Last Minute Freak Out Sesssion - YouLookFab Forum

Category

Shopping

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

Last Minute Freak Out Sesssion

Amy

(website)

Veteran

Work has been so hectic that I haven't had any energy for anything else, including thinking about packing for the cruise to Alaska my family is going on starting...this weekend. Of course, I woke up yesterday in utter panic, because I haven't started packing and I have very little in the way of casual wear. So, during my lunch break, I ran out to pick up a few things.

When doing so, I made some mistakes and have learned the lesson that rushed shopping isn't smart for me.

Here are 3 outfits using some of my new things.

Outfit 1: Old cardi and blouse worn with my new Loft boyfriend jeans. I know the jeans aren't as baggy as they could be, but they're comfortable and I feel sassy in them. Win.

Outfit 2: FASHION FAIL! This outfit is a complete bust. I wanted to reconstruct this cute Gap outfit, so I bought the sweater and tried on the leggings. I couldn't squeeze into the leggings. Instead I bought some Loft pants that are very comfortable, but terribly prone to wrinkling. Their length is going to give Angie apoplexy.

Why is this sweater longer than that pictured on the model? It makes me look dowdy. I really wish I hadn't cut off the tags already

Outfit No. 3: Old t-shirt, white jeans and blue suede booties. Brand new Anthropologie jacket. LOVE the new jacket. Does it work with pants as long as I have a longer top underneath it?

Outfit 2 has to go. So, now I've got two outfits for 8 days of travel. Argh. Some will have to be gear-type stuff for hiking, etc. That's easy for me. The dress up evenings are also fairly easy. It's the cute but casual look I'm struggling with. Any suggestions welcome.

This post has 3 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.

Shopping

26 replies

Latest reply was from catgirl

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

I think you have a good two outfit start and maybe try the blue pants with a shorter top and/or roll them up and/or cut them off! I have no idea what one needs for a cruise to Alaska but it does sound very fun!

catgirl

Veteran

WAIT! You're coming here? Are you doing the Inner Passage or what?! Any chance of a meet-up?

As for your clothing dilemma, I can assure you that no matter how casual you are, the locals will be more so. Not sure what the cruise situation is, but I imagine function comes first in terms of being warm, dry and comfortable!

christy

Veteran

1 and 3 are great and the jacket in 3 definitely works with the longer top. I'm trying to figure out what to do with 2, because I think it can work, just not as is. What if you remove the button down and replace it with a long sleeve white tee? (I'm assuming you are wanting layers?). And then a different shoe, or maybe rolling the hem of the blue pants? The model in the Gap outfit's button down seems like a slimmer fit than the one you have on and I think that's part of what's throwing it off...

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Amy, I sympathize. Rushed shopping is SO frazzling! And you know what happens when I have to pack for a trip. Major panic. So I understand your feelings. But things are not as bad as you think.

You love your new boyfriend. Score!! Those jeans will take you through plenty.

The fact that the tags are off that sweater will not prevent you from returning. Find them in your garbage (or wherever) and bring them in with the sweater to return. Agree with Shevia re the blue pants. If you roll them up, they will look great and will not seem as wrinkly, either. (Or at least there won't be as much wrinkle-able fabric?)

Okay. Now let's go back to your closet. First, do you have a long-range weather forecast? What are the general temps likely to be?

Do you have a great rainproof jacket that will work with your jeans outfits? That might be useful on the boat and its colour might help you with the rest of your trip capsule. Also, on the cooler days in Banff (where I've just returned from) I found a lightweight scarf to be useful. You might, too - even more so than I did.

Your new Anthro jacket does work with the jeans with a top like the one you're wearing underneath. I suspect low contrast may be key, however - just speaking from personal experience there. Keeping the top and jacket similar values probably smooths things.

What else can you wear the jacket with on the trip?

What other tops do you have to go with the new bright blue pants (soon to be clams?)

What footwear are you taking? When I was planning my trip someone advised me to start from the bottom and work up; it turned out to be a useful idea, because you probably don't want to take 8 pairs of shoes.

Amy

(website)

Veteran

Good thoughts, everyone. Thanks.

Suz, I really appreciate all your suggestions. I have to think a bit more on this.

Shoes and warm clothes. That I can do. I won't be cute, though. LOL

Una, are you in Anchorage? We're only going as far as Skagway. I sure wish I could meet you though! That would be wonderful.

KathyL

Veteran

Like Suz said, cut off tags don't preclude returns. I've done it before. They can look it up by the item number on the sweater itself. I really like the first and third outfit. The jacket looks great. I went on the Alaskan cruise a while ago before I had kids, and it is super duper casual. We brought nice clothes for the formal dinner, but that was about it. I think you're off to a great start.

catgirl

Veteran

Dang it! Not close enough....

Let me tell you, nothing is cuter than being warm and dry. Wet and shivering, not so much. I just bought a Land's End fleece half-zip to replace a decades old one, but at least it's burgundy, the color of the season!

Amy

(website)

Veteran

Bummer, Una!

I'll be digging out my old fleece and rain coat. I guess I should dress like I'm going home to Montana for a visit. That makes this much easier.

Laurenlaurielala

If you can't return Outfit 2...

Hem the pants to a better length?

Add elastic to the sides of the sweater to shorten it?

RunnerChick

Amy, #1 and #3 are fabulous as everyone has already told you. In fact, I'm so much in love with # 3 that I am going to copy you before too long. It's classic!

When I looked at outfit # 2, the thing that stands out to me the most is the way in which the sleeves of the sweater fit over the sleeves of the button-down underneath. I'm wondering how it would look if you wore a long-sleeved fitted white tee underneath the sweater. Re: PPL, I really don't have an opinion. In fact, I'm pretty sure I'm getting this wrong all the time in the clothes I wear. That is how much I have learned since I joined this forum.

An Alaska cruise sounds amazing!

ETA - wait, you're from Montana? That's on my bucket list. I gotta see that big sky!

MsMary

Veteran

I absolutely promise you that even in your "fail" outfit, you would be in the top 1% of cruisers in cuteness!

Firecracker (Sharan)

Veteran

LOVE outfit #3! Perfection for your cruise. I think you can plan to wear that jacket every day. Or every other day anyway. I like your boyfriend jeans, too. I'd like to see them with a more shaped shirt or cardigan, too. I think the pants in #2 could work at that length with heels or with a ballet flat. And I like the sweater a lot. You could pair it with that same shirt and skinny jeans--didn't you get the Wit and Wisdom skinnies a while back, and could they work?
Thinking capsules, do you have a plain dress (a version of the LBD) that you could wear under the denim jacket for day and with something sparkly for evening? When I went on an Alaska cruise (albeit during colder weather), I wore the heck out of two boyfriend sweaters, a pair of slim khaki pants, a pair of nice jeans, and a rotation of tops to mix with them. I alternated between ballet flats and another shoe by day and used the ballet flats for the evenings. HTH

Amy

(website)

Veteran

Thanks for the advice, everyone!

Firecracker, I'll try that sweater over skinnies. I think it may just be too long for my body, since it really emphasizes my pear hips. Oh well! I found the tag, so I can try returning it.

Deborah

Veteran

Re #2, do you have pair of full length skinny jeans that you could swap out for the crops? To my eye the issue is the proportions. The long top and short pants are "shortening" you.

Anonymous

What Mary said.

If you cannot return the sweater, try wearing it without a layer and just pull it up a little bit, forming a "little pouch" like a sweatshirt, so it is not that long. Gosh, my English fails me horribly when I try to explain something, I hope you get my gist. Then roll up the skinnies, add something red and you will look like the cutest sailorette alive.

mrseccentric

(website)

Veteran

Amy you lucky lucky thing! i spent one week in Alaska 25 years ago, it' is one of the highlights of my life. Believe me, between calving glaciers, bears and bear cubs, incandescent wildflower action, godzilla-size mosquitoes, and (cute cute cute) !!!!!puffins!!!! - no one will care what you're wearing. Very likely, not even you

But as Una says, warm and dry and covered against mosquitoes is best. And Alaska takes casual to the great beyond. Your bf jeans will do you good, that new anthro jacket is perfect for wearing over everything, and those cords rock. No one will care if you repeat, if you get bombed by a bird so much the better as all and sundry will love teasing you about it every time they see the spot

You will have a fantastic time! we want pictures!!! take care, steph

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Sounds like you are sorted!

As someone who feels cold at the drop of a hat, make sure you bundle up. It's always so much colder on a boat. I'd bring Converse or casual boots too - if you have those items.

#1 and #3 are great outfits, Amy!

Wishing you and the family a good trip

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Joining the thread late, and others have already given you good advice, but I just wanted to say have a great time! I'm headed into the cold north in three weeks and I'm mostly just wearing gear since it's a photo trip, although I'll have a couple of days in Reykjavik to wear something cute, so I need to give that some thought.

Bon voyage!

Isabel

Veteran

I don't know a thing about cruise dressing or Alaska dressing. I do like outfits 1 and 3 a whole lot. Those blue pants are to die for !!

I do want to say HAVE FUN !!!!!!

Jonesy

Veteran

How exciting and fun! I agree with Zap about styling for the sweater in #2. Might also be a perfect candidate for a semi-tuck, if it's lightweight and drapey. Just seems too slim-fitting to layer underneath it.

Your other outfits are cute, and I know you will look fabulous, even if you are all bundled up! You can see your smile from about a mile away, I would guess, and that will trump any layering that you have to do :). Have a blast!

Lisa

Veteran

1 and 3 are fab outfits. I never do well rush shopping either. Most of my lunch time boredom so I shop purchases have ended up as donate items in a short timeframe. For the sweater in #2, what about tucking it to hide the longer length and wear it with a skirt? As other's have suggested I would not layer with the buttondown shirt, the two necklines are just not working for me. You can always keep the sweater as loungewear or sleepwear with leggings if it won't mix well in your closet.

Amy

(website)

Veteran

Ladies, you are so sweet and so smart! Thank you for your help!

Heather

Veteran

Amy! This post is a total false alarm! You look fantastic. Enjoy your trip and just know that you will look wonderful no matter the itinerary!

Aida

Veteran

#1 and #3 look great! I have no experience with cruises, but I would expect that you could really wear whatever you wanted For the pants in #2, I know you have the sewing prowess to chop those babies up to long clams! You could also try semi-tucking the sweater to make it look more slouchy than long. Have fun on the trip!!

Amy

(website)

Veteran

Thanks, gals

catgirl

Veteran

In all seriousness, considering bringing gloves if you run cold at all. I get really angry when my hands are cold. HAVE FUN! I can't believe you'll be within reach and yet not!