Summer dressing with Birks (style shift) - YouLookFab Forum

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Summer dressing with Birks (style shift)

Astrid

Veteran

Like I said in Shannon's thread about style and life parallels, I've noticed a shift in my style this year.

Less color, less pattern (mixing), less accessorizing. Maybe kind of extracting the essence. And less patience with fussing and a growing need to be comfortable.

But I haven't posted all that many outfits recently, so I thought I would recreate some of the looks I've been wearing lately. All of these outfits are with my Birks because they are the only summer shoes I have at the moment. But unlike past summers I actually feel like I found ways to make them work and feel good in them.

As for the outfits, which one(s) do you like best? Any ideas about tweaking the looks? Does it all work? And most importantly, do you see the shift I'm feeling and how would you describe these looks?

Thanks for looking.

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Dressing

33 replies

Latest reply was from Astrid

texstyle

(website)

Veteran

How fun! Love when there are lots of outfits in a post. #1 and #11 are standouts to me - I think it's the muted colors, the low key stripes and the simplicity but still great proportions and fit. The dresses are great too but more wintery in color and not as different maybe as the others. I'm not sure if I can put my finger on a description of the change but I really like this direction. Part of it is because I am personally liking less detail on clothing right now (fewer pockets, fewer snaps, buttons, etc.) An effortless style kind of feeling.

missvee

Veteran

I think they're all very flattering but I love 1, 5, 9, and 11 in particular. Everything you've shown seems to fit very well and you look so confident too.
There's certainly less of a boho feel than you've had in the past. It's fun to see how style develops isn't it?

rachylou

Veteran

Oh yes. I think I noticed the shift awhile ago. I like all your summer outfits. I find the "plainness" on you quite... freeing actually. #3 - 5 are my fave outfits for that reason.

Astrid

Veteran

Thanks Texstyle. I'm not often posting a lot of outfits at once, but I think it is sometimes helpful to see more than a single one at once. I wore #1 to work, it really was a great outfit for that. Covered enough (not as much leg as with the other shorts), comfortable and practical for lugging books around. And I was very surprised how much I liked #11, in fact I almost purged this skirt last year. I'm now really glad I kept it. And the bag makes every outfit better, of course. I really can't thank Inge enough.

Thanks Missvee. Yes, boho doesn't seem to fit anymore. And I'm really happy I found a way to wear my red skinnies so that I feel good in them!

Thanks Rachylou. "Plainness" that is freeing - I like that.

Mo

(website)

Veteran

I'm with Rachylou. #3 really struck me and it is quite stripped down. Love the shorter hair, too! It's sassy and spunky.

amiable

Veteran

Yours and my style is shifting the same direction. I'm loving these all - especially 1, 3, 9 and 11.

Mona

Veteran

#11 is just perfection and I really like how the bag picks up on your hair colour. I find your style very soft and feminine but not boho. You wear muted and earthy colours very well.

Lyn D.

Veteran

Love the simplicity here Astrid, and the shorts with the pendant and stripes is my fav.
The pant outfits all suit your shape really well and look flattering yet comfy too!

Astrid

Veteran

Thanks Mo!

Thanks Amiable! I look forward to seeing where we both end up style wise.

Thanks Mona! I really need to buy more light and soft colors in the future. It definitely suits my soft summer coloring.

Thanks Lyn! I think #1 is going to be FFBO for summer.

Aida

Veteran

LOVE those long shorts in #1/2, those are super duper cute. I also see the rise of simplicity here, and you were attracted to that type of aesthetic already! I don't see as many of the beautiful prints I associate with your style, but perhaps those will resurface in the fall with your gorgeous scarves. These outfits do seem equally laid back as what I'm used to seeing, but less earthy than before, if that makes sense. #1 and #11 stand out to me, those two are soooo excellent and seem to embody this direction. I also adore photo #10, you are too cool ^^

Transcona Shannon

Veteran

Every outfit is fab Astrid! Outfit 3/4 and 9/10 just blow me away. You have hit your style stride!

Gracie

Veteran

You just look great in muted colors! my favorite ones are 1/2 and 11/12. I like the simplicity, colors and proportions of these combinations. The jean jacket over the dresses seems to me a style you have been doing before, so I don't see a lot of change in those. It's very nice to see the 2nd angle photos, you have such a cute smile and terrific hair!

Neel

Veteran

I tried to choose a favorite ... But I couldn't. I really love each and every outfit. Perfect proportions, cool semi tucks and gorgeous colors! And those Birks ... Don't they go with everything? Wow! I wouldn't have thought it would be such a versatile pair.

I love your style shift. It's more crisp and has clean lines IMO.

Astrid

Veteran

Thanks Aida! Those long shorts were non PPL bootcuts from pre YLF that I cut off. I think they're great, you don't see similar ones in the stores all that often (although I've seen more length on shorts this year, so yay). And yes, I'm definitely going to wear my scarves again in fall. Although I don't wear them as often when I don't need them temperature wise.

Thanks Shannon!

Thanks Gracie! #1 and #11 seem to be big favourites. I definitely loved them when I wore them! I always try to do two pics so you can get a better idea how the outfit looks 3D, glad you find it helpful.

Thanks Neel! You know I'm a bit surprised either. Last summer I still had a love hate relationship with the Birks and I really like them now.

carter

Veteran

Love all of these, but pics 1-6 are my faves! You're looking quite slim, and the pants/shorts show it off better than the skirts.

Astrid

Veteran

Thanks Carter! You're right that the full skirts add some visual weight, but it's not a priority for my dressing. I'm happy as long as I feel like top and bottom half are more or less balanced.

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

Astrid these outfits are fantastic and really illustrate for me the power of small details when your look is more minimal. For example I love the long shorts and the little flare at the knee. And the collar of the blouse in #5. The exact slouch and the belt buckle in #3/4 and so on. I love the skirt with slouchy top in the last outfit also. Thank you, this has really helped me understand why they say fit and detail are so important with a more minimal style. And you look fab!

Alassë

Veteran

I like seeing several of your outfits at once. That's a great skirt in #11.

Anonymous

All of these look great to me but 1/2 and 9/10 stand out. Those long shorts look fabulous on you. The Birks work with everything .

Beth Ann

Veteran

Loving 1, 5, 9 and 11 particularly, but all of these are so consistently fab. I'm sure you'd like to have another summer shoe option or two, but these outfits don't suffer from only one shoe pairing -- they all work beautifully.

Seeing these photos reminds me of how important hair can be, also. You easy, but modern cut elevates your wardrobe --- a terrific accessory.

jackiec

Veteran

Hi Astrid! I like your pared down casual looks! My favs are the ones with the dresses and denim on top - #5 & #7 in particular. It's interesting to analyze our style shifts, isn't it. I think your Birks fit so well with all your outfits

Astrid

Veteran

Thanks Shevia! You know, I think you already do this well yourself. But I think it really is interesting, I'll try to pay more conscious attention to details in the future.

Thanks Alasse! I almost purged that skirt because the fabric creases easily and it's a pain to iron, but I've just decided to embrace the crease in this case.

Thanks Joy! I still have some misses with the Birks that I haven't shown, but they seem to work much better now.

Thanks Beth Ann! I definitely plan for more shoe options on the way, but shoes are always such a big expense that I can only do so much. So, a lot of repeating.

Thanks Jackie! Agree, it's interesting to look at. I love looking at similar posts, I think it's so much fun to analyse a style or a changing style direction. And I think those posts always help to push us further towards a clearly defined personal style.

Ledonna N.

Veteran

My favorites are 9-12 just lovely.

Astrid

Veteran

Thanks.

unfrumped

Veteran

I like all the shorts and pants outfits. I like skirts 11-13 best because somehow they give a more summery vibe but still work very well with the Birk's.
The styles seem more? tailored and less frills? But still some good variety of textures, some contrast, some simple pattern. That suits you very well. Also agree that mid-range colors look fab on you.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

I agree with Shevia. The small details stand out, and your smile is your best accessory, as Angie would say! My favourites are 1 and 11 but all are terrific. The move toward greater simplicity seems to suit both you and the season.

cheryl

Veteran

Way to rock those Birk's. You look amazing in all of these but 1-4 are my favs

Jeanie

Veteran

I love when comfort, ease and style all come together. I call it casual-chic. It looks effortless and simple but there is a chic-ness to it that makes it stand out. I love these outfits and your new style direction!

Anonymous

You look lovely, Astrid!

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