Hi! I found Youlookfab several weeks ago when I was home with a bad cold. I spent most of the day reading through old blog posts, forum posis and following links hither and yon across the Internet. Such fun!

I'm a forty-something manager in high-tech; i live in the US Pacific Northwest. I bought my first fashion book in seventh grade: a used copy of a John Robert Powers book from the fifties. My style is fairly modern, and I like to throw in a twist on a classic look with something that's just a bit unexpected. Lately, I've been working to get braver at mixing colors, and layering shades of a single color, rather than always sticking to my old formula of neutrals with maybe a single pop of color. I'm plus sized, so I have the shopping challenges that go with that. And, after years of being a perfect pear, I'm now somewhere between a racy rectangle and am adorable apple, and am also slowly losing weight, so I'm rediscovering what shapes to wear. It's an adventure!

Hi, I have enjoyed lurking here for some time. YLF provides a nice getaway to the place where women are interested in fashion and style. In my circle of women friends I am the only one who would spend time reading a fashion magazine, let alone be "girly" enough to read or care about what other women would have to say about it on a website. I am over 50 and have had a sense of how I want to look since I was a little girl. I am confident when I dress my body, and know what I like, but YLF has helped me challenge notions of color and combination when putting together an outfit. I enjoy waking up to YLF with my first cup of coffee each morning!

Hello, I'm Melinda, and I just discovered this blog. I think I was searching for advice on color combinations when I stumbled on it, and I was happy to see that Angie is (currently) local. I live in Seattle too. What's the geographic distribution of this commentariat? Do many of you know each other?
I'm 5'6" and grew up skinny, so I'm always surprised to see that I've become plump. That's only a problem because I'm VERY short-waisted. Maybe a bit pear-shaped, but bosomy too. Finding clothes that are just the right proportion is always a challenge. Has anyone tried something called the "Fashion Fit Formula"?
I'm trying to change the way I dress from "sensible" to "creative." Working for a large corporation where most people just wear jeans and T-shirts, I pretty much quit putting any effort into my wardrobe. And when I hit middle age, I became concerned about dressing too youthfully. I'm changing jobs, though, so I want a fresh start! I buy a lot of wardrobe staples at the Loft, and for fun I shop the sales at Anthropologie.
I admire Angie's clean, minimalist style, but I think I look too conservative when I dress that way. I want a little bit more color, pattern, and vintage feel.

Welcome Nadya, Clover and Melina!

Nadya, do you still have that John Robert Powers book? It sounds so INTERESTING.

Clover -- I am over 50 too! I still have a lot of fun with fashion but am often wishing there weren't as many "rules" that I must now abide by.

Melinda -- never heard of the "fashion fit formula" -- I'm going to look it up now.

-- CocoLion aka Denise

Hi, I'm Lisette. I comment often on Angie's posts but haven't ever really gotten into the forum here but that ends today!

My stats: 46 yrs old but look pretty good for my age.
Body Type would be a very full hourglass.
I'm also short, not truly a petite though since I am very long waisted, with short legs.
Hobbies are sewing (I make or alter most of my clothes) and baking (hence the "full" hourglass)
My style: borders on the boring, I like clean Minimalist stuff (lots of Eileen Fisher in my wardrobe) in neutral colors (the better to blend in at the university I work at) punctuated by pops of color from my accessories.
Married, with an 11yr old daughter that still thinks I'm cool (I figure that will change in @ 6 months)

@CocoLion I DO still have the book after about 20 moves, amazingly enough. It's called Secrets of Charm. Its full of advice about waht colors look good on different types, and wardrobe basics for different lifestyles, including, of course, socialite. A ton of fun. This etsy page has a good pic of one of the illustrations.
http://www.etsy.com/listing/47.....s-of-charm

I figured I should take a minute to introduce myself since I've been lurking around for a few days now. I'm Liz. I'm 33 (and had to use a calculator to figure that out since I can never remember how old I am anymore). I'm married with a two year old son.

My days range from working in my home office, doing household chores, yardwork, running to the store or going for a long walk through fields to a playground. My wardrobe needs to keep up with this variety of activities and as of now, it doesn't. I've spent too many years buying stuff on a whim because it was on sale and would make-do. I'm trying to revise my buying habits, get rid of all the orphans in my closet and actually have a pulled together wardrobe selection.

I'm not quite sure what my body type is especially since I'm in a state of transition. I'm actively trying to gain weight but so far it's all going to my mid-section so I need to get back on track with exercise to distribute it a bit more evenly.

Hi all, my name is Sara and I'm 48. I'm an American but have been living in Italy for almost 20 years. My husband is Italian and we have two sons, ages 11 and 14. I am 5'4" and slim, basically a pear-shape, but I am a fitness nut so I'm mostly able to keep the bottom half of the pear in line!

I never really paid any attention to fashion or bothered to put together nice outfits until a couple of years ago. I don't quite know what happened, but I suddenly got into high heels and make-up. I love bright colors and prints, but do not love frills or bows. My style is mostly casual, I love jeans and a tshirt, but think I need to dress a bit more like an adult now that I'm almost 50!

I've just discovered YLF and am looking forward to exploring it fully!

Hi!

My name is Katie and I hail from Toronto, Canada. I've been lurking here for quite sometime now, but have only officially joined the forums a few weeks ago. I've taken a few image consulting classes primarily to revamp my current wardrobe into one that reflects my personality and flatters my body type. Currently, I'm getting rid of four huge garbage bags of clothes and am left with a very very sparse closet. I'm looking to rebuild my wardrobe with basics as well as standout pieces.

One of the reasons for finally posting here is I will be asking A LOT of questions - particularly regarding figure-flattery. I need some opinions on how to dress for my odd-shaped body. Based on silhouette alone, I look like a rectangle/H-shape with a gentle waist curve. However, I have a large bust and a very thick waistline that is 3 dress sizes larger than my small hips. So one would assume I'm easily an "apple" or an "O-shaped", even though my silhouette from the front is different. So you can imagine how much help I'm going to need!

Hi! My name is Mirjam, I'm 23 and Swedish. I found this place today while looking for websites about dressing for your body type, and I was delighted about the fact there was a forum here as well! Which means I might actually get some help! I think that I am an hourglass of some sort, leaning towards rectangle. I'll post some photos when I have summoned enough courage.

I was tall and slim when I was a child but in my late teens I was suddenly short and overweight, and since then I've been struggling with my weight... I've recently found that I actually enjoy exercising so I'm hopeful that I'll get slim again. I'm short - only 1.55 m, which is about 5'1'' I think? - which is giving me huge problems when shopping for clothes, especially jeans and jackets...

I would say that my style is a mixture of natural/casual/romantic, or something like that. Actually I've had an interest in fashion and style for a couple of years (didn't really care before that) but I still haven't really made any changes. I don't have a huge budget for clothes as I'm a student. If I had, I would just throw away most of what is in my closet and go out to find new clothes that would fit me better... Especially since half of what I own really doesn't fit me!

I'm looking forward to having a look around here, it seems like a nice community.

Hi - I've just registered here. I found YLF when searching the internet for capsule wardrobe ideas, and how to dress ideas, and what the heck to wear ideas, as I am pretty clueless!

I'm 46 (47 next month) and live near London in the UK. I have two sons, one who has a severe learning disability. I don't work, as I am his carer, but I have been studying for a degree at home and God willing will graduate next year!

From all my Googling, I think I am an hourglass - an 8 shape, according to Imogen at Inside Out Style! I'm only 5 ft 3 and a half inches tall.

It seems very friendly here, and I love looking at the WIW pictures - for inspiration. One day I'll be brave enough to post my own photo ...

Hi, I would like to say hello for a second time....I first joined eight months ago but shortly after that my computer crashed and died......and I lost all logins and links etc. Now I have found the site again I realise how much I loved it on here.

I am 55 years old, and still compete as a bodybuilder in competitions. I am not an average shape at all, the bodybuilding means my waist is tiny but I need extra room for my arms and legs in clothes...hence I usually have to buy tops and trousers with extra stretch in them.....elastane is God's gift to me!

I love vintage clothes and have a very eclectic selection in my wardrobe. I live in the Greek islands and the summer is hot and humid and the winters are cold and sometimes very wet indeed, although we can get weeks of sunshine even in the winter.

I have many sports clothes as I tend to spend most mornings lifting weights in the gym or power walking on the mountain. I also do muay thai kickboxing twice a week.

I often go out to social events which range from shop openings to full scale Gala dinners. I do not particularly follow any trends in fashion, I tend to buy mix and match which suits my body shape (inverted triangle when competing, hourglass when not). I love sensual touchy feelly fabrics like leather and velvet.

Looking forward to posting a few pics of my outfits on here and chatting to all you lovely ladies!

Hi. I found this site a few days ago and this is my first post.

I am 48 years old and live in Canada. We have very distinct summer and winter and a short segue between them that we consider spring and fall. Our winters are harsh and I have been escaping for a few weeks or more for a number of years.

I am a version of an hourglass. My shoulders and hips look almost exactly the same width, I have fairly long legs and am short-waisted. I have a tendency to carry any extra weight in the hips and thighs but it is evenly distributed so I carry it well when I gain a bit. I recently lost the 10 lbs I gained over the holidays and while on vacation in Mexico. I am a 6-8 in most clothes.

I am not sure what my style preference is or if I even have one. I do like to wear dresses and skirts but spend most of my non-work time in jeans.

I love the blogs here as well as the forum. It looks really interesting and I am inspired to buy a new suit and wear it in new and more casual ways.

I've been lurking here for a while but I don't think I've ever actually said anything in the forums.

I'm a PhD student, who is normally chained to the computer, with pretty much no money and a desperately frumpy and over-stuffed wardrobe. I think I originally found this site while looking for ideas on "editing" my closet. My biggest problem is a seriously bad body image due to years of taking abuse for my size. There are some limitations to shopping when you are fat, of course, but the main limit is feeling bad about myself. I have a terrible self-care routine (as in I get my hair cut once a year and hardly ever fix my hair or makeup) and a lot of big depression issues that get in my way, but one of the ways I've been trying to fight that is by changing my appearance.

So I've been (slowly) working on updating my look and cleaning out my closet. I've been surfing here for ideas for a while and occasionally chiming in. In the last few weeks I've been putting in a tiny bit more effort on this project, so I thought I should hang around here some more! I see a lot of interesting ideas on here that I could potentially adapt to suit my actual wardrobe.

Wow, this post is still going strong after 2 years! I'm 36, a stay-at-home mom of 5, married for 17 1/2 years. I homeschool and am a Pastor's wife. I live on Mississippi's Gulf Coast. My body type is hourglass and I love clean, classic lines, my style is timeless. I love funky, chunky jewelry and thrift finds, I have a background in Interior Design and Antiques. I have been a fan of YLF for a couple of years and came here recently for some advice. I struggle with finding clothing that is timeless, modest and right for my body type.

I'm just going copy /paste from my other thread (to join the group here):

I'm Rose (short for Rosanna) and I've already posted and commented quite a few times. Been on the forum for less than a week. I guess when I have something to say, I more often than not say it. But now I'm stuck for words. I feel like I've gotten to know a little about a few of you already.

My style is mostly modern classic and artistic eclectic. I really like vintage -- actually, I'm getting a bit obsessed with it. Mostly learning about it, though I have acquired some pieces too. I guess I have a quirky habit: I want to be more of a minimalist and have only the essentials, but I go thrifting and consignment shopping a lot too. As a result, I'm often giving stuff away after awhile. I like lists -- I especially like Angie's lists -- which is what attracted me to this site in the first place.

All my favorite clothes are too small for me at the moment -- but I'm keeping them as inspiration to get healthier and slim down. Instead of dreaming about a new wardrobe for when I lose weight, I want to wear my old one (with a few updates of course). I'm trying to keep my current purchases to just what is needed to tide me through. Angie's advice is excellent -- and the forum comments are extremely helpful -- so thanks to all of you.

Other than that, I'm a mean cook. I love to travel (haven't recently). I come from a big family (it's affected my personality somewhat). That should about cover it. I look forward to (online) conversing with you all!

So many new members here! Welcome to all and hopefully we'll get to know you better on the forum. This is a wonderful place with a great community of ladies.

Hello all my name is Kathy I'm 32 and I live in the north eastern part of the U.S. I have been lurking here for quite awhile and finally bit the bullet and became a member lol. I'm a single mom of 2 boys 14 and 8. I have an hourglass figure with a tendency toward pear I have lost quite a bit of weight but could not give a number (I prefer to not go by numbers) I can say however that I went from a size 18-20 dress to a size 12 dress. Since I've started losing weight I have found that I am paying much more attention to what I'm wearing and how it fits. I like many styles but I tend to lean toward classic pieces.

Hello!
I'm new to the forum, but I've been following You Look Fab for quite a while now...perhaps two years? I've never been brave enough to join in the "forum" aspect of the site, though I have enjoyed looking at posts and pictures from all of the lovely ladies here. I think this might be because I'm fairly young (now 21), so I was a little skittish about the possibility of putting my "style" out there.

I've summoned the bravery, though, and I'm beginning to feel confident in what my style is and what my preferences are. I'm in a period of transition from college to a professional career, so it's been interesting trying to navigate these changes. I feel like You Look Fab is a great space to document my own style journey while also finding inspiration and feedback from others, so I look forward to actively participating in the community for a change. Now that I'm here, I'm also setting some fashion "goals" for myself, like learning to sew better.

My biggest fashion dilemma is my large bust and otherwise petite frame. I love happy prints and structured styles in natural fibers, as well as a good book, travel, drive-in movies, hiking, and interior design.

Hello all. Yet another YLF fan here who has followed the blog and forum posts for quite some time, but has just recently become a member. I've been really impressed with the incredibly supportive, but helpful advice you give each other so I decided to take the plunge and become a more active member of the community! I'm looking forward to joining the conversation!

I live in the Seattle area and work in an office that requires suits and business casual attire - no denim for me at work, with the exception of a very occasional casual Friday. I'm 37 and married with a 5-year-old son. I'm definitely an apple - I carry any extra weight right around the tummy, so I'd say that's my biggest challenge when it comes to finding flattering clothing. I'm also petite - 5'2" - but since I love to wear heels, I usually find petite pants and trousers are just a little too short, so pretty much any pant I buy typically ends up in alterations. I guess that means I can always get my PPL! One of my other big challenges is color - I am simply drawn to neutrals and I find it difficult to integrate color into my wardrobe...but I'm trying! I'm constantly amazed by the color combos that maryk puts together and pulls off with ease, so I'll continue to take some hints from her WIWs.

Looking forward to getting to know everyone a bit more!

I'm Medicechic. I'm 26, 1/4 Italian, rest a mix of west europe/very early colonial america so I haven't made it that far. I have brown hair and brown eyes. I'm 5'5" and about 120lbs... I feel like I'm writing a singles add! I have a great BF I've been dating a little over 3 years, who I hope to marry some day far, far away (long story). He lives with me and has much more style than I do sometimes!

I am just starting to learn about colors and body types etc. so I have no idea what my coloring is, what my body type is. I have a love/hate relationship with shopping. I like the idea of going, but once I'm there nothing fits or I end up getting the same old thing and my style (if you call it that) doesn't change. My favorite shirts were bought for me by my BF's mother and I would have never chose them myself! I have a horrible time finding makeup... the people at the cosmetics counters are always baffled by my complexion. It's light, but has yellow/olive and pink all at the same time. I pretty much stick to neutral make up colors if I wear any at all.

I currently work as a paramedic and love my job, but hope to figure out a long term career.. I'm stuck in the I finished my bachelors degree, got rejected from medical school rut. I've decided I don't want to be in school and a student for the next 8-10 years, but would like to do something where I could have a family (and a family life), just haven't decided exactly what that is yet.

I love being outdoors, hiking, camping etc. I like playing sports even though I'm a big dork and look pretty klutzy while doing it. I recently got a new bird feeder and have enjoyed sitting outside watching the cardinals and finches we currently have around now. I also love reading, crochet, genealogy and have played the piano since I was 3! I'm very analytical and not very artsy hence the being horrible at shapes colors etc. I also love baking (probably because of the exact measurements), but I am a horrible cook... another thing I'm also working on.

I love animals and have a dog named Tiger Lily. She's a Shepard mix and around 4 years old. I also have a small tortoise shell cat with a personality named Cinderella. She lives at my parents house in their basement and loves it there. (My BF is highly allergic to cats, and come to find out my dog has a very high prey drive... she's safer there.)

I'm excited about the forum, and blog and hope to learn a lot and discover what's me!

Medicechic

Hi kitty, jenna, christy and Medicechic and welcome to the forum x

Hello Kitty400, Jenna, KristyG and Medicechic and welcome to the YLF Forum. You will see yours and others styles transform miraculously before your very eyes! We all get so Fab by participating here. I hope to see you commenting and posting on the forum soon.

Hi! I'm Lauren. I am a 32 year old Mom and lawyer. I have been lurking for a while. I've always been pretty style conscious but have been reading this blog for extra ideas on putting together more interesting outfits. My clothes has been a bit "predictable" lately and I like to push the envelope. I found YLF when shopping for tall boots. I found an old blog post on the proper fit (I was worried that the pair I had received from Zappos was too wide for my calves - thanks to Angie's "confirmation" of the fit problem, I returned the boots) and I have been reading on a daily basis ever since. My style goals are to mix colors in a more interesting manner and to try out colored shoes. My natural instincts do mesh with Angie's advice, though I still like my cropped pants (they may work for me though because I have long legs and an hourglass shape).

Anyway, looking forward to de-lurking and joining in!

HI, I'm Deborah! I am 45, married and have a gorgeous 8 year old son, and I live in Australia. I'm a working mum who is absolutely obsessed with style. My two passions (aside from my family) are community and style. I have worked (voluntary) as a stylist for a cable tv program and often help my friends with their wardrobe choices.

My style is modern classic with a touch of the more funky now and again. I love the stylings of the 1960's and love incorporating some of those twists into my wardrobe. I am 5"2 and my body type is closest to an hour glass. I am a blond who LOVES wearing black and I receive many compliments on how well it works for me. However, my goal is to start bringing more colour into my wardrobe!!!

I stumbled across You Look Fab about a week ago and have been unable to drag myself away. I am thrilled to be able to connect with other women who love style and fashion and are so encouraging towards one another. The tips and advice that are shared are fantastic... I have been trying new things this week due to some of the ideas and thoughts I have read on the forum.

Angie's blog is brilliant! I have never before found a style blog like this. I connected with her immediately and related to her style philosophy. It is so practical and useful.. I don't know what else to say.... I LOVE IT!

And thank you for having me I look forward to getting to know you all.

Hi, I recently found this site and registered since I am on a journey to find my style. This is brought on mainly by two things : I will be 50 very soon and I have gotten a new job that require clothes. Before anyone jumps to conclusions, let me explain that I am a medical doctor and have until now worked in scrubs. Before that I was a mom in jeans and T-shirts and before that a poor student in jeans and T-shirts. At age 50 it seems like it is definately time to get away from the jeans and T-shirts and develop the "art of getting dressed". My new job ( still as a doctor ) does not require scrubs as I will mostly make house calls to severely ill patients. But how to dress for that ??? Not too casually, I want a more dressy style. Not too formal, I cannot look like a highly polished corporate employee. No black, I do not find this fitting when seeing to dying people........ but a riot of color wouldn't look well either.
I am tall, 5'10'', mostly a rectangle, weight around 140 lbs, 64 kilos. Dark blonde hair that is rather mousy in color, blue-green eyes. Large bust, not much of a waist, slender long legs and very large feet.
I have not had the time or energy to think much about clothing during the past decade but right now I am on a break before my new job begins and I really, really want to find a stylish, personal and polished look for myself. It is about time ! I am glad to have found this site, Anna

Welcome Anna!!! I believe that you'll like it here -- lots of great info and advice.
p.s. I was debating whether to use your name for my profile as my name is Rosanna, but it often gets shortened to Rose or Anna (especially by little kids who find 3 syllables too much) and I go by either of those names too.

Hello All,

My name is Stacy Jo Armijo (nee McDermott), 49 (though I feel like I'm 30), recently married, self-emposed exile from the corporate world (helping my husband with his business for now and starting my own home jewelry party business). We live in Oakland, CA yet I hail from Alabama originally with a 11 year stint in Colorado.

Finally, at my age, I am finding a distintive style for me (classic with hints of ecclectinic-ness - is that a phrase??!). For far too long I was a "fashion-mishap". I found YLF a couple of months ago and love how everyone interacts. It's so fab!

I love astronomy & telescopes, gardening, reading, making jewelry, hiking & the outdoors, museums, art, music, fashion (of course!) and learning new things.

I stand 5'4", weigh about 159 lbs and am on the curvey side. I've been working out and losing inches (finally - been a struggle being pre-menopausal). Things that I find are hard with regards to clothes are pants (most make my rear end look like a pancake) and finding things I like that don't make my tummy stand out.

Fashion things I love - handbangs (Chanel anyone?) pearls, pearls, pearls, and shoes. My basic wardrobe is based on neutrals with pops of color. I like to look put together and am getting better at that for sure.

I look forward to getting to know as many as you all as possible.

Stacy Jo
Oakland

Welcome Stacy Jo ! I also recently found this site, it is wonderfully informative, isn't it. I have also admired the Chanel bags for their style ( but I do not like when there is a too obvious logo on some of them ) and am contemplating to eventually get one. You sound like you have your style very well worked out, making jewelry must be creative and fun.

Hey everyone,

I've just discovered this site and am thinking it'd be a good way to make myself a little more clothes-conscious!

I'm Becca, live in New Zealand, am 22 and just got married at the end of last year. I have started a small facebook business where I make and sell jewellery - quite surprising for someone with no fashion sense whatsoever!

I'd love to get more ideas on how to make simple but stunning outfits without too much hassle. I'm pretty small, about 5 foot 1, round a size 8 here in NZ (not sure what that is in US?) and I don't know what shape! Possibly pear, so will come back to you all for advice about that. I love how this site isn't just about trends, and it makes dressing nicely actually seem easy! Looking forward to talking more to you all