Ask Angie: How would you translate this fantasy wardrobe to a more casual lifestyle? - YouLookFab Forum

Category

Dressing

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

Ask Angie: How would you translate this fantasy wardrobe to a more casual lifestyle?

em

http://http//www.polyvore.com/.....d=23728242 I love everything here. I didn't have the money to buy the coats and the dresses and shoes are not appropriate for my more casual work-from-home lifestyle. Plus, I never want to wear pointy-toed pumps again. How would you approach assembling outfits using this as an inspiration?

Dressing

14 replies

Latest reply was from texstyle

SW Ann

Veteran

Photos???

K. Period.

Veteran

OOPS! Updated comment. I didn't see your link before, which makes for an entirely different question than the one I answered! BTW, the link is broken and I can't click through.

em

DANG IT. 3rd try:

http://www.polyvore.com/luck_b.....d=23728242

Sveta

(website)

Veteran

Very lady-like and refined.
Can you start with analyzing what exactly attracts you to this collection? Colors, textures, shapes, associations, etc... When you break it down you should be able to start translating these elements into a more casual (and budget friendly) wardrobe.

Emily

Veteran

Ditto Sveta - what is it that you like about the set?
I'm seeing very feminine, timeless cuts in luxurious fabrications.

Kari

Veteran

Refined, sophisticated, ladylike, structured, textured, sheen, classic all come to mind.

What about thinking about these shapes or textures that draw you to this set, as opposed to specific pieces? Maybe no pointy toed heels, but a minimal, classic dark shoe; or bringing more structured pieces (even structured purses) into your wardrobe; or looking for un-fussy but rich fabrics/textures.

em

I have a lulu of hideously-overpriced structured handbags. (I am not proud of this.) I love things that are fitted and are made of great materials that say, "Touch me!"

rachylou

Veteran

Very versatile, classic wardrobe. Nix the evening gown and sub a pair of refined wedges for the pointy pumps, and I think you'd have dressed down enough for a casual lifestyle.

Mary Beth (formerly LBD)

(website)

Veteran

Okay, I'm not Angie! But.. I come across these dress styles frequently on eBay, and, believe it or not, Goodwill. I have gotten some beautiful, pristine dresses from both places, for under ten bucks (although the shipping via eBay adds to the cost) So if you want to buy very similar styles with a thrifty budget - it is very possible.

However... since you point out, very reasonably, that you want something for your more casual, real-life, here are some ideas:

1. Skirt + blouse in the same colors, to look like a dress. I do this all the time with black tops and skirts, and people always think I am wearing a dress. Get pieces that can be laundered at home.

2. Search 'almond toe' on eBay and other shoe sites. It's a rounded toe with a little bit of elongation at the tip, but not a pointed toe Cole Haan makes some pretty nice ones. I've gotten mine via eBay and GW.

3. Unless you have a toddler or parrot that will snatch it right off your neck, there is no reason you can't wear your pearls or faux pearls with whatever outfit you are wearing.

Some good search words, on eBay, for similar styles to your Polyvore link: pin up, retro, Dita, bombshell, Mad Men, Joan

em

^^ The following is a true story:

Mrs. K: E, you're wearing a pearl necklace.

Me: Yes.

Mrs. K: With jeans and sneakers and t-shirt.

Me: Yes.

Mrs. K: :: massive eye roll ::

Mary Beth (formerly LBD)

(website)

Veteran

Sure, she rolled her eyes, but secretly, she was jealous that you had the guts to wear your pearls, instead of letting them sit in a box somewhere!

I used to wear mine to the gym I worked, with my horrible, unisex tee in the rustiest shade of navy that ever existed. People always commented, mostly positive. Sometimes quizzical. Pearls + ugly corporate unisex shirt can confuse people.

Lucy

Veteran

I adore this kind of clothing too, but my workplace and life are not dressed up enough for the full look, even though I'm pretty happy to be almost always mildly overdressed!
I tend to take one part of the look and then mix it with something more casual. So a pencil skirt (reminiscent of the pencil dresses here) but wear it with a knit to make it a bit more casual. Or a denim shirt or jacket. Or wear those gorgeous dressy coats, but do them with jeans, so they are still refined but not ott for your lifestyle! And beautiful dressy handbags go with everything IMO!

unfrumped

Veteran

You may like the posts on Sporty Luxe style. Also, there is a blogger who has (or had) a style she called Comfortably Dressy. She did not want totally separate wardrobes for casual vs. more dressy but wanted more versatile pieces. You might like something like that.

You may want to give some thought to laundering changes, if any. Have you been wearing mostly dry-clean-only luxurious fabrics, and do you still want to do that, but in more casual or sporty iterations, or do you want to wear items that are both more casual and washable (or more so). These issues may help inform both your style and the brands that will work for you.

But, as long as you've got items already that you can use (unless you are keen to recoup $$ via consignment or e-bay), then you may be able to use a kind of "formula" of one from column A + B, such as, a silk jacket with jeans, or a slouchy sweatshirt with a skirt, until they're "used up" or you get your stride on a new direction. Juxtapose!

texstyle

(website)

Veteran

I thought about your challenge for a while, and then I realized that what I'd do is look for things that have a bit of luxury and mimic these classic elegant styles, but are more easy care. Like a silk/cotton blend blouse in a pretty floral, a Kimono jacket from Zara or forever21 in Rayon or Viscose, etc.