Are you prepared for anything ? - YouLookFab Forum

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Dressing

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Outfits Ensembles Trends Advice

Are you prepared for anything ?

Isabel

Veteran

As winter bears down and I start my "emergency shelf" in case of storms, I realized that my wardrobe is ready for anyting. OK. Not for impending doom but for all kinds of sartorial situations. This was a bit of a shock since my wardrobe is the smallest it has been in decades. This came to me as the Boston ladies are gearing up for a high tea ! And I am not panicking about what to wear. It was also comforting to me when my best friend's dad died and I had to stay at a hotel the night before the funeral and I just threw things in a bag. I didn't have to worry about clothes : i just had to worry about getting to her. Additionally, I am planning a trip overseas in April and I have everything that I need already. I just dont' crave something new becasue I am so happy with the utility and colors and silhouettes of what is sitting in my closet already. It is a great feeling.

I realized that I could probably get myself together for anything except a formal event. That would be such an outlier...........

What about you ?

Do you think about this as you plan your wardrobe ?

Do you like having a separate capsule or just versatlity ?

Dressing

32 replies

Latest reply was from Elly

Alassë

Veteran

Congratulations! Yes, I do. For formal and funeral, 1 outfit suffices. Everything else, I have versatile separates that form a loose capsule.

Sal

Veteran

Yes pretty much! Cocktail, races, summer weddings, funeral, job interview, tropical island, giving a presentation....

Nothing to head to the Oscars though!

And for a more formal interview I would need a new suit.

Isabel

Veteran

Alasse and kiwi, YAY !!!!! Isn't it a wonderful feeling ?

Kiwi, I turned in my Oscars capsule once George Clooney got married. ; )

Laura (rhubarbgirl)

(website)

Veteran

Well, I struggled to put together a set of outfits for my recent trip to Boise, but it turned out to be slightly warmer than the forecast so I was OK. If I had to head to somewhere really cold for more than a long weekend, I'd be SOL (or just have to do laundry every three days).

I don't have a proper suit, but I could cobble one together from a blazer and skirt or pants if I had to. Otherwise I'm pretty good for anything that's apt to come up in my normal life. If I suddenly had to meet royalty or go to a black tie affair I'd be scrambling, but that's unlikely to happen, and would justify a call to Nordstrom's personal shoppers in any case.

gradfashionista

(website)

Veteran

I am prepared for all cold and windy weather, casual and semi-dressy dates, and nearly any outdoorsy recreational activity.

Sadly, I'd have to sit out the fairytale ball, and I still struggle with hot and muggy temperatures.

Part of downsizing my wardrobe was recognizing that I *didn't* need to own something for every occasion, simply because the likelihood of attending certain events was so small. That doesn't mean I'm not prepared, though. If, suddenly, I needed a formal ball gown, I'd know where to look and from which companies to rent.

Isabel

Veteran

@Grad .......what an awesome point : being prepared doesn't mean just having it , it also means knowing where to go to get it.

Laura, living in th he NE I often forget that people in temperate climates don't have her warm clothing just hanging around.

Peri

Veteran

Not quite...I'd still like a do everything black dress. The kind that would work for a funeral but still be useful for other things, dress up, dress down, go anywhere kind of dress. For such an occasion I could cobble things together. Lots of women wear pants to funerals now and I do have a decent pencil skirt. I just daydream about the ease of the perfect black dress. I'm sure it's out there somewhere.

But yes, for the usual occasions of my life, I could get by quite easily. (That doesn't stop me from wanting new things though!)

gryffin

Veteran

Isabel - I am so on board with this. To me prepared is a suit. I replaced my old ones this year and have two different theory jackets and two styles of matching pants. That covers me for work, conference, funeral, religious. I have dresses and cropped tux jackets that can take me through black tie optional. I do have one long dress but it's 15 yr old and I am trying to update the black tie capsule this year although I don't have a lot of events I'd rather be prepared. But I could brazen out a fab Le Smoking right now but I prefer to dance in a dress. Also working on gear capsule. But otherwise I'm pretty set.

Isabel

Veteran

gryffin, I LOVE the idea of a tux jacket. That could be very versatile, actually. Hmmmmm.......

I love the expression, " I could brazen out a fab Le Smoking..." . You sound so exotic and glamorous. : )

Astrid

Veteran

That sounds awesome, Isabel! I'm sadly not prepared for anything. I'm mostly prepared for our weather, although sometimes my whole wardrobe heavily depends on one single piece being in working order. But what I'm currently not prepared for at all is anything where I need to be a bit more dressy - I have no special occasion clothes, nothing for an interview and I would have to make do for a funeral too. I think I need to work on that. But I definitely prefer versatile pieces to building capsules.

Gigi

Veteran

What a great feeling! You are certainly a practical shopper.

I feel sometimes like I'm not ready for anything, but it seems like I always have what I need when an event comes up out of the blue. Like you, though, if I had to attend something very formal, I might be in trouble. I'm fluctuating with my weight right now and am trying not to buy anything that would cost too much money in case my weight should change.

Sal

Veteran

There is a fine line isn't there...for example I could purchase an item now for a possible occasion - and not wear if for three years. Interview suits and funeral attire spread to mind.

If attending a professional interview tomorrow (with no time to prepare) I have two or three possible outfits comprising a jacket, blouse and pencil skirt, or a silk blouse and pencil skirt, or a jacket and shift dress. There are some interviews where the looks would be not ideal, but it seems unlikely. And I am a great one for borrowing/lending too for unusual situations. I have a couple of sisters and friends who fit roughly similar sizes to me, and I am very sure I can cobble outfits together. I am also happy to lend!!

Aziraphale

Veteran

Well done! It's a great feeling when you know you're covered for all occasions. I can tell you're happy with your wardrobe in general, too, which is awesome.

Am I the same? Well, I've definitely ready for a funeral in any season, and that's the kind of thing that's most urgent and where, since you want to focus on the bereaved, you don't need the distraction any kind of wardrobe holes. As for joyous formal events? I've got formal shoes covered, but not a dress if the opportunity arose to go to a wedding or something similar. The sad reason for this is that the last wedding I attended happened seven years ago, while in that time I've been to at least five or six funerals.

For all other occasions, I'm good. I lead a life that mostly requires casual clothes -- and by that I mean super casual to casual-dressy, like holiday parties.

gryffin

Veteran

Isabel - in all seriousness, I spent years stalking the perfect cropped tux jacket. I finally bought the HL smoking tux. It is fabulous over dresses, with pants, it makes anything better. Casual, formal, it works for all. I love it so much I bought the HL gala tux (kind of a heavy ribbed ponte fabric) and the leather sleeve jacket on super discount from amazon which is also available at 6pm. Less dressy but very fun. I cannot recommend a cropped tux jacket enough. Being a blazer girl at heart, it always has my back, literally https://www.shopbop.com/smokin.....USD&a... (picture below and this is my favorite iteration) read rave reviews ,http://www.6pm.com/helmut-lang.....d=33926107 (leather sleeve version and good buy)

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Jaime

(website)

Veteran

Well I don't want to tempt anything to throw me a curve ball, but I can dig something up for most conceivable situations. You sound like you are in a terrific place Isabel!

Isabel

Veteran

gryffin, those are beautiful. I am a blazer lady too. This totally appeals to me. I have never thought of it before. So simple and elegant. LOVE. This is going on my "list". I just LOVE that helmut lang with leather sleeves. Thank you !

Bonnie

Veteran

I'm almost there. My last purchase was a real raincoat because last year I needed one - for heavy rains when we visit the coast and monsoons here in the desert. As for funerals and formal events, I could find something in my closet. I have spent the last year building a basic wardrobe after traveling for many years with few clothes. I also don't have a large wardrobe and have tried to shop wisely. I feel like I'm in a good place.

gryffin

Veteran

Isabel - it's a great jacket. I do find HL runs slightly small. I am usually a 4-6. I take a 6 in HL. Back is curved up too, very dramatic. I get lots of compliments. I hate to be a total enabler but if it fits it's so worth it!! Let me know what you think if you try it!

Beth Ann

Veteran

So glad to hear your in a wardrobe happy place!
I'm not there at the moment, but mostly because my life is in transition, and I'm not sure exactly what my needs will be. I've been concentrating on my casual wardrobe, but keeping an eye on the budget. I could definitely manage an interview, a trip, a funeral....... but a wedding or a fun formal event would require some quick shopping!

rachylou

Veteran

i don't have snow boots...

ETA: in the zombie apocalypse, also, I'm gonna have to go down the street, break a window, and steal a bike.

Cerinda

Veteran

I can do it all IF the temperature is between 10 and 70 degrees F. Dang this global warming. I've got the bike, though, and water for the great Cascadian earthquake.

Helen11

Veteran

Isabel, I want a wardrobe like yours!
I can get by for a funeral , and day to day life. Can you believe I've never had to do a proper job interview? And am unlikely to need to in the foreseeable future. ( it's one advantage of working in an essential service in a regional area)
Travel to a cooler climate sees me scrabbling, and I would have to go shopping should I be invited to High Tea.
I'm feeling more and more I need a wardrobe overhaul, starting from the ground up.

Windchime

Veteran

High tea, a funeral, and a trip overseas, and your wardrobe is up to all of them and more. What a great place to be! Having this kind of wardrobe lets you fully engage in the experiences, knowing you don't have to worry if your outfit is okay.

I'm not quite there, but a couple years into being a YLFer, my wardrobe functions far better than it ever did before. For most occasions, I can quickly and calmly pull together an outfit from my closet and feel good wearing it.

Facing winter again, I'm reminded that I need to do some work on my winter outerwear, especially for walking/cross country skiing. I want to look reasonably fashionable while also feeling warm, and I'm not there yet. It's more fun to spend on things like shirts and shoes than on a parka!

dakotacheryl

Veteran

I'm covered for temps -20F - +110F Yup, that the temp swing where I live.

From fun to weddings to funerals. The only thing I don't have is something truly ball gown dressy...haven't needed this in the past 30 years, so I think I'm safe LOL.

MsMary

Veteran

Yep, I'm pretty much there. I remember about this time last year when we were first dating, Gentleman Friend invited me to a dinner party at a friend's house and suggested we wear formalwear as a joke because when he inquired about the dress code the host laughingly said "black tie optional." I had a long gown and all the fixin's ready to go on one day's notice -- it was a great feeling!

And Rachylou, I just bought a bike so I'm even ready for the Zombie Apocalypse!

Summer

Veteran

That's exactly what I aim for in my own wardrobe: something to wear for any eventuality. My smart casual clothes cover most of my needs, and I think I could put together a versatile capsule to see me through one or two weeks away. I like to keep a small, separate capsule for funerals etc. and also one for dressier events, although these don't feature that often. My wardrobe is small and certainly not perfect, but I feel that it works pretty well for me most of the time. It's a good feeling.

JAileen

Veteran

I'm ready mostly for outdoor stuff - hiking, birding, dog walking. But I can put together outfits for casual community theater, weddings, church, court appearances, and dinners out. So I think I'm covered, too. Our usual temps only go from about 0F to 105F, so much easier than life in the Dakotas!

Laura (rhubarbgirl)

(website)

Veteran

JAileen reminds me, I'm not particularly prepared for outdoor stuff. I have workout gear but if I suddenly was going on a camping trip or something that was more than a day I'd be a little light on appropriate shoes and jackets. I don't really like wearing workout wear so I have much fewer options than those who do the athleisure thing and have a lot of gear-y stuff they wear for all day.

It's a balancing act, isn't it? You want not to be scrambling when something comes up, but you can also go crazy (and poor) preparing for every possible eventuality, most of which never actually happen.

TraceyLiz65

(website)

Veteran

I am all about versatility, lol that word is in my blog title. Going from no wardrobe due to weight loss to what I have now in the past three years is unfathomable. I stopped shopping to take a breather and feel out whether I have done as well as I wanted or if I need to change somethings. I said I wanted to have a wardrobe that was ready for life events without feeling that panic of last minute shopping that never ended well. I have done that so it makes sense to play with my wardrobe and see how well I've done. I am sure I have overdone it but not sure I will actually do a huge purge.

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