https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/2020-ylf-non-fashion-gifts Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Fri, 17 Apr 2026 14:01:50 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/2020-ylf-non-fashion-gifts#post-2089714 Sun, 05 Jan 2020 03:38:52 +0000 Jaime 2089714@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>This is a wonderful post and I agree with everything you wrote! Thank you for putting all so beautifully.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/2020-ylf-non-fashion-gifts#post-2089689 Sun, 05 Jan 2020 01:51:44 +0000 Suz 2089689@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Oh, what a lovely post -- and SO eloquent! I can only echo everything you have said, <b>Column</b>!! I have learned so much from <b>Angie</b> and all the Fabbers and especially the importance of a <b>functional</b> wardrobe and <b>how to create one!!</b>&nbsp;</p> <p>I spent way more on clothing during my first five years on YLF -- but then, I had spent almost nothing for at least 15 years before that -- no joke. Because I didn't work in an office, I didn't need to dress professionally and that meant I just picked up whatever I could at Old Navy and called it a day.&nbsp;</p> <p>Now, I still spend more than I did during those years, but far less than I did in the first few frenzied years of building a functional closet. And now I know my needs and what contributes to them, I expect my spending to decrease slightly over the next five years, except of course if those needs change radically. In which case, I will come to the forum with questions!&nbsp;</p> <p>Thank you for taking the time to write this out and share with us. It's a real feel-good post.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/2020-ylf-non-fashion-gifts#post-2089635 Sat, 04 Jan 2020 22:41:08 +0000 kkards 2089635@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p><i>The clothes are suitable for my lifestyle<br /></i>if nothing else, YLF has thought me this. i struggled to get dressed in the fall and spring because i failed to understand that i lived in a true 4 season, and that transitional was my dominate season. and it was YLF that made me think more about if i was buying for my real life or some fantasy life.&nbsp;</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/2020-ylf-non-fashion-gifts#post-2089604 Sat, 04 Jan 2020 19:26:47 +0000 rachylou 2089604@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>You speak for all of us! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/2020-ylf-non-fashion-gifts#post-2089597 Sat, 04 Jan 2020 19:06:57 +0000 Sal 2089597@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>What lovely words that I totally agree with. It is a pleasure to be able to get dressed easily for occasions and know you look both appropriate and stylish. As it takes a fair bit of stress away!</p> <p>I feel like ylf has kept me spending the same amount of money per year - but now I have a cohesive planned closet. I have had a number of occasions that in the past I might have gone and shopped especially for - family funeral, company promotional video, even Christmas Day. That last minute rushed spending can be so difficult and wasteful too - I don’t miss it!! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/2020-ylf-non-fashion-gifts#post-2089591 Sat, 04 Jan 2020 18:49:45 +0000 hereforthecake 2089591@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I always feel a bit greedy about this forum....I can't always post, so I often feel like I'm taking without giving back enough to "pay" for the benefits I've received from you all!&nbsp;</p> <p>Always interested in fashion, this forum has helped me to understand so much about silhouettes and styles. And it's given me more confidence to try new things.&nbsp;</p> <p>All of this to say, I agree with you about all you've said, Column, and am very grateful.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/2020-ylf-non-fashion-gifts#post-2089573 Sat, 04 Jan 2020 17:30:20 +0000 Cardiff girl 2089573@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>What a lovely tribute to YLF,those who run it and those who contribute their thoughts and time to it.l hope the New Year brings you continued wardrobe happiness. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/2020-ylf-non-fashion-gifts#post-2089562 Sat, 04 Jan 2020 16:59:02 +0000 nuancedream 2089562@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Column, what an eloquent statement! I too have a functional wardobe that serves my needs. It's so liberating to be free of the angst of having a full closet and nothing to wear. I have more interesting pursuits and goals to accomplish in 2020 than purchasing more clothing items. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/2020-ylf-non-fashion-gifts#post-2089555 Sat, 04 Jan 2020 16:19:47 +0000 Bonnie 2089555@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Another echo from me. &nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/2020-ylf-non-fashion-gifts#post-2089553 Sat, 04 Jan 2020 16:13:12 +0000 Angie 2089553@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>*happy dance*</p> <p><b>Column</b>, you are LOVELY, and I appreciate these awfully kind and grateful thoughts. Thank you so much for sharing. I'm touched and feeling a great sense of satisfaction.</p> <p>Thanks <b>Helena </b>and <b>April </b>for echoing the thoughts.</p> <p> Much love. xo </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/2020-ylf-non-fashion-gifts#post-2089537 Sat, 04 Jan 2020 13:48:38 +0000 April 2089537@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Lovely.&nbsp; And yes, I too have experienced all of these gifts in my time at YLF! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/2020-ylf-non-fashion-gifts#post-2089533 Sat, 04 Jan 2020 13:29:49 +0000 Helena 2089533@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Wow, Column - what a WONDERFUL post to wake up to! Your insights and perspective are so bang-on, and it takes a wise person to recognize and use the advice and opportunities they find, which you clearly have to great effect!</p> <p>Thanks for sharing this! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/2020-ylf-non-fashion-gifts#post-2089532 Sat, 04 Jan 2020 13:21:29 +0000 Column 2089532@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Joining the New Year retrospectives with these thoughts, dear fabbers. Here are the gifts Angie and all of you from YLF have given me for the new year. They include:</p> <p>TIME: Almost five years into YLF, I now have a functional closet. “Functional” for me means that when I go to work, run errands, go on holiday or a special occasion, or simply lounge/work from home, I have clothes that fit, work together, are appropriate for the moment, and that I like. No more “a closet full of clothes and nothing to wear.” I not only save time getting dressed; I now no longer need to shop, open boxes, try on, return, track receipts...what a time-saver!</p> <p>PRACTICALITY: The clothes are suitable for my lifestyle and that includes footwear. I wrote a few years back in another restrospective that because we must get dressed each day, having a functional wardrobe is as much a necessity as a luxury (relatively speaking—as long as we live in a peaceful, functioning country with adequate food, water, air quality, etc. Then, cloth on one`s back becomes “functional,” and I try not to take this blessing, privilege, luck—whatever you want to call it—for granted). Included in practicality for me is footwear. With short legs, I did not realize before YLF how easy it is to fix a lot of ills with high heels—but of course, then one can`t walk without jeopardizing safety, comfort...or often, dry and warm feet. Angie is the best teacher for “how” to do things. I have learned how to lengthen the leg line without heels and am much healthier for it!</p> <p>KNOWLEDGE: This is hard won. Tips, tricks and details come wide and deep, and so my cumulative awareness of how, what, and why to choose certain items over others for my body and my lifestyle have come from Angie and all of you, who put her vast know-how into action. Knowledge allows me to buy less often, wear what I have (and in varying combinations), and understand “why” I like something or don`t, why I “need” something or don`t, why I should/shouldn`t buy on sale, invest in quality or a trend...in other words, make choices about clothing I purchase and wear. I also just bought The Triumph of Individual Style and am blown away. I remember a thread about such epiphany-inducing books (from Roxanne? Suz? Carla? Janet? Lisa? Someone else?) and would greatly appreciate a reference to the threads and/or the books, since I cannot seem to find them. I may privately message some of you for help!</p> <p>WISDOM: For me, wisdom answers some of the biggest questions of all: Why care about clothes at all, for example? I remember Lisa writing that she gets her happiness elsewhere; I have always felt this way about the word “confidence” in connection with clothing. i can be very confident in my abilities while looking as far from the cultural ideal of beauty as possible and have had to be at various points in my life (she says only partly humorously. I mean, the show must go on, right)? This wisdom is born of necessity, too. If we are caregivers, or if we ourselves need for whatever reason care, we have sleepless nights, weight fluctuations, and all kinds of other obstacles that thwart our ability to put together a “look.” How I look becomes the last priority on my agenda. Also, expensive clothing items or jewelry can get lost, broken or damaged, etc., thwarting any notion of “investment dressing to last forever.” In this regard, Angie`s holding zone concept has been a miracle worker. Too good or too utilitarian to let go, even if not immediately functional, clothing in that closet has served me time and again as my needs or temporary circumstances change. I don`t have to buy; my newest needs are right on hand through old workhorses, and my closet is, well, FUNCTIONAL.</p> <p>Which brings me full circle. Thank you for your gifts of time, practicality, knowledge and wisdom, YLF, that you have given me into 2020. May these gifts also be yours! </p>