YouLookFab Forum » Topic: Testing the "Equipment"

YouLookFab Forum » Topic: Testing the "Equipment" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/testing-the-equipment Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Sat, 25 Apr 2026 16:31:26 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 <![CDATA[Search]]> q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php jackiec on "Testing the "Equipment"" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/testing-the-equipment/page/2#post-1274024 Mon, 09 Jun 2014 23:42:24 +0000 jackiec 1274024@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Ok - I flipped through your photos before reading your description and literally said "oh wow!" when I got to the shirt with the citron jacket! So there you go. I love how you've mixed the shirt in so many variations. My fav is with the BFs and cons. They are all great! The print might be dainty but it seems like a totally workable and fun piece. You are so stylish rachylou on "Testing the "Equipment"" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/testing-the-equipment/page/2#post-1273968 Mon, 09 Jun 2014 22:53:43 +0000 rachylou 1273968@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I love the citron jacket on you with the Equipment blouse. It's a great blouse. I will admit they both seem a bit of a style departure to me... Inge on "Testing the "Equipment"" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/testing-the-equipment/page/2#post-1272664 Sun, 08 Jun 2014 10:12:15 +0000 Inge 1272664@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Vicki, you already knew I feel the same way about the floral print shirt as Angie and Aida. You are styling your shirt like a pro, and it looks amazing on you. (I also love the black and white print shirt, is there room in your closet for both? asks the enabler;-) And I was thinking the same thing as Karie about the stove;-) Suz on "Testing the "Equipment"" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/testing-the-equipment/page/2#post-1272577 Sun, 08 Jun 2014 03:29:35 +0000 Suz 1272577@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Hahah - Karie, you are so funny!! I am going to join you in that kitchen, sister. But we'd better put aprons on over top of our new J. Crew clothes!!  :) Karie on "Testing the "Equipment"" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/testing-the-equipment#post-1272558 Sun, 08 Jun 2014 02:58:30 +0000 Karie 1272558@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ OK, I read the first couple of responses but not all, not yet - I actually like the floral, especially tucked with the white trousers. But YOU have to love it, so as Angie taught me at the Boston meet-up, if you don't love it, then NEXT! I also love the blouse in the last photo. I think you're purchasing Equipment print blouses instead of solids because Equipment makes such gorgeous print blouses, and you look fantastic in them!  Now on to that wonderful stove in the background! How many burners are on that baby? WOW! I'd like to come over and test that equipment! Jaime on "Testing the "Equipment"" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/testing-the-equipment#post-1272543 Sun, 08 Jun 2014 02:32:05 +0000 Jaime 1272543@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Tricky. I love #2,3 and 4 so much that I cannot be objective about whether it is because or despite the top. Not that I have anything against the top! I therefore defer to the wisdom above. Angie on "Testing the "Equipment"" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/testing-the-equipment#post-1272231 Sat, 07 Jun 2014 16:39:49 +0000 Angie 1272231@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I'm with Suz and Aida - and possibly even more of a spanner.  I LOVE #1, #2, #3 and #6. You are TOTALLY rocking that ditsy floral - and why can't this blouse be your wild card? You pulled together the look with a Vicki-Support-Act. Brilliant and killer. FWIW, I vote end of story.  Vix on "Testing the "Equipment"" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/testing-the-equipment#post-1272224 Sat, 07 Jun 2014 16:19:34 +0000 Vix 1272224@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Hi Vicki -- I'm not reading other responses because while I think you have Done What You Can Do by surrounding the blouse with great/cool/fun modern elements, I don't think this blouse is "you." And I think a HUGE part of it is the color. Yes, there's yellow in there and you're blond, but to me your best looks -- ones that seem to capture the Vicki energy -- come from warm brights. I also think ditzy prints can be dangerous territory for we over 40s...though I have to say I saw a photo of 10 y.o. me in a tiny Liberty-esque print and it looked pretty bad on me then, too. ;) I won't cry if you keep it but I think you can do better. MuseumGal on "Testing the "Equipment"" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/testing-the-equipment#post-1272203 Sat, 07 Jun 2014 15:35:33 +0000 MuseumGal 1272203@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I like the top.  I think it would look fab with a few open buttons at the neck to break things up a bit. unfrumped on "Testing the "Equipment"" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/testing-the-equipment#post-1272066 Sat, 07 Jun 2014 12:30:29 +0000 unfrumped 1272066@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I see what you mean with the print. Though blonde, you really can take more high- contrast. I like it best with the dark moto and with the brights. I like the B&W print better , so if you love it, that's the point, but I think you can wear an even stronger / larger pattern and " visual contrast" than that , if you wanted to keep looking. Anonymous on "Testing the "Equipment"" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/testing-the-equipment#post-1271963 Sat, 07 Jun 2014 04:07:23 +0000 Anonymous 1271963@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Hey there Vicki! You know I loved that small floral blue and yellow blouse on you (and guys, the pictures do not do it justice) however you really must trust your gut. Something can look fantastic on you, but if it doesn't feel like "you", it will hang in your closet unworn.  The black and white blouse is a small enough print that it has a soft "reading" at any distance, coming across as a grey false plain almost. If that one feels more like you, I think you should keep it, or at least keep it as a contender against the Vince blouse you have coming. Which one did you order? Anonymous on "Testing the "Equipment"" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/testing-the-equipment#post-1271961 Sat, 07 Jun 2014 04:02:38 +0000 Anonymous 1271961@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Vickie, I was going to say that the first blouse looks great on you but not what I think of as your style, then read Suz's reply. I wonder how the floral would look paired with your windowpane pants or other patterned piece. Vicki on "Testing the "Equipment"" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/testing-the-equipment#post-1271944 Sat, 07 Jun 2014 03:39:09 +0000 Vicki 1271944@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I agree with your assessment, cciele, and Gigi, thank you so much for your feedback on the philosophical digressions and on the  black and white Equipment, which I love enough to remove the tags this weekend.  :) Suz, I'm glad you chimed back in, because I reread something you wrote:  "In short, I think every single thing here looks killer on you if styled," and I'm a pretty low-key, make-no-fuss kind of person, and these were pretty much styled as far as I'm concerned, but I think I know what you mean.  Adding the the interest of high-low and/or tough-soft is one way.  What else would you recommend?  I guess I would add a blazer, jacket or moto, depending on my activities and, yes, the shoe or boot styling would be a definite consideration.  Is this what you mean? Yes, adding the drama, as you mentioned above. Suz on "Testing the "Equipment"" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/testing-the-equipment#post-1271926 Sat, 07 Jun 2014 03:21:21 +0000 Suz 1271926@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Aw...I am no pro.  And I have not reached that clearly articulated sense of my own style.  I just listened when Angie said "urban prince" and followed where that led me. To the extent I can.  I still go for the wild cards now and again...and still make plenty of mistakes.  Prints are among the trickiest. I haven't yet learned all the ins and outs of them. I do know that too tiny and faint, or very large and high contrast typically won't work for me. The one feels like it washes me out, and the other feels like it overwhelms. When it comes to size of print, the kitty print shirts hit the sweet spot for me. (Equipment and J. Crew) I have heard it said that prints should echo the size of your features. Not sure if that is true, but it can't hurt.  I tend to prefer geometrics to florals...although occasionally florals can have a place, especially more abstract ones. I definitely do more florals in summer than in winter.  A collared shirt is really great on a long neck and short hair, Vicki. I also wear (and love) a collarless shirt like the floral Equipment you're wearing -- but I agree they can be trickier for us. I tend to prefer them with a jacket.  I love how Angie does drama. It's happy drama (if that's not an oxymoron!) -- not heavy melodrama. It's the way she incorporates white and her sour brights.  There are other kinds of drama, too. A low contrast monochrome look can also be quietly dramatic. But typically it works with solids, not prints so much.  Gigi on "Testing the "Equipment"" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/testing-the-equipment#post-1271923 Sat, 07 Jun 2014 03:17:43 +0000 Gigi 1271923@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Vicki, I like what you said about taking risks in our clothing, which mimics life. I wonder if my increased willingness to take risks in different clothing choices affects the amount of risks that I take in life? FWIW, the blouse does look great on you, but maybe there is something about the patten that is too conservative or "safe." The black and white top looks smashing–I like that one better too. cciele on "Testing the "Equipment"" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/testing-the-equipment#post-1271912 Sat, 07 Jun 2014 03:01:21 +0000 cciele 1271912@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Suz is a pro Vicki on "Testing the "Equipment"" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/testing-the-equipment#post-1271902 Sat, 07 Jun 2014 02:45:59 +0000 Vicki 1271902@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Thank you, Suz.  How long did it take you to reach that articulated sense of your style journey? I did the best with what I had and it does get down to feeling like oneself, doesn't it?  Why I feel more like myself, with a collar, and no florals, and yet, wanting to always stretch those boundaries, we take risks, don't we, as we do in life?  I loved your paragraph about being "low contrast" but crying out for "more drama."  This is laden with deep conversation and I wish we were sitting around the campfire.  That is some very astute writing, which I love and admire. Vicki on "Testing the "Equipment"" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/testing-the-equipment#post-1271897 Sat, 07 Jun 2014 02:38:17 +0000 Vicki 1271897@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ LOL!  I don't want a big closet and I don't want to be in a no-man's land; I think I've got my answer, as I keep curating that closet!  Hey, Una, you may want to pitch this idea to your sister.  There are some elements of a universal story here.  :) Suz on "Testing the "Equipment"" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/testing-the-equipment#post-1271895 Sat, 07 Jun 2014 02:37:27 +0000 Suz 1271895@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Well, it sounds as if you are decided!  This usually means that you have a clear if unarticulated sense of where you are going in your style journey, and this piece or these pieces don't fit with that. So weed away with my blessing. Just know that you DO look amazing in all of these!!  Still, maybe that's a given. You always look amazing! You want to look amazing and completely "you" as you currently see yourself. And I applaud that.  Vicki on "Testing the "Equipment"" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/testing-the-equipment#post-1271890 Sat, 07 Jun 2014 02:32:20 +0000 Vicki 1271890@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Okay, back from sushi, and my thoughts in the car on the drive back, were directed at getting home to say "Una, cciele, Elle, Ummlila, gardenchick, deb, caro, Suz and Aida, I want to give you each a HUGE hug for saying what you felt in such amazing ways!  Thank you!! Una, I can relate, very much, to what you say and I felt it deeply in my heart; you have the most extraordinary way of articulating feelings and I am grateful.  Yes, how true a "go with everything" usually "doesn't go the way it's planned."  So true.  You also expressed, so well, how it's not doing anything and is essentially "just there," which is how I feel, too. Suz, yes, there's a style connection we have, and you so clearly defined, how this both can and cannot work and why!  I may look "yin," but there is "yang" for sure!  Thank you for seeing the beauty in this "attempt" and I mean that sincerely.  The kitchen loves you back and so does the cat, Cooper. Aida, so happy you love #6; that was a great day, because I was surrounded by "YLF Power" and that is like a vitamin of happiness.  I appreciate you spotting the "fit" in #9, as you did, because that, along with my "issues" about a mandarin collar, could be part of it.  So, thank you for seeing that with your discerning eyes. I'm adding a photo of what my daily Zen calendar said today.  Timely! You ALL make sense and this is why I depend on YLF and the Forum.  I can't thank you enough for your wise women wisdom.  xxx Suz on "Testing the "Equipment"" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/testing-the-equipment#post-1271889 Sat, 07 Jun 2014 02:29:55 +0000 Suz 1271889@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ It was Vicki herself who came up with the solutions -- in her own stylings. The woman is a genius! Plus, she has a fabulous closet, large enough to do this fab styling.  The trouble with a smaller closet is that you just can't do this as successfully. You can't pull disparate or "just flattering enough" things together in this way. A larger closet allows more room for play and for adding a "wild card" and successfully integrating it.  This is something to consider moving forward, I think, Vicki.  I am all for an efficient wardrobe. That's what I am trying to build. But small can have its disadvantages if you crave variety. It's not just sheer numbers. It's also about what will play well with what.  catgirl on "Testing the "Equipment"" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/testing-the-equipment#post-1271883 Sat, 07 Jun 2014 02:24:55 +0000 catgirl 1271883@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ What good advice from Suz. I am not good at solutions but thankfully she is! Aida on "Testing the "Equipment"" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/testing-the-equipment#post-1271852 Sat, 07 Jun 2014 01:50:59 +0000 Aida 1271852@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I like it best as styled in #1, 2, 6 (loooooove!!!), and 8. The print kind of looks like a Liberty floral, which I could see working for you. However, I do think that perhaps it's a little large on you in addition to whatever it is you feel about the print, so the fit seems a bit off to me. Whereas the one in #9 looks quite a bit better in terms of fit. And that could just be an optical thing, but that's how they come across to me. But prints are really such a guttural thing, if you don't love it now you probably won't "grow to love it" you know? So if you are still able, I would exchange the floral Equipment blouse for one that you will love and wear often :) But goodness it was hard to concentrate on the other photos when #6 is SOOOOO ridiculously adorable. Suz on "Testing the "Equipment"" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/testing-the-equipment#post-1271813 Sat, 07 Jun 2014 01:17:34 +0000 Suz 1271813@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Oh -- and how could I forget....what an amazing picture of you, Claire, and Marley!!!! What a treat to see you all and you are SO sophisticated and chic together. WOW.  I also adore your kitchen. And your cat.  Suz on "Testing the "Equipment"" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/testing-the-equipment#post-1271810 Sat, 07 Jun 2014 01:15:48 +0000 Suz 1271810@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Well, I am going to disagree.  I actually really like the floral shirt on you. And typically I am not enthusiastic about small floral prints. I think on you this shirt does beg for strong and current accessories -- but you've styled it brilliantly (!!!) with denim and the white sneaker and belt and with the cage sandals. It also looks smashing with the citron jacket!! And the white one.  I also adore the black and white Equipment shirt on you. Of course you can wear this! The print almost reads as a grey from a distance -- it is not too large and strong for you. In fact, this level of intensity seems right for you, in my opinion. Neither too much, nor too little.  On to the citron jacket.  is true that this citron might be "too strong" for you on its own, but to my view it is not at all too strong when combined with the soft, low contrast top. Just flattering enough and a fun change. If that is too "enabling", I apologize. I know you are trying to weed things out of the closet to make it more cohesive and in that case, if it feels better to let both or either piece go, so be it.  Vicki, I sense that you and I are similar in this way. We are fairly low contrast in colouring, but our personalities seem to cry out for a bit more drama, as do our features and facial characteristics. There is a lot of "yang" in us. (Dramatic classic, in Kibbe terms). So -- technically this floral pattern might qualify as showing your "ideal" colours. Yet, even so, it feels overall a bit soft and light...on its own.  Ditto the jacket feels too strong...if that were all you were wearing (but it's not.)  In short, I think every single thing here looks killer on you if styled, and the only question is how much do you want to weed your closet out.  Because we never do wear items unstyled.  And, as Angie has taught us, it is perfectly possible to wear things that are not quite ideal (in some ideal fantasy world). Because colours only are seen in relation to one another -- not on their own.  Now, let me know if you want me to send postage for anything you don't want any more!! :)  Caro in Oz on "Testing the "Equipment"" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/testing-the-equipment#post-1271803 Sat, 07 Jun 2014 01:13:51 +0000 Caro in Oz 1271803@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Keep reading,  ".....lamenting and regretting the purchase of this Equipment blouse...." This would be my cue to return it :) I also agree with Una. deb on "Testing the "Equipment"" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/testing-the-equipment#post-1271784 Sat, 07 Jun 2014 00:59:53 +0000 deb 1271784@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I hear doubts. Return it and get something with no doubts. gardenchick on "Testing the "Equipment"" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/testing-the-equipment#post-1271772 Sat, 07 Jun 2014 00:53:50 +0000 gardenchick 1271772@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ When I look at the pictures, I think that the black and white one is more flattering with your coloring. Also sounds like you aren't super excited about the floral. If that's the case, don't see a reason to hold on to the floral version. UmmLila (Lisa) on "Testing the "Equipment"" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/testing-the-equipment#post-1271754 Sat, 07 Jun 2014 00:24:25 +0000 UmmLila (Lisa) 1271754@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I don't think the citron is too saturated. I really like it. I don't dislike the blouse at all and don't really know your style, but just looking at your coloring and fashion forward hair, I would go for a brighter color reading overall on the blouse. I do have a tiny print equipment blouse myself, but it somehow reads as coral from farther away. I think larger prints are more present this year. So basically I'm agreeing with Alaskagirl. Elle on "Testing the "Equipment"" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/testing-the-equipment#post-1271744 Sat, 07 Jun 2014 00:18:57 +0000 Elle 1271744@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I like the floral print on you but it doesn't seem to have the happiness factor for you so it probably should go back.  The black and white print in #9 looks much more sophisticated and reads more like a solid.  I love it on you.