Wardrobe Update: Style shifts, comfort and making it work (long)

Becoming active again in YLF last March to pursue a wardrobe minimalism project brought on an unexpected style shift for me: the move towards comfort. Luckily, Sporty Luxe was in vogue, therefore I experimented a lot with slouchy silhouettes, track pants, boyfriend jeans (except you never saw them HAR HAR) and sneakers. It was a good last three months of experimentation and slowly - VEEEEERY SLOWLY, I'm starting to establish a set style.

I found that many of my pants outfits were a hit here in YLF but I always expressed "yucky-ness" when I wear them. Some of my skirt/dress outfits are great but didn't get as much compliments as my pants/casual themed outfits. I tried to see why that is - how I can look good and "on trend" in the surface but feel yucky inside.

After some thought on my last outfit, some of you commented that my outfit is a lot more casual than most of my outfits. Then I scanned previous WIW's and discovered: I TOTALLY ABSOLUTELY bat for Team Dressy.

- I prefer dressy yet walkable sandals over sneakers ANYDAY.
- I love the polished look of the slim, tailored silhouette
- if I DO surrender the waist or wear slouchy casual things, I need luxe fabrics - even the rayon is good quality rayon.

Even though I prefer to be dressy, I need comfort. VC tube skirts are a godsend for a polished look yet comfortable wear! My body-skimming tops are actually not tight - they often have front draping of some kind. All my tailored jackets are actually semi-fitted instead of fitted to accommodate movement and "breathability" on the waistline.

As for shoes, I discovered that just because something is a "podiatrist-recommended" comfort brand, it will work. My Naot sandals, for instance, became an absolute "foot flop" fest for me, and this doesn't help my arthritis in any way. I also discovered that I'm not happy unless it's a dressy/edgy shoe with a tiny walkable wedge heel that doesn't pinch the front of the feet. I've found such shoes in the Born/BOC, Sofft and Rockport brands. I'll be taking my BOC pfeiffers on a test drive tomorrow.

Also - I realized that there is a "modern classic" component to my style but it's limited to only silhouettes (because I still love my edgy hardware). I like clean and tailored classic lines. Even my taste in shoes tend to be on the more streamlined side yet with a hard edge, whether subtle or overt.

I also discovered that though I can crazy-experiment with trends, I still have to build an awareness of what works best for me. A fear I've had since May was that my outfits are too outdated. I was thankful for having experimented with Angie's ensembles, but in the end, I find that I can't wear all the trends but I can pick and choose what works. Here are what works for me:
- midi tube skirts (with higher wedges or low vamp low wedge heels)
- sporty luxe in refined, drapey fabrics. Oh and "gothed out"
- hi-Lo sweaters in the right proportions
- boxy sweaters (I layer then under tunic tanks or multiple tanks)

I started here in May as a feminine/girly yet RATE frockstar but now I do "Slacker Chic" with a touch of refinement and a hard edge. My how the style evolved!

10 years ago

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Great encapsulation of where you've been and where you're at!

So, I saw these sandals on the Nordstrom site and thought of you. I know nothing of the brand but wondered if it might meet your requirements. Though it might be difficult to source up here.

Nordstrom

OTBT 'Marin' Gladiator Sandal

View Info

Top Pick

jackiec

I love your self-analysis. I agree with what you are saying and am happy to see you coming to the realizations that you are coming to. You have to follow your gut, and even if you look on trend and stylish, if you are feeling yucky inside then it's going to show through and through. You have to be you, and you will shine through. Thanks for sharing & congrats on the evolution

MsLuna

@Suz: thanks for thinking of me -and the recommendation! I never tried OTBT before but I heard they are comfy. The sole looks thick enough. I wonder what the footbed is like? Hmmm,., something to consider

@jackie: thank you for the kind words! Indeed I had to be true to me, and if I'm most comfortable dressy, then dressy I must be! Luckily there are ways to be dressy and comfy these days - like those VC skirts and low wedged sandals! Yay!

DonnaF

Do you have in rigid soled booties that work for you? I have a ridiculous number of booties on order from Nordstrom since the styles aren't sold in a store near me and aren't sold by Zappos which would show me in a video their degree of flex. I'd love edgey, but may have to settle for merely comfy.

DonnaF: nope. Thing is, I'm not much of a booties person. I tried on some booties today and I found that I still (and always will) prefer tall boots. I know tall boots have been off-trend for a while but I have a difficult time getting booties to work.

I Do wear booties with a dress and tights though. Usually black as well because I like leg elongation. I'm more inclined to something more streamlined as opposed to chunky though. I tend to prefer streamlined/clean line edgy over all out RATE.

I'm going to look into Nordies then

goldenpig

Try the Munro Abby on sale at NAS. I just got them and they are so comfy. These will be all day work shoes for me even on call at the hospital. I think they would go well with your style.

Munro 'Abby' Slingback Bootie (Women)

$179.95

I've been looking at those shoes at Nordies website for quite sometime, but am unsure about fit. I heard munro is known for multiple widths, but i am not sure whether I'm an average or narrow.

I have skinny heels and a comparatively wider forefoot, thanks to my flat feet. How do they fit on you?

Sal

Well done on working it out! You are a few steps ahead of me. It will be easier from now on, just adding and refining what works:)

Gigi

Wow, you are really coming along! I'm glad you are really zeroing in on what makes some outfits "work" while others don't.

I love your term "Slacker Chic." That is really funny!

I hope the new shoes work out. It's been to tough for you in that area.

Freckles

The shoes goldenpig recommended seem to have a velcro closure. That way you may possibly be able to get the right width for your forefoot and then tighten the heel as necessary.
Any shoe store should be able to measure your foot and tell you your correct width.

I loved reading about everything you've discovered/realised about your style! It's when you hit the nitty-gritty details that things seem to fall into place, isn't it?

Knee high boots are so classic, stick with them if they make you happier! I don't see how you could ever worry your style was outdated, but I'm glad that worry as passed.

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