"YLF Challenge Chain" participants -- anyone succeeding?

April

Remember last year when Hanna started the first "Challenge Chain" where we chose someone using a random number generator and posed a wardrobe challenge to that person, who in turn challenged someone else, etc.?

I was just thinking about the first challenge and realizing I have made very little progress in fulfilling it on an ongoing basis. Like, none. Kari challenged me to bring more color into an outfit:

http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....s-april-to

Not only did I never end up wearing that cardi in a real outfit, I sent it to the consignment shop a couple of months ago and it found a good home. It was just a very. Bright. Turquoise. I'm not sure I'll ever be a bright-colors person. <sigh>

So, over to others. Did anyone actually succeed in bringing their challenge to life on a regular basis?

16 years ago

General

8 replies

Latest reply was from Kari

Maya

Veteran

Hmm, to me the point of the challenge chain was to simply get us thinking outside our usual comfort zone and find new ways of coming up with outfit ideas...not to create an outfit that we wear regularly.

Jean issued me the challenge of wearing a romantic, all-neutral outfit and I wore a white pencil skirt and a black lace jacket. I had to return the pencil skirt as it was just too constricting and the fabric was quite heavy for summer, so there is no chance of me recreating that outfit, but I probably wouldn't do it anyway as it just isn't something I would feel comfortable wearing on a regular basis. It was way too dressy and not appropriate for my lifestyle. The lace jacket is something I keep for special occasions, but since I have no special occasions, it never gets worn. I don't think I have worn it in about 2 years. I always think of tossing it but I *know* as soon as I toss it, I'll need it.

16 years ago

April

Veteran

Maya, your conception of the challenge was exactly the same as mine. I think I didn't make clear what I was asking -- here's another go: did you succeed in using the theme of your challenge to branch out in some way on a regular basis? For example, have you succeeded at creating any romantic, all-neutral looks since the challenge?

My challenge had to do with bringing in more color to my outfits, and I don't think I've done that at all.

16 years ago

Maya

Veteran

I guess I take a broader view on those challenges. No, I haven't created any romantic or neutral outfits because it isn't my personality at all. I am NOT a romantic person and the only neutrals I wear are black, gray, and white (and pseudo neutrals like red and yellow, but they don't really count). It's not a question of failing or succeeding, it's just a choice I have made. I am constantly trying new silhouettes, colors, and styles, so it certainly isn't a matter of being "safe." It just is not a part of my identity, aesthetic, or lifestyle.

What I *have* taken away from the challenge is that I can look at styles that I like but that may not necessarily be mine, and make them my own. The outfit I created for the challenge is still "me" because of the graphic black against white and fun houndstooth bag, but it isn't a look I would want to incorporate into my daily life. I also found out that if I ever have an occasion to look more soft and romantic than I usually do, I have an idea of what I can wear.

16 years ago

marianne

Active Member

I didn't think of the challenge as something you HAVE to incorporate, and more like a fresh spin on things. My challenge was to put something together using current trends from magazines. I can proudly say that I am way trendier that when I started on YLF. Actually today I am feeling a little too trendy for myself - I am wearing a b/w striped turtleneck, skinnies, EM grey slouchy boots, navy military-inspired jacket and Laura's cobalt bag. It's a little more than typical, but I might be feeling that way because of my uber-casual work environment, but to Maya's point, if I need a trendy outfit I know I can do it.

16 years ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

April, it’s so nice to see you post regularly again. I missed you.

I think the challenges were great learning curves. I never wore the Israeli challenge outfit and gave the earthy scarf away to a friend. But I absolutely wore the other two outfits as is and sport gold hardware very regularly (a la Ms. Valentino and Ms. Chanel).

Marianne, that sounds like a “you” outfit to me :0)

16 years ago

Queen Mum

Veteran

April- I'm having an apoplexy at the fact that you got rid of that cardigan! I could just beat you with a wet noodle....

16 years ago

April

Veteran

Queenie -- I know, I know. I kept taking it out of my closet and putting it back in. Every time I would put it with an outfit, I would end up taking it off before I left the house. It was just really, really bright (I know that doesn't show in the challenge photo.)

I finally decided to consign it before it went out of style. <sigh>

16 years ago

Kari

Veteran

Well, I still don't have a 100% voluminous/unstructured top, but I'm comfortable adding a slightly less structured top or dress to my wardrobe, and I *did* grow much more comfortable mixing patterns/prints as a result of the challenge. I think the biggest impact of the challenge was seeing everyone try concepts that were very different from their own personal style, or even concepts that they thought would never work, and making them succeed beautifully.

16 years ago

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