Hi Melsreturn! I couldn't help but notice you are exactly a week older than me I've been here about a year and a half and there's plenty to learn, even if you think you have a pretty good idea of how to dress yourself lol.
I've never been married or done the honeymoon thing, so I'm no help there, but welcome aboard!

Malina

Thanks,Mo. I will be honest. I borderline on being a "hoarder" only, I'm an organizer which means I have collections of things behind organized closed doors (drawers, closets, boxes, you name it)... and every so often I get sick of my closet and get rid of stuff. Then I find myself in the same RUT I was in before the closet cleansing.

So, I am really hoping that I can get out of the collecting mode, and into the actual "being able to do" mode. I have clothes but can't seem to figure out how to put them all together. That's why I NEED PICTURES, LOTS OF PICTURES!! Then I can just recreate the best picture that I like.

Just wanted to say hi to Elicia & welcome to the Forum.

im dee dee 41, married, one daughter 14, i work for the united states patent and trademark office, been there over 20 years, i currently work from home and i love it. only problem with that is i really dont have to get dressed much. i love to take pics even though i dont pose well in my opinion, i will have to step my game up with u gals. so far its been great being here, although i have admired this forum well over a year now, and i dont even recall how i found it but non the less im glad i finally joined!

Welcome Dee Dee!
It is nice to see your smiling face at YLF.

Hi Everyone! I found YLF over a year ago when I started taking more of an interest in personal style, but I just joined the forum now. I'm 28, and still working out my style, but I tend to be pretty conservative, with clean lines and solid colors. One of my fashion challenges is actually my profession- I'm a chemist so I spend a good part of my week dressed in clothes that fit a strict safety-oriented dress code. It can be hard to break out of that box when I'm dressing for something else. I came into this game pretty clueless about style, so I'll probably be asking a lot of questions at first!

Hello! I found YLF through my fabulous friend Alicat. I just turned 44 and am a single professional woman, 5'10. I'm on the plus side right now, although working to get healthy and more slim. I have broad shoulders (my doctor recently confirmed that I am indeed "big boned").

I wore Catholic school uniforms for 12 years and I think that unfortunately still informs some of my fashion choices. I'm working to update my style, or really define my style, in my 40s. I have a fun job that takes me to a lot of entertainment events (and I live in Austin, Texas, which is a pretty fun town), and I don't have to dress for a formal office. I love how friendly and supportive the YLF folks are and I'm looking forward to participating and getting some good advice.

This thread is dedicated to identifying yourself. As YLF has grown,

http://directorystreet.wordpress.com/

I'm Susie and I'm completely new to YLF although I've read through the forums a few times since first discovering it about a year ago. I'm a 30 year old mama who is trying to regain a sense of myself and my style after letting myself not care about my clothes for a long time. I can't even properly blame my lack of style on my toddler daughter since I probably stopped worrying about my clothes right around the time I was in college (tshirts and basketball shorts were my haven then and I still find myself schlepping around in them now since they're so easy to pull on). The thing is I'm tired of looking sloppy.

I'm also a freelance writer who works at home which makes sweats and other comfort clothes just about the easiest thing to wear all day long. At the same time I think my lack of trying when it comes to dressing myself has made me feel down at times.

I'd love to find my personal style, I'd love to look in the mirror and be happy with my outfit, and I'd like to learn more about what works for my body and what doesn't. I'm tired of looking like a college kid when I'm really now a 30 year old mama who loves my life otherwise. Enough with the rambling... I'm just happy to be here.

Hi Susie welcome to YLF you've found the right forum to experiment with your personal style.

myself carolyn lloyd. I love fashion
nice post

Coming out of lurker status. I can't say that I am fashion obsessed, but I do like to look better rather than worse... ;o)

I am rediscovering what works for me and what doesn't, after years of being obese. I am not at my goal weight yet, but close enough that I feel "normal". I distinctly remember the day last year when I realized I was shopping in the middle of the rack, was actually trying mediums on, and that I no longer felt that people were looking at me with pity. It is to the point that some people actually haven't recognized me.

But this means I have to figure out how to dress all over again. In my mid-50's, that's quite a thing to have to work out. I'm not buying any investment pieces yet, because I still expect to change a size or two, but I imagine some T-shirts and such that I buy now will be keepers. I generally buy things a bit too small, and then put them in my "reward" drawer, which I am allowed to draw out from whenever I see a new number on the scale (after the decimal doesn't count).

I would call my style classical jazz, sometimes simple, sometimes more complicated, with individual riffs on well-accepted conventions. Usually low-key, I will wear a pop of colour or a funky hat if I feel like it. And I will probably be tapping the collective wisdom around here to identify what works for me and what doesn't.

And although it was a picture of Angie in a crisp white shirt that first drew me here (you can never have too many white button-downs - or black turtlenecks), I do not do animal prints. This is not negotiable. ;o)

Welcome JR and congrtulations on the inroads you have made on your weight loss journey. Looking forward to interacting with you on the forum.

Thank you, Kiwichik!

It's good to know a little more about you, JR. Welcome!

Hi, My name is Savitha - I'm a new member, although I have been a lurker on this forum forever. I'm 41 years old and I live with my husband and 2 cats in the San Francisco Bay Area.

I definitely do like to look better than worse, and I would describe my style as no fuss, modern, classic. Also, as an Indian woman married into a Latino family, I try to dress in a way that reflects the life I live, where different cultures and lifestyles are constantly in contact. I'm a fan of bright colors and with mixing Indian ethnic pieces with Western clothing to create a multicultural vibe.

I used to live in trousers as I have always had skinny legs of which I have been ashamed but I became a runner a couple of years ago (and trained for a half marathon that I completed last July), and this has caused my body to change for what I believe is the better. I'm more confident showing bare legs in the summer in skirts, shorts, and dresses) and more comfortable wearing tights in the winter.

Although running has expanded my style options, turning 40 has limited them somewhat. I worry a lot about what I wear, and whether I'm dressing in a style that would be more appropriate for a woman who's fifteen years younger than I am.

This forum -- with it's real women and its honest, gentle, generous commentary -- seems like a wonderful place to explore my evolving style. I look forward to getting to know you all and to letting you get to know me.

Savitha

Hi Savitha and welcome to the forum. What an amazingly interesting cultural background you have to draw on. I can't wait to see how this translates into your style.

Hi,
I'm Ingunn, 43, from Norway where I live with my husband, three teenage daughters and our beloved cat. I'm a high school teacher (language and literature), and I also give lectures and classes for colleagues in pedagogical use of computers/ICT. One day a week I work from home (preparing lessons etc). This mix of activities calls for a style that stretches from quite formal (lecturing for adults) to pretty casual (working from home). My main hobby at the moment is photography, but I've been into sewing, quiting and knitting too during the years.

My body shape? I'm not really sure, but I'm 5'3'' and 125 lb, and I think I'm basically a pear leaning towards hourglass. I discovered this Summer while visiting the US that I fit petite sizes better than regular ones, which was interesting to me! Now I know why fitted tops and jacket always have been the hardest items to find. My style persona is probably a mix of natural and classic with a creative accent.

By joining YLF I hope to develop my style further and to become better at shopping my own closet. I'm looking for an adult style that is fresh and modern, but classic enough to last for several seasons because I want to buy less, but better clothes than I've been used to. I found YLF a few months ago while searching for information on how to dress better after 40. It has been very interesting to explore this site, and I admire you ladies for being very creative and above all for sharing so much! I hope to be able to contribute a little myself.

Hi Ingunn, Savitha and all the other new forum members. It's so lovely to read your introductions and learn a bit more about your style journey. Please do feel free to start new threads on the forum straightaway. You'll find that everyone is super helpful, and individual threads often get more response.

Looking forward to seeing you around!

Inge

Hi Friends, nice to meet you. I am newbie here and I am here because I want to share my thoughts and learn something new.

Good morning! Just a quick note to introduce myself. I've been lurking for a month and am learning a lot!

I telecommute part-time, and spend the rest of my time chasing two little kids and a teenager. I've never been one for fashion and have a lot of body image issues, but I'm getting older (41) and I'd like to give it a shot. I know I'd feel better about my body if I gave it a fighting chance and dressed it well.

I'm very casual, and tend toward t-shirts and jeans, but heck, if they were nice t-shirts and well-fitting jeans, with some cute shoes thrown in, I'd be happy.

I'm 5'10" and a size 18-ish. I'm big at the top and hips, with a well-defined waist and broad shoulders, so I guess that makes me an hourglass. Short brown hair, modern rectangular glasses, blue eyes. I'll post a picture when I can overcome my fear of full-body photos.

Thanks!

Yet another lurker coming out of the shadows. I stumbled across YLF and have been spending far too much time here ever since : ) Now in my 50's and feeling invisible for many of those years I find myself actually starting to feel I should care about how I look, especially after seeing the fabulous real life photos on this forum. I know it will be a big job, but I'm looking forward to going through my "wardrobe" (if you can call it that) and asking for your kind assistance in figuring out what will perk up my closet.

Hello! Is there room here for another newbie? I'm Susie, I discovered this site about a month or so ago and I am delighted with how much information is here!

I am 50 (yikes, when did that happen!) and have always had an interest in fashion. I am 5'1" with an apple shape. I like a variety of styles, especially slim leg pants/jeans with interesting tops. I wear a lot of black and white and also like red, purple and some jewel tones. I have a lot of solids but I do like some prints other than florals. I don't do ruffles and I NEVER wear brown! Black pants are my go to item and I have them in several different styles. My wardrobe always has a nice variety of shoes and purses.

I work in Human Resources for a medical supply company. I like that I don't have to follow a strict dress code so I can wear a variety of looks throughout the week. I tend to limit jeans to Fridays but it's nice to have the option to wear them other times as well.

On a personal level, I am married (2nd marriage) and have two daughters. The older one is married and pregnant; my first grandchild, a boy, is due in November! The younger daughter is living back at home now since she finished college and has started grad school.

A couple of months ago, I got interested in minimalism but not in an extreme way. I've done a lot of decluttering and eliminating extra stuff and organizing throughout my house, including my clothes closet. But I am definitely not a minimalist when it comes to my wardrobe! I like variety too much.

I've been trying to upload a picture to my profile but it's not working for me. I'll keep trying!

Hi! I'm 35 and a graduate student who needs to upgrade her wardrobe for teaching - especially shoes! My obsessions include J.Crew, Orla Kiely, and Boden. My style goals are to build on my classic/boring wardrobe to make it more fun and my own. I really admire Angie and the other ladies on here for expressing themselves with confidence, and I'm trying to figure out whether I'm really a conservative dresser or if it's just lack of confidence that reins me in. I would describe my ideal style as elegant and sophisticated, but casual - so "preppy." I tend towards minimalism.
I think I'm primarily a pear though I do have broad shoulders and an average-sized bust. My legs are long - I'm tall but slightly short-waisted - but my legs, both thighs and calves, are also where I tend to carry my weight. I'm a size 8/10 on top and a 10/12 on bottom - my thighs are bigger than my hips (hips =40, thighs at widest point=43.5). Making my legs look slimmer = #1 figure flattering priority. I recently discovered J.Crew matchsticks and fell in love.
I'm really looking forward to more inspiration and having more fun with fashion even as I work on my basic wardrobe - thanks for reading!

I'm in my mid 50's, and an avid thrifter. My basic style is traditional (preppy?) with a Western influence. I'm obsessed with Frye boots, vintage Coach, and Pendleton. I like thrifting because if something doesn't work out, no great loss. I just redonate it!

I would like to be a little more modern, and a little less casual. Sometimes I shop with a friend who steers me away from frumpy looks. Thank goodness for friends!

Hi there!

Long time lurker, first time poster - finally decided to sign up. So, first I want to thank all you fabulous ladies (especially Angie, of course!) for the wealth of fantastic information and inspiration I have already gleaned from your many posts and pictures. You are all such beautiful and stylish women!

As for me, I am a suburban New Yorker and MOTG in my early thirties. I have a wonderful, brilliant and very very busy husband and three kids; ages 2,4, and almost 14.

My interest in style and fashion has always been my own little secret and I have always kind of gone my own way... not that it was ever very successful. While all the other girls were wearing flannels & docs in high school, I was wearing wetstern-print circle skirts with button down shirts tied at the waist. The next day I'd be in a full three piece suit with tie, vest, and high heeled granny boots. And the day after that? My mom's 1970's vintage sweaters and ripped jeans. It is wonder I dated at all.

Now-a-days, my style tends towards the purely practical, though I do have a uniform of sorts. Either I am in boots (somethings never change), jeans and a v-neck shirt of some sort or, more often, pretty skirts and dresses of all shapes and sizes. If I had to categorize myself I would say I am into a casual hippie bohemian princess style with some classical and slightly funky elements to liven it up.

What I want is to look more put together and intentional. People where I live really do judge you by how you look and I fear I don't measure up more often than not. Plus, well, it is FUN and it makes me feel good! =)

I am tiny - 5'0 tall and a little overweight - but I am working on it. I usually have one of those bodies where my hips and bust are exactly 10 inches larger than my waist, but I haven't really seen a well defined waist in a while now.... I am hoping baby #3 didn't abscond with it when he was born! I have long dark hair quickly going grey, and I am kind of torn about whether I want to keep dyeing it or be one of those romantic older women with a long grey braid (maybe they are only romantic in movies and my imagination!)

Up until yesterday, I hadn't bought myself any clothes in four years.

Hi everyone... I'm Katherine, posting for the first time despite having registered on the site many, many months ago. I always get the itch to update my wardrobe near the start of fall, so this year I want to actually do something about it instead of just scratching my head and window-shopping in catalogues.

I work part time in individual counseling, but mostly I'm a mom on the go with my almost-3 year old daughter. My style is pretty casual/classic but I like to throw in splashes of color and funky stuff here and there, nothing too loud but just enough to make it fun and lively. In theory, that is; in reality I'm not very confident in my accessorizing ability. So that's where I could use some help (well, who am I kidding, I could use all kinds of help!).

I'm about 5'6," sort of an hour glass figure in that I have wide hips and broad shoulders with a small waist, but I am more slight in my upper body and carry most of my weight in the southerly region. I also have a very long torso and short legs. I find my figure to be a bit challenging to dress, so there's another trouble spot.

Can't wait to get started!

Hi... I'm Angel... I've been checking out the YLF site for a few days and decided I definitely need to sign up. Reading the other posts in this thread, I'm very glad that there are so many members like me. I'm 35, petite (4'11") and started working from home around 5 years ago. While I was very excited about the break from dressing up, I've started to feel frumpy. Dressing up for me these days involves a top that is not a T-shirt and jeans without a frayed hem. I don't strive for mediocrity anywhere else in my life and I've started to think my appearance shouldn't be an exception.

The invention of the internet has actually made shopping fun (hooray for petite clothes online). My struggle is after all this time, I don't actually know how to shop anymore. My body has changed and my age (and what is appropriate) has changed. I started looking for advice because I hate wasting money on something I won't wear.

When I'm not working, I'm a MOTG for my 3 and 6 year old so my clothes have to be comfortable and machine washable. I tried wearing white pants a while back and it took exactly 45 min before they had Nutella and Strawberry jelly on them. I don't exactly have a personal style but I prefer solids over prints and classic over trendy.

I look forward to getting to know everyone... I love the supportive and fun vibe here!

Hi I'm Luitha, I signed up yesterday and thought I'd better introduce myself!

I'm a 27 year old mum of three, living in the UK. I am author and a contemporary shaman (I dare you to ask me what that is!!) and I'm on a bit of a 'style journey' at the moment after 3 years of throwing whatever was nearest on while I care for three little ones....

I'm a natural hourglass, 5'4" and currently a size 14 ( I think). I'm pretty curvy, large busted, very wide hipped with a defined, quite high waist, and now after 3 babies in 3 years quite a defined mummy tummy!

I found YLF after searching for more that the usual 'shape guidelines' online, and loved the down to earth approach that caters for everyone. This is a whole new things for me, as I grew up in a really intellectual family that didn't pay much attention or respect to looking good.

But now I've come to realise that looking my best is part of how I give myself to the world, and it's also something that I give to myself - a way of self expression, really.

So....I'm spending a lot of time looking at clothes right now, and discovering what I lie, what I don't like, and what I love, love, love! Right now, I'm definitely tending towards bold, contrasting, vintage, whimsical, feminine but slightly edgey - I like steampunk stuff, love mixing leathers and soft fabrics in subtle ways, and I absolutely adore corsets

So that's me.....when I figure out how to post pics then I'll share one Looking forward to meeting you all, Luitha

Hi, I'm Ariel.

Been reading a long time. This forum and Angie's blog seem active and informative, so I'm excited to start maybe participating.

I'm 24, I live in Florida (so many fashionable delights are never going to be practical in the constant heat), I'm a professional, and I have a social life that requires me to be pretty casual (almost all male friends ... I'd feel weird around them if I wore anything too sexy or overtly stylish).

All you might want to know about my style is that I have ... thirty three blazers. I wear thick framed teal glasses every day. I love teal. I have three teal blazers. That is not enough teal blazers.