WIW Fri or, outfits dictated by circumstances - YouLookFab Forum

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WIW Fri or, outfits dictated by circumstances

Mo

(website)

Veteran

On Friday I had one of those be ready in 5 minute phone calls from the BF. He needed me to come with him to switch out rental cars from Enterprise to his car dealer. It was cold and had been raining. I had not driven in over 5 months.
First order of business was brush my hair! lol Then I put on pants in a dark color in case the car on the lot had road grime that might get on me. Second, I needed a warm upper layer. My white jackets were out for the same road grime reason. Third, no heels since I hadn't driven in almost half a year. I did not need to have my foot slip or something crazy and wreck a car that's not mine! But I was also seeing many of BF's coworkers there at the dealership so I didn't want to look like a total slob.
I wouldn't call this kind of outfit a FFBO necessarily. Do you ever have an outfit that is dictated by what you are doing more than what you would like to wear? I find this a lot in my life, whether it's being on a bike (no narrow skirts) or walking to the store (no high heels) or being in FL weather (sweat proof as much as possible lol) or even Tahoe weather (closed toes most of the year).

F21 zippy sweater/sweatshirt
Free People wine cords
Madden Twynkle hi tops

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23 replies

Latest reply was from Sara L.

El Cee

Veteran

Cute outfit. You look comfy but nicely pulled together. The studded hi-tops are the star of the outfit. (BTW -- your cat is adorable.)

I understand your situation and how weather and particular activities dictate what is worn. The weather here has been cold and messy (snow and ice), so I have had to be dressed to brave the elements (bus commuting) while keeping clean. Fashion has been taking a back seat. I have also been petsitting (on and off) so I have needed appropriate dog walking attire… but I do not want to be seen in grubby sweats. Perhaps I need a capsule for this?

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

You look cute and on trend. Sweet kitty.

To answer your question, I have to wear shoes that go the distance when I shop with clients.

Marmee

Veteran

This looks super cute and put together!

Mo

(website)

Veteran

Kitty was circling, so I picked him up

I suppose to some degree we all have constraints on what we wear but some days it feels like there are a lot more than others. I know all the snowbound lasses are feeling it!

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abc

Veteran

I think your outfit looks great, esp if you pulled it together in 5 min including the time for the logic behind your choices!

I find myself doing what you described quite often, sometimes DH will lay it on me that we are going downtown or riding the subway or walking more than I thought which means I need to change my outfit (or usually shoes which leads to pant change due to hem length), and he never seems to have much patience for me playing in the closet, so I have to fall back on some pre-configured outfits that I know will work in those circumstances. Guess I'm not alone!

Diana

Veteran

Well, all my shoes have to be able to handle my walking/bus commute (~15 mins of walking each way plus possibly standing on bus) and my handbags have to hold all my stuff, fit on my shoulder, and zip closed. And sadly, lately my outfits all involve boots that can handle snow. =(

Anonymous

Yes, every day my clothes have to be able to handle what I am doing!

You look nice. How was driving??

Mo

(website)

Veteran

Ceit, no wet feel slipping off of pedals! So driving was good It was a new Challenger or a Frontier truck. I chose the Challenger and let Scott drive the truck. It was only 5 miles or so anyway.

Lisa

Veteran

Yes, all the time. Right now, the snow we KEEP having, means skinny jeans and tall boots, instead of bootcuts right now. When I go to the grocery store or the movies in the summer, I only wear jeans (or trousers) no shorts or skirts or dresses, because I'm too cold in the a/c.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Mo, you look adorable, and so does kitty!!

I love these sneakers.

To answer your question - absolutely. A huge amount of my life is like this, actually. It's because I'm active but also like to be fashionable, and also because I travel a lot so can't always bring everything. It takes a lot of planning. Footwear that goes the distance is absolutely key. This winter, I've been wearing my skinnies every single day, and knitwear, because of our temperatures, our snow (need to wear snow boots outdoors) and my need to walk a lot.

I think this is the fun challenge for me. Trying to look great while being real.

Caro in Oz

Veteran

I start with the shoes, so for everyday wear that means no wide leg pants no dresses that need heels etc.

rachylou

Veteran

I think it's a great outfit. Fashionable and practical.

Windchime

Veteran

Fun, cute outfit! If you hadn't explained the circumstance behind it, I wouldn't have known that you tossed it together in five minutes. Your kitty is darling.

Elly

Veteran

You looked pretty darn good for 5 min--- FFBO are great for that!

I definitely constantly have what I am wearing dictated by the weather (lots of snow, dealing with dirty cars, and mud in all seasons), my lifestyle at home (carry in wood, moving irrigation water, walking the dog), and my job or what I do on the weekends. Let alone the evironmental norm in rural Colorado.

My office is arctic most months of the year, but our lunchroom can vary from cold to the 90s since it isn't really climate controlled. I also have to be able to crouch, kneel, and climb on ladders in my work clothes, stand for long periods and not trip on uneven or slippery floors-- plus get dirty (and no uniform here, I have to dress smart casual). That really limits me to layers with jeans and washable trousers with low-heeled or flat boots and closed-toe sock appropriate shoes.

In my personal life, I spend 90% of my off hours cooking, cleaning, working out, photographing in the great outdoors, painting, hiking, fishing, shooting, or cuddled on the couch. Once again, rugged, washable, covered, dependable casual clothing.

Oh, and I drive a big, dirty truck or walk everywhere.

Mo

(website)

Veteran

Wow Elly, your entire wardrobe needs to be built within parameters.

I wonder sometimes if we could dress for a different life than we lead, would we? Or do we kind of choose the life that the clothing belongs to?

Elly

Veteran

That is a good question, Mo. I think my lifestyle and what I would be able to wear would expand a lot with a few smallish (in the scheme of things) changes. If I didn't heat with a fireplace, had sprinkler irrigation, a paved (vs. dirt and mud) driveway and/or a garage my footwear and bottoms would be much less limited. If we went shopping, to the movies, or out to the nicer restuarants or events more often I'd have more of an opportunity to wear my less-covered smart casual clothes. If work was a few degrees warmer and we had a real proper lunch room I could probably wear leggings and skirts. If it was less dirty (this is definitely one of the dirtiest museum jobs I've ever worked-- it is because it is a move project, but still) I could wear more wools and lighter colors without worrying about the grime.

I wouldn't want to change my life entirely, but I would be open to tweaking it.

Mo

(website)

Veteran

yes, I think for me shoes would be the biggest change. Lack of sidewalks both here in FL and in Tahoe, and the lack of car here. I do wear my less practical ones out to eat on date night with my sweetie most every week, though.

shoppingisfun

(website)

Veteran

Love the cords, and the kitty!

Deborah

Veteran

It's a great outfit! I really like that top:) My Wednesday outfits are very much dictated by what I do, which is a community meal, so flat shoes and clothes I can throw in the washing machine:)

catgirl

Veteran

yay sweatshirt twin! I run about looking far less together than this!

Neel

Veteran

Love your sneaks and the way it bookends your top. Nice

I almost always dress for circumstances. With two kids my clothes need to be comfy, stain proof (!), shoes need to be fit for running behind them and handbag humongous to stuff the necessities from nappies to toys! I hardly wear my white jeans for these reasons and my heels are almost always ignored.

CocoLion

(website)

Veteran

Cute outfit! I like the interplay between the sneakers and sweatshirt. The hardware and colors work well together. When you don't have a dirty car to climb into, you could try these two pieces with your white jeans. Might make for another FFBO.

Sara L.

Veteran

Ooh, love the sneakers!

Yes, I'm very conscious of what I will be doing when I get dressed. At work, I occasionally have site meetings so must wear flat, closed toe shoes, and outfits that I can walk comfortably in, but other days I'm just sitting at a computer so can wear almost anything I like. At home, I'm still nursing so need to wear tops that work for that and usually I want clothes that won't show dirt and I can move comfortably in. My kids are beyond the stage of grubby hands (although the baby will be there soon) so I don't need to worry about that so much, but I'm usually sitting on the floor with them or doing something in the kitchen.