https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/terrified-of-prints Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Sun, 17 May 2026 12:53:02 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/terrified-of-prints#post-822659 Fri, 18 Jan 2013 20:27:40 +0000 kimlee 822659@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Believe it or not for the longest, I had a fashion phobia about printed skirts. I have muscular thighs (thank you genetics, running + weight training) and was always afraid that a print would draw attention to them. But now, I rock my printed skirts!</p> <p>Still won't wear white thought... (((shudders)))) </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/terrified-of-prints#post-822543 Fri, 18 Jan 2013 18:10:12 +0000 rachylou 822543@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>(k, you quoted Cold Comfort Farm! I love you! Lol.) </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/terrified-of-prints#post-822459 Fri, 18 Jan 2013 16:52:36 +0000 K. Period. 822459@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Ooooh! I love Liz's idea!!! And I'd ask them to explain why they chose that particular item. Knowing the thought process that goes behind a choice is the most important thing. It's the tool to add to your tool kit. Like the mind-blowing (for me) rule that I learned from What Not to Wear. For advanced outfit mixing, you've got to have color, pattern, texture and shine. I was watching WN2W about a year and a half ago and Clinton rattled that off and then the show just continued like nothing had happened. Meanwhile, I sat there stunned, jaw on the floor. It gave me a checklist of ideas for how to make my outfits more complex. Not that I always have all four of those elements in every outfit, but when something seems to be missing, when an outfit seems blah, I rattle that off and see if any of those components will bump it up. It almost always does! So, that little phrase opened my eyes entirely to a new way to dissect outfits that I like and a new way to put together outfits. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/terrified-of-prints#post-822285 Fri, 18 Jan 2013 14:56:54 +0000 Missey 822285@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I am with you on the fear of prints...unless it is on a dress, then I'm ok. I also fear white and am adverse to button down shirts. Ridiculous, but true. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/terrified-of-prints#post-822183 Fri, 18 Jan 2013 13:05:39 +0000 Liz 822183@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thistle, I understand the fashion thing not coming naturally!<br /> What do you think about this as an idea for you? Post one of your outfit photos and invite the forum to upgrade and accessorize it — what scarf, necklace, etc. would they add? Would they swap your current top for a printed one? Add a colored cardigan or jacket? (ask them to post links or photos so you can see something concrete). Seeing what different people would do might be a simple way to see a whole lot of options you’d never think of or stumble across otherwise. One or two of them might be something you’d want to try! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/terrified-of-prints#post-821978 Fri, 18 Jan 2013 04:18:15 +0000 MsLuna 821978@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>@Thistle: While I don't share your terror for prints (almost every dress and every top I have is a graphical print - it's ridiculous!) I also have a fashion phobia. A bunch, actually :)</p> <p>I am with rachylou andy Diana: I'm afraid of WHITE clothing - except when it comes to moto jackets. For some reason I'm all over white moto jackets...</p> <p>I'm afraid of garments with waist seams. Being a rectangle with apple tendencies, waist seams make me look wider and I find them incredibly uncomfortable as well.</p> <p>Oh and I have a solids phobia too (lol @Natalie). Although I'm drawn to vibrant jewel tones, I feel self-conscious about overemphasizing my large torso with solids. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/terrified-of-prints#post-821954 Fri, 18 Jan 2013 03:57:41 +0000 Mo 821954@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Funny, I used to almost default to prints 10 years ago. I guess they supplied the 'oomph' factor for me without having to think any further than that. I have gotten progressively further away from prints, but now really like finding just the right one to add. Guess it's all relative, but a well chosen one can add a lot to standard neutral basics. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/terrified-of-prints#post-821925 Fri, 18 Jan 2013 03:22:48 +0000 dizzys 821925@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I find I don't like most of the pattern choices out there. Mostly all I see is crazy variations on animal print. With a million colors. Not my preference. I do enjoy the one color smaller patterns. Little dots or birds or something. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/terrified-of-prints#post-821853 Fri, 18 Jan 2013 02:24:02 +0000 K. Period. 821853@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Oh Thistle, big hugs. You may not expect it, but I know exactly what you mean. I've actually got another perspective to add too. </p> <p>Most of my friends would probably describe me as pretty fashion savvy and I would say that most of them would have said that all the way back into my 20s (I'm *ahem* not near my 20s now). At least as far as small town fashion went in the '90s. </p> <p>All through middle school and high school I was completely and utterly clueless about fashion. It wasn't that I didn't want to know about it. I just didn't have anyone to teach me and I had no money at all to spend on clothes. In retrospect, I think a lot of the gals who dressed so well back then, the gals with innate fashion sense, were actually young women whose mothers knew about it and who had disposable income to spend on clothes. I think that that's how some women get a head start. No judgment in that, just an observation (and maybe a little wish that I'd had that help too.) </p> <p>Like you, I struggled and scrabbled for every little bit of knowledge that finally came together for me. I probably started earlier, but I didn't have anything as amazing as this forum to help me learn things either. It just takes time. And you've got an instruction book and a cheer leading section all wrapped up in one in YLF. I bet next year, when you look back on this, your head is going to spin when you think about how much you've learned and how far you've come. I bet it already is! I'm nearing my one year point and mine certainly is! </p> <p>(And I really hope that Suz weighs in on this because I think she probably knows exactly what you mean and you'd never guess it to look at the fabulous fashionista that she is now!) </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/terrified-of-prints#post-821839 Fri, 18 Jan 2013 02:09:19 +0000 Thistle 821839@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Honestly, I just never how to "match" them, so I avoided them. My first three years out of college, I owned black, navy and charcoal shirts. All I ever wore with them were white or cream shirts. When my mom looked in my closet to help me pack when I was moving apartments, she asked me where the color was. My reply: I thought only cream matched charcoal and navy.</p> <p>Some people are born with fashion sense. And some of us have to scrabble for every snippet we learn! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/terrified-of-prints#post-821834 Fri, 18 Jan 2013 02:03:10 +0000 Loves Tea 821834@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Hi Thistle! I'm also pretty scared of prints. I have a funny story about it actually. I finally got up my courage and bought a blouse with a subtle pink and grey geometric pattern. When I wore it to work, my manager (who has great fashion sense) complimented my blouse and I was so relieved! I told her I was afraid it was inappropriate for work, that it looked more like I should wear it to a dance club, all because of the prints! She laughed at me. I wear that blouse regularly now and I have incorporated 2 other shirts with prints in my wardrobe, but I'm a solids girl and I feel like that's totally fine. Only worry about your fear of prints if it bothers you, no one else matters! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/terrified-of-prints#post-821810 Fri, 18 Jan 2013 01:32:04 +0000 Nicole D 821810@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>If you fear prints, why don;t you try texture first - like tweed or a subtle check? Baby steps! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/terrified-of-prints#post-821805 Fri, 18 Jan 2013 01:29:04 +0000 Anonymous 821805@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I weary of BIG PRINTS. I have a dress that;'s all printy that I am OK in. I LOVE printed scarves and accesories and I am trying to like printed bottoms.</p> <p>I am scared of belts. I have no bum whatsoever so they usually just fall of WITH the pants, and they cinch my Mommy Tummy that I am out of reasons to excuse (my son is 6)</p> <p>I threw in a photo of the One Day Phobia Overcome for some inspiration! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/terrified-of-prints#post-821799 Fri, 18 Jan 2013 01:24:46 +0000 pil 821799@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>What about easing in with a tone on tone? That is, if you even want to "go there".</p> <p>I'm on my ipad and don't know how to post pics with it. Something like this gigantic link but in a wrap of course : )</p> <p><a href="http://piperlime.gap.com/browse/product.do?pid=328880&#038;locale=en_US&#038;kwid=1&#038;sem=false&#038;sdReferer=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com%2Fsearch%3Fum%3D1%26hl%3Den%26safe%3Doff%26client%3Dsafari%26tbo%3Dd%26biw%3D1024%26bih%3D690%26tbm%3Disch%26sa%3D1%26q%3Dtone%2Bon%2Btone%2Bpolka%2Bdot%2Bwrap%2Bshirt%26oq%3Dtone%2Bon%2Btone%2Bpolka%2Bdot%2Bwrap%2Bshirt%26gs_l%3Dimg.3" rel="nofollow">http://piperlime.gap.com/brows....._l%3Dimg.3</a>...3913.4557.0.5627.5.2.0.0.0.0.0.0..0.0...0.0...1ac.1.Guv8kk4XE0c </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/terrified-of-prints#post-821784 Fri, 18 Jan 2013 01:10:52 +0000 Day Vies 821784@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I used to be terribly afraid of prints. I thought they attracted too much attention, and I believed I had no clue how to mix and match them. I am still more likely to reach for a solid before a print. I've realized that life is more fun with a print. I still do not have an overwhelming amount of print (consciously working on adding more for the past 18 months), but baby steps are OK. Start with a pretty scarf -- low commitment and easy to snatch off if your get scared. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/terrified-of-prints#post-821623 Thu, 17 Jan 2013 21:10:48 +0000 Amy 821623@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>A scarf is a good way to experiment with wearing a print </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/terrified-of-prints#post-821600 Thu, 17 Jan 2013 20:43:19 +0000 Jules 821600@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I think prints are going to be your friend You look great in your new printed items! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/terrified-of-prints#post-821599 Thu, 17 Jan 2013 20:41:46 +0000 shedev 821599@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thistle, maybe you could start really small, like a printed belt. =)<br /> Linda, that would be an awesome challenge idea. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/terrified-of-prints#post-821592 Thu, 17 Jan 2013 20:21:33 +0000 K. Period. 821592@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Neon. &lt;&lt;Shudder&gt;&gt; I can see it for accessories, but near my face? Ever? To quote Cold Comfort Farm, &lt;&lt;shudder&gt;&gt;"No, Flora. No." </p> <p>Believe it or not, I was pretty terrified of prints only a few years ago. I didn't really know how to integrate them into my looks and solids were always so safe. Then two things came together for me. After having my son, I realized just how incredibly helpful (necessary) prints were for hiding kid ick on your clothes in an emergency (let down, anyone?) and the post child-birth lumps and bumps. Plus I got bored. I just felt like all my solids lacked oomph and my style was classic, but boring. I worked on that for a while and a few years in found YLF and I've been a print fanatic ever since. Not only do I have lots of prints in my wardrobe, but I'm working on mixing prints. It's a whole new world of fun. What surprised me most? How incredibly adaptable prints were. They can be much more adaptable than solids. A mix of color, in particular, allows you to mix and match them with many more things than a solid might work with. They are like getting multiple solids all in one! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/terrified-of-prints#post-821591 Thu, 17 Jan 2013 20:21:24 +0000 milehighstyle (Linda) 821591@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Oooooh - this could be a challenge idea! Overcome your fashion phobia for one day! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/terrified-of-prints#post-821585 Thu, 17 Jan 2013 20:13:13 +0000 Angie 821585@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Don't worry, Thistle! I have clients who are terrified of patterns too. You might find this post helpful:</p> <p><a href="http://youlookfab.com/2010/06/07/breaking-patterns-into-a-wardrobe/" rel="nofollow">http://youlookfab.com/2010/06/.....-wardrobe/</a></p> <p>Or just stick to solids :)</p> <p>I'm chuckling at Natalie's phobia for solids. </p> <p>Rachy and Diana, I will wear white for you. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/terrified-of-prints#post-821574 Thu, 17 Jan 2013 19:54:40 +0000 Anonymous 821574@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thistle, I'm very similar. I don't gravitate towards prints in general, but I do like geometric ones (stripes, checks or asymmetrical dots or something abstract). I like animal print in small doses - shoes or gloves, but not a shirt per se. You're not alone! It's worth adding a little something to your wardrobe, though, I assure you! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/terrified-of-prints#post-821566 Thu, 17 Jan 2013 19:35:05 +0000 Diana 821566@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I'm with Rachy. I'm afraid of white. I'm also convinced that I'm going to spill some red wine or red sauce on my wedding dress! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/terrified-of-prints#post-821564 Thu, 17 Jan 2013 19:33:01 +0000 milehighstyle (Linda) 821564@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Head to toe black </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/terrified-of-prints#post-821548 Thu, 17 Jan 2013 19:19:03 +0000 goldenpig 821548@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I'm afraid of solids, Thistle. LOL! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/terrified-of-prints#post-821547 Thu, 17 Jan 2013 19:18:05 +0000 rachylou 821547@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>White, definitely white. About the only thing white that I'm not afraid of is short, white, eyelet summer dresses. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/terrified-of-prints#post-821527 Thu, 17 Jan 2013 19:01:41 +0000 Thistle 821527@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Yes, it's true. I am terrified of prints. I came to this realization as I was trying to shop for a scarf for my coat. Them I looked in my closet. </p> <p>No flowers.<br /> No stripes.<br /> No dots.<br /> Nothing whimsical.<br /> No patterns.</p> <p>The ONLY prints I own are ones I have bought since joining YLF after getting a little nudge in that direction. I did not even own a scarf, not one, before YLF. </p> <p>Anyone else out there have a fashion phobia? </p>