I've forgotten how to wear anything but FFBOs... - YouLookFab Forum

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I've forgotten how to wear anything but FFBOs...

catgirl

Veteran

The other day I realized that all I ever wear is some version of tunic (or oversized top/buttondown/sweater) and skinnies, or a dress and tall boots. I seem to have forgotten how to wear slouchy bottoms or BF jeans, or shorter tops, or anything with a topper. I realized this when DH found a whole slew of old WIWs on a camera card. Not all of those looks were successful but they were varied.

I know this is always a part of my winter routine, but I've become so dependent on these two formulas that I can't seem to break out of them. It just seems like too much effort and thought when the FFBO is so easy! Is it even a fall-back if there's nothing else? What am I falling back FROM?

Is anyone else having this kind of trouble, or is it unique to my insanely long winter?

Dressing

26 replies

Latest reply was from El Cee

Helena

Veteran

AG, the important question is, does your ffbo make you happy? If so - enjoy!! Personally I find winter is THE worst time to assess a style situation ... Wait until spring, I bet your variation snaps back into place naturally

Peri

Veteran

Well...I think I answered that in my own post!

But it seems like if you were tired of or unhappy with your FFBO you would be looking for other things already. If you are happy with it, that's fine!

Deborah

Veteran

I do think the length of the season can contribute to falling into a pattern of wearing a similar look over and over:). I'm feeling similar with summer. My mind is on winter so I'm reaching for the same old thing. But I don't see it as a problem if you happy and feeling good and from what I've seen, you are rocking your look

Anonymous

I am for the most part a uniform dresser. I have a couple of formulas I go by to create outfits. I think of it as my signature style. I don't latch on to new trends that quickly. I have to think about whether something will work for me & my lifestyle or not. If not, I pass. No worries.

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

Yes definitely a diagnosis of winteritis. Spring is the cure.

Gail

Veteran

I can totally relate. I am stuck in the asymmetrical long tunic, skinny jeans/leggings and boots.
The only time this differs is if I am going out to dinner at night and then it is the same plus a statement necklace. Roll on spring

L'Abeille

Veteran

If I recall correctly, dress and tall boots wasn't even one of your FFBO's until you got those over the knee boots. So your range has actually expanded compared to last winter.

And yes, it's just the season.

catgirl

Veteran

Actually a dress and boots was one of my FFBOs - the OTKs are a nice variation on the theme. But still not all that different. I think I whine about this annually!

anne

Veteran

I guess if you are bothered by it you could try to have one day a week where you try something different.
OTOH I have only 2 real silhouettes for work - skirts or dresses, and mostly FFBOs within that - like the FFBO for "having a bloaty day" "doing training so want to look corporate" "cycling in so need non-crushable" etc

Astrid

Veteran

It's no longer a FFBBO, it's an uniform. Does it really bother you or do you only think it should bother you?

Anonymous

Is that so wrong if your style is so perfectly honed?

gryffin

Veteran

I'm a uniform dresser and I don't think I get out of leggings in the winter. I get my variation from wearing a different topper each day but otherwise it's leggings/tunic/dress vs skirted leggings/shorter top. Variation comes in footwear (well not this year do to neurma - hiking or paddock boots weather permitting) and toppers. Are you wearing your bespoke jacket and green topper? cropped jackets can look fab over tunics. Is that too formal for you? Needless to say, it's winter, warmth is key but if you are bored then it's time to swap it up.

Author Linda

Veteran

Sounds to me like you're ready to make a few changes. You found a style that works for you but maybe you want something new. My job in public relations had a casual vibe. I needed to look both smart (for public or TV appearances) and approachable, so knits and slacks worked as well as dresses and skirts. What I found over time was I most loved the more casual end. The important thing was to know what smarter looks worked for me and to make sure I had those pieces on hand. The great jacket. The perfect pencil skirt. And of course the footwear or scarf that would knock things up (or down) a notch. You could have a lot of fun playing with your looks by adding just one or two pieces in the direction you want to go.

crazyone

Veteran

When I saw your title, I immediately thought it was a consequence of your insane winter. It's been snowy and cold and my dressing options have narrowed, too. You'll feel more creative after the thaw, I wouldn't worry about it.

lyn67

Veteran

Hah, we use to discuss this each end of winter:-). I am also stuck in my winter skirts, opaques and midcalf boots formula but try to change up things on the top. Wear them with both lonely sweaters or the top+ jackets/cardigans formula, plus some winter day dresses are adding some more interest-so I'm fine with it.
But I do have a great variety of skirts, including statement and patterned tube ones, sweaters and jackets(+scarves) which definitely help to keep up my moods till spring.

Mac

Veteran

Whispers

*sorry - what does FFBO stand for, please?*

RoseandJoan

Veteran

Mac, it's a fast fall back outfit I believe, the thing that looks good that you grab for when you are time starved.

Una, your wardrobe is working for your climate and lifestyle. I think you are working a good thing.

Anonymous

Same. I think I have been wearing the same 3 things when i'm working at home for the past month. It is cold now, and snowy, and it's at this point in winter where I'm done with it, and no longer care what I wear. FFBO 's from now until the end of March . Snoooooooooze.

texstyle

(website)

Veteran

It's not really that cold here but I've been guilty of wearing a "uniform" too this winter. I think I've just been focused on other things mostly-- so some of it has to do with what I find easiest to style. For some reason, BFs or any looser fitting pants have felt harder to style this year. I've said before I don't like the fabric bunching of looser pants, so maybe that's it for me. I also could probably size down next time I shop for them.

approprio

(website)

Veteran

I have the same problem in winter. It's hard to vary successful formulae when you're dressing for the weather. I've quite enjoyed it this season because I found a groove with a few FFBO's of different silhouettes that I really liked. I found it very useful to have a number of key statement pieces which I can just throw on and feel good about.

Beth Ann

Veteran

How about adding one more formula, to freshen things up again until things started to lighten up and thaw? Alternatively, you could choose one item you like, but haven't been wearing much, to focus on with outfit creation.

Deep Winter is always hard for me, and it's been a mild year! I deliberately create a loose Deep Winter capsule that is to last until the first of March. Then, no matter the weather, I mix it up into a Transitional or Cool Spring capsule. The colors are a bit lighter and brighter, and I retire a couple of pieces from rotation.

You look terrific in your uniform. The question is, do you need more variety to be "happy" in your clothes?

Cerinda

Veteran

Maybe it's the lack of light? It really gets to me; can't seem to get out of my darkest neutrals.

catgirl

Veteran

Appreciate the commiseration! At one point I did a silhouette challenge to wear 5 different silhouettes during the work week. I may need to revisit that although my wardrobe is less diverse these days... Thanks for the support!

Anonymous

I'm doing/wearing the exact same thing this winter, and I learned the look right here on this fabulous forum, inspired by stylish women like you! Oversized sweaters and tunics over leggings/skinnies are a great way for me to layer and they work perfectly with winter boots for bad weather. Maybe because it's new to me, I'm still enjoying the look--and cosy comfort! I do feel a bit guilty about all the unworn clothes in my closet, but I find this FFB formula provides lots of ways to experiment. It's also perfect for travel.

Staysfit

Veteran

Hmm, I wonder if I sort of do the same thing. I have 2-3 silhouettes that I repeat. I don't mind though because I have enough variety. In fact, I have been eliminating some items that don't seem to fit in with my current style and my wardrobe has shrunk even more. I understand my limited Ffbo dressing as something unique about me. I have my way of dressing and it is identifiably "me".

I think the same about your Ffbo's. If I'm browsing online and I see something, I can say to myself, oh, that would look great on AG!

El Cee

Veteran

For what it is worth Una -- I think you look amazing in the long over lean formula. I can see why you turn to it over and over again. I remember your 5 silhouette challenge from last year. It was inspiring. I am attempting to do something similar this month to address my own case of wardrobe ennui. I think we all reach this point toward the end of a long season.