WIW: The Question of Comfort - YouLookFab Forum

So these were outfits I wore on yesterday and today. Note how I've ducked into dressing rooms again for decent lighting (hehe)? I wore these two outfits to experiment with comfort levels. I wanted to see which styles and clothing silhouettes work for me and make me feel most at ease and "myself". So here's what I thought:

#1-3: I was anticipating a very busy and stressful day. I had a strict deadline, and my work has to do with technology that I had to learn on the fly. I wanted to be comfortable and just able to breathe... So I decided to wear what I wore that day, which is usually much more casual than what I would wear for my smart casual workplace. Since I work at the production end and never see clients, it is ok for us to dress a little more "slackerly". I loved this zebra shirt and it's so incredibly comfortable so I decided to wear it. But I wanted to try adding more stripes by wearing that scarf... Just because...

So was the outfit comfortable? I was actually not feeling like myself very much. Yes, I can move around but I wasn't comfortable with the outfit's being too casual. I added many RATE elements in this outfit and realized that this is much too RATE. For my tastes. It's really through thus outfit that I discovered that I can't look too casual or too RATE. I need my dressy, vintage-femme elements. If I had to wear the top again, I'd keep the leggings but wear a dressier jacket and boots. I'd also wear my dark vintage glam jewelry.

Top: Vanilla Sugar (via Marshall's)
Leggings: Hue
Jacket: The Gap
Boots: Dr. martens
Scarf: I don't remember the brand but it's from Hautelook

#4-5. Remember my first ever blog post last week?
http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....le-journey

That's the same outfit: except with a purple shirt and skinny jeans as opposed to leans... Oh... And boots too (they have a heel!). This outfit was composed in response to how I felt yesterday. I decided to wear a fluid top to counter the RATE-ness of my last outfit, and pair this up with skinnies. Throughout the day, I switched between semi-tucking, tucking, faux-semi-tucking (uh huh...) and untucking. I can decide which I like best so I posted two photos just to compare. I wouldn't mind feedback on this.

In terms of comfort level, I was very comfortable: inside and out. The outfit had just the right amount of polish, casual and RATE. I love how this outfit was uncomplicated. The only real issue I have is the versatility of the top, but I'll leave that for another thread

Top: Express (Portofino)
Jeans: American Eagle Skinny
Boots: Naot Gema

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12 years ago

Lyn D.

Veteran

Know what? I think you just needed skinny-pants for the first outfit to be lifted to your usual smart-casual for work.
Love #4- great coloured top on you- the semi-tuck is dressier, but works both ways.

Anonymous

Both these outfits look great! I love the zebra top, especially in 1&2. The blue shirt with black skinnies is gorgeous in its simplicity.

Caro in Oz

The second outfit is great & I'm glad you felt like "you" in it because it looks fantastic. I love photo #3 too. Could you wear a more classic/structured jacket or blazer with #1?

Suz

(website)

You look great in both outfits, but I hear what you are saying -- you need more structure, especially for work, in #1.

I work from home and could theoretically wear whatever I like (including pyjamas) but I don't feel at my best dressing like that. On the other hand, the type of structured outfits I would prefer if I were working outside the home don't work either! So in my clothes for work-at-home days I am always seeking some balance between crisp and structured and soft and comfy. Often this results in denim bottoms (but not soft stretchy denim -- 100% cotton denim) along with a softer top, often a knit in winter. If I go out, I add a structured jacket.

I think if you upped the structure by swapping the leggings for skinny pants in 1 you would be happy with it.

Great insight!

Beth Ann

Sounds like you've come a long way in defining how you want to dress. Do you refer to your pictures when you're choosing what to wear? Both of these outfits are terrific in all combinations -- interesting, good fit, flattering. What matters most, however, is feeling that your clothing represents you well in your environments.

I love #2 faux tucked --- proportions are excellent.

Amy

These are great insights! That zebra top is cool. I like the second outfit best with the semi tuck.

MsLuna

Thank you so much for the feedback ladies! Your comments have been so helpful, especially in polishing up outfit #1 and how to wear outfit #2 (semi-tuck seems to be the popular look!)

@Lyn D. & Ceit: you're both right: I think skinnies as opposed to leggings will elevate the look of outfit #1. Since I began wearing pants again a few months ago, I've been preferring the more structured bottom look. Leggings had less of an appeal to me. I guess i like being a little more dressed up.

@Joy and @Amy: the zebra top was an impulse purchase. One of the best $20 impulse purchases I've ever spent. The a-line shape is just so flattering and in summer time, it's so nice and airy!

@Caro: I actually retried outfit #1 last night with skinnies and a more structured blazer. It was much better than the jean jacket and it elevated the polish of the look. It felt a lot more comfortable inside and out. Thanks for this suggestion!

@Suz: I used to work as a freelancer so I did a lot of work from home. Like you, I dressed up a little when doing work! So I definitely know what you mean! Like you I didn't work in PJ's nor work in outside-work-structured garments. I was still a dress and leggings/tunic girl back then so I was always in some form of structured legging and tunic. Funny how the way we dress affects how we feel about ourselves at work!

@Beth Ann: I have Pinterest boards of different kinds for style inspiration, but generally I don't refer to photos when I pick out outfits: I usually just go by feel. I shop a lot (but don't often buy) so I have opportunities to "feel out" different looks and silhouettes. And yes, I've come a long way! Especially with my new preference for pants! I think, in general, I'm just a much more casual person. Also, in my workplace, sometimes I feel much too dressed up when I wear dresses!

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Overall, I was pleasantly surprised about the semi-tucking (I wore it that way for most of the day). Being short and thick waisted, I often avoided tucking of any form, but all it took is to test the tucking out with lower rise jeans and fluid tops!

shedev

The zebra top is cute, but my favorite is the blue top in the semi tuck.

Hope you figure out how to make the zebra work to your style goals, it looks so cute and is fabulous on you. I like the second outfit too, I prefer the half tuck, but both look good.

Thanks ladies! Oh I'll never give up the zebra!!! I'll make it work! (Expect a WIW with the zebra in the future).

Jaime

The jeans jacket does sort of tame the zebra, but save this outfit for off days if you felt uncomfortable. You certainly look amazing in the second outfit (I prefer #5) so it is not like you don't have great work options. The color is terrific on you.

The "taming the zebra" statement made me smile, Shevia!

And thanks for your suggestion on wearing the zebra for off days. It's definitely a stylish alternative for the weekend!

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