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Fashion risks

Preppy Pear

Veteran

One of the best things about YLF for me is that it encourages us to DYOT, but also perhaps inspires us to move out of our comfort zones and try new things.

I’m pretty risk-averse with fashion - I like uniform dressing, and I don’t like to standout too much. I’m usually a slow-adopter of the trends I like. My “riskiest” fashion behavior is probably not risky for many - for example, white sneakers, or the one pair of patterned pants I own.
I’m curious about the risks you’ve taken in fashion and what risk looks like for you.

Dressing

26 replies

Latest reply was from Zaeobi

Mirjana

Veteran

I think that i haven't any risks at all. I'm open to try something new and if I am satisfied with that I buy. It's a true that lovely YLF community helped me a lot. So my moto now is always try, it's still free.

Irina

Veteran

I bought a pair of chunky oxfords and an oversized double breasted blazer this year. The blazer is going to alterations tomorrow to shorten sleeves. These are not exactly fashion forward items but I generally avoid chunky footwear because it looks too heavy on me and an oversized blazer is a risky choice - I'm a petite woman and although I adore oversized style, when it comes to blazers I might look like I'm wearing someones clothes. I wore shoes already and found them to be just fabulous enough
I embraced dress over pants look. I bought a first dress 4 years ago and it was a fashion choice at the time for me and certainly not a common look on the streets . But it worked out and I since added 3 more dresses for different seasons.

Cardiff girl

Veteran

I’m with Mirijana,l take my risks on the changing room that way it’s free but I will try on just about anything .l just won’t buy it unless I am convinced that I will wear it.

rachylou

Veteran

Well, I don’t know. I suppose I take a lot of fashion risks, but then I’m playing to a rather tame crowd at home, a punky crowd at work, and I live in the SF Bay Area - not gonna get beat up here for not dressing like Reese Witherspoon. From my point of view, I’ve never shaved my head or sported a Mohawk or gone to work dressed like Little Bo Peep. Not even on Halloween. But then there’s this:

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Synne

Veteran

It's outside of the comfort zone the magic and growth takes place, isn't that what they say? For me, a fashion risk is wearing "LOOK AT ME" clothes. Being very visible and exposed on purpose. Or it can be dressing "pretty" (I don't always feel pretty). Dressing trendy. With the added impostor syndrome and fear of being found out. That I am faking it.

I have started to take more risks with fashion. How I feel [and what I think others think of me] is guiding me to make better fashion choices, to a certain extent. I think I am starting to have fun with fashion!

Runcarla

Veteran

I posted about this last year https://youlookfab.com/welookf.....and-growth but it is a question worth revisiting. I still own the leather jacket and jean jacket I wrote about, and wearing white is a signature of my style.

I probably took other fashion risks that didn’t work out, but I’ve forgot about them! LOL! My thoughts are that every time you take a risk (no matter what the subject) you grow a little from pushing at boundaries which are really just self imposed restrictions.

My fashion risk of 2019 was a bright blue cobalt maxi puffer. In a sea of black puffers it is kind of outside the box!

slim cat

Veteran

Colored blue hair is the most brave thing I did.
Tried chunky footwear, men' style oxfords, big/ugly sandals - didn't buy it/returned - too ugly/mannish for me.
White sneakers/white footwear/metallics - those I love and do.
I'm more late adopter to the trendy things.

cindysmith

Veteran

For me, risk is anything white, cream, beige, pale grey, blush, or any other super pale color. Doesn't matter if it's tops or pants or shoes, I'm going to find a way to destroy it with some godawful stain.
Lately, I've been playing around with more fitted tops or cropped tops. I had gained a lot of weight and didn't feel comfortable in those tops, but I'm starting to see results from all that time at the gym so I've started playing with things again

Irina

Veteran

Well, for me there are two types of risks: fashion one and wardrobe one.
Wardrobe risk is when I buy an item of clothing in common or rather ordinary style but in either a color outside of my color palette or with a small tweak to my usual style.
Here is the example. I have two tunics. One is above the knee, rust color. Second is in stone color, mid calf with a high slit. First one is in unusual for me color and it is what I consider a "wardrobe risk", since I'm taking a chance on adding a new to me color. The second one,although I wear grey/stone color, is more of a statement piece, a fashion risk and will attract attention.
I'm at the point in my life when I allow myself to take more fashion risks. I'm more mature, care less about opinions of others and can afford to spend money on something that might not work out

Anonymous

I'm in the fashion risk = look-at-me clothes camp. My most recent risks that have worked out ok are printed or plaid pants. I never wore them, ever, until this past year, and have found that they are not as bad on me as I expected Very obviously trendy things make me a little nervous - I have a few pieces here and there, but am absolutely self-conscious while wearing them (Seinfeld chunky white sneakers, for example).

RobinF

Veteran

I am exactly the same - risk-averse, late adopter who doesn't like to stand out too much! I have gotten a bit better since hanging around here. I now like to juxtapose feminine/masculine, and dressy/casual more than I did. I now own white booties and wear sneakers with my work pants and jeans with my blazers. Not terribly risky but for me a little outside the box.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Preppy Pear, you look beautifully turned out each day. Please continue

When it comes to fashion and style, I am fearless with colours, patterns, fabrics, mixing them, and wearing trends when they are fringe. I am fearless with eyewear, bottoms, coats, jackets and white wardrobe items too. I travel and wear my beautiful things. Life is too short! But ALWAYS in a very covered and modest way. That's my thing - I seldom reveal bare skin.

In life, I am generally not a risk taker - although living in four very different continents, and starting businesses from scratch in them might make you think otherwise.

Joy

Veteran

Encouraged by YLF and Angie, I have taken lots of risks like wearing clashing colors together, pattern mixing, and dressing up casual or dressing down dressy. I can shop my closet most of the time.

CarolS

Veteran

I was pretty fearless "back in the day" -but I have been hiding in basic black lately. Getting ready to take a risk wearing bright yellow Docs to my rather conservative workplace. And really, taking a risk just "putting myself out there" again -- dressing in a way that's seen.

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

I think I appear to be a risk taker to others, and definitely have a reputation for wearing "unusual" things, but it really doesn't feel risky, because I have nothing to lose by looking weird .

Gigi

Veteran

Risk-taking to me is wearing eye-catching clothes. The first risky thing I did in my fashion journey was to buy some leopard print booties! They were extremely eye-catching, and I got a lot of compliments on them over time. That helped me be able to buy and wear more "risky" colors and patterns.

Another thing that feels risky to me is wearing a new silhouette that hasn't caught on in my neighborhood. For instance, I think I am the only person that I see wearing raw-hem cropped jeans and cropped flares. When I first wore cropped flares, I felt like I was taking my life into my hands. I felt very conspicuous. But I did it because I thought they looked really good to my eye. I have now adjusted and am happy to wear all different sorts of jeans, as long as I can style them to my satisfaction. I guess I am starting to trust my eye more.

nuancedream

Veteran

I'm wouldn't consider myself to be a fashion risk taker although Mr. ND would probably respectfully disagree with that assessment. I tend to be a late adopter of fringe trends and usually in a more subdued way. On the other hand, I love pattern/texture mixing, wearing dainty jewelry with tough, hard edged pieces, and experimenting with color, especially with outerwear and footwear. I see my style as uniquely individual but not necessarily cutting edge or trendy.

Jane

Veteran

Definitely very risk averse but willing to push the boundaries every so often (most recently with the denim shorts to wear over leggings). I’d like to find a hair colourist who I feel comfortable with to have more fun with my hair. Sometimes I blame my job (v conservative) but that’s not it really I think.

Jenni NZ

Veteran

I don’t feel I take fashion risks. I’ve always liked bright colours and fun clothing so possibly standing out is not a risk for me. But I’m mostly quite a late adopter of things like new silhouettes. Still keen on narrow legged pants-but that may also be because I am at heart an 80s girl. So a late and possibly a never- adopter of wide legged pants. Not taking that risk!

lyn67

Veteran

Late adopter here, too. But Ive come to understand it's all about DYOT and training yourself to. For ex. white sneakers to everything is a trend I couldn't dare to do in my professional life and is still under construction for my casulals either. Instead I happily do a white patent flatform to my widelegs:-got the same pop of color but felt more appropiate for my life.

Bijou

Veteran

For me DYOT and just dressing to please myself has been my biggest and best risk. I am in a happy place with my style because it is authentic and I am at a point in my life where I make no apologies for being me.

Style Fan

Veteran

My fashion risk is to DYOT which is similar to what Bijou has said. I have been wearing high rise wide-legged pants for years before they were trendy. I do like the fringe styles and when I see someone pushing the boundaries of fashion I get excited. That doesn't mean that I wear risky fashion but I do love it.

notsaf

Veteran

Peppy Pear, I'm exactly like you. I take risks in other parts of my life. For me, fashion plays a supporting rule and gives me a solid foundation for everything else I want to pursue!

Sal

Veteran

I don’t think I take many real fashion risks but I try to be playful with my style. I try not to be closed minded about a look - it does not always work of course!

I think I am a moderate person in life - I do lots of things but with a degree of caution. Running a business feels like one risk after another sometimes!!

Preppy Pear

Veteran

Sorry to abandon my own thread - work got a little crazy yesterday. Thanks for all the replies.

Runcarla, what a fabulous thread - thanks so much for sharing the link. Like others, I would have thought you were wearing leather and denim jackets all of your life!

Rachylou, I love your fashion! Who wouldn’t?

Angie, thanks for the kind words. I too cover up. I can use less sunscreen that way - but it’s also my preference. And yes, I would have pegged you as a risk-taker!

Nuancedream, I think your style is gorgeous and definitely individual, from the posts I’ve seen.

Jane, your shorts inspired me to ask about risks.

Jenni - we’re opposites- bright colors are a big risk for me, but I embraced wide leg pants.

I think I like the idea that it’s absolutely ok NOT to take risks, but I’ve been pretty happy with the small ones I’ve made...mainly in silhouettes vs. color.

Gigi, I agree about feeling risky being the first one to wear a new silhouette, and with cropped pants, wide legs, high waists and midis, I have been one of the first. I guess I take more risks than I thought, though they don’t feel like huge risks. Following no trends at all would feel even riskier to me - yes, I’m a sheep!

Biggest risks for me last year - along with patterned pants, a red shirt and a pink plaid dress! Love them all.

Zaeobi

(website)

Veteran

I think the biggest risk I took recently (well, 2 years ago) was cutting my waist length hair to around ear length, all in one go.

https://youlookfab.com/welookf.....ength-hair

I did feel like I had to make a few adjustments with my style but it definitely opened up a different world of dressing to me & inspired me to be bolder. Hmm, I may be overdue for another chop...