Anyone else get style insight from a bad outfit? - YouLookFab Forum

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Anyone else get style insight from a bad outfit?

Sara L.

Veteran

Anyone get more style insights from something you wore and didn't like than outfits that work?

I wore this outfit last week and absolutely hated it. I had something else planned, it didn't work, I was running late and threw this on. I hated it all day. It warmed up enough that I was able to take the cardigan off and that helped but it's still one of my least favorite outfits in a long time. I've spent more time analyzing what I disliked so much about this outfit than anything I've liked wearing. I think it's helping me crystallize some ideas that have been floating around.

It's too conservative, too boring, there's no pattern, the necklace is too matchy, and there's something about the green and brown I don't like, but I can't quite put my finger on what the problem is yet.

I'm curious to hear people's thoughts on this issue.

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Dressing

29 replies

Latest reply was from Mo

A.Kiernan

(website)

I think a belt in a print or a pop of contrasting color would have helped break things up here. Either over the buttoned-up cardigan or underneath the open cardigan.

And the necklace is a little matchy for me. But teal is definitely a beautiful color on you!

K. Period.

Veteran

I know exactly what you mean! I learn a lot from what doesn't work. Right now, I'm in love with photographs! I can't believe how much photographs of a boring/not working outfit show me that I can't see in the mirror.

My take on this? Like AK said, color. I would add red. Teal and red look great together and would really change this outfit into something exciting. I think you are missing the danger element of doing something more daring! This is a fine combination, but it doesn't have anything energetic going one. You are too sophisticated to want to just fade into the background, so this very workable, basic outfit seems dull to you. Red! It's your answer. Or patent leather. Something shiny to really draw the eye.

Ann in New England

This is very helpful to me, because this is exactly the kind of outfit that I've worn for years and am trying to get away from. Yes, it's fine -- unlikely to offend anyone. But I agree that it could be so much better.

Thank you for illustrating something that I wasn't able to see in my own outfits. I will be watching here for ideas.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

I totally understand! I learn from these kinds of things too -- more than one of my items has ended up in the donation bag after taking some pictures and feeling unfab. Or I've had to completely rethink how I style something and nudge myself out of my comfort zone.

Transcona Shannon

Veteran

I learn so much more from my style mistakes than from my style successes. Breaking down why a particular outfit doesn't work or look right helps me move forward. Photos have been absolutely essential in figuring things out.

FWIW I don't think this outfit is as bad as you feel it is, but I hear what you're saying.

DonnaF

Veteran

Fit and flattery are not the issues, here. How about changing out the necklace for a different color or wearing a scarf instead? I would try purple or orange. A bigger change would be to keep the necklace and change the cardigan for a different topper.

Carole

Veteran

Maybe some animal print shoes or scarf with some other colors would help jazz things up, or a necklace with an accent color. I happen to love teal so don't give up, actually, this is a great post and a fun thing to analyze. I bet you will get some great tips from everyone!

Sara L.

Veteran

I realize the outfit isn't terrible and a year ago I would have worn it and felt perfectly fine. But now it feels very un-me although it's still hard for me to describe my style or style goals.

Day Vies

Veteran

You are really throwing yourself under the bus on this one! When I think bad I think tacky, inappropriate and should never see the light of day. I don't think this is a horrible outfit -- it's actually a good canvas that wants to be accessorized.

I blame the necklace. That is the element that took this outfit to ho-hum land. If the necklace had been gold, silver, red or orange and the same size, I think we would be having a different conversation. I also think if your shoes had been a bolder/higher contrasting color you would have been more satisfied with this outfit

I agree I do learn more from outfits I don't like, because I spend less time thinking about outfits I like/love.

Asingh

(website)

Veteran

Sara, I actually like this outfit. Maybe animal print shoes and a bright bag in deep red would add more fun to the outfit.

Alternately, you could also add a printed scarf as an accessory.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Great topic!

I definitely learn from my mistakes. The ones that I don't like the looks of, yes....but even more so, the ones I hate the FEEL of. Bunchy, fussy, awkward clothes irritate me so much. Sometimes I won't know an outfit will have that effect until I'm out the door and it's too late, but I learn for the next time.

Shannon's pinterest board included a saying that I'm currently trying to take to heart (see photo). The more I try to keep this in mind, the less boring I feel my outfits become. My tendency in the past has always been towards too predictable, too ladylike, too simple, too basic. This formula is helping me move (slowly) forward.

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nancylee

Veteran

Absolutely! I often discover (from mistakes/outfits that just don't feel right) that a look I used to love is no longer working for me.

Isabel

Veteran

Yes !!! I find it almost MORE helpful than a good outfit on me. Two of the most helpful comments I have ever gotten were ones telling me what NOT to do : one from Angie and another from Aida....and they totally resonated with me.

unfrumped

Veteran

Totally learning from mistakes every week! I think it's really important not to stress too much though because the more fab other outfits get, the more hyper-critical you might get over a ho-hum day.

This outfit may not be your favorite, but it's no crime, either! like the teal with the brown. I am not as keen on the white shirt with the 2 darker colors, probably because there's nothing else to tie all 3 colors/tones together or bookend the white shirt or anything. I would probably wear something like this with a darker shirt, to go more tonal, a print with colors of the other 2 pieces and some of the orange or purple, anything to spice it up. or a scarf that covers the lighter shirt. With a more monochromatic tone in a blouse, you could button or unbutton the cardigan. Or if you kept the white shirt look, then something to play it up elsewhere in the outfit. For example--is it a long-sleeved shirt with cuffs? Have you tried turning the cuffs back over the sweater sleeves and scrunching? That puts some more white elsewhere in the outfit and looks more sassy as well.

What is your style direction here? Are you not as happy with the colors/patterns, or did you want a more structured look (fitted jacket, say), or just something unexpected?

rachylou

Veteran

Oh yes. A disappointing outfit can often be more instructive. If you fix it, you can see what it takes to transform it in the specifics.

I don't think this is a bad outfit. But maybe the pieces aren't all pulling together. My first thought is all the textures are the same. My second thought is the "weight" of each item is very different. The sweater is very thin, the necklace very heavy - well maybe the shirt and jeans match each other in weight. I'd try a visually heavier sweater or a visually lighter necklace.

catgirl

Veteran

I actually get MORE style insight from bad outfits. The good ones reflect what I've alreadty learned and am comfortable wearing, whereas the bad ones show the areas where I still have no clue. If I can figure out the problem myself, I'm happy - and if not, there is always YLF! Sometimes I can't even tell if something is wrong, and that's the worst but has the biggest learning benefit.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

You are right, Sara L. An outfit that you did NOT feel fab in can be very instructive. And although it might look fab to others - YOU have to wear it. It has to feel right on your bod.

Caro in Oz

Veteran

Absolutely! I find the outfits that don't work really help to pinpoint my style.
What (if anything) would make this outfit work for you? I think that's the next question to ask yourself. Imo if you can change the shoes & accessories & have it work you have the start of a great outfit but if YOU don't like the individual pieces then that's a bigger project.

Sara L.

Veteran

Interesting discussion!

@caro For me a big problem with this outfit is the green sweater. I don't like the shape with the deep V and I don't like the brown, white, and green together. A scarf might help if it tied the three colors together and somewhat hide the front of the sweater. Rolling up the sleeves to show the white cuffs would also help for me, but it was too cold that morning for that. It would, as @unfrumped says, add some sass to the outfit, which I think is a big part of what I don't like about this (as well as the green sweater).

But more important than how to fix this one outfit, is how it got me thinking about what I like and don't like in outfits in general. Figuring out why this outfit in particular bugged me has been very insightful. I like the picture Suz posted and I'm going to keep that in mind to help with future outfit problems.

Mo

(website)

Veteran

Yes, for many of the reasons already stated. I think I will continue to take pics even if I don't post them, just to get a record of the visuals and look at just what is and isn't working, and figure out why.
I agree that what may have been just great a year or two might feel bleh after some time honing your style.

shiny

Veteran

Since you brought up the V neck, yeah. I am pretty much resigned to V-necks because I have too much chest *and* a short neck. You have a beautiful neck and delicate upper body -- you can rock button downs. You could button this one all the way up, or flip the collar. Sooo jealous! I think this outfit would've worked a lot better with a sweater or cardi with a crew neckline.

As for brown with this teal -- the pants are not coming across in the photos as brown, but yes, that may be the other issue. That color green you are wearing seems more cool than warm toned. I'd pair with denim or black, not brown. Or trousers with a print/pattern.

I do love the necklace. Even if it's matchy.

Otherwise, I find it hard to judge outfits that have no handbag, because that could've been your splash of pattern, no?

Marley

Veteran

Oh yes - all the time! A few months ago I wore an outfit that I had laid out on my bed the night before (I mean, I had *planned* the outfit!) - but as soon as I put it on I knew that it was soooooo wrong! I didn't have time to change and so was stuck wearing it all day - and I felt awful! The pics that I took of it later only confirmed for me that it was. so. wrong. I hate making fashion mistakes - but, I most certainly learn alot from them!

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

Absolutely agree that the mistakes are so instructive - especially looking at a picture I don't like next to one I do. I have almost no cardigans left due to that exercise, for one thing!

Sara L.

Veteran

@shiny - I never take pictures with a handbag because I'm just not a bag person. I use the same grey structured handbag every day during the week. I don't really consider it part of my outfit since I only carry it from the car to my office and then back out again. On the weekends for casual outfits I pay more attention to my bag. I transfer my stuff over to small cross-body bags. I'm terrible about remembering to take weekend photos but I'm trying to get more pictures.

@shevia - I don't have many cardigans and I think I need to remember that although I like them on other people, I rarely like them on me.

annagybe

(website)

Veteran

I always wondered about the disconnect between your chosen profile picture of a more fashion forward look of sock, cage sandals and rolled jeans, but your WIW's are much more conservative. Do you yearn to be edgier and trendier?

Sara L.

Veteran

@annagybe I've never really thought about it. The profile pic is from an outfit I wore for a date night with my husband. Most of my WIW pics are work pictures. I definitely dress differently for date nights than I do regularly but since those occasions don't come up that often I don't consider them a part of my normal style. Maybe I should to incorporate some of those elements into my everyday style. It's something to consider that's for sure.

Firecracker (Sharan)

Veteran

Interesting post and discussion! Now I can't help thinking about what I'd change in the outfit. . . although I wouldn't have given it a second thought, without your comments about really not liking the outfit. It's so interesting how an outfit can be perfectly "fine" but just so "not you." I think it's the white blouse, which is too prim and crisp for the necklace. I could see a flowy blouse in ivory or cream in its place for a more fab, yet still conservative and quite businesslike, look. It probably still wouldn't be where you're wanting to be with your style, though.

Ariadne

Veteran

I definitely learn a huge, huge amount from outfits that don't work. I regularly photograph outfits I don't post because the photographs are enough to show me what I couldn't see in the mirror; alternatively, as Suz said, I'll find out over the course of the day that something about the outfit bugs me (fit, function, stuff slipping out of place, etc.). One of the best things about YLF is that I pay closer attention to things that don't work and make an effort to figure out and address the problem so I don't continue to replicate it. I never did that before.

Mo

(website)

Veteran

Sara, I'm totally with you on the handbag thing. Half the time I don't even carry one, and like many, when I do, it's stowed away more often than not. I also use the same one for months at a time. It's less part of my outfit than my socks lol.