Item Analysis Question - YouLookFab Forum

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Item Analysis Question

Rosie

Veteran

Although I've done a fair amount of closet purging, I want to do a lot more. While I was thinking about it, I was wondering which of these ways of photographing items is more helpful?

- pic of the item on alone or with top/bottom that is very neutral and not styled in any way
- pic of the item styled how it might be worn.

I realize that these might answer pose different questions, but is one way better for a first round stay or go? Then if it passes a fit test it moved on to the "how would I wear it" test?

What do you guys think?

General

15 replies

Latest reply was from Rosie

crwilson

Veteran

I guess it depends. I would rather see something styled because that way I can give it a fair shot. I'm not terribly imaginative, and I have a hard time figuring out what people will do with a particular item. I think that as long as the styling doesn't cover up the actual item, unless you always plan to wear it as a layer, it makes it easier to tell what it will really look like. That said, I suppose that great items should be able to pass muster on their own. I'm really interested to hear what others have to say about this question.

Inge

(website)

I don't mind seeing just a picture of the item alone, although Christine has a point that it's sometimes easier to see the potential of something when it's already in an outfit you would wear.

Also, and I know we all have our own preferences for this: I prefer posts with only a few items at a time. If I have to click on tons of pictures, I sometimes put off posting a reply (because I really like to give suggestions or more than a yes/no answer, and that is a bit more time-consuming).

Great that you're so enthusiastic about your closet purge!-)

chewyspaghetti

Veteran

Do you use photobucket? I think that's the one that let's you do a collage. You could do a collage of the item plain, and styled. It would only be one link, and you get to see it more than one way.

Sihaya

Veteran

See it styled would be great. Also posting in a way that I can view all photos in a slideshow (don't know how to do that myself yet!) would be an added bonus.

Lisa

Veteran

I have been doing a very slow closet purge. I have not posted photos of every item (don't want to bore everybody) but I have been taking a photo of every item for myself. It is slow going, but I take photos of the item with the potential pair (top with a corresponding bottom). I don't accessorize the item but by pairing them up I've already done two things 1-see how the two items work together and 2-if I can't pair the item with a bottom (or vice versa) I already know the item has to move on or buy it's missing piece.

Mac

Veteran

I like seeing both, when possible. When I see it alone, I find I'm better able to judge base issues like fit and quality. When I see it styled with other things, I find it easier to judge whether it works for YOUR way of dressing.

taylor

Veteran

Ditto Mac:)

Mellllls

Veteran

I prefer it styled because even if it fits, if it can't be styled with other things you own there is no point in keeping it. Does that make sense?

Carole

Veteran

Well, my memory is terrible (I blame menopause, I forgot my pin number last week after having the same number since the inception of ATM's like 30 years ago) anyway, so I have really liked having photos to refer to of outfits that I liked and felt good in. The history in photobucket helps provide that, but basic combo's would be good too, just seems like it would be time consuming to put all that together.

medusa

Veteran

I prefer seeing it alone, so that I can see how it fits and not be too distracted by too much other fabulousness.

anne

Veteran

Ideally both. Although if it was me and I was trying to decide if I should keep something it would probably be because I didn't know how to style it.

Also second Inge's point on doing just a few items at a time.

I really appreciate the recent trend to do collages and slideshows that some people have been doing recently. I can't get them to work myself though!

londonkiwi (now back in NZ)

Veteran

I like seeing both, especially if you feel that there is a fit issue. If not, then styled.

Khris brought up a great point about using the collage functions on photo bucket. If you use Picasa, they have one too.

Katiepea

(website)

Veteran

I have to admit that I like clicking a button once, rather than multiple times, so my preference would always be to click on a photo of the person wearing the said item as they would intend it to be styled, rather than a photo of the item of clothing in isolation. To me, how the item fits and whether it suits the shape of the person and looks like it has potential to fill a "gap" in the wardrobe is more important than whether it has hand stitched seams or intricate hand printed patterns.

I must say, that this does differ with shoes, where I actually love to be able to look at the up-close detail of the shoe and THEN on the person.

(Maybe this is logical. Or..... Maybe I've just admitted that I can be a tad lazy on occasion - I'm not sure! )

Vani

Veteran

I second Khris' suggestion. How about one collage picture (if you can using the iPhone software otherwise photobucket is your best bet) of both pictures of the item alone and styled?

Rosie

Veteran

Interesting to see what works for people the best! I think Khris' idea is the best of everything: 1 link to click on per item, you see it in a "plain" manner, and then see it how you might style it. Great idea! Takes more work, perhaps, but if the point is allowing people to really evaluate an item then the payoff would be great.

Thanks for playing!