Whom should I trust when shopping? - YouLookFab Forum

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Whom should I trust when shopping?

Bella Smith

Member

Hi everyone, I'm new here, and it's been over a decade since I participated in forums, so I hope I still remember how to do it

I am a surgeon, and fashion is not exactly my comfort zone. But it became a bit more relevant lately. It's been a couple of years since my divorce, so I'm thinking of putting myself out there, and it sure would feel easier if, appearance-wise, I felt like I'm doing something right.

So I got myself a new hairstyle, a trip to Sephora, and even a few facial appointments! So now it comes down to the wardrobe. And I feel like I need a proper shake-up here. But the truth is, I don't exactly know where to start from... Getting a stylist from a department store is not an option as I simply don't have the time for that. I saw some online personal shopping/ stylist services (its most likely a stylist I need, tbh), but none of those I found felt right. (they seem to be more on the safe side of casual fashion, and I'm talking rebirth here lol)

So advice on any online companies/freelancers I could turn to? Something very reliable, trendy, and not time-consuming. Hearing others' experiences would be highly appreciated!

P.S. apologies for such a long message

Shopping

17 replies

Latest reply was from Staysfit

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Welcome! You've come to a great place. Angie curates such a welcoming community and many of us arrive here wanting to rebuild a wardrobe after some significant life changing event or events.

It sounds like you're on the right track. Hairstyle, refreshing your undies, dealing with glasses (if you wear them) and other grooming essentials are the first step to renewed style confidence.

It does sound as if a few sessions with a stylist would be a great option for you. I am afraid I don't have recommendations for that (beyond Angie, of course!).

But once you've got a start, you might find the blog and forum are great places to get ongoing suggestions and support.

Either way, you'll want to identify your core style personality, if you can.

Some people like to use a program like Pinterest to make an image board of the kinds of looks that most appeal to them.

Another approach is to think about your favourite outfits over the years, analyze their elements, consider why you loved them and go from there.

Or you might consider who your style inspirations are, your icons, if you have any.

Others like to take online quizzes.

Some try to pick a few keywords that encapsulate their style.

And others come up with a kind of style "avatar" or persona.

Or some combination of the above.

If you haven't explored the blog archives, that might be a place to start:
https://youlookfab.com/archive/

Oh -- and one more thing: trust yourself. How you feel in an outfit, what makes you happy. And what works practically for your lifestyle, climate, and activities. It will take time to figure that out and you will make some mistakes. We all do. That's ok.

Jenni NZ

Veteran

Welcome to the forum Bella! I think Suz’s advice above is excellent. It might be possible that Angie does take clients at a distance, I’m not 100% sure.
We do have several doctors on the forum, all of whom have been here several years so clearly helped by it.
I did actually get a stylist in 2010 when I was looking to get a new sideline job as a presenter for a medical protection organisation and we were asked to wear “professional” clothing for the group interview programme day. I was flummoxed by that since as a family doctor in a small suburban practice I was never wanting to look too “business woman” for the clientele! The stylist did help but I don’t think her knowledge was anywhere near as good as Angie’s.
Funnily enough that’s the only professional job I’ve applied for that I didn’t get!- but I got a different and better one later the same year

Jenni NZ

Veteran

Actually I meant to say that in preparation at the time I pulled out photos (printed ones) from my albums, going right back to childhood ones, where I liked the outfits, and used that to help me see what I liked, in trying to get a handle on my style. It did help.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Thanks Suz and Jenni, for your thoughtful replies.

Welcome, Bella! I'm Angie Cox. I've been in the Rag Trade for 31 years, and this is my forum.

In a nutshell, I think these six pillars capture the most important elements of an effective and enjoyable personal style. It's what we strive towards when I work individually with my clientele:

https://youlookfab.com/2020/07/22/simpat-style/

Occassionally, I do work with clients long distance. If that doesn't work out, you'll find this forum engaged, supportive, intelligent, and kind. Forum members will happily guide through your style journey, and of course - I will chime in too

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

Welcome! You have received excellent advice above and good luck!

Sal

Veteran

Welcome!

I can relate to your position - I think most of us can! People tend to join the forum when there is a change or a need for some more help - and stay around because it's fun!!

I came when in my early - mid 40s fashions were against me. I had enough clothes but not enough outfits to wear. Skinny jeans, ballet flats, tunics and waterfall cardigans all looked wrong on me and black, grey and blush were the prevalent colours.

Now at 53 I feel much more confident with my choices, and am not buying as many things that just don't work. My mistake was buying a top or skirt that I loved but that was too complicated for me (needed a layer under or over that I did not own) or a pair of shoes that I wore twice a year.

I think it can be as simple as starting with a small number of outfits that you need (for work or weekend). The base might be a jacket you already own. And then adding to it thoughtfully.

I like Pinterest and I like looking here at what others wear. You will find some people have similar preferences to you, and some quite different, but that's the fun. I like seeing what other women wear and get ideas from people here - and advice. I now am savvier at shopping!!

Hope to see you around the forum!

Anonymous

Hi Bella! Welcome to the site

CarolS

Veteran

Welcome, Bella! Looking forward to seeing you around the forum and wishing you the very best with your fashion reinvention!

Joy

Veteran

Welcome, Bella. I think Angie suggests starting with the basics … a fresh hair style. Updated eyeglasses, A bra fitting and well fitting underwear. Everything else looks better with the right basics. You may consider what colors look best ( and worst) on you and your lifestyle for what you wear most. I pay attention now to my dominate season and may even break it down to shorter seasons. Think of the fabrics you like best. I started with a good fitting dark denim jean, but I have a casual lifestyle

To answer your question,do not trust the SA or the mirror. Trust other shoppers and yourself. Stick to a list.

JP

Veteran

Hi Bella, welcome to the forum!
I was going to suggest Angie, but others have suggested already and you've got great advice. I just wanted to say it's great that you're putting yourself out there. Hopefully we'll see pictures and posts from you.

rachylou

Veteran

Welcome! I agree with everyone above and no doubt below I do personally favour the think before you shop approach…

Bella Smith

Member

Hi everyone! Firstly, thank you so much for all your replies and great support. I honestly did not expect to get so many replies and such helpful advices! While I'm not ready for pictures yet, would love to share some updates on my journey so far (who knows, maybe it will help someone else too)
- So I followed your advice and upgraded my glasses (treated myself to Chanel, so hopefully, they are durable enough to swipe lenses every few years, haha)
- Pinterest was a mind-blowing discovery for me. I previously thought of it as a decor inspiration app you use for renovations, never thought it could be THIS much fun for fashion! Gotta be careful, though; the thing is so catchy one can easily get lost for hours
- SA is definitely a no-no. Got some crazy advices last week until I realized the more I buy, the more commissions one would get...
- I haven't taken the time to go through Angie's archives yet, but will definitely do so soon. Sounds like that might be the most exciting and useful thing to do.
- Many of you suggested starting with some good underwear for the sake of confidence; felt like making sense to me, so I'm getting on it this weekend.

To sum up, I followed your advice and took things slowly. No rush, no stress, just step by step, and I must say it feels good. A special thank you to Angie for having such a warm, welcoming community. You created an amazing thing here! <3

Sara’s Mar

Member

Hello Bella,

I can’t explain how much I needed to hear that i wasn’t the only one looking for a new style, it seems these days that fashion and looking good is just for young and skinny girls, I’m currently on the journey of transforming my style and many of my friends have given me advice, but the one that really change the game for me was these websites (that i didn’t even knew they existed) where you can get inspiration and ideas of outfits and shop! They are like mini tutorial guides for you to find your style and embrace it! One of these websites is called Lefashionartiste, you should check it out, the only thing is that sometimes items can be out of the budget but to get ideas is nice!

I hope i have been helpful! And thank you for putting yourself out there, you definitely help me get my confidence back!

Sara’s Mar

Member

Ps: I’m new here and i saw in previous comments that this website is created by a stylist Angie. So maybe you don’t even need any other websites

Rejoiceandbe

You have had lots of good advice so far. One resource that you might look for, over time, is developing a relationship with a store and sales associate that "works" for your needs. Someone who knows the stock and how it looks on a range of different body types, who is honest and enjoys the job. Such a person can help you find items that you might not have considered and can also streamline the shopping process, if time is a constraint for you. Good luck with the reinventing!

nancylee

Veteran

Welcome Bella! You've come to the right place for excellent fashion advice and lots of thoughtful and kind support!

Staysfit

Veteran

Welcome Bella, I’m another of the physicians who participates on the forum although I have had much less time to post recently. I highly recommend choosing relevant to you posts from the archived Angie’s Advice section of the blog. She has categorized them and it’s a good way to hone in on topics that are of interest and to learn and think about how to proceed.

I appreciate that Angie had a systematic approach to organizing and curating her wardrobe while also relying on emotion and joy to guide her purchases and outfit creation. Learning to think of my wardrobe in terms of basics, essentials and statement pieces helped me to stop buying individual outfits and to create a more functional working wardrobe. I use style adjectives. The adjectives are very helpful when I’m shopping.

I have not used personal shoppers but strangely enough, 35 years ago, our medical school had an image consultant work with us on professional attire, flattering colors, styles, proportions, and appearance, etc. I kept the information but also ignored it. Fast forward a few decades. I had my colors and style proportions assessed by an Image consultant again around 8 years ago, and compared them to the previous results, they were the same. I use them and find them particularly helpful. Not everyone needs this type of information or thinks it’s helpful. It worked for me because initially, I could not see or sense what colors or shapes worked by instinct. It makes my shopping more time efficient. I can look to see if they have anything in colors I would wear, then check for my size and then styles/shapes I would wear. It works both online and in person.

I find the responses of the members of this forum to be thoughtful, helpful and kind. I have learned enough here to help me curate a wardrobe and personal style that I enjoy and that, represents my personality and works with my professional and personal life.