Trying to process my recent fashion shift...

Keturah

I'm fairly new to YLF. I'm also kind of having a fashion rebirth this year, if you will.

I did the whole "Dita von Teese" thing for the last couple of years: pencil skirts, high heels, cat eye eyeliner -- the whole shebang. And then, in March I went to LA and came home completely changed by how relaxed I felt, and how relaxed I noticed all the people around me were. I realized how artificial I felt in my whole "high glam" look, like I was playing a part and always had to "on" just to go out the door in the morning. I didn't feel entirely comfortable, or like myself. (I do feel comfortable being girly, wearing heels, etc. Just not the entire look.) It felt high maintenance. It felt...not quite me.

So I completely settled and kinda went with my heart, instead of fitting into the curvy hourglass glam-puss box. I started buying flowy dresses. Blousy tops and skinny jeans with gladiator sandals happened to become outfits I was wearing all the time. I even made knee-length jean shorts and wore them with summer wedges. I bought a chambray shirt and knotted it at my waist, tied scarves in my hair, ditched the red lipstick, bought floppy hats, and dotted on lipgloss... it felt liberating, relaxing, yet strange. I had a secret fear I would look dumpy. But I certainly didn't feel dumpy on the inside. Just a different sort of glam.

I started a style board on Pinterest. It's immensely helpful. And also confusing. I love glamour to death, as seen all over the place on my board. But I end up wearing things things that are more relaxed for every-day looks.

http://www.pinterest.com/ketur.....varjak-ve/

I am an hourglass and sometimes I do worry that I'm losing my shape by surrendering my waistline. Other times I just don't care. Also, I do love a very gorgeous, eclectic type of boho. (None of that homeless person look.) Perhaps that is the Euro Chic side of me? I strongly identify with MK Olsen's classier, more stylish looks: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/.....28230.html

What are your thoughts? I know I'm rambling. I just haven't had a place to really sort this all out yet, and am still processing it. Fashion is a huge part of who I am and how I express myself, so I am finding it has had more of an impact on me than I had expected.

xo!

11 years ago

Dressing

12 replies

Latest reply was from Keturah

Keturah

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Couple of photos of my recent fashion shift.

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11 years ago

Suz

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Welcome! I don't think you need to fear frumpdom -- that's not going to happen any time soon! Not with your gorgeous hair and figure. But it must feel odd to have gone through such a sudden transformation. Often when this happens there's been a big life change -- new job, new baby, move, weight loss or gain. Many of us arrive here in a similar mental and emotional place.

I have no real advice to offer. Except to say -- enjoy the journey!

Sometimes people find out they really have TWO style personae, as it were -- one for their every day looks, and one for their "date night" looks. Or one for work and another for their casual life. Maybe this describes you?

11 years ago

Anonymous

Welcome Keturah! What a great post, you've included so much information and poured out your fashion heart to us! It sounds like you had an epiphany while you were in California. For what it's worth, I think the more bohemian look you are drawn to now can be every bit as alluring as a more obvious pin-up girl style, maybe even more so. We were chatting just the other day on one of torontogirl's threads about CA-style casual celebrity glam. There was a disagreement about whether or not it should be termed "glam" because it was so casual, but I could see a glamour element to her pins, and I can see it in yours too. I'm going to see if I can dig up the link for you to read. Be right back!

11 years ago

rabbit

Veteran

Very interesting, and I'm nodding along with your evolution description. In some ways looking at your pinboard I see it as an evolution from pinup hollywood glamour to bits of 70's glamour, much more relaxed and flowy, but very feminine as well. I think the choice of fabrics, staying more monochromatic and minimalist, and having touches of refinement or structure in shoes or a belt keep this look in the glamour rather than flower child camp maybe? What did you think of the fashions in American Hustle?

11 years ago

Anonymous

Here you go!
http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....ssic-style

I see you've added some photos. You have a lovely figure; thanks for giving an example of your style.

In reference to highlighting vs. surrendering your waist, I think with loose and flowing things, the waist appears to be obscured in a still photo, but in movement, we see the shape of the body. That's why boho can work well on hourglasses, IMO.

11 years ago

Keturah

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Suz, gosh, thank you <3 very, very sweet of you to say. It
truly does feel odd. There have been big life changes this past year – major weight loss, relationship, job, some personal changes inside. This is a year of much joy, but definitely a lot of changes with that. I appreciate your reminder to
enjoy the journey – I am often reminding myself of this, others remind me of
it too.

I do wonder if I have two style personas, as I still love certain looks that aren’t really casual enough for every day wear. But I've definitely shifted very far away from the pin-up look. You have provided excellent insights!!

Rabbit, I hadn’t considered 70’s glamour, but I think that’s really what I’m feeling and have been changing too. I definitely don’t find the
flower child/music festival look to be my taste. It’s fun for a day, and
sometimes I will wear that look. But mostly, I prefer something classier and glamourous. I haven’t watched American Hustle yet, but I googled it for images and…WOW. J’adore Amy Adams’ clothes!!! Like...I want them all for my closet! It definitely echoes the clothing choices I’ve been eyeing and buying
lately! More monochromatic, with the structure being in accessories, shoes, etc. And my makeup has been softer and more 70s.

ClearlyClaire (or Claire? ) , thanks for listening to me pour out my heart and the lovely compliments. California was a huge eye-opening moment for me. It was kind of a big way to start the year. Thank you for finding that thread and
sharing it!! (I have to agree that I see glam elements in it too.) I do feel
there is some glam – and I think it is due to accessorizing things. I’m
starting to see that more and more in what I like on others and what I wear:
accessories really matter to me and kind of frame the glam-ness of something. Really good point about the waistline! I suppose it does show up in movement. And I’m a girl who really likes movement, I think that’s why I am gravitating towards boho, flowy pieces. I like a lot of swirl, twirl, and softness.

After I Posted, I was perusing Angie’s blog and found this little gem of a post…
http://youlookfab.com/2012/01/.....refresher/

I’d say I'm experiencing a style renewal for sure.

Should I perhaps jot down some keywords for myself? I've also seen this referenced in a few posts and Ang's blog. Do you just jot down key words or...?? Not sure how to start the process.

11 years ago

Keturah

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Thank you all for listening <3 I feel a lot better about where I am!

11 years ago

cciele

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Thanks for sharing your thoughts about this leg of your fashion journey! You look great in boho chic -- less festival and hippy and more 70s glamour, as Rabbit mentioned. You would totally rock Amy Adam's wardrobe!

11 years ago

Susie

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Lovely Keturah, it is so nice to see you and to read about your style shift...and be assured that it would be quite difficult for you to look dumpy! The first thing that struck me from your photo is your gorgeous hair. To me, it fits so perfectly with a boho chic style...almost like you are coming back to your natural roots (no pun intended!)

It does help to play around with some style descriptors- think about some adjectives or phrases that help define how you see your style. The other approach is to start with what you don't like; I found that even easier. So I created a whole list of what I don't like to wear and what isn't part of my style- ruffles and bows, a lot going on, whimsical, preppy, earth tones, etc.

Please continue to share your journey with us!

11 years ago

Keturah

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cciele thank you thank you <3 I definitely am not a festival girl. One day this summer I went all out festival complete with the head scarf, lots of bronzer, and metallic tattoos. But most of my current wardrobe is 70's. SO...now I'm trying to get more of Amy Adam in my wardrobe for F/W

Susie you're really lovely. <3 Thank you for the kind affirmations and welcome! My hair...ironic you would say that. I hated my hair when I was growing up; all the girls around me -- except my best friend -- had straight hair and "normal" names. SO I cut it off and kept it in a severe 1920s type bob all through college and my 20s. But then before I turned 30, I thought it was time to meet with an image consultant and get my closet and life together. Her first words were "Grow your hair out!" Her fashion advice (which is how I came into my pin-up phase) didn't really work for me; but it did give me the confidence to start experimenting. Her hair advice though was spot on. I grew out my hair and I love it long. It feels more natural and "me."

What a good idea! I do know what I don't like... mostly what you've already described

I'll keep sharing while there are lovely people like all of you to share it with. xo

11 years ago

Susie

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You will find that this is a warm, supportive, helpful and friendly community. You will get honest opinions given in a kind and constructive manner. And there is a wide range of ages and styles represented. So feel free to ask questions and to jump into discussions!

And I'm glad you let your hair grow out!

11 years ago

Keturah

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Susie that is truly wonderful to hear, and I love it here already <3 Looking forward to sharing in YLF with all of you xo

11 years ago

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