Pinterest vs. Finds vs. Real life - YouLookFab Forum

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Pinterest vs. Finds vs. Real life

Anonymous

When I go to Pinterest, I always pin black and white and blue outfits. I don’t like the outfits with a lot of colour, but I’m wondering if it’s because I can’t relate to the people wearing colour as well (they always are so preppy), or because the muted photography is more appealing to me, not the outfit itself.

In contrast, when I collect things in Finds, or go on polyvore, I select things with much more colour. Vibrant colour. The black and blue is still there, but there are a lot of colours to spice things up, like red, emerald, fuchsia, yellow and orange.

Do you have a disconnect between what you find visually appealing online, and what you actually wear? And if so, how do you deal with that? I’m talking mostly about colours here.

Dressing

26 replies

Latest reply was from Bijou

gryffin

Veteran

smittie - that's incredibly interesting. No, no disconnect for me. I like black, grays - charcoal and silvery cool grays, white and denim. I admire other outfits on bloggers, usually neutral, but unless I was pinning for proportions or style, I am very consistent with what I like.

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

Interesting question, but I don’t quite understand. Aren’t Pinterest, YLF finds and polyvore all online?

columbine(erin)

Veteran

I was making a Pinterest board for Stitch Fix awhile back. I realized I had to go back and do quite a bit of editing, because I did pin outfits that were appealing because of the style of photography and probably didn’t contain items I’d actually wear in real life. That was an interesting exercise. I just lack discipline on Pinterest and Finds, though, lol. I like all the pretties.

It’s interesting that Pinterest and Finds result in such different color combinations for you.

cindysmith

Veteran

Oh, yes. I am a sucker for a bold color, but I won't wear them. I seriously gravitate towards bright colors like a fish to a shiny spinning lure with a worm on it.

My Pinterest boards are all very RATE and dark, but my what's in my closet is more muted. I'd probably be tried for a witch and burned at the stake here in rural Texas if I actually dressed like my Pinterest boards LOL

You are not alone. I don't know where the disconnect is coming from with my love of looking at bright colors and prints, my pessimistic outlook that draws me towards very dark/gothic/dystopian stuff, and the sea of muted colors in my closet. Maybe some of it is the environmental factors that Angie has talked about?

unfrumped

Veteran

Good question!
I am new to Pinterest so recently started some collecting. I’ve tried to be realistic, but also to pay attention to PARTS of outfits, since the “ perfect “ combination is hard to find, or to some elements- color by not style, style but not color.
My pet peeves are: SO many high heels!, and the ubiquitous semi- tuck. Mainly because these alter the lines and proportions.
I’ve been trying to refine my searches to see what keywords turn up what, and see whether that’s any better than just using my imagination to revise an outfit. For example, searching for “ ....with flats.” You might be able to refine your color searches.

Anonymous

Unfrumped: Great idea.
Cindy: we seem to have similar issues. Do you think you would choose more of the things on your pin board if you didn’t have environmental constraints? Also, have you ever tried wearing bright colours? Maybe you would like them?
Fashiontern: I think I phrased the question incorrectly. I just mean: do you have discrepancies between the outfits you Pin, and the things you collect in Finds/polyvore, and what you wear. (A three-way thing.)

I pin neutrals.
I “find” bright colours.
I “polyvore” bright colours.
I wear neutrals.

Vildy

Veteran

I had recently read this from Unfancy and liked it a lot:

Spot the difference between a cool picture vs. an outfit that actually works.

Most of the time, people will suggest starting a Pinterest board to develop personal style.

But often what we end up pinning is the
vibe of the photo and not the actual outfit. Then we look at our style
board and we’re confused because we’ve got pins all over the style map.

I’ve done this so many times. I
fall in love with an outfit that feels SO ME … and then once I put the
outfit together, it’s so NOT me. It turns out I was just in love with
the photo.

We’re drawn to great design — even if it’s not our style.

But I’ve learned a little trick to help with this:

Separate the photo into three layers — (1) clothes (2) setting or location of the photo (3) styling or hair and makeup.

First, focus on the first layer — the
actual clothes. Ask the big question: Do you still think the outfit is
cute when you remove the location and the styling?

This single question usually clears it right up for me,
but you can keep going: Have you ever worn pieces like that before? If
so, how did you feel in them?Can you see the outfit working with the way
you usually style your hair and makeup? Does the outfit only work in
that kind of location or can you see it working at your office or home?

A perfect pin is a photo where the
clothes + setting + styling come together just right. The vibes all
match. This could trick you into thinking that you love the outfit, when
actually, you just love the vibe that’s been executed flawlessly.

http://www.un-fancy.com/outfit.....o-develop-

Anonymous

Vildy: I did your mental exercise: the outfit is NOT NEARLY AS CUTE once I remove the venue, the stance of the wearer, and beauty of the wearer and the composition of the photo, and the interesting lighting.

!!!!!!

They are “alright” which is often how I feel about my outfits.

But I do find it hard to Pin things that don’t resonate visually. (So it might be a killer outfit but because the lighting and the venue are not right, I discard them.)

I find even when people are posing in a contrived way, it bothers me, and I won’t Pin. Even thought the outfit is good.

So now I really need to think hard about some stuff, because there might be more truth in my Finds than in my Pinterest.

Oh the joys of being online!

Vildy

Veteran

oohhh, Smittie, great point about it working (interfering) the other way, too! Where the visual isn't good "enough". I hadn't considered that.

delurked

Veteran

Smittie - I pin a lot of minimalism and less color. IRL, I wear a lot of prints and am on the lookout for colors I love. I wish there were more real looking bodies and images, but I also don’t spend much time on Pinterest. I find travel capsules a bit more useful, as I usually keep my travel wardrobe simple and in a cohesive color scheme.

Katerina

Veteran

What an interesting question and discussion! I do not experience colour discrepancies in the way Smittie describes, or I have at least not reflect over it. But the Unfancy's points are extremely interesting...

I have experienced this. I often shop online from a huge European outlet located in Germany. They publish photos of all the items. Some items are shown on an actual model with certain level of styling. Some are shown only as photos of the item or on a hanger. Now, sometimes, the exactly same item is shown in several places (same price). When shown on a model - it gets sold out much quicker (looks better) than when shown only as a photo of the item (excuse my clumsy explanation, English is not my mother tongue). So, if you have a decent imagination - you can make great bargains

delurked

Veteran

Also should mention, what I pinpoint online is mostly different than what I pick up in person. I think in part because it’s difficult to determine fabrication online, but different things grab me.

Jenn

(website)

Veteran

Oh man, I love pinning photos of women reading in coffee shops or lounging around a campfire or having a cozy meal at home with friends. Basically, my Pinterest boards will tell you that my style = hygge.

I figured it out eventually and have started splitting my pin boards into one that's a wardrobe "mood," one with pretty capsules, and one that breaks down items, silhouettes, and proportions. I try to think about all three when I'm actually buying, and I only use Finds for items I own or am actively considering.

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

Thanks for the explanation. Sorry to be so slow. I shop online and read Angie’s blog and occasionally Corporette.

I’m not aware of any differences in color preferences between any of those sites and real life. I am, however, a sucker for the “so fun!” poses. There is one model at Anthropologie who I’ve learned to watch out for, because she always convinces me that I want whatever she’s wearing, and then I’m disappointed when it arrives. I tend to order trapeze tops and dresses, even though on me they look like the rope crumpled up on the floor after the trapeze came down. I also order “fun” tops that are really low quality. Those things are the bulk of my returns. I’m not attracted to either of them in B&M stores.

Emily K

(website)

Veteran

So, maybe if I (somehow? ) found and pinned items that would suit my real-life body and lifestyle I'd get more benefit from the process??!!!?? I am not even being facetious, here. I can't imagine how I'd do that...how I'd drill down through possibly unattractive colors and unappealing styling to focus on a gem of an outfit component. It is LOT easier just to go for beautiful pictures with an appealing vibe! This is gonna be hard!

Emily K

(website)

Veteran

To answer the question--I'm too affected by vibe and a beautiful photo. In this, I'd have to he honest and say that the outfit photos are more aspirational. But, I also pin product shots related to items that I am stalking and may actually buy or use as reference for purchase. Product shot VS outfit photo. Hmmm....

I'm probably missing great items that are styled or photographed badly and items that are shown in colors I wouldn't choose.

LaPed

Veteran

I don't use Pinterest or Polyvore much anymore, but I am very susceptible to well-done marketing materials. Dynamic photography, good lighting, scenic locales... One of the reasons I find Nordstrom and other big department stores so difficult to shop online is that the images just aren't compelling. So often, garments look SO much better here, on real-life Fabbers, than they do on the model.

I think for me, I get more tripped up by silhouette than by colour. I'm almost too consistent in my colour preferences, but I'm always on the lookout for new silhouettes, even when I know I won't be able to wear them easily.

Style Fan

Veteran

I don't use Pinterest that much right now. When I did I used it for inspiration. I have boards for certain garments and how to style them, for example. Then I would never look at them. I was drawn to pins that reflected my style (BF jeans, brown leather jackets, big scarf, large Starbucks coffee). Of course, the model was leaning against a wall in a casual way that would be very uncomfortable but it looked cool.

Anonymous

I am a literal sponge for visual information and inspiration , and am always looking at instagram and pinterest and digital magazines. I think I'm better than I used to be at determing what will work on me vs the things I love in digital images but still get caught surprised at what comes out of a Nordstrom box (or whatever it is) vs what I "saw" online. I guess that's not what you're talking about though....

I don't use Polyvore - I don't get it, lol - but yes, I love colour and a bit of craziness in Pinterest and fashion editorial images, but when I try to recreate it in real life, I look like an airport greeter. Not good. I have a major case of body dismorphia, I've decided - lol. I imagine myself to look a lot better than I really do - ha!

Anonymous

Yes, exactly Emily: drill through the bad colours, lighting and unattractive backgrounds, people and other irritants and try to really see the item for what it is

I think it only works one way: you find a beautiful photo and then you try to remove all the beautiful distractions.

Polyvore lets you create little vignettes, like what Angie does on her blog sometimes. Useful to see colour combinations and ratios of colour that are kind of hard to imagine without visual aids.

It looks like quite a few of us can’t really directly copy what we see in Pinterest.

I might take a break from it.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

YES, Smittie. I get it. We can appreciate beautiful things/photos/decor/ambience - but not want to necessarily wear them or decorate our home that way.

Like Lisa p, I'm a visual sponge for ANYTHING that is beautiful - across ANY colour spectrum and ANY vibe. I have a very wide range of what I think is stunning.

That said, nothing inspires my own style accept for street style when I travel, and when I shop stores (brick 'n mortar or online - so Finds is a very important styling tool for me). I don't pin, and I do Polypore for YLF (not for me).

cindysmith

Veteran

I would definitely wear more of the stuff on my Pinterest boards if I were living in an urban environment, or if I worked in a more urban environment.

And I have worn bright colors in the past. I love purple, and it isn't a bad color on me, I just don't wear it so I quit buying it. I'm also a sucker for cobalt. It got worn more than purple, but still not enough. I do have a brightly colored top I wear every now and then in summer (find). I wind up staining or otherwise ruining lights and brights, so I just quit trying

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Anonymous

Cindy: you are too funny when you talk about your stains and your grit and your dirt and your destruction, lol! You are owning it! I think cobalt would be absolutely fabulous with your light hair and fair skin. Just gorgeous.

Angie: the clothes themselves inspire you, so all of your style comes from within (except sometimes from Greg!). I love that you just do your own thing.

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

I tend to pin or be impressed by outfits when the entire look of the individual comes together from head to toe. But then I need to step back and think about whether the appeal can be translated to the slate I am working with (me).

deb

Veteran

No difference here. I wonder why some have a disconnect and some do not?

Bijou

Veteran

Smittie I am drawn to looks that are not me, simply because they are beautiful. There is a definite disconnect. Vildy's advice is very insightful.