"She is Me" - YouLookFab Forum

Please forgive the length of this post! I don't know how to make this any shorter...

Over the past week, I have been working on putting together photos of what I feel is "my style". I have bought some new items to try to update my look (photos 1, 2, 7, 8, 9, 11) and much of that is in an attempt to try new things and incorporate wisdom that I have learned from Angie's posts. These photos are a compilation of the new looks that I am trying, and some tried and true styles that have stood the test of time (I have had the dress in #13 for six years - it is still my favorite dress - and wore it to my daughter's memorial service... not typical funeral wear as you will see.) I decided to go ahead and post the whole thing for you, because it really did help me to see it from beginning to end, and get a feel for my cohesive look. I thought this might be a quicker way for you all to get to know my style, rather than in little dribbles over the next year.

This is what I learned as I looked at my "collection" if you will. Apparently I have a (big!) thing for grey, green, blue, and blue-green.I love vintage elements, brown leather, low contrast shoes and small amounts of animal print accessories. All of the jewelry that I love and wear consistently has sentimental value. I will someday do a post just on that, but suffice it to say that if you see any jewelry in these photos, it has a wonderful story behind it. Lastly, I love detail. I wish I could have just posted one shot of each outfit, but I am not capable of it. Without the detail, you lose the story of who I am.

I hope that you enjoy this little exercise that I have undertaken. I have learned so much in the process and I really appreciate the chance to share it with all of my new YLF friends. Griffyn recently asked the thought provoking question of what we are trying to convey with our style. I just pulled up something I wrote on my 40th birthday, and it is exactly what I want to convey...

When I looking the mirror these days, I see that the person looking back at me is completely comfortable in her own skin. She is exactly who I feel like on the inside. She is me.

When. I look back, I realize that. I do not regret having loved anyone. Ever.

When I look forward, I am hopeful. There are loved ones waiting for me in my home on the other side of an invisible veil - so close that I can almost touch them. What does it matter that time is traveling at the speed of light these days? Bring it on!

When I look up, I see the One who holds my heart - the One who calms all of my fears and gently wipes away my every fear.

Today, on this beautiful day, I look within and discover that I am... free.

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11 years ago

Gaylene

Veteran

Beautiful collage and a lovely introspective. You are fortunate have been able to meld your inner and outer selves so perfectly.

doubleh

Agree with Gaylene. Love the thought and reflection that went into this post. I've seen the concern pop up occasionally that being part of a forum on style means that one is somehow shallow or self-absorbed. I think your post is a perfect example of what YLF truly is about- matching the outer to the inner.

Great getting to know you! And as a newbie just starting on my own trek, it's an inspiration. And I love your clothes/shoes/jewelry- all of it!

citygirldc

(website)

I adore your outfits and your view of life. May I be inspired just as you are.

rabbit

I love what you have written. Your outfits and jewelry feel very much like 'a person' to me, rather than a 'style' if that makes sense - like the outer is an expression or unfolding of the inner, including quietness, delicacy, and history. The dress in #12 is very special on you and it shows.

ramya

The details are fabulous. Love your ability to pen what you feel. And you my lady are gorgeous

catgirl

Beautiful inside and out.

Suz

What a beautiful post -- in all senses of that term.

Your blues and greens and greys love you back -- they fully express the reflective person who wrote the words above. Yet your sharp haircut and spunky accessories show that you also have spark. There is a feminine strength to your style as well. It will be interesting to see where you go next!

LoriFLA

Active Member

Beautiful post. Great style.

Anonymous

Such a lovely, hopeful outlook -- and such lovely clothes! Your style really does look like it suits you perfectly. I love your obvious care with colors and accessories and I think my favorite outfit on you is #11. Something about that green with the polka dots is gorgeous on you.

Everything blends so well I can't tell what's new & what's not! How has your style changed recently? (I'm always so curious about things like this.)

I love seeing a collection of outfits: they are all definitely unified and seem to belong with you. Definitely a shortcut to getting to know your style, which is wonderful! And your reflections were lovely, as always.

Ornella

Mesmerising. Your outfits, your analysis, your self-acceptance and your spirit.

SarahTheWhite

Thank you all so much for the kindness. It was a bit scary putting so much of myself out there at one time...

E: that is a good question... I have edited out some of the things I had been wearing frequently - much younger looking styles. I am drawn to lots of pattern and some things that read as very young, so I have been working hard to pare down on that. I don't buy into things having to be "age appropriate", but I am always seen as much younger than I am, which is both flattering and bothersome all at the same time. So there are things that you don't see in this overview that I am trying to get away from. The new things are the boyfriend jeans and the looser, boxier tops. I have always liked the longer sweaters over skinny jeans and leggings, but I have not experimented as much with fluid and/or boxy tops. I am also incorporating deeper, darker colors and more solids. Overall, I would say that it is a subtle shift, but I don't yet feel that I have finished with my more recent transformation, but in the end, though, I think that my tastes are set in enough that most change from here on out will continue to be subtle.

Rabbit and Suz: How both of you interpreted my look and words has left me feeling so understood. That is such a gift to give to another person... Thank you!

Beth Ann

Thanks for sharing, Sarah. Your outfits are as well-composed as your words. Ideally, our physical presentation should reflect our true sense of self to the world, but many things can prevent us from being able to do this. How lovely that you are feeling harmony between your inner and outer life. How blessed to have to feel free and content.

Karie

Very nice, I love what you wrote on your 40th. #8 and #13 are my favorite outfits.

Jaime

Touching and beautiful post. You have an aura of strength that comes through.

That makes sense Sarah! And as another who has always looked younger than I am, and who is also drawn to clothing styles that are (sadly) associated with girls, I understand that challenge too.

Debra

A Beautiful expression of who you are. Loved reading your reflection and looking at your collage

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