June Challenge: Week 1 Update - YouLookFab Forum

Category

Dressing

Welcome! Read about what to wear and how to wear it on the YLF Blog. Join the YLF Forum to ask specific questions or just chat about fashion and personal style. Or check out the curated list of things we love in YLF Finds.

Outfits Ensembles Trends Advice

June Challenge: Week 1 Update

viva

Veteran

My goals for June were thus: take more pictures, assess what works, purge what doesn't, try not to buy anything other than sandals.

My college reunion happened during week 1, which was good (some picture-taking naturally happened, so I have a few WIWs) and bad (I was very self-scrutinizing so, to some degree, nothing felt right even though I know some things did work).

Pic 1: Favorite outfit for the week. Tibi silk dress, ColeHaan high-heeled sandals (new, from outlet). The sandals have a 3-inch heel and were surprisingly comfortable for a walk across campus and a 3-hour dinner event. I carried a beaded black and white clutch with a bright red detail on the closure.

Pic 2: Least favorite. I'm in the middle, and I feel dumpy. Ugh. I don't think I will get rid of any of these pieces, although the tee shirt may need to be pajama-wear only; it is a boxy fit with a wide neck, and I think that is a problem on me. Also, maybe not these sneakers with these jeans ever again. How does one dress for a day of a lot of walking, and do it with style???? And, this pic makes me think: bootcuts, flares .... enlongate!

Finally, I am really tired of my hair. Something has got to change there.

This post has 2 photos. Photos uploaded by this member are only visible to other logged in members.

If you aren't a member, but would like to participate, please consider signing up. It only takes a minute and we'd love to have you.

Dressing

16 replies

Latest reply was from DonnaF

Anonymous

I'm headed straight to the message board Is that your anniversary dress? It is such a beautiful cut on you, and with red sandals? So classy. Love it. As for the jeans, boot cuts or your flares would have worked too, but you wouldn't have wanted sneakers with them, would you ? I think if your jeans were a little shorter, or perhaps narrower (are these bf's or straights?) you might have liked the look better. Your friend on your right is wearing the same thing but with skinny jeans, and she looks great! Hair? I quite like yours:)

texstyle

(website)

Veteran

viva- you are being hard on yourself - you look fantastic in the white dress and perfectly fine in the walking outfit. I find that for myself, black tennis shoes feel a bit heavy so I try to always buy lighter shades. And I find it pretty hard to wear what I call "comfy" tennis shoes without feeling at least somewhat frumpy. I prefer walkable sandals or slip on sneaks for that reason. Unless I'm truly going power walking or hiking then I don't care too much and try to just go "sporty" all around.

catgirl

Veteran

You look amazing in the white dress!

High five, Texstyle! I always feel super-frumpy in actual sneakers and jeans. Much better in sneakers and gear, which is when I wear this type of sneakers, as opposed to fashion sneakers. I'm also okay wearing them with shorts. Otherwise I just feel too "practical mom" - even though I am one.

As for hair, I vote pixie!

approprio

(website)

Veteran

You look radiant in the white dress. I do hope the whole event wasn't too traumatic.

I know what you mean about active wear. Why does it have to be a choice between being comfortable for the day and not cringing at the pictures afterwards? A couple of years ago I climbed Arthur's Seat in Edinburgh in gold pants and a leather sweatshirt atop my hiking boots. To this day I'm not convinced it was a good idea, but I confess I did like the photos. I may post one if I find them.

And you can't go wrong with a pixie cut. You'd suit that, I think.

Sara L.

Veteran

I think you look fantastic in #1. The dress is beautiful on you and I love the bright shoes. I also feel frumpy in jeans and tennis shoes. I absolutely hate wearing the combination. I have some super comfy sandals that I can walk for hours in, slip-on sneakers are also comfy, and flat boots in the winter work well.

Sal

Veteran

I think you look brilliant in the white dress, so chic. Love the sandals too.

I don't mind 2 but the length of the jean and sneaker combination is slightly off, maybe unrolled? You actually look great, but I know the feeling.

A pixie would be great, do you like having a fringe/ bangs?

Janet

(website)

Veteran

100% in agreement with everything texstyle said! I feel the same way about jeans and sneakers -- slip on sneakers solve it for me.

kerry

Veteran

I agree with everyone here that you look fab in the simple dress and bright shoes. I also agree it's hard not to be a bit frump in sneakers - although you carry off this look better than most. I also have the attitude if I'm out for serious walking, I just give up to gear and if not I love my slip on sneaks. I love that they're light-coloured.

Do you have the patience to grow out to One Little Momma's hairstyle?

Vans 'Pebble' Slip-On Sneaker (Women)

View Info

Top Pick

1

Joy

Veteran

The white dress is lovely on you. You wear white well.
I think you would be happier with jeans with narrower leg openings, I so like flip on sneakers. In fact I find them much more comfortable for lots of walking than a lace-up. Those will start pinching the top of my foot after awesome . For cold weather I have a couple of pairs of low heeled ankle boots ( La Canadienne and Munroe) that I can walk in for hours in comfort. They are out there and complete an outfit better than sneakers for me.

Runcarla

Veteran

Slip on sneaks can be very comfy. I have one pair where I switched out the liner for a spare running shoe liner I had kicking around. All day comfort and support in leapord print style!

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

You look beautiful in #1 and very nice in #2 - I certainly wouldn't say dumpy. As stated above, sneakers generally can be pretty 'basic' (apparently the disparaging comment du jour?) but you are pretty in pink nonetheless.

CocoLion

(website)

Veteran

I admire you for attending a reunion! I haven't attended one, ever.

#1 is lovely and I'm impressed that the 3" heels went the distance.

I think it's really hard to make athletic shoes look fashionable. Maybe go with fun or softer colors, which can be repeated in the rest of the outfit? Tuck in the laces?

I love your jeans and the way you rolled them. You have really long legs so you can afford not to wear traditional elongating boot cuts. I think the rolled cropped look is just that much more fashion-forward than the skinnies or straights worn by your friends (sorry no offense).

As for the tee -- maybe the lesson here is to treat yourself to a new or newer tee the next time you have an occasion like this, so you feel really fab. A new tee, like new underwear or socks, can make me feel great.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

First, you look gorgeous in the Tibi dress. And to think you weren't going to wear it until we got bossy on you!

Love the new shoes, too.

Second, the jeans and sneakers thing just does that to us. Ugh. I try to avoid sneakers except with gear. So if I am doing lots of walking I do what Joy suggests. Booties for cool weather, and slip on sneakers (I finally found a pair) or my wedge Cons for warmer weather -- or sandals. It does become a problem for packing sometimes -- it means more shoes if I also plan to exercise. So I got a super lightweight pair of shoes for indoor gym wear (and I sneak short runs in them in good weather, too.)

Karie

(website)

Veteran

The white dress outfit is gorgeous, especially with the pop of color from the shoes. When I have a day with a lot of walking, I like to wear either my Keds or my Converse. If they're not cushiony enough, a shoe insert does the trick.

Join me in the Pixie Club! I'm getting my hair cut shorter, pixie style, on Friday.

Beth Ann

Veteran

What a gorgeous dress! Such a perfect choice for the occasion, and the shoes add a sleek, modern touch.

As for #2 -- I think the look works as is. If you want to tweak it, what about a wider cuff? I think it would make for a more intentional look and a stronger proportion. Also, I have a great pair of slip on sneaks in bone (see #1) and I've been stalking these Saucony bullets, featured prominently in the Athleta catalog, too. I've tried them on, and they're low profile and sleek, but still quite comfy. They also come in lighter colors.

LOoks like you had a great time!

MSC Carolyn W Sneakers

View Info

Top Pick

7

Saucony Bullet Retro Sneaker - Womens

View Info

Top Pick

1

DonnaF

Veteran

#1 is fab. As for slip-on sneakers? I know for my low volume, no arch, wide in front with very tiny heel feet, they are pretty much no-go. For super heavy duty walking, absolutely nothing beats true gear shoes or hiking shoes -- which don't look so great unless the rest of the outfit is gear. I think the only other footwear I have that might stand up to the challenge is one pair of Dansko Pros or possibly my Teva flatforms -- which can both be hidden under my flare jeans.

Basically, you and your friends look happy, and that's what counts, right? For posterity, just make sure all pics are from the waist or chest up or crop what you have. That way, the footwear doesn't count. It's like Girl Math, photo style.