Let's have some fun: help me pick my conference capsule! - YouLookFab Forum

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Dressing

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Let's have some fun: help me pick my conference capsule!

sarah

Veteran

I'm sort of down after all of my NAS returns, so I thought I cheer myself up by concentrating on an upcoming conference - it will be in Portland, and my field is VERY casual. Shorts will be the norm, even though it will be in the convention center. Here are my contenders. I'd love to know:

1) which are your favorites?
2) ideas for accessorizing or changing things up?

I like to have jacket options if possible, because of the temperature differential between outside and inside, so for a few of these I've posted the outfit with and without a jacket.

#1/2 - my new Asos top and Naturalizer sandals, with and without jacket
#3/4 - I just picked up this tank at JCrew for $8! With and without jacket.
#5/6 - two versions, with shorts or pencil skirt
#7/8 - new ATL boxy sweater
#9/10 - with and without jacket
#11/12 - with and without jacket
#13 - an outfit that got a lot of love when I posted it previously

I only need 5 outfits, so 2 of them have to go! And any can be changed. THANK YOU!

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Dressing

23 replies

Latest reply was from KathyL

April

Veteran

I shall not comment until you go and hem those pants that are still sitting around waiting...

Amy

(website)

Veteran

5, 7, 9/10, 11/12, 13 are my favorites!

Portland, Oregon? Bring a jacket just in case. Weather can go from chilly to hot unexpectedly

Parsley

Veteran

Great outfits! Gosh, it's hard to choose!
I love #5- it might be my favorite. I don't like the top as much with the black pants, though, I think they just seem too dark with it.
#7 and 8 are fabulous! That new boxy sweater works really well with your skirt.
For some reason the jacket in #2 and 10 isn't striking my fancy. Maybe it's because the more shrunken and fitted silhouette is contrasting with your more relaxed pieces.
#13 is great
I like #11 and 12 a lot. That top is really cool.
I like #9- that color is so pretty on you.

I don't know if that helped, because I pretty much like everything on you!

texstyle

(website)

Veteran

Fun! My favorites are 4,5,7,9 and 13. I agree with Parsley, the navy jacket with the first outfit doesn't feel quite right. I think it's a bit of a contrast with the casual vibe of the white shorts, light belt, etc. Maybe if you were wearing a more nautical shirt and a belt with the navy repeated? I wonder if you have a more casual topper?

Accessories - do you wear bracelets? I think may of the flowy tops I like, I prefer plain so I was thinking bracelets might be a fun way to accessorize.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

You look AMAZING in all of these outfits, Sarah! I love your style.

Something to think about: it's not hot in Portland (same weather as Seattle). You can absolutely add more coverage than shorts. You might even be cold! My 2 cents coming from someone who runs very cold.

My faves are: #9 through #13.

My least favourites are: #6 and #7 (although they are still great outfits!)

MNsara

Veteran

You sure know how to put together some fabulous summer outfits Everyone of of these is great!! How to choose?

I'm leaning away from the outfits that use the white shorts. I'm sort of thinking they look more 'summer picnic' and less 'summer conference'. I like the white pants though!

I especially adore those slouchy knee length pants. And what could be better for sitting around at meetings/seminars all day

So, I'd eliminate 1/2 and 11/12, if it were me.

I take particular delight in seeing well dressed academics!! It shows we have mastered additional areas of our life

sarah

Veteran

Touche, April!

This very fun! Thanks for all your help. We'll see how the voting continues.

Angie, good point about Portland weather - I could always swap out the white shorts in 1/2, 5, and 11/12 for white jeans - that would address Sara's comment, too. (With the weather here lately, I've been struggling to consider any outfit that doesn't include shorts!)

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I thought that might be the case, Sarah. You guys have been sweltering while we have been aching to wear sleeveless tops sans a cover-up! Another pair of jeans is a great idea.

Dana

(website)

Veteran

You have some good choices. My favorite is 5, too. Ilike 2 better than 1. Aa scarf would add some style to 1. 8 is cute. I can't tell if it's black or navy, but even though I understand the concept of book ending I would like to see dark shoes...unless you do other deliberate tan accessories.

I also like 9/10. It just needs accessories. Maybe a few long chains or another scarf and then bangles or a cuff.

You look really cute in the white shorts and jeans. Maybe it's just me but I'd probably take another bottom in case of spills (you know when someone else spilled on you :). )

Isis

Veteran

Sarah, you look amazing! All outfits are simply smashing; hard to pick 2 that have to go....

3/4 perhaps, and I cannot pick another one to go!

One thought though, if Portland is cold, is that your feet might freeze in sandals.....I live in sandals now, but wore closed toed shoes when I lived in the Bay Area.......

DeclawedJaguar

Veteran

I love 7, 9, 12, and 13. Those black haremy pants look fabulous on you! Have you tried tucking the purple top in 4? I feel like there is something off about that combination, because the top left untucked is rather boxy -- unlike the flowy top in 13.

Whatever you go with, you'll look well put-together, no doubt.

Reneeb

Veteran

I love all your outfits my favorite is 9/10 that color is so pretty. I think 4,11,12 and 13 looks great with #1 being my least favorite for a conference. White jeans would look great with 5,6, 11 and 12. What brand top is 9/10 and is it a petite?

cjh

(website)

Veteran

Love all the outfits. The first turquoise print top is a beauty. For a conference, I personally would lean toward the skirt outfits, but those seem to have been nixed in favor of the white jeans, which are fab by the way. Adding more jeans or a dressier (longer?) denim pencil skirt might work here.

Ditto MNSara who says she leans away from the white shorts "picnic" look, though. Not sure why - maybe it's the rolled or cuffed hem that makes them more casual?

All your sandals are FAAABBBB - perfect foot looks.

In any case, I can't answer your question of which two outfits to leave home, because I'd probably find a way to stuff them all in the suitcase "just in case".

Makrame

Veteran

Great capsule! Hard to leave any of these combos out. My favorites are #1, #5 or 6 (I like 6 a bit more), #7-8 (and I am wondering about pairing the paisley skirt with snakeskin sandals for more tonal look?), #9, 11-12, and 13.

Firecracker (Sharan)

Veteran

All great looks--you can't go wrong with any of these. I like the mini capsule of 1/2 and 9/10 the best. I think I'm drawn to the white bottoms because they are so summery, and I like the blue jacket for the same reason--navy and white are classic summer combo. I just love that long turquoise shirt on you.

I would change the shoes (and perhaps the belt, too) in 1/2, though, to either your dressier looking sandal in 9/10 OR consider a pair of flats or sling-backs? I like ballet flats with bermuda shorts, for the city. And it would be great to have a pair of comfortable closed-toe shoes along in case the weather turns cooler.

rachylou

Veteran

I really like all your outfits with white pants and dark blazer. And the Naturalizer sandals.

My accessories thoughts were: stay away from the scarves and pearls.

Anonymous

My favorites are also 9-13. I'd take the bottoms in 9, 11, and 13; black jacket in 11, and tops in 1, 9, 12, 13, and the black top in 8. I could see the last one making a classic black and white outfit with the white jeans or clams (or white pants) and even an all black outfit. You might take a summer scarf that has black and white in the pattern. I'd pack the shoes in #13 and consider a second pair with a closed toe.

sarah

Veteran

Thanks for your votes, ladies! I'm going to have to tally everything up and digest it tonight.

Great point about bringing some closed-toe shoes, too.

Reneeb, it's the NEXX blouse that everyone around here has been buying. I didn't get the petite, since it didn't come in the colors I wanted at the time. It is a bit long in the back, and petite may have been better. It's on mega-sale at the moment in some colors/sizes:

http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/ne.....ltback=722

http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/ne.....ltback=722

http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/ne.....ltback=722

Anonymous

I like them all Sara. My only suggestion would be to add a pair of dark wash jeans as a bottom alternative. They look awesome.

Aida

Veteran

Have to agree with Amy and Angie, if it's Portland OR you're headed to you'll be wanting pants #1-5 and #9-13 look super fab to me; I think the hi-low top in #5 looks better with white bottoms than black bottoms, and #7/8 seems a little TOO casual to me. Your white jeans would be an easy swap for the white shorts if it's cool here in the PNW, and I definitely think those harem shorts need to be worn As Often As Possible (soooo love those on you). I would also suggest bringing a closed shoe for the aforementioned potential cold weather, especially as cool also usually involves rain. Maybe short boots? Wish you had an extra day to drive up to Seattle and visit

sarah

Veteran

Thanks, Aida. I'm curious about 7/8 seeming too casual - the top is actually a rayon blend navy sweater that is a fairly "refined" knit albeit box. I'm glad I'm getting a reality check from those of you who don't live where it's been sweltering for weeks on end.

I'm sorry I won't make it up to Seattle, too. I thought about it, but I'll already be gone a pretty long time from the family, so I decided against it this time. But one of these days I'll come meet the Seattle YLF crew!

Aida

Veteran

Our blistering temps of 70-80F are going to feel positively cool to you

And if you plan a future visit, make sure to add in an extra Monday so we can go get tacos!

KathyL

Veteran

Wow, great outfits! I love 3/4 and 9/10 the most. I tend to get chilly in conference rooms, so I would also vote to bring another pair of jeans or pants as well as another topper. While I generally love white shorts, it does look pretty casual for a conference (although it sounds pretty casual overall). I would stick with the skirt, the harem pants, white denims and maybe another pair of pants/jeans.