One outfit or bunch of outfits? - YouLookFab Forum

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Outfits Ensembles Trends Advice

One outfit or bunch of outfits?

Ornella

(website)

Veteran

Purely from the point of - ahem, muchtalkedaboutthesedays - constructive commenting

With all due respect that this is about personal preferences first and foremost, may I ask - what is easier for you to check and give feedback on? One (two) outfit per thread, or a bunch? Or three, sort of golden middle?

I'm trying to define where I'm at on this scale.

As a commentator, with new members I like seeing more outfits at once to begin with because I get better idea of their style, but then it does not matter much once I get to know them. Or with the regular posters 1 by 1 is great, because I know the ladies and I even miss it when there are no daily WIWs. I like to spend some time on detailed comments whenever I can.

As a poster, I tend to post on average 4-5 outfits per thread, and the type of feedback is mostly what people like. I figure out what worked best from seeing what got most votes, but I still sometimes miss that crucial element of analysis - why it actually worked, so I can 'replicate the success'. I experimented with one outfit per thread, but I somehow feel if people will open my thread that's not enough content from me in return for their time.

So, over to you, what do you prefer / want to see / are inclined to give feedback on?

General

45 replies

Latest reply was from rae

Anonymous

To be honest I think I get a bit overwhelmed at more than 3 maybe? I only ever do 1 at the moment. But funny you mentioned first WIW's because I think I posted 7 on mine.

Hil

(website)

Veteran

Generally speaking, whilst a comparison of items is nice to see in terms of someone's general look, it may make me less likely to comment in terms of WIW because it's a little overwhelming. When it's a "this or that?" thread, it makes sense to have all the pics to look at in one go.

Deborah

Veteran

Agree too many and I become overwhelmed. I do enjoy looking at multiple pics of the one outfit so I can soak it in and consider it and hopefully make a helpful and thoughtful comment.

Ornella

(website)

Veteran

You wise owls... I think I already begin to see the pattern and anticipate the change in my own ways

lyn67

Veteran

I am a very visual person(no wonder, isn't it?:-)) so I like a lot of picties, maybe 2-3 rows or so-but of course I can deal with the only one pictie or row, too:-). I also post aprox the same, or even more, as like to show details, or variations which man cannot make out from the only one pictie.
I say to never worry about it, post by your own heart and it will be all appreciated! cheers:-)

Lyn D.

Veteran

I think I prefer fewer pics, but don't mind if there are a few with different angles.
When it comes to the text though, I like the briefer, more concise descriptions. This might be because I am a quiet, reflective person, and not at all wordy myself.

Astrid

Veteran

I don't like too many pics at once! I prefer no more than three outfits and not too many different pics of one outfit. To many pics are overwhelming and the idea of giving detailed feedback to all of them means stress. I'm much more likely to post a detailed answer if it's only one single outfit.

Anonymous

I prefer one outfit per post (unless in. K/R where one is showing combinations with an item). Otherwise I find it is too hard to post specific comments on each outfit.

goldenpig

(website)

Veteran

Thanks for starting this thread! Interesting to see people's replies! I find that I get more specific comments on single outfit threads which is really helpful to analyze what works or doesn't. When I post a week's worth I often get "great outfits!" but nothing specific about any of the outfits. I like the boosts either way, but I really like the detailed comments/suggestions. In the multiple outfit threads I like when people tell me which one they liked best. I guess I will try to limit to 2-3 outfits at most, especially since I like to show multiple poses or detail shots (4-5 pics per outfit is not unusual). But sometimes I worry about hogging the forum if I post daily WIWs. A lot of regulars do though (I think MaryK is another daily poster) so it's OK, right?

As for me, I like both single outfits with lots of details, and the mega outfit posts with a "here's my style".

Carla

Veteran

All the WIW posts are interesting to me. My favourites are the series of 3-5 such as a week or weekend, or maybe a series of stylings or combos around a new item or items.

I also love travel capsule posts, and close ups of accessories. Identification of key pieces by designer, etc. or source is helpful, too.

Elizabeth P

Veteran

Great question!

When I post, I tend to post a weeks worth, just because my weeks are too nutty to get them downloaded and posted daily. But I do find the comments more along the "I like this one best" rather than the detailed comments on how to imporove etc that the one outfit posts tend to get. Both are great, so I guess it depends a bit what kind of feedback one is looking for.

And I do the same... I just don't have the time to comment on multiple outfits in a post in depth, but if it's just one, and I feel I can offer something, it's much easier.

And I also love travel capsule posts. I'm obsessed by them, not sure why, it's not like a I travel a lot!!

Anonymous

I was actually thinking about that this morning, based on some forum comments in the cheerleading and feedback thread. It's actually made me hesitate to post my WIW today. Is there a significant component of people who are annoyed by daily WIWs? Or do people just browse by tabs so the 'annoying' WIWs can be bypassed? Or is this just an old-YLF vs. new-YLF phenomenon?

goldenpig

(website)

Veteran

I second Carla, I also really like when people post the sources of each item, and try to do that myself when I have time.
Carla and Elizabeth, since you like travel capsules, here's one I posted recently:
http://goldenpig.lookfab.com/p.....ma-capsule

Ceit, no, you have to keep posting daily WIW's, so I can too! I love your WIWs! What feedback thread?

Astrid

Veteran

Please keep posting them if you want to, Ceit! Why should we feel annoyed? I mean you can just ignore threads if you don't like to look at them. I personally think it's fun to get a real "logbook" of someone's style! I couldn't do it myself, but I think that's fine too.

Anonymous

Eh, I am just sensitive today. I woke up on the wrong side of the bed. I am going to keep my head down and avoid people today I think!

Anonymous

I agree with everything you said. The more outfits, the less comment on individual ones, so it may depend on the feedback you are hoping for.
In general I like about three outfits because I can find something, or maybe something new to say if there are already comments. If there's one outfit and it's not a style I feel comfortable with, it's difficult to come up with more than liking it on the person.

FlorenceFearne

Noooooo, please everyone don't stop posting WIWs! Especially as a comparative newbie, I need the visuals. They help me get to know everyone's style so that I can be more helpful when they have K/R questions or ask for advice later on. AND they help me figure out what I like or don't like for myself, so I can improve my own outfits. Even people that have style nothing like my own, WIWs are the first things I click when I log in. I don't have to wear something myself to appreciate it on you.

And Ceit, you can't stop posting - who else will be part of my doc martens fan club if you quit?

To the original point, I do find that any more than about 3 outfits changes the commentary. Instead of giving an analysis of each, people move to more of a ranking, or a list of the ones they liked best.

Debra

Veteran

I really like the variety of posts and as a newbie it's fun to start to recognize your individual styles and 'get to know' all of you lovely ladies.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

I find it easiest to give constructive feedback on K/R threads or on threads where the poster asks a specific question and does not post a lot of different outfits at once. (There could be many photos -- but of the same items styled different ways -- this is helpful.)

Individual WIWs are fun -- but I tend to post mainly positive comments on those unless a poster specifically asks for feedback on an item.

However, I don't mind "pic-heavy" threads in the least! I'm just inclined to respond to them differently.

As a poster, I put up both kinds, and expect (and want) different responses. If I post a K/R or "this outfit or that outfit" post, or a WI MIGHT Wear (does it work) post, I hope for (and usually get) constructive comments, some of them critical.

If I post a pic-heavy "retrospective" thread (whether a week's worth or a travel bag's worth or a season's worth of clothes), I don't expect the same level of detailed response. I am simply looking at (and showing) some patterns, sharing some epiphanies, and possibly wondering what people liked best. If they tell me they hated something, that's okay, too!

Transcona Shannon

Veteran

For WIW posts, I post one outfit at a time simply because I'm not organized enough to save all my pictures and post them together at the end of the week. I take my pic quick in the morning, post it and head off to work.

In terms of viewing WIW posts, I honestly don't have a preference on whether it is one outfit or a week's worth. Either are fine. I will admit though that I tend to respond to single WIW outfit posts first because they are quicker to respond to and then will get to multiple outfit WIW posts after that.

K/R posts can be quite pic heavy but that's to be expected. More than one styling and several different angles are often required in order to objectively critique an item up for review.

Diana

Veteran

From my personal experience, I get more feedback if I post a single outfit. I've done both and what usually happens with the "week of outfits" post is I get "great outfits, number X is my favorite." With only one it's both easier to ask specific questions and get specific answers.

Also, I am wordy (I hope it doesn't bug people too much, if it does you have my full permission to just look at the photos and ignore the text!). Would you believe that I have to consciously stop myself from typing even more on my posts? Seriously I can just keep going and going (as evidenced by this paragraph right here, haha)... Anyway, this means that when I post 5 outfits I also usually end up posting a wall of text, which I think is overwhelming.

Vix

Veteran

Just wanted to point out that we've had many "preferences" posts over the years and they DO indirectly criticize people.

To me they aren't any different than the currently controversial "members that inspire me" threads.

Luckily I'm not a delicate flower because off the top of my guilty head many people don't like:

long posts ("photos only")
headless posts
posts where everyone gets a personal thank you
posts that get bumped up for several days running because people are thanking commenters vs just clicking the button
posts that feature mostly dressier and/or conservative work wear

Check, check, check check check. /Elaine from Seinfeld

Despite all that "I do me" as the saying goes, and take the outcomes that brings.

ETA: Moral: can't please 'em all!

annagybe

(website)

Veteran

I can't handle more than about 5 photos. Maybe three different outfits at most. If you have 20 photos at once, I will not comment on your thread because I find too overwhelming. Once when I posted my entire opera capsule at once I felt guilty and a big egotistical for such a large post.
I also don't understand multiple pictures of the same outfit with only minor tweaks in the pose. I just try to get at least one or two good pictures and be done with it, with the occasional shoe shot.

kkards

Veteran

1st, i love the daily WIW. i wish i was orginized enought to post more often. i personaly think it helps to have a couple of views of the same outfit. often, its hard to see the whole outfit/fit in just one shot. (i have a hard time getting my head and my feet in the same picture...)

ManidipaM

Veteran

I can handle about 7-10 before I start to pick favourites to comment on.

Since I'm not around regularly these days, I find I'm looking back by the week anyway---so it is actually *easier* for me to locate your latest in a week's worth of WIW in a single post But tht's not to say I ignore single outfits---I like picking out what to see next by the thumbnails.

Of course I'm guilty of excess on both text and photo fronts myself when I do get around to posting myself. But also in comments, hey!

And I love to see whole bunches not only from first-timers but also retrospectives from regulars because there are always new people and you are always changing too.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

I'm skipping the responses for now (will go back and read later) but I have to be honest and say the fewer outfits posted at one time, the better chance I will comment. Too many and I get overwhelmed. I look at YLF on an iPad and scrolling through a lot of pics and then scrolling down to comment gets wearisome quickly. More than three outfits in a post, and I start to glaze over and it all runs together. Sorry!

Mo

(website)

Veteran

We all have our preferences, but I like short and sweet for the most part. I admit to often not even opening thumbnails or reading text when it gets long.
So, I think if you want detailed feedback, starting with a post that is more likely to be read, and pics that are more likely to be opened, is a good start

shedev

Veteran

Ceit and Natalie, love both your WIWs, keep posting. I like both singles and multiples. I think singles are easier to give specific feedback on though.

DeclawedJaguar

Veteran

I also prefer fewer pictures for more specific feedback. I do look at posts with a whole bunch of pictures, if they are a sort of a retrospective, as those can be very illuminating about the poster's style and personality.

Personally, I cannot deal with very grainy, poor quality pictures. I simply cannot make out enough details to give any sort of feedback on those. And like Anna, I also skip posts with multiple repetitive shots of the same outfit.

But, like Vix said, you can't please them all! So people should post whatever they want, and those who don't like those posts are always free to skip them. No forum Nazis on YLF.

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