https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/2017-in-review-very-long-and-very-navel-gazing Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Tue, 14 Apr 2026 22:36:02 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/2017-in-review-very-long-and-very-navel-gazing/page/2#post-1874022 Tue, 02 Jan 2018 17:30:26 +0000 Sara L. 1874022@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I'm late to this thread but find your thought process fascinating.&nbsp; I love how insightful so many of the forum members are.&nbsp; I enjoy my closet and it's a good place, but I have hard time doing any analysis - it must be just luck that's it's working right now.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <p>Oh, I&nbsp; totally love to just sit and read.&nbsp; My house is always full of clutter (3 kids) because I would much rather spend my afternoons reading than doing housework. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/2017-in-review-very-long-and-very-navel-gazing/page/2#post-1874010 Tue, 02 Jan 2018 17:02:00 +0000 gradfashionista 1874010@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I read this post the day you wrote it, and reread it now. I don’t have much to add, except that I relate to much of you wrote. Years ago, when I went abroad for five months, I took a very minimal capsule without any fun, and rebounded with Rorschach precision. It’s tough trying to navigate wardrobe numbers and trends, but you do it quite well. Very much looking forward to seeing your WIWs throughout the upcoming year. </p> <p>Re wardrobe darkness, is there any room to stick push-button LED lights on the wall? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/2017-in-review-very-long-and-very-navel-gazing/page/2#post-1872964 Sat, 30 Dec 2017 02:59:43 +0000 3style 1872964@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Lisa p, the thing I like about open sweaters is taking them on and off in milder temperatures. I've moved away from trying to layer over cardigans in winter when it is coat wearing weather: I don't like two rows of fabric which can get tangled up in each other when needing to button/zip before going outside.... </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/2017-in-review-very-long-and-very-navel-gazing/page/2#post-1872817 Fri, 29 Dec 2017 18:55:58 +0000 Anonymous 1872817@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>What a honest and heart felt post. &nbsp; Style is what makes you feel great and that is all that matters. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/2017-in-review-very-long-and-very-navel-gazing/page/2#post-1872786 Fri, 29 Dec 2017 17:49:12 +0000 Anonymous 1872786@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thank you all for your comments - truly appreciated ! &nbsp;I'm glad to know I'm not the only one who can't get their head around a cardigan (long or short, classic or otherwise). &nbsp;Layering is not really my thing, and I think that's why I can't get on board with open sweaters.</p> <p>Anyways - I'm looking forward to a fresh start in 2018 with a more organized wardrobe (I feel a big purge coming on this weekend in fact) and a better grip on what I need to buy. &nbsp;</p> <p> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/2017-in-review-very-long-and-very-navel-gazing/page/2#post-1872693 Fri, 29 Dec 2017 04:39:04 +0000 Deborah 1872693@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Lisa I wrote a long response then lost it :(. So simple well done! I have enjoyed your journey and learnt from it. Appreciate you sharing xx </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/2017-in-review-very-long-and-very-navel-gazing/page/2#post-1872644 Fri, 29 Dec 2017 00:04:42 +0000 Jenn 1872644@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I always associated cardigans and sneakers with Mr. Rogers...how he used to come in at the beginning of every show, take off his jacket and dress shoes, and change into a cardigan and a pair of tennis shoes. Three-year-old me was a HUGE Mr. Rogers fan, and I still like that cozy, homey feeling those items provide. I get feeling sharper in a blazer or jacket, but for me, that's outside-the-house armor.</p> <p>And now that <i>that</i> little ramble is done... I really enjoyed this post, and am especially glad your capsule-rack is working. That seems like a such a neat solution to walk the line between variety and minimalism.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/2017-in-review-very-long-and-very-navel-gazing/page/2#post-1872520 Thu, 28 Dec 2017 18:01:51 +0000 3style 1872520@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Classic Jackie O cardigan lover piping up here. But I only like them for me when they are fabricated with a print or tweed/heathered. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/2017-in-review-very-long-and-very-navel-gazing/page/2#post-1872468 Thu, 28 Dec 2017 13:58:45 +0000 RobinF 1872468@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>This is a great read, I can really relate to a lot that you have said here. I am feeling a need for simplicity right now. Too much clutter makes me feel agitated.</p> <p>I am an outlier here regarding cardigans though. I love them and always have. I have bought some blazers lately trying to up my style and just don't reach for them (hopefully they don't become expensive mistakes). I don't like classic cardis like crew neck but love longer v-neck ones and drapey ones. They are just so much more comfortable.</p> <p>Thanks for the insight! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/2017-in-review-very-long-and-very-navel-gazing/page/2#post-1872315 Wed, 27 Dec 2017 20:38:31 +0000 cindysmith 1872315@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I'm so glad to hear somebody else say they don't like cardigans. I've acquired a couple this year, and they are not flattering to my current body. I wear them for that comfort factor, an extra layer, and because they have hoods (I'm obsessed with hoods right now)</p> <p>Thank you for the navel gazing, it has helped me feel less alone in my indifference toward cardigans as a "dressy" piece. &lt;3 </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/2017-in-review-very-long-and-very-navel-gazing/page/2#post-1872160 Wed, 27 Dec 2017 06:04:32 +0000 Violettt 1872160@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p><b>Hi Lisa:&nbsp;</b>I can identify with some of your post too, especially the part about you'd rather be reading a book. &nbsp;I think, this comes with age. &nbsp;We're sometimes just too tired to be organizing, straightening, etc. &nbsp;I really like the red jacket you bought, it's that cute military style, very ageless, but a classic. &nbsp;Great find~ And how you styled it sounds perfect~&nbsp;<br />Cardigans: I love them and don't feel they are dowdy looking at all, if you get a nice one that is, not made out of acrylic. &nbsp; They feel much cozier than a blazer, which can be very structured and stiff. &nbsp;I especially love cashmere cardigans and sweater sets. Very 50's. &nbsp;And I adore knit thick sweater/jackets, from St. John and Chanel. &nbsp;These are super cozy and stylish. &nbsp;You can sometimes find these from no name designers which are beautiful and vintagey from unique boutiques, and consignment shops, my favorite type of shops. Shopping is fab~ &nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/2017-in-review-very-long-and-very-navel-gazing/page/2#post-1872144 Wed, 27 Dec 2017 04:10:39 +0000 Debbie 1872144@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Lisa your post always make me think. I absolutely love your finds and wish you would post some outfits. I have tried on that red jacket several times in Banana Republic but haven’t pulled the tigger. You have accomplished a lot in year. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/2017-in-review-very-long-and-very-navel-gazing/page/2#post-1872134 Wed, 27 Dec 2017 03:19:46 +0000 anne 1872134@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>" I'd rather be reading a book"&nbsp; Oh gosh me too. Rather that than almost anything!!&nbsp; I can relate to that preference - I'm also not that big on spending heaps of time of wardrobe (or other) organisation. I read to my daughters almost every night too, and that makes me too sleepy to do much else. Anyway...</p> <p>Lisa I always enjoy reading your posts, and want to congratulate you on so many successes this year. ( I've also got into fashion sneakers, btw)</p> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/2017-in-review-very-long-and-very-navel-gazing/page/2#post-1872124 Wed, 27 Dec 2017 02:16:15 +0000 DizzyLizzy 1872124@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I don’t have anything insightful to add, but I have enjoyed reading every word written by everyone in this post. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/2017-in-review-very-long-and-very-navel-gazing#post-1872047 Tue, 26 Dec 2017 18:46:56 +0000 lyn67 1872047@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thank you for the insights, Lisa! I will have to reflect on it a but more but now I understand your love of snakers even in winter &amp; I&nbsp; can relate to&nbsp; many things written by you here, for ex the main 2:<br />1. "<b>I&nbsp;’m a big-picture thinker</b> and tend to be somewhat messy and forgetful. Start a project, and once I figure out how it will look or end up, I'm already on to the next thing..." (but I'm a sagittarius, so grew up to accept this in time) but....if "with age, it’s getting worse"....will be unacceptable at a point.&nbsp;&nbsp;<br />2. I <b>DO love organising</b> (have an virgo ascendant:-)) BUT "Time is also a constraint – and I feel too that as I get older, I have less energy for cleaning and organizing and doing 15 things at once. I’d rather ...." you name it.<br />Hope we'll eventually get it ALL sorted!:-)&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/2017-in-review-very-long-and-very-navel-gazing#post-1872044 Tue, 26 Dec 2017 18:38:15 +0000 Anonymous 1872044@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thank you all for your valued insight and thoughts......each person's experiences are interesting and helps frame our individual thoughts. &nbsp;</p> <p>Gryffin, I always enjoy your intellectual approach to fashion . &nbsp;I don't self-identify with a certain style moniker or "look" like you do, which would make it so much easier to pick the right things. But I do think I've become &nbsp;pretty good at knowing what I like and picking it out of a crowd of clothes fairly easily. My big challenge is not settling for "second best" just because I can't find what I want.&nbsp;</p> <p>LaP &nbsp;- I'm with you on the broom-closet-as-clothes-closet issue. &nbsp;It's as if people in the 50's owned 5 pieces of clothing each. &nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/2017-in-review-very-long-and-very-navel-gazing#post-1871999 Tue, 26 Dec 2017 13:41:09 +0000 LaPed 1871999@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I love your reflections. "I had inadvertently edited all the fun out of my wardrobe last year in my quest to be minimal and decided I needed some different/new things this year." I'm running into this too, although I didn't intentionally edit out the fun stuff, just failed to find effective substitutes/replacements for things as they wore out. I think it's tricky when one's colour preferences skew dark-neutral, and one's goal is coherence, to even see the fun pieces. I know that my own shopping-brain tends to edit out anything embellished/bright/sparkly/fuzzy/etc. And yet I *know* that a true minimalist look falls flat on me -- I need detailing somewhere, but the detailing has to be just right. It's so hard.</p> <p>I may well steal your capsuling idea this year -- my house's bedroom has the most ridiculous closet imaginable -- the size and shape make it seem more like a broom closet than a clothes closet. Maybe for January I need to put together a new capsule challenge for myself. Like you, I find I'm much more intentional if I limit myself to a few pieces.</p> <p>And cardigans, ugh -- yes. I hardly ever wear them. I've purged most of them. I love my boxy cotton one, and still have a coupe really thick wooly ones for use more as jackets. But long floppy ones -- those I can't do. I'm definitely on Team Jacket with you. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/2017-in-review-very-long-and-very-navel-gazing#post-1871959 Tue, 26 Dec 2017 11:43:40 +0000 gryffin 1871959@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Lisa - I am so impressed by the thoughtfulness, insight and eloquence of your post. It struck me as very Coco Chanel in the best of ways..."Elegance is refusal." Refusal to be anything else but your soul self. "know,first, who you are, and then adorn yourself accordingly." Epictetus. You can't dress as you without knowing what that looks like first. Being surrounded by fashion and having an educated and informed eye for fashion can e dangerous because you can become tempted by looks you intellectually and emotionally enjoy but are fundamentally not you. This is the big cause of my fails. Clothing now is seen as "self" and "other". As Sal, gorgeously and insightfully said, at best we make "a big circle back to an evolved better version of our original true selves." I think that's exactly it for me. I think it's great that you've realized ink/navy is your new black and that gray no longer gives you joy. How can you know right without knowing wrong? Rack/capsuling? Brilliant! What fantastic insights! And happy feet...the ne plus ultra of fashion and life happiness cute and comfy. For me YLF is a mixed blessing tempting me to alien shadow styles which are mistakes and revealing, in many cases by helping me reject "other" to reinforce where my true style lies. I do find the two most helpful indicators of good purchases - asking if "a P-POD (princess of darkness)wears this?" I know....but it really helps. And not wanting to take an item off, wanting to wear it immediately and wanting to sleep in it all signs of winners. Also agree great design, fabric and quality usually comes with a cost and agree it's worth it. Sorry so long. Will simply stop now as I could go on. If you ever want to continue as this is one of my personal favorite topics to explore you know where I am. Thanks for starting this. Great insightful post. Wishing you a happy new year w only great purchases in it!! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/2017-in-review-very-long-and-very-navel-gazing#post-1871910 Mon, 25 Dec 2017 22:17:09 +0000 Sal 1871910@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Interesting reading Lisa and I ageee with so much here. I think we joined YLF at a similar time and in a way have both done a big circle back to an evolved better version of our original true styles. In your case you have a sophisticated yet fun look- and a real mix of classic and new pieces in your great colours. </p> <p>Have a great holiday season!! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/2017-in-review-very-long-and-very-navel-gazing#post-1871892 Mon, 25 Dec 2017 17:49:43 +0000 Toban 1871892@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>LOL I gave up blazers for cardigans because I felt too formal. That said, I only like asymmetric hem cardigans, like waterfall cardigans, with angles and drape. I do feel frumpy in classic style cardigans. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/2017-in-review-very-long-and-very-navel-gazing#post-1871884 Mon, 25 Dec 2017 14:57:16 +0000 Anonymous 1871884@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Sigh. &nbsp;I traded in all my blazers for cardigans. &nbsp;In fact, I bought two new cardigans just this month. &nbsp;My thinking was they project my image of "cozy comfort" so much more than my blazers did. &nbsp;I hope I don't feel that dreaded "frumpy" feeling in the near future. &nbsp;</p> <p>But who can tell? &nbsp;My style seems to evolve year by year. &nbsp;That keeps it fresh. &nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/2017-in-review-very-long-and-very-navel-gazing#post-1871871 Mon, 25 Dec 2017 10:50:07 +0000 Janet 1871871@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>This is a great post, and I’m laughing at the cardigan part, because I gave up on cardigans years ago. Nothing makes me feel frumpy faster than a cardigan. LOL </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/2017-in-review-very-long-and-very-navel-gazing#post-1871815 Sun, 24 Dec 2017 18:47:57 +0000 Anonymous 1871815@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>So nice to hear from so many of you on this quiet (?) day before Christmas. &nbsp; &nbsp;I have my new red jacket hanging up with a steel grey cami and a faux fur collar/scarf-ish thing....and I might just wear it for dinner tomorrow &nbsp; Merry Christmas all, and I look forward to more forum fun in the new year ! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/2017-in-review-very-long-and-very-navel-gazing#post-1871799 Sun, 24 Dec 2017 17:39:53 +0000 Anonymous 1871799@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>OMG. &nbsp;This is such a fabulous post. &nbsp;I loved reading every single word of it. &nbsp;I learn so much from these types of posts. &nbsp;I can only say thank you. &nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/2017-in-review-very-long-and-very-navel-gazing#post-1871795 Sun, 24 Dec 2017 17:17:16 +0000 JAileen 1871795@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Every time you've posted WIWs, they look fab. Of course I have a long way to go on the learning curve, so my opinion might be suspect.</p> <p>I have one cardigan that I wear, but only as a warm layer for birding, etc. I'm not sure why I have trouble with them. It sounds like it might be universal.</p> <p>Red: I'm wearing it now! I like it a lot. I think you should wear your jacket ASAP.</p> <p>Your attitude toward trendy pieces is right - "I don't care." My son is visiting, and one of his friends dropped by. He was wearing Stan Smiths. "Oh I have the same shoes."</p> <p>I love your posts. Keep them coming. Merry Christmas! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/2017-in-review-very-long-and-very-navel-gazing#post-1871792 Sun, 24 Dec 2017 17:05:17 +0000 Anonymous 1871792@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I laughed at your observation about cozy cardigans and hot chocolate—that is so true and I didn’t really notice it before! Bloggers also seem to always be tugging on their cardigans to make them look a little better.</p> <p>You sounds more positive about your style and you are taking a balanced approach to trends and buying. It all sounds very upbeat. </p> <p>I agree with Angie that you’re an emotional shopper, but perhaps a better word is “intuitive” and you don’t want to suppress that because overthinking things doesn’t work.</p> <p>I know about small houses and small closets...</p> <p>Given the industry you’re in, I can see why you’re more in tune with the latest trends, and why you get bored quickly. To me, it’s kind of a good thing to be at the forefront. At the same time, it does seem exhausting trying to keep up with it all. I’m not sure what to say except that I feel blah a lot of the time in what I’m wearing because it’s not trendy enough, or there is not enough new pieces, or the new pieces I chose were not properly considered.</p> <p>I don’t know how Angie does it! </p> <p>Merry Christmas!<br /> Looking forward to another style in 2018 forward-looking post from you! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/2017-in-review-very-long-and-very-navel-gazing#post-1871789 Sun, 24 Dec 2017 16:56:55 +0000 Rambling Ann 1871789@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Carefully thought out summary, like all your posts. I'd love to see you wear that red jacket with a scarf, turtleneck or blouse that softens it near your face. It's too beautiful to stay in the closet. Suz might be onto something with olive. You also mentioned inky blues. I'd consider mustard, but my coloring can support it (although I run from reds generally, I think you are brave to consider it).</p> <p>I think it is great that you are supporting local shops. That kind of buying gave me the most satisfaction in 2017. Looking forward to what you find in 2018. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/2017-in-review-very-long-and-very-navel-gazing#post-1871765 Sun, 24 Dec 2017 14:08:41 +0000 kkards 1871765@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>lisa.....thank you for writting this for me....i mean thank you for writting it about you, but for putting into words so much that i have also been feeling, but couldn't write about as clearly and&nbsp;consciously as you have..<br /><b><u><i></i></u></b><i>Adding more trendy pieces ..&nbsp;I worried at first that they would be too‘young’ and ‘try-hard’ – but I don’t care now .&nbsp;</i>YES! and i think you have hit the nail on the head -for me, it's been a hard lesson since my 1st inclination on trendy is to go cheap, but&nbsp;<i>Good quality fabrics and intelligent designs&nbsp;</i>has been the key for me as well.&nbsp;<br /><b><i></i></b>Cardigans--let's say i have a love/hate relationship....when i first joined YLF i'd say l wore cardigans 2 or 3 times a week....now i can't seem to make them work for me...<br /><b><i></i></b><i>Organization....</i>well.....this has never been my strong point and on top of that.....i'm a visual person, and need to see it....so i have "stuff" everywhere....i'd love to have a better system.....but alas, this is one of those things that will be forever on my to do list.....<br />Weight....the truth is i do weight the same now as i did in my 40s, but some how its all in different places, until my late 40s i was an A ..post menopause -all of a sudden i'm a D...and now i need to think about button's pulling etc...and let's not talk about the extra bagage around the middle or the 2nd chin....</p> <p>and sorry....i seem to have written a small novel here....<br />anyway, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/2017-in-review-very-long-and-very-navel-gazing#post-1871764 Sun, 24 Dec 2017 13:52:54 +0000 Suz 1871764@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thanks for the tip -- I <b>love</b> those booties!&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/2017-in-review-very-long-and-very-navel-gazing#post-1871763 Sun, 24 Dec 2017 13:46:23 +0000 UmmLila (Lisa) 1871763@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I like your idea of capsuling rather than minimizing. I believe I do the capsuling somewhat subconsciously -- I admit I have a lot of clothes but there are always a few pieces that I am wearing more than others through certain periods. I regret several pieces I got rid of on a minimizing spree a couple of years ago.</p> <p>And I'm with you on the navy. I am trying, and for the most part succeeding, in not buying black pieces that will be worn near my face. It's better to wear a color that makes you glow. Can't wait to see you glow in your red jacket! </p>