30x30 week 2 - YouLookFab Forum

Category

What I Wore

Welcome! Read about what to wear and how to wear it on the YLF Blog. Join the YLF Forum to ask specific questions or just chat about fashion and personal style. Or check out the curated list of things we love in YLF Finds.

Outfits Ensembles Trends Advice

30x30 week 2

tanstaafl

At the end of week 2, I have 9 outfits using 21 pieces of clothing (excluding shoes and scarves and under layers for warmth).

Recap of my goal: To look more professional and polished. To identify what combinations work best for me, identify any wardrobe holes, and identify any pieces that I should retire from my work wardrobe.

1. White pleat neck shell, grey boot cut trousers, teal long cardigan, teal/blue/grey scarf, black pumps. A little more casual than I would like. I’m not sure if it’s the cardigan itself or the cardigan and scarf together. The scarf covers the pleated neckline which is the only structural element of the outfit.
2. Black/white floral cowl neck top, black cardigan, black pencil skirt, black pumps. Not sure about this one.
3. Teal flutter sleeve top, black boot cut trousers, grey blazer, black ankle boots. I liked this one, but no wow factor.
4. Navy sleeveless dress, navy long sleeve top, black pumps. A little dark. This dress is hard to photograph in our bathrooms. I love how this dress fits me and the interesting neckline. I think sheerer hose would have been better, but I need to buy more. Maybe tall boots.
5. Black cowl neck shell, cabernet jacket, black ankle pants, cream/purple butterfly scarf, black pumps. I like this jacket, but it has boob pockets which I usually don’t like. I covered them here with the scarf.

How can I improve these looks? Any thoughts and suggestions are greatly appreciated!

This post has 5 photos. Photos uploaded by this member are only visible to other logged in members.

If you aren't a member, but would like to participate, please consider signing up. It only takes a minute and we'd love to have you.

22 replies

Latest reply was from cjh

SarahD8

Veteran

My favorites are #2 and #4, they have a simple elegance that is really appealing.

I’m admiring how well all of these items seem to fit you — well done for not compromising in that department.

The texture and fringe of the scarves you are showing make them read as outerwear to my eye — I think outerwear scarves as part of an outfit can work but it does have a more casual vibe imo. Maybe a silky scarf, or a lightweight cotton/modal one, would up the dressy factor?

Have you worn the teal top with the teal cardi? That sort of tonal look is really nice I think.

Anonymous

Hi Tanstaafl. I am so excited to read this and catch up with you. I'll have to reserve my longer comment for the evening though.

ETA: I hope others can suggest ways for you to improve these five ensembles because I am at a loss. I think you look perfect! My favorite is Number 1.

And others have comments, the fit of your garments is superb. How do you do that? Are you lucky or do you know a really good tailor?

rachylou

Veteran

I love these! Polished yet accessible. I love your drop earrings.

Total sideswerve: I wish the mayor of my last town dressed like this. She dresses Almost like this ... but with these huge dangly earrings. I find them so distracting when she’s talking about serious stuff, lol. I watch them swing back and forth on tv...

Katerina

Veteran

You look chic and professional and polished in all these outfits! I agree with SarahD8 on the great fit of your items, super sharp. I like all the outfits - difficult to choose a favourite. You do a great job with accessories - you add something interesting to each outfit, it is fun to see! I love your butterfly scarf - so pretty and such a lovely colour on you. The blue cardigan in the first outfit suits you also beautifully, great colour on you.
What strikes me also is the variety of different styles and they all look great on you - WELL DONE!

Toban

Veteran

I think you've met your goal in all 5 outfits. My favorite is #5, with the cabernet jacket. It rocks modern, professional. The cabernet color looks awesome on you. I also like how you used a necklace or scarf in each outfit to add interest. Well done!

tanstaafl

Thank you all so much for your kind words.

Sarah - I see your point about the scarves. Silkier scarves are on my shopping list for just that reason. I think my problem in #1 is the combination of the casual scarf and casual cardigan. I think swapping the necklace in #3 with the scarf in #1 might have improved both looks by letting the structure of the white shell show in #1 and adding a softer element to #3.

Sterling - I think it’s a combination of luck and pickiness. I have a limited budget to work with, so I try to be very picky about what I’m going to spend it on. All of my clothes are straight off the rack.

Rachylou - that would be distracting! I almost always wear my hair in a bun for work, and I don’t think the larger earrings work well with that look for me.

Katerina and Toban - I have been making an effort to wear jewelry and scarves to add interest to my outfits during this challenge. I’m happy to hear that you think it’s working. Once I have this more ingrained as a habit, I might focus on makeup and hair.

LaPed

Veteran

Wow, you're certainly succeeding at professional and polished! These are super. I think #4 is my favourite; that dress suits you so well. All of the jacket/pants outfits are great too, esp #1, which has really nice long lines and is quite striking. I understand wanting something more elevated and less casual for that one, but the proportions are excellent -- maybe add a skinny silk scarf to your repertoire? I'm wondering if #2 would look better with sheer or textured hose, something to lighten the overall effect?

Joy

Veteran

You have achieved polished and professional. My favorites are 2, 4, and 5, but I think sheer black stockings would lighten 2 and 4. You have a good variety of interesting looks.

Mainelady

Veteran

I think you look very polished and professional in all of your outfits. I love the colors of the sweater in #1 and the jacket in #3. I think a black hosiery instead of tights would look great, but only if you will be warm enough. I would not sacrifice warmth for lighter leg ware.
So here’s a little suggestion that I hope you won’t mind...how about adding a smile in your next set of pics? You are very pretty. It might feel odd just smiling at a camera and a mirror, but a smile would let us see how you really look and IMO a smile is the best accessory. It goes with everything! So, please give us a sneak peek of how others get to see you.

tanstaafl

Sheer and patterned hosiery have been added to my shopping list. Tuesday would have been too cold for it, but Thursday was warmer. I looked in my drawer, but had none, and it wasn’t quite warm enough for bare legs.

Mainelady - I don’t mind the suggestion at all. I have a very hard time smiling for pictures, but I’ll try next week.

jussie

Veteran

Imho the black dress is the best. I think if you're going to invest in any new pieces another black dress with some kind of different detail would be great on you. I also love the purplish jacket with the black "column of colour" underneath. I think whomever suggested silk scarves are spot on too. I think in the first outfit the scarf may be a little too short/tightly tied for the length of the jacket. Overall some fantastic outfits.

Anonymous

I think that you look sensational in the navy dress. I don’t think you need to add colour but if you want to, I’d do it through jewelry rather than a scarf.

I also really like your pumps.

I also really like 2 (skirt/jacket combo). The silhouette is very good on you. What don’t you like about it?

The first outfit, with the navy cardigan, is definitely less dressy, and I think it’s because of the texture of the cardigan. The scarf seems like it “fits” with the rest of your dressy outfits.

I also think the burgundy jacket is quite dressed down as well.

I love the colour of the teal top and the coordination with your necklace.

I also love you in skirts, dresses and slim fit pants with heels. These seem to suit your body very well, and give off a polished professional look more than the flats with bootcuts, IMO.

Anonymous

You need tall boots to wear with your skirts and dresses! That will enable you to wear them more often.
You could also wear the tall boots with slim fit pants (if they are slim enough through thigh and knee area).

tanstaafl

Smittie - the teal cardigan and the burgundy jacket are both on my watch list in this challenge for possibly being too casual. I want to try styling them a few different ways to see if they have a place in my work wardrobe or if they need to be moved into my casual/weekend wardrobe.

Winter footwear is definitely a wardrobe hole for me. I only have this one pair of closed toe pumps and the one pair of ankle boots. I need more cold weather options. I want to get at least one more pair of pumps and a pair of tall boots. More slim pants are on my list as well. I am tired of the boot cuts.

karen13

Veteran

You are definitely succeeding at polished and professional in every one of these outfits. I truly like them all. I am surprised you find the teal and burgundy toppers to be too casual. The way you style them is great and they are among my favorite outfits. They would have worked even in my 1990s office job for any day I didn't wear a navy suit, and Fortune 10 corporate finance was pretty stuffy in those days. I really like you in the jewel tone colors, so 1, 3 and 5 are my personal favorites

Since you wear scarves so beautifully, I would suggest some silkier scarves as maybe the only thing that might push these outfits to even more finished. I love the ones you show, but think chunkier scarves read more casual (not too casual, just more).

tanstaafl

Karen - I think the teal cardigan is an issue for me only when I pair it with other casual items. I have worn this exact combination with a necklace instead of the scarf before and liked it. I have also worn it with a more casual top and felt too casual. I’m going to see if I like it with any other tops, and try it with a skirt as well.

I’m happy with the burgundy jacket in this outfit. But it is cotton, almost like a denim. That and the boob pockets make it a more casual piece. I’m not sure how else to style it.

White House Black Market

Button-Front Jacket

View Info

Top Pick

8

Anonymous

Sorry, I didn’t mean to imply that any of the outfits were not polished. They are ALL polished and look professional

tanstaafl

Smittie - I didn’t take your post that way at all. I was already concerned about those two pieces before I posted here. For each of them I have only found one way to style them so far that fits my poorly defined/articulated vision.

Windchime

Veteran

Again this week, I'm admiring the variety of styles you wear to achieve an unquestionably polished and professional look.

Agree that the type of scarf casualizes #1. But where my eye first went was to your shoes! The pointy toe and bit of shine really enhance the whole outfit. Wonderful footwear choices all week, for that matter.

Brooklyn

Veteran

Hi tanstaafl! You look really chic and professional. My favourites are 2, 4 and 5.

I have the same burgundy jacket as you in 5 and I must admit I see it as a more casual piece. Like a denim jacket. But the way you are wearing it really elevates it and makes it work appropriate to my eye.

On outfit 1, I would like to see the scarf worn as is outfit 5, for a longer line and to add more colour to the outfit. By tying it up tighter you kind of limit the teal colour (which is very pretty with the cardigan) to around your neck.

In outfit 2 (which I love), maybe an edgier/more interesting necklace? I like the one in outfit 4.

Also, I’d really love to see black high shaft ankle boots with some of these looks. But I am a bootaholic and you may not be!

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

#2 and #4 are professional, polished and lovely. I would try the scarf tied more around and less down (like an infinity scarf but there are many variations) for indoor work. Very nice looks!

cjh

(website)

Veteran

Great outfits and you do look polished, professional and confident.

A couple of suggestions for remixing would be swap the scarf and necklace in 1 and 3; swap the skirt and pants in 2 and 5. You said you like the teal cardigan with a necklace - that could be because it gives a bit of shine and structure as you felt were missing here. The jacket suit look of 3 is so structured that the scarf might bring a touch of softness and flare.

Do you think that the jacket in 5 would take a step up with a skirt instead of pants? Perhaps the pants say casual more than the jacket itself. I like it and feel it does have a place in your rotation. Maybe add texture or pattern in a different way than the scarf by pairing it with a crisp dark plaid shirt or feminine soft tshirt/sweater. Frankly, the scarf makes me feel like you are trying to hide the jacket and you should wear it more confidently - it's great.

http://www.qvc.com/Susan-Grave.....uct.A26928

PAIGE Merrigan Plaid Peplum Top

View Info

Top Pick

2

Foxcroft Addison Plaid Shirt

View Info

Top Pick

1