I miss them, too!
I like the well lit outdoor shots but I know I don't take the trouble myself to do them. They only happen if BF is with me and we're headed out the door somewhere. Point, click, done.
I think there is a balance between what you put in and what you get out. If it gets feeling lopsided, it loses its fun. ( I found that when I went through the whole BR capsule mix n match. Huge effort, not much payoff, no outfits really that I would personally wear. Won't do it again lol.)

Interesting, Anna. I truly appreciate the well-done outfit shots like your outdoor ones, but I can't hold it against anyone who does a mirror selfie, you know? I'd rather see a mirror selfie than have a poster feel like they shouldn't bother unless they can post pro-level photos!

I must confess that I often have a vain hope that the more adventurous style mavens like yourself might find something to appreciate in my outfits. I don't exactly dress to the norm of a typical 50-year-old east coast suburbanite, and I think I push the edges enough that I often draw glances or comments, but I'm not looking to rock the boat too much.

Thanks for chiming back in with your own ideas!

I just love seeing everyone's outfits. I especially like it when someone is creative and puts combinations of things together that I wouldn't have thought of doing. I also almost always read entire posts - short or long - because I like to read the backstory/why they put such-and-such together, etc. I also look to see if someone is posting for feedback on something, so that hopefully I can make an intelligent comment.

Like we've mentioned from time to time, everyone participates how much and in what way/level they want and are capable of.

I really appreciate well composed outdoor photos, like the ones you take Anna, or Aida's montages!

Unfortunately I don't have the time or set up to regularly take such nice shots, but still want to post an occasional outfit.

I can totally relate with Janet. I definitely do not dress like a 50ish-year-old suburban mom (which is what I am). I don't think I can push my norms that much more

I like outdoor photos and really appreciate them since I have done a few and I know how much work goes into them.

I never like how I look in mirror shots (the proportions are so wonky) so I did take the time to figure out a set-up in my house to take outfit photos. I figured out exactly where to place the camera, how to set the exposure, focus, etc, so I think I get somewhat decent (or at least clear and properly proportioned) photos most of the time. I do this without a tripod by the way. I would say doing this initial set up is well worth the time.

Shannon, more than one person was asking what I looking for in WIW's. I answered honestly.
There are many forum members who never comment on my WIW's. That's not including the all the lurkers.
I left high school a long time ago and the drive to be the most popular.
I know I don't see how others see. That's why I originally asked the question. To get a sense of what others see or want to see,

I wasn't criticizing your reply at all Anna - please don't misunderstand. I was reading through everyone's responses and simply made that comment. And I was one of the people who asked you what you looked for

Trendy and boundary pushing. That's an interesting combo. By rights, you know, it ought to be a contradiction in terms - except it's not and quite a lot of fun. We should have a Trendy and Boundary Pushing Day. Everybody has to take their seatbelt off, dress high, and go get an ice cream.

Actually, you know, I have some high heeled wooden-and-leopard sandals waiting to be taken for a spin. Waiting for some sunny weather. I could get them out now, forget the sun.

Anna said, "I also hope to see people defying their environmental norm a smidge."

aww, I'm sorry I don't take pictures because Defiance R Us. Where I live, unless you work downtown in a gov't building - and even they had a large hand drawn sign in the lobby of city hall: Please! No hoochie mama dress. - nobody wears skirts. Some years back the arts magnet high school had a uniform dress code of polos and khakis. I know, but at least the polos were black.
When the weather turned hot, girls started turning up in dresses and skirts.
The principal begged them. She knew they were hot. Please just wear shorts because when she drives in to work they look like the prostitutes out there. I myself was solicited because I was wearing a skirt and when I walk down the main street of my own neighborhood police in parked cars give me the fish eye.

Lol Vildy! This, along with Janet and Cathy's comments, does illustrate that environment norms are so varied that many might very well be challenging them even if it appears mainstream here on the forum. I can say without a doubt, wearing a pencil skirt in Tahoe would have folks turning heads. Heck, I wore a blazer (with chiffon floral sleeves no less) to a friend's custody hearing years (10+) ago and was mistaken for someone who worked at the courthouse.

Interesting points about environmental norms. This is where we don't always have the benefit of knowing what the environmental norms of a poster's area are, unless we happen to be in the same area. What's pushing the boundaries in one location is completely tame in another.

I have some friends who wear some pretty whackadoodle stuff, but they're spending their days in the arts districts of Baltimore, while others are ultraconservative dressers in downtown DC. Switch those people around, even though they're only a half-hour's drive away from one another, and you'll get some raised eyebrows.

Where I live just about anything goes, although I'd say that more high end fashion is somewhat rare unless you move in certain circles. I wish I could see more of that here! When I lived in Vancouver there was much more eye candy.
There is an amazing young man (he might be a teen, I'm bad at judging age) on my bus in the morning who wears eye make-up and has the coolest asymmetrical haircut. I love seeing what he wears every day - I honestly look forward to it. One day he had these gorgeous black tear drops trailing down his cheeks and I could not take my eyes off him. It totally makes me want to get dressed up and go dancing.
So I really appreciate everyone's sense of style, even if it isn't my own. I'm a lot more ballsy in my imagination than in real life. But I draw a lot of inspiration from others. Maybe I won't wear the same thing, but I'll be moved to create a look that re-creates whatever emotion I felt when saw it on someone else.

Yeah, it's funny about environmental norms. I know my outfits are pretty tame by YLF standards, but believe me when I say that I am, without a doubt, the very most wildly fahion-forward, norm-defying person on my level at my workplace.

When I get a house I hope to be able to try some outdoor WIW photos!

I often notice and appreciate your WIWs Anna, but don't always comment.
'The Wall' has its advantages and disadvantages, in that we can just look and not necessarily open the thread to write stuff.

I love to see 'real' people with 'real' lives having fun with clothes. I like that there is a wide range here and a supportive environment. I am a speed reader like Mo and like to see the situation or constraints that the outfit must fit, you know, 'it is raining so I am wearing low-heeled boots and a practical raincoat'. I also like to see WIW's that seem to be pushing the posters personal comfort zone or are refining their style. I appreciate good photos. My own WIW are pretty poor quality and would never place judgment on lacking the ability to take good selfies.

I don't always comment because I feel my comments are usually repetitive or not really additive, hmmm would giving a quick 'you look great' be better?

I know norms are different everywhere. I have lived everywhere from small town rural west to The Bronx.
I know what dress Wranglers are, as well as club wear.
I've also had lots of different jobs. From flipping burgers to law office work.
I'm just looking for things beyond a t-shirt and jeans. Or twinset and black dress pants.

But for some people here, given the spate of "keeping it real" posts, well that is their comfort zone and reality.

I'm looking for things that I don't see everyday. I don't expect this from my friends or patients. I just have higher expectations for those on the forum.

Well, I for one will probably continue to disappoint you. I doubt I will ever dress like you; we just have different styles. Even if we owned the same thing we wouldn't wear them the same. Tees and jeans are my reality, and I enjoy them when they fit well and feel nice. And to be honest I don't think that needs to change because I participate in a forum.

I don't except everyone to dress like me, ever.
Ok I will shut up because I keep digging myself into a hole.

I don't think Anna is saying that we need to dress differently than the way we do, but that's more what she's looking for when she looks at our WIW's ... which is kind of what she was asking initially?

*scratches head*

Let me amend that. I doubt I'll ever dress trendy or boundary-pushing. It just isn't me. But I like to think that I am true to my own rules, and that should count for something. Even if I am snapping selfies in the bathroom next to the trash can, which is all I can manage these days.

Anna even if many people don't comment on your outfit posts, the fact that you post them gives us all great exposure to a style that many of us do not get to experience in person on a regular basis, if at all. You are a fab example of a Real Person who wears and styles both incredible "fantasy" things and "normal" things. It's a shame that there are few here who share your aesthetic in their own dress, but you are certainly appreciated. What we all get out of your own WIW posts will differ, of course. Personally, your outfits encourage me to think further, in particular about how I can push my own norms in ways that are manageable for me. And I really appreciate that. That is what I look for in your WIW posts

What lyn & Aida said

Yes lyn* articulated better than I could. My field is very terse (two hours of work into a few sentences) & it has unfortunately lapsed over into my communication style everywhere.
Plus this thread wasn't supposed to be about my visions & expectations

Anna I am dying to know what you do!

Anyway, I just wanted to tell you what I look for in a WIW post. To be honest, your style is what really caught my eye when I came here. I love your fashion fearlessness and the fact that you are a total fashion maven. I will never be that, it's not me, it's not my budget, it's not my life. I do so admire and love it, though! You inspire me

Otherwise, I look for some sort of fashion resonance when I look at posts. What kind of style do I really love? What do I aspire to? Those are my favorites fo me personally.

Keep on keepin' on Anna...if you're ever in MN, maybe YOU could help me restyle my closet :).

Well, it's all about me, you peeps. You know that. And I feel a certain nostalgia, an awareness of a certain disloyalty to my youthful self. You know, there was a time when I dined, went to the opera/ballet/symphony, experimental theatre and galleries... There was a time when I still had wall space left and actually bought large paintings. When I had occasion to do fun, out-there things sartorially.

Now I'm all obsessed with running the world, which requires mortification of the senses and sober dress.

Ok. Who's gonna tell me I'm delusional?

Rachylou your delusional lol, lol, lol, now towards Annagybe to me you put forth such a great effort and care for thought when it comes to your post. I personally feel like people have a hard time giving constructive feedback or any feedback at all for that matter not just to you but to different posters sometimes. I think that the more unique your style is the harder it is to give feedback.

I am one who dresses more uniquely my environmental norm vs my personnel norms have such a wide gap. I reconcile that bit because I choose to. I wish I could post and take the time to do what you do . But I just don't have the inclination to do so. I remember giving some feedback from my viewpoint and what my norm was and I think I inadvertently hurt someone's feeling so now if I don't have anything positive to say I won't say anything. I don't come to this site to judge, I stalked for a number of years and am now trying to be a regular voice here but, sometimes I find that challenging.

I rarely comment on Angie's post unless they specifically pertain to me which is rarely but, Ido take the time to read them just as I do yours. I am a cross between loving cosplay, comic con, sci fi, history, the theater, runway, musicals and a whole host of other things. My genetic makeup is very diverse I look African American but my family is truly international. Just like this board. I love and enjoy this community just as if was real life. And I will continue to do so even if I never post another pic or W.I.W. Again. I love reading and I have a career that allows me to be online almost 24/7.

With that most of the time I won't comment but, I will read and what I'm trying to do is to comment on peoples threads that don't get a lot of feedback. Because from my own experience and by some of the numbers I see some posters get very little feedback or none at all. I find that there is an already established community here and it is difficult being the "new kid" on the block and although this community is welcoming recognition is sometimes limited.

It's like at church or school when you are new, people welcome you but usually drift back to there own people. At my church we make sure you feel welcome by assigning someone to to kind of walk with you to help you to not feel so alone. Sometimes it works and sometimes it does not. I feel as if someone has been present here for a long time it is easy to feel as if that person keeps reading and seeing the same things. For myself it was the UWP thread someone told me I was obsessed with it but in reality I was trying to find a viewpoint or common link. That tread had some of my highest feedback and that is cool.

Well anyhow now that I have written my nightly thesis back to sleep I go.

Rachy, you constantly crack me up!

Ladywone, you make some interesting points. It's true that people are most comfortable with what they're accustomed to, whether it's their peers at school or church, or style that reflects a familiar environment. I'm glad you're here -- I find it very fun to see styles on YLF that are a bit more outside the usual. That goes for you, Anna, Leopardluxe, Andrea W, and others. Even if I don't dress the same, I can find things to appreciate.

All of this is also making me think about the role that style plays in our lives. Anna, I hope you don't mind me using you as an example since you started the thread... But clearly, style for Anna is an escape. It's a chance to play and be creative and be completely unbound by rules and expectations. And because she has to wear scrubs for work, at a very demanding job no less, that sense of sartorial freedom is very apparent, and very understandable. I bet people who wear uniforms (Raisin and her job in law enforcement comes to mind, or anyone who wears a soul-sucking polo and khaki uniform) feel similarly, IF style is an important hobby to them.

For someone who can express their creativity through their style on a daily basis with what they wear to work, or as a WOTG, the urgency to "escape", stylewise, is just not there. We have a different kind of freedom -- the kind where we can weave our style more seamlessly into our daily routine. This might be seen as some more adventurous souls as a more watered-down style, but we're all doing the best we can with what we have available.

That said, I think we can always welcome more adventurous dressers into the YLF fold! Diversity is wonderful. Next time I see someone IRL whose style pushes boundaries, I'm going to suck up my courage and tell them about YLF.

I look a lot more than I post. I just don't have the time or feeling that I have much to offer. Sometimes I will read a thread and my feelings on it are so different from everyone elses so sometimes I will add my point of view but most times I don't. I do appreciate the time and effort anyone puts in to take and post photos and I love to see everyone's pics. I am more the big picture than the small details so it amazes me the breakdown of details and I will keep scanning back to the photos thinking, wow, I didn't even notice that lol.