YouLookFab Forum » Topic: Who is your mind's-eye/imaginary audience? Do you have one?

YouLookFab Forum » Topic: Who is your mind's-eye/imaginary audience? Do you have one? https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/who-is-your-minds-eyeimaginary-audience Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Mon, 25 May 2026 12:08:52 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 <![CDATA[Search]]> q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php catgirl on "Who is your mind's-eye/imaginary audience? Do you have one?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/who-is-your-minds-eyeimaginary-audience/page/2#post-730466 Tue, 25 Sep 2012 16:21:29 +0000 catgirl 730466@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Janet, we need a photo! Janet on "Who is your mind's-eye/imaginary audience? Do you have one?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/who-is-your-minds-eyeimaginary-audience/page/2#post-730465 Tue, 25 Sep 2012 16:20:50 +0000 Janet 730465@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ In the future I am totally stealing Marley's answer. In fact, I thought of it today while getting ready, which is what I think resulted in my final ensemble of leather jacket, long floaty blue-purple shirt, skinnies, and leopard Docs. MsMary on "Who is your mind's-eye/imaginary audience? Do you have one?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/who-is-your-minds-eyeimaginary-audience/page/2#post-730449 Tue, 25 Sep 2012 16:12:08 +0000 MsMary 730449@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Debby! That is genius! All of it! Brava! I remember a long time ago somebody said they didn't like to dress up to go out to dinner, because... what? They didn't want the people in the restaurant to think they thought the restaurant was worth dressing up for? I don't remember. Anyway, my response was something like "I LOVE to dress up to go out to dinner, because I just assume anybody who sees me will realize I am on my way Somewhere Very Fashionable And Important after dinner!" LOL Debby on "Who is your mind's-eye/imaginary audience? Do you have one?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/who-is-your-minds-eyeimaginary-audience/page/2#post-730434 Tue, 25 Sep 2012 16:02:01 +0000 Debby 730434@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Great question, Claudia, and thank you Vildy for your answer, which is along the lines of mine (only more interesting!). I have an idealized version of my life in my head (still very realistic, except I have much better hair), and start by imagining what I would wear to various events. So, for example, I have a bridal shower IRL that I am going to next month, and I try to imagine in my ideal life how I would dress for that. (In my ideal life, I've already got the perfect wardrobe worked out). Then I'll see if I have any items in my closet that I can use to make up the outfit, and get the closest I can. Imagining my ideal life, having already figured out what pieces work best for me, has helped me identify what pieces currently in my closet are definitely not me, so I can purge them. It's given me ideas to try things I might not have IRL, like more heels. When I see something in a store that catches my eye, I think, would this work in my perfect life? If so, how would I wear it? And that tells me if I really love the piece, or if it's something I think I "should" get because it's practical, but I'm not excited about it. The truth is, when you work at home like I do, and nobody around me seems to be interested in clothes or shopping or putting outfits together, it can get pretty discouraging. At the Starbucks in my town, most of the women come in dressed in what they wore to the gym. Like Vildy, I feel good dressing as if I just came from somewhere, or am just leaving for somewhere, full of possibilities. Maybe I'm wearing a skirt, and maybe not, but I'm definitely not in my old sneakers and yoga wear, cause in my ideal life, I wouldn't wear those except to yoga. I hope this makes sense in the telling. This forum has been so great because not only are you all excited about clothes and shopping and being creative with outfits, but you also encourage everyone in finding their own ideal style. I'm a member of Team Dressed Up and Team Girly, and it's hard to find that balance between being true to myself, and looking silly in suburbia. christy on "Who is your mind's-eye/imaginary audience? Do you have one?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/who-is-your-minds-eyeimaginary-audience/page/2#post-730413 Tue, 25 Sep 2012 15:47:17 +0000 christy 730413@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Ha! Cracking up at Marley's comment!!! Suz on "Who is your mind's-eye/imaginary audience? Do you have one?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/who-is-your-minds-eyeimaginary-audience/page/2#post-730382 Tue, 25 Sep 2012 15:18:32 +0000 Suz 730382@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Great thread, Claudia!! And yeah, Marley, you rock in more ways than one! My imaginary audience is usually my real audience. Which can have negative effects on one's work at home wardrobe, if nobody's going to see it -- something Mo and I (and others here) struggle to overcome. Maybe imagining a different audience would help me improve my work at home style game! Heck, for all I know, the UPS guy is secretly a photographer just waiting to snap my picture! In all seriousness, since joining YLF, Angie and many of you here are my guardian fashion angels. I do sometimes think: WWAW? (What would Angie wear?) when I'm planning an event. I also think about other inspirational people here, wondering what they would buy (given the choice of two items) or how they might put it together. Aziraphale on "Who is your mind's-eye/imaginary audience? Do you have one?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/who-is-your-minds-eyeimaginary-audience/page/2#post-730342 Tue, 25 Sep 2012 14:46:58 +0000 Aziraphale 730342@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ This is SUCH a funny thread. Thanks for starting it, Claudia! MsMary on "Who is your mind's-eye/imaginary audience? Do you have one?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/who-is-your-minds-eyeimaginary-audience/page/2#post-730319 Tue, 25 Sep 2012 14:32:37 +0000 MsMary 730319@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I think I'm gonna add the paparazzi to my imaginary audience, too! You go, Marley!! cinnamon fern on "Who is your mind's-eye/imaginary audience? Do you have one?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/who-is-your-minds-eyeimaginary-audience/page/2#post-730296 Tue, 25 Sep 2012 14:09:26 +0000 cinnamon fern 730296@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ In the past I've imagined running into one of my students in eg the grocery store - this gives a sort of minimum. But I'm going to try Marley's technique instead! Way more fun! catgirl on "Who is your mind's-eye/imaginary audience? Do you have one?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/who-is-your-minds-eyeimaginary-audience/page/2#post-730099 Tue, 25 Sep 2012 03:07:23 +0000 catgirl 730099@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Marley, I love you. Caro in Oz on "Who is your mind's-eye/imaginary audience? Do you have one?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/who-is-your-minds-eyeimaginary-audience#post-730065 Tue, 25 Sep 2012 02:28:04 +0000 Caro in Oz 730065@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Marley - love your answer so cool & it would set the bar fairly high too. Susie on "Who is your mind's-eye/imaginary audience? Do you have one?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/who-is-your-minds-eyeimaginary-audience#post-730063 Tue, 25 Sep 2012 02:24:31 +0000 Susie 730063@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Wow, interesting question! If I am trying to decide on a particular item- is it stylish enough or too dowdy- I ask myself if I would wear it with my sister or my friend Jodi was with me. They are thin and pretty and seem so effortlessly stylish that its easy for me to feel frumpy compared to them. My mom was involved with fashion since I was a preteen. She managed, and bought the clothes for, a really hip clothing store. Then later she wholesaled women's clothes. So I had always looked to her for 'what to wear' advice. But I also went through a rebellious phase and wanted to break away from her influence. I do still keep "appropriate" in mind, in terms of the setting/event, my age, my husband, and my body shape. But I am interested in refining my style and being more concerned with pleasing myself. Although I'm still fairly new here, I've started to add the lovely women of YLF to my audience! Beth on "Who is your mind's-eye/imaginary audience? Do you have one?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/who-is-your-minds-eyeimaginary-audience#post-730033 Tue, 25 Sep 2012 01:32:15 +0000 Beth 730033@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Hm, interesting topic. I dress for Angie and YLF, even when you all don't see my outfits. Like Scarlet, I often think "is this outfit photo worthy" or "is this WIW post worthy?" Other than that, I don't think I really dress for an audience besides considering if outfits are appropriate for work. I'm much more likely to dress, like Jen, for my mirror, and I'm much more influenced by my imaginary lifestyle. Oops:) D'Ellen on "Who is your mind's-eye/imaginary audience? Do you have one?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/who-is-your-minds-eyeimaginary-audience#post-730011 Tue, 25 Sep 2012 00:55:44 +0000 D'Ellen 730011@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ First and foremost, myself. And second, even though I don't post my outfits, Angie and all the fab ladies (and gents) of YLF. jen on "Who is your mind's-eye/imaginary audience? Do you have one?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/who-is-your-minds-eyeimaginary-audience#post-729972 Tue, 25 Sep 2012 00:17:50 +0000 jen 729972@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I dress for my mirror Claudia on "Who is your mind's-eye/imaginary audience? Do you have one?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/who-is-your-minds-eyeimaginary-audience#post-729864 Mon, 24 Sep 2012 22:53:17 +0000 Claudia 729864@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Marley, that is just SO awesome! I can see it with you and your fantastic, quirky, dramatic, beautiful style, ready to be caught leaving the party or seen running about town. Carole on "Who is your mind's-eye/imaginary audience? Do you have one?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/who-is-your-minds-eyeimaginary-audience#post-729857 Mon, 24 Sep 2012 22:47:15 +0000 Carole 729857@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I always have a little voice in my head that says, "what would Angie think of this outfit?" I have to admit that makes me a try a little harder. Marley on "Who is your mind's-eye/imaginary audience? Do you have one?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/who-is-your-minds-eyeimaginary-audience#post-729856 Mon, 24 Sep 2012 22:46:51 +0000 Marley 729856@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Hahahaha! This is a great question - and my answer to it just cracks me up. I dress for the PAPARAZZI! That's right girls - in my head, I am a ROCK STAR! So, when I get dressed to go out, my mental image is that photographers will madly be snapping photos of me and my pic will be plastered everywhere is just a few minutes. OMG - I can't believe that I am admitting this! (but its true!) Caro in Oz on "Who is your mind's-eye/imaginary audience? Do you have one?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/who-is-your-minds-eyeimaginary-audience#post-729845 Mon, 24 Sep 2012 22:41:53 +0000 Caro in Oz 729845@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Fantastic question. It's a fact that there are always going to be critical people & I really don't want to give my power to them. I think about my "audience" in terms of how I want them to perceive me. Having said that I would always take into consideration a particular dress-code but not to the point of feeling like an impostor. I'm also open to constructive criticism & that's why I'm here. Ariadne on "Who is your mind's-eye/imaginary audience? Do you have one?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/who-is-your-minds-eyeimaginary-audience#post-729830 Mon, 24 Sep 2012 22:21:47 +0000 Ariadne 729830@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Una, I need to take some lessons from you! Claudia on "Who is your mind's-eye/imaginary audience? Do you have one?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/who-is-your-minds-eyeimaginary-audience#post-729815 Mon, 24 Sep 2012 22:04:50 +0000 Claudia 729815@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Very interesting. I've loved reading these and am relieved that I am not the only one that Walter Mitty's their outfits as part of the process. Janet, I've also done the running into the ex-boyfriend scenario. And Anna, that cracks me up! annagybe on "Who is your mind's-eye/imaginary audience? Do you have one?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/who-is-your-minds-eyeimaginary-audience#post-729781 Mon, 24 Sep 2012 21:38:14 +0000 annagybe 729781@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Um, salespeople in Barneys, Nordstrom and some local boutiques. Crikey, that sounds shallow. catgirl on "Who is your mind's-eye/imaginary audience? Do you have one?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/who-is-your-minds-eyeimaginary-audience#post-729765 Mon, 24 Sep 2012 21:21:36 +0000 catgirl 729765@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I'm the opposite when it comes to appropriate! My audience is: Angie and YLF The inhabitants of a medieval-futuristic post-apocalyptic world in which I'm some female equivalent of Strider from Lord of the Rings Myself If I'm meeting friends, going to court, or doing something that requires a specific dress code, I will take that into consideration but for the most part, I try to wear what makes me feel most like me. Angie on "Who is your mind's-eye/imaginary audience? Do you have one?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/who-is-your-minds-eyeimaginary-audience#post-729752 Mon, 24 Sep 2012 21:08:47 +0000 Angie 729752@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Had to chime in quickly here to say: - fun post, Claudia! The Starbucks queue is a goodie. - HUGS to Mary and Janet!!! Your comments were very unexpected, and I am humbled. Also know that your audience is most impressed with the styles that perform on stage :) - Scarlet, believe that your high tops looks rock. I can't be more clear about that! - Ariadne, hugs to you too. Got to run! Ariadne on "Who is your mind's-eye/imaginary audience? Do you have one?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/who-is-your-minds-eyeimaginary-audience#post-729732 Mon, 24 Sep 2012 20:44:25 +0000 Ariadne 729732@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ My imaginary audiences are: Other people (moms, mostly) on the playground DH & my lovely sister Friends YLF/Angie-in-my-head! And then if I'm going somewhere other than my usual places--say, to a poetry reading or to my volunteer work or on a date--I imagine the actual audience I'll be encountering at those places. So If I'm going with DH to a fancy restaurant, I imagine walking into the restaurant in what I'm wearing, and think about whether I'd feel confident, appropriate, and true to myself. "Appropriate" seems to crowd out the other two quite often, which is something I'm working on. Vildy on "Who is your mind's-eye/imaginary audience? Do you have one?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/who-is-your-minds-eyeimaginary-audience#post-729686 Mon, 24 Sep 2012 19:51:42 +0000 Vildy 729686@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I'm just here to offer such a contrast that your own imaginary audience will be pffft, like nothing. I always have an imaginary audience and it influences my shopping choices, too. Now this is not for real life where I want to be respectful of others and the occasion and don't want to draw a lot of attention to my clothing choices but for close friends and being out and about and for my private purposes (homelife, even if home alone), I always dress as if for a date, as if I'm going to meet my date. And a new date or a blind date or a newish relationship, going somewhere in public. So, modestly dressed but something feminine about it, maybe a touch of something luxuriant, maybe something a little sassy, maybe a skirt where most women would be in pants. I guess I'm playing at being a romantic traveller, always arriving. Little air of excitement about me in some way. Preppy Pear on "Who is your mind's-eye/imaginary audience? Do you have one?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/who-is-your-minds-eyeimaginary-audience#post-729620 Mon, 24 Sep 2012 18:26:11 +0000 Preppy Pear 729620@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I love this question! I haven't been able to post any photos yet (I don't have a good mirror to take pictures of myself, and I need to figure out a daylight time for my dh to take pictures, I know, excuses, excuses) BUT I do really think about YLF as an audience these days. The YLF I imagine is much kinder to me than I am! It's amazing how much YLF has influenced my style in positive ways already. Inspired by all of you and this supportive community, I'm wearing some looks that I would not have felt confident enough about before - not anything really wild, but big steps for me, like flats, jeans tucked into boots and skinny jeans. And feeling great in them! I'm not sure what I imagined before, but the audience I imagined before had no appreciation for all types of beauty and style. Now I think about really cool, savvy women (and men) of all ages and shapes having a blast with clothes as my target audience. Scarlet on "Who is your mind's-eye/imaginary audience? Do you have one?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/who-is-your-minds-eyeimaginary-audience#post-729607 Mon, 24 Sep 2012 17:59:07 +0000 Scarlet 729607@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ That's a really interesting approach. I have never thought that way though. I do think something like, is this outfit worth taking a photo of? So in a way YLF would be my audience. To be very honest though, although I have a couple of kind cheerleaders here, I don't expect very many people to like or approve of my style. I would like it if they did, but it just seems like my personal likes are out of tune with a lot of people's. Or maybe it's that I don't cross paths much with the people who would like my style, so I think more than anything I listen to my own eye. I can feel good without expecting to be admired, as long as I feel like I am expressing myself the way I want to. One thing today though that struck me about the comments on Angie's blogpost (about high-tops) was how judgmental and negative a few people sounded. A couple of folks said if they saw someone dressing that way they would think the lady in question needed to shape up and dress her age. I respect having strong likes and dislikes, but I am kind of surprised by how judgmental people can be about others. I guess I live in a bubble and expect some tolerance for my choices, just as I like to think I exercise for others. lyn* on "Who is your mind's-eye/imaginary audience? Do you have one?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/who-is-your-minds-eyeimaginary-audience#post-729586 Mon, 24 Sep 2012 17:14:59 +0000 lyn* 729586@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I sure do! I think my imaginary audience is similar to your Starbucks "mixed bag" - I do try to wear something that I think most people would "understand" and "appreciate" but also adheres to my normal style. I used to have an audience that would be more in line of what professional attire was; but I found that the result wasn't "me" ... so I try extra hard to stay true to what I like too! Janet on "Who is your mind's-eye/imaginary audience? Do you have one?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/who-is-your-minds-eyeimaginary-audience#post-729583 Mon, 24 Sep 2012 17:08:43 +0000 Janet 729583@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ This is an interesting question, and I totally get it, even though I've not really thought of it that way before. I'm going to be totally honest and say my imaginary audience is a mix of 1) my husband because he understands me and my style better than almost anyone else, 2) Angie because she has steered me gently but firmly toward a more refined version of my rock'n'roll persona (and I find myself wanting to make her proud, like a fashion mama!) and 3) an imaginary ex-boyfriend I could run into at any moment's notice -- I can be casual or dressed up, but never frumpy or dowdy!