Are we tending toward simpler oufits? - YouLookFab Forum

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Dressing

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Outfits Ensembles Trends Advice

Are we tending toward simpler oufits?

catgirl

Veteran

More streamlined, less ALGO? I'm seeing lots of minimal outfits here recently and love them - Ariadne's outfit from yesterday and Tanya's copy, Ceit and Raisin's twin outfit, etc. I rarely wear more than three pieces (top + blazer, + pants/skirt, sweater/tunic * skinnies, etc.) and struggle to add more in to an outfit.

Are you tending this way?

Dressing

54 replies

Latest reply was from lynne

Aziraphale

Veteran

Always. I never have a lot going on. For me, it's typically:

blazer + t-shirt + jeans
boyfriend cardi + t-shirt + jeans (or skirt)
button-front shirt + waistcoat, vest or sweater + jeans
button-front shirt + jeans
drapey top + leggings

Shoes almost always add some "personality" to the above. I wear nearly no jewelry and never a scarf, unless it's freezing out, in which case I consider the scarf a part of my outerwear. I've just never been into a lot of "stuff".

Adelfa

Veteran

I've tended to have a very plain style and at this point am working on adding. But probably my added-on outfits would look simple to many!

Caro in Oz

Veteran

I'm not sure it could just be that our summer has been hot so anything more than the minimum feels like way too much. I used to wear more jewellery in summer but only seem to wear cuffs now.

rachylou

Veteran

I think you're right. Not just here, but all everywhere. I feel like the fashion layouts have simpler ensembles too.

Personally, I like having less to put on. Lol. Makes dressing faster!

rae

(website)

Veteran

I was having a hard time with this. I am wearing scarves more often, but less jewelry. And I don't like to mix colors and prints as much. Liking a lot more neutrals. I am wearing few pieces, but the pieces have more detail. Maybe my style isn't so current right now. :T

4babiesMe

Gosh, I hope so! I'm so terrible at accessorizing! lol

deb

Veteran

I have never thought of my outfits as simple but I think they are. I rarely wear accessories.

Charmian

Veteran

Glib answer: yes. Our lovely muse went down the minimalist road 2 years ago, and we can't help but follow!

Serious answer: oh, I certainly hope so! I've always been a minimalist, and when I first joined I thought it was a sign that I had no sense of style. Turns out I do, I just hadn't found my role models on the forum yet. It would be great if I could find out-of-forum role models too.

Deborah

Veteran

I agree with Caro. Our heat definitely inspires minimal dressing. I haven't even been wearing rings, and I always wear rings! But generally I would say I have been inspired a great deal by Angie with regard to minimalism and find myself omitting necklaces and the like more often than not. Goodness today I have even went to work with natural coloured nails and I always wear coloured polish.

I do wonder if for some, a move toward minimalism signifies we are more secure and at ease with ourselves and require less "adornment" to make us feel pretty, special, attractive etc?

jen

Well said Deborah.

Ingunn

(website)

Veteran

I'm definitely intrigued by a simpler style these days. I've never accessorized very much, or had ALGO, but now I find that I wear my scarves more, add less jewelry than ever, and I prefer neutrals and classic colors to patterns (except stripes!).

Mo

(website)

Veteran

I think it is a trend. I remember searching for an embellished white tank in 2005-6. Then I remember wanting to unembellish the same tank in 2010-11.
I tried the layering of tank under tee, under jacket. Now I'm happy to be back to a top with proper length and a topper, should I want one.
Jewelry I have come to wearing one stand out piece, but I never was a magpie in that arena anyway.
huh, I wonder if fashion trends haven't finally come around to meet *me* for once LOL.

Ornella

(website)

Veteran

Totally.

Something along statement dressing, from your old thread started after Mochi's comment...

Molly L-R

I don't know, I'm personally just getting into accessorising after years of going without. I wear earrings and necklaces nearly every day and have started playing around with waiscoats, belts and scarves. More accessories I say! MORE!!

Anonymous

I like to accessorise too, But I want to do it in a more straight forward way so that I don't get overwhelmed. I have eclectic tastes so in a way I need reign them in a little to help me with outfit combining. There is a definite trend for simplicity though.

Raisin

Veteran

I've always been this way. It's just my preference. I find it easier to choose, usually I'm only picking a top and bottom, once in a while a third piece ie, a cardi, jacket, etc. I tend to like things that are uncomplicated to the eye. Although, I do appreciate a beautiful outfit that has many layers, colors, textures. When others do it well, I love to look at it.

Thistle

Veteran

I think the streamlined more minimal approach works for me right now. I have a toddler, so any jewelry has to go on after I drop her off at daycare and has to come off before I get home.

Honestly, so much of my jewelry feels dated, that is another issue.

I bought my first scarf and belt since joining YLF, so right now, just adding one of those feels like a lot of accessories!

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

I think I tend toward simple outfits and my attempts to accessorize usually frustrate me. Of course, Angie is a big influence here in validating that tendency!

Tanya

Veteran

I think you are onto something here Una. It is definitely Angie's influence and also current trends. I personally feel somewhere in the middle. I accessorize less than ever, but love fun belts (probably because of the current tucked and belted trend) and some scarves. I almost never wear jewelry anymore. I still prefer 3-piece dressing, (two items layered on the top and bottoms), just two can feel incomplete. On the other hand, in the summer just two ends up being inevitable.

Beth Ann

Veteran

I find myself thinking "focused" rather than minimalist. I want the statement, but I don't want to overwhelm and confuse the eye or the wearer with lots of little statements. I'm also thinking of what the eye lands on from far away, and what little details can be included for those who are closer to us during the day. As a result, I want jewelry to be either strong (viewable from a distance), or more delicate.

Sometimes I fail. And I'm not giving up all color! I doubt I'll ever be minimal, but I'll enjoy it others!

amiable

Veteran

I notice it in myself - I feel a lot more like "me" without ALGO

bj1111

Veteran

never left.

Sarah A

Veteran

I am feeling more minimal now than a year ago certainly... For me part of it is a learning process, as I acquire better fitting/functioning basic pieces I need less accessories to hide their flaws.

ironkurtin

Veteran

What BJ111 said.

Tina.b

Veteran

By nature I'm such a simple dresser. So much so that I often think my outfits are boring. But I feel most like myself when I am wearing just two pieces. I view my shoes and bag as my accessories.

Lisa

Veteran

I'm still wearing lots of layers, but I find I am craving simpler outfits (more solids and less prints). I think once I get the hang of a look, I'm ready to learn another one.

greenglove

(website)

Veteran

I am, I think it has to do with time, I have been so busy that the extra layers add extra effort
which I have no time for.
Simplicity does free up time.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

I am getting there, slowly.

I still love my jackets. Can't do without those.

Ingunn

(website)

Veteran

I love simple, but I have to wear more than one layer on top, or else I'll freeze to death in the name of style. If simple means only one or two pieces, my style will never be simple.

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