How do you make an outfit 'fun'?

Runcarla

Sterling wrote: 'I want to reintroduce lightheartedness (and fun) into my wardrobe. I am at a loss as to how to go about doing just that.' She describes her approach to style as considered and analytical (my words).

I'm a believer in COLOUR, PATTERN, TEXTURE, SHINE for adding interest and liveliness to an outfit. I'm also a fan of JUXTOPOSITION to wake things up.

What do you do to project lightheartedness through fashion?

5 years ago

General

49 replies

Latest reply was from Irina

Firecracker (Sharan)

Veteran

I also like juxtaposition, Carla. I like to wear sneakers with lots of things. But I would say the thing that most makes an outfit Fun for me is wearing things I love. If I have an outfit full of okay pieces, like those that are more essentials, I'm not happy. I need something in the outfit that I really love for its own sake.

5 years ago

Suzanne (ambergreen)

Veteran

I do use the factors you've listed, but in addition, for me it is often the *design* of an item--whether it has fun and unusual details or an interesting cut or construction that take it at least a move or two away from classic. Almost everything I add to my collection has something that bumps it up from plain, although to keep things truly wearable and combinable, I've learned to take it maybe one or two steps instead of ten!

And since joining YLF, I've become very conscious of the need for essentials and "glue" pieces that should stay out of the limelight so I can actually build outfits! Anyway...

5 years ago

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Juxtaposition, for sure (denim with dressy, sneakers with a suit, that kind of thing) and also your (and Shannon's) mantra, yes: colour, pattern (for me, that would be stripes and plaid), texture (not as often for me, but sometimes furry stuff is fun), shine (I'm a magpie).

Fun is also fresh. What's new is fun!

But honestly, when all is said and done? RED IS BEST.

5 years ago

Helena

Veteran

Hmmm, this is a great question, and for me, I think maybe it's adding in something that I haven't overthought to the nth degree ... for example, recently I got a pedi in a stormy blue colour that I chose just because I thought it was pretty (imagine that!) and for no other reason ... it's rather sedate fun perhaps, but my kind of fun

5 years ago

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

I share Suzanne’s love of “lurking quirk” and am trying to get more of it in my clothing.

5 years ago

nuancedream

Veteran

Definitely the fab four of color, pattern, texture and shine to add fun elements to an outfit. Right on, Runcarla! For me, adding bold statement earrings are a must since I have cropped hair.

5 years ago

Gaylene

Veteran

Attitude.

If I’m giving off the vibe that what I’m wearing PLEASES me, I see fun when I catch a glimpse of myself in the mirror. My fashion touchstone has always been Jane Birkin because of the marvelous way she inhabits her clothes instead of merely wearing them.

5 years ago

Preppy Pear

Veteran

I go wild and choose a slightly different shade of gray.

I struggle with fun, which I associate with taking risks, being bold, and choosing visual interest over figure flattery...all good things, but often out of my comfort zone. I do like wearing things that make me feel playful and fun. Sneakers with dresses or trousers fit that bill. So do T-shirts with skirts - so yeah, like you, Firecracker and Suz said, juxtaposition.

5 years ago

always trying

Veteran

The unexpected, like adding red earrings or red shoes if the outfit is nutrial. Some piece that is vintage like interesting jewelry, or one item with interesting detail.

5 years ago

Cardiff girl

Veteran

I have a few items that I regard as fun,a quirky pattern on a shirt,bug brooches and a sheep handbag.l like to wear them with relatively sober outfits as I think that the “shock”value makes them more fun.l ve got my eye on anther novelty handbag at the moment.If I get it I will definitely share!

5 years ago

Anonymous

What a great post, RunCarla. I can't thank you enough for this post. I'll be taking notes.

5 years ago

Katerina

Veteran

Fun accessories mostly. Interesting brooches, oversized necklaces, quirky scarves, unusual handbags.
I have a shiny gold patent leather handbag. It is a classic satchel, but the gold color makes it fun and makes office appropriate outfits less serious. Among my scarves , I have a large silk scarf with toasted bread with butter and red lips. Fun to wear it with a navy suit. As others said - juxtapositions are fun.

5 years ago

MsMaven

Veteran

I like Gaylene's answer. These days I don't think much about making an outfit fun, but I do like to occasionally add an unexpeceted accessory or put things together in a different way--to liven things up, so I guess it's for fun.

I've had lots of fun.There was nothing like showing up at church or at the in-laws in the early 70s looking like a hippie for fun! Now I'd look just like a dotty old lady. Which I may be. BTW, I was never a hippie--just a poor college student.

5 years ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

High five, Carla. You rock!

Fun accents for my style = dramatic hair & eye wear, COLOUR, PATTERN, lots of white, SHINE, SWOOSH (especially in skirts & dresses), pockets, big smile, and the cutest Yorkie on your arm.

5 years ago

Toban

Veteran

I definitely use color, patterns, texture, shine, and fun accessories, but also movement and drape. Like Angie’s new peplum top which, if I recall correctly, is in a neutral navy/ink but has an interesting shape and movement.

Today I am wearing a bold floral print dress (orange, purple, teal, and rust) with a fair bit of swish in the skirt. Feels feminine and fun.

5 years ago

Alicewonderland

Veteran

Definitely shoes. I like to buy fun shoes -Metallic loafers and flats, leopard loafers, burgundy clogs, converse, cowboy boots, sexy strapped shoes.,etc. I have almost no basic shoes. The rest of my closet is fairly classic with little pattern. So every day even if I wear the simplest outfit I’m naturally “forced” to have a fun element and it (hopefully) looks like i put some effort in that day.

5 years ago

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

Aliceinwonderland, I’m definitely catching the shoe disease. Thought I got it from JNZ, but apparently you are a carrier too, lol.

5 years ago

rachylou

Veteran

I like a little crazy for fun. Pushing things just a little too far, but not really that far. Like I have the requisite blue blazer, but it has Phillipino butterfly sleeves.

5 years ago

Alicewonderland

Veteran

FashIntern, Haha. Yes shoe disease is indeed very contagious. I caught it from this forum too.

5 years ago

ChristelJ

Veteran

What a good question! I rely on pattern. Almost all my tops and dresses are patterned. It's easy and habitual, but it does make me feel light- hearted. For an extra dose, big earrings.

5 years ago

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Hmm, "fun" for me would probably be a vibrant color, a signature print, or an unusual cut. I will do "fun" in a fairly simple way because I don't want to veer into overly quirky. Often it comes in the form of interesting statement jewelry, a bag, or something metallic or shiny.

5 years ago

Jenni NZ

Veteran

I am looking for “sassy” rather than fun specifically, these days. That’s why I ended up with my moniker being “Sassy Shoemaker’s Elf”. So of course shoes are the easiest way for me but also something relatively dark and somber feels like me if it has that extra something- like my olive and my ink snakeskin pants which are racking up wears fast! It is the pattern in that case. Feels a bit sassy but not necessarily fun.

5 years ago

LaPed

Veteran

Silhouettes do this for me. Pieces with lots of volume -- boxy tees, wide leg crops, voluminous midi skirts -- say "fun" while tailored cuts mean business. I totally get where Angie is coming from with the "swoosh" factor.

5 years ago

Anonymous

Jnz gave me shoe disease too!
I do the color, pattern, texture, and shine, and details like sleeve or hem interest. Usually I'm thinking "fun" per se more for festivals- when the hair feathers and coin belts come out to play

5 years ago

Jenni NZ

Veteran

Ha! Sorry FashIntern and Suntiger....

5 years ago

Anonymous

If retail does not give me any fun booties this year, I may need to dye some in your honor

5 years ago

nemosmom

Veteran

I had never thought of it, but now that you ask, I believe the majority of my clothes are very un-fun.... I have some fun pieces of jewelry and watches that I rarely wear, bright emerald green sneakers, and will sometimes add nail color (especially to toes in the summer)... I clearly need more fun!

5 years ago

Anonymous

Good question. My first reaction was "fun?" What's that? I don't wear things with sayings, faces, graphics etc, and don't do quirky, things with animal motifs, flamboyant colours, and random unexpected touches of things. Except for skull prints and dressed-up safety pin earrings. But I don't see it as "fun", per se, I see it as a love for certain historical artistic motifs and luxurious versions of certain items seen as somewhat rebellious . Kind of a middle-finger approach at times, if you will. Like the colour red, "fun" stuff doesn't jive with my personalitly. Wow, I sound like a really exciting and person, not

5 years ago

Sal

Veteran

The slightly unexpected. Wearing a skirt when most wear pants. Wearing pants when most wear a skirt. Being a bit dressier than the norm. Swooshing skirts ( thx Angie) and the odd body con more va va voom look!!

5 years ago

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