! Her perferences and mine still coincide. And the climate is different, but the variation is similar.</p> <p>The Duchess has been touted as a style icon for years (rightly or not, and the Kate Effect is real). Of course there's tons of silly discussion about cost and re-wears, too. But others criticize that her outfits are decades too old for her, not daring, too conservative, too boring, too retro. They say she plays it way too safe and needs to "up her game" like Crown Princess Mary of Denmark or Queen Letizia of Spain.</p> <p>So what I find charming and pretty and fun is old-fashioned and boring to others. CP Mary is gorgeous and I love her evening looks, but hers and Letizia's day looks are usually boring to me. Horses for courses, all right! :D</p> <p>And I'm discovering this style icon business really can mean wanting to copy. I find myself browsing for affordable versions of her small hoop-and-dangle earrings, and wishing I could afford Aquatalia boots because she wears them so well. :D</p> <p>In the long term, I'm really not sure how much of an effect the Duchess's style will have on me. My favorite particular garments are designer or bespoke (like the pink and white Alexander McQueens below), and the only way to copy satisfactorily is for me to make it. Which I could... I'm just short of sewing time these days! I'm not going to wear 4" heels, although I'm enjoying the refined silhouette of my 2" CH stilletos. A sneakier satisfaction is that I can now "justify" the way I dress. I'm not just "that vintage girl," I can say I admire the Duchess. And I may experiment with more updos. I prefer most hats with updos, and she's been pretty spectacular this summer.</p> <p>Pictures!<br />#1 - Alexander McQueen, 2014 Australia<br /> #2 - White broderie anglaise, 2014 Australia<br /> #3 - Michael Kors, 2014 Australia<br />#4 - Alexander McQueen, 2016 Bhutan<br />#5 - Chelsea Flower Show, 2016<br />#6 - Lots of colors! This graphic is several years old, but I love it.<br />#7 - Red worn in Canada and for Garter Day this year. Amazing updo.<br />#8 - Maxi dress in New Delhi. I kind of want this or the cream variation.<br />#9 - Arriving in New Zealand, 2014. This is "too stewardess," but I'm in love.<br />#10 - Somme memorial, 2016. Missoni coat. </p>