My 1st WIW - eeeekkkk - YouLookFab Forum

I've always been one of those people that hate having my photo taken - I never look like I think I do IRL!! So this is a challenge ...

So, when I came out of lurkdom some of you asked me to post some pics so I have recreated some of my summer looks. I've been trying to determine my style and at this stage would describe it as modern classic, comfortably (casual) dressy, if such a thing exists. My happiness factor includes easy care (mostly machine wash, minimal ironing), easy wear (not fussy, bit of give), black, earrings, comfortable shoes

I am retired and living near a regional city, so my lifestyle is very casual. I used to wear a lot of jeans and plain Ts but trying to up the standard a bit.

#1 My go travel outfit, with magical travel pants.

#2 Same base with floral cardi. So is it acceptable or frumpy?

#3 My only dress. I nearly always wear pants and my skirts didn't go with any of my tops, so they are gone and replaced with this. Jenandad and Deborah, this is the Qior dress mentioned previously.

#4,5,6 Fairly typical summer looks. IK the tops in #4 & 6 are the 2 extras in my 333 project. The 3/4 sleeve mesh top in #4 is one of my best buys as it can be added under a number of my sleeveless tops to increase the number of times I wear them.

# 7 An at home look, just to show that I do have some non-black outfits.

So, if you have managed to get this far, thanks for looking. Any feedback and/or suggestions for improvement would be appreciated.

PS Thanks Deborah, I based my pose on yours.

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13 years ago

Lyn D.

Veteran

Hi Carol,
lovely pics, and my favourites are the floral cardigan in pic 2 and your dress.
If you wear heels they would be Fab with #1, and I can see the mesh top in #4 working with black straight pants too.
If the length of the floral cardigan is an issue , maybe try it layered over a longer black tunic style top and narrower pant as well?

anne

Carolbee Congrats on your first post. And hello from a west Aussie!! I have to go to work, but just wanted to pop in - and BTY looks 3, 4 and 5 are my hands down favourites. Summer dressing is hard and you have some great looks over there

Mia

Love the graphic prints on you. #2 and #4 are my faves and I think #7 is a great at home look that could go on the town with a slightly dressier bottom. #2 doesn't read frumpy at all to me. Black is a great neutral for you and there is no lack of interest in these outfits. Thanks for sharing!

rachylou

You take a good picture, Carol! Your hair is excellent, also!

My faves are #1, 3 and 7. I like the brightness of 7 is flattering to my eyes. 1 and 3 have a little bit of edginess.

I like the idea of 4 & 6, but am not sure about the colors. I like the clearer colors better on you, I think.

Suz

(website)

Congratulations for posting WIWs and if you are modelling your poses on Deborah, you can't do better!

I see a blend of classic styles with others that have a boho or slightly eclectic feeling (your dress, for example). And it looks as if you are fond of black?

And of course you need to dress for the heat, which limits layering much.

Other than black, which colours do you like best? Do you have some style goals you're trying to reach?

cciele

Ah, we have visuals, yay! First off, you look spectacular in saturated tones like the blue and red with a black base. But I suspect you know that already. And I think perhaps add a few more dresses to your wardrobe? I'm really liking the look in #3!

TraceyLiz65

Great looks and congrats on posting your first photos!

stitchywitch

Active Member

I love the tank in #4 - such a great color and print!

jayne

I see the classic and comfy loud and clear! And your style seems consistent. I am guessing you are an apple and thus using the loose tops to hide a bit? If you wanted to try a new silhouette, I think you could try out an empire top, with the smallest part right under the girls...thus creating an hourglass...but only if you want to...my advice comes from watching all those WNTW shows.

Beth Ann

Greetings!

Good job on your first WIW. #2 and #4 are my favorites and I like the color palette of #7, although I'd love to see these colors in a slimmer, slightly more structured silhouette.

With your dramatic features and coloring, you can certainly wear black and strong color. I hear you on easy care and comfortable shoes?

If you could add three wardrobe items to your closet (magically, with no shopping time or money) what would they be?

CocoLion

Hello! I just wanted to pop in and say, the outfit in #4 is very flattering and dramatic. To me, this look stands apart from the others as more of a risk-taking, trendy look. And it is successful risk-taking. There seems to be a different style persona behind this outfit and I can't quite put my finger on it.

I do like #1 as well, for when you need to be more covered.

carolbee

Ladies, thank you so much for all the wonderful comments and advice. I'm glad I got the thumbs up for the cardi, cos I do love it. The positive feedback on the dress was interesting as I really like it but didn't feel it looked that great in the photo, would probably be better with a bit of a heel, but that won't be happening.

Anne (waves to fellow West Aussie), I am happier with my summer clothes now that I've decided I will wear sleeveless tops when necessary and have given up worrying about the bingo wings.

Rachylou, thanks for the compliment about the hair. I've had it short most of my adult life. In the past I have had it very short, and although I know it looks butch its just so easy. Recently grown the top longer after gentle encouragement from friends and been very happy with it.

Suz, you noticed I like black! Always thought of myself as a typical, winter and worn a lot of black, red and white plus other colours in clear, bright tones such as pink, blue, and starting to wear a bit of green. Not sure of goals, just trying to improve the standard of my normal style plus be a bit more adventurous, eg #4., oh and quality over quantity.

Beth Ann, good point. I know some of my clothes need to be of a slimmer silhouette, but I am in the midst of losing weight so some items, especially for at home, I am making do with at the moment. Hmmm what 3 three items? I've been thinking about what I need to do to upgrade my winter wardrobe, and have 2 items in mind: a black ponte zip asymmetrical jacket and a black ponte dress. Too much black, too much ponte??

CocoLion, as mentioned above #4 was my attempt at something different. Never thought I would wear leggings again after having been there, done that, in the 90's. The tunic was an unplanned buy on holidays, at a higher price point then usual, and I have received many compliments on it. Note to self: must do this more often.

Cciele, am planning to buy a winter dress, the 1st time since forever - baby steps.

Jayne - you are right, trying to hide the apple middle. Have looked at empire line, I like the look just haven't found anything suitable yet.

So, once again thank you fabulous ladies, you've made this first wiw a great experience and given me lots to ponder.

Caro in Oz

I love #4 too. I think the dramatic print works really well on you. I'd like to see the top with slim ankle-length pants too. I'd also like to see the jacket in #1 a tad shorter - it could just be the photo but it looks a little long to me.

Oh & welcome YLF is a great place:)

Thanks Caro. I need a major revamp of pants, a friend has been telling me for sometime that all my pants are too baggy, so once I've lost some more weight it will be lots of new winter pants. I hear you on the jacket length but is actually very full, its princess seemed and cut so that the "gore" at the bottom of each panel is wide (great for whirling around when dancing!), its jersey and it only cost $20 so I doubt that its worth being altered.

Niefern

I like the dress in #3 and my favourite outfit is #4, you wear those leggings really well.

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