https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/recent-mistakes-and-refocus Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Mon, 20 Apr 2026 13:44:43 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/recent-mistakes-and-refocus#post-1283058 Fri, 20 Jun 2014 05:27:43 +0000 Ariadne 1283058@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Taking notes, because I have very similar style goals, lifestyle challenges, and budget levels to you, Mo. &nbsp;Okay, so technically I AM a soccer mom (on Wednesday nights, at least), but that doesn't mean I have to look like the cliche version of one!</p> <p>It takes <u>mega</u> scouring, but I've had luck at Old Navy, Zara, and&nbsp;F21. &nbsp;I just got two pairs of comfy, drapey, washable pants from ON that are dead ringers for designer ones I liked. &nbsp;They cost $15 and $11, respectively. &nbsp;I get really dirty every day and frequently have to&nbsp;change halfway through the day because of it, so I need lots of pants. &nbsp;And I got Eileen Fisher harem pant lookalikes for $11 at F21. &nbsp;</p> <p>Keep us posted on your progress. &nbsp;I'll be following along.</p> <p> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/recent-mistakes-and-refocus#post-1282894 Fri, 20 Jun 2014 01:43:48 +0000 Mo 1282894@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thanks for the tips. &nbsp;So far no luck with the elusive denim skirt, but no hurry. &nbsp;That's one thing I'm learning. &nbsp;To wait until the right one comes along. &nbsp;:) &nbsp;<br />In the meanwhile, at some level, my unfashionable lifestyle is responsible for&nbsp;my less fashionable appearance and I can make peace with that a bit, too. &nbsp;Do the best with what I've got. &nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/recent-mistakes-and-refocus#post-1282835 Fri, 20 Jun 2014 00:08:11 +0000 cciele 1282835@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I think H&amp;M is another option. As a middle-aged lady,&nbsp;I usually have better luck there than F21 </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/recent-mistakes-and-refocus#post-1282832 Fri, 20 Jun 2014 00:02:36 +0000 Aida 1282832@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I'll second F21. It takes some sifting but you can find some great pieces for the price point. AND in natural or breathable fabrics, no less. I have a few things coming that I plan to use for my active-casual capsule from F21; "more interesting than basic" tees in cotton mostly, to wear under riding gear.</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/recent-mistakes-and-refocus#post-1282726 Thu, 19 Jun 2014 21:39:25 +0000 Suz 1282726@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Ha. I love your photo. That's me, except substitute a different kind of top vs. a tank -- at my age I'm sort of off tanks even as lounge wear (but if I lived in your heat it would be a different story, believe me).&nbsp;</p> <p>Honestly, maybe that's the best we can do, staying home. Maybe put the $$ into the stuff we wear going out? Or add the edge (for you) and the modernity (for me) in our accessories -- the footwear and cuff or necklace or whatever that we put on when we do go out to do our errands? Actually, I typically change into something more interesting when going downtown, but I go by foot, not bike, which is a different issue.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/recent-mistakes-and-refocus#post-1282662 Thu, 19 Jun 2014 20:50:49 +0000 Mo 1282662@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>so far I like this best. &nbsp;Great color, but probably 2" shorter than I want. &nbsp;Hard to tell with leggy models when they don't give measurements. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/recent-mistakes-and-refocus#post-1282654 Thu, 19 Jun 2014 20:40:35 +0000 texstyle 1282654@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Denim skirt (med wash - not sure of length)</p> <p><a href="http://www1.bloomingdales.com/shop/product/aqua-skirt-denim-pencil?ID=1070961&amp;CategoryID=2911#fn=spp%3D1%26ppp%3D96%26sp%3DNull%26rid%3DNull%26cm_kws%3Ddenim%20pencil%20skirt" rel="nofollow">http://www1.bloomingdales.com/.....911#fn=spp</a></p> <p>Cute skirt (not denim but still it's different and comfy sounding)</p> <p><a href="http://www.sundancecatalog.com/product/fall+in+line+skirt.do?sortby=ourPicks" rel="nofollow">http://www.sundancecatalog.com.....y=ourPicks</a></p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/recent-mistakes-and-refocus#post-1282650 Thu, 19 Jun 2014 20:38:11 +0000 Mo 1282650@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Part of this might be that half my stuff is in CA and I'm not seeing my style visually represented in&nbsp;front of me like normally. &nbsp;And Suz is right that summer is hard to get psyched about when it just gets about coping with the heat. &nbsp;&nbsp;<br />I'll peek at the suggested sites . . .&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/recent-mistakes-and-refocus#post-1282646 Thu, 19 Jun 2014 20:34:02 +0000 texstyle 1282646@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>It does seem that Forever 21 and Zara would have more things with edge. I'd say Urban Outfitters could as well but I haven't looked there in a long time.&nbsp;</p> <p>I think maybe you are after a soft&nbsp;edge or romantic edge&nbsp;;-). The lilac booties with zippers, the shorts you just ordered, those are kind of modernist romantic or something, with maybe the edge being that they are short and shiny.</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/recent-mistakes-and-refocus#post-1282645 Thu, 19 Jun 2014 20:31:24 +0000 Mo 1282645@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Rachy, I&nbsp;<i>don't</i> have it, is the problem. &nbsp;Like today for instance. &nbsp;I'm in my BF shorts and a ribbed tank. &nbsp;Nothing special. &nbsp;Threw on the necklace just because. &nbsp;I mean, I'm in the house with the cat, but still. &nbsp;I could imagine this with a slightly lower waist dark wash skirt, maybe my peeptoe booties and the blush crop moto if I were 'going somewhere'. &nbsp;If just tooling around in the heat, some flats or gladiators and a cuff bracelet instead of the moto.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/recent-mistakes-and-refocus#post-1282641 Thu, 19 Jun 2014 20:26:28 +0000 rachylou 1282641@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I say... what current stuff/outfit do you have that most exemplifies what you're going for? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/recent-mistakes-and-refocus#post-1282639 Thu, 19 Jun 2014 20:25:09 +0000 Angie 1282639@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I hear you, Mo. Have a look at Forever 21.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/recent-mistakes-and-refocus#post-1282637 Thu, 19 Jun 2014 20:20:46 +0000 Mo 1282637@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thanks Angie! &nbsp;I still have room in my heart for the grecian drape, but I need some edge. &nbsp;My basic tanks, tees, and shorts are boring me to death. And summer's only just begun! &nbsp;Ugh. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/recent-mistakes-and-refocus#post-1282636 Thu, 19 Jun 2014 20:19:33 +0000 Mo 1282636@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>It is a bear, isn't it Suz? &nbsp;Sigh. &nbsp;<br />Maybe I should stick with JFE hot weather style&nbsp;for now and await my return home HA. &nbsp;I do want the skirt for Tahoe, too, though. &nbsp;It may take me until I'm back to find it at any rate lol. &nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/recent-mistakes-and-refocus#post-1282634 Thu, 19 Jun 2014 20:18:18 +0000 Angie 1282634@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Mo, if you're after a harder edge, the ruffles, drape, and Grecian looks you were previously fond of, are not that style persona.&nbsp;</p> <p>I vote Zara for budget reasons. BCBG next, and Shopbop when they're on sale. Actually, I think you'll love what Forever 21 and Lulu Lemon&nbsp;has to offer if you bypass all the girly stuff.&nbsp;</p> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/recent-mistakes-and-refocus#post-1282633 Thu, 19 Jun 2014 20:17:36 +0000 Suz 1282633@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Oh...and sorry about that just-say-no-June thing... &nbsp;:)</p> <p>I guess this partially explains/ excuses that ginormous shopping spree I just went on? Summer clothes, summer clothes.... </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/recent-mistakes-and-refocus#post-1282629 Thu, 19 Jun 2014 20:16:12 +0000 Suz 1282629@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I agree that what you're looking for is hard to find, especially for hot weather. I think you'd have an easier time back in Tahoe, not that it helps you any here. It's just that you seem to hit the note you want for your casual wear there quite easily. It's the summer stuff (bane of all our existences....)</p> <p>I am wondering if it might be worth analyzing what elements of the Tahoe casual wear capsule make it work for you. Actually...now that I think about it....you don't need as much of it there and there is more crossover with "going out" because when you dress out of uniform, you are usually up to something fun, vs. just running errands.&nbsp;</p> <p>If it's any comfort, I still find the summer work-at-home capsule the most ...blah. I have clothes that do the deed. They don't restrict my movement and they are practical and they don't exactly <b>conflict</b> with my style persona. But they hardly <b>express</b> it, either. They just sit there.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/recent-mistakes-and-refocus#post-1282627 Thu, 19 Jun 2014 20:13:25 +0000 Mo 1282627@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Express seems to favor 2.5" inseams on shorts. &nbsp;I've checked &nbsp;I really need a straight casual skirt. &nbsp;<br />I have some dressy shorts on the way from the J Crew sale. &nbsp;So no more need for shorts, if they work out.<br />Oh, and for those keeping track, my Just say no June is officially postponed to Just say no July, and for better reasons.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/recent-mistakes-and-refocus#post-1282623 Thu, 19 Jun 2014 20:10:26 +0000 Gigi 1282623@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I know what you mean about it being difficult to find this type of clothing. It seems like a lot of shorter skirts and shorts are juniors-ish. I am starting to appreciate that in my own clothing as well and am being more careful.</p> <p>I don't know where you could look for stuff like that. Would Express have anything?</p> <p>I did buy these, which I think look fun. Short shorts, but I don't think they look like something juniors would wear. But they might be too sweet for you with the scalloped "hem."</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/recent-mistakes-and-refocus#post-1282608 Thu, 19 Jun 2014 20:00:33 +0000 Mo 1282608@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Hi San! &nbsp;Thanks for weighing in. &nbsp;I still do short shorts, but not tight and not frayed or otherwise juniors-ish. &nbsp;It's like I know in my mind what I want but just don't see it out there. &nbsp;Maybe I need to live in a funky city outskirts atmosphere for a while to find what I'm seeking lol! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/recent-mistakes-and-refocus#post-1282598 Thu, 19 Jun 2014 19:51:17 +0000 san 1282598@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>You are very smart in rethinking your style every so often.&nbsp; You have a beautiful young body and it would be tempting I'm sure to dress as a twenty something or younger.&nbsp; I'm afraid to say that when I was your age I wasn't as in tune with this idea as you are.&nbsp; I was, as you know, a carpenter and so I was in great shape.&nbsp; I think I wore short shorts and mini skirts way past&nbsp;when I should have&nbsp;reinvented my style.&nbsp; I think it is better to look classy as you are doing.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/recent-mistakes-and-refocus#post-1282589 Thu, 19 Jun 2014 19:42:44 +0000 Mo 1282589@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>totally forgot about them - thanks, Anna! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/recent-mistakes-and-refocus#post-1282587 Thu, 19 Jun 2014 19:42:14 +0000 annagybe 1282587@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Shopbop? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/recent-mistakes-and-refocus#post-1282582 Thu, 19 Jun 2014 19:36:34 +0000 Mo 1282582@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>As I packed up stuff for the Twice bag this afternoon I reflected on the shopping mistakes I was purging. &nbsp;These are better than past mistakes (I did wear most of them for at least a season or two) but still they were 'not quite's.<br />One item was 3 years old, and a fancy silk dress. &nbsp;That mistake I've already learned - don't pre-buy for a maybe event (wedding). &nbsp;All the items were also eBay purchases. &nbsp;I get a lot of great stuff off eBay but I get some duds, too. &nbsp;Now I don't buy without returns.&nbsp;<br />Most importantly, the items in question were not really my style. &nbsp;Save the dress, they were all casual things. &nbsp;I seem to do fine with 'going out' style for myself. &nbsp;But I'm still not hitting the right note in casual wear. &nbsp;I want it to be a little edgy, kinda rock and roll, not mom going to the mall or cute or juniors style. &nbsp;Thing is, it's hard to find 'hip' casual things for a middle aged lady.&nbsp;<br />So my mantra for the remainder of the year is casual chic with edge. &nbsp;Nothing juniors-y, nothing soccer mom-ish. &nbsp;Where to shop??? &nbsp;Revolve and Yoox are the best bets I've found so far. &nbsp;But I'm open to suggestions. &nbsp;A dark denim skirt that's not 13" long, but also not 22" would be a good start . . . . </p>