YouLookFab Forum » Topic: 2023 Year End Review (Not So Great)

YouLookFab Forum » Topic: 2023 Year End Review (Not So Great) https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/2024-january-state-of-the-wardrobe-not-so-great Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Wed, 22 Apr 2026 09:38:36 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 <![CDATA[Search]]> q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php Chris987 on "2023 Year End Review (Not So Great)" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/2024-january-state-of-the-wardrobe-not-so-great/page/2#post-2350540 Wed, 24 Jan 2024 14:30:45 +0000 Chris987 2350540@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ THanks Zeobi ... no I had not heard of David Zyla, I'll give him a look. lyn67 - I have no idea why this Zara store is the way it is. It makes no sense at all. :-).  (For those in my area, it's the one in the Natick Mall) They did put in automatic check-out kiosks but they still have real people working the always-long lines for check-out/returns.  The dressing rooms are still there, but there are always racks and racks of clothes (returns prob) blocking the entrance and signs saying they are closed. I'm not going to stand in line for 15 minutes so I can ask someone :-)  lyn67 on "2023 Year End Review (Not So Great)" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/2024-january-state-of-the-wardrobe-not-so-great/page/2#post-2350326 Mon, 22 Jan 2024 13:26:37 +0000 lyn67 2350326@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Wow, sorry-I can't pass over "A Zara near me closed their fitting rooms during Covid and has NEVER reopened them." How can that be possible and is it still functioning like a B&M store?? Zaeobi on "2023 Year End Review (Not So Great)" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/2024-january-state-of-the-wardrobe-not-so-great/page/2#post-2350323 Mon, 22 Jan 2024 13:06:35 +0000 Zaeobi 2350323@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Hmm if you've got a mix of cool & warm colours in your natural colouring (hair, skin, eyes) then I believe wearing a mix of such undertones could create harmony with your clothes & you. Have you heard of David Zyla? You don't have to follow his colour system, but you might find it useful to go through this page as an exercise in picking out the colours that 'support' rather than detract from you: <a href="https://www.davidzyla.com/the-color-of-style/" rel="nofollow">https://www.davidzyla.com/the-color-of-style/</a> Chris987 on "2023 Year End Review (Not So Great)" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/2024-january-state-of-the-wardrobe-not-so-great/page/2#post-2350259 Sun, 21 Jan 2024 16:53:35 +0000 Chris987 2350259@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Zaeobi my eyes are steely grey/blue. Definitely a cool color. Hair/Skin are a bit cool but sometimes a bit warm ... at least that's the way they look to me.  Zaeobi on "2023 Year End Review (Not So Great)" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/2024-january-state-of-the-wardrobe-not-so-great#post-2350235 Sun, 21 Jan 2024 14:03:31 +0000 Zaeobi 2350235@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ This might seem like a very random question Chris, but what colour are your eyes? And are they warm or cool in comparison to your hair & skin shades? I suspect this may have something to do with your warm/ cool conundrum... Chris987 on "2023 Year End Review (Not So Great)" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/2024-january-state-of-the-wardrobe-not-so-great#post-2349713 Sun, 14 Jan 2024 18:24:38 +0000 Chris987 2349713@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Thanks Rachylou. I agree that a moniker could be helpful but after thinking about it quite a bit I can never find any that seem to fit, so I've stopped trying And thanks for the advice on color counselors. I want to meet with them in person and found somebody local who's been doing it for a long time. I'm thinking of it as a fun exploration!  Good comments about pants. Cropped pants on me just make me look shorter and wider which I do not like ... yet on someone just a few inches taller with less of a pear shape the proportions are completely different. Good reminder to look at the shape through the thigh as well as the lower leg. I've been not doing that, methinks! ... Ribbet :-)  DonnaF on "2023 Year End Review (Not So Great)" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/2024-january-state-of-the-wardrobe-not-so-great#post-2349675 Sun, 14 Jan 2024 01:16:30 +0000 DonnaF 2349675@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ There’s no rule that says you have to wear cropped pants! What? You don’t want to look like you’re walking on your knees? Plus, I find that I get super cold if I wear wide leg cropped pants or wide legs at all. Doh! Kick flares are the crops that work best for me due to their extra structure. Add to your list of what to look for in pants photos: How they fit through the thighs which may be a function of how they are cut through the lower hips, and fabrication meaning how stiff or how drapey. Keep strong as you kiss those frogs! Glad you’re not settling. DonnaF on "2023 Year End Review (Not So Great)" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/2024-january-state-of-the-wardrobe-not-so-great#post-2349672 Sun, 14 Jan 2024 00:52:31 +0000 DonnaF 2349672@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ FWIW, I would only use John Kitchener/Personal Style Counselors for a color analysis. I used PSC’s Irby when Joan owned the company and John and Irby were her analysts. This was nearly 40 years ago, and I still have the fabric swatch cards I made! I had my husband go as well since his coloring is quite different from mine and I couldn’t figure out what would look good on him. PSC i$ pricey and they function a bit differently now but it is quite individualized which I like. For example, another Japanese American friend had her colors done around the same time, and she had quite a few violets whereas I had a few purples but no violets at all. rachylou on "2023 Year End Review (Not So Great)" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/2024-january-state-of-the-wardrobe-not-so-great#post-2349491 Thu, 11 Jan 2024 16:49:07 +0000 rachylou 2349491@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I do tend to think a moniker is helpful. Because it’s specific but not too specific when confronted with the reality of what’s for sale. Chris987 on "2023 Year End Review (Not So Great)" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/2024-january-state-of-the-wardrobe-not-so-great#post-2349486 Thu, 11 Jan 2024 15:24:29 +0000 Chris987 2349486@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ DonnaF, you've articulated the issues so well! You've done some posts with many outfits based on a specific element  - like the one below in denim/chambray.   The outfits shown are FAR from boring, so despite the limited/boring offerings in petites sizes  (I agree with that),  you seem to always put them together in great ways! And now that I'm reviewing this post again, there are a lot of individual pieces that are not so boring  so you have good hunting skills!  <a rel="nofollow" href="https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wiw-denimchambray-1">https://youlookfab.com/welookf.....chambray-1</a> <a rel="nofollow" href="https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wiw-denimchambray.  The outfits shown are FAR from boring IMHO so youwhow outfits that are FAR from boging. 1"> </a> DonnaF on "2023 Year End Review (Not So Great)" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/2024-january-state-of-the-wardrobe-not-so-great#post-2348963 Sun, 07 Jan 2024 04:19:49 +0000 DonnaF 2348963@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ As a fellow Petite, I agree about the lack of Petite offerings these days and how most are b-o-r-i-n-g. I make a lot of online orders and make almost as many returns. Enough that the persons of color at Nordstrom’s return counter recognize me. I’ve resigned myself to buying only sweaters with sleeves that can be rolled. I’ve found Madewell shirt dresses that fit and sometimes don’t need to have the sleeves shortened. Their current black denim shirt dress (major weakness) seems to be only about 34” long, however, which is just.too.short as far as I am concerned. I spend way too much time scrolling looking for unusual pieces or even regular classic ones that have a prayer of fitting me as is or with simple hem or sleeve shortening. Chris987 on "2023 Year End Review (Not So Great)" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/2024-january-state-of-the-wardrobe-not-so-great#post-2348788 Fri, 05 Jan 2024 21:25:56 +0000 Chris987 2348788@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Thanks Brooklyn! Well, you are not the first (or second) person who's suggested I give a chance to mixing cool and warm ... I guess I'll need to give it a go Good idea about thinking about skewing in one direction of the other, and the contrast levels. Both of your example outfits are gorgeous and I'd wear them in a heartbeat.  Dee, great advice, and starting with a few pieces seems like a great idea. I agree the proportions are super super important, at least to some of us they are. Good points about contrast - I generally prefer low contrast  - IMHO the high contrast looks tend to emphasize shortness more than low contrast,  and I'm already so short that I prefer not to do that, although I'm not strict about it.  Angie, I've been thinking of grey as a neutral but you are right it really is cool. Black is too maybe, or maybe a neutral. Yeah the winter outerwear needs a good deep dive, good suggestion about a separate post. I've got an ok collection but feel it could be better, and you are right it's going to be cold here until April! Early this morning it was 18F, and we have 6-12" of snow coming on Sunday.  Feeling like a more typical than last year which was warmer and very little snow. I'll do that separately.  Joy good point about how colors near the face can sometimes be different from those elsewhere in an outfit. I've gotten a little tired of wearing indoor scarves and often prefer a simple higher-neck sweater, so that limits my choices a bit. Anonymous on "2023 Year End Review (Not So Great)" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/2024-january-state-of-the-wardrobe-not-so-great#post-2348746 Fri, 05 Jan 2024 16:22:26 +0000 Anonymous 2348746@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Brooklyn has good ideas.  I like warm colors best on me but wear some cool ones on the bottom away from my face.  Patterned tops are an easy way to pull things together, so are scarves.  It is hard to avoid black or white or blue denim as so many tops work well with them. I fry to stick to them as skirts or pants.  When worn near my face I try to wear a warm colored scarf or statement necklace.   Angie on "2023 Year End Review (Not So Great)" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/2024-january-state-of-the-wardrobe-not-so-great#post-2348739 Fri, 05 Jan 2024 15:17:41 +0000 Angie 2348739@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I love Brooklyn's explanation and suggestions! Chris, you wear cool and warm colours. Your current hair colour skews both ways to my eye. Personally, I think of black, white, grey, light blue and navy as cooler colours. Your earth tones are generally warmer. As Brooklyn suggests, maybe it's a ratio thing when mixing cool and warm colours in an outfit - and you need to find that sweet spot.  Adding shoe, bag, and scarf complements can help pull a look together.  Wearing a scarf in a pattern with warm and cool tones can help pull things together too.  As for the outerwear challenge - THAT is a priority in MA!!! I'd address that first. You have many months of cold weather ahead of you <ul> <li>What do you have, and what are the issues? </li> <li>Do you need a larger assortment of neutral coats?</li> <li>Do you need to pull the look together in another way?</li> </ul> Might want to start a separate thread on outerwear so that we can focus and assist effectively!  (Our outerwear is in the coat closet by the door too. Away from the rest of our wardrobe items. And there is a mirror by the door so that I can assess whether I like the outerwear I've chosen before I head out), <div> </div> Dee on "2023 Year End Review (Not So Great)" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/2024-january-state-of-the-wardrobe-not-so-great#post-2348726 Fri, 05 Jan 2024 12:24:50 +0000 Dee 2348726@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ There’s so much out there in fashion with the oversized and all the other trends etc.., that its super easy to get pulled in so many directions. I agree that a style moniker or 3 word descriptor would help a lot to hone in on where you want things to go. You’ve got some favourite pieces already that might help you define your preferred style direction so that your fashion choices will always feel authentic to YOU. I also have had much better success with my wardrobe by sticking to a fairly cohesive colour palette with just a few different colours to choose from and I think that getting the right proportions in our clothing items which suit our particular body types best (despite all various trends) is really key on whether we’re going to like what we see in the mirror.. ETA; I think Brooklyn is right about also finding the right contrast levels for who you are in addition to a particular colour palette. I myself look totally washed out in soft pastels, but I also don’t like too high a contrast level either, which can sometimes be too stark on me. I’m like Goldilocks preferring a medium contrast level with colour Brooklyn on "2023 Year End Review (Not So Great)" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/2024-january-state-of-the-wardrobe-not-so-great#post-2348691 Fri, 05 Jan 2024 01:12:12 +0000 Brooklyn 2348691@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I can’t help with the retail stuff, but I wouldn’t give up on mixing cool and warm colours. I think it’s a great way to add both interest and versatility to your wardrobe. I’d do some experimenting and try to figure out why you like it sometimes and not others. It may not be the colours themselves, it may be the proportions in which you are mixing them. For me, I like the outfit to skew either warm or cool. So I’d be looking for around 70% warm and 30% cool or vice versa. (Warm colours suit me better so I try to keep these near my face, but I’m not too strict about it.) If you were to team say, blue jeans (cool) with a long top in a dark red (warm), that results in a 50/50 proportion. So you might need to be intentional with your shoes or accessories or jacket to make it skew one way or the other. Eg warm coloured shoes and bag. Or you might need to add some neutrals to pull it all together. A couple of my outfits to illustrate: No 1 is about 70% warm No 2 is about 80% cool I treat my hair as adding a warm element to every outfit. I also treat black and white as true neutrals (neither warm nor cool). So I think you can count them as either in an outfit. You also might want to think about contrast and how much that is affecting your preferences. You might prefer mixing warm and cool when there is a high degree of difference in value between the colours eg light blue and warm burgundy OR you might prefer to mix warm and cool when there is a low difference in value between the colours eg dark red and cool brown. Chris987 on "2023 Year End Review (Not So Great)" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/2024-january-state-of-the-wardrobe-not-so-great#post-2348668 Thu, 04 Jan 2024 20:11:33 +0000 Chris987 2348668@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Suz – thanks again for taking the time to write down such great feedback, and yes I do have clothing to wear while I sort this all out I AM due for a style refresh, I felt that way at the start of last year! I just don’t feel I’ve made much progress, although things started to come together late in 2023. As Angie and others have said, a style refresh is not something one can force into a timeline. You are spot on that I’ve been through some changes in my personal life. No dramatic changes, just some “stuff” that was a bit messy for a while but it has calmed down now.   I thought I had my core colors well defined but something is off, not so much the individual colors but how I put them together. I like quite a few different colors but I do not like to wear many of them together. I would rather mix it up with texture, architectural details, and maybe subtle pattern rather than multiple colors. (hmm I think I’ve landed on something there)  I love the idea of narrowing the color range and least for a while.  You say “I had tended to shop at Winners and pick up anything that seemed to fit...in any old colour, almost. Not a recipe for a cohesive closet or one that reflected a sense of style.”. I have been doing that for a long time, although I’ve gotten much picker about color and style in the last 6 months … but shopping like this (TJMaxx in my case) seems only productive if one is looking for latest trends. It also leads to a lot of “good enough” which I think is part of my problem. I agree on defining a moniker vs finding outfit images that feel right. I tend to prefer the images, but have to figure out how to translate them to realistic for me. For example I love many of the elements that the AlterationsNeeded blogger wears, but a funky blazer over a cami would only work a few months of the year for me – she lives in LA and can wear that year-round.  I LOVE the idea of naming the words you want (and don’t want) your clothing to say about you!!! I’m going to take your list and work with it.  Yes yes yes the bloggers ignore the realities of daily life!! Of course for many of them their daily life is all about creating cool outfits and monetizing them. My life is somewhat different from that  :-)  I have started shopping at Bloomingdales online this year and as you say ordering/returning is easy and for me here in the US it’s all free. I found one of my Tahari sweaters there. I did try a sweater in the C brand but it was too long in the smallest size. Also an Aqua but it was a smidge too short and the collar proportions were too big for my small face/head. (finds shown)  Good to know they are a go-to for you, I’ll keep looking. Yeah, I realize the color analysis thing can be pretty subjective I do know that Eileen Fisher does petites, but the intentional boxiness even in petites makes me look shapeless, and while that might be an interpretation of “funky” that works for some, it’s not for me. I’ll definitely give Indyx app a try. Nothing to lose right? Thanks again, you've given me a lot of great food for thought. Thanks Angie! I imagine it would be SUPER to be able to shop in person with you! Never say never ….   Angie on "2023 Year End Review (Not So Great)" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/2024-january-state-of-the-wardrobe-not-so-great#post-2348546 Wed, 03 Jan 2024 19:32:33 +0000 Angie 2348546@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Chris, I see fab successes. Well done! Nodding along with Suz and SarahD8's wise words.  Regarding this: "the more funky, artistic, slightly tough, sophisticated styles that I prefer tend to not come in sizes that fit me or they fit but don’t flatter. My body type is a complete mismatch for what’s available at retail in the styles I want" ....short story:  If I'm in Boston, or you're in Seattle at some point - I'd strongly suggest some sessions with me to get you on your way. There are solutions to these challenges that will scratch the itch with satisfaction. Trust me! Much easier to sort out in person, with me right there with you   Suz on "2023 Year End Review (Not So Great)" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/2024-january-state-of-the-wardrobe-not-so-great#post-2348543 Wed, 03 Jan 2024 19:06:07 +0000 Suz 2348543@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ For colour analysis...beware! Seriously, it's a rabbit hole and sometimes a bit nuts. Also, it's possible that your colouring is quite neutral which would make it natural for you to choose from cool and warm tones. But if you could find someone really good at it, you might find it helpful or at least interesting.  For funky/ artsy/ tough footwear -- combat boots (esp. lug sole -- and I think you have some of these) and lug sole chelsea boots. (It is trickier for dressy). Sneakers for summer. Or gladiator style sandals. Or fisherman style.  Your comment to Irina re Eileen Fisher -- she does make petites! I know the sizing runs quite large for the most part -- but that is also part of the aesthetic. Boxy is part of the look. It's intentional. That might not be your look (which is good to know!) But keep in mind that a wardrobe of all classic tailored fits will never mesh with the arty/ funky vibe you mentioned seeking or wanting to incorporate. It can still be a great and stylish wardrobe! It just might not feel or look the way you mentioned wanting to feel or look.  You might want to try the fashion quiz on the Indyx app. Though I have to say, I tried it and it gave me some extremely uninformative results. Yeah, I knew I was classic already, thank you very much. And androgynous too, for that matter...and didn't we just establish I am not particularly sophisticated?  oh well.... In all honesty, it's like Angie says -- it takes a lot of self-reflection and also some experimentation and failures to really figure it out -- and it is always evolving... Chris987 on "2023 Year End Review (Not So Great)" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/2024-january-state-of-the-wardrobe-not-so-great#post-2348517 Wed, 03 Jan 2024 13:55:44 +0000 Chris987 2348517@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Thanks kellygirl! yes the NYDJ Marilyn are a clear winner. I'd love to find a different NYDJ style with a slightly slimmer leg (and a summer weight as you suggest) and plan to look at that soon. Gap and Lucky have worked for me too, but Lucky has gone over to the dark side of all high rises these days..  Irina, yeah the petite thing is such a bummer! I have not tried Everlane but have looked occasionally. Eileen Fisher clothes are almost always too boxy and look shapeless on me, or their smallest size (say in sweaters) is too big on me. I am willing to try pricier brands if I could find ones that worked.  Thanks Suz - what great words of wisdom and things to think about. I need to go digest it all and get back to you separately.  Cat2 thanks, and Macys is in fact a go-to of mine but I've gotten quite bored with their selection of petites even though it's pretty big online. I particularly am not thrilled with most of the prints in their house brands. But never say never of course!    Suntiger that's a great question and I'm not sure of the answer. I do mix warm/cool in a few cases, like light cool blue with warm brown, but don't like light cool grey (close to the blue) with warm brown. I think it would be helpful to me to understand this better so thanks for bringing it up!  SarahD8 thanks and I will report back on the closet reorg outcome. You make a good point about footwear and accessories, although the most obvious  footwear in that vibe has heels which I can't do ...  Jenni NZ - good suggestion on prints, but the reality is you like a lot more color and pattern in your wardrobe than I do :-)  I do like that print you showed! The question about my base coloring is an important one and I have a suspicion that's at the root of my color issues. I'm thinking really seriously about having a professional color analysis done to see what I can learn. Good question!  Jenni NZ on "2023 Year End Review (Not So Great)" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/2024-january-state-of-the-wardrobe-not-so-great#post-2348495 Wed, 03 Jan 2024 05:45:17 +0000 Jenni NZ 2348495@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I just looked down at my leg while reading your post- and my pants have a mix of warm and cool in the print! Plus black t-shirt (cool), bronze sparkly cardigan (warm), black suede sandals (cool) with gold detailing (warm). Pants leg below! Any chance that finding prints that mixed warm and cool could help?? Do you think your base colouring is more one than the other, or neutral? SarahD8 on "2023 Year End Review (Not So Great)" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/2024-january-state-of-the-wardrobe-not-so-great#post-2348469 Tue, 02 Jan 2024 21:46:45 +0000 SarahD8 2348469@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I definitely see some impressive successes in your recap but I sympathize with the difficulties, especially as a fellow petite with difficult-to-fit proportions.  I like your idea of arranging your closet by warm vs cool! I'm very curious to know what will emerge from that effort, do report back. Re the "funky, artistic, slightly tough, sophisticated" element you are after -- could some of that come from footwear or accessories where fit issues may be less?  Suz on "2023 Year End Review (Not So Great)" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/2024-january-state-of-the-wardrobe-not-so-great#post-2348456 Tue, 02 Jan 2024 20:16:33 +0000 Suz 2348456@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Oh, I meant to add, re Bloomingdale's -- Mr Suz and I order from them because I can get (and send back) to the US quite seamlessly on the whole (unlike some others.)  Their house brand cashmere brands (C and Aqua) are quite good on the whole in my experience. Often available on sale. There is some minor pilling on the inside sleeves of my long line cardigan from them but very little considering how I typically wear it (basically like a bathrobe -- a lot of hard indoor wear) and some outside the home wear as well over a 3 year period so far. Washes beautifully.  Mr. Suz has got merino sweaters from them that he likes. Again, he waits for sales.  Anonymous on "2023 Year End Review (Not So Great)" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/2024-january-state-of-the-wardrobe-not-so-great#post-2348454 Tue, 02 Jan 2024 19:55:30 +0000 Anonymous 2348454@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I like what Suz said! I also like your idea of putting the things you're not feeling now into a temporary holding zone. How come you don't like mixing warm and cool tones? cat2 on "2023 Year End Review (Not So Great)" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/2024-january-state-of-the-wardrobe-not-so-great#post-2348451 Tue, 02 Jan 2024 19:39:32 +0000 cat2 2348451@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ You might also try Macy’s, they have a different mix of brands than Dillards’s, and do have petites. I never used to shop there because their website was dreadful, but they upgraded to something much more useful. I like a couple of their house brands; the tees and sweaters are better quality than the Nordstrom equivalents. Suz on "2023 Year End Review (Not So Great)" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/2024-january-state-of-the-wardrobe-not-so-great#post-2348443 Tue, 02 Jan 2024 18:21:59 +0000 Suz 2348443@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I hear you on the challenges but I also notice some big successes this year -- to get new sweaters (something I have also been struggling with for 3 years) and to find a pant shape/ brand that works well are both huge wins! With those two elements and boots, at least you can get dressed while you work out the rest, LOL.  It sounds like you are due for a style refresh. Some of your current dissatisfaction is about that more than about the sticky particulars of shopping, although of course those are related. Still, you can fill a closet with stuff that (sort of) fits and (sort of) suits you but you still aren't going to be happy with it if you have not defined your core style.  Have other things shifted in your life, Chris? (Not asking you to reveal that to us, just a question for you to ponder. Whenever I begin to feel major closet dissatisfaction I have to ask myself -- is it my life -- a change, a shift? -- or is it the clothes? Usually, it's a bit of both!)  Speaking for myself, when I had to build from scratch, I decided on my key neutrals and accent colours pretty much before I did anything else. For me, that was obviously navy/ denim blues and white, plus taupe at the time (my hair was still blonde). Later, when I let my hair grow in grey, grey/ silver subbed in for the taupe, though I see own and wear and like taupe.  Narrowing my colour range just simplified my life so much to settle on core neutrals and not waver on that. True, there are times (like the last 4 years) when navy (or grey) are much harder to source in my size or style. And that can (and does!) become frustrating. But overall, I'm still glad I narrowed it down and set my parameters. Style is about elimination as much as anything else.  In the past, I had tended to shop at Winners and pick up anything that seemed to fit...in any old colour, almost. Not a recipe for a cohesive closet or one that reflected a sense of style.  But choosing (and eliminating) colours is not the only way to go. If you adore multiple colours, that can be defining! Your mix of warm and cool might in fact be key to your unique style! You could also do narrow things down by silhouette. It seems you have done that to a degree with your refusal of crops. Not a style you like on yourself -- done!  I don't think a person has to choose a moniker or 3 adjectives (or whatever) to define a style -- for some, it all comes together quite intuitively. But it does help to have a sense of how you want to feel in your clothes and how you want to present yourself in the world, of what you want your clothes to say about you. Or, if you are more visual, to have images to draw from of styles and outfits, current and past, your own or your style icons' that might offer inspiration.  Again, speaking for myself -- among the things I hope my clothes will say about me -- words like "current," "fun," "lively/ active," "vibrant," "creative." Among the words I don't want them to say: "sexy," "staid," "depressed," "haughty," "boring," "safe." (Sometimes it helps to think in terms of what you don't want.) Then, there's the all important twist of fitting those aspirations to your environment. Not easy! This is the part that most advice columnists and fashionistas tend to miss completely, in my view. The practical application given a person's lifestyle, weather, etc. Angie is much better about this -- think of all her posts on practical footwear and outerwear. Because honestly, however cool or "chill" it looks to Amy Smilovic, where I live, socks worn with strappy sandals are not going to cut it. That is a styling trick I will never adopt, no matter what!  Anyway, you know all of that, living where you do. But before you buy another thing, it's a great idea to put anything that doesn't currently give you joy into a holdiing zone. And also to be really honest with yourself about what is most important to you in your clothes.  Irina on "2023 Year End Review (Not So Great)" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/2024-january-state-of-the-wardrobe-not-so-great#post-2348439 Tue, 02 Jan 2024 16:55:49 +0000 Irina 2348439@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I’m with you as a fellow petite on availability of petite sizes. I think last year I did not buy a single petite item. <div>I don’t have suggestions on brands, our styles are different but I find that it helps me to have one or two brands that are close to my core style. I know that it’s common to “leaving no stones unturned “ but I don’t have time and patience for it. Even if you find a brand that too expensive or would require alterations, consider it. Also useful to check for styling ideas. </div><div>I don’t know if you tried Everlane and Eileen Fisher is hugely available on resale market. </div> kellygirl on "2023 Year End Review (Not So Great)" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/2024-january-state-of-the-wardrobe-not-so-great#post-2348437 Tue, 02 Jan 2024 16:26:27 +0000 kellygirl 2348437@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ You're so discerning and I admire your persistence! Sounds like you are on to a good thing with the NYDJ bottoms. Maybe there is a summer weight pant in that line that will work for you too. I find Gap and Lucky usually work best for my build... no matter the season. Black tall boots are so tricky so I'm glad that you have those to build around too. That's pretty exciting! No advice to offer because my wardrobe is pretty much exclusively Gap and JCrew these days... Looking forward to seeing how you fill out your wardrobe gaps! Chris987 on "2023 Year End Review (Not So Great)" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/2024-january-state-of-the-wardrobe-not-so-great#post-2348436 Tue, 02 Jan 2024 16:24:03 +0000 Chris987 2348436@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Thanks Ginger! I have heard of Belk, will definitely give them a look. To me Dillards is a lot like Lord & Taylor (sob!) and Bloomindales is a lot like Nordstrom (who fired me). There is a Bloomies about an hour from me but I'd rather do online - orders come right to me and I'm very close to a couple of UPS drop off points for returns. Dillards has no retail stores in New England but I've been in the one in Phoenix a few times just to check it out.  Chris987 on "2023 Year End Review (Not So Great)" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/2024-january-state-of-the-wardrobe-not-so-great#post-2348435 Tue, 02 Jan 2024 16:20:07 +0000 Chris987 2348435@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Thanks Roberta, waving at a NYDJ Marylin "twin" :-). I'm going to look at your pant finds for other brand/style ideas. Yeah the warm vs cool thing will be helpful I just realized today (well, I think I already knew)  that the new dark brown I added is a cool brown, not warm. Those pieces might work with warmer browns, but they are intrinsically cool. I'm with you on sweater details, especially the puff shoulders.  Thanks Cardiff Girl! I have gotten great inputs in the past from others with similar body types as mine, this forum is SO good for that! :-)  I think I need to do a better job (for myself) of defining what I want.