Reminicense on style lessons of 2012

Angie's amazing post on favorite 2012 outfits
http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....replies=85
was fun to browse through and look at all these outfit gems.
However this thread has also made me to go through my 2012 photo archives and analyze which outfits really stand out for me among the rest of them.
It proved to be an incredibly useful exercise as I have made a couple of discoveries along the way:

1. Surprisingly almost half of them are from a warm season- summer and early fall. Historically it would be my less favorite season to dress, time when I feel less inspired but this year was different. I think this is because I have added several wardrobe items which were fun to dress with: yellow / cream oxfords, nude cage sandals, white wide leg trousers, BF jeans, white long blazer - they made my summer dressing so much fun! Note to myself: careful addition of a few trendy and fun items really perks my wardrobe and makes it fun to play in it. I don't need a lot of them for a new season but they really have to be well thought through.

2. I still wear skinny jeans and trousers but they appeal to me in lesser degree than other styles. Slouchy and looser fitting styles are my favorite now and feel the most fashion forward even if not conventionally flattering. I still enjoy wearing wide leg trousers and jeans but they are more difficult to manage in winter with rain and snow than tapered legged styles.

3. While I still wear the heck out of my 2 leather blazers I have noticed that I reach for my other shorter jackets less and less, especially with trousers. I have only 2 longer jackets - grey knit Gibson and white cotton blazer from Melanie Lyne (summer only) and I noticed they get much more wear than my others. Getting a few longer good quality blazers is one of my style goals for 2013 (NAS, I have high hopes for you!) and I resolved myself to spend more money on them than I am accustomed to.

4. 2012 was "bootie" year for me: I went from 1 pair of shooties to 5 in total including 2 pairs in animal print and one in burgundy color. They are my favorite footwear style now and I mourn the fact that I have to give them a break until the spring with all our snow :-(

5. I really embraced semi-tuck trend because I find it fun and flattering for my curves - much more so than full tuck, especially with looser fitting trousers and jeans.

6. I am really moving towards more "minimal style with big presence" if I can call it so. I like clean lines, contrast in shapes, colors and textures and strong and simple statements. I still use my jewelery but less so than before. I also found with surprise than I have a lot of neutral outfits among my favorites - I who almost did not own more thyan 5 garments in total in neutral colors prior to YLF, mostly colors. I still love my colors and wear them a lot but neutrals have a big place in my style now.

6. Last but not least: I still don't have a name for my style and have no idea what it is (no rubric, key words or other helpful exercises we had on YLF) but I definitely have a lot of fun with fashion!

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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.

27 Comments

  • goldenpig replied 11 years ago

    Wow Sveta, I am always in awe of your style. You look like a model and your outfits are to die for. I could see you being the face of J Crew! My faves are 2, 6, 8 and 10 but they all are fantastic. I don't think you need a name for your style as you obviously know what you're doing, but I always think "Dramatic classic" when I see your outfits. Clean lines, perfect fit, mostly neutral classics but with carefully selected punches of color and contrast. Even your darker hair and cheekbones and the way you stand are dramatic and radiate confidence! You are such an inspiration!

  • MsMary replied 11 years ago

    Sveta, these are beautiful! You have such natural elegance and you have really figured out your signature style!

  • krishnidoux replied 11 years ago

    Very good observations! I like where your style is going, and how you play with looser fits. You really have an ideal body for it too, to make it look very elegant. It's so fun to read you posts precisely for this reason. On you, it looks relaxed yet with a distinguished je ne sais quoi . Am I the only one to notice this?

    I like your minimal style-big presence finish, and especially with your hairstyle, it suits you well.

    I can't pick a favourite from above, They are all appealing to me. 4, 7, 8 and 13 if I absolutely must?

  • rae replied 11 years ago

    You had a very stylish year! I love love love #2 and am saving the photo for my own Spring inspiration, as I also often feel less inspired at that time. I am amazed that you don't have a style rubric or name - just goes to show how intuitive you are, I guess!

  • Lyn D. replied 11 years ago

    I love every outfit here Sveta, and have placed this thread in my favs. for future reference!
    Happy 2013, and please keep sharing your inspiring observations and pics.

  • replied 11 years ago

    Love them all too but if forced to choose: 3, 6, 10, 13.

  • Susie replied 11 years ago

    I really enjoy seeing your outfits, Sveta, as you always look elegant yet fresh. There is a classic side to your style with a twist to keep it interesting.

  • texstyle replied 11 years ago

    A really inspiring, classic, fashion style lesson for the year. I think #2, 9, 13 and 15 are esp. favorites of mine - but all are so nice. Thank you for sharing and Happy New Year to you!

  • Atlantia replied 11 years ago

    Thanks for sharing, Sveta! I really like paying close attention to your choices, because I like how you make neutrals and classics look so good.

  • Suz replied 11 years ago

    Sveta, you are such an inspiration. Every one of these looks is stunning. Dramatic and classic are definitely keywords that would come to mind, as Natalie said. And I think your "Kibbegory" was Soft Dramatic, which also truly fits, especially with the increased slouch and draping.

    I could have written exactly what you said here: "I am really moving towards more "minimal style with big presence" if I can call it so. I like clean lines, contrast in shapes, colors and textures and strong and simple statements."

    I feel exactly the same, although how I interpret it will have to be different given my shorter frame.

    I am continually impressed by how much you can do with a relatively compact wardrobe. You have a knack for choosing just the *right* pieces to pull your other items together into a cohesive whole. A knack I hope to copy!

  • Caro in Oz replied 11 years ago

    Like Goldenpig I see dramatic/classic. Modern classic items with some added drama. Not that you need a name:)

    I particularly love #2 & #10 - you look so sharp in a white shirt.

  • deb replied 11 years ago

    Sveta, you are so elegant. #5 and #14 are my favs.

  • Deborah replied 11 years ago

    Sveta, you do not put a foot wrong:) You have a gorgeous, elegant, yet funky style. There is also a consistency which indicates to me that your know and are comfortable in your style. Gorgeous. May have to 'pin' all of these:)

  • Sveta replied 11 years ago

    Thank you all for reading my "novel" and sharing my style journey!
    Natalie, this is so funny about J.Crew as I don't own a single piece from it!
    Krish, " je ne sais quoi" - maybe this is why I cannot put a definition on my style?:-)
    Rae, every time I tried to go through one of the style exercises you guys are so brilliant in I feel so helpless....It is really funny, but I guess logic defies me in all style related things even if I am frighteningly logical in all other aspects of my style!
    Suz, it is interesting observation on "Soft Dramatic" and looser fit, you may have something here. At least it can explain why I unexpectedly took to this trend as fish to water :-)
    Happy New Year!!!!! :-)

  • TraceyLiz65 replied 11 years ago

    These looks are all so amazing and it does show a definite style and you have a great eye! A name for your style isn't as important as the fact that you have one and love it!

  • Joy replied 11 years ago

    Sveta, you have made huge strides in your style journey this year. Words like dramatic, elegant, modern and classic come to mind. Angie's post on Emmanuelle Alt reminded me of you and you would probably look amazing in any of her outfits and she in yours.

  • Angie replied 11 years ago

    Very meaningful insights :). More longer jackets for you in 2013!! Wooohooo!

    I commented on your outfits on my thread so check back when you have a moment.

  • Sveta replied 11 years ago

    Tracey, thanks!
    Joy, I would have never compared my style with EA! You made me want to go and had a closer look at her style.
    Angie, I did read your comment - thanks! As for the longer jackets I may have a problem finding them - everything is always too short on me!:-(

  • Jaime replied 11 years ago

    Seeing these outfits together makes such a strong statement about your fabulous style. I won't try to name it but you have it. I also enjoyed your insights and share a lot of your feelings. Great post!

  • Amy replied 11 years ago

    Sveta, thanks for sharing your insights. I really enjoy enjoy seeing your wiw posts. You're always so nicely turned out and something about your style-- je be sais quoi-- resonates with me.

  • lyn* replied 11 years ago

    I can see why good blazers would be a good investment for you; you definitely wear them, and wear them well!

    I am glad that your burgundy booties served you well - I'm still not brave enough to get a pair of coloured footwear!

  • ManidipaM replied 11 years ago

    Sveta, I love your sixth lesson best --- who cares what it's called as long as you know it when you see it, are having fun with it, and look THAT good while you're about it?!

    Been loving your semi-tucks and booties all year --- and especially your *trousers*, tapered or slouchy! Here's hoping this'll be the Year of the (Longer) Blazer just as 2012 was the Year of Perfect Pants for you.

  • Transcona Shannon replied 11 years ago

    Great insights Sveta - your style is really amazing and I have enjoyed seeing your tweaks here and there. I'm still laughing at how you hated trousers and now wear them often and so darned well!

    Looking forward to seeing the next year for you!

  • Sara L. replied 11 years ago

    I love all these outfits! You look beautiful and elegant in every one of them. I also can't seem to find words for my style but while your style seems very focused without them, I think finding some words might help me define myself better.

  • JulieJohn replied 11 years ago

    Wow! You really made some good points that resonate with me. First let me say #13 and #15 are my favorites and I like where your style is going. Neutrals and long lines seem to suit you beautifully.

    I totally agree with your logic of adding a few fun items to your summer wardrobe, and how that really perked it up. I think that is the magic of YLF. You knew which pieces would add the most pizzazz, and be the most versatile. FUN!

  • rute replied 11 years ago

    What a wonderful and stylish year! I'm in love with look 3!!!

  • Sveta replied 11 years ago

    Shevia, I don't even try to name it anymore - I am totally hopeless in this!
    Amy, we also share the same challenging fit in trousers - indeed kindred spirits (or bodies) :-)
    lyn, why are you afraid to add colorful footwear? It is so much fun! I think it is easier than wearing bright dress or skirt because it is smaller. I think your 2013 resolution should be to step out of your comfort zone and get it!
    Mani, what a great observation - 2012 was indeed a year of Great Trouser Discovery for me. Here it is to the 2013 as a Year of a Longer Blazer! <clink!>
    Shannon, I have never hated trousers. Actually I really craved them but was really frustrated that they are such a pain to fit for me and therefore was giving up on them. Not anymore!
    Sara, style definition has really helped a lot of gals on the forum so it is indeed a very valuable exercise. I would love to have it but I feel completely handicapped when it comes to putting it into words...
    JJ, the funny thing is that an addition of these key pieces what a complete accident, not planned at all. I guess I was lucky in this and maybe I can make it happen for the next year more intended rather than leaving it to a chance.

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