Your fashion objectives/goals

Ana

These are the top questions I ask myself when I try on something when shopping. These usually kind of run through my mind automatically now.

1. Does it fit perfectly? If it doesn't fit, is it worth altering?

2. Does it integrate with what I already have? What do I already own that I can wear with the item?

3. How often will I wear it? (What's the fabrication? Is it dressy or casual? Is it something that can be layered easily, or tucked in and worn untucked, etc.).

11 years ago

Transcona Shannon

Veteran

1. Is it "me"?
2. Does it fit?
3. Does it work with the rest of my closet?
4. Does it make me smile?

11 years ago

Mo

(website)

Veteran

I have shopping goals and then fashion goals.

Shopping within a budget of $1000 for this year, $500 per season.
Filling specific capsule holes (active shorts, interview wear).
EDIT: keeping the size of my wardrobe manageable with frequent purging and careful purchasing

Overall style goal is to hone and stay true to my style while trying to 'grow it up' to be befitting a 42 year old woman, despite my surrounding ultra casual, leaning toward too young, environmental norm.

Helping me is keeping in mind (but not being unyieldingly rigid with) my rubric:
Streamlined
Hardware
Repetition
Fitted
Texture

11 years ago

christieanne

Veteran

Lately it has been:

1) Where will I wear this? I am trying to think ahead and get more use out of items.
2) Does it fit well? I am trying not to settle when I add something new.
3) Is it a color/s that will play nicely within my capsules?

11 years ago

Suz

(website)

Veteran

I love this question and the conversation on IK's thread as well. Thanks for posting this.

I like all the questions that people are posting here, but they don't seem like goals in themselves. They seem like strategies to reach a goal or goals, which might be a wearable (not a defiant) wardrobe, one that gets the job done (whatever the job is) or that makes the wearer happy. At least that's how it looks to me. So the style goal might be the emotional state or the practical state of not having to freak out at every new occasion or die of boredom when putting on the same clothes in the same formula a gazillion times...whichever the case may be.

I will say that when I go shopping I ask myself similar questions:

1. Does it fit?
2. Will I wear it?
3. HOW will I wear it? (Try to mentally come up with a couple of variations which I then try at home, although there are exceptions to this when I see a piece that just really "calls" to me somehow, especially if it is for a capsule that is on the paltry side in my closet.
4. Does it make me happy?
5. Do I want to wear it right away?
6. Do I have a version of it already? (If so, I let it go, unless that current version is very worn.)
7. If it's a new departure or a bit on the risky side, what is the price point? For example, I felt okay paying a grand total of $20 for my thrifted 3 piece silk suit. Chances are, I will only wear the two top pieces (blazer and blouse). But it's okay to have fun at that price.

11 years ago

Anonymous

*Stop thrift buying (which is really hard because so many people are taking it up and finding amaizing things).
*Shop only with a goal.
*Throw out old/damaged clothing.
*Quality over quantity.
*Add more color

I think I'm doing ok. I purged a lot from my closet and I have gone into goodwill serveral times and came out empty handed.

11 years ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Great goals, ladies! Keep it coming.

For me, fit is of PARAMOUNT importance when you have a minimal style. Quality too, although I mix up high-end with low end and thoroughly enjoy that juxtaposition.

These are the thoughts that I have in my head that nag every purchase I make and every outfit I wear:

1. Is the item and outfit: clean, crisp, modern and simple? A dash retro is also okay.

2. Strive for Minimalism. Lady-likeness. Chic. No more hard edge unless I already have the item and can soften the look.

3. Comfortably marry: Modern Classic with Androgyny and Punk. Occasionally throwing in a little Romantic and Preppy.

4. Will it keep me warm enough in Seattle? (I run very cold).

5. Don't buy knitted tops unless you can layer them over a button-down shirt. I just never wear knitted tops unless they are knitwear.

6. No more costume jewelry or sandals.

11 years ago

goldenpig

(website)

Veteran

I'm really full up on my work wardrobe. I need to really keep spending in check now and stop buying things even if they make me happy and look good on me, because I am accumulating too many dresses, skirts, etc when I already have plenty of fab ones. My style objectives now are to work on upgrading my MOTG wardrobe, to be really picky, and only buy clothes that fill a defined wardrobe hole AND are 10's. And to stop buying pretty but uncomfortable heels!

11 years ago

nicoleb

(website)

Veteran

Ahem, "Do i need this? Do i NEED this?! Well i need new gloves because....i have hands!"*

*Stolen from "Confessions of a Shopaholic" the film.

That's pretty much it. >.>

11 years ago

Ginkgo

Veteran

1) Are the colors flattering on me?
2) Does it fit and flatter?
3) Does the neckline look good (or at least not bad) on me
3) Will I wear it in my everyday life?

I'm trying for French chic, in that my clothes will fit me well, and the style and color will be flattering.

11 years ago

cheryle (Dianthus)

(website)

Veteran

I see that excellent fit is on most of the lists. I think that may be my problem. I seem to have trouble holding my weight stead and gain and lose the same 10 lbs over and over again. Each time, I buy new clothes that are either larger or smaller (I much prefer smaller) to fill the void. I also find that the styles that look good when I am at my proper weight are not the same as when I am a bit heavier (still with BMI under 25) as I got from being an X hourglass to an 8 hourglass and that artificial high hip is harder to dress.

I do seem to have finally stopped buying shoes that have heels that are too high for comfort so I am making some progress.

I appreciate all of the responses. I find it very interesting that we have varying styles but similar goals.

11 years ago

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

I really need to think about this more. I have become much better (thanks to Angie and YLF) at not indiscriminately buying stuff at thrift stores because of the price or the label or the imaginary life I don't lead, but I still make mistakes. Fit is a great goal - I would like all my clothes to fit perfectly. There are some clothes that really make me happy and I would like to get rid of the rest - and for me it has been a haphazard process at best. So great fit and less second guessing are my goals.

11 years ago

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Dianthus, I agree that when our weight is changing it can be very difficult. Some people seem to gain in a way that does not change their basic shape, but others do change body types as they gain or lose, and even if the basic body type remains the same, some things will flatter more. I used to wear V necks very successfully when I was a fuller hourglass. Now I can't wear them if they are too wide. (Well, I can...but I look like a chicken). OTOH, I can fit into trousers more easily now (they may not look great, but at least they go on.) If one's weight is in flux it makes it difficult to settle on silhouettes that can become "signature" or fallbacks. And even formula outfits become more difficult.

11 years ago

christy

Veteran

What a great thread. I've not written them out before. Here are a few of my goals:

1. To look effortlessly dressed for the occasion. By that I don't mean blending in. I want to be dressed in a way that commands respect and signals authority and competence for my work looks, but is also modern, fashion-forward and fun. That's tricky. I also aspire to be appropriately casual for my MOTG weekend looks so I can run, participate and have fun with my active 6 year old boy. Also tricky. Boy, I don't aspire for much, do I?! LOL!
2. To be thoughtful in what I add to my closet. I have *enough* clothes. I don't really *need* anything. When I find something to buy, I want it to fill in a gap that can't be met by other items in my closet. No overlap unless there is something that needs to be replaced. And then (this is key) actually REPLACING it! Purging the items that need to be removed.
3. Fit, fit and fit. I want whatever I add to my closet to fit perfectly. I'm willing to tailor clothing if I need to and recognize that it will likely be a must. That it isn't my body that doesn't work, but the clothes that aren't quite right for my body.

I don't know that this is complete, but I'd say it works for what I'm trying to achieve when I shop.

11 years ago

cheryle (Dianthus)

(website)

Veteran

ChristyG, I like your goals and they resonate with me too. Thanks for sharing.

11 years ago

christy

Veteran

I'm glad they resonate with you! What a helpful exercise, so thank you!

11 years ago

jayne

Veteran

Style goals: Gee I want to look like I know what I am doing. That I am comfortable with my age and body and know how to dress for both.

My style, after lots of thought, is classic with a twist (like color or zebra). So one of my current goals is to dress classically at work and ALSO at play. Trying to reuse the work things more in the home wardrobe and focus on having better quality pieces in both capsules.

My earlier goal was to stop buying on impulse and try to make sure things fit in with what I have. That is going well, as I have a plan and am learning to stick with it. BUT, I still fumble!

Anoher goal is learning to have a budget I can actually live with. SYC taught me that I can focus on my closet but that I cannot live without a new thing here and there. SO i have to have a budget that allows me to purchase both a little 'fun' here and there and also investment pieces so the quality will improve. Else I will feel restricted and go overboard buying LOTS of cheap stuff when I get my new month's allowance. This goal is hard! I have purged down to stuff I am actually using or have a good reason not to be (like season) but I see gaps coming in the fall from all that purging!

That seems enough, 3 goals...

11 years ago

Anonymous

Hmmm. Good stuff!

I'm trying to look a little bit more sophisticated. I'm buying more wovens, more natrual fibers and like Mo, I'm trying to avoid things that look junior-y. It's hard when that's what fits your body!

Another thing (sounds strange) is I'm becoming more cognizant of the waist "area". Not the waist line, per se, but the area. I'm exploring higher rise styles, tucking, belting, the length of untucked tops and the shape of a top's hemline. Is it curved like a shirt tail, hi-lo, or longer and pointed on the sides? I have a barely visible pooch belly, but some new things I'm trying really make it look huge! Like the high-waisted white skirt I tried on today....yeah, not a good idea! I never had to worry about this when all I wore was T-shirts and jeans. So it's one of my goals to find some waist area formulas that work for my body type.

11 years ago

fashionista

Veteran

1. Is it my style? Will I wear it at all?
2. Does it go and match the color with any of my tops/shoes/jeans/bag/any other accessory? (I like to match my top or shoes, my shoes or bag, my bracelet and a color in my top)
3. Will it go for many more season?

I am not a planned shopper. I tend to buy clothes because I like clothes even when I dont' need them or don't need to fill the 'holes' in my wardrobe.

During such shopping too I tend to keep in mind the above question.

11 years ago

Category