https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/on-the-happiness-factor-vs-your-comfort-zone Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Sat, 16 May 2026 16:01:32 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/on-the-happiness-factor-vs-your-comfort-zone#post-833586 Wed, 30 Jan 2013 18:59:50 +0000 Mo 833586@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I think once you nail down the elements that make you happy, you can then more successfully expand out of your comfort zone, implementing those things that make you smile.<br /> Most recently I wore both a bright dress in midday <a href="http://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wiw-wed-more-errandsshopping-and-late-lunch-with-so" rel="nofollow">http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....ch-with-so</a>, and patterned pants <a href="http://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/outfit-idea---drinking-and-dancing-at-my-pub-after-work-tomorrow" rel="nofollow">http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....k-tomorrow</a>, which a year ago would have been out of my comfort zone. But because they were in line with my style rubric, they were the perfect balance of stretching me out of my zone a bit and making me wildly happy doing so </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/on-the-happiness-factor-vs-your-comfort-zone#post-833555 Wed, 30 Jan 2013 18:37:57 +0000 Thistle 833555@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I think you have to find a happy balance. Coming to terms with who you are and that you may never look like model can be a tough path. At the same time, your body is a beautiful and amazing work of art. No one else will ever look exactly like you. You are unique and special. You definately see how wonderful women's bodies truly are in your line of work! </p> <p>I know it can be hard to beleive. We are inuduated with rheteric all day trying to make us unhappy with our bodies and our appearance. I think a big part of this is so people can sell us something. Much easier to sell products when we are unhappy with a part of ourselves than when we are content!</p> <p>This is a journey, one it takes time to make, but so worth it. We have one life, not point being upset our body does not conform to an arbitrary ideal. And yes, it is arbitrary. Throughout history, the standard of beauty has changed.</p> <p>Hiding flaws probably won't lead to happiness. Find what you do love about clothes and embrace it.</p> <p>I am on this journey too. For a long time, I figured I could never be a size 2 so why bother? I looked frumpy at 30! I still have a looong way to go, but at least I am on the road there. It's a lot more fun! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/on-the-happiness-factor-vs-your-comfort-zone#post-833504 Wed, 30 Jan 2013 18:08:04 +0000 Suz 833504@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Elisabeth's example is a good one. We often rely on favourite fall-back outfits (FFBO) and that's not a bad thing -- it's great to know that certain combinations will reliably work for us. They may or may not make us happiest.</p> <p>Some of this will depend on personality and style goals. </p> <p>Someone who feels happiest in old favourites will likely find her happiness factor is highest when she wears items that have been in her closet a while, or in the same silhouette as other favourites, or perhaps when she includes some sentimental pieces.</p> <p>Someone who enjoys trying new trends will probably feel happier in something new, whether or not it is a familiar style. </p> <p>Style persona is also relevant. Angie has mentioned that her happiness factor is highest when she combines classics with modern on trend pieces. Someone else might feel uncomfortable in trendy pieces. Yet another person would hate to wear any classic pieces at all. </p> <p>Some members here have come up with personal "rubrics" which make outfits feel most like them, and raise their happiness levels. So, for example: someone might try to include a bit of structure, some retro elements, colour, and something rugged, to ensure a higher happiness quotient. </p> <p>Comfort is an important component of happiness -- and for some, it is probably more important than for others. Also, there are different aspects to comfort. For some, it's about matching an environmental norm and fitting in. For others, it's about fabric texture. For still others, it's about fit, or disguising perceived figure flaws. But I tend to agree with those who say that dressing to hide one's "flaws" will be unlikely to lead to happiness. Celebrating what's wonderful is far more likely to help a person develop her true style. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/on-the-happiness-factor-vs-your-comfort-zone#post-833483 Wed, 30 Jan 2013 17:52:26 +0000 Charmian 833483@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I also strongly agree with Beth Ann. I think we feel more confident about ourselves (and therefore our outfits) when we build outfits to highlight our strengths rather than trying to "hide" a flaw. For example, I don't like my broad shoulders and short waist, but I adore my dainty hands and wrists ... so I can often "salvage" a so-so outfit by pushing up the sleeves (in my mind only, of course!).</p> <p>Another point I wanted to make is that I <em>love</em> that you're experimenting outside of your comfort zone. That's the only way to grow and change! But I'm wondering if perhaps you're pushing yourself too hard. It's ok to go a little slower; we all have our own pace. It's taken me almost a year to get my head around patterned pants ... it took me months to pull the trigger on a pair, and even then I eyed them nervously in my closet for weeks before putting them in service. When at last I started wearing them, I spent months wearing them only with the most classic of classic items. I've only now started pattern-mixing with them, and only with scarves (the intervening top is still solid).</p> <p>I know there are plenty of women who would have dived right in to patterned pants, but my point is that there are ladies who take a slower pace. Go at the pace that makes you comfortable <em>and</em> happy. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/on-the-happiness-factor-vs-your-comfort-zone#post-833466 Wed, 30 Jan 2013 17:41:45 +0000 Aziraphale 833466@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I agree with Beth Ann. Highlighting strengths works way better than trying to hide "flaws", both for your self-image and for how you are perceived by others.</p> <p>As for comfort zone vs. happiness factor: I think you're right in that there is a difference. For example, I am more comfortable -- by far -- in pants. I've spent most of my life in pants. I didn't start wearing skirts until my late twenties, and even then, only occasionally. But I've got good legs, and I'd rock a skirt with confidence every now and then because of that. My happiness level is just as high with a great skirt ensemble as it is with pants, though. I can feel just as good once the skirt is on....but I have to talk myself into putting it on in the first place, because by default I will reach for pants. But I do make myself wear skirts, because I think it's a good idea to push my own limits and move out of my comfort zone. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/on-the-happiness-factor-vs-your-comfort-zone#post-833354 Wed, 30 Jan 2013 16:23:55 +0000 Beth Ann 833354@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>YLF has really helped me see how good women with different body types can look. My experience is that trying to "hide" flaws seldom works. Wearing items I love and highlighting strengths is far more fab.</p> <p>Keep exploring new silhouettes and combinations. You're doing great! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/on-the-happiness-factor-vs-your-comfort-zone#post-833054 Wed, 30 Jan 2013 11:28:55 +0000 transition 833054@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I'm new at this, but one of my first thoughts is that I've realized MY literal image of how I view my body is NOT what most other people see. Specifically, I have a hard time looking past my small breasts to my large tummy . . . but NO ONE else sees that particular view of me. So for me, I'm trying to focus on what I look in the full length mirror once a day - what others see - and not on what I think they see. Taking pictures REALLY helps, because they show me a closer reality and help me remember it.</p> <p>That being said, as a very high-waisted big-bellied woman, I haven't gotten anywhere near wearing a belted anything and can certainly see why it could feel uncomfortable. And I KNOW I've seen Angie say if it's not comfortable, it's not going to make you happy, </p> <p>Is this the place for smaller steps outside your comfort zone until the new step becomes comfortable, both emotionally and physically?</p> <p>For me, I can be comfortable in lots of things, but my happiness factor goes way up when it's comfortable, a great color, and fits well - not tight. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/on-the-happiness-factor-vs-your-comfort-zone#post-833032 Wed, 30 Jan 2013 10:33:47 +0000 Hil 833032@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Angie's post about feeling has had me analysing how happy I feel in each of my outfits but it occured to me today that I shouldn't confuse the happiness factor with my comfort zone. I am comfier in clothes that hide my figure, mostly due to my weight and body image issues. But that often equals less figure flattering outfits as well as lack of recognition of progress made towards weight loss goals and body acceptance.</p> <p>I tried to analyse what was making me so unhappy about the tunic I wore, and I decided that it was partly the fact that I felt like wearing a belted waist draws attention to my waist and belly, parts of my body that I would rather hide.And yet I can see that cinching my waist with a wider belt is more figure flattering than wearing the top loose. </p> <p>I guess the trick is to find a balance between the two factors... your thoughts? </p>