Style you have walked away from (permanently or temporarily) - YouLookFab Forum

Category

Inspiration

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

Style you have walked away from (permanently or temporarily)

Sal

Veteran

I was updating my profile here and realised how my style has changed and evolved gradually. There are many reasons this may happen for any of us:

Fashions change - and we are more influenced by trends than we realise I think
Ageing brings change in terms of preferences and body
Workplace or location or influence
A world pandemic
Sense of style and personal preferences

For me:

I used to be influenced by retro especially 50/60/70 styles - the 70s has stayed as a constant - but the 50/60 is no longer authentic for me. I am more into the dressy 70s look than the boho 70s look now.
I experimented for a year or two with more rock influences, but that didn't stick.
For a couple of years I tried a more avant garde look (in my late 20s) but that passed.
I also wore a bit of the "put a bird on it" Portland style in a NZ way for a while - but have moved on. I think that was trend related both moving to it and moving away....and I could get back into that look.

There's other styles that have never felt like me, but that's another topic. And just because I have moved on from a style doesn't mean anyone else should - or that I don't like the style on others. I am sure plenty of people are bored with dressy 70s looks but I can't see myself ever getting bored with them.

What styles have you moved away from?
Do you see yourself going back to any of them?

57 replies

Latest reply was from lyn67

Anonymous

I was really into a look I don’t know how to define really , maybe a rocker , edgy kind of effect ? Studs , zippers , leather , safety pin jewellery , skulls etc…..and now I’m done with it . Those elements are ok on their own , but mixed and worn together is no longer what I want to project now that I’m 60 . It’s not as if I drew the line as I crossed this magic age barrier , but I’m not interested in keeping up a look that worked for me as a younger person in the fashion and design world . I still have all of these leather jackets , accessories , etc , but rarely wear them now , and when I do I play them down instead of up .

Runcarla

Veteran

I’m moving away from Tomboy, and actually removed it from the descriptors on my profile. My style is growing more classic and is almost a collection of ‘things every woman should have in her closet’. LOL! I don’t mind it one bit!

rachylou

Veteran

Oh this is such a good question. I almost forgot about Put A Bird On It. I too have left it behind. I got carried away by the creative aspects; being interminably a sucker for hipster, I became too cliché and twee for myself (and so… I have turned to Cottage Core, haha!) (uh, but I still get out the bunting at Christmas).

I’ve also left behind preppy (it does me no favours), and being a slick urbanite (which basically means mixed-media leather to me) (I really had a big crush on that look) or a French Girl urbanite (that means black flats to me, lol).

The biggest one is Cubicle Dress. Even if I was always whimsical about it, it was a big limitation and something to work around. Really fought with me re. my style inclinations. I was never totally satisfied. On the other hand, I’ll admit in some ways the style opportunities are less. I now have zero places to wear any form of heel.

Sloper

Veteran

Good topic!

I've definitely moved away from the post-apocalyptic pseudo Rick Owens all-black look. I never did it full-time or full-blown, but it did influence many of my outfits and purchases.

Life changes have made color (and even pattern!) more appealing to me.

Joy

Veteran

Excellent question. I have moved away from a few styles and several color groups. Preppy , Edgy and Western never really appealed or felt authentic. My eclectic style feels right. Too much classic style.
never seemed right. A bit is welcome. My current style is eclectic bordering on dramatic, as wild cards become favorites and my outfits become more colorful and complex. Lots of contrast has become the new normal in a continuing effort not to be invisible.

Sally

Veteran

I had to look up what put a bird on it meant. I never really did that. I must have been asleep when that happened.
I suppose that was what my recent post is about. I have tried classic and fitted but I don’t think it’s me personality wise. I am not sure I want to show my body off in that way.
I have tried grunge and tomboy but feel I’m too old for that. I have done a gothic lite in my University years. I have had years when I just put clothes on(not sure that was any style). I have done long tunics over fitted pants and a more tailored but bohemian look. I think I’m having a style crisis at the moment.

slim cat

Veteran

I don't think I was ever able to fully express certain style through my own way of dressing - it was more "wear what's available and fit your budget" ( either Soviet Union, or Perestroika, or starting in US ).
I admire the abilities of any individual to fully commit to certain style and follow through ( or just mix it enough with their own ). I'm just sorta finding my own mix - bit of Seattle' grunge, a bit of rock and roll, a little bit of 70s ( and one day may be a touch of roaring 20s ).

Jenni NZ

Veteran

I’m not sure? I think I have liked a lot of stuff consistently throughout my life. I go a bit up and down especially during the pandemic as to how bright in colour I want to be, as I also like monochrome/black and white, and especially in winter I feel more somber. Then I see something bright and pretty and want that stuff again. I am better at not just buying that stuff without thinking properly about it.

Jenni NZ

Veteran

Oh, and I am like Sally about missing the “put a bird on it” phase- I had to look it up too although I remember Rachylou mentioning it before. I think that was mostly a US meme?

Synne

Veteran

Interesting. Like Sally, I am done with the [non-] style of "Just putting clothes on". (Hilarious!)

I have also moved away from too classic, meaning French-girl stripes, classic outerwear etc. I try to not go too avant garde and dramatic also. The sweet spot for me is something flowy, texture rich, understated.

Star

Veteran

I am currently in this process. I have always been drawn to more edgy details; zippers, studs and so on and like LisaP am realising that this not a full-on look I want to project anymore. Also not feeling patterns and bright colours like I used to. Maybe connected to my hair going natural silver, not sure. Definitely preferring a more classic style in neutrals now. Also I used to love big funky earrings and now prefer small studs. I have not quite nailed in my mind a clearly defined style but I am finding the changes fun and interesting.

Marlene1

I don't want a matchy-matchy look any longer. I want my clothes to look like they go together, but not like I put a lot of effort (and bought a lot of stuff) to create a perfect match.
This may be why I am off colored footwear at the moment. Or maybe I'm embracing neutral footwear because it's winter?

Janet

(website)

Veteran

I just looked at my profile info for the first time in years, and it remains consistent. I am generally still attracted to the same styles for myself over time, and my flattery priorities haven’t changed much. My color palette has stayed very consistent my entire life, which subtle shifts along the way (red comes and goes a bit, grey too). I still like a touch of edge even though I don’t do it head to toe. I’m still a fan of a touch of 70s or glam influence. I still love prints and patterns but am not feeling huge swaths of them as much these days, and I’m getting pickier about them. Dresses are tricky for that reason.

The only thing I think I’ve truly moved away from are high heels for day wear. I never did twee or put a bird on it (maybe dipped a toe in when I first discovered fashion blogs back in the day but quickly affirmed it was not for me). I have elements of preppy, sporty, classic, romantic, and avant garde, but they are mixed in sparingly and never drive my style, so I’ve never felt like I had to abandon them entirely. I just have to be thoughtful about how I employ them.

Ginger

Veteran

I think my biggest shift was a few years ago when I came up with the Duchess Next Door moniker. I'm heavily influenced by 1930s, 40s, and 50s silhouettes, and I prefer minimal use of neutrals. In the early/mid 2010s these silhouettes were strongly on-trend, sort of the "New Girl" look with fit-and-flare dresses and bright color combinations. It's a quirky-cute look that was a lot of fun.

Eventually this phase felt off. I don't know if it was age or just feeling tired of it. High contrast combinations were too much. Bored of solid dresses in the same crayon colors. It felt too high-energy and too contrived. I wanted to feel grown up, elegant and natural, but still pretty and colorful. The Duchess of Cambridge in her pretty colors and retro-classic, feminine silhouettes became my icon.

Hence, the Duchess Next Door. Elegant, but not a historical model or a TV show character. Real and approachable.*

Instead of crayon colors, pretty midtones.
No bright colored smooth tights; nude hose, or light neutral sweater tights that coordinate.
Instead of two or three prominent colors in one outfit, coordinating one "star" color with supporting colors.
Instead of knee-length or shorter skirts, longer ones covering the knee.
Instead of solid poplin or knit dresses (eShakti), sweater dresses and more fun skirts.
Instead of settling for basic retro brands, buying good quality or making my own.

* I tend to get nice comments about how I dress. While shopping, at church, around the neighborhood. People in the neighborhood have said they like seeing me in my dresses and skirts when I walk.

A Walmart stocker I see regularly was disappointed when I came in in jeans a few weeks ago. This isn't about compliments; I like that people aren't intimidated if they want to say something.

cjh

(website)

Veteran

Repeating Rachy, Cubicle Dress has been long gone, not worn since I retired five years ago. No more ponte or poly-rayon dress slacks with office blouses, print career dresses, pencil skirts, jackets, mid heels or loafers. The only part I miss about that is the accessory potential. I have a little container and two small racks in my closet, all filled with fun and colorful necklaces of all types. I wear a necklace so rarely, and even less since Covid seclusion-or-mask days, as I think about it. I look at them longingly sometimes. Not so much walked away, I guess, as no longer relevant.

Anonymous

I didn't know what "put a bird on it" was either- though I do have a couple bird /peacock feather things!

I've moved away from: asmmetry, most non neutrals, most prints, long cardigans, scarves.

Things I wear but not all the time as I used to: heels, jewelry.

In general I'm much less interested in keeping up with trends and just want to have a simple "forgettable" wardrobe these days.

Irina

Veteran

I tried Cottage core last year and it didn’t work for me.

I’m changing my classic style to … I don’t know what If anything, I want to add a contemporary twist to my classic style. I moved away from straight pants and classic crew necks that used to be the core of my wardrobe. I don’t wear silk scarves and long necklaces anymore.

The Cat

Veteran

8-10 years ago, I walked away from ultra-classic styles, which can look and feel stiff and boring on me. I still like and wear many classics, but I feel most "me" when my outfits are relaxed elegant and include playful touches and non-neutral colours.

Helena

Veteran

Oh this is such an interesting question Sal! It's remarkable to me actually when I look back how ridiculously consistent my style has been my entire life. Even when I tried to experiment with things like preppy, mod, grunge or later, dance-clubby looks, I still managed to look more or less like a polished classic, with traditional prints, more classic fits, etc. I bet if I had kept a list of 'essentials' since I was 14, there would be very little variation on it.

The big thing for me has been the level of dress - in high school, we had a uniform and "civies days" had requirements for dressing up. In uni, I was on the dressier spectrum because I insisted on heels, etc. even in the Ottawa winters. And then the corporate environment was a perfect fit for me, with classic and crisp shirts, jackets, dressier pants, heels, and traditional colours beng the norm. I still battle with having left this behind and how to make the uber-casual style that suits my current life feel like "me".

So I guess my 'evolution' has really been more a re-invention of the same old!

Laurie

Veteran

I can't remember the last time I wore stripes. I still love them, but they do not work on Zoom! So I've stopped reaching for them even on weekends.

Also shoes/heels. If we ever get out of our houses and back to any semblance of in person work again, I bet I'll do a huge shoe/boot edit. I haven't worn several pairs in the last 2 years for any length of time. When I took a short trip to Boston, just before Omicron surged, for my one and only face to face meeting since March 2020, I was uncomfortable in my old Clarks boots that I used to be able to wear through airports and cities for days in a row. My eBay Blondos will be a welcome replacement.

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

Not exactly walking away (I’m wearing the red ones right now), but as much as I was drawn to the drama of flare pants/jeans a couple years ago, I’m not feeling it so much right now. That’s partially body related—the thyroid meds I’m taking made me lose a bunch of muscle, so my quads are quite skinny. The bell bottoms highlight that. Once the legs are built up some more, I might like the pants again. We’ll see!

Anonymous

Put a bird on it? LOL. Is that some sort of hipster, Portland thing ? I clearly sidestepped that one.

DonnaF

Veteran

Classic Dressed for Success back in the ‘80s when that was a Thing. Never really felt like me, and I continue to feel that workwear is a bit of a costume.

Lands End for general wear pre-YLF because I liked the photos and didn’t have time or energy to shop in person. Sad, huh?

Then I learned about Zappos and the ease of returns with Nordstrom.com.

Echo

Veteran

I have no idea what "put a bird on it" refers to, and when I looked it up, it is apparently some Portlandia thing (which I have never seen). Whatever it is, I'm still clueless!

As far as style goes, I tend the way Janet does. I have bits and pieces of things in my wardrobe, but my overall style remains consistent. I wear black and generally one piece that stands out, whether that's a jacket, shoes, a scarf, a piece of jewelry. In this way, statement pieces are integral to my style; I just don't wear them all at once. I really like black and the edgy look, but I've never gone all-in on it, and I like bright colors, too, but have never gone all-in on that, either. So I often mix the two (a column of black with a bright jacket; a bright dress with black hose and biker boots; all black with a bright piece of jewelry; a bright pair of pants with a black top and studded shoes).

Star

Veteran

Echo I like the description of your style.

cat2

Veteran

My style has been pretty consistently Classic. That means I have for years been picking pieces that last, rather than trending pieces, and that I can pop on a outfit that includes some really old pieces and they don’t look out of place. I do veer off a bit to incorporate Western and Cottagecore elements, but they feel authentic given my rural Western roots and start in fashion with home sewing. What doesn’t feel authentic to me are edgy, architectural, Menocore or Boho pieces, and I have learned to leave those lanes to others.

Roberta

Veteran

Hahaha, I had to look up Put a Bird on It too, and then laughed and laughed. Some day I have to watch all of Portlandia.

For years I wore a very tailored look; fitted jackets, pencil skirts, dress trousers, sheath dresses, scarves. It suited my figure and made me feel professional at the library. Particularly when Mad Men was on and I aspired to be Joan Holloway (such beautiful colors!). I loved all those tailored details, too - welt pockets, good linings, real buttons at the cuffs.

Heels went away, then pantyhose, then all of the skirts. The pandemic and a knee injury ushered in the sneaker era. Now I love wearing (some of) the blazers with jeans, and a few of the dresses with leggings or pants.

I still like a fitted look, as long as I have room to breathe and raise my arms and have a big lunch. The Eileen Fisher or Cos rectangles never worked on me, as much as I like that look on others.

LaPed

Veteran

I'm another who's been pretty consistent over time. It's easy for me to veer deep into preppy territory without meaning to, due to upbringing, but in general I've moved away from the more classic/polished side of prep. I'll still do the tweedy/tomboy aspects though.

I tend to move away from specific elements rather than whole looks. I don't really do graphics and prints anymore, and I used to do a lot more accessorizing -- legwarmers, fingerless gloves, hats, belts, what have you -- and don't really bother with any of that anymore. I was very catch-as-catch-can in my teens and twenties, since I shopped almost exclusively at thrift stores and ended up with a lot of one-offs and wildcards. I'm perfectly happy to leave that quirky side behind for now, but wouldn't be surprised if it catches back up with me someday.

Firecracker (Sharan)

Veteran

Good question!

I'm less into drapey styles these days. I do like drape in my fabrics, but I'm not enjoying drapey style details on myself--waterfall cardigans and the like. I haven't eliminated them completely, but I'm not buying them.

Kind of related to the drapey elements, I am reconsidering asymmetry. I do like a bit of it still and do like a lot of the pieces I've made that have a bit of asymmetry in them.

Peplums. Trying to avoid these for the most part. They just look off on me now, in my view.

Ruffles. I do have some that I've kept, but again, not adding more.

A lot of boho. I was fairly into some boho looks, especially when I wore my hair longer. Now with my short cut, I think many boho elements look fairly ridiculous on me. A lot of the long dangly earrings I liked to wear with long hair feel like too much to me now and often seem out of place with an outfit when I try them on.

Also, with Janet: high heels. It's actually been a few years at least since I wore heeled booties, which used to be my go-to footwear for 3/4 of the year.

12