YouLookFab Forum » Topic: Closet clearing, HEWIs and Workhorses

YouLookFab Forum » Topic: Closet clearing, HEWIs and Workhorses https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/closet-clearing-hewis-and-workhorses Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Tue, 14 Apr 2026 23:55:21 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 <![CDATA[Search]]> q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php Gigi on "Closet clearing, HEWIs and Workhorses" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/closet-clearing-hewis-and-workhorses#post-1559241 Fri, 18 Sep 2015 04:14:31 +0000 Gigi 1559241@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Ryce, I am very much a natural-fibers person too. I have maybe five items in my closet that are synthetics (not counting rayon, which behaves more like a natural fiber). I echo Suz and Aida: Natural fibers can be found at lower-end retailers (or midrange retailers on sale), but be prepared to wait and spend a long time hunting. The worst time, I have found, is winter--it seems like EVERYTHING is acrylic. I have very few winter clothes for this reason, despite the fact that where I live, it is winter for almost six months.  I have experimented every now and then with adding synthetics to my wardrobe, and the results have varied. I really love a polyester maxi skirt I have, but that is because it is loose fitting and so doesn't make me sweat. I have a pair of polyester skorts that don't make me sweat either, but again, I think it is because they fit somewhat loosely and are pretty short and so provide good ventilation. I also bought a shirt at WHBM this spring that had 20% nylon content (was nylon and cotton), and to my surprise, the shirt doesn't make me sweat. On the other hand, I bought a pair of jeans at Loft that were 20% polyester, and they were scratchy and awful and are going to Goodwill. I have a sweater from Loft that is 80% rayon and 20% nylon, and it pilled very rapidly, although it wasn't superhot. I think that once you have a core wardrobe in place, you may want to experiment with adding the odd synthetic piece here or there. Suz on "Closet clearing, HEWIs and Workhorses" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/closet-clearing-hewis-and-workhorses#post-1559226 Fri, 18 Sep 2015 02:35:26 +0000 Suz 1559226@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ What Aida said.  I have found linen tees at H&M (and they wore as well as the J. Crew versions); silk tops on sale at Banana Republic (not a discount retailer but reasonable at the sale price); designer wool trousers at Winner's (our TJMaxx); Theory wool sweaters at Winners; Theory trousers on consignment.  Also, not all synthetics are created equal. Some are horrible to the hand and make you perspire or break out in a rash; others might surprise you.  In addition to trying on less expensive versions of a new silhouette or style, another option is to try on more expensive versions. Not with the intention of buying. Just to see. Take photos. Walk around. Get a feel for the clothes.  This can be so instructive. If you like it, you'll know what you're aiming for in a less expensive version. If you don't like it, you can cross that right off your list and move on.  Aida on "Closet clearing, HEWIs and Workhorses" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/closet-clearing-hewis-and-workhorses#post-1559087 Thu, 17 Sep 2015 22:59:49 +0000 Aida 1559087@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Ryce, you can find natural fibers even at the budget retailers. They just take a lot longer to sniff out. It's certainly doable, a little easier to do online since you can just check and then move on if it's not right. It is worth trying out new silhouettes in synthetics, even if you don't keep the item, to get an idea of the weight and drape you're after. Then you can hunt down an equivalent with a fiber content you like better. Anonymous on "Closet clearing, HEWIs and Workhorses" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/closet-clearing-hewis-and-workhorses#post-1558941 Thu, 17 Sep 2015 18:02:56 +0000 Anonymous 1558941@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Hmmm, lots of food for thought here. Aida, Gigi and Suz, you all make good points about the need for experimentation and how to accomplish that without significant $$ outlay.  I'm kind of a stickler about natural fibers, etc., so I'm don't know if traditional budget retailers would be a good option for me even in the experimental stage (not sure I'd be able to give a new style or silhouette a fair "audition" if I didn't like the feel of the fabric), but stalking sales at mid-price retailers as Elly suggests might be a viable option.  Also, reconsidering consignment shopping, which I've never had particularly good luck with but perhaps that is because I haven't been patient enough.  Shevia, Alasse and Sterling - yes, there has been some great advice and wisdom shared here. It makes my happy to think that others will benefit from the knowledge as well. Anonymous on "Closet clearing, HEWIs and Workhorses" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/closet-clearing-hewis-and-workhorses#post-1558766 Thu, 17 Sep 2015 13:18:18 +0000 Anonymous 1558766@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Claps hands.  So helpful.  I will be bookmarking this post and re-reading it when I find myself at crossroads.   Elly on "Closet clearing, HEWIs and Workhorses" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/closet-clearing-hewis-and-workhorses#post-1558762 Thu, 17 Sep 2015 13:07:17 +0000 Elly 1558762@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Suz and Ryce, I really appreciate what you've both said. I'm coming at this from a place where utility (good word) and comfort were my top two considerations for years, with flattery being a third and style being way down the line (did physical labor in various forms professionally for a good chunk of time). That didn't mean that I didn't spend all that time interested in style-- I've always loved style and fashion and am an avid reader and very visual, so even when I wasn't buying much retail I read a lot of magazines and blogs. Now that I do what I do for work I've found that I still need a high degree of utility mixed with looking stylish and the professions' version of professional and it has taken me awhile to figure out that if I keep a strong evaluative eye going that clothes being beautiful doesn't have to take away from their utility. I started very safe and stray a little at a time. For the most part the personal style is easy once it gets on my body-- something feels like me, it feels like a stretch (which I'm embracing!), or it feels wrong. A few stretches are good for me and the closet, but something that is wrong can be perfect and will never get worn. Sometimes there are "degrees" though. I have a dress I wear to summer weddings that isn't particularly dressy (others might wear it as a day dress in the fall and spring) but it dresses up nicely. I never wear it other than for dressy occasions because as a day dress it is just too feminine, too conservative, too much color, too much pattern-- it only works for me with suede heels, black accessories, and turquoise as a LOOK and not day to day as a dress. On the topic of buying low for experimenting, I've had mixed success. Probably because my budget is so low I've frequently been happy with the experimental piece, but not with the quality-- I feel like I can't afford to spend money on stuff that only lasts a few wears (this is not a rule or representative of how all fast fashion wears-- I just wear my clothing very hard-- plus there is a big difference between a poly shell and shoes or knitwear). Occasionally I get a great piece from a really bargain-basement retailer, but I'm feeling comfortable enough with knowing what I want and being able to figure out if the piece will work for me by trying it on at home that I usually go right to the level of retail I typically buy at (GAP, BR, Nordies low-end house brands, Unliquo, Madewell, JCrew, etc. all on discount). That said, I studied and studied and studied myself and all the looks and ladies on YLF for years before I bought much in quantity, and I still return a ton of items. Jaime on "Closet clearing, HEWIs and Workhorses" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/closet-clearing-hewis-and-workhorses#post-1558518 Thu, 17 Sep 2015 01:56:46 +0000 Jaime 1558518@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Brilliant thread. Nothing to add but much to learn. Alassë on "Closet clearing, HEWIs and Workhorses" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/closet-clearing-hewis-and-workhorses#post-1558516 Thu, 17 Sep 2015 01:43:53 +0000 Alassë 1558516@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I think Aida & Suz have you covered in the style-finding department. Suz on "Closet clearing, HEWIs and Workhorses" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/closet-clearing-hewis-and-workhorses#post-1558480 Thu, 17 Sep 2015 00:47:37 +0000 Suz 1558480@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I couldn't agree more with what Gigi and Aida said -- my experience was similar. I really had to experiment and I did it a lot through consignment, thrift, discount shopping for the first year or two on YLF, as I worked out the things that really truly mattered to me. And I also echo Gigi's final sentence. Gigi on "Closet clearing, HEWIs and Workhorses" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/closet-clearing-hewis-and-workhorses#post-1558422 Wed, 16 Sep 2015 23:34:06 +0000 Gigi 1558422@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I really like your conclusion that we shouldn't worry too much about getting rid of too many things, because even if they fit later, they won't make us happy anyway. And it's true--generally we'll have moved on to other things in our minds and hearts. Great thing to keep in mind when I do my own closet purge later this year! There's already been great advice posted, but my experience with wardrobe building was most like Aida's. I hadn't worn anything interesting for some time when I began to work on my wardrobe, so I had to try a variety of things by way of experimentation. I stuck with more cost-effective places when possible (Old Navy, Victoria's Secret on sale, BR on sale, etc.), and after about a year of experimenting, I felt more confident about some core style principles for myself and so upgraded to buying more expensive things, although still nothing superexpensive. I still experiment a bit, but it is limited to buying just a few pieces in a new silhouette or style to add to a wardrobe that already feels like "me." Aida on "Closet clearing, HEWIs and Workhorses" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/closet-clearing-hewis-and-workhorses#post-1558381 Wed, 16 Sep 2015 22:33:50 +0000 Aida 1558381@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ In addition to all the great advice above, I would also add that if you are still discovering your style then you'll probably also need to experiment a bit. For me, my initial wardrobe building was with fairly inexpensive items. After a couple years I was able to really figure out what I wore, and why, so I could upgrade to better quality pieces. Suz on "Closet clearing, HEWIs and Workhorses" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/closet-clearing-hewis-and-workhorses#post-1558331 Wed, 16 Sep 2015 21:02:27 +0000 Suz 1558331@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Yes, how they feel on you is absolutely key for most of us.  <a rel="nofollow" href="http://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/dear-mrs-eccentric-can-i-be-your-case-study-help-me-refine-my-style">Here is the old thread that I started</a> asking Steph for help over on her blog. Warning -- it's long!!  And then  <a rel="nofollow" href="http://dashingeccentric.blogspot.ca/2011/10/dear-mrs-eccentric-can-i-be-your-case.html">on Steph's blog.</a> I took Angie's advice and cut my hair.  My style has changed quite a bit since then -- as has my closet. I really had very, very few articles of clothing then, after a big weight loss.  Anyway -- my touchstone outfits felt quite different to me at the time and I had trouble reconciling them. One was a houndstooth jacket with turtleneck, jeans, and chelsea boots. (A modern version of this would still be my favourite outfit of all time.) The other outfit was a pale grey two piece silk "dress." I really loved the drape and luxury and femininity/ softness of the second, and the androgynous ease, comfort, yet "sharpness" of the first.  Fit of the items was also key. There was no fussing.  I think my current style reflects the simplicity of both these outfits and injects a bit more modernity. I am very much still a work in progress, though.  Anonymous on "Closet clearing, HEWIs and Workhorses" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/closet-clearing-hewis-and-workhorses#post-1558268 Wed, 16 Sep 2015 19:05:13 +0000 Anonymous 1558268@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Oh, my goodness - such a wealth of helpful information! Elizabeth, your comment about babies and bathwater made me laugh!  I certainly hope I haven't discarded the wardrobe equivalent of any"babies"!  I do still have my wedding dress from 30+ years ago, despite the fact that it has grass stains around the hem and would never fit either of my daughters! Alasse, how did you determine what your ideal style is?  Was it just an organic process for you? Elly, despite the difference in our ages and lifestyles, yours is one the wardrobes I see here and most feel that I can learn from.  It seems such a perfect example of combining utility and real-life style.  It is hugely helpful for me to read the level of detail you have gone into to think about which silhouettes work best for you, etc., climate and suitability factors, etc.   Suz, I am traditionally an under-editor in most things, so making this shift regarding wardrobe is a big transition for me. I love the idea of focusing on a past favorite outfit - and especially the visual of that outfit - it is inspired.  The wheels are already turning.  I think for me an equally important aspect of looking back to those favorites was how they felt on the body.  I'm definitely still figuring all of this out - but I do know that fit, tailoring and fabric quality are really important to me from internal as well as an external point of view. Elizabeth P on "Closet clearing, HEWIs and Workhorses" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/closet-clearing-hewis-and-workhorses#post-1558244 Wed, 16 Sep 2015 17:55:31 +0000 Elizabeth P 1558244@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Suz... this is brilliant! 2. Paying attention to the practicalities of your life. Make a list of all the activities you find yourself regularly engaged in. Do you have the kinds of clothing you need or want for each of those? Can you make at least one good outfit for each? Suz on "Closet clearing, HEWIs and Workhorses" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/closet-clearing-hewis-and-workhorses#post-1558238 Wed, 16 Sep 2015 17:50:58 +0000 Suz 1558238@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Visuals are SUPER helpful, Elly -- and in fact, that is what Steph suggested -- getting a photo. Some people use their Pinterest board at this stage -- identifying their favourites.  What often happens then is people forget the real life conditions they face. It's really important to also to consider climate!! Elly and I are both expert on that because of where we live. I have lots of fantasies about wearing this or that kind of outfit....but the truth is, the window for wearing it is maybe 6 weeks in my environment, so it's not practical. Some people with unlimited budgets may be able to ignore those issues, but Elly is an absolute star at managing to look fab on a very limited budget. (It helps that she is so pretty.)  You also have to consider how far you are willing to stray from your environmental norm. Are you okay with being more dressy (or more casual) than others in your life?  Elly on "Closet clearing, HEWIs and Workhorses" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/closet-clearing-hewis-and-workhorses#post-1558234 Wed, 16 Sep 2015 17:46:18 +0000 Elly 1558234@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Suz is such a better writer than I am--  mine is basically what she said, but with visual examples because I'm better at that sort of thing than with words, obviously! lol  Suz on "Closet clearing, HEWIs and Workhorses" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/closet-clearing-hewis-and-workhorses#post-1558231 Wed, 16 Sep 2015 17:42:19 +0000 Suz 1558231@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ This is brilliant. What an incredible recognition.  I always laugh at those who make claims about "two kinds of people" in the world -- but I do think when it comes to wardrobe management, we tend to veer in the direction of under-editing or over-editing. I tend towards the second fault vs. the first and have rarely if ever regretted getting rid of something. Of course this has meant that sometimes I've spent more money. :)  I am with Elly -- on this next phase of your journey, you'll be doing two seemingly contradictory things.  1. Paying attention to your dreams, fantasies, "ideal" outfits. One longtime member here, Mrs. Eccentric (Steph) used to suggest coming up with a photo or at least a memory of your favourite outfit ever, and asking yourself why it was so wonderful to you. How did it make you feel? How did it work for you? What were the elements? When did you wear it and for what purpose?  2. Paying attention to the practicalities of your life. Make a list of all the activities you find yourself regularly engaged in. Do you have the kinds of clothing you need or want for each of those? Can you make at least one good outfit for each?  Elly on "Closet clearing, HEWIs and Workhorses" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/closet-clearing-hewis-and-workhorses#post-1558225 Wed, 16 Sep 2015 17:30:45 +0000 Elly 1558225@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Ah, Ryce-- great epiphany! Like you, I'm not one to cry too much over spilt milk and worry about what might have been. I don't know that I'm any more evolved than you, but this is how I've been slowing chipping away at my closet.  I think you are moving onto the inspiration and introspection stage of wardrobe building. This is where you look at what you do love and wear (or functions well for you) and WHY it works and what is different about the pieces that aren't quite right. Beyond that, you start looking for images and words that describe your aspirational style. Once you have the two of those, you find common ground and meld them and start looking for pieces you don't have or would replace something not quite right. This is also a good time to figure out how much clothing you need and how much variety you want.  Usually I put together a priority list that is half or 3/4 needs (filling holes, adopting orphans, renewing essentials) and the other part statement items that speak to the style I'm trying to pull forward (trendy items fit in here too).  For me, I know that denim is one of my best friends and will get tons of wear. Masculine-detailed button fronts in fluid fits are hits, especially in fabrications that are wash and wear like tencel, denim, and flannel. Simple diagonal-sleeve or long sleeve tees in fluid fits and my neutrals get worn to death, as do my leather, army, and denim jackets and the zip hoodies I layer under them to cut chill in the winter. I don't wear as many sweaters, but like them, esp. paired with collared shirts and long-fluid cardis in the summer. Poly crepe blouses in tee-shirt fits are also winners, as well as boots and well-padded high vamp low-heeled shoes. On the dressier side I prefer cocoon and pencil fits, boot-leg trousers, and drape-front blouses. I wear lots of black, charcoal, and navy with some olive, burgundy, purple, orange, cobalt, and ivory/silvery greys.  I also know that I want to keep my wardrobe on the small side but expand a bit for easier laundry. This year I have the additional challenge of moving to a warmer climate, so my lists are tentative (I have to re-evaluate what I wear and how it works for me before I do my big shop for the season). My pinspiration is here: <a rel="nofollow" href="http://https://www.pinterest.com/ellyelf/capsule/">http://https//www.pinterest.com/ellyelf/capsule/</a> and <a rel="nofollow" href="http://https://www.pinterest.com/ellyelf/winter/">http://https//www.pinterest.com/ellyelf/winter/</a> My fall shopping list includes: colored or faux-finished denim new bootcuts (replacement) denim shirt flannel shirts (replacements) layering tees (replacements) stripe tee henley cognac boots black oxfords 1 or 2 pullover sweaters 1 chunky cardi  1 zip up sweatshirt (replacement) My non-essential 1/4 includes: orange! soft blouse for 70s looks tunic w/ slim cardi blazer or other additional light jacket short sleeve sweatshirt or cardi track pants scarf metallic belt backpack jewlery refresh (want to try the double ball earrings and pick up a pair of new dainty silver studs and a pendant-- most my jewelry is gold or chunky) My current fall wardrobe is in finds. Alassë on "Closet clearing, HEWIs and Workhorses" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/closet-clearing-hewis-and-workhorses#post-1558214 Wed, 16 Sep 2015 17:02:21 +0000 Alassë 1558214@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Mostly by looking at my ideal style, identifying what pieces for that I already had, and listing out which pieces would be most useful to get there. Elizabeth P on "Closet clearing, HEWIs and Workhorses" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/closet-clearing-hewis-and-workhorses#post-1558212 Wed, 16 Sep 2015 17:01:11 +0000 Elizabeth P 1558212@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ What an interesting perspective on this Ryce.  Sort of "you may as well throw the baby out with the bathwater, because the bathwater itself is taking up too much space and if you need to get another baby later on, so be it" :) Will definitely do more thinking about this one.  Anonymous on "Closet clearing, HEWIs and Workhorses" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/closet-clearing-hewis-and-workhorses#post-1558201 Wed, 16 Sep 2015 16:41:35 +0000 Anonymous 1558201@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I originally started writing this as a response to Sterling's recent post about whether to keep some particular items during a closet purge. Ultimately, I decided to start an additional thread, with credit given to her for raising the issue at such an opportune time for me. I am going through a big closet purge right now, and I ran across three pair of shorts that I haven't worn for 2 or more years because they were uncomfortably snug. These particular items were for me both HEWIs and casual workhorses. But they haven't fit properly for a while so I told myself no more holding on - it is time to let them go. I applied exactly the same logic other have expressed here - that even if I were to drop a few pounds, my shape will likely be different, yadda, yadda, yadda. Then for some strange reason, I decided to pull a pair from the discard pile and slip them on - And they fit PERFECTLY!! But guess, what? The clouds did not suddenly clear from the sky. I heard no angels singing. I didn't even do a happy dance. I thought: oh, nice - these will be useful in the next few weeks before the weather cools. Then I moved on with more closet purging. Why was this not an epic moment? Because I think I have finally internalized a basic truth. If I had properly purged and reorganized my closet several months ago, in addition to ditching these re-discovered shorts, I would have gotten rid of another 6 bags of outdated items that have been taking up valuable space in my closet, and obscuring my ability to easily see and choose the pieces I really do enjoy wearing. So when it comes to these decisions, for me at least, it is important to remember that the ultimate goal - to have a functional wardrobe - is what matters. This or that particular "lost opportunity" is irrelevant. So, for those of you who are farther down this path, what is the next step? Once you knew what you DIDN'T want in your functional wardrobe, how did you identify - and find - what does belong in your ideal closet?