Last night after I posted my WIW I noticed that my status had changed to the fabled Veteran!

And what a year it has been. I have learned so much this year, and while I still have quite a ways to go before I have my dream wardrobe (i.e. one filled with clothing that works really well for me most the time and makes me feel consistently great) this feels like the right time to express my tremendous gratitude to Angie and Greg and all of you on the forum for making this such a warm, friendly, and fun place to explore fashion.

So I'm posting my first WIW to compare with my most recent, as a jumping off point for discussion.

In looking at these two outfits, I'm surprised to see consistencies that say this is "me." Slim bottoms, top, topper — it's a formula I repeat again and again, and I'm always most comfortable in such outfits. The bottom can be a skirt (or a dress), the shoes can be boots or sandals, the top can be a layering T or tank or (more likely) a woven shirt of some kind...but those are the elements. With few accessories.

At the same time, I'm amazed at the changes. The confidence and the playfulness are entirely new and I owe them entirely to YLF. To YOU, in other words - so thank you.

And thank you Angie, especially, for suggesting that I chop off my hair. The minute I did so I felt so much more like "me" again. It was a great decision.

Some changes in the way I manage my closet and think about my style:

1. I have a bit more money to spend on clothing now and it shows. I have been able to purchase a few nice things in the past year; my pre YLF wardrobe was almost entirely thrifted or bought on discount, sort of willy-nilly.

I have come to the conclusion that for me, this results in a wardrobe of unwearable items that don't work well together. I have learned that thrift and consignment and discount shopping are great for me - for the "extras" - the fun things I might not risk buying if they cost more - the shoes in a wild colour or the fuchsia silk suit!

I've also been fortunate enough to purchase a few wardrobe workhorses at thrift, vintage and consignment stores - my cognac boots, several wool jackets that saw a great deal of wear last year, and so on. But I now know I cannot EXPECT to find my core pieces there. If I do, so much the better, but it doesn't always work that way. I will plan next autumn's shopping accordingly.

2. My purchases have become far more intentional. I plan (or try to plan) and look at my capsules, and aim to fill holes, and if something doesn't work I am far less likely to repeat it. I don't just buy because something fits or is on sale.

3. I think very consciously in terms of seasons now, and have finally realized that I live in a four season climate and need clothes for each season. Many will overlap, of course. It's rare to find a true 4 season item for my climate. But often an item can be used in two to three seasons. A few will be strictly used in the season they are intended for - and that is okay!

I used to feel tremendous guilt about this - as if I "should" be able to wear the item both in spring and summer. Now I understand that if I am mindful of cost per wear, owning a few items that work especially well for spring and fall will give me much greater mileage from all my other clothes.

To keep my closet looking tidy and organized, I will switch things in and out as the weather changes. (I am lucky enough to have a separate storage closet for out of season items.)

4. I am MUCH more likely to buy for the life I actually lead now than I was when I joined YLF. I still make the occasional mistake here, but it's becoming quite rare.

5. I am finally starting to understand the value of the right shoe to pull together an outfit. Ditto bags.

Those are the shopping changes. In terms of my own style directions, I think they may be shifting slightly as well.

When I joined YLF, I told Steph I wanted to look like an "artistic professional" - whatever that means. And I tried to buy pieces that read as "artsy" - whether that meant some embellishment or textures or a strange cut or what have you.

Also, I have always been very attracted to flowy looks a la Eileen Fisher, and tried to buy a few pieces that had that sort of vibe to them.

Well...what I discovered over this past year was that I didn't really enjoy WEARING the embellished pieces or the ones that were very flowy. Somehow for me the "fuss factor" was always high with them, they felt costume-like (at times) or they just didn't seem like "me."

I do have one or two softer pieces that still work for me, (e.g. a loose fitting jersey dress with a cowl neck, the odd cardigan) but by and large I seem to be yearning towards greater crispness and structure in my looks, and less embellishment. More simplicity.

Does this mean that my style is becoming modern classic? I don't really know. I think I'll ALWAYS enjoy injecting a retro element or two. And I'm still attracted to asymmetrical cuts and lines. But I seek structure in every outfit and a certain crispness.

The trick is finding ways to incorporate those elements into very comfortable "at home" looks (since that is where I spend almost all my time). That is what I'll be focusing on in the year ahead.

Thank you, once again, for all the help you have offered here on this forum, and thanks for reading!