WIW recently (my first) - YouLookFab Forum

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WIW recently (my first)

Alexandra

(website)

Veteran

I realized last night that you all have now seen my closet and Project 333 board, and also my inspiration board. But you have not seen how I look in these clothes. So here's my first WIW post with outfits I've worn this past week for running errands, grocery shopping, downtown walks, etc.

I've noticed many of you list the brands or discuss them in your WIW posts so I'm doing that too. Please let me know if this is not necessary/appropriate or something.

#1 Wool skirt (made by me), cashmere crew (LLBean), custom hand-painted scarf (Etsy artist), short boots (Ecco)

#2 Same day/outfit as #1, topped with lightweight coat (London Fog)

#3 Wool pants (made by me), cashmere crew (LLBean), scarf (Ferragamo), heeled oxfords (Ecco)

#4 Long-sleeved dress (made by me), cashmere cardigan (Lands' End), scarf (Ferragamo), narrow belt (Lands' End), short boots (Ecco)

#5 leather skirt (Halogen), merino V-neck (LLBean), scarf (Nordstrom), short boots (Ecco)

#6 bootcut jeans (Paige), sweater (LLBean), belt (not visible but Banana Republic), heeled oxfords (Ecco)

This is also the first time I've taken pictures of myself like this. It takes some getting used to. Please excuse the facial expression on several (maybe all) of these pictures, I'll get better and more relaxed eventually.

Comments? Ideas for improvement?

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44 replies

Latest reply was from pil

minimalist

Veteran

Love the fit on all of these, and how different pieces play together so well.

On the garments you made, how many tries did it take to get the fit right? Have been reading about pants fitting; yours look great!

cade

I hardly ever comment on WIWs but I like you style. As a matter of fact, this pretty much reflects my own uniform. Do you ever shop in Germany?

Von

Veteran

I really love #5, and #6 looks so classic and chic. I like the way you use scarves to add in a touch of color.

Mo

(website)

Veteran

Thanks for sharing. Everything looks great on you! But I especially like #5.

Anonymous

Just looked at your blog and I am in total awe of your sewing skills- I sew but only very forgiving things like ballon shades- your clothing is just gorgeous!

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

You did great posing in your outfits. You have a fabulous 'do.

#5 is especially super. Now I know why you want to knit yourself a pale pink pullover. It will be gorgeous with the leather skirt.

(No need to list where your wardrobe items come from on my account).

Do you wear specs regularly?

E

Veteran

Oh yay! I love seeing WIWs. You're rocking your colours and what incredibly well fitting clothes you've made! I'm thinking more and more I need to learn how to sew, but I don't think I'll ever be able to make trousers for myself. All of your outfits look wonderful, but I think #5 seems the most like the mood board you posted! Oh and I love your pixie!

carter

Veteran

You made your own pants?? I'm in awe. Every one of these is great on you, but like most folks, #5 is my fave.

Anonymous

I love them all! That leather skirt is gorgeous. My only suggestion to you is a new pair of glasses -- your haircut is so excellent, a stylish pair of specs would really highlight it.

MuseumGal

Veteran

My goodness, these clothes are fabulous (and you look amazing). I like that you list where things come from and especially that you list what you've made yourself. You are seriously making me jones for time to get back to my sewing machine - and maybe find a class to help me learn to make better pattern alterations.

JAileen

Veteran

Congrats! I did my first WIW yesterday, but unfortunately my photo was quite dim. Yours look great! I especially like #1 and #5, with the neutrals and the little pops of color. In fact, I usually don't care for booties with skirts, but to me yours work because of the tights.

Ginkgo

Veteran

Gushing enthusiasm here! All your outfits are my favorite, and I love the impeccable fit and your limited color palette.

More, please!

Amy

(website)

Veteran

Beautiful outfits and impeccable fit. I love how you wear scarves.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

YAY!! So glad to see you post your WIWs. And I sense a style sister! You look absolutely wonderful in all of these but my special favourites are #1/2 (I want to copy that one) and #5.

So...some questions.

How do you find the LLBean cashmere?

What is the fit like on the Halogen leather skirt?

Which Ecco booties?

By the way, people tend to put the "where bought" details more in case someone else might want to buy the item, I think...there's no need to do it, but no reason not to do it, either, if you know what I mean --whatever feels right. I started adding the info because I was getting questions in WIW posts.

Oh - and if you wear specs often, I would suggest a fantastic new pair!

amiable

Veteran

These are all completely wonderful! You inspire me to try making trousers!

kellygirl

Veteran

Gorgeous! You have impeccable taste. I love your hair and your posture. You remind me a bit of Inge

Marmee

Veteran

Congratulations on the fabulous WIW! I love all of these outfits, especially 1/2 and 5. The pink is especially flattering on you.

Alexandra

(website)

Veteran

Wow, thank you ladies, that was fast! I now know why people post WIWs here - the compliments are quite addictive!

It sounds like quite a few of you like the leather skirt outfit. I do too. I mean, I felt good in all of them but in #5 I felt ready to own the world.

Amy K. - when I have a new pattern, I just about always make a muslin mock-up (sometimes shortened to "muslin") to work out any fitting issues. That way even the very first garment in "good" fabric fits reasonably well. I can then refine the fit (also length and design details) in subsequent iterations. Of the pieces above, the skirt was the first use of that pattern (drafted by me, quite proud of it too), the dress was the second time for its pattern, and the pants were probably #3 or 4 (this pattern's previous incarnations being pleated wool pants and flat-front wide-leg denim pants, and possibly one more wool pair).

Cade, I have looked around in a few stores here in Germany but things are quite expensive here and the shopping experience is very different from what I know at home (and therefore expect everywhere else) so I haven't been buying clothes here. I did manage to buy a Dutch oven and a honing steel in a kitchenware store - that was a fun trip where my broken German got a workout.

Pam, balloon shades are forgiving? To me, home dec sewing seems like a major feat.

Angie, thank you! Yes, I wear glasses every day at home and on really overcast days also outside. I have another pair that I'll try to photograph next time - I don't know if they're stylish, Ceit, but they are big and black, with lime green on the inside.

E, when you learn to sew, you will definitely be able to make a pair of pants for yourself. There's a learning curve, of course, but it's not hard and the rewards are great.

MuseumGal, may I tempt you with a link to a highly recommended fitting course? http://www.craftsy.com/classes/sewing-fitting It's called Sew the Perfect Fit with Lynda Maynard. On that same page are several other options, too.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

I also wear my glasses on overcast days outdoors only! No prescription sunnies!

Alexandra

(website)

Veteran

Apparently it took me more than 30 minutes to write the second post and others have posted in the meantime.

Suz, I like the LLBean cashmere so far - very soft and doesn't feel
thin. These are new replacements and they have a brand-new supplier so
we'll see how they wear. The nice think about LLBean is the
unconditional guarantee.

The fit on the Halogen skirt is comfortably narrow. It's size 2. In
BR I usually wear a 2 as well. It has a yoke and no waistband. Does that
help?

The boots are Ecco Jaffna 75mm. I don't see them available anywhere but here's a good picture: http://www.shoebuy.com/ecco-jaffna-75-mm/396175

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Thank you, Alexandra. That definitely helps. Ecco are a good brand of shoes for me because like you, I have a narrow heel.

catgirl

Veteran

Dying of outfit love here. I am especially enamored of #5 which is so elegant and yet edgy cool. You rock - I wanna see more!

Diana

Veteran

Oh, you are so pretty and elegant, and I love your style! I particularly like #5 with the leather skirt.

Summer

Echoing the compliments above...your outfits look fantastic on you and I'm tremendously impressed with your sewing skills! Beginning sewist here. Need to dedicate some time for practice!

lyn67

Veteran

Wow, your outfits are all simple, cick and refined! And you remind me of our fab forum and YLF Team member Inge! Not only stylewise, but great pixie cut and posture, too! Hey, others, am I right?:-)

citygirldc

(website)

Veteran

4 and 5 are my faves. Very chic.

qfbrenda

Veteran

I love how simple and elegant these are. Well done!

Anonymous

Wow, Alexandra, what gorgeous outfits. I must say that I have had several peeks at your website before so I had already seen your good self, but even so, It's great to see such lovely combinations all together. You have fab sewing skills and your trousers do indeed fit beautifully. I'm another who is also a big fan of the leather skirt outfit. Fab!

Alexandra

(website)

Veteran

Thank you, ladies, thank you so much for all the compliments! I've tried to keep up and answer everyone's questions but if I missed something, please forgive me.

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