My November challenge: Week 1 - 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

My November challenge: Week 1

Elizabeth P

Veteran

I decided to embark on a November challenge, which I outlined here
http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....-challenge

In a nutshell, each week, I want to have a day in which I wear:
1. No black.
2. Something new
3. Colour other than cobalt
4. Dress or skirt
5. Something that I rarely wear, and analyze why
6. Dress for errands/casual.
7. YLF inspired

I can cover off more than one of these in a given day.

Here is what week 1 looks like.

1. Out to supper for my DD's birthday. Covers off #2 (the Lulu wrap) and #6.
2-3. To work.
4, To work. This is my FFBO, lightweight sweater and trousers. While I know it's fine... it feels too easy and is the source of my "feeling blah". But it does cover off #3!
5-6. For work. #3, 4, 5. The skirt is new, the sweater is rarely worn. And I think the only reason is that I don't have a ton to pair it with... I did like it with the skirt. I've worn it with white pants/jeans in the past. Does this outfit look boring to you? I'm really not convinced nude hose is for me... I love the look of bare legs and booties, but for some reason I think it looks better on others.
7. #5... I only wore this sweater once last year. And I have NO idea why... I really liked it. It has just the right amount of fittedness and ease around the middle that I like. Also #3! But a bit of an FFBO outfit.
8-9. I worked at home on Friday, and also went to my DD's school to watch her Remembrance Day service, then to the other DD's volleyball game after school. This was inspired by the post apocalyptic outfit post... love love love the black on black and angles. this is also my new Lulu wrap, worn two ways. (#6)
10. Worn for Sat errands. I think this covers off #1,2,3,6,7!! No black, no cobalt, new sweater, and the jeans are definitely YLF inspired. Have to say, I LOVE them, I think they are my favourites at the moment.

So there we go... All comments and feedback welcome!

LOL I just realized this week was decidedly LACKING in cobalt. Unlike a couple of weeks ago, when I think I wore it every day (and thus came up with that challenge item).

This post has 10 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

23 replies

Latest reply was from Elizabeth P

catgirl

Veteran

My favorites are 2 and 8/9 - simple yet so effective! I wonder if the lack of angles and layers is what makes you feel blah about your work outfit, since the PA outfit seems to be your personal favorite?

Elizabeth P

Veteran

Una, I think you are right... many times I've noticed that outfits containing angles (in some form) make me happy. But it seems hard to incorporate them all the time, for some reason. Or maybe I just need to remember that in the morning. Before coffee. LOL.

JAileen

Veteran

I love 2, 3 and 10, although the others are nice as well.

Runcarla

Veteran

My favourites are #2, #8-9 and #10.

#1 is a bit like #8-9, but I'm not loving to top,in his outfit. #4 colour and figure flattery are evident, and wants only interesting (possibly pointy toed?) footwear. #6 is really a favourite, too - and an example of how a classic/traditional or as you say 'boring' outfit can be elevated with a a trendy addition (the moto). No problem here with nude hose, and I LOVE the teal/green booties.

Good week, Elizabeth!

Elizabeth P

Veteran

Thanks JAileen. And thanks for your feedback as well, Carla. The wrap in #1 is the same as #8,9.. so no wonder it looks similar :). Agree that it's better with the black top then the blue one

viva

Veteran

I just have to say that posts like this are incredibly inspiring for me. I've really got to get my act together. When I am not traveling for work, I just do not have the imagination to really dress for an entire week, even with YLF. So often it's just gear which is so lazy, and that feeds other kinds of laziness. I think if I put more into my outfit it would provide more energy for my thinking and creativity.

I loved moving from outfit to outfit - and that last one, #10, was like, POW! Such energy. And what are those white boots? I really have to know.

I love 2 (so pretty), 6 (I think the leather jacket adds the drama that 5 is lacking), 9 (stunning), and 10 (crazy happy and energetic).

Elizabeth P

Veteran

Thanks viva. It makes ME feel better to know that I'm not the only one who sometimes has a hard time with outfit imagination. I don't plan my outfits ahead of time (every time I try the weather or my mood doesn't fit the outfit) so the mornings can be a struggle. I think you're bang on... that the laziness feeds laziness. It does help to have a small goal to achieve.

The white boots are ones that Shevia got a couple of years ago, and they were exactly what I'd been looking for, so I pursued them when she posted about them. Turns out they were hand made by a person down the street from her...yes, in Israel... who sells on Etsy. The seller was super helpful sending me measurements of her last, etc, and the shipping was very reasonable, so I went for it. The ultimate lemming!! And thus began my rather successful online shopping exploits

This post has 1 photo. 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.

Joy

Veteran

You had a very sucessful week. I like all your outfits but 10, 2 and 8-9 stand out for me. I may have to try a version of 2 as I have similar pieces.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

WHAT a great way to dress for the week, E. Fun criteria!

All fabulous, but #1, 6 and 10 are killer.

And #10 is my favourite.

Peri

Veteran

Well, your FFBO is gorgeous! It might even be my favorite. But it is kind of also my FFBO, so I know what you mean about feeling blah. Not blah at all, but not that exciting...which might be the very definition of an FFBO and why it becomes one? Easy, fast, to be counted on when you can't think...so then it is less exciting precisely because you didn't have to think. Agh! Too much thinking!

Okay, I also love 7, 8 and 9 so they are contenders for favorite. What is the Lulu wrap? And no, nothing boring at all about 5-6.

Anonymous

WOW. Just WOW. You look so effortlessly stylish.

I have not seen you in much green in the past. Is that possibly the reason you haven't worn that sweater much?

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Good gracious, woman. You are a tough taskmaster on yourself. Taskmistress? Anyway, tough! And wow, do you rise to the challenge. I love every one of these, including your FFB 4; the colour is so delicious on you and I think maybe all you want is some new or different shoes/ bag or a more evident 3rd piece to make it feel more complete to you. 6 is stunning! Fun booties there. And I see no problem whatever with the nude hose; on the contrary. I also adore the last one. Amazing how you can wear both black and white so very well and hard edge as well as soft-edge looks.

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

Well the proof is in the pudding - your challenge is brilliant! Lots of great outfits but #10 is my favorite (and not just because of the booties!).

lyn67

Veteran

What a great week, nr.3,6,8 and (wow!) for 10 are my faves! Great challenge, and think you did so well! (You always look so polished Elizabeth, no matter the challenge:-))

Elizabeth P

Veteran

Wow, lots of activity after I shut down last night. Thanks everyone!

Joy, I'd love to see your interpretation of #2.

Wow Angie, three killers? gotta admit I'm a bit shocked... but pleased

Peri, you are probably right. But I WANT my FFBO's to be exciting! Well, I'm just glad that they aren't boring/blah to the rest of the world... I guess just because one doesn't think much in the morning doesn't mean that it has to look like NO thought went into it, when obviously some did just in the choice of the pieces themselves... which don't need to be boring in and of themselves.

The Lulu wrap is shown below. It's the most amazing thing, I really should do a post on it alone while they are still available. Basically a big square, with a slit. Or rather, two rectangles sewn together. Not quite a cardigan, not quite a poncho. It can be thrown on a few different ways, and seems to stay in place. Cozy wrap for watching tv in, and also a great work piece. I also loved it in the plaid patterns, but they had too much grey in them for my palette.

Sterling... effortlessly stylish? Really? Whoot whoot!! And you are correct, I don't wear a lot of green. So while I do like this sweater, it's not a colour I naturally reach for, or I'd have more.

thank you for all your feedback Suz. I am glad the hose look okay. Actually, I found some that are much more my skin colour than the ones I wore a couple of times last year, I think that may have made the difference.

Thanks bootie twin Shevia

And thank you, lyn. Funny about this polished thing. I am definitely naturally polished, yet most of the time I really don't feel polished. But I am not RATE. So my style struggles are often about how to "dull" the polish slightly.

Bundle Up Scarf

View Info

Top Pick

2

Sara L.

Veteran

These are all great outfit! I especially like #2 and 3 with the graphic black and white. The slight pattern mixing between the scarf and pants works well to my eye. The teal booties in #5/6 are fun and interesting. Also love the white booties in #10 and your PA outfit.

It seems like the challenge is working for you and you've rediscovered wardrobe items that have languished.

Ginger

Veteran

These really are all great; the green sweater one included. Nude hose is terrific on you, so add that tool to your arsenal and use it! And I'm with viva - I saw #10 and it was POW! You wear white very well, and those boots bookend your hair spectacularly.

TraceyLiz65

(website)

Veteran

Great looks, you really rose to the challenge!

Joyce B

Veteran

All your outfits are fab! Number 10 inspired me to copy the look, the top and boots are such a good idea with the cropped jeans.

Windchime

Veteran

Terrific challenge, with outstanding results! Among other things, you are building a very nice footwear collection--I love your teal ankle boots as well as the pair from Israel.

Are you doing a similar challenge this week?

Beth Ann

Veteran

As, so many you're a "brushed" or "burnished" finish, rather than polished? Perhaps "satin?"

Seriously, I love the way that your challenge is allowing you to play with your wardrobe and enjoy things that maybe haven't been getting the love. Like the others, I enjoy the energy and color of #1, but I also think you're all black look is sleek and fab -- with rich draping and texture. I love #5 too, but the addition of that third piece -- the jacket, really makes it terrific. I'm working with this, too. It always easier for me to feel pulled together with a "third piece," but I want to feel just as fab with 2!

What about pairing the red striped sweater with the cropped jeans in #10?

Elizabeth P

Veteran

Thanks Sara, Ginger and Tracey.

Joyce, I love that you used that as inspiration... love to see it!! Do you have the same sweater?

Windchime, yes... I'm doing this for every week in November for sure, and may take it through December as well.

Elizabeth P

Veteran

Sorry Beth Ann, you must have posted while I was (slowly) writing my reply. You nailed it... the third piece makes the difference, but I also want to look fab in just two. And funnily enough, in the summer, I DO feel fab in two. Maybe this is why the transition of seasons is hard? Not ready to pile on the layers, but the outfits need it?

Red sweater with cropped jeans is a great idea... I'll make note of that.