An attempt at updating some fun favourites . wiw8.27.22 - YouLookFab Forum

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Outfits Ensembles Trends Advice

An attempt at updating some fun favourites . wiw8.27.22

LJP

Veteran

A good chunk of my wardrobe is looking a little dated /tired (not from overwear, just from a style standpoint) which is exactly what happens when too many pieces fall into that trend-driven and fun category.

The first photo is an outfit I wear maybe 3 items a year - it's a late summer/early fall look. I've had the pieces for about 3 years now and the whole long cardigan thing is looking tired and dated to my eye. It's all about (as we know) oversize blazers/bombers/denim jackets now - which I don't any of but am hesitant to invest in . What I liked about this outfit is the colour, and the mix of boho-ish elements . It was fun until all of a sudden it wasn't, so I wanted to find a way to update it from what I already owned. It was a little too warm for a full-on jacket yesterday, so I pulled out this twill Old Navy shirt which I have never worn (one of those "everyone must own a button down shirt" things ) and popped it over the tank and jeans. Switched out the metallic slides for olive sneakers, and off I went. I surprisingly didn't mind the shirt-as-third-piece and it was also surprisingly fuss free. An unbuttoned shirt over a tank has always read as rural/masculine to me /for me and I've never done it. I was okay out and about for awhile, but decided that among stores full of unembellished wide leg pants that these jeans were past their wear-by date. I hung onto them for these years only because I honestly liked the fit - not because of the goofy fringed hem.

Photo 2 represents my attempted update. Conclusion - the jeans are headed for the donate bag, and I may try an open shirt-as-third-piece more often Also - the earrings are too big and need to go too.

Without a word of a lie, every young woman I saw out shopping yesterday wore wide leg pants with sneakers and looked very cool doing so. I felt like a Chico's lady in comparison . Oh well - mission accomplished , and sometimes it takes actually wearing the pieces in doubt out in the wild in order to determine their fate and to solidfy your own style goals.

Now I have to figure out what to do with all of my mid-thigh cardigans. I have a lot, and am really over them now.

Comments always welcome !

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50 replies

Latest reply was from Gail

Bijou

Veteran

You are a brilliant stylist, outfit 2 looks fresh and fabulous. I really love you in olive and those sneakers are sleek and a great match with your shirt.

I can understand you preferring other jeans, but these do fit you beautifully. Could you chop them into a perfect denim short? I think they have great potential.

As for the longer cardigans, why not just put them away for a bit and see if they appeal come Spring.

Vildy

Veteran

Yeah, you really do look cool and contemporary in that shirt as 3d piece pic. It's much higher energy than the long cardigan styling. The folds of a shirt seem more sculptural vs the uh, draggy? nature of a cardigan duster. Energy there is flowing downward. Does that make any sense whatsoever?

Carla

Veteran

These muddy earthy colours really do suit you.

I do appreciate your honesty about being tired of a trend/look, but advise caution vis a vis wide leg bottoms. You’ve tried them before, and been dissatisfied.

CarolS

Veteran

LOL -- I don't care what the young girls are wearing -- you will have to tear long cardigans from my cold, dead hands! (of course, for me they help to camouflage the fact that pants often don't fit me particularly well in the seat and thigh and thus don't hang very attractively.)

Using the shirt as a third piece is a great idea -- and like you, I never really do it! It looks great the way you've styled it.

The colours in that long cardigan are really pretty on you. To freshen up the look, what about pairing it with a less boho top -- maybe a very simple solid tank or tee in one of the colours from the stripe?

And tell me again why you're getting rid of the jeans if they fit and look great on you? If I remember correctly, I don't think you really like wearing wide leg pants?

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I love both looks, LJP! I see zero dated vibes! I see two KILLER outfits that are very well put together, fun, interesting, flattering, and stylish

That said, I fully support that you are a lot more into one look and not the other. You have to feel good in what you wear!

The shirt has a fab shacket vibe to it. Nice fit, and wonderful match with the sneakers. Clever complement!

Sounds like you want to give long cardigans a break. Good job following those feelings. They are not for everyone. Keep your faves, and pass on the ones you like the least. Don't pass them all on. They will come back into favour, I bet.

I'd keep the jeans too. They have a super cute Summery boho vibe, and fit beautifully! The ankle baring length is alluring. It added just the right pretty touch to the shacket look to my eye. You will yearn for them again at some point!

slim cat

Veteran

The shirt as the third piece was my thing for some time - it works for you beautifully! New way of wearing older pieces is always adventure and you did re-style things fabulously.
I think smaller earrings would make the tank top with foil stand out more. Jeans fit fine and I'm with @Bijou on experimenting with cutting them ( next summer ).
The wide leg pants/jeans are not making my shorter customers happy - cropped bootcut jeans, joggers in silky fabric or just skipping all the new styles in jeans looks like preferred options. Hopefully new season would bring some diverse styles for everyone.
I'd keep cardigans for some errand runs/home when it's easy and comfortable option.

Indigoprint

Veteran

Well done. The shirt is a good 3rd piece and the color/ style read somewhat " utility" jacket to me which is always good(to me). Plus a great color on you
I echo the others and think the jeans are still pretty FAB on you.
I have not reached for my duster length cardis for awhile and hope it is only because of our long hot summer. I too have many and they are a staple in my closet and I am not sure I want to say good by to them.

catherine

Veteran

I like how both of these outfits look and find them quite stylish. The shoes are key, in my opinion.
I always admire long cardigans on other people but can’t seem to make them work for myself. However, you clearly can.
Not much help here, sorry, just wanted to say that I see nothing at all dated or tired in your clothes.

kellygirl

Veteran

I think dated may be relative because these look really good to me. I could also see the long cardigan over a column of color with the metallic slides. I still really like the long cardigans - especially over dresses. Love the shirt as the third piece too - that looks very current to me especially with the sneakers. I tend to hang on to things though but I get what you are saying about wearing them to really see whether or not they work for you. Fab exercise and you look fantastic as always!

cat2

Veteran

Team Keep here, I would just tuck the dusters in a box under the bed until trends have shifted again and you feel like wearing them again.

rachylou

Veteran

Like Angie, both outfits look good to me. I admit wide legs look very fashionable right now, but you know, they are actually in the minority in my neck of the woods. When I drive by the university, there’s a big mix - except for one thing: no skirts. I’m thinking maybe… ‘location location location’…

LJP

Veteran

Really smart comments here - thank you all . As far as wide legs go , yes , I had a rough time figuring them out a few years ago but those were cropped wide leg jeans . I hope to make “my” version a flared jean if I can find a brand that fits and doesn’t require hemming . ( deal breaker for me as I’ll never get it done ) . I had / still have a lovely pair of wider leg pants from Anthro that I wore exactly once I think and should see if I can figure out how to style them .

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LJP

Veteran

As to saving long cardigans for potential future use ? I don’t want stuff hidden away to dig out in a few years . That’s not a system that works for me nor do I have the space for it . I am taking Angie’s recommendation to cull and edit . The jeans ? Well , I never wear jeans in the summer , and don’t want another pair of cut offs , so I’m sticking to my plan to donate them . Bye bye boho .

CarolS

Veteran

OMG -- I love those red pants on you. Absolutely killer.

LJP

Veteran

Vildy - I’m intrigued by your energy comment. I’ve never considered an outfit I’m that way before and now I absolutely see it . A cardigan is structureless , and while comfortable isn’t the most flattering ( on me anyways ) .

LJP

Veteran

Thanks Carol . That was a one - shot outfit and I’ve never worn it again. Mostly a weather / climate thing .

Vildy

Veteran

Well, this isn't original to me, the downward-looking pull. Sheila Alley - Canadian ? stylist - referenced it the other day about these dusters/cardigans in a video and Carol Tuttle uses an energy system for personality and clothing with a person's energy either moving downward, upward, outward in all directions, inward/stillness. Dressing Your Truth system.

LJP

Veteran

Regardless of the origin , I appreciate this viewpoint. I can relate to this !

Janet

(website)

Veteran

I really like #2 and think that in the “anything-goes” world of denim right now, the jeans still look good to me. Maybe trimming the fringey edges back to more of a raw hem?? I like that angled crop style a lot, and you wear it well. The jacket-shirt is brilliant on you.

I’m not a cardigan person at all, so I’m not a good one to advise on that, but I hear you on not feeling all the oversized topper vibes. I’m really picky about them myself.

Honestly, I’m just a little envious of having weather that can warrant a topper at all. Hot and humid and over it here. Slumming it today around the house in a pair of Anthro shorts and Paul McCartney concert tee, cleaning up after a neighborhood cookout we hosted yesterday. I sweated through that wearing my little Columbia dress because it was the most appropriate casual way to cover as little of me as possible, but I still looked a sweaty mess within a half hour of stepping out of the shower, LOL. Ok, I’ll stop complaining about the weather now, but I cannot wait to wear jeans!

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Oh, the Anthro pants — I think those are the same ones I have? Mine are a little too tight at the moment (sigh), but I have hopes of wearing them before the fall ends. I really like them on you!

LJP

Veteran

Yes - those are the same ones you have . I haven’t tried mine on recently either - lol. It’s still warm here too - yesterday was kind of an anomaly . I too am sick of being hot and sweaty - and my version of your outfit was a Woodstock t and old denim shorts - hahahaha. It’s so hard to care when it’s hot out .

Sal

Veteran

I love outfit two - looks awesome.

Cardigans are a funny thing - I have one at mid thigh length and it’s mostly an at home piece. They aren’t a high energy piece - I agree. But I do find them useful. I can’t wear the boxy chunky style or the classic style well.

CarolS

Veteran

Oh, those deserve more than one outing. I could see them working through September and October with different iterations of footwear and top. But I swear, that look is one of my faves on you ever -- the edginess of the jacket and tee with the jolt of punchy colour to keep it from being severe just seems to hit that 'note' you keep describing. It's simple, it's "classic" (not conservative, not preppy), it's got edge and it's got verve. It has such a great balance to my eye.... Can't rave enough.

LJP

Veteran

That’s very nice of you to say , Carol . I think it was a case of weather , and then a lack of places to dress for for the past two years. I also don’t have a good top to wear with them anymore . Will have to ponder this …..

Sally - I completely agree . I think we have a similar body type . I have a few long cardigans to wear at work - but they are more dramatic and somewhat structured , and of course , black . I’m looking forward to going through my collection and culling out anything that isn’t flattering and current .

phoebe

I much prefer the "updated" version but I would have all along as the long cardigans in thin knits with no closures made me feel short and messy even when they were fresh. I lean sporty rather than trendy at all times.

I love the jacket and sneakers together and think you could use them to finish many other outfits.

No strong opinion on the jeans but the fit is very good

You are on the right track with the wide legs, seems like the right length and a neat ankle and foot might be key, as Irina so well demonstrated with her culottes post.

RoseandJoan

Veteran

I don't view the first outfit as dated but it's not in line with your new style goals either so I understand the dissonance.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

R&J you make a really good distinction there. Sometimes I feel like a piece I own is looking “dated” but “not in line with current style goals” is probably a much more apt description. I’m taking note of that!

Echo

Veteran

I really lke your "updated" look. I think the shirt works because instead of being loose and slightly sloppy like I envision the country/rural look, it is more tailored. And while I still have a soft spot for longer cardis, I agree with Angie about being fickle about what you keep - keep those you love and donate the rest. I used to have quite a few, and I have only one remaining.

And while you've decided on the jeans, I actually like these and think they look great. But you need to feel great in what you're wearing, so what other people see or think doesn't really matter when you don't feel fab.

The report on what girls/young women in the malls are wearing makes me laugh. I'll never wear wide jeans (they look great on others, but make me feel like a dust mop), so I might as well not worry overly much about trends. Heck, I teach, and in our building, long cardigans rule and "teacher sweaters" aren't worn ironically, so I doubt there are any members of the fashion police on staff!

Sal

Veteran

You have inspired me to wear a shirt as a jacket this week!

I think you had a great shacket - from memory - as it cools that will give you the oversized topper look.

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