https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/success-came-out-of-the-inasanity-unscathed Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Sat, 04 Apr 2026 06:15:25 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/success-came-out-of-the-inasanity-unscathed#post-1831961 Tue, 01 Aug 2017 12:37:00 +0000 Stagiaire Fash 1831961@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>The thing that gets me about summers here is that we never get a break. Where I grew up, we had a few 40 degree days in the summer, and some nights when we could sleep with the windows open. It doesn't get that hot here, but it gets into the low 30s every day, and windows stay shut May-Sept (at least) because nights are in the upper 70s (upper 20s). Hot nights like you describe are icky, and I wish I could step out into fresh air in the morning. C'est la vie! There are certainly bigger burdens in some people's lives, so I should quit complaining.<br /> Will you be around in a few weeks when I do my mass try-on? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/success-came-out-of-the-inasanity-unscathed#post-1831880 Tue, 01 Aug 2017 05:12:46 +0000 anne 1831880@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Well, you are doing very well. I suspect you are much more disciplined than I! Congratulations.<br />I wouldn't say our summers are that pleasant - maxes of 35-40 C are pretty hot in my opinion! And we can have hot nights too - too hot for even a sheet. &nbsp;However, unlike you, our heat is dry, for which I'm thankful. I have lived in humid climates and they really took it out of me (on the upside, I did lose my appetite in them, which doesn't happen to me very often!)</p> <p>And I feel the cold, so am currently writing this on my sofa wearing my puffer coat because I thought I should turn the heater off. I always wear a coat in the mornings and evening in winter. 10C when I dropped the kids to school this morning (though 2 of them weren't wearing a jumper!!)</p> <p>Well done on your massive clothes sorting btw (from your other thread) </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/success-came-out-of-the-inasanity-unscathed#post-1831877 Tue, 01 Aug 2017 04:43:12 +0000 Stagiaire Fash 1831877@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Anne, I don't have a scale at home; I use the public one at the grocery store. For bf measurement, I have them measure it with the caliper at the gym. That's supposed to be more accurate than the conduction thingies, but less accurate than underwater weighing. I've never tried either of those latter methods.<br /> The frame size thing is interesting. I suppose smaller bones could be arranged in a way that takes up more room, if they're spaced out further. But with bigger bones, I think the frame size can only get so small. Thanks for searching for and summarizing the discussion.<br /> Your climate sounds very pleasant--enough winter to wear a sweater, and not-overbearing summers either. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/success-came-out-of-the-inasanity-unscathed#post-1831873 Tue, 01 Aug 2017 04:19:51 +0000 anne 1831873@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p><b></b><b>Fashiontern</b><b></b> - yes the temperatures are similar in Oslo! Berlin's are hotter though - there temps are more like what I call "pleasant summer" where I live - most often seen in early December or in March, sandwiching the hot summer where maxes are up to 40.</p> <p>On the BF thing - are you using a scale to measure it? - if so I think that's the reason for the puzzlement. I get much lower scores (mid 20s) on a scale, but I only take notice of those from the caliper measurements done at the gym.</p> <p>As for the discussion I mentioned - I cannot for the life of me find it - and I've been searching for awhile (quite a few interesting threads on frame size though!) If I recall correctly it was something like "frame size is about the size of your bones, not the area they occupy - so you can have tiny bones and still have a wide ribcage (or hips)"</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/success-came-out-of-the-inasanity-unscathed#post-1831096 Sat, 29 Jul 2017 15:18:04 +0000 Stagiaire Fash 1831096@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p><b>Cindysmith</b> I just clicked through to your profile. "Filthy and out of control" is what I'm trying to rein in, lol.<br /> With all your changes going on, I bet having a consistent style helps, so you can grab whatever fits that day and it will work. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/success-came-out-of-the-inasanity-unscathed#post-1831046 Sat, 29 Jul 2017 12:34:33 +0000 cindysmith 1831046@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I love the navel gazing I see here! Dabbers always seem to dig deep when analyzing their closets or outfits or shopping habits, and I love that sort of introspection. I see so little of it IRL where I live.</p> <p>And I say coming home empty handed is a win. I wish I could do it more often, but weight fluctuations and lifestyle changes have left me with actual needs. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/success-came-out-of-the-inasanity-unscathed#post-1831012 Sat, 29 Jul 2017 07:52:23 +0000 rachylou 1831012@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>...Wha? How can having a bigger skeleton mean you don't have a bigger skeleton? </p> <p>Although, it's funny. I had a big Germanic lady doctor. Because I have Asian genes, she really felt I should be turn-sideways-and-disappear thin. But I have German genes too, and there is no way that was ever gonna happen. She may have been bigger than me, but no way either of us were ever gonna go to China and be able to shop 'til we dropped... </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/success-came-out-of-the-inasanity-unscathed#post-1830984 Sat, 29 Jul 2017 03:38:32 +0000 Stagiaire Fash 1830984@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thanks, <b>Angie</b>--for the comment and the blog! </p> <p>Things are getting curiouser and curiouser here. I realized a couple of days ago that those shorts I ordered probably aren't the greatest thing for me right now. Then UPS dropped off the box. I tried on a couple things; the black "celestial" tank is sweet and made me smile. I can see wearing it with my blush pants and maybe khaki or white as well. But otherwise I didn't really feel like going through everything. I've set it aside until I'm done with the closet edit, and have put a reminder on my phone of the last date to return things. I may break out a few things before then, like the blue tank, but am uncharacteristically disinterested in doing so.</p> <p><b>Anne</b>, I failed to get measured during my kid's games. The car battery is dying, so we had to find a neighbor to give us a jump, making us late to the gym. I ran out halfway through to start it to recharge the battery.... entirely too much hassle. But I did stop at the place where I always weigh myself (doing it at home would be a disaster--I'd be on the scale multiple times a day). Even though I think I have a higher % body fat than I did, I have not put the pounds back on, so that's a partial victory. Right now I'm 157 (with clothes and shoes, at the end of the day), nearly 30" waist. At 5'8.5" that weight is probably ok, but my tummy has gotten bigger, and I have less energy, so off I go. First thing to add back in is 5-10 min every day of Booty Burners. You don't have to find the actual thread, but can you recall how people argued that having bigger skeletal structure would not mean having a bigger skeleton, including rib cage? I can't figure out any logical argument there, and would like to understand.</p> <p><b>Liz</b>, is that around the weight you would've pegged me at? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/success-came-out-of-the-inasanity-unscathed#post-1830806 Fri, 28 Jul 2017 18:41:42 +0000 Angie 1830806@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>GOOD JOB.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/success-came-out-of-the-inasanity-unscathed#post-1830740 Fri, 28 Jul 2017 16:14:02 +0000 Stagiaire Fash 1830740@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Just for a laugh, look up Berlin or Oslo's forecast today, at the height of their summer. I guarantee it'll be like your winter. I love that weather, with time for sledding in between.<br /> Most of my life, I've felt like the young'un trying to keep up with the bigs, especially in grad school/at work. Getting back to work will be a serious change! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/success-came-out-of-the-inasanity-unscathed#post-1830729 Fri, 28 Jul 2017 15:45:21 +0000 anne 1830729@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Fashiontern our winters are quite mild. No snow or ice. Temps about 6-12 C at night to 15 to 22C in the day. But it's enough of a change from our hot summers to make me tend towards overeating. My devotion to Masterchef Australia doesn't help either! But it's over for 2017 now.<br /> Thanks for your positive comments. I am not overweight, it's the body weight percentage that's the issue. I have looked younger than I am most of my life and tried to look older as a young professional. I appreciate it now. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/success-came-out-of-the-inasanity-unscathed#post-1830683 Fri, 28 Jul 2017 14:02:16 +0000 Anonymous 1830683@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Congrats on your successful "non-shopping" trip!</p> <p>I can't recall off the top of my head who said "Elegance is refusal" - Vreeland? Chanel? Angie? - but it is so true! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/success-came-out-of-the-inasanity-unscathed#post-1830662 Fri, 28 Jul 2017 12:35:23 +0000 Stagiaire Fash 1830662@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Anne, I just clicked through to your profile to see who I'm talking to. What?! I never would've thought the woman in those pix had the mix you said. I also would've guessed you at around 30 years old. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/success-came-out-of-the-inasanity-unscathed#post-1830656 Fri, 28 Jul 2017 12:14:46 +0000 Stagiaire Fash 1830656@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I have demitasses too. There isn't a lot to lift up. Soma had several that worked, but weren't much different from what I have. The point is to wear the things, not have a bigger stockpile. The pic of me roller skating that i pulled out recently showed me that indeed, it is time--was time then--to put one on. So I tried on some other styles, including the bralettes. Those spread out the little bit I've got to be as flat and widespread as possible--not helpful! (Honestly, the Natori Feathers does a little of that too, but nowhere near this degree.) I might go back for one of these styles. I have one racerback and one x-back, so convertible would be good. </p> <p>Anne, keep it up! I should get measured when I'm at the gym tonight for my son's BB. Last time I did it was a couple months ago, and I was at 23%. Honestly, I don't think I've made any progress at all since then, have just been sitting on my, err, laurels from past progress. How wintery is it there? Can you go sledding and skating or is it just grey mush where you live? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/success-came-out-of-the-inasanity-unscathed#post-1830612 Fri, 28 Jul 2017 08:47:46 +0000 anne 1830612@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Well if it is <b>Rachylou</b>,&nbsp; I'll join you. I have the same, er, set up. But I tend to buy bras that push the (tiny amount of) bulk, back up again.</p> <p><b>Fashiontern </b>I know what you mean about frame. At 5"4 I'm on the brink between small and medium by wrist size.</p> <p>Somewhere in the mists of YLF history I argued about frame size affecting chest circumferance (and got some strong pushback to the idea - but we are talking 8-9 years ago, not the same people on the whole who are here now)</p> <p>My underbust is 30 but if I wore a bra that small (which would be an 8 in australian sizes, I think) it would be too tight for sure.</p> <p>BTW how are you going with the bodyfat thing? I was very impressed that you are aiming at 20%. I''m about 33/34 at the moment though I was down to 31 last Australian spring.The PT at my gym tells me I need to get down to 31 at least and insists there are women at our gym in their early 40s (my age ) who have got around 20%. I exercise a fair bit but am not great at restraining my appetite in winter!</p> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/success-came-out-of-the-inasanity-unscathed#post-1830608 Fri, 28 Jul 2017 07:52:15 +0000 rachylou 1830608@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Anne - that's a good point about style. Size is one thing, but also shape of the bra. I also now stick with balconette bras. I have kinda a low slung chest. nothing to fill the top half of a full cup. Lol. Is that TMI? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/success-came-out-of-the-inasanity-unscathed#post-1830581 Fri, 28 Jul 2017 04:36:16 +0000 Stagiaire Fash 1830581@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Liz, "big boned" is often used as a euphemism for "overweight", but some of us really do have big skeletal frames. </p> <p>That's part of why I go by inches and % bodyfat instead of weight when determining my physical fitness; bone and muscle both weigh more than fat.&nbsp; My amount of ft fat and muscle changes, but my bones are what they are--big! I expect a 36" underbust on someone with a delicate bone structure would look different from me. <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.livestrong.com/article/219938-how-to-know-your-body-frame/">http://www.livestrong.com/arti.....ody-frame/</a></p> <p>Besides, I had to borrow a bra once (pre-motherhood, when I was slimmer). It was 34" and I thought I was going to die--it was very difficult just to get the thing closed, lol. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/success-came-out-of-the-inasanity-unscathed#post-1830578 Fri, 28 Jul 2017 04:23:48 +0000 Stagiaire Fash 1830578@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Jenn, great idea! I hope I remember it when I'm ready for it. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/success-came-out-of-the-inasanity-unscathed#post-1830576 Fri, 28 Jul 2017 04:22:03 +0000 Liz A. 1830576@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I would think smaller. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/success-came-out-of-the-inasanity-unscathed#post-1830575 Fri, 28 Jul 2017 04:21:32 +0000 Stagiaire Fash 1830575@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>"permission not to buy."</p> <p>Rachylou, yep, that's all the words necessary! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/success-came-out-of-the-inasanity-unscathed#post-1830572 Fri, 28 Jul 2017 04:17:17 +0000 Stagiaire Fash 1830572@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Liz, do you think the band would be bigger or smaller? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/success-came-out-of-the-inasanity-unscathed#post-1830568 Fri, 28 Jul 2017 04:02:31 +0000 Liz A. 1830568@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Not to beat a dead horse, but I'm looking at your pictures and finding it extremely hard to believe that you could wear a 36 band. &nbsp;I don't have a lot of faith in Soma for doing a good bra fitting (or Nordstrom for that matter). &nbsp;I was told the wrong size at Nordstrom as well. &nbsp;Try this <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.reddit.com/r/ABraThatFits/wiki/beginners_guide">website </a>for a more accurate fit in my opinion. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/success-came-out-of-the-inasanity-unscathed#post-1830563 Fri, 28 Jul 2017 03:55:12 +0000 anne 1830563@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I like that swingy A line top outfit too. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/success-came-out-of-the-inasanity-unscathed#post-1830561 Fri, 28 Jul 2017 03:53:42 +0000 Firecracker (Sharan) 1830561@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>This was a fun read; you captured the obstacle course that is the "nice' mall! Great job of being thoughtful about potential purchases, and your outfit looks great. I like the look of that swingy A-line top with the long, slim denim shorts. The outfit shows off your shoulders and legs nicely. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/success-came-out-of-the-inasanity-unscathed#post-1830547 Fri, 28 Jul 2017 03:24:52 +0000 anne 1830547@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Well done. A note on the bra thing - it might not just be the size&nbsp; - could be the style thing - hopefully someone will chime in and say more on this (I can hardly talk - I've just decided that two bras handed down to me recently will "do" and I don't need to buy any!) </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/success-came-out-of-the-inasanity-unscathed#post-1830534 Fri, 28 Jul 2017 02:52:54 +0000 rachylou 1830534@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Oh, I think this is really good. You're honing in. This *is* really how one gets a cohesive, functional wardrobe. I believe that heart and soul. This is one of the things I've gotten from<br /> Angie and YLF that has been most valuable: permission not to buy.</p> <p>...which sounds a little crazy. But I think y'all know what I mean. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/success-came-out-of-the-inasanity-unscathed#post-1830514 Fri, 28 Jul 2017 01:48:51 +0000 Aquamarine 1830514@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Isn't it amazing how you can hear Angie's voice (and the forum members) in your head when you shop? Sometimes shopping success *is* walking away from that sale or that item that's only a 7 out of 10....not settling and shopping for YOUR life are probably the best lessons I've learned here. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/success-came-out-of-the-inasanity-unscathed#post-1830507 Fri, 28 Jul 2017 01:27:11 +0000 Jenn 1830507@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Congratulations! It sounds like all the thinking and analyzing is paying off in more careful shopping.</p> <p>One thing that really helped me when I first joined the YLF forums was planning a try-on-only shopping trip. If you feel like you can do it, head to the mall sometime and, instead of steeling yourself and walking past everything, grab ALL THE THINGS that appeal to you, even in the slightest, and take them into the dressing room. Take photos and really think about what works and what doesn't, and why. Then go home without buying. You'll learn a lot! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/success-came-out-of-the-inasanity-unscathed#post-1830500 Fri, 28 Jul 2017 01:20:20 +0000 Joyce B 1830500@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>That was a great read, good for you that you didn't buy what you didn't need! I should keep your post handy! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/success-came-out-of-the-inasanity-unscathed#post-1830493 Fri, 28 Jul 2017 01:07:05 +0000 Stagiaire Fash 1830493@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Caution: navel gazing ahead</p> <p>This isn't just an "I didn't let myself touch my wallet" comment. I think I'm learning things here on the blog that are paying off by me not paying out irl. </p> <p>We went to lunch at the "nice" mall. As we walked in, the lightweight fabric of the cream-colored summer dress on the woman ahead of us swung a little bit in the breeze. It was loose and flowing and casual and looked great with her stacked heels and tote bag. There were several other women in breezy, swingy summer things. I thought "I should get something like that. Yeah. It looks so nice". And then I remembered the style thinking I've been doing and realized that there was nothing RATE about those dresses, most of them weren't strong colors, they didn't have much structure (except for exposed shoulders/ collarbones)--I wouldn't wear them. If I did, I wouldn't feel fresh and breezy like they looked. I'd feel like the Staypuff Marshmallow man rolling through Manhattan. Then I thought a tiny bit further and realized that the very top I had on has a little bit of flow to it, with its slightly longer back and curved hem, and was balanced by my jeans shorts--they're not terribly rough, but do contrast with the eyelet lace. (I think i should've rolled the shorts up a tad, and hope the shells on my necklace weren't hidden irl the way they are in this photo, but otherwise think I look alright). So thanks, YLF! </p> <p>I've lost weight, have a bit more to go, and some tightening up to get back to. So I needed to have a bra fitting. Where else to go but Nordy's, especially when their annual sale is in full swing? Last year I got one of their store brand bras and a Feathers set in the same size I've worn forever during the sale. Why not go for a repeat? </p> <p>I'll tell you why not. I walked into that store, past the St John's Bay and other designers and thought "ooooh, let's look at the sales rack". I made myself keep going. Next was Topshop "their stuff is so cute, I should pick up some de-jiggling mojo". Made myself keep going. It was crazy. Decided to leave the store, walked through a display of a label I've never heard of and saw a _cute_ grey dress. Then right by the exit I saw a pair of EF leggings. They were petite, but further in they must have them in my size.... aaack! I barely made it out. </p> <p>I had the fitting done at a Soma a couple doors down. The saleswoman measured me, asked what I've been wearing, and confirmed that she had come up with the same size. I tried on half a dozen bras. None of them seemed all that amazing, and I have 36Bs at home, so I left without buying anything. </p> <p>But those Munroe tuxedo loafers were stuck in my head. I made like Ulysses tied to the mast and got down the escalator to shoes. I found the Munroes, imagined wearing them with various combos of black, wine, green, camel, and brown skirts and pants of varying lengths and cuts. Then I realized that isn't what I've ever worn, and those shoes would be at best occasional wear for me. I put them back and looked at blue Ugg! loafers. Want! The Halogen sandals in various colors were on sale and seriously cute. They looked practical and versatile too. And the Ecco sandals! But I didn't try any, because I kept wondering what I'd wear them with. I'd think about things in my closet and realize that although shoe x might pair up with a particular orphan, I didn't have a clear idea of what to buy, so I moved on. Yay me. And TY, YLF. </p> <p>Then I got a little bit smarter and realized that I don't wear out the soles of my shoes living here; the uppers look worn, but the soles are ok. As little walking as my daily life includes, I don't need to spend money on shoes, especially not if I'm experimenting with new looks. Dressing for the life I have now. Ty, YLF. So I went to Call It Spring and found they have several shoes I'd like to try, if that turns out to be what will work with the wardrobe and style I come up with. They also have a fabric colorway I like better (for me) than the Munroes, sadly available only in heels too high for everyday. </p> <p>As seasonally fashionable as those women in the summer shifts were, they were not the most stylish people there. There was a couple I ran into a couple of times. He sat across from me in the central area of the mall, waiting for his wife. He was wearing a peachy-orange shirt that made his medium brown skin glow, and his gently tied back grey dreadlocks look elegant. When he stood up, I saw he was wearing straight-leg blue jeans and brown loafers that went well with the shirt. But what really made me happy was when he went over to his wife, also in her late 60s, and I noticed that she had on a dress with a blush background that coordinated with his shirt, but was not matchy-matchy. They looked effortlessly elegant and reinforced that being young and slim is not what it's all about. They'd have to share the Best Dressed award with a little girl. She had long, dark, slightly curly hair, very dark eyes, and a slightly olive complexion. She was wearing a dark floral dress and silver ballet slippers with an ankle strap. She looked absolutely stylish and like she could absolutely run across the playground, jump on the swing, and do all the things a seven-year old is supposed to do. Dressing for the life you have now. Beautiful. </p> <p>Last example--fedora at Dillards. Picked it up, couldn't find a mirror, shrugged &amp; put it down. I have no idea if I'll need that Ty, YLF. </p> <p>Not scoring a single thing is a strange kind of success story, but this is so much better than coming home having "saved" a bunch of money on stuff, and then digging around to see what would go with it. I'm learning to look, as in browsing for myself and as in noticing details about what other people are wearing. And recognizing that my thing that I'm wearing can fit in a profile I think looks nice on others was pretty neat too. So today was a good day. </p>