September Challenge, week 3 - YouLookFab Forum

9/15 Chambray/linen Talbots Outlet pants from 9/11 with inherited multiple blue patterned top and blue curved front open sweater. In the photo the pants look a bit baggy, which I hadn't noticed. Also wore my silver "bubble?" ring.

9/16 black Talbots pants worn a million times and black and white print Talbots outlet shirt worn 30? times. I wore this while shopping and noticed that I looked a bit disheveled. Rats. I like the long sleeves with the light weight of the top. For the first time, when it got cooler out I added the burgundy Chico's cardigan/jacket from 9/13. I'm getting a kick out of finding ways to wear this item that has seen very few wears total over maybe 4-5 years. This outfit is not as polished as the 9/13 one.

9/17 wore a patterned turquoise, white, blue, brown and black 3/4 sleeve top with warmer black pants and black UGGs. Also brown and silver bangles and coper necklace I made and silver and copper earrings I made by taking apart a necklace. The boots were heavy, the outfit looked a bit seasonally confused, but it was colder and I went to the movies, so I didn't want to be cold. Although cooper and brown aren't "my" colors, I love the earrings, necklace and banana leaf bangle, which I got at Epcot a long time ago. Brings back happy memories. Necklace has a "hidden" compartment where I stamped XO and put a heart charm.

9/18 I wore my much loved black and white wrap dress, with a thicker black open longer but not long cardigan. I love how I look and feel in it, and wear it more often over all my other dresses combined. It has been my go-to for years, and I duplicated it immediately. Much worn black suede sandals.

9/19 Midi length EF ultra violet dress with openwork black cardigan. My new dress, maybe 2nd wear. Turquoise ring from my father's mother. I wore it as I wanted to feel close to her. I was missing her.

9/19 Talbots Outlet navy, blue and white maxi dress 5?wears, with the same sweater from 9/15. Again, not the best look.

9/20 inherited casual matching pants and top outfit-blue background with light blue fish, suns and stripes on it. Inherited. Comfy around the house. Thought I would never wear it outside, except maybe for a walk. But it looks better on then some of the outfits I liked better. Something I would think of as very unstylish.

9/21 Maxi dress from 9/1. Wore around the house with the same sweater from 9/19, But didn't think it looked so flattering so I checked to see how I'd worn it before and it was with my ruffled navy sweater, which was clearly an improvement. So I wore that sweater when I went out.

What I've learned.
1. Grappling with how I look compared to how I felt in outfits. Things that I think look good in the mirror don't necessarily look good in photos.
2. Having the photo of how I wore something before helped me improve my outfit.

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7 years ago

Helena

Veteran

Photos are so instructive aren't they? I don't know why they somehow give us objectivity we don't have with a mirror ... Works with home decorating too, I find! I can see why the print dress is a favorite ... Looks terrific on you.

kkards

you've reminded me, again, that i need to get back to taking outfit photos...yes, very instructive aren't they...but....a photo isn't neccessary the truth either, its a moment in time and static. i've had outfits that look fab in the photo, but IRL i find the neckline shifts or my shirt rolls up etc. On the otherhand, it's nice to be able to go back and look at something and figure out what feels off, or what can be improved....
the wrap dress looks fab, and i love the purple color on you, i wonder if you've tried it with a lighter color topper to allow the color to pop more

JAileen

Photos tell the truth, don’t they? I’ve had outfits I thought were great and then looked in the mirror to find I was sadly mistaken. That said, I like both of your dresses. The EF is a beautiful color, and the other one is a lovely pattern. You have very interesting jewelry, too.

Anonymous

What JAileen said. It feel special to wear the jewelry of someone you were close to in the past.

Jane

Photos are helpful but also crushingly horrid if they reveal things that you’ve not seen before!

Lovely jewellery! The sentiment / story behind jewellery is really important for me!

Brooklyn

I don’t think photos tell the whole story. Many outfits look better with movement. And many look better depending on how you pose for the camera (I can testify to that with jeans). And some items might feel luxe and lovely but don’t look that special in a photo eg sweaters and cardigans tend to look less glam than blazers in photos but can still look and feel great in person. I would try to be guided more by how you feel in the outfit.
The wrap dress is a winner on you. Love the black and white print.

Barbara Diane

torontogirl, yes, for better or worse, I am learning from the photos.
That's a great idea about home decor. I need to remember to take photos of my rooms. I think it does give a perspective on things I don't even notice anymore.

kkards, that's a good reminder about the pros and cons of outfit photos. I think one of my favorite things is going through my phone and remembering forgotten outfits.
Keen eye regarding the black sweater. I purchased a sweater in the same color as the dress to have cut open into a cardigan but I'm nervous that the person I give it to will mess it up.

JAileen, yes, this photo thing is interesting. Previously I've taken photos when I was trying to figure out an outfit. Thanks for the dress and jewelry love.

Joy, yes I love family jewelry.

Jane, yes, I felt pretty crushed by a few photos. I have a pin I never wear but is very sentimental. Luckily sentimental jewelry is easy to store.

Brooklyn, yes, and maybe I should occasionally take video. And when I am questioning an outfit I might have DS take a photo as sometimes I think the angle makes a difference.

Sal

Thanks for sharing - love your jewelry and the black and white dress in particular are really good.

I can relate to a couple of things
1) Feeling dishevelled - I often feel that way!!
2) Outfits photographing different to how I feel. I think tailored styles look good in photos, and more floaty or loose styles don't - in reality it can be very different.

Jules

One of the reasons I’ve long hesitated to take outfit photos is that I’m not sure I want to start dressing for the camera, or feeling crappy about outfits I previously enjoyed. I guess for me it’s more about enjoying the process and the way I feel than having camera pleasing outfits.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Barbara Diane, you look as lovely as ever. That wrap dress is the bomb. And your jewellery and nail polish add depth and personality to your outfits.

I’m sure these outfits look even better in person. Remember that photos in less than perfect light do not do an outfit justice.

Sal, thanks for the jewelry and black and white dress love. And the comment about how outfits look. I know DH likes the dress on me.

Jules, the process does have it's pros and cons. And I guess there is wisdom in separating observing an outfit and judging it and oneself. I did change my sweater into a more flattering one with a specific dress after seeing the photo. I looked back at the photo from another time I had worn the same dress.The earlier look was more flattering.

Angie, thanks for the kind words. You mean bathroom light isn't the very most flattering ever?

Suz

I love that B&W dress, too -- it is clearly perfect in every way. Fit, colour, cut -- the works. Adore your accessories as well. And I echo what others say. I find the combination of mirror and photo plus that ineffable "feeling" or "happiness factor" to be most helpful. Sometimes it looks good in the mirror but not so great in pics. Sometimes it looks better in pics than it felt or than it looks IRL. And sometimes I sneak photos in dressing rooms of shops because once in a while the angle or the lighting is better there than at home.

Suz, thanks for the dress and jewelry compliments.

That is wise advice about using the mirror, the photo and the joy factor to evaluate outfits. I am trying to decide whether to keep a skirt and now I will consider all three.

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