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In need of wardrobe advice

April

Hello everyone,

My name is April, I just turned 30 this year, and I'm living in North Carolina. Growing up, I have always been more of a tom boy. I hated the feel of jeans as a child and only wore sweat pants up until the 9th grade when I had a crush on a senior and that motivated me to start wearing jeans to fit in more with my classmates. I pretty much own just your basic jeans with the basic cotton tops. Short sleeved for Spring/Summer and long sleeved for Autumn/Winter. All of which are on the baggy side which used to not bother me but after having now turned 30 it does. I do have a couple of dresses for the weddings and funeral occasions. When I was a kid I wore mostly the Nike brand of shoes but in middle school fell in love with the Keds brand and those are the ones I wear the most now a days. I also have a Nike pair, pair of dressy flats, and a pair of heels that I still haven't mastered walking in yet as I have only worn them once lol!

I am hoping to reinvent my wardrobe slowly and gradually so that I will fit in better while out and about and hopefully feel a little more confident about myself too. I know my hubby is on board and is ready to see me in clothes that fit me well as opposed to the more baggy style I have been sporting.

Here is where I need the advice. I have been thinking about for Spring having skirts (I really like the pencil and A lined ones) with the blouse tops and a type of ballet flats. For Summer, Shorts (I love Old Navy's Sweethearts brand) and cotton tees with a pair of boat shoes (I really love the look of those too but I'm not sure if that would work ok?). For Autumn, leggings with tunic tops and my Keds. For Winter, jeans (again, Old Navy's Sweethearts) with sweaters and a pair of ankle boots that I see everywhere this time of year that I absolutely love!

I am wondering if these types of outfits sound ok to work together or if there are better options I'm missing. I kind of like the idea of keeping my bottoms themed with the seasons. I'm sure that is a pretty unpopular idea but for me I think it would help cut down on the whole standing there trying to decide what to wear problem. I'm not sure what to wear along with them though (such as jackets or coats) in the Spring and Autumn months when it is transitioning from cold to hot and vice versa?

Oh, and if it helps to know I'm 5'6", around 113 pounds and I mostly do my shopping at Old Navy and JCPenney's. Any advice or tips would be greatly appreciated!

Dressing

33 replies

Latest reply was from April

gryffin

Veteran

Hi April!! Sounds like you have a great plan. You've selected a uniform for each season which makes getting dressed easier. A great site that you might want to check out is http://www.into-mind.com Great ideas on how to select a uniform and make capsule wardrobes. I think the key is to take it slow, especially if you have not worn items like skirts a lot. Then you can see what you really enjoy wearing. Also http://www.un-fancy.com does a 30 piece capsule wardrobe that is stylish but casual at the same time. You might get ideas there. I think the best thing is look at lots of different sites and see what colors and styles appeal to you. Then start small with a few pieces and see how that works out. I think you've made an awesome plan and I look forward to hearing how things work out for you!! PS I'd also check out gaps website, nice outfit ideas, madewell and Jcrew. They'd probably be in line with the look you are going for but their site might generate a lot of outfit ideas. Un-fancy uses a lot of pieces from madewell. Hope that helps!! Good luck!!

Sal

Veteran

I think your plan sounds sensible. I think going slowly is a good idea while you gain confidence in your new look, and work out what you like. You don't want to buy lots of things that you do not enjoy wearing.

I would not rule out jeans if you enjoy wearing them, it might be a case of wearing some different shoes and changing up the tops.

A pair of slim fit jeans (but not too tight so they are still comfortable) with a casual knit top (not a tee) or a dressy sweatshirt or a striped tee and blazer could be great.

With skirts you can get denim pencil skirts that might work for a casual life. Or even the stretchy knit tube ones.

Have fun and welcome:)

abc

Veteran

Hi April, welcome. I agree with gryffin. I also think you can take a look at Angie's MOTG (Mom On The Go) formulas for some inspiration. They may seem overwhelming at first, but she does a great job at breaking down the pieces and explaining how they can be modified and mixed and matched. I do like your idea a lot to keep it simple and based on a formula. I admire your desire to step up your fashionability.

here is the MOTG link
http://youlookfab.com/category.....on-the-go/

Joy

Veteran

Welcome, April in NC. You might look in the blog archives for Angie's Mom On The Go (MOTG) outfit ideas. They work to add style to those basic casual pieces for women of any age. The first link is to links for MOTG posts. The next are a couple of those posts. Have Fun.

http://youlookfab.com/search-r.....2934856j13
http://youlookfab.com/2009/10/.....on-the-go/
http://youlookfab.com/2014/10/.....s-booties/

Oct 10, 2014 ... Combining jeans with a long sleeved T-shirt, tunic cardigan, booties and crossbody bag is a winning Fall outfit formula for my Mum on

Joy

Veteran

Sorry for the extra stuff at the bottom of my post. I can't seem to edit it out

viva

Veteran

I love how you have mapped out a starting place for each season, and I think your beginning uniforms sound great. I say "starting" and "beginning" because I imagine that once you start you may find it easier to tweak and adjust the uniform quite subtly. For example, in autumn you have leggings with tunics and keds. You can add a long vest, or a short jacket, or the booties. And it would really change up the look of that basic uniform.

You've got a great foundation plan here. Check out the links the others have mentioned, and post some pictures for feedback if you like. I think you're off to a terrific start!

Carole

Veteran

I would like to add a link to Angie's Polyvores....it might be fun to browse the sets she's has created over the years...the MOTG capsules might be the most helpful as a starting point.

http://youlookfab.polyvore.com

Have fun!

unfrumped

Veteran

April, hi. That sounds like a great plan.
One thing you'll want to experiment with is how things fit. You may like to look at some WIW's and see the discussions on tailored fit, fluid, oversized. You may have a specific preference , or you may like a variety for different looks. For your new wardrobe, it sounds like you want things that while casual, fit you well and aren't just baggy- meh! So pkan some times to go to your stores and just try some things on, not buying but checking out, how do you want these items to fit.

Michelle

(website)

Veteran

Hi and welcome, April!
Like the others, I think you're really off to a great start with your plan to upgrade your wardrobe. Slow and steady wins the race here, and that's experience talking. Like you I decided to start overhauling my look shortly before I turned 30, and I wound up plunging in far too quickly. It was fun, but not so affordable. You'll feel better about everything to do with this process if you take it slowly and allow yourself to get used to new items you're experimenting with.
Old Navy is a great place to shop for this stage of your journey, since silhouettes are reasonably on trend and the price points can't be beat. Zara may have some worthwhile offerings too. Or Target.
You've also picked an amazing season to start playing with fashion, because so many of the trends sound like they would just be natural extensions of your existing wardrobe. Since you're used to the feel of jeans already, maybe play with some of the newer silhouettes like boyfriend or relaxed-skinny style? If you want to give your wardrobe an instant boost, you could look into some of the season's running-shoe-innspired footwear options to offer up a change from your keds. Angie bloogs about those and calls them "sassy sneakers."Lighht-weight sweaters, which are about as of-the-moment as can be, could make a fun and stylish break from t-shirts. And you can do all these things without sacrificing an iota of comfort, which I suspect will be a key theme for you. You're looking to freshen things up, not fundamentally change what you're all about, right?
I second the recommendations for some of Angie's formulas. Don't be deceived by the "mom on the go" name - I promise they're for any woman who wants to be casually pulled together. In fact recent additions to this series have been dubbed "gal on the go," if you want to search for that too.
Lastly, know that you've come to the right place. This forum has an amazing group of women who are free with their advice and constructive in their feedback. .This process can be fun, I promise. Enjoy and let us help any way we can.
Your reply

April

gryffin- Thank you so much for the links! I had never heard of a capsule wardrobe before but that sounds like exactly what I am trying to accomplish! I have been reading the into mind site and plan on checking out the others listed here today!

Kiwigal- Thanks for all of the wonderful tips!

abc- Thank you for the MOTG link! I can't wait to start checking it all out!

Joy- Thank you for the MOTG links too!

viva- Thank you for the great tips on how to switch up the basic uniform theme. I love those ideas!

Carole- Thank you for the link! I will be sure to check it out!

unfrumped- I will be sure to check those out too! What does the WIW stand for? I'm guessing "What I'm Wearing"? I wasn't aware there were different types of fits. I will be sure to check more into that as well. I'm hoping to get a chance to go over town this weekend and try some things on. I can't wait!

Michelle- Thank you for the wonderful advice! I will certainly be taking things very slowly. I have never tried on leggings before and it has been years since I have worn a skirt so I'm not even sure how I will feel about those. I have never heard of Zara. I will have to check it out! I have been wearing the boot cut style of jeans but I have been thinking if I go with the ankle boots the skinny jeans style would probably suit that better. I will have to see how they look on me though. My sister tried on a pair two years ago and she hated how they looked on her. We have the same frame except I am a couple of inches taller than her. I'm not sure if they might look the same way on me. Yes, that's pretty much my main goal! I agree with you, I had tried posting this same type of question on another forum and I only got one reply. This forum has been so welcoming and everyone seems so friendly here! I'm so glad I found this site!

Jenava

(website)

Veteran

Hi April,
for skinny jeans and leggings, you may want to invest in a pair of knee-high boots that you can zip over the jeans or leggings. this is incredibly comfy for cold weather and looks cute!

You can also try long cardigans, in addition to the tunics, over leggings or skinny jeans (IMO, skinny jeans and leggings are interchangeable, there is even a style called a "jegging" which is a very, very soft stretchy skinny jean!). With the long cardigan, you can mix up the tee, blouse or tank underneath it, and you can re-purpose sleeveless summer tops for fall and winter that way, as well, since the cardi covers your arms.

Ankle booties are incredibly versatile - over half of my shoes are booties. It does depend on your climate, but if you have the typcial four season climante here in N. America, you can wear them with skirts in the spring, and straight-leg or boot-cut jeans or leggings and skinny jeans in the fall.

FWIW, I do think that a small heel looks much better than a flat with bootcut jeans. Heels on booties are 1,000 times easier to walk in than pumps, though! You'll want to make sure the bootcut hem is long enough to skim the ground, too. Bootcuts, IMO, are actually trickier to make work than simple straight or skinny jeans.

Edited to add - I think the boat shoes with shorts sounds very cute! You could also try some flat Toms shoes or a pair of slip-on sneakers that are very in right now.

DonnaF

Veteran

Welcome April! I highly recommend ponte knit skirts, pants, and blazer jackets. The stretch makes them more comfy than a woven, yet they still provide a bit of polish to a look. Knit jackets would probably look fab over the t-shirts you already own.

April

Jenava- Thank you so much for all of those great tips! Yes, here it is the really cold winters, really hot summers, with Spring and Autumn being the gradual heat up or cool down periods. Although, we still get those curve ball days on occasion where it will be scorching one day and freezing the next.

DonnaF- Thank you for the recommendations! I will have to check out the ponte knit skirts. I haven't heard of them before.

Today, I have been checking out several different recommended sites and have been trying to soak in as much of the creating your own seasonal wardrobe capsules as I can! I am hoping to do the 30 pieces plan. I have been playing around with ideas of what I may want and their numbers. This is what I have come up with so far.

Autumn-
(Tunics 14) (Toppers 2) (Dresses 2 (Wedding/Funeral occasions))
(Leggings 7) (Coat 1) (Dress Shoes 2 (To go with above))
(Keds 2)

Winter-
(Sweaters 14) (Toppers 2) (Dresses 2 (W/F))
(Jeans 7) (Coat 1) (Dress Shoes 2)
(Boots 2)

Spring-
(Blouses 14) (Toppers 2) (Dresses 2 (W/F))
(Skirts 7) (Coat 1) (Dress Shoes 2)
(Flats 2)

Summer-
(Tees 14) (Dresses 2 (W/F))
(Shorts 7) (Dress Shoes 2)
(Boats 2)

I'm still trying to decide if I should take away a bit from my uniform tops and bottoms to give a little bit more of a variety per season. Although, once I had everything I could always carry over items if say there was a cooler day in Spring I could grab a pair of the leggings from Autumn. Now, I find myself stumped on the color combinations for each season. On the into-mind site I believe I am a cool Winter and according to that chart if I understood it correctly, that would also make me a clear Spring, cool Summer, and deep Autumn. I saw the colors recommended but am still having a hard time understanding what colors go well together. Also, for the toppers (Short Jackets, Blazers, Cardigans) do any of them seem to be more popular in a certain season than others or does it all equal out to about the same?

Michelle

(website)

Veteran

April, one other point to keep in mind - straight-legged jeans can often serve exactly the same wardrobe function as a true skinny silhouette. That is to say that straight legs can accommodate any heel height and top length, but without the extreme tightness and possible discomfort of skinnies. I know I and many others here find straight legs more flattering and comfortable, and they're fashionable at any time. Just thought I'd throw that out there to try and dispell some of your anxiety about that jean shape.
I haven't had a chance to review your proposed seasonal list in a lot of detail, but remmeber that you don't have to buy unique pieces for each season. If you have tops that work in spring and fall as a standalone and that you like layering in the winter, for instance, count it in all 3 capsules.
Best of luck with all this. And remember, listen to your instincts. If you see a colour that you happen to love, don't stress too much about whether it fits in some pre-prescribed pallet. If you like it on you, then wear it and enjoy.
Your reply

April

Thanks Michelle! I think I will give the skinny jeans a try but if I find them unflattering on me or just uncomfortable I will fall back on the straight legs. I have to admit one of my biggest problems is the tendency to want to over think everything in my life lol. I will take your advice and try to not worry about the color code so much. I'm sure my shopping experience would be a lot more pleasant in that way!

unfrumped

Veteran

I have also tried to overlap some of my spring and fall things--like tops especially, though for me it's pants, too.
The reason is so that I don't only wear items just for a few months a year and then wait a whole year. While that can be organized, it also means I've got lots of things just being stored. I can't avoid that for hot-summer and very cold-winter, but I can multipurpose some of the milder weather stuff. I want to do that so I'm really wearing it a lot during a year and then if styles change or I change my mind, I've gotten good use. Also if I have a few less items, I may be able to splurge on some I really love.
So an example might be if you had 14 spring tops + 14 fall = 28 tops, but maybe instead you overlap a few. Then you have less total invested (if you keep the same price points) and you may feel better about updating or upgrading a few items each year. Of course, there are plain wear-out issues of having fewer items, so that can be an issue as well, and you may have a good sense of how long you expect things stay good-looking, for items like washable cotton tops and sweaters, say. . I rather like having things get used up/ worn out so that I can justify replacing them, rather than only getting "tired" of something I haven't worn as much, as I feel better that way.

E

Veteran

Welcome to the forum!

I limited my silhouettes (although not seasonally, except for the most extreme temps, instead I wear either a full skirt or skinnies & appropriate tops depending on my mood) & found it very helpful for wardrobe building! So I think that's a good idea. However, if I were you I wouldn't buy a bunch of clothes all at once, in case you find you get bored with just the one silhouette in the middle of the season. Although, since you're used to wearing one silhouette, it might work very well with your personality.

Where do you like to wear colour? If you mainly like it in your tops, you can get neutral bottoms & toppers, than buy tops in any colour that goes with those neutrals, knowing you'll have easy mixing ahead of you.

As far as transitional toppers go, that really depends on your weather. But a neutral coloured trench would work well in both spring & autumn if you tend towards cool & rainy.

April

unfrumped- That is a good idea to keep from becoming too bored within a season. I'm not too worried about that though since I am only used to having jeans and tees. I am like you, I only replace things when they have seen their better day. I hate to admit this but most of my tees and even a couple pairs of my jeans I have had since middle and high school.

E- Thanks! I think that is the best way to go too, by buying things slowly and making sure I am comfortable in them. It would be really bad to buy a whole bunch of anything just to decide I don't like it and have wasted all that money on them. Yes, I think I would be ok with the one silhouette per season since I have been ok with just the one for years. That's a wonderful idea! I do wear all of my color in my tops. I have always had the blue to dark blue jeans and my black Keds so that would work out for me perfectly!

I have been trying to do some more fine tuning to my ideas mostly working with Autumn. I'm thinking different color tunic tops, all black leggings (I'm not brave enough to try the printed ones), my one pair of black keds and add a white pair to that, a short jacket (I'm thinking denim), a cardigan, and a pea coat (I just love the look of these!)

Now that just leaves my more dressy wedding/funeral occasions to deal with. Autumn starts out pretty warm here but it is just now starting to turn colder. I am really cold natured so I am thinking suits maybe a better option for me than dresses. Most dresses I see online stop above the knee so my legs would be freezing or the dress goes to the ankles but then its a sleeveless or short sleeved so then my arms would be freezing.

Anonymous

I am a lot like you in that a want to plan different capsules for the seasons and like to minimize as much as possible. I am trying Unfancy's wardrobe building idea (+/- a couple tops) for winter (Nov - Jan.) Project 333 is similar and something to consider as a guideline for building a functional wardrobe.

For you, since you wear jeans already, I would remove a pair or two of leggings and add in a straight leg jean, as mentioned above and maybe a pair of baby boot cuts, so you can dip your toe into boot cuts. I know I can't live without mine! Heck, you might even want to consider trading a pair of leggings for a pair of ponte pants, which can serve as comfy dress pants if needed.

I second the recommendation for checking out riding boots or any other tall boot with a low or wedge heel. They look great with slim pants, dresses and skirts - 3 seasons of wear!

I would consider a sweater dress for fall/winter, in a dark neutral that can work for somber occasions (funerals) and with the right accessories, festive occasions (weddings/parties). Something like this: http://www.anntaylor.com/ottom.....ess/347930. I just got the pine green (a really deep green, but unfortunately, sold out), but the idea is the same. I would then get a ponte knit dress in a fun color, but also solid that can be accessorized for different occasions.

And remember, don't be too strict on yourself - its not about the number, but about how you feel in your clothes. If you have to go over the set limit - but are really happy with your choices, so be it! Or at least, that is how I do it, lol!

April

I checked out the ponte pants and those do look really nice and comfortable! I'm thinking of keeping my number of 7 for bottoms the same but changing it up a little bit more where instead of just sticking to leggings, I could add in the ponte pants you mentioned and the jeggings Jenava mentioned above. I could pick my favorite of the three choices and have 3 pairs of those and 2 pairs of the other two choices.

I have seen quite a few ladies with the riding boots on around here. I would have to be sure to try them on because something about the height of them makes me want to think they would be uncomfortable to me. You never know until you try though so I would be very open to giving them a shot.

I really love the look of the sweater and ponte knit dresses! Thank you for pointing them out! That pine green dress is lovely! I'm thinking of getting a pant suit to wear to wakes, a skirt suit to wear to funerals, and the ponte knit dress to wear to weddings. I think I would put the sweater dress as my winter weddings dress.

That's very true and the best way to do it! I have bumped mine up to 31 now lol!. Summer is going to be a little less because I wouldn't need a coat for that season. I also may not do toppers either because it gets really hot around here.

April

Ok ladies, just an update here but I finally was able to make the time to go shopping and I ended up going to two Targets and an Old Navy. I tried on a pair of black denim leggings at the first Target with a white tunic top and I loved it! I was afraid I would find the pants uncomfortable since I am so used to them being baggy on me but they felt fine! I went to Old Navy next but even though I saw some things I loved they didn't have things labeled very well there. I am so new that I had a very tough time differentiating between tunic sweater tops and sweater dresses and also denim leggings and skinny jeans. They all pretty much looked the same to me and without the label I was lost lol. I went to the second Target and tried on a blue pair of the denim leggings and a beige tunic top and ended up buying them! I'm hoping to get a pic up here either by tonight or tomorrow afternoon.

I just wanted to make sure I thanked you all again because I came here with a little bit of an idea of what I was wanting but you all really helped point me in the right direction with the sites and advice that was given! I will continue to buy slowly and gradually until I have all 4 of my seasonal capsule wardrobes complete but I think I now have a pretty good idea of what I am wanting in them. I hope y'all don't mind if I may have more questions along the way. I have never been excited about clothes in my entire life but am really excited about this new outfit so I must now finally be doing something right in that department and I have all of you to thank for it!

Sal

Veteran

Thanks for your update and find words April. Do keep in touch, we are all still learning!

Gem

On printed leggings I have a pair of black on black print. It's a more subtle print and I love them

SandyG

Veteran

Hi April. In regard to straight leg jeans, remember that black, true blue, and white ones will be just as easy to wear, and make great basics 3 seasons of the year. I find them quite versatile. Happy hunting!

April

Kiwigal- Your welcome! I will be sure to do that!

Gem- Thanks for that advice! I will look into those!

SandyG- Thanks, I will keep that in mind!

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SandyG

Veteran

Pretty fab! Hope you have fun.

Jenava

(website)

Veteran

April, looking good! Would love to see a little color added here - maybe loop a nice light-weight colorful scarf around your neck? Too fussy? (-:

Sal

Veteran

I like this look, simple but modern. Nice texture on the top too.

April

Thanks ladies!

Jenava- That's a wonderful idea, thank you!

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