I think I stumbled upon YLF when searching for some fashion advice, and immediately subscribed to the blog. I only recently started posting and commenting and have found that to be the best way to 'get to know' other members. I too don't have friends who are as interested as I am in all things fashion, and YLF has definitely changed the way I shop and dress for the better!

Returning to add, because I wasn't finished, how appreciative I am of everyone here on YLF. Everybody's willingness to share their style journeys and their insights. I feel very grateful to everyone because, to be quite honest, y'all have really shed light for me on a lot of things. No, I can't find my way out of a paper bag! A lot of maps have been drawn for me, and really that's a big deal (!)

I like the way YLF is very supportive and everyone is kind to each other, but can provide positive constructive feedback. There are way too many trolls out there on other parts of the internet!

It's fun reading how we all decided to become part of this on-line community. And I feel somewhat vindicated that my addiction to the supportive, friendly, and funny individuals on this forum is shared by so many others.

My initial question came about when I started wondering if my decision not to participate in the WIW and K/R aspects of the forum was appropriate, since, after all, this IS a fashion forum. For me, however, this forum has always been about the discussions which have prodded me to re-think many of my previous rather rigid, and definitely unimaginative, ideas about how one ought to dress. But I have also loved looking at the pictures which so many of you generously share with everyone because the pictures are really what nail Angie's mantra that fashion is for all ages, shapes, sizes, and budgets. So I was wondering if I wasn't holding up that end of the bargain by choosing not to post my pictures.

But it's reassuring to find out that I'm not alone in feeling that this forum is about community and friendship as much as it is about fashion. I suppose that a hard core fashionista might choose a different site if it was just about the clothes and the outfits. So, if it's all right with everyone, I'd like to keep hanging around to get my fashion fix, but, more importantly, to get to spend time with such a wise, generous, funny, dynamic, supportive, and just plain interesting group of women.

Great question and thread Gaylene - thanks for starting it!

MaryK - you totally cracked me up with your comment - lol!

I found YLF while searcing the internet one day on how to learn to dress. I have struggled with weight and resulting self esteem issues off and on for many years and really wanted to learn how to dress my body. I came for advice, for feedback and for constructive commentary.

I have stayed because I continue to get fantastic advice from forum members and especially from Angie, who I think is one of the most incredible, giving and intelligent women I have "cyber" met. The range of styles, ages, cultures, budgets and even genders (shout out to Nail Polish Man) of the forum's members can only enrich my viewpoints and life.

I enjoy WIW, K/R posts and all the various fashion and style questions and conversations that take place on YLF. I can't comment on every thread, although I would love to, but try to read as much as I can. I think every.single.person here has something to offer and a unique perspective and I do my best to take it all in.

I work in a relatively non creative environment and playing with style gives me a creative outlet. Plus it's just so darned much fun!

*shedding a happy tear*

This is so much more than just fashion! Here we talk about everything and we have true friends!

I came looking for examples of boots with dresses, and the rest is history! What keeps me coming back day after day are real-life examples of trend integration, examples of wearable personal/individual style, affirmation/encouragement, friendship/wit/LOLs - and most importantly, the wonderful *intellectual stimulation*. Seriously, many of the conversations here remind me of my college seminars in Art, Philosophy, Ethnography... everyone is just so whip smart here that it really takes things to another level. Some forums stop at hot/not/ugly/fat/thin, but YLFers bring the A-game!

I come here because this is the kindest group of fashion minded women that I have ever encountered. The amount of support and encouragement that bounces around this place is outstanding. I don't think there is another forum that I would be comfortable posting pictures to for fear of scathing reviews.

In short, I come here because it feels like a warm safe place to chat about clothes without having to keep my guard up for nasty comments. I have been a member of many online communities in the last 20 years and I give full credit for the ease and respectfulness here to Angie and Greg. They have set the tone beautifully, and I appreciate that. It's no easy feat.

Yup. Rae hit the nail on the head. This is a smart forum. I like talking fashion -- that's what brought me here in the first place -- but I wouldn't keep coming back if it were not for the lively, intelligent conversation. And you are all so encouraging and respectful as well.

Plus, Angie knows her stuff.

I originally stumbled upon the site when searching for what items I needed to have in my wardrobe. I've been stuck in a rut largely because I work in a super casual male environment. I wanted to feel better about myself, and less frumpy, but had no idea where to start.

The forum has been really useful to me in getting ideas on how to style certain items. It's also reinforced that style is a deeply personal thing. Seeing styles that aren't my cup of tea, but being able to appreciate them (and the confidence exuded by the women wearing them) has led me to essentially buck the casual trend at work, toss on a dress, and feel wonderful in it. It's also gotten me into the habit of photographing things and really examining what would work best in my closet vs buying what I find pretty in a moment.

It's also inspiring that some of the women whose WIWs I always make sure to check out, didn't start out fabulous. I appreciate more now that it's a process and that there's hope for me yet.

I'm a HUGE introvert, so sometimes my fashion choices are a little odd in the "real world" outside of my head. I initially came here to get some feedback and guidance since i don't fully trust my judgement of my own outfits. It's just nice to have an "at the ready" crowd source for fashion-related questions that might get a shrug, eye-roll or giggle from real-life husband or non-fashion-type friends/co-workers. And, yes, I enjoy also that the forum manages to integrate and highlight that we are all real people with real highlights and struggles in life, and that this is all related.

(1) I enjoy sharing ideas about fashion and style with nice people who voice their opinions and suggestions in a respectful way. No one is ever nasty on this forum.

(2) I enjoy reading Angie's advice, which is always fantastically written and fabulously illutrated.

(3) Visiting the YLF forum is therapeutic.

I saw Angie on the Today show and was happy to see she had a website. I was at a stage where I wanted to make an actual effort to look pulled together. I don't remember how long it was before I posted in the forum but I do recall how exciting it was to get the first feedback! Everybody is so kind hearted but also diverse in location, age, and opinions. I've really enjoyed that. I struggled to find a balance as far as time I devoted to what I wore and how I looked and how often to engage in the forum so I took some time away but I have missed the discussions and the help and the friendly faces of YLF so I am jumping back in! This has been a fun thread to read.

I have always been interested in fashion. I love clothes, fashion, style & shopping. I found this site when I clicked on a picture of Angie (don't even remember where), because I loved what she was wearing -- FWIW, it was a grey suit with a black shirt.

I spend A LOT of time looking at the WIW's. I'm fairly new to the forum and while I've made a few comments, I haven't posted a WIW... yet. This community is so respectful, supportive and gives such good advice to each other that it has positively changed how I see fashion IRL.

While I have a good sense of my own style, seeing WIW's and reading Angie's formulas has given me some great inspiration. I have been involved in the internet/web for a long time, but YLF is THE ONLY forum that I have joined. Angie & Greg have truly created an amazing forum.

The reasons I come here (every day) are to 'talk' fashion and because I love this FAB community.

Gaylene, thank you for asking this question and for all of your other thought provoking ones as well. I think we all have roles to play and I feel that 'the audience' is just as important as the actors in the show.

Education
Beauty and Art (that's what you people are to me)
Kind Support
Intelligence
Humor

I didn't know I could get these things at all, let alone from a group of relative strangers!

Bonus: I am an artist, and the new way I have learned to look at colors, juxtaposition, and contrast here have improved my artwork. Thanks, YLF, from the bottom of my heart.

Loved reading all the answers here - thanks for posting Gaylene.

I've only been here a few months at the time I joined I was searching the web to get some ideas about how many clothes I needed. I found a lot of minimalist blogs, some nice some strident, but they weren't me. I found several blogs for the over 40s but couldn't really relate to a lot of the comments or posts.

Then I found a couple of posts from YLF about how many clothes people actually had. I was impressed with all the comments, particularly because everyone was so different. I read a few more posts & started delving into the archives (why do we delve into archives? Nice word though).

I have always felt confident about my style & really enjoy the opportunity to express & develop it here BUT what keeps me here is the community. It really is very unusual to find such a diverse group of people who are so supportive, this truly is a special place.

Thanks Angie & Greg, words cannot express how I feel about this forum. If there is such a thing as reincarnation I'm coming back as a yorkie - what was your address again?

Such an interesting thread - thank you for starting it. I stumbled onto YLF about a year ago and was intrigued immediately. I've always been interested in fashion, but magazines often showed outfits that were more fantasy than reality for me. Here on YLF there were scores of women, all "ages and stages", and willing to share their fashion journeys, including their mistakes :). And once I started to read Angie's articles, I realized that here was a great source of fashion advice that was both practical and inspirational. I was hooked! It's such a friendly and open forum, and the international membership is a real plus.

This is a great thread!

I live in a small town in a not very fashion-forward part of the country. I've subscribed to various fashion magazines over the years, but they didn't seem to have much relevance to my life style. When I began feeling that my style was stagnating I started visiting fashion forums and blogs to see what real people were wearing. It was actually Biscuit's Mom who directed me to YLF. I was immediatly drawn to the aesthetics of the site itself, and then to Angie's knowledge and her lovely way of imparting that knowledge. Of course the next thing I noticed was the sense of community, the kindness and respect of the members and the openness to differing styles. I still visit other sites occasionally, but YLF is the place I come *everyday* for inspiration and education. Thanks for being here - Angie, Greg and everyone!

I loved reading this thread. I found this blog while looking for ways to update my look after losing weight. My youngest was 2, and I finally lost all of the baby weight! I found Angie's MOTG posts, and I was hooked! I lurked for several months before joining.

I find a lot of value in seeing people's WIWs and reading their feedback. I actually will come to the forum and use the search function to look for ideas on how to style something. I've also been able to build a wardrobe with fab finds from Angie's suggestions as well as others on the forum like Suz and her booties suggestions.

The community is very open and friendly, and I really enjoy being a member here. It's the only social media I use (one of the few people on the planet not on facebook or twitter, I think

What a great thread, Gaylene! Thanks for asking

Turning 50 wasn't a big deal, but a year and a half later with my only daughter gallavanting thru Europe while I'm stuck at home with only males, I'm suddenly desperate to restyle my 'invisible' middle-age self. So, googling style for women over 50 and YLF blog comes up. I was immediately addicted to Angie's MOTG formulas, the way she has FUN with fashion, her take on current and upcoming trends, and I spent many happy weeks catching up on archived blogs.

I don't think I even peeked into the Forum for a month or two as I don't typically connect with online forums. But once I peeked, it wasn't long before I jumped in too.

I keep coming for the shared love of style, improving ourselves, trying new looks, getting inspiration, etc. I also love the way the YLF members reach out and support someone personally when they need encouragement or help

I'm not a regular picture poster, but I'm thick enough that I hadn't considered whether I *should* participate more of less because of this! I just keep plodding along commenting, posting, whatever as time and energy permit.

One fascinating thing (to me at least) that I absolutely adore here on YLF is the overwhelmingly supportive comments everyone writes. For whatever reason (like I'm probably on 'the spectrum' this was quite the revelation to me! So I'm learning that, as well as style, from y'all . . .

Oh, not to forget the incredible collective intelligence here. I can't tell you how many times I've wanted to just ask the 'wise women of YLF' some life question -- because I know you all have the answer(s)