The Way I Used to Be - YouLookFab Forum

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The Way I Used to Be

Kristen

(website)

Veteran

I have been keeping an online journal since 2002, and I've found over time that it pays to go back and look at where I was at certain points in my life, and how my thinking has evolved on various subjects. I unearthed an entry from 2007, back when I had just started working at Forth & Towne and was finally confronted with the fact that maybe it was time to stop wearing old-lady fuddy-duddy clothes and make an effort with my appearance. I posted a chunk of it to my blog last night, and I thought maybe those of you just beginning your style evolution would find some value in seeing that you are not alone. We have all been there, especially me!

http://lowfatdressing.blogspot.....to-be.html

(I also dug up a ton of horrific old photos of me sporting the worst kind of fashion faux-pas on earth. I will posting those to the blog as soon as the 'mom jeans and white sneakers' shots are no longer burning my retinas. LOL!)

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18 replies

Latest reply was from RoseandJoan

Theresa

(website)

Veteran

Wow Kristen - thank you for sharing that... I really enjoyed reading it and could relate to some of your thoughts.

Thank You!

Laura

(website)

Veteran

You've come a long way, baby!!

Polly (thunalata)

Veteran

Thanks for posting that. It's where I'm at at the moment!

And I'm spending hours and hours on here and on websites looking at clothes and wandering around clothes shops (I am no longer scared of going into H&M as I would have been 6 months ago) - I think I'm making up for all the time for the last 20yrs that I never did that.

It is very encouraging to read a post like that coming from someone who dresses as stylishly as you. Especially as it means that perhaps, one day, I too will know what a cute shoe looks like...

Queen Mum

Veteran

thanks for sharing Kristen. I laughed at your statement about not recognizing a cute shoe if it poked you in the eye. You have certainly aced the school of killer shoes!!!

Debbie

Veteran

This is one of the most inspiring things I've ever read. We can reinvent ourselves for the better with some soul searching and a lot of hard work.

You are a truly beautiful person inside and out!

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Compelling. Wow! Isn't growing older and wiser a beautiful thing. You've certainly made up for lost shopping and style time, Kristen. KILLER.

Debora

Veteran

Thanks for sharing this, Kristen. You are a daily inspiration!

JuliaInGermany

Kristen, thank you for sharing this. I am at this point now I think. I feel so disconnected with what is current and trendy and it takes me so long to get used to a new look that it is usually out of fashion again before I adopt it. Sigh. But I know there is hope!

Oh, I have to tell you how much I love your shoe collection! I want every pair! (Except I probably couldn't walk on them.)

chellebrate

I am adding another giant thank you. This is vaulable to me as I start this fashion journey.

I just posted on a thread of my own about how embarrassing it is to share my outfits. One, I feel quit fat compared to so many of you. (I know I shouldn't compare.) Two, I don't buy designer brands and shop at Nordstroms. So I feel like my outfits are composed of rags. I just don't have a lot of money to spend on clothes anymore. I need to learn how to buy smarter, so I can try better jeans and such.

I hope I get to the point to where I feel like "I've solved some secret mystery everyone knows the answer to except me." I feel totally clueless about fit of clothes and even what is fashionable since coming to YLF.

Sihaya

Veteran

Kristen - you are admirable in so many ways and so many of them have nothing to do with your sense of clothing style. Love those plaid oxfords, btw. How inspiring to read what you wrote and how courageous of you to be so open. Congratulations. You should rightfully be incredibly proud of yourself.

Anonymous

Right on Kristen!

Dawn

(website)

I read this post yesterday and couldn't help but feel that most of it echoed how I felt around the age of 18. I had absolutely no idea how to dress myself as a young woman and while I could identify a pretty dress or a style I admired, I couldn't mentally bring myself to overstep that mental hurdle from admiring to wearing. Great post, Kristen!

Kristine

Veteran

Thanks Kristen! I can really relate to so much of what you wrote. I would have never guessed you weren't always incredibly stylish!

JennyK (NC)

Thank you for posting that Kristin. So inspiring and insightful. I was shocked to read you say you didn't know about shoes. I so envy your beautiful shoes!

taylor

Veteran

WOW,

I am so impressed that you actually took the time and effort to transform yourself through hard work and personal growth. Very inspirational. You look wonderful.

An

You're an inspiration! Thanks for sharing.

Kristen

(website)

Veteran

You guys are all too sweet. And LOL, yes the change in my shoe collection is still a source of VAST amusement for my husband and for Shopping Friend. You would not believe how much they both still tease me for my old love of the clunky black loafer that I used to wear with EVERYTHING.

Chelle and Thunalata, you can definitely get there yourselves, and I think all of us go through a phase where we spend an inordinate amount of time thinking and shopping and obsessing over every detail. But eventually it lessens!

Dawn, OMG I wish I had these revelations at 18. I am a much slower learner, because it didn't sink in 'til I was twice that age.

RoseandJoan

Veteran

I had to wait until my day off today to take the time to read your blog, it was very touching, honest and beautifully written. Sometimes I do get very daunted at the prospect of rebuilding my wardrobe, primarily because my limited budget makes the process so slow, but I am getting there. Thank you for your insight Kristen.