WIW - illustrating the point - YouLookFab Forum

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WIW - illustrating the point

Astrid

Veteran

Here's what I wore today, a rather good example for what I meant. This is practical, comfortable and looks good. And it feels just not quite right... Maybe too "modern classic"? I wore my spider earrings although you can't see them, I think that detail made a bit of a difference.

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34 replies

Latest reply was from Astrid

Traci

Veteran

It is less polished than I am used to seeing on you. How about tucking the shirt in and adding a belt to the loops on the jeans?

Caro in Oz

Veteran

You are looking great

Can you imagine something you would rather have worn? If not what would you have changed about this outfit Astrid? Most common things for me are colours & fabric

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Caro asks good questions. It sounds to me as if you are ready emotionally to evolve your style a bit, but practical needs and budget make this difficult. I certainly know that feeling. It's hard.

Gaylene

Veteran

Well, you've nailed the understated chic look so I can see why you liked this outfit. The colours of the shirt look fabulous with your hair and you give off that effortless, cool, classic vibe that so many of us aspire towards in this outfit.

As for why you don't quite feel right, I wonder if your decision to cut your long hair into that amazing crop isn't the provocateur behind your feelings. If I was just looking at a head and shoulders shot, I'd be thinking cute and spunky, while pic cropped to show the neck down would say cool, effortless classic. Maybe the next stage is to figure out how to get a bit of that spunk and sassiness below the neck--an unusual shoe, an interesting belt or watch, a rolled cuff on the pant, a vest--something amusing, and sassy to meld the freshness and youth of the top and timeless, classic look of the bottom.

Carole

Veteran

What's not to love... You certainly look great...could it be the pattern on the shirt? I love it but somehow I don't feel like "me" if I wear a patterned top.....

Elizabeth P

Veteran

As usual, Gaylene makes some very good points! I think your hair has a huge impact in what you are feeling. The outfit is great... nothing wrong with at all, so what is "off" is hard for someone else (ok,me) to figure out. I know I feel that my new(ish) short hair, (and of course for me the new colour), takes me to a completely different place, style wise. Every time I've had a spunky hair cut, it's been a catalyst for a style revamp. I bet your spunky hair is now saying "come on Astrid, lets step up the spunk in your clothes". You'll need to figure out what that means for you. Do you have a pinterest board? Maybe start a new one, with styles that speak to you now, and then see if you can spot that subtle spunkiness.

Carla

Veteran

What if the trousers were cropped and you showed a little ankle and them a pretty black flat? Kind of 'academic Audrey Hepburn?'

FWIW, a little flash of white ankle would 'bookend' your fair face!

The first pic below reminds me of your fabulous floral dress.

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catgirl

Veteran

Ok, I'm shoe focused so I'd change up the shoes - a subtle pattern, pop of color, or patent would add some edge without a lot of fuss. Otherwise I think it's quite nice and the pattern of the blouse is great.

Dee

Veteran

Do you think it's bcause the shirt is a woven or a button down? I feel you more often wear knits. I only rarely wear wovens and they always feel a little too classic for my style, so I'm never quite comfortable in them, even if they look fine.

rachylou

Veteran

I get it. It looks great, but you are more refined than this pattern...

kellygirl

Veteran

I haven't read the responses but I think it's the more masculine vibe of the button down. I love this look on you though. It suits you! I think I'm used to seeing you in more feminine looks. This is different but awesome!

Deborah

Veteran

Without reading other comments, I like this outfit on you, however I would add an ankle boot and roll the jeans so there is a hint of ankle showing. Otherwise I think it's fab.

lyn67

Veteran

I'm with Debs roll the pants and add a sandal(for spring) or a bootie when colder!

Astrid

Veteran

Thanks Traci! Not sure about tucking the button down in, that somehow makes the look even more modern classic to my eyes. And I know that I would probably go crazy keeping the tuck looking neat.

Thanks Caro! Not really, I think it was fine - I'm doing the best I can with my wardrobe after all. I like the colors, that's not it. I think maybe the fabrics more: a more substantial fabric for the shirt, with some texture? Maybe different shoes.

Thanks for commiserating, Suz.

Thanks Gaylene! Yes, the hair could definitely play a role. I didn't adjust my style that much with the hair cut, but some change might be necessary. A look that's too classic doesn't work that well on me. I think I look a bit "stuffy" in those. (Just a thought I had right now, that's what Kibbe said about SNs, right? I think I recall something about looking "like your maiden aunt".)

Thanks Carole!

Thanks Elizabeth. I do have some Pinterest boards, but I haven't used them a lot recently. I culled them drastically a while ago. Here's the mood board: https://www.pinterest.com/ridrin/mood/. I might have to do another one...

Thanks Carla! Both these pants and my black skinnies are too wide for me to roll comfortably. I never figured how to make it look good, I've only ever worn my pants long or tucked into boots/booties. I like both pictures you've shown, but I do think they're too classic for me, especially the second look.

Thanks Una! Yes, I agree - I do need some new shoes anyway, desperately. I'm looking.

Thanks Dee - yes, I definitely prefer knits. Or if it has to be a woven then maybe not in a so classic cut?

Thanks Rachylou.

Thanks Kelly! It's true I'm not wearing button downs that often. It definitely has to be the right one for me to even consider it.

Thanks Deborah and Lyn! New ankle boots would be great, but as I said above rolling the jeans doesn't work all that well...

Jeweled

Veteran

Astrid, speaking of Kibbe, you look very Gamine to me, especially with your charming hairstyle. Is it possible that dressing in that style would be more "you"?

Astrid

Veteran

Thanks Jeweled! That might be something to explore... I just had a look at Kibbe again and you know, maybe I'm SG after all, not SN. SG has way more structure than SN and I think I look good in some structure, as opposed to completely flowy and loosely tailored.

Daria

Astrid, I totally understand what you mean, and I think it's mostly the shirt, as others already pointed out. The pattern has a bit of a masculine vibe to it, it's woven, and is a bit less tailored than you are used to. Nothing wrong with it, but there are certainly are little touches you could try adding to make it more "you" (not sure it will work - but maybe a very thin belt?).

Deb

Veteran

What about adding the standout third piece Astrid. Statement shoes or a cute hat or a black silk scarf or a lighter coloured tank under the shirt with a few more buttons undone, a popped collar or a cuff or a bunch of bangles. Sleeves rolled to 3/4 rather than 1/2 may look good too as would a partial tuck and a belt. A feminine extra may well make a difference and seem more you. There are lots of options to elevate our everyday looks. The foundation here is good, I think you just need to build it up with a bit of fem to make it feel truly you.

Rambling Ann

(website)

Veteran

The shirt has a southwest Americana vibe that you could play with. A string tie, bandanna tied scarf, fringe somewhere. Just for fun and it doesn't have to be very masculine.

Astrid

Veteran

Thanks Daria. Yes, I'll think about it - I definitely want to keep wearing it, I love the colors and it's very breezy.

Thanks DEB. I could see the standout shoes or a cuff or bangles. You definitely can't pop the collar, the shirt is very thin and drapy, not crisp at all. I do often wear the sleeves just rolled up a bit and don't use those taps and buttons.

Thanks Rambling Ann.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

It's a comfortable and neat outfit, Astrid. Colours are good.

It does lack a Modern integrity though. Other footwear for sure - as Una pointed out. Little hem roll on the jeans - when it's warm enough. And perhaps a semi tuck with a belt - but not at all a must with the other variables sorted.

texstyle

(website)

Veteran

I agree with una that different shoes - something more current, less practical (but still comfortable) would go a long way for your entire wardrobe. With different shoes and this outfit, I'd also roll the pants a little and expose some ankle.

approprio

(website)

Veteran

Hah yeah, I thought you might be SG, remember?

It's a nice top, it suits you. Might also look nice with your shorts. I'm somewhat in agreement with others that the shoes are key. Did you ever buy those floral sneaks?

Astrid

Veteran

Thanks Angie and Texstyle! Yes, I agree about the shoes. Those sneakers were never fashion sneakers to start with and they are three years old. I've been looking for shoes for the last few weeks, but so far I've come across nothing that I thought would be worth trying.

Approprio, yes I remember. I was rather eager to naysay that possibility if I'm honest, because it scares me a little bit - Soft Summer and Soft Gamine? Uh oh... I'm regularly wearing that shirt with shorts in the summer btw. It is more of a summer top even though it has long sleeves because the fabric is so thin. And no, didn't buy the sneakers. I think they're not versatile enough, at this moment I need some shoes that work with more of my things (even if they're standouts).

Alassë

Veteran

I see what you're saying - something isn't memorable enough for your style. SG sounds intriguing, though.

Astrid

Veteran

Thanks Alasse! I might do another post on that... Reading the discription again SG seems definitely an option. I don't like all the twee that goes along with SG on Pinterest, but I think you can interpret it rather differently.

And for shoes, how about something like these smoking slippers? They're a very dark green. Although I'm not sure they'd comfortably stay on my feet, I've already given up on ballet flats because of that. And they're still 70€.

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approprio

(website)

Veteran

I say Yes to the smokin' smoking slippers! They'd look great. And don't worry about the Kibbe garbage on Pinterest. It's very subjective, you can make of it what you like.

Aziraphale

Veteran

Astrid, what's not to like? You look fab. The proportions are great, the colours are great, and may I say your pixie cut is very flattering. Plus, I have no doubt your spider earrings are fantastic (although you knew I'd think that, right?). How about if you add a "third piece" that's a little edgy (gosh I wish there was a better word for that).

Astrid

Veteran

Thanks Approprio! I'll think about it, they might be rather versatile if they're comfortable. And no, I won't worry about it.

Thanks Aziraphale! I really love the short hair. I added a picture of the earrings from another WIW post below. From far away you don't recognize them as spiders at first.

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