I would have to go with up close. for example, I try to wear lipstick sometimes but no color seems to suit me so I don't ever leave the house with it. Far away, no one would notice the mismatch with my coloring.

The one thing that really intrigues me in someone else is their eyes and then their personality so I would say I'm an up close person.

Up close! When I was younger, I'd probably give more credence to from-a-distance (due to going to 'events' as a teen where being specially noticed would be a good thing). Now I'm happy not to be 'loud'.

Since there's no looking good up close for me I can only hope I look decent in a don't bug me kinda way from a distance.

I guess another thing to consider is the possibility that if you live in a high population-density urban area, it will be much harder to be seen from a distance as an individual "unit" (if you will).

I would prefer to look better up close. Perhaps that's because a line from the excellent movie "Clueless" just flashed into my head: Cher is describing this other girl to one of her friends. "She's a Monet. From far away she looks great, but up close she's a big ol' mess!"

Up close!

Claire, this question resonates for me, too. So often I see our fab forum members in brilliant high contrast outfits (Deborah's black and white ensembles come to mind) and wish I could wear those clothes. But I know from experience that the clothes would wear me; I remember picking out a lovely patterned black and white jacket and putting it on once and feeling instantly erased. All you could see was the jacket, not me.

Like you, though, I DO "get away with" certain high contrast looks. Houndstooth (where the white is not a pure white, but a winter white). Navy and white stripes. Navy or black or dark denim rinse jacket with a white or pale blouse.

And so it feels a bit mysterious. What is the secret?

To my mind, you have very striking looks, with beautiful! colouring and a vivid expression, with your strongly marked brows. I see a great deal of energy in you, whatever the colours of the clothing (and lately you are wearing a lot of brights and you seem to wear them very well!)

You mentioned you'd gone back to the Kibbe types. How did you "type" yourself?

And have you tried the Finding your Truth 5 day free course? Like all such self-tests, it can be faulted. And I'm not sure I agree with all the premises. But I found it interesting nonetheless, and explanatory about why some of us do so much better than others in very high contrast looks.

http://dressingyourtruth.com/freecourse-4/

Why all this talk of high contrast? Because I notice those outfits often photograph best and look most interesting on the forum.

And this is a very long-winded answer to your question...I think I would prefer to dress for "close up." But on those occasions when I will be seen from a distance, I try to incorporate SOME kind of drama into my look, whether that be through the cuts or the colours or the contrast of the clothes.

A very interesting question and responses! I thought about this all morning, and have to say both but high preference for up close. I want my outfits to look cohesive as an outfit and I want them to be flattering to me, but I do want the focus to be ME and not the clothes. I take extra care of my skin, wear very little makeup, and am not stingy about smiling as much as possible So my goal is nearly always to have the outfit bring the focus to my face, and THEN to have a focal point of its own. Basically I would want someone to say "You are looking great/healthy/etc. Ooh and I love that blouse!" in that order. EDIT: Have to add also, that I am a big fan of having small details that one wouldn't see from a distance, but certainly would up close.

Now, I feel like I can cheat quite a lot because of my coloring since it's auto high-contrast. Very light skin+very dark hair means that I can pretty much always draw the attention to my face. Wearing light/soft outfits makes my hair the darkest element and brings the attention right to my face. Wearing dark/bright outfits makes my face's skin the lightest and brings the attention right to my face. The only time I have trouble is with BOLD graphic prints that are large scale, so I just have to make sure the scale is small enough that my face is still the primary focal point (plus I'm pretty small, so large scale is usually out anyways).

In your case, I think that if the blazer's stripes were finer rather than wide the scale would suit your softer coloring and not overwhelm you. And also, because you have been excellent about being picky with your fit, and making sure to wear flattering colors, even if the items you're wearing aren't IN YOUR FACE LOUD you will absolutely be noticed from a distance. I can say this with double conviction since I've met you

Oh, up close, for sure. But that doesn't mean you can't wear outfits that look great from a distance. Does it?

Aida makes a brilliant point about SCALE.

The jacket I tried on that erased me had a LARGE scale black and (pure) white pattern. It was just overwhelming for me.

My houndstooth jacket, on the other hand, is much smaller scale.

Wow, another really interesting question and responses. My first thought was the many, many times in my life that I have felt someone looking at me from a distance and then looked away as they got closer. It has taken me a long time to (sort of) understand that it is my unfriendly (petrified) lack of return look rather than some horrible flaw that can only be noticed up close that creates this situation. Anyway, with that said, I think I prefer to look good up close because, in the end, I prefer to deal with people one on one.

Really interesting discussion Claire. I like Anna's comment: "I want to look interesting enough from a distance to want someone to look closer?"

That's kind of how I feel. So for me I want to look good up close and from a distance. I get such a buzz when I see a stylish woman from a distance and want to look closer to see the detail and I would love it if people thought the same when they saw me from a distance.

Some time ago I tried on a long draped knit cardigan in a very bold and stong pattern. Up close I thought it looked gorgeous but when I looked in the mirror from a distance it was a 'dogs dinner'.. I couldn't buy it:(

I also totally agree with Aida's first paragraph above.

Claire I would imagine you cut a striking figure from a distance as well as looking stunning close up. You have a lovely figure and create very attractive silhouettes with your outfits. I am pretty confident you would be one of those stylish women I would notice from a distance and then casually meander closer to check you out (hope that doesn't sound weird).

Oh and the jacket you decribe sounds like one I have too. Are you able to pair something with it that softens the look for you. Maybe pattern mix with some color??
Would love to see it on you.

What a great question, Claire! And thought-provoking responses too!

I am clearly in the minority (of one!) here --- I tend to dress to impress from something of a distance! Or at least that is the ideal I'm after and that is the way I used to dress when I was happy with my looks, when younger. (These days, not so sure where I'm at, or where I'm wanting to go, as yet.)

It's partly that I somewhat believe I'm a 'Monet' --- and how startling that both Rae and Mochi picked up that quote independently! I'm sorta convinced that if you get close enough, I can't hide the big ol' mess anyway, so no point concentrating effort there. Also, I *want* you to know and acknowledge the mess if you're going to be my friend --- and if you aren't, your judgement doesn't matter *as* much anyway.

On the other hand, being a very shy person (surprisingly for a blabbermouth and motorfingers), I tend not to make a great first impression up close --- I'll clam up, seem reserved to the point of unfriendly and arrogant... when it's just that you're making me nervous and uncertain! I'm probably to anxious to be reading your expression up close and wanting you to direct your attention to some small detail of my earring or cuff or shoe so that I can read in peace and unnoticed (because it's rude to stare, isn't it!). AND I'm worrying about the stray eyelash I forgot to 'neaten' up :-p

Too much pressure! I'm happier if I can make an impression from a bit of a distance, so you can decide I might be interesting before you see I might be a bit of a mess! (Sorta like Anna was saying, except I'm convinced up close I do better to depend on my wits than what I wear.) I do like a bit of up-close detailing in my outfits --- but that's as much about making myself happy ('I have a secret') as nudging you to look closer, beyond my prickly/stone-faced/wallflower surface.

However, I can't do sharp or graphic as well either --- I'm curvy and low-contrast (only on the darker rather than paler/blonder side of the spectrum), plus I'm small enough to disappear in a crowd very literally. But I do think, Claire, the same distance impression can be achieved with bold colour and dramatic contrast of shapes. Even a softer silhouette can be dramatic --- like your white skirt, the way it skims the hips and then flares out... that's drama, and that's attention-getting, even more from a distance than up close. Similarly, when you wear your floral blazer with a bright pink shirt, that is bold enough to see from a ways away.

Like Aida was saying, it struck me that Suz's examples are also about scale and contrast. You may not be able to handle large-scale high-contrast clothing in sharp graphic shapes; but you may very well be able to integrate low-contrast large-scale or high-contrast small-scale items! And they can be soft dramatic shapes rather than rigid, sharp, graphic (like, again, a black & white floral). Suz mentions her difficulty with black & white... vs denim, which is after all blue like her eyes, while black isn't part of her natural palette and needs more bridging with greys etc probably?

I'd say up close. I never did want to be noticed from afar, at any age. That doesn't mean I don't care if I look nice or attractive in general, just that I have never had that "look at me" factor in my wardrobe. I also shy away from looks that I feel might cross over that line (like not carrying my bright red patent bag with my last dressed down mod WIW)

You all are so incredibly smart and insightful! I've loved reading all your comments!

Steph (mrseccentric), you always have a great analysis ready! What you said about your Victoriana touches makes sense. Even with a low contrast color scheme, you can still attract attention with your silhouette. How neat that you got chased down and complimented. That must have felt wonderful!

Ruth, what you said about TV lights washing all of the color out made me think of our intense summer sunlight here. It's one of the reasons I'm wearing brights pretty fearlessly this year. In the bright, bright desert sun, a lot of their vividness seems to be softened, making them easier for me to wear. The lighting can change everything can't it? From candlelight to TV lights, making clothing and make-up choices so important.

Vicki, good point about our confidence from our outfit choices being radiated in our faces!

Sammi, I'd love to see that blazer on you. Sometimes personality/mood can help us carry off a bolder look (plus I need styling ideas, lol)!

Kirti, you have the best of both worlds. You look great in your bright colors up close AND from a distance. I know you say everyone in your town dresses in neutrals, but in my mind, they all dress as colorfully as you! They should anyway!

Jayne, with your complexion, I imagine you could go totally sans make-up and look great!

Freckles yes the eyes are SO important, I agree.

Helen, I was young once. Those were some flamboyant fashion days (mostly egged on by a flamboyant BFF).

Patty, no knocking yourself! That's not allowed here dear. Everyone is beautiful, yourself included.

Mochi, good point about a high density area. Thank you for the exact quote from Clueless! I love it!

Suz, thank you so much for the wonderful comment! I think it has more to do with just the contrast level. My Kibbe type would be a straight classic if I understand the questions correctly. However, I always want to ask, "compared to what?" It's hard to type oneself in a vacuum. So according to Kibbe, the lines in the print and the garment have a lot to do with it, as people of all contrast levels can be classics. So a paisley black and white print would be more classic than a gangster striped suit out of the same black and white. I'm guessing the blazer I got is a little more towards dramatic, with my very limited knowledge (i haven't read his book, just the forum threads about it). I have never heard of dressingyourtruth, but I can't wait to check it out; thanks for the link! IKWM about feeling like high contrast looks photograph better. You are doing a great job incorporating drama and figure flattery, while still keeping your coloring in mind. Your houndstooth might read as a false plain, and your Docs (Sara's?) add quite a bit of high contrast drama away from your face.

Aida, everything you said made so much sense! I could see how the scale of a print could tip over your look. It's also interesting to consider what shapes of a print might be softer (dots), more neutral (striped), or dramatic (ziz-zag). IDK, I'm just guessing on this stuff. Like I said, I haven't read the book.

Elisabeth, of course not! I'd love to figure out how to look just as good up close while still cutting a stylish figure from afar!

Shevia! I'm quite sure your admirers are only brave enough to steal glances at you from afar. Most people (who are strangers to each other) don't stare at one another openly as they get closer together. Please don't think you have a horrible flaw! It's just human nature to be bolder at a distance I think.

Deborah, I check out stylish women on the sly as well! I want to be able to figure out what they're doing that is so attractive. Taking pictures of my outfits is helping me figure out which of my clothing items are the dog's dinner (love that)! I'd love to see your striped jacket and how you wore it. Have you posted an outfit with it before?

Manidipa, how interesting! I hope you make it to a YLF meetup one day. You would feel so comfortable right off the bat because everyone would already *know* you. You could completely be yourself! I think your attention to detail proves that you look as good up close as you do far away. The way your jewelry goes with the lines of a garment or the shape or theme of a print always impresses me!

Mo, even though you're not a 'loud' dresser, I'm quite sure your quiet beauty and well composed outfits are noticed up close *and* far away.

I would rather people see me good from a distance.
I have very badly aligned teeth structure and I hate it when people (even strangers) comment on my this flaw. So I seldom like being up close.