https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/taking-nice-up-a-notch Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Fri, 17 Apr 2026 10:40:39 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/taking-nice-up-a-notch#post-1415032 Wed, 24 Dec 2014 03:23:06 +0000 Dimity 1415032@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>torontogirl, I just wanted to let you know that I borrowed the Ines de la Fressange book from the library and read it last night. There was a line in there that says 'do not cling blindly to everything that suited you when you were 30. You've changed, times have changed, and fashion has, too.'</p> <p>And I realised that that's what I've been unconsciously doing. I need to embrace the new and move on.</p> <p>So, thanks for recommending the book. It has changed my outlook!</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/taking-nice-up-a-notch#post-1413452 Fri, 19 Dec 2014 21:13:08 +0000 Dimity 1413452@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Oooh, Beth Ann, I love the idea of less time and money spent! And actually, it would be more interesting to do something that I haven't done before. I'll suggest these options to my hairdresser when I go in. I've never done a gloss before; it sounds nice. Thanks. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/taking-nice-up-a-notch#post-1413108 Fri, 19 Dec 2014 02:12:08 +0000 Beth Ann 1413108@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Dimity, you might ask your hairdresser about something lower maintenance.&nbsp; A glosser or a brighter single process would be easier, and the right choice can bring light brown hair to life with less time and money! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/taking-nice-up-a-notch#post-1413015 Thu, 18 Dec 2014 22:45:15 +0000 Dimity 1413015@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Beth Ann, I agree. I need to go to a good salon and get a really good cut and maybe some highlights. I have mousy brown hair which I think is making me look faded and drab. I used to get highlights but got so tired of just sitting there for ages. Obviously I need to toughen up in the name of beauty! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/taking-nice-up-a-notch#post-1412790 Thu, 18 Dec 2014 14:22:54 +0000 Beth Ann 1412790@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I second the others regarding the importance of footwear to a refreshed look!&nbsp; I've found Angie's recommendations for style refreshers/renewals to also be helpful.&nbsp; Check this one out:<br /><a href="http://youlookfab.com/2012/01/04/style-renewal-versus-style-refresher/" rel="nofollow">http://youlookfab.com/2012/01/.....refresher/</a></p> <p>Could your hair and specs help update your classic pieces, too?&nbsp; My last cut was not a big change, but it was a poor cut, and <i>it's driving me crazy!</i>&nbsp; On the other hand, fresh hair can be such a big pick me up!</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/taking-nice-up-a-notch#post-1412733 Thu, 18 Dec 2014 10:35:47 +0000 Dimity 1412733@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Yeah, that's tough. It's pretty hard to knowingly pay more, even when it's a good cause. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/taking-nice-up-a-notch#post-1412729 Thu, 18 Dec 2014 10:31:28 +0000 Deborah 1412729@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>It is! &nbsp;But the unfortunate thing is that I find I can get better prices on line. &nbsp;I would love to buy from her shop more often to support her. but... </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/taking-nice-up-a-notch#post-1412728 Thu, 18 Dec 2014 10:28:08 +0000 Dimity 1412728@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Deborah, Oh! That would be so hard, knowing that foot candy was just 5 minutes away. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/taking-nice-up-a-notch#post-1412725 Thu, 18 Dec 2014 10:08:44 +0000 Deborah 1412725@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Dimity I have a pair of D&amp;J ankle boots and a pair of sandals (my favourites) and the comfort level and quality is second to none. &nbsp; &nbsp;One of my girlfriends owns a lovely shoe shop (5 mins from my house) and she stocks some of their range...such temptation.</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/taking-nice-up-a-notch#post-1412720 Thu, 18 Dec 2014 09:29:20 +0000 Dimity 1412720@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Firecracker, that link's a great help. It makes a lot of sense and I think I'm going to have a serious look at getting a hair update (shoes and bags are also in the works, and I don't wear glasses except for reading and mine are actually surprisingly current!). I've been getting it cut at the uni hairdresser and well...maybe I shouldn't!&nbsp;I think I'm a walking 'before' picture.</p> <p>Deborah, I've just been looking at those brands you mentioned. I hadn't heard of Django &amp; Juliette&nbsp;before, and have I been missing out! They're gorgeous. I found that there's a few stores in Brisbane that carry them, so I'm going to try some on. There are several that I want right now, and they look as though you could walk in them all day, too.<br />Thanks!</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/taking-nice-up-a-notch#post-1412691 Thu, 18 Dec 2014 04:53:51 +0000 Deborah 1412691@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Dimity I haven't bought footwear from the USA.&nbsp;But I buy my shoes all over the place.&nbsp; Hush Puppies and Django and Juliette are nice brands.&nbsp; Wittner is great, Nine West.&nbsp; Oroton do beautiful flats.&nbsp; Lots of choices here. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/taking-nice-up-a-notch#post-1412690 Thu, 18 Dec 2014 04:49:56 +0000 Firecracker (Sharan) 1412690@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I think another way to add interest is to revisit your classics and make sure they are current. Or upgrade a lower quality workhorse to something that feels a little more luxurious. (I say workhorse, because that way when you invest in quality, you know it's something you'll use a lot.) <br />I really got a lot out of this post by Angie: <a href="http://youlookfab.com/2014/09/11/four-shortcuts-to-a-more-current-style/" rel="nofollow">Four Shorcuts to a More Current Style</a>. These are things you can do while staying with your own sense of style and within your comfort zone, if you're not looking for a lot of change.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/taking-nice-up-a-notch#post-1412685 Thu, 18 Dec 2014 04:13:00 +0000 Dimity 1412685@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Caro, I've just been looking at the Sole Devotion website. Wow! I love their shoes. They are just so much fun. I'm definitely going to have to figure a pair or two into the budget.&nbsp;I'll also check out your other suggestions, thank you.</p> <p>Torontogirl, those are great suggestions. I think I've been tending to go too safe with everything, so I need to get a little more playful and have a bit of fun with it all. &nbsp;I'll see if I can find that book; I've seen it before but didn't look at it properly.</p> <p>Aida, I love pointy and almond toe shoes, and I've got them on my shopping list. But I also need to explore your other ideas, like unusual colour combinations. I was thinking about what you said and remembered that while I've always liked red, black and white together, somehow it just seems boring lately. Then I thought what if I pair the red with camel instead, or brown, like in Angie's recent post. Then the same things in my wardrobe start to get interesting again. Yeah! Textures too.&nbsp;Thanks for this. It's going to help a lot.</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/taking-nice-up-a-notch#post-1412650 Thu, 18 Dec 2014 02:22:58 +0000 Aida 1412650@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Mixing styles is a great way. Anything that adds something "unexpected" will work: juxtaposed styles, unusual color combos, interesting mixes of textures, a classic item in an unusual fabrication or color, and right now a little seasonal confusion works too. Do you wear jeans? Pairing a more classic piece with trendier denim works pretty nicely too, or even a more classic jean with a faded wash. If you haven't upgraded your footwear in a good long while, I would suggest starting there as well. Updated footwear goes a <i>long</i> way into the perceived stylishness of an outfit. Pointy/almond toes don't seem to be going anywhere any time soon, so that's one idea. A fashionable bootie is another. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/taking-nice-up-a-notch#post-1412637 Thu, 18 Dec 2014 01:52:08 +0000 Helena 1412637@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Yes, I think you've got it - adding an unexpected element seems to be the way to do it (not that I do this!) - if you read that Ines de la Fressange book, she had all sorts of examples of how to mix things up, such as "wear a pearl necklace with a rock n' roll t-shirt (not a shift dress)", "wear a tuxedo jacket with sneakers (not femme fatale stilettos). </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/taking-nice-up-a-notch#post-1412629 Thu, 18 Dec 2014 01:08:34 +0000 Caro in Oz 1412629@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>All over (I love footwear). I bought some Angie picks from Nordstroms in the US. I've bought from German websites. Also SoleDevotion in Oz - Melbourne &amp; Brisbane not sure if they are anywhere else.&nbsp;I've also had luck at Wittners &amp; DJs. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/taking-nice-up-a-notch#post-1412624 Thu, 18 Dec 2014 00:49:54 +0000 Dimity 1412624@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thanks, Caro and Deborah. Where do you go for footwear? I haven't bought any decent shoes for ages (like nearly a decade!)&nbsp;but this year I've promised myself some. Do you buy from places like Zappos or other US stores&nbsp;and take the risk with fitting or is there a chain in Australia that you recommend?&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/taking-nice-up-a-notch#post-1412617 Thu, 18 Dec 2014 00:20:23 +0000 Caro in Oz 1412617@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>For me it starts with the footwear &amp; then like Deborah I wear&nbsp;one more modern or drape-y or edgy item with the classic pieces.&nbsp;&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/taking-nice-up-a-notch#post-1412612 Wed, 17 Dec 2014 23:58:47 +0000 Deborah 1412612@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Great question.&nbsp; I think you may have answered&nbsp;it already&nbsp;:)&nbsp; I personally find that creating juxtapositions of edgy and classic, as you suggest, is a great way to move from 'nice' to stylish.&nbsp; I love to put unexpected pieces together.&nbsp; I am thinking of Angie's formula for de-bombshelling a pencil skirt.&nbsp; Today I am wearing a midi length tube skirt (pencil skirt) with an oversized draped top and open toe shooties.&nbsp; The skirt is really quite classic but the top and footwear modern.&nbsp; I like to think that by creating these juxtapositions, we create outfits that are more uniquely "us".. I think these are things that help us to create our signature styles.&nbsp; Of the very few days that I am required to wear a suit to work, I will generally wear classic straight leg trousers, and modern cut jacket, but I will always wear a top or blouse that is not classic.&nbsp; It will be something with interesting draping, an unusual neckline etc.&nbsp; something that you might not expect to be worn with the suit.</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/taking-nice-up-a-notch#post-1412608 Wed, 17 Dec 2014 23:47:05 +0000 Dimity 1412608@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I've been thinking lately about what takes 'nice' up a notch to stylish. I think I usually dress reasonably&nbsp;nicely, but it can get a bit boring and stuck in classic, sweet, a little too churchy&nbsp;mode. So how do you get out of that and into wow?</p> <p>I'm wondering if it can be&nbsp;juxtapositions of edgy with classic that make things interesting? Unexpected with predictable? For example, I'm thinking about getting a pair of lace up Dr Martens to wear with my kilt and other winter skirts that can look too classic. I love the kick of the unexpected pairing. What do you think?</p> <p>I guess I'm asking how you take a perfectly reasonable okay look to make it more interesting. Do you have any tricks? </p>