Amiable's Blog

WIW pics and style evolution

July 16, 2013

Today's the first day in ages (well, a bit over six months), that I've gotten dressed knowing that I wouldn't take a WIW picture (I left my camera at my in-laws last night, and won't have it back until tomorrow).  My first thought was "Oh, cool!  I can wear those super ugly linen shorts, because I'm not going anywhere and won't take a pic!".  And I did, and have been super comfy and cool (even though it was almost 90 in the house) all day.

Now, they're not classy, they're not pretty, and I don't feel the least bit stylish in them with my tee-shirt (I didn't even have to go sleeveless!) .  But my happiness factor is high, because I'm cool, and because I feel like I'm being sly - getting away with looking like a slob.

The whole thing makes me laugh, and makes me realize that taking those WIW photos really ups my game.  Is it silly to have an "I'll be showing this outfit to my online friends at YLF, so I'd better do it right", component to my "What shall I wear" decisions?

This is actually all very good - I have learned so much in the last six months of snapping and posting very nearly everything I've worn.  Thanks for helping me grow!

What's your relationship like with WIWs?  Does knowing that you're taking a pic (and potentially putting it online) change the way you dress? 

Posted in the Dressing 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.

20 Comments

  • Krista replied 10 years ago

    Yes but sometimes I take pictures of what I'm wearing without the intention of posting a WIW. I'm just interested in what my outfits look like and I always learn something from their composition.
    All of that being said, on the days I'm completely dressed sloppily, I do say to myself "today is not a YLF day" :)

  • nancylee replied 10 years ago

    I don't post many WIW's...mostly for the reason you cited:  I have to "up" my game for those days!  Plus, sometimes I'm in a hurry and running out the door.  No time for pics.  It's not like I dress like a slob on other days, but I do feel some "pressure" to dress well for YLF postings.  I tend to post my style successes after the fact, but I'd like to be more experimental with my WIW's going forward and be open to sharing my failures.

    Then there are those fearless and lovely YLFers who share their experiments and not-so-good fashion days with us via their WIWs.  They offer great learning experiences for us all, and I always appreciate their willingness to share.

    I do think the documentation of our style in pictures can really help us evolve our style.  When I look back on my photos (whether I've shared them on YLF or not) I can see my style evolution and make better decisions going forward.

  • amiable replied 10 years ago

    Krista - I too take pics of outfits, just to see what they look like.  I often do that to decide what to wear - the camera is much more telling than the mirror.  But when I finally settle into something, I almost always photo and post it.  

    Nancylee - I like to share it all, mostly so that I can get the help - I so desperately need the help, and know I've made lots of strides even though I haven't gone back to look through my pictures (I'm afraid I'd be really embarrassed to see what I used to wear, before I learned about things like properly fitting clothes.  Yikes)

  • shedev replied 10 years ago

    I've learned a lot by taking pictures, both the ones I post and the ones I dont. I dont think I necessarily dress to take WIWs, but when I take a good picture I get a little excited to share and sometimes I do decide I'm not posting the really bad ones. but I think there are a lot less bad ones now than before.

  • Nicola replied 10 years ago

    I was reluctant to post WIWs, not so much feeling the pressure to look great as not sure whether I wanted to put photos of me out in Internet land. So chopping my head off (photos! Not actually removing said head) is a happy compromise.

    I was surprised how much it helped to post photos. Taking them was one thing. It made me look at myself more objectively than a mirror image does, although I'm convinced photos can lie too (especially bad ones). But posting takes it to a whole new level. It makes me actually look at the photo and do a spot of analyzing. And it's nice to read comments and suggestions too.

  • jayne replied 10 years ago

    I try to take a photo every day but rarely post them anymore.  I use them to see the outfit more objectively and track myself against happiness factor later.  Because sometimes I start out feeling fab, and it looks fine in the photo and then after glimpsing myself in mirrors and windows all day long, I start disliking an outfit.  THen I like to have the photo to write down what was the fail about it so I can avoid it next time.  And the opposite, to see the outfits I truly loved and wear again and again, so I can figure out what is so fab about it and try and repeat it.  This dressing is hard work!  but super fun!

  • Deborah replied 10 years ago

    I am a little addicted to taking WIW photos.. and posting them:) I don't do them everyday but certainly when time permits in the morning and if I am trying a combination I may not be sure of. For the most part, I feel the camera doesn't lie so the process of seeing how the outfit looks through the eye of the camera is very useful. If an outfit really isn't working, I will usually change :) And I won't post the outfit unless I think there are some redeeming features to it and would like some help making it work. Personally I am very happy to view outfits from others than are fab, are ok, don't work, need a tweak, were worn bush walking etc... I love seeing it all. And it's on that premise that I posted yesterday's outfit which was pretty RATE.

  • lyn67 replied 10 years ago

    Yes, addicted here, too. I took them mostly each day, but then, don't have the time  to post all here only if having queries or asking for help- but they are still a big help for me looking objective to a pictie of mine and  keeping an evidence of my daily outfits in my personal blog-which is a bit of a creative corner in my life and I like to play with...:-)

  • Lantana replied 10 years ago

    I'm not posting at the moment because I am "between cameras". But I have an internal YLF coach that keeps me on my toes.

  • Transcona Shannon replied 10 years ago

    I take WIW pics every week day and am starting to take more pics of my weekend casual wear. Yes, it makes me "up my game" as you say, but I see that as a good thing in my case. 

    I have learned so much by the picture process that even if I were not posting my outfits on YLF, I think I would still take them for my personal use. 

  • Suz replied 10 years ago

    It's a fascinating process, isn't it? 

    For my first year here, I just took photos when I could get a helper (my daughter). So I showed mainly K/R or things that I liked and wanted to show. 

    In the last year I have been taking photos more regularly. Not posting all the WIWs, but a good portion of them, or representative ones. 

    I try to show all kinds of outfits -- the good, the bad, and the ugly. I admit, it's easier to remember to take pics when I am doing something special and perhaps wearing a new or much-loved item. It is harder to remember to take my super-casual outfits, but I'm trying to snap those also, just for my own benefit, if nothing else. 

    I think for me, the idea of posting photos is less a stick ("Oh oh..I am posting, I'd better make myself look better than usual!!) than it is a carrot. ("Ooooh! I'm posting. I'd better wear something I really like and feel good in!") So it does inspire me to up my game. 

    Ami, you've come so far in the time you have been posting. It really works for you. Now the trick will be to find clothes that are every bit as comfortable for your life, but also feel a bit fashionable. It's not easy, but it can be done. 

  • amiable replied 10 years ago

    I really appreciate that posting makes me "up my game"!  And I was super happy to take my WIW pic this morning again.

    It's also interesting to me how dressing nicely ups my game professionally.   I concentrate better and am more efficient when I work in nicer clothes (especially instead of pajamas...I certainly have a few times - perks of the at-home job)

    I'm just grateful for the journey so far, and all of you-all's help along the way.   I'm amazed at the difference taking the WIWs makes, and laughed at my feelings toward my "day off" yesterday.

  • replied 10 years ago

    I can relate Ami! I've had a whole week off! I agree with you that dressing up a little aids in mental concentration and such when doing desk work. Now I'm eager to go see what you've chosen to wear today. :)

  • Cindy replied 10 years ago

    I started posting WIW pics on Flickr several months ago before I ever heard of YLF. Yes, I do make more of an effort when I'll be posting pics. I don't post on the days that I know my outfit doesn't work. LOL
    (Like today when I discovered that the tunic I wanted to wear with my leggings is too small. Time to go buy plus size tops. :( )

  • replied 10 years ago

    I hear you, I've thought the same thing at times.  I don't post photos often, I do sometimes take them just for me, but YLF is always on my mind when I get dressed.  I still run around like a slob often but YLF has made it a conscious decision, I say "this wouldn't be YLF approved but oh well, I'm not in the mood to care".  other times I say "It's just as easy to dress nice....just do it".

  • rachylou replied 10 years ago

    I don't take photos until I get to work - the bad ladies room lighting is a smidgen better than my bad bedroom lighting. So, I never stop myself from leaving the house before it's too late. That said, the photos make a big difference. I can lean back and have a look, get outside of my head a little more. And there's always the "that's just not worth posting" outfit to discipline you. I have good outfits and disaster outfits and I don't knows that I like to post - and then there are the blah ones, where you just have to send yourself back for a tweak.

  • Jaime replied 10 years ago

    Along with what everyone else has said, I find looking at my WIWs side by side really helps me see what I like and what I don't.

  • amiable replied 10 years ago

    Great point Shevia - I've never tried that, and I'll bet it would be super useful!

  • replied 10 years ago

    I take pictures of my outfits everyday but I really don't post much. I am not sure why. I like to keep my pictures so I can look back on those days when I am struggling to find something to wear.

  • Runcarla replied 10 years ago

    Learning lots from taking pictures, and really appreciate feed back and style suggestions. Pics are usually done after work.

    Don't get pics when I ride my bike to and from work, 'cause the outfit stays in the locker at work and I ride in gear.

    Don't do picks when I do outfit repeats, and there is a lot of that with my smallish wardrobe. (You would see a lot of the black and white mariner stripped T's with a black skirt or pants bottom, the white jean jacket, the heavy rotation of my few dresses.)

    Just being a part of YLF makes me up my game, and I'm happy for it. I really do subscribe to the idea that you can look good and be comfortable to. I think that is what the 'happiness factor' is all about.

    I bet you DID look fab in your linen shorts and t- shirt' amiable!

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