Is my style that unattainable? - YouLookFab Forum

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Is my style that unattainable?

annagybe

(website)

Veteran

Some recent forum activity and some general refection on my style has prompted this question.
I'm been on the forum for about five years, posting photos for about four of them.
I've seen many people list other forum members as style inspiration. A lot of references to UWP. But rarely do I see my name listed. If this is too egotistical a question then feel free to call me out on it.

59 replies

Latest reply was from Traci

Sarah A

Veteran

For me, yes. Your obvious love of (many great, might I add) designer pieces puts one of the key defining aspects of your style firmly out of my (budget's) grasp. I think your wackadoodle element is very personal and hard to replicate or emulate and it feels super individual to you when others view your style.

"If this is too egotistical a question then feel free to call me out on it."
I love how you give the straight dish, here and on other posts.

Marley

Veteran

I have evidently missed the threads where people have listed other forum members as style inspiration - so take that into consideration - however, in answer to your question about whether your style is unattainable - it is for me in practical terms because of finances - but in spirt/attitude - absolutely not! There is a fearlessness to it that I can relate to, as well as a sense of fun - and a bit of attention-getting vibe too (I like that!)

rae

(website)

Veteran

Well, I listed you as a style crush! So if you are unattainable, I guess I don't have a firm grasp on reality, lol. But seriously, I love how fearless and edgy you are with your style. There are tons of pieces of yours I would copy if I could. The woven jacket, the firey crossbody bag, the owl dress...

EDIT: Oh, and I was directly inspired by your posts to get my white H&M sweatshirt and also a graphic print H&M dress I plan to wear to a bridal shower. So I was at least able to attain a bit of your look for less.

ClaraT

Veteran

Your style is very you. That's a good thing. (I have not cited any forum members as style inspiration, including you, as I am still in the trying to look ok stage rather than in the trying to look fab stage...) I do appreciate your style, however, which is pretty, edgy, and possibly out of my comfort zone. I'm not sure if this is what you were getting at, but those are my thoughts on your style.

Susie

Veteran

I'm not sure that I would use the word unattainable, except perhaps in terms of budget. Your style is very unique and one that is not easily copied so I don't know how many women set out to do so. They may admire it and enjoy it but don't see it is one to adopt. Women here obviously have a greater interest in fashion than the masses yet it seems like most are looking for something more within the norm.

Does that make sense?

Anonymous

I would love to have your closet. I just don't have the pockets or the lifestyle for it. If I had them, I'll be running out to get everything you own. Don't think anything of it. I have never seen my name at all and my stuff is cheaper and clearly attainable. It's ok.

ironkurtin

Veteran

You have edgy and expensive taste. Be happy you're unique!

Besides, I have to ask, why do you care? Would you really want to see a bunch of "yous"?

Deborah

Veteran

Anna, I consider you a great inspiration and I actually follow you here. I find you are very unique in your stylings and dress very much for yourself which I love. While I may not aspire to dress as you do (it wouldn't be authentic to me) as I feel I am more mainstream than you. I tend not to name people on the forum as I don't wish to hurt anyone's feelings by omitting them, but for the record I don't miss a post from you. I may not always be able to comment but you have opened my mind so much and introduced me to many new things;). For me you sit with the Daphne Guinness's of the world. I couldn't carry of what you wear but I admire your style greatly xxx

Runcarla

Veteran

My style is modern classic/ sporty natural, so it isn't the same as yours, and I'm a budget fashionista ( for example--my recent $18 jean jacket!). Colour also appeals to me a lot, so folks who do lots of colour blocking, colour clashing, or colour with colour ( vs black, grey, white) can get me pretty excited.

That said, I can't wait to read your posts and open pics of your outfits, not to mention your shoes! OMG!

I also really like your opera posts, 'cause I like to make theatre, concert, and yes! Opera nights an occasion to do something, well, theatrical!

BTW, for a Pre YLF 2nd night performance of 'the Magic Flute' at Toronto Opera House I wore black over the knee boots, a black pencil, and an ivory chiffon ruffle front shirt! (It was January!)

kellygirl

Veteran

You are my style crush, Anna! I just don't have your fashion sense or budget. You have great pieces that really pack a punch--me, not so much. I loved your commuting outfits for example--they are simple but look luxe. Luxe, perfect fit--those are toughies for me. I love your posts btw. When I grow up, I want to look like you!

Diana

Veteran

I am definitely inspired by you, Anna! I don't have your fab wardrobe or your fashion daring is all. But I always want to see what you are wearing.

Fwiw, I never get mentioned on these things either. But I agree with IK, I don't actually want people going around trying to look like me. Being unique is an importantart of my style, and I think that is true of you too.

FlorenceFearne

I believe I kicked off a thread that contributed to this, so I do feel obliged to respond. Readers of that thread may find that I'm about to repeat a bit of what I wrote previously, but I think it's worth saying again.

My original intent had been to see if anyone else has a person they can use as a role model when they are stuck. For example, if I couldn't figure out what to wear to work, and I asked myself, "What would Suz wear?" I'd likely end up in crisp separates in clear modern colors. That definitely wouldn't be my style either, but it probably wouldn't raise any eyebrows. What I think of as "Anna style" is a lot more edgy and unconventional - traits that I love, but my boss doesn't. If truth be told, I'd love to have a chance to let my inner goth run rampant, and turn up to work looking like Abby from NCIS. Yet that style is not feasible for me on a day-to-day basis either.

There are a lot of people who have a style that is "attainable" to me on a daily basis, given my workplace, my geography, and my general lifestyle. Anna, you are not one of those people, but I don't believe that reflects any negative value judgement. Even putting aside any budgetary issues others have brought up, I think that sometimes the difference between aspirational and attainable is simply environment and lifestyle. And I certainly hope that I haven't caused you to question your fabness - this thread should serve as evidence that even if we don't emulate you, we all respect and admire you very much.

MsMary

Veteran

Anna, you are such an important part of YLF! I always feel like if you didn't exist, we would have to invent you! You are just. that. fab. with your way-out-on-the-cutting-edge fashions and willingness to shell out the dough for the newest, fabbest items!

I don't always want to emulate your looks, but I ALWAYS ALWAYS ALWAYS love to see what you are wearing and looking at and thinking about!

For me, your style is unattainable because of budget and lifestyle constraints, but man oh man! I am so glad you are here and share it with us!

Anonymous

As a side note, I get why you have started this thread. It sucks not to see your name mentioned, I get it.

cheryle (Dianthus)

(website)

Veteran

You are a bit away from mainstream and although I love your style, I would not have the confidence to carry it off. Having said that, we are blue leather puffer twins.

lyn*

(website)

Veteran

Anna, remember how you one mentioned that you were far ahead of the fashion curve? I think that makes your style less attainable for me - I am inspired by pieces of it though - and I admire your courage to be able to wear something so not-mainstream and look great!

rachylou

Veteran

What? Am I chopped liver?

But you know, there's only room for one in the spotlight.

catgirl

Veteran

With all due respect, Anna, do you want your style to be attainable or one that people aspire to? I believe the entire forum admires you, though being admired is a different thing than being emulated. I love your style and would steal your entire wardrobe, but I would not expect to look like you in it. Plus, I don't fit you easily into a specific style category, and you like to change it up all the time - often when people are seeking their own style goals it's easier to copy a known entity or a constant.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Anna, I have never named names when these inspiration topics come up, but you are one of the posters here I most admire. I know I cannot pull off your looks, but I do consider you an inspiration. FWIW.

ElleH

Veteran

I knew I was leaving folks out when I listed some of my YLF style crushes & I think I mentioned that I was probably leaving some out. I would have included you if I had remembered to. I don't aspire to be you, or any of the other members I mentioned, but I would love to own much of your wardrobe. I love your style & if I wanted to duplicate it I don't think I could because I can always see the difference between "real vs steal or deal" or whatever those online & magazine articles call it when they find less expensive versions. I don't have the budget for most of the stuff you buy. You are fab. Don't feel bad for being honest. I don't think you are any more egotistical than any of us. I'm not saying that we are I am just saying we are not monks or nuns who have shunned fashion for a uniform. We do care how we look & what others think to a degree. Maybe we don't try to impress others or let it rule our lives but I know I think about how I am portraying myself sometimes, but in the end I just wear what I like. You have a very individual style, which I see as a strength. It shows that you don't need to follow the rest of us or anyone else, you are a trendsetter. Good fashion designers are like that.

puffenstuff

(website)

Veteran

I am just commenting to echo other's opinions. I certainly wouldn't list
you as a "style crush" but that is only because it's not my thing, my outfits
are so boring compared to yours! I would go so far to say that the majority of
people on here are aspiring to a more mainsteam aesthetic, that doesn't make
yours bad it makes it interesting because it would put me to sleep to see cookie
cutter outfits all the time.

I do have to say though that I get where you're coming from and it's kind
of one of the reasons that I stopped visiting YLF. I used to post outfits up and
wait for heaps of comments to flood in then get disappointed when I got hardly
any. So I got the huffs and went away thinking to myself that I no longer felt
like I wanted to be part of a place that made me feel like I had to get that
validation to make me feel stylish. Needless to say I'm am back, but I realised
in the meantime that it doesn't matter if a post of mine gets 1000 comments or
just 1. The reason I am enjoying it and partaking is to connect with real people
all over the globe, get some realistic advice and maybe provide some inspiration
to someone (maybe just 1!) out there.

Mo

(website)

Veteran

Ditto Puffenstuff. You know I have similar feelings about all of this. Not being the mostly mainstream everyday gal dressing for MOTG or your office means you are basically on the fringe here. Sometimes it's a lot of fun. Sometimes it's lonely. but you are YOU and we wouldn't want it any other way. At least, I wouldn't.

And, yes, budgets do make many things unattainable beyond style aspirations or crushes.

EDIT: and as I mentioned, those threads can do bad things even though they are meant in the best possible ways. I don't want a mini me running around, but sure, it's nice to be acknowledged. I can imagine how that feels when you've spent half a decade posting here. I totally get it.

catgirl

Veteran

What I like best about YLF is actually the sense of friendship and support. I used to copy people more when I was feeling my way through to my own style, which took me two years and is still an often uncomfortable process. Now, I tend to enjoy each person's style and journey for what it is. Am I more likely to be a lemming-like follower of certain members? Probably, but that has nothing to do with dissing anyone else. And it would all be different if I lived somewhere warm, or stayed home, or had a different budget. In fact, what would make the most sense is for me to copy MaryK or K or another of my sisters in the legal field - but can you truly see me ever managing to pull off either of their insanely fantastic styles?

Honestly, I don't have the time or brains to post on everyone's threads anymore, but I admire every single person who has the courage to put themselves out here. And some members (like you, Zap!), I admire beyond belief while knowing I'm never going to be sleek, polished, or elegant - maybe even more so BECAUSE of that.

rute

Veteran

I confess, i love your style, and i always check your posts, you are daring and trendy!

goldenpig

(website)

Veteran

Well, I love your style, and comment on your outfit posts, and was tickled pink when we shared the same clothing once (the H&M floral pants)! I don't think I could be as edgy and avant garde as you but I admire your style in a big way! I think a lot of us do! You're a real trendsetter!

CocoLion

(website)

Veteran

I think your style is much more forward than the norm here, and that's why you may not feel as accepted as you would like. I'm another who always, always checks your WIWs first -- I just don't spend as much time on the forum this time of the year as I work 6 days a week.

RoseandJoan

Veteran

You, Anna, are YLF royalty. You're at the centre of what makes this forum fab. Your lifestyle and fashion persona are different from my own but I'm fascinated by the commonalities.

But the pep talk is over, you do not need my validation because you know you rock.

As an aside may I ask a personal question? Given the high pressure, long hours of your work do you feel that tiredness or stress levels may affect how you handle a negative comment? I only ask because I find this to be true for myself.

Debra

Veteran

Hi Anna
I love your style and though I'm a newbie I have followed you and looked back through your older posts.
Lots of gorgeous outfits have given me inspiration, love the jeans and you really do have the best shoe collection
Unfortunately I don't have the legs for shorts which you always look fab in, but am working on it........wishful thinking here

Ornella

(website)

Veteran

Yes. In a good way.

For me you are in a niche of your own. From day one I thought you were one of the edgiest ladies around here and definitely the most fashion-daring. This has nothing to do with the designer pieces, but simply the styles you choose - I would never give them a second look, but somehow through you they became at least 'readable' to me and I like seeing them worn on the real person.

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