What are your style goals for 2015? - YouLookFab Forum

Category

General

What are your style goals for 2015?

Laura (rhubarbgirl)

(website)

Veteran

So, it's December! (Yay? Boo?) I hope it's not too soon to discuss fashion and wardrobe goals for next year. I've been pondering mine for a while now. So far this is what I've got:

Continue tracking my purchases and sticking to my seasonal budget
Center my buying around big shops four times a year*
Increase my average spent per item (buy less, buy better)
Investigate some new-to-me brands
Upgrade my workout wear (perhaps allocate a percentage of budget to be used for only this?)
And the biggie, track my wears and CPW. This deserves its own thread, I think, because I've never done it before consistently and I'm not sure which mechanisms I want to use to track and analyze.

*Regarding the seasonal buying approach, I moved more into this mode in the second half of 2014, and it went reasonably well, but I think I need some more tweaks. I am thinking of allocating some large percentage (2/3s?) to the four seasonal big buying occasions, and then the rest of my budget can be allowed for happy surprises and unplanned items.

Here in lovely Silicon Valley, our seasons don't really correlate with the department store 'seasons', and I bought too much this fall too early. I think I really need to hold off on fall purchases until late October or November, although by then a lot of stuff is picked over. Same with summer, as you often don't need much until July, but then you wear it through September. Right now I'm thinking the big shops should be in Mar-Apr, June, September, and Nov-Dec.

General

36 replies

Latest reply was from MovingFashionForward

Anonymous

I am defining a signature style for various activities. I found that by being very specific in terms of defining a signature style is really helpful for me. I started out by cutting out pictures from magazines and the internet. Once I have an assortment, I'm going to pick my favorites and define them for myself. I'll use those definitions as buying guides.

Laura (rhubarbgirl)

(website)

Veteran

That's a neat idea, Sterling. Will you have different ones for different activities?

I got hooked on Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries recently and suddenly I've been wanting to get back to a retro artsy vibe, which hasn't been my style in years... Maybe that can be my dressy occasions 'shadow style' or something.

abc

Veteran

Great thread.

Throwing out some unorganized thoughts now, but hopefully in the next few weeks I can organize myself and thoughts better.

-like you, buy less and buy smarter/better
-don't buy on impulse
-investigate local sources (vs doing all shopping in usa)
-sit through the "wantsies"
-really cull and get rid of the excess
-analyze before buying
-buy for my real life

Sal

Veteran

A tricky one. I know a few pieces and areas needing upgrading (winter smart coat, party dress, jeans, sweaters, new handbag).

I think by the time I spend on these I won't have much budget left over however I think focussing on what I know I will wear often and my gaps will keep me in line.

I want to continue to buy pieces with longevity, that are true to my everyday elegance style goal, and without excess.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

This is something I haven't thought clearly about yet. Thank you for the prod. I suspect it will have to do with defining a signature style as well.

Alassë

Veteran

Here are mine:
Repeat outfits
Slow shopping
Stick within a new budget (2/3)
Only buy from my thought-out list

Astrid

Veteran

I haven't thought about it yet in depth either, but I would say:

-culling the wardrobe while recycling as much as possible
-paying more attention to quality
-going for a slightly dressier/more grown up look
-exploring the idea of a minimal wardrobe
-shopping more green brands

texstyle

(website)

Veteran

Good time to think about this!

- weeding out lower quality items
- focusing more on the features/quality of what I DO buy
- finding another silhouette I like (aside from my usual jeans/pants and semi-tucked tops w/belts)
- resisting the urge to buy more jackets/toppers as I never really get to layer except for maybe 1-2 months out of the entire year
- buying higher quality jewelry both in terms of style and materials

That said, I have *no* idea of what another silhouette for me would be. I don't like flared legs or wide cuts on bottom at all (can't stand the extra material). Shorts are the required uniform for at least 5 months of the year due to heat, and I don't like wearing dresses/skirts. Yikes.

Maybe I need to think more about long over short for my summer outfits. I might wear a longer vest over a sleeveless top with streamlined shorts I think. Or a longer v-neck knit over longish shorts. I think I'm going to focus on a more "modern" style for summer 2015 and look for simpler shapes in the best fabrics I can find. And I'll give myself permission to buy at least 3 more pairs of summer shoes IF I find ones I love.

LearningCurve

Actually find things that fit properly and are flattering that suits 'me'. Something I've been working on for years though and am still yet to crack it.

Anonymous

-Continue culling, I have a lot of things that can serve the same purpose and the smaller my wardrobe gets, the more variety I want in each piece
-Stick to my budget this upcoming year, for real - I blew it this year, but did better in the fact I tracked my purchases
-Do a couple large seasonal hauls (one S/S and one F/W), with a little bit left over for a couple refresher pieces
-Shop from a well thought out list, focusing on mixable items (by sticking to my color scheme, which I already do pretty go at and looking for versatility)
-Really focus on my style descriptor and stop buying things that don't fit (I am talking to you, ruffles)
-Don't settle for pieces too quickly just to fill a hole
-Be patient! Rome wasn't built in a day.

unfrumped

Veteran

What Sterling said. Only I'm not that far along, But a combination of focused silhouettes and styles. Not a "forever" style, but a focus for the season or year to keep from getting all scattered, and to be wearing things that work for me and not be re-inventing every day, and to feel I've got situations covered in a fun way.

thimblelina

(website)

Veteran

I have been thinking this over, especially as I wait for my last two fall/winter items to arrive from back order purgatory.

I hear you Laura on the seasons. Summer weather in Sonoma County ran all the way thru October!

I bought a lot between June-December (28 items) but I expected to do that for this new job. I don't like buying at that pace under normal circumstances so that's my first style goal: Slow the hell down.

My other style goal is to deepen the bench on work basics: keep more flowy blouses & tees, more sweaters, more jeans, more washable skirts in my basic inventory. I've skated by with the teeny tiny wardrobe for years and now I can move away from that a little if I want. Style goal two: More, please!

I definitely hope that leads to style goal three which is: Get weird! Not too weird, but you know, kind of trendy weird. When you only own two skirts or three pants you never get around to culottes, or luxe joggers, or any of that other fun weirder stuff.

So here's my vision statement: Buy more stuff, some of it weird, but do it very slowly.

Anonymous

Wear what I have
Try to remix more
Plan future purchases carefully
Save $ for big ticket items

rachylou

Veteran

Hmm, hadn't thought about it. But it's definitely time to get my mind back in order.

Off the top, I'd like to finish the massive wardrobe cull that I've been working on for FOUR YEARS (gads), get my closet/laundry system to fully functional, and rally for the 50 mile trip for Stella McCartney and The Row.

I've become a real stick in the mud, so the last is a reach-for-it goal. Maybe I should think in more achieveable terms, and try to rally for two trips into downtown SF. I'm not sure I've been downtown since last December...

deb

Veteran

I have not even begun to think about this. One thing I recently identified is a desire is to go back to well fitting, drapey slacks. I found my grey Classiques and love them all over again. They are the only pair I currently own. In really want to see what Angie posts for the upcoming spring season and work from there.

rabbit

Veteran

-reduce spending by 1/2 (I'm done foundation building, so the needs are almost all covered)

-reduce number of items bought, maybe only shop every other month? I need a number target here. 30 or less per year? max of 5 every other month?

-reduce TIME spent on the hunt significantly and focus it on keystone items (for me that is booties and jackets)

-keep culling and tracking

-try to do more photographing of WIWs, whether I share them or not, they are super helpful. Also doing mood boards and photographing/testing out seasonal outfit collections early/before wearing is super helpful.

darla

I plan to use this site to help me make wise purchasing decisions by putting together outfits, not just buying clothes. I tend to see a top or jacket I like--I just buy it but never plan around what I have to go with it or what to mix/match with it.

I also R E A L LY want to plan what I will wear the night before instead of panicking in the morning and just "throwing" something on. I used to think preplanning outfits was a crazy idea, but now I think it would give me time think out what works and would allow me to experiment a bit. Buying complete outfits instead of hodgepodge shirts, pants, etc will help also.

I want to concentrate on dressing my age. Whatever that means. (Maybe buying better quality clothes that fit well).

Cleaning out my closet (this is a huge undertaking) and then O R G A N I Z I N G it so it all makes sense, it's easy to find things, etc. (BTW would love some closet organization ideas).

Thistle

Veteran

A few unorganized thoughts

1. Spend less time hunting and more time enjoying and wearing
2. Reduce what I spend.
3. Buy less but of better quality
4. Buy for my life and wear the heck out of it.
5. Remember my climate. Work with it not against it.

jerica kane

A few of my goals for 2015 are:
To save for a haul and shop only 2-3 times in 2015
Make a list before I shop.
Develop a signature style.

Anonymous

Laura, I was thinking about this over the long weekend, and was wanting to talk about it before January, so thank you!
I have some obscure goals like:

* Stop trying to copy a style icon's signature look. I am not Jackie O. Just because she looked fabulous in white bottoms and a black top doesn't mean that ensemble will do anything for me.

* Turn my focus inward (and away from Pinterest) and try to be okay with what works for me, is comfortable and suits my lifestyle. Inspiration from elsewhere is good, to a point. I want to stop relying on it so much.

*Stop bowing down to the camera. I have kept uncomfortable clothing because it photographs well, and then I end up never wanting to wear it.

*Similarly, don't construct a wardrobe that only looks good on paper. Am I buying that blouse because of it's brand name and luxurious fabric, or do I genuinely love it? Most items I have bought like this end up getting consigned sooner or later.

*Stop looking at lists of must-haves! They are like crack. I can get every item on a list, and still not have a workable wardrobe. I need to come up with my own list, and stop looking at what everyone else is buying.

*Continue to reduce what I love to it's lowest common denominator. Dissect outfits that work really well for me, to figure out why.

*Come up with my own signature look/uniform that people automatically associate with me.

I'm sure I'll think of more, but these are some things that have been on my mind lately.

Aziraphale

Veteran

To wear my dressy shoes more often!

thimblelina

(website)

Veteran

Lawd Az I hear you. I only own about 5 pairs of heels but they've been worn exactly ZERO times since June. Does this mean me and heels are over? Like, forever? I dunno... We'll see what happens in the holiday season.

Anonymous

*My biggest challenge in the coming year will be moving away from fitted tops. They are easy for me to wear because they don't overpower my small top half. But they need updating. I'm looking for non-knits or substantial knits with some structure. I need my fluid to be architectural and that seems hard to find.
*Continue to move away from dark neutrals to light ones; from high contrast to a more middle ground
*Find some great red footwear

Karie

(website)

Veteran

I have but one goal, and it's a tough one for me - to stick to my budget!

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

I am working on this one already and it has really stopped me in my tracks lots of times:
Think carefully about a new item before I add it to my closet. When will I wear it? Why do I want it?

Elly

Veteran

Style goals for 2015:
1. Continue to play with new shillouettes-- I've had a ton of fun so far exploring shapes. I want to continue to try things I haven't before and also work on making good pairings to make things that are more difficult to work with more flattering
2. Continue to explore my personal style and solidify my look-- particularly with accessories, prints, colors, and textures, explore the "intrepid adventurer" style moniker
3. Explore what makeup can do for my overall look, work on learning more about styling hair to stretch time between cuts

Shopping goals:
1. Wrap up seasonal shopping for F/W and put away money for a piece or two in February or March as a seasonal refresher should I find a gem, start saving for s/s
2. Overhaul s/s wardrobe--- I'm not starting from scratch, but definitely need to add shoes, tops, and a couple bottoms
3. Evaluate each piece from the previous season, purge and make decisions about new things based on what worked or didn't the past year
4. Begin refining my f/w wardrobe and add pieces more slowly and selectively now that I have a base to build off of

MsMary

Veteran

My main style goal for 2015 is to start paying attention to fashion again once the house is done! LOL

Other than that, I need to really figure out how to stay current on a budget. I lost a lot of weight a few years ago and went kind of crazy buying clothes -- for a couple of years there everything in my wardrobe was brand new, so being current wasn't really an issue. Now that budget is much more of an issue and I have a large wardrobe in place, having all new, all the time isn't an option any more. So I need to develop a strategy for acquiring a few pieces to freshen up my wardrobe each season without a wholesale replacement of existing pieces.

amiable

Veteran

What a great topic (and why haven't I been thinking about this yet?)
Off the cuff, my goals would be:
- Reduce what I own to what I really love and serves me well (this is a work in process)
- Buy quality
- Upgrade my pajama/loungewear
- Further hone my style definition and my clothing to fit that definition
Now to read other responses so far....

Aziraphale

Veteran

Lots of desire among forum members to buy fewer items, but better quality. An excellent goal.

I thought of another one. I want to find a bra that makes my bust look almost non-existent! Like my sports bra does, only it can't have industrial straps.

12