Making Music - YouLookFab Forum

In more ways than one! The cobalt jeans were worn for teaching voice at home, while the red dress took me through a long teaching day at the University.

Recently, I shared my new style acronym
here: http://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/sing

Look #1 began as a Sveta-copycat:
http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....gish-break
It's hard to photograph black, but this sweater has a little metallic thread running through it for a bit of daytime sparkle. I liked it, although it's a complete waist surrender. SING is evident in more simplicity. The cobalt color in the pants makes the big statement, and the texture of the sweater and abstract circle print in the top make for the nuanced details.

I changed to #2 for more warmth in my cool house. This look was inspired by Ornella's recent column of color experiments. I never noticed that this lightweight sweater makes a nice tonal column with my cobalt pants. It works without a topper too for warmer days. The old me would have added a scarf and, had I been going out, I would gladly have added one for practicality.

#3: I gave the ponte moto (getting old and in its last season, I fear) another outing today. This outfit is a repeat and a favorite of mine. I post it again because it's proof that sometimes things don't need to be changed. This dress is in my best red -- a deep claret. The knife pleats add enough detail, so I went with a simple gunmetal grey chain necklace. I played with a black and white spotted scarf, but I rejected it in favorite of a simpler, deeper look. This is one of the most comfortable dress outfits in my rotation --- lots of stretch, but with a tailored look. My riding boots were practical and comfy. This outfit is a good exemplar of what I mean by "graceful." It implies ease for the wearer, but also a look that will please the eyes of viewers without shouting "I'm fashionable." Now, I must add that I know people who could pull of this same graciousness wearing extremely avant garde outfits. It's more a reflection of style "authenticity" than modesty or humility.

I'm not setting the world on fire here, but I'm feeling a contentment with my outfits --- happy for the most part. Now I'm concentrating on the question, "What should I do/wear more of?" I know I want more flowing midi skirt outfits, and more wide leg trouser looks. Do you have any suggestions?

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12 years ago

LACeleste

Veteran

Hi Beth Ann,

I think you are on fire! Authenticity looks amazing on you! Very graceful and true to your acronym.

Looking forward to more flowing looks!

Suz

(website)

I definitely see the Sveta influence in #1. It's beautiful. I can easily imagine the sparkly thread and how that increases the feeling of luxury.

Love #2 as well. Ornella's posts have been very inspiring.

With the riding boots and the moto, I almost get a sort of Tyrolean vibe from outfit #3, for some reason. Equestrian, Sound of Music style. I hope that doesn't sound crazy!

You are making some beautiful melodies!

Angie

Fashion Stylist

You are a cobalt and burgundy beauty.

More cobalt for sure. Wide pants too.

Jaime

#2! Cobalt is so your color!

Anonymous

The colors and styles of these outfits seem so right on you. You could look for some deep red jeans to style as you have your cobalt here.
Your dress reminds me a little of a fit and flare sweater dress. Unfortunately most are so short but maybe next fall they will be longer. A soft sweater knit skirt with some flair or faux pleats is another idea. I just bought a black one in which the knit looks like pleats. Another idea. Can you wear princess seamed dresses?

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Oh I love your thoughts on the word graceful/graciousness! There's something deeply right about certain outfits on certain people, isn't there? #3 is stunning on you, and I look forward to seeing you in more flowy skirts & trousers. I'm sure they'll suit you. And I love that you're content with your outfits: contentment is so important in my own life.

The cobalt variations (I can't resist a musical pun) are wonderful too. How are you reconciling your new desire for more simplicity with your diva tendencies? The metallic sweater sounds like a great combination of the two. In #2, I don't see any diva at all though. This isn't a criticism, just an observation! I imagine a scarf, with its extra texture, would have added that little touch. Or a different coloured belt, perhaps with some metallic? Or if one of the pieces had more texture to it, that might be bring it in. Of course, then things are less simple.

You are as beautiful on the inside as you are on the outside, and definitely full of grace. You're SINGing now! I wish I could wear knit dresses, so please rock them for me! I just love that one #3), and it's the perfect length, too. I love how you combined it with the moto and boots. Fingers crossed for more midi lengths in retail this year!

deb

Cobalt and burgundy are your colors!!!

Thistle

Cobalt and burgundy love you! I am quite smitten with #1 although #3 is also so lovely. Nope, going with #1 as my favorite! Where is my decisiveness lately?!?

Beth Ann

So nice to have some helpful and encouraging comments! I have a lot of grading to do tonight. Urgh. I'm taking a leetle break!

LaC: Yes to flow. Aren't the Fall shows full of it?

Suz: I know exactly what you mean. I do feel a bit equestrienne in the red dress with the boots. I've been musing about different ways to approach retro -- less twee ala modcloth --- recently. A post soon to come! I love the regal quality in both Ornella and Sveta's posts. Of course, I have to imagine their height! While my first two looks are more "modern," the last seems best suited to the scale of my body, I think. I'm working through the significance of that.

Angie: Oh yes, wide legs for sure, and I'll need a separate closet for my cobalt soon!

Shevia: Got it. I'm surprised I don't have a cobalt car (yet)!

Joy: I've been searching for burgundy jeans for months. Every pair has sucked my legs like Betty Grable's girdle! I keep looking. I adore sweater dresses, but rarely find good length. I think princess seams work well, but they're better when there's also a waistline seam. That bit of structure creates a smoother line from the back. I love your skirt -- I think I saw it at Nordies!

E: How astute your observations are! I did put on and take off accessories all the time when forming these outfits! These looks, not minimal, but pared back, bring me a sense of calm, although I don't want to give up fun. Most of my students tend to be rather introverted (strange, I know) and I'm aware that my I'm restless by nature, and really wanting to move -- literally -- and move on from my current job, which has been great, but isn't allowing me to grow and develop further. So perhaps my slightly more subdued stylings are representing this need to wear the peace I'm not feeling internally. I don't feel these looks have quite the imagination that's part of my acronym, but their boldness is in one strong burst of color. Their bling is edited to one focused detail. My holiday capsule was probably the best representation of my balance of bold to simple, and I think spring will see me busting out a lot more prints!

Thanks, Thistle -- crossposted! I could see you in a pair of cobalt pants! I'm off to check your moto post.

Beth Ann, I understand dressing for some quality you want more in your life. I think it works too; I live with chronic pain and my cheerful outfits (in luxury fabrics/textures for a bit of pampering) help me cope with that better. I can see the peacefulness of the extra simplicity in your clothes.

Also, in re: to your comment to Suz, I would have thought you were the same height as Sveta! You definitely have the same feeling of presence as both Sveta & Ornella. Do you know of this blog? She's interested in vintage/retro without twee and has some interesting posts lately on her style goals/interests.

Thanks for the link, E! I don't know this blogger and I'll check into her style. I'm only 5'6", actually, but the plus is that I rarely have to hem anything! Kudos to you for realizing that we can, to some extent, nurture ourselves from the outside in. Dressing in a pleasing way doesn't erase pain, but it gives you another measure of yourself and is something positive and creative to focus upon.

Day Vies

3 words: fabulous cobalt jeans!

Sarah A

Beth Ann there is so much to digest here. I am sorry to have missed the unveiling of your new SING acronym. It sounds as though you have done a fastastic job working through your winter blahs and identifying some style shifts. Love your authentic feeling red dress and boots. How observant that you are feeling a bit restricted from growth in your current professional roles and how those feelings can play out in other areas of our lives and give comfort and exploration. I very much see Sveta's influence in#1 but you have taken the inspiration and made your own look. I am excited to see some of your spring sewing projects. The flowing midi sounds fab

Deborah

I think you are setting the world on fire my dear! Stunning. Cobalt is so your colour. Love each of these. Inspired and so you.

Caro in Oz

Great riff on Sveta's outfit & you REALLY sing the blues

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