WIW: January Summary (pic heavy!) - YouLookFab Forum

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WIW: January Summary (pic heavy!)

doubleh

Veteran

Hello all! I've been here about a year now and have waned in my participation...I think I overwhelmed myself by trying to take on too much at once! (Closet purge, shape/silhouette defining, moniker-seeking along with wanting to follow every ensemble/trend posted) I took a step back, but continued to pay attention and photo outfits. For the new year (chinese new year?) and in my efforts to evolve and to "re-introduce" myself, I'm posting most of my January outfits. Special thanks to Ingunn for her calendar: I used it almost every day for inspiration, if not word-for-word.
I have a lot of thoughts on what works and doesn't in the following pics, but in an effort to summarize I won't go there quite yet. For the most part, I am happy with where I am headed and am happy with 75-80% of my fall/winter wardrobe (this is huge!) I am also pleasantly surprised that I am getting many wears from a lot of my wardrobe and that many pieces are mix-worthy, as I'm not a huge fan of repeating, except for the best of outfits.
Thanks for reading/looking and I certainly welcome any feedback, criticism,advice!
(Unfortunately, my photos are not likely to improve until I live somewhere new. In my teeny cottage there is literally no other place for my full length mirror. I apologize for the poor quality pics.)

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20 replies

Latest reply was from AM

MuseumGal

Veteran

This is a great set of outfits, and YLF. I wonder how you felt about 20/21, as that outfit seems very different than the others - it's still a lovely outfit, but (to me) definitely stands out from the rest of your ensembles.

Meredith

Veteran

What a lovely bunch of looks. You pull off a variety of styles and silhouettes quite nicely. I'm in love with 28 above all. The column of black, print and drape of the topper, and long necklace work together so beautifully.

Momo

Veteran

Very nice! I love all your necklaces. My favorites are the series beginning with 2, 6, 20, 26 and 28.

AM

Veteran

I'll take a stab at some of my observations...I see great interplay of pattern, layering, strong necklaces, scarves, and great shoes. And when you have a balanced mix of these things (perhaps this is called the third piece)-- the outfit is rich and interesting. For example, the first outfit to me is missing a piece. And I would say a necklace although the belt adds interest. This is a great collection. It feels fresh and classic. I enjoy both your fluid and structured looks -- and several of both fluid and structured lines. The colors look to have depth (27 feels a little too light --perhaps shirt needs to be a deeper tone). My fav's: 6, 12, and 14 -- and I'm I think it because there is a modern "stand out" or "interesting" piece. 6 -- it's the leather pants, 12 -- it the strong hem line of the sweater and the color, and 14 it's the strong cut of the pant paired with the pointy shoe. Thanks for posting. Lots of good food for thought for me. Well done!

Anonymous

Nice to see you Doubleh! Wow, you've done better than me taking photos. I've only done a handful the last two months. What a fabulous bunch of outfits! I really like the colours and proportions. You do have some great necklaces and sweaters and I really like how you vary the silhouettes you use. A few stand out outfits for me are..2,4,7,12,20,22,23,24,25,28.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

It sounds as if you have been making terrific progress! Very impressive indeed. This is a great month of outfits -- lots of variety. My absolute favourite is #2/3.

catgirl

Veteran

2 and 12 are standouts to me - different but you look at ease and put together cohesively with a whole lot of panache. The blazer with high collar is fantastic. And that drapey red sweater looks so elegant and long. But almost all of these are right up there in the style realm.

frannieb

Veteran

Great month of outfits - it is easy to see you have a working wardrobe and it all looks cohesive. My favorite look on you is a sweater with a button down underneath.

Kristin L

Veteran

I think your outfits look great! And you do a great job layering your button downs and sweaters. I think my favs are 1, 19 and 27.

doubleh

Veteran

Wow- thank you so much, all! Your comments make me feel like I have accomplished something in the past twelve months.
museumgal- thank you so much for your comments. I am curious what about the outfit in 20/21 seems different? It is more pattern than I usually do, but colors are muted and silhouette is simple. I don't often wear dresses bc they seem fussy to me, but these shift-type shapes feel more comfortable to me.
AM- thank you so much for your feedback- I really appreciate the thoughts behind your observations; you're helping me articulate what I like and don't.
Suz- thank you! I do feel like I channeled you that day!
Again, thank you all for the input!

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

A really great set of outfits. I do have a hard time reacting to headless outfits, but #2 and #4 are excellent and seem to represent two of the main themes (tailored top and long over lean).

doubleh

Veteran

Shevia- I know; I agree. My insecurity and double chin usually lead me to crop. And I typically seem to have resting b-- face, so off with my head most of the time!

AM

Veteran

...and what are your favorites?

Summer

Veteran

doubleh, you've achieved a great deal in your first year, and you've assembled some lovely outfits with plenty of variety. My favourites are 1, 2 ,22, 23 ,23, 25, 26, and 27.

jackiec

Veteran

Well done! I love 2 and 19 but you have some fab looks here! Great layers, pattern mixing, and casual and professional looks. Thanks for sharing. I agree, sometimes taking lots of daily photos can be enough of a challenge and it really helps.

doubleh

Veteran

AM- hmmm...I think I felt most comfortable in 16/17- shots with my slippers- as these were my work from home outfits. The ones I look forward to repeating for happiness factor are 20,22,25,26,28. I think I feel the least comfortable in the outfits where the tops hemline falls short of the widest part of my hip.

14/15 I loved playing with the wide leg trouser and pointy toe. I plan to repeat that, but didn't feel fab in the brown cashmere sweater. (It was pulled from the donate pile to give one more go and back it went.)

27- I also donated the light sweater. It was a gap, slightly pinkish-beige with metallic thread. One washing did it in, but I think the color was soul-sucking on me. My attempt to thwart this was to bring in the patterned under shirt with color.

JackieC- yes, just documenting has been a huge help! Often I photo to ask the forum a question but once I see the image, I tend to be able to answer for myself. (And usually that answer is "Next!")

This feedback has all been so great and re-affirming! I look forward to posting February's wears next week. A lot less outfits documented this month as I dressed for warmth and not venturing out.

AM

Veteran

doubleh: And based on your favorites or should I say "the ones that you look forward to wearing again" ... do you have a sense of what made them your picks? And how would you describe your style? I'm new here and I learn a lot from others who are assessing, articulating, and refining their style.

celia

Veteran

You have fabulous outfits here. I was reading through your favorites and you seem to look forward to wear the ones with more drape.
Do you feel that is the direction you wanna go?

doubleh

Veteran

Thank you Celia.
AM: check you out with the tough questions! I really appreciate the questions, honestly, as even though I'm not new-new, I still feel very young in my development. I have struggled a lot since joining this forum as I tried to categorize and define certain things and I had to step back to realize I sometimes just can't articulate. I'm visual and thus, I need to just absorb what I learn and experiment with my own pieces.
I think my favorites are my favorites bc they do feel drapey (not body-con) but still figure flattering. I really like the fluid and boyfriend movements, but often on me, they just feel frumpy. These still feel structured enough. Also, each hold an element I may not have incorporated pre-ylf- pattern, color mix, texture mix, etc. And Celia- you asked what direction I want to go- I feel like I go for modern classic and am attracted to structural/architectural avant-garde elements, though I don't feel I really express that yet. For lack of better words, in my head I call it my Em-Ang- uelle Alt goal- combining modern classic Angie-inspiration with the edgier Emanuelle Alt looks.
I also have an attraction to boho for textures and interesting texture/pattern combos and a certain romantic- countryishness that probably shows up more in my summer/casual wardrobe. Someday I want to feel comfortable wearing a sundress, belt and cowboy boots!

AM

Veteran

Thanks for answering my "tough" questions -- I didn't realize they'd be tough. Sounds like you are getting a handle on just how much structure you need, and I love the idea that you are adding elements having found YLF. I am not a student of fashion so I had to look up Emanuelle Alt. Very, very appealing! Thanks for sharing. Interesting combinations you are playing with classic, edge, romantic- countryishness for summer -- areas that I am also exploring (minus romantic). I also love some of your pattern play -- and your florals (I'm not a floral girl but you make them look tough). Well done. Again, thanks for sharing.