The 3 Faces of Eve (Caro really) but that isn't a film. ETA pics - YouLookFab Forum

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The 3 Faces of Eve (Caro really) but that isn't a film. ETA pics

Caro in Oz

Veteran

Getting these outfits together has made me want to throw out all my clothes (I'm okay again now). I can see how my body looks better in the first four shots but I'm not feeling like me in them. I think I can do this look in winter because I add tights & boots & everything works. I don't seem to be able to get the same feel for summer (it's 100F here today). Okay!!

I have a wedding, a cocktail party & a Christmas party/dinner to attend in the next couple of weeks.
The wedding is at 4pm & not too formal #1 & #2 have different blouses. Do you think these would work?

The cocktail party is one where some people will be coming straight from work & others will be dressed in whatever they think is okay:) #3 & #4 - the dress is a black cotton lace (I'm not wearing shape-wear here so it looks better with it on). Does the navy jacket or black shrug look best?

The party/dinner is more relaxed but still work related (for my husband). #5 & #6 Are these too boho do you think? I can see they are not as flattering but they are so much more "me".

I do have other options if these get an all round nay - thanks again for your help.
Sorry about the quality of the photos.

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Dressing

24 replies

Latest reply was from Caro in Oz

Lyn D.

Veteran

Hi Caro,
yes it is hot, and Melbourne is expecting 38 tomorrow!
Some of your pics are super-tiny so I can't really judge properly.
I like the lace dress, and prefer it with the navy jacket.
5 and 6 are hard to see, but do look quite casual. The top without the jacket (?) gives a nice flowy silhouette.
Pics 1 and 2 are a bit too hard to see.

Lyn D.

Veteran

Oh, that is a bit clearer!
The blouse in pic 1 is fairly casual and seems a little long untucked with the jacket. If you unbutton the jacket is the length different?
Blouse 2 would be my preference as photographed, and also if you need to wear it by itself.

Deborah

Veteran

Caro you look so good in the pencil skirt! I really like #2, that blouse is lovely with the blue. I also love the black dress with the shrug, the lovely black soft column it creates is very attractive. I also like 5 a d 6 and while it may not be quite as flattering a silhouette, it is arty and and does reflect your general style. Depending on the weather 5/6 look like they could be too warm. And btw, I may copy #2 this week:)

Karie

(website)

Veteran

I love how you look in the pencil skirt! I think both #1 and #2 look nice, with a slight preference for #2. Number 3 and #4 are both pretty, but #4 looks more cocktail party-ish. Number 5 and #6 are not as flattering in photos, but since this is your style (mine too, I love boho) then I'll bet it looks great in person. Since it's so warm where you are (I'm jealous!) can you take off the outer sweaters if you need to?
Either way, you're going to rock those parties!

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

Wow, I see what you mean! As in the first four look great on you but the last two probably express more of yourself. I do really like #6 for the dinner event, and the lace dress with the jacket and also the blue pencil with both outfits, but maybe #2 is more you? An interesting problem!

Anonymous

I really like 2 and 6. You have great legs, so the skirts all look excellent with them, but I really love you in the flowy pantsuit also.

Glory

Veteran

I love that skirt on you. I prefer #2 with that blouse. I love the black dress with the shrug, although it is hard to see the shrug in detail. II love boho and it is your style. I think either 5/6 would be super for a casual dinner party - as long as you will not get too warm. Some great outfits here!

Glory

Veteran

I love that skirt on you. I prefer #2 with that blouse. I love the black dress with the shrug, although it is hard to see the shrug in detail. II love boho and it is your style. I think either 5/6 would be super for a casual dinner party - as long as you will not get too warm. Some great outfits here!

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Caro, your post, along with others from our Australian friends, is making me realize how very lucky we are in North America. Especially in Canada. Here's my thinking: In Australia, not only do you have the madness of Christmas preparations to contend with at this time of year, but it is also spring, so wedding season. Which means the number of possible social obligations (and outfits required) are skyrocketing, just as the temperatures are getting to that unbearable point where you really don't want to be wearing any clothes at all! No wonder you ladies are all going nuts.

(I say "especially" Canada because we get our Thanksgiving over with earlier; our US sisters have that in addition to Christmas prep).

I also TOTALLY see what you mean about these outfits. You look stunning in a pencil skirt; the first four outfits are definitely figure flattering...and yet....and yet....they lack your distinctive stamp. (Except for your gorgeous hair that is. THAT remains you.)

I don't know the answer to this. I am still struggling to figure it out for myself when it comes to warm weather dressing in particular (but really, ALL dressing). I guess it will always be a balance for some of us between figure flattery and our style preferences.

And maybe the solution is a blend. Perhaps a pencil skirt and a floaty tunic or waist surrenduring top a bit shorter than the ones you have shown (but still long) . (Or in cooler temps, skinnies and the floaty tunic, as you have shown here....but perhaps a bit less layering, or layering in slightly different ways to highlight figure strengths.)

Onto the particulars here: Both 1 and 2 look great; I have a slight preference for #2. I like the black lace dress with the shrug. And I think I prefer the second option for the party, but I also think you might have to switch it up for the temperatures, depending on fabrications.

Transcona Shannon

Veteran

Caro - I completely agree with Suz's sympathies regarding this time of year for our Australian members. Heat+Christmas+weddings=fashion stress. Not to worry though - you look gorgeous no matter what!

From what we've seen of your style thus far, I see you having an artistic bordering on boho vibe coupled with classic pieces. You wear flowing items very well and seem to prefer neutrals in grey, navy, with pops of cobalt and other colours. Am I close? The outfits you are considering for the wedding and the cocktail party are lovely and trust me, are figure flattering. But they are a more classic look than what we've seen from you and maybe that's why they feel a bit "off".

That having been said, I think outfit #2 is gorgeous on you and will work beautifully for the wedding.

For the cocktail party I prefer the outfit with the shrug (pic 4). It seems more cohesive somehow. I would love to see a bright pop of colour in a bangle and a metallic or print clutch to punch it up a bit though.

For the other party, I really like the last outfit - still has your fabulous boho vibe but seem a wee bit more dressy which I think will work for this situation.

Freckles

Veteran

What a conundrum Caro. Could we see pencil skirt with blouse two without the jacket and also the black dress alone?

Would the black dress feel more like you with some fab boho accessories or would it still be too classic?

Gaylene

Veteran

I think I'm following the majority here with liking #2, #4, and #6.

It's interesting that you feel most like you in the last two pictures, although you like the way you look in the first four. It might be worth thinking a bit about exactly what it is that makes you feel that way so you can use the information when you wear the dress and pencil skirt.

Is it the loose, more figure-skimming look that feels more like you? Or the softer colours? Or the boho ALGO embellishments and accessories? Or the more casual, down-to-earth vibe? Or the eclectic, artsy look?

My thinking is, if you can figure out more precisely what it is that makes an outfit yours, you might be able to incorporate that information into the styling of the lace dress and the pencil skirt. It was my realization that I don't like to wear anything fussy or complicated, but I do like to make a statement, that led to me combining two solid bold colors (like an orange top with a cobalt blue skirt) in simple, architectural shapes for my perfect summer formula. When I added a turquoise cross-body bag, I was me. Cool, comfortable, simple, casual, and ready to take on the world.

rachylou

Veteran

Yeah you do look great in #1-4, but I would not have recognized you at all! I like #1/2 over #3/4, but #3/4 seems a little fancier. My favorite is really #6; the clothes are Cool in #6.

Caro in Oz

Veteran

Thanks everyone you are the best!
LynD - I don't know why I buttoned the jacket in #1!! The blouse in #2 is more fitted so I agree it is giving a better look under the jacket.
Deborah - I agree with your picks:) The under-piece in #5 &6 is silk & linen - very light & the jacket is a european linen that doesn't seem to crush too much so I think they would be okay in air-con.
Karie- I can take of the outer layers & will be in air con a lot of the time so I think that part is okay. Thanks for the support of boho:)
Shevia it is interesting - I know I need to work this one out before I can move my style to the next level. It's not that I don't like the clothes in the first four shots but I need to find a way to combine the feel of #5 & #6 with the look of the others.
Ciet #6 is my favourite too. I feel so comfortable in it.
Glory thanks for commenting. I will be in air con for the dinner so I should be okay.
Suz you are so right about the weather. In the past we have gone to Bali or somewhere that doesn't celebrate Christmas & sat by the pool. This is my only nephews wedding so have (& want) to be there. I have tried mixing the two styles - without any luck so far. They don't seem to want to play together & I end up feeling a bit of a mishmash. We will get there.
Shannon - thank you! You are closer than close, you are spot on. I think I need to go & play with some accessories to see if I can bring a little more boho/creative to #2 & #4.
Freckles I wouldn't wear the black dress without the shrug or jacket (it is sleeveless but blouse #2 has a draped sleeve that looks fine without a topper. Yes I need to go & play with accessories.
Gaylene yes what you say is important, I've been working on this for some time but haven't found a solution yet. One of my style words is comfortable & honestly a pencil skirt & high heels are never going to be as comfortable as outfits like #6. It is more than that though, will keep you posted on my progress. I love your elegant solution to your style questions.
rachylou You rock! I was classically incognito.

catgirl

Veteran

I am so terrible at this kind of choice, but I am going with Gaylene's answer. The skirt looks fantastic on you! Not sure if you feel it's your style, though - I have that problem with pencil skirts. How can we make these items more YOU?

Caro in Oz

Veteran

alaskagirl - yes I never know whether to just give up or persist with them. Winter is fine add a bootie & tights & a leather jacket & I'm me but summer...........

Gaylene

Veteran

Caro, you look fantastic in that pencil skirt but I'm with Una in wondering if it fits your style. If you think it does, then it makes sense to work with it until you can style it in a way that makes you feel comfortable. In my case, though, I realized, although I looked good in a pencil skirt, that skirt always made me feel too dressed up, too business-like, and too lady-like to ever feel like me. All the styling in the world couldn't give that pencil skirt the edgy, casual look that I liked.

What made me realize this was when I picked out all the clothes in my closet that I really enjoyed wearing and then looking at what was left hanging in the closet. The sight of four structured pencil skirts hanging in my closet, along with all my structured, classic blazers and button-downed shirts, pretty much confirmed that the classic, polished business look was not where I wanted to go anymore. For me, knowing what I didn't want was a major step forward in clarifying my style goals.

Caro in Oz

Veteran

Gaylene you make some really pertinent points (as always). I do like some structure, I love fitted jackets & slim fitting bottoms. The structured pieces are usually the jackets that go over my draped or softer tops or slim pants that go under a draped top to stop the look from being too bulky.

Do you feel your body looks as good in the clothes you wear now as it did in the pencil skirts & jackets? The problem for me is the disconnect between what looks good on my body & what I like to wear. I need to find some way of navigating this divide.

JR

Veteran

I prefer the blouse in #2; it makes more of a statement. I think I prefer the shrug to the jacket. And yes, the last two definitely look more like you. I can't judge whether they're too boho for your dinner party; you know the people and the context. The first four pictures are definitely lacking the artsy vibe I normally expect from you, although they are all lovely clothes.

Just for fun, have you ever tried combining the last two tops with the pencil skirt? It might not work at all, but it would be worth a try. This might be a way out of your conundrum; mixing things you normally would never have put together to find some new combinations that work.

Caro in Oz

Veteran

I have tried combining JR but they don't work together. This is the problem that started me down this road. I want a small cohesive wardrobe & I have these two separate identities at the moment. To be fair most of the more classic pieces are from when I was working but I do still like them & see how flattering they are. Maybe the answer is structured creative pieces whatever that means.

Gaylene

Veteran

"Do you feel your body looks as good in the clothes you wear now as it did in the pencil skirts & jackets?"

An interesting question,Caro, that I had to think about for a while to see if I could put my thoughts in some kind of order. So here goes:

In my case, I think that my structured clothes looked good on me because my body shape has always looked its best in a tailored fit. Pencil skirts, tailored blazers, button-down shirts, slim trousers, and heeled pumps gave me a polished, professional look that was my preferred work image. This style, however, started to make me feel overly up tight and dated as I grew older. For me, the challenge was to figure out how to translate this look to more contemporary, less severe version that would feel comfortable but still be polished and flattering.

I need clothes with a definite shape to flatter my figure; the volume in ethnic-inspired wear or Eileen Fisher-type pieces has never looked good on me. Boxy cuts, layers, and drapey fabrics make me look shapeless. My solution was to look for variations of my structured clothes that would give me the same effect as those classics, but be more comfortable and easier to wear. Instead of pencil skirts, I switched to a straight-cut, pull-on type of skirt that gave me the slimness of a pencil but with more ease and comfort. My jackets still have shape and structure, but are now made of a knit or stretch fabric so they are as comfortable as a sweater. My pants have a non-binding waist to avoid a muffin top look under a slim-cut, knit or woven, top. I look for clothing that is body conscious, but not tight or revealing. I also like items that are a bit distinctive in cut, color, shape, or texture so I don't have to fuss with accessories to make an outfit look good. I also prefer quality garments that have better construction and a more flattering drape on a mature body shape; buying a few good pieces makes more sense to me than having a big wardrobe of things I don't really wear.

All in all, most days I like my current wardrobe; it works for me in a way that those pencil skirts and structured blazers didn't anymore. And, yes, I do think that I look just as good (dare I say, maybe better) in my clothes these days.

Caro in Oz

Veteran

Gaylene. Thank you so much for your thoughtful response. Your style journey seems so coherent compared with mine. Those adjustments you made to your clothing to suit your lifestyle & body make so much sense.

I need to think about this some more. The one thing I do know is that although I've always dressed as well as I could I do tend to be very changeable, stating the obvious I know. One of my goals is to have a more coherent, more architectural style. Given my personality this my not be the easiest thing to achieve. Thanks again for your help.

Freckles

Veteran

Thank you for asking this question Caro. The replies have things percolating in my brain for some of my own style questions.

Good luck with the wedding outfit that feels like you.

Caro in Oz

Veteran

Thanks Freckles. I found this process to be very helpful for me.

http://youlookfab.com/2011/06/.....our-style/