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WIW & the value of outfit photos

Marley

Veteran

Hi Everyone,
I missed out on the 'Jagged Little Pill' Picture Perfect Challenge today because I've been hanging out at the hospital (Mr. Marley had some heart issues - but he's fine now) and I just didn't have the brain power to get creative this morning. However, I did take some photos of what I was wearing (trying to do a daily record) - and wow, am I ever glad that I did!

I started out this morning with a BCBG knit hooded cardigan that I got during the Shoptoberfest weekend, black James Jeans slouchy skinnies, black cropped jacket., and leopard print pointed toe boots, as well as black boots. Took the pics, looked at them, and realized that the proportions were all wrong (my upper body looked like a square) - and I really, really hated the tassels on the hoodie. So, I removed the tassels (at first I forgot to remove the one on the zipper) and immediately felt better - then, removed that center tassel, changed out the cropped jacket for an Elie Tahari classic cut black jacket with leopard lining on the sleeves, put my leopard print pointed toe boots back on - and felt great! I really liked the bookending that was accommplished by using the leopard print booties - even though it meant that I was "wearing" 2 different patterns (my Brahmin handbag being the other pattern.) The photos also revealed that the hoodie was twisted to my left in the front and even though I had looked at myself in the mirror after I got dressed, I did not notice it until I looked at the pics! If not for the pics, I probably would have left the house with the first rendition of this outfit - and felt frumpy and out-of-sorts all day. Who knew that a simple photo could be so telling?

Pics 1 & 2 - final outfit! If I had it to do over again, I would tuck my hoodie sleeves up underneath the jacket sleeves for a more streamlined look.

Pic 3 - close! Black booties and one last tassel and twisted cardigan.

Pic 4 - Major FAIL! So many things wrong with this!

Pic 5 - Even without the jacket it's a major fail!

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33 replies

Latest reply was from Eliza

Day Vies

Veteran

I have learned so much as well from recording my outfits often. I can repeat what I like and nix what I hate. I hope Mr. Marley is doing better.

Caro in Oz

Veteran

Nodding my head here. Love the final version & that blue is amazing on you.

pil

Veteran

Most importantly, I'm glad Mr. Marley is doing well. How frightening. The leopard really does make a difference with this, doesn't it? I don't see anything wrong with 5.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Marley, you couldn't look frumpy if your life depended on it! You always look amazing. But I completely concur that looking at the pictures is so helpful. I have had that same experience of feeling frumpy in an outfit and not understanding why - and usually it is small details like the ones you mention. And once those are taken care of you can just forget about the clothes and get on with your day. In your case, it was a *big* day with worries about Mr. M. I am so glad he is doing better. And i love your outfit! You look spectacular in that blue hoodie.

Mo

(website)

Veteran

yes, photos are invaluable. I watch Fashion Police and notice lately they comment that celebrities should be taking a quick phone pic before hitting the red carpet. They would catch a lot of the wardrobe malfunctions that end up on the show.

I like your blue with leopard touches!

K. Period.

Veteran

Marley, I'm glad that Mr. M. is doing better.

I know what you mean about the outfit photos. They really do show you things that you aren't seeing by just looking in the mirror. Sometimes they reveal that an outfit is working much better than you think. Other times they show you why something just doesn't feel right. I have been amazed by how much it helps to photograph and post outfits!

You look lovely and I'm glad that your photo helped you pinpoint what was bothering you.

Karie

(website)

Veteran

You look fantastic, even in outfit #5! Yes, taking outfit pics is so helpful. I take a quick outfit pic every morning, but I need to allow time to check the pic before I leave for work. A few days ago I felt frumpy all day, got home from work and looked at my outfit pic and went ehttp://www.....I was on the express train to frumpville!

Now I'm off to set my alarm clock...

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Removing the tassels was a great idea. You look fab in #1. Not a fail at all, Marley. A great look on you. Sending healing thoughts to hubs. xo

Sveta

(website)

Veteran

I am happy Mr. Marley is OK, sending him healing vibes galore!
First of all that sky blue color is amazing on you, wow!
I concur how useful taking pictures is. Unfortunately I take them in the evening so if it was a major fail it is too late but at least I can learn for the next time.
I think that longer line jacket works better with the skinnies and your final version is just perfect. The booties and jacket lining is a perfect bookending and that awesome bag just shines everywhere it goes!

Gigi

Veteran

Marley, I aspire to look even like your "fail" outfits. Even those are fab in my book!

Deborah

Veteran

Dont you love the way photos are so revealing and highlight so much. Removing the tassles is such a small thing but makes such a difference. I love #1/2, you look very cool. And I am glad Mr Marley is ok.

carambola

Veteran

Love the final outfit! So sharp and modern. That blue is beautiful on you. It's so instructive to see all the different versions, so thanks for posting all of these.

Diana

Veteran

Well, I think even the "fail" version is pretty good, but the final version is absolutely amazing! It's really incredible what tweaking a couple of little details can do for an outfit. I think the leopard booties just make the outfit.

Glad to hear that Mr. Marley is on the mend. What a scary experience that must have been!

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

Well your fail is only apparent because your win is such an improvement, but great lesson!

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Ditto to everything Diana said. I loved that blue on you in the store, and I'm glad you got it!

I hope Mr Marley is feeling better!

CocoLion

(website)

Veteran

Love the final version! I think you did right in removing the tassels.

Isn't it strange how we see things so much better in a picture? Must be some feature of the eyes/brain seeing selectively. I wish I could train myself to see like a picture, because it's time consuming to dress by way of photograph.

Anonymous

I think you look great in all of these, but it's fun to see the evolution. It's interesting how the tassels suddenly look busy and awkward compared with the detassled version, yet I probably wouldn't have even noticed them if you had just posted #4-5 and hadn't mentioned them as an issue.

And I'm glad Mr. Marley is doing better!

Gracie

Veteran

Brilliant idea to remove the tassels! Much less fussiness. I often try a cropped jacket like #4, and it never looks good on me with a longer and fitted top or with a blouse tucked into jeans. How have you worn your cropped jacket that you think was successful? The longer jacket is perfect in 1/2 and the blue looks glorious in you.

I'm glad Mr Marley is on the mend.

Neel

Veteran

Glad that Mr. Marley is doing better. Its scary when DH's need medical attention.

You look wonderful in the final outfit pic. That blue is a great color on you. And I couldn't agree more that taking outfit pics puts a lot of things under perspective!

Anonymous

The outfit is so cool and I enjoyed your narrative on how you edited it with pics! Hope all is well with your husband's health.

Vix

Veteran

Hi Marley --

Always great to see your careful selections -- just sorry to hear about Mr M! Hope he's recovering nicely.

Great call to remove the tassels. I think the V of the neckline kept the blue/black from looking *quite* as boxy as you thought it did, but no doubt the final look was sharp as the proverbial tack!

Vicki

(website)

Veteran

Marley, you really showed the power of photos and how every picture tells a story. What a great idea to trim away the tassels and I can see how the jacket change made a difference in the way you felt about the final version of your outfit. I didn't even notice the twisty nature of the top.

I do hope Mr. Marley is doing better and my thoughts are with you. I would never have imagined you were dealing with so much, because you look really beautiful and marvelous and that hoodie is a great color on you as it matches your gorgeous eyes.

AJ

Veteran

Wonderful example that illustrates how small details can make such a difference! Also a great reminder to do a test trial when trying new combinations. That's such a pretty blue on you!

So happy to know Mr. Marley is getting better!

rae

(website)

Veteran

I love this, Marley! *waving at the hoodie*

You are so right that the camera works wonders - I realllly wish I had taken a photo before leaving the house today.

LAR101

Thanks for posting. It's so helpful to see how you worked through this outfit to the final choice.
I like the blue sleeves poking out. It's the bookending thing; adds interest.

Marley

Veteran

Hi Everyone - so sorry that I did a "post and run" yesterday. I thought that I'd have time to get back to it last night - but I was just too tired. DH appears to be OK now - he's had several minor heart attacks in the past, so it's always scary when he gets heart related symptoms. I still don't feel completely satisfied with how they treated him this week - but, it was basically his choice, not mine - so, I've just got to let it drop and stop worrying about him.
As far as my outfit goes, you guys are so kind. On the Happiness Scale I rated this one a 6 - but that may be influenced by what I was dealing with yesterday. Whatever it was, I don't think I'll be wearing this particular combination again. I thought that the hoodie/blazer combo was so easy - but, I'm learning that it really takes some thought to make it look right! Oh well, on to the next outfit! Again, thank you everyone for your kind words and warm wishes!

JulieJohn

Veteran

Well, your outstanding fabness is making me rethink hoodies with jackets, which I previously didn't care for. That deep sky blue was made for you, you glow in that color, and of course you look great in black, no surprise to me there.

Thanks for taking us on the journey of how this outfit was crafted. I always heard more tassels was better, but that was in stripper school, so it might not apply to regular daytime life. I think you made the right choice.

All the best to the Mister.

gryffin

Veteran

Marley - the final outfit is stunning. The photos were incredibly revealing and that is something I need to try and do more of. I love you in the blue hoodie - look how beautiful with your eyes (definitely a good call on removing the tassels, they detracted but the hoodie is tres fab), I would never have thought of using the leopard with the blue hoodie but I adore it on you. I love how the leopard bookends your hair color and is beautiful with your skin. Love the black jacket and jeans. You look elegant but relaxed and snug. I think the bag works beautifully. You pattern mix brilliantly. So sorry hear Mr. Marley was unwell but glad he is doing better. For someone who must be very stressed out you look amazing!!

Lisa

Veteran

I hope Mr. M is doing better. Gorgeous blue color here. I really like it against the black. I also find WIW photos very helpful. I no longer keep anything I purchase without taking a photo at home first. I don't trust the store mirrors or my own judgement anymore. The camera does not lie.

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