Are you easily swayed? - YouLookFab Forum

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Outfits Ensembles Trends Advice

Are you easily swayed?

catgirl

Veteran

I've realized tend to be really easily influenced by how something looks on others, by catalog photos, presentation, or what have you. It is amazing how polysartorial I am when it comes to liking a look - the only things I tend to avoid are cutesy-country style. But boho/military/retro/mod/edgy classic/post-apocalyptic/streamlined/j. crew/anthro/modcloth/nordstrom/thrift store/YLF - bring it on!

Thus, I randomly look through blogs ranging from the Glamourai to Already Pretty to Haute Macabre.

I'm slowly - S-L-O-W-L-Y - learning some discernment about what I love and what I'll actually wear.

And I'm always impressed by those of you who can simply say "nope, not my style" and appreciate a look without wanting to try it yourself.

Spill it!

Shopping

34 replies

Latest reply was from rachylou

Mo

(website)

Veteran

Luckily, I'm a cheapskate and that keeps my wants from becoming reality most of the time. So I really really have to want something to buy it. I have been known to 'visit' items 2 or 3 times in the store before buying, for as long as 20 years now. I still get swayed, though.

MNsara

Veteran

Timely thought! I was just reflecting today on how my first year or so of YLF, I think I jumped on every style-bandwagon that caught my fancy. I even brought home a pair of Converse, but had the sense to realize they're not me and returned them.

This past year, I was getting better, but still trying more styles than I'll adopt or really wear.

I figure I'll keep getting better and there will be less mistakes/return/orphans this year -- but that being adventurous in style comes with risks. ( I'm guessing the really experienced stylists and the analytical types are the ones who KNOW if it's them.)

Vildy

Veteran

One thing I do that helps is to mentally block out the model's head and ask myself
if that outfit will work on my body. There have been some studies done that say that
people are more likely to buy something shown on or by models who look like them
in some key aspect - that they identify with, IOW.

I have a strong desire to be a column. Obviously a danger when viewing most garments
on models! Need to step back and remember that I *won't* look like that in the outfit.

lyn*

(website)

Veteran

I have a very quirky style that's all my own - so I just sit on purchases for a few days. 90% of what I buy usually goes back to the store

Maybe I just have commitment issues.

Aziraphale

Veteran

I find I get an idea in my head and I can't let it go. Sometimes it's a magazine picture, sometimes a woman (or occasionally a man) I see passing in the street, and sometimes it's something on a mannequin in a shop window. It will be either an article of clothing or else an entire look that I want to replicate, no matter how different it is from my 'usual'. Then I'll pursue it until I've achieved some version of that look on myself. I'm like a dog with a bone.

The good news is, this doesn't happen to me very often, or I'd go broke. Tell the truth, it's the main thing that keeps my style moving forward, so I don't see it as a bad thing.

rae

(website)

Veteran

I'm more on Team Waffle Till it's Too Late. YLF has helped me get more on Team Buy and Waffle at Home Before Returning, but I don't really feel to compelled to buy things I see on others. As Lyn said, perhaps it's just that my style is far enough away from the norm that I don't identify with clothes easily.

Kyle

Veteran

I have not perfected this, but am starting to make progress. I ask myself questions, and I did something similar (as an analogy) when I was dating. I started asking myself, "would this person be a good father?" among other things, and that automatically meant a fair number of people were not for me, even if they had other qualities I liked.

When shopping for clothes, I try to focus on key things that are important to me and how I envision or describe my style. "Is it Simple? Elegant? Strong? Does it have drama or sass? Also, is it age appropriate? Does it fit? Is it good quality? Is the color flattering? And, is it a worthy addition to my wardrobe? I find it quite helpful!

AJ

Veteran

I'm not easily swayed by the exact pieces but I will keep coming back to an inspiration pic that has caught my eye and try to figure out if it's the colors that I like or the mood that it evokes or maybe just the silhouette. Then I try to brainstorm how I can somehow translate that into an outfit. So needless to say, I spend a lot of time thinking about fashion. : )

Kristine

Veteran

I'm not easily swayed. In fact, I'm probably not swayed enough. Sometimes I look through fashion magazines or online catalogs and just don't get a single outfit! I'm learning not to look away so quickly. Most outfits have at least one element I can learn from and incorporate in some way.

April

Veteran

"Team Waffle Till It's Too Late" -- LOL, Rae. That's the approach that keeps me out of the poorhouse!

Una, I have found that the longer I'm on YLF, the less swayed I am in various directions. It has taken me a *long* time to get here, but I'm pretty good now about performing the instantaneous rule-out.

Pretty good, not perfect. I still find things in my closet I suspect were brought there by drunken elves, since I surely wouldn't have purchased them...

cheryle (Dianthus)

(website)

Veteran

I often see a picture and then go out and buy similar pieces to make an outfit. It is usually when I already have some of the pieces. I don't usually spend a lot on these types of pieces though since I know it is often a passing fancy.

I haven't felt the urge to shop for a while but that is probably because I seem to be at Home Depot 2 or 3 times a week buying things for my house projects. Now that I think about it, most of them have been based on a picture I saw that I loved. Hmmmm

nancylee

Veteran

I have a pretty good sense of what looks good on me, and what my "style sense" is--mostly because I'm older and have made a lot of mistakes in the past! That said, I do keep my eyes open for new looks since my style--and fashion in general--is always evolving. I don't necessarily jump when something attracts me, but if I am repeatedly drawn to a look over and over that's a signal to me that maybe I should give it a try.

For example, recently I've been drawn to military-style/army green blazers (MaryK was an influence!). It's not something I've ever considered for myself before, but after a couple of months of interest I finally pulled the trigger and ordered one to try.

Transcona Shannon

Veteran

I'm finally FINALLY becoming comfortable enough in my own skin to not grab every trend that comes along in order to feel stylish. I'm realizing I do have my own style and that I feel best when dressed like "me". I still make the odd bad purchase but they're getting fewer and farther between. Handbags and shoes though...that's a whole other story!

Jjsloane

Veteran

I am a total lemming. If I see or hear about something repeatedly (usually more than once) I must jump on it and buy (white jeans, white clams, skinny jeans, leggings, tunic, short boots, long boots, belts, Doc Martens, polka dots...). And forget about it if it's a "bargain". I almost bought some Fryes I really didn't need because of all the love here, Doc Martens like Angies - white 20 eye just because they were on sale) Luckily I return most when I have regained my senses and the item does not work for me (moto jacket). I currently have items that I bought in this method that I did not return that I need help styling: striped blazer, black cage sandals inspired by a Jonesy outfit but when I recreated it DD said I look like "a daddy" and DH said I'm just not hip enough for the shoes. He's right. Alas these were final sale, but only $20.
I need a support group and maybe this forum is now helping me realize not everything works for everyone. I do have those Paige HIdden Hills jeans in my amazon shopping cart, but I haven't pulled the trigger yet.
Kudos to those who are strong. You inspire me.

Laurinda

Veteran

"Polysartorial" what a great term!

I'm on the other extreme, in a wardrobe rut with a same-old uniform every day.

I hang out at YLF to get some inspiration about pieces that I can work into my wardrobe, maybe a little out of my (current) comfort zone, but still true to my style.

Di

(website)

Veteran

I feel like my figure is really hard to dress, so there's a lot that I nix for that reason. Also, I'm just not very trendy. If there's a style that clicks with me, I'll copy it, but it's usually incorporating ideas I already love. (That may well mean I need to loosen up....)

lynne

Veteran

I could have written Jjsloane's post above. I'm easily swayed by what others on YLF post. That's not always a bad thing, though. I've broadened my horizons to include AllSaints, leggings, and skinny jeans.

modgrl

(website)

Veteran

Tough question - I'm not really all about defining my style right now. My goal is to look good and polished and appropriate every day. I was stuck in a clothing rut for so long that now I am eager to experiment with lots of clothing trends that were previously far from my comfort zone. Maybe eventually I will settle into something that is my signature style. For now I am happy to appreciate and try lots of different things.

geetha

yeah those businesses will do anything to sell those clothes! People forget that fashion editors will find the most beautiful models they can-I mean you can put these girls in a paper sack and they will look good-and have them model their clothes. so of course the clothes look good in a catalog!

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Apparently I am. All it takes is one link to AllSaints and I'm already to buy half their stock!

But the truth is, I almost never DO buy.

I came here because I was in a total fashion rut and would only buy the safest of the safe and really need to GET some style. If I have to be polysartorial for a while before I become coherent and effortlessly chic, I guess that's the price I'll have to pay!

Patty

Veteran

I like polysartorial-- everything is fair game!
(And yer killing me with that jacket you posted Una!)

catgirl

Veteran

Oooh, I made up a new word! I think, anyway...

Saretta

(website)

I'm similar to jjsloane and lynne! But I am most often swayed by the friend I am shopping with. I find it so hard to refuse when a friend tells me something looks good on me. I have to force myself to really evaluate its usefulness, or how it will fit into my wardrobe.

Aida

Veteran

I wouldn't say that I'm easily swayed, but I DO have wide spreading tastes (love the word 'polysartorial' ^^). I am working on being more selective about incorporating these different styles. Before I was wanting full variety in each style, which is not economically nor spatially viable (e.g. floaty summer tops: I MUST HAVE 10 DIFFERENT ONES TO PICK FROM). But really if I'm going to have a semi-eclectic taste like this, I need to commit to only the very few, most special in each of these styles (e.g. floaty summer tops: I think I ended up keeping just 2 or 3, and each of THOSE in a different style/silhouette/color.) Of course, I'm not 100% at doing this yet, but I am working on it!

EDIT: The part I'm having trouble with is actually editing my closet to REMOVE some of the excess in some of those styles. I'm bad at letting go of stuff

tarzy

Veteran

I've absolutely been swayed to try things on (usually by how great it looks on someone here, not by a magazine) - but thankfully I've stopped buying every new that comes down the pike. I like keeping enough of an open mind to at least consider something new, but I find I keep coming back to the same basic look over and over, so I'm starting to realize that that's really my style!

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

This was a fun read! Thanks, ladies.

Hmmmm. I am a little schizophrenic on this one. I am *extremely* hard to sway with some things. But instantly swayed in other respects.

- new trend like midis = instantly swayed.

- new trend like maxis = will never be swayed.

- a trend like volume = instantly swayed.

- a trend line cropped pants = will never be swayed to wear anything leg shortening.

- a trend like feathers = instantly swayed.

- a trend like paisley = not that swayed.

lynne

Veteran

Here's how easily swayed I am: as soon as I read the post about Paige Hidden Hills for $68 on Amazon, I ordered. Have I ever tried them on? No. Do I really NEED more jeans? No. But YLF likes them, so.......

Deborah

Veteran

I would say not easily swayed. I feel I know what suits me and like Modgrl I want to look polished and appropriate. My style is probably mostly modern classic and if anything I don't try new ideas enough, however sometimes I will see a new trend and see immediately how it could translate well to "my look" and hence I am then swayed!

Lisa

Veteran

I am fickled, if something new comes out and I like the idea I want to try it right away! But other trends I am just not interested in, no matter how popular they get.

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