Get me OUT of my (JCrew) box - YouLookFab Forum

This is my style journey....

Many years ago, our 15 year old daughter got me out of "mom jeans" and into bootcut jeans. Since then, she has been encouraging me (by whatever means possible) to try new styles and take risks. She has done that successfully. But now an adult, she lives 500 miles away and we don't shop together nearly enough!

Two years ago (Such an embarrassment. what took me so long?) I discovered fashion blogs and I was hooked. I have purged, updated and made some mistakes along the way. I have begun to develop my own style. Although giving it a NAME is something I have not yet attempted.

I think I have the basics covered. I am now looking toward to stepping outside my very traditional box and trying new silhouettes, even reaching for that wow factor. I am not a visual girl, so this is harder for me than for some.

Your task (if you choose to accept it) ...

Tell me how to get started!

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10 years ago

kkards

Veteran

One step at a time.
Great outfit, I think it looks current. IMO, One easy place to start in trying new silhouettes is shoes. Have you tried pointed toe flats or Birkenstocks? Both would look fab with this look.
Or change up the white denim jacket for a moto style.

Gap

Quilted floral chambray moto jacket

View Info

Top Pick

1969 denim biker jacket

Beth Ann

Great modern classic look, QG! You seem to be on your way. I'd suggest taking daily pics for awhile. You can just use them as data for yourself, or post some or all to the forum for feedback. When I first started following YLF 3 years ago, I began trying new trends and following Angie's outfit suggestions. When I started participated in the forum, I learned so much from other fabbers, that I decided to post WIW outfits myself. The most helpful things for me have been:
1. Learning to focus on optimal fits -- no compromises, just adjustments for shifting trends (I love my bf jeans)
2. Building a wardrobe, rather than just buying attractive, updated clothes
3. Starting with my own personal style, and only adopting trends that serve my overall goals. Creating style goals and adopting style rubrics have helped here.

Love your red pants and white jacket. These are versatile pieces that have some punch. How do you wish to see your style evolve?

Suz

(website)

Fab outfit! You look great.

In terms of moving your style forward, I echo the others. When I joined YLF 3+ years ago I was very haphazard (read blog posts from the archives but in no order) and it took me a while to get my courage up to post on the forum (or to figure out what was going on here.) Even once I figured that out I didn't take photos regularly or post them. So do as I say, not as I did, and your learning curve will be quicker:

If you haven't already, update hair (which looks good from what I can see, by the way!) specs, underwear.
Take daily photos as often as possible. You don't have to post them all, but it helps to take the pictures and examine them yourself. Make a note of what outfits you love and which ones had some problems. Why?
Follow Angie's current blog posts and see if you can copy some of her regular ensembles, interpreting for your body type and lifestyle.
Read Angie's "top trends for 2014" posts to see what silhouettes are trending. In two words, focus on FLUID FIT. It's the single easiest thing you can do to update your look and give it some extra pizzazz.
Join Pinterest or keep a clippings file of looks you love. Over time you will begin to see patterns emerging.
If you haven't already, narrow down your colours and neutrals to the ones you're going to make the core of your wardrobe going forward.
Try to determine your actual needs -- by season and activity. Many of us buy mostly for the life we don't have and then wonder why we don't feel fab for our real lives. Answer, because we allow our aspirational style to guide the "special occasion" purchases but not our regular purchases.
On the forum, try to identify some whose body types or style preferences are similar to your own and take inspiration from them.

And welcome!!

MuseumGal

I think your outfit looks great! Very modern without being a trend fest. I'm unclear exactly what kind of feedback you'd like. For instance, it might be helpful if you could articulate that you'd like to look more (or less) ... trendy? colorful? classic? bombshell? boho? etc...

Greyscale

I agree with MuseumGal - you look great, very put-together. So you have the basics figured out and you own your current look. If you want to shift in a new direction, the first step is to figure out what direction you want to go.

You could browse Pinterest and create a set of pins of looks you like. By doing that, I've realized that I subconsciously moved a bit away from dramatic avant-garde and towards a sort of minimalist scandinavian look, for instance.

rabbit

Just echoing the others. Take a look at what you aspire to that makes sense for your lifestyle. Take photos (even a few from the back) and look at them yourself even if you don't decide to share them. Maybe don't buy a lot of new things right away (I speak from experience) but take time to hone and develop the look you are going for a bit first before duplicating silhouettes or items.

dashielle (Ann)

...and try on everything that remotely interests you from the forum. I have found success in ordering online so I can try new pieces with my existing wardrobe, take pics and consider the purchase, without pressure and with YLF help. 9/10ths may go back, but I learn what works and what doesn't that way.

Suja

I could have written your post a year ago. I had a mostly J Crew wardrobe that was classic and cute but I wanted to add pizazz and become a little more fashion forward. I now shop more at Nordstrom and less at J Crew. Angie's top picks and ensembles are so helpful. She really puts thought into what she recommends.

I think you look great but if you want to try out trends, I would suggest a trendy shoe and perhaps a moto jacket topper. It is amazing what a trendy shoe can do for your look. I still have a mostly J Crew wardrobe but the shoes and toppers take it up a notch. Some of my recent purchases are below.

Best of luck and have fun with the process.

Nordstrom

Tildon 'Porto' Bootie

Amazon

Sam Edelman Women's Okala Dress Pump

6PM.com

Aldo Scalo

Dillard's

Kenneth Cole Reaction Great Ness Sandals

Franco Sarto Refresh

Zappos

Børn Ardsley

JamC

I agree that you look great. I love Suja's shoe suggestions. So many great shapes to think about.

Anonymous

You look so good! So I guess you're just ready for a style shift?
I agree with the others; start posting pictures on the forum so we can get to know your "baseline" style, and start a pin board with the look you'd like to move toward.

Quietgirl

Thanks for the great comments....many I wouldn't have considered!
Where do you typically get pics to pin? I need some NEW sources!

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