"Look for" in what sense? I respond positively to outfits that are cohesive and flattering, mostly.

I look for all sorts of things. I like seeing items or styles I can picture incorporating into my life as inspiration, but also seeing some women who have very different styles/lifestyles and wear things that I never would! One of the things I like about fashion is that I can appreciate things aesthetically even if they're not my personal style.

What don't I look for? Shoes, apparently. So many times I look at a WIW and note details about the outfit, read the comments which mention awesome shoes, and then have to go back because I didn't even notice them the first time around. I guess I'll never be a shoe gal!

I've been thinking about how to answer this. I need to think more. I know I respond most to sophistication and least to just pretty - and I try to watch out for that. Because pretty is a goal of some AND some I'd recommend pretty for even.

The first think I notice is proportion. I have been trying to get proportions right in my life and I use the WIWs to understand them on other people so that I can apply them to my life. I am becoming a "proportion snob."

I look for inspiration.... colour combinations that might be interesting, attention to detail, good proportions and fit. I also like to see how someone's style is progressing and to see fresh ways to combine items. And I like to see real bodies in everyday clothing too.

1. What real people wear for real life situations.

2. Creative expressions of individuals.

3. The thinking and/or ideas behind some outfits or just individual pieces, which all help me see some of my clothes and style goals in a new light.

What goes through my head when considering all of the above is the feeling of joy when someone clearly has fun with fashion and (re)discovers herself along the way.

I look to be pleasantly surprised.

For example, when the subject line names an item I've been struggling to embrace, or a color I don't love, I look to see if the person has found a way to make that item or color speak to me.

Often the anwer is yes, and I find that very inspirational.

I think I agree with everyone.
I look for inspiration, mostly.
When it's someone whose style is like mine, that inspiration is very literal, meaning they will often influence how I dress or what I buy. That's helpful, and it's fun, and I feel a real kinship with those women.
When it's someone whose style is not like mine, that inspiration is more emotional. I am inspired by their love of their clothing, the questions they are asking, the stories they are telling with their outfits.
While I do really enjoy the aesthetics of an artfully presented WIW -- fabulous photos, in particular -- I don't necessarily seek those out. My photos are very low-average, and so I don't set a high bar for that.

I just like to skim through and see examples of what regular people wear (rather than models or near-pro fashion bloggers). I rarely comment, not for any particular reason, just that it seems like a lot of effort to say "nice!" or "cute!" or "interesting!" all the time. There are no particular criteria for posts that I look at in more detail or comment on, other than that it caught my eye and I happened to be in a commenting mood.

What do I look for?  Well let me tell you a story.  When I was a child my first vivid memories was of my father wearing a multiple print dashiki.  Oh my goodness I fell in love with the detail print the pattern the colors It was beautiful.  I was about 5 or 6.  I have always been a people watcher not just clothing but hair shoes individual movement.  When i went to NY I was in heaven not only with my style but also with just watching people.  That is why I love the web site H.O.N.Y.  Humans of New York.

So I really don't look for anything necessarily but, I look for the persons point of view.  And I just love being able to look without feeling weird about It.  When I am in real life I love giving and receiving compliments.  Sometimes people just stare and you don't know if they like or hate or love an outfit.  It used to bother me now, I just keep it moving and enjoy clothing.

I had date night last night and There was a beautiful older woman maybe 60 something and she had on a Hat Oh Honey she was working it like she was straight out of Essence or Ebony runway.  And I could not stop myself from complimenting her.  I know I cannot respond to  everyone and sometimes I just don't want to repeat what has already been said.  Sometimes I just look or gather inspiration. 

I like it because I generally wear the same thing at work.  So I live vicariously though others.  Thanks for reading now how about you what do you look for?

I think Deborah and Ornella have summed up my thoughts perfectly - thanks ladies

But back to you Anna - what do YOU look for?

I like all WIWs. Sometimes, I learn about colors or proportion. Sometimes I see a new outfit combination I want to try or a solution on how to style something I am struggling with. And sometimes I see new styles that may not be for my taste, but are fun to look at because it is different from my style. I just like fashion so I take any WIWs I can get.

Deborah said it very well for me, and viva too. I am a people-watcher and love just the mere act of taking it all in, enjoying the parade of humanity.

But I also confess to having ulterior motives. When pressed for time, I check out the outfits of participants who share some aesthetic or style preference with me, so I can get ideas and inspiration. But I also make it a point to check out the WIWs of those who have very different styles from mine. I appreciate it all.

Beautifully shot photos are wonderful (Aida rocks in this department), and greatly appreciated, but I cut people a lot of slack in this department. I've been called out for posting crappy WIW photos even though I am a photographer by trade. But I've explained before that if I take a photo of my outfit, it's pretty much as I'm heading out the door, and getting involved with tripod, location, lighting, posing, image downloading and editing, etc, would send me very quickly down the rabbit-hole of perfectionism and would hinder me from ever posting an outfit. Quite honestly, I hate being the subject of a photo anyway, so I give big props to anyone who takes a photo of their outfit and shares it here.

Well it's a bit like opening up a box of chocolates (not to go all Forrest Gump on you) you just never know what sort of treat it's going to be!
I so appreciate the courage, effort, and time it takes to post. All of us posting makes YLF a living breathing entity - fashion for everyone and everybody.

Coming back around to add that I look for relatively concise text. For me, back story isn't something I'm interested in as much as what the occasion and or constraints (I'm wearing flats because of foot issues, etc).
If there are over a handful of pics, I might not open thumbnails either. Ditto links in posts. My computer isn't the speediest and it's time consuming to click them all open.
Heh, guess I'm a speed reader WIW viewer who likes the Crib Notes version! lol

In short I look for inspiration, an opportunity to maybe help someone else or give them encouragement, great color combinations, newer trends, fun dialogue, and I do like it when the source of the clothing items are available (so I can shamelessly copy). I probably focus on responding to a sort of favorites set of WIWs because either I can relate better to their style or I just feel that over time I sort of "know" them better.

I'm not really looking for anything with the WIW posts. I don't click on them all that often, to be honest, but when I do, it's mostly out of curiosity, to see what kind of style that person has. I'm more likely to click on WIW posts for those whose style resonates with me. If a gal's style is really bohemian, for example, I'm unlikely to click to see more, because it's not my thing and she probably doesn't want to hear my opinion anyway!

But often as not, I have a really hard time telling if the outfit works or not, because of the limitations of photography. Mirror selfies don't work. I've tried doing WIW shots myself, in the mirror, and they always look so terrible that you can't tell if the outfit proportions work. So I stopped doing it. Those women who set up a tripod, or who have someone else photograph them in good light and from far enough away that their legs don't look oddly shortened, get far better WIW shots, and I much prefer to look at those. With a good shot, you can see the proportions of the outfit properly.

Mo, I'm with you. I am likely to skim any WIW post that has several lengthy paragraphs, unless I'm really drawn in. But on the other side of the coin, I like a little bit of context -- where is this being worn, what's the weather, or how does the wearer feel, or the reason for this outfit, etc. It doesn't need to be lengthy, just a bit of background.

[Which tangentially makes me realize why certain style blogs annoy me -- a dozen photos of the same outfit, with no context whatsoever, or so vague or improbable that it almost seems like they made it up (Atlantic-Pacific and Karla's Closet come to mind -- "just traipsing about the town running errands in my five-inch stilettos!" Uh-huh).]

@ Janet - I've often wondered where the lady in Atlantic-Pacific was going ... and how she got there in the middle of the street ...

I appreciate anyone who takes the time to post. It is time consuming and not always easy. I try to give the poster a response to any questions she might have.

If they aren't asking for anything, I try to give my impression or what really draws me in. I do, as Mo said, prefer shorter text but I like to know what is going on. Also, I tend to . . .well . . . . I look at the pictures and then read the text. I do it partially because I want to see and make an impression before I read the post. I have also been making an effort to comment before I read the other comments so as not to be swayed. I especially do this on K/R posts.

As for me, I like seeing what others are wearing. I enjoy the variety of styles displayed across a wide spectrum of ages, ethnicities and body types. It can give me ideas and help me better understand what flatters and why. But mostly, I like the diversity.

Oh, I have to say I agree with Mander. It's a big boon to me to see *real people* wearing items in *real life.*

Also, it's really helpful when people make use of the formatting tools - bold, underline, bullets...

I look for inspiration. If I'm short on time, I click mostly on the people I follow, who have a body shape and aesthetics similar to mine. I like to see what people are buying, and how the items fit and get styled by a "real" person instead of a model. I check out proportions since I'm still learning to push my comfort zone in that area. I also look at how colors play on skin-tones similar to mine. I enjoy giving feedback even it it's a simple YLF and appreciate the time and effort of everybody who posts WIWs.

I like to see what people are wearing and I usually gain some inspiration along the way as well as ideas on how to be creative with my own style. This is a great question you've posed and I love looking at WIWs and wish I had more time to comment.

Often times, I'll comment on the first ones I see, so when I do have the time, I try to comment on new faces, as well as the ones I know and have met IRL. I'm also fascinated with people's purchases and how they put their new pieces together.

I like seeing what people wear in their everyday lives. That is 100 times more inspirational to me than any fashion magazine spread or Pinterest inspiration. I usually don't comment unless the poster's style or lifestyle is fairly similar to my own. Then I feel like I can offer useful commentary. I just don't understand other styles/personas well enough to feel like I have insight on whether something works or doesn't.

I really just like to see what "real" people are wearing. Reading that, perhaps I should rephrase, given I see what real people are wearing everyday! Real people who are stylish and interested in fashion! I like to see how people interpret new trends into everyday life, some casual, some fashion forward, some safe enough for work. I think everyone is incredibly generous in sharing.
And, unlike some others, I LOVE a lot of text. I am a text based person, and I adore the back stories, as well as the images.

Good question!
Firstly I look at the 'Wall' and open the WIWs that grab my attention-
they are usually those with similar style to my own- my 'watch-list' people.
Secondly I enjoy trying to answer questions or give advice if it is asked for.

just wanted to add, i'm a multi demensional learning. so i like to read about something in angie's posts and then see the ideas in action.

I like to see non-model photos of trendy or interesting clothing, to try to get a sense of how I could wear things. I tend to look at WIWs of people whose style I know is particularly interesting but also put together. I like to see people taking risks.

In general I enjoy them all. The ones that really stick out for me are typically WIWs that either speak to my own personal style, or something I would like to try myself.

ETA: I have a big soft spot for risk taking WIWs, with all caution thrown to the wind. I love these kinds of people in real life and so I'm naturally drawn to them online, too.

Personally, I look in the vain hope that there maybe, someone, eventually who dresses even a little bit like me. Not even necessarily budget wise. Just trendy and boundary pushing.
I miss Nicoleb and Maya.
I also hope to see people defying their environmental norm a smidge.
I'm also a bit surprised that nice pictures don't matter. Kind of makes me wonder if I should continue to go to the trouble of taking outdoor en scene shots.