https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/marketing-and-elements-of-style Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Sun, 26 Apr 2026 05:35:50 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/marketing-and-elements-of-style#post-2409926 Tue, 07 Apr 2026 14:42:45 +0000 goldenpig 2409926@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Speaking of the AllSaints dress above, I found a side view of the dress (the first one). Look at it compared to the third one. It makes even the skinny model look like she’s expecting. If I had seen that side view before, I would never have ordered it! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/marketing-and-elements-of-style#post-2409914 Tue, 07 Apr 2026 12:31:45 +0000 Olive Green 2409914@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I recently lost a lot of weight that had glued itself on after menopause. Oddly, my tastes have not changed with the silhouette (square apple shape to quite slender). Pretty much ordering the same stuff in smaller sizes, a little more body con so I don’t set sail in a high wind.<br />Apparently my eye has mostly settled on what suits or pleases, and the models body or presentation is hardly ever an incitement to buy. In fact, the merchandizing and tortured posing and hair draped over a neck detail, and whatever is covering up the style I am looking for…just pisses me off.&nbsp;<br />I’d now rather they forefronted the fabric and design detail and showed it on various body types.&nbsp;<br />Utilitarian, uh huh.&nbsp;</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/marketing-and-elements-of-style#post-2409907 Tue, 07 Apr 2026 12:10:57 +0000 unfrumped 2409907@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Not sure how to answer the exact question, but…</p> <p>I’m very aware of how the young, tall, thin models can make a garbage bag look… interesting. More that poor quality, poor fabrics, poor cuts are likely to be less obvious. Because they will hang ok on the model’s frame.<br /> Then also, I do somehow find that a much older face can create a different vibe in same outfit. Perhaps that is due to my own expectations &amp; biases? Plus older “ movement “ even if still “ pretty fit and active” make a difference in how garments need to fit.<br /> I can still get some ideas for updating tweaks— proportions and juxtaposing items I might not have thought of combining are best examples. </p> <p>I have tried to identify an older “ style icon” but have found it hard. Probably not looking in the right places, or not wanting to take the time required. None of the “ over 60” ( and beyond, haha) ones that keep coming up on searches do much for me. I found some use in looking for “ over 40” &amp; up mainly because it’s a bit more likely they will focus on fit and quality, confidence.</p> <p>Things that help me say “ no” to ordering online &amp; then being disappointed , or vice versa being more encouraged, are sites that offer a few different fit models—even slightly shorter and less rail- thin models are helpful-, sites stating the actual size the model is wearing, plus sites with short videos of the fit model in motion. The Nordstrom SA videos pointing to the garment are pretty useless. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/marketing-and-elements-of-style#post-2409904 Tue, 07 Apr 2026 11:44:49 +0000 anchie 2409904@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I try to look past model and eveluate item for its potential for my style and my body. It never looks the same on me as on model anyway. I pay attention only to helpfull clues, like rise, length, neckline etc. and biggest red flag is if model is showing only strange angles that don’t show the full picture. My 18 years old daughter, who is few sizes smaller than me, often wears my coats, shirts and sweaters, but she styles them with diffrent items then me, and they also fit her very differently. When I shop I always try to see if something can work for both of us. It is actually very fun for me to see the same item living two diffrent lives </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/marketing-and-elements-of-style#post-2409868 Mon, 06 Apr 2026 23:03:18 +0000 Carla 2409868@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>What&nbsp;<b>Jaileen&nbsp;</b>said about ‘weird’ images…. &nbsp;I was scrolling through some hairstyle inspiration sites. &nbsp;They were tagged for women aged 50, and 60. &nbsp;The women showed visible signs of aging - smile lines, &nbsp;lines at the corners of their eyes, but they were all attractive women with youthful appearances. &nbsp;</p> <div><br /></div><div>At first I thought it was just skillfully applied make-up, since there was a uniformity of clear skin, flushed cheeks/blush, rosy lips. &nbsp;However, the more I studied the images, the more I thought they were <b>young&nbsp;</b>models photo shopped to appear older or AI generated, either in full or in part!&nbsp;&nbsp;</div></p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/marketing-and-elements-of-style#post-2409860 Mon, 06 Apr 2026 21:43:56 +0000 JAileen 2409860@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I thought I was immune, but apparently not. &nbsp;:) &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;<div><br /></div><div>What I notice are the weird photos. &nbsp;In my experience, the&nbsp;weirder the photos of the model standing or sitting or crouching on the floor or arms crossed, the worse the garment looks on the model, and they’re just trying to hide that fact.&nbsp;</div> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/marketing-and-elements-of-style#post-2409817 Mon, 06 Apr 2026 12:44:05 +0000 Helena 2409817@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Pretty much what Robin said! I have radar for marketing tricks since I worked in it, and also was blessed with a forward thinking religion teacher (Catholic high school) who showed us the Jean Kilbourne documentary "Killing Us Softly" which basically eviscerated the advertising industry for it's negative effect on women. That said, I do believe anyone who thinks they are entirely immune from marketing is underestimating the adversary. I think we all are, and the best that can be done is try to be mindful of the fact and use it as information while rejecting (again as best we can) the influence.</p> <p>As to the age question, I don't believe that anyone is restricted from wearing anything, but I do believe that we wear things differently. By definition, things will look fresher on my DD whereas I would more easily be perceived as out of date if I don't evolve my style with the times. This is just math. If I wear something that reads 2010, I may not have cleaned out my closet since then, whereas she was is diapers, so on her it has to be 'vintage' - Obviously going to be a different interpretation - And that's ok, vive la difference! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/marketing-and-elements-of-style#post-2409814 Mon, 06 Apr 2026 12:27:02 +0000 RobinF 2409814@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Do I see past marketing? Sometimes - haha. They do get me and then I am surprised when the mirror isn't showing me what I have in mind. But I do think I am getting better at it.</p> <p>I do take inspiration from all ages, although I like to follow those with body types similar to mine - that helps with the above so I know better what to expect. </p> <p>I think all ages can wear most items but I think something that looks dated on me can be worn more easily by someone younger. Maybe it looks more intentional on them and more unintentional on me!</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/marketing-and-elements-of-style#post-2409811 Mon, 06 Apr 2026 11:59:00 +0000 Dee 2409811@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Heck, for sure in my younger and even in my not so younger years I'd fall for the marketing and images I'd see but I'm finally wising up. In the last decade or so I'm able to adapt what I see to better suit me and my own style and I definitely think you can still make it look modern and current no matter your age. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/marketing-and-elements-of-style#post-2409810 Mon, 06 Apr 2026 11:24:54 +0000 bella 2409810@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>My answer is yes. I think there are several forum members here who are incredible at finding inspiration elsewhere (in other influencers, street style, colors, pictures, etc)&nbsp; and translating it to their own style. You are certainly one of them. Brooklyn also comes to my mind.&nbsp;<br />I, on the other hand, am terrible at it! Unless I literally own the same or very similar items, I can hardly take inspo from a Pinterest outfit picture!&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/marketing-and-elements-of-style#post-2409809 Mon, 06 Apr 2026 11:16:43 +0000 Suntiger 2409809@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Maybe it's different cause this is my main fashion content, but I don't pay much attention to the models in ads, unless they're different than the norm (like older, or with a different setting). I definitely pay attention to the elements of style- lines, color/contrast, amount of detail in particular.<br /> As far as age- lifestyle is much more of a difference than anything else. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/marketing-and-elements-of-style#post-2409795 Mon, 06 Apr 2026 05:03:02 +0000 SarahD8 2409795@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Indigoprint, this is William Strunk erasure!! :-)</p> <p>I do have a hard time seeing past marketing and merchandising in fashion ads and content, but in the opposite way as you might expect. I am so used to shopping secondhand online, where images are often very utilitarian, at this point that marketing images tend to turn me away rather than suck me in. If there’s no flat lay of a garment preferably with a yardstick laid across it I really cannot evaluate whether it will work for me and I run out of patience quickly.</p> <p>I think it will be very interesting to shop with Angie and the gang next weekend— very different from my usual m.o. I am so curious about what I will notice and learn! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/marketing-and-elements-of-style#post-2409790 Mon, 06 Apr 2026 03:40:21 +0000 Indigoprint 2409790@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Sorry no comments, all I can think of is E.B. White </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/marketing-and-elements-of-style#post-2409786 Mon, 06 Apr 2026 03:11:04 +0000 goldenpig 2409786@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>No I have a hard time seeing past the marketing, I get suckered in by how things look on the models and the overall vibe. Even the companies that target older women (like Chico's, Talbot's etc as we discussed before) use younger models than their target audience.&nbsp;</p> <p>As an apple, I often get tricked into thinking an item will look good on me, when it's shown on models who are usually younger and taller and skinnier and don't have food babies. And the reality on me is not so fab. So I have to really pay attention to the reviews and to the waistline and often I size up to have a looser fit that skims.&nbsp;</p> <p>Case in point, I was in love with this AllSaints Shaela dress after seeing it in the ads, it's even an Asian model. I thought it was cool and edgy and seemed like it would work well with my Rogue Romantic "gothic romance" style. Well I tried it and it looked like I was super pregnant from the side view--I didn't realize it had so many layers of frills coming out of the front. I ended up buying the AllSaints Fleur dress, same model wearing it, but I sized up (I could have worn a smaller size with my chest measurements, but then it was too tight around the waist). The frills are flatter and go down instead of out, and the hemline and length is more flattering.&nbsp;</p> <p>La Ligne is another brand that fools me. I love the ads but their models all seem to be skinny rectangles. Here's another La Ligne dress where I initially tried the Michaela dress but it looked maternity on me, but the Nadedge dress (same pattern) looked better because of the flowy waist. I sometimes feel like the Celeste Barber version when I wear things I bought based on the ads (she pokes fun at influencer/celebrity videos of them doing all these weird fashion poses, it's quite funny actually!)</p> <p>As far as age, that doesn't bother me as much--I love cutesy kawaii stuff that kids/teens would wear like Hello Kitty and Tokidoki, it's sort of my (not so) guilty pleasure that I love to "play" with fashion, and I love "old" retro vintage looks too so I'd wear "grandma style" clothing if I liked the era--like the 40's to 60's. Of course now the age I grew up in (80's) is considered "vintage" too, sigh!</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/marketing-and-elements-of-style#post-2409785 Mon, 06 Apr 2026 02:43:43 +0000 Sal 2409785@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Yes and no....</p> <p>If we take a pair of Levis 501 or similar straight jeans - which could be worn across so many age groups.&nbsp; I bet the 18 year old, the 35 year old and the 60 year old would wear them differently.&nbsp; And that's okay.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <p> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/marketing-and-elements-of-style#post-2409704 Sat, 04 Apr 2026 23:17:42 +0000 Jaime 2409704@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I am very attuned to whether I am admiring an outfit or a model. Does this look depend on showing skin? Being skinny? Having a stunning face or hair or whatever? I always try to visualize how a piece would look on me. Conversely I find it hard to judge outfits without seeing them on a particular person. The same outfit will come off differently on two different people even if they are the same age and general shape. So yes, anyone can wear anything, but not the same way. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/marketing-and-elements-of-style#post-2409651 Sat, 04 Apr 2026 02:37:21 +0000 Carol 2409651@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Jenni--5 letters--you try it!</p> <p>I think very much so...though it is not always practiced.&nbsp; It does seem more common for young European women to dress older, and vice versa.&nbsp;</p> <p>I don't know if I am good at seeing beyond marketing, though. I like very direct, well-lit catalog looks. When brands try too hard for a "tough, cool" look, they lose me.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/marketing-and-elements-of-style#post-2409648 Sat, 04 Apr 2026 01:45:34 +0000 MsMary 2409648@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I agree with Lisa -- I take inspiration where I find it! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/marketing-and-elements-of-style#post-2409643 Sat, 04 Apr 2026 00:49:44 +0000 Lisa 2409643@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Yes, because it's pretty rare that I see someone with a body shape, height, coloring, features, etc that are exactly like mine. I use the photos for inspiration. Do I like how those colors go together? Do I like the fit of the top or pants and how it's styled, etc. At this age I've experimented enough by now to know what styles and materials definitely don't work on me or I just don't like. I've spent the past year or two experimenting with different color combinations, and that's what tends to catch my eye the most right now.&nbsp;</p> <p>Different ages, same item? Sure, why not. It's all about the confidence the person has wearing the item and that is timeless and ageless. In the current age of DYOT, everything goes! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/marketing-and-elements-of-style#post-2409639 Fri, 03 Apr 2026 23:44:38 +0000 Irina 2409639@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Yes and no?</p> <div>I’m always careful with vintage stuff. Younger women offset vintage with their youth, I might look just old fashioned in it.&nbsp;</div><div>I follow a few younger influencers but I never try to replicate their outfits. I follow more for inspiration and to see trends in action. Trends are not instructions, rather just information that one might or might not find useful. I use only what feels like me. And I’m able to see if it works or not. I mostly wear simple clothes that are ageless.&nbsp;</div><div>I don’t ask myself if my outfits look current. Does anyone, really?</div></p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/marketing-and-elements-of-style#post-2409638 Fri, 03 Apr 2026 23:20:32 +0000 Kate 2409638@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Great questions, Carla. To the first, yes, I can see past the marketing and the models. The models really don't even register with me. I've never had trouble doing that. Even when I was much younger, I never looked at models in catalogs and thought, oh, she looks like me, so I could possibly wear, that, or oh, I could never buy that, because I couldn't ever look like that in that particular garment. I think I must have model blindness!&nbsp;</p> <p>Can different ages wear the same stuff? Sure. As LJP says, the same garment is going to look different on different ages, but that's fine. I don't have the same body now as I did at 25, or even 40. At 70, I know what I like, and more importantly, what suits me, and makes me feel fab going through my day.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/marketing-and-elements-of-style#post-2409637 Fri, 03 Apr 2026 23:06:12 +0000 Sloper 2409637@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>To your first question - I’d like to think so. &nbsp;For sure I’m susceptible to a creative, well-styled and well-photographed editorial. &nbsp;It’s supposed to! &nbsp;But with time and experience comes knowledge of what works for my body type and personal style.&nbsp;<div><br /></div><div>While I may automatically nix certain things and move on, the best moment is still getting that special zing of inspiration from a new combination, cut, or color. &nbsp;</div><div><br /></div><div>To your second question - absolutely! &nbsp;I am definitely NOT a fan of click-bait lists of “Don’t wear this at (insert age)”</div> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/marketing-and-elements-of-style#post-2409634 Fri, 03 Apr 2026 22:07:56 +0000 LJP 2409634@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I don't follow young fashion "influencers" - but of course it's hard to avoid images featuring young very thin women if one is at all online . &nbsp;Trying to see past the different body types is a challenge - to me, anyways- and I often forget I'm not 5"8" and 110 lbs. ;). &nbsp; I carefully manage my social media feeds to show women like me and of my age. I'm not really interested in what young people wear - rather I'm more likely to to be influenced by the merchandisers/retailers than what bodies they use on social media. Does that make sense? &nbsp;In other words, I go into Artizia, which is geared to a much, much younger person, and I can figure out what works for me by looking at the clothing &nbsp;and how it's displayed and not the models they might use on line (who are so young and thin) . &nbsp;</p> <p>Can different ages style the same item ? Sure, I think. I certainly wear sweats differently than the 25 year olds do, and differently than the 80 year olds. &nbsp;I feel like I'm at my best age for asserting my style MY way. &nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/marketing-and-elements-of-style#post-2409630 Fri, 03 Apr 2026 21:49:17 +0000 Jenni NZ 2409630@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Wow Carla you do ask the best questions! (Similar to Carol- 5-lettered first names beginning with C?!)<br /> I don’t know. I think I can look past an attractive image a bit more now with my YLF-honed skills and think hmm, but that dress has tiers, or whatever it is that I don’t like to wear so much.<br /> But whether I could see myself in whatever it is… not sure. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/marketing-and-elements-of-style#post-2409629 Fri, 03 Apr 2026 21:44:34 +0000 Carla 2409629@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>When you look at fashion images, can you see past the marketing to see the elements of style in an outfit? &nbsp;In other words, can you see past the often slim and youthful models on which garments or an outfit is arranged to determine if you want a certain item in your closet or wish to replicate a look? &nbsp;Can you borrow ideas from the youngun’s as well as your peers and also those of generations before you?&nbsp;</p> <p><div><br /></div><div>Can a 20 something, a 60 yo, and an 85 yo style the same…jogger or dress…in a way that seems modern and current? &nbsp;I&nbsp;think so, though their approaches might not be the same. I’ve seen young folks adopt elder coded garments (g’ma’s fur coat for example) and wear them with panache, and seniors with fabulous pink hair!</div><div><br /></div><div>What do you think?</div> </p>