Trusting the model or mannequin - YouLookFab Forum

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Trusting the model or mannequin

Murph11

Veteran

I simply *had to have* this cute and hilarious Boden shirt, assuming I’d wear it with jeans and maybe with my camel wide-leg slacks. After wearing it a few times (love it!) I added it to my Finds, and suddenly I *needed* a red belt and olive bottoms to create the model’s whole look. I immediately ordered the red belt and olive shorts. I even pulled a pair of BR olive pants from my holding zone. Score!

Do you, like me, buy piece-by-piece assuming things work with what you have (hit and miss) or do you buy the whole look?

Boden Print Shirt

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Halogen Tailored Trouser Leather Belt

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Caslon Twill Shorts

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Banana Republic

Sloan-Fit Brushed Bi-Stretch Pant

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Shopping

39 replies

Latest reply was from Gigi

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Unless I am shopping for a special occasion, I never buy a whole look - I buy individual pieces with the thought of mixing and matching. Sometimes I’ll get it home and realize it doesn’t work, but that’s what returns are for.

That’s a cute look — I like the red touches with olive.

Anonymous

I've been known to do this.

Aurore

Veteran

I usually buy individual pieces. But sometimes online shops display very nice example outfits which either give me ideas or convince me to buy more.
I definitely understand why you suddenly felt the need for a red belt and olive bottom, the pairing looks really nice on the model photo!

Ginger

Veteran

Styling on the model can be a huge help for figuring out outfit combinations. I like it! I rarely actually order pieces to make it happen, but I definitely use their looks for inspiration. With certain pieces and sellers there's no or little styling, and that can be frustrating.

JAileen

Veteran

Funny thing, I looked at the bird shirt yesterday. Just about everything works with olive. I’ve been buying (and returning) belts lately.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

It's fab when mannequins offer HELPFUL inspiration.

Murph11, GREAT shirt and I have the Boden red belt. It matches my red complement perfectly. See Finds.

I want to see your outfit. Red is fab with olive - because red goes with everthing - and I bet it looks smashing on you.

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SARTO By Franco Sarto 'Jolette' Penny Loafer (Women)

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Amsterdam Bag Company

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Vintage floral scarf

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Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Oops. To answer your question - not often, but I did copy a model's look this year. I bought this gorgeous skirt at Anthro. Later I bought the exact striped knit top to go with it - and of course, I have a yellow bag.

Maeve | Anthropologie Tallulah Lace Skirt

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Michael Stars | Anthropologie Michael Stars Shine Boat Neck Top

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Cardiff girl

Veteran

I never buy the whole look.I prefer to try and build my own take on a piece however I do take note of styling suggestions particularly colour combinations for inspiration.The Boden prints are fun aren’t they,I love your red/olive combo.

Lesley

Veteran

I can't remember ever doing it, but zero shame in copying a look you love! I certainly do that, albeit from photos rather than a mannequin.

Murph11

Veteran

Thanks for chiming in, all! I'm finally realizing the importance of styling sessions when I add a piece. My tendency has been to purchase, commit by cutting the tag, and immediately wearing. Regret often follows because the piece is a "one-hit-wonder" in my closet. I'm determined to get the hang of thinking in outfits.

Liesbeth

Veteran

I’ve never done this, I buy piece by piece. For a couple of years I’ve been planning my wardrobe better so going out specifically for, say, a navy and white patterned top that looks nice tucked in. Sometimes my overplanning leads to me having a very hard time finding what I need

Runcarla

Veteran

Pictures inspire me a lot. I love the Angie's outfit and styling inspiration posts, and have been known to copycat fellow YLF'ers. Pinterest is probably my main go-to source and I have aspirational boards and a board just called 'Copy This'. Though I've copied looks or had a garment actually taken off a mannequin (last one of said item in the size I needed), I don't think I've ever bought a whole outfit off a mannequin.

When shopping with DH, I'll point out the mannequins to explain a concept of how to combine items or what's on trend for men. I've used catalogue pics for this as well. Left to his own devices, I think DH would buy a complete outfit straight off a model pic - especially a brand he knows, like Land's End.

Beth Ann

Veteran

Murph: I use great sites like Boden to get inspiration all the time, but I don't think I've ever bought the whole outfit. When I did my first big style shift after joining YLF, I did a whole lot of returning, because my first goal was a wardrobe that harmonized -- with several options for each garment. I still purchase with a couple of outfits in mind, and then make a point to do a few minutes of "outfit creation" with that item before I cut the tags. I try to respect the retailers, not buying on whim, and returning promptly when something doesn't work.

I LOVE the outfit you posted, and, if Boden is a go-to retailer for you, and I think you made great choices.

Murph11

Veteran

More thoughtful comments added... thanks!

Runcarla, my DH would completely glaze over if I tried to explain a "trend for men." Ha ha ha!

Runcarla

Veteran

Murph11 - it's like water against a rock. Slowly, but surely I'm knocking off the rough edges and polishing him up! My biggest triumph was hair and getting him to wear sunscreen. Most recently getting him to size down so clothes are more trim fit. He's 60 YO and has some of the same appearance concerns that I (and we) do, and doesn't mind being my project!

FWIW, I think he likes the attention of a shopping trip where he is the focus. It doesn't hurt that our kids (boys) are interested in fashion and style.

Helena

Veteran

That is adorable! I buy primarily such basic pieces that I don't copy the mannequin ... but I HAVE done so, with bolder tops, or just when I want to try something new - why not take advantage of their stylist's knowledge, I say!

anchie

Veteran

I have never done this, but this is my daughter’s shopping strategy. Her favorite shop is H&M and whenever we pass by it she asks me if we can go in and check out the mannequins. If she likes what mannequin is wearing, we buy the complete outfit. She has built nice mix and match wardrobe doing this because she is consistent with the colors and styles she likes. And may I admit she is only 10 but she is my in house stylist

Adela

I bought a Boden dress last year together with a cropped cardigan, it was a perfect match.

The Cat

Veteran

Fun shirt. Nice belt and pants. I imagine several styling possibilities for all three items.

I don't think I've ever bought a full look. Usually, I'm interested in one or two items only. Prefer to style them my own way. On the other hand, models and mannequins can absolutely be inspirational--sometimes they give me an idea for styling something I already have, in a different way.

Murph11

Veteran

More good solutions and validation! Thanks, all! Anchie, I need an in-house stylist with the fresh eyes of yours!

Runcarla, I'm in awe of your progress

jussie

Veteran

I have often thought about doing it. I haven’t actually done it though- but I certainly copycat them all the time :).

Echo

Veteran

Almost never do I buy the look on the model or mannequin, but looks here and other places online have been inspirational for me. I'm not above copying a look; I just rarely find one in a store that works for me.

Staysfit

Veteran

I typically don’t buy an entire look based on a picture or model, however, I do like to have some matching print tops and bottoms as part of my dressy capsule. I mix and match almost everything in my wardrobe.

kkards

Veteran

i take inspiration where ever i can!

Murph11

Veteran

I might be better off with a Garanimals line for adults! “Yes, this goes with that... the hangtags match!”

Windchime

Veteran

Occasionally, when I’m smitten with a look on the model or mannequin, I attempt to recreate the whole thing.

Before discovering YLF, I used to frequently purchase outfits—top, bottom, and even accessories and shoes, if needed. A huge shift for me since YLF is almost always buying individual pieces (except in the case of my first paragraph).

Barbara Diane

Veteran

No, but now I ‘m going to pay more attention now.

Mainelady

Veteran

I am inspired by overall looks, up rarely buy the entire outfit. I tend to buy pieces.

Anonymous

GREAT question. I tend to buy piecemeal. I always strive to buy assuming the purchased item will coordinate with my existing wardrobe. That means hit or miss.

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