https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/whats-not-me Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Sat, 11 Apr 2026 22:36:38 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/whats-not-me#post-1129845 Sun, 05 Jan 2014 23:32:38 +0000 catgirl 1129845@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Sheath dresses are supposed to work for me but they don't fit and I don't find many that suit my taste. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/whats-not-me#post-1129837 Sun, 05 Jan 2014 23:23:08 +0000 unfrumped 1129837@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I know what you mean!<br /> Suiting/ suits! Or at least traditional styles. Lots( but not all) blazers. Make me look so frumpy. Somehow too much classic/ tailored for whatever else are my issues and I can't carry it off.<br /> Shirtwaist dresses- I kept thinking those ought go work, but no. </p> <p>Agree best lesson is to try on lots of things you might never have considered, as ee as things you think " ought" to work. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/whats-not-me#post-1129589 Sun, 05 Jan 2014 18:26:21 +0000 rachylou 1129589@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Well, I'm glad to see I have company... hehe, misery loves company ;&gt; </p> <p>...And such different culprits. I do believe I half-thought that there would be some main culprits. Like Chanel-style suits. </p> <p>On the subject of being polished: I can only do this when the stars align, and then the effort is so great I'm exhausted of ability for the next 7 years. Haha.</p> <p>Back to the boots, maybe it was the style... but I'm a little, um, concerned it's the whole genre. I never thought of myself as being delicate... truth be told, compared to other Asians, I'm a heffer (I learned the hard way there's nothing for me to buy in China)... but that was kinda it. They were somehow too big for me. It's like they highlighted some frilly aspect of myself that came of its corner fighting(!)</p> <p>Which I think is weird, because I know plenty of pixie-framed girls who rock the look.</p> <p>Now the subject of stripes, houndstooth, tweed. This is interesting. They're the preppy "patterns." I wear stripes (and houndstooth and tweed), but you know I'm extremely finicky about it. I have to suck the preppy out of it. I consider the Breton a seriously dangerous minefield for me. Probably it's too neat for me... </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/whats-not-me#post-1129492 Sun, 05 Jan 2014 16:55:01 +0000 Anonymous 1129492@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Just coming back to say I could have written Traci's post! It's like I can get 95% of the way to polished if I really, really work at it, but it just makes the remaining 5% all the more glaring. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/whats-not-me#post-1129430 Sun, 05 Jan 2014 15:28:59 +0000 Anonymous 1129430@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Nodding with fellow stripe-phobe Dana :D</p> <p>&nbsp;I know just what you mean Rachy. I feel a bit similar about rock chic looks which I love to see but I'm guessing I would feel like a fish out of water. Also, like Dana I just can't bring myself to wear stripes yet I love the look of them. Suz may have a point&nbsp; though, perhaps you could try a different Doc style.</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/whats-not-me#post-1129428 Sun, 05 Jan 2014 15:23:46 +0000 Traci 1129428@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Very refined and polished for me. &nbsp;Have you ever seen one of those makeover shows where the reasonably decent faced lady gets all polished, coiffed and made up and suddenly your eye goes to every asymmetry, crooked tooth and skin bump because now they stand out against all that polish? &nbsp;That's what I feel like if I'm too pristine. &nbsp;It's like a big flashing arrow to flaws that normally fall more into the character category. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/whats-not-me#post-1129416 Sun, 05 Jan 2014 15:03:57 +0000 gryffin 1129416@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Rachylou - I know exactly what you mean.&nbsp; But I am totally with Runcarla on this - the only way to really know is just to try it on.&nbsp; With fashion there is such a visceral component - you immediately know love or hate.&nbsp; It feels right, your think its right or it's totally wrong.&nbsp; I think we've all had those moments.&nbsp; For me it was jeggings.&nbsp; I love leggings but with jeggings you get a the fly and button and loops (feel like I should tuck) but too fitted vs layer but then see said waist band.&nbsp; Just doesn't work for me.&nbsp; But I bought 2-3 pr and returned before I crossed them off the list.&nbsp; But for my style and love of tucking into boots they should have been a mainstay!!&nbsp; Just proves you never know!! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/whats-not-me#post-1129407 Sun, 05 Jan 2014 14:53:55 +0000 Sarah A 1129407@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Hmmm.... I am so done with buying skirts. Esp if they are black and white houndstooth. I just love them but never ever wear them. And i keep thinking i need some black leather to "edge up" my style but every time i try something in black leather (besides my classic jacket... whose loose arm fit i am wondering about is it frumpy? if i think it could be the answer is probably yes) they feel too hard. The black motos just feel bad*ss and i am not. I tried some docs too... blah. I am next up for some assymmetrical top in non-black knits ... edgy but a bit soft? I hope so! &nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/whats-not-me#post-1129343 Sun, 05 Jan 2014 12:26:22 +0000 Vildy 1129343@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Manidipa reminded me: houndstooth.</p> <p>I have a weakness for black and white houndstooth. While I can wear many black and white prints, somehow the houndstooth of various sizes doesn't look right to me, including tipped in a solid color. The ones that are small and grey out also don't work although I do wear a lot of grey, from pale and frosty to charcoal. Since I always get rid of any houndstooth jackets I get, I've learned to stay away.&nbsp; Oddly, though, I have one longer length very fitted jacket in exploded gigantic hounstooth that does work - but it's black and white and camel, equally. </p> <p>Vests. And by extension jumper dresses or tops and blouses underneath sleeveless sheaths. I don't have slender upper arms and they are also somewhat muscular. I have been comfortable baring them and going sleeveless for some years now. But when sleeves are sticking out from a vest or jumper, it bothers me, whether the sleeve is knit and close fitting or woven and fuller. This seems to be true whether the vest or jumper dress has normal, extended or cut in shoulders. You can see, I am stubborn. I haven't tried - yet - sleeves that match the body of the vest or the portion of it, if more strongly patterned, nearest the shoulder. Stubborn, again. </p> <p>Belted. I finally found one linen look shirtdress that looks great on me but in most cases, even though I have a waist, anything belted makes me feel I look like a parcel. This is true for belted jackets or knitwear if they are more fitted. I used to try to take things in, figuring that if they were fitted anyway, I wouldn't get all that stiff blousiness (the other side of the problem). It didn't work. The one shirtdress that works has lots of fabric. Go figure. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/whats-not-me#post-1129326 Sun, 05 Jan 2014 10:34:01 +0000 ManidipaM 1129326@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I love tweeds and houndstooth and herringbone... Yesterday I saw what looked like the perfect luxe sweatshirt in an oversized black-and-white houdstooth. Black knit sleeves. So, so right.</p> <p>Well I looked like Wednesday hitting her teen stride. So wrong.</p> <p>I bought the rather twee eiffel tower and balloons print on a plaon slubby black t-shirt instead. Sigh. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/whats-not-me#post-1129249 Sun, 05 Jan 2014 04:58:19 +0000 Anonymous 1129249@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Certain extremely vintage-inspired fit and flare dresses don't work for me in the "like my style, but taken too far for me" way. Think a lot of the stuff on&nbsp;Modcloth.</p> <p>I'm so short that I generally just take it as a given that most shoes will make me look short and wear them anyway. But flat oxfords definitely feel like they're especially bad. I have only one pair and don't wear them nearly enough.</p> <p>In the "never me" category is anything described as "crisp" or "impeccable".</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/whats-not-me#post-1129238 Sun, 05 Jan 2014 04:42:52 +0000 Firecracker (Sharan) 1129238@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Interesting! I can't think of an example for myself, but it's a good question. I would have thought you could wear the style of boot you describe, too. I wouldn't necessarily give up on the idea. It might have been that particular cut or color or even the patent leather that made them seem not quite right. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/whats-not-me#post-1129235 Sun, 05 Jan 2014 04:39:28 +0000 ironkurtin 1129235@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Stripes. *shivers* </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/whats-not-me#post-1129232 Sun, 05 Jan 2014 04:36:57 +0000 Anonymous 1129232@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Skirts fuller than a pencil skirt and dresses like shirt dresses. They should work and maybe even suggest a waist before flaring out some. But the volume that they create makes my legs look stick thin. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/whats-not-me#post-1129230 Sun, 05 Jan 2014 04:30:53 +0000 Suz 1129230@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>How interesting, Rachylou. Do you think this would be true for all Docs? Or just a particular style? They seem as if they are a bit on the clunky side for your delicate bone structure, no?&nbsp;</p> <p>Leather motos fall into the category of "want to love it on me, but can't." Especially black ones. I keep trying them and keep not buying them in the end. However much I like the idea.&nbsp;</p> <p> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/whats-not-me#post-1129227 Sun, 05 Jan 2014 04:27:20 +0000 Anonymous 1129227@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Chunky statement necklaces. I have spent hours looking, they are pure eye candy to me, yet every time I try one on it seems to overwhelm me. I am not small framed - far from it at 5'10" and a healthy size 8. Can't figure it out. I can do pseudo statement necklaces if they are long but not any of the chunky versions. Guess I sit this one out. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/whats-not-me#post-1129224 Sun, 05 Jan 2014 04:21:10 +0000 Carla 1129224@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Actually, the opposite experience...with boxy cut jackets. I've been a blazer girl since high school (Annie Hall anyone?), and thought a boxy jacket would be awful due to my lack of waist definition/rectangle tendencies. In an attempt to 'casualize' somewhat dressy outfits, I picked up a jean jacket this summer and it was fab! Got a second one, and then a third-black Chanel-like dressy one for pm wear. Haven't been able to put my finger on why the style works...maybe the shorter proportion works better with my short waist? Maybe I'm not as rectangle as I thought due to strong shoulder line? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/whats-not-me#post-1129158 Sun, 05 Jan 2014 03:18:04 +0000 Krista 1129158@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Leather moto jackets. I adore the look of this iconic classic but when I tried one on last fall, I was distressed to see that my curvy figure looked worse. Even the sales lady, who was wearing one, agreed.</p> <p>And, like MaryK, flats are just not me either. Her assessment of being "cut off" is so accurate! Thank god I have really high arches and they are just too painful to wear. I've wasted some serious money on them in the last year or so, but I think I've finally conquered them. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/whats-not-me#post-1129134 Sun, 05 Jan 2014 02:45:26 +0000 MsMary 1129134@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Flats!&nbsp; In particular, flat oxfords!&nbsp; I have bought a few pair and I love them but I always end up giving them away because I just feel too... <i>cut off</i> in perfectly flat shoes.&nbsp; Even my ballerina "flats" have a little wedge. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/whats-not-me#post-1129130 Sun, 05 Jan 2014 02:38:37 +0000 rae 1129130@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Classic Docs don't work for me, either, and I heart grunge 4 eva! Classic riding boots that are supposed to work for everyone make me feel short, too.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/whats-not-me#post-1129098 Sun, 05 Jan 2014 02:11:26 +0000 Nicole D 1129098@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I look like Frankenstein's monster in Docs and only discovered this recently. &nbsp;I should look great in dusters and long cardigans (I'm tall)&nbsp;but they're orphaned due to frump factor. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/whats-not-me#post-1129091 Sun, 05 Jan 2014 02:05:29 +0000 karymk 1129091@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Ahhh. I understand.&nbsp; Leggings do not work for me. Skirts do not work for me. I realize this limits me, but I'm a fool if I buy these items ever again! </p> <p>At least you tried, that is admirable.&nbsp; And at least you tried and did not buy! You stopped yourself at the pass.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/whats-not-me#post-1129076 Sun, 05 Jan 2014 01:56:19 +0000 Mo 1129076@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I can identify with what Peri said about things being "like my style, but taken further". &nbsp;I feel that way with a lot of the rocker looks. &nbsp;They go just beyond the refined version of rock n roll I'm looking for. &nbsp;Interestingly, I feel fine in Docs, but have not worn them with skinnies more recently so I might feel differently about them. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/whats-not-me#post-1129070 Sun, 05 Jan 2014 01:51:18 +0000 Peri 1129070@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>A lot of Anthropologie stuff should work for me but doesn't. I shop online and see so many things, I go in the store and see so many things...then I try on, look wrong and leave with nothing. It's like my style, but taken further than I can go.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/whats-not-me#post-1129069 Sun, 05 Jan 2014 01:50:26 +0000 Jaime 1129069@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Very interesting! I am not sure how this applies to me but I feel it must. I do feel I should be more attracted to moto jackets and distressed/torn jeans than I am. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/whats-not-me#post-1129064 Sun, 05 Jan 2014 01:46:17 +0000 rachylou 1129064@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>So I went into the shoe store next to the pet store and tried on a pair of Doc Marten-like patent boots... They were just so not me. I looked... short.</p> <p>It was very very odd. You'd think boots like this would be the ticket for someone who's current theme for the At-Home wardrobe is Country Punk. Strangely disorienting...</p> <p>Is there anyone else out there who's found that something that by all rights ought to work for them, doesn't? </p>