https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/closet-editing-breton-stripes-and-why-im-a-konmari-gal-through-and-through Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Thu, 09 Apr 2026 16:33:27 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/closet-editing-breton-stripes-and-why-im-a-konmari-gal-through-and-through#post-2335700 Mon, 21 Aug 2023 00:18:29 +0000 Janet 2335700@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I hope you feel better quickly! I got Covid finally back in June, right after we returned home from NYC. It was mild, fortunately. </p> <p>Your categories are interesting and sound like a good approach for you. And what a good observation about your stripes! I don’t have a lot of stripes, just a couple of long sleeve tees (black and white), a couple of sweaters (one black and white and one multi), and a couple of button front shirts. I’m kind of picky about them and generally feel like they’re not my absolute best print/pattern unless they’re a great color for me like teal or cobalt. I do like the break of the larger solid color closer to the face, something I hadn’t thought much about before! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/closet-editing-breton-stripes-and-why-im-a-konmari-gal-through-and-through#post-2335699 Sun, 20 Aug 2023 23:56:28 +0000 Barbara Diane 2335699@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Sorry about the Covid, impressed with your edit. Great questions and I loved how you figured out what works for you. Feel better soon. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/closet-editing-breton-stripes-and-why-im-a-konmari-gal-through-and-through#post-2335644 Sun, 20 Aug 2023 18:02:49 +0000 Anonymous 2335644@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>:( re: Covid!<br /> Interesting about the stripes and your different categories! Stripes have never been something I've worn much, since I'm low/medium contrast and curvy. </p> <p>I started analyzing the things I've passed on a bit like your categories- and trying to find patterns, especially with the low use things so I don't repeat the shopping mistakes! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/closet-editing-breton-stripes-and-why-im-a-konmari-gal-through-and-through#post-2335619 Sun, 20 Aug 2023 15:12:28 +0000 LJP 2335619@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>This is all very interesting . I don’t own much in this category but am looking for a relaxed fit striped knit for fall . I’ve got a couple of basic striped t’s but never wear them -because they are the typical fitted cotton ones . This business about the solid blocking up near the face is something to pay attention to - for me . Sorry to hear you have Covid . Just never ends , does it ? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/closet-editing-breton-stripes-and-why-im-a-konmari-gal-through-and-through#post-2335614 Sun, 20 Aug 2023 14:55:10 +0000 Star (Lise) 2335614@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I too fairly recently realised that only some stripes work for me.&nbsp; I was like Roberta - 'Buy all the stripes!'.&nbsp; I have an idea now which are better but not nearly as clearly as you do.&nbsp; A project for a dreary winter day. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/closet-editing-breton-stripes-and-why-im-a-konmari-gal-through-and-through#post-2335613 Sun, 20 Aug 2023 14:49:19 +0000 Roberta 2335613@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>So much interesting reading this morning! I have a very big collection of Breton stripes, and have found the same thing - that some work and some don't, and it was a complete puzzle as to why. Your method is therefore doing the brain work for me! I immediately thought that I would choose the pile on the left, because the stripes that I tend not to wear are the ones that are larger, uneven, or a different color from the traditional navy and white. I guess I always figured, you like stripes, buy them in other colors. Off to weed a few stripey things.</p> <p>Thank you for such a useful lesson! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/closet-editing-breton-stripes-and-why-im-a-konmari-gal-through-and-through#post-2335568 Sun, 20 Aug 2023 04:52:33 +0000 Jenni NZ 2335568@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Oh no Sarah they stopped the quarantine hotels some time last year. Even when my DD1, son-in-law and the baby came in Nov 2021 it was reduced to 7 days in the hotel rather than 14, and then 3 more days isolating at home. And thankfully the border opened up fully about a year ago.<br /> I couldn’t have got enough time off work for isolation time as well. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/closet-editing-breton-stripes-and-why-im-a-konmari-gal-through-and-through#post-2335562 Sun, 20 Aug 2023 04:29:20 +0000 Suz 2335562@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p><b>Sarah</b>, I'm so sorry about the Covid. What a nuisance. I'm glad you are recovering, but what a pain. A friend of mine from Ontario recently caught it while visiting her family in Vancouver and she then got rebound Covid after her kids came down with symptoms. So annoying!&nbsp;</p> <p>I like your sorting categories, though like others I hope there are not too many items in your "I wear it but don't like it" pile. As for Breton stripes, I love them all, as long as they are navy (not black) and white or off-white/ivory. Like you, I have dark blue eyes and fair skin. My hair is lighter though because it is silver/white, as you know. (But my hair used to be a similar colour to yours when I was younger -- a dark blonde with lighter highlights especially in summer.)&nbsp;</p> <p>Having said that -- like you, I especially love the ones that have a larger solid border area at the top, as you describe.&nbsp;</p> <p>Other modifiers that make them work well for me (and maybe for you)</p> <ul> <li>the right neckline. A narrow, neat boatneck is great on me -- it does provide a bit of space between the stripes and "me" if that makes sense.</li> </ul> <ul> <li>a bit of trim at the neckline -- see the Zara tee which is trimmed in its own stripe.&nbsp;</li> </ul> I agree with Indigoprint that what works for layering might differ from what works best as a stand alone. I can wear the "regular" stripes as layering tees more easily.&nbsp;</p> <p>Some that have worked well for me both now and in the past, below.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/closet-editing-breton-stripes-and-why-im-a-konmari-gal-through-and-through#post-2335557 Sun, 20 Aug 2023 03:47:20 +0000 SarahD8 2335557@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thank you all for the good wishes! I am definitely on the mend though it is still a bit up and down and am trying to take breaks when I need to. So don't worry, I'm not TOO productive!</p> <p><b>Angie</b> that is a nice collection of stripes! I see some I would lemming and some I would leave to you. You're definitely a graphic print kind of gal while I'm a fuzzy print gal. Horses for courses, always!</p> <p><b>Runcarla</b>, I am SO pleased these comments were useful to you! Staying tuned to see what you come up with in your mariner search.</p> <p><b>kkards</b> to the point about "I wear this but don't really like it" items that you and <b>Angie</b> expressed concern about -- yes, these are relatively few in number. Mostly they are pieces that have ended up being oversized in a sloppy way. They may be placeholders but in any case definitely not things I plan to settle for in the medium to long term! I am just trying to be REALLY clear-eyed in my stock taking.</p> <p><b>Indigoprint</b>, how interesting that you've come to some of the same conclusions for yourself. A stripe is not always just a stripe, indeed!</p> <p><b>Irina</b> sorry to hear that your family has been affected by this new COVID wave too. Hoping that you don't come down with it but glad to have given you some food for thought if you do find yourself stir-crazy in isolation.</p> <p><b>The Cat</b>, that's super interesting about how your changing coloring has affected your wearing of black &amp; white patterns. I've also found that as a relatively low-contrast person light on a darker ground is easier for me to pull off than dark on a lighter ground. Hmmm...</p> <p><b>JenniNZ</b>&nbsp;maybe your signature pattern is pattern! Did you have to spend two weeks in a quarantine hotel when you came back from the wedding? That is a real commitment to your extended family!! Funny enough I am pretty sure I picked up my illness in Canada (we traveled there last week and I developed symptoms less than 24 hrs after returning) -- no shade on our neighbors to the north, it's certainly ticking up in the US too.&nbsp;</p> <p><b>unfrumped</b> interesting that those sorts of prints sometimes trip you up too. Kicking you gently in the pants to keep going with your solid color top assessment!</p> <p><b>Jaime</b>, yes exactly -- intuition and then analysis. All the food groups!&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/closet-editing-breton-stripes-and-why-im-a-konmari-gal-through-and-through#post-2335543 Sun, 20 Aug 2023 00:47:26 +0000 Jaime 2335543@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Your method of first identifying your preferences (for example with the stripes) and then analyzing the reason is pretty much my method too. I love analyzing, don't get me wrong, but the basic propositions are all intuition. Anyway, great work using your Covid isolation productively and get well soon! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/closet-editing-breton-stripes-and-why-im-a-konmari-gal-through-and-through#post-2335538 Sat, 19 Aug 2023 23:44:53 +0000 unfrumped 2335538@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>So sorry about the COVID, and glad it’s getting better. </p> <p>I think that’s a great editing session , and good aha! moments. I like stripes and checks and actually many prints, but they also are one of my biggest “ mistake” areas, and mostly due to principles of the sort you worked out- mine are different re: the actual types of color/ tone/ contrast but same kind of analysis helps. More like The Cat, needing more darkish proportions than light, more gray or pearl or cool beiges than optic black &amp; white. Or basically a less crisp, less high contrast, but still some contrast. </p> <p>And I agree with how tackling a category all at once, with side-by- side comparisons, can really help get “ off the fence.” I sort of did this recently with plaid shirts, but need to move on to SS and LS knit tops, just the solid neutrals. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/closet-editing-breton-stripes-and-why-im-a-konmari-gal-through-and-through#post-2335533 Sat, 19 Aug 2023 22:43:55 +0000 Jenni NZ 2335533@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>It’s a good insight to obtain since you do so much online ordering.<br /> I am sorry about the Covid, glad it seems mild enough you have energy for this after a few days. Our country, which was one of the strictest in the world (closed borders and 2 weeks isolation in hotels) just removed all restrictions nearly a week ago. Case numbers had been down a lot for a while.<br /> I don’t think I have a signature pattern- I love many, if anyone ever looks at my profile! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/closet-editing-breton-stripes-and-why-im-a-konmari-gal-through-and-through#post-2335532 Sat, 19 Aug 2023 22:26:30 +0000 The Cat 2335532@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>SarahD8, sorry to hear you got Covid. Wishing you a which recover. </p> <p>I am impressed that you are able to analyze your wardrobe while you are ill.</p> <p>Interesting observations about striped items! Here are my own:</p> <p>Some years ago, after my dark hair had become grey and white, I became aware that I no longer looked great in all kinds of black&amp;white patterns. Nowadays, a black&amp;white item has to be at least 50 % black. So I no longer wear patterns like thin black stripes or black polkadots on a white background. The opposite--white on black--looks much better on me. However, if the pattern contains one colour in addition to black (i.e. grey), I will look fine even if the background is more than 50 % white.</p> <p>My eyes are grey-blue, making it easy for me to wear charcoal or navy thin stripes, polkadots or other patterns on a white background. But small BLACK patterns (only) on a white background just seem "unrelated" to my present colouring. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/closet-editing-breton-stripes-and-why-im-a-konmari-gal-through-and-through#post-2335519 Sat, 19 Aug 2023 20:39:06 +0000 Irina 2335519@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Oh, lots of work her!<div>Taking notes. &nbsp;My son’s family came down with Covid &nbsp; I helped care for the baby and expect to get symptoms tomorrow. Will need something to do while isolating.&nbsp;</div> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/closet-editing-breton-stripes-and-why-im-a-konmari-gal-through-and-through#post-2335514 Sat, 19 Aug 2023 20:11:28 +0000 Indigoprint 2335514@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>This is interesting. I like stripes but have learned the hard way that I need to be selective about them.( a stripe is not always just a stripe). I just figured out that for a stand alone top I prefer the stripes to start low, with a solid portion around my face. I also look best in stripes that are not too contrasty.<br /> In addition a stripe that I would choose as a layering piece can be different than my stand alone stripe topper. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/closet-editing-breton-stripes-and-why-im-a-konmari-gal-through-and-through#post-2335507 Sat, 19 Aug 2023 19:49:24 +0000 kkards 2335507@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>So when I’m sick I use that as an excuse to do nothing. I’m impressed that you’re actually using the time productively. Good for you!<br /> Wondering what percentage of your things are in the I don’t like it but I wear it category. I hope it’s a really small number. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/closet-editing-breton-stripes-and-why-im-a-konmari-gal-through-and-through#post-2335504 Sat, 19 Aug 2023 19:36:01 +0000 Carla 2335504@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Sorry to hear about the Covid &nbsp; Productive way to spend the isolation period, though! &nbsp;<div><br /></div><div><i>&nbsp;Very&nbsp;</i>interesting discovery about the stripes. &nbsp;I’m down to 1 mariner style top, and on the lookout for more. &nbsp;Like your ‘keepers’ mine has a break! &nbsp;I’m&nbsp;<b>absolutely&nbsp;</b>going to think about this when adding striped toppers (which are signature to my style.)</p> <p></div><div><br /></div> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/closet-editing-breton-stripes-and-why-im-a-konmari-gal-through-and-through#post-2335499 Sat, 19 Aug 2023 19:19:52 +0000 Angie 2335499@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>And....</p> <p><b>"I wear this, but don't really like it...."<br /></b><br />That has me a little worried. Have you gone off the item in some way? Is it a placeholder till you find a better version of it?&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/closet-editing-breton-stripes-and-why-im-a-konmari-gal-through-and-through#post-2335498 Sat, 19 Aug 2023 19:18:34 +0000 Angie 2335498@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>URGHHH! Covid. 3.5 years later. That sucks - hang in there. 2 more days of isolation to go.&nbsp;</p> <p>Glad you're feeling better <b>SarahD8</b>, and making stylish good use of your time!&nbsp;</p> <p>You like a break in your Breton stripes! I like that too ! Although it's not a requirement. I tend to like my stripes broader though. Less blurry and easier on my eyes. Brings me peace somehow. Here are my knitted stripes.&nbsp;</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/closet-editing-breton-stripes-and-why-im-a-konmari-gal-through-and-through#post-2335494 Sat, 19 Aug 2023 19:00:24 +0000 SarahD8 2335494@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Also, forgot to mention that yes -- it's totally obvious whether or not a striped garment works once I put it on and look in the mirror. But because my shopping strategy is largely online secondhand, it's really helpful to have this sort of rubric to guide my decisionmaking (because, you know, I usually cannot try a thing on without purchasing it). </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/closet-editing-breton-stripes-and-why-im-a-konmari-gal-through-and-through#post-2335491 Sat, 19 Aug 2023 18:48:44 +0000 SarahD8 2335491@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I am on day 3 of COVID isolation -- no one else in my family has it and we're trying to keep it that way, so I'm stuck in the bedroom. I'm feeling a lot better and starting to go stir-crazy, so inspired by all the closet assessment/editing energy here on the forum of late I decided to tackle my own wardrobe.</p> <p>I am pulling out items category by category and assigning each item one of the following labels:<br />-I like and wear this<br />-I wear this, but don't really like it<br />-I wear this, but it has problems (that aren't easily fixable)<br />-I like this, but don't seem to reach for it<br />-I like this, but it needs attention (like mending/alteration) that is preventing me from wearing it<br />-I like this, but it doesn't currently fit&nbsp;<br />-This doesn't work for me</p> <p>(Just sharing in case those labels are helpful for anyone else on the closet editing train.)</p> <p>For all of the labels except the first I'm also making notes about WHY an item gets that label. Hopefully this will help me make better shopping choices in future, as well as brainstorm how to get more wear from those "I like it, but don't reach for it" items.</p> <p>I find it SO helpful to pull out all of the things in a category at once (a key aspect of the KonMari method). It really helps me see patterns that I would not otherwise and helps me let go of "just in case" items (because I can see that BETTER options are *right there*.)</p> <p>As well as grouping things by wardrobe category, on a whim I decided to pull out all of my Breton stripes and assess them together. I love Breton stripes but find that sometimes, for reasons I've sometimes had trouble putting my finger on, they don't work for me. (I am not a high-contrast person, BUT I have large, dark blue eyes. So the blue-and-white pattern CAN be dead right and harmonious with my features -- or it can totally overwhelm me.)</p> <p>So in <b>photo 1</b> below the NOs are on the left and the YESes are on the right. What do I notice?<br />*<b>Wider stripes of uneven width</b> are more likely to work than narrow, even stripes.<br />*For uneven stripes, <b>either the dark or the light color</b> can be more prominent.<br />*When DO narrow, even stripes work? The two garments on the top of the pile are tank tops -- <b>sleeveless</b> means less of the busy pattern and I suspect that's less overwhelming. For the third garment from the top, I think it's that the <b>blurry effect </b>of the knit counteracts some of the contrast (I know that soft-edged prints are in general better on me than more graphic ones).</p> <p>Also, look what happens when I unfold some of those sweaters in <b>photo 2</b>. These YESes all have a <b>solid section at the top</b>, with the stripes beginning lower, farther away from my face. I suspect that also counteracts the "overwhelming" effect.</p> <p>This was a HUGELY helpful exercise and I've moved the three items on the left of photo 1 to my get rid of pile -- which I was having trouble doing before I looked at all the stripes together, to be honest.</p> <p>Ok, if you've read this far, thank you -- gold star! Curious if this exercise sparks any thoughts for you, or if you also have "signature" patterns that don't always work for you. Grateful for anything you care to share! </p>