https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wiw-827---831-getting-better-at-this Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Fri, 03 Apr 2026 18:30:24 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wiw-827---831-getting-better-at-this#post-711411 Tue, 04 Sep 2012 07:20:40 +0000 Charmian 711411@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>[ late response because I just got back from my trip ]</p> <p><strong>@Runner Chick</strong>: yes, it does sound like we have a lot of similarity! Thanks for the pointer to the J. Jill silk shirts -- they were really popular on the forum several months back, and I went to check them out in store. The quality is lovely, but sadly I've started moving away from jewel tones. Keep those pointers coming, though!</p> <p><strong>@alaskagirl</strong>: yup, it's the Eliza J! It's a real workhorse for me, and the flare is so flattering to our IT shoulders, right?</p> <p><strong>@aida</strong>: yes, ma'am, no tights, ma'am!</p> <p><strong>re: fashion and software</strong>: I guess I stated it more strongly than I'd intended. I can point to specific situations where being "friendly", "nice", or "feminine" has made me appear less technical (eg, mistaken for a product manager). It's not frequent, and it happens predominantly with folks who don't know me well (eg, new teammates, members of the press, etc). To my knowledge, it doesn't happen with the folks I regularly work with. At this point, I'm reasonably certain I'm <em>over-sensitive</em> to the issue and that most -- possibly all -- of the "Charmian doesn't seem technical when she wears a dress" perception is in my head. However, I don't have the objectivity to know for sure, and the resultant anxiety is enough to spoil my enjoyment of dressing nicely. I follow the path of least resistance and save most of my pretties for the weekend. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wiw-827---831-getting-better-at-this#post-709012 Sat, 01 Sep 2012 02:01:51 +0000 Aida 709012@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Oooh a whole week of outfits, how exciting! I hear you on the boys club with tech, but I still stand by my wear what you want comment #1 looks casual cool, very nice. For the sleeves, I get my silk shirts with the little tabs so I don't have to deal with rolling. But if I need to keep them up without the tab, I usually fold the cuff back and then pull it up higher so that there is about the same size as the cuff on the sleeve showing; then roll that part up over the bottom half of the cuff. This usually keeps most sleeves in place quite nicely. #3 is a great summery outfit! I am thinking a size up on the blouse would be better, too, unfortunately. I do like this light blue on you, very pretty. #5 and #6 both look fab to me! I think you could go either way with the tights, BUT I vote no tights simply because WOMAN it is too nice this week to be wearing tights!! Though in that case perhaps a lower contrast shoe is in order. LOVE LOVE #7, soooo good! And #9 looks perfect for travel. Hope you have a fabulous trip! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wiw-827---831-getting-better-at-this#post-708953 Sat, 01 Sep 2012 00:27:53 +0000 Suz 708953@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>You are as adorable as the kitties in your background!</p> <p>I really love #7 and #6 is so pretty on you. I'll bet you will be able to layer that dress, too, similar to how you have layered #7. </p> <p>LOVE you in the pale blue shirt. I agree with Angie that maybe the fit is a bit snug on it, but that colour is lovely for you. Also love your white jeans! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wiw-827---831-getting-better-at-this#post-708947 Sat, 01 Sep 2012 00:19:17 +0000 Angie 708947@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>How fun to see you post a whole week! Good job, Hannah! </p> <p>#7 is KILLER. And #6 is a great frock shape on you. </p> <p>#9 is a super travel outfit, although the sleeves on the jacket look a little long. Perhaps you can have them shortened? </p> <p>Adore the concept of #3. A size up on the shirt would have been ideal. Gorgeous white jeans :)</p> <p>#1 is as cute as a button. </p> <p>Have a good trip! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wiw-827---831-getting-better-at-this#post-708725 Fri, 31 Aug 2012 20:31:13 +0000 catgirl 708725@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>These are all wonderful, and when you post a series like this you can see a cohesive style as you described. Is that the Eliza J. dress? I have the same one, if so. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wiw-827---831-getting-better-at-this#post-708720 Fri, 31 Aug 2012 20:25:17 +0000 jayne 708720@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>very nice outfits... cannot see anything that will hold back your career...truly</p> <p>I have had the worst taste in clothes,,,bleah, wrong for the occassion, overdone, underdone, too big alot, sometimes too small, argh, believe me, horrid, it has never ever ever held back my career...</p> <p>...and I have a pretty high level career. </p> <p>So although being noticed might be difficult, like for dressing nicely or in a way out of the norm, that is ok. It is ok to be noticed and wonderful to get a compliment. Today, for example, a fellow pointed out we were polar opposites as he was all in black and me in all white. We joked about my shoes,and we connected for a sec. totally cool.</p> <p>And if you are comfortable in your clothes, and not totally inappropriate for modern society, I think you can let yourself be individual and show it </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wiw-827---831-getting-better-at-this#post-708624 Fri, 31 Aug 2012 19:17:40 +0000 Sara L. 708624@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I work in a male-dominated field also (engineering in my case) and I totally understand where you're coming from. I dress up anyway and people have gotten used to it so I don't get comments anymore. I like 7/8 the best. I also like the purple dress with the tights. Bare legs would be fine too but I would prefer shoes that are less high contract (that's just me though - plenty of other people really like that look). 9/10 looks perfect for a airplane flight - pulled together with layers for comfort. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wiw-827---831-getting-better-at-this#post-708620 Fri, 31 Aug 2012 19:12:57 +0000 texstyle 708620@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I really like #1, #7 and #9 the most. You look great in that deep clay red color and I love you in that blazer and white shirt. I think you are right about the shirt being a bit tight in #3 but that happens to all of us.</p> <p>I know what you mean about the tech field and perceptions. I worked at a larger tech company way back and rarely wore a dress or skirt for that very reason. I was the only woman in a team of about 7 most of the time. 7 VERY opinionated men I should add. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wiw-827---831-getting-better-at-this#post-708550 Fri, 31 Aug 2012 18:31:46 +0000 CocoLion 708550@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Love outfits 3/4 and 5/6! I think it's so interesting that being stylish or dressy might somehow undermine the perception of you being competent. (In your field.) </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wiw-827---831-getting-better-at-this#post-708540 Fri, 31 Aug 2012 18:26:34 +0000 RunnerChick 708540@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Charmian - I really like all the outfits you have posted here! You look so polished and put together! My favorite is 7/8 - so modern and graphic! </p> <p>I am wondering, too, if you and I might have somewhat similar style profiles. I, too favor button front shirts in silk, linen, and cotton, and smaller delicate accessories. I don't where you are located and if this is a practical suggestion for you, but J. Jill outlet has washable silk button fronts in lovely jewel tones on sale at great prices right now. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wiw-827---831-getting-better-at-this#post-708522 Fri, 31 Aug 2012 18:14:22 +0000 Charmian 708522@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I know I don't post a lot of WIWs here; it's because during the 1+ year I've been here, I felt like I had a much longer style journey than many of you stylish ladies. The direction I feel myself taking micro-teeny-baby steps towards is modern classic, with casual, clean, and minimal as my style modifiers. Strangely enough, while I find myself gravitating towards slightly androgynous tops, my accessories seem to tend towards the feminine (small structured purses, ballet flats, delicate jewelry [when I wear it], etc).</p> <p>Anyway. I realized this morning that I loved every outfit I wore this week, so I think I'm starting to reach the limits of what I can do on my own. In other words: please send feedback on how I can do better! I would love your constructive criticism.</p> <p>-- Mon, 8/27: new equipment shirt that <a href="http://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wiw-828---new-equipment-blouse-and-mind-the-gap">I posted earlier</a>, but now with shoe photos. Question: how do folks roll/scrunch sleeves on silk blouses? I LOVE messy sleeves, but couldn't make it happen here.</p> <p>-- Tue 8/28: blue and white collared shirt, white jeans, brown/gray booties. My whole life, I've loved the look of a crisp button down on others, but it wasn't until I saw how many ways Angie wore hers that I realized I could also make this piece work for me. Though, looking at the photos again, I think I should have bought one size up in the shirt.</p> <p>-- Wed 8/29: it felt like a dress day, so my purple shift came out to play. I paired it with a pendant necklace, booties, and black tights, but I didn't much care for the subtle sheen of the tights (will probably need to invest in a matte pair). Do you think it would have been better with a bare leg?</p> <p>-- Thu 8/30: I work in software, and dressing up two days in a row makes me uneasy. There's a strong environmental norm to stay in t-shirts and jeans; plus, as a woman, I have to be extremely careful not to let my clothes undercut the perception of my technical competence. But <a href="http://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/kr-eliza-j-polka-dot-jersey-shift-dress">forum feedback</a> was so strongly positive that I wanted to bring my new dress out to play immediately. At Aida's reminder, I tried layering and scrunching a white shirt underneath to keep it casual. Did it work?</p> <p>-- Fri 8/31: I'll be getting on a 6-hour flight shortly, so comfy WARM layers are the order of the day. I'm loving my button downs, so here's another one under a wool hunting jacket, slim jeans, and ballet flats. </p>