I have a plan! :) (Longish) - YouLookFab Forum

Hello everyone!

After my adventures trying on pants, I decided that I really need to take a step back and make a real plan. I've been reading about capsule wardrobes (Angie's business post peaked my interest) and I decided that this is exactly what I need to focus on because it will allow me to maximize my smallish shopping budget.

So first I gathered all the looks I really liked on my pinterest board and came up with a color story... you can see it here:
http://pinterest.com/snhamlett/spring-wardrobe/

I collect a lot of images, so I know that I have a few "signature" colors that I adore:
turquoise, coral, and grey. Recently I've been very drawn to yellow as well. And black always helps to make things pop! So that's my color story.

Next I read through YLF to figure out what were "must-have" items for my wardrobe. Compared the list I created from YLF with my inspiration photos and came up with my basic foundation list that I am now carrying in my purse everywhere. This is my starting point to which I can then add additional accessories (and dresses... I LOVE dresses) as the spring and summer progresses:

wide leg pants (grey pair and black pair)
khaki pants
boot cut jeans (the right fit, not my make due pair)
straight leg jeans (cause skinnies don't work so well with my bottom!)

Animal print pencil skirt
dark denim pencil skirt

Striped shirt
black and white polka dotted shirt
dressy blouse
2 colorful t-shirts
2 tank tops (already bought!)
halter style top with pretty print
sequined tank

yellow trench coat
black boyfriend cardigan (bought at Target!)

2 pair of wedge shoes
classic black platform pumps (closed toe... I have a lot of open toe heels)
new running shoes

I already have a white linen jacket that I love which I want to get opinions on if I should dye it black so that it will work with my color story better.

Anyway, that's my plan. I think it will give me lots of remix potential and keep me focused so that I make the most of my budget. I was very proud of myself because I had $50 available and with my list in hand, I bought my two tanks (black one and turquoise one), a v-neck spring sweater (turquoise), and a black boyfriend cardigan.

The v-neck sweater wasn't on my list but I can already see wearing it a lot, so I think it was a good buy.

I'll take pictures over the weekend so you guys can see the outfits I'm already able to create and give me an opinion on dyeing my jacket! Thank you all so much for all the help you've already given me!

14 years ago

amyreh

(website)

Veteran

Sounds like a great plan, good for you! This will make you so much happier with your wardrobe in the long run. Looking forward to pictures!

Isis

I love your organization! But where are the dresses that you love in your plan?

Could you cut 2 pairs of the 5 pairs of pants in your plan and add 2 dresses??? (or more skirts if those feel like dresses to you?)

Ornella

Shauntelle, wow! If this is not thorough plan I don't know what is. It is super exciting we'll be with you on this journey. Can't wait for the first photos.

Aida

Looks like a really good plan, though not as colorful as I'd expected. So be sure that your accessories have the colors from your color story! Without seeing it, I think a white linen jacket would work perfectly with what you have planned, and will probably work better for spring/summer than black would. Are you a skirt or trouser gal? If you're a skirt gal I'd suggest cutting the khakis and one wide leg in favor of 2 summery a-line skirts. It may also be worth adding one short sleeve colorful cardigan, perhaps in yellow

Shauntelle

Active Member

Thanks for the suggestions ya'll! I know this is pants heavy given that I really love dresses, but I'm looking at this as an all year foundation. As much as I love dresses, I know that I rarely wear them once it gets cooler so that's why I decided to stock up on pants... but maybe I need to revisit that? Probably I could get away with just one pair of jeans and no khakis... I was thinking the khakis might be good for the spring/summer days when I want something easy going to run around the park with the kids...

Aida... I looked over the list and realized I forgot to include the short sleeve cardigan that's on my list... and yes, I want it to be in a yellow or coral. I am hoping to buy scarves and necklaces to add more color... it just seemed like neutrals could be mixed and matched more without looking exactly the same, but maybe I'm wrong? I'll admit, I'm not an adventurous color and pattern mixer (at least, not yet)...

I know, it's a detailed list... I'm a list girl... if I have a list, I feel like I have things under control! lol My hope is that I can compile these items over the next couple of months and then after that, I hope to budget enough to add one or two new pieces each month. We'll see... this all feels very ambitious to me given that I normally only shop for clothes when whatever I have is on it's last legs... Hopefully this will start a new, healthier pattern for me!

Kristine

I love your plan and you collected some beautiful photos. It makes me want to run out and try yellow and grey! I think you're on a great track and I can't wait to see it come together!

Vix

Hi Shauntelle--

You certainly do have a plan and it sounds like one that will really work for you!

I agree with others upthread that your white linen jacket will probably be super-versatile for you during the warmer months; I also think it will be a great way to make your denim pieces feel lighter. So I'd hold off on trying to dye it black, at least for now.

I hear you on the pants vs dresses thing, but since you *are* a dress fan once you get through your list -- or make a lot of headway -- it might be a good time to look for on-sale dresses that you could wear spring through fall, if not into winter.

Grey is a great season-spanning color IMO, and since it's in your plan....

Good luck and keep us posted!

modgrl

This is a great list! It will give you a lot of options for combinations.
Like Aida, I would also suggest cutting khaki's from your list. They don't do anything good for anyone's rear view. Many people, including me, are searching for the right light colored blazer for spring and summer. If you already have it, I would hold on to it!

rae

High five, list gal! I agree with the others: trade in the khakis for a fab dress!

Janet

Congrats! That is a great, organized plan, and I must add that I love the items in your collection -- I'd like some of those for myself!

Nadya

Your color palette is sooo gorgeous and sophisticated: I love it! I'm a list girl too, so I'm right there with you on that. The planning is part of the fun.

The only advice I'd offer, as a fellow list maker, is to make sure when you're shopping you select a few pieces you love and that seem special. For years I had great basics but very few wows. Now I try to make sure I have a few LOVES and then fill in around them. Last spring it was 2 lightweight jackets (one fuchsia, one white), a pair of wedges, and a colorful silk blouse. They really made me happy as I mixed them with my denims, slacks, etc.

catgirl

A plan! I never have one of those! You are miles ahead already. You will find the holes as you go along, but I think you're off to a good start. Then you can build up. Nice job and good effort. Have you seen Aida's list that a few of us did? I'll find the post - it helped me a TON.

Ah, here it is:

http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....ction-long

rosee

Great list and great color pallet! This will be very fresh and versatile.

1question though: have you used dyes before and is there a good cold water dye that you know of? In my experience, hot water dyes hold color better, but hot water and linen is not a good mix, even though linen dyes beautifully. Use more than 1 package of dye (I use Rit or Tintex, but use 2 to 3 packs for dark and bright colors). Use vinegar, salt or both in the rinse water and let it soak in so that it helps hold the color. Black dyed items also fade fairly quickly, so you'll need to do "maintenance dyeing" too.

I believe it would be better to put a black jacket on your list and keep the white one as is. You'll probably find that you will get good use out of it. The great thing about lists /rules /formulas is that we can deviate from them when necessary.

Best wishes. Look forward to your posts.

Angie

Fashion Stylist

I like how you thought about this, Shauntelle. Well done!!

If you were my client, we'd have added in dresses and reduced the number of pants. Your body type was *made* for fit and flare dresses, which are much easier to fit on your lovely body.

Okay, you guys have me convinced! I'll cut the number of pants and add more dresses! Thanks so much for the boost to help me know I'm going in the right direction.

Rosee, after all that info on dyeing, I'm pretty sure I'll be keeping the jacket white! lol While I'm all about DIYing in other areas of my life, I don't think I'm ready to test my undeveloped dyeing skills on something I really like so much already. There's no major rush on a black jacket anyway because it will be hot here soon enough.

YAY for having a plan. Now I need to be patient-- it'll be a couple of weeks before more shopping is possible.

Category