Changing your style - YouLookFab Forum

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Changing your style

julijuli

I've recently made a decision to make some changes to my 'look'. I have stuck in a very classic, traditional rut for quite a while and would like to move to a more modern, urban and a little more casual style. For those of you that have made a style change - how did you go about it? I think my first step is to identify the looks that I'm drawn to and then evaluate how I can make them work for me and my body type. I think the big problem will be shopping as it's too easy to fall in to the rut of selecting what I always have and going to my comfort zone. I'd love to hear your suggestions on how to make this kind of transition!

Thanks for your help!

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16 replies

Latest reply was from julijuli

taylor

Veteran

I also have a classic traditional style.
When I want to change things up I add a trendy piece. Like a military jacket. or cargo pants A trendy handbag or loud and colorful shoes, more accessories . boyfriend jacket, or something cropped.:)
Leather with lace or a sharp blazer with distressed jeans and heels. Just to mix things up a bit from the predictable classic look

Sally

Veteran

I have changed my style recently but it was quite a dramatic change as I lost a lot of weight after having a baby (so I'm smaller than before I had the baby) and moved alot so lost a lot of clothes, and went back to my profession so it kind of warranted a complete change. I have spent a lot of money on new clothes in that I really had to start from scratch as nothing fitted me and I read a lot of magazines and sites like this helped a lot. I read a lot of style magazines which show the basics for different looks. I have done a lot of thrift shopping which I know people dont like but it is a good way to get cheap clothes so you can experiment. I have also found it therapeutic both ways....the new looks helped me feel different and feeling different made me braver about what I wore. I used to wear alot conservative clothes and big sweatshirts and jeans but these days I tend to wear quite urban or conservative classic clothes that are quite fitting. I'm still building up my wardrobe and concentrating on different accessories these days.

rute

Veteran

I agree with taylor!
The same happened to me, I was stuck in a too classic and too old for me style.. today I was looking at my photos pre-YLF and the difference is amazing!
Just start to add a trendy piece (it's not tasteful to wear too many trends at once!), force yourself to try different fits and shapes but stick to what is comfortable to you because if you go to the opposite direction the chances are that the piece will be an orphan..

Kristen

(website)

Veteran

Juli, I think starting off by identifying what it is that constitutes this new look you want is perfect. Check out other women who dress in the style you want, and pay attention to the details: what is it about what they are wearing that draws you in? Is it the cut or fabrication of the pants, top, jackets? The type of shoes, bag, accessories? Then you know what you need to buy to move yourself into that look.

I've been switching my style from dresses to more pants this season, and I've gone about it slowly. First I culled out all my tops and kept only the ones that look fantastic as part of a pants-top-sweater combo; that helped me figure out my gaps there, and allowed me to experiment with new tops in new styles (I've added more sleeveless and more ruffles instead of the plainer looks I had before). Then I found a pants fit that I loved (the Gap modern bootcut) and picked it up in three basic colors (gray, navy and just this week, my first BLACK pair, LOL). I kept all my boyfriend cardigans because I love that look on me and I had a ton of them that went with my dresses.

From there I have just started experimenting with new combinations. I am doing a "SYC Challenge" these days, where I am combining older pieces from my closet and incorporating and highlighting them against my new ones. (I am still shopping, OMG yes.) This is helping me determine where my gaps are in other areas too: if there is a bag that would pull several looks together, a type of shoe that I am missing, etc.

BlondeAmbition

You are right about shopping, I've noticed it in myself that I'm always reaching for the same type of style, color, and fit. You get bored with yourself after a while but even more tragically you are ignoring all the other possibilities out there.

It's scary at first but what I did and still do is make myself go into a store and choose something I would never ever wear or ever think would fit me or look good on me. I call it my "Ridiculous Shopping." Just ignore the stuff that you usually reach for and go for that weird thing next to it (which may not be weird at all but is completely alien to you because you've never worn anything like it.)

I have found and I think you will find too that you will be soooooo surprised at what you learn from that experience. Treat it as a fun afternoon of ridiculous shopping and you'll have a blast and may even pick up a new must-have.

Laura

(website)

Veteran

Ooh, this is exciting! What made you want to change things up?

Sihaya

Veteran

Juli, what fun. Maybe we can go shopping together
I agree with the suggestions above - I would emphasize going about it slowly. Keeping the tags on and trying things, lots and lots of experimenting. Going shopping with a friend who might have glimpses of the style you want. Starting with one item of clothing - like accessories, or shoes, or tops. Have fun!

Vix

Veteran

Have fun, Juli!

I think your idea of how to start is great; ditto for everyone's strategies.

As you said, stepping away from the usual when shopping can be a big challenge. It was for me!

When I first started changing my style up a bit I actually had to invent a little "stern angel" on my shoulder to counteract the devil encouraging me to go for my beloved oversized, super-floaty, black etc: "You do NOT need that. It counteracts your goals of [blah blah]. Move away now!"

Standard cognitive behavioral stuff but it works pretty well, ha.

Also: While I had started "culling" by trying everything on for fit and outfit-making, another thing I eventually did that helped things "click" was to take all my clothes out of the closet and briefly hang everything by type (pants, sweaters, Ts etc) and *then* by color.

Until I did this, I THOUGHT I had a lot more color, pattern, and texture than I did. I realized that to get closer to my goals I would have to try even harder to find non-same-old stuff.

You may find that really analyzing the nitty-gritty of your current closet lets you see what you want to avoid -- and what you want to build upon.

Maybe you've got the shoe/jewelry/jacket to take you where you want to go stylistically..if so, take it with you when shopping for new stuff.

Keep us posted!

biscuitsmom

Veteran

Congrats for wanting to break out of your rut! Im wanting to do the same...will be watching this thread with interest! good luck....

NK

Love the idea of 'ridiculous shopping'. I think I've tried my own version of that a few times, and it's worked!

I've also bought a few accessories that were a little out of my comfort zone at first, (a studded cuff, bold, dangly earrings, large cocktail rings) and slowly worked them into my wardrobe. It gave me a little push to try something new, like dipping my toes in instead of jumping right in. Usually the compliments I got from others made me bold enough to try something else.

Reneeb

Veteran

This is a fun post. I feel the same way. I see other wearing a scarf and I feel silly even wearing them. I will be watching with anticipation.

Anonymous

I've been in the process of changing my style the past year or so. My first step was to figure out the words to describe my goal style. I want to be more urban and artistic with a hint of boho in there. So as I found gaps in my wardrobe, I made sure that any new pieces fit into my goal style. When I needed booties, instead of heading for the usual 'basic' booties that I have historically chosen, I found some with a hint of biker style. When I needed a new leather jacket, instead of a traditional blazer style, I went for a moto jacket. And so on! Its been a fun journey but it is a challenge to keep myself on track and keep with my goal style statement. Its easier to stay on the same path and scary to try something new. Sometimes I will see a trend that I think may work so I give it a try. For example, ruffles. I love how they look on others but after trying them on my own self, I felt like I had a parrot on my shoulder. I prefer a sleeker look on myself. But I tried and was able to make a decision based on experience. And sometimes you just have to TRY something, wear it a couple times and see if it reasonates with you.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Julie, I'd suggest making a dramatic hairstyle change first. That could be all the edge you need for a while

Barbara

Veteran

My style has evolved slowly over the past few years. I am willing to try on (and purchase) articles of clothing that I NEVER would have considered before. Since I am 50-something, I DO have to consider what is appropriate, but I would never veer into boring fashion territory. My style is definitely classic with a funky twist. Vogue, Elle, Lucky, Harper's Bazaar and In Style magazines are wonderful, continuous sources of great inspiration, as is PROJECT RUNWAY, to which I am addicted. My signature spiky haircut and handcrafted jewelry bring me joy every day. Fashion should be fun. And it is!

Sally

Veteran

Yeah changing your hairstyle is a good way to change your style. It defines your look and I can remember moving towards different clothes with a funky new look. Which reminds me I need to get to the hairdresser.

julijuli

Wow these are all great suggestions! I love the idea of 'ridiculous shopping' but I also appreciate that maybe starting with a different haircut might be what I need to kick start the process. Laura - I don't feel completely 'me' in the styles I've been wearing and feel the need to be more authentic and real to myself in my choices. Marlene - I think your suggestion of figuring out the words that describe what I want to convey is a great tool and that's going to be another of my priorities. Sihaya - once I get that figured out we'll need to go shopping!