Amiable's Blog

WIW, and a mini-epiphany (ETA: another pic)

February 25, 2013

Yesterday, I debuted my red jeans to church (they've been worn everywhere else, just not there). I tried to polish them (really myself) up by keeping everything else classic. Does the combo work? (#1)

Today, I saw Ceit's brown/blue look first thing, and loved it. So I paired brown and blue today too. I'm thinking the blue denim top is maybe a tad shorter than I want, but overall, I think it's okay - what should be improved?

Last night I read up a little on the Kibbe styles after krish's thread, and learned that I'm most likely a "natural". So I read some about naturals (and plan to read more). But my take-away from the initial reading was that I dislike anything that feels or looks contrived. this is useful to me in understanding why and I'm RATE, and why I don't do matchy-matchy and things like that. It also explains why I don't really do stiff fabrics (at least in shirts). I'm a soft fabrics girl.

In light of being a "natural", I almost think that yesterday's red-jeans outfit is too contrived looking. What do you think? I suppose this question could also be phrased as "how does a RATE girl polish up while staying true to herself?"

ETA: Today's outfit - tucked. How do you like it?
ETA2: And semi-tucked :)

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Posted in the What I Wore category
This post is also published in the youlookfab forum. You can read and reply to it in either place. All replies will appear in both places.

25 Comments

  • bj1111 replied 11 years ago

    WOW...love one with bookending the red pants with your lippy.

    eta...if it's not your cup...reserve for occasions that require more polish than rate.

  • replied 11 years ago

    I think you look nice in both outfits. I'm more RATE, too, but my dressy outfits are always more polished ... and I prefer them this way. It's nice to change things up a bit for special places, like church or special events. I don't think it's being untrue to your RATE style at all. It's still a more tomboyish look.

  • Nicole D replied 11 years ago

    Interesting, because the polished look is my favourite outfit you have ever posted! Must be my personal bias for polish. #2 definitely more RATE and maybe more you, it looks great as well.

  • catgirl replied 11 years ago

    I think I've been forced to do polished for work, and in that case I look for fabrics (leather, silk) with the feeling of RATE through texture and cut. If that makes any sense.

  • rachylou replied 11 years ago

    I rather agree it's too done up, but I think remove the jewelry and you're there.

  • texstyle replied 11 years ago

    Wow - I think #1 is my favorite post of you ever as well! That looks great - and not too polished, just very nice! The belt and handbag give just the right added touches with that tucked sweater/blouse. Your ear rings and lip color are great here too. Now I want to see #2 with a tucked shirt and belt.

  • catgirl replied 11 years ago

    Oh, forgot to say I like both of these - your first outfit is more "put-together" but still well within your range!

  • pil replied 11 years ago

    Those red skinnies are a real treasure. I like the red lips, but maybe not doing that brings the outfit down a notch for you? I like Texstyles' suggestion to tuck the shirt in 2 - that would be fabulous.

  • Sara L. replied 11 years ago

    I like both these outfits! #1 looks more polished but I still get a 'you' vibe. #2 is more like what I'm used to seeing and I really like the boots and denim shirt combo.

  • amiable replied 11 years ago

    Wow - Thanks for the replies and suggestions! I'm really just exploring. I liked the red outfit when I wore it, and got lots of compliments.

    I'm really just exploring in this post - I'm not convinced that the outfit is too polished for me, just wondering. Here's a pic of today's outfit, tucked. You're right - I like it this way better, I think :)

    Suggestions? (On either of them..)

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  • DonnaF replied 11 years ago

    I really like the church outfit and am glad you're thinking it felt like *you*. I like the second outfit slightly more untucked, but am wondering what it would look like with a semi-tuck. . .

  • Tina.b replied 11 years ago

    I think the first outfit looks fantastic. I still see the elements of your RATE style even with the dressier version. I think we all work within a continuum and the flexibility is what makes out personal style interesting.

    I love outfit #2, very casual, but stylish. Very "you" as well, which is what I always strive to achieve when I put together an outfit. I much prefer it untucked, but I'm team untucked. :)

  • amiable replied 11 years ago

    Thanks Donna and Tina - I'll admit, the shirt didn't stay tucked in very long. Here's the semi-tuck. I'm not sure it's much different than tucked.

    Better?

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  • Joy replied 11 years ago

    I like both of these with the tucked shirt, but your church outfit really shines.

  • Tina.b replied 11 years ago

    The semi-tuck looks great. I now like it equally to the untucked version. It is amazing how any different looks one can achieve with something so simple!

  • replied 11 years ago

    I like the semi-tuck! I like your church outfit too!

  • Karie replied 11 years ago

    I love #1! You've styled it perfectly and you look fantastic, a "polished RATE!"

    Number 2 is a little short, but not too much so. I also like #3, the semi-tucked shirt.

  • moira replied 11 years ago

    I don't think I equate polished with contrived at all.
    I like #1 very much. You made it a little special for church, and I think that is appropriate. You look great.
    That same look might look contrived for taking the kids to the playground. Without the jewelry and lipstick it would be perfect.
    Does this make sense?

  • Beth Ann replied 11 years ago

    I think number #1 is quite "you." It has a bit of androgynous vibe with the low rise, strong belt and shoes, etc. Perhaps leaving out the lippy (which I like) might represent the natural more to you.

    Love the blue/brown in #2 also, just a more casual look --- semi-tuck is my favorite.

    I'm with Tina B.! Use Kibbe and style descriptors as inspiration, but stay flexible and view you "style" as flexible and fluid.

  • rachylou replied 11 years ago

    Love the denim shirt and semi-tuck!

  • Marley replied 11 years ago

    You just have the *best* face for your hairstyle. In #1, you look a LOT like Ann Hathaway. So cute!
    As far as the outfits go - #1 is wonderful - my favorite of yours so far. If you want to "rough" it up a bit, all you'd have to do is scrunch the sleeves and/or spike a few pieces of your hair to make it more tousled looking!
    I also like the 2nd outfit - with the semi-tuck - I'd scrunch the sleeves on the shirt though - I think that would make it look less "buttoned" up and more relaxed and natural.

  • Aida replied 11 years ago

    #1 (red pants) and #4 (semi-tuck) look great to me! I personally do not find matchingness as an indicator of being contrived :) I like the idea of using androgyny to polish up a RATE look for you, which #1 does; my vote is to leave off the necklace and stick to very simple earrings like plain hoops, but definitely keep the bright red lip (my favorite!). Any rougher and you may not like to wear that to church, right? #4 with the semi-tuck gets my vote (although #2 untucked also look good); you have structure, you have slouchy, and you have a little roughness. It has a bit of a gamine vibe, and I especially like that one without jewelry.

  • amiable replied 11 years ago

    Aida and Marley - thank you both for your suggestions - you're both spot on!

    I so appreciate you all taking the time to make suggestions and teach me!

    I love the idea of using androgeny to polish up the RATE look - I think that's going to work really well for me.

    And as many of you have hinted, I suspect my style is outgrowing my jewelry. I'm going to have to give this some thought - while I may look better and more "me" without them, I really do love a big statement piece (usually earrings). Hmm...

  • unfrumped replied 11 years ago

    I like #1 a lot. I'm not RATE, but I can see how the outfitting make you feel.too unRATE for what you like. In that case,something like a bag that is a bit bigger and more rugged - more texture, studded, or fringed,for example,or jewelry that is more edgy, or none as per rachylou, but worn with the neat tucked in.look and sleek.boots, could give you the juxtaposition you might like.

  • CocoLion replied 11 years ago

    #1 and #4 look fantastic! You look great with a little makeup on too.

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