Style Evolution II - YouLookFab Forum

I am enamored with the idea of buying entire outfits (as opposed to sensible individual pieces that you can wear with everything). I think my wardrobe in the past has been very safe and very boring. I think it is time to introduce new colors and new ideas to shake things up a bit.

So when I see a featured outfit that I love, I am going to try to buy all the pieces together. This is risky because if one of the pieces does not work (skirt is too short to wear to work) then I will return the entire outfit.

On top of that, I am trying to practice One In-One Out. So that the outfit below would translate into three pieces being eliminated from my wardrobe. Based on comments from wiser people than me, I am not going to do One Skirt In-One Skirt Out. Rather it will be One Skirt In-One Pair of Old Jeans Out. One White Blouse In-One VERY SHEER White Blouse Out. One Fabulous Red Sweatshirt In-One ? Out.

Makes more sense.

Loft

Jacquard Short Sleeve Sweatshirt

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Top Pick

9 years ago

Minnie

Active Member

One Fabulous Red Sweatshirt In-Any One item of Boring Old Top Out.

Neel

Veteran

One Fabulous Red Sweatshirt In In In

unfrumped

I can really relate to this approach as a way to prevent orphans I've been frustrated when skirt fits but coordinating tops do not , etc. Often the items are needed to vet the right proportions.
I've gotten better about trying any new item on with Lots of things in my closet because I've learned that " basics" don't always create outfits together.
Good luck with your approach !

rute

go for it! I have noticed lately that when I buy a complite outfit that I love, I wear much more!

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

The sweatshirt was a top pick. It's gorgeous un-layered too.

YES. Buying entire outfits at a time works best for some of my clients. Why not.

Suz

This makes a ton of sense to me. If you purchase the whole outfit, you know it works. There is less struggle involved.

Anonymous

I once read an interview with the woman who was president of Henri Bendel for 29 years and she revealed her shopping strategy: she bought five complete outfits "at the start of each season" (don't know how many times a year that would be, since the fashion world has lots of seasons) that she felt superb in. Complete outfits down to shoes, bags, jewelry, belts, everything. Then she wore them in rotation (with some of her older outfits) -- but always the same way each time. No mixing, matching or remixing.

I remember thinking that was an excellent strategy -- if you could find (or have a stylist find) those initial perfect outfits. Of course this was a woman who had to represent her store, in the business world, at the highest possible level. But it stuck with me as an interesting way of approaching things -- you still get the fun/challenge of putting together an outfit, you just don't have to do it every time you get dressed.

Summer

Sterling, I think that's an excellent plan. I usually buy one piece at a time, but I think it makes sense to buy a whole outfit, or, at least, 2 or 3 pieces together. Ideally, those items would then work in to an existing capsule to maximise outfit options.

harmonica

Interesting! I think it makes sense and look forward to follow you. I've always bought single items, but mostly I think it is because I find it scary to buy a whole outfit.

Gorgeous red top. One in and any not-so-good piece out

Caro in Oz

I used to do this for work & it was great. Just a suggestion, if you don't have other tops that work with the bottoms I'd buy extra tops too.

DonnaF

The color palettes offered changes from year to year so purchasing this way makes sense. I've found that after a year or two, I can't find a red/plum/whatever to match or *go* with something I've bought in the past.

Gigi

Interesting, DonnaF. Definitely something to keep in mind!

I have never been disappointed with buying complete outfits. And I'm so glad to be reminded of this. Thank you! I am definitely going to employ this strategy for spring.

Janet

I've almost never shopped for complete outfits unless it was for a special occasion. I confess it would feel really strange to me to only shop this way! It's interesting though.

I wonder if this tends to work better for people who have to "dress for work." I have no such need, so mixing and matching really seems to work best for me. I also dress for such varying activities and weather conditions that I just can't imagine functioning well strictly on pre-planned outfits.

Janet -- I do have to dress for work and that was exactly what I was thinking about when deciding on this style evolution. I didn't realize it until I saw your post though.

I say do whatever works. I'm sure this strategy is great for women who have very busy schedules. I also think it's wise to stock up on your fav colors when they're available, as they can (and often do) change from year to year.

rachylou

It's helpful to buy whole outfits all at once, when the total vision is clear - and available. I find it so.

Susie

I've had that top in my cart a couple of times but haven't ordered yet....so, I really like the top! I think your strategy could be a really good one. Although my closet works well as mix and match, I do have favorite ways to wear some things. And I would rather repeat an outfit I really like than to re-mix into something I don't like as much.

Jennifer

I just bought that top and highly recommend it! I can't wear mine for work except on Fridays, but when I put it on, it is so comfortable I don't want to take it off.
The only thing is, I went to the store interested in the red and came out with the grey. The red top is much brighter in person than it is on the website, and for my complexion (fair, with pink undertones), it just didn't work.

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