Would you rather look good up close or from a distance? - YouLookFab Forum

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Outfits Ensembles Trends Advice

Would you rather look good up close or from a distance?

Anonymous

I wasn't sure exactly how to phrase this question. It could have also been 'Would you have people notice *you* or your outfit first?' It borders along the line of the body flattery debate I guess.

This subject has been brewing in the back of my mind for a while. I'm trying some new colors, silhouettes and some black and white prints. Yesterday, I stopped off at Last Chance on my way to work and found a knit black and white horizontally striped blazer. The pattern is pretty graphic, and jumps out at you before you notice my features. But I bought it anyway because it was a great deal, and I can always bring it to the SoCal YLF swap.

That got me thinking, if I wear a blazer like this, I'm more likely to get noticed from a distance. But close up, it doesn't really do anything for my soft coloring and features. I tend to gravitate towards things (colors and shapes) that look better close up (like sitting across a table from someone) and that might not get me noticed from across the room or street.

What about you? Do you want to turn heads with your outfit from a distance? Or are you more concerned with how you look 'up close and personal'?

Dressing

45 replies

Latest reply was from fashionista

KikiG

Veteran

It depends.

I do a fair amout of public speaking, sometimes in front of quite a few people, and sometimes from a podium. That is theatre, really. I tend to make some adjustments for makeup and try to not wear anything that will photograph badly, because there are often (horrible) photos taken of me talking that end up being published somewhere, ugh. (No one looks good when photographed in speech, I don't think!) However, if I am going to be in a classroom setting, teaching, that is more of a look good close up situation. I want an outfit that looks good from a distance, and up close.

For ordinary office stuff, I'd rather look good close up.
For MOTG, close up and distance, please.

cheryl

Veteran

I have never given this much thought before. I guess I don't really have a preference. If I like it, I wear it and it doesn't matter if it shouts or if it whispers, lol

Anonymous

When I was young and unmarried, I wanted to be noticed from a distance. Now I'm more concerned about the clothes not wearing me. I find, for example, the high contrast wide stripes you describe to be a bit much. Navy or black and cream or grey tend to work better for me now. On the other hand, one doesn't want to blend into the woodwork or be invisible.

Anonymous

Kiki, you almost have a need for 'stage make-up' in you public speaking role! I wouldn't want anyone taking picture of me while I was talking, either, lol!

Cheryl, you are dressing for yourself then, and I think that's the ticket.

Joy, after I wrote that, I thought "Correct answer: Both." IKWYM about trying to find that balance between LOUD and invisible.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Interesting discussion! I need to feel that I look my best from up close - not bothered about the distance - although I do wear blindingly bright colours that make me stand out at a distance. I have lots of personal, "up close" meetings with people and the detail needs to be right from this distance.

milehighstyle (Linda)

Veteran

Timely post for me - I've never really given this much thought until yesterday when I got my proofs back for a business website photo. I looked awful in the photos and I usually like the way I look in photos, assuming I'm not caught at a weird angle or whatever. I was wearing a navy pinstriped suit, which I thought was flattering and it got me thinking, I have no idea if there are some colors/shades that don't suit me. I guess that makes me a "from a distance" person, as I go more for body flattery than face flattery. But in this situation, I wish I knew more about up close flattery. I'm going for a reshoot with an orangy/coral blazer and I'll see if that makes a difference. Could have just been the lighting/background, though.

rae

(website)

Veteran

Ooh, great topic! Reminds me of "Clueless," when they call one girl a Monet because she's a mess up close...

I'd rather my clothes *not* wear me, no matter if I stand out from afar or not. IMO, clothes are tools to make me feel good, and I won't feel good if I look in the mirror and see a sickly, tired complexion. And I don't want anyone thinking, "Oh, what a pretty dress... but too bad about her face!" o_0 Not that it's ever that extreme. Or maybe it is and I just don't hear about it.

Meredith1953

Veteran

I want my clothing to flatter me but not "wear" me. I guess that makes me an up close and personal kind of dresser.

Transcona Shannon

Veteran

This is a great discussion and topic Claire! I think I prefer to look good up close. I'm a "people person" and love to chat and laugh and visit with others, and I enjoy looking people in the eye when having a conversation, so I think how I look close up is probably more important.

MsMary

Veteran

In my work I do a lot of public speaking in a smallish room so my optimum "I need to look good from here" distance is about 15-20 feet. Now that I think about it, I probably wear a touch more makeup than I would if I were strictly up-close-and-personal all day, every day. As for my clothes, I may be crazy but I want them to look good at every distance!

rachylou

Veteran

Ah, soooooooo telling: I'm pretty sure I'm a "from a distance person." I don't have fantasies about being a superstar or anything, but if I'm in a lobby waiting for a job interview, for example, I want to be *seen.*

I am also prepared to sit at a center table in restaurants. LOL.

Anonymous

MHS, I hope your re-shoot goes better. There is a lot of info out there about what colors are flattering to your coloring. Here's a good website:
http://www.thechicfashionista.com
If you want, post pictures of yourself in your orange/coral blazer and we'll tell you what we think!

Rae, I've never seen Clueless, but I love that analogy! That's exactly what I'm talking about!

Meredith and Shannon, I'm with you, but somehow I feel like the things that aren't particularly flattering on me are the more fashionable or 'on trend' things. I feel like I'm settling into boring classic instead of Modern Classic. I'm talking about shapes and styles here....not just colors. I spent some time reading online about the Kibbe types again. Sometimes when shopping I'm torn between something that will get some love on YLF because it's on-trend, and something I know suits me better, even if it's a little ho-hum.

ironkurtin

Veteran

Yes.

rae

(website)

Veteran

Claire, you may feel ho-hum about a piece, but remember you don't wear one piece at a time! It's the outfit that people see. I think the way you put together your classic pieces is exciting and creative - when you layered two button fronts? Awesome.

Anonymous

Angie, I'm quite certain you turn heads coming and going as well as looking beautiful close-up! You have this thing down pat!

IK. Funny.

Kate

Veteran

I think I'm from a distance person. I'd like the perception at that distance to be noticeable, in a good way. I don't think I have ever really worried about the up close view--mine or anyone else's--because I know what I look for in other people at that distance is a smile. I don't really care what they're wearing or how my clothes look at that point. It's all about the face.

Kate

Veteran

BTW, great question Claire. Thanks for asking.

Anonymous

Rae, I think I'm just pining to have the more striking coloring and dramatic body type to pull off some more exciting looks. *sigh* Oh well, I can just live vicariously through you guys!

Transcona Shannon

Veteran

And what makes you think you DON'T have striking colouring and a dramatic body type? Seriously, Claire - you are BEAUTIFUL! Everything you wear (from classic shirts, to skinny jeans, to white jackets to a sexy pareo) you wear with style, fab fit, and Parisian chic attitude! Don't sell yourself short. I love your outfits and there is definitely modern classic in all of them. So there!!!

annagybe

(website)

Veteran

Can I cop out and say I want to look interesting enough from a distance to want someone to look closer?

Anonymous

Ok Shannon, thanks (I'm seriously not fishing for compliments here) but I sometimes want to wear something really graphic and sharp --like this black and white blazer--and I'm more of a 'soft' person. I feel like it comes off harsh on me. And for somereason it's the graphic and sharp looks that get noticed from a distance. Does that makes sense? Do you agree? But thank you for saying all of those lovely things!

Anna, not a cop out at all! I actually think that's a very good strategy!

Transcona Shannon

Veteran

Claire - I know you're not fishing for compliments! But I'm going to give them anyway - ha ha!!!

Maybe you're feeling the same way I was feeling when I was trying out the menswear look. I really wanted it to work - I love the look on others and wanted the edginess it could bring. But the truth is, it isn't me. At least not in the incarnation I was trying. There's nothing wrong with that.

You say you are a "soft" person - nothing wrong with that. And you say you want to wear something really graphic and sharp. But I think you are - just in a different way. Wearing white skinnies with a striped tee and your navy blazer is graphic and sharp. Graphic because it's chunks of vivid colour and sharp because your clothes have shape and fit. I don't know if I'm making any sense...

FWIW I think it's more important to look good up close - that's when people really relate to you as a person, when they are looking you in the eye and hearing you speak.

Anonymous

BOTH! I'd say that most of the time I want to look great up close. I pay careful attention to how colors affect my complexion and whether or not they enhance or flatter my eyes. That said, in my younger years I was regularly on television and had to apply extra makeup so I'd look okay. All that extra makeup looked great on camera but horrible up close! Same for all the times I played for piano competitions or for someone's weddings. I dressed and made up my face differently because I was on stage and being seen from a distance. On many occasions I was also being videotaped.

mrseccentric

(website)

Veteran

Great question! and a tricky one too. Certain colors, shapes, levels of detail really carry from a distance, and certain flatter up close. There's some overlap, but it's not complete. It comes down to much in personal style - like it or not, if you really want to look your best some things will work better than others. I know it's not popular to say, but there it is.

At the same time, what any one person can wear and look great still leaves a lot of choices! And Claire, i really agree with Shannon about your 'far distance' impact. It's a lot more graphic and bold than i think it reads to you. I'm thinking that you might benefit from keeping a little folder of the type of graphic/edgy looks you aspire to wear. Having them to mull over, work with, maybe put on a forum thread could help you find ways to bring that sense into your own style.

I've given up being striking from a distance long ago. My coloring, build, features, etc. are too low contrast and delicate to hold up to that kind of 'frame'. At the same time, what with my hats, victoriana touches, skirts, etc. people seem interested from a distance often enough. It's just a different approach to being noticed from afar, i suppose.

One of the nicest compliments i received was from a couple of performers at a Renaissance Faire. They caught up to me after their show to let me know how much they loved my costume - particularly the fact that it read well from a distance as well as up close! So it's a common conundrum, Claire! steph

Anonymous

Haha thanks TS! We are all finding our way aren't we? I think there are incarnations of the menswear look that really work on you. It's just a matter of fine tuning.

Ruth, wow, is TV make-up that heavy? I know for stage it needs to be. I find it interesting how little of my make-up shows in my WIW photos. I really do wear make-up, I promise. There are times I've gooped it on and you can hardly tell.

I'm running off to a luncheon and a busy day. Have fun without me!

Anonymous

ClearlyClaire: You'd be surprised at how TV lights can wash all the color out of your face, particularly if you have light skin like mine. Of course, it was decades ago that I was on TV, so things may have changed since then. I hope so, because I really had to goop it on to look like I even had a face.

Vicki

(website)

Veteran

At first I thought you meant "the face" and the more I think about it, I guess I would have to say "from a slight distance," because "first impressions" are important. Then, we come closer in our meeting of others. Truly, feeling comfortable in our clothes is the most important, so a "close up" becomes significant. If you dress in a way that pleases you, you'll share that pleasing self with others, I think.

Anonymous

I totally resonate with wanting to wear something fun and "stylish" that may not be "flattering".

I usually stick to what I find flattering, but sometimes I do get bored and wear something that may not be my best...just for the fun of it I think it's a balancing act.

I also recently bought a navy and white horizontal stripe blazer. It does overwhelm my coloring a bit, but I really love it. I wear it when I'm in the mood for something more bold than my usual neutrals and solids. I find a little brighter lipstick helps too!

Kirti

(website)

Veteran

Both! I wear a lot of colour to set myself apart in the sea of neutrals and to be visible even from a distance. But of course, try to pick flattering colours/jewellery that make me look good up close too.

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