Woman in the elevator - YouLookFab Forum

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Woman in the elevator

Katerina

Veteran

Dear Fabbers,
This morning, I entered an elevator in my office building and there was a woman in a wonderful outfit, a stranger. She was wearing a pair of jeans, an oversized olive bomber jacket with large colourful butterfly and flower appliqués and a pair of knitted fingerless gloves, also olive green. Her hair was shoulder lenght, dark blond, slightly wavy. I guess she was in her thirties.
She looked so stylish and chic in this casual combo, that I could not help but stare at her the brief moment between four floors.
It made me thinking that unfortunately, it is not so very often I see someone in an outfit which makes me delighted or smile. Not in my work environment, anyway.
So I wonder - how about you? How often do you meet someone in an outfit, or a style, which truly sparks joy and makes you smile? And If it happened lately, what was the outfit?

General

40 replies

Latest reply was from Katerina

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Ooooh. What a great question, Katerina! If I saw YOU in an elevator it would certainly spark joy!

Here's my example. I was on the bus here in Vancouver, headed downtown. A woman who was probably in her late 60s or early 70s got on. She was slender and relatively but not extremely tall, fine boned, with short white hair, swept back from her face. She had an aquiline nose, large tortoiseshell sunglasses, round gold filigreed earrings. She was wearing a cream turtlneck, and cream jogging pants (very slim, though -- almost like leggings, but with jogger-style cuffs at the bottom). On her wrists she had some gold bangles. On her feet, some pointy gold flats with a filigree design that echoed her earrings. She carried a cream and black bag.

Over top, though -- that was the amazing thing. I don't know if it was a "coat" or a "dress." It was almost like an artist's smock. It was cotton poplin. It was mustard gold. It had voluminous puffy sleeves that came to her elbows (showing some of the cream of her longsleeved layer). It was vented in back. It came to the bottom of her knees in the back and just above them in front. It was cunningly cut so that it did not overwhelm her small frame even though it was oversized. It was GORGEOUS on her. And extremely distinctive. She did not look like anyone else I have seen in this city.

Jane

Veteran

Most days I see something that catches my eye, but not quite in the 'truly sparks joy' category.

There is a store that has just opened near the office 'Essentiel Antwerp' and the clothes in there 'truly sparks joy' to me. Colourful, bright, modern. But may be that doesn't really count, as it is a store!

Milan was amazing for seeing outfits that 'truly sparked joy'; such variety, such style. I saw three women at a bus stop, one in green culottes and jacket; another in a tartan dress and another wearing something different again. They looked so good together, not intentional, but very stylish.

Helena

Veteran

Love this story - I can't say I've seen anyone lately tbh; probably because up until yesterday, everyone was still buried in coats. I'll keep my eyes open as I'm out and about for this type of happy inspiration!

rachylou

Veteran

It’s been awhile since I saw someone inspiring like that. The last time maybe was two years ago. Saw a 14-year-old in red velvet slipons. Lol. I went on a hunt for some myself and now have three pairs. Lol.

Katerina

Veteran

Wow, Suz! What a story. You describe the outfit so beautifully that I can really see it in front of me, and it is gorgeous.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

I wish I had asked her if I could take her photo. Missed opportunity. But if I ever see her again, I will ask!

Katerina

Veteran

Jane, Milan sounds like a great place to be inspired and style delighted. I have never been there....

Torontogirl, yes! I look forward to some spring inspo due time.

What a fun inspiration, Rachylou!

Synne

Veteran

Oh, I call these my unicorn moments! It's rare but marvelous to spot one in the wild, often very unexpected. Can't think of a recent encounter, though. I guess I should get out more...

Lucy

This happens occasionally; although, I'm coming up blank trying to think of a specific one. I will admit I almost always regret not telling the person how great they look. It can really make someone's day!

Katerina

Veteran

Synne, what a great description.

Lucy, you are so right, good you mention it. Getting an honest compliment can make someone happy indeed.

Cardiff girl

Veteran

Saw a lady at a flower show dressed in what I would describe as an exaggerated 5Os style dress,with lots of net petticoat underneath the skirt.My daughter was captivated and asked her for a photo which,bless her ,the lady was happy to comply with.It always makes my day to see some one dressed well with individuality.

cjh

(website)

Veteran

I’ve mentioned the gentleman at an art gallery reception wearing a classic beret, and a black wool pea coat with red buttons. Very cool. It may have been the same reception: the gallery curator wore her staff shirt, a white oxford button down collared with embroidered logo (who ordered those!?!?!?!?), and succeeded in transforming to gorgeous by wearing with bootcut jeans, genuine cowboy boots, a bright orange floral kimono, an ethnic beaded bib style necklace and long blown glass teardrop earrings.

Jenn

(website)

Veteran

I am really lucky in that my job involves weekends working craft/flea markets. The people-watching is great at these, and I feel like people use events like this as an opportunity to dress casually and creatively. It's rare that I do a market and don't see several outfits I file away as inspiration.

Glory

Veteran

Yes this happened last week! In IKEA!
A fabulous mother and daughter at the checkout both gorgeous. The daughter - about 30 had her hair up in a pristine bun. You don’t see that often here - the messy bun is predominant. She had on a ribbed orange mock turtleneck, dark skinny jeans and a black and white woven bomber jacket. Being the lemming that I am - I’m still lusting for the jacket. She looks so unique and well put together!

Katerina

Veteran

Cardiff girl, cjh and Glory - thank you for sharing your meeting or seeing someone who inspired you. There are so many different ways that can appeal to us. All from the 50ies retro dress to arty to minimalist chic. How fun to read about it.

Jenn, sounds so great, how lucky you are!

Neelie

Veteran

Suz, Is it possible you saw Mel Kobayashi of bagandaberet.blogspot.ca Your description sounds just like her... she is a real fashion icon and beauty based in Vancouver

Carla

Veteran

When I worked in The Big City, there was young woman that I would see on my way to work. She was Asian and tall, often wearing chunky healed platform booties that made her even taller. She had amazing winter coats - always princess line in different colours of wool. She always wore a jaunty co-ordinating hat and a meter long black braid straight down her back with a bow tied at the end.

There was also an older woman with black hair streaked with white that she always wore wild and spiked up and out like a mad genius. I always saw her in black and white - often black trousers with a white tuxedo style shirt. Sometimes an avant guard jacket or vest. Always a slick of bright pink or red lippy. I would see her in the underground PATH around Roy Thompson Hall so speculated that she was involved in the arts.

One of my 30 something co-workers was into a retro style (50's (?)) that she modified for work. She wore bright colours like red, yellow, cobalt, and green. Her make-up was pale skin, dark eyes, and bold lips. She coloured her naturally dark hair with a burgundy rinse and wore a short bob with baby bangs. I always looked forward to what she wore and we could talk shopping and fashion.

There is a woman who attends Tuesday night bridge who has rainbow hair. Her glasses were multicoloured and matched her hair perfectly, however she recently has eye surgery and no longer needs her specs! She uses a cane, and it is top to bottom floral. She has a boho style and wears lots of teals and blues in natural motifs.

Sal

Veteran

In Parma I caught a glimpse of this woman in an amazing jacket and took these bad pics. Great shoes and coat and relaxed bold elegance - just what I want to achieve myself.

Milan was definitely good too for great outfits. I still remember seeing a woman in my home city about 8 years ago wearing a red blazer and perfect jeans with a red lipstick.

Excuse my son in the foreground. His fashion sense is still to develop.

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RobinF

Veteran

Wow, what an interesting question! I don't know if I am too non-observant or there just aren't striking dressers around here - maybe both. But I love reading all of your descriptions! I need to pay better attention to my surroundings.

Katerina

Veteran

Runcarla, fabulous descriptions - all the ladies’ styles sound very interesting. Especially the first one - the tall lady with the long braid sounds striking. Thank you for sharing them.

Wow, Sal! That is a chic outfit. It would suit you very well. Your son’s outfit looks nice - casual holiday cute.

RobinF, thanks for chiming in.

Kate

Veteran

It's been a while, a couple of years maybe, but I was just off the metro, and heading in a crush of people toward the stairs, when I saw a woman, probably late 60s to early 70s with cropped salt and pepper hair, wearing a sleek bright orange trouser suit. I melted with delight. She looked fabulous. I wish I could tell you about her jewelry, shoes and bag, but honestly all I saw was her in that orange suit. I stopped her in passing to compliment her on how terrific she looked, and her face just lit up. But that was nothing in comparison to the delight of her younger companion, a 40-ish man who laughed with pleasure, and said, 'See I always tell you how wonderful you look.' I still get a jolt of pleasuring remembering that encounter. We were three happy people that afternoon.

Katerina

Veteran

Oh, Kate! That is such a wonderful story!

Anonymous

I am lucky. I see women (and a few men) every single day that spark joy in me. We have some very stylish dressers in my office building.

Anonymous

There are a couple of men who are members at the med fitness facility I work at who are architects , and dress/groom themselves exactly as you think an architect should . I stare unabashedly . Sharp haircuts, Uber polished oxfords , interesting eyeglasses etc. I die . I’m never shy admiring other people’s fantastic outfits !

kkards

Veteran

Like sterling I see people all the time whose style sparks joy. Some times it’s someone I work with and the joy is because I know they put in extra effort that day, Sometimes it’s someone at work I don’t know but what they are wearing is interesting and really put together. But often it’s just some random person in Whole Foods or Target. I’m lucky to live in a really mixed neighborhood with tons of students, tech workers, people in the medical field and a real mix of incomes. It makes for great people watching.

Brooklyn

Veteran

Yes, all the time! And I generally try to tell the person how much I like their style (if I feel I can do it without being too intrusive).

Yesterday I was at the supermarket and I admired the look of the woman operating the checkout. She had olive skin and dark hair. Her hair was pulled back in a ponytail and she was wearing a sort of faux leather brocade headband. Gold hoop earrings. Beautifully made up. She was also wearing a sleeveless pinafore dress over a white long sleeve pullover. The white sleeves contrasted beautifully with her skin and hair. She looked fantastic. I told her I thought she had great style.

Gaylene

Veteran

While waiting in a doctor’s reception area a few years ago, I saw an older woman, probably in her late seventies, who haltingly walked into the office with the aid of a walker. Her silver hair was immaculately pulled back into a chignon and her low-heeled pumps were polished to a high gloss. She wore an impeccably cut brown tweed jacket with a cream turtleneck sweater and cream trousers—and looked absolutely stunning despite the fact that her jacket and pants were a dead ringer for Diane Keaton’s 80’s “Baby Boom” look.

What astonished me (and, I suspect, the others in the room) was the obvious care and attention she had put into her appearance for that doctor’s appointment. Her effort was her gift to her physician and his staff as well as those of us lucky enough to be in that waiting room. Whenever I’m tempted to run an errand in my sweatpants and old sweater, it’s her image which drives me back into my closet because, if she could do it, so can I.

K.M.

Veteran

I love this question! I adore watching people in general, and I often admire their unique styles and outfits. It doesn't have to be perfect or fabulous--sometimes it's a cute jacket, or fun shoes, or someone who plays with proportions. I'm an equal-opportunity admirer, from avant-garde to mainstream, and I really enjoy getting inspiration from the way others dress.

Today I did spot someone who was very striking, though. He was a young, slender man wearing very short and tight black shorts, a black cropped top with long sleeves, black shoes. I was driving so I only caught a glimpse of him on the other side of the street as I went by. The black outfit contrasted with his very white skin, and he strutted so confidently, he seemed to glide. That confidence and uniqueness brought a smile to my face.

Anonymous

I often see an older woman at church. She has Alzheimer’s but dresses with care. She must love color and patterns. Last Sunday she had on a light grey dress with tights of brilliant colors with a complicated dinosaur pattern. She wore a knitted poncho with most of the same vibrant colors in a sort of patchwork design. It was unexpected and brilliant. It just shows that even disease can’t blot out fun with fashiion.
Another inspirational church lady lost her hair with chemo. She wears fabulous hats and cowboy boots, usually with swishy dresses. She has a unique style that works well for her and buys her clothes second hand or from local designers.

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