YouLookFab Forum » Topic: Style With Limitations?

YouLookFab Forum » Topic: Style With Limitations? https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/style-with-limitations Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Sun, 12 Apr 2026 15:14:45 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 <![CDATA[Search]]> q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php Anonymous on "Style With Limitations?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/style-with-limitations/page/2#post-1846756 Thu, 21 Sep 2017 01:38:18 +0000 Anonymous 1846756@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ The Cat - Thank you for the suggestion! I did run this by my podiatrist and the gentleman who corrected my orthotics and they were giving that shoe a thumbs down.  They felt they weren't going to be supportive enough with my rigid orthotics and that most styles flex far too much which doesn't work as I need more rigid shoes.  I will just need to move forward and appreciate the look on others and hope that I can live vicariously through you and your fab ballet flats! unfrumped - Thank you for the kind words! I do need to think about what I want for my wardrobe and what is truly feasible...I am quite happy that footwear is in that has a more supportive base.  rachylou - Indeed! Isn't Jean Seberg fabulous? And to think she was a small-town girl from Marshalltown, Iowa which isn't far from where I reside.  I love stripes and confess to owning at least 15 different tops/sweater/pullovers.  La Pedestrienne - I giggled a bit from your comment because Dansko clogs are worn for comfort here too! It's the rare woman I've seen in town rocking Danskos with a boho or ethnic look and looking like it's perfectly suited for her.  Yes, they are quite popular in the clinic where I work and I also have a couple of pairs that I wear for happy feet.  If you find that article, I'd love to read it! LaPed on "Style With Limitations?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/style-with-limitations/page/2#post-1845938 Mon, 18 Sep 2017 14:10:38 +0000 LaPed 1845938@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I just read an article about how Dansko clogs will be trending this season, as people put away their Birks for the cold weather. (It made me laugh, because I live in a rural area where the hospital is the largest employer by far, so Danskos are never *not* trending.) Anyway, I think, trendwise, this is a very good time to be a stompy gamine. rachylou on "Style With Limitations?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/style-with-limitations/page/2#post-1845837 Mon, 18 Sep 2017 00:12:52 +0000 rachylou 1845837@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Oh, Stompy Gamine is a Good style moniker, one of the best I've heard in a while. A touch of glam is a great challenge; I like it. Makes me think of French New Wave - have we discussed French New Wave yet up thread? Jean Seberg is amazingly glam in a striped shirt... and 100% gamine. unfrumped on "Style With Limitations?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/style-with-limitations/page/2#post-1845825 Sun, 17 Sep 2017 23:21:14 +0000 unfrumped 1845825@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ You look gorgeous! I like the idea of " stompy gamine". I have fussy feet, too so my footwear is getting " bigger" and it's harder to wear very slim or pointy styles. I'm not very good with fashion advice, but you may find you can balance the footwear with some aspects of the pants width, cropped jackets, collars and other details up top. Plus we are lucky because with all the fashion sneaker looks, the " eye" is accustomed to chunkier footwear-- even with skirts and dresses- so you can take full advantage of that. The Cat on "Style With Limitations?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/style-with-limitations/page/2#post-1845788 Sun, 17 Sep 2017 19:47:11 +0000 The Cat 1845788@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I am sorry to hear about your health problems, but am sure you will find support and get some good advice in this forum. Beautiful photos! And you look like a very charming gamine. Have you tried a pair of the more sturdy/supportive ballet flats? Ballet flats are VERY gamine, as you probably know. And they are a chic (as well as comfortable) alternative to several other shoe styles. If you buy them a little larger than your usual size, you may be able to use them with your orthotics. (I myself do this much of the time.) Anonymous on "Style With Limitations?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/style-with-limitations/page/2#post-1845780 Sun, 17 Sep 2017 19:21:44 +0000 Anonymous 1845780@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Barbara - True, but I also want to be recognized as a leader in my workplace and although I wear scrubs to the clinic, I need to wear something resembling professional dress for conferences, in-services, etc.  My goal is to look put together and polished so that I can demonstrate my knowledge with the proper outside appearance. rachylou - Oh yes, context is everything but I would love to have some glamour in my life.  Wearing a cowl-neck sweatshirt on a library and Costco run is somewhat emotionally defeating when I know that there are other more attractive options.  I love your humor in describing your life and your RATE style suits your perfectly! rachylou on "Style With Limitations?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/style-with-limitations/page/2#post-1843802 Sun, 10 Sep 2017 20:28:39 +0000 rachylou 1843802@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Sooo... I have just remembered... I am a technical writer by training and profession - i.e., an office worker. But in the last couple of years, my hobby job (as a baker) (which oddly enough needs all my tech writing skills) has taken over. Well, ok. I always did half my work on a factory floor, but a tech factory is not as rough as a bakery. Anyways, when I'm not at work, I'm walking with my dog, puttering in the garden or tackling some other home improvement project. I'm not ever eating cheese cubes at a gallery opening, lol. On top of that, my style is RATE (Rough Around The Edges), not polished. It is pretty hard to not somehow feel underdressed. Every now and then I catch myself pondering very hard to come up with a smashing perfume-commercial-worthy outfit for kneeling in the dirt. Lol. At the same time, you know to be honest, I feel embarrassed for people when I see them dressed to the nines at Safeway buying anything other than a bottle of champagne and flowers. Lol. What I'm saying is, context is important, but easy to forget. If you're dealing with baby spit up what you want is a cute, well-fitting t-shirt... you won't look good in a 'stylish blouse' and baby spit up, but you will look darn cute in a t-shirt and baby spit up... if you know what I mean, lol. Ok. You probably don't have this problem. But I do l, as I sit here wondering whether to 'get dressed' or go water the eggplant... Barbara Diane on "Style With Limitations?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/style-with-limitations/page/2#post-1843705 Sun, 10 Sep 2017 03:28:48 +0000 Barbara Diane 1843705@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Where I live most of us were older moms. You are certainly looking for style help sooner than I did, so that is a big advantage. Jenni NZ on "Style With Limitations?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/style-with-limitations/page/2#post-1843518 Sat, 09 Sep 2017 05:38:53 +0000 Jenni NZ 1843518@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ That kind of did take me years...the photo is so lovely and you look good in it. We have just recently had my baby's ( third of 3) 21st birthday and I did photo boards, all the lovely memories of that time came rushing back and it really didn't matter if I looked a bit off, in retrospect. I did have some favourite clothes but I was so busy sometimes it wasn't happening. And the age thing... Two of my best girlfriends I met through the kids, one 4.5 years younger and one 6.5 years younger than me, it hasn't mattered at all. Hugs to you. Anonymous on "Style With Limitations?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/style-with-limitations/page/2#post-1843489 Sat, 09 Sep 2017 02:12:36 +0000 Anonymous 1843489@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Gryyfin - Thank you so much for the wise and much needed words of wisdom! Yes, I am at a place where I'm not certain what my style is although I remember what it was and how much it changed after having my sons. You are correct in identifying that I have purchased items and then came to the realization that they were not my style. I'm also an older Mom; first child at 33 and second at 36 which makes me feel behind. Other friends were parents long before I married and it feels like they have it together. I more than likely need to take my time and enjoy this place in my life before I tackle style. Thank you for the sweet words about my little ones! The photo was taken about a year ago and I am reminded of how much change was happening then and now. I am very blest to have my peanuts and husband. Eventually, I'll need to look the part of a put together Mom gryffin on "Style With Limitations?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/style-with-limitations#post-1843095 Thu, 07 Sep 2017 12:20:59 +0000 gryffin 1843095@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Marie - just chiming back in to say, after my son was born, all my clothes felt "wrong."  I bought a bunch of new things and a year later, all of that felt "wrong" and I found myself slowly shifting back toward my original style, evolved but more on that path.  Don't forget, hormones, fatigue, stress all have a huge effect on brain function and mood.  My best advice, after glass of wine, many hugs and long confabs with your GF's, is do what feels right at this time, but try not to purchase too much precipitously.  Time will clarify and help your sort out your feelings on fashion.  But accept that times of intense flux are not necessarily the best for making big changes or investing too much of the income on.  Hang in there.  Sending you sleep, strength and cyber hugs!! ETA:  you are a gorgeous family!!  Your littles are delicious!!!!! Anonymous on "Style With Limitations?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/style-with-limitations#post-1843027 Thu, 07 Sep 2017 01:24:25 +0000 Anonymous 1843027@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ JuniperGreen - I did check out the post you suggested and I enjoy the items posted.  I'll need to do some research to find specific petite items but it certainly hits the notes of gamine and classic.  At this time I only have one pair of oxfords and haven't found a pair of loafers that I like and that also would fit my orthotics'.  I'll keep searching! Angie - True but is indeed a wonderful sisterhood of sorts to have all of the knowledge be as accessible as it is and truly supportive. Jenni NZ - Yes, I do believe you identified precisely how I feel.  Now that I have had two children, I really don't know what my style is anymore.  I am the same size but things have...shifted for lack of a better term.  I have also succumbed to wearing less than flattering items as I continue to figure out what would work for me.  I also fell down the rabbit hole on Kibbe.  I took the quiz twice as I'm not certain I answered the waist and hip questions correctly.  In all regards, I fall under the category of Theatrical Romantic.  That was not what I suspected at all although sharing the same category as Vivien Leigh and Elizabeth Taylor is never a bad thing.  The clothes themselves have appeal even if they are terribly impractical with 2 rambunctious boys.  I have also noticed that there is next to no casual dress inspiration for that category.  It seems that the styles I enjoy or could consider are limited by my footwear.  It is hard to be glamorous with moto boots and oxfords but perhaps I'm not objective enough when I answer the questions? Sigh...I'm tempted to comfort myself with a glass of wine but perhaps I just need to peruse the forum and blog for inspiration. Laura (rhubarbgirl) on "Style With Limitations?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/style-with-limitations#post-1843025 Thu, 07 Sep 2017 01:20:07 +0000 Laura (rhubarbgirl) 1843025@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I agree with Suz about your coloring - exploring navy and taupe and less black might be worth trying. It doesn't go classic Audrey Hepburn, but it does definitely go soft romantic, which can be paired with tougher elements to balance it out. JuniperGreen on "Style With Limitations?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/style-with-limitations#post-1842896 Wed, 06 Sep 2017 17:03:44 +0000 JuniperGreen 1842896@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Hi Midwest Marie! Adore your pics, the pixie is perfect for your gamine look!  I immediately thought of Angie's Modern Audrey post, have you checked it out? <a rel="nofollow" href="https://youlookfab.com/2017/02/03/ensemble-modern-audrey/">https://youlookfab.com/2017/02.....rn-audrey/</a> Sounds like your Naot's could function as the oxfords in these kinds of looks - might you have other loafers or oxfords that can support your orthotics?   Angie on "Style With Limitations?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/style-with-limitations#post-1842822 Wed, 06 Sep 2017 14:31:30 +0000 Angie 1842822@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ We are here to support and encourage, Marie. YLF is a large and engaged community that when combined - has a wealth of knowledge. Pulling resources like this is bound to help you.  Jenni NZ on "Style With Limitations?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/style-with-limitations#post-1842757 Wed, 06 Sep 2017 09:32:48 +0000 Jenni NZ 1842757@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Hi again Marie, it is now the next evening. David Kibbe is a writer who wrote a book called "Metamorphosis", which as far as I can check was released in January 1987. Therefore, the images in the book are outdated. I only heard about it this year after joining YLF, when I wrote a post about my "style essence", 4 months ago, and Style Fan suggested I might like to look into it.<a rel="nofollow" href="https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/my-style-essence-warning-long">https://youlookfab.com/welookf.....rning-long</a>  It's the kind of thing I find interesting so I researched it quite a bit, there is a quiz here: <a rel="nofollow" href="http://expressingyourtruth.blogspot.co.nz/2013/02/kibbe.html">http://expressingyourtruth.blo.....kibbe.html</a> and illustrated pics for half of it in the second document here: <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.tapatalk.com/groups/seasonalcolor/illustrated-kibbe-quiz-and-spreadsheet-with-the-ki-t1340.html">https://www.tapatalk.com/group.....the-ki-t13</a>  It uses the concept of yin and yang to mean soft and feminine for yin and more masculine shaped and angular for yang.David Kibbe himself is still around ( in New York, I think) and now has a Facebook page <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.facebook.com/davidkibbemetamorphosis/">https://www.facebook.com/davidkibbemetamorphosis/</a> so you can hear from the man himself if desired, though I just looked at the page and it is mostly pics. His ideas have naturally changed somewhat in the 30 years since 1987, as have various ideas from writers about colour schemes eg seasonal ones- I remember loving Carole Jackson's "Colour Me Beautiful" in 1984. On holiday a couple of years back the guest house we stayed in had an old copy- wow did the pics look dated!  What I find interesting was the idea of certain styles suiting us more and also what you are drawn to. I decided I could be a "theatrical romantic"- it doesn't really matter in one way but I felt very drawn to those looks. You might just find it helpful to get more of a sense of yourself, as shown in your lovely engagement and wedding photos which do appear to have a consistent style and you look so happy in them. I kind of lost myself for some time with 3 young children and wore most unstytlish things for quite some years. But I'm back!- and I hope you will be too.  Anonymous on "Style With Limitations?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/style-with-limitations#post-1842702 Wed, 06 Sep 2017 04:06:34 +0000 Anonymous 1842702@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Thank you so much to everyone for your lovely compliments! I truly don't receive praises on my appearance other than from my dear husband. What a treat after a busy day at work to read your words kerlyn – I very much like the thought of adding those specific items to my wardrobe. They are all classic and would pair wonderfully with other items within my wardrobe. Thank you! Gaylene – Yes, footwear should probably be a starting point.  My Dromedaris boots are quite fun and slightly edgy but in no way can serve as a substitute for a delicate ballet flat I will definitely need to experiment and am happy to report that I have done the groundwork of being fitted, finding a great watch, and updating my reading glasses. I’ll need to summon the courage to post pictures donning my apparel. Minimalist – Thank you for stopping by! I look forward to getting to know you and your style better. 3style – Thank you! I felt that my dress was more of a vintage feel. I don’t think I have the confidence to pull off steampunk although I admire those that can. I’m an introvert and will need to find my “suit of armor”. Gigi – I will certainly check out Express and Anthropologie for their natural-fiber options. Thank you for mentioning them. I currently belong to a site recommended by my allergist that provides products that are free of the offending allergens. It is constantly being updated and I will continue to check and hope for more additions! Firecracker – Thank you! I feel that skinnies highlight my hips more than I am comfortable with. Perhaps it’s because I feel I should be smaller or have a different body style to don them. I will certainly give them a try! Rachylou – Claudette Colbert had amazing style and I would love many of her dresses. I keep hearing more about Kibbe which makes me think I need to take time to research. Is this a book or specific website? Thank you for the kind words! Karen13 – I appreciate the suggestions for footwear! I will certainly keep those thoughts in mind as I peruse profiles looking for orthotic-friendly options. There is hope! My hair is considerably shorter than on my wedding day but yes, a pixie is for me. Thank you! Jenni NZ – I love Naot shoes and boots as they are consistent in sizing and work well with my orthotics’. They also have an element of style to them. I look forward to hearing more from you! Angie – Wow! Bless you for creating such an empowering forum and blog for all who are on their style journey. I will indeed have faith and embrace the positive while I begin on the first part of the process. Your mom-on-the-go blog posts were wonderful to read and I already have gained some ideas that I can put into action. Thank you Suz – I do indeed love black although I’m not certain it loves me back. Denim, all shades of gray, and navy are favorites of mine and thank you for the suggestions regarding hair color. I worry about looking washed out once I am completely gray, especially with my fair skin and green eyes, but that opens up other opportunities for brighter color near my face. Thank you! Griffin – Hugs to you for your foot woes! Morton’s Neuroma is quite beastly but I chose surgery as nothing else was improving. Ironically, I have incredibly high arches where my feet resemble bananas. That curvature or arch, would be lovely if I was a ballet dancer. It doesn’t translate to nursing practice well. Your work as a physician also indicates that concrete floors are not our friends. Dansko professional clogs don’t have a high enough arch so I gladly wear my full-length orthotics’ with metatarsal pads to reduce forefoot pressure and mitigate some of the pain. Thank you so much for the shoe suggestions. I will check them out and see what I can find. Yes, I do need to accept that being pain free and comfortable are worth less options.         gryffin on "Style With Limitations?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/style-with-limitations#post-1842457 Tue, 05 Sep 2017 14:55:20 +0000 gryffin 1842457@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Hi Midwest Marie - greetings from another person with a Morton's neuroma.  I have not had surgery but I can tell you what shoes have worked for me.  I have both a 3/4 and full orthotic from Dr. Jarret <a href="http://www.thetaorthotics.com" rel="nofollow">http://www.thetaorthotics.com</a>.  It's an interesting concept.  After my orthopedic foot surgeon was completely unhelpful, this stabilized my condition.  I have flexible flat feet and began having symptoms after wearing Uggs snow boots - warm feet but pain (no arch support, who knew?!!  I certainly didn't) and it's like invisalign for your feet.  Sequential custom orthotics to put your arch back into position - no pressure on the nerve, no pain.  I am just putting it out there, you should discuss with your surgeon.  I do not know if this would be appropriate for you.  As a physician, I was disgusted with the dismissive care I received.  Surgery, for my condition, made no sense because without changing the architecture it was highly likely that my neuroma would recur.  Theta orthotics stabilized my condition, the third sequential, four was too high, and I am pain free but the neuroma is not "gone"  If I'm in the shower I still have dull symptoms but no outright pain.  On shoes, tie shoes do fit best with orthotics.  Dr Huppen and Hale  <a href="https://www.footankle.com/" rel="nofollow">https://www.footankle.com/</a> have a great shoe list.  You do need to sign up but they do not send more than the updated list each year which I found very helpful.  I would have consulted them if I was living on the west coast.   I personally do well with 3/4 orthotics with - ariats - heritage lacers, h2o extreme waterproof, dansko Lucille, keen hiking boots, gentle souls, merrell breeze mocs (take my full orthotic), as will many soft dansko, Naot you already know has removable insoles.  I can wear aquatalia and some Eileen fisher but the booties and shoes, if there are not laces, must fit snuggly so that my 3/4 orthotic does not shift.   My Uggs adirondak snow boots can still be worn with a 3/4 orthotic.  So sorry I am still culling my old shoe collection.  You will find the best solutions for you and there are cute shoes that will be comfortable and orthotics are truly your savior.  Hugs to you.  But pain free and comfort are worth less choice.   Suz on "Style With Limitations?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/style-with-limitations#post-1842432 Tue, 05 Sep 2017 13:05:39 +0000 Suz 1842432@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ You are beautiful! Thank you for sharing your photos! I definitely see soft gamine here. :)  And yes, I see the slope in your shoulder and that's what makes you look like a pretty pear. But you appear slim and delicate.  My own hair is now completely grey. I am low to medium contrast (dark blue eyes, fair skin, light hair). I actually look good in black as long as I fill in my eyebrows a bit. But my preferred neutrals are navy and grey (all shades). In your case, you might find blues (including denim) and charcoal and possibly taupe would be really useful. As your hair continues to grey that might shift to some degree.  Angie on "Style With Limitations?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/style-with-limitations#post-1842425 Tue, 05 Sep 2017 12:40:08 +0000 Angie 1842425@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Another welcome from me, Marie. You are gorgeous.  You can overcome these dressing challenges with patience. Trust me. I have clients that are allergic to wool and down. We buy cotton, polyester and acrylic, which can work just fine. Judging by your current footwear collection, you're onto a fab start!  As far a bottoms go - you're after petite curvy fits. We can steer you in the right direction with all these items as the season  unfolds.  Jenni NZ on "Style With Limitations?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/style-with-limitations#post-1842397 Tue, 05 Sep 2017 10:51:53 +0000 Jenni NZ 1842397@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Wow you are a stunner! It's late and I'm tired but will hope to come back tomorrow with thoughts. Kibbe might help actually. I love your tall boots. karen13 on "Style With Limitations?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/style-with-limitations#post-1842367 Tue, 05 Sep 2017 04:37:40 +0000 karen13 1842367@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Welcome Marie - you have come to the right place! You are gorgeous and I love your pics - your hair is gorgeous. I have had a pixie for about 4 years and am sort of growing it out - if mine looked as good as yours, I would not change! Footwear is one of my special challenges as well. I have different issues (slight pump bum or Haglunds deformity) wide forefoot and narrower heels) and I lived in black Merrill Clogs for years. YFL has encouraged me to try a few new things - never sacrificing comfort or health. Your adorable shoes posted are things for me to look at! Look here for recommendations and ideas and when you find people who have similar concerns, look at their Finds on their profile to see what may have worked for them. I have to run but will keep an eye on this thread and come back with more ideas as you post more questions. rachylou on "Style With Limitations?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/style-with-limitations#post-1842359 Tue, 05 Sep 2017 04:01:24 +0000 rachylou 1842359@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ You look pretty perfect to me! Lovely wedding photo. Very romantic! (Yes, I see Kibbe Romantic too! Although, I also see Kibbe Soft Gamine, like Claudette Colbert.) Firecracker (Sharan) on "Style With Limitations?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/style-with-limitations#post-1842349 Tue, 05 Sep 2017 03:06:41 +0000 Firecracker (Sharan) 1842349@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ MidwestMarie, don't worry--you will look fab in skinnies. It's a leg style, not a comment on hips at all, and they look super fab on curvy hips. Love the photos you added--you are gorgeous in both! Gigi on "Style With Limitations?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/style-with-limitations#post-1842348 Tue, 05 Sep 2017 03:03:02 +0000 Gigi 1842348@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I'm sorry that you are having to deal with so many style limitations. It can be frustrating. But if you keep at it, you will build a wardrobe you love, bit by bit. It takes a long time, but it's well worth the effort. My only suggestions have to do with shopping. I like to wear natural fabrics (mostly cotton and linen), and I seem to find that Express and Anthropologie seem to carry a fair amount of natural-fiber options. Anthropologie's clothes can also have a gamine vibe to them. As far as hair products go, you might want to consider posting something on naturallycurly.com's board about your specific allergies and whether anyone has product recommendations. Maybe you would be able to add a few more products to your limited selection. 3style on "Style With Limitations?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/style-with-limitations#post-1842346 Tue, 05 Sep 2017 02:49:10 +0000 3style 1842346@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ You look fab in your wedding dress! It reads Edwardian to me. And if you like punk and Edwardian suits you, how about steampunk? Obviously this isn't an easy style, but I do think that it goes well with substantial shoes and boots. minimalist on "Style With Limitations?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/style-with-limitations#post-1842342 Tue, 05 Sep 2017 02:31:21 +0000 minimalist 1842342@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ We need a "like" function on here so I can "like" Barbara Diane's post about a hundred times. I haven't read the other replies, but will come back to do so as soon as I can make time. Gaylene on "Style With Limitations?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/style-with-limitations#post-1842339 Tue, 05 Sep 2017 02:23:25 +0000 Gaylene 1842339@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Welcome MidwestMarie! Since your footwear is obviously important, maybe use it as a starting point? It's not going to be easy substituting a Dromedaris boot for Audrey's ballet flat. :) Since you have a better sense of what your lifestyle and physical requirements are, maybe try to pull together a couple of outfits from your closet--or in a changing room--using your current footwear as an integral component of the look. Aim for a look which makes you feel good when you see yourself in a mirror. Experiment, be prepared to laugh, and, most important, don't give up. Putting in some time and effort here pays off because those outfits and pieces will become your benchmark--even if you can't articulate yet what "style" they represent. While you are figuring out what clothes make you feel good when the pieces are actually on your body, spend your dollars on a new bra and knickers. Do some research online to educate yourself on what kind of bra works best for your shape, go for a fitting (or two), ask lots questions, and don't settle until you are totally pleased with the look and comfort of what is on your body. If you wear glasses, update your specs. If you wear a watch, find one that really speaks to you. All of these updates will increase your confidence because they help you focus on YOUR style preferences. Post pictures on this forum to get feedback as you try new directions and ideas. Ask for tweaks and suggestions, but filter them through your own needs and preferences. Everyone has their own preferences, but what is important are YOUR feelings when you look in a mirror. ETA: And wow, you are gorgeous in those pictures! Am I the only one who is seeing Kibbe's romantic? kerlyn on "Style With Limitations?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/style-with-limitations#post-1842337 Tue, 05 Sep 2017 02:20:27 +0000 kerlyn 1842337@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Welcome MidwestMarie!  Your photos are lovely, and you most definitely possess a strong gamine quality.  How about a black turtleneck, pencil pants or chinos, and your black oxfords for an Audrey sort of vibe?  Also, I didn't notice whether you mentioned sensitivities to cosmetics or not, but I think you could play up  your eyes with lots of mascara for that wide-eyed look . Anonymous on "Style With Limitations?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/style-with-limitations#post-1842332 Tue, 05 Sep 2017 01:45:57 +0000 Anonymous 1842332@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Laura - Yes, punky or rock does appeal to me.  I adore Kate Lanphear's style but cannot carry off her high heels! Her hairstyle and edgy clothing is what I dearly wish I had the confidence to carry off. Firecracker - Wonderful suggestions! I do like skinnies although I'm not certain how my hips fare.  I also love oxford shirts although I struggle with finding sweaters and tops that have welts.  I decided to enclose a few pictures.  The first is front my engagement photo session and was as gamine as I could be with my pixie, cardigan, and cropped pants.  The second is of my wedding dress.  I definitely felt like myself in those outfits although I am willing to try and push the boundaries!