Orphans to Outfits Challenge - Plus an Addition - Post Your Thursday Outfits Here - YouLookFab Forum

Category

What I Wore

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

Orphans to Outfits Challenge - Plus an Addition - Post Your Thursday Outfits Here

Karie

(website)

Veteran

Post your Thursday Orphans to Outfits here!

The "Orphans to Outfits" challenge, plus an addition:

Take one item that you like but have trouble wearing in an outfit, and create an outfit with that item. It can be an article of clothing or an accessory. Add why you don't tend to wear said orphans - fit, fabrication, level of dressiness, lack of occasions, etc.

Here's the addition:

Several of you commented that you had one or two orphans, but not a week's worth. How about taking an orphan you already posted, incorporating the suggestions you received and creating a new outfit?

A big thank you to those of you that have been posting and / or commenting each day. I wasn't sure if everyone would have enough outfits to keep the challenge going all week, but as long as you keep posting I'll put the challenge up Thurs. and Fri.

Have fun, and let's turn those orphans into outfits!

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.

22 replies

Latest reply was from Karie

Karie

(website)

Veteran

I’ve been getting up a little earlier to allow for extra time to take an outfit photo in the morning. DH doesn’t have to be in to work until a little later today. This morning’s conversation:

DH (through half closed eyes): Why are you getting up so early? To exercise?

Me: No

DH: Why, then?

Me: I’m taking pictures of myself and posting them on the internet

DH: HUH??? (that sure woke him up fast!)

Me: Don’t worry, it’s outfit photos for YLF. Go back to sleep, dear.

There are two orphans in today’s outfit: the shirt and the bracelet. The shirt fits nicely and it’s comfortable, but I’m not sure I’m loving the print. I’m thinking it looks like someone threw a few too many cans of paint at it. I’ve only worn it a few times because I never had the right solid color bottoms to wear it - even with all those colors in the shirt!

The other orphan is the bracelet - it was a gift from my mother-in-law. It's sparkly but I always seem to reach for something else.

On a positive note, I am wearing the jacket from Monday in a different outfit.

So, should these orphans join their friends in the closet or the donate pile?

This post has 3 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.

pastrygirl

(website)

Veteran

Karie, the print didn't grab me on its own, but I really like it layered. I think it looks great in the second pic! I never wear bracelets, but I always keep them just in case. I'm no help there!

My orphan today is a top whose color I love, but not much else. I don't like the neckline, the way it drapes over the girls (feels like a smock), or the thin jersey back. I reach for it when I want to wear green, but it never sings to me. I covered the neckline with a statement necklace, but I still don't love it. I just LOVE the color!

This post has 3 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.

lyn67

Veteran

Karie, I like the top like you have styled it here with dark and light neutrals. My concern are not the colors but the length. It seems a bit too short for the new season, or I cannot make out that good in the picties about. No clue about your second orphan as am not a bracelet person at all, I leave it to others for advising on.

From my part, I yesterday was afraid to have ran out of my orphans:-), but still managed to find one more, for today's challenge. That is my 3 year old Gerry Webber ikat print (bright white and greyish/taupeish/olive greens) top I bought for my 20 years college reunion, and wore it with a short sleeve blazer for the day meeting. Since then was a true orphan. I haven't had the opportunity to wear that exact outfit again-as it felt quite formal- and I do not like to wear sleeveless tops on their own not even in summer....

In my mind this top went only with white bottoms(I like to have a column of color on me)-so tried it with my white jeans and denim skirt for work (which was OK) but still, couldn't find another, more casual summery topper to go with it.....till buying the purple collarless jacket this spring.

And the real bonus is, the tank also picking out exactly the color of my new dark khaki ankle skinnies (not showing you, but are my best looking pants form the rear, in a while:-)). They also are one of my other purchases this spring filling in a big hole- as somewhat dressier alternative to jeans wear- for work, or play when needed).

Go figure, so I wore this to work today:-).

Ha, Pastrygirl, we posted at the same time!:-) I like your navy with teal top, what about layering with a topper, or so?

This post has 2 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.

Karie

(website)

Veteran

Pastryg, I like the color of your top, but, like you, I wouldn't like it to drape over the girls like that. It looks fine in photo #3, but clingy in #2. I don't know what's causing it to hang like that - is the stripe down the middle a different fabric than the rest of the top? A jacket would cover up the problem but then it would also cover up the pretty green color of the shirt.

Lyn, I love those colors together. Those dark khaki ankle skinnies are fantastic! They look terrific with the top and jacket.

Anonymous

Karie, I like the top in the second photo with the wildness subdued by the jacket. How about wearing your bracet with more bracelets, especially with gold tones in them, to create an arm party?
PAstrygirl, I'd let the green top go and look for one you love to wear, unless someone has alteration ideas.
Lyn, olive and purple ! Love the colors.

I remixed the top from Tuesday. It was suggested that I pair it with color, so here it is with yellow crops. Does it work? I like it with these but I need more coffee this morning to cut the antihistamine fog in my brain. I also scrunched the sleeves but they didn't stay.

This post has 2 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.

K. Period.

Veteran

Pastrygirl, I don't have time to comment on everyone's, but I had to pop on to comment on yours. I actually really like it with the statement necklace, but I'd pair it with a slim pair of trousers, capris or skinny jeans. Maybe a pencil skirt (ala Angie's post this morning!). You've got a really curvy shape, right? Those might not be things in your closet already and if not, then I'd pass along the shirt rather than getting new items to go with it. However, if you do have any slim fitting bottoms, I think they'd look great with this. The looseness of the top counters the slimness of the bottoms. Anyhow, off for now!

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Karie, you're doing a brilliant job with the challenge, both with keeping it going and in wearing your orphans!

I notice a theme in today's posts -- tops are the orphans. And in another thread there is a question about top lengths. Maybe tops are just plain difficult.

pastrygirl

(website)

Veteran

Lyn67 -- Ooh, I love that look! Olive colors and purple is currently one of my favorite combos. I think it looks great.

Joy -- LOVE it with the yellow crops. I really like that print and how it fits you. I've been doing the JCrew sleeve roll to get sleeves to stay up. It's more of a rolled/folded look than scrunching, though. http://www.babble.com/babble-v.....ersonal-st

K -- I have tons of skinny jeans; usually that's all I wear. I pulled these pants out because they just started to fit again. I kept them for years when they didn't fit, so they must've been a fave at some point, LOL! I'm undecided about them. I thought about a pencil skirt with this top when I saw Angie's post... but not sure I can do it. I always feel the need to define my waist! But I've been moving out of my comfort zone more and more since finding YLF, and discovering styles that I never would've worn before. I'll give it a try!

Karie -- pic 2 is how this top looks to me every time I check. I just feel so front and center unless I hunch or lean or do something else. I think it just has to go. I have lots of other tops that I keep around solely for layering; I don't need this one. I checked out that Gap bicycle boyfriend shirt that someone posted this week, hoping it might be a good bright green replacement, but it wasn't (too much white...and Gap is on my no-buy list right now).

Firecracker (Sharan)

Veteran

Karie, you've created a great outfit with your orphans today. That said, I think the top may be ready to donate, simply because: 1) it's too hard to style and 2) you aren't crazy about the print without layering over it. (Maybe those are actually just one point!) Anyway, it could make room for something you like better. The bracelet is gorgeous, and I assume you'll keep it for sentimental reasons anyway, but I hope it will get some wear. I like the idea of pairing another bracelet with it. I've also found that with some bracelets of that style that get in my way throughout the day (i.e., using the computer, writing, etc.), I do much better when I put them on the arm with my watch. They're more out of my way there, and I feel like the watch creates a mini-arm-party without having to find coordinating (or at least not clashing) bracelets.

Pastrygirl, the top does look like a difficult cut to wear. I like K's ideas, and if they don't work, I second her thought of letting it go. You can replace it with one in that color--which I think may be available now, as it's one of the spring Pantone colors this year: http://www.pantone.com/pages/f.....&ca=4
They call it "emerald," but it's softer than what I think of as emerald green.

Lyn, you look fab! That's one of my favorite outfits of yours. It's great that you have the perfect match for that top right now. Perhaps you'll find other ways to wear it, too; sometimes it just takes one good outfit to break the ice with a difficult piece.

Joy, I like the top with the yellow crops! Nicely done. I also just love the yellow crops, period. You wear them just the way Angie recommends, and they look absolutely fab on you.

K. Period.

Veteran

Pastrygirl, I was thinking of the shirt tucked in to the skinnies or pencil skirt. Were you thinking of it untucked? I think even with the volume, the tuck will define your waist!

Karie, I think the bracelet is lovely! I know what you mean about it being an orphan, though. Even though I love bracelets and own a bunch of them, I don't wear them as regularly as my rings or necklaces. With the top, I suspect that the bold contrast of the pattern is making it a bit of an orphan. From what I've seen of your style, it seems very strong for your coloring and not so much like you. Almost overwhelming. I would let it go.

Lyn, love purple and olive and love the ikat print. I think it looks fantastic. Great orphan rescue!

Joy, fantastic! I wasn't a fan of the shirt the other day, but suddenly with a brighter bottom it seems so much more lively and wonderful. Great remix!

shedev

Veteran

Karie- I'd say it's time tt pass on the top if you only like to wear it layered. It looks great in #2 though.
Pastrygirl- I'd put a green top on your list, you deserve one that makes you happy in more ways than color.
Lyn- like the shirt and pants together. Would lookk great with many colors of toppers
Joy- I like the shirt and pants together.

pastrygirl

(website)

Veteran

K -- I was thinking of untucked, because I thought that was what Angie was suggesting in her post, to de-bombshell the pencil. But I've wanted to change this top all day now that I've analyzed it every which way, so into the donation pile it goes!

rachylou

Veteran

Ok. Here is my orphan. I'm not sure how I used to wear it. Maybe with long tank tops. My dd thinks that's how I should wear it now. Dd thinks I should keep it. We both like the sleeves, but the crop-sweater thing is awkward.

This post has 2 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.

Firecracker (Sharan)

Veteran

Rachylou, I agree those sleeves are fabulous. And I like the color and the style on you, too! Would you wear it with a slim tank? I do think that would work nicely. If that's no longer your style, I'm not so sure about other ways to wear it. How about over a body-con dress?

rachylou

Veteran

Ja, a slim tank. A body con dress is a brilliant idea. But man, now I need a body con dress...

K. Period.

Veteran

@Rachylou and Firecracker, yup, I'm all on-board with the slim tank or tee or body con dress. I think any volume and you are going straight for Renaissance Faire wear, which I have nothing against, at a Faire, but somehow doesn't strike me a super urban Rachylou-land!

@pastrygirl, totally the right decision! If it doesn't make you happy, send it packing!!! And as Firecracker said, that is this year's color, so it should be easy to find a replacement that brings you joy. Hooray for culling! (Can you tell that I take a lot of joy in culling?!?)

Karie

(website)

Veteran

Joy, I LOVE that top with the yellow crops! Brilliant idea to pair it with color.

Suz, I was thinking that very thing last night - most of my orphans are tops. Tomorrow's orphan, however, might be a pair of pants. I have more orphans than I know what to do with! I actually have four more - a pair of pants, a pair of sandals, and two more tops! My closet is getting a good purging this season.

Rachylou, I agree that the top would look good with a slim tank or bodycon dress. Why don't you try a slim tank first and see if you like it, rather than spending the money on a bodycon dress - you don't want to end up with a second orphan!

I think my top will hit the donate pile. I like the suggestions for the bracelet - I do have others I could wear it with. And I always wear a watch, I will try putting it on that arm.

Firecracker (Sharan)

Veteran

Today I was not wearing an orphan, per se, though I was wearing a tunic that doesn't get too much wear. After reading Angie's post on the forum about the Mullet Dress, I thought of another tunic that I've worn maybe once. I like the idea of it, and it's a piece I made--my first and last attempt with this particular pattern. Just didn't like it on me as well as off. Still don't like it and may just purge it. I feel it adds pounds that I don't actually have!

1 & 2: the orphan "mullet" tunic, worn with gray coated denim leggings (AG), taupe tie-up sandals (P. Monjo), a silver-ish bib necklace, a bracelet out of shiny and pewtery silver tones.

3 & 4: what I actually wore today. Same outfit, but with a white layered tunic (ComfyUSA). Plus jean jacket (AG) for warmth!

This post has 4 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.

Karie

(website)

Veteran

Firecracker, I must admit, I like the tunic you actually wore (#3 and #4) much better than the orphan "mullet." I think the tunic in #1 and #2 would look much better if you un-mulletted it (new word!). How about shortening the hem and making it even all the way around? I would shorten it to the length of a long top, not a tunic. The curve of the hem does appear to add bulk at your sides.

rachylou

Veteran

I think the orphan mullet tunic is simply beautiful on you. The colours are lovely with your hair. But I can see how it would be hard to pair with things. If you go too matchy matchy with bottoms, it will take away from some of the loveliness.

goldenpig

(website)

Veteran

Rust colored pleated skirt. Meh. Paired it with my bee blouse. Yes it's a little too autumnal of an outfit and I feel like a secretary from the '70's (even more so if I could have found the pussy bow tie), but do you think the skirt should stay or go? The one cute thing was that I matched the baby!

This post has 2 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.

Karie

(website)

Veteran

Goldenpig, the skirt is pretty (and the blouse is fantastic), but...humm....you have so many others that are prettier. I would keep it if it fills a color need (do you have other skirts in this color?) or if you have multiple tops to pair with it. Otherwise, I would let it go.