Styling: What were they thinking? - YouLookFab Forum

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Styling: What were they thinking?

Sal

Veteran

I was looking online at a well known Australian retailer for offerings. I was struck by how much I disliked the styling of many of the pieces.

I am a regular shopper of this brand. I think I am in the target market for the brand. Their clothes fit me well and tend to last.

1) Pretty skirt and sweater, but black flats with a light midi skirt? The white boots would be better with this one. This look would be awful for my chunky muscular calves...
2) This model will be tall and gorgeous but still is unflattering. That semi tuck would never last in a thick knit into a thin knit jersey skirt....
3) I want to like this but I don't. Surely the black flats would be better here or a white shirt? Or am I wrong?
4) Looks super uncomfortable. Indigestion is what it reminds me of.
5) I like this one. Very simple and conventional.
6) Liked this because of the flat shoes, easier to make a dress look flattering in heels so nice to show in flats.

Am I a total grump? What do you think? I included the two I did like just to try and appear less grouchy about the styling.

I know styling is supposed to be edgy and sometimes unconventional, but I find it off putting in this instance.

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25 replies

Latest reply was from Sal

rachylou

Veteran

How funny, I was looking at a catalog today too and thinking boy did they make everything look drab and dumpy. It's like they put all the models in one size too big. And the outfits were just top, bottom, and flats next to a plant.

Firecracker (Sharan)

Veteran

Sal, I agree with your assessments. Maybe I'm a grouch, too. Ha ha!

Joy

Veteran

Another grouch here. The styling was awful!

Sal

Veteran

Pleased it is not just me.

The pink skirt - not really me but I did click on it. White mules and a white boxy top maybe with some structure - and maybe a necklace or a cuff?

Or if they want to toughen it up maybe black moto, cropped top and heels? While I would not wear a crop top it would be better than this?

Laura G

Veteran

I'm with you. These looks are aggressively ugly.

approprio

(website)

Veteran

To answer the question in the title, these look like those outfits you might put together in a hurry, leave the house, realize you got it all wrong and spend the rest of the day tucking, untucking and wishing for different shoes. Who knows. Maybe the stylist didn't have enough coffee that day..

Lucy

Veteran

Yes I agree! I often think this of Metalicus as well. You have to look past the styling to find stuff you want.

Sal

Veteran

Thanks Laura!

Approprio - exactly!

Lucy- I have thought that about Metallicus too- and Motto. I would see Deborah wearing great pieces but based on online shopping presence I would nut have considered them.

Perhaps you need a better eye to shop online than I have?

I recently found a new label I like and was impressed by their styling. Tuesday label was the brand.

bella

(website)

Veteran

#4 looks like a costume from a medieval play to me. Not a fan!
I like the monochrome look in #2, but you are probably right, the thickness of those two items are not a good match for one another.

kkards

Veteran

i actually like #4 a lot... not sure i'd wear it, but i like it...that corset look seems to be a fringe trend. i like #3 as well, i agree black shoes would be great, and again, probably wouldnt wear it with white boots myself, but its eye catching and feels fresh to me...

Runcarla

Veteran

Same with Zara. Though always different, I thought revent styling looked haphazard, oversized, and aggressive. Items look better on the hanger instore.

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

The shoes are what bother you in #1, not the complete lack of any body shape?
Semi-tuck--is that meant to stay like that? I always think of it as a way to toughen things up for a pic, or to squeeze two looks into one pic, sorta like wearing different shoes on each foot.
The styling of the corset doesn't bother me. The corset does.

Joyce B

Veteran

5 seems to be what you usually see these days. What bothers you about that one? The print with the ruffles? It doen't look bad to me although I would not wear that type of ruffles.
The shoes don't go with most of the outfits and there is a tendency towards a not pulled together look in the other picts.

Sara L.

Veteran

I feel this way about a lot of the styling I see online. It can be hard (for me) to look past the awkward styling to the actual pieces.

Sal

Veteran

Thanks for the views. It is good to hear different perspectives. kkards I almost like 3 too....

Joyce- I did like the last two - although they are extremely simple.

Lyn D.

Veteran

Well I agree with you on all counts Sal!
Just curious what brand is it?
I am not familiar with it at all.
Hah- IMO Metalicus has gone seriously 'off' recently with too much flimsy material and neautral colours.
Motto was always too busy and patterned for my taste.
Call me a grumpy consumer too!

Sal

Veteran

It is Witchery- I have the most success with them from the common chain stores- and there is a wonderful store manager in a local branch. So I like the brand for simple reasonable quality pieces.

I have never bought Metallicus nor motto but their online presence is not inspiring! Maybe they get a lot of retail
Support?

Lucy

Veteran

Interesting isn't it?
I have a lot of Metallicus (I don't like ironing, and I travel a lot, so it works very well in real life). But it is impossible to buy online. I find the sizing varies a lot between pieces, and some things have really weird cuts in real life. Other pieces are fabulous, but the only way to find which is which is to try it all on!
Motto - I agree with Lyn D about all that pattern. Why?? And the strange trims. Though I bought one piece from them, a tube dress, and I was really impressed with the quality of the garment and the excellent customer service. I ordered it online and it was the best presented purchase I have ever made. I feel like I'd shop with them again, but they need to tone it down a little.
I'm sure they would sell more if they had better websites!

Bijou

Veteran

I do agree that the styling is off, however I have really like quite a lot of Witchery this season, in finds below.

RobinF

Veteran

They do look like nice pieces if you can look past the odd styling. Someone mentioned Zara and I agree, they look similar. It's impossible for me to guess the fit by looking at the clothes on the models.

Laura G

Veteran

I had never heard of Metalicus so I went and looked. I immediately found something I liked, a wool and cashmere blend poncho. Checking the details, I saw: 50% polyester, 20% nylon, 20% acrylic. I leave you to calculate how much "wool and cashmere" it could possibly have.

This is a tactic that makes me cross a store completely off my list.

Sal

Veteran

Thanks for all the comments. Bijou - I like that dress of yours (and your white boots- are they Witchery?) in 2016 I added a jacket, top, dress, pants, 2 x shoes and a hat from Witchery and they are all going strong. In 2017 I have added a pair of pants and a blouse both which I also like.... All bought instore except for the shoes and jacket (Brooklyn pointed me in the direction of the jacket though).

Laura - that is wrong isn't it!!

Bijou

Veteran

Hi Sal, my white boots aren't Witchery, my boots have a lower heel than the Witchery ones, so much more wearable. I am pretty loath to buy any heels above a 5cm height having realised that they tend to languish in my wardrobe. I may have not realised this without the help of YLF.

Jenni NZ

Veteran

I find Witchery and its sister brands Country Road, Trenery and Mimco reasonably expensive for chain stores. Having said that my totally beloved faux fur vest was on sale at Witchery 2012 now well over 30 wears and my 100% viscose pink/blue camo top is Trenery 2016, 27 wears already and going strong. I guess you feel you get good value from them Sal and maybe Bijou.

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Sal

Veteran

Thanks Bijou- it is great to make those realisations.

Jenni- I often buy on sale or on a deal but I think the fit suits my shape. And my pieces have all worn well - the 2016 purchases would be around 30 wears I believe. Love the furry vest on you!