https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wiw---two-blue-outfits-work-dressing-epiphanies Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Tue, 16 Jun 2026 06:14:55 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wiw---two-blue-outfits-work-dressing-epiphanies#post-610001 Wed, 02 May 2012 05:00:17 +0000 Tanya 610001@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thank you all very much for your thoughts!</p> <p>I do not think I would be wearing this formula all the time though: I would be bored, and my blazers are on the dressier/thicker side, so I will have to acquire quite a few new ones. Nevertheless, if I can do it, say, twice a week, I would be all set.</p> <p>Diana, you are very lucky. My lab dress code is quite annoying. Besides closed toed shoes, we have to wear long pants, so no skirts, dresses, clams, shorts, leggings - it is jeans or full length pants. Sleeveless is not technically forbidden, but it is frowned upon. To make the matters worse, the code, though the same, is not enforced in most of the labs in our institute, it seems that my lab is one of the rare ones that does it. We are working with some dangerous stuff sometimes, but still. In my old lab in the grad school, we had the same dress code but it was never enforced. I guess it was believed that we have enough common sense to cover up when we do work with something dangerous, and the rest of the times it was OK. So that makes this especially hard for me. </p> <p>Makrame, my lab temperature is quite predictable. Even though I might work in various rooms, they are all freezing in the summer, so that at least makes matters simpler. Nice to hear that you like this formula too! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wiw---two-blue-outfits-work-dressing-epiphanies#post-609947 Wed, 02 May 2012 03:34:35 +0000 ManidipaM 609947@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Tanya, that is *such* a great epiphany! Hurray for happy outfits that look and *feel* fab as well. (Remembering Claire's happiness scale too.) </p> <p>And I bet your particular epiphany will apply to a lot of us here as well -- the dressy/casual balance and the trendy-but-comfy tightrope too. Especially good guidelines for beginners like me, nervously dipping our toes into the trends and not wanting to deal with comments and stares from non fashion-friendly peers just yet (or perhaps ever! Hey, fashion can be private too!). </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wiw---two-blue-outfits-work-dressing-epiphanies#post-609930 Wed, 02 May 2012 03:09:50 +0000 Ana 609930@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I love both your outfits, Tanya! The second outfit with the colored jeans and the blazer is killer! You look super chic, yet still casual. I love this! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wiw---two-blue-outfits-work-dressing-epiphanies#post-609922 Wed, 02 May 2012 03:04:42 +0000 Makrame 609922@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Great outfits and good that you figured out a formula that works!</p> <p>In my case, as soon as I figure things out, climate control in the building goes out of whack or I have to work in a different room/lab and then things get messed up. Like yesterday when I was wearing the same uniform as your formula (sleeveless top/knit blazer) but had to work in a really hot room, which meant taking off the blazer (not something that I planned on doing, otherwise I would have worn a top with sleeves). Hope your lab environment is more predictable! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wiw---two-blue-outfits-work-dressing-epiphanies#post-609881 Wed, 02 May 2012 02:25:32 +0000 Amy 609881@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Wow, you are so smart to have figured all that out. I generally have a very difficult time articulating why something makes me feel good...other than...I like it!</p> <p>Very nice outfit! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wiw---two-blue-outfits-work-dressing-epiphanies#post-609877 Wed, 02 May 2012 02:20:09 +0000 Diana 609877@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Great outfits, Tanya! I love that H&amp;M blazer on you, and I totally agree that a lightweight knit blazer is a fantastic summer workhorse. I'm sure I'll be wearing my teal one a lot this summer in lab. </p> <p>As an aside, your lab dress code sounds really draconian! I don't think we have any others besides the no open toed shoes one, which pretty much everyone willfully ignores anyway unless the inspectors are going to be coming around. I guess it depends on the type of lab though... I would say 95% or more of the time I am not doing anything more dangerous in lab than I would be doing in my kitchen. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wiw---two-blue-outfits-work-dressing-epiphanies#post-609863 Wed, 02 May 2012 02:02:06 +0000 Beth Ann 609863@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Sounds like you have a great SYB strategy! I love the blazer; it'll be real workhorse for you! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wiw---two-blue-outfits-work-dressing-epiphanies#post-609813 Wed, 02 May 2012 01:25:08 +0000 Jenava 609813@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Very nice! I'm looking forward to all the different versions of this...(-: I tried to stick to an outfit forumla one winter...but winter in Seattle is like 9 mos long and I got SOOO bored with it! Of course, I don't have as many restrictions as you do, either. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wiw---two-blue-outfits-work-dressing-epiphanies#post-609803 Wed, 02 May 2012 01:22:56 +0000 kellygirl 609803@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Great analysis, Tanya! I can see the scientist coming through I can totally relate to conclusions 1-3--especially 2 and 3. Great outfits too. I especially love the color block tank with the skinnies. You look awesome! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wiw---two-blue-outfits-work-dressing-epiphanies#post-609802 Wed, 02 May 2012 01:22:16 +0000 rute 609802@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Love your formula! It has been a favorite formula of mine lately! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wiw---two-blue-outfits-work-dressing-epiphanies#post-609798 Wed, 02 May 2012 01:21:02 +0000 Isis 609798@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Love the outfit AND the epiphany! Looking forward to future outfits where you work this formula! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wiw---two-blue-outfits-work-dressing-epiphanies#post-609790 Wed, 02 May 2012 01:17:07 +0000 Tanya 609790@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thank you very much ladies! I am still quite giddy from figuring this out. Now it would be hopefully easier to come up with one or two more formulas for variety. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wiw---two-blue-outfits-work-dressing-epiphanies#post-609671 Tue, 01 May 2012 23:54:01 +0000 CocoLion 609671@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Reading your post was very instructive! That's a great outfit formula. You look adorable in the colored jeans and sleeveless woven top. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wiw---two-blue-outfits-work-dressing-epiphanies#post-609663 Tue, 01 May 2012 23:46:54 +0000 Suz 609663@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I always so enjoy reading about people's fashion epiphanies, and this is no exception. Great thinking, Tanya! And a pretty darned nice outfit, too. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wiw---two-blue-outfits-work-dressing-epiphanies#post-609630 Tue, 01 May 2012 23:08:50 +0000 K. Period. 609630@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Love! Thanks for sharing you epiphany. That is really one of the best things about this blog: knowing how things come together and why. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wiw---two-blue-outfits-work-dressing-epiphanies#post-609601 Tue, 01 May 2012 22:40:13 +0000 Jjsloane 609601@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>How wonderful to find something that works so well and to know why. It will help you shop and dress Tanya. Great looks! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wiw---two-blue-outfits-work-dressing-epiphanies#post-609599 Tue, 01 May 2012 22:38:08 +0000 rachylou 609599@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Smart! I think that all makes sense re. the lab enviroment... and maybe I should try it myself (!!) </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wiw---two-blue-outfits-work-dressing-epiphanies#post-609597 Tue, 01 May 2012 22:31:43 +0000 Angie 609597@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>That's a WONDERFUL epiphany, Tanya! And that outfit is a 10! Now you have a formula to build on for the season Three cheers for feeling very happy in your outfit all day! Wooohooooo! Take that lab by storm, girl! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wiw---two-blue-outfits-work-dressing-epiphanies#post-609583 Tue, 01 May 2012 22:09:43 +0000 Tanya 609583@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Here are my work outfits from yesterday and today, both in various shades of blue. It was pretty cold yesterday so I wore another new clearance Old Navy sweater over light denim shirt and dark jeans. It is much warmer today and I went for another “tonal” outfit, this time blue after green and purple ones from last week.</p> <p>I was *very* happy and confident about the second outfit all day long at work and spent some time analyzing why that was. My conclusions were:</p> <p>1. It is quite on trend (colored skinnies, tonal outfit, color-blocking), but not over the top. I guess I could say it is trendy without people who are not following fashion trends realizing it if that makes sense.<br /> 2. It has the right mixture of casual and dressy for me – the top is woven, the blazer gives some polish but it is a thin jersey knit so it is not too dressy and very breathable.<br /> 3. As a consequence of #1 and #2, I feel that it challenges my environmental dressing norm (uber casual lab) somewhat, but not too much. I guess just the right amount for me to be confident about.<br /> 4. It fulfilled all the lab dressing restrictions while still being quite comfortable for the hot temperatures. While outside ( I walk to work, half an hour each way) I removed the blazer and was quite comfortable due to loose sleeveless woven top. The blazer provided coverage inside and protection from the AC.</p> <p>So I think that I have finally found my go-to formula for hot weather work dressing:</p> <p>Jeans + sleeveless woven top + thin jersey blazer,</p> <p>and the whole outfit needs to incorporate one or two trendy elements of the season. The variations would be non-denim pants (when it gets super hot) or switching the fabrications of the tops around and going for sleeveless knit top and casual woven blazer. I guess in the end it is just a version of Angie’s smart casual adapted to my specific situation.</p> <p>This should help me focus my SYB shopping strategy for the rest of the warm season. I plan to focus on the lightweight blazers as that is the element I lack to implement this formula in many variations. I will probably duplicate this H&amp;M blazer in one or more colors, and look for some affordable woven ones as well.</p> <p>#1: Striped sweater – Old Navy, denim shirt – Gap, dark bootcut jeans – Joe’s Muse, black wedges –Kenneth Cole reaction</p> <p>#2/3: navy jersey blazer – H&amp;M, color-block blue top – Club Monaco, light blue skinnies – Express, pewter wedges – Me Too. </p>