https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/mid-life-crisis-makeover Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Tue, 21 Apr 2026 19:19:18 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/mid-life-crisis-makeover#post-1891287 Sun, 18 Feb 2018 20:23:41 +0000 The Cat 1891287@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Wow, you already look great! So I wonder how you will look after your makeover. Much good advice here, so I have nothing to add, except that I share the wish to see you in more colours. I wish you good luck with fine-tuning your style and finding your best colours. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/mid-life-crisis-makeover#post-1891156 Sun, 18 Feb 2018 10:55:41 +0000 Style Fan 1891156@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Liz, I love your hair!&nbsp; The style is very flattering to your face and features.&nbsp; I also like the colour. &nbsp;<br />The darker colours of your outfits suit you.&nbsp; I like your necklaces. &nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/mid-life-crisis-makeover#post-1890986 Sat, 17 Feb 2018 21:46:58 +0000 Mainelady 1890986@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I love your gray hair! Your outfits look polished to me. Maybe you are ready for some changes as you near a milestone birthday. Surely, lots of us can identify with that. Instead of thinking about an over all make over, start with a smaller focus. One change may lead to others. The process will be more gradual, but get you where you want to go, one step at a time. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/mid-life-crisis-makeover#post-1890984 Sat, 17 Feb 2018 21:32:06 +0000 Jenava 1890984@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I will say, getting your goals for the outcome sorted and identifying what might help pull your existing closet in the right direction BEFORE you shop is a good idea. Good luck! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/mid-life-crisis-makeover#post-1890953 Sat, 17 Feb 2018 19:31:18 +0000 Joyce B 1890953@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I think you have very good outfits for work, they do not look boring at all.<br /> You must be feeling a style rut, although nobody else can tell.<br /> Angie’s link and everyone’s advice will help you with that. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/mid-life-crisis-makeover#post-1890941 Sat, 17 Feb 2018 18:03:34 +0000 Laura (rhubarbgirl) 1890941@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Heck, your before is better than some people's after! I love your hair color; I think it really suits you. I agree that the black shoes in #2 could be jazzed up somewhat since everything in that outfit besides the necklace is a basic. I'd give some thought to whether you want more varied silhouettes, or a different 'feel' to your style (more boho, more architectural, more arty...) or whether you just want to enhance the base you've already built and make your outfits one step more interesting.&nbsp;</p> <p>Makeup could be another way to up the polish factor - as we get older it's harder to pull off the no-makeup look and a bit of subtle enhancement makes a big difference. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/mid-life-crisis-makeover#post-1890932 Sat, 17 Feb 2018 17:31:32 +0000 Elizabeth Armbruster 1890932@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thanks everyone. This has really helped me get out of my head and into another perspective on what I'm trying to do.&nbsp;</p> <p>Kathie - yes, great idea to start with hair/specs. I grew out my gray about 2.5 years ago culminating in a short chop that wasn't really great (but got rid of the color) so I've been in a rebound growing period for a while. And I think specs can add dimension as the gray does fade me a bit (i know-- lots of other forum posts on that topic).</p> <p>Jussie - good point about shoes. The black ones in pic 2 aren't helping are they? I've reached the point where I can't wear heels anymore, so moving to low heels and flats. Also finally coming around to good quality shoes. I have a wide range of red shoes :)</p> <p>Cardiff girl - the jacket is actually a purple velvet so not as dark as it looks, but agreed re: color. I have a couple deep fuschia tops that I like quite a bit. I also have gravitated to olive as a dark neutral. The sweater in 2 is navy, which is a color i like less, not sure why. I struggle with the body shape, I'm either an x or 8 and my shape has shifted a bit with this impending birthday!!</p> <p>Kkards - Thanks for the feedback&nbsp; on 1 vs 2. Proportions are something I'm still working through. Yes, my office is business casual, leaning to casual casual but I like to dress it up a bit.&nbsp;</p> <p>hgr - thanks for the comment. I have done the closet clean out, I rotate my stuff frequently and love accessories. it's sometimes hard to get rid of stuff because sometimes I like things again after they have been away for a while. I tried to do the 333 closet for a while, and narrowing choices helped , but i never did a good job with the seasonal planning.</p> <p>smittie - GREAT question about why I want to change. I have always been very casual but as i get older, and with the gray hair, I want to look more thoughtfully put together. I want to look fresh, not frumpy. I am low maintenance but am FINALLY coming to realize that looking stylish and put together doesn't just happen, it takes time and planning.&nbsp; And LOL yes, it's February, which here in NC is the start of spring and big temperature changes which make getting dressed even more of a challenge.&nbsp;</p> <p>Unfrumped - yes, i'm in the middle of a project where i photograph my outfits at work and save them to a pintrest page each day so i can assess them in their natural habitat. Good point about certain items working better with some things instead of others. Sometimes I feel blah in a piece and then put it aside, instead of trying it with something else. I'll have to work on that.&nbsp;</p> <p>Krishnidoux - I like both your suggestions - yes, I should go explore a single store or line. Especially as I like the idea of a work capsule that just works, where things go together. A lot of my wardrobe is culled from separate separates. Your point about "what is this jacket supposed to go with" is also a brilliant question. I don't know why i don't think of it that way, it's more hit or miss with me.&nbsp;</p> <p>kellygirl - thank you for persisting against technology! Yes, my pintrest board has been helpful in evaluating outfits.&nbsp;</p> <p>Suz- thanks for the links. Also for your story about patience. I am pretty impatient to get this sorted, so it's a good reminder that this is a process.&nbsp;</p> <p>Angie - thanks for the link. I definitely need to take it one step at a time.&nbsp;</p> <p>I think I'll start with hair, as I have an appointment soon, and then move to an outing to the stores to try a few things on.&nbsp;</p> <p>Thanks to all of you for your uplifting words and encouragement. This really did provide a new perspective for me to get started on.&nbsp;</p> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/mid-life-crisis-makeover#post-1890912 Sat, 17 Feb 2018 16:53:56 +0000 rachylou 1890912@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Wow! #2 - What a great necklace! And your jacket in #1 is very stylish! You are very pretty!</p> <p>I think it’s very helpful to have a style identity. ‘Know who you are.’ There are different kinds of polish - sharp, pretty, Preppy, ladylike... </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/mid-life-crisis-makeover#post-1890910 Sat, 17 Feb 2018 16:52:41 +0000 lyn67 1890910@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Welome to the YLF, you are in a good place here! I like both your outfits and think yor are not only polished but have a great sense of style on your own, too &amp; think your hair itself it is an edgy statement! In nr 1. I love that you paired youthful funky stripes under a severe blazer, topped it with feminine pearls and&nbsp; wore all this with flat red shoes. In nr 2 I loved the chunky transparent chain necklace which make just enough of a statement and still match&nbsp; your hair color, too! These all are really some great details, which to me they reflect a strong personality, My reflections here may not instantly help you on this leg of your style journey but maybe will&nbsp; help feeling more confident to listen&nbsp; your own intuitions deeper&nbsp; rather then trying to apply&nbsp; advices comming&nbsp; from outside. Anyway, having our own most professional virtual stylist ever (Angie:-)) and after several years on YLF we all still make mistakes from time to time so this is a thing you'll have to accept, too.&nbsp;&nbsp;<br />I can't wait to see more from you, and wish good luck!:-) </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/mid-life-crisis-makeover#post-1890871 Sat, 17 Feb 2018 15:42:30 +0000 Angie 1890871@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Welcome,&nbsp;<b>Liz V.</b> You've reached lots of great advice here. You might like to read this post. Break things down into manageable chunks, and we can help you assess and work through things too:</p> <p><a rel="nofollow" href="https://youlookfab.com/2015/12/07/how-to-break-out-of-a-style-rut/">https://youlookfab.com/2015/12.....style-rut/</a> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/mid-life-crisis-makeover#post-1890868 Sat, 17 Feb 2018 15:39:51 +0000 Suz 1890868@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Welcome! You have a beautiful smile and you are so pretty!&nbsp;</p> <p>Many of us here on the forum have come around the time of a milestone birthday or following significant weight loss (or gain) or other body change, or a move, or a change of job. It is moments like this that make us realize we need a style shift .</p> <p>You've already received some excellent thoughts and advice from the other members here. I would add that reading the You Look Fab blog archives is a fantastic way to get started, and taking and posting photos and getting feedback on the forum will take you as far as hiring a stylist! It does take time and patience, though.&nbsp;</p> <p>You can go through the archives in different ways, as you'll see when you go to the main page:&nbsp;<a rel="nofollow" href="https://youlookfab.com/archive/">https://youlookfab.com/archive/</a></p> <p>A few recent posts that might resonate, if you haven't already seen:&nbsp;</p> <p><a rel="nofollow" href="https://youlookfab.com/2015/11/17/seven-steps-to-style-renewal/">https://youlookfab.com/2015/11.....e-renewal/</a><br /><a rel="nofollow" href="https://youlookfab.com/2018/01/02/seven-stylish-resolutions/">https://youlookfab.com/2018/01.....solutions/</a><br /><a rel="nofollow" href="https://youlookfab.com/2018/01/08/my-top-25-style-tips/">https://youlookfab.com/2018/01.....tyle-tips/</a></p> <p>I came to YLF needing to build a wardrobe from scratch (I literally had nothing). I didn't enjoy shopping and had few options nearby anyway. Within about 2 years (and yes, more money than I like to admit, and a lot of mistakes!) I was getting constant compliments from others for being "fashionable." (Not that my goal was the approval of others -- it wasn't! -- but that does signal that there'd been an outward, visible change in my self-presentation.</p> <p>Within 3 or 4 years, I began feeling greater confidence in my personal style, on an internal level, and my closet was working a whole lot better for me. I hardly ever felt "I have nothing to wear!!!" and began to feel a lot happier about shopping.&nbsp;</p> <p>Those feelings have continued to deepen over the subsequent years and every year brings a positive evolution to my wardrobe and sense of personal style.&nbsp;</p> <p>The most recent big shift was allowing all my grey hair to come in; it's been a fun transition!&nbsp;</p> <p>I know you will learn and grow so much by participating here.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/mid-life-crisis-makeover#post-1890865 Sat, 17 Feb 2018 15:36:58 +0000 kellygirl 1890865@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I keep losing my post but I wanted to say that I don't think these WIWs lack polish at all. You look beautiful head to toe. Can you post some pictures of styles that you like--hair and outfits? The forum is a great place to get feedback. It seems we are all in agreement that you look polished already! &nbsp;Highly agree with the above comments that its helpful to go shopping with an open mind and try styles that you like and take some photos--see if that is the direction you want to go. It's time consuming but well worth the effort. Also consider your environmental norm and whether you are okay with standing out or blending in. Just my quick 2 cents before my post disappears again. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/mid-life-crisis-makeover#post-1890841 Sat, 17 Feb 2018 15:12:27 +0000 krishnidoux 1890841@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>You are doing all the right things. And by gosh you are so pretty. I agree with others that your current style is indeed polished. However, your feeling comes from something real: maybe you mean that you feel you don't see yourself anymore. Maybe what you need is to find a new style direction.</p> <p>I commiserate to the purchase "mistakes" you describe...&nbsp;<br />Let's tackle your hesitation to shop. I think you could identify a brand or a store where most things look attractive and useful to you. Stores have buyers and stylist who put collections together, and while I'm not suggesting to buy a full collection, and certainly not to restrict yourself to one brand, I found it useful myself to get educated by how things were put together in different shops. Often pieces don't work once at home because we bought only the one half of a pairing. For example, if most of my closet is full with Tommy H and Talbots, something I bring home from Guess has more chances of not fitting. The first are Preppy while Guess is more sultry, hip or boho. I'm sure there is one store where you go and see yourself in many of those outfits. You should get inspiration from higher end stores too. For me, such places are Marciano and some parts of Nordstrom.&nbsp;</p> <p>If you get a jacket, always look at how it was styled, and with what it was meant to be worn: high or low waist? Straight or curved bottoms? short or long?&nbsp;</p> <p>I hope this helps a little bit.&nbsp;</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/mid-life-crisis-makeover#post-1890826 Sat, 17 Feb 2018 14:48:07 +0000 unfrumped 1890826@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Hi- you are off to a great start. I like your outfits and agree #1 is sharper and more polished- of course the jacket as “ 3rd piece “ helps, but if you it break down to elements of structure and proportions you may see how to replicate with just top + bottom also. </p> <p>I’m going to read replies and Angie advice with interest because I aim for a polished business casual- no jeans, nice tops, interesting flats- but would also like to keep improving and not slacking off!<br /> One thing I noticed for myself is to stay focused on my best “ uniforms “ of fit and proportions. I tend to try to add extra items they might not be any better.<br /> This is NOT to say don’t try new styles and trends. The opposite, in fact. Jussie’s comments are spot on. It’s to say, try on s bunch of your outfits with a very critical eye as to what really works on your body type and make you feel fab, work from there to focus on those silhouettes, and do some shopping aimed at “ Retail Research “ where you try brands and styles that may be new to you, for ideas.<br /> Separate the wheat from the chaff, so to speak. This might lead you to cull certain items and identify your “ aspirational” item or outfits.<br /> Also I try to listen to my emotions a bit how I feel in an outfit during day or at end. Sometimes I’ll think something is great and then realize it is not the look I’m going for. That happens to everyone and is part of experimenting and evolving. For me it’s either the fit was off and I have to decide re: either alterations or let it go— or things were too mish- mash, too casual, or too dull. If the fit and fabric and style is fine, it might be the individual items are fine but need to combine differently. For me, certain pants can skew frumpy if worn with wrong top or shoes and vice- versa. For me that is what I call juxtaposition— something very classic or basic may need to be worn with something more unusual or edgy. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/mid-life-crisis-makeover#post-1890818 Sat, 17 Feb 2018 14:28:25 +0000 Anonymous 1890818@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I think both your outfits look polished. So does your hair. I wonder if you mean something different from “polish”. </p> <p>As someone who also does not like to spend money on things that won’t work and who was/is a bit skittish, I’ll tell you:</p> <p>Those super-stylish people spend a lot of money on clothes and make a lot of mistakes. Probably as many as you. THey might not make as many mistakes NOW, but they probably made a ton of mistakes previously.</p> <p>I think that making mistakes is something you just have to accept if you want to be stylish and to truly feel like “you”. What I do to get around all the guilt is to set a budget and tell myself that 50% is for basics/essentials and 50% is for (well thought-out) experiments. </p> <p>It sounds like you want to make some changes to your wardrobe and I wonder what is behind the need for change? Besides a birthday. Do you want to look sharper? More fun? More trendy? </p> <p>I would say that about 80% of my experiments fail! Yikes! But it’s really great when you find something new that you actually really like! For me, that was chambray shirt dresses last year, and the year before that was white sneakers.</p> <p>I was about 35 when I started to actually make an effort to discover my style (I’m now 40). I feel like I’m very far behind everyone else, and I’m still figuring things out. </p> <p>Also: It’s February </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/mid-life-crisis-makeover#post-1890813 Sat, 17 Feb 2018 14:21:56 +0000 hgr 1890813@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Hi Liz, </p> <p> Full disclosure: I do have a hair stylist but I've never been to a wardrobe consultant.......&amp; I believe you do have an objective eye when it comes to selecting clothes</p> <p> I like your work wardrobe. I see you wear a badge and I notice that sometimes people stop wearing jewelry when they must wear an id for work. You are putting forth the effort. I can relate to wanting to change your look but not wanting to buy something that ends up staying in your closet instead of on you. Have you made a recent inventory of your closet/accessories? If no, you might "discover" long lost pieces that you forgot you had. I hang my clothes according to color. I have notecards on my hangers showing the date I last wore my garment. If I wear 2 days in a row of dark colors then I always try to add a bright color to my wardrobe by the third day. I started doing this because I realized I was rotating the same clothing items over and over and not varying the way I wore them. I found myself getting much too comfortable with my clothes. You want to change your look? Maybe make small changes (dramatic piece of jewelry, shoes, new lipstick color etc). I remember your (WIW) celery pants from BR. I really like that outfit. Whatever you decide to do I want you to make it an experience that works for you. Good luck with your milestone birthday </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/mid-life-crisis-makeover#post-1890792 Sat, 17 Feb 2018 13:51:43 +0000 kkards 1890792@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>i'm another one who came to YLF on the cusp of a milestone birthday and finding myself sort of out of sync...i wasn't looking overhaul everything, but was feeling that i wasn't looking as current and modern as i wanted....i felt that i'd buy something and then stuggle with how to style it....and that's were YLF helped...just reading Angie's blog and reading thru the forum helped me to figure out the little details that make the big difference....<br />anyway, back to you....i like both of these outfits you've shown....i'm assuming from the photo's that you work in a business casual office? ..i think the&nbsp;proportions in #1 work better than #2. have you tried semi tucking/faux tucking the sweater in #2?<br />keep posting...sometimes people have posted links to their pinterest boards so that fabbers could help identify the thru line....maybe post an outfit that your happiness factor is high in next to one that it was lower in... </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/mid-life-crisis-makeover#post-1890783 Sat, 17 Feb 2018 13:37:47 +0000 Cardiff girl 1890783@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>You have a lovely face with a warm smile so we re off to a good start.Your hair is a gorgeous colour and I actually quite like the cut .Two things that strike me looking at your photos are colour or the lack of,there’s a lot of black and whilst it suits you combining different colours can add flair to an outfit.Have you had your colours done?That might be worth looking into.Another thing which adds greatly to a great outfit is understanding your body shape,what shape would you say you were? There’s a lot of good body shape advice from Angie on the forum. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/mid-life-crisis-makeover#post-1890763 Sat, 17 Feb 2018 12:44:42 +0000 jussie 1890763@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Well I think you’ve come to the right place! First off though, I think your outfits are quite nice, and I’d call them fairly polished :). I also think your hair and smile are lovely. I especially like those necklaces. I’m certainly no expert, but here’s a couple of ideas that I’m trying out:<br /> 1) it’s all about shoes. Funky shoes are key to an outfit. If you can wear heels then great, all the better, otherwise you could use colour/texture/shine to amp up the awesomeness factor.<br /> 2)maybe try some different sillhouettes? So, instead of pants with jersey top, experiment with midi or maxi skirts, longer tops with slimmer pants or (especially current) wide leg pants with a fitted top, or even a midi dress with thick tights and a cropped jacket.<br /> 3) I like to sometimes copy what mannequins in stores are wearing with items I already have at home that are similar.<br /> 4) try on different types of clothes that I wouldn’t normally try or that don’t look good on the hanger nescessarily. Sometimes things are pleasantly surprising.....</p> <p>I know everyone is different, but these are some things that have helped me.<br /> Best of luck with it! I’m sure the ylf people will give you some great advice </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/mid-life-crisis-makeover#post-1890762 Sat, 17 Feb 2018 12:35:54 +0000 Kathie 1890762@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>You’ve taken a great first step, by posting on the forum! I know Angie recommends figuring out hair, and specs (if you wear them) first. I’d been lurking on the forum/blog for a couple years, before I joined this past summer. The forum members are incredibly helpful with advice- whether you’re trying on new items, deciding what to keep from your wardrobe, or how to restyle pieces you already own. And the archives are a wealth of information. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/mid-life-crisis-makeover#post-1890761 Sat, 17 Feb 2018 12:26:59 +0000 Elizabeth Armbruster 1890761@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I'm hitting a milestone birthday this year and I'd like to step up my style game but I'm stuck. I've been pinning hairstyles, body shapes and styles I like for a while, but pinning is not doing!&nbsp;</p> <p>I'm not a good shopper because I don't like to spend lots of money on stuff I don't wear. I've had too many things I loved in the dressing room have a short life when I worked them into my wardrobe so I'm skittish.&nbsp; I don't have an objective eye and I frequently get distracted by things I wish would work, but really don't.&nbsp;</p> <p>I think working with a consultant like Angie would be great, but I don't know any in my area and I'm afraid to turn myself over to a stranger for fear of being styled in a way that's not me.</p> <p>I'm not even sure how y'all can help!&nbsp; Any suggestions about how to make better choices, experience you've had working with a consultant, how to get helpful advice on hairstyles from a stylist (I like mine but I think her hairstyle suggestions come from her preferences, not mine), how to manage a mid-life makeover?</p> <p>I'm posting a WIW pics from his week just to add a picture to this post. I would call these typical work outfits - adequate for my life/workplace but the whole presentation lacks polish.&nbsp; :)&nbsp;</p> <p>Thanks for your comments!!</p> <p> </p>