YouLookFab Forum » Topic: A bird in the hand, taking what you can get

YouLookFab Forum » Topic: A bird in the hand, taking what you can get - call it what you will... https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-bird-in-the-hand-taking-what-you-can-get---call-it-what-you-will Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Sat, 11 Apr 2026 07:04:11 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 <![CDATA[Search]]> q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php CarolS on "A bird in the hand, taking what you can get - call it what you will..." https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-bird-in-the-hand-taking-what-you-can-get---call-it-what-you-will#post-2218721 Tue, 24 Aug 2021 14:45:33 +0000 CarolS 2218721@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I hear ya, RobinF! The olive capsule I've been building started by accident when I found an olive jacket that not only fit, but also was in a good colour for me and met my need for a fluid, semi structured topper in a shorter length. i was not finding pants in the colours I wanted, but after finding the jacket, the camouflage joggers became a viable option. But I also have my share of "make do" flops. RobinF on "A bird in the hand, taking what you can get - call it what you will..." https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-bird-in-the-hand-taking-what-you-can-get---call-it-what-you-will#post-2218705 Tue, 24 Aug 2021 13:27:38 +0000 RobinF 2218705@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Sounds like you have a nicely thought out plan! I have the same waist to hip fit problem. It really makes pants shopping very difficult and now with high rise wide legs it is almost impossible. I tend to not be terribly picky because of this issue - if it is comfortable and fits reasonably well then I might not be able to be too particular about other details. Sometimes it works out well but other times not so well. Anonymous on "A bird in the hand, taking what you can get - call it what you will..." https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-bird-in-the-hand-taking-what-you-can-get---call-it-what-you-will#post-2218538 Mon, 23 Aug 2021 18:10:19 +0000 Anonymous 2218538@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I often make do- after hunting for a long time for just the right thing. That said- it generally works out! Angie on "A bird in the hand, taking what you can get - call it what you will..." https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-bird-in-the-hand-taking-what-you-can-get---call-it-what-you-will#post-2218517 Mon, 23 Aug 2021 17:35:41 +0000 Angie 2218517@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ This looks excellent, CarolS! Focused, organized, but with flair, flexibility as emotion. Well done :) Would love to see your wildcards. CarolS on "A bird in the hand, taking what you can get - call it what you will..." https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-bird-in-the-hand-taking-what-you-can-get---call-it-what-you-will#post-2218357 Mon, 23 Aug 2021 01:17:55 +0000 CarolS 2218357@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Thanks, Carla - love the white cropped jeans with the black coat and boots. That will be my goal. Although in cold winter I may have them stuffed into knee high boots instead! (can't believe I am already thinking winter, but there ya go) Shevia -- glad to know I'm not alone with this challenge. Thanks for the encouraging words! Jaime on "A bird in the hand, taking what you can get - call it what you will..." https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-bird-in-the-hand-taking-what-you-can-get---call-it-what-you-will#post-2218342 Mon, 23 Aug 2021 00:33:07 +0000 Jaime 2218342@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I relate completely with the waist to hip problem. As to laser focusing, I do do that sometimes when I get obsessed with a certain kind of piece that I think will change everything and am rarely happy with the almost right version. But I am still open to other stuff always - that is what thrifting is all about.  Your plan sounds well thought out - good luck! Carla on "A bird in the hand, taking what you can get - call it what you will..." https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-bird-in-the-hand-taking-what-you-can-get---call-it-what-you-will#post-2218339 Mon, 23 Aug 2021 00:16:54 +0000 Carla 2218339@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Your shopping strategy sounds entirely reasonable, and I like the idea of the green capsule.    Congrats on being  close to wearing the white crops and put them into rotation as soon as they fit with any ankle boot (your yellow Doc’s) even if it’s winter. I tend to be pretty focused, but try to be open to wildcards that might precipitate a new style direction or colour capsule.  I think I have enough lilac, and am looking for merlot and navy, but who knows what I might find or what direction I might pursue if I happen upon something exciting.   CarolS on "A bird in the hand, taking what you can get - call it what you will..." https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-bird-in-the-hand-taking-what-you-can-get---call-it-what-you-will#post-2218336 Sun, 22 Aug 2021 23:43:01 +0000 CarolS 2218336@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Wow, Jenni -- what a great memory! I did keep them (a little bit by default because even when stores did re-open for returns I was in no hurry to rush to a mall...) In any case, yes, I exchanged for the size up just before our first lockdown in March 2020. They've barely gotten any wear other than around the house so far. They ARE a bit big, so will probably kind of turn them into cold weather boots with extra heavy socks. Those were very much an impulse purchase sparked by the idea that I needed to find ways to add colour to my life! Working on getting some photos together that will actually include at least one outfit with the yellow boots. Jenni NZ on "A bird in the hand, taking what you can get - call it what you will..." https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-bird-in-the-hand-taking-what-you-can-get---call-it-what-you-will#post-2218328 Sun, 22 Aug 2021 22:46:55 +0000 Jenni NZ 2218328@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I don’t think I’m “laser focused”, especially now when I am really really trying to be more sustainable. Certain things I would like can take more than a year to get. An example was the olive snakeskin boots I got about May last year. I had had something of a laser focus looking about a year before that but nothing suitable was in any local stores or local websites ( even Australian, which is across a sea for me) and I felt I should give up at that stage. It’s not as if I had nothing to wear?! So when they turned up on a local website a year later and were perfect I bought them then, and have now worn 30 times with many more wears in my future. I appreciate that your situation may be different with your weight loss. I have had weight loss too but quite slowly over more than 2 years. I still fit most of my clothes. I would be extremely upset with myself if Joy’s or Rachylou’s situation happened to me. I don’t want to end up with accidental duplicates or several things of not quite the right shade. On another note, so you did keep the yellow Docs in the end? Was that the size up? CarolS on "A bird in the hand, taking what you can get - call it what you will..." https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-bird-in-the-hand-taking-what-you-can-get---call-it-what-you-will#post-2218326 Sun, 22 Aug 2021 22:28:52 +0000 CarolS 2218326@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ bj, we don't have jcrew nearby, so it hasn't been on my radar. On the up-side, I think I will be able to shop my closet for white jeans in a couple of weeks. I am "that" close to fitting an old pair of Gap kick crops that I used to really like. So, for all the wear they will get this fall (possibly none if the weather doesn't cooperate), I will consider myself set and maybe try again in spring. Ii like the idea of having a looser and more fitted pair for different looks.  bj1111 on "A bird in the hand, taking what you can get - call it what you will..." https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-bird-in-the-hand-taking-what-you-can-get---call-it-what-you-will#post-2218313 Sun, 22 Aug 2021 21:38:51 +0000 bj1111 2218313@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Have you tried Jcrew white jeans? This was a hewi and I kept two sizes for slouchy and street looks. There were quite a few white /cream sweaters in merino wool as well on deep discount. I’m too hot flashy these days, but I would have snapped them up if I could. Vildy on "A bird in the hand, taking what you can get - call it what you will..." https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-bird-in-the-hand-taking-what-you-can-get---call-it-what-you-will#post-2218309 Sun, 22 Aug 2021 21:16:48 +0000 Vildy 2218309@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I also love a "twinset' the way you're going to do it.  Jealous. CarolS on "A bird in the hand, taking what you can get - call it what you will..." https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-bird-in-the-hand-taking-what-you-can-get---call-it-what-you-will#post-2218276 Sun, 22 Aug 2021 19:36:34 +0000 CarolS 2218276@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Thanks for the thoughtful comments, Joy. I've made my share of  regretted purchases -- usually as a result of being desperate for SOMETHING and being shut out of seemingly everything I liked. I'd buy something thinking, "well, at least it covers my body and it's not glaringly terrible". One heck of a depressing way to shop and dress, I have to say.  Even when I was very thin, I tended to be an opportunistic shopper -- grabbing things that made me feel good because so many standard cuts just didn't cut it for me.  I like the idea of supporting a charity second hand shop -- I don't know if we have a particularly good second hand store that would be worth checking out. I frequented the Jewish women's Hadassah shop in my university days, and it was a source of some awesome finds -- but it has been gone for decades now!  Suz on "A bird in the hand, taking what you can get - call it what you will..." https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-bird-in-the-hand-taking-what-you-can-get---call-it-what-you-will#post-2218275 Sun, 22 Aug 2021 19:35:44 +0000 Suz 2218275@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I really like the sounds of your "twinset" in green. Can't wait to see it on you! Your approach seems really great to me, and in line with Angie's "organized emotional" guideline. You know your needs, have a good sense of what you (might) want, but aren't shutting out other options.  Vildy on "A bird in the hand, taking what you can get - call it what you will..." https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-bird-in-the-hand-taking-what-you-can-get---call-it-what-you-will#post-2218267 Sun, 22 Aug 2021 18:57:03 +0000 Vildy 2218267@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ What's the old saying, JOY,  You can never have enough of what you don't really need! Anonymous on "A bird in the hand, taking what you can get - call it what you will..." https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-bird-in-the-hand-taking-what-you-can-get---call-it-what-you-will#post-2218260 Sun, 22 Aug 2021 18:02:21 +0000 Anonymous 2218260@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I have the same body shape challenges as you do.  What fits the waist probably will be too big in hips and legs.  Trying everything on is a neccessity.  Even the same style in the same brand is not reliable.  On top I am small busted so some brands I am sized out of.  The fit model is bigger busted or lower busted or both.  It is also hard to see true colors and length online when trying to add a piece to your wardrobe.  <div>If something does not meet all my needs, I do not buy it.  No pls e holders.  If I do buy I am sorry later.  Patience. The exception would be if bought at a very low price at a charity shop.  I am supporting the charity by buying and resonating it later. Once I was determined to have a red jacket.  I ended up with half a dozen and not one was what I really wanted.  I kept looking until finally finding an orange jacket.  My best red is really orange.  I stopped looking but had a hard time with all those other red jackets.   </div> CarolS on "A bird in the hand, taking what you can get - call it what you will..." https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-bird-in-the-hand-taking-what-you-can-get---call-it-what-you-will#post-2218254 Sun, 22 Aug 2021 17:20:19 +0000 CarolS 2218254@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Irina and PP I do plan to share some photos but it may take a few days to get there. I did order shoes online recently - but only after getting a sense of fit at a local store that didn't have my correct size. Rachy - you made me laugh. I can see how that can happen. Irina on "A bird in the hand, taking what you can get - call it what you will..." https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-bird-in-the-hand-taking-what-you-can-get---call-it-what-you-will#post-2218252 Sun, 22 Aug 2021 17:03:32 +0000 Irina 2218252@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ New things that you bought sound lovely. Will you be posting how you style them?<div>I used to order very few things online pre-Covid. It changed and now I expanded it. It allows me to order items that are not available in stores (The Bay and Nordstrom, Massimo Dutti) and includes new to me brands. I always check return policies as I return a lot. When possible, I return to the stores. I try my best to buy an item that is very close to what I want. But most of the things on my list are loosely defined like “black linen pants” that can be joggers or culottes, wide leg style.</div> rachylou on "A bird in the hand, taking what you can get - call it what you will..." https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-bird-in-the-hand-taking-what-you-can-get---call-it-what-you-will#post-2218241 Sun, 22 Aug 2021 16:32:40 +0000 rachylou 2218241@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Just sayin’… I have been known to get possessed by an idea… and don’t stop until it dawns on me that I have acquired three of said item… Preppy Pear on "A bird in the hand, taking what you can get - call it what you will..." https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-bird-in-the-hand-taking-what-you-can-get---call-it-what-you-will#post-2218234 Sun, 22 Aug 2021 16:13:03 +0000 Preppy Pear 2218234@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I want to see what you’ve bought! Sounds like some nice things! Camo and joggers are definitely not just for people under 40. Definitely not. I order a lot online and I return a lot. I generally can’t buy shoes at B & M for my size 11 feet and there is just so much more available online even though I live in a major metropolitan area. If I have something on my list, I keep trying until I find the right one, but like you, I might find some other things on the way that fit my needs, too. Your approach to purchases sounds balanced and thoughtful to me. CarolS on "A bird in the hand, taking what you can get - call it what you will..." https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-bird-in-the-hand-taking-what-you-can-get---call-it-what-you-will#post-2218230 Sun, 22 Aug 2021 15:14:58 +0000 CarolS 2218230@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ A while back I posted about how I'm going to try to shop this fall while continuing to lose some weight that's been accumulating over the last ten to 12 years. I've started a bit of shopping and wanted to navel gaze a bit on how that's going. FItting is still pretty hit and miss for me because my proportions are a bit wonky -- call me a rectangle with an apply going on in the middle, meaning I really need to focus on specific cuts. I've preferred mid rise jeans and pants since I was in my twenties because high rises, as someone else mentioned very recently, feel like they hit pretty much under my bra. By the time the waist fits, the hips are ginormous. And when the wais "sort of" fits, it pushes all my squishy bits out above and below and well, just isn't the look i am after. So, enough preamble. Here's what I said I was planning/hoping to find to carry  me through fall and early winter: <ul> <li>Something to wear to a family wedding in October. Outfit and shoes -- I THINK the event will be outside in a tent, probably in the afternoon, so it opens up my options a bit. Might have something already that could do the job, but will still keep an eye out for something new.</li> <li>A long puffer coat for cold temps. Haven't started looking in any seriousness yet.</li> <li>Maybe new mitts and hat to go with the puffer. (Obvi waiting on the puffer...)</li> </ul> The wants: <ul> <li>white or off white jeans -- Tried on a few pair the other day. Found a DKNY pair on sale that fit on my body. but didn't flatter it, so no go. There's a pant at the Gap that appears to have potential, so might see the local mall has it in stock to try. Since white jeans might not work, I'm looking at other options for this fall and will ramp up the jeans search again as spring approaches.</li> <li>A white sweater. -- I bought a creamy/light taupe sweater a couple of weeks ago. Not fine gauge but quite lightweight. Came close to buying a fine gauge knit top in a lovely sand colour yesterday, but it didn't pass the "raise the arms" test. I'm always keeping an eye out for white, but having light colours will help scratch that itch in the meantime.</li> <li>A light taupe/tan combat type boot -- Not sure if this is going to materialize for me this year or not. I did at least get a pair of cognac sneakers, so I have one comfortable earthy footwear option. I may find that my more immediate need now is for a black combat boot. I almost bought an inexpensive pair of vegan Esprit boots as a "filler" yesterday. They had room for insoles, looked good, and at $40 bucks I wouldn't have to wear them a lot to get the value. I probably shouldn't have waffled. They would give me another footwear option -- and I honestly don't have many.</li> </ul> <ul> <li>Maybe a pair of slightly dressy jogger style pants in olive or dark brown -- I picked up a pair of rayon camo joggers yesterday. This is VERY new territory for me, so I spent half last night looking online to see if these are ONLY the territory of the under-40 set. </li> <li>Bold yellow sweater-- nothing yet. I did try on a bright yellow men's hoodie in ON. I felt I needed to compare with a size up but was too tired of shopping by then to take another trip back to the fitting room. I have a pair of yellow Docs and the right yellow sweater or sweatshirt would make for a cheeky pairing with just about anything else.</li> </ul> Along with the progress on my goals above, I bought a couple of wild cards: <ul> <li>Tahari lightweight (lyocell?) "jean jacket" in olive. I always covet a jean jacket, but in denim, they don't tend to flatter or feel comfortable on me. I prefer tops to be fluid. This gives me the look and supports my goal of reintroducing colour to my closet.</li> <li>Tahari lightweight green turtleneck. I love t-necks. This will give me a bit of a twinset effect when paired with the jacket, adding a bit more spark to my existing black pants and skirts.</li> <li>Lightweight fleece camo top. This felt so comfy the second I put it on, but I might not keep it now if I keep the camo joggers. How much camo does one middle aged woman need?!</li> <li>A French Connection tunic length sweater with broad stripes of white, gray, camel, and black. Fits into the direction I am trying to go.</li> </ul> Knowing my goals is helping me stay somewhat focussed, but in a limited market, with fit challenges, limited time to shop, and an aversion to ordering things online that often have to go right back, I have to stay adaptable and open to opportunities that present themselves in my travels. If you have stayed with me this far, thanks for indulging me. I'm getting pretty pumped about the olive capsule I inadvertently started to build. (I actually looked back at an old forum discussion from a year or so ago where I said i was interested in adding olive to my closet -- so consider that a semi-forgotten goal now resurfaced! What about you? Are you laser focused until you find that one item, or do you find yourself "making do" or adapting as you see what's available and how it fits and flatters? (The white Gap pants I want to try in finds below)