https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/2021-goals-and-january-update Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Tue, 14 Apr 2026 22:33:00 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/2021-goals-and-january-update#post-2167718 Mon, 25 Jan 2021 23:48:52 +0000 LaPed 2167718@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>For summer pants, I really like the lightweight cotton-linen blend ones form Uniqlo. They are lighter and thinner than European linens (I wouldn't buy them in a light colour), but so breezy, and the cotton seems to make them less wrinkly than really thin 100% linen. Roll up the cuff a couple times and they have a jogger-ish silhouette. Nice loose leg. Mine are five-ish years old and just won't die. When I bought mine, they came with a drawstring which I removed, but the newer versions have just a standard fly which makes them a little less lounge-y than a lot of lightweight summer pants.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/2021-goals-and-january-update#post-2167712 Mon, 25 Jan 2021 23:04:42 +0000 Sal 2167712@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Great thread and ideas Nemosmom.&nbsp; I always admire your style so much.&nbsp; The seasonal challenges are real and in comparison the variation between my coldest and hottest days would be laughable to you.</p> <p>The right lightweight pants or skirts (or a jumpsuit) can be so useful in the high summer.&nbsp; My new green dress has been on very regular rotation because it is long and covered, but cool and easy to wash.&nbsp; I could see you in something similar or like the cotton dresses that Janet added in summer (I think in 2020)</p> <p>I make more mistakes with second hand too - and I have come to accept that that's okay.&nbsp; Sometimes they have a chance of being third hand for someone else!! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/2021-goals-and-january-update#post-2167698 Mon, 25 Jan 2021 22:14:06 +0000 nemosmom 2167698@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Unfrumped - let me know if you find any great summer pants!&nbsp; I tried my chinos last summer and found them too hot. Or too tight. Or too heavy... or something I ended up in thin nylon joggers that I HATED. I put them in the donate bag a few months ago. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/2021-goals-and-january-update#post-2167696 Mon, 25 Jan 2021 22:02:52 +0000 nemosmom 2167696@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p> <div>Rachy - "put a bird on it" LOL! <br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Shevia - I am all for taking small steps. One foot in front of the other, as it were.</div><div><br /></div><div>Bijou - yes, I notice the high prices of locally-made, too.&nbsp; I wonder if our definition and expectation of quality has been skewed by fast fashion over the years...&nbsp; I am sure mine has.</div><div><br /></div><div>Phoebe - I love that! We would all probably choose different things!</div><div><br /></div><div>Minaminu - Big yes to fabric quality! <br /></div><div><br /></div><div>TG - Ya 135 seems like a moderate number for 4 seasons, but I think the fact I can SEE everything all the time is where I get tripped up.&nbsp; I reach for the same thing over and over anyway (I suspect due to having too many perceived choices). I am hopeful that having a smaller subset will encourage me to experiment some.</div><div><br /></div><div>Carla - the weather *IS* my nemesis!&nbsp; I love it here! *forced grin*&nbsp; Winter temps can run from October until mid-May. It has snowed as early as Halloween and as late as mid-April...&nbsp; Then, summer heat index can hit triple digits (thanks, humidity) in July.&nbsp; Unfortunately, we keep our house temp in sync with the outdoors (cold in winter, warm in summer), but stores are the polar opposite.&nbsp; I FREEZE in the grocery store in the summer.&nbsp; Why is summer so hard to shop for??!?<br /></div><div><br /></div><div>ST - oh yes, I have to beware of kitty claws, too.&nbsp; Kitties and knit pants are NOT a good combo!</div><div><br /></div><div>Liesbeth - I may have to pick your brain on how to do a proper 4-season seasonal swap.&nbsp; I felt super motivated last night, but started overthinking it, and just stopped.&nbsp; YES to focusing sustainably-branded buys on pieces that will be worn a lot! Much better CPW that way.<br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Angie - LOL at "etsy regretsy"!! :D&nbsp; High summer is so so so hard. I ordered a few pieces to try (2 shirts and a pant), but added a pair of cords to the order for good measure... ;)<br /></div></p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/2021-goals-and-january-update#post-2167686 Mon, 25 Jan 2021 21:00:39 +0000 unfrumped 2167686@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Great goals!<br /> Over duplicator here too. Working on having more “ one of” things for different seasons.<br /> I’m not a summer dress- wearer and so really need to find pants ( can be cropped/ rolled if summer) that are cool but not lounge- y. Would like at least one or 2 to look sharp, like some kind of upscale chino fabrics and tailoring. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/2021-goals-and-january-update#post-2167657 Mon, 25 Jan 2021 18:37:32 +0000 Angie 2167657@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>It's never too late to set goals for the year, so good job! This sounds sensible, attainable, and evolved.&nbsp;</p> <p>I REALLY like the idea of keeping more transitional items in your seasonal switcheroo. Practical.</p> <p>"Etsy-Regretsy" syndrome is real, and I'm pleased you'll be really careful with those purchases ;)</p> <p>"I need to let go of the notion that every. single. piece. needs to mix and match with every. single. other. piece". = YES! That is not the definition of a functional wardrobe at all. If you can wear an item in three different ways that tickle your fancy &nbsp;- you are good to go!</p> <p>Let the high Summer capsule brainstorming begin.... </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/2021-goals-and-january-update#post-2167646 Mon, 25 Jan 2021 17:53:19 +0000 Liesbeth 2167646@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Great goals. Your wardrobe does not sound bloated at all! Just fyi: I've been doing seasonal swap-outs for years and have grown evermore diligent about storing away things that *could work 4-season but that I just don't wear eg in winter. That also means I don't get out my heavy duty sweaters until it gets cold enough - so I now do 4 swaps instead of 2. I have no tolerance for visual clutter in my small wardrobe even if this approach might limit my creativity a bit :).<br /> And yes to the problems with shopping 'responsibly'. I now only buy things from (more expensive) sustainable brands if I really love the item and it will get lots of wear (so not for a cocktail dress say). Like LaPed I also think it can be better to buy a fast fashion piece if it fits your need so perfectly that you wear it for years. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/2021-goals-and-january-update#post-2167644 Mon, 25 Jan 2021 17:37:14 +0000 Anonymous 2167644@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Love your goals! I need to stop duplicating too- besides basics, gear, essentials.<br /> For me I focus more on sustainability with my out and about clothes- but "good enough" for the at home things the cats will just claw when they cuddle. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/2021-goals-and-january-update#post-2167610 Mon, 25 Jan 2021 15:01:34 +0000 Carla 2167610@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p><div>It sounds like the weather conditions of your locale are your nemesis. &nbsp;When you live in a 4 season climate with crazy transitional shoulder seasons, you need to be creative with your dressing, and you need a generous repertoire of garments. &nbsp;Cool, dry fall is completely different from cold, wet spring - and the perfect high (hot) summer capsule is so elusive!</p> <p></div>Phoebe dropped a gem regarding sustainability advice. &nbsp;Thanks for that! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/2021-goals-and-january-update#post-2167605 Mon, 25 Jan 2021 14:35:51 +0000 Helena 2167605@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I love Phoebe's comments and this quote from Shevia: "</p> <p>But small steps and good intentions actually do add up." Agree totally that ethics are always fraught with contradictions and 'unintended consequences' ... we do our best, we course-correct, we improve, but never in a straight line. Such is life!</p> <p>Love all your goals, and I think 135 for everything is a really tight number - well done! I agree that transition can be so tricky ... especially when transition looks less like beautiful North Cali moderation, and more like ridiculous swings between cold and hot. Playing with this makes a lot of sense.</p> <p>Totally nodding to your 'satisfactory' and 'stop duping' goals ... these are on my list too! Looking forward to seeing how it goes! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/2021-goals-and-january-update#post-2167545 Mon, 25 Jan 2021 09:22:56 +0000 Minaminu 2167545@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>great goals! Interesting point about the quality and longevity of sustainable items, I am having similar challenges. I am trying to learn as much as possible on the quality of each fabric material in the hope to avoid bad purchases! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/2021-goals-and-january-update#post-2167531 Mon, 25 Jan 2021 03:28:17 +0000 Anonymous 2167531@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>An environmental scientist said that if we would all just choose something and stick with it that it would make a real difference across all the categories because we would all choose different things.</p> <p>I keep a small wardrobe of very carefully chosen things in natural fibers that wear very well until I donate them. One of my daughters buys only from ethical/sustainable sources and the other buys almost exclusively secondhand.</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/2021-goals-and-january-update#post-2167529 Mon, 25 Jan 2021 03:13:13 +0000 Bijou 2167529@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Great goals and well done on the closet edit. I am also trying to be more sustainable and am looking to purchase more locally made items (if new) and recycled. However, the locally made items are generally expensive and I know I have to be realistic about the quality or lack thereof. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/2021-goals-and-january-update#post-2167527 Mon, 25 Jan 2021 02:49:42 +0000 Jaime 2167527@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>These sound like excellent goals. Agree completely that the ethical sourcing it very tricky. And a small wardrobe does wear out more quickly.&nbsp; So buying less for more has its own problems. And shipping is its own bag of worms. But small steps and good intentions actually do add up. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/2021-goals-and-january-update#post-2167524 Mon, 25 Jan 2021 02:44:21 +0000 rachylou 2167524@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Good goals. True about shopping small. Had a whole phase where I was very in to local makers and came home with some awkward pieces. A lot of stuff where people had just ‘put a bird on it’ and displayed it with bunting... </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/2021-goals-and-january-update#post-2167515 Mon, 25 Jan 2021 01:25:00 +0000 nemosmom 2167515@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Jenn - Right?! Determining how to weigh each ethical metric gets super thorny. It is hard to decide where the trade-offs should lie.<br /> And how am I supporting sustainability if I buy an item from fairly-paid workers, if they are located halfway around the world? Sure, I may have supported the welfare of some sheep, but I helped contribute to the CO2 for everyone else </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/2021-goals-and-january-update#post-2167513 Mon, 25 Jan 2021 01:01:46 +0000 Jenn 2167513@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I really relate to all these goals! I am just now reaching the point where the first ethical pieces I bought three or four years ago, are hitting end-of-life and moving on from my closet. &nbsp;It's really making me look hard at my expectations around longevity and cost-per-wear. I know I'm willing to pay more to know that workers were paid fairly and environmental practices were followed but...how much, and should I also be expecting a quality upgrade to be built into that price? How much is it worth to have both a quality upgrade AND sustainable practices? And adding on inclusive sizing? Which of those things are most important to me? Its thorny! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/2021-goals-and-january-update#post-2167511 Mon, 25 Jan 2021 00:47:44 +0000 nemosmom 2167511@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>LaPed - yes to setting limits around shopping small. Maybe something akin to a Jenn’s modified French five. </p> <p>Big yes to figuring out which pieces are best to source from where. I burn through tees - even ethical ones - often in a single season. I have found some vintage and ethical knitwear, denim, and outerwear that has worked out well. But totally agree about it being a moving target. Ethically sourced does not always equate to a quality garment. And vice versa - I have older fast fashion items in my closet that are 6-8 years old and still going strong. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/2021-goals-and-january-update#post-2167507 Sun, 24 Jan 2021 23:24:11 +0000 LaPed 2167507@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I like your alliterative S goals! </p> <p>You're absolutely right about the risks of shopping small; I think you have to be prepared for a certain degree of churn when buying handmade and secondhand -- especially online. I wonder if there are limits you could impose: only X number of experimental vintage/handmade pieces per year, or only buy secondhand in-person, only buy from sellers with a generous return policy, etc. </p> <p>There's always this tension for me between buying from some great brand being pitched as sustainable/ethical and then having it not work out vs. just buying the less-ethical thing at Target/Gap/Uniqlo wherever, and having it stay in my closet for years and years. I'm trying to identify categories where it makes sense to spend the extra time/effort/money on finding an upgraded/ethical version. Cheap mass-produced t-shirts may meet all my requirements for a t-shirt, whereas buying knitwear from mall brands is almost always a disappointment. I'm better off investing in vintage jeans than in vintage dresses or suiting. But figuring out even a few of those guidelines takes so much trial and error, and it always feels like a moving target!&nbsp;</p> <p> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/2021-goals-and-january-update#post-2167486 Sun, 24 Jan 2021 20:06:47 +0000 nemosmom 2167486@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p><div>I am late to the goal-setting party, but wanted to post here for accountability.</p> <p><b>January</b> - I did a big edit. I got rid of older, thrifted experiments that never worked out. I also tried on all the pieces in my holding zone and let go of any I had an immediate "ugh" reaction to. 20 items out, so far. My wardrobe still feels bloated (to me) but, aside from a handful of orphans that I am on the fence about, I actually <u>LIKE</u> the pieces that remain. I want to be careful about what I edit from here.<br /> </div><div><br /> </div><div>I am toying with the idea of adding more transitional pieces to my<br /> high-season swaps in an effort to reduce the feeling of overwhelm. My<br /> tops, bottoms, outerwear, and toppers total 135 pieces, but that spans<br /> all 4 seasons and includes loungewear (excluding workout gear,<br /> sleepwear, accessories). Currently, only the high-season items get switched out; everything else is in my closet year- round. The reality is I am unlikely to wear things like short sleeved tees in the winter, regardless of how many layers I put on top of them, so maybe refactoring here will help. I plan to make this my focus for Feb/Mar.<br /> </div><div><br /> </div><div><b>So, for 2021 goals</b>:</div><div><br /> </div><div><b>Sustainability</b>:<br /> I want to make more effort to buy from sustainable (to me) companies. I<br /> figure the prices of these items (combined with my set budget) will help slow my rate of acquisition. And, the quality is often superior, meaning pieces will last longer and my future churn rate should slow. I hope...<br /> </div><div><br /> </div><div><b>Shop small</b>:<br /> I want to continue shopping secondhand and small etsy makers. I have scored some great, unique finds this way - BUT - I have to be <i>REALLY</i><br /> careful.  I can easily get caught up in the thrill of the hunt, and end up with non-returnable pieces that don't fit my body or my lifestyle. Like the two-piece crimson red pantsuit I *nearly* bought a few weeks ago... OMG it was GORGEOUS, but really, when the heck would I EVER wear it?<br /> </div><div><br /> </div><div><b>Satisfactory</b>:<br /> </div><div> I get hung up on creating perfect, pinterest-worthy capsules. I need to let go of the notion that every. single. piece. needs to mix and match with every. single. other. piece.<br /> <div><br /> </div><div><b>Stop duplicating (Sal's "Power of One")</b>:<br /> </div><div>I have a bad habit of duplicating when I really shouldn't. It sometimes benefits me for essentials... but, I often end up with too much sameness, get bored, then shop when I don't need to.<br /> </div></div><div><br /> </div><div><b>Summer</b>: <br /> </div><div>Lastly, I want to build a mixable high summer capsule. I had this as a goal for last year, but never focused on it.  I have very few pieces that are comfy in hot, humid weather and I don't like my legs bare... this makes summer shopping a challenge. I hope to find a handful of separates in lightweight, natural fabrics that will get me through a few months of hot, humid, buggy weather.  I have a couple of things on order from Outerknown. Fingers crossed.<br /> </div><div><br /> </div><div>Thanks for reading if you made it this far (and if you didn't, that's ok, too)!<br /> </div> </p>