How did you know you were a true YLFer? - YouLookFab Forum

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How did you know you were a true YLFer?

Laura

(website)

Veteran

I realized how much YLF has changed me yesterday. I was making a return in Benetton. A 20something man was trying on an overcoat. The saleswoman was making overly flattering remarks about it. He asked her if he should go up a size. I looked at the sleeve length and saw it wasn't even close to reaching the base of his thumb (which I knew is where the sleeve should touch, since Nicole wrote about it the other day!!). The saleswoman butted in to say she wasn't sure he should (what she really wasn't sure about was if she had that coat in a size up! Be honest!) I interrupted and told him to go up a size. How nosy of me, but I couldn't stand it any more! They had the next size up, he tried it on, he was thrilled, and the salewoman didn't hate me. YLF to the rescue once again!

Now, your stories?

General

16 replies

Latest reply was from Amanda

Ana

(website)

Veteran

What a great story, Laura!

This past week has been kind of crummy for me. I got a D on my first Calculus test, which in the grand scheme of things, is really no big deal, but I'm disappointed, because I think I can do better than that. It's my fault anyway for not spending as much time on studying it as a I should have, but another class was taking up a huge amount of time (I've since dropped that class). But anyway, I've just felt really blah and tired. So, I've gone to school with just my hair pulled back and no makeup on a couple of times, and I've really just wanted to wear something unfussy and really comfortable, like faded old jeans, a t-shirt and flip flops. Pre YLF I totally would have done it, too. But I just can't bring myself to do it now, lol. It's just not me anymore.

But, it has made me realize that I have a hole in my wardrobe for easy, unfussy, more casual, warm weather stuff. This is why I'm looking to invest in some dresses. Pull it on, put my watch on and I'm out the door.

Nicole

Veteran

I've a had a few moments that made me realize how ingrained YLF is in me. I'm so used to thinking of certain people when I see clothes that would look good on them, while I'm shopping. But the first few times it happened I was a little weirded out. I thought..."gosh, am I taking this too far?" Then when others mentioned the same thing happening to them, I realized it was pretty normal. We have all become really close and I consider you guys my friends. So it's not unusual to think of your friends when you see something you know they would love.

Another moment was when I was confidently shopping in Macy's (something that used to intimidate me pre YLF). I saw a woman who could have been me prior to YLF. She was walking the aisles, looking into the area where the clothes were. It was obvious she didn't know where to begin or what to look for. I wanted to approach her and help her, but I was afraid she'd think I was loony. Or worse, I was afraid she'd be the loony one and I'd spend the next hour trying to evade her.

And the most recent realization moment was last week. I was recovering from some minor surgery, and my abdomen was swollen to the point where I couldn't wear regular pants. I refused to leave my house in sweatpants. I remembered I had some clothes that were in the donate pile because they were too big. My husband kind of made fun of me for refusing to run an errand in sweats. It wasn't that long ago that I would have thought nothing of going out in sweats.

Ana

(website)

Veteran

Cudos for not going out in sweats, Nicole! I hope you're feeling better from your surgery.

I consider you guys to be my friends too.

Sihaya

Veteran

I knew I'd become a true YLFer when I had to bit my tongue from pointing out the merits of PPL to perfect strangers

Taffy

When I began to plan what outfit to wear for a trip to the grocery store. I live a few miles outside of our town, so I would usually stop in at the grocery store after going to the gym. I've now restructured my Tuesdays to accomodate YLF-ing my appearance between the gym and the store.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

This warms my heart. Lovely stories Laura, Nicole and Ana.

I’m tickled Sihaya and Taffy! Thank you for taking YLF info to heart. The goal is to inspire and encourage others. You naturally do that by making stylish wardrobe decisions every day. Big hug!

p.s. Ana, many more tests to score A’s on for sure.

Munequita

Yes, I'm like you Sihaya! I can't help but notice how many people walk around with the wrong pants length. That and wrong jacket sleeve length....and just clothes fit in general!

I do not feel overwhelmed anymore when I go shopping, because I have learned so much here on what works for me! YAY! Effortless shopping. Best feeling ever!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thank you, Angie!

Violet

That's a great story Laura! I'm glad you spoke up. I haven't gotten to the point of talking to strangers about PPL, but I would love to have a fashion workshop to educate some of the ladies at my work. I want everyone to know they can look fab!

One thing that has changed for me is that I put more thought into what I wear to run errands. Instead of wearing a t-shirt and jeans to go grocery shopping, I threw on a cardi and a pair of dark wash jeans.

I am also having a lot of fun trying out new styles and really looking for clothes that work for my body. I have definitely been inspired by YLF!

Mai

I definitely find myself being a lot more careful about what I wear when I go out, these days. Mind you, sometimes I end up "carefully" choosing a t-shirt and jeans anyway because I have a limited budget and am only buying new clothes a bit at a time, but every little step counts, right?

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Absolutely, Mai. Thanks for making a conscious effort.

Tanya

Veteran

What an interesting thread. For me I must say that the biggest change has been PPL ( not only on pants, but skirts, sleeves, tops etc) and then also combining colors/materials in a more creative way.

I can't help but notice wrong pant lengths every day and really have to stop myself from saying something. This morning I was walking to a couple of pharmacies looking for some cold medications, and as bad as I am feeling now with the cold I couldn't not notice some PPL offenses. It was bugging me almost as much as my cold

Sarah

(website)

Veteran

I used the words "mum" and "specs" in a new thread. That's certainly a change, if even a silly one.

Antje

Veteran

I feel like a true YLFer when I toss out a piece of clothing that doesn't fit or flatter me. I've held on to way too many clothes in the past that I never wore, or that I wore but didn't feel comfortable/stylish in without knowing exactly why. Now I can let go more easily.

Anonymous

Great topic, Laura.
I felt like a real YLFer recently when shopping with my sisters or friends. I know they felt that I was too picky. Since I've lost now 40 pounds, everything looks so much better on me than it used to. I've learned not to listen when they think I should buy something just because they think it looks good on me.
They still don't understand my rejecting something because it's too short to be PPL or not structured enough in the shoulders or I have nothing to wear with it.

tarzy

Veteran

I'm shy about jumping in, but I do love reading all your questions and advice. What a wonderful, giving bunch of women! I'm still learning, and although I've come a long way, I still don't feel complelly confident. However, I know I'm making progress. I think the biggest thing for me now is that I'm starting to realize I can usually find a way to make a look work for me, instead of trying to force myself into a look that isn't right for my body type.

For instance, I absolutely loved the clamdigger & boots look that Angie recently posted. What a fun, casual look for fall. But I'm short and curvy, with large calves (which affects the selection of boots available to me) and this look just does not work for me with all the tucking and bunching. But - I can wear black boots and black leggings. As long as I keep everything simple and sleek, I can wear MY version of this look, and add my own touch with type of top I wear with this (which I'm still trying to figure out!) It's not as cute as what Angie posted, but it's what looks best for me. That, I think, is the main thing I've learned so far from YLF.

As I said, I've got a long way to go. I still struggle to get PPL right, to be honest, and some days I just can't get it right, but I would be lost without YLF!

Amanda

Along with noticing PPL (or not) on strangers on the street, I think I starting feeling like a real YLF-er when I was disappointed that I've been working mostly at home and don't have opportunities to put on outfits and go out.

I used to always appreciate those days that I worked at home because it meant I didn't have to face a closet full of clothes that never seemed right. It was a relief to put on sweats and hit the computer or the books. I've spent the last couple of months preparing for my comprehensive exams so just studying all the time -- very little outside work or social life.

I am really looking forward to my exams being completed (I take them over the first two weeks of October) not just because the exams are stressful but because I'm looking forward to a more regular work schedule and the opportunity to wear my new YLF-wardrobe and come up with new outfits.