"Scoring" outfits - YouLookFab Forum

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Outfits Ensembles Trends Advice

"Scoring" outfits

Gigi

Veteran

Several months ago, I came across a web page that talked about "scoring" your outfits. Basically, the idea is to give yourself one point per item worn, plus one point per color, plus one point for each eye-catching detail (for instance, stylish buttons, pleats, cuffs). The aim is to reach 10 points.

I have found that when I have an outfit that I really like, I am often close to the 10-point mark. Likewise, when my outfit seems boring, I see that my points are low and that I need to swap out a low-points item for a high-points one to improve my outfit.

Have any of you heard of this or tried it?

Here is the web page where I found this method: http://hilhombgaom.blogspot.co.....style.html. You'll find it near the bottom of the page, with a picture of a woman wearing a pink coat. The author mentions this method in the context of gamine style, but I'm wondering if it would work for anyone.

Dressing

20 replies

Latest reply was from

Cardiff girl

Veteran

I have heard of this before but I ve never tried it,interesting to see if anyone has found it works for them.

MovingFashionForward

I have heard of this, and it is certainly true that when I find an outfit boring, counting the points like this would give a lower figure than the 10 points this person prefers, and when I find an outfit a hot mess or something, it might well have many points in this system. However, there are some outfits I like that I'd guess would have many fewer than ten points: for example, a dress outfit can be very simple and very elegant without a lot of buttons, detail, eye-catching shoes or whatever. But yes, as a rule of thumb when troubleshooting an outfit that feels off somehow, the 10-points rule is worth a try.

Sarah

The Cat

Veteran

I first read about this concept in a style guide in the 80s. At that time, the ideal score was 15 or 16 points, as far as I remember. Personally, I don't
have time for all that counting and analyzing several times a day. And with time, I have come to know which colour combos, details and accessories work for me and make my outfit look balanced.

When you feel that your outfit is a bit boring or lacks interest, it may be easier to just add some colour, pattern, texture or shine, as suggested by Angie several times, for instance in this post: https://youlookfab.com/2017/12.....and-shine/

Anonymous

What an interesting article. Thanks for posting it. I’m not sure how I feel about this specific point system but will be interested in other friends’ musings on the subject.
But I can say while reading it I was thinking about that comment- was it Coco who said look in mirror and take one thing off?
Math was never my subject but I think I act like I am in subtraction class more than addition class- lol

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Gigi, this could be really fun if you enjoy analysis, rating, counting, maths, and that type of thing - which some of our Fabbers really do judging by how they count their wears and create complex spreadsheets. Why not.

Gigi

Veteran

Angie, yes, I am one who enjoys analysis!

rachylou

Veteran

I have never heard of this, but my interest is definitely peaked. ‘Outfit KPI’ (Key Performance Indicators)

Style Fan

Veteran

It is an interesting idea. I don't think through my outfits using analysis. I am more of an emotional dresser.

I do enjoy some analysis but I prefer minimalistic dressing. I have seen some bloggers rate outfit on a scale of 1 to 10 (Andrea of Seasons and Salt) using their emotions. I would do that method.

Vildy

Veteran

Yeah, I've come across this before. I might be happier when my outfit feels like "less", though not in an avant garde or minimalist style. What I really find puzzling is what Style Fan mentioned, where you award your outfit a number based on your evaluation or feeling for it. Imogen Lamport advocates never going below an 8 out of 10 for a considered purchase. I can understand a 10 and I guess a 5 - so-so - but between 6 and 9? And I suppose everything below 5 is what a friend used to call a negative neutral feeling.

ETA: I sometimes really like an outfit better when something is clearly missing, such as when it cries out for a necklace and I deliberately leave it off.

jussie

Veteran

Interesting! I do tend to think the ideal number might vary depending on a persons frame and features though. For example, my mother always wears several accessories at once and it looks balanced on her, whereas if I wear more than 2 at a time I seem to look messy. However she has curly hair and mine is dead straight so perhaps that has something to do with the overall balance?

Anonymous

I had not heard of it. Thank you for the introduction.

RobinF

Veteran

This is new for me. I would think the ideal number of points would vary depending on personal style. I'm always looking for ways to pinpoint the good and bad in an outfit and this could be useful for that.

Aurore

Veteran

I had not heard of it, but it definitely sounds interesting!

Gigi

Veteran

I hope this turns out to be a useful tool for some of us! The more tools, the better.

I agree that it is unclear whether this system works better for certain styles or certain body types. The person who wrote it wrote it in the context of gamine style, which I think is generally detail heavy. If any of you with a different style or body shape try this method and feel like sharing how it worked or didn't work, I'd love to know!

Even when I look at very simple outfits that I enjoy, I see that they can score a lot of points even if there are not a lot of accessories. Maybe the shoes have an ankle strap and a dramatic heel; the blazer might have the sleeves scrunched and have eye-catching buttons; the makeup might include a bold lip. All of these things create points but do not involve accessories. They're just part of the outfit.

Gigi

Veteran

Style Fan, I am an emotional dresser too. Sometimes I enjoy trying to find out the reason why I liked one outfit more than another, or why a certain outfit felt "blah" to me. This method can sometimes help me understand that.

Vildy, that is interesting, that you occasionally purposely leave something off!

rachylou

Veteran

I just had a thought: you can have too many points. I look like a raggamuffin today: 25+ points

On the other hand, I’m happy...

Gigi

Veteran

Rachy, LOL! Did you really have more than 25 points? Ha!

MsMaven

Veteran

I've heard of this, but can't remember exactly when or where for the first time. I do know that when I took a class in Color Me Beautiful taught by a local model agency owner, she talked about this but took a different approach.

There was an upward limit on the number of points, and if you went over it you were supposed to subtract items. Times change! One example, if fingernail and toenail polish were different colors, it counted 2 points. I remember in the mid-80s you were supposed to look in the mirror before you went out and then subtract one item. You weren't supposed to look too busy or overdressed.

I don't remember a minimum, but this was a long time ago.

Carrie V

I don't think I'd take the time figure out all those points but I have heard a good way to make an outfit is to include the following three:
1. Something neutral (examples: neutral color like white, tan, etc, denim, black leather jacket)
2. Something with color (any bolder color beyond a neutral)
3. Something with a pattern (I think this assumes your "something with color" doesn't have a pattern)
I have lots of outfits I think look good that don't follow this but if I'm struggling to decide what to wear, this usually helps me put something together!

Anonymous

Interesting. For me, this sounds like too much work. I like Angie's color, pattern, texture, shine fix for a blah outfit.
https://youlookfab.com/2017/12.....and-shine/