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Outfits Ensembles Trends Advice

I lack a visual skill

Mochi

Veteran

that's very important. Someone's post about the husband occasionally coming along shopping with her and finding great things made me think. I can get excited about a model or (in particular) a picture of some person on the street wearing a dynamic, creative outfit. But if I see an outfit's components hanging on a rack in a store, it can be really difficult to see the item's potential, unless it's spectacularly beautiful. It just looks like a piece of material, pretty much. How can I train myself to 1. visualize how something might look on me and 2.intuitively figure out what would go with it to make it more versatile and wardrobe-worthy?

I'm getting incrementally better at it, but have a long way to go.

Shopping

23 replies

Latest reply was from Mochi

Kirti

(website)

Veteran

I usually make a few mental outfits with the item in question and see if it would work with my existing closet. I also know what colours suit me and what styles look AWFUL on me, so I try something on only if I think it is the right colour and not a crappy style. But, I do end up buying a lot of duds - some of the best pieces in my wardrobe are gifts from my husband or approved by my mom/friends.

P.S. I'm the one whose husband comes shopping with her sometimes

keruchina

For starters, I think that it's great that you are acknowledging that it is a skill that can be developed as opposed to something innate that you either "have" or "don't have".

From my experience, I don't have the strongest innate skill for putting together outfits, so I mimic people who I find stylish. I also like to walk around stores and look at the outfits that are on the mannequins, and then try them or something similar on.

I'm curious to hear other people's replies.

Mochi

Veteran

Yes, I just didn't want to bring on you any unwanted attention (though totally think it's awesome that your husband has great skillz! I'm jealous!)

Thank you, Kirti. I've gotten somewhat better, but my aptitude for this is still very undeveloped.

Jewell

Veteran

This is an excellent question! I'm not there yet with clothes, but I've acquired a similar skill with home decor. I think the way I trained my eye was by pouring over magazine images and the like and getting a lot of exposure to different styles, room arrangements, and uses for items.

With clothes, I make a mental note of peices that seem especially versatile on others and when I'm drawn to something in a store I try to visualize 3 different ways to wear it or 3 different items to wear it with. I'm sure I still miss a lot of potentially awesome pieces, but I'm learning.

Kirti

(website)

Veteran

Oh he can be moody and grumpy too, I cherish the rare moments when he wants to shop! I'm not too great at it either, but we're all learning, I guess

Amy

(website)

Veteran

I don't have that skill, yet, either.

What I have been doing is looking at a lot more outfit pictures and dissecting them into "ingredients." Then, I ask myself if I have relatively similar items or if I could buy just a couple of things to recreate a look. This practice is helping me see the potential in various items.

As for learning to visualize how something will look on you, I can only suggest trying on a lot of things in different silhouettes and taking photos of them. I'm still confused about some items, but am gaining clarity about others.

Astrid

Veteran

I'm not good at this either! I'm getting better at visualizing how things might look on me because I try so much more stuff on than before YLF. That way I often remember something similar that either worked or didn't. Although most of the time I still try everything that appeals to me on anyway. And for the fitting into the wardrobe thing I have two criteria I always look at before I even consider trying it on, color and fabric. I have a certain color scheme that I know suits me best and within which all goes together. And I have some fabric preferences. I don't buy anything that's completely synthetic fiber (skin irritations) or is dry clean only.

Mochi

Veteran

I'm starting to attempt to break down outfits. For example the Angie's Outfits section, or something I see on the Sartorialist blog. I think today I noticed some improvement--I was browsing the Nordstrom website and saw a lot of sweaters I would have dismissed or not noticed in the past. This time, I vetoed them for being made of the wrong material or not sturdily constructed, but I had more of a sense that they could be a wardrobe staple. Progress! But I'm not a natural at it...I think I only recently started to tell from quickly looking whether a jacket or skirt will likely fit me. That's how bad it is.

Anonymous

If it's a classic item, chances are I've tried on the same sillhouette before and I can visualize how it will look on me. If it is something new, like a poncho or cape or an asymetrically draped top, I can guess how it will look, but I always have to try it on in the end. I think I must have a catalogue in my brain of silhouettes, necklines, hemlengths and such that usually work for me and ones that don't. Oh, and I've watched LOT of WNTW reruns.

Jyoti

(website)

Veteran

I think the best way to develop this skill might be to just practice. Try on a ton of stuff in different patterns, shapes, etc. in stores even if you don't plan on purchasing to just get a sense of how it looks on you. Try creating outfits in-store and seeing how pieces work with each other. To build outfit creation skills, you can also set aside some time to play with your own closet, and put together outfits, try them on, and see what works and what doesn't. I found that this is what helps me visualize how pieces drape on the body and what things may look good together-- lots of trial and error.

Fruitful

Veteran

I'm hopeless at this if the clothes are just hanging (not on a mannequin) and totally pessimistic about being able to develop the knack! I have only one solution to both parts of your question: 1) I try it on, and 2) I try it on with everything, until I stumble across a combination that works. ^_^

Jjsloane

Veteran

I think it's a constant learning process. You can learn one brand or designer and how it works for you, you can learn one style of item that works for you, but it's still all experimentation and to me that's the fun of it. I love to buy something just because I like it and bring it home and Voila it works with several things I already have. (or the opposite which happens about the same amount of time but this is part of the learning experimental process) Even items from the same brand in same size can fit differently so it's a constant trial and error. I figure this can either stop you from trying or increase your trials and expand your horizons.

Mo

(website)

Veteran

I think relying on so much online shopping has made me have to improve on this out of necessity, because I can't try it on first so I have to visualize to some degree. I still need to get better at seeing the potential of 'plain' items. I remember recently Queen Mum had a purple dress that she accessorized about 10 different ways that was astounding to me. I know it can be done, but I'm not there yet, either. That's why I have accumulated so many items with their own built in statements - a twist here, a zipper there. I'm slowly learning more simple things can be very useful and versatile. S l o w l y learning

Isabel

Veteran

I think, and hope, that the more you "practice" and pay attention, the better you become. Though I do believe that some people are predisposed to this ability.

Sylvie

Veteran

Chiming in to agree that it's a matter of practice. I don't yet have this skill either, but it's getting better. I don't know if you've ever had the experience of walking into a store and being completely overwhelmed because you have no clue what you should even try on - what might fit, what might look good and even if you find something that meets those criteria, how to style it.

The things I've found most helpful are:

Seeing others outfits on the forum and "learning" the vocabulary
Angie's blog posts on various formulas
Saving photos of outfits I like for later reference
Playing with clothes. I just did a mini-purge this evening and while combing through things, was able to come up with new outfit ideas.
Learning what elements in clothing do and do not work for me (ex: I don't even bother with crew necks most of the time because I feel strangled. Also, I look terrible in Mandarin collars).

goldenpig

(website)

Veteran

Mochi, great questions! You've gotten lots of good tips and I need to go back and pore over them as well. I just have to say, you should not feel down or discouraged about yourself. You don't need "innate talent", it just takes learning and practice. Six months ago pre-YLF I typically did no wardrobe remixing (wore a skirt with the same matching top over and over), no layering (one top plus trousers or skirt), no accessorizing or belts, almost never wore heels or boots, etc. I've learned a lot from YLF--reading Angie's posts on formulas, looking at her and everyone else's outfits, and getting feedback on my own outfits. It's getting a lot easier for me now and I finally feel like I'm hitting my stride.

As for the first question, no you can't always tell what is going to look good on you. I do LOTS of trying on things. Like I tried on over 50 pairs of jeans to find the right fit. I still can't always tell if something is going to work for me until I try it on, so since I do a lot of online shopping, that makes for a lot of ordering and returning. I have no qualms about returning something that doesn't work for me, and I've purged a bunch of stuff that didn't flatter me, so now I finally feel that my current wardrobe is mostly stuff that looks and feels fab on me.

As for being able to visualize how a garment will fit in your wardrobe, that also takes lots of practice and creative thinking. This Redbook article I read a few months ago on wardrobe remixing was a revelation for me and really spurred me to try to think of using pieces in different outfits:
http://www.redbookmag.com/beau.....ll-outfits

And also since I started buying more expensive shoes and boots and coats, I had to really think about whether they would work well in my wardrobe before I would let myself spend the money. So that made me try harder to come up with new outfits. Here's one example when I bought my Chie Mihara sandals:
http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....yay-or-nay

Pre-YLF I was so anxious about shopping and not knowing what would look good on me that I hated to go into stores and hadn't bought any new clothes in years aside from my maternity clothes. Now, I feel much more confident about shopping, about what my style is, what clothes will flatter me, more creative about remixing my wardrobe, and I'm having a lot of fun! And I owe it all to YLF--thanks Angie and all of you! So Mochi, you are well on your way too and I look forward to watching your progress on your own style journey! You already look fab and will only get fabber!

Deborah

Veteran

Mochi, practice makes perfect. I find that looking at everyone's outfit posts here on YLF, other blogs and reading fashion magazines keeps my mind thinking creatively about putting pieces together. I do find these days (after a lifetimes obsession with fashion) I can see in my mind immediately how a piece will work or not work for me. Having said that I still try on things I like on the hanger but can't imagine how I might wear it as actually trying it moves me that bit closer to imaging it styled. I think it's a skill we learn as we become more familiar and comfortable with our own style too. I imagine this is a work in progress for all of us

jayne

Veteran

I felt Fruitful matched my method, because I so feel I am in the same situation as you Mochi...trying to train my eye to see what will work for me.

I have taken the clothes I have, which is a collection of spontaneous buys over the last years and just tried to make an outfit out of something! Using magazine articles helps me find a combination I might not have thought of myself but sometimes that does not help because the models don't have my curves.

But when I do get a hit combination I put it together in my closet, the accessories and a note on which shoes worked. When I then wear it later, I decide at the end of the day if I really felt good in it or if I need to try something else. If it was a success I put it back, still together, for a new try in a week or so. (washing as required)

I know to others it seems limiting, but to me it is freeing because I know I don't have to search for something to wear, I have outfits waiting for me. And over time, I am hoping to train my eye to recognize some pattern in what I choose to reuse that can help me buy new stuff.

I am now up to a collection of 20 outfits I am using through winter. There are new pieces in there, yet to be tried, but they are mixed in with things I am more and more sure of- So I feel it is helping my confidence to know that if I don't dare with the choice of the day, there is a standby waiting for me.

But I am still at the beginning and I am not an emotional dresser, so this works for me for now. After time, I may actually do as the others suggest and try to imagine outfits. For now, what I can imagine does not always work when I actually try it so I think my eye needs more training before it can be trusted without lots of experimenting.

It also is helping to weed out the things to purge because sometimes after a few misses I just retire a piece as too frustrating to continue with. Which, since i tried and tried again, feels like relief!

Sorry for rambling! My 20 cents apparently

Meredith1953

Veteran

I always play it too safe in my dressing. Very basic pieces and most of it pretty conservative. What I love is seeing how other people (partcularly here) put together specific pieces and come up with great looks. I even download some of the pics if I think I might have a shot at looking ok in them. I always look presentable but don't really have the hang of combing pieces and accessories for a compelling look. I DID just buy a white peugeot ceramic watch with 3 crystal faces (clear, blue and pink that can be taken on or off ) and when I wear it I feel like I am at least wearing a piece of "statement" jewelry. My fantasy is to have someone just point me at a whole lot of flattering pieces complete with accessories. Does this sound incredibly lazy?

mrseccentric

(website)

Veteran

Very interesting and incredibly pertinent thread! Really this is what it all comes down to: educating your eye about line, color, texture, etc. generally and towards your own specific likes and style choices.

And it really is a skill that can be learned!!! Certainly some people have an innate visual talent. But even those people, when you dig a bit deeper, turn out to have an incredible amount of experience....grew up with a professional artist parent, for example.

i have to get going right now, but plan to comment at length later - this is a very compelling topic for me! steph

ManidipaM

Veteran

I'm quite as challenged and have the giveaway bags to prove it. But like you, Mochi, I think I've gotten a little better.

Practice really IS key. And the advice to 'play' in your closet is spot on. Yes it is a large investment of time, and can be chaotic --- but helps immensely in the long run. I realized that when I got fed up of digging through seasonal storage (and the repacking!) every time work sprung on me a little-or-no-notice trip to a very different climate. Eventually, I figured it made more sense to invest the time in making up 3-4 sets of capsule wardrobes for various weathers, cultural fits and registers of formality. It took DAYS, and messy days at that, of pulling everything out and putting everything together EVERY which way I could.

Wasn't easy to make it work for northern Europe or West Asia using pieces from my largely wet-and-warm tropical wardrobe. Some of the combinations were just outright mad (or so I thought at the outset), yet still worked when I actually put them on. I resorted to photographs and flowcharts to keep track. The result, though, was a single suitcase of versatile, compact clothes that I can just add a few accessories and basics to, and I can take a trip on a day's notice.

The unintended result was that I became a little more experimental in putting together everyday items too. Experimenting develops that 'what if...?' muscle in the imagination a bit further, I find.

And you can of course feed that same muscle with a lot of browsing, from magazines to pinterest, plus what so many members on this forum seem to share with each other. So, thank you, ladies! been lurking a while, and this seems like a good time to acknowledge how much of a help it has been to watch you wear your wardrobes!

Another strategy I found especially helpful is to figure out (that's where flowcharts, photos, spreadsheets REALLY help) what colours I wear best, what colours I most gravitate to, what shapes of necklines or lengths of sleeve are most versatile. For myself, I found dark neutrals the most useful for travelling and repeating. I found I look to jewel colours and darker brights for the feel-good factor. I found knits lose or resist or hide their wrinkles better than wovens, and conversely heavier-weight wovens (jeans, jackets) best for adding no-iron, tailored structure. I found I wanted sturdy, supportive walking shoes with a bit of heel for travelling by day, but ones that slip on and off easily (for plane trips, temples etc), plus very compact, lightweight, slip-on evening shoes. I found a three-quarter or longer sleeve is more versatile for layering as shorter sleeves bunch up under the next layer; or else go sleeveless. Similarly looser or adjustable waists are easier to layer than absolutely fitted. I found longer-length tops (like tunics) more versatile across cultures and climates. I found I didn't want to fuss with too many ties and zips that can get caught and broken on the go. Similarly, I found longer/larger scarves are easier to wear different ways.

Why the long list? To show you how I found the elements to look for when I go shopping. Colour: Dark neutrals or darker brights; plus the occasional primary or neon bright for pop. Shoes: Sturdy, chunky-heeled day shoes for walking; lightweight and flatter for evening. Fabric: Either wrinkle-resisting (knits), or wrinkle-disguising (denim, corduroy), or wrinkle-flaunting (linen, 'crushed' cottons and silks); no dry-clean-only. And so on --- you get the picture. I too have the tendency to see 'pretty fabric' or 'nice texture' when staring at hangers; but now I look harder to see how the neck and sleeve are cut, length, etc. Of course WHAT you end up with as 'to look for to suit me' will depend on your specific lifestyle --- but I found, quite by accident as you see, that HOW & WHERE will I wear most of clothes a good way to sort out what works the best and the most for me. Your particular parameters of practicality should give you your individual cues too.

Of course, I've equated 'versatility' (which you asked about) with 'practicality' for my purpose. But I do think they are close allies. Easy to wear many ways, comfy and easy to care for are common across both categories, right?

Sorry to have been so long-winded! Didn't know how to explain the thought process clearly without examples. Hope that made sense!

rachylou

Veteran

I'm bad at this too. There's plenty I just don't see because I'm in no way attuned. And architectural things have a way of dominating my attention - I end up with pieces not outfits. I shop a lot in smaller stores so there's less to look at because of this, and frankly, I get my bf to come with me when I go to department stores. Dept. stores are a real visual overwhelm for me.

Mochi

Veteran

Thanks, everyone! I've been thinking on this a lot the past few days. When I get my thoughts together and have some free time, I'd like to comment more in-depth on how I'm starting to approach things as an impact of YLF and what I've been learning recently from everyone here.