What about fashion just makes you happy? - YouLookFab Forum

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What about fashion just makes you happy?

ironkurtin

Veteran

I realized putting on a pair of my jeans today -- they simply make me happy. I was trying to analyze what sparked that, and I think it was the care and thought put into the design. These are old-school Rag&Bones, made out of perfect weight denim, with an extra little clever detail near the hem. Probably no-one will notice all this craftsmanship but me - but I *love* that. It makes me happy.

What about you?

Dressing

28 replies

Latest reply was from Carole

rachylou

Veteran

Hmm. For me, it's probably that fashion is engaging on many many levels. You have colour and design, you have fabrication and technique, it's physical and intellectual - you even have philosophical expression.

nancylee

Veteran

SO many things about fashion make me happy....here's a few:

Fashion can reflect who I am...it's another way to communicate.
Fashion gives me endless ways to be creative.
Fashion satisfies my cravings for beauty and craftsmanship. (like your jeans do, ik)

mamaKate

Veteran

Ooh, ooh! (see my hand waving, up in the air) Here's one for which I know my response!

What makes me happy about fashion, style, and dressing, is the creative opportunity to make a whole that is greater than the sum of the parts - to create "something" from "nothing" - to generate a new look from individual components. What is especially satisfying to me is when I can create a pulled-together look with cheap and/or thrifted components!

HelenInCanada

Veteran

So many levels to approach in fashion, apart from the purely useful and practical side. It's an art form, and I can appreciate a variety of aesthetic pursuits! Creative & innovative designs, the perfect sculptural fit, colour harmony - ways to enjoy fashion are endless, whether you're a visual or kinesthetic person. (I didn't add auditory person, because they tend NOT to be fascinated by fashion, but any auditories out there, correct me!!!) For me personally, getting to choose designs that express the inner me - personality, mood, stage in life, etc. - makes me a happy gal!

rae

(website)

Veteran

- clever, unexpected details
- optical illusions help me get closer to my ideal shape
- externalizing internal traits

Suz

(website)

Veteran

My first thought was colour. I love to see it, play with it, drink it in. Then there is texture. The feel of clothes is so important. Like you, IK, I adore fine craftsmanship and interesting design details—the skirt that swings just so because of the way it is stitched, the waist on the jacket that nips in at just the right spot. And I love how it is becoming an expression of who I am. That takes work and doesn't come naturally to me, but it is an extremely absorbing hobby to figure it all out!

nancylee

Veteran

"an extremely absorbing hobby"....Suz, that sounds right. I think I'm just starting to accept that fashion actually is a hobby for me.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

I love all things art and design related, so for me, it's one more visual art to celebrate. However, it's also an incredibly personal one. As nancylee pointed out, personal style is a great form of creative expression. I love color and pattern and texture and form. I celebrate them through my photography, in the decor of our home, and in my style.

But some of the things about fashion that just make me happy are:

- spotting a beautiful color, print, or textile
- finding an item that fits me perfectly and is perfectly flattering
- discovering an unexpected pairing that works well
- shoes
- jewelry

Laurinda

Veteran

pretty colors
soft textures
a little fringe or sparkle

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Should I write a book on this topic?

ironkurtin

Veteran

Angie, you should! So many books on fashion are about not making mistakes, like fashion is this painful minefield. And really, so much about it is about the joy of materials, shape, and color, craftmanship and quality. Fashion should inspire joy, not insecurity. It should be about happiness!

That's just my personal, opinion, of course. I'm sure my husband feels this way about his tools - he certainly waxes poetic about the perfect drill shaft or whatever they are.

Nakidra

Veteran

I couldn't agree more ik ....what I adore about fashion is that it is FUN! Dressing up is fun for me, putting outfits together is fun for me, going into my closet and figuring out new ways to wear old things is fun for me ... The key IMO is not taking everything so seriously - it's clothes and getting dressed and having fun!

MsMary

Veteran

Team "Extremely Absorbing Hobby!"

My initial thought when I saw the title of this thread was "All of it!"

Mellllls

Veteran

Fashion is my art.

krishnidoux

Veteran

I was going to write it, Suz beat me to it: for me, it's color, and texture, just like her.

Color is a mood changer, I especially love a play on different shades of the same color. It can make me happy for days! I love bright, fun colors, natural shades that imitate nature. Living on the West Coast was an ever going feast because the colors are all at once incredibly dramatic and subtle, depending if they are hit by golden sunlight or in gray shadow. I did a lot of knitting over there.

Texture bring surprise, interest, pattern in 3D. It's a pleasure of the touch.

Sometimes fashion doesn't make me happy anymore, then a single color combination or an interesting fabric will throw me back into it.

goldenpig

(website)

Veteran

Ditto MaryK's comment! I've been working hard at this for the last three months and really feel happy with where I'm at now!

Here are some of the things that make me happy about fashion and put a smile on my face:
--playing dress-up and wearing nice clothes and feeling ladylike and pretty
--walking into a clean and purged closet filled with clothes that make you feel fab
--knowing that your clothes fit and flatter you (the current you)
--never feeling like "I have nothing to wear!"
--being excited to come up with tomorrow's outfit
--finding a new combination of clothes and rescuing old orphans
--figuring out your signature style, complete with catchy name (demure bombshell)
--not being intimidated about shopping for yourself
--bright and cheery colors, and warm and spicy colors
--bold patterns and pattern mixing
--rich textures
--soft nubbly warm sweaters in happy colors (like my cozy orange poncho)
--anything with polka dots or leopard print (Kate Spade polka dot dress, Heist leopard heels)
--a collection of great heels that are comfortable (like the Chie Mihara Eloisa sandals)
--retro classics with a twist of secret whimsy (bee blouse, owl blouse, raincoat with butterfly lining, Chie Mihara starry heels)
--anything red (like the Fossil tote and T strap pumps and corset trench)
--finding a crazy patterned bag that goes with everything (Fossil vintage floral satchel)
--looking polished and professional while still letting your personality shine through
--price adjustments and other bargains
--KILLER ratings from Angie and other great compliments from YLF'ers that make you feel warm and fuzzy all day
--putting something on and remembering the wonderful compliments you got the last time you wore it
--putting something on and thinking, "This is so me!"
--trying something totally different and trendy just for fun and laughing about how silly you look (faux fur vests, aka Goldenpig does Chewbacca)
--trying something "not you" and pulling it off and realizing it is you after all (RATE Kate Spade)
--reading and learning about fashion
--seeing everyone's diverse styles and being inspired by them
--helping others along on their style journey by complimenting them, giving advice or sharing what you have learned from others along the way
--inspiring others to try something new
--having a warm community of "dress-up friends" who you trust and who teach you so much...and even getting to meet one of them (waving at MaryK!)
--diving in off the deep end and having fun with fashion!

Marley

Veteran

So many ways that fashion makes me happy:

It is such a joy to see someone else wearing something that would look all wrong on me, and yet is perfect on them.
It is a life-saver for me to have fashion as a creative outlet to express myself.
It is a form of art that sometimes brings tears to my eyes.
It can be highly expensive or on a bargain budget - and neither is better than the other - it all depends on the wearer and how they style it.
It makes me feel like I have an advantage and a great start to my day when I put on something that I love.
It always surprises me with the endless possibilities.

Scarlet

Veteran

Exactly what you said, IronKurtain. Those kind of details give me joy.

CocoLion

(website)

Veteran

Fashion is the practice of aesthetics just like all of the other arts are. It is an art you can practice every day. It is challenging and you can change it all of the time. That is what I conceptually love about fashion. Then there are the more obvious benefits of fashion and clothing -- they contribute to your identity and protect from the elements.

Ironk -- the only thing that keeps me interested in clothing for longer than a few months, is quality. If the garment is well-made I will love it for a long time, because each time I pick it up I can admire the details, the fabric, the fit. It makes me feel like I have a rich life even if I'm not rich. So my love of high quality is constantly at battle with my love of anything new.

Deborah

Veteran

Cocolion permission to quote you? I am not sure I would have worded it so eloquently but you have expressed exactly how I feel about fashion:). I am not an overly artistic or creative person, however fasion is where any creativity i do have is expressed. And like Suz and others it is an EXTREMELY absorbing (and consuming)hobby.

Vildy

Veteran

I second IK, you should definitely write a book on this topic. I have been doing a little research on fashion advice books and it is appalling how many, who must intuit that much of their readership is uncertain, are sabotaging their readers' self confidence, disdaining their immaturity, instructing them on how they have to pretend to be something they are not. Often sugar coated but the disrespect shines through. They seem to start off from the premise that people are anxious about being judged by others and then their "advice" creates even more anxiety. I guess so they are set up to buy the second book.

As for what makes me happy about fashion, I echo Mama Kate, it's the creativity. When I put together disparate elements and can make one outfit after another that satisfies my senses, I feel immense pleasure.

annagybe

(website)

Veteran

How I can reinvent myself based on a certain look. It is my main creative outlet and definitely a hobby.

CocoLion

(website)

Veteran

It's an obvious idea, but I have thought for a while that Angie should write a fashion book. She has many excellent blog posts to form the basis of a book.

Vildy, you are so right about the tone of other fashion books. Fortunately the blogging world, on average, has a much better attitude. I wonder where this condescending attitude comes from because I also have experienced it at retail (high end in particular).

AJ

Veteran

Fun details
Shaping structure that balances my shape
Colors
Textures
Prints
It's ability to elevate my mood when I feel good in my outfit.
Finding the perfect piece
The swishing movement of a pretty skirt or the clicking of FAB heels.

Add me to team Extremely Absorbing Hobby!!

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

"Fashion should inspire joy, not insecurity". IK, that statement is KILLER to the power of KILLER.

This is what YLF is all about. At least, that is my intention for YLF content.

Amy

(website)

Veteran

In addition to the wonderful sentiments posted above. fashion gives me tactile pleasure. I love the smooth, cool feel of silk, the roughness of a tweed, the bumps and valleys of a cable knit sweater, the fuzziness of mohair, the sleek toughness of leather.

I can't discount how empowering fashion can be, too. When I look my best, I feel confident...like I can take on the whole world.

Carole

Veteran

I love well fitting sumptuous fabrics and long inseams. But the thing that really makes me happiest are stylish low heeled shoes and boots that don't make my fussy feet hurt.

Carole

Veteran

Oh and dresses that come to the knees!