Working on my style... - YouLookFab Forum

Style Fan posted a great analysis spun off from an Un-Fancy fashion work assignment, and others have followed. Here is my version.

Lifestyle (per week)
60 hours work/commute
12 hours gym
42 hours sleep
14 hours cooking/baking
40 hours other (chores, reading, music, gardening)
*approximatley every 6 weeks I have a whole week off work during which I do more-sleeping, reading, music, gardening, home project, or travel.

Go-to items
Hanna Highrise straight leg jeans (blue, black, white) MWWH
Grey barely boot cut - Editor trousers - Express
Charcoal full leg trousers - Alfred Sung
Cotton knit turtleneck sweaters
Tank tops
Pencil skirts
Slip on sneakers
Pointy toe flats

Go-to outfits
1. Cotton sweater, over trousers, and low heeled booties
2. Tank top, over pencil skirt, cropped jacket (jean style or bomber), and flats
3. Long sleeved or 3/4 t-shirt, straight leg jeans (cropped or rolled), and slip on sneaks

Colours
Dominant Summer: blue, white
Dominant Winter: black, grey
Accent Major: cognac, silver
Accent Minor: olive, wine, mustard, blush

Word association
Classic
Soft
Warm
Sturdy
Practical
Luxe
Pretty

Cravings
Stripes
Crochet lace
Velvet
Blue and white patterns

What I've learned
Comfort is key. Due to fussy feet I really need to make sure footwear is supportive and cushioned, or that it can take inserts for heel and arch, and that it doesn't squeeze or pinch across the forefoot. Slip on sneakers are my new favourite footwear! Also, I run cold and and have Rayneaud's, so need to stay warm winter and summer. Heat does not bother me at all, but cold is torture!

Cotton is heavily represented in my closet. Jeans are 98% cotton or more, and jean jackets, button downs, knit sweaters, tanks and t's are cotton rich. I have a little bit of wool, and very few 1% synthetic items (with the exception of sports gear). Cotton is easy care, and comfortable. It can be warm in winter or cool in summer. It can be a smooth button down, a plush velvet, a heavy lace, or a sturdy Jean.

Bright makes me happy. I used to think that Bright = Colour, but white has the same effect, and I like it more! As a result, my colour palette has narrowed a lot! There will always be space in my closet for mustard, granny apple green, and red - but they will not be the focus of my shopping, but rather happy incidental discoveries.

My hair is my signiture, and the bane of my existence! It defies any trend driven style, so I never will have cutting edge hair. Furthermore, I'm not motivated enough to spend time styling it, so I need something wash and go that works with its natural texture. Though I've loved experimenting with a curly pixie, I've failed with the upkeep. I'm an every 3 months kind of salon goer. So, I've decided (on the advice of my current stylist) to go back to a chin length curly bob. This is a style I've had off and on since I was little.

Going forward

So, I will be growing my hair a little longer. I will be shopping for white cotton rich items - a replacement for my very old white jean jacket, and some cropped jeans, maybe a white skirt or sundress? New slip on sneakers are on the list. I want to upgrade my sweaters since they work for work and for play. I don't need any work clothes (I retire next year), but I do need to keep my casual clothes current, finish my dressy capsule, and build a high summer casual capsule. I'm in the mood for pretty, and thinking of exploring blush for S/S.

Advice and suggestions welcomed, and Feel free to call me out on any incongruities!

Aspirational style:
http://pin.it/Tqz0MFB

Hair inspiration
http://pin.it/WRidJjV

Pics for S/S style goals.

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9 years ago

Emily K

(website)

Veteran

I see all of this in the photos you've shown AND in the Pinterest board, so I think you must be identifying and articulating your style really well.

Anonymous

I'm so impressed. Knowing yourself is 90% of the. Style and you are there. You have addressed time use/lifestyle, what makes you happy, wants, needs, weaknesses, and I'm sure as a gardener you have considered climate. You know what you can and are willing to do.
Yes, you should explore blush as it is pretty much a neutral and not girly girly pretty like pink. You might pair it with your other colors and neutrals. Especially try pale blues and light faded denim for pretty, and if I remember correctly, to bring out your blue eyes.

jenanded

What a great review and this collection looks really fresh and coordinated. Yes white is a bright. Blush also looks lovely on you. Love your hair though. And those slip on shoes are divine..,.

Sally

Love this and what a fabulous idea to break it down into hours like that. I definitely see your style in those photos. Slip on sneakers are my go to too. I even wear them to work and conveniently forget to put my other shoes on. That outfit in that first photo is fab. I can see you wearing that. Also 12 hours in the gym. I'm impressed.

Style Fan

This is a great summary of your style Carla. I like Joy's suggestion of exploring faded denim. Your hair is definitely an accessory and always there. That was one of the lessons I learnt from YLF. You have such great hair. I am liking your idea of the longer bob.
Love the pics for S/S goals. I also like your pins. I pinned some onto my board. I think the sneakers are very fab. Love the floral ones for you. Aren't they Sam Edelman?

rachylou

Love your boards. I think your plan is well thought out and specific. Also, I do think that touch of pretty is really important for your style. I think your strongest outfits always include that... whereas I don't know that pretty does much for me...

I LOVED this analysis.

Evidently, I need a hair inspiration board.

cindysmith

Wow, I love this inspiration! It's so pretty, and I think it will look lovely on you!

Very thoughtful, organized and comprehensive.
I think you are in the exact place that everyone who gathers here aspires to be - your style and needs are defined and your action plan is in place.
Thanks for sharing in such detail!

Bonnie

You know yourself so well and your plan for going forward looks perfect. This would be a good project for me, I seem to be floundering and am enticed by every style and fad.

RobinF

These are great inspiration pics. The idea of white as a bright is interesting to me, I've just always thought of it as a neutral. I will be interested in how you come up with blush. I have a blush cardigan that I struggle with a little bit - it seems washed out with certain colors.

JAileen

I love your analysis, your style, and the so-called bane of your existence. Your simple elegance reminds me of Katharine Hepburn.

I haven't worn white much since I went grey. I think my hair is the white in every outfit.

Angie

Fashion Stylist

*applause*

The more in tune with yourself you are, the easier this is to do. WELL DONE.

Jaime

Wonderful analysis but now I am lost on your hair board. Will take me some time to climb out !

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