https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-most-recent-wardrobe-musings Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Wed, 29 Apr 2026 02:35:56 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-most-recent-wardrobe-musings#post-1561028 Tue, 22 Sep 2015 00:04:47 +0000 Aida 1561028@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Gosh that's one dark room! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-most-recent-wardrobe-musings#post-1561026 Tue, 22 Sep 2015 00:00:38 +0000 Astrid 1561026@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thanks Aida! Actually, my pics are already quite overexposed... But I could do some experimenting and see if there's a way I can manage better results. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-most-recent-wardrobe-musings#post-1560955 Mon, 21 Sep 2015 22:53:33 +0000 Aida 1560955@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>A great read Astrid. I feel like you've been headed this way for a while now, I'm sure it feels good to get it down in writing. Looking forward to seeing it more in action!</p> <p>I'd love to see your color and texture variation better in your outfit photos. Would your camera allow for f-stop changing so you could overexpose? I need to underexpose all of my photos and have a little dial that lets me adjust in 1/3 stop increments +/-. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-most-recent-wardrobe-musings#post-1560636 Mon, 21 Sep 2015 13:04:52 +0000 Astrid 1560636@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Unfrumped, thanks! And yes, that's it. It's low contrast if you look at the whole range of it, but this contrast seems higher when compared to my natural coloring (which is very low contrast). I don't want the contrast in my outfits to be as low as in my natural coloring. So blue jeans and a navy tee don't look bad on me, but to me it feels like I'm fading a bit too much into the background...&nbsp; Love those "nearly neutrals", btw.</p> <p>Thanks Alasse! And you wear them so well... </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-most-recent-wardrobe-musings#post-1560628 Mon, 21 Sep 2015 12:27:20 +0000 Alassë 1560628@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I'm excited to see what you do as you move away from jeans and add more skirts (my proportions ). </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-most-recent-wardrobe-musings#post-1560584 Mon, 21 Sep 2015 08:52:38 +0000 unfrumped 1560584@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Great analysis!<br /> I also think I get what you mean about your colors and yet what Anfmgie meant. Outfit # 1 here is just fantastic. It's actually low- contrast in the grand range of contrast but there is SOME contrast, and a richness of tones and colors. </p> <p>I relate this approach to mixing neutrals and to using a fair dose of what I learned to call " nearly neutrals" , which tend to be medium- dark intensity colors and maybe on the softer side, if that's the right color term. That is something I've been working toward in my color strategy ( translated in a cooler palette compared to yours) for a kind of rich visual interest. I still love some brighter colors as well, to mix in. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-most-recent-wardrobe-musings#post-1560572 Mon, 21 Sep 2015 08:07:06 +0000 Astrid 1560572@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Sorry you lost your post, I hate it when that happens to me... Thanks for the commiseration on the jeans, we'll see what happens on that front. I'm not sure about culottes for myself, I did have that one pair a few years back and I don't feel tempted to go look for a new pair at all. Dungarees - I loved wearing those as a child! Not sure about them now as an adult. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-most-recent-wardrobe-musings#post-1560411 Sun, 20 Sep 2015 20:37:12 +0000 Sal 1560411@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I wrote something yesterday but obviously lost it half way through.</p> <p>Your strategy is very well in sync with your desire for a moderate quality stylish wardrobe with longevity. &nbsp;You do suit skirts and dresses well and I agree the contrast with the short hair makes that - and also your flat tomboyish shoes.&nbsp;</p> <p>Like you, I struggle with jeans. &nbsp;Too tight and they are either uncomfortable or limiting regarding top selection; too loose and they fall down or sag in the butt. &nbsp;I have four pairs now, and to be honest they all have slight flaws although I like and wear them all.</p> <p>I could definitely see you in culottes too, or maybe a slightly different style of jean. &nbsp;Even dungarees as a wildcard?</p> <p>We share the desire for longevity in clothing so I always enjoy seeing your posts and WIW. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-most-recent-wardrobe-musings#post-1560396 Sun, 20 Sep 2015 19:58:49 +0000 Astrid 1560396@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>The problem is that my flat doesn't get much natural light. I tried to find comparable pics to illustrate the issue - one in my usual spot and light and one outside in natural light. The second outfit was taken by natural light I think, but in this case the colors look more washed out in the outfit pic than they truly are. I mean dark is still dark of course, but I feel that the range of colors might often not come across quite right. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-most-recent-wardrobe-musings#post-1560368 Sun, 20 Sep 2015 17:44:44 +0000 Angie 1560368@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Ah. So maybe your pictures are much darker than your outfits?&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-most-recent-wardrobe-musings#post-1560343 Sun, 20 Sep 2015 15:21:24 +0000 Astrid 1560343@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thanks, Word Lily. </p> <p>Thanks Angie! Yes of course, there's always room for change. As said above, this is not something you should force yourself to stick to if you feel like a change is necessary. Maybe the way I mentioned low contrast was a bit unfortunate. What I meant is that I don't feel as fab when I don't have a certain degree of color variation. Although it bothers me less when it's a more dressy look. But blue jeans with a navy tee? I wore it a lot on holiday, but really it's rather boring. I know that my pictures always look very dark and low contrast too, but I usually don't feel my outfits look that way IRL. The navy wool pullover with my green and navy checked skirt for example - it reads much more as seperates in the mirror than it looks like in pictures. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-most-recent-wardrobe-musings#post-1560335 Sun, 20 Sep 2015 14:48:54 +0000 Angie 1560335@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Great analysis, Astrid. It's always good to get to the heart of what you like and don't like - until it changes!</p> <p>Perhaps you meant something different, but you wear very low contrast &nbsp;(and very dark) outfits &nbsp;90% of the time - yet you say you don't like them? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-most-recent-wardrobe-musings#post-1560327 Sun, 20 Sep 2015 14:42:47 +0000 Word Lily 1560327@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I loved reading this thread. These things definitely make sense from what I know of your style and sensibility from your posts. I'm good with just a few silhouettes, too, although I'm not yet sure how specific I have to be in defining a silhouette. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-most-recent-wardrobe-musings#post-1560314 Sun, 20 Sep 2015 13:23:03 +0000 Astrid 1560314@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thanks Cheryl! You're right, it might take some time to build a fully functional wardrobe around this concept. But I'm not in a hurry I guess. I like my current clothes well enough and can work around any wardrobe holes that are definitely there - at least for fall/winter. I think there might be more shopping necessary for spring/summer. </p> <p>Thank you, Joy. :)</p> <p>Thanks Smittie! You're right, fitting skirts is definitely much easier. And it's true that a skirt or dress makes you stand out in an unobtrusive way. And I really like the visual contrast between my short hair and a skirt or dress!</p> <p>Thank you, Suz - glad it makes sense.</p> <p>Adelfa, thanks! It's good to hear from someone who has fared well with this strategy already. I agree that you have to make peace with the lack of variety, but I don't mind. I'm a serial repeater already in any case. </p> <p>Thank you, Approprio and Summer. :)</p> <p>Sterling, thanks for making me aware of it! I wouldn't have read it otherwise. And yes, these are definitely meant for casual wear too. I have to say that so far I haven't had a distinction between work and casual life in my wardrobe, it was never needed so far. The only thing I do is to make sure that my work combinations are appropriate (knees covered, not too revealing) and not too out there (no experiments with pattern mixing etc.). I'm not sure yet what a future workplace will demand when it comes to dressing, but I'm fairly sure I won't have need of classic business wear everyday. As for the outfits you've seen me post here, I do wear all of those on non-work days too. My skirts and pullovers are as comfortable as jogging pants and a sweatshirt, really. And people around me got used to it. The only thing I'm definitely going to keep up is a seperate lounge wear capsule for days at home, as discussed in your thread. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-most-recent-wardrobe-musings#post-1560288 Sun, 20 Sep 2015 11:31:12 +0000 Anonymous 1560288@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I am so glad you enjoyed the book. </p> <p>I am a little bit jealous because you have so concretely defined your silhouettes. &nbsp;I have a vague idea of what mine would be, but have not put word to paper. &nbsp;I pinned various ensembles that "spoke" to me. &nbsp;Writing it out like you did would be so much more valuable. &nbsp;</p> <p>What impresses me most is how you define future buying strategies based on where you want to go. &nbsp;I was moving in the direction when I started writing my "Buying Guidelines." &nbsp;</p> <p>One question. &nbsp;These three silhouettes seem "work related" to me. &nbsp;Are they? &nbsp;Would you consider bring those same silhouettes to your casual wear? &nbsp;It seems to me that they would translate well and would really amp up a casual capsule. &nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-most-recent-wardrobe-musings#post-1560285 Sun, 20 Sep 2015 10:17:26 +0000 Summer 1560285@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>So interesting, Astrid. I found myself nodding along to much of this.<br />You already look very comfortable with your own style, and I've enjoyed watching the way you have honed it over time. The silhouettes you have identified are, indeed, exactly "you" and suit you so well.</p> <p> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-most-recent-wardrobe-musings#post-1560277 Sun, 20 Sep 2015 08:15:32 +0000 approprio 1560277@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Great analysis, Astrid! I'm a big fan of your minimal style (which I could in no way emulate) and your ethical shopping policy always resonates with me. I think you make great choices and you always look so very comfortable with them.&nbsp;It's nice to see such a clear philosophy emerging.&nbsp;</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-most-recent-wardrobe-musings#post-1560259 Sun, 20 Sep 2015 05:11:56 +0000 Adelfa 1560259@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I read that book when it came out (and a couple of times since) and I love it. Thanks for reminding me!</p> <p>I've been set on my favorite silhouette for many years, and that really does bring peace and clarity. I have a very small wardrobe that feels more than adequate to me. For me the silhouette is slim bottoms, fluid tops. That's it. Not set on a particular topper, just what looks good with the main outfit :-)</p> <p>I think anyone who wants a smaller wardrobe and doesn't need a ton of variety will love the Simple Isn't Easy approach. I'm looking forward to seeing what you do with your conclusions. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-most-recent-wardrobe-musings#post-1560227 Sun, 20 Sep 2015 02:25:17 +0000 Suz 1560227@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>This is very thoughtful and eloquent, Astrid. I think you are well on your way to a wonderful personal style already, and what you've said makes sense based on what I've seen of your preferences.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-most-recent-wardrobe-musings#post-1560221 Sun, 20 Sep 2015 02:10:08 +0000 Anonymous 1560221@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Well I love your WIW that feature skirts. I think it's easier to get a perfect fit and drape with skirts than with pants. You also don't need stretch fabric in them...which is kind of nice.</p> <p>I too am moving away from jeans and pants in general (although still going strong on the short shorts!). I feel like just the act of wearing a skirt or dress makes you stand out a little (esp. In fall/winter) in a subtle way. It also gives an automatic femininity, so you can add in menswear elements without looking too much like a guy.</p> <p>So anyway. Moving away from pants seems like a natural progression, from what I've seen of your style. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-most-recent-wardrobe-musings#post-1560201 Sun, 20 Sep 2015 01:08:45 +0000 Anonymous 1560201@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I applaud you for doing a style analysis of such detail, especially recognizing your favorite silhouettes and what you don't want to wear. Your style journey is fascinating and an inspiration. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-most-recent-wardrobe-musings#post-1560185 Sat, 19 Sep 2015 23:14:19 +0000 dakotacheryl 1560185@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Astrid, you wrote a wonderfully thoughtful analysis regarding your personal style.</p> <p>Sometimes finding the perfect item to fill the wardrobe "holes" can be frustrating. It took me 3 years to find the perfect brown leather jacket. I have been looking for months (5 or 6 at least) for MY perfect jean jacket...not too short or long, not too fitted or baggy, arms big enough to wear a long sleeve top underneath etc. The one I have is at least 10 years old and is definitely looking it's age.</p> <p>Anyway...I look forward to seeing what you add to complete your look!! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-most-recent-wardrobe-musings#post-1560176 Sat, 19 Sep 2015 22:41:34 +0000 Astrid 1560176@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>You're right, Laura - I guess a lot of it happens unconsciously. I hope that putting it down like this will help me to spend my money on the most useful pieces. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-most-recent-wardrobe-musings#post-1560153 Sat, 19 Sep 2015 21:02:06 +0000 Laura (rhubarbgirl) 1560153@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Into-mind talks about developing a few silhouettes when planning for a season, which makes a lot of sense to me. I think a lot of us have our favorites but we don't always codify them or take that concept to what we actually should and shouldn't buy. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-most-recent-wardrobe-musings#post-1560124 Sat, 19 Sep 2015 19:05:40 +0000 Astrid 1560124@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thanks Sara! Yes, you're right, the jeans part needs some work. I'm definitely not all that happy with what I have there. The only pair I can wear without a belt right now (which I prefer) are my cheap worn out black ones I bought last fall. Even the blue ones from this spring give so much that they need a belt to stay up. I did refresh the color of the black jeans with dye recently so they're once again decent enough to wear to work, but still...</p> <p>Thanks Carter! I have the skirt formula down, at least when it comes to fall winter. The jeans formula not so much. Both also would need better tops to replace the tees. I have just one dress I wear year round, the black floral one. Definitely room for improvement there. And there are a lot of holes when I look at spring and summer options, but I'm not thinking about that before next year. The most pressing need right now are shoes btw. I thought of sturdy oxfords or ankle booties.</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-most-recent-wardrobe-musings#post-1560120 Sat, 19 Sep 2015 18:58:54 +0000 carter 1560120@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Bravo, Astrid! This is fantastic. Have you applied your top 3 silhuettes to your closet yet? Meaning...do you have the necessary items to make silhouette-based capsules now? Are the capsules properly weighted in your closet, or do you have an overabundance in one and virtually nothing in another?</p> <p>You've inspired me to apply your thoughts to my wardrobe. I've been thinking lately that I've perhaps stepped outside my preferred silhouettes in my shopping lately, which has created more "holes" than there really should be. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-most-recent-wardrobe-musings#post-1560114 Sat, 19 Sep 2015 18:46:15 +0000 Sara L. 1560114@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Interesting analysis.&nbsp; From observing your style, I think you're on the right track with your 3 outfit silhouettes.&nbsp; It seems like portions of&nbsp;your wardrobe are already in place to implement these silhouettes.&nbsp; The pants/jeans one is the one that&nbsp;might need some further analysis.&nbsp;&nbsp; It sounds like you aren't happy with any of your jeans and need to figure what the problem is (if there is one,&nbsp;maybe you will never like wearing jeans).&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-most-recent-wardrobe-musings#post-1560110 Sat, 19 Sep 2015 18:39:25 +0000 Astrid 1560110@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thanks to Sterling I just read the book “Simple isn’t easy” (in German). They are very pro uniform in this book. They basically suggest finding your style, the clothes you look and feel good in and which project the image you want to project (plus hair etc.) and then to get rid of everything that doesn’t fit this vision. Your style should go with the times, but essentially you are sticking with the things that are working for you (of course you can also change if you want to, this isn’t a now and forever kind of decision). I liked that the book was unspecific when it came to what exactly we are supposed to wear. Everyone has to know themselves and make that decision on their own. So I don’t really agree with some reviewers who said the book was too generic to be helpful. Of course I might have it easier because I’ve already spent some time trying to hone my sense about my personal likes and dislikes. Anyway, it was also said that the content was mostly common knowledge and it’s true that I wasn’t terribly surprised by most of it, but I think you need to consider that this book is 20 years old and was written long before there were any blogs and whatnot. So no revelations – but it made me think about my wardrobe, my style and my dressing habits all the same. I want to put some things down here – I’ve thought about all this a while, the book just helped me to clarify a few things I decided I want for myself.</p> <p>I realized a while ago that although I'm interested in looking at what's new in fashion and can appreciate those looks on others, I'm usually not overly interested in implementing them for myself. So I will pick a new trend if it fits into what I think my style to be, but I won't try to make something work that doesn't feel right to me. I would say personal style is definitely more important to me than fashion.</p> <p>I also realized recently that I just don't feel fab wearing the jeans that I have. Are they practical? Yes. Are they uncomfortable? To me, no. But they just make me feel totally blah. I have to make a real effort with the rest of the outfit to make the whole thing into something I feel fabulous in. Emphasis on feel, not to be confused with the way I look. Most of the time I can't be bothered to invest the energy and in the end just throw on a simple t-shirt, pullover and sneakers. And the result? Just blah. Put me into a skirt and suddenly the magic happens. Add simple shoes and a plain tee or pullover to the skirt and I feel like all is right with the world. Now where does that leave me? Not in skirts 24/7, I can say that much, because jeans and pants and shorts are sometimes just too practical. But I need to work on changing the ration from my current jeans/tee/sneakers outfits to my skirts/top/oxfords outfits in favor of the skirts. </p> <p>I really like the idea of paring down to a few silhouettes and then doing as much mix and match as possible. There are three I feel best in right now (in descending order of importance):</p> <p>1. Straight or A-line or slightly full skirt that isn’t too short with <br />a) a short tailored pullover <br />b) a short slouchy pullover <br />c) an interesting top tucked and with an optional addition of a BF cardigan </p> <p>2. Slim jeans / pants that fit well in the waist and don’t need a belt with<br />a) a longer slouchy pullover<br />b) an interesting top untucked and with an optional addition of a BF cardigan</p> <p>3. A knee-length dress with an optional addition of a BF cardigan </p> <p>All of these have the same shoes in common: menswear inspired but still refined shoes which are flat. I want my shoes to be pretty but practical. I’m not going to ditch my sneakers right now, but they might not be replaced once they’ve worn out. I also plan to replace my boring basic solid colored cotton tees little by little. I want something more interesting, to make me feel more like myself in looks with jeans and to take my skirt outfits up a notch. But I definitely don’t want dressy in the usual sense and being polished is not one of my goals either. I'd like my looks to become more feminine, but I still have quite a bit of tomboy in me.</p> <p>Over all of this goes outerwear of course and we haven’t even mentioned accessories yet. But, I don’t want to dissect what I want my style to look like in detail here, this thread is already long enough. I guess those who are familiar with me can imagine at least a bit what I like when it comes to accessorizing, cuts, colors and patterns. And you know that I also want a rather minimal wardrobe made up of ethical clothing. I might post a separate thread about practical implementation and specific items later on. This one here is just to talk about the general idea that I’ve had.</p> <p>So, I want to implement these simple formulas in my dressing and buy accordingly. No changing course for now or I’ll never get there. From what I observed about the way I feel in my clothes this plan has a rather good chance of leading to wardrobe happiness. I think the concept should work well with hot weather dressing too - just switch in shorts for the long pants and invest in summer weight dresses, skirts and tops (very big wardrobe hole).</p> <p>And finally I want to note down a few things that I realized make me feel off, so that I have a list to refer back to when I’m tempted.</p> <p>I’m not a fan of:</p> <p>• very oversized clothing, especially too big pants<br />• belts that ruin the fluidity of a look<br />• classic button down shirts<br />• denim jackets and blazers worn as anything else than outerwear<br />• too fitted clothing (no more pencil skirts for me)<br />• too much skin on display (no revealing necklines for me, not too much bare leg either)<br />• very high contrast looks<br />• very low contrast looks = having no color variation<br />• too bright colors (Soft Summer with a penchant for deep and rather dark colors here!)<br />• clothes I feel the need to tug on all day<br />• clothes I can’t move in<br />• manmade fibers like polyester<br />• …</p> <p>If you made it to the end of this epic, congratulations. I would love to hear your thoughts. </p>