https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-is-the-hardest-part-of-figuring-out-your-style Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Tue, 21 Apr 2026 03:01:11 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-is-the-hardest-part-of-figuring-out-your-style/page/2#post-1243182 Tue, 06 May 2014 03:34:08 +0000 JAileen 1243182@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>The hardest thing was that I didn't know what my style was. Someone said in one of my WIWs said my style was classic. So now I know, I guess. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-is-the-hardest-part-of-figuring-out-your-style/page/2#post-1243062 Tue, 06 May 2014 02:17:06 +0000 Ledonna N. 1243062@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>SUMMER </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-is-the-hardest-part-of-figuring-out-your-style/page/2#post-1243029 Tue, 06 May 2014 01:54:00 +0000 Gigi 1243029@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Alexandra, I already forgot about doing Aida's exercise...out of sight, out of mind! Part of my problem is that sometimes I really don't know what I like. I still consider myself somewhat of a fashion newbie. I'm like Suz in that it's easier for me to know what I *don't* like. But I do have certain traits that I look for as a rule now and probably won't change, so I can start there.</p> <p>Thanks for bringing up the word "cultivated" again, which was in a previous post. That word resonated with me. I must write it down in my fashion notebook! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-is-the-hardest-part-of-figuring-out-your-style/page/2#post-1242637 Mon, 05 May 2014 19:09:19 +0000 Alexandra 1242637@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Ladies, my apologies for disappearing for a few days - life happened. </p> <p>Suz, thank you for elaborating on your process. Self-acceptance is key. I wish they'd teach that in schools.</p> <p>TG, I love "simple cultivated" for you.</p> <p>Angie, thank you for clarifying that our style descriptors should help us focus rather than box us in. I think that's a very important thing to keep in mind. So interesting that you take pleasure in NOT wearing jewelry. I don't wear much jewelry but I don't think I've ever thought of it in terms of enjoyment of going with only a few select pieces. A very different paradigm, I think.</p> <p>Aida, thank you for sharing your system. It reminds me of a system I've developed over the years for my sewing projects: favorite fabrics, silhouettes, and details. It sounds like yours works really well for you. </p> <p>Janet, that's a really good lesson to learn - no wild card purchases in stores without a generous return policy. Thank you for sharing that.</p> <p>Mander, you said "when I am shopping I am not really looking for new clothes but for a new body" - what an insight, wow! I wonder to what extent that's true for the many women caught in a purchase/purge cycle. Maybe it goes back to what Suz said about self-acceptance being the starting point.</p> <p>Sveta, I think "simple and bold" is a good description of what you wear (from what I've seen in my short time here on the forum). It's broad enough to allow for variations and yet excludes things you'd never wear. &nbsp;Your analytical skills aren't failing you in the style area.</p> <p>Ornella, wow, that's a lot of obstacles to overcome. Your style looks very cohesive in your WIWs so I'd say you have it figured out in your head even if the words aren't quite there yet. And yes, too much inspiration can be a problem :-)</p> <p>Gigi, it's interesting about proportions, isn't it? It's not just lengths, but also styles as you noted, and colors in my experience. &nbsp;I (selfishly) hope that when<br /> you try Aida's exercise, you'll post about your process.</p> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-is-the-hardest-part-of-figuring-out-your-style/page/2#post-1241291 Sun, 04 May 2014 04:28:45 +0000 Gigi 1241291@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Well...I haven't figured out my style, so I guess I don't know what the hardest part is yet, ha ha! I do experience difficulty with trying to nail down one particular style for myself. I feel like I may be an eclectic, which would obviously make nailing down "one style" difficult. </p> <p>Once I find some type of style element that suits me, I also have a hard time getting the ratio of it right in an outfit. For instance, if I wear a boho blouse, pairing with a boho bottom is too much boho; I have to learn to combine it with something else so as not to overdose too much on one style.</p> <p>I'll have to try Aida's exercise of noting what I like. I have done this mentally, but I never actually sat down and wrote it out.</p> <p>Honestly, I think the hardest part of determining a personal&nbsp;style&nbsp;may simply be being patient. I think you just have to try on a lot of clothes and buy a lot of clothes and experiment a lot before you can discover what is truly "you"! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-is-the-hardest-part-of-figuring-out-your-style/page/2#post-1240784 Sat, 03 May 2014 12:50:06 +0000 Ornella 1240784@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Hi Alexandra</p> <p>What a great question and great timing of it for me personally - I've been thinking of this a lot lately. I've been a member of this community for about 4 years and have seen numerous discussions of this sort, yet I never fully participated in them because I always had some stumbling blocks that I felt I had to figure out before talking about them. Firstly, I had to figure out&nbsp;what I liked and didn't like to begin with, then I tried to see some rhyme and reason&nbsp;in my (re)discovered preferences, I also had to accommodate a change in lifestyle and climate which had huge impact on my choices, I had to get over the frustration of severely reduced wardrobe space only to realise it was a blessing,&nbsp;I have also been hit by the realisation how much my style is a medium to express my creative side (when I had no other ways to express myself&nbsp;due to practical restrictions)&nbsp;and now I find myself at the point when I actually probably finally can identify some very distinctive aspects of my style and where I want to take it. I am working on wording it though, but it all dawn on me I know :-)</p> <p>I have also identified one of the hardest aspects - it's the IMpossibility to wear everything I want / think of / am inspired by. I can't&nbsp;even wear enough&nbsp;everything I owe. I wrote about it some time ago, it's the problem of <b><a rel="nofollow" href="http://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/too-much-inspiration---full-circle---daring-to-go-simple">too much inspiration</a></b>, and channelling it&nbsp;had helped me a lot at the time, but I'm still overwhelmed by choices and on top to it&nbsp;- by my own style evolution. I figure out I really want very, very little stuff, but great stuff. Great for <b>me</b>.&nbsp;It's about distilling (something I actually wrote about to in my <b><a rel="nofollow" href="http://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wiw-flavia-series-round-up">Flavia series round-up post</a></b>) to the essence of it all, while not feeling I'm missing out on anything. I hope this makes some sense </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-is-the-hardest-part-of-figuring-out-your-style/page/2#post-1240783 Sat, 03 May 2014 12:46:12 +0000 Sveta 1240783@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I guess I am one of the dumbest members of this forum when it comes to style descriptors and such: I have been here for almost 4 years here and still don't have a clue. The closest I got to it with a <a rel="nofollow" href="http://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/my-style-definition-thank-you-denise">Kibbe exercise </a>i did some years ago and somehow a category of Soft Dramatic really resonated with me and helped me to understand why I am drawn to certain looks and not to others even though I admire them on other people. Later Angie graciously excepted me into Urban Prince domain so here &nbsp;have another descriptor for my style&nbsp;- but again not created by me because I am hopeless at this. The best I could come up on my own was "Simple and Bold' which is not much, right?<br />It is really interesting because i am a highly logical and&nbsp;analytical person in everything I do - except style. For some reason style analysis eludes me completely. Maybe this is my way of escape from a word of logic? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-is-the-hardest-part-of-figuring-out-your-style/page/2#post-1240758 Sat, 03 May 2014 11:38:13 +0000 kerry 1240758@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I don't have style descriptors so the hardest thing for me still is finding them. The two biggest obstacles I have to defining my style are lifestyle and body type. I am currently housed in a body that I didn't grow up with or spend most of my twenties with. I'm always concerned with comfort, fit and at least some figure flattery. These three things are difficult to accomplish with my current body. I feel that style choices are less of a priority than comfort, fit and figure flattery. Oh and avoiding the frump!</p> <p>It's only recently that the body in my mind's eye caught up with reality. So I'm still on the journey of figuring out what looks good on this body.</p> <p>My lifestyle is also very casual. I am a school teacher. My days are filled with chalk dust and dirty surfaces. I am also a mom to a young daughter so on days off I spend lots of time at home and on the floor.</p> <p>I'm OK with not having nailed my style descriptors yet. I'm most happy when I have something on that fits well (and doesn't migrate on my body), is suitable for my lifestyle, and is figure flattering. Oh and NOT frumpy </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-is-the-hardest-part-of-figuring-out-your-style#post-1240742 Sat, 03 May 2014 09:11:53 +0000 Mander 1240742@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I actually abandoned the style descriptor exercise after a while, because I found it all just too confusing. I find myself drawn to very disparate styles, or to things I see online that aren't available in real life, or to stuff that I know is either wildly impractical or would look awful on my real body.</p> <p>In many ways, when I am shopping I am not really looking for new clothes but for a new body. My style problems stem from the mismatch between reality and imagination.</p> <p>That plus the fact that (mentally) I still feel like I'm 18, and I am drawn to the same stuff I wore then despite the fact that I'm nearly 40! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-is-the-hardest-part-of-figuring-out-your-style#post-1240016 Fri, 02 May 2014 17:43:47 +0000 rabbit 1240016@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I think for now I'm happy with my style descriptors. &nbsp;They are fairly open ended and provide some guidance while being able to be interpreted various ways. &nbsp;Like <b>Peri </b>there is a gap between what I can envision, and find aspirational versions of, and what I can find in stores (at least at my budget level). &nbsp;</p> <p>So I look for variations on themes&nbsp;but there are some areas where it's harder. &nbsp;Prints for example, is a place where I sometimes see a big difference between lower priced and higher priced options. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-is-the-hardest-part-of-figuring-out-your-style#post-1239979 Fri, 02 May 2014 17:07:06 +0000 Janet 1239979@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>"Janet, how do you distinguish between things to admire and<br /> the wild cards? Do you try them on and decide then?"</p> <p>Usually that's exactly what I do. Sometimes I have to purchase them and try them on at home, styled with what's already in my closet, before I know if they will work. </p> <p>I've made lots of mistakes this way, usually when I've purchased from a boutique with tight return policies, so I've learned (for the most part) to not make impulsive wild-card purchases at places like that. </p> <p>But I am an emotional shopper and an emotional dresser. Sometimes what I am drawn to really defies logic, but I've gotten better at bringing my analytical eye into impulsive shopping urges. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-is-the-hardest-part-of-figuring-out-your-style#post-1239974 Fri, 02 May 2014 16:58:21 +0000 kkards 1239974@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>i think for me the hardest part is separating out the real life, everyday me from the aspirational me. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-is-the-hardest-part-of-figuring-out-your-style#post-1239955 Fri, 02 May 2014 16:26:55 +0000 Elizabeth P 1239955@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I'm still struggling with mine too.&nbsp; Well, struggling implies that I'm trying, which most of the time I'm not. I go in fits and spurts. But I often wish I had something to weigh clothing and outfit choices against, because sometimes I totally miss.&nbsp; I feel I'm getting my casual me figured out, but not so much my work me.&nbsp; I have the tendancy/ability/ whatever it is to dress (professionally) in a refined and polished way, yet that's not what I necessarily want to do.&nbsp; It's kind of my safe conservative default, but not "me".&nbsp; I also make safe conservative purchases that I later regret.&nbsp; I feel if I had words, or a descriptor, it would help.&nbsp; </p> <p>So this thread really helps!&nbsp; Thanks Suz for your detailed explanaiton of your journey, and you Aida for articulating your system so well.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-is-the-hardest-part-of-figuring-out-your-style#post-1239954 Fri, 02 May 2014 16:24:05 +0000 Peri 1239954@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>The hardest part for me is not being able to find things I like in the stores. It's hard to say what I like, much less define a style and begin to dress that way, when I can't find actual clothes to help me get started. I made a lot of headway in the winter, but now it's like starting all over again. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-is-the-hardest-part-of-figuring-out-your-style#post-1239947 Fri, 02 May 2014 16:16:06 +0000 jackiec 1239947@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I don't have any style descriptors yet. My head starts to spin every time I try to get too analytical. One of these days I'm going to sit down and map it out. I very much go by my gut and what feels right. I've screwed up a lot! I'm going to re-read this thread for all of the very useful information - this is great!</p> <p>Just want to shout out to Texstyle - so glad you got the Ugg shoes!!! I feel flattered that you picked them up from my thread! Funny enough, I grabbed those shoes last year on a trip to Paris of all places! My sister and I walked into the Ugg store there, and the striped shoes just called my name. Glad we can be shoe twins &nbsp;:) &nbsp;:) </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-is-the-hardest-part-of-figuring-out-your-style#post-1239015 Thu, 01 May 2014 19:46:50 +0000 Aida 1239015@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>The hardest part for me was figuring out a system that actually works for me, and then staying flexible enough to allow for growth. As Suz's post illustrates, there are many approaches and everyone needs something different. For myself, a two-word or rubric concept just doesn't work for me. Instead&nbsp;I use three different setups in tandem:</p> <ol> <li>A list of my favorite elements and details.</li> <li>My favorite fashion decades (40s, 60s, 70s, 80s).</li> <li>Three&nbsp;overarching styles that I am drawn to (Urban/Rock, Euro-chic, Vintage).</li> </ol> <p>#1 is, literally, just a list of things I love (e.g. denim, pumps, black skinnies, checkered prints...). I may gravitate towards some more than others in a particular season, but they are my core fashion loves.&nbsp;My&nbsp;outfits will pretty much always contain at least one thing from this list.&nbsp;I've also got my preferred colors and neutrals noted here, as well as a couple of don'ts but of course am entitled to change my opinion on those ;)</p> <p>#2 I use as a reference for my preferred classics and classic&nbsp;silhouettes. Wearing classic items that reference these particular fashion decades makes me feel the happiest; these are my trend grounding items (e.g. wide leg trousers, pencil skirts, white button-up shirts, flared jeans...)</p> <p>#3 contains the three somewhat contradictory styles that my eclectic preferences encompass; I will mix all or none in any given outfit, and I've found work and weekend outfits tend to skew differently.</p> <p>I don't compare each and every outfit against this crazy system though; the bulk of the time spent on it was to come up with it in the first place! It took me 2-3 years to iron it all out.&nbsp;However once I had it sorted, things really fell into place. It's just always in the back of my mind now. That said, I will consult the concepts more concretely for new item purchases that don't seem immediately fitting.</p> <p>And to throw a wrench in the whole thing, for events I've come to realize that I&nbsp;have a whole different persona!</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-is-the-hardest-part-of-figuring-out-your-style#post-1238926 Thu, 01 May 2014 17:54:23 +0000 Angie 1238926@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Karie &amp; Viv,&nbsp;I think, the point of style descriptors is NOT to feel pinned down. Rather, the point is to&nbsp;keep you focused. If your style descriptors are too limiting - they aren't the right words. AND nothing is cast in stone. You can change your descriptor at any time.&nbsp;</p> <p>Suz, thanks for documenting your process so eloquently. You rock.&nbsp;xo </p> <p>Alexandra, things really fell into place for me 3 years ago when I went even MORE&nbsp;simple in my outfit creation. It is<b> such </b>a daily pleasure for me to leave off jewellery and all the bells and whistles. I do not choose items with garment detail.&nbsp;It's like the planets truly aligned.&nbsp;</p> <p>And the hardest part about my style is the same year after year - making sure my feet are comfortably stylish.&nbsp;xo</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-is-the-hardest-part-of-figuring-out-your-style#post-1238911 Thu, 01 May 2014 17:30:06 +0000 Helena 1238911@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>What a great thread ... the hardest part for me is to stay confident in my very simple, very pared-down, "everyday" style in the face of others with different, arguably more "fashionable" style.</p> <p>Re: the Style Statement, I did it and came up with "simple cultivated", (by which I was trying to get at the idea of simplicity with intention)&nbsp;which I thought was kind of useless at the time. BUT then everytime I find something that I really love, I think to myself something like&nbsp;"it's simple ... yet sort of refined, or um, I don't know <i>cultivated </i>maybe ... hey wait what the ???" So you never know, the style statement may come in handy someday! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-is-the-hardest-part-of-figuring-out-your-style#post-1238905 Thu, 01 May 2014 17:24:42 +0000 Anonymous 1238905@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Good questions, Alexandra. Yes, I tend to need multiple wardrobe changes during the day. (At minimum, once for work and once for family time.)&nbsp;I've also reconciled that I have a very different wardrobe for each role with not much overlap in items. For a long time, I tried to make things work double (or triple)&nbsp;duty but the truth is that what's appropriate for one role just isn't for another. I don't <b>want</b> to run around the playground in work clothes, and jeans are strictly forbidden at my workplace, for example. The greatest area of overlap is my work clothes and&nbsp;church clothes. I've discovered that having separate capsules works for me.&nbsp;Psychologically, switching clothing helps me switch roles.&nbsp;It's unfortunately not the cheapest way to build a wardrobe and I do end up with some holes just because I can't possibly fill all of them without draining my bank account. ;)&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-is-the-hardest-part-of-figuring-out-your-style#post-1238878 Thu, 01 May 2014 16:43:38 +0000 Suz 1238878@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Alexandra, I think I finally managed to develop a more accurate sense of what looks good on me, personally, through the following process:&nbsp;</p> <ul> <li>Significant weight loss and body changes due to exercise and aging allowed me to look at my body more objectively. As I lost weight, I took weekly measurements. I ceased to feel a lot of emotion about the numbers themselves. I simply saw their relationship, and how it was changing over time. &nbsp;And gained acceptance for what is. This was the "body shape" piece.&nbsp;</li> </ul> <ul> <li>Next, I noticed the role of hairstyle. When I cut my hair, clothes that had become difficult to wear with my longer hair (but had always been favourites with my shorter hair) were suddenly possible again (think turtlenecks). This got me thinking about proportion.&nbsp;</li> </ul> <ul> <li>So, I tried <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.insideoutstyleblog.com/2011/12/how-to-measure-your-body-proportions.html">Imogen's proportions exercise</a>. This was also instructive, challenging some of my previous beliefs and affirming other intuitions or providing explanations for why certain silhouettes and combinations seemed to work better than others on me.&nbsp;</li> </ul> <br />Finally, I just kept trying things on and taking pictures. And I began to *see* what was working better and what was not working so well. It really begins with acceptance, I think. We can wish for this or that, and try to fight our own body type and proportions, but ultimately finding our style is like finding ourselves -- we can't do it if we are in denial.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-is-the-hardest-part-of-figuring-out-your-style#post-1238870 Thu, 01 May 2014 16:30:52 +0000 Alexandra 1238870@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Karie, that's a great idea to look for the common thread. It<br /> sounds like you don't want to get boxed in and having a common link in the<br /> middle is more palatable than a fence all around.</p> <p>JoyceB, yes, style evolves. I wonder if that's what makes it<br /> more difficult to narrow things down, especially during periods when it's in<br /> flux (or more so than usual).</p> <p>Viva, I can relate to the challenge of being attracted to<br /> something outside your usual range. How do you resolve that? Case by case?</p> <p>Suz, OMG, what awesome links, thank you! I've bookmarked<br /> several. It's interesting that it's often easier to describe what your style is<br /> NOT - surely there is some serious psychology behind this. I'm curious about<br /> how you developed an objective sense of what looks good on you. Was it through<br /> WIWs? Trying on a lot of different things over time? Specific exercises?</p> <p>Janet, how do you distinguish between things to admire and<br /> the wild cards? Do you try them on and decide then?</p> <p>TraceyLiz, sounds like you prefer to keep your options wide<br /> open. I'm glad you realized it's part of your general life pattern and not<br /> "something wrong" with you.</p> <p>Harmonica, thank you for the reminder about one's clothes<br /> fitting one's lifestyle. It's all too easy to shop for the fantasy life.</p> <p>NDMom, yes, knowing what doesn't work and what you dislike<br /> is a great step forward because it narrows down the field at least a bit. It<br /> might provide some more insight, too, as you reflect on why exactly you dislike<br /> certain things or why they don't work.</p> <p>Mo, LOL @ "in my head" style. Yes, some styles are<br /> hard to pull off in certain circumstances and I can totally relate to the<br /> different climate thing. Your pictures make it clear that you have it all<br /> figured out though.</p> <p>Texstyle, isn't it funny how some shoes can look just fine<br /> in pictures and even as you hold them up, but as soon as you put them on, it's<br /> clear they're definitely all wrong for you? Glad those striped Uggs were just<br /> the right thing.</p> <p>Stacey, yes, the many roles of a woman! How do you reconcile<br /> them? Do you look for the common thread? Change clothes multiple times a day?<br /> Not easy.</p> <p>Rachy, how interesting that you long for a visual<br /> descriptor. John Kitchener would be able to help you with that. If you can do a<br /> consultation with him, I'd definitely recommend it. He has an amazing way of<br /> helping people connect the style dots.</p> <p> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-is-the-hardest-part-of-figuring-out-your-style#post-1238801 Thu, 01 May 2014 15:32:21 +0000 rachylou 1238801@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I did the Style Statement consultation with Carrie and Danielle. It was difficult for me to get my head around it at the time, although I've come to see how it works. It's not a visual description of what things look like, that's the thing. Which is ironic, in a way.</p> <p>...ironic because that's how I work, but I long for that visual descriptor. I'd like a clue that says something about the final look, as seen by others. One that I can hold up this item or that item to, and say *yes, this fits the bill* or *no, it doesn't.*</p> <p>However, I work from the inside out. This is my first challenge personally. The thoughts I have, which produce my style, are not descriptive of the final, outward appearance. When I try to go the other way, it's complete paralysis. I have to stay in my jammies.</p> <p>My second challenge is that I can't really identify the keystones of my style. My neighbor agrees with me. She'll say, *I don't know what about that outfit is so you, but it's so you.* I shop where everyone shops. I wear what everyone wears. What else could it be?</p> <p>And that rolls into my third challenge - the gestalt is not the sum of the parts. It's like that chain of stores, Hot Topic. They sell all this punk/goth stuff, but as MC Lars says, *Hot Topic is not punk rock.*</p> <p>I'm sure there are many more... including poor vocabulary, lol!</p> <p>(Btw - that's cool: I see John Kitchener has an SF Bay Area area code! I could do a consultation!)</p> <p> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-is-the-hardest-part-of-figuring-out-your-style#post-1238784 Thu, 01 May 2014 15:14:43 +0000 Anonymous 1238784@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>For me, it's two things:<br />1) Figuring out how to apply&nbsp;my style to the very different roles in my life (professional vs.&nbsp;mom on the go&nbsp;vs.&nbsp;woman who still has -- ok, wants --&nbsp;a life outside those two roles)<br />2) Figuring out how to mesh what I'm drawn to vs. what actually works for my lifestyle and body. Some styles that I'm drawn to completely fight with my natural body type. Since figure flattery is fairly important to me, that can be a deal-breaker.</p> <p> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-is-the-hardest-part-of-figuring-out-your-style#post-1238765 Thu, 01 May 2014 14:58:42 +0000 Suz 1238765@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Ooops - I just saw that the autocorrector misspelled your name -- sorry!!&nbsp;</p> <p>I still try on drapy things. And sometimes feel sad they don't work. My solution is asymmetry. It does work, and can give a similar feeling to drape. &nbsp;:)&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-is-the-hardest-part-of-figuring-out-your-style#post-1238756 Thu, 01 May 2014 14:50:10 +0000 texstyle 1238756@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Yes suz - it's taken me quite some time to learn that fact but it is a "rule" I need to follow. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-is-the-hardest-part-of-figuring-out-your-style#post-1238750 Thu, 01 May 2014 14:23:55 +0000 Suz 1238750@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>High five, textile, on the "draped." Drape in the front really fights with a rectangular figure, I think. There is an example of "I love it on others," and even (sometimes) "I wish I could wear it." But it will never feel right -- and there's a reason.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-is-the-hardest-part-of-figuring-out-your-style#post-1238747 Thu, 01 May 2014 14:11:22 +0000 texstyle 1238747@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Not sure I've pinpointed it exactly either but I have learned so many things about&nbsp; my own fashion interests and why/how many things speak to me. Some of the things that have led me to make better choices are "exercises" in how I feel when I put something on.</p> <p>Like sometimes I am drawn to a style so I order it, try it on, and wonder how in the world it can feel so wrong on me.&nbsp; Recent case in point. I ordered 3 pair of casual sneakers/slip ons. One tan/white Teva lace up (so comfortable) that ended up having a lining of hot pink that could be seen on the ege and a hot pink sole that just felt too young or something and troubled me as it seemed that it might clash with certain colors. No go.&nbsp; </p> <p>Next pair was a classic pair of Navy/White Van lace ups with leather laces (loved the idea of leather laces and I LOVE navy). But as soon as I put one on I knew it wasn't "me". These were too "boyish" for my taste.</p> <p>The third and final pair a slip on "striped" Ugg I saw jackiec wearing in a recent WIW linked below #2 pic. Those were the perfect pair for me. Thanks jackiec! I think my DH nailed it when he said "these seem more feminine" than the others. I am kind of a tomboy and have a rectangle figure so even with long wavy hair, wearing "boyish" clothing is still not what works best for my personal style since I definitely want to look feminine.<br /><a href="http://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wiw42514-to-42714" rel="nofollow">http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....4-to-42714</a></p> <p>So aside from loving nature, comfort, softness (Natural, classic, soft are words I use to help guide me) -&nbsp; I guess I also love a slight amount of femininity in my clothing (but not ruffles, florals or bows).</p> <p>I had a similar reaction when I tried a draped jacket from Stem that<br /> Angie had recommended. It was a great color (deep charcoal) *very* soft,<br /> natural feeling and&nbsp; lightweight enough for my climate. But when I put<br /> it on, well, it *draped* and Is should know by now that I don't really<br /> love things that are too draped. I prefer a more classic soft blazer or<br /> moto, but not anything that might say "avant garde."&nbsp; I just couldn't see how it would feel until I actually tried it on.</p> <p>Not sure I answered the question but I thought giving some insight might be helpful to others.</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-is-the-hardest-part-of-figuring-out-your-style#post-1238741 Thu, 01 May 2014 13:55:05 +0000 Mo 1238741@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I had two big stumbling blocks. &nbsp;The first was identifying the similarities in my dressing for two opposing climates. &nbsp;What was the common thread between the shorts and sandals looks and the boots with sweaters. &nbsp;<br />The second, was figuring out how my "in my head" style and my "out in the real world" wear was going to mesh. &nbsp;I would argue that one can't have a slick, urban style if mucking around on a farm most days. &nbsp;Or punk style if you're a banker. &nbsp;Or a sexpot look if a pastor's wife, etc, etc. &nbsp;</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-is-the-hardest-part-of-figuring-out-your-style#post-1238734 Thu, 01 May 2014 13:45:02 +0000 NDMom 1238734@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Great read! &nbsp;Still working on it....and I can't even pinpoint why it's taking so long! &nbsp;But, I do know what doesn't work for me &amp; what I don't like....so it's a step, I guess! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-is-the-hardest-part-of-figuring-out-your-style#post-1238718 Thu, 01 May 2014 13:20:46 +0000 harmonica 1238718@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I'm still working on it and still find it very hard to pinpoint my style. It's difficult to narrow down and find a few characteristics that covers it well.</p> <p>I really like how Suz describes her journey and I think I'm combining several "methods" of categorizing my style.</p> <p>And as other say, I need to be aware of what looks good on <b>me </b>and does it fit <b>my lifestyle</b>. There are so many beautiful pieces and styles out there and it can be hard to let limit oneself to the pieces that will work really well for you. </p>