WIW: Then, and now... - YouLookFab Forum

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WIW: Then, and now...

Runcarla

Veteran

...or, a tiger cannot change it’s stripes. Although it is usually said in a derogatory fashion, I hope it doesn’t apply here!

One of the reasons I love YLF, is that our fearless leader (Angie) is such a strong advocate for each person discovering and working their own individual style. Although her own personal style is inspirational, she isn't trying to clone doppelgängers via her forum! What she does do is provide a space for fashion experimentation that encourages style growth while respecting each individual’s essential nature.

I thought it would be fun to post variations of what, for me, has been a most favourite uniform/outfit formula over the years, and how I’ve updated.

#1 - 2012 (first year)
#2 - 2014
#3- 2019

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34 replies

Latest reply was from Firecracker (Sharan)

Kathie

Veteran

Fun- it's really interesting to see the changes in how you styled very similar elements. The white laces of the sneakers echo the white in the stripes of your shirts, and the turned up cuff adds a subtle bit of color/texture in the last photo. I can certainly see the YLF influences.

Bonnie

Veteran

Love how you have added color to your outfits! The first two are very good, but the third is terrific.

Helena

Veteran

This is awesome! You've got a signature style that works, and still has room for evolution, colour and fun! The colour of the jackets (if the first one different, or is it the same but the collar is just sitting differently?) is so fab on you - even better with the pops of brightness in #3.

For a laugh, I went and looked at my first WIW from 6 years ago. Shocker - it was a casual-classic outfit including a stripe (tank top, under a wrap cardi), black & white, and a deep cool blue. I kind of wish I still had the pieces lol. The more things change ....

avicennia

Veteran

Love how you have evolved your style. It’s the same basic idea but it’s gone from classic (maybe staid) to have color, depth, interest and fun.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Oh, this is brilliant, Carla! Love it.

Will try to add a few of my own later tonight if time.

notsaf

Veteran

They always say that leather jackets look better with age but they never mention that their wearers might also!

Runcarla

Veteran

Back to break it down!

#1 Jacket was a ‘gateway’ item. Motos and leather jackets were trending on the forum. I had NEVER owned a leather jacket! I listen and learned and chose something to ‘bookend’ my hair. Cotton rich dark-wash jeans in a medium rise traditional cut. I wasn't paying attention to jeans profiles, and only bought dark-wash. Work shoes pressed into weekend service. Safe stuff!

#2 still traditional straight leg, dark wash jeans. Duplicating the same thing multiple times in my closet. Not paying attention to jeans profiles, skinnies don’t seem to work for me. Discovered high comfort ‘fashion sneakers’ vs demoted running shoes or work shoes. Solid neutrals in a conservative palette.

#3 updating with a patterned jean, bookending colour, and interesting textures.

(Edited: same jacket. A splurge trend purchase made about 6 months after joining the forum. Danier Leather.)

nemosmom

Veteran

It's so neat to see how the look is still so you, even after all these years. Is that the same jacket in all 3 photos??

I'll have to dig through old photos and see what I discover...

Style Fan

Veteran

How great is this! Your jacket was a wise purchase. It looks fantastic with your hair and the jeans. Your style has evolved but it is still true to the original.
I completely agree with what you said about Angie.

avicennia

Veteran

To me this epitomizes the genius of YLF, we learn to take the essence of our innate style and make it more fab (interesting, fun, unique, colorful, etc). Based on Carla’s suggestion that those of us who don’t comment much should update our profiles, I just did so. Six years ago, I described myself as modern classic, and while still classic pieces form the basis of my outfits, thanks to YLF, just like Carla I’ve had an evolution in a more interesting direction.

karen13

Veteran

So cool to see the evolution of the look. You can see your confidence in your style progress as you make it your own each time.

Cardiff girl

Veteran

Just goes to show that buying one classic item,in this case a leather jacket, can be a great strategy and doesn’t limit the evolution of your style.

rachylou

Veteran

Ohmigosh. That’s fantastic. It just goes to show, too, what infinite variety there is within one’s basic style.

deb

Veteran

What a great idea, Carla. I must admit, the color added to your outfit really looks good on you.

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

Never better than you are now! Great inspirations Carla!

slim cat

Veteran

Good outfits all around and of course it just got better! You look polished/casual with a lot of visual interest - love your printed jeans.

Bijou

Veteran

You look fab in all of these, but definitely #3 has the wow factor.

Developing a signature style that feels authentic is really key to being stylish. The most stylish women I can think of are not clones of others, but have their own style. The fact that Angie helps each and every one of us to refine and develop our own style is such a generous gift.

Aquamarine

Veteran

How cool is this! You’ve managed to evolve yet stay true to what works for you. Love this exercise.

Anonymous

Love your style evolution- and quite fond of tigers too

Staysfit

Veteran

The 3rd picture appears most natural and has the head turning uniqueness of excellent personal style. The outfit looks effortless, but the retrospective shows evidence of your thoughtful experimentation. I look forward to seeing further evolution of this look in the future.

unfrumped

Veteran

Whoa! So fun.

The first 2 use neutral stripes tgst of course can be said to be very versatile.
But the 3rd is just fabulous use of colors and patterns that echo each other and bring out your coloring. You and ensemble just look so “ alive”.

Christina F.

Veteran

Well, when it ain’t broke..., I definitely think the pops of red in the last one make it the best though.

RobinF

Veteran

Great comparison! I love that it is the same jacket in all three, obviously a worthwhile purchase. My favorite is the last, the stripe colors are so nice with the tans and the red shoes really pop.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

(Thanks for the awfully kind words. It means a lot coming from you, sweet Carla).

You look better than ever, which I keep on saying! I like #3 the most because you know - red

Suz

(website)

Veteran

I really like your analysis here. I could do something similar if I could just find the photos. Having a bit of a crush right now of busy-ness but might be able to in the new year.

Runcarla

Veteran

@Suz - did you have an ‘aha’ moment when everything seemed to crystallize regarding your style? What you learned from Angie, the forum, and other sites? What was available at retail or at thrift? A talisman garment? And then a door opened and you saw your way?

The Cat

Veteran

Carla, you look great in all the photos, and what a gorgeous hair!

I might be in the minority here, but honestly, I think that cognac and other earth tones and warm colours suit your colouring even better than bright red and cool colours do.

cheryl

Veteran

You just get better and better!

Jenn

(website)

Veteran

We have learned so much! The red adds a vivaciousness and playfulness that suits your ever-changing lifestyle.

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