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Fall wardrobe shopping challenge

Patience

Veteran

After starting the previous thread on fall wish lists, I want to pose a challenge to all of you for the fall. To go shopping in your closet and see how many fall outfits you can come up with. There's no need to list them all here but if you want to report a number that's fine but also not necessary. Mostly, it's something to think about to see how many items on your wish list you actually need or maybe if you bought one thing in particular how it could drastically affect your wardrobe.

I worked on cleaning my closet this weekend and what I discovered was that it's probably time to replace some camis and I could probably get away with not buying a single thing more for the fall. One thing that would really add to my wardrobe however would be a long statement necklace.

Dressing

24 replies

Latest reply was from Patience

Patience

Veteran

BTW, I do understand that "wish lists" can be different from "need lists" and I'm sure I'll be spending more money this fall (got to support the economy and it's fun to shop ;)) but I do know how caught up I can get in the things that I would like to have vs. the gems I already own and can enjoy. Angie, you have done a lot to remind me of this.

Sarah

(website)

Veteran

Patience, thank you for posting this! I think sometimes I use the word "need" when "want" is more appropriate.
I'm trying to be more creative and pairing things together that I already have. I have a tendency to wear each item with one other and don't mix and match at all.

Anonymous

Sounds like a very wise plan.

Anonymous

Thank you, Patience. I really need this challenge after buying a third black jacket this weekend at the Goodwill ($3.98). All are different styles, but I need to stop and organize to see what my needs are and be patient for more fall/winter to get into the stores. I really scored with Ann Taylor and Gap jackets this trip.

Anonymous

I actually did this a couple weeks back when unpacking my wardrobe from our big move. Since my closet is so big, i am able to see EVERYTHING at once. With everything in categories, I was able to see where there were holes in my wardrobe. And since I now live in a different climate, I had a LOT of holes!

My "needs" list turned out to be the following:

1) Casual blazer/jackets. I found a nice black denim one at Chicos (their jackets fit me perfectly off the rack) that I got for 50% off. And a dark brown cord jacket at Lands End Outlet. I was never able to wear things like this in San Diego since it is just too dang hot.

2) Button-front shirts. I have already found my basic button-front white shirt but still need a couple more casual button fronts that will work with my new blazers and under cardigans.

3) Long sleeve T-shirts that will work with my "casual" SAHM uniform. Now I wonder what to do with my stash of 1,000,000 tank tops that I will not be wearing as much!

4) Cardigans. I found a couple at NY&Co and have been wearing them quite a bit already...with my tank tops! Did I mention I LOVE layering?

5) Outerwear. I needed a rain trench. It rains here. So I got a really cute royal blue one to cheer me on a dark, dreary day. They go well with the matching bright blue wellies. Now, I am actually looking forward to the rain!

I have enough jeans and pants to last through this fall and winter. I think if I wanted to indulge a "want" I would probably get some skirts to wear with my tall boots.

Laura

(website)

Veteran

Hi Patience - Great challenge. I took your suggestion and it really whittled down my wish list. There are three items I am interested in:
1) cream jeans - I think they would really expand my wardrobe
2) black cardi - replacing one that's moth eaten
3) statement necklace - although I'm not exactly sure where to start here.

Can anyone post any statement necklaces as examples?

Thanks Patience, for the inspiration!

Ellen

Great idea! I was doing some of this the other day, but I find I need to record the combinations somehow or I forget the options I have! Working on a photo library of that.

I needed - some kind of wellies/fall to winter boots (not for the coldest days). Bought - a pair of red Hunter wellies

Need - tall boots - planning to pick some up when I'm in NYC.

Need - skinny/straight jeans for wearing with boots. I plan to pick up a cheap pair of these after buying boots so I can fit to them exactly. Going for cheap ones because it's a look I'm just getting comfy with.

Would like but may not get - cream jeans. (may check in NYC).

WANT - DVF Julian wrap dress - working on that!

More tops for layering - ordered 3 from Bluefly - two of the Leo & Sage ones and one Sweet Pea.

I am almost back to pre-pregnancy weight, which means I will be able to go "shopping" in my box of pre-preg clothes, so that should MAJORLY round out my sweaters and pants! Can't wait.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I'm happy to have reminded you, Patience!

By the sounds of things, few of you wore boots over jeans last season, or the season before (it’s a two season old thing). This surprises me. Penny for your thoughts?

Marlene, I’m a little sad to hear that long sleeve T-shirts are on your list
But I love the sound of your new trench

shiny

Veteran

Patience - I would love to participate but it'll have to wait until I get a chance to rotate my fall clothes for my summer clothes! I only have room in my small closet for one season at a time.

I do have a catalog of photos I can look at, which has been a good reminder, but it's not the same as dragging everything out.

Wish vs need: nearly everything on my fall list is a want not a need. The only exception was "more black jackets" which I recently tackled, and now I'm all set. There were too many times this past season (work, personal life, special occasions) that I wished I had a nicer, better-fitting black jacket. (Boston is all about black - you can't go wrong with it).

New black leather jacket is probably a "wish" not a need... considering how little I wore leather jackets last fall.

Angie - As for boots over jeans, I didn't have any skinnies OR boots that could fit over them, so I never wore them. I didn't buy into this trend because i feared 1) I was too old for skinnies and 2) boots over skinnies would chop me up and make me look short (already short enough as it is). You've convinced me that #1 is wrong; I still have yet to decide about #2.

Tanya

Veteran

A great idea indeed Patience! I'll also have to wait a week or so to give a complete answer. All the things on my list are really "wish" not "need". Ironically, the only item I actually need - wellies, I did not even put on the list

shiny

Veteran

... actually, long black (or brown?) leather gloves may be on my "need" list... I have a few 3/4 jackets and last fall/winter I was too late and the selection was slim pickings. I could've extended the usefulness of those jackets if I'd only been quicker at the draw.

I have an awful time finding gloves, because my fingers are teeny-tiny like the rest of me... I often end up with an inch of extra fabric on each finger, which makes punching the cell phone numbers quite a challenge. My best luck is usually in vintage stores.... because people really did use to be shorter, like me.

Ana

(website)

Veteran

This is great! Fall and Winter are my favorite seasons, and my favorite retail seasons as well. My challenge will be purchasing great Fall/Winter items, but not going overboard, since our cool season is relatively short. You can help keep me in line, Patience and Sarah! So far, winter dresses, skinny dark denim jeans, knee high boots, and a few key sweaters are on the top of my list (all items I don't currently own).

Boots over skinnies is definitely on my "To Wear" list, Angie. I admired the look last season, and gave it a try even, but I had the wrong kind of boots, and they had stiletto heels, so I never wore them anyway (I have no idea why I picked boots like this).

Kyle

Veteran

It's still 100 degrees in Arizona!

Ellen

Angie, I've never worn the boots over denim look mainly because I have never owned tall boots. I've always had that problem with not finding boots narrow enough for my skinny calves and before this I've never had the budget to pay more for boots to get the right fit. I plan to buy a good pair this season, at which point I want to try the jeans thing!

My problem is that I really can only afford one pair now and I need boots most for with skirts, so the jeans point might be moot until I can have two pairs - one for with jeans and one for without.

Alecia

Veteran

I think this is a wondeful challenge, Patience. It's still warm in Northern CA and will be for a while so it may be a bit before I can take you up on it.

With respect to the jeans in boots, I LOVE the look. But I have big calves, or at least can't easily find boots that will fit them easily. In fact, I'm kind of traumatized by boot shopping. Too many sales people have tried to force my leg into boots and I end up with physical and emotional scars to show for my effort. But I would definitely love to try it out before the look comes passe. Has anyone seen those jeans that have a stirrup and have a less bulky fabric starting at the calf so you get the look of tucking the pants? I saw them about two years ago but haven't seen them since. Thoughts on those?

Ellen

Alecia, I guess I'd be afraid to wear those in case I end up in a situation where the boots need to come off! Here in Canada we always take off shoes in houses (my relatives from the states never do - I wish it was like that here! :-). I think you want your pants to be presentable without the boots as well...

Sihaya

Veteran

Shiny - I think I'm close to your height. I'm 5'3" and I have worn boots over jeans for a couple of seasons now and love the look. I bet you will rock it. I will post pictures once we're over this lovely sunny spell we're having here. As for my fall wishlist, I need new straight cut jeans. I would love to replicate my Gap jeans but haven't found the exact match yet. Other than that, I would love a statement red necklace and statement red earrings. And then I need to stay *away* from clothing stores

Patience

Veteran

Thanks for playing everyone.

Angie, I sported riding boots over jeans last season thanks to you. I will this season too. I wish I could justify a pair of slouchy boots this season but they just wouldn't get enough wear. Last year I saw exactly one other person sporting this look (not counting jeans tucked into uggs). But then this summer my husband I were out for the evening and I saw a woman with with skinnies tucked into stilleto knee high boots. She looked smashing but it was 90+ degrees.

Debbie

Patience

what brand of riding boot did you get and did you end up liking them a lot?

Julia

I'm up for the challenge! The only two things on my list now is the red Club Monaco bag and a pair of black and white spectator boots (too bad the one linked on Angie's blog today doesn't have my size.)

I have been conserving lately due to my tight budget. I learned to wear old pieces in new ways. Also I realized what Angie has been preaching all along: a small wardrobe of wonderful pieces lasts much longer than a closet full of compulsive buys.

I'm going back to work in October so I don't need to conserve any more. However I gained new perspectives to the spending so here's what I'm going to do: I'll shop in my closet before buying a new piece; If I'm going to buy a new piece, I'll make sure they don't repeat what I have already unless it's a replacement; I'll pay more attention to qualities than quantities.

shiny

Veteran

Patience - so interesting! Last fall/winter here in Boston the skinnies-tucked-into boots was *everywhere.*

Sihaya - I'm 3 inches shorter than you; I've always "felt" like I had stubby legs (it runs in my family... I have an Uncle "Stub," my brother definetly has proportionately short legs, and my mother's nickname has long been "momma shortlegs"). But I recently did a measurement test and discovered that I am actually evenly proportioned all over - except from shoulder to top of bra line.

So I *might* be able to pull off the boot over skinny look and I am hopeful.... however, being proportionate isn't the same as being long-legged! For example, my DD15 is 5'3" and proportionately she is *all* legs with a shorter torso than I have!!!!! She could pull this look off perfectly.

Alecia, I share your traumatizing experiences. I had good luck with boots to wear with tights and dresses, but I was traumatized last weekend shopping for boots to go over jeans: they all came up much too high on me - so I couldn't even bend my knee!!

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Great stuff Patience! I hear you on not getting a pair of slouchy boots. You don’t have the climate. But you can go crazy with booties because you’re able to walk in the look that I covet! So I shall once again expect you to wear my favourite shoe of the season, just like you did the gladiators

I’m humbled to be quoted, Julia! A small wardrobe is something I strongly believe in. And I love your strategy! Wear the fewer beautiful pieces that you have and wear them to death. (death = until they fall apart, are ruined, or you’ve just had enough of the look). However, in order to do what Julia is doing, you need a fully functioning wardrobe to start off with. Not everyone is in this position.

Alecia, start a new thread with your boot challenge. Ellen, I hope you find skirt boots!

Shiny, you CAN wear the look. It’s a question of finding the right boots, which I trust you will. You’re looking for a boot with a shorter shaft for sure.

Nicole

Veteran

Well I've already bought several things from my fall wish list---so I'm not sure if I should include those new items in my assessment. Also, I am only working one day a week right now, and in the process of looking for a new job, so I don't want to buy a lot of work clothes. I'd rather get more smart casual pieces.

I could make it through the season without buying anything else. But if I land a new job any time soon, I'd like to get some winter weight skirts. And I really should focus on a pair of closed toe, low vamp shoes. I have a hard time committing to that kind of she for some reason.

My favorite purchase would have to be my new brown boots. I was so thrilled to be informed I could wear them with skirts and jeans. I have not worn boots with jeans since I was a kid...so this will be a new look for me.

Patience

Veteran

Happylife, the riding boots are La Canadienne, black with a buckle at the top. They don't have them anymore as far as I can tell and I can't remember the name. But they are pretty similar to these (in black)

http://www.piperlime.com/brows.....=606337012

Angie, I hear you on the booties. I was hoping to get a few pairs and I have bought one peep toe bootie and tried on several other pairs which were too uncomfortable. Otherwise not much has really caught my eye. I like a few of the Donald Pliner styles but I don't like the price. I'll keep looking.