Essentially boring?

Meow

I wore this yesterday to get my haircut. This is before the cut so my hair looks wonky (although I'm not loving it so much after the cut). After reading today's blog, I realized this whole outfit is essentials? In fact, I think I only dress in essentials. I'm not sure why - probably fear of making a "statement". What do you think - essentials as a statement or essentially boring?

Sock it to me - that's how I'll learn!!!

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11 years ago

What I Wore

10 replies

Latest reply was from Meow

Liz

Veteran

Well, I can't imagine anyone on this forum telling anyone else they were boring!

To me, the most important question is, how do you feel about the items or the outfit? Are you bored by them or do you feel great in them? I was fascinated in the essentials discussion to realize that what would be a barely noticed essential to one person is a daring statement item to another person. So what might feel boring to one person feels calm or fabulous to another person.

11 years ago

Suz

(website)

Veteran

First, you are far too pretty to be boring! Secondly, essentials aren't necessarily boring. It all depends how you feel about them and in them and how you combine them.

I work from home most of the time. So my wardrobe is pretty casual. Among my essentials? Jeans (you're wearing them here.) Pullovers in my own best neutrals (you're wearing one here). Knit tops are not really an essential for me, but they are for many people. I'm not sure whether the shoes and necklace count as essentials or not. All in all though, I would agree with you that this is an outfit composed of essentials.

The main thing is -- it's a cohesive casual outfit that works well with your personal colouring and body type. You look good -- but in a quiet, harmonious way vs. a dramatic way.

11 years ago

Adelfa

Veteran

I think your necklace is a statement, and your hair is a statement! Also you wear your essentials in statementy ways such as by exposing some ankle skin and showing your shirttail.

You look great!

11 years ago

rabbit

Veteran

I agree that this is an outfit of essentials, but to me it is interesting and flattering, because it fits you well in color and shape and because of the subtle details. The wash on the jeans and the distressing or suede on the oxfords gives them a finish which works well with the marled tee, and the cable knit on the sweater adds further texture.

Imagine this with solid flat colors and a textureless sweater and it might not have quite the same effect.

11 years ago

Sal

Veteran

You look great because all pieces are current and flattering to you! I think you look stylish in a quiet way.

If you wanted to make it more statement you could
- add a hat or scarf.
- have a brighter colour or pattern in one place, ie cheetah booties, dark red sweater
- have one piece more exaggerated, ie an even more fluid top, or distressed jeans.

Or more than one for a more maximal look?

However I don't think there is a need to do any of these things...it is just my thoughts on how you could change it up.

11 years ago

Beth Ann

Veteran

I like the way your shoes bookend your hair color, and your fits, proportions, and color palette are working for you. You also seem to dress for your lifestyle. I've learned, however, that most of us come to the forum because we're ready for change. It seems like aren't enjoying your wardrobe now. Have you started making a styleboard on pinterest? Or collecting photos/clippings of looks you like? Do you have a new style goal or direction in mind?

Some classic Angie posts that might help:

http://youlookfab.com/2012/01/.....refresher/

http://youlookfab.com/2012/01/.....e-renewal/

http://youlookfab.com/2009/06/.....al-impact/

11 years ago

catgirl

Veteran

I think this is essentials as essentials- not boring but not statement. Bear in mind that I have no idea on this concept yet. I like the sweater but think the top under could be longer to get a true cropped over long look. Let's see the new hair!

11 years ago

Firecracker (Sharan)

Veteran

This is an easy casual outfit. I like your neutrals here. And your hair looks good! Looking forward to seeing the cut!
My approach would be to amp it up with footwear--a statement shoe or boot. I always feel stylish when I add a cool pair of shoes to an outfit that feels kind of plain to me. But maybe your "thing" will be different. And if you were comfortable, then maybe the day just called for an outfit of quiet essentials. No problem with that.

11 years ago

Deborah

Veteran

I rather like essentials and think an outfit of essentials can look very elegant and stylish. I really like what you are wearing, and the only thing I would change is that the sweater and tshirt don't quite work together. I feel it needs either a more cropped sweater over the tee or more fluid sweater to flow over the tee. This doesn't look quite intentional to me? I agree with Firecracker, that footwear, accessories and hair etc can elevate basics beautifully.

11 years ago

Meow

Veteran

Liz - Great question. I like each individual item but am somewhat bored by the whole outfit. Something is off to me and I can't put my finger on it.

Suz- Thank you! You mentioned in one of your posts that when you started YLF you had a closet full of mostly essentials and poor quality at that. I can so relate! I'm going to have to go back and read your style journey because you have such an enviable style now.

Adelfa - aaaa...hair as a statement. Light bulb moment for me! Jewelry - yes, I later added a watch and more bracelets before I left the house. I think that's the direction I'd like to go - making jewelry as my statement.

Rabbit - That's what I was going for - so glad you noticed! I like the different textures and I thought the necklace repeats a similar shape in the sweater.

Kiwigal - love the ideas to change it up. I tend to get stuck with the same way to wear an outfit.

Beth Ann - Thanks for the links. Your right - I'm not enjoying my wardrobe and that's why I joined YLF. Right now, I think I'm going in circles - one minute I'm ready to throw out my whole closet and "style" and do a complete renewal and the next moment think I just need a refresher. It feels like one step forward two steps back.

alaskagirl - I'm new to this long under short top thing. Thanks for the insight - I'm going to have to study that look on others.

Firecracker - Footwear! Yes! Good excuse to go shopping!

Deborah - The T shirt under the sweater was bugging me. It seems to gather and I kept fussing with it. Good eye.

11 years ago

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