WIW: Sweater, Jeans, Repeat - YouLookFab Forum

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WIW: Sweater, Jeans, Repeat

Sarah A

Veteran

This must be my personal version of lather, rinse, repeat....

I think this year's bumper knitwear year has changed my winter uniform from last years "Jeans + Button Up + Blazer" to "Jeans + Sweater + Belt". I think i have worn nearly nothing else for the last 2 months. I did throw the dot swing jacket on over the sweater in 4, but wasnt really thrilled with the photo, I thought it looked good IRL so that's one I need to re-evaluate.

So, here's the thing, I feel really great in nearly every look posted here. None of which are anything like my K/R of the ruffled cardigan So, is it just my eccelectic side that is drawn to totally different pieces, or me trying to follow some sort of dressing "rules" (Kibbe's in that instance) or Goodwill tempting me by being located right next to the grocery store or what?

On another note... anyone have any tips for getting motivated to keep my hair cut and styling up on a regular basis? I was loving the cut i got 3 months ago but haven't been back I have a hard time getting motivated for the hairstyle part of personal style even though i increasingly understand its critical importance. I need to try to understand why so I can overcome this obstacle.

Favorites and ideas for improvement much appreciated

ETA: my apologies for the phone selfies, the camera got lost for several weeks after Christmas. But it was found last week!

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27 replies

Latest reply was from Lisa

Thistle

Veteran

I love all of these looks on you. I think you have a terrific style, and the faux tuck really looks good.

I was in the same boat as you for hair. I started making my next appointment at the same time I got my hair cut. That means I already had the next appointment put together. Now, doing my hair in the morning, that is another story. And even when I do, with how busy my days are, my hair still ends up in a ponytail by mid morning.

Helenedith

I like all of these outfits. Perhaps you are not in a hurry to go to the hairdressers more frequently due to it looking so good on you at this length. This style is also quite forgiving if you don't have regular trims. Lucky you

amiable

Veteran

No reason not to repeat a formula that's working so well! You look terrific!

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

A great collection. #1 popped right out at me and I love the light oxfords. Hair is essential but as an appointment procrastinator myself I don't have any tips.

Karie

(website)

Veteran

I do similar to what Thistle does, make several appointments ahead of time. You look terrific in all of these outfits! My favorite is #2.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Sarah, you and me, both! My uniform has been sweater, pants; sweater, pants; sweater, pants. And it will stay thus, until the end of March, at least. Probably the end of April.

You look great. I think this actually proves that you are some kind of "natural" -- the simple, soft, slightly sporty looks work really well on you. I especially like 2, 9, and 10 -- you look amazing in the colour in 10!

As for the jacket -- it's perfectly normal to experiment in order to find your best style. The only way you can learn is by trying. Just be glad you are trying via Goodwill (and it's returnable!) vs. an expensive store with no returns! I did a TON of thrift experimenting in my first 1.5 years on YLF. It was the only way to really figure out what worked IRL vs in theory. I'm still figuring that out, but now I'm focused more on refining the details. Some of my worst experiments were actually retail ones (fortunately sale -- but not cheap like Goodwill, and not returnable.) There was the steampunk skirt, the draped tunic, the V neck dress...oh...the stories I could tell. But the only way I could find out they didn't really work for me was to try them. Rock on!

And try not to get too hung up on the Kibbe stuff. It's a good beginning, a jumping off point, but not an infallible rulebook. Having said that, do you have a wrap dress? There's your asymmetrical closing and softly defined waist without the ruffle.

Anonymous

Your uniform has been my uniform too this winter. You wear it well. 6 is my favorite as I want to come steal those pants and oxfords.
For hair appointments I do what Thistle does and make the next appointment when I pay the bill. You can always change it.
Making myself stick with one in, one out helps me when shopping at the Goodwill.

Beth Ann

Veteran

Sarah: What about something like the Joie tunics that Parsley and AlaskaGirl have been sporting? You have the simple sweater with softness, assymetry and flow in an easy, modern package.

Love your "uniform" and, as for hair, I so understand this. My stylist is too far away for me to schedule an appointment easily, so I've been thinking about going elsewhere, but I never get around to it. It makes such a big difference in my overall look, and it's more important the older I get.

Anonymous

You have a nice sweater collection! I do as Thistle does as well. Usually have booked 1-2 haircuts ahead, primarily because my stylist is so busy. But it serves to keep me from procrastinating and making appointments only when I am in dire straights!

kkards

Veteran

As I am coming to realize, nothing wrong with a uniform if it works for you. I really like #2, that blue is a great color on you. I like how you have used a white belt, especially in in#2 where it matches back to your watch.
Re hair appointments, I does several others have mentioned, book at least the next one when I am paying for the current one.

Sarah A

Veteran

Thanks Thistle, i am so flattered at your great style compliment. I have never felt innately stylish so this has been work to where things are clicking for me

Shevia, i wasnt quite sure if #1 had great graphic integrity or too much going on so i appreciate your calling it out. The light oxfords have been worn in many an outfit youve inspired....

Joy, the houndstooth pants were $8 walmart.com finds (actually marked down to $7 when i duplicated in the burgandy) ill get a link when i am on the computer as its so hard to copy and paste on my phone

PMC, i have put most of my dollars latrly to my sweaters. Just so cozy! I think i dont have a stylist that i have a personal relationship with... (just go to great clips when im desperate and cross my fingers for something not terrible!) If i did i think it would help. Thats a good project for me to work on....

Kkards, i am working to understand my relationship with uniform dressing... It seems a love most of the time if the individual pieces arent too alike. I am working to figure my best colors so thanks for mentioning the blue

viva

Veteran

I love your uniform - and #2 knocked me out, that color is just gorgeous on you.

As for your hair, definitely make your next appointment when you are paying for your current one. If you like your hair in a particular style you need to keep that style in shape or it will just continuously morph into something else. So -- if you haven't already called to book your next appointment, do it!!!

Sarah A

Veteran

Beth Ann, you raise some really good points. Im including your comment on the brown from my other thread. I love those tunics but i am having a trouble at $200 for one item. It would be so precious i wouldnt wear it! (i dont wear my $60 brooks bros shirts that fit better than my cheapies bc what if.... ??? Preschoolers happen! I've found some patterns i might consider sewing in sweater knits. Sewing seems to be my answer to sticker shock... Now onto that dark brown... I used to wear it a lot in my 20s but eliminated it to simplify my closet when i thought i had a winter coloring. But i dont think im actually a winter... Probably a cool summer so i might transition back to some browns too esp. Since i will mix them with black these days

Suz, as always you provide excellent food for thought. Trying trying trying is the name of the game. I so struggle with my schedule and local options in that regard. But returnable! Yes, i have actually read many of your older posts on your misadventures... It helps immensely that youve shared these. I do have a wrap dress. It is in the sewing room for me to recycle the silk since i have generally thought it was horrible on me! I need to reconsider that i think. It is woven silk without stretch which is perhaps the problem. I did also just buy a faux wrap dress sewing pattern for stretch knits.

(ETA: edited for clarity/typos)

Sarah A

Veteran

Finally thanks Helendith, Karie, Amiable and Viva.

Im making the haircut call tomorrow!

Susie

Veteran

Sarah, I think your uniform is working well for you. The elements may be similar but looking at all the photos I would never think 'she's wearing that again.' I especially like 2,5 and 10.

Sarah A

Veteran

Thanks Susie! I am digging all the love for the bright blue

Joy, here are the skinnys:
http://www.walmart.com/ip/Fade.....s/26848663
(my kind of price to try something trendy... i did have to order 3 pairs to find one that wasnt miscut or mistitched, but return of the rejects to my local walmart was easy, fabric is soft and stretchy and cut is generous on the thigh)

Anonymous

Sarah, you're looking good. I see enough variety even though you say it's a uniform. You've got a great selection of sweaters. I particularly like the stylings in 1,2,5,6,9 and 10.

I hear you on the hair problem. I've been putting off booking up as I'm trying to pluck up the courage to try a different stylist within the salon and wondering what the other stylist I've been having will think.

Catnip

Veteran

You've found a uniform that suits you perfectly, and you have a terrific sweater collection. I like all your outfits, but if I had to pick a favorite it would be #2. You look wonderful in that color.

As for the hair, I can only repeat what Thistle and several others have said. When you pay the bill, make the next appointment. It took me awhile, but I finally figured out how many weeks I can go between haircuts without looking shaggy. It's made my life much easier.

E

Veteran

I agree: your uniform suits you well & I think these shapes work better than the wrap sweater! I especially like the outfits with your white belt: the size and slight boldness of it work beautifully.

I'm overdue for a hair appointment myself, so no advice there! Luckily I'm back to a blunt bob, so if I get it cut at jaw length, I've usually got a good 3 months between appointments in which it looks fine. (I love pixie cuts but just can't afford to get trims that frequently! Nor do I really want to be trekking off to the stylist ever 6 weeks or so. Perhaps if I find a good barber I'll go back to a pixie. hehe)

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Looking great, Sarah. Super Winter uniform. One I wear a lot too.

I particularly like #6. Fun jeans and oxfords.

Caro in Oz

Veteran

I love these - #2 is my all time favourite you look sleek & modern & that colour is fantastic on you.

Sarah A

Veteran

Thanks so much Angie for taking time from your busy day to comment. You have inspired both the jeans and oxford purchases, although indirectly

Diane G, thanks for the list of favorites. Oh my, the politics of changing stylists on the same salon. I hope it works out for you, I am sure you will approach the situation with grace.

Catnip, thanks for your wisdom. I havent really thought about how many weeks i need to schedule but will be cognizant of the difference between 8-10-12-14 weeks between cuts and see if I can nail that down. Thanks for the inspiration to think of that.

Caro, i know you have a great eye for line and color and tell it straight. Go #2. Thanks

I actually had a kids birthday party i needed to go to this afternoon so I am wearing #2 again today and feeling fab!

Anonymous

You look great in jeans and sweaters! Standing out to me were #5 (very sleek and elegant) and how nice the purple sweaters look on you. I also like the dotted swing coat a lot.

I'm awful at making haircut appointments. I think it's the combination of planning ahead, giving up weekend lazy time to get something accomplished, and having to spend an hour making small talk with someone I don't know well -- none of which I really enjoy!

pil

Veteran

Nothing wrong with a formula that works as well as this does for you! Those pants were $7?? The purple sweater is gorgeous on and I'm really taken with #1 too. If you colored you gray hair (like me) you would have no problem with motivation getting those appointments made

Jules

Veteran

You look great - I think this collection of photos really shows your style coming together! The only thing I don't love is the white belt with the brown shoes - but have you tried that belt with the oxfords??? Maybe with the outfit in #1?
I like the idea of a wrap dress for you. You can go try some on without commitment, right?

Sarah A

Veteran

Thanks Aubergine the dotted swing jacket is one i like too. Although i think i have never worn it in the past with long sleeves under. The bare forearm lends some structure i think is missing here...

Yes Pil $7! I had ordered some houndstooth print jeans from Zara, but they didnt fit quite right so i did a google image search on houndstooth printed jeans and these showed up!

Thanks Jules i actually am wearing yhe white belt in #1, just didnt have it tucked. I definately should pair the light shoes and belt in another combo. I almost never try on wrap dresses b/c im not planning to buy poly in the heat as that doesnt work for me but just to try to see the fit. Brilliant!

Lisa

Veteran

I am a big fan of uniform dressing. Every year my winter uniform is skinny jeans tucked into tall boots. I favored more scarves and blazers last year, and this year more ponchos and sweaters/jumpers, but the core of the uniform remains the same. When it works, why not keep repeating right?