Is my fashion "taste" off? - YouLookFab Forum

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Is my fashion "taste" off?

Transcona Shannon

Veteran

In Modgrl's yay/nay post today about a dress (http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....with-dress) I was the only one who voted yay (hope you don't mind me using this thread as an example Rita

This has not been the only time where my opinion has varied from the majority. This has got me thinking....do I not see what others see? Is my fashion "taste" off when looking at things for others? Am I unable to critique objectively and with thought???

Dressing

31 replies

Latest reply was from Transcona Shannon

Carole

Veteran

I can see how this dress would be "tacky" for some and not for others. I think that you are taking into account the askers style and preferences, and I can see why you voted the way you did.

Does that help?

JR

Veteran

Oh dear, that makes two of us...

I sometimes dislike what everybody else likes, or vice versa. But I'm the one who's right, everybody else is wrong.

In French they say that tastes can not be discussed. It's a question of taste. Sometimes our tastes run with the majority, sometimes they don't. You strike me as a very creative person, which means you are sometimes going to have a more unique vision. But that's okay. We all express our opinions here, but they are just opinions, based on our taste.

Except of course, when we are talking about the science of perspective and what lengthens or shortens a line, but that's something a little different.

Anyway, in my normal rambling way, I am trying to say that being in the minority (sometimes) doesn't make you - or me - "off". It's good to know where general tastes run though, as it might help us to make wiser decisions for certain social situations. But here's to being different and seeing with different eyes!

catgirl

Veteran

Well, I was in the minority today regarding Mo's dress, even including Mo! I think we all have our viewpoints, and that's what makes life interesting. Plus as i said on Rita's thread, I'm not sure "Cute or Tacky" were the right choices.

annagybe

(website)

Veteran

I realized a great long time ago that many, very many things that I like are not necessarily liked by the forum.

Deborah

Veteran

Shannon, I think you like that dress because it has some retro aspects to it. I missed the thread but just checked it out.

I don't think your taste is "off" at all. But I do think its very challenging for us to assess objectively what will work for someone else. And think that is one of things YLF stretches and develops in us.

Again, I hope Rita doesn't mind me using her example. I would not wear that dress, I prefer not to wear strapless dresses and its a bit va va voom for me, however knowing Rita's style and her preferences, I could see her 'owning' this dress and making the look hers. Prior to coming to YLF I would have seen that dress simply from my likes, dislikes and style objectives and said Nay.

We also seem to be heavily influenced by what we see around us style and fasion wise. Hope I am not going too OT here but some time back Anne (from Aus) posted something called Skants and the majority of US ladies (as I recall) were horrified. This garment has been very popular here and I think Anne and I are accustomed to seeing them (and even wearing them).

I personally think you have a good eye not just for what works on you but also others. Keep sharing what you think! x

cciele

Veteran

I don't think anyone can critique fashion objectively! You keep up with your opinions Shannon. It's most helpful to get an assortment of viewpoints.

Vicki

(website)

Veteran

Trust yourself, Shannon, and always be guided by your own expressive voice. We all see things differently and our own clarity can help another to take these observations and be guided in their own way.

Mo

(website)

Veteran

Shannon, I think we just all have different tastes. Some are shared by the majority, and some are not.
I'm often an outlier - I don't like button downs, pearls, loafers, I could go on and on. It's so hard to turn off your own filters and be objective in thinking of items for someone else.

Lol @ Una and my dress (it may stay after all - cost to return isn't worth it!)

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Of course your taste is not off!!

I suspect you were responding to two things: the retro aspects of the dress itself (which would appeal to you no matter who was asking about it) and the way in which Rita's question was framed, together with your knowledge of Rita herself and her tastes and specific needs.

Would you have bought this dress for yourself? I seriously doubt it. (Many posters probably answered from that perspective; i.e. it is "tacky" because it would look tacky on me and TO me if I saw it on someone else in most circumstances that I find myself in.)

Would this dress look cute on Rita? Undoubtedly!! I told her so myself. She would make it "cute" rather than "tacky" -- but the question to me was, did she really want to look "cute."

I actually think Rita might be able to make this dress look NEITHER cute nor tacky, but WOW....(with some styling). And if that's what you were thinking, too, then even though we answered differently, we were really saying the same thing.

Diana

Veteran

I think one of the hardest things to do is to assess something in light of the owner/buyer's style rather than my own (poisoned eyes aside). So, for example, if someone posted "yay or nay: strand of pearls" my gut reaction is to say "nay" because I personally do not wear pearls and find them too classic and polished. However, obviously, there are tons of people here who do wear pearls and look great in them. I find it a lot easier to appreciate "not me" items when they are part of a WIW outfit rather than on their own...

I also know that there are a lot of things I like that are not univerally loved on this forum. For example, cap sleeves and puffy sleeve caps in general. Or the overly long jacket sleeves in one of my recent WIWs.

There is nothing wrong with your style "eye", Shannon, and in fact I think your opinions and critiques are very helpful because you always explain your thought processes and bring up interesting points.

ETA: I voted nay on Rita's dress, but as I explained in the post, it was not because I thought it was tacky, I just thought it looked too young for the Russian restaurant capsule. LIke Suz said, it reads as cute rather than sexy to me, and the Russian restaurant capsule is all about sexy.

Transcona Shannon

Veteran

I appreciate all your thoughts here - it is indeed very difficult to push your own likes and dislikes for yourself aside when asked to critique something for someone. I was just wondering if I tend to miss the finer details in an item or how it looks on someone when I provide my feedback - I tend to be a "gut reaction" kind of person. I'm not really an analytical type (except when it comes to BF jeans - lol!)

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

You have a wonderful eye Shannon. You also have a positive attitude (ok, we have not "met" but I am sticking to my story) and approach things with a great attitude. Instead of projecting whether you would wear this dress you immediately thought about whether Rita would wear it and in a particular context. In short, you seem to look at things with a particularly open and positive mind. Your taste is fantastic - don't second guess it.

Transcona Shannon

Veteran

I would just never want to steer a person in the wrong direction and tell them something looks great if in fact it didn't. But Shevia I think you might be on to something - I am a "glass half full" type of person and pretty much always find the positive in things so maybe that is indeed how I approach a critique. But is that useful to a person?

And Rita for the record - I still think you'd look GREAT in the dress!

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

Shannon, please pardon me for being mushy, but it is wonderful for people and please don't change it.

Gaylene

Veteran

From the standpoint of communication theory, an "objective opinion" is an impossibility. My opinions are formed from my values, prejudices, attitudes, biases, experiences-- in short, everything that, combined together, makes me unique. Most communication theorists take the stance that an "opinion" usually says more about the person making the comment than the situation or item under discussion.

So, no, you probably don't see what everyone else sees. And as for "taste", that too is in the eye of the beholder. Having said that, most of us probably do recognize that the opinions of someone who has had more experience or more education are worth paying attention to when discussing topics in that person's area of expertise. That's why Angie's opinion has a great deal of influence, but even she is careful to point out that what she is offering is her own opinion and that others may legitimately hold a different view.

Echo

Veteran

Can you imagine if everyone thought like the majority? There would be no discussion becuase we'd all be clones! You have great fashion sense, Shannon, and sometimes it agrees with others and sometimes it doesn't, but that doesn't mean it is "off". We all have different pictures in our heads about what we want to look like or what any given thing is "supposed" to look like, and that's okay. It's what keeps us talking!

Deborah

Veteran

Shannon I think your approach is useful to all of us. I think we are pretty smart women, and we know each other reasonably well, and say I posted an outfit and you commented that the colors were lovely and that was it. Well I would say to myself, hmmm ok the colors work but maybe I need to relook at the this overal outfit, proportions etc. Sometimes it's what we people don't say that also that helps me to evaluate outfits.

KathyL

Veteran

Fashion is very subjective. What appeals to one person may not appeal to another. I think that part of what makes this forum so great are the differing styles and opinions people have and the respectful way in which they express it.

Transcona Shannon

Veteran

Gaylene - fantastic explanation! Thank you.

modgrl

(website)

Veteran

I wouldn't have posted the dress if I didn't like it. I probably would have tried it if I was in the store -- leather, peplum, graphic b/w pattern. Things like that are hard to resist. Note my NAS purchases: 3 things in black leather, a houndstooth blouse and the b/w Maggie London dress. I know you have a weak spot for the same things!!

shiny

Veteran

I missed the thread totally. Only clicked through far enough to see the dress in question. Sorry to Mo-- I don't have much of a read on your outfits, certainly not Russian Restaurant capsule.. though now I'm totally intrigued!!!

It's a link to a dress on a model, not on Mo. So all I see is "Bebe" and yes I do have an automatic "tacky" default, if I'm asked "cute or tacky." Unless you are high teens/low 20s. Which is what my daughters are. And they love to shop there. THAT SAID!! (note caps!!) ... I have been tempted and bought things at Bebe for 47 year old me. Yep.

So I would have answered on that thread a huge "it depends -- I'd have to see it on you." Because that is how most of the Bebe inventory goes. There is definitely some finds there, which you would never be able to tell on the site or on the hangers. You have to try them on!

And this one has potential. I love the pattern.

I didn't answer your question! To answer: no, your taste is not off. On that model, the way it is worn, yes, it is more tacky than cute. On the right figure, not necessarily.

shiny

Veteran

AND.. to add... if YLF is only about getting likes and affirmations, and not honest critiques, then I will not spend time here. I expect and want honest critiques, and alternative opinions. Ultimately I make my own call, as do we all. But I get most value when someone tactfully says no, not working for me... and why.

Sylvie

Veteran

I've been the lone dissenter on a thread - disliking an item that everyone else liked. I've also been the only person who liked an item. IMO the purpose of feedback is to help the original poster make sure they have considered all aspects of the purchase.

I haven't commented on Rita's thread but I would have said I thought the strapless dress looked like it was bisecting the model's chest and was concerned it wasn't as well structured and classy as Rita's other strapless dress. Sorry to keep using Rita as an example, but I assume this would have reminded her to pay even more attention to the neckline and bodice fit her perfectly if/when she tries it on.

In the end, it's the original poster's choice what to do with their wardrobe. Sometimes I let my judgement win, such as when I have returned items the forum loved. I have also returned items I liked but the forum disliked, trusting your collective judgement over my own.

Caro in Oz

Veteran

I think Gaylene's answer is perfect & I agree with Shiny - I want honest opinions, whether they come from the gut or the head. Sometimes others see things I would never see. One of the best things about this forum is that there are dissenting voices.

anne

Veteran

I am totally with Shiny in wanting honest opinions. That said, I can be reluctant to go against a popular opinion if a thread has been strongly going one way. I tend to not say anything, as I know I am a late adopter and not nearly as fashionable as many of you, and want to give the benefit of the doubt!

Beth Ann

Veteran

Shannon, I think it's important that forum members use their unique pair of eyes and voice their views in a straightforward, but affirming, way. I find it most helpful when people praise an outfit choice by telling me specifically why it "works" for them, or when they make specific suggestions as to how it might be improved. I love it when a YLFer with a sharply different style makes suggestions on one of my WIW or K/R, helping me see the outfit from a different angle. Conversely, a YLFer with a more similar figure and style can sometimes help me make a strategic change that makes an outfit come together beautfully.

Your fashion eye is quite refined and I always value your comments. I love the way you have fun with fashion! Never fear being in the minority view.

rachylou

Veteran

I think you saw the possibilities. I saw the possibilities. Yes, I thought the dress was "tacky," I think most of what bebe sells is "tacky"... but that's not necessarily a bad thing. And the Kardashian factor can be mitigated.

jen

Horses for courses

Transcona Shannon

Veteran

Just to clarify, my question isn't whether or not to be honest. I am always honest in my feedback. It's more of whether I'm "seeing" things clearly. I don't know if that makes any sense.

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