2014 WIW Retrospective

Here I am joining everyone who has done a look back at ye olde outfits o' 2014.

A bunch of us seem to be on a similar drop-off-the-planet phase of life, and I know that is in no small part to the skills we learned experimenting here. We can finally "get on with it" as Angie would say, and let the clothes do their work while we do ours. :)

2014 saw many changes for me. I went from Corporate-Controlled Retail Sales to Self-Employed, got on medication, got off hormonal birth control, lost weight, gained weight, bought a residence, saw my slouchies turn to skinnies, and saw my clothing budget dwiiiiindle. 

Style-wise, I became much more self-conscious about my middle and even more fussy (if you can believe it!) about comfort. Such is what happens when my time is split between closet clean-outs and flea market diving. Aside from that, moving closer to the beach shifted my main style persona from Urban Warrior Princess to Urban Warrior Mermaid! I am loving the organic-inspired prints especially. 

One of my main goals for 2015 is to style my flares in a NON 70s way! The other is to find a killer blood red bag. Here's hoping...

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
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12
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34 Comments

  • Angie replied 9 years ago

    What a year, Rae. And your style quotient stayed just as high despite adversity. Nicely done. 

    You look SO pretty in #11. That's the nicest photo I've seen of you yet. I like your hair that length. You look soft and relaxed too. Good luck and onto 2015. All style challenges have solutions. Much love. xo

  • catgirl replied 9 years ago

    #3!  My fave of the impossible-to-choose-a-favorite bunch!  Your hair is looking great, and so are you - I see a lot of boho coming out, but it's still very Rae.

  • Jaime replied 9 years ago

    You stayed stylish throughout it all - great set of pictures. Also really like #3 and agree with Una about the boho especially in the last one. I like it!

  • Suz replied 9 years ago

    What Angie said, and it is so nice to see you here. I think your style quotient has never been higher. There is a relaxed ease that makes sense given changed working conditions and residence, but also feels distinctively "you."  I am glad to see that black and white bag still getting lots of love and hope your find your beautiful blood red one. 

  • CocoLion replied 9 years ago

    You are so beautiful Rae.  I love all of these.  Are the pants in #11 the same ones you got a few years ago when we went shopping together in Santa Monica?  The ones you got at AllSaints?

    ETA -- I'll look out for that killer blood red bag if I find one, I'll PM you!

  • fuzzylogic replied 9 years ago

    Urban Warrior Mermaid- love it!  The yellow/citron handbag is the item I recall when I think Rae2014!  I love seeing how you pair things and always look forward to your WIW.

  • LACeleste replied 9 years ago

    So much fun to see these gorgeous looks again! You are a beauty Rae and I love your style! Urban Warrior Mermaids are rarely, if ever, seen. You are exquisite!

  • rae replied 9 years ago

    Thank you, Angie and all! What a nice comment about #11 - that is my favorite, too, taken by DH (although I had to adjust the camera myself, because I'm a little ocd about my pics now, lol). Stepmama thinks I should let my hair grow to my collarbone, and since she is the hairdresser extraordinaire, that is my aim for now. :)

    Una and Shevia, yes, I can see the boho, too. Hard to avoid when you live at the beach and play with clothes for a living I suppose. ;) Wine and beer!

    Suz, every time I see black and white in a 2015 ad or trend report, I do a little dance inside. Precious is going strong!

    Denise, what a good eye. Has it been that long since we found those pants?? Wow. And I know I'll find a great bag with you in my corner. 

    FL, thank you! I was inspired to bring out the citron bag for winter when my sister gifted me a matching wristlet. Love that citron!

    LACeleste, I love how mythological you make me sound, hehe. We need an LA meetup. O_O

  • Lyn D. replied 9 years ago

    I am exhausted just reading about your 2014 Rae!
    Still, you were looking stunning throughout, and I love your casual/stylish yet unique outfits.
    Happy 2015 :)

  • Jjsloane replied 9 years ago

    So nice to SEE you again and looking so stylish (as always). I love #7 best of all, but agree with Angie that #10 is so pretty! Cheers and hope you attain your goals this year!

  • gryffin replied 9 years ago

    Rae - so good to see you!!  Wow, amazing year.  Transitions are very tough but you look absolutely fantastically marvelous through it all!!  Good luck with everything - I hope all the changes bring you to an amazing place of happiness and style!!  Hugs to you!!

  • Elizabeth P replied 9 years ago

    Rae, so great to see you again!  Your WIW's have been missed.  Sounds like you had a busy year, I hope 2015 will settle down a bit for you.  But as others have said, through it all your sense of style is amazing. 

  • Astrid replied 9 years ago

    Great to see you, Rae! I agree with the others, you look great in all of these, but #11 jumped out at me too.

  • texstyle replied 9 years ago

    Rae, so great to see you and get a small update - I love that you moved closer to the beach - sounds like a great choice. #11 is spectacular! DH did a great job catching your beauty and style. I also love #2 and #9 - such great outfits all around.  Here's to a fantastic 2015!

  • cjh replied 9 years ago

    Such great pictures. You look beautiful and I love all your outfits. I really like your hair with the short bangs in 8 and 9 - just striking to me.

  • cloud9 replied 9 years ago

    Love all the pics. You are coming out 2014 stronger, more ways then one! Xoxo.

  • Diana replied 9 years ago

    So good to see you, Rae!  Your 2014 sounds crazy, glad to see that you have come out of it stronger and even more stylish! 

    I have a hard time picking a favorite but I think I am going to go with #5.  Although I have to give some props to #8 too (mermaid green!  gold zippers!) not just for the outfit but for the photo.  It's so Hollywood Noir or something (you know, broad daylight, but there's something lurking in the bright sun and long shadows.

  • replied 9 years ago

    Oh, just stunning! Such a pleasure to see all these fab looks. All are great, but I think 4,5 6,7. 9and 11 stand out for me. Happy New Year Rae!

  • harmonica replied 9 years ago

    You look stellar, Rae! Impossible to choose one favorite. I'm picking 2, 5 and 11 as my favorites. Looking forward to see how 2015 develops! :-)

  • rachylou replied 9 years ago

    You were looking great in 2014. Urban Warrior Mermaid is too awesomely cool.

    (I'd love to do a retrospective... but did I mention? My car was broken into and ALL my photos EVER were lost. Milleny shrimp! I have to dig up from what I posted here. Maybe I should do a YLF blog to avoid this problem in future. I wasn't worried about loss/theft... I was worried about equipment failure, so all my memory sticks were together in the same bag!! ... right, I know, this is a thread about Rae NOT Rachy. I do, I swear ;))

  • Roxanna replied 9 years ago

    Your style is very different than mine, but that's why I love it! So inspired by your interesting juxtapositions of texture and pattern. I'll definitely be using these as a jumping off point. Can I choose 1, 2 3, 4 and 5 as my favourites? Too many great ones to narrow down :)

  • shedev replied 9 years ago

    I just can't pick a favorite. Awesome group of WIWs.

  • Laurie replied 9 years ago

    Hi Rae, it's always so good to see you.  #1 just keeps pulling me back - the flow of that dress and the contrast with sheer fabric against the boots and stripes - so good!  I also love the styling of the crop sweater in #4 over the blouse.  
    Here's to a great 2015, full of contrasts and style, for you.

  • catgirl replied 9 years ago

    Next time, you need to call it a Rae-trospective!  :) 

  • jackiec replied 9 years ago

    So great to see you! I SO admire your style. i am loving all your looks, esp #2. A blood red bag sounds like it would be a fun addition to your closet :)

  • deb replied 9 years ago

    What a year!  I really love #1. Maybe it was your mermaid reference but all of them are wonderful!

  • goldenpig replied 9 years ago

    I love your style Rae! And Urban Warrior Mermaid is perfect. #1 is my favorite, but #11 is a close second (love your smile). I must copy this! I hope this year brings everything you want, including the perfect blood red bag.

  • lyn67 replied 9 years ago

    I've missed your regular wiw posts, Rae-wish you luck and succes with the self emploment-it's so hard to decide on this kind of things. You was  so brave to change the corporate banking field for the fashion retail one, and am  amazed again with this one-great girl!:-) BTW, I loved to see your retrospective of the last year, and all are so fab outfits! Esp love the  first one, OMG, like in a fashion advert! I've noticed, that all of your items are really different from those common ones, all have some interesting details-so they get their own persona-but building up so well in your very own style! And your stripe bag is still gorgeous! :-)

  • Sara L. replied 9 years ago

    It's good to see and hear from you again. My favorites are 5, 7, 9, and 10 although they are all great outfits.

  • trekkiegirl replied 9 years ago

    #1, 2, 4 and 11 are my favorite looks. I really like your style, going to be keeping an eye on you for inspiration!

  • Transcona Shannon replied 9 years ago

    Crazy late to this thread Rae but had to chime in anyway (it's hard to keep up these days isn't it?).

    2014 was quite the challenge for you and you should be giving yourself a HUGE pat on the back for coming through the other side :)

    I'm loving these outfits and seeing your style progress and change. Isn't it interesting that living closer to the water has resulted in choosing different colors?  And I adore your hair at this length.

    It's nice to see you again and am looking forward to seeing what 2015 brings you.

  • rae replied 9 years ago

    Thank you for all the replies! Like coming home to a big group hug...ahhhhhh...

    Diana, your description makes me think of David Lynch. Which makes me very happy. :D

    Rachy, I hadn't heard, and I am horrified for you. :_( I can only console myself because it sounds like no clothes were taken. Ugh, I never think about theft, either...

    Lyn67, I guess I do have a fetish for statement pieces! Glad to hear you think they work together. Some mornings I feel like I throw on random items and cross my fingers!

    Una - HOW did I miss that pun opportunity???

  • Karie replied 9 years ago

    I LOVE your longer hair! My favs of your outfits are #11 and all of the ones with the Rag and Bone sweatpant jeans. And #1. And...I love them all!

  • MsMaven replied 9 years ago

    I've missed your posts as well. You look great and it is hard to pick a favorite, but if forced--#5 is stunning, gorgeous and everything great!

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