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WIW lately: Style evolution?

Sarah A

Veteran

I wrote a long post yesterday (probably longer than anyone wants to read) about how I am feeling and thinking about my style and shopping and my computer ate it! Arrggghhh! Anyway, I wanted to give another go but I thought I might edit it down a bit. I feel like what feels "right" to me is changing for about the last 6 months but I am having a hard time beyond modern (maybe trendy?) and "i know it when I see/feel it"...

Simpler better fitting/quality peices
Less funky more sophisticated "arty sleek"
More modern cuts less vintage/retro/thrifted

I'd like to know what you think as an overall on these outfits. Favorites and any advice for improvement also appreciated.

I feel like 13 shows most my previous style whereas 6 is how I feel best right now.

1-2. Angie inspired. I have just peg rolled the bootlegs but may take the sewing machine to them. New crisp black shirt. Any my only unpurged pair of birk's....
3. These crop are great for bike commuting since they have lots of stretch but the spandex makes them slide down at the crotch. Cant decide whether to donate. Inspired by DayVies.
4. Inspired by Ceit. Felt great. (I was worried I had shrunk the pants dying them gray from yellow but that pants did bag out nicely with wear)
5. Angie BF short formula.
6. Date night. Pants have a waxed snakeskin detail. My fave here I think.
7. Is it ok like this? Do I need to push the shirt longer or shorter to avoid the 50-50 mid body cut? Skirt was a recent sewing project.
8. Inspired by my pin board... not thrilled with the pic but I liked wearing this.
9. MOTG. sports bra and gear bag since we were hiking. Least fav of group.
10. Liked this for date night but is the jacket too big?
11-12. Inspired by Suz's cobalt and white. Are the shorts too tight? (I am thinking yes....)
13. An old dress tried to play down the sweetness with the moto. Funky and cute but I think i am moving to more sophisticated feeling looks.

Love to hear you thoughts and reflections. Favorites, any specific advice or overall impression is super appreciated!

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16 replies

Latest reply was from Sarah A

Helena

Veteran

Hard to pick a fave; I think our styles are similar :). I do love 1, 3, 6, 8, and 10 especially - but I really like all the others, I just felt those ones were super-polished (probably my bias against shorts though, which is nothing to do with you). That blue is #6 is beautiful on you, wear lots of that I think!! Black also suits you very well. Great job!!

Anonymous

I love 4, but that isn't a surprise! I like the way your style is heading, the long shorts with a drapey top looks super, and I like your date night (I think the jacket might be big? Hard to tell).

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Honoured to be one of your inspirations! And I love these posts that show a variety of outfits and a style progression of sorts.

My thoughts, for what they are worth.

As outfits, and outfits on you, my favourites here are #1 (fab copy!), #8 (and I am not a casual maxi-lover, so that's high praise indeed!), #4.

Love the semi-tuck on #3 and think that top would work in a similar way with the white jeans, the grey ones in #4, etc. if you decide to get rid of the capris due to quality issues.

In #7, did you try a semi-tuck of the top to see the proportions?

#11 -- shorts would feel too snug for me, but that is personal preference.

It looks to me as if you are gravitating toward more clean lines, simpler patterns, and modern shapes. Less fussy detailing.

To me, you look great in these very simple, classic cuts. But then, I have a weakness for them, so maybe my eye is biased. Still, when I look at you, I think of one of Kibbe's "natural" types, in terms of line -- I'm not sure which one. I would explore that a little bit, maybe.

Sarah A

Veteran

Thanks Torontogirl! I look forward to seeing more of your style I am thinking I am not loving too many shorts right now either.... I didnt have any three summers ago and have built up a few and now and thinking it might be time to pass most of them on.

Ceit, I love that you inspire me and always comment on my posts The jacket was definetly too big and was going to be purged or a sewing project, but my sister recommended washing it on hot (it's cotton) instead of trying to alter it all over and it did a bit better. Maybe i've try washing it again on extra hot!

Suz, I of course think you are on the ball stylewise and am not familiar with Kibbe so off to google I go.

DH fav was #1. THe pants in #3 are higher rise too than most of what I am buying these days (another good for biking but awkward for off the bike scenario) So I am glad you though the partial tuck worked. I find it easier to partial tuck a slightly lower rise.

In #7, The waistband is elastic and not all that well done (i am a beginner sewist) so i was trying to hide it. Maybe I can figure a way to tuck the shirt and hide my uneven stitching! #8 is perhaps my favoritest dress of all time but I am glad to style it without a tight belt and the sung belt to cover the elastic is too hot some days.

I am glad you are seeing modern cuts because you see cuts so well. I am working hard on that right now Thanks for you insights

ETA: Yes, Suz. After some initial reading, I think I am likely a Kibbe Soft Natural but I will continue to research. Thanks for the lead!

ETA2: I dont know. Maybe it is Flamboyant Natural. I dont think there is anything slightly delicate about me... muscular yes. But soft and not lithe. I have read about the yin and yang dressing before and decided I was a "Yang" but hadnt realized the source or the layers of complexity. Thanks again for the direction.

kkards

Veteran

love #1, looks great, and has a very easy yet put together vibe.
#8 is fab, and i think what i really liked is how the belt pulled it together, and really showed off your shape!
the dots on dots in #3, inspired! have you tried that with a pair of cons?
its hard to tell,it may be the angle of the picuture, but the jacket in #10 does look like it could be a little big, (have you tried #8 for date night?)
i like the matchy-matchy shoes and tee in #7, and i like the unexpected hem line of the skirt.
overall, a great style direction.

rae

(website)

Veteran

Ah, I totally feel you here! I definitely see a shift. More elegant, more minimal. Still interesting and artsy, but more mature, modern and sophisticated. Personal faves are the patent black sandals, #5, #6, and #8. I think you and I are alike in that we used to like a lot of detail and now gravitate toward one interesting detail at a time - like the patterned dolman blouse, the brown belt on the maxi, or the asymmetrical hem on your black skirt. Very inspiring to see this shift and how you manifest it in your outfits!

rachylou

Veteran

I particularly like #3-9 (um, yeah all your outfits!). Definitely more sophisticated; "arty sleek" is a rather good term. #13 is interesting. I would place it in what I call The New Drab category; a young look that college students wear a lot (at least in my town). Denim, calico flowers. There's something 1800s frontier about it in my mind, but it's also arty. I like it for myself, but age it with heels or go gritty with a dash of UWP.

I will tell you that the outfit I like least, while still thinking it natty, is #1. I feel it's missing the artiness, and I think you really come alive with that.

Makrame

Veteran

I like your style evolution, great collection of photos! I especially like #3 (too bad the pants are not as comfortable as you'd like) and #6.

Caro in Oz

Veteran

These are great looks Sarah - I like the maxi on you too.
If I were you I wouldn't give up on shorts - I think looser & longer ones would look fab on you & work with your modern, sleek sporty look

pil

Veteran

These all look good to me Sarah. 1 is my favorite, but of course that is because I would totally wear it. Will the belt in 8 work If you tuck your shirt in 7? Did many of your prior outfits include prints like 13?

Sarah A

Veteran

Thanks KKards! #8 has been on many a date night And even a a wedding! It is 3 years old and I will be sad when it starts to show wear. So far cold washing and hanging to dry has it looking new still. Cons and I dont get along they just feel odd on my foot but I like the idea of a snazzy sneaker.

Rae, I think you have nailed the one bold detail. Great observation! I am glad to feel a little love for the black sandals too. They are a bit of an oddball (philip lim men's line from a few years back actually!) but I like them. All of your comment really spoke to me, the more mature and not so flirty and carefree. I dont know why I have "aged" but I feel as if I have suddenly outgrown that younger look.

Rachy. New Drab LOL! Love it! Interesting on #1. I find copycat's hard to pull off. Like somehow being unoriginal really digs at me. Like MaryK looks like MaryK still when she does her copycats but I dont know that I still feel like myself when I do so. Maybe it's the self expression arty thingy... Good food for thought

Makrame, I appreciate the love for #3. I wish the pants fit better (I knew they werent a good fit when I bought them though and should have passed!) but I loved the idea of doing dot on dot.

Caro, thanks I know you arent much of a dress gal so that means something! I do think you make a good point about the shorts... yes they can be very functional, just these particular ones aren't it...

Pil, yes I totally understand you on #1. You should wear it! That belt wont work... but a belt might, and i have several contenders now that youve placed the idea... As for the prints, a few, yes, but mainly the A line shape. I have/had a lot of it and I am struggling with how to make it feel fresh to me.

Carla

Veteran

Very interesting and very attractive series here. #4-#6-#7-#8 are my faves, but all are good. There is a clean and refined (and expensive!) look to these outfits. I can't believe the crispness you achieve with knits and comfortable sandals. Nothing sloppy or unkempt at all. Good hair, too!

Transcona Shannon

Veteran

Great looking outfits Sarah - based on these, I definitely feel a shift towards a more sophisticated style. I am going to enjoy watching you move along this path in your style journey.

Outfit #3 just knocks my socks off! Adore the top in #5 - wondering if it would also work with a semi tuck as another way to style it?

To my eye, unfortunately the shorts in #11 look a wee bit snug.

Beth Ann

Veteran

These are terrific, Sarah! I concur with the others that you seem to be streamlining your outfits. 1,4,5, and 8 are particular favorites for me. I think there is a sophisticated leaning here, but you also seem natural and grounded in these looks --- like you'd go camping by the lake or to a museum with equal ease.

You have this lovely swinging hair, and I remember you said you didn't have someone you go to regularly. Why not scope out good stylists names in your community and take these pictures to them? I don't think the change needs to be drastic, but I'd bet it would kick things into high gear!

Anonymous

Like the others I am also seeing a streamlined, more sophisticated style.
1 3,4,5,6,8,9 & 10 stand out for me.
Something seems slightly off for the best look using the asymmetrical skirt, and I am a big fan of asymmetry. It seems too angled and stif if that makes sense. Something with a softer drape so that there is movement maybe?

Sarah A

Veteran

Thanks Runcarla! I am esp. please that these outfits look expensive as most of them are put together on a shoe string! I appreciate the compliment on the hair too I am struggling to figure it out right now and the cholrine is just about got it feeling like straw! More open water swimming is needed.... LOL

Shannon, more love for #3. If only those pants fit comfortably! grrrrr. The idea of semi tucking 5 is nice but it's an illusion in the pics. The floaty silk top top actually ends with the brown. The black bottom two inches in the pic is a layering cami underneath it. The shorts have found their way to the purge pile. If I lose these ten pounds ill buy new ones then.... I so appreciate your comments since i thik you rock a sophisticated look.

Beth Ann, I always love your honest spot on advice! I probably need to spend on my hair but it has never been a priority. I "wear" it everyday so why shouldnt it be? 1,4,5,8 are the most neutral on the bunch.... interesting to ponder i declare! And being grounded and for my lifestyle is so key (and so hard when I want to dress for my fantasy in an office in a big city... just doesnt fit the reality here!

Joy, thanks ringing in on your favorites and also very much for the comment on the angled skirt. I was also thinking I might taper it a tad? It is linen and a bit stiff (i thought the fabric might soften with washing but who knows... i need to learn to judge things better off the bolt... practice practice practice) I only have about $10 supplies and 30 minutes into it so no great loss if it pass it along. I may go ahead and reducethe sevarity fo the angle too. Thanks so much for the feedback