Day 5 + recap - YouLookFab Forum

Friday's outfit:
Medium-wash skinnies, navy heattech, charcoal sweater tunic, silver marcasite rose necklace, pearl studs.
Added cognac riding boots, blueberry/periwinkle short puffer, and my "winter village" scarf for out & about (didn't get a photo, sorry).

Why it's me:
-More long-over-lean.
-Cognac riding boots, bien sur.
-Tweedy knitwear. I love tweeds and traditional wool/menswear patterns like herringbone etc. but have little opportunity to wear them since I don't wear woven toppers. So, I've started looking for knitwear that includes these patterns/weaves. I would love to add more such items to my closet.
-Shawl/portrait collar. I think something about this neckline just really suits me, physically. Plays well with the shape of my face/features somehow and suits my broad shoulders.
-Procrastination. This sweater has a very deep open neckline. My intention is to sew it up to roughly the spot where it closes here but I haven't gotten around to it yet so for now I'm holding it closed with a giant/decorative safety pin (which, yes, I know kind of fights with the necklace/pendant). This sort of procrastination on mending/alteration type tasks is sadly very, very me. :-p

Also adding photos of my other outfits from the week to recap.

Some observations from the week:
-Yes, long over lean is very "me," but part of the reason I rely on that silhouette so much is that's pretty much all my closet can currently do. I don't think it is the *only* silhouette that is me! But, I am being patient on finding the items to enable me to introduce new silhouettes.
-I love my cognac riding boots but I would also love a couple other pairs of tall boots that I am equally excited about wearing. I would love to replace my gray boots with something a little simpler/more elegant, and a pair of burgundy tall boots would be super cool too.
-Would love a couple more pairs of small/simple earrings for my work-at-home formula. Currently I'm relying a lot on those little marcasite hoops and my pearl studs -- which are great, but I'd love to be able to switch it up and maybe add some color.
-I think that marcasites and small rhinestones are becoming a bit of a signature for deep winter and I'm psyched about embracing that!
-Most importantly, when I put in the effort, I reap the rewards! This was a great exercise that helped get me back in touch with my style, and I noticed that towards the end of the week I started feeling more confident about putting outfits together and also more playful. Thank you so much for suggesting it, Angie!

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7 years ago

Jane

Veteran

I like the pin on the cardigan, casual and intentional! Super outfits, stylish. I agree with you on the shawl collars. I like them too, somehow they do as you say, lengthen necks and broaden shoulders.

Bonnie

You had a very successful week learning more about your style. I'm a fan of long over lean, too. Great outfits!

Firecracker (Sharan)

Yes, that sweater does suit you beautifully! I wouldn't worry too much about the sewing procrastination. This pin is very nice on it, and I think the safety-pin design can coordinate with a lot of jewelry, without fighting. Another combo could be a beaded necklace, with a metal pin or shiny brooch. I like marcasite for sparkle, too--it's subtle enough to be comfortable for everyday.

Anonymous

I like your herringbone snd the giant saftey pin. You can do e dress variations of long over lean, so relax I to it and enjoy exploring this silhouette.

taylor

The long over lean really works for you, boots work perfect with this and you look fabulous with this formula .
I would imagine this might change up slightly in warmer months and your patience will be rewarded:)

Jaime

(website)

A great week. You have lovely jewelry - I like the rose and everything else. I also found this challenge very inspiring and fun.

catherine

Love how you styled your cute shoes and sleek boots with those outfits.

kellygirl

You wear the knee high boots so well! You look cozy and polished in all of these. My fave are the layered looks--1,3, and 6. Another one who finds the shawl pin closure fun. I can relate to the procrastination btw. I have waited so long to alter that I have given stuff away because it no longer fit...

ChristelJ

I like your tweedy knitwear direction and also am attracted to menswear patterns. That shawl collar is beautiful on you. Boots suit you so well too, including the booties. Great formulas going on.

smittie

Excellent observations. I think long over lean is your thing. I love that sweater neckline on you too.

I felt the same way about the challenge last week (I didn’t submit photos tho): I got back in touch with my style and started feeling more confident. I also got clearer about my spring “buy” list.

All good outcomes.

Angie

Fashion Stylist

*happy dance*

Nice to see and hear how you benefitted from the challenge. I LOVE that sweater neckline on your too. I particularly enjoyed your refined adornments.

SarahD8 -- As always, I love your challenge posts. BUT to me the most important part of a challenge is the lessons learned.

You never disappoint me and I read with glee your "Observations from the Week."

What can I say? Great observations.

How brilliant was this statement? Most importantly, when I put in the effort, I reap the rewards! This was a great exercise that helped get me back in touch with my style, and I noticed that towards the end of the week I started feeling more confident about putting outfits together and also more playful.

You do the work. I glean the benefits. How can I thank you?

SarahD8

Thank you all for your lovely comments! Sorry to be so late coming back to this -- I kept meaning to follow up and then finding myself with only a minute or two to spend on the forum.

Jane, yes, when a neckline works it works! I have never thought of myself as having a particularly short neck but I must -- tight crewnecks are just the absolute worst on me.

bonnie, you always do such interesting things with the long-over-lean formula. You're one of my fashion inspirations here on the forum!

Firecracker, great ideas for jewelry. Thank you. I keep reaching for that sweater tunic (to wear it, not to sew it up, natch) so I'll have plenty of opportunity to put them into practice.

Joy, wise advice. I think part of what I'm discovering is that I'm a little sick of long-over-lean -- but having trouble branching out. So, maybe the solution is to look for variations within that silhouette.

taylor, oh, you're right about warm weather silhouettes! Looking forward to empire-waist sundresses and cropped cardis...

shevia, catherine, and ChristieIJ thank you so much for your kind words.

kellygirl, oh no! I am sure I have done that procrastinate-until-giveaway thing too. At least I am in good company.

smittie, fantastic news. Would love to hear more about how the challenge shaped your spring to-buy list.

Angie, thank you, I'm glad to have your thumbs-up for this neckline look!

Sterling, you are TOO kind! The truth is that I learn so much from your posts, too. So to thank me, please just continue being you!

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