I can only think of one pre-YLF item that is still in use -- a houndstooth coat I bought at Macy's on 34th Street about 7 years ago. Other than that, everything else is new.

I came to YLF in late 2010, when I was nearing the end of a major weight loss. I eventually had to replace every. single. thing. in my wardrobe, from the undies out and from the shoes up. I went pretty crazy for the first couple of years and made a lot of mistakes, but this year I think I have finally settled in to a style that feels comfortable, at least for now. And I feel like I am largely off the buy-buy-buy merry-go-round. At least for the moment!

After almost five years as a forum member, and a year before that as a lurker, I'd have to say that YLF has helped me evolve rather than change. True, there isn't anything left from six years ago in my current wardrobe, but that is as much from transitioning into retirement and dealing with a 30 lb. weight loss as much as any YLF influence.

What YLF did do for me was make me feel more confident in my choices because I knew how to update and refine my long-time favorites. I frequently get told that I don't look like a 65-year-old woman when I go for my annual checkups--most times the staff keep checking the birthday on my chart asking if the information is correct. It's flattering, I suppose, but I also think it has a great deal to do with the fact that I don't dress like many of my peers--and, for that, I have to thank Angie and YLF!

Some winter coats and knee-high boots, plus all my vintage Helmut Lang stuff.

I joined in spring 2012. I was taking care of my dad across the state so I was really just a lurker for the first 6 months or so. I have maybe 20% pre YLF. Most of it will likely be culled at the end of the year. I'm still working on what is the right size wardrobe for me.

I would say my pre-YLF wardrobe comprises maybe 10% of what I have now, and maybe should be 5%. Most of my pre-YLF wardrobe was, ummmm, a decade or more old. I don't wear bodycon styles and my weight doesn't fluctuate all that much, so I hadn't been *forced* to get rid of stuff over the years. And since I don't wear flimsy knits, not too much was worn out. [The frugal part of my upbringing makes it hard to purge *perfectly good* items.] Talk about looking frumpy!!!! So all that stuff is now purged, and I dress differently enough now that I get comments at church.all.the.time. I thinks it is mostly just more interesting color combos, pattern mixing, and I am letting my inner magpie come out.

Hmmm. Great question Deborah. I have pretty much the same wardrobe, mabye not the same exact pieces, but newer versions of them).Since YLF, though I tend to wear belts more and have put a lot of costumey jewelry in a box under my bed for now. Over the last eight months on YLF I have put away my more "kitschy" things leaving good neutral basics in the prime real estate of my wardrobe room.

I don't think being here has really influenced my wardrobe all that much, I come mostly for the camaraderie with women who have the same obsession with clothes as I do.

I get ideas from the way Angie and you all wear things, but my style hasn't changed markedly.

Deborah, what a good thread! I can honestly say that after 3 years (next month), I don't have a single, solitary item of clothing left from before YLF. Unless you count good jewelry and my mom's wedding dress. I even sold some of my good jewelry that wasn't quite right!

I can SO relate to your story of coming full circle, but better. Maybe it's coming full spiral, since I've heard we learn in spirals. The pre-YLF me would have loved the wardrobe I have now, if only she would have known how to acquire it! I have so much to thank Angie and the forum members for.

True, I did have a time period here where I was game to try almost anything as long as there wasn't too great of an investment required. I feel like that freedom was so necessary and joyful for me. I felt completely safe to experiment here and was never made to feel embarrassed for my many outfit fails. In the end, I have the same style loves as when I started, but my clothes are so much nicer and I've learned how to better work with the natural lines of my body and the texture of my hair.

Something that's been rattling around in my head a lot lately is, "that which makes me different makes me special". I don't know who said that, but I'm sure I didn't come up with it on my own. I'm still a Classic, but I'm not trying to look exactly like any other Classic, IYKWIM. I think that's the biggest difference since I joined YLF. I'm still me, just hopefully better, as I'm learning to appreciate what makes me unique instead of trying to sweep it under the rug! Whoops, I think I may have derailed a bit. Sorry!

Nodding along here too!
The only pieces I have from pre YLF are the type of things I have also come back to- a good quality classic pair of black knee-high boots, a couple of over- coats and a (blue) linen long-sleeved top.
With LOTS of experimental not so 'me' outfits in between!
Maybe a few less items overall, but way more choices because everything is actually being worn or it doesn't stay.

I think the only thing that remains from my pre-YLF days are my lounge and workout clothes. And maybe a couple of pairs of shoes. Everything else has slowly moved out when YLF helped me realize that what I thought was my style and what I actually wore.

I've been around about five months? I'd say half my wardrobe is pre-YLF. I can foresee some more purging as I think I currently have too many clothes and am doing a fair bit of stylistic experimentation.

One thing that has happened like krishnidoux mentions is that previously loved but unworn clothes are getting worn more as they now fit into outfits and I can dress them up and down.

Wow, pre-YLF. That's crazy! I've been working on honing my style prior to joining YLF 3+ years ago but haven't been truly active until April this year. Only TWO pre-YLF items for me: a black wool high neck assymetrical coat (it's soooo me. Had it for 4 years now) and my Gap jean jacket, which know I will wear to threads as I did it's predecessor (purchased 2005, fell apart 2010). Gap jean jackets are just magical on me so I'll keep buying them and wearing them for years!

I have been here nearly two years. I still have a fair amount of pre-YLF clothing & accessories. They fall into three groups:
the classics like my trench, boots/shoes & designer bags
the avant garde, coats (winter & summer), jackets & footwear & 2 dresses
& evening coats & dresses.

I have very little in the way of casual clothes that are pre-YLF, a cashmere hoodie & mmmm not sure if there is anything else.

This is really interesting Deborah because it was my frustration with my casual clothes that brought me here I love my casual clothes now.

Chiming back in...

You know, it's funny, but after being on YLF I've gone BACK to black. I realized I really like it and it's part of what I wear, and I embraced it.

What a great post
YLF has allowed me to "be me"
I've always loved black and have always had a lot in my wardrobe but tried colour because I felt I had to "peer pressure at my age" ?????
I also got a little excited at seeing how wonderful others look in colour, so tried again.
But......I don't have to......I can wear whatever I like......and I like black
My wardrobe has just been through a huge upheaval and is now quite small.
I was ruthless, if I haven't worn it and had no emotional attachment to it, then it was sent off to find a new loving owner and assist a charity.
I now have a small "collection" of mostly Metalicus in black, grey and white that I wear daily.
I am loving what I have and am looking forward to adding only special pieces.
Like Shannon, comfort is top priority and I love drape and interesting cuts.
No ironing needing and I'm sold
So 3 cheers for YLF.......Angie is such an enabler

This is a wonderful question. My wardrobe turned over completely in 2009 and 2012. The 2009 turnover was not in response to YLF. Rather I lost 30 pounds and my previous wardrobe no longer fit. I was of the belief that if I kept those "fat clothes" I was essentially saying to the universe that I might regain the weight so out they went. No regrets.

The 2012 turnover was a bit more subtle. I was no much more comfortable with my body and wanted to inject more personal style into my wardrobe. Additionally, some of the work duties changed, requiring me to dress more formally. This required retooling things a bit. The 2012 turnover replaced older items and added in newer needed items.

Since then I have merely been fine tuning.

Wow, loving reading about everyone's "journey". I am sorry I haven't read all comments yet but will be back. Been to Melbourne and back today and so tired I need to jump into bed but will come back tomorrow and catch up. Some really interesting insights!

After 2+ years.... only some boots and some high-quality old cashmere. Plus coats. Not sure what I wore before... tees that were not fluid, straight leg dress pants, boot cut jeans. Little cotton cardis.