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Calling the Troops! K/R and Style Rubric

Beth Ann

Veteran

Greetings! Well, I'm trying to move forward in terms of my style (and my life too, actually). Here's a rubric I'm playing with:
I desire to dress with a balance of: Form and Flow (softly structured)
Energy and Ease (vibrant, but approachable)

Here are some goals:
I will no longer purchase clothing based upon its size, or go for the smallest size I can pull off.

I will not invest energy in trying to hide myself. I will choose figure flattery and good proportion over "clothes that make me look skinny."

More ease -- softly structured BF jacket, slouch trousers, Kate Hepburn trousers, midis

In shoes, I will explore oxfords and booties

Color: I'm all over cordovan/ burgundy, and ink blue

I run warm all year long. Even in Chicago, this makes my dominant season "transitional." Light layers are best, particularly since I also can get "claustrophobic" is fussy, thick clothes.

OK -- Here's the loot, not really styled. What say you?

1/2 DH said, "That's a dress!" Not sure he likes it, and I'm unsure of the 70's vibe of the print. I love the silhouette, the length, the fit and the price ($40, JCP). Which shoes do you prefer?

3/4: Went to the outlet mall for towels -- came home with this from Dress Barn (lined, blended fiber) I like the perma-ruch, and I might add a snap with a button to the front. This ruched skirt is already in my closet and......

5/6 Don't worry, I don't intend to wear this as a "ruched suit," although, if I were a biker, I would definitely go for ruched leather (lol)! Love this cotton take on a biker jacket. Is it too long for skirts and dresses? Just too much black? It feels great on -- structure with movement! Mango, for JCP -- beware, this runs small! (I'm wearing XXL)

7/8 I purchased this at the Rack and loved it at first. Now I'm unsure. I can button the top button -- my hand position is pulling the portrait collar back. It is also a blend, good for a girl who runs warm.

9/10 Fresh from the shower, with no makeup, my first try at BF. Most I've tried on -- in any size -- have been flops. These are JLo (thanks for the booty room, girlfriend) from Kohls. I should have shown a side-shot, they're looser in the thigh than the back view shows. I like the rise (hard to find for me). Are they too "whiskered?" Are the pockets too low? Is this look for me?

Thanks for taking the time to help me make wise choices!

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31 replies

Latest reply was from Marley

cjh

(website)

Veteran

Great dress in 1, and I prefer the black shoes to balance out the black in the print and cami.

Next, liking the dotty jacket and the blue? One in7-8, but frankly cannot see enough details of the black one to offer feedback. However much I love the black shoes in 1, I think they're too heavy with the dark skirt, if that makes any sense. Like you said, too black.

Boyfriend jeans and flowery top=fabulous!

Transcona Shannon

Veteran

Your rubric is fantastic Beth Ann and I applaud your thought process. Personally I'm in complete agreement regarding the sizing. A number is just a number. "I will not invest energy trying to hide myself" - AMEN!!!

As for these particular items, I think every one of them is a keeper. The colours in the dress are spectacular on you and I love the dolman sleeves. I think both shoes work but I really like the black cage sandals with the dress.

The jacket in #3/4 is a lovely pattern and I can see being very versatile in your wardrobe.

Love the rushed jacket in #5/6 - I don't think it's too long for skirts and dresses although it's a little hard to tell because black doesn't photograph the best.

The jacket in #7/8 is a good basic that fits you well.

As for the J Lo BF jeans - FANTASTIC! These look sooooo good on you. Love the rise and I think the pocket placement is good. You bet this look is for you!

Vicki

(website)

Veteran

Something's happening here and I can see it with the beautiful smile on your face! Your well-chosen rubric is the key, Beth Ann. Your dress in 1-2, the black and white jacket in 3-4, the jackets and then your BF jeans (LOVE!) with the pretty floral top, are EXCEPTIONAL.

You have expressed your desires and defined your goals and met every one of them. What I see is form and flow and vibrancy. Your energy shines with ease and approachability and I hope one day to meet you down the road. You really do know yourself and it shows here. p.s What does it mean when I read "whiskered"?

Beth Ann

Veteran

Thanks for your quick responses! I tried to start a rubric last spring, but kept getting stuck. Now it's finally starting to coalesce and come together!

Vicki -- "whiskering" refers to the uneven dye pattern in the crotch area of distressed jeans --- looking a little like, I suppose, "kitty whiskers." I worry that it might read too "teen."

Makrame

Veteran

You look great! I especially like 1-2, the jacket in 3-4, and both items in 9-10. Both shoes in 1 look great with the dress.

Beth Ann

Veteran

You know, I could wear the black on black to a halloween party. Kinda Matrix, kinda goth! Buahahaha! Definitely not meant to be worn together in the daytime!

Jem

Veteran

You are looking great! I like all of the outfits. The colors in the first dress are amazing on you! I love it with the black shoes. The jacket in 3 is my favorite, I think, but I'm not sure because I'm really loving everything. I'm giving a big yay for the BF jeans, too!

DeclawedJaguar

Veteran

Beth Ann, your goals sound admirable and wise. You look beautiful and I hope that you feel that way too. Now, about the clothes:

1-2 That dress is gorgeous on you! It's a lot of drama, no doubt, but not too much. I think the silhouette is very flattering, even if not body-con. Black gladiators were made for it!

3-4 Great fit, nice pattern, should be very versatile.

5-6 The jacket is fun! Not too long for skirts/dresses, although it's hard to see against the black skirt.

7-8 I'm not sure about the front -- seems like this topper would look best buttoned up all the way, but is that how you would wear it? The back looks great though. Why are you having doubts?

9-10 Jeans look great too. The pockets are most definitely not too low, although they are on the large side. No reason for you not to wear this style. Love your hair up, by the way.

DeclawedJaguar

Veteran

P.S. You look glowing without makeup!

Firecracker (Sharan)

Veteran

LOVE the boyfriend jeans on you, and they look great with that blouse.

In fact, I like all of these pieces. The dress seems to express all of your priorities or goals; you mentioned you like the silhouette, length, fit, and price--I would add colors! And I like it best with the lighter shoes. I like how they seem to blend and recede, whereas the black are more about trying to balance the strong print of the dress.

I love the ruched biker jacket. And the fact that it feels great on means that you'll find lots of opportunities to wear it. A great basic that looks anything but basic. I can see it with pants and jeans, or perhaps a pencil skirt.

The polka dot jacket is fun, too; a little more classic, with its structure. It looks adorable with that skirt and the cutout shoes.

What is your hesitation about the blue jacket? It looks like an easy-to-wear cross between a cardigan sweater and a jacket. It fits and flatters you. I wonder if it is a little too prim for your style? Or not quite as special as the other pieces? I think it could easily become a go-to piece, but maybe not the anchor of a look for you, if that makes sense.

Beth Ann

Veteran

Jaguar / Firecracker (now there's a combo):

I think the blue jacket seems better to me IRL than in the photo. I feel I'm looking a little bulky, perhaps. That said, I'm not afraid of girly or retro, and I think I can avoid wearing this in a "matronly" wear. Ah, that's it! I just realized I'm afraid of looking the part of the matron!

fern

Veteran

I really like 3/4, 5/6 and 9/10. Great jeans.
For the dress, something about the combination of print/sleeve/drapey top is a little too much - not that you can't pull it off. I do like the black shoes with it.
For the blue jacket, it's the sleeves or the buttons that are throwing me off. Maybe the wider bracelet-length sleeve is adding volume?

goldenpig

(website)

Veteran

I like it all! Dress is fab with the black sandals! You look stunning without makeup too! I love your rubric, so well thought out and your outfits reflect them spot on.

CocoLion

(website)

Veteran

I admire how well you have articulated your style goals! It's inspiring, may I copy you?

As for the outfits and new pieces, my favorite is the dress in #1. I really think it meets all of your rubric points. I like all of the other pieces (especially the blue jacket) except not crazy about the dotty jacket but I think that's just my personal bias as I get a little dizzy from big prints like that.

Kate

Veteran

Beth Ann, you've made some wonderful choices. My favorites are the dress in #1, the fab dotty jacket, and the boyfriend jeans with that gorgeous floral blouse. The only item that I don' t particularly care for is the blue jacket in #7/8. It reads a little matronly to me. You, however, look beautiful in whatever you put on.

Deborah

Veteran

My goodness, I think these are all brilliant.

Beth Ann I LOVE you rubric and your style goals and I think I may have to borrow from them, these in particular

"I will no longer purchase clothing based upon its size, or go for the smallest size I can pull off.

I will not invest energy in trying to hide myself. I will choose figure flattery and good proportion over "clothes that make me look skinny."

I exhaust myself sometimes trying to ensure I look slim lol.

You look amazing and I think these are some the best things I have seen you wear. The dress is just stunning and I prefer the black sandals. The dotted jacket is so crisp and fresh and look stunning. The black skirt and jacket are very cool and "interesting" and I love the style of the jacket in 7/8 and you are rocking those boyfriend jeans! AND you look so happy:). I thi k you have kind of found your style mojo x

Mona

Veteran

Your Bf jeans is TDF and you look absolutely radiant without makeup. Do keep these! I also like all the jackets, BethAnn. Thanks for sharing your style rubric. it is so inspiring.

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

Your rubric and your goals sound great and you really look fantastic in these clothes. I love the dress with the black shoes. I love the black and white jacket and the black ruched jacket also. I am not sure about the cut of the blue jacket but the color is great on you. And I love your bf jean look. Really you look fabulous!

Parsley

Veteran

Your new rubric and goals are brilliant, Beth Ann!
I need to borrow the concepts, too, since I am often hung up on the marked size rather than the fit of things, and preoccupied with trying to look slimmer than I am.

Your outfits look great! I particularly love that dress and the new dotty jacket.
Lovely!

Glory

Veteran

I love how you have articulated your goals. I think everything here is a keeper and you look great in all of them. I think you have several capsule options with many of the pcs.

Anonymous

I love these items and I love your rubric/style goals! I'm leaning in the same direction of looking for a looser fit, and trust me, trying on things 3 sizes up can start to mess with your head! Let's all make a pact to stop being obsessed with the number and move on to glorious fit.

I love the JLo BF jeans on you. I find the wiskering very flattering and not "juniorish" at all. It just looks like sit-down creases. I like everything else as well, including the blue sweater/jacket. I don't think you could look matronly if you tried! You have beautiful style.

Abie

Veteran

Yay for your rubric and style goals. Those sound spot on.

I really love all of these. Like others. I prefer the black shoes with the dress, that dress is perfect on you.

I like all of the jackets. My favorite is the rouched one. The blue one I think is going to be very versatile for you because it pairs so well with both black and denim.

My favorite outfit is 8/9. That is totally a formula you can repeat infinitely with different floaty tops. I happen to love the one you paired with it, you always know you have a winning color for you when you can pop it on and your face lights up sans makeup.

You are so naturally gorgeous! What I like most about these outfits is that they all flow well with that and don't compete or look fussy. You could literally throw them on after a shower and head out the door and look totally fab.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

OMGosh, I am in a rush here but just had to pop in and see the pics, and I must echo everything Shannon said! You look wonderful, and your rubric is terrific. AMEN to the decision not to hide your lovely self.

I like all of these items and feel especially keen on the dress in #1/2 and the jeans/top combo. Fantastic! Love the dress with the black sandals best, at least with that camisole, as they bookend. The polka dot jacket is also adorable.

lyn67

Veteran

Love everything, but first and last two are super duper! Love your rubric, too!:-)

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Chiming in with applause!

LOVE the BF jeans, the polka dot jacket, and black jacket.Those are KILLER to my eye.

Meredith1953

Veteran

Beth Ann
You have scored some awesome pieces! I love the dress in #1 on you. The print is spectacular! I also like all the rest of the pieces very well. Especially the black ruched jacket and the dotty jacket. The BF jeans looks great too and I like them teamed with the pretty floral blouse. I applaud you getting your rubric figured out! I am still trying to figure mine out completely!

JulieJohn

Veteran

You have the best comments already, just adding one more YEAH for the BF jeans with floral blouse, you look so pretty in that outfit I wanna copy you.

Beth Ann

Veteran

Thanks, everyone, for the encouragement and helpful comments! I'm amazed that the bf jeans got the love -- and an Angie "K" rating (Thanks for taking the time to chime in). I thought maybe I was missing the mark. It's actually going to be in the low 80's this week, so I may actually get to wear them soon!

Meredith -- My rubric came when I stopped thinking of the style, as in classic, retro, etc., and started thinking more broadly -- about how I love to be in motion and feels my clothes move well with me -- how I want to be perceived as energetic but not frantic and OTT. Your look to me is Idaho, at least as I perceive it. Practical, but exploding with natural, uncontrived beauty. Friendly, and completely without pretention. Take that for what it's worth!

And Julie -- thanks for the Hollywood inspiration in your post!

I'm leaning toward returning the dress, not because I don't like it, but because it's a one-trick-pony, and would be impossible to layer or remix. Even the cami is built in and can't be swapped out. I DID learn from it, however. Tops like this are plentiful and beautiful this year (as Parsley proved in her post yesterday). I think a lovely top with a midi-pencil skirt or flowing trousers would be amazing, and more versatile for me. Perhaps in a 30's inspired abstract print, or a Japanese floral.....hmmmm......

The blue jacket will go back too -- it's more where I'm coming from, not where I'm going.
At least I'm making some progress, and even the items I'm returning are more on-the-mark than the things I kept a couple of years ago.

Onward and Upward!

DonnaF

Veteran

"The blue jacket will go back too -- it's more where I'm coming from, not where I'm going."

Interesting insight. I like to see you in more vibrant colors (or black & white or black!) than that particular blue because you seem so vibrant. I love, love, love that dress on you, but you made some valid points, so I am looking forward to seeing something similar but more versatile in the future! It is special to be able to *carry* a dress with a pattern like that rather than have the dress carry you. [Can you tell I'm a shorty trying to live/wear vicariously?]

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