I've officially sworn off stripes again - YouLookFab Forum

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I've officially sworn off stripes again

Anonymous

I have mentioned before, and even posted months ago about what do you like but can't wear, that stripes are not my friend. I also long ago posted a K/R on a stripe dress that I purchased and subsequently returned. I wish they felt good on me, because I like the look plenty on others. I simply refuse at this point to try so hard to like something on me that I don't. I don't even care for vertical stripes on me, and I got rid of a chevron stripe top I purchased last year that "should" have worked because I thought I could dip into stripes that way.

The only exceptions I can think of are if stripes start below the bust and are low contrast and non white, or diagonal stripes like tiers on a dress that are actually flattering on me. But that's mostly because I already have those two examples, and I'm not ready to move them on at this point. Probably to deemphasize my shoulders, stripes aren't so bad if I'm wearing a dress vs a top.

Just throwing it out there because I'm tired of talking myself into things I think I should like, but don't. I can't be the only one who doesn't pull them off well.

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30 replies

Latest reply was from JAileen

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I don't think it's about not pulling them off, delurked. OF COURSE you can pull them off. There is a stripe for everyone. It's more about stripes not tickling your fancy. And that's okay. NEXT.

shedev

Veteran

I'm just not that into stripes either.

Anonymous

Angie - maybe you will get someone here to post a WIW on this top that I would like to admire on someone else. Those colors are my happy place.

Lace Stripe Swing Top

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2

Greyscale

Veteran

I don't really love them either. You're not alone! You can like it on others and not yourself, for sure.

Anonymous

Funny , as much as I like the look in theory , and as much as I've bought a couple of new striped tops ( wore one today in fact ) they are not among my favourite things to wear . They're perfectly fine , but that's all. I did come to the conclusion that I'd like them better in "weirder " colours though and not the typical navy or black with white .

Anonymous

I'm not into stripes on myself, but do like them.

kerlyn

Veteran

I'd be willing to bet that you look far better in them than you're giving yourself credit for! But that said, I'm not a stripe lover either, although I really like them on others. I can't even seem to articulate why that is. It's just a feeling. As Angie said, "Next!"

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Patterns are so personal. I have no idea why I like stripes so much. They always feel natural on me. (Tartan does, too, but it is not quite as easy for me to wear).

Whereas florals...well, I often gravitate toward them. So pretty!! Lovely! Fresh! How lovely!! Such gorgeous colours!

And then something happens when I bring them home. Sometimes I can barely stand to look at myself in them and no sooner do I put them on than I think what was I thinking?? At best, I will enjoy them for one season and then feel eager to get rid of them. Scarves are a minor exception -- I seem to be able to tolerate the floral in a scarf for a few years, but only if I do not wear the same one too often.

Anyway, all this to say, I am sure you look great in stripes but if you don't like them, forget them!

Elizabeth P

Veteran

I totally believe that just as prople have their unique colour palette, they also have their unique pattern palette. It's just not so obvious, perhaps. I love and feel good in stripes, triangles, and angles. Have no desire whatsoever to sport a polkadot, they feel totally wrong on me.

You're probably just not a stripe person. Sure you could force it if you wanted to, by sticking to low contrast ones maybe, or something subtle. But why? Embrace whatever patterns look and feel good on YOU.

Brooklyn

Veteran

I feel mostly the same way. I do like angular versions (including chevron) and some low contrast versions. But I tend not to like the classic breton stripe on me. I have to dissuade myself from buying them because I really, really like them on other people.

Gaylene

Veteran

Ditto to everything Suz said!

I put feelings like this down to personal preference. Nothing wrong with a chocolate fudge sundae, but I'll pick vanilla ice cream with caramel sauce over that sundae every time. It is what it is...

rachylou

Veteran

I do and don't like stripes. I love a bumble bee and a circus stripe. I love them mixed with floral/embroidery. I'm attracted to red and blue stripes like I am red and blue plaid. BUT I feel so boring and ill-looking in just stripes, esp blue and white with solid bottoms.

This is a very hard lot in life when every other single person in their family is effortlessly monogrammed sweater, jolly hockey stick preppy.

Penny

Veteran

Nothing wrong with that - I'm in the same boat, where I would buy a dress or two with stripes because I liked the idea, but I preferred other patterns (watercolor prints, abstract florals) every time and ultimately have winnowed down my patterns to those preferences. I still appreciate them on others!

Runcarla

Veteran

I have enough 'rounds' with curly hair and a curvy body. Stripes work for me. Florals too. Skulls and polka dots - not so much. You won't catch me in RATE or *bling*. It's personal!

Sal

Veteran

I understand this, I actually feel this way about checks/tartan/plaid in the most part. I love it on others, but just don't really like it on me. I do have a bold gingham plaid dress that I like, but that is very much an exception. I associate checks/plaid very much with the 1980s and 1990s when I wore two different plaid school uniforms, and casually wore quite a bit of tartan in shirts. I probably overdosed a wee bit and now can't quite go back there (pics are not of me but the sort of thing I wore).

Stripes are often quite a crisp pattern, and lend themselves to nautical, preppy and sporty looks. I occasionally see them in more unusual colours but often it is navy/white, red/white, black/cream etc.. Plenty of other choices out there!!

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Jaime

(website)

Veteran

The world would be very dull if we all liked (and wore) the same patterns.

karen13

Veteran

I'm definitely in the camp of liking them conceptually, and on others, but can't find one I like on me. My eyes just go straight to my already broad shoulders and bust area. I might try this one on if I ever get to a store.

Emerson Stripe Tee

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Anonymous

I see there are plenty of others who are ambivalent on wearing stripes too.

Angie - yes, personal preference is so unique.

Suz - I do love a floral.

Gaylene - I wouldn't turn down a scoop of mint chocolate chip with hot fudge. Hold the whip cream please.

Sal - you're really taking it back in those pics.

Karen - hope that one works out if you try it.

Staysfit

Veteran

I'm in the stripes are meh group. I like them on others but not so much on myself.

Anonymous

I support you completely. Sometimes things just do not feel right. I don't care if the reason is physical or emotional. Both matter equally.

And this need to try to make something work so that someone else can feel justified in saying "see, I told you so" is ridiculous. I wonder how many times we have all in our own circumstances fallen prey to this? I know I have. Kudos to you.

Bijou

Veteran

I am the same when it comes to denim jackets. I buy them because in theory they should work brilliantly for me, and I love them on others, but I always pass in favour of something else when looking for a topper. I have one denim jacket that is a great colour and fit (yet strangely just not me) in my wardrobe to remind myself when I am looking at new ones that there is no point in getting another. Well done on being happy to bypass. I love Angie's NEXT mantra!

RobinF

Veteran

I am the same, I like them on others, think they should look good on me but they just don't. I do have a gray and white striped tee that I love and wear a lot, not sure why it is different, but every other time I have tried it they just don't work.

Rambling Ann

(website)

Veteran

Sal, I'm with you on stripes, even super low contrast ones. I think it has to do with how low contrast my hair and skin are (in the summer I look like I have no eyebrows).

Where are you on plaids and checks? I really like small doses of low contrast plaid and blue/black buffalo plaid. Tweeds are even better.

texstyle

(website)

Veteran

I understand. I find stripes to be a finicky thing for me too. I do wear *some* stripes. I've said before that I just can't do high contrast - that's stripes, checks, or any pattern for that matter. It bothers my eyes so I skip them. And I don't like it when they create a really noticeable uneven line across the chest. I do like a few subtle stripes like this one in my Finds. I couldn't link others because suddenly I can't click the next page in my Finds anymore - the buttons aren't working and I need to update my browser to see if that's the issue.

Whisper Cotton Crewneck Muscle Tank in Braxton Stripe

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Anonymous

Congratulations! This seems like a sign that you've determined what suits you, both physically and psychically (is that a word?)
You do seem to glow in florals and vibrant solids. It makes sense that the crispness of stripes might not be your preference.
There are certain looks that I really like, but never feel natural on me either. The ones that come to mind are metallic shoes and assymetrical hems or details in clothing.
Yay for embracing what works for you!

Summer

Veteran

Same as Suz and Gaylene here: my problem is with florals - so pretty but they are just not me.
At least you've given stripes a good try.

Andrea H

It's funny. I have two striped summer tank dresses that I absolutely love, the older of which was my favorite summer garment for like 3 years. But I don't wear or love my striped tops that much. Maybe what I really love is tank dresses, not stripes.

Sal

Veteran

Rambling Ann, I actually like the crispness of stripes and love a high contrast pattern, but I can see that others might not. I think it is great we are all different!!

cindysmith

Veteran

I'm just not that into stripes either, and that's ok. I prefer solids, they feel more calming to me and my eyes. I don't mind stripes on other people, I just don't want them on me.

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