Veteran - what!?!! when? Style ramlings *long*, *pic heavy*

I'm so surprised to discover that my status have changed. Wow - where did time go?

The first post (after lurking for a looong time) was actually a body type question. I've learned so much during the time I've been around. I'm so thankful and happy that Angie and Greg have made this incredible forum that is so full of respect, honesty, caring, love and inspiration! And to all you fabbers - wow, what an amazing community! It's hard to actually believe that this is just online - though some have had the pleasure to meet as well. Thank you all again!

I came with a wish to feel better and be more confident about dressing and putting together outfits. And I hoped to discover my personal style. My background was years devoted to kids and family. Dressing and fashion had been replaced with easy unstylish MOTG outfits (bad fit, no fashin, no style). I loved my SAHM days (really happy and sleep deprived days) and do not regret my priories at that time. I knew that at some point my time to dress ok again would come.

I started purging my closet, but got lost because I didn't know what looked ok or what was unfashioned or frumpy. So I met up with a local fashion stylist who helped me a lot with sorting out a good deal of the closet and pointing out a style direction.

After repeating, repeating and repeating (nothing wrong with that) - I got a bit bored and frustrated because I wasn't able to create my own outfits and do proper shopping choices. I found YLF and joined <3 <3 <3 I think, what I love the most, is the respect, honesty and diversity of this forum

What have I learned? I'm not sure right now because it is so much.
- I know my body type
- I know I can interpret some looks and make them mine (though still find it hard)
- I know different styles to a certain degree (boho, classic, preppy...)
- I know I love vintage, second hand, inherited pieces and stuff with some kind of personal history
- I know I love classic pieces
- I know I love good tailoring, quality items (material and fit)
- I love bright color, but they are by now minorities in my wardrobe (and I get insecure when putting together my own outfits or considering buying a bright colored piece)

My rubric might be something like
- RATE
- vintage
- classic
- tailored

Feel free to add or correct me!

I know boho is present in my style as well, but I feel like aiming more in a tailored direction now, even for casual wear. Though super classic or preppy will probably never be my thing because I don't feel like me when I look too polished

#1 is my first WIW
The rest are some of my favorites since I started documenting last year

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12 years ago

jayne

Veteran

Congratulations veteran! Just think, now you should be picking a newbie to mentor! It has been a real treat to meet another expat struggling in the cold north with a different culture of fashion and trying to grow up, be a working mom, and oh yeah, be stylish also. I think you have a clear style and always add such fun elements to your looks. Cannot wait to see what another year brings.....and that first outfit is stellar!

ramya

That DKNY dress is my all time fav

YLF harmonica and know what you rock your style... Congratulaions on becoming a veteran. It's been a pleasure knowing you here

Kalli

Active Member

Wow, what a year! Congrats!

cciele

Congrats Harmonica! Look forward to seeing how your style evolves

Caro in Oz

Congratulations:)

rachylou

Congrats Your rubric nails it, if you ask me. Love those shoes in #6. Your dashes of bright color really go along way.

Thoughts looking forward? More brightly colored items to play with?

Lyn D.

Well done! YLF!

Carla

You do have a way with bright colours. I love your green bag, and my favourite outfit combination is #12 with the green jacket, and the lime green dress in # 10. There are other great outfits, but those are my faves of this series.

Suz

(website)

Congratulations, Harmonica, and what a treat to read your reflections and see this retrospective of your style. You really have learned and grown in a year and it shows!!

Ingunn

Congratulations! What a treat to see all your gorgeous outfits together like this. You do have a distinct style for sure, and i think your rubric is spot on. I would like to add "colorful". There is clearly a love for color in your outfits. I also loved to read about your insights. We seem to approach YLF driven by a need for more knowledge and confidence in regards of our body image and style, and we find this, and so much more here.

Angie

Fashion Stylist

Congratulations!! You look like you've always been interested in fashion & style, and like Shevia, have a knack for putting on outfits that look "Thrown Together" and. just. work.

Well done

REFINING ONESELF

Congratulations! I am just starting out on this journey. Looking forward to posting my what is my body type picture?? in a few days. You are an inspiration for me to follow. Have enjoyed reading all the wise, right on target but kind remarks in this forum. What a lucky find for me. Thank you all.

carolbee

Congrats, quite a journey you have been on. Looks like you've nailed it to me.

Beth Ann

Congrats! I always felt you had an innate strong style direction from day 1. Mostly, I've watched you make better and better edits -- honing your style skills and keeping the very best.

goldenpig

Congrats on veteran status harmonica! I love your casual but always pulled together MOTG style! And I love how you use scarves so well. All your outfits are great, but #9 is my fave!

Ornella

Harmonica, what a lovely post. I had read it last night and this morning again, both times with great pleasure. It's wam, honest and straightforwards, something I picture you to be like. I especially like what you said here: "I... do not regret my priories at that time. I knew that at some point my time to dress ok again would come."

I am always happy when I notice new European (based) fabber here on the forum and I remember when you came on the scene I also remember how I liked your style from te beginning, very mum-friendly and practical, still very feminine and with a lot of character.

Congratulations on becoming a Veteran, it is a surprisingly special feeling, isn't it?
I hope to see you and your WIWs (and perhaps your gorgeous boys on another beautiful set of holiday photos ) a lot more.

harmonica

Thanky all and everyone! This community is such a happy place to be, and you’re all contributing in the best ways.

Looking forward: I’ll be looking for some bright yellow and deep blue – a handbag or a shirt or blouse would be great additions to my wardrobe.

@Jayne , Ramya and Ingunn: So fun that we all are located here at the north and it could be really fun to have a Norwegian meet-up some day. I appreciate your input as well as understanding of the Norwegian way of life and style. And Jayne - I think there might be a misunderstanding, because I've lived all my life here

@Kalli, cciele, caro, Lyn D, runcarla, refining yourself, carolbee: Thank you!

@Rachylou: I think you’re right about dashes of color - I don’t need to be immersed, but will look out for ways of adding brights here and there in an outfit.

@Suz, Ingunn: nice of you to read through my rambling thoughts. I always appreciate your words and following your packing posts, Suz, have been a pleasure

@Angie: Thank you for making this safe and happy community! I always appreciate your insightful comments, interesting ways of embracing fashion and seeing the greatness in diversity. Oh, and Shevias style is absolutely an inspiration! I think the "Thrown Together" style might derive from wanting to stir things up a bit, like adding some RATE elements and not being too polished or preppy.

@Beth Ann: I think you commented on a WIW post that you could see a simple and strong style and it really warmed my heart. I guess this is a never ending journey, where we all are trying to make better decisions, learning and having fun along the way

@Natalie: you’re always such an inspiration and it has been so fun following you and your family. Your ways with pattern-mixing, color and apple concealing strategies are truly awesome

@Ornella: thanks again for your heartwarming words. I’ll think of you and post some holiday photos. I might even find some where I'm smiling I actually do smile a lot, though my wiw's seems pretty grave. I just feel so uncomfortable in front of the camera

Anonymous

Congratulations! long may it continue. This is indeed a fab place to *find oneself*. Enjoy your new status

What a great story Harmonica. Having trudged through the early childhood years of my kids with dubious style and flair I can really relate to you. I have enjoyed watching you find your style groove over the past year. I love the colorful way you dress and I especially love your skirt/dress/trench outfits!

Thanks Diane and Claire! You two are really inspiring with your DIY project and seamstress skills

CocoLion

I loved reading your observations and found myself nodding in agreement with what you had to say about YLF!

As for your outfits -- I envy how amazing you look in scarves. I think #3 is out of this world -- elegant. I also want to copy 6, 7, 9 and 17. You look great!

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Veteran - what!?!! when? Style ramlings long, pic heavy