Challenge: "Items Now and Then" Join me! - YouLookFab Forum

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Challenge: "Items Now and Then" Join me!

Katerina

Veteran

Hello friends,

As many of you who know me here are aware, I have a large wardrobe and keep many of my items for years. I tend to rotate them, wearing some pieces frequently some seasons, and others not at all. This autumn/winter, I’m planning to wear more of my older, neglected items. I’ll select a few of my very old pieces and try to style them in fresh, new ways. This got me thinking, and I came up with a fun challenge: 'Items Now and Then.'

I joined YLF seven years ago, which is also when I started taking outfit photos. For this challenge, I’ll choose an older item and style it in a new way for me. Then, I’ll look back at some older photos (at least five years old) and compare. I think it’ll be interesting to see how my style has evolved and reflect on what I’ve learned here on YLF. Have my styling skills improved? I’m not sure where this will lead—maybe it’ll inspire some wardrobe editing or help me rediscover old favorites.

What do you think of this idea? I’d be thrilled if you’d like to join me. There are no strict rules about the age of the items or anything else—you’re welcome to adjust the idea to suit your style!

For starters, I chose a pair of cropped red wool trousers from Escada, which have been in my closet for eight years. I haven’t worn them much in the past couple of years.

Outfits 1-4: Styled with a longer navy topper, tan boots, and two different scarves. This look aligns well with my current style preferences. None of the pieces are new, but the combination feels fresh to me.

Outfit 5: Paired with a blue blazer and a small vintage scarf. This is a typical outfit for me—nothing new here.

Outfit 6: Styled with a mid-length cardigan. I’m not feeling this one; something seems off.

Outfit 7: A look featuring the red trousers from six years ago. I still have and wear all the pieces, except the sweater, which was a favorite until it wore out. I remember loving these asymmetrical, oversized sweaters back then.

Any comments, feedback, thoughts or ideas are welcome! I hope you’ll join me in this challenge!

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Dressing

17 replies

Latest reply was from Katerina

Sal

Veteran

What a fun idea. I will see if I can partake as well.

Of the new looks I like the long blazer and the solid shorter blazer. I agree the cardigan is not as good- maybe the hip length combined with the cropped pants? And I think the older look could be worn today - it’s still a wonderful look.

These are really good pants - they suit you very well. A true modern classic.
I

pirouette

Fabulous idea. I don’t know if I have anything special to post from years ago but I will have a look in my wardrobe. I like the sweater I love asymmetrical sweaters or tops as being small I find they give me height rather than a straight hem which cuts me in half.

Lisa

Veteran

What a fun idea, I always enjoy a wardrobe challenge. I'll have to take a look at what I have that's old to do this. It might be only accessories, as my style has changed quite a bit over time.

1 - This is a lovely look and seems very aligned with your current style. I really like the tan boots with the red pants, I think red works so well with tan and feel like too often I see it with black or blue (especially for footwear). The tan is much more fun!

3 - Another pretty scarf here.

5 - The swap of navy and tan with black is striking, the scarf pulls it all together. I especially like that the black boots here are shiny, a nice textural detail.

6 - I'm not a fan of where this cardigan falls when paired with the pants. I'd rather see the cardigan longer or shorter. The scarf ending at almost the same length highlights the length of the cardigan which looks "off" to me. I think I'd like to see this cardigan with a column of color, like a black dress perhaps? Or maybe a black top and skirt?

7 - I would not have known this outfit was from six years ago if you hadn't mentioned it. It looks in line with your current style as the other outfits. You have an excellent eye for picking enduring pieces that fit your style.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Katerina, what a great challenge! I am looking forward to your discoveries. I will try to join in, in my own fashion, so to speak! I also have lots of older items that could be styled in new ways.

I love both your long jacket and your shorter jacket with these vivid trousers. Each seems very "you." I also like the older outfit with the asymmetrical sweater.

I agree with you and others that the cardigan in #6 feels a bit off. It could be the proportions or the contrast level, or both. Do you like it with full length pants better?

Katerina

Veteran

Sal, thank you for looking and for the valuable feedback. I also think it is the proportions that are wrong in the cardigan outfit. I look so much forward to your looks. They are always excellently put together and interesting.

Pirouette, thank you very much. Asymmetrical tops are very flattering. I had a few a few years back. Now they are not so easy to find.

Lisa, thank you for looking and for taking the time to give me such thorough comments. The proportions are indeed the problem with the cardigan outfit. Lisa, of course the challenge works also with accessories - how fun you are thinking about participating. I love your outfits.

Suz, so great you will try to join! You have fabulous wardrobe and amazing style - it will be a treat to see what you come up with. Regarding the cardigan - honestly, I am afraid that it was one of my shopping mistakes. I am not so fond of it in any outfit turns out. I got in on deep discount, it is from Marina Rinaldi, and I fell for the lovely quality and the discounted price. Not possible to return. I will work on styling it in various ways, hopefully it will work with something.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Great idea, Katerina! Like Suz, I'm looking forward to your discoveries.

I'll be the spanner! I LIKE #6. Looks fashion forward to my eye, and you're walking the catwalk. NEW. Relaxed Glam

#5 is my KILLER fave! Just love a short jacket. Sharp and cheeky.

All the long jacket renditions work beautifully! Very YOU! Loving the unexpected cognac flat boots with them.

cat2

Veteran

How fun! You might try the sweater with your more casual pieces; it looks a bit sportier than your other structured toppers.

Jenni NZ

Veteran

Of course I have heaps of older clothes Katerina, my problem with joining in might be that I don’t have enough old photos of me in them.
I still have 18 items in my current wardrobe which are 2010 or earlier, plus a few sentimental items from even earlier like my mother’s 1964 red wool coat. I first borrowed that from her and wore it in 1982 when I was 21 years old.
I really like your cardigan but I am a cardigan fan, I find them warm and cosy.

Firecracker (Sharan)

Veteran

What a great idea! I will think about what I could contribute. I lost a lot of my old WIW photos with a computer crash several years ago.

I love all these outfits. I'm really into the looks with the cognac boots for a fresh color combination, but the outfits with the black ones are so classic and very signature to your style. The older outfit is just as fab--and wearable now--as the new ones.

Star

Veteran

Interestingly, I like 1 and 7 the most. Pulled together drama - now and then.
Unfortunately I only started taking pics recently but what a good idea. I am looking forward to seeing more of your 'then and now' outfits, as well as others.

Katerina

Veteran

Angie, thank you for the lovely comments. You are a sweetheart. I will give the cardigan a chance.

Cat2, thank you for looking and commenting. The cardigan styling is definitely on my to do list.

Jenni, thank you for chiming in. I was thinking of you and your fabulous wardrobe when I wrote this post. I know that you love your items and hold on to them many years, just as I do.

Sharan, thank you for the feedback, much appreciated. I look so much forward to your outfits if you decide to participate, but no pressure.

Star, thank you for looking and for your encouragement. You are very kind.

bj1111

Veteran

Agree with @Angie, #6 feels fresh, a style stretch.

The long jacket looks are a gold standard formula for you.

Looking back on your older photo, it’s the hair that really makes your current outfits feel *chefs kiss*.

Katerina

Veteran

bj111, thank you for the compliment on my hair. I am glad I finally took the plunge to cut my long hair into the bob.

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

Oh a challenge with a research component! Ok, I am going to try. As for your looks Katerina, I would give the all a snap with my invisible street style camera - including #6. I can't even pick a favorite. They are all different moods but all fab.

Joy

Veteran

I will try as I also have lots of old stuff however, most is too big now as I have lost a lot of weight,,…,even my footwear. I am not trying to lose and chalk it up to diabetic drugs. I hope I am ok and will put some weight back on. I am now sized out of most stores and take a size 2. That is why I am considering the XS olive coats. I am not sure about anything fitting anymore for your challenge.

Katerina

Veteran

Jamie, how fantastic! I look forward to you outfits now and then, it will be a treat. And thank you for the compliments.

Katerina

Veteran

Joy, I am sorry this is happening to you. Hope you are ok! Sending hugs!