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Revisiting (or updating) your style goals. I can't believe that was 7 mths. ago.

Caro in Oz

Veteran

http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....s-for-2013

I started the above thread seven months ago to try to keep myself moving closer to my style goals. Angie suggested a re-visit in six months so here we are - a little late as I've been away.

I do feel I've made huge progress with my wardrobe - it's smaller, it works well & I have more than enough clothes. I'm only buying upgrades at the moment ( for the Australian winter ) as I don't "need" anything.

The only thing that isn't working is my really casual capsule. I never feel stylish in really casual clothes. My idea of clothing hell (for me, love it on others) is a tee, jeans & sneakers The trouble is I need clothes for a mostly casual lifestyle so I need to find my version of this look.

If you responded to the original post how are you going with your goals? If you didn't do you have any goals for the next six months?

General

21 replies

Latest reply was from Elly

Lantana

Veteran

Ooh, what upgrades would they be Caro? I'd love to see your latest purchases.
My goals for the next 6 months? Keep reining myself in while I clarify my direction. No thrifting. Collect style descriptors that resonate. Focus on white and grey. Walk twice a day, not once. Democratize my clothes by bringing the fringe dwellers into everyday wear. Be brave, take risks. Expand my style vocab.
I think it's time we had another coffee, don't you?

Anonymous

I can't remember what or if I wrote before. I am at the point now where I need to rein in. I started with pretty much nothing, and it's been a year of buying. I think I am at a point now where I can finally stop and now work on upgrading and identifying any remaining holes.

krishnidoux

Veteran

I find very casual wardrobe a challenge too. Everything seems to be made for young pple, otherwise it's clams and tee with boring flat, thick, black or beige sandals.

I saw some cute things at the store Sail, like long sun dresses, cute utility shirts, etc. but still, it seems all too expensive for very casual.

Another problem is footwear. I don't wear flat footwear easily. Only ballet work well. So it limits my choices even further.

Here are some very casual elements that work for me:

- Lulu Lemon-like yoga cami topped by a utility shirt inspired long sleeve shirt: sleeves rolled, shirt unbuttoned.

- Oversized cargo pants

- Classic cut white shorts with white cami or white exercise bra + white loose cami and white golf cap. The all-white is surprisingly flattering and slimming.

Helena

Veteran

Hi, this is a great question; I'm new, so style goals is a great idea. I think mine are:

wear what I've got (shop that "80%" that tends to go unworn.
identify holes and shop for those (thanks Ceit as I copied that right from yours).
buy a few higher-quality items. just because i live a casual lifestyle, near a target, doesn't mean ALL my clothes need to come from there
perfect my uniform formula (nice fitting jeans + nice fitting top + accessories) rather than fight it.
spend more time investing in the details - polished shoes, manicured nails, regular hair maintenance, etc. these have gone of the back-burner (rightly) with young kids but time to push them forward again ever-so-slightly.
move beyond the color question - I've been color-obsessed for at least a year, and yet look at my Pinterest and everthing I like is neutral + white. Small pops of the color of the day are plenty for me; need to honor that rather than fight it. So that's more a personal resolution than a style one per se.

I guess mine are a lot about being true to myself when I look. Guess that's as it should be!

TraceyLiz65

(website)

Veteran

Mine would be to add modern pieces to the classics I've thrifted. I would also like to really get some more winter skirts and colored jeans...
Just joined the YMCA and am going to start Deep water Aquacize and Finning next week...i spend three hours at least three days a week in the pool with 3 classes in a row and love it. so hope to find the balance of how much to eat to lose the final weight and inches.

Sarah A

Veteran

I am doing fairly well at adding graphic black and white prints and "interesting" cuts. I am slowing down in the thrifting to really focus on things that hone my style not just fill my closet. Not so well on establishing a laundry schedule so I know how many clothes I need and also not so well at resisting online retailers who dont offer free returns.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Caro, so good of you to revive this discussion half a year on. Wow, the time has gone quickly -- you are right! And I can't wait to see your new purchases!

"Style is the perfection of point of view." It's funny, but I kept mis-remembering that quote as "style is the refinement of point of view."

Which I guess makes sense, because I am still in the refining stage. Ha!

But I do think I've done a good job of exploring the more modern leanings of my evolving style. And I've learned that this is the direction I want to continue to go in. A year ago I called it "avant garde" but I've learned that it's not the arty side of avante garde that pulls me -- or rather, works for me -- as much as the modern. Modern, not trendy -- though it will include the adoption of some trends.

I hear you on the difficulties of a casual wardrobe. I feel there are two possible paths.

1. Ignore the idea of casual. Just forget it. Wear dressier clothing and to heck with it!

2. Look for unusual shapes and cuts of casual basics that echo the shapes and cuts of the designers you love -- so, in your case, instead of a regular Tshirt, an asymmetrical hemmed one, etc.

With the casual clothes -- do you dislike them because of the textures? Because of the way they look or feel on your body type vs. an idealized image? Or because you simply don't feel "you" in casual attire?

I wonder if you get to the bottom of your dislike, a path forward might be more obvious to you.

I had a similar feeling about simple summer outfits of shorts/ top or skirt/ top. It just feels BLAH and unfinished (well, I know you and I are both jacket fiends, so you will get this). So I had to drill down a bit to find out what was bugging me and how to deal with the reality that in extreme heat, there is not going to be a topper! (Days like today, there might not be much of anything, but that's another issue!)

I still don't feel I have my own casual work-at-home style completely nailed. It's getting closer, though.

Archer

Veteran

Oh what fun- so many retrospectives. I looked back hoping that I had joined it but nay. I did read though because I remember your style and and I still watch you. I need to go and read from the beginning again now.
I was going to suggest we all do a six month check then I realised that is what you have started in one, rolling doozy of a post!

Vix

Veteran

Hi Caro --

You're full of surprises; I didn't think there was a clothing category that caused you strife, ha!

I'll just echo Suz's advice re casual clothes. Neither my forte nor "home." I swear I could admire a member's casual look (check!), put it on myself piece-for-piece (I've gotten close)...and hate it.

So mostly I shoot for her #1, have a limited number of items that qualify for #2, and when all else fails may add a little something to a truly sporty look (a scarf tied round a hat when hiking, for example).

Re #2: If you're at all like me you may blow off looking for casual and/or hate spending money for that type of clothing.

I will say actively forcing myself to look, then buying carefully and trying not to think, "I could put this money toward something I REALLY loved" helps a lot. [Go figure.]

Since I'm generally in a cost-per-wear mindset with closet stuff I'll wear the dang thing more, which creates a little positive reinforcement and my grudging, "hey, this ain't so bad after all...it kinda feels natural to wear this."*

*Recent example of (truly) casual wear purchase: Did you know they made activewear with rouching and feminine details? I didn't, because barring sports bras I never look, buy it every 3 years, and spend as little as possible!

milehighstyle (Linda)

Veteran

Here's what my response was 7 months ago:
1. Be brutal about purging things that don't make me feel fab
2. Shop when I need something, not when I'm bored
3. Visit some local consignment shops and see if I can sell some things
4. Find a better way to store my scarves

1. I have really done great with this. Here's what I did: instead of putting my spring/summer clothing in my closet when the weather turned warm, I kept it in a storage bin. I am taking things out of the bin and wearing everything at least once. If I love it, I hang in the closet after wearing, if I don't love it, it goes in the donation basket. I have a big bag ready to be picked up and suspect I'll fill one more bag before summer is over.
2. Sometimes I stretch the definition of "need" or "need" three of an item rather than just one. Also sucked in by deals - going on websites and looking when there's a 40% off deal instead of saying I need (blank) I'll get one when I get a 40% off deal.
3. Haven't done this yet, haven't taken any days off except to do things with my son or stay home for repairmen etc.
4. Done - cleared out some book shelves in my dressing room and put little Target baskets on them, rolled up scarves and put in the baskets.

Caro, I'm with you on feeling blah in jeans, t shirts, and sneakers. Sometimes just changing one element is enough to elevate the look. A cotton blouse instead of a t, or adding a blazer and scarf, oxfords or boots instead of sneakers, a denim skirt instead of jeans.

Mo

(website)

Veteran

On the old post:

To take on the 12 items in 12 months challenge, in an effort to buy key pieces to express myself rather than a collection of ho hum stuff I tend to accumulate.
I seem to be honing in on some of the items on my list a bit early as xmas presents lol!

Today:
I have done pretty well with following the list of items, but found I was almost always buying 2 versions of whatever item (BF jeans, oversized sweater). So, I cut myself some slack and made it 24 for 12, or 2 a month average.
I kinda thought this would happen in the back of my mind, and I'm pretty happy overall with my pace.

One thing I did not foresee was the amount of time spent in uniform for work, and the very active nature of my activities with friends when off work. Much of my FL wardrobe was more dressy casual for going out to eat with the BF or the movies, not active get-dirty-get-wet-go-biking-go-climbing type stuff

qfbrenda

Veteran

I never posted in that thread. But I feel good about my closet at the moment. I can get dressed for about any situation my life might require, and that's a great feeling. But in my rush to put a wardrobe together in the last 3 years, I've sacrificed some quality along the way. So when I buy new things, my main goal is to improve the quality through attrition. Budget-wise I can't afford to get rid of a bunch of stuff and replace it all at once. But as I buy things, I want to get rid of lower quality stuff and replace it with better.

Ana

(website)

Veteran

Caro, there are lots of other casual options besides t-shirts and jeans. Suz brought up some really good points. I also mostly have a casual lifestyle, and I usually look for either "casually shaped" clothing in dressier fabrics (silk tee shirts, full skirts in poplin cotton, etc.) or dressier shapes in more casual fabrics (sheath dress in linen, A-line dress in ponte knit cotton). I find that kind of "elevates" the outfit from being very casual to more smart casual and polished. I also sometimes take a dressy item (silk button down blouse) and pair it with a very casual item (cargo pants). I'm not sure if you are more polished or RATE, but the general idea might still work for you.

As far as style goal, I figured out my new-ish (for the last year) style adjectives are "ladylike casual." I'm trying to pare down my wardrobe a little, because I realized I have things in there I never wear for whatever reason. I also finally purged the last of the items that don't fit me anymore since my weight changed. I'm being very careful about adding too many new things, and I make a seasonal plan for shopping, instead of just buying whatever strikes my fancy. So right now, I feel really good about my closet.

rachylou

Veteran

Oh dear. These were my goals:

1) Stop boredom buying
2) Purge until everything in storage is cleared out
3) Invest in some PPP basics - by which I mean, really put out to find and get altered well-fitting, high quality basics

Mostly I've focused on #2. But there's still 10 bins to go, at least. And there's actually getting rid of the old clothes.

I've cut back on boredom buying from #1, but haven't managed to actually stop cold. To be quite honest, I've been diverting my attention with getting "little fixes" by the way of one pair of $1.50 socks when I go into Target... but this is better than a basket of stuff when I go in, right? I should refine this to "Stop boredom shopping." Although this is hard to balance with getting out there on a regular basis to see what's up.

#3 I've done nothing about. I made a few forays out without luck and then sort of gave up. I should try and rally. But, like, I went to Neiman's and it was all unlined suits. Gross. It depressed me

SandyG

Veteran

One of my eternal style goals is to pare down closets stuffed with clothes, shoes, and accessories -- I've been the same size for decades and it's such a big headache to contemplate -- which is why I joined the YLF community The most energy I had this month was to give 2 huge shopping bags of stuff to a young woman from my local coffee shop. We'd discussed vintage and boho clothing a few times, she always complimented WIW, and I finally asked her if she'd like an assortment from closet editing. It felt SO good, she seemed happy and we'll repeat it in the fall. One checkmark for July, done!

Joy

Veteran

I wrote that I wanted to edit more often and adhere strictly to PPP. I have been much more picky and am learning to ask myself before buying if I already have something filling the need and does it really need to be replaced.
I still need to be more brutal when it comes to editing.

shedev

Veteran

Great post Caro. I missed the origonal thread. My goals 6 months ago were to
1.expand my footwear beyond black,
2. to increase the cohesion of my wardrobe
3. to reduce its size.
my progress
1. added navy, taupe, chocolate brown, and pewter
2. I'm slowly getting there, doing better at shopping in capsules. I struggled with the concept at first but then changed my capsule to mean a group of things that work together, not necesarily by activity.
3. I'm doing I in 2 out, after a while I just go on autopilot during large purges and just end up moving things around. I still do some larger purges too.
For the next 6 months, I'd like to, add in a few more dressy items that still feel like me, continue to reduce overall size of my wardrobe, and find a few more pieces in my persona.
I think you can define your perfect casual. I consider myself casual but I'm not really hoody and trainers casual, I'm more moto and booties casual.

amiable

Veteran

Hmm... I don't seem to have written on that thread, but here's what I wrote on Angie's post:

- Develop a sense of style and what works for ME.

- Learn to be properly picky when I shop, and how to tell what will be a good acquisition.

- Pay real money for something perfect.

- Sew something high quality and well fitting for myself (maybe a coat, a jacket or a pair of trousers or jeans).

- Get a few (maybe several!) items in emulation of Amelia Earhart, my style icon, wear them, and see what I (and you all) think.

And how I'm doing... Well, I have a better idea what works on me now, for sure. I'm getting pickier in my shopping - but it's still not perfect. A did pay real money for terrific shoes (twice now!), and am hoping to buy a perfect winter coat and maybe boots too this fall.

I really want to sew a button-down shirt for myself, or a perfect bra or coat. Still haven't started on that, and when I'm realistic about the amount of free time I have -- it might not happen.

I haven't really done anything with the Amelia Earhart style icon. Hmm... I'm still fascinated by her though - perhaps I should revisit her.

Thanks Caro for the terrific reminder!

DonnaF

Veteran

I never posted on the other thread, but it was probably to reduce my shopping/spending. My goal was probably too ambitious, but I HAVE kept track of what I bought and how much it cost. I think my major mistakes this year have been in footwear, given what the podiatrist told me yesterday about what I need to wear to reduce pain.

My other goal has been not to *save* clothes as being too good to wear. In furtherance of this effort, I am trying to stay away from dry clean only items unless they are non-gear outerwear. If I know I can wash something, I am more likely to wear it. I am so proud of the washable unlined linen blazer I bought. It adds polish without heat.

For the remainder of the year, I want/need to focus in on identifying and honing in on my personal style persona so that I can get a better handle on what will give me maximum pleasure as I would prefer a tiny curated wardrobe over one with a lot of choices that are merely okay stylistically (other than footwear).

My second goal is to figure out how much pain I am willing to endure on my wonky toe and the style trade-offs I am willing to make.

Caro in Oz

Veteran

Lantana - Your goals sound fantastic as does a coffee I bought another small leather bag, a cashmere scarf, a couple of silk blouses & a dress (for a function but wearable for day).

Ceit - you have some fabulous clothing & a well-defined style imo. I can see how you would want to take stock

krishnidoux - I found all white to be one of my go-tos for our summer too. Happy to be back in boots & jackets though

torontogirl - fab goals As another neutrals lover I'd love to see your boards.

TL65 - Sounds like you've found your fun exercise. What modern pieces are you looking for?

SarahA - knowing how many of a particular item to buy is hard for me too - especially when I tend to spill things on myself fairly frequently

Suz & Vix - Thank you, your responses are very helpful - I'm coming to the conclusion that the answer (for me) is for the most part your #1 Ignore the idea of casual. Just forget it. Wear dressier clothing and to heck with it!
I can do the slim boyfriends & even the silky tee but if I add a utilitarian shoe &/or jacket I just don't feel right. It isn't so much how I look (of course that is always a factor) the over-riding thing is how I feel - unme. I think I just made up a word unme meaning not enough Japanese-style clothing.
Vix, the funny thing is I have workout gear that I love but I only wear it to the gym
Suz, Just wanted to add that I love your summer looks & have been thinking of trying shorts because of your posts

Thanks Archer - never too late to join in - love your expression rolling doozy

MHS Linda - I agree if I put a jacket & booties with the jeans & tee I'm set. It's when it's too hot or too casual for these that I really struggle but I guess that means I only need a very small capsule of "playing with grandson" clothes & a couple of dresses for the heat.

Mo I hear you about the getting dirty & wet - in the past week my jeans have been wet, full of sand & have green grass stains - from a game of beach cricket & a rugby game down the park. My grandson is into sports
Love how you can yourself some slack with the 24 for 12, as Angie says it's all about having fun.
qfbrenda, Don't be too hard on yourself. Sometimes I think we just need to have certain pieces in our wardrobes so we have something to wear - once that is done then comes the really fun part - buying the best we can afford

Ana - you are right about the mix being the key. Your examples of silk with cargoes etc. do appeal to me. It is just getting the mix & the pieces right. Sounds like you have a great handle on your wardrobe

Rachlou - I think buying a pair of socks is perfectly okay if it stops you buy stuff you will feel bad about &/or never wear. Finding those basics can be really hard imo. Could you use a personal shopper or two?

SandyG - Well done. Doesn't it feel great to be rid of "stuff"? It took me a while to let go of everything I was keeping just in case It is a process for sure.

Joy - editing is hard but as Angie says the more we do it the easier it becomes. Sounds like you are practising PPP

shedev - I'll join you with the moto & boots casual I love that look. Sounds like you are making huge headway with your goals one in two out must produce good results

amiable - I remember your Amelia Earhart, style icon comments I would love to see more of your take on her look.

DonnaF - Please don't endure too much pain for style - your feet are precious & irreplaceable I like to hand wash too your linen blazer sounds like a workhorse.

Elly

Veteran

Caro-- I can totally relate to the troubles with casual clothing. My lifestyle is very casual or "professional yet hard-wearing casual" and I do find it very hard to a) spend money on nice casual things, b) feel like I have "style" in them, while c) still feeling like myself.

My original goals for the thread were related to those dillemas. I wanted to find ways to accessorize my minimal/tomboy style to add interest and my personality to basic tees and jeans. I was hoping to find a balance.

I haven't gotten far with that, as I haven't spent money on shoes or accesories since that post. It is still my major goal. I have had an opportunity to wear all of my non-casual clothing and while it doesn't feel like "me" it is all perfectly appropriate for interviews, funerals, and professional events. Yet, my casual clothing is what I wear 99% of the time and it doesn't say "me" any better.

My other goal was a purge. This I have made progress on. I have both July and August off of work, and have spent most of it so far cleaning out the house's storage area and downsizing. In addition to hopefully getting to take a trip or two with the rest of the time off, I am determined to finish the storage area and purge my bedroom and closets.