https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/possible-lightbulb-moment Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Tue, 07 Apr 2026 09:00:04 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/possible-lightbulb-moment/page/2#post-458450 Fri, 04 Nov 2011 07:49:59 +0000 goldenpig 458450@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Una, this is a fantastic thread. I am bookmarking it. Thanks Ornella for the link to Imogen's list of basics. This is my dilemma too. I think I am like Una and Rae, bored by buying basics so a lot of my wardrobe are statement pieces. Or when I do buy "basic" type clothes, I try to buy pieces that have a little twist or a pattern or some sort of pizzazz. I really have to rein myself in sometimes and try not to go overboard on ALGO and pattern mixing. That's why I was excited about getting the Anne Fontaine blouses...they are "basic" shirts but very visually interesting and fit great. So I will be excited to wear those items even though they are basics. </p> <p>In fact this whole week I have been dressing a little more streamlined and simple/subdued, but still getting compliments. So that's my own lightbulb moment...that clean and simple and minimal can still be stylish. My previous style was so simple that I've been tending to layer and ALGO-up outfits to make them more interesting/exciting for my WIW posts. But now I'm swinging back a little to the more minimalist approach. It's fun to have options though!</p> <p>Una, you should definitely post the problem children and get some suggestions! I feel like everything I've seen from you has been fabulous so I'm not clear on what your wardrobe holes are. I think buying a couple of basic black tops and wearing them to death under your statement pieces is totally acceptable! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/possible-lightbulb-moment/page/2#post-458352 Fri, 04 Nov 2011 03:34:48 +0000 MNsara 458352@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I've been peeking in on this with no time to comment, but have a quick moment now, so I wanted to say how interesting it is to hear the introspection and the analytical thoughts.</p> <p>I've (obviously) got no wisdom to add. In fact, I hear myself described by Una, Janet, etc. and I think we're not good at taming ourselves. I do definitely agree with the idea that you're really a minimalist at heart. </p> <p>I also don't see you as naturally formulaic toward dressing, but does it seem that purposefully taking a more structured approach to putting together an outfit, where 1-2 heros or statement pieces per outfit with the rest being supporting pieces, would be a good discipline. </p> <p>You'd be able to make notes on where the basics holes are, rather than just randomly stocking up on 'basics'. I'm thinking out loud for myself here, but I wonder if I would even recognize a 'great basic' if I saw one. . .</p> <p>Anyway, I think I have a dim little lightbulb starting to glow. But so far it just makes me feel guilty about all those heroes in my closet that may never see the light of day.</p> <p>Let's keep those wise and analytical ideas coming </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/possible-lightbulb-moment/page/2#post-458279 Fri, 04 Nov 2011 01:59:16 +0000 Suz 458279@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Una, is the problem fit plus flattery with tops? Or does the climate also play a role? </p> <p>I am thinking that you and Claire are soul sisters in this regard because she is an IT who has been lamenting the difficulty of finding tops that work well for her, and although her climate is the opposite of yours, some of her problems stem from the environment. </p> <p>I also wonder if you are not being super hard on yourself if you think basic tops don't look good on you. Quite honestly, I've never seen you look bad in anything, and you have a really nice figure, so I wonder if a good shopping friend who would honestly tell you that you look great would be an asset when shopping for those darn tops. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/possible-lightbulb-moment/page/2#post-458188 Thu, 03 Nov 2011 22:56:53 +0000 catgirl 458188@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Ornella, that link is like a nice cold shower for me. Although the only basic I'm really missing are TOPS! I need to just find something that works and buy it in every color. Basic tops (not sweaters) are definitely what bores me the most, since i have such a hard time finding them. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/possible-lightbulb-moment/page/2#post-458183 Thu, 03 Nov 2011 22:54:59 +0000 rachylou 458183@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>That's cool, Suz. And in my mind, French, LOL. That is what I call a wardrobe running on classic principles. I'm trying to work my way back in that direction, in part motivated by a move into a teeny-tiny apartment (but in a great location!). I also like limits; I feel it spurs creativity.</p> <p>OK, well, it's also English to me too. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/possible-lightbulb-moment/page/2#post-458174 Thu, 03 Nov 2011 22:44:57 +0000 Ornella 458174@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Una, seen this?</p> <p><a href="http://www.insideoutstyleblog.com/2009/09/wardrobe-basics-or-supporting-acts.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.insideoutstyleblog......-acts.html</a> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/possible-lightbulb-moment/page/2#post-458031 Thu, 03 Nov 2011 20:25:42 +0000 Suz 458031@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Yes. I would wear it to the same place three times. Even in the public eye. During our local writers' festival, where I was working and had to be onstage in front of hundreds of people, I wore the same jeans twice in four days, the same skirt three times, the same denim jacket twice, the same cardigan twice. </p> <p>Admittedly, I don't own a lot right now so I really didn't have much choice. But to be honest, I didn't feel horribly limited. I felt comfortable in what I was wearing and unembarrassed. I like the pieces that much, and besides, I am who I am...small wardrobe and all! If the Festival organizers want something more fancy, they should offer to dress me! </p> <p>But those clothes really ARE basics. Can't get more basic than dark wash jeans, right? Or a black skirt. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/possible-lightbulb-moment/page/2#post-458008 Thu, 03 Nov 2011 19:51:21 +0000 rachylou 458008@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Suz - Do you wear, for example, the skirt to the same place three times? </p> <p>In any case, wearing a skirt three times in one week, to me, would be a classic use of clothing, in which the notion of "basics" would fit in. Since the explosion of the fashion industry, and the advent of wear and toss, I'm never sure that people don't mean something else by "basics." </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/possible-lightbulb-moment/page/2#post-457999 Thu, 03 Nov 2011 19:36:21 +0000 Suz 457999@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Rachylou, admittedly I don't own a lot of clothes right now. But I regularly wear one skirt 3 times a week. Or the same dress twice a week. Or the same jeans three times or more in the same week (with breaks for laundry, LOL.) I just put different tops with jeans and skirt, and different toppers/under layers/scarves with the dress. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/possible-lightbulb-moment/page/2#post-457990 Thu, 03 Nov 2011 19:14:35 +0000 Jonesy 457990@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Here are a couple of example tops that seem versatile to me, but not boring basics. Both could be worn untucked with skinnies (denim, black, olive cargos), tucked into any sort of solid color skirt, and worn under many different colors and styles of jackets. If you were feeling adventurous, you could do some pattern mixing with both too :). I have lots of tops like these that I can mix and match with all sorts of other pieces--they are versatile, but not boring. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/possible-lightbulb-moment/page/2#post-457979 Thu, 03 Nov 2011 18:53:03 +0000 rachylou 457979@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I just had this Aha! moment of realising my trousers were my basics... and then two nanoseconds later I'd descended into a confused fog. Again. </p> <p>I mean, who could have a formula of tops as basics and then wild pants for interest? Are bottoms by definition the basic of all basics? Would you have any basics if you only wore one-piece items, like dresses and jumpsuits? Is this muddle a reflection of being in modern America and having just tons and tons of clothes? I.e., is there anyone who would wear a pair of pants to work more than one time in a week? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/possible-lightbulb-moment/page/2#post-457814 Thu, 03 Nov 2011 14:48:49 +0000 Lisa 457814@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I'm with Aida and others who said you need the boring basics to let the stand out pieces shine. As long as you are not wearing boring basics head to toe you should feel more like "you." And you've already figured out a key part of your style, you like a stand out piece, you like prints and textures. Now you just need to add some basics so the stand out pieces can come out to play more often. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/possible-lightbulb-moment/page/2#post-457735 Thu, 03 Nov 2011 13:04:27 +0000 Jonesy 457735@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Una, could you take a bit of time and post some of your recalcitrant tops and balky jackets so we could all weigh in on what might work together? It seems to me that solid-colored jackets (e.g., black, gray, red, blue) play well with all sorts of patterned tops. Patterned or printed jackets are a bit trickier, but can be easily paired with solid tops....Is the trickiness about combining colors, or shapes, or what? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/possible-lightbulb-moment/page/2#post-457698 Thu, 03 Nov 2011 10:51:23 +0000 HeleenH 457698@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I think ALGO means A Lot Going On. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/possible-lightbulb-moment/page/2#post-457580 Thu, 03 Nov 2011 02:40:18 +0000 Amy 457580@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I seem to go about things in exactly the opposite way. I focus so much on the basics that I never get around to the truly fun pieces. Recently, I agonized over buying a silver necklace that I loved because it was "frivolous." So, I bought a black turtleneck, black pants and some socks. Ooh, the excitement.</p> <p>Eventually, I went back and got the necklace. It was the one thing that garnered compliments today and made me so happy.</p> <p>So, while you're seeking to discipline your wardrobe, I'm going to invite the party animals over to liven up the somber bunch in my closet :)</p> <p>By the way, what does ALGO mean? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/possible-lightbulb-moment/page/2#post-457557 Thu, 03 Nov 2011 02:14:05 +0000 Aida 457557@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>"How to get this group of fabulous but disparate rebels in order without having to resort to pieces that bore me?"</p> <p>You simply need to buy those bridging basics, whether they bore you or not Just make sure they fit you perfectly so you never have to think about them. I think Angie is right that you might be on Team Minimal (though also eclectic), just not on the extreme end. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/possible-lightbulb-moment#post-457517 Thu, 03 Nov 2011 01:23:53 +0000 ironkurtin 457517@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>AG, they're not terribly sheer, but closer to sheer than to opaque. I suggest you check out the JCrew site. I typically wear a S but I am a modest Bcup. A M would likely do you, but that is just a guess. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/possible-lightbulb-moment#post-457514 Thu, 03 Nov 2011 01:16:38 +0000 bj1111 457514@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>snap...i was channeling angie when i suggested team minimal for una earlier!!! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/possible-lightbulb-moment#post-457510 Thu, 03 Nov 2011 01:10:55 +0000 Angie 457510@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Una, you might be on Team Minimal, you know </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/possible-lightbulb-moment#post-457447 Wed, 02 Nov 2011 23:53:06 +0000 Aziraphale 457447@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>They only come in two sizes -- s/m and m/l. I have both sizes. The smaller size is better for wearing with skirts, and the larger size, which is longer and looser on me, works better with pants. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/possible-lightbulb-moment#post-457438 Wed, 02 Nov 2011 23:45:52 +0000 catgirl 457438@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>"Noise of agony" just made me laugh so hard my husband came in to my office to see what was going on.</p> <p>Are the j. crew tissue tees opaque? And are they very fitted for busty me? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/possible-lightbulb-moment#post-457430 Wed, 02 Nov 2011 23:39:22 +0000 ironkurtin 457430@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>AG, if I have my closet tamed, why do I need a whip and a chair every time I go near it?!</p> <p>Some if my favorite layering tees are the LS tissue tees from JCrew. They come in terrific colors and don't add bulk. When I had a job (insert noise of agony) I would buy a few every season because their palette changes. FWIW, I personally liked their darker and more saturated colors and found them to hold out well. For heavier weights, Petit Bateau size 16 or 18 was great, especially in whites. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/possible-lightbulb-moment#post-457412 Wed, 02 Nov 2011 23:19:09 +0000 catgirl 457412@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Oooh, then I should give them a try! How does the sizing run? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/possible-lightbulb-moment#post-457410 Wed, 02 Nov 2011 23:17:24 +0000 Aziraphale 457410@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>That's exactly what I do. I'm not sure why they have the model wearing it that way, because when I pull it tight like that, it (a) shows both bra straps, and (b) slides back into sleeveless position in five minutes anyway. The way I wear it, the neckline drapes into a v-shape like on a Grecian garment, if that makes sense, and it's essentially sleeveless -- not really cap sleeve. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/possible-lightbulb-moment#post-457402 Wed, 02 Nov 2011 23:08:35 +0000 catgirl 457402@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Wow, Elizabeth, this is when I would love to see pictures of you. Thanks for the link!</p> <p>Normally I would avoid that style of top like the plague the way she's wearing it, between the cap-like sleeves and the super-high neckline which would emphazize my bust and squat neck. But if it draped at the neck and the edge of the armhole hit more at my shoulder than bicep, I'd be fine. Is that what you do? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/possible-lightbulb-moment#post-457396 Wed, 02 Nov 2011 23:04:26 +0000 Aziraphale 457396@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Una, I have a number of simple but nicely cut vee neck and wrap tops. I also have about six or seven of these:</p> <p><a href="http://www.smokinglily.com/product/hama-hama-top/" rel="nofollow">http://www.smokinglily.com/product/hama-hama-top/</a></p> <p>...only I wear it so the neckline isn't pulled straight across my collarbones, but drapes a little. It's a very flattering cut on me, so I bet you'd wear it well, too. It's a perfect base layer. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/possible-lightbulb-moment#post-457363 Wed, 02 Nov 2011 22:27:29 +0000 bj1111 457363@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>una, i think you are really on team minimalist, with one outstanding piece serving as a focal point. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/possible-lightbulb-moment#post-457358 Wed, 02 Nov 2011 22:23:20 +0000 catgirl 457358@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thanks everyone (and especially Steph for the always detailed responses - wow!). </p> <p>IK, sounds like you've got your closet tamed! </p> <p>Elizabeth, sounds like you and I are in the same boat. I do think it has to do with shape. I love jackets, and I love funky skirts, but I can NOT find tops that go under jackets with a good neckline and fit and any kind of style I feel I can wear. That has got to be my focus, so everything else can be beaten down into submission.</p> <p>Angie, I admire both Audi and Kasmira, but neither one quite jives with me because they both are a bit too ALGO for me in terms of number of items used in an outfit. Per Steph's advice, I've figured out that my favorite looks involve a FEW items that fit well and have a bit of edge. The Eliza J. dress with wedge booties was perfect to me. </p> <p>Love the thought of "wardrobe veggies" - what a great image! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/possible-lightbulb-moment#post-457339 Wed, 02 Nov 2011 22:08:45 +0000 mrseccentric 457339@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Whew, i'm glad Angie said it before i did!! ;)</p> <p>Any working wardrobe requires discipline. Consider any person known for great personal style and you will see that their style is defined as much as by what they choose not to wear as what they choose to wear.</p> <p>Una, fortunately for your situation you've answered your own question right there in your post, as Suz already pointed out. Longer term, if you want to avoid this issue in future you need to decide what you want to focus on. You can buy all variety of showstopping pieces and wear them 'one to an outfit' (the rest of the look filled in with 'veggies'). Elisabeth's approach is a variation on this theme. </p> <p>Another popular approach is to choose one or two elements to play up and keep the rest of your 'style palette' very subdued/neutral. For example, amazing color combos played out on a simple, minimalist frame. Or dramatic silhouettes and textural contrasts in neutral tones. This gives your personal style cohesion, and it helps you hone in on standout pieces that can play together because they are harmonious in theme.</p> <p> As an aside, i have found in following style bloggers who have extensive, ALGO wardrobes that they spend a lot of time, energy, and money on their wardrobes. Some are very upfront about it, and the investment can be considerable. An extensive background in college-level art study (practice and theory) is not unknown, either. I had a very good friend in college with this type of personal style, it is amazing and wonderful and a lot of fun!!!! But the investment involved is truly extensive. Seriously, it's like a huge performance art piece!</p> <p>I think this issue comes up a lot. When you're really trying to hone/develop your style it can be boring to bother about the 'worker bees'. But if you don't it's very hard to have fun with all the 'ice cream' clothes!! Good luck and have fun! steph </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/possible-lightbulb-moment#post-457320 Wed, 02 Nov 2011 21:40:20 +0000 ironkurtin 457320@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Ok, this was a lightbulb moment for me, because I *do* have tons of simple shirts perfect for layering! In fact, that's why I own them. I wear longsleeved white and black t-shirts and jeans I love all year round, with my diva items over them. Do I have too many diva items? Oh hellyah. But I never have to worry about who's the boss in any outfit, because everything I have is designed to spotlight them. I was actually worried this showed a lack of creativity, but it makes it remarkably easy to get dressed in the morning. So I think I'll stick with it. </p>