Starting Over - YouLookFab Forum

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Dressing

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Outfits Ensembles Trends Advice

Starting Over

Transcona Shannon

Veteran

Wow - my first post in the YLF forum! How exciting! I've been reading it for months and have finally decided to officially join in! Over the last two years, I've gone from a size 22 to a size 8, having lost 75 pounds. During my weight loss journey, I bought inexpensive clothing and thrifted a great deal of wardrobe since I didn't want to spend alot of money on clothing I knew I wouldn't have for long. Now that I've reached my goal weight and health wise, and have kept it off for a year, I've decided it's time to invest in good quality items. I would love some advice as to where to start to build a new wardrobe? What are the items I should consider "investment" pieces and how do I incorporate classics that I hope to have for years with some of the current trends?

Dressing

19 replies

Latest reply was from Mac

chewyspaghetti

Veteran

Hi Shannon- welcome to the board and congrats on your weightloss journey!
I think the best place to start is with a bra fitting and new undergarments and a fab new haircut. Once you have those in hand, figure out your body type (post pictures if you need help figuring it out) and do some research to figure out what flatters you. I would spend more money on bras,coats, shoes, fitted jackets, woven dresses and pants/jeans. You can get away with fewer of those and fill in with less expensive pieces.

Transcona Shannon

Veteran

Hi chewy! Thanks for the reply. It's funny you mentioned a new haircut - the first thing I did when I reached my goal weight, was go and get my hair cut super short (like Jamie Lee Curtis short) and stopped hiding behind my hair. I have fallen in love with fitted jackets - they do wonders for giving shape and hiding wobbly bits of excess skin (I'm afraid I have some of that and there no plastic surgery in my future).

Mo

(website)

Veteran

I'm not sure how helpful this will be to you, but I only buy 2 of any one similar silhouette or trend until I'm sure it's a winner and then I can think about expanding. I have in the past gotten caught up in trying to get the perfect wardrobe by having every possibility and found that I have too many of one thing and none of other important items. For instance, last fall I bought just 2 skinny jean/pants. Enough to try them out and mix and match but not so many that come next year I'm looking at 6 pairs of skinnies I never wear, you know? Same with ballet flats - I got black, cream, and then decided to expand with red.

So, I'd say a light neutral and dark neutral of most things and then a color or print is a great way to start filling those holes. Also, for me, thinking about WHERE I am going to wear something was a big help.

Congrats on the weight loss and good luck with your new wardrobe! Have fun with it!!

cobaltblue

Veteran

Hi Shannon, Congratulations on the weight loss! I am pretty much starting over with my wardrobe, too, for different reasons, so I will surely be watching this thread.

Becky

Transcona Shannon

Veteran

Hi Mo and Becky - thanks for the comments. I think you're totally right Mo on the issue 'bout not getting too many of the same items - because I've fallen in love with fitted jackets, I could definitely see myself getting carried away and having a closet full of them. And I love the idea of light neutral and dark neutral for most with color added in.

rae

(website)

Veteran

Congrats and welcome!

Do you have a strong sense of your personal style? If not, you might consider making an inspiration board and a list of things you would need, given your lifestyle. It helps me to imagine all the places I go and think about how I'd want to look in each setting (work, holiday parties, errands, etc.).

Transcona Shannon

Veteran

Hi Rae! I work in a corporate setting that is definitely on the business side of dressing (suits, dresses, skirts & blouses, etc.). I've discovered over the last little while that my style seems to be about 80% classic with 20% funky. For example, I enjoy wearing a dress with a fitted jacket over top, tights and pumps (or boots) but with some chunky/funky jewellry or an unusual scarf. I'm short (5'1"), 48 years old with short salt-n-pepper hair (stopped coloring about 4 years ago and am in LOVE with my silver "high lights") and wear glasses. When I'm not at work, I'm running my teenage son around town (can hardly wait until he gets his driver's licence), teaching my Weight Watchers class or out on a run...so I guess I need a little bit of everything???

rae

(website)

Veteran

Ah, a fellow corporate lady! Can I please say that I adore you for rocking your silver highlights?? For years, I've been crossing my fingers that more women will do this and help it become acceptable, because I think it looks amazing.

It sounds like your idea of a solid foundation of neutral with some pops of color will be great for your lifestyle. From my own experience, you can actually get away with a lot of color and pattern in the office when the cuts are classic and conservative. For investment pieces, the first thing that comes to mind for you is a couple of fab suits -- you will be able to wear them together when you need to and break them up when you're bored.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Such great advice and welcome to the forum! A very big congratulations from me too. Your weight loss journey is inspirational.

First thing to do is have a professional bra fitting.

Transcona Shannon

Veteran

Alrighty ladies - bra fitting it is. We have a wonderful lingerie store in Winnipeg (yes...I'm from the Great White North of Canada...it is -35 degrees Celcius today...) that is known for its service and beautiful bras and undies. Will set up an appointment. And I love your advice about suits Rae. Will definitely head that direction. As for the silver in my hair, I have never had so many compliments on hair as when I chopped it all off and let the real me shine through - it does however change some of the colors you can wear because it affects your skin tone. I used to look great in browns and beiges, now I'm much better with black, white, gray and red.

Inge

(website)

A big welcome from me too, Shannon. And congratulations on the weight loss! I love the sound of your short do. I agree with the bra fitting suggestion. Do you like jeans? A pair of perfectly fitting and flattering jeans is so versatile. You can dress them up or down and they will look fantastic with the fitted jackets you love. A few pairs of fun coloured shoes can do wonders too, they can spice up any look, are much more versatile than I had ever imagined before finding YLF and they make you smile every time you look at your feet;-)

Looking forward to more of your posts!

Kate

Veteran

Welcome! I don't have much new to say, and I realize you probably aren't completely starting from scratch, but if I were completely starting over (with your lifestyle) I would start with:

- 2 perfectly fitting bras
- 2 weeks worth of quality underwear (no visible panty lines!)
- 1-2 pairs of work shoes (maybe a neutral and a versatile color, or just 1-2 neutrals)
- 1 pair of cute casual shoes or boots
- 2-3 suits (neutrals) (make sure they are proper pants length with the work shoes)
- 1 pair of casual jeans
- 10 tops that can be worn with BOTH the suits and the jeans
- 2 more casual (probably knit) tops
- 1 sweater or cardigan (for weekends and evenings)
- 1 winter coat
- 1 snow boots
- 1 each of workout wear (shoes, sports bra, top, pants, layers, etc) (maybe 2 on some, depending on how often you do laundry)

With this you have all of your bases covered, and can go a full two weeks without repeating an outfit at work. I would make sure that these are all quality pieces that fit you PERFECTLY. All of these pieces should be 10s that flatter, fit, and make you feel great! During my first month (or several) with just the basics, I would spend some time thinking about what was missing.

I spent two semesters studying abroad with about 30 items of clothes, and tops were what I always wanted more of, so I tend to stock up on tops and get by with a minimal number of bottoms and shoes. Some people love a variety of shoes, and some love a variety of accessories. If you don't know which camp you fit into, I would start with the basics and just see what you feel like you need more of, and then slowly add to your collection.

I can't wait to hear about and see your new wardrobe!

Stephanie

Veteran

I really like Rae's suggestion, and I would encourage you to buy suits whose pieces you LOVE both together and separately. I bought a spendy Elie Tahari pinstripe suit and have gotten so much wear out of the trousers and the jacket separately--I feel like wearing the pieces together is a bonus, whereas other suits I have bought, I would never have worn the pieces separately. Pantsuits or skirtsuits is fine--whichever way you prefer. Just make sure that you love the pieces as separates.,

Megan

I had a quite different weight change journey to you- I needed to gain a considerable amount of weight after being very sick and my favourite thing that I bought once I'd reached a healthy weight was a pair of really amazing premium denim jeans. They cost me over $300 and still fit me now. I've gotten so much wear out of them and they make me feel good every time I put them on.

Finding a pair of jeans that make you feel great to wear is SO rewarding- you should splurge

Michelle

(website)

Veteran

Hello Shannon!
I don't have much to add here beyond the excellent advice you've already received, but just wanted to wave hello to a fellow Canuk. Greetings and congratulations from Toronto! I'm on the opposite end of the weight spectrum struggling to get where you are, so I really admire what you've accomplished.
Welcome to the forum!

Anonymous

Welcome! You have gotten great advice. I'd add that if you wear leather, get a leather jacket that you feel fabulous wearing.
Take your time and don't settle for something that works but isn't something you love. That means being careful not to be swayed into buying something because it's on sale for a great price.

Debora

Veteran

Welcome, Shannon! It sounds like you are well on your way with a fab haircut and a bra fitting in the near future.

I would suggest identifying your body type next. Here is a post to get you started:
http://youlookfab.com/2009/03/.....body-type/

Once you have identified your body type, Angie has posts in her archives about how to dress each of the five YLF body types.

Here are a few additional links about wardrobe essentials from the archives that you might find helpful:

http://youlookfab.com/2009/03/.....be-basics/
http://youlookfab.com/2009/06/.....lifestyle/

Good luck with your style journey. You've come to the right place!

Transcona Shannon

Veteran

Wow! I have to say I'm thrilled with your congrats and fabulous advice. I think my biggest obstacle will be staying focused and not going completely crazy buying because now I can shop in "regular" stores where there are so many more options to choose from. I need to repeat over and over "quality not quantity", which has always been a problem for me. But I'm ready at this stage in my life to up my style quotient. Shoes are the one area I won't need to start from scratch on - over the last year I've purchased a pair of Clarks black leather Mary-Jane pumps, Clarks red leather Mary-Jane pumps, Naturalizer brown leather booties and Josef Siebel black leather booties, as well as one tall pair Josef Siebel black leather boots. I love, love, love heels (hey...I'm only 5'1"!) but my feet are fussy and they need to be soft and comfortable. My bra fitting is tomorrow morning so will start there and then I think next week, I will look for suits. But my question is...do I look for a suit in a lighter weight now that spring is around the corner (oh please, let spring be around the corner!) or something a little heavier weight? Color suggestions please? Thanks everybody!

Mac

Veteran

Congratulations. With an accomplishment like losing 75 pounds, you must feel confident enough to take on any challenge! My only advice would be to post lots of photos here since YLFers are very helpful and generous with their feedback.