https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/my-spring-2023-theme-modern-romance---the-theory Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Thu, 09 Apr 2026 14:32:11 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/my-spring-2023-theme-modern-romance---the-theory#post-2312353 Mon, 06 Mar 2023 22:11:14 +0000 Carla 2312353@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>That waist defining silouhette has your name written all over it! &nbsp;Love the detail of your plan, and looking forward to the execution. &nbsp;Big ‘YAY’ for working with your existing collection and a few new items to facilitate the looks. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/my-spring-2023-theme-modern-romance---the-theory#post-2312348 Mon, 06 Mar 2023 22:01:43 +0000 Tanya 2312348@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Angie, it is one of those random styling ideas one picks up from a runway show. We will see how it works in practice.</p> <p>Star, I agree that TB prices are ridiculous when it comes to those simple small tops. So glad the topic resonates with you. I am looking forward to your expansion. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/my-spring-2023-theme-modern-romance---the-theory#post-2312264 Mon, 06 Mar 2023 16:23:55 +0000 Star (Lise) 2312264@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>The price of the ribbed bandeau from TB is eye-watering considering what it is.&nbsp; Good to hear you ordered similar from Amazon for experimenting. Btw I love the Modernica vibe and I should really try and expand on it.&nbsp; You have inspired me. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/my-spring-2023-theme-modern-romance---the-theory#post-2312241 Mon, 06 Mar 2023 14:17:28 +0000 Angie 2312241@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Wearing a tube top like a VERY WIDE belt! Why not :)&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/my-spring-2023-theme-modern-romance---the-theory#post-2312166 Mon, 06 Mar 2023 00:51:12 +0000 Tanya 2312166@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Suz, I know that it sounds a bit crazy, but here it is:&nbsp;<a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.toryburch.com/en-us/clothing/jackets/ribbed-bandeau/138267.html?color=700">https://www.toryburch.com/en-u.....?color=700</a>. &nbsp; I thought I had linked to it above.&nbsp; &nbsp;One needs to click through all the colors to see the outfit combos.</p> <p>Thank you for the kind words.&nbsp; &nbsp;I am about to post a long "Practice" post on how I intend to put it all into action. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/my-spring-2023-theme-modern-romance---the-theory#post-2312163 Mon, 06 Mar 2023 00:30:54 +0000 Suz 2312163@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Tube tops worn at the waist! So clever. That will look amazing on you, Tanya! I can't wait to witness all this in action. I can think of items already in your closet that will allow you to pull together these looks and juxtapose them. I like both directions and think the blending of the two will be special indeed.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/my-spring-2023-theme-modern-romance---the-theory#post-2312160 Sun, 05 Mar 2023 23:46:13 +0000 Tanya 2312160@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Vildy, how fun that you like and wear the "Modernica" theme, too.&nbsp; And you are welcome.</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/my-spring-2023-theme-modern-romance---the-theory#post-2312083 Sun, 05 Mar 2023 17:33:52 +0000 Vildy 2312083@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Your Modernica is a huuuuuge theme in my own wardrobe. Never picked up on it reaching across decades like that as&nbsp; a unifier but Yessss.&nbsp; Thanx. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/my-spring-2023-theme-modern-romance---the-theory#post-2312078 Sun, 05 Mar 2023 16:57:33 +0000 Tanya 2312078@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thank you all!</p> <p>Joy, I do not care too much about matching navies, especially if there is some texture involved.&nbsp; I avoid wearing two similar "flat" pieces together to avoid "tried to match but failed" look, otherwise anything goes.</p> <p>Jaime, glad you liked the illustrations.</p> <p>Jenni, talk you for the book recommendation!&nbsp; I will try to find it, very curious to read it.</p> <p>April, well I have to admit that was one of the attractions.&nbsp; I studied the looks in more details yesterday and realized that those fun color-blocked, extra band at the waist looks ( #2 and #3) were not special color-blocked pieces, but tube/bandeau tops worn at the waist!&nbsp; I went and ordered a set of cheap ones from Amazon to see if I can reproduce the effect.&nbsp;</p> <p> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/my-spring-2023-theme-modern-romance---the-theory#post-2312031 Sun, 05 Mar 2023 11:29:22 +0000 April 2312031@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Tanya those Tori Burch outfits are made with your beautifully long waist in mind!&nbsp;&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/my-spring-2023-theme-modern-romance---the-theory#post-2312025 Sun, 05 Mar 2023 09:39:23 +0000 Jenni NZ 2312025@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Great! Even I have heard of Claire McCardell, and before YLF too! I think it was when I read the most fantastic book over a decade ago (?) by a woman, ex-model, named Allison Houtte who had a store in Brooklyn New York called Hooti Couture I think- vintage store. You might enjoy the book if you could find it anywhere. It is called Alligators, Old Mink and New Money, written 2006 by her and sister I suppose Melissa Houtte. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/my-spring-2023-theme-modern-romance---the-theory#post-2311992 Sun, 05 Mar 2023 03:37:04 +0000 Jaime 2311992@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Love this and thank you for the illustrations! I look forward to see where you go with this! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/my-spring-2023-theme-modern-romance---the-theory#post-2311961 Sun, 05 Mar 2023 01:18:47 +0000 Anonymous 2311961@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Great ideas for styling, Tanya. Good luck with the navy. I am trying again to use navy rather than black as a dark neutral and have some many shades of navy that I’d given up. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/my-spring-2023-theme-modern-romance---the-theory#post-2311943 Sat, 04 Mar 2023 22:47:37 +0000 Tanya 2311943@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thank you for your input, anyone.</p> <p>Cat2, I will be mostly shopping my closet as well.&nbsp; I am hoping to add only a couple of well chosen pieces.&nbsp; I have been also stalking those&nbsp;Tory Burch Claire McCardell dresses. Lets hope we can both nab one at an acceptable for us price point.</p> <p>Brooklyn, thank you!&nbsp; In addition to fashion, reading fiction is another good way of dealing with anxiety for me.</p> <p>Jonesy, thanks.&nbsp; That collection was fun to study.&nbsp; Their SS23 collection had some elements that resonated, too, but less than previous year.</p> <p>Angie, you are very kind, thanks!&nbsp; I am glad to hear you identify strongly with both themes.&nbsp; It will be great to get your real-time opinions as the season progresses.</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/my-spring-2023-theme-modern-romance---the-theory#post-2311923 Sat, 04 Mar 2023 22:02:31 +0000 Angie 2311923@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>IMPRESSIVE</p> <p>*APPLAUSE*</p> <p>My dear, <b>Tanya</b>. I am THRILLED - and proud! - that you are using fashion and style to have fun, maintain a positive attitude, and as a diversion from life's great stresses. You are the boss, and it shows! This is daily therapy for you, a creative outlet, and ticks important boxes. And you have the wardrobe and style skillset to pull it off with verve and authenticity. KILLER SPLENDID! Wooohooooo!&nbsp;</p> <p>I'm loving the juxtaposition of these two themes! I identify quite strongly with both, and am looking foward to the outfits you come up with. You know I will be cheering you on :)&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/my-spring-2023-theme-modern-romance---the-theory#post-2311921 Sat, 04 Mar 2023 21:53:56 +0000 Jonesy 2311921@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Love this! It is really fun to read your plans and see your inspiration! I also never met a plan I didn't like :), so I can appreciate this so much. I love the RTW spring '22 Tory Burch show as a key foundation, and it makes perfect sense because I was just reading recently about the changes to the Tory Burch line, and how that particular spring collection was inspired by none other than Claire McArdell! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/my-spring-2023-theme-modern-romance---the-theory#post-2311920 Sat, 04 Mar 2023 21:41:01 +0000 Brooklyn 2311920@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>This sounds great Tanya. </p> <p>And I’m with you on wardrobe planning as a way to reduce anxiety. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/my-spring-2023-theme-modern-romance---the-theory#post-2311915 Sat, 04 Mar 2023 20:28:05 +0000 cat2 2311915@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Looks like fun. My goals are much more modest, to wear existing things that happen to be trending. I am also sale stalking those Tory Burch Claire McArdel dresses. I don’t really need much for summer, so one would likely fit into the budget. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/my-spring-2023-theme-modern-romance---the-theory#post-2311896 Sat, 04 Mar 2023 18:37:36 +0000 Tanya 2311896@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thanks, Lisa!&nbsp; &nbsp;I am not too serious about it, even if it may not sound that way.&nbsp; &nbsp;I have an overactive brain prone to anxiety, and find that the best way to avoid tying myself in knots over serious issues I have little control over, is too give my brain a less serious thing to overthink, which could be fashion/clothes, for example.&nbsp; Sort of like free therapy.&nbsp; And I do enjoy planning and analyzing.</p> <p>ChristelJ, glad you enjoy reading abut this approach.&nbsp; I do have an impulsive streak as well - in the past I often got lots of new "pretties" that were not that cohesive, so trying to minimize that and narrow down the spectrum of everything I like, which is a lot, to something manageable, season per season. "Practice" post will likely come out tomorrow.</p> <p>Thank you, Suntiger!&nbsp; &nbsp;I expect it should end up quite different indeed.</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/my-spring-2023-theme-modern-romance---the-theory#post-2311893 Sat, 04 Mar 2023 18:34:59 +0000 Anonymous 2311893@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>This is interesting- and very different from the Dark Romance ! Looking forward to seeing your versions! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/my-spring-2023-theme-modern-romance---the-theory#post-2311843 Sat, 04 Mar 2023 16:23:32 +0000 ChristelJ 2311843@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>So impressive! I love the way you approach style and fashion, so analytically and thoroughly and with such wonderful creative range. It's completely different from my impulsive approach, which is why I enjoy yours. You have beautiful and energizing silhouettes and colors here, and I will be watching for your Practice post with interest. Also, I adore eyelet... </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/my-spring-2023-theme-modern-romance---the-theory#post-2311836 Sat, 04 Mar 2023 16:09:58 +0000 LJP 2311836@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Super interesting Tanya! &nbsp;Like reading a Fashion History paper &nbsp;You take this far more seriously than anyone I know, and have the wardrobe to back it up......and I enjoy reading about your plans and ideas !&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/my-spring-2023-theme-modern-romance---the-theory#post-2311813 Sat, 04 Mar 2023 14:37:33 +0000 Tanya 2311813@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>For spring I am switching to navy as a dark neutral from my winter black.&nbsp; I really enjoyed my winter "Dark Romance" theme and decided to go for something similar for spring, with adapted colors, materials, etc.&nbsp; Since there wasn't a ready-made theme that is a juxtaposition on it's own, I have decided to go with two separate themes that I am juxtaposing on purpose to create what I am after. The themes are:&nbsp;<br />1) "Modernica"="Modern American Sportswear" inspired by mid-century styles of the past century ('40s, '50s, some '30s).&nbsp; These are styles very much inspired by work of Claire McCardell and Bonnie Cashin.&nbsp; &nbsp;There were a lot of relevant collections for both Spring 2022 and 2023.&nbsp; Lots of modern classics, with&nbsp; some preppy and nautical influences as well.<br />2) "Contemporary Romance"= a warm-weather version of romantic styles, the stereotypical examples would be pale floral chiffon pieces with ruffles.&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;<br />So "Modernica" + "Contemporary Romance"= "Modern Romance".&nbsp; Not the most evocative name, as it misses the essence of the first theme, but wanted something relatively short.&nbsp; Feel free to suggest a better one.</p> <p>Going into characteristics of both topics, separately.<br />For <b>"Modernica"</b> key points are:<br /><b>Colors:</b> it starts with red, white and blue, of course. Additions: emerald/kelly greens, some pinks, orange, plum, tan. Also lots of color-blocking.<br /><b>Fabrics: </b>Poplin (shirting material), cotton eyelet, nubby materials -tweed, boucle, (faux) leather, knits<b></b><br /><b>Details</b>: Wraps, drawstrings, stretchy panels at the waist, polo collars<br /><b>Patterns</b>: Plaids and checks in all shapes and forms, stripes, geometrical, flat florals, bandana prints.<br /><b>Styles and silhouettes</b>: Easy midi dresses: shirtdresses, fit and flare; wide leg pants (full length and cropped), flowy midi skirts, relaxed jackets - both cropped and longer, ribbed knits, sweater vests, button-down shirts,&nbsp; tailored long shorts, pleated bottoms, kimono sleeves<br /><b>Denim</b>:<strong>&nbsp;R</strong>elaxed styles, uniform washes, matching sets.&nbsp; &nbsp;<br /><b>Accessories: </b>Classic bags (e.g. vintage Coach).<br /><b>Footwear:&nbsp;</b> Lots of loafers -updated with lug soles and classic, pumps - slingbacks, mary janes, classic, square and pointy toes.</p> <p>For <b>"Contemporary Romance</b>" we have:</p> <p><b>Colors: </b>W<b></b>hite, cream, pale greys, nudes, blush, rose, lemon yellow, pastels in general (baby blue, lavender, lilac, mint)<br /><b>Metals</b>: Rose gold<br /><b>Fabrics:</b>, Satin, lace, silk, chiffon, eyelet, transparent, tulle, mesh, organza, pointelle knits, crochet<br /><b>Details</b>: Ruffles, peplums, flounces, embroidery, ruching, draping, bows, rosettes, 3D flowers, bows<br /><b>Patterns</b>:&nbsp; Medium/large moody florals, often pale, butterflies<br /><b>Styles and silhouettes</b>:&nbsp; Floaty blouses, high-neckline/Victorian blouses, swishy midi skirts and dresses, often ruffled, corsets, tiered skirts/dresses, voluminous/puffy sleeves, waist-definition<br /><b>Accessories: </b>P<b></b>earls, brooches, chokers, rosettes everywhere (on necklaces, bags etc.)<br /><b>Footwear: </b>&nbsp;Pretty delicate pumps with almond/pointy toes.</p> <p>I have added some inspiration pictures for both styles below.&nbsp; Tory Burch Spring 2022 collection is an excellent representation of "Modernica".</p> <p>Putting it together:&nbsp; I am imagining a sliding scale where both themes are on the opposite ends in their "clean" version, and in-between is mixing them in various ratios&nbsp; &nbsp;I can envision doing a full "Modernica" look, or a juxtaposed look with added one, possibly two romantic pieces.&nbsp; Personally, I would rarely do a full romantic look, unless it is a dress with short puffy sleeves that does not allow for toppers.&nbsp; I prefer some tension and juxtaposition.&nbsp; &nbsp;The easiest mix would be trousers and jacket from "Modernica" theme with a romantic/ruffled blouse. Also, interestingly, both themes independently feature eyelet, so wearing eyelet tops and dresses is a slam dunk for the juxtaposition.</p> <p>I fill willow up this "Theory" post with a "Practice" post in a day or two, on how I am adjusting this for my own taste: narrowing the color palette, picking favorite shapes, styles , outfit silhouettes,&nbsp; key pieces and shopping list.&nbsp; &nbsp;I thought of making a single post but figured it would be extremely long. Thank you for reading!</p>