Where on your style journey are you right now?

RoseandJoan

Where am I? I have decided to join SYC whilst I try to define my new style further. I don't know how long this will be but it feels the right decision for now.

14 years ago

Polly (thunalata)

Veteran

Oh dear, I've stalled! I want to know where you are, though, Julie, as I know you're heading somewhere exciting.

I have now got the basics in place and can't afford to spend much at all this season. I need more of a vision of where I'm going, though, to get the most out of my clothes and to keep moving forward. So on my style journey I'm at least an assignment behind on 'getting out of a style rut'!

14 years ago

Vani

Veteran

I think finally getting my haircut short has been a defining moment in my style journey. Also, after procuring some of Angie's recommended items for the Spring, I too will be SYC unless something from my constantly pruned perennial list of wants pops up. Next up is a red blazer/jacket and here's hoping nothing else will distract me in the meanwhile.

ETC: I will be permitting myself to scour the thrift stores during SYC.

14 years ago

Mo

(website)

Veteran

without a glance at any respones I will say I am in the stage of no longer bringing in things that don't play well with what I have. I am also doing much better with letting go of what is okay but not great. Where I still need quite a bit of help is in outfit 'completion' - from jewelry to belts and bags, etc. I still think in terms of this top with bottom A,B or C and jacket E,F or G. Shoes aren't hard for me - I love 'em! But I still don't envision head to toe looks.

14 years ago

qfbrenda

Veteran

I'm in a "stop shopping and use what you have" spot. I bought a lot of tops last week when I was visiting my mom. She has better shopping spots than I do. So I'm set for now until I figure out what else I need. I do have a couple of items I want to get before summer... mainly more skirts and dresses... but I'm in a better spot than I was a month ago.

14 years ago

Polly (thunalata)

Veteran

Vani - I love your new hair so much. Have you tried the H&M red jacket?

14 years ago

Michelle

(website)

Veteran

This is such a great question, and I find the answer very hard to articulate! I feel I've really established the sort of look I want to convey, though that was already fairly set in my mind. What has changed for me is that I have a much stronger sense of exactly how to communicate that desired impression. I want to look elegant and polished while still acknowledging the fact that I'm fairly young. To that end, I used to be preoccupied with the need to feel (if not look) fashion forward. While maintaining a current element to my style will always be important, I now feel better able to be governed by my own whims rather than those of the industry. For instance, while it may be fashionable to surrender the waistline, I will never feel fully comfortable in outfits without waist definition. I'm now ok with this and would prefer to focus on choosing the most slimming ensembles rather than those most likely to appear on magazine covers.I know what I feel comfortable in and have a better idea of what experiments will actually bare fruit. All this has made me a *much* more selective shopper, which can only be a good thing.
What's next for my style? No clue! For the moment, I'm happy with my current port of call.

14 years ago

Lisalou

Active Member

I would say I'm at the very beginning of my style journey. I can't say I've ever had a defined style, and while I know what kind of pieces I like for my body/emerging style, I think there have been a lot of mental headgames going on that I'm weeding out (ie, I can't wear *that* because it's too cool for me!).

I recently chopped my hair and love it (have never received so many compliments), and I just got a proper bra fitting on Saturday. I am dumbfounded at what a difference the right bra can make! I also recently cleaned out my closet and got rid of a bunch of stuff that was either unflattering or not what I want my style to be. So I am, in essence, starting from scratch. And what a fun place to be!

14 years ago

chewyspaghetti

Veteran

I'm in a pretty good place right now. My wardrobe is cohesive, I have a pretty good handle on my style, and I don't have any gaping holes. I don't think that my style journey is anywhere near over, but I am happy with where I am now.

14 years ago

catgirl

Veteran

I am in the weeding out stage. To make a parallel to gardening, my closet has been a forgotten and untended plot full of weeds and still needs pruning. Then I'm looking to replenish with more perennials and fewer dandelions. The problem is, I hate weeding!

14 years ago

crwilson

Veteran

I think that I've figured out what generally looks flattering, and I'm much better at making sure that I don't buy items that I won't wear. Right now, I'm moving toward a more relaxed, less conservative style that expresses my personality more than many of my current clothes do. I'm also starting to get more comfortable dressing for myself more than anyone else. I'm realizing that my favorite elements of style are accessories (especially shoes) and that I love simple clothes paired with interesting accessories (hence my fascination with a "uniform").

14 years ago

rae

(website)

Veteran

I feel really close to dialing in my work wardrobe. I know my main colors (tomato red, citron), and my basic "uniform" (neutrals/subdued hues with a strong pop of one bright/obnoxious color).

I also feel very good about casual winter and casual summer outfits. I'm still struggling with the whole "spring" concept but, luckily, spring doesn't last too long in LA.

I feel just about ready for a bout of SYC. I think I might go ahead and start it with the caveat that I can only purchase if the perfect white pants or red skirt comes my way.

14 years ago

Queen Mum

Veteran

I've got the cruise control set and I feel that I'm moving along nicely. I know where I'm going and I'm enjoying the journey. Like Khris, my wardrobe is cohesive and I feel good 9 days out of 10. Occasionally I get side tracked and take detours that didn't need to be taken, but I recognize those oopses and get back on the road. Each season takes time to digest the new options and make decisions about what is and isn't for me. For this reason, I know that I will never "arrive". But the journey has been a blast.
I have a few more spring/summer things to pin down and then I think I will need to take a 3 month shopping hiatus as well.

14 years ago

Louise

Veteran

I'm bobbing alone quite nicely with no major fashion mishaps (I hope!!). My shoes and sandals are thin on the ground after a major cull so I'm focusing there. I have no major wardrobe gaps but plenty of things I want but I'm trying to be more picky x

14 years ago

Elly

Veteran

Oh goodness---- I am one of those people that feel like the I have been on this journey a couple of separate times. Fashion is important to me and has been for quite a few years, but I go through these periods of time where life gets in the way and by the time I am able to pick back up everything has completely changed in fashion, my body, ect.

So, I have gotten back into it with the help of YLF and been a ton of "observation" and think I am ready to actively move onto "participant observation" and "participation." At this point I am pretty much starting from scratch with just more experience and fresh ideas. In a couple of months I won't be a college student anymore and need to change my style-- not my personal style, but what I have been wearing because my college clothes have worn out their welcome!

14 years ago

firefly

Active Member

I think I'm still near the start of my style journey. I've had a bout of clearing out my wardrobe, and am continuing to do so intermittently as I realise items I thought were ok really aren't as I become ever pickier.

This has led to a lot of holes in my closet, but I haven't rushed to fill them, especially as I'm currently constrained by a limited budget. I'm also spending most of that budget at charity shops and ebay as I'm still figuring out what suits me and which direction I want to go in. I figure that I don't want to invest in pieces that I might decide don't really work for me.

However for the first time in my life I'm enjoying thinking about clothes and getting dressed. I think taking part in the birthday video just kicked that up a gear for me recently.

14 years ago

taylor

Veteran

Everchanging and evolving ...3 steps forward, one back.

I really love my wardrobe, but my hair and asseccory taste change often. I get unsatisfied with my hair alot...just part of being a girl and a stylist.

14 years ago

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Well, I'm pretty sure there will not be a final destination in this journey where I simply stop, so I guess this is just another leg of an ongoing adventure. I know I want to keep doing some things I've been doing, but I also want to make some changes and refinements. The last couple years of my life have seen some significant changes, and I'm gaining new insights about myself, and as a result, my style.

Even though i don't have a destination in mind, I'm excited about where I'm going next.

14 years ago

Anonymous

I'm in cruise control right now. I've settled on a formula that is easy to deal with every day. I'm in the middle of a major, major, MAJOR home renovation project and I really have no mental bandwidth to worry about my clothing at the moment. But because I methodically filled in my wardrobe holes last fall, even in the middle of a huge fuss in the house, I can grab an outfit and be ready in a jiff. I'm so very happy that I put in that energy because I am getting huge payoffs right now. Now, with Spring in the air, I will probably need to go through the same process again so I can greet the milder weather in style. But so far, spring has been cold and rainy (and HAIL-y!) so I am not pressured into switching to my warm weather clothes yet....hopefully I can hold off for a few weeks until my house is back in order! Although I will confess that the noise and dust did force me out of the house last week and into Nordstrom where I grabbed a few new items for when the weather warms up

14 years ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

This was an interesting read and FWIW, I see style progress!

I feel good about this leg of my own style journey. It's like we were meant to be united.

14 years ago

nancylee

Veteran

I'm definitely going through a reevaluation of my style. I recently did a lot of weeding out of things that felt too fussy or too young. More and more I'm drawn to classic, strong, simple looks with a twist of arty/boho (like a necklace or scarf). This is more or less the look I've always had....now I just feel more strongly committed to it! Still tweaking. I am approaching 50 and I'm an empty nester....so it's a transition time in my life. YLF is a tremendous help!

14 years ago

Isabel

Veteran

I am in a very happy and sartorially peaceful state. I went through SYC for six months and then went gangbusters the 3 months after. I got a very good idea of what I wanted to do and how I wanted to look and what might add a little pizazz to my very boring wardrobe. I feel that I am ready for anything now.

So it might be time to embark on another SYC, so that I can slowly implement into my dressing what I want. I just have enough, well actually, more that enough to play with.

14 years ago

Anonymous

I came to YLF thinking I'd reach a destination where I'd found my style and have a wardrobe of fabulous classics to last for years. Now I realize that I get bored and, although I'll keep my best things for years, I'll wear them different ways.
To use Una's wonderful gardening metaphor, I love looking through the seed catalogs (Angie's lists) before each season, looking for where I can change things up a bit with a spot of a new color or silhouette while not abandoning the garden staples that have proven themselves winners.

14 years ago

Anonymous

I'm in the very beginning of my style journey.

For years I never cared about the way I dressed and I also started getting pocket money very late so I didn't develop that shopping interests as early as my classmates did, or the interest in hair styling or make-up or anything.

It wasn't until I got into my 20's that I realized that I can also look fabulous if I just work a little harder and give it a chance. But I haven't really known where to start or what to do or how to do it. There was one period when I purchased loads of clothes, just because I wanted to renew my closet and look better. But now, a few years later, I realize that I didn't do well at the time - and I hate looking at photos from that time...

I hope to finally do things right now! And this place will hopefully be a good place to be during my journey. So, I'm in the middle of clearing out my closet(s) now, to see what I have, what I actually need - and what I don't need more of... I just hope I will be persistent enough to do this journey!

14 years ago

lyn*

(website)

Veteran

I am finally starting to reap the rewards of all the effort/work I have put into myself/wardrobe! I looooove getting dressed in the morning and feel pumped ... and sneak little looks at my reflection on every reflective surface.

*is guilty of sneaking a look in a hubcap*

14 years ago

Kari

Veteran

I think my style journey is very cyclical - I get to a point where I am very happy with where I am, and then (like now) I'll get to a place where I am feeling restless and unsettled again. Or maybe I'm fearful that the trends I have loved so well (structured tops, defined waistlines, pencil skirts) will seem totally passe and un-hip in a season or two.

14 years ago

Kate

Veteran

I'm at a stage where I need very little, and when there is nothing in stores that is perfect for me I'm ok not shopping. And when the stores have lots of things that are perfect for me I have few regrets scooping up a bunch of wonderful items because I know that they will get lots of use! I've stopped buying things that are inexpensive but not quite perfect. However, I think that I'm describing my shopping journey more than my style journey. I'm happy with how I dress, and I "dress to impress" everyday. I never feel bored with what I'm wearing, and putting together new outfits is so much easier than it used to be. I like where I'm at.

14 years ago

Marley

Veteran

I have wandered down a lot of different paths in my style journey - but one of the smartest things I did was decide in December that I was going to SYC beginning Jan. 1 for a minimum of 3 months. Those 3 months have passed now - and even though I have given myself permission to shop, my attitudes about bringing in anything new to my wardrobe have completely changed. I don't feel like I am yet in a place where I know what would be intelligent purchases for me at this time. I discovered during SYC, that I have GOBS of great clothes, shoes, accessories, etc. in my closet - and I also discovered that I have a very eclectic style - I really am attracted to a LOT of different styles! For a long time, I thought that that was a BAD thing and that I needed to choose a style and stick with that when making purchases. However, I have gradually come to accept and feel OK about being more eclectic in my style - in fact, I am almost proud of it now! - so, right now I'd say that I am at a phase of acceptance of my style - and contentment. There is nothing out there right now that I am just DYING to go buy - what I want is something in cobalt blue, a midi skirt or dress, and a white purse - but, I'll be just fine if I don't get them too - and that's a very nice place to be!

14 years ago

londonkiwi (now back in NZ)

Veteran

You ask such interesting and challenging questions Julie.

My wardrobe is needing to undergo a huge overhaul due to the arrival of Vanessa. I am pretty much back to my pre-pregnancy weight, if not pre-pregnancy size so my maternity clothes have been packed away.

I am slowly learning what items do and don't wear for breastfeeding - for example dresses are mostly out as they don't work. But the loose blouses that I know are not favourites on the forum are perfect for my needs.

I am also discovering major holes in my casual wardrobe, which now has to do 7 days a week, rather than only weekends. I need to have tops and bottoms that can be interchanged as well so if necessary I only need to change a top or a bottom and not an entire outfit.

My shoe collection is good, I just need a new pair of converse or similar for summer. I am also happy with my bag, jewellery and scarves.

Nessie on the otherhand has her own style challenges - she (or rather me) has to come up with a way of ensuring that her now huge selection of clothes is actually worn and that I remember she has been given something and I don't need to buy it!

14 years ago

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