YouLookFab Forum » Topic: what you wear

YouLookFab Forum » Topic: what you wear https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-you-wear Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Sat, 18 Apr 2026 17:40:48 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 <![CDATA[Search]]> q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php Sloper on "what you wear" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-you-wear/page/2#post-2222004 Mon, 06 Sep 2021 21:52:35 +0000 Sloper 2222004@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I know I make judgments about people's appearance - and with age I'm much more aware of my mind processes and am trying to not be so knee-jerky with internal assessments. Jaileen - yes - our old friend the Venn. :-) Cat2 - ditto on the suit. JAileen on "what you wear" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-you-wear/page/2#post-2221973 Mon, 06 Sep 2021 18:26:38 +0000 JAileen 2221973@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I notice what people are wearing, too.  Lots of people, including my husband, don’t.  Some people notice but don’t comment.  There’s probably a Venn diagram somewhere. ophelia on "what you wear" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-you-wear/page/2#post-2221959 Mon, 06 Sep 2021 17:02:25 +0000 ophelia 2221959@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ cat 2 lol! I have the same suit(s). I agree people notice, likely when they are idle. I have no idea what anyone wears on busy days; on slower days I observe more. I have no doubt that unfortunately people are treated differently based on clothing & overall appearance. I've heard people say they wear something repeatedly or wear something unusual to work & because no one commented they must not have noticed. cat2 on "what you wear" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-you-wear/page/2#post-2221934 Mon, 06 Sep 2021 14:20:09 +0000 cat2 2221934@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I do think people notice, and that they make initial judgments based on what they see. But it’s context dependent. One leg of my life I was living and working in the city, and the same suit would make me look like the hotel/condo staff to the more affluent residents of my building, a successful business person at work, and a corporate tool if I strayed into the warehouse district. lyn67 on "what you wear" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-you-wear/page/2#post-2221897 Mon, 06 Sep 2021 09:26:32 +0000 lyn67 2221897@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I believe all the way we are presenting ourselves in the public is (in the best case) about personal decisions limited by our pesonal possibilities, of course.  Our decisions are showing off some  priorities, even character/personality traits and help us orient ourselves between people- sort of the same as metacommunication  does. BUT should never be the single one feature for judging a fellow.... In fact I keep training  myself for NOT judging anybody at all especially if it does not meet my  ideea of  congruence- as  always remind myself that one is my very own and subjective one- so by no means general/standard or whatever more. With my own maturation I  just like to discover beauty in the dissimilarities,   more in a philosophical way- if you want:-)  that's the joy of my later life. Anonymous on "what you wear" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-you-wear/page/2#post-2221770 Sun, 05 Sep 2021 18:06:48 +0000 Anonymous 2221770@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I notice if someone really stands out from the norm mostly. I saw a lady yesterday in a purple outfit that reminded me of Lady O at Biden's inagueration. Just wow! Her family's outfits didn't register at all. This was in a town of under 1000 people, but I'd have noticed her in the city too! Anonymous on "what you wear" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-you-wear/page/2#post-2221763 Sun, 05 Sep 2021 17:36:55 +0000 Anonymous 2221763@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ LaPed mentioned that children do notice and I agree. I dress mostly for myself, but also for children, they especially notice my accessories. But hardly a day goes by that I get compliments from strangers. They especially notice attempt at bookending. My last memorable comments were in Walmart from a man shopping with his wife. Everything was noticed. I notice a more general impression of style, colors, shoes. Polish or not, a general sense of style being dressy, casual, sporty, athletic, or a hot mess. Helena on "what you wear" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-you-wear/page/2#post-2221725 Sun, 05 Sep 2021 13:17:30 +0000 Helena 2221725@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ In terms of specific items, I agree that most people don't notice unless it's a standout piece ... Unusual colour, etc. I do agree also that people form an overall impression based in part on appearance, which clothing plays into. I think whether we like it out not, we are communicating something about ourselves with our clothing, so even if we are not fashion people it makes sense to bring some intention to our clothing choices. Sally on "what you wear" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-you-wear/page/2#post-2221699 Sun, 05 Sep 2021 04:42:38 +0000 Sally 2221699@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I really liked what Celia said that what we wear or how we dress often creates a narrative in the eyes of others.  I have a general impression of how people that I know (but don't know well like close friends or family) dress and I make judgements/stories around that.  I know other people notice too because in conversations, someone will say "well she often wears puffy jackets".  I think there are many people  who make stories up subconsciously like me about someone purely on appearances, but whether everyone is like that, I"m not sure.   I remember when I first discovered YLF, I was talking to my mum about her small community and she started using the phrase signature style to describe how people dressed.  It wasn't a conscious signature style but just how others tended to dress and it had created an impression.   Some people dress like they don't care and it is still creating an impression, not a bad one but I would make the assumption that clothes are not important to them.  Stagaire fash makes the good point about subconscious messages that are given off.    I have been watching a few netflix/neon series and I wonder how the stylists work in these shows.  Sometimes they do it really well and subtly show a personality through the clothes, not in a caricature way but with slight differences in dress style.   Echo's description of the various school teachers made me laugh because I could recognize the predictability in my own school.  I also unconsciously interpret a persons thinking or decision making process in the clothes they chose if it is an occasion where they must have had to make a decision...eg not just throwing on your work clothes....like teacher only days which are like no uniform days to teachers...how does one dress down.....when the principal decides that a suit will be too formal for the occasion but he can't come in ripped jeans. Or when people dress up to meet certain people like family gatherings..  Sorry for the novel and if I got off track.  Sloper on "what you wear" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-you-wear#post-2221691 Sun, 05 Sep 2021 03:30:55 +0000 Sloper 2221691@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Re-reading your first post and I’m still thinking… I guess I’ll never know if someone notices what I wear.  When I’m in “normal” clothes, say conservative black pants and a basic top & blazer for work.  Maybe a more distinctive outfit or item would get a comment.  But NO comment doesn’t mean someone didn’t notice.  Sometimes it’s not appropriate to comment. There’s noticing and Noticing, you know?  Maybe some of us pay more attention to details, silhouette, fabrication, “style” - and definitely there are people who don’t pay that degree of attention.  And for those people, it takes a bright color, or someone wearing a hat when no one else is (as you say), that overcomes their inner inertia and elicits a comment. And sometimes a comment is being part of getting along with others, or breaking the ice.  Not being fake or using people or fake flattery, but kind of like small talk and being kind. Echo on "what you wear" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-you-wear#post-2221686 Sun, 05 Sep 2021 02:55:13 +0000 Echo 2221686@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Janet is right. People judge; that's just what we do. And we judge others often within seconds of seeing them, so what they are wearing and the way they present themselves plays a significant part in that. Surely our opinions can change over time, but first impressions matter. And there's a reason people follow trends, buy fashion magazines, follow fashion blogs and belong to fashion forums. There are millions of people who engage in these activities; surely they must notice what others are wearing. I do. I often know who is coming down the hallway long before I can see their face because I recognize their silhouette. The science teacher's baggy, old-fashioned suits; the ELA teacher's dress shirt and dress pants; the fifth grade teacher's cute dress; the third grade teacher's slim pants and boots; the Kindergarten teacher's leggings and tunics. It is highly likely that one could put an outfit on a manikin and every single person in the building could identify who would wear it. We may not say it, but we NOTICE. rachylou on "what you wear" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-you-wear#post-2221679 Sun, 05 Sep 2021 02:30:06 +0000 rachylou 2221679@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I just thought of something… like spy craft and ‘grey man’ stuff… I suspect there is a way of dressing that is utterly forgettable. People notice but also instantaneously dismiss from mind… Greyscale on "what you wear" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-you-wear#post-2221668 Sun, 05 Sep 2021 01:39:46 +0000 Greyscale 2221668@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I think people notice at least an overall impression of someone's look. But I only have conscious awareness of someone's clothes when something stood out subconsciously in my first, automatic impression. So, for instance, I'm vaguely aware that most of the men and women in my department wear sorta generic casual-professional clothes, but if someone asked me what color Bob or Sue wore at the faculty meeting, I'd have no idea. But I automatically take a second look to notice the outfits worn by one colleague with a sort of zany streetwear style, or another colleague who is very polished. Or someone I pass on the street with a pair of distinctive boots or a really cool overall vibe. Or so on. It's not a conscious process, it's just the way my brain gets grabbed by something. In fact, sometimes I'd like to be more consciously aware of what people wear, to build up my sense of what's "correct" for different contexts (though I guess by now I have pretty good sense for that). And on the flip side, I'm always surprised when people "see" me. I remember being one of the last to leave a party, so my coat was still on the rack when almost everyone was gone, and someone said "oh no, someone left their coat" and then "oh, I bet that's Greyscale's because it looks so classy". I wouldn't have thought to describe my clothing that way but it made me think about how rarely we hear others' impressions of us and how each time is a surprising little window into something. Jaime on "what you wear" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-you-wear#post-2221664 Sun, 05 Sep 2021 01:31:22 +0000 Jaime 2221664@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I do think people comment much less than they notice. And the commenting might be more about their personality and yours than the clothes themselves.  But even people that don't explicitly notice or remember the details of your outfit will form a general impression from your overall look.  Jenni NZ on "what you wear" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-you-wear#post-2221663 Sun, 05 Sep 2021 01:29:46 +0000 Jenni NZ 2221663@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I really like Peri’s take on it. I’m sure it will all be just opinions really, and how those are formed will very much depend on our own backgrounds and which decades we came of age in I suspect. I did really enjoy when a young SA openly admired the 1995 hand knitted jumper when I thought she probably wasn’t even born when it was made! celia on "what you wear" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-you-wear#post-2221656 Sun, 05 Sep 2021 00:07:30 +0000 celia 2221656@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ So many interesting points. I guess I took the question literally, as in do they notice, not if they like. I think sometimes people have preconceived notions of what someone in a specific capacity (mom/office worker, etc) should wear and the simple fact that someone doesn't fit the mold stands out. I don't mean standing out as being unsuitable dressed but simply not being what expected. Sal on "what you wear" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-you-wear#post-2221652 Sat, 04 Sep 2021 23:15:18 +0000 Sal 2221652@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I guess we gather here because we are interested - either for ourselves or for others. I do notice clothing but am very un observant with home decor and even with jewelry. I do agree that colours get the most comments. Also maybe shoes? My friends are very mixed in their interest in style and fashion and clothing - they all want to look good bit what that means is different for them all. Looking good might mean labels for one, figure flattery for another, fashion forward for another, and their best colours for another. Jon will sometimes comment on something that is a year old that he hasn’t noticed me wear before. Sloper on "what you wear" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-you-wear#post-2221651 Sat, 04 Sep 2021 23:12:41 +0000 Sloper 2221651@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Yes, other people notice what I'm wearing (sometimes - I only know if they say something.)  I notice what other people are wearing too.  I don't know if I dress so that others will notice me - maybe I'm just fooling myself to think I think that I don't care what others think. I don't know if I dress so others will compliment me (and there's a difference between being noticed and being complimented).   Peri - makes a good point - it really all is opinion.   Lots of thoughts about comments and compliments but that would be a new thread. Windchime on "what you wear" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-you-wear#post-2221648 Sat, 04 Sep 2021 22:12:43 +0000 Windchime 2221648@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Interesting question! Yes, I know that some people notice what I wear because they comment on it. And I definitely size up what other people are wearing, because it’s interesting to me.  Peri on "what you wear" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-you-wear#post-2221647 Sat, 04 Sep 2021 22:06:21 +0000 Peri 2221647@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I think people notice, and if they are polite they keep negative opinions to themselves. So I might be walking around thinking no one notices when really they might notice and not like! The people we think notice, because they say something nice, may just be the few whose opinion aligns with ours.  The more I look at and try to learn about fashion, the more I think it is all opinion. I'm not sure what all goes into forming those opinions because it is so complex, but there is definitely no actual right or wrong that I can tell. Angie's posts formatted like Friday's Transitional one is just one example...for each outfit some will like it and some won't. Any time someone posts a keep/return the opinions are all over the place. In IRL the "that doesn't look good, you shouldn't wear it" contingent probably just keep their mouths shut. Hopefully! I can watch a YT video where the person is just loving their soooo cute new whatever and I will think it looks bad. Opinions.  Once I was out with a friend and she was wearing something Chicos from about 15 years prior and she got so many compliments, many strangers stopping us to say they loved her outfit. I was wearing something that would have met with more approval on YLF but no one said a word to me. I doubt it was that they noticed her but failed completely to notice me standing right beside her. They noticed me but I didn't make them happy. Opinions.  I do think people who frequent a fashion board are looking for a standard of "rightness". I don't think it exists in any objective way. It's all opinion.  I may have gotten off track from your question...I guess I'm just rambling on something that's been on my mind for awhile. But back to the question...yes, I think people notice. If it seems like they don't, maybe they just don't care that much about what they see and are politely keeping it to themselves! celia on "what you wear" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-you-wear#post-2221641 Sat, 04 Sep 2021 20:31:20 +0000 celia 2221641@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I know for a fact that people do notice what I wear. While we were working at the office my coworkers would openly say that they looked forward to see what outfit I would wear that day. In other circles sometimes people give little comments that make me realize they are noticing. I am a firm believer that the way we dress creates our own narrative in the eyes of others. Some won't go as far as seing if the outfit works but I think everyone will get an involuntary first reaction. I like to see how others dress( obviously) and take as many clues from what they wear as how they wear it. Anonymous on "what you wear" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-you-wear#post-2221639 Sat, 04 Sep 2021 20:09:33 +0000 Anonymous 2221639@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <div>I think they notice, but if you don't know each other, as part of a whole picture assessment of a stranger, so not necessarily in detail.</div><div> </div><div>My ex husband once said that after five minutes no one cares and that they'll be thinking much more about their own outfit.</div><div> </div><div>I notice what people are wearing but I keep a lid on the opinion forming because there's a lot I don't know. </div> rachylou on "what you wear" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-you-wear#post-2221637 Sat, 04 Sep 2021 19:58:21 +0000 rachylou 2221637@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I note that I have some co-workers who notice, some who often comment and some who really don’t care. But there are moments and outfits that have stopped the floor, lolol. It’s because I will wear upon occasion real clothes on office days Jenni NZ on "what you wear" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-you-wear#post-2221636 Sat, 04 Sep 2021 19:54:01 +0000 Jenni NZ 2221636@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I think you are right for so many people. I sometimes wish I didn’t notice as much as I do. Many times I don’t notice that much because if someone asked me afterwards what people had been wearing I couldn’t tell them. But on the other hand, when I take my patients into the consulting room if they look particularly good ( this is mainly for women, I feel less comfortable complimenting men) I will say so, which they seem to appreciate. And I get compliments on my clothing often, at least once a week. So it has been noticed. Cardiff girl on "what you wear" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-you-wear#post-2221629 Sat, 04 Sep 2021 19:14:21 +0000 Cardiff girl 2221629@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I think that it probably depends on the person,Some people are just generally more observant  than others and if fashion is an interest of yours l think that’s what you pay attention to.l do agree that people judge others on their appearance but often think it’s an unconscious thing.l personally love a good nosey at what other people are wearing especially if it’s alittle out of the ordinary. chewyspaghetti on "what you wear" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-you-wear#post-2221626 Sat, 04 Sep 2021 18:20:15 +0000 chewyspaghetti 2221626@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ For what its worth, I do know that (some) people notice what I wear. Over the years I have had many people tell me so. In fact, the other day at work I overheard some of my clients discussing how much they enjoyed my style (this came on the heels of a compliment directly to me from one client about my outfit that day). Some people don't look at or think about clothing, but for most of us it's hard to ignore. You see what a person is wearing whether you are trying to or not. Janet on "what you wear" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-you-wear#post-2221625 Sat, 04 Sep 2021 18:17:52 +0000 Janet 2221625@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I think a lot of people notice what others wear, even if they never say anything, or even consciously take it in. People make snap judgments based on appearances all the time without even realizing it. I notice what others wear, and I dress mainly for myself but also for those who notice. Whether someone connects or appreciates my style is another question that I have no control over, so I feel it’s best to dress for my own satisfaction, comfort, and aesthetics, rather than to please a particular “audience.” If so few people noticed or cared, I doubt a style forum would be such a popular place! Irina on "what you wear" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-you-wear#post-2221624 Sat, 04 Sep 2021 18:14:20 +0000 Irina 2221624@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I agree with you! I don’t wear bright colors or patterns but I used to get compliments on my red shoes often. I notice how others dressed and I think anyone who is interested in fashion, does. Mostly, people are self involved Liz on "what you wear" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-you-wear#post-2221623 Sat, 04 Sep 2021 17:48:18 +0000 Liz 2221623@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <div>I wouldn't equate people not saying anything with people not noticing. For example, I have coworkers who wear the same thing all the time, and I notice. But I would never bring it up to them--why would I comment like that on someone's clothing? In the same way, I don't comment every time someone looks nice. </div> LaPed on "what you wear" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-you-wear#post-2221622 Sat, 04 Sep 2021 17:32:11 +0000 LaPed 2221622@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I work with kids -- they notice for sure! Graphics, brand names, changes in hair/makeup... students comment on everything. :D