YouLookFab Forum » Topic: WIW :: Flavia-series Round-up

YouLookFab Forum » Topic: WIW :: Flavia-series Round-up https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wiw-flavia-series-round-up Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Thu, 09 Apr 2026 13:20:41 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 <![CDATA[Search]]> q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php Ornella on "WIW :: Flavia-series Round-up" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wiw-flavia-series-round-up#post-1111234 Wed, 11 Dec 2013 22:14:50 +0000 Ornella 1111234@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Firstly, apologies for not having time for your comments before. Also, I try not to resurface threads which have disappeared from the first few pages, but there are so many good things and questions in your comments that I need to address them. So, of course - thank you Denise, Suz, shevia, deb, Lantana and Lisa for taking time to share your thoughts. As much as Flavia inspired this experiment, it would of course not be possible had I not been educated to read and appreciate her, and everyone's style, thanks to everyone here. Beth Ann :: I am at awe how you draw parallels between wardrobe choices and music, and while I would not dream about comparing my wardrobe experiments with your music too much, I can see why it can be done to some extent because both are actually playgrounds (or livelihoods) and we use them to express our creative side and the tools to learn about much more.  I actually think the goodbye party is a wonderful idea and it is probably the healthiest way to complete those important-to-us episodes, otherwise we're left with mental loose ends. In terms of wardrobe, for me in some cases that means wearing something one final time just to make sure it is right to part our ways. Silly? I absolutely agree that certain limitations actually enhance creativity. Since you're asking about the house, we have a perfect example for that in our future kitchen and I couldn't be happier for the design we came up with. Initially I was very upset with the space left for the kitchen (we can't change certain things), but over time we worked our way around every issue. The lesson from that, though, is setting clear priorities. I could go on and on about that, the bottom line is - there are more lessons in the unexpected places than one can imagine :-) E :: brilliant - "the bald mathematical consequences of having as many clothes as I do". This is what I try to wrap my head around , and while the pile of clothes and hangers I no longer need grows, and I'm still left with more stuff than I can possibly ever wear (!), so thinking purely in terms of numbers an calculating the possibilities provides the valuable further filter to pair down, distill and leave what will be happily worn. Claire :: I'm so glad you mentioned Suz's recent thread because I also didn't have time to at least show my appreciation for the thought she shared there. There's just too much good stuff discussed here. E.g. I did not have much time to comment on many of your threads showcasing your amazing wardrobe, but every single one had sent me to a frenzy. You boldly show what the wardrobe I dream about looks like, you're a proof it can be done - so I try to travel to that magical place too. This is another gem:  <ul> <li>I want to love it and be able to explain why I love it and why it represents me--to be able to defend my clothing choices in a way that makes sense to me.</li> </ul> Yup, I hear you. And please write that book about creativity under reduced circumstances ;-) Alexandra :: what a brilliant question. By pure coincidence Flavia-week and Picture Perfect Challenge were back-to-back and I could rally feel that less 'crazy' stuff were actually more me.  Still, this is homework for me and something I'll ponder on for some time, as it touches on clear definition of my style direction at this moment in time. I must say, however, that simpler, serene outfits are most certainly an expression of my desire to counterbalance hectic life circumstances right now and since I have to juggle a lot of roles and tasks right now, I'm very deliberately resorting to the calm, happy outfit does to give me that instant boost and reward. Does it make sense? Lisa on "WIW :: Flavia-series Round-up" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wiw-flavia-series-round-up#post-1108644 Mon, 09 Dec 2013 15:27:14 +0000 Lisa 1108644@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ You are too cute with posting outtakes!  Love that. There is a lot to digest here so I'm marking this so I can come back and read the comments later.  But what struck a cord with me right away, taking into account the DH closet challenge observations so far, was "biggest strides when the variety is seemingly limited."  This is so true for me as well.  I may not have a lot of classic pieces or solids or even classic colors in my current working closet...but the overall numbers are pretty small.  The smallest I can ever remember my wardrobe being.  And I dress faster and am happier with my daily outfits.  I have also found that shopping the "boutique" is easier because I know what I have and what works, so it is easy to weed through items in the store quickly.  Also the comment about "the right pieces" and "leftovers" is great insight!  At some point, I'll have hit my stride with my wardrobe, and I anticipate that the boutique will still have some items in it.  My current plan is to let them sit until I can shop for them.  But I may very well hit a point where the items are past their expiration date and I end up donating them instead.  The nice thing is, I have time to decide.  No one is forcing me to wear all my clothes within a given time frame.  So if items end up sitting for a while, and I am not shopping for new things, it's ok.  They will just age like a fine wine I guess. Lantana on "WIW :: Flavia-series Round-up" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wiw-flavia-series-round-up#post-1108506 Mon, 09 Dec 2013 10:58:39 +0000 Lantana 1108506@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Thank you Ornella, for the Flavia series and your pithy analysis. I have taken inspiration from the outfits you posted and the thoughts you articulate so well. Foremost amongst these are: "Letting go of what distracts me from wearing those pieces I enjoy the most". Alexandra on "WIW :: Flavia-series Round-up" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wiw-flavia-series-round-up#post-1108505 Mon, 09 Dec 2013 10:58:12 +0000 Alexandra 1108505@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Ornella, wonderful analysis! I love how you can put all this into words. You said dressing Flavia-style made you feel serene, good, and very you. And then you said during the challenge week you wanted to wear 'crazy' stuff "just because I could justify wearing anything". Would that still make you feel serene and very you? I'm just wondering because we can all play dress-up and have fun, but that doesn't mean we want to leave the house like that. Ornella on "WIW :: Flavia-series Round-up" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wiw-flavia-series-round-up#post-1108499 Mon, 09 Dec 2013 10:27:55 +0000 Ornella 1108499@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Well, your comments managed to make me cry. Again. I have read them earlier today and thought I'd be more composed the second time I check them, but it's not happening. It's not helping that Secret Santa gift had moved me deeply :-) ~ I'll return to them later today, I have to leave soon and chase certain helicopter the dude from the outtakes wants for Christmas. deb on "WIW :: Flavia-series Round-up" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wiw-flavia-series-round-up#post-1108453 Mon, 09 Dec 2013 06:21:38 +0000 deb 1108453@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Ornella, great analysis! Anonymous on "WIW :: Flavia-series Round-up" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wiw-flavia-series-round-up#post-1108448 Mon, 09 Dec 2013 06:13:19 +0000 Anonymous 1108448@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Ornella, what a treat. I rubbed my hands together in greedy anticipation when I saw your post pop up on the forum. Such great outfits and outtakes! Your DS looks adorable. Your thoughts are wise and so insightful! Now I will lie awake all night with the wheels spinning in my head with everything you've started. :) Referencing Suz's recent thread that was about a minimal vs. small wardrobe (which I never did get to comment on), I'd say your Flavia-inspired restraint produced a minimal capsule of clothing, but I wouldn't say your outfits are necessarily minimal. The same goes for me. In fact, minimalistic style isn't something I completely understand yet.  I think I feel the same way you do about "too much inspiration". This could well be a personality trait that a person either has or doesn't have. I would hate for anyone to try to cultivate a tiny wardrobe if that would not make them happy. That's why it's so wonderful that Angie's first rule is to have fun with fashion. I can only attest that completely opposite to what I always thought, I became more focused and I'm having more clarity (heh) of style with fewer items. I seem to be very decisive now about something I love and want to keep, or else it is OUT. There is no more in-between, or just wearing something because I can make a nice outfit out of it. I want to love it and be able to explain why I love it and why it represents me--to be able to defend my clothing choices in a way that makes sense to me. This is where your "intention" and "own" come into play.  I've said this before, but my creativity actually flourishes under reduced circumstances of every kind (seriously, I could write a book on it). This probably isn't true for everyone, but it sounds like it might be true for you too. You have learned so much about yourself during this experiment. It seems no accident that you were drawn to Flavia and the way she presents herself to the world. I think it's these little light bulb moments that can become real, defining moments for our style, and I just love reading about them. Thank you! E on "WIW :: Flavia-series Round-up" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wiw-flavia-series-round-up#post-1108422 Mon, 09 Dec 2013 05:01:39 +0000 E 1108422@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ >>limits of budget and space are in some ways a blessing Beth Ann, I completely agree with that statement! Living frugally has really let both my clothing style and decorating style evolve organically, and slowly, and makes it all the sweeter when I find just the right thing. I suspect it's also increased the care and attention and appreciation I have for my possessions; I actually enjoy mending clothes and even laundering them (although of course I'm only doing my own laundry!). E on "WIW :: Flavia-series Round-up" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wiw-flavia-series-round-up#post-1108420 Mon, 09 Dec 2013 04:59:12 +0000 E 1108420@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I loved reading your reflections, as always Ornella. (I get a thrill when I see you've started a thread and labelled it long!) I love Claire's comment, because while I don't have a minimalist closet, it is carefully curated, and it certainly makes getting dressed much easier. I find your conclusions fascinating, and they made me realise that when I get dressed I don't start by looking at the abundance in my closet. I start with some kind of mental image (either a piece of clothing I own or just a picture or *feel* I'm attracted to for the day), usually thinking about it while I'm in the shower, and then just grab the pieces I need from my closet once I know what I want. I suspect that's why I don't get overwhelmed, although I have almost 200 pieces. And Gaylene's comments are always a treat. However, your comment about coming up with more outfits than you can wear really resonated with me! Doing wiw posts has really driven home to me the bald mathematical consequences of having as many clothes as I do; while I love them all, none of them sees a lot of wear. I've been pondering this, and suspect I'll do a post on it soon, but there's nothing like having done over two weeks of WIWs and realising I've repeated maybe one or two pieces to provide a bit of a wake up call. I'm off to read your other thread that you linked to! Suz on "WIW :: Flavia-series Round-up" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wiw-flavia-series-round-up#post-1108412 Mon, 09 Dec 2013 04:43:17 +0000 Suz 1108412@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Beth Ann -- I am always so moved by the wisdom and thoughtfulness of your comments. Wow. This is so true.  Style vs. fashion. This is my new goal.  Beth Ann on "WIW :: Flavia-series Round-up" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wiw-flavia-series-round-up#post-1108383 Mon, 09 Dec 2013 04:14:50 +0000 Beth Ann 1108383@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I so understand the blessing and curse of creativity and variety --- what it means to see endless possibilities, but to have the pain of trying to edit down to one choice, when you know many options are being left behind.  I experience this in music -- going so far as to drag friends into my studio to hear songs that I'm cutting from a concert.  I have a little goodbye party for them.  It's silly, but it helps me make the hard choices. Also, much as I would love to win 50,000 dollars to redo my home, know that limits of budget and space are in some ways a blessing.  How are you dong with the creative decision making with your home building?  Is it similar to your outfit creation? You are one of the members who serve as a constant reminder that fabness is more a matter of achieving a personal style in a modern context than following what's in fashion.  With or without Flavia, you know how to reveal your essence in your appearance, and that is truly beautiful. LACeleste on "WIW :: Flavia-series Round-up" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wiw-flavia-series-round-up#post-1108360 Mon, 09 Dec 2013 03:56:47 +0000 LACeleste 1108360@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I enjoyed the series and wrap up!  The pic with your son is incredible! You bring a lot of creativity and originality to your posts.  Thank you! catgirl on "WIW :: Flavia-series Round-up" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wiw-flavia-series-round-up#post-1108282 Mon, 09 Dec 2013 02:46:17 +0000 catgirl 1108282@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Ornella, I love this thought process you're going through, as it speaks directly to my own situation.  I've found that three sweaters in black, grey and blue, and three ponte skinnies in black, grey and blue, give me 9 outfits I can throw on without a thought (using my multiplication formula of tops x bottoms + number of outfits).  And since I LOVE the tops (my Joie tunic sweaters), and switch up my boots, I don't feel too basic, or boring, or frumpy. At the same time, when I have moments that are not FFBO days, I enjoy pulling out my more colorful, RATE, or challenging items and getting a chance to play with them.  So I'm bouncing back and forth between simple-neutral-edgy-polished and RATE-UWP-casual-color. It's been fascinating to follow your Flavia journey! Jaime on "WIW :: Flavia-series Round-up" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wiw-flavia-series-round-up#post-1108261 Mon, 09 Dec 2013 02:28:15 +0000 Jaime 1108261@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ What a delightful read! First the visuals - I love the signature scarf on you. It is just brilliant. And the outtake with your adorable son is precious. As for the words - I usually resist the idea (for myself) of overly limiting what I wear with rules. I admire different forms of minimalism but I prefer not to be so strict with myself. Maybe this is a symptom of a certain amount of style confusion or maybe I just prefer to keep evolving (aka playing). Nonetheless, the discussion of effortlessness, what it is and how it happens, is more about the process than the ends and I find it fascinating and want to reread your entire Flavia series and think about it more. Thanks Ornella!  Suz on "WIW :: Flavia-series Round-up" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wiw-flavia-series-round-up#post-1108248 Mon, 09 Dec 2013 02:11:11 +0000 Suz 1108248@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Ornella, this is brilliant. I am favouriting it to come back to. And of course I love the fun outtakes, too! :) I also think Denise is very wise. You and Flavia already are style sisters. And now it is just a question of finding the pieces with the best quality and fit and (slowly, reasonably) replacing those that feel sub-par to you now -- and of course also finding those that work seamlessly for the bi-cycle style.  There will still be room for experimentation and fun. There has to be, or else your style would stagnate, and you wouldn't want that. But with the core of a set of "best" neutrals and colours, best silhouettes (and perhaps brands) and focal accessories, you will continue to shine and even glow. As you do in all our hearts.  CocoLion on "WIW :: Flavia-series Round-up" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wiw-flavia-series-round-up#post-1108229 Mon, 09 Dec 2013 01:49:34 +0000 CocoLion 1108229@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I love how you saw something/someone that inspired you, articulated it, and followed through with it in your attire.  I actually think Flavia's style is like yours, and like yours has been for a while.  Maybe what you saw in her is already in you, and just re-inspired you to get back to your love of simple, minimal, classic style. I do understand the desire to spread your wings and experiment with different looks.  I think that's what Angie calls having fun with fashion.  A love of minimal style shouldn't feel imprisoning, there should be room to play.  I think building space in your closet (and room in your budget) for experiments makes sense. Ornella on "WIW :: Flavia-series Round-up" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wiw-flavia-series-round-up#post-1108154 Mon, 09 Dec 2013 00:19:32 +0000 Ornella 1108154@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I promised a roundup thread and with some delay here is the attempt to summarise whys, whats and what nexts. [ <a rel="nofollow" href="http://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wiw-fascinated-by-flavia">Outfit 1</a> | <a rel="nofollow" href="http://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wiw-anotehr-flavia-inpired-outfit">Outfit 2</a> | <a rel="nofollow" href="http://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wiw-day-3---flavia-goes-to-the-library">Outfit 3</a> | <a rel="nofollow" href="http://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wiw-day-4---flavia-the-home-party-guest">Outfit 4</a> | <a rel="nofollow" href="http://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wiw-day-5---weekends-second-birthday-party-for-flavia">Outfit 5</a> | <a rel="nofollow" href="http://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wiw-extras-flavia-crosses-abbey-road">Outfit 6 + extras</a>   ] Initially I did not plan to do a series of Flavia inspired outfits. I thought it was enough to do one outfit, write a few lines about what impressed me about her and move on. But that first outfit felt good and very me, and the comments that followed were surprisingly positive, which led me to think I was onto something… so I continued. What drew me to Flavia's style is the simplicity I try to achieve with my outfits and the fact she's already where I want to be. Her clothes is secondary to her personality and she could have easily worn the same thing all the time and I really could not tell. All I knew was that it all fitted her perfectly and nothing was off. All the outfits I wore had maximum happiness factor for me. But, even despite that I was surprised to find out I am still not ready to fully go down the route of very few colours and silhouettes. Part of me still wants to wear something crazy (or crazy for me), unexpected or totally off - because I now feel like I know what to do with any piece of clothing, so I'm making up for the years lost in feeling frustrated by my wardrobe.  Or so I thought… what was interesting is that in the week that followed, Picture Perfect Challenge presented me with some situations where I was torn between wearing 'crazy' stuff just because I could justify wearing anything due to participating in the challenge, and wearing what Flavia-week left me with: reliable base outfit created in neutrals with just one accent element which elevates the outfit and paints that one 'me' detail I wanted to highlight.  Apart from not being fully ready to go minimal but striving for it eventually, and careful selection of detail that will infuse character into the outfit, one other thing that I became aware of yet again was the importance of the right piece of clothing: the right fabric, the right cut and fit, the right comfort level. I'm at the stage when I'm still going through a lot of my wardrobe like through the food in the overstuffed pantry - I'm checking what's nearing expiry date and assessing if there's truly any reason left to hold on to it; or I'm creating the meal with the leftovers because it's bordering insane to give up on perfectly good pieces which even suit my style, but I also know there are simply not enough situations in which I can wear every combination I can think of. Therefore I should stick with the favourite pieces alone, I know, and I'm now focused on letting go of what's distracting me from wearing those pieces I enjoy the most. This brings me to something else - I wore very small number of clothes during the Flavia-week and I was deliberately not reaching for different pieces for as long as I could. I was following Lisa's challenge an her thoughtful management of a small subset of her own wardrobe, so I knew it could be done. Wearing little in terms of variety - but a lot in terms of loving what I wore - just emphasised something that Claire summed up perfectly in <a rel="nofollow" href="http://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wiw-day-5---weekends-second-birthday-party-for-flavia#post-1102813">her comment</a>: <ul> <li>I think that careful curating paves the way to effortless dressing because the work has all been done on the front end.</li> </ul> I now know that choosing between very few items makes me feel serene. I like not having to think about too many options, but having a reliable base(s) which will be the playground for adding something else. It was freeing to put in practice what I already wrote about earlier this year - that <a rel="nofollow" href="http://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/too-much-inspiration---full-circle---daring-to-go-simple">too much inspiration</a> left me at times bewildered by the options and I had to draw the line somewhere in order to wear everything I wanted to try. I was not bored of wearing the same base things because there were so many options to change the final outfit - be it the choice of the accessory or the way it was worn. There was a reason to it all and I found a lot of pleasure in knowing it was all a choice.   Reading the comments was as interesting experience as ever. I find it fascinating how I'm beginning to see new layers to my own clothing choices when others interpret them. Had it not been for the comments, I would have not thought that maybe <ul> <li>intention + own = effortless</li> </ul> or maybe even better <ul> <li>intention --> own --> effortless</li> </ul> but after this series I do think it's the intention directed into the choice of something which essentially helps to own the look. This is the key to wearing it confidently, which in turn projects the that effortless vibe we keep getting back to. Finally, I'll leave you with <a rel="nofollow" href="http://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wiw-day-5---weekends-second-birthday-party-for-flavia#post-1102337">Gaylene's comment</a><a rel="nofollow" href="http://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wiw-day-5---weekends-second-birthday-party-for-flavia#post-1102337"> </a>which summed it all perfectly: <ul> <li>But <a rel="nofollow" href="http://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wiw-day-3---flavia-goes-to-the-library#post-1101202">Carter's comment</a>: Whatever it is, it's intentional, not just something that "goes", and your thoughts on distilling down, and the realisation that something as small as a red cord on a pair of glasses could be important made me realize it's these interesting, intentional, thoughtful bits that really personalize our style. Our outfits become interesting because they are reflections of these small, but ever so deliberate, choices about what we want to say about ourselves, right down to the cord that wraps around our glasses, or the way we choose to tie a scarf around our necks, or the careful way we echo the buttons of a sweater with the bracelets on our wrist--and it's the distilling, or simplicity, that makes the precision and thoughtfulness of our choices apparent because these subtle details don't get elbowed aside by a host of other attention-grabbing counterparts.</li> </ul> Where does this experiment leave -- or lead -- me? There's no doubt Flavia's clean style with subtle, but intentional details is something I want to evolve towards. When or how I'll get there, or where I may be side-tracked to, I don't know. As restrictive as it may sound to wear a few neutrals, accessories and colours, I think I've realised that I actually make the biggest strides when the variety is seemingly limited, but that's the best set-up for me to fine-tune my style further.  Thanks for reading (still here? ) and your contribution to the series so far. <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/extension/"></a><a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/extension/"></a>