https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/new-style-direction-2 Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Wed, 15 Apr 2026 01:32:45 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/new-style-direction-2#post-2000585 Sat, 09 Feb 2019 19:13:39 +0000 anchie 2000585@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Kathie and Lisa p - thank you for the skirt suggestions, but I want to concentrate on dresses at the moment. Skirts have their own different style challenges for me :)<br /> Smiitie - you are absolutely right, it will take time and I need to relax. Sometimes when I get some idea I became inpatient.<br /> SarahDB - you are absolutely right - I don’t need much to start with.<br /> Suz - I actually find dresses easier to wear in winter with tights, knee high boots and long coats. I have more problems in summer when bare legs are freezing in AC. Two solids, one pattern and one color sound like a perfect solution. You know I like numbers and rules :)<br /> Angie - I have found few promising dresses at Boden, that fulfill all my criteria, but I am hesitant to pull the trigger because I have not figured out the toppers. You are right, that is going to be tricky - I may start separate thread on that. Thank you for asking about my foot - it is still in pain, but not swollen any more (cortisone injection helped with that) I got second opinion from specialist and she confirmed that I need custom orthotics- getting them on Tuesday. They promised to make them as thin as possible. So I will know what is the situation with my shoes very soon. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/new-style-direction-2#post-2000572 Sat, 09 Feb 2019 18:23:12 +0000 Angie 2000572@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p><b>Anchie,</b> to find Winter dresses that are sufficiently warm is tricky. As the ladies have mentioned, it's much easier to wear them in milder cold weather, and when it's warm or hot.&nbsp;</p> <p>I'm with you on why dresses are fabulous. HIGH FIVE.<i> It's all about the right footwear too.</i> It's harder to feel fab in a dress or skirt when the shoes are off. That part is more forgiving in a pants and jeans outfit. I wear flats almost exclusively - for almost three years now - but throw in a 1.25 inch heel too. I'm a dressy gal so I wear dressier flat footwear. It has taken me years to accumulate a great assortment. Be patient. One completed outfit at a time!</p> <p>As for weight fluctuation - that's harder. I have clients in that situation, and am happy to share our strategies on a thread devoted to that subject.&nbsp;</p> <p>As for closet size, YES. You will need to take away from some areas, to make room for frocks.&nbsp;</p> <p>Skirts are easily orphaned, so make sure you know how to style a skirt before committing to it.&nbsp;</p> <p>Toppers to wear over skirts and dresses is another area that deserves attention. Start a separate thread!&nbsp;</p> <p>How is your foot, btw?&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/new-style-direction-2#post-2000555 Sat, 09 Feb 2019 17:45:38 +0000 Suz 2000555@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p><b>Anchie</b>, you have fabulous style and always look amazing in your WIWs. As for dresses, why not? If you relax into it, as Smittie suggests, you'll soon have a great closet full of them. At least it is easier these days to find them at a knee-covering length.&nbsp;</p> <p>Like others, I find dresses much easier to wear in the summers, without tights, etc. But I, too, love them in all seasons. My life is so much more casual than yours so my current winter dresses largely wouldn't suit your workplace or needs. But you might look for David Meister dresses on sale -- they are really well made and the one I have has been serving me well for about 5 years. (It is a bit longer on me than on the model -- mid-knee.)&nbsp;</p> <p>My other winter dresses are too casual or not really "work" friendly , but I do think Boden and maybe even BR might be good sources.&nbsp;</p> <p>Skirts are also great but less accommodating of weight change if it is in your tummy. Also, more likely to be orphaned.&nbsp;</p> <p>If you had a solid neutral dress or two for this season, along with perhaps one patterned one, or one in one of your sour brights, you'd be doing really well.&nbsp;</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/new-style-direction-2#post-2000525 Sat, 09 Feb 2019 16:10:38 +0000 SarahD8 2000525@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I echo Smittie’s advice. I think also that even having a relatively small capsule of winter work dresses (like 2-3) might be surprisingly effective in giving you a sense of variety and a break from pants. So while a long term project, you might derive lots of satisfaction even from the initial stages. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/new-style-direction-2#post-2000507 Sat, 09 Feb 2019 15:31:26 +0000 Anonymous 2000507@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I think you should go for it. You look amazing in dresses, and have the same taste as Angie. Let Angie do the shopping for you! </p> <p>I would pick out neutral toppers for now, until you get the dress capsule in order.</p> <p>I would only buy dresses that you really love. No placeholders. Then use your pants to fill in the days where you don’t have a dress. The pants days won’t be as fun, but you know that going in, so they’ll be tolerable. </p> <p>I think this is probably a long-term project, so as Angie says, relax into it. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/new-style-direction-2#post-2000500 Sat, 09 Feb 2019 15:06:00 +0000 Anonymous 2000500@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I just bought this skirt, and am really happy with it and actually excited to see what I can do with it. I've only had the chance to wear it once, and I copied the model (subbing in a black sweater for the pink as I have an all-black dress code at one job I have...which is driving me absolutely insane) . I really loved the feminine flow and am actively looking for shorter sweaters to pair with it. &nbsp;Cheapo from H&amp;M, but the quality is 10/10. &nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/new-style-direction-2#post-2000496 Sat, 09 Feb 2019 15:00:39 +0000 Kathie 2000496@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I was just going to suggest trying a few skirts, and see that ChrisM already did. Then you could use many of your existing sweaters. I wear lots of dresses and skirts, year round, and only have three pairs of trousers/pants for work. Some people do find it challenging to figure out what to wear on their legs in colder weather. My default is black tights, semi-opaque, but not shear. But, that’s not for everyone, and certainly not warm enough for some climates.</p> <p>For me, dresses don’t solve fit problems, but I’m happier to deal with the fit issues of dresses than with pants.</p> <p>I’ve bought a couple dresses from Boden, and have my eye on COS as well. (Unfortunately, my favorite source for work dresses doesn’t ship to Europe.) Completely agree with Bijou about washability. For my work dresses, I look for machine washable. For cold weather skirts, I’m less picky, since I usually have other layers between the skirt and my skin. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/new-style-direction-2#post-2000467 Sat, 09 Feb 2019 13:01:27 +0000 anchie 2000467@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>ChrisM - thank you for such nice words, I am touched. Thing is I don’t really show here what I wear to work on day to day basis because there is not much to show Maybe I should post couple of my everyday work outfits so that you can all understand my style frustration better. All this proportion struggles that you mention will be also something I will need to figure out. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/new-style-direction-2#post-2000462 Sat, 09 Feb 2019 12:46:58 +0000 ChrisM 2000462@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>For what it’s with, you are one of my favorite posters, Archie, and although you say you struggle with style, I think you have a keen eye and a fantastic look.</p> <p>Keeping 4 sizes of pants is frusrating however, so I completely get your dissatisfaction.</p> <p>Can a couple of skirts ease the transition? I know they aren’t a 100% compatible substitute for pants, but maybe an outfit lab with a skirt in a good neutral for you would help.</p> <p>I am watching this thread with interest - dresses confound me too, especially with regards to sleeves and shoes. </p> <p>Angie wears flats with dresses with beautiful success, but i have yet to reach that happy place. And the sleeve/topper thing -ugh!! Fit in the shoulders is tricky, sleeveless is a deal breaker, topper proportions are a mystery </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/new-style-direction-2#post-2000454 Sat, 09 Feb 2019 12:32:31 +0000 anchie 2000454@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I am on my phone, apologies for not replying to everyone individually.<br /> Bijou - I really love all your dresses. You are such a great role model for my new style goal.<br /> Nemosmom - Boden is a great idea, almos all the dresses I have now are from them. Will have to check them again.<br /> Katerina, lisap and FashIntern - I love to hear other people experiences and perspectives especially if I can relate.<br /> Re weight fluctuations - only abot 1/3 of my wardrobe fits me now. I have many items that are little too big but also even more that are too tight. That is why I can’t participate in runcarla challenge- most things that fit me now are boring neutral cheap essentials - H&amp;M pants and Zara blazers mainly. That could also be part of my frustration and unhappiness with my style. But I don’t want to purge anything because I don’t trust my self and I am not sure what size I will be next week or a next month. That also complicates shopping, I am reluctant to invest in my wardrobe, cannot shop in advance of season, not sure which size to get etc. That is why I am hoping that dresses will be less frustrating and forgiving. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/new-style-direction-2#post-2000448 Sat, 09 Feb 2019 11:41:33 +0000 Stagiaire Fash 2000448@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p> <div>Lisa P, ikr? I can't understand fit as a criteria for keeping something in the wardrobe. For buying things, sure, but at any given time, probably half the things I own for the current season don't fit. Jettisoning them all and buying more when I'm back at that size would take way too much time and money! And you've just reminded me that one thing that might fit me now is my sweatshirt dress--need to go dig it out! <br /></div><div>Anchie, sorry to hijack. <br /></div></p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/new-style-direction-2#post-2000405 Sat, 09 Feb 2019 03:26:51 +0000 Anonymous 2000405@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I'm so with you on this one Anchie. &nbsp;And I'm so comforted to hear that there is someone else out there who has weight fluctuations like mine. &nbsp;I find dresses a whole lot easier to wear in summer,(no hose or tights) &nbsp;and because there seem to be more to choose from at retail . &nbsp;My winter dress collection consists of 2 of the exact same thing, which is far from the beauty of Bijou's collection (although I have vastly different workplace needs) ....a bamboo fleece sweatshirt dress in black and in burgundy. &nbsp;They are absolutely business casual though, but they do a good job of allowing me to focus on what I'm doing at work and not on how comfortable , or not, my clothes are. &nbsp;The Boden dresses featured here on the forum look so nice, but are so not me. Except for the black one shown by nemosmom above. &nbsp;I'll be interested to see what you find &nbsp;- and like Katerina, sorry to talk all about me .&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/new-style-direction-2#post-2000402 Sat, 09 Feb 2019 03:17:28 +0000 rachylou 2000402@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I really hate pants for all the reasons you mention. And it’s so hard to get a good fit in the first place. But I started wearing them because of frigid office a/c. Anyways, I support this move! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/new-style-direction-2#post-2000356 Sat, 09 Feb 2019 00:14:30 +0000 Bijou 2000356@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Anchie, I rarely wear pants to work, I always wear a dress (80% of the time) or skirts with a jacket or a coat. The feature that I look for in a dress is that it must be washable as dry cleaning dresses that you wear to work gets prohibitively expensive. I am lucky, there is an Australian retailer, Cue, who does great work dresses. These are the dresses that I bought for summer to wear to work. I wear these with cropped jackets or my capes. I find I have lots of variety and love the comfort and ease of a great fitting dress. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/new-style-direction-2#post-2000341 Fri, 08 Feb 2019 23:12:31 +0000 Alicewonderland 2000341@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Shirt dresses can potentially fulfill all your criteria. Usually they are structured with a tie wast, made of cotton or silk, easily layered under and over other pieces. Sleeves can be left long or rolled up, and worn with all types of footwear. The ones with pockets are especially nice.<br /> They are probably the dresses with longest longevity in my closet. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/new-style-direction-2#post-2000340 Fri, 08 Feb 2019 23:11:02 +0000 Stagiaire Fash 2000340@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Anchie, didn't you mention getting something because Zalando recommended it? I've been blown away by their style and size recommendations for me. Are there any dresses in their "picked for you" pieces? Not that an algorithm should pick your wardrobe, but it could be a place to start. </p> <p>Also, are these prices low enough for you to experiment? I can see you in the plaid one, and even though the plain colors are kinda boring, they are good backdrops that you can use with different toppers, accessories, and footwear.&nbsp;<a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.gerryweber.com/de-de/gerry-weber-kleider-sale/">https://www.gerryweber.com/de-.....ider-sale/</a></p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/new-style-direction-2#post-2000319 Fri, 08 Feb 2019 22:23:01 +0000 Katerina 2000319@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Anchie, I really like your style. But I understand how you feel at the moment. I love your new zebra dress on you.<br /> I wish I had something useful to say about dresses, but I am totally lost when it comes to dresses. The only type I wear is some summer shirt dresses. I would love to add more dresses into my wardrobe, but I think it is sooo hard to find styles that would even remotely flatter my figure, Sorry I talk about myself here. I will follow your thread with great interest. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/new-style-direction-2#post-2000275 Fri, 08 Feb 2019 20:35:22 +0000 Stagiaire Fash 2000275@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I used to wear dresses a lot, but somehow this winter I have bought mostly pants. As you say, they are not great for weight fluctuations. Most of the time, as long as I'm not at the upper end of my weight range, Esprit's Straight dress is great. My extra weight goes straight to my stomach, which sticks out, but the dress might work even better for you even on the "up" swings, because I think your extra weight goes to a different area, and would look better in this dress.&nbsp; They also have a very similar one--you might want to try both.I think you could wear long or short blazers. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/new-style-direction-2#post-2000273 Fri, 08 Feb 2019 20:31:07 +0000 nemosmom 2000273@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I bought this one in December and I LOVE it. It has a great weight to it, yet is really swooshy. It checks most of your boxes (covers knees, conservative neckline, structured waist, long simple sleeves) and only the top lining is polyester. It looks great with boots and - bonus - it has pockets! It comes it navy and black, but I think this particular print is sold out.</p> <p>I can't help much on the practical questions as I don't wear dresses often enough to weigh in on how many to buy, what kind of toppers, etc.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/new-style-direction-2#post-2000269 Fri, 08 Feb 2019 20:25:03 +0000 Anonymous 2000269@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Im totally with you, realizing I so much prefer skirts and dresses to pants! My pants outfits never measure up in happiness (or dressiness or figure flattery), despite adding color and print ones.<br /> The trouble is having to wear tights every day in cold weather, changing out of the tights at the gym, and days that it's bitter cold or snowy.<br /> Watching with interest! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/new-style-direction-2#post-2000260 Fri, 08 Feb 2019 20:07:07 +0000 Toban 2000260@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Hi <b>anchie</b>, I've switched primarily to dresses, in part because of our warm summers and in part because they were more forgiving of weight changes during my weight loss journey. I've been a stable weight for 9 months now (!!!), but I still prefer dresses and the ease of them, rather than finding perfect fitting pants.&nbsp;</p> <p>Boden has a variety of great dresses in various lengths, cuts, colors, and prints, and I've been very happy with their quality.</p> <p>I find with dresses that I have to be really careful on length of toppers, aiming to NOT have the topper cut the outfit directly in half. So, with knee-length dresses and skirts, I prefer toppers that are slightly cropped or go longer to hip or mid-thigh length. If you're aiming to cover your knees, you'll need to watch the proportions of your toppers, but probably won't need to go too cropped because of the longer skirt length.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/new-style-direction-2#post-2000255 Fri, 08 Feb 2019 19:59:28 +0000 anchie 2000255@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I know, this could be just result of deep winter blues and craving a change, but I am so unhappy and bored with my work uniform. It is very simple - classic pants in dark neutrals, layering sweaters in neutrals and colors, and classic blazers, also mostly neutrals with some burgundy and red in mix. The biggest issue are pants. My weight fluctuates constantly and it doesn’t take much up or down for pants to not fit good. I keep 4 different pants sizes to accommodate for that, but because of that I don’t have much variety. I am kind of tired of pants and would really like to move to wear more dresses instead. Recently I got new pair of knee high boots and because of that was wearing dresses much more often. And I realized how much better I feel in dresses. Dresses make me feel more feminine, they fit better and adjust easier to weight fluctuations. And it will simplify getting dressed tremendously. I would love to find dresses that are covering knees, that don’t have a to deep neckline, that have some structure around waist, that have long sleeves and that they can be worn on their own, but also with a topper, so no exuberant sleeves also. They should not be too memorable so that I can repeat them often, but also not too boring and basic. And not 100% polyester. Am I asking for too much? Do dresses like this exist?<br /> I also have some practical questions - like how many I would need so that I have enough variety? And because my wardrobe has limited space, to allow for more dresses I would need to reduce some other categories. Should I let go 2 sweaters and 1 pair of pants for every dress? And I would probably need different blazers, more cropped versions. Ideally over time I would like to switch to dresses completely, but that will take time and patience. This all applies to my work wardrobe only. </p>