WIWear When Life Gets Crazy - YouLookFab Forum

This Autumn is turning out to be full of change and challenge. I'm strong and healthy, as is everyone I love, but I have a lot of responsibilities and little time and resources. Probably sounds familiar to a lot of you! Anyway, I'm so grateful to YLF for helping me sort my closet out. Looking put together helps me feel, well, put together! Kind of like smiling from the outside in! These aren't fan-tabulous, but they're a far cry from my dressing a year or two ago.

1. Trip to the Zoo with the Kids. So glad I bought these sandals! Walking a big zoo for 6 hours requires happy feet! I recommend Scala hats. They're very reasonably priced and great for sun protection. This one I found at Bass Pro Outlet (yup) for less than $30.

Bermudas by Lee
Voile tunic (old) Eddie Bauer outlet
Scala Collezione hat
Naturalizer sandals

2. Church on Sunday: It was hot, and I was tired. Layering makes me less self-conscious in a knit dress. I find that dark knits or prints are much easier to wear in this silhouette without other layers. I lose the "waist" here, which I'm not sure I like, but I love the colors. This would look better topped with a soft-white jacket --- if I had one!

Hi/lo dress, Chicos
Voile blouse, ON (last year)
Dr. Scholl's sandals

3. First Day of Class: I repeated this outfit for my first day back at teaching.

Top: J.Lo for Kohls (size down, this is a medium)
Skirt --- "Wearables" from a boutique -- shirred poplin
Sandals -- Style and Co.
Purse -- Apt 9, Kohls

4. Second Day of Class: I repeated this outfit (Kari twin!)

Dress: BR outlet
Underlayer T --- JCP
Shoes -- Target (last year)

Both work outfits fit my new rubric: form with flow / energy with ease. This rubric is fitting my mood, too. In a stressful situation, I don't want to wear armor. I want to enter the room looking vibrant and confident, but relaxed. Ready to engage in learning rather than battle (although I can kick a little booty if it's called for -- as my shoes clearly show).

What should I wear more of as I move forward? What can be left behind?

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13 years ago

jayne

Veteran

you do look vibrant and feminine and just downright lovely, I think I am seeing a difference from earlier...do you think it is your rubric or what?

Beth Ann

I think I'm feeling a desire for more ease and movement in my clothes. In the fall, I'll move into deeper colors --- teal, eggplant, claret, etc., but I'm still looking for midi length in skirts, jackets with flow and stretch, a pair of tapered slouchy pants and a pair of Hepburn-style trousers. In past seasons, most of these looks have been overtly boho or "arty." I'm looking for a little modern, a little retro, a little romantic.

I also switch hats a lot during the day -- being with my kids to teaching voice at home and a university, to rehearsals and performances, etc. I'd like less of a sharp delineation between my capsules, more "cross-dressing," if you know what I mean, lol!

BTW -- thanks, Jayne, I rarely get such rapid replies when I post at night!

Deborah

I really like these outfits Beth Ann and I think they are all very much reflective of the direction you are moving in. Form with flow is a great rubric I love it and I think it's perfect for you. I do think #1 fits the rubric as well. #2 is almost there but I agree that a fitted jacket/topper would just bring this up a bit. But...it was hot and you were tired and you look pretty fantastic! If I permitted to say so #4 is Killer IMO.

jenanded

HI BethAnne.... I am loving the move you are making - and intrigued by how you are shifting colours into Fall from your discussion (and previous comments you have made)... I agree with Deborah - the dress 4 is just amazing and I am impressed how your ''new' hair is still looking great! As they say, this too will pass re the zap on energy and resources... Keep rocking the blue dress I say and everyone will just come along with your ideas. Bestest!

Krista

Wow! These outfits are wonderful and really fit your rubric, IMO. Blue is really your color - keep on rocking that wrap dress.

Parsley

Beth Ann, I beg to differ- you look pretty fan-tabulous to me!
This is a great bunch of outfits. #1 is a great MOTG look: relaxed and casual. The hat is a cute and practical way to finish off the outfit.

#2- That dress is so pretty and a great color, but I think you're right that a different topper might look better.

#3 is great. I love that top on you, and the midi and sandals are fierce and fabulous!

#4 -That wrap dress is just gorgeous on you! I love the color and print, and it is super-flattering!

morethanbeige

I totally see *form with flow / energy with ease*. These are all lovely, colorful, energetic outfits. Love the hat in #1 and the whole look.

Queen Mum

You look great! My favorite is #3. Love the pattern of that top and the shoes are fab!

angellynn

Active Member

ooooh... I love #4... the hair, the dress, everything!

Sara L.

These are great outfits! I love the zoo outfit - so pretty and put together but still perfect for a long day outside.

Transcona Shannon

You are translating your rubric perfeclty into your outfits Beth Ann. You wear your casual ensembles just as well as you wear your dressier outfits - to me that's a real accomplishment. I particularly love you in that last dress - this is a shape that is stunning on you and I love the length.

rute

Good luck!
You are gorgeous! Love all outfits!

Thanks for the encouragement. It'll help me negotiate the day with a little spring in my step. I've decided that I'm going to try to keep posting through the change of seasons, and not just the new stuff or the hits -- some of the near misses, too. I learn alot from the seeing the changes people are working toward, and I think documenting speeds the process along.

Jen -- I think I tend to go into deeper, more saturated versions of my favorites in cooler weather -- turquoise to teal, for example, and raspberry to eggplant. I'm also planning on mixing brown and black and trying ink blue instead of so much grey, which, let's face it, doesn't favor my complexion! I wonder if, in transitional September, I could actually mix turquoise with teal in an outfit? Hmmmmmmmm. Oh, BTW -- the blue dress was a repeat, and the photo you're seeing is from last spring. THat WAS my new hair. I've been in daily updo mode with the hot summer. I desperately need a cut!

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

These outfits are all 10s! WELL DONE. You look sensational

Keep on wearing blue, and personally, I love you in the midis (#2 and #3). So elegant.

Thanks, Angie. I'm liking the midi length too! The proportions it's creates seems to be good for me, so I'm trying to make the most of the moment! I still have a hard time finding them -- everything in the stores is still shorter, but I persevere!

I know!!! The promise of midi excess was false

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