If you had to choose just half your wardrobe - YouLookFab Forum

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If you had to choose just half your wardrobe

Mo

(website)

Veteran

For a temporary move or extended (several month) vacation, would you choose basics that mix together endlessly or favorites that wow you when you put them on? Or, would you seek a balance of the two?
I'm thinking I would do 3/4 favorites and only maybe 1/4 basics or foundations just to ground the statement pieces.
For instance, if I were only taking 3 pants, I would bring my red zippered moto as one pair because they are just too fun! That would leave basic jeans and a black pant for my other options. Might not mix as well, but I would find ways to wear those because I like them that much more than another mixable basic.

How about you? I know some of you have had to split your wardrobe recently due to moving , etc. How did you go about it? Or did you just grab what you like and not think too hard?

General

25 replies

Latest reply was from Mo

christieanne

Veteran

I like your formula but it would be 3/4 basic and 1/4 favorites for the bottoms (because that's my closet) and more 3/4 favorites, 1/4 basic for tops.

Mo

(website)

Veteran

So, you would essentially keep the same ratios you have but just halve the amount of clothing? I think I would tend to go for more faves because I would feel like I was somehow missing out if I left one behind lol.

Traci

Veteran

I think I would try to take my favorites from each category of clothes...
Favorite cardigan, jacket, jeans (probably two here, skinnie and boyfriend) skirt, dress (maybe two again, dressy and casual) tshirt, button ups, and so on.

Diana

Veteran

I think I would do 3/4 statements and 1/4 basics. My rationale being that you can wear the same pair of blue jeans (assuming you can do laundry regularly) several times a week but you can't really do the same with something like a statement blouse. So you would only need one pair of jeans but several unique blouses to go with them.

Kirti

(website)

Veteran

I would definitely take a lot more favourites than basics. Neutral, grounding pieces do have their place but they tend to bore me a little

Kari

Veteran

I think I'd take about half and half, perhaps more heavily on the favorites because some of my statement pieces (like the Bailey 44 striped dress) are also workhorses that are very versatile. Most of my memorable pieces would be dresses or blouses.

Heather

Veteran

Um, can I shop when I get there?

rae

(website)

Veteran

Ha! Right on, Heather!

For me, it depends on the activities. When I went to Italy, I really needed basics because I kept sweating in the humidity while hoofing it around the cities. A few statement pieces were fine. However, if the weather and activities allow, I am generally like you and prefer to wear the same black tank and denim shorts underneath a different statement piece every day...

bj1111

Veteran

this s so hard because my life is split in half. i work from half the time, then go in the office or travel for work the other half with dinners out/smart casual social activities. i would probably pick work or social event appropriate 7/8. of that 7/8, i would go 3/4 statements covering different clothing categories and 1/4basics, like you. i would work from home practically nekkid. helllooooo, bathrobe.

Mo

(website)

Veteran

So, just to take this idea a little further - which of these 3 dresses would you bring as your LBD? The sheath, the jersey w/mesh overlay, or the dark blue colorblock with zipper bodice? Let's say it's an extended vacation, and that you have 6 other dresses in the mix - some sundresses, daydresses, a maxi or two.

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christieanne

Veteran

I would take dress #2. Looks the most versatile and one could change it up with accessories.
Guess I am sort of basic at heart.

CocoLion

(website)

Veteran

I find myself drawn to #3.

And as for the ratio of basics to statement, I have no idea. I would try to stick with items that coordinate well, so color would drive me more than basics or statement.

Mo

(website)

Veteran

Interesting . . . I went with dress #3 at first, but then changed my mind to #2. I guess I have both sides to my thinking lol!

Kari

Veteran

In the scenario you mentioned, since you would have other dresses in the mix, I'd take #2. Though it's jersey, the mesh overlay really dresses up the fabric and the way it drapes is very sophisticated - I think it would be the most versatile as far as being able to dress it up AND down while still making a statement.

Charmian

Veteran

I just got back from 4 months in Hong Kong! I like your 3/4 basics + 1/4 statement metric; it's about the ratio that I used, though not consciously.

I found it nice to go heavy on basics when I went to a different culture because you'll inevitably want to start incorporating some of the local looks (or pieces, if you permit yourself some shopping) and it's easier to do this with basics. For example, tunics / flowy / voluminous tops are big in HK; I ended up repurposing a shift dress as a tunic, and was able to stretch it into several looks because I'd brought several pants which matched.

I also found I brought more clothes than I needed. When I looked at my suitcase, I freaked out at how little I'd brought and threw in a few pieces I thought I'd need "for sure" (eg, to round out my wardrobe, to give me more variety, etc. Guess which pieces I never wore

I also agree about bringing dress #2, for the exactly the same reasons that Kari laid out. Don't forget about the power of accessories and scarves!

Deborah

Veteran

Mo this is doing my head in! I hope I never have to do this! Lol

fashionista

Veteran

If I could not shop there:
Ok so my basics would be blue jeans, dresses like from #2, thats 1/4
My favorites would be in tops/ blouses, shoes, bags, accessories, and that would be 3/4.

If I could shop there:
My basics-1/2
My favorites- 1/2
so that I have room for more items after shopping

Kristin L

Veteran

I think I'd pack 1/2 basics and 1/2 favorites. And dress #2 looks great, so that would be my LBD. Thinking about this makes me want to go on vacation!

modgrl

(website)

Veteran

Did you every try any of the capsule formulas on this webpage:

http://www.theviviennefiles.blogspot.com/

They are so creative and versatile!

cheryl

Veteran

I would take my favorites. The things that make me happiest.

As for the LBD, #2 would be my pick. It seems the most versatile as far as being able to change it up with a cardigan, blazer, or denim jacket.

Mo

(website)

Veteran

This is fun seeing how everyone would go about it! Modgirl, I had not seen that particular blog entry. all the other posts I've seen of hers seem to be too few colors for me. I have it bookmarked to look at.
Interestingly, when I figured out what I'd bring in my head I came to 90 items (including all shoes (16), jackets (5), layer tops (10) ) and my wardrobe now is 180 including everything but accessories and lounge/sleep/exercise. So I really did halve my wardrobe! Too funny. (before you all think I'm a crazed person, this would be for a half year or so, not a month long or anything!)

Heather

Veteran

Malina, you always have such a brilliant handle on your pieces.

rae

(website)

Veteran

I love #2 because I have seen how it dresses up and down in your wardrobe - seamless transitions!

Are you actually thinking of going away for 1/2 a year?? You just got back to CA!

Meredith1953

Veteran

Hmmm. I would take dress number 1. As far as percentage of favorite/basic, my basics ARE mostly my favorites as I own very little statement pieces of any sort.

Mo

(website)

Veteran

I'm just mentally preparing for the next time FL calls us up. It seems I'm never ready, and I bring so much I don't need. Realistically, 4 pair of pants will do, you know? But after being in the mountains, I grab 10 lol. Just a good mental exercise for how my life seems to go these days. I have to get used to being bi coastal on occasion hee hee.