YouLookFab Forum » Topic: My style goals winter 2013.

YouLookFab Forum » Topic: My style goals winter 2013. https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/my-style-goals-winter-2013 Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Mon, 20 Apr 2026 02:07:26 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 <![CDATA[Search]]> q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php Caro in Oz on "My style goals winter 2013." https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/my-style-goals-winter-2013#post-919118 Sat, 27 Apr 2013 00:35:58 +0000 Caro in Oz 919118@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Ah CL I couldn't agree more about "casual" being tricky & I didn't feel that great in the knits/pants combos I wore in my WIWs - I felt they lacked the element that makes an outfit me. Unfortunately these are the clothes that should form at least 50% of my wardrobe as this is how I spend a lot of my time - to & from the gym, walking on the beach, playing with my grandson & being at home. I also agree the right kind of footwear is essential to make this look work.  Your observations on #3 & #4 being two distinct styles has got me thinking. My main goal for this winter is to marry these styles so they are more cohesive, probably by grounding the outfit with modern classics & adding an arty or avant garde element or two.  Thanks for your help in trying to define my focus. unfrumped - yes I agree staying current/modern is more important as we age imo too. I really don't want to look crazy:) unfrumped on "My style goals winter 2013." https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/my-style-goals-winter-2013#post-918934 Fri, 26 Apr 2013 19:53:13 +0000 unfrumped 918934@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I really like your reflections; you are so much farther along than I am. I think one thing in some of your outfits that really works is to have some ease of fit but not go too far into overly voluminous. I know there can be some tension between the arty who cares crazy lady look and being too staid, but the good fits add sophistication. So you have the boxy jacket silhouette but you choose carefully those that have the right fit& proportions. For going more casual, I agree that can be more challenging than dressy. Need no- fuss fabrics and good ease. But I think if you look for quality, some interesting details, and modern color palette & patterns, you can stay in line with your style goals. Now I need to go purge more so- so items.... CocoLion on "My style goals winter 2013." https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/my-style-goals-winter-2013#post-918750 Fri, 26 Apr 2013 17:25:28 +0000 CocoLion 918750@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Hi Caro!  I have thought on this a little more so here goes. The two looks that stood out the most on the pin board -- as both the most striking as well as the most "Caro" were pictures 3 and 4 above.  So I thought it was interesting that I took note of those pictures on the pin board and you felt they were important enough to call out here.  I take that to mean that these might be reflective of something deeper than just "clothes." These two looks are very different however!  So I see you as a person who has two distinct styles.  One is very classic and sensible and practical (#4 the Rag and Bone).  The other is far more avant garde and artistic (#3).  What will be fun for you is to determine how much of each you want to come through every day.  Some days it might be 50% classic 50% avant, other days it might be  a 10-90 split.  Or you could decide to only go one way or the other, and not try to marry the two style personas.  The outfit #1 is interesting because it's sort of a 50-50 mix -- the jacket is quite classic but the shoes are very avant garde. As for outfit #2, I see this as the root of a different style persona from the above two.  It is basically a casual RATE style.  The problem with this style is that it can easily look frumpy on women our age.  However I could see you making this all Caro by wearing three pieces of linen at the same time so the crinkly RATE aspect of the fabric becomes more of an artistic statement, going back to your avant side.  Does that make sense?  I think going casual for anyone can be tricky, as it's easy to look like you just don't care; you have to pay a lot of attention to the details.  I know I struggle with this all of the time, and probably why I am so fixated on non-athletic footwear.  The shoes are always a quick way to make a RATE outfit more intentional and less I-have-given-up. And maybe that just about sums up my biggest style challenge as I just turned 55:  to still look like I care and not like I've given up. Caro in Oz on "My style goals winter 2013." https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/my-style-goals-winter-2013#post-917264 Thu, 25 Apr 2013 07:15:11 +0000 Caro in Oz 917264@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Thanks again Firecracker:) CL - I always appreciate your opinion. Hope you have/had a good sleep:) CocoLion on "My style goals winter 2013." https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/my-style-goals-winter-2013#post-917254 Thu, 25 Apr 2013 06:45:20 +0000 CocoLion 917254@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Your thread is so interesting it deserves a response.  But sorry -- I have nothing to add at the moment, probably because it's late and I'm about to fall asleep.  But I will think about this and hopefully will respond tomorrow when I am more coherent!   Firecracker (Sharan) on "My style goals winter 2013." https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/my-style-goals-winter-2013#post-917240 Thu, 25 Apr 2013 06:04:11 +0000 Firecracker (Sharan) 917240@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Glad my observation helped! Caro in Oz on "My style goals winter 2013." https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/my-style-goals-winter-2013#post-916133 Wed, 24 Apr 2013 06:06:42 +0000 Caro in Oz 916133@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Thanks Joy - yes I understand that lack of wardrobe coherence really is the downside of eclectic imo. Firecracker thank you so much for your thoughts they are really helpful. I was starting to worry that I'd lost track of what I had in mind but your comment about silhouettes really resonated. If I'm looking for womanly androgyny then what better place to start than with the silhouette of my clothes:) Thanks again. Firecracker (Sharan) on "My style goals winter 2013." https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/my-style-goals-winter-2013#post-916054 Wed, 24 Apr 2013 03:08:57 +0000 Firecracker (Sharan) 916054@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Very interesting reflections, Caro. Thanks for sharing them. I see what shevia and others are getting at when they say that styles 2 and 3 seem quite different. But I looked at them differently--discounting colors in the photos, basically. Just considering the silhouettes, they seem more coherent to me, and I'm assuming your color palette will carry through and bring more coherence to these style ideas. Actually, when I saw photo 2, I thought immediately of shevia! Anonymous on "My style goals winter 2013." https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/my-style-goals-winter-2013#post-916017 Wed, 24 Apr 2013 02:09:03 +0000 Anonymous 916017@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I've really enjoyed reading your thoughts as you work to build the wardrobe that is true to who you are. I'm taking notes as I've had little success disciplining myself to a certain look or formula. Eclectic is the biggest part of my Elegant Eclectic persona. Caro in Oz on "My style goals winter 2013." https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/my-style-goals-winter-2013#post-915719 Tue, 23 Apr 2013 22:44:19 +0000 Caro in Oz 915719@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ shevia thanks for voicing your thoughts & I do see what you mean. I would be happy to wear outfits like #3 & did so in my former life, so I don't have any problem there. What I am worried about is looking like a different person depending on what I wear. One of my goals is to have a coherent style. So maybe you are picking up on something I need to consider. shoegirl ah another displaced YLFer:) I'm actually coming to terms with the move & the style changes it has produced. At my age, I agree it is important to stay current in some way otherwise a look can be very costume-like & I don't want that. Not sure if I want to but I may have to try dresses for (next) summer. Thanks Suz - yes it is my hope (with the help of YLFs) to get these looks to work as a coherent whole.  Thanks Thistle - that was one of my reasons for joining YLF to get to a point where I had "enough" of the right pieces rather than too much stuff:) Vix - so helpful thanks:)  On style persona - I would like an overlap in my clothes for two main reasons; I'd like to own fewer clothes - so they work harder. Also one of my goals is to have a more coherent style/look. For some reason that becomes more important, to me, as I get older. Staying current is also something I feel influences my choices much more than when I was younger. Thanks Astrid - yes deciding on my looks enabled me to take those last steps.  with the culling. Can't wait to see where you go with your boho side:) Thanks Angie - yes it is fun:) I'm also very excited to wear & take photos of some of the outfits I've pulled together - now I just need the weather to co-operate. rachylou - yes if I can master a really casual look that feels right I'll be very happy:) rachylou on "My style goals winter 2013." https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/my-style-goals-winter-2013#post-915480 Tue, 23 Apr 2013 18:45:09 +0000 rachylou 915480@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Your pins are good. I think Angie is very right about an arty/creative touch. When you've got that touch in your outfits, it's *pow.* I may be most excited about your casual-look goal... Angie on "My style goals winter 2013." https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/my-style-goals-winter-2013#post-915268 Tue, 23 Apr 2013 15:00:27 +0000 Angie 915268@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I vote you're an Avant Garde Chic Elegant Eclectic like Debs! Great insights, Caro. As long as you continue to have fun with fashion, it's all good. Astrid on "My style goals winter 2013." https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/my-style-goals-winter-2013#post-915263 Tue, 23 Apr 2013 14:53:39 +0000 Astrid 915263@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ It was very interesting reading your reflections. I think it is much easier to decide whether to keep or buy something if you have a clear picture of where you want to go. I agree with some of the others that #3 seems to stand out a bit though, from the pics you posted. I'm not sure how I'd describe the difference, but I think it doesn't fit in perfectly with the rest. I'm taking a short break with my own shopping right now, but I was also thinking about narrowing my focus a bit - I still feel like the boho side of my moniker gets neglected. Vix on "My style goals winter 2013." https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/my-style-goals-winter-2013#post-915254 Tue, 23 Apr 2013 14:45:03 +0000 Vix 915254@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Hi Caro -- I got to Deborah's thread first and some of my comments around the usefulness of narrowing could could go here.  Sounds like you are well on your way to dialing into what feels right for you at this moment -- and while I am always trying to sneak in pieces from one of my style personas into others, there's no need to have crossover between categories if both feel right on their own! Love your Elvis crack, ha. As you experiment more, you may want to get even more analytical about what makes you happy within each category. Some quick examples: * Do you feel best when you have an earthy element, a shiny texture, a wildly feminine piece (or vice versa) in each look? * Do you need a lot of color, prefer high/medium/low contrast? * Where do your preferences for structure + flowy land you -- and does that change between casual and dressier looks? It will be fun to tag along on your journey; thanks for sharing! Thistle on "My style goals winter 2013." https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/my-style-goals-winter-2013#post-915251 Tue, 23 Apr 2013 14:42:46 +0000 Thistle 915251@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Terrific reflections. I believe it is important to know where you are going stylistically to make better decisions. I envy your clarity here even though you are still working through it. A goal really helps hone your style and make better purchasing decisions. Much easier to buy less when every piece really works! Suz on "My style goals winter 2013." https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/my-style-goals-winter-2013#post-915188 Tue, 23 Apr 2013 13:43:44 +0000 Suz 915188@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Fabulous reflections, Caro. It sounds as if you feel much more focused. And I love the examples you posted.  Like Shevia, I see some disconnect between #3 and the others -- #3 being more avant guard. But I don't believe that is a problem for your particular style. Perhaps what you are deeply looking for is a marriage between these two -- the possibility of incorporating the one avant guard piece into a more (very modern) classic mix. I think your best outfits already have this character.  I love how you recognized that the "two years' rule doesn't work for you. It won't, for elegant eclectics, if you are talking about arty pieces. Those don't date in the same way as other stuff. A whole outfit of them would, as Shoegirl suggests, but worn one at a time they can still work.  shoegirl on "My style goals winter 2013." https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/my-style-goals-winter-2013#post-915153 Tue, 23 Apr 2013 13:07:19 +0000 shoegirl 915153@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Shevia, how interesting! Number 3 is my favourite by far, and I would not feel like myself in number 2. I really love 3. Caro, I am fascinated by this post because your struggle echoes my own struggle with moving from a place where 3 would be perfect... to an ultra-casual beachy and hot and humid (in summer) place. I personally hate beachy ultra-casual style so I have decided to go with interesting dresses, which for me means dresses that are suitable for hot and humid weather but that nevertheless probably would be classified as avant-garde by many. BTW, I slightly disagree about avant-garde looks being timeless. I have seen plenty of avant-garde outfits that are clearly dated, or perhaps, that are being worn in a clearly dated way. At least, to my own eye. Perhaps avant-garde pieces have more potential for not looking dated than non avant-garde ones, but only if worn in a current way. I once saw a woman on TV wearing an avant-garde costume (it really seemed like a costume!) from perhaps 30 years ago, complete with the makeup and hair and shoes she has probably always worn with that outfit, and it most definitely looked horribly dated to my eye. That really reinforced my desire to stay current. (The sunglasses in my photo are horribly out of style for example and I would not dream of wearing them now (if I still had them). Must get a new photo taken!) Sorry, Caro, not sure how this helps you, except that I very much like the number 3 side of your style. I think it is FAB! Jaime on "My style goals winter 2013." https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/my-style-goals-winter-2013#post-915130 Tue, 23 Apr 2013 12:23:06 +0000 Jaime 915130@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I enjoyed your thoughtful and reflective post Caro. I am going to throw a thought out but I am not quite sure what the point is. The look in #3 does not seem like exactly the same style family as #2 and #4. #3 seems very unconventional and also very drapey. #2 and #4 may have less common cuts or styles but are made up of recognizable pieces. What I think I mean is that I would wear #2 and #4 in an instant, but would feel self-conscious in #3. Not sure what to do with this reaction - I don't claim my own sensibilities are an objective category! Deborah on "My style goals winter 2013." https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/my-style-goals-winter-2013#post-915042 Tue, 23 Apr 2013 07:31:53 +0000 Deborah 915042@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Caro, my personal opinion is avant garde stylings don't really date, unless of course they cross over big time into mainstream fashion. For example i can't imagine Rick Owens pieces dating lol Caro in Oz on "My style goals winter 2013." https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/my-style-goals-winter-2013#post-915041 Tue, 23 Apr 2013 07:28:45 +0000 Caro in Oz 915041@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Thanks Lyn D. Yes #2 is the look I have struggled with in the past - I've never felt like me in really casual clothing but with our "beachy" lifestyle & a 4 yo grandson I really feel the need for more of these clothes. Love that Una - narrow down the looks & then expand within them - I'm hoping it makes for a more coherent wardrobe:) Deborah - yes a chat or five would be great:) Maybe we need an Aussie meet up too?  Glas I'm not alone in keeping items that still feel right. Some of my more avant garde pieces (well they were when I bought them) are 10 to 15 years old. I've pulled out the Burberry too - haven't worn that for the last couple of years. It will be interesting to see what I actually end up wearing & feeling great in. No Mia it is never done - that's the pleasure & the pain of it really:) Mia on "My style goals winter 2013." https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/my-style-goals-winter-2013#post-915033 Tue, 23 Apr 2013 06:15:45 +0000 Mia 915033@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Ah, another member of the keep it even if it hasn't been worn in awhile. Obviously keeping scads of stuff doesn't work but "resting" pieces that fit and are in good condition and not über trendy can work for sure. I am currently hauling out some old faves that I can rework with new pieces. I enjoyed reading your goals and feel confident that things will come together. It's never "done" though is it? Deborah on "My style goals winter 2013." https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/my-style-goals-winter-2013#post-915028 Tue, 23 Apr 2013 05:58:54 +0000 Deborah 915028@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Caro this is a great read, thank you for sharing. I would love to sit and have a coffee with you and a chat... I think we may be on a similar journey. Your pin board could almost be mine :) The looks you describe and feature are IMHO very you. Your comment about the "have I worn it in the last 2 years" and how that doesn't work for you totally resonates with me. Today I wore a drapey, assymetrical jacket/cardigan that is probably 10 years old and hasn't been worn in 3/4 years, but it is still so indicativate of my style. AG comment is interesting and also relates. Narrowing and pinpointing what you like and what works and then adding to the mix. I am excited about your journey Caro. Keep sharing with us. catgirl on "My style goals winter 2013." https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/my-style-goals-winter-2013#post-915023 Tue, 23 Apr 2013 05:46:27 +0000 catgirl 915023@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ You are on to something for sure.  I'm feeling the need to narrow looks down as well, and then expand within them somehow.  Off to check your pins! Lyn D. on "My style goals winter 2013." https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/my-style-goals-winter-2013#post-915018 Tue, 23 Apr 2013 05:27:13 +0000 Lyn D. 915018@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ This was an interesting read Caro, and I admire your clarity when it comes to your style direction! Narrowing options in this way will, I think, lead to less expenditure or pieces at least, which ties in with your wish to possibly aquire less and wear more. As for the looks- I can certainly see them working with your current style and body type. The 'casual' feel of pic #2 is fantastic- and I think would lend itself well to our Australian society. If you nail it- and I am sure you could- it is still stand-out but also comfy. and practical. If you are so unsure about some items, maybe they need to be a 'no' for the moment and put out of sight for some time in the future. Caro in Oz on "My style goals winter 2013." https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/my-style-goals-winter-2013#post-915006 Tue, 23 Apr 2013 04:09:32 +0000 Caro in Oz 915006@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I think Angie is right I am an elegant eclectic but it feels like too broad a range to work within at the moment. I realise I need more of a focus. I love androgynous yet womanly looks & need a little arty/ creative touch before an outfit feels like me – thanks again to Angie for pointing this out in the kindest & gentlest possible way. Also the “Have I worn it in the last year/two years?” approach doesn’t work for me – I have things I go back to again & again when they trend – like waistcoats & coats for example. I thought about different sorts of looks & pulled some images from my Pinterest  boards onto a new board. They had to be garments that could work on my body & that I would be excited to wear. Here they are if you would like to see them: <a rel="nofollow" href="http://pinterest.com/49caro/2013-style-focus/">http://pinterest.com/49caro/2013-style-focus/</a> Some of the pieces - the heels for everyday & really tight pants I wouldn’t wear - but this is more for inspiration than to copy. After looking at these pictures for a week or so I decided the looks I want to create for this autumn/winter are: Two looks for everyday: ·        Slim bottom layered with tunic  or other top & shorter jacket  lots of my jackets will work with this look ·        A much more casual look than I’m used to wearing, this is the look I’m not sure about but feel excited to try.  Recent purchases that will work here are my citron casual raincoat, my knits & my cargoes. Two  dressier looks: ·        More voluminous on either top or bottom – this works with my new slouchy pants & my older pieces mainly longer skirt & coats – my Rundholz & Helmut Lang ·        Pants suits (or jacket & pants that work as a suit) I've included an example of each look below. Of course there will be items that work in more than one area. So everything that will not work with these concepts is either doing an Elvis (leaving the building) or being packed away depending on whether I love it or not. So when I started asking “Does this item fit with my current style goals?” there were only two possibilities here – yes or no. If yes then I kept it in my wardrobe If no then I asked myself - is it a great fitting basic or a piece that feels really great to wear?  If it was a yes to either of these I’ve kept it until I see if I use it this season. This only applies to winter /trans-seasonal clothes. I have not kept many summer pieces & will be looking for a new direction for next summer.  My clothing & accessories seem , on some deep level, to be a reflection of my body image struggles and my changing thoughts on acquisitiveness.  I’ve done lots of culling but things were not coming together for me. I kept trying to make decisions about the same pieces of clothing over & over again.  Stating my goals & culling those last pieces - the clothes that didn’t reflect who I want to be and the negative thoughts that went with those clothes has given me a little clarity.  Your thoughts would be appreciated.