Scrunch and a stroll down memory lane - YouLookFab Forum

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About: Tapered Scrunch with Long Hems: Yay or Nay

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Scrunch and a stroll down memory lane

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Angie’s blog post on returning scrunch in pant styles had some links to her outfits of years ago, and the topic took me back. I looked at my early posts here, which seemed timely as I’m approaching ten years that I’ve been visiting this forum. Ten years! OMG

So I looked back at some of my early outfits. There were some fails to be sure, but not all bad. My style and my needs have changed over the years. I dressed up more then, but it was after a period in which I had really fallen into a deep and boring rut, so for a time it felt good to step it up a bit.

I was also running half marathons back then, so I looked good and fit. That striped dress in #5! Sigh. I gave it away two years ago but I sure wouldn’t look like that in it now.

I think nearly every item in these photos is gone from my wardrobe now (I spy a bag I think I still own, and I think I still have the hat in #7, which I had t include because it’s when I bought those saddle shoe Doc Martens like Angie had too). The heels! No more. I miss that sweater in #6.

I would wear variations on all of these outfits, so even though things have changed over the years I never ventured too far off course of what’s true to me. Clearly I always preferred straight leg or flare full-length jeans and not skinnies or crops, regardless of trends. And my color palette has been largely consistent for my entire life.

Have you ever looked back at your style from early participation on YLF? Any insights?

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General

23 replies

Latest reply was from Janet

Joy

Veteran

That was a fun trip down memory lane. You have always looked amazing.

nemosmom

Veteran

What Joy said! I see some differences, but in all you have really stayed true to YOU, if that makes any sense. I could see you in any of these today (except maybe 6, but I can't identify why). You have always looked fantastic.

anchie

Veteran

You seem true to yourself. Fun to see those outfits. They don’t scream particular year and could be worn now.
I usually cringe at my own old photos

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Back then I did a lot of layering collared shirts under sweaters, and no longer do that. Now I’m remembering that the sweater in 6 had three-quarter length sleeves, which were never my favorite, so it necessitated cuffing the sleeves of my shirt underneath. But i like the pattern on that sweater.

The outfit I’d be least likely to wear now is 9. No pumps, no white shirts under a blazer... even if I worked a real job now, I wouldn’t duplicate that look.

Helena

Veteran

Yep - gorgeous then and gorgeous now is what I see. With a signature style that has stayed current but transcended trends - if that makes sense?

When I look back at old photos, what I see if that, for all my overthinking, my style has stayed basically the same! Classic, polished, casual, contrast. Just went back to look at my first OOTD, 7 years ago - shocker, I've got on a black, white and blue palette, a striped top and even layered delicate necklaces lol!!

anchie

Veteran

I agree - 9 looks kind of corporate, it is kind of look that is still worn a lot where I work.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

The things I still own:

1 - the necklace
2 - the bag (it’s big but really nice and a gift from hubs so I keep it in case it trends again)
3 - the fingerless gloves and fuzzy scarf
9 - the pendant (an heirloom)

And that’s it!

I have an updated version of the lace up boots in 5, with lower heels. Those were 3+”.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

SO FUN! And I remember most of the outfits Love them!

I think that fundamentally, your style is the same but changed with the trends. Now you've incorporated Athleisure (another trend), said no to shirts and pumps, and amped up the tough edge. But your palettes are just the same!

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Oh, I still have those studded Converse from pic 3, but they are at the ranch. I almost brought them home with me last time because I'm feeling Cons again more lately, but decided to leave them there and get the pair below for cooler weather.

Converse Converse

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Top Pick

5

Runcarla

Veteran

#2 in particular looks like something you would wear today. What I don’t see in these photos is the creative use of accessories that distinguishes your current outfits - scarves in particular, and one-of-a-kind jewellery, vintage sunnies, unique bags, etc. You may acquire garments from mainstream retail, but your current look is individualized by how you put the whole together.

Yes, I do often go back and look at those old WIW. I see a preference for colour vs neutrals, but stylistically I as all over the place with silhouettes.

Anonymous

How interesting! You look like a catalogue model ! I had to smile at the fingerless gloves

Anonymous

And I sometimes look at old photos, but frankly find it a little disconcerting and depressing. Time is moving so quickly now.

Firecracker (Sharan)

Veteran

Janet, you were always stylish! You looked just as fantastic then as you do now. What a fun retrospective.

I would like to have the haircut you have in the first photo!

Yes, I have looked back at my YLF photos, and I will say it is not always enjoyable. I always feel I'm not very photogenic, or to put it another way, I like to think I look better than what I see in the photos.

Sal

Veteran

Definitely fun to see!! I think all of them could be worn now but I agree 9 does not look like a Janet look.

I have one of those Bailey dresses and they are super flattering. Mine is also tighter than it used to be.

1, 3,4 and 8 are my favourites here. Lovely lovely looks.

Irina

Veteran

OMG, that dress in #5! You looked gorgeous!
I certainly see the consistency in your style then and now.
I can’t say the same about my own style. 10 years ago I wore:
- all my pants and jeans were bootcut. I have one pair now still with tags after almost a year.
- my tops were fitted. Well, I went in opposite directions from there
- I mostly wore kitten heel shoes. Gone completely, dislike them now.
- I didn’t have a defined color palette. I’m better at it now.

kellygirl

Veteran

These bring back memories--especially the Baily44 style dress. Oh, how I wanted one of those! Your style was fab then as it is now and in my opinion, are even prettier now. So fun to see your style evolution! My style has changed very little but my attitude has changed a lot. I don't care as much what people think--I just wear what I want.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Janet, you look fabulous as always -- and I clearly remember some of these outfits! You're right that your palette has stayed the same, as have your favoured silhouettes, and your typical outfit components also remain constant, with jackets being a key third piece.

Anonymous

Those. Blue. Boots! Love the striped dress too!
I'm depressed looking at my pre lab rat wiw's. I still have many of the clothes, they just don't look the same or don't fit at all.

MsMaven

Veteran

I remember that striped dress! Fantastic on you. You've always had a consistent clear look--even with several layers you've looked sleek and uncluttered, and there is a consistency throughout.

I don't think you've ever looked less than great.

Brooklyn

Veteran

I had that Bailey dress too and passed it on a few years ago! And I wish you still had the sweater in 6 too, so you could send it to me

I don’t think any of your outfits have dated but to me you have fine tuned your look a lot. I like what RC said. Also you are a bit more rock n roll and more casual. Some of these outfits lean a bit more preppy than I associate with you now.

slim cat

Veteran

Ditto on what @runcarla said - you polished your style and evolved it!

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

These photos just affirm the core of your style remains but also evolves. Yes the only one that looks "off brand" is #9. We have a screen saver on our family screen that shows old pictures. I am always surprised how young I used to be and remind myself that soon enough, with luck, I will think the same about how I am now. This is my version of the wisdom that comes with age.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

It’s a little disconcerting to look at photos that feel like they should only have been a few years ago and realize how much time has passed. My first reaction is self-critical (yes, this is the difference between 45 and 55, pre- and post-menopause and all kinds of other things that have happened over the years). But Jaime, you are right, I had a similar thought that someday when I’m 65 I’ll look at 55yo me and see the same span of time. As I say, getting older means we’re still here! So it’s all good. Time won’t stand still.