YouLookFab Forum » Topic: What do you focus on when you see an outfit?

YouLookFab Forum » Topic: What do you focus on when you see an outfit? https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-do-you-focus-on-when-you-see-an-outfit Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Fri, 17 Apr 2026 22:15:26 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 <![CDATA[Search]]> q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php cheryle (Dianthus) on "What do you focus on when you see an outfit?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-do-you-focus-on-when-you-see-an-outfit/page/2#post-1394626 Tue, 11 Nov 2014 13:07:41 +0000 cheryle (Dianthus) 1394626@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Denise, you do look like a ballerina with your delicate frame and ethereal quality.  I have no trouble envisioning you dancing. Thank you all for sharing your thoughts.  It was a very interesting read.  I have read through them all a few times. It seems that we do see what is important to us on others.  I am all about conventional figure flattery and so I notice shapes, fit and proportion but I also love colors and color mixing so I notice color too.  A few of the responses were very specific and linked to that person's style preferences.  Others were not as specific and it shows in their outfits too.   I also people watch and it is easier to examine an outfit as the wearer can't see you dissecting and there is the lack of movement. Very interesting. CocoLion on "What do you focus on when you see an outfit?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-do-you-focus-on-when-you-see-an-outfit/page/2#post-1394523 Tue, 11 Nov 2014 05:23:19 +0000 CocoLion 1394523@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Like Rabbit I notice bodies first.  In photos and IRL.  It's interesting that Rabbit notices due to her art practice.  For me, it comes from years and years of dance training.  I don't talk about this much, but I was very serious about dance and trained to the point of an apprenticeship with a ballet company in Germany, but I quit to go to college.  Anyway, you may not know it based on my unathletic current physique and lifestyle, but there you have it. Next I notice color and proportion.  I do notice shoes when they are prominent but in Elle's case, she was wearing wide legged pants so I had to look closely for the shoes. Jaime on "What do you focus on when you see an outfit?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-do-you-focus-on-when-you-see-an-outfit/page/2#post-1394457 Tue, 11 Nov 2014 02:31:14 +0000 Jaime 1394457@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I notice the shoes when I am focusing on the outfit (people watching) and the face and only eventually the shoes when I am treating those moving creatures as subjects (people interacting) :-). jackiec on "What do you focus on when you see an outfit?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-do-you-focus-on-when-you-see-an-outfit/page/2#post-1394448 Tue, 11 Nov 2014 02:21:28 +0000 jackiec 1394448@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ IRL I always go straight to the face. I tend to notice eyes first of all. And then I'm pretty much agreeing with Suz. But I'm going to admit right here and now that I just had to look up the word "gestalt." I really did. Great word ElleH on "What do you focus on when you see an outfit?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-do-you-focus-on-when-you-see-an-outfit/page/2#post-1394427 Tue, 11 Nov 2014 01:59:17 +0000 ElleH 1394427@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ On YLF I think I look at everything. IRL I don't know. Maybe I should take note of what I notice lol. Roo on "What do you focus on when you see an outfit?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-do-you-focus-on-when-you-see-an-outfit/page/2#post-1394418 Tue, 11 Nov 2014 01:54:04 +0000 Roo 1394418@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Interesting comments, especially those that mention what they see in a photograph to seeing a person in front of them. To get clarity on an outfit I will often do a selfie to sort of take a step back and see if it all goes... I tend to find a photo gives me an impression of the whole outfit, in the mirror I see individual pieces (and body parts I'm trying to learn to love!). In thinking further I think in person, the attitude or personality of the person comes from the clothing for me, especially if they stand out. Now I'm rethinking the whole selfie thing...hmmmm... Sal on "What do you focus on when you see an outfit?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-do-you-focus-on-when-you-see-an-outfit/page/2#post-1394316 Mon, 10 Nov 2014 23:35:20 +0000 Sal 1394316@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Fascinating to read the replies. I guess colour would be a big one, followed by shape/proportion/fit.   I do notice shoes and statement jewelry.  I also notice hair and nails. I don't tend to notice regular jewelry, handbags or brand names (ie types of jeans, designer shoes etc)   If people watching it is often the ease of the look, and the appropriateness, or if it is something I think I can poach or something I would love to wear and could not.  I remember a gorgeous melon playsuit last summer at the races, it was so fun on a young 20 ish year old (but would not have been right for me at all).  I remember seeing a woman with a stunning red blazer and straight jeans and converse several years ago, I tried to copy that one as soon as I could.   citygirldc on "What do you focus on when you see an outfit?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-do-you-focus-on-when-you-see-an-outfit/page/2#post-1394261 Mon, 10 Nov 2014 22:27:29 +0000 citygirldc 1394261@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I notice details in am outfit, like a bold print or color or cut, followed by the shoes.  Caro in Oz on "What do you focus on when you see an outfit?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-do-you-focus-on-when-you-see-an-outfit#post-1394256 Mon, 10 Nov 2014 22:23:48 +0000 Caro in Oz 1394256@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Another people watcher here. For me it's how an outfit works together & how well it looks on the person. Apart from that I do always notice the footwear :)  shiny on "What do you focus on when you see an outfit?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-do-you-focus-on-when-you-see-an-outfit#post-1394242 Mon, 10 Nov 2014 22:03:10 +0000 shiny 1394242@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I'm immediately drawn to any statement pieces, which could be shoes or bag or coat or necklace or belt or... anything. Including specs, hair cut, tattoos, piercings and yes-- a smile! If an outfit lacks a statement I'm apt to not really notice it or the wearer, unless the fit is impeccable -- which makes a statement all on its own. I'm still thinking about two women I saw out and about this weekend. One was wearing this enormous B&w sweater coat and she looked so cozy-chic in it. I forget what else she was wearing with it - probably just leggings? I just remember the coat and wondering where she found it. The other was in impeccably fitting dark wash denim and your basic black button down shirt that also fit impeccably, and was tucked in, no belt. I noticed the top and jeans first (with my knee jerk "wish I had her figure" thought - because jeans and button downs are so difficult for me to fit), then noticed she was wearing killer black boots and carrying a killer black bag with gold studs and fringe. Oh and I noticed a woman this weekend who had a great haircut. I even stopped her to tell her I liked it very much. She told me it was a wig! I thought she was joking. I did not notice anything else about her outfit.  Gigi on "What do you focus on when you see an outfit?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-do-you-focus-on-when-you-see-an-outfit#post-1394233 Mon, 10 Nov 2014 21:53:04 +0000 Gigi 1394233@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Hmm, interesting question. I hadn't thought of this before!  In everyday life (not when looking at YLF WIWs), if there is a statement piece, like a coat in an unusual color, I will notice that first. If it's just a regular outfit, I will first notice whether it is dressy (i.e., whether the person made an effort) or whether it is casual (i.e., loungewear). After that, I notice fit. Everything else probably comes after that. When looking at a WIW on the forum, the first step (whether the person made an effort) is obviously not necessary. When looking at a WIW, I think I first notice any statement pieces, then proportion and fit, and then everything else after that. rabbit on "What do you focus on when you see an outfit?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-do-you-focus-on-when-you-see-an-outfit#post-1394231 Mon, 10 Nov 2014 21:49:35 +0000 rabbit 1394231@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ If we are talking general split-second people watching, say at the mall or if I'm driving around town, I notice bodies first, the general way people are built and move.   (Part of this is that I work a lot with anatomy and figure sculpture, so my eyes notice muscle and bone as much or more than surface).     Then I notice hair and clothing color/pattern if it is distinct, really harmonious with the overall person, or unique in some way --- usually it is statement shoes that I see first when it comes to clothes and that makes me more interested in checking out the entire outfit.   With WIW or meeting a person, I look more at the overall effect of the outfit and then linger on the details that contribute to it.   A lot of what I respond to I think is the sense of 'rightness' of a particular outfit on a particular person -- a cohesiveness of personal style and ease where all the elements work together. rachylou on "What do you focus on when you see an outfit?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-do-you-focus-on-when-you-see-an-outfit#post-1394230 Mon, 10 Nov 2014 21:49:30 +0000 rachylou 1394230@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ What a good question, and I have no idea. DonnaF on "What do you focus on when you see an outfit?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-do-you-focus-on-when-you-see-an-outfit#post-1394206 Mon, 10 Nov 2014 21:25:22 +0000 DonnaF 1394206@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Footwear.  I rarely if ever notice bags.  Then, I notice what a person is wearing near the face, including color, pattern, and shape.  Bottoms don't register too much, although I have noticed that an overwhelming number of women default to black slacks.  catgirl on "What do you focus on when you see an outfit?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-do-you-focus-on-when-you-see-an-outfit#post-1394123 Mon, 10 Nov 2014 19:56:33 +0000 catgirl 1394123@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Unless there is some huge statement piece in the outfit, I see fit first. If too tight, too short, too low cut, etc - and much of that is due to YLF! Conversely if it all looks good, then I notice colors. Peri on "What do you focus on when you see an outfit?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-do-you-focus-on-when-you-see-an-outfit#post-1394066 Mon, 10 Nov 2014 18:23:38 +0000 Peri 1394066@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Color first, then probably shape. Then hair, then jewelry. I think I don't notice shoes much either! kkards on "What do you focus on when you see an outfit?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-do-you-focus-on-when-you-see-an-outfit#post-1394049 Mon, 10 Nov 2014 17:34:33 +0000 kkards 1394049@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ i know what i don't notice ---jewelry. as for what i do notice, color, fit, proportion, and the overall togetherness of an outfit. deb on "What do you focus on when you see an outfit?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-do-you-focus-on-when-you-see-an-outfit#post-1394035 Mon, 10 Nov 2014 16:43:46 +0000 deb 1394035@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I love shoes and maybe that is why I notice shoes first then work my way up the outfit. I really never thought about this before. Transcona Shannon on "What do you focus on when you see an outfit?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-do-you-focus-on-when-you-see-an-outfit#post-1394029 Mon, 10 Nov 2014 16:39:07 +0000 Transcona Shannon 1394029@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Gosh...I'm not really sure. It probably depends on my mood that day, whether something in that person's outfit stands out more than the rest of it (i.e. bright colored jacket). Marley on "What do you focus on when you see an outfit?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-do-you-focus-on-when-you-see-an-outfit#post-1394024 Mon, 10 Nov 2014 16:30:22 +0000 Marley 1394024@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Hairstyle  and color of the outfit are first for me.  After that - I'm not sure - although I do know that footwear is an important part of my outfits so I'm sure that I pay attention to that in other peoples' outfits! Aziraphale on "What do you focus on when you see an outfit?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-do-you-focus-on-when-you-see-an-outfit#post-1394022 Mon, 10 Nov 2014 16:21:30 +0000 Aziraphale 1394022@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Hair, coat or jacket, shoes -- probably in that order, unless the coat is uninspiring and/or the shoes are great. Glasses if they are distinctive. I think we automatically look at people's faces first, and see the rest of it second. I feel like the coat and shoes make the outfit.  Carole on "What do you focus on when you see an outfit?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-do-you-focus-on-when-you-see-an-outfit#post-1394003 Mon, 10 Nov 2014 15:57:14 +0000 Carole 1394003@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ If the shoes are interesting or statement, I will notice that first, then it's the pattern or colors, next would be what is worn up top and around the neck, scarves, tops, necklaces. ironkurtin on "What do you focus on when you see an outfit?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-do-you-focus-on-when-you-see-an-outfit#post-1393998 Mon, 10 Nov 2014 15:51:47 +0000 ironkurtin 1393998@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ General comfort in the clothing, then figure flattery/cohesiveness. Anonymous on "What do you focus on when you see an outfit?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-do-you-focus-on-when-you-see-an-outfit#post-1393995 Mon, 10 Nov 2014 15:47:45 +0000 Anonymous 1393995@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Silhouette and proportions are the first thing I notice.  From there, I tend to pick up on color.   Angie on "What do you focus on when you see an outfit?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-do-you-focus-on-when-you-see-an-outfit#post-1393976 Mon, 10 Nov 2014 15:39:05 +0000 Angie 1393976@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Truly. The first thing I notice in an outfit is a person's smile. Then I see hair, and then I see the colour of the outfit. All other details I see after those things.  Anonymous on "What do you focus on when you see an outfit?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-do-you-focus-on-when-you-see-an-outfit#post-1393959 Mon, 10 Nov 2014 14:57:15 +0000 Anonymous 1393959@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I notice a lot - as in everything  I look at people constantly, checking out what they are wearing and what is going on with their hair etc.    Kind of a habit I think.  I often wonder about someone's "story" - i.e. why they are dressed a certain way, why they would wear a coat like that - etc - usually done standing in line somewhere checking people out :) texstyle on "What do you focus on when you see an outfit?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-do-you-focus-on-when-you-see-an-outfit#post-1393945 Mon, 10 Nov 2014 14:26:34 +0000 texstyle 1393945@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I do tend to notice shoes but I worked at a high end shoe store way back when I was a teen. I notice a lot - I'm a big people watcher too. Windchime on "What do you focus on when you see an outfit?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-do-you-focus-on-when-you-see-an-outfit#post-1393944 Mon, 10 Nov 2014 14:20:03 +0000 Windchime 1393944@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Color and pattern jump out at me first. And I definitely notice tops more than bottoms, unless the bottoms are striking in some way. I met my friend, (YLFer Sweet Pea) on Saturday and was very taken with her fab sweater and infinity scarf. I must admit I never registered what she was wearing on the bottom (sorry, S.P!) In my defense, she turned pages for me at a demanding dress rehearsal, and I was mostly noticing thousands of notes! Suz on "What do you focus on when you see an outfit?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-do-you-focus-on-when-you-see-an-outfit#post-1393940 Mon, 10 Nov 2014 14:14:27 +0000 Suz 1393940@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ What a great question!  What I notice in real life and what I notice in WIWs is a bit different, I think.  IRL, I see people in motion, and I may see them from a different angle than straight on. Then again, I may be so lost in my own little imaginary world that I don't see them at all -- it happens!   Anyway, in real life I tend to notice some detail, and then take in the overall gestalt -- like I'll see an amazing pair of boots and look up, look way way up, to see the flowing cape that is paired with them. Or I'll see that someone is wearing a top I noticed from Zara and I'll check the rest of her outfit. That kind of thing.  In WIWs, it is more about overall gestalt at first -- does it fit, are the proportions right, does it suit the wearer, are the colours/ neutrals pleasing. Only then do I hone in to ask myself why I like it and what details contribute to the whole. Shoes being one of those details.  It also depends on what I'm working on, personally. For instance, a while ago I got obsessed with creating outfit cohesion and harmony. This is especially an issue for me in winter. Our clothes tend to be so dark and this fights against my natural colouring, so I am always trying to find ways to "lighten up." And I also look for bookending. That means I might notice when a person has managed that successfully, with footwear or otherwise.  It's often difficult for me to make out the details on my laptop -- including details of footwear. My eyesight is not great and our photos can only do so much.  Anonymous on "What do you focus on when you see an outfit?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-do-you-focus-on-when-you-see-an-outfit#post-1393935 Mon, 10 Nov 2014 13:56:15 +0000 Anonymous 1393935@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I usually notice shoes right away! Color and pattern are other things that jump out at me, as well as whether the overall look harmonizes with the person wearing it. What I often have a hard time noticing is the subtle details of fit, proportion, etc. that can take an outfit from okay to great. On WIWs, I'll generally miss these things until I read other comments about how someone's really nailed them or offering suggestions for how to improve, then I'll go back and look at the pic again to try and see what they see. I think, on both counts, this corresponds pretty closely with what I focus on and what I could stand to pay more attention to in my own outfits.