https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/closet-rumination-trying-to-go-deep Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Sun, 19 Apr 2026 02:20:28 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/closet-rumination-trying-to-go-deep/page/2#post-1339871 Tue, 26 Aug 2014 00:37:15 +0000 Mo 1339871@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Funny Aida mentioned that! &nbsp;I plan on wearing my Zara blazer over the new blue silky blouse (along with my shorter, crop tux jacket for a long over short look). </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/closet-rumination-trying-to-go-deep/page/2#post-1339867 Tue, 26 Aug 2014 00:31:03 +0000 Aida 1339867@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Leather jackets not getting worn due to season makes sense!</p> <p>So this is a blazer I'm looking at: <a href="http://us.asos.com/ASOS-Blazer-in-Longline-Crepe/134u1q/?iid=3924467" rel="nofollow">http://us.asos.com/ASOS-Blazer.....id=3924467</a></p> <p>Much longer, and rather loose. Specifically to be worn with looser soft blouses, and likely over slim pants with tall boots or booties. Doesn't have to be crepe, but definitely in a lighter and more flowy fabrication; many of my current ones are a thicker, stricter cotton or cotton-blend. Unfortunately budget doesn't allow me to get much more beyond a few key necessary wardrobe items right now, so I have to wait a little while to do this upgrade (though I'm itching to do it!). I'd also like to purge <i>all </i>of my cardigans and get one or two long chunky cocoon shaped ones to replace them. Totally over the straight shapes I currently have.</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/closet-rumination-trying-to-go-deep/page/2#post-1339861 Tue, 26 Aug 2014 00:21:16 +0000 catgirl 1339861@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Aida, thanks for chiming in! I think Suz is right, leather jackets not worn because of season. Also not work appropriate and I'm working full time rather than self-employed, which is a big shift from two years ago. I would def wear the silk shirts under jackets if I could find the right panst to wear with them that are work-right but not too corporate. </p> <p>What kinds of blazers are you seeking out? I'm interested in the longer looser concept and how you picture it working for you! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/closet-rumination-trying-to-go-deep/page/2#post-1339832 Mon, 25 Aug 2014 23:35:20 +0000 Aida 1339832@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>This is all useful information Una! I don't know that you need to be any more analytical than this, you've very clearly established several things that are and are not working for you.</p> <p>I nodded along to many of your work musings, especially re non-sweatered tops, unworn jackets, and a desire for interesting professional pants. My own musings for myself regarding the first two are that 1) I don't like wearing sweaters under my non-leather jackets, therefore all my sweaters need to look best as stand-alone tops, and 2) I really need looser blouses to wear under my jackets AND that means my jackets also need to be looser and longer (most are more on the shorter and fitted end). So basically I realized that I need all new blazers, which is a little depressing.</p> <p>Why not wear your silk button-ups under your jackets? Too corporate looking? I love wearing my (very few) silk shirts with my jackets, they are pretty much the only thing I have that I can wear underneath and I wish I could afford a few more. And why are your leather jackets not getting worn? That seems an odd one to me.</p> <p>Regarding the work pants, I've slowly been collecting interesting trousers but most of them are more summery. I just can't seem to find good wintery trousers like the ones that Angie posted! And when I do, the fit is always off. I share your frustration with this one, hopefully we can both find something good this season.</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/closet-rumination-trying-to-go-deep/page/2#post-1339825 Mon, 25 Aug 2014 23:27:48 +0000 Caro in Oz 1339825@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I can see you in the pants in Angie's photos - especially #4.<br />Funny Denise - except kids grow up </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/closet-rumination-trying-to-go-deep/page/2#post-1339752 Mon, 25 Aug 2014 20:58:38 +0000 Alassë 1339752@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>LOL, CocoLion.</p> <p>Great job on the analysis, Una! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/closet-rumination-trying-to-go-deep/page/2#post-1339735 Mon, 25 Aug 2014 20:16:53 +0000 Angie 1339735@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>We'll have to see how the season unfolds - but my trousers are from Ann Taylor, Theory and Club Monaco respectively.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/closet-rumination-trying-to-go-deep/page/2#post-1339726 Mon, 25 Aug 2014 20:03:37 +0000 catgirl 1339726@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thanks Angie! Any pointers in the right direction re: brands would be great. </p> <p>Denise, great point. My work is nothing but heavy mental lifting - by the time I get home all I want to do is flop down on the sofa with a drink and cuddle my boys and and pets! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/closet-rumination-trying-to-go-deep/page/2#post-1339724 Mon, 25 Aug 2014 20:00:25 +0000 Angie 1339724@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I have three pairs of wool trousers that are baggy and&nbsp;tapered, and wear them frequently. The last pair is four years old. The other two pairs three years old. These are the types of trousers I see for your style - and have suggested it before. Bootcuts and snow are a bad idea.&nbsp;</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/closet-rumination-trying-to-go-deep/page/2#post-1339722 Mon, 25 Aug 2014 19:54:08 +0000 Anonymous 1339722@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Angie really hit the nail on the head regarding why you're not wearing your silk blouses and jackets/blazers. After I sold my pleather jacket, I've wondered if I even need a real leather one. It's not like they're exactly a slam dunk for my climate.&nbsp;I love them, but I like them best when worn with a plain T shirt underneath. Since I don't wear T shirts anymore, it doesn't make sense to&nbsp;buy a leather jacket, even if I find the perfect one. The whole look has to work for me, and not just the item. Good job on your "flying by the&nbsp;seat of the pants" closet analysis. You don't necessarily have to put things into a spread sheet to notice a pattern. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/closet-rumination-trying-to-go-deep/page/2#post-1339716 Mon, 25 Aug 2014 19:44:50 +0000 Suz 1339716@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>LOL. "Your coconut bonk process." Love that!! :)&nbsp;</p> <p>And waiting tables = parenting little kids. Yup. True.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/closet-rumination-trying-to-go-deep#post-1339700 Mon, 25 Aug 2014 19:26:59 +0000 CocoLion 1339700@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Good job! &nbsp;And I love how much you learned just from this one exercise.</p> <p>Una I totally agree with Suz's comment about letting a year go by. &nbsp;I suggest putting some things away and getting your closet down to a smaller size for a while to further your coconut bonk process. &nbsp;Only when I whittled things down, requiring repeated wearings (or not reaching for at all), was it that I realized what works and doesn't.</p> <p>And regarding being analytical or not … those of you who require a lot of heavy mental lifting in your job might find it tedious. &nbsp;But for me, where my effort/stress revolves around things like: &nbsp;cleaning tables, floors and toilets, getting endless cups of ice water and ranch dressing,&nbsp;listening to&nbsp;complaints about insects, wanting food hotter/colder … wardrobe analytics are definitely relaxing! &nbsp;;-)</p> <p>(I just realized, being a waitress is a lot like&nbsp;being a SAHM to pre-schoolers.)</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/closet-rumination-trying-to-go-deep#post-1339695 Mon, 25 Aug 2014 18:58:04 +0000 catgirl 1339695@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>WOW! Thank you all so much. You certainly spotted more in my post than I ever did! </p> <p>Suz, you are totally right. I have yet to clarfiy my summer dressing differences, since so many of my items transition through summer. I need to go through an end of winter analysis after seeing what I really wear this winter. So much of my closet is full of items I haven't been wearing because of the season.</p> <p>Marlene, that's an excellent idea. I have to say that although I love my drapey pants I am definitely the odd one out at work, where everyone is in much more traditional trouser looks. I don't mind being the weirdo, but it is a little disconcerting.</p> <p>Angie, THANK YOU for seeing any progress here. I guess I need to find those perfect wool trousers. The issue as always is going to be SNOW, and hems. I'm wondering if there are work appropriate wool trousers with tapered legs (like BFs or skinnies)... </p> <p>Jules, the silk tops are worn with skinnies, which I usualy wear with boots. If i could find the right pair of heels/pumps for me, I could do them in more versatile ways. I don't like tucking them into conventional trousers or skirts, but I could try untucked over my plain pencil skirts.</p> <p>Lisa, I have always followed your astute analysis of your own wardrobe, so I am going to take your list to heart here. Really good points.</p> <p>I know many of you also made these same or other fantastic points, and ALL the insight here is both appreciated and inspiring me to plow through the rest of putting it all together. I'm going to stop shopping (not an SYC, which always sends me into a buying frenzy, but more of a "take a breather to consider new purchases", as Mo advises) in order to see where there are true needs, and what pieces will fill them. </p> <p>A couple of versatile work trousers would help for sure! That is the biggest hole I see. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/closet-rumination-trying-to-go-deep#post-1339635 Mon, 25 Aug 2014 16:39:59 +0000 Marlene 1339635@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>it seems to me that its time to tweak the uniform! &nbsp;I suggest that you take OUT all the items that you have not been wearing and set them in a holding zone for a bit...see if you miss them &nbsp;I did that with my drapey cardis and I DON"T MISS THEM! &nbsp;So for my fall shopping, I focused on finding new layering pieces and some new style of topper. My basic uniform is the same but I'm tweaking it to be more updated and reflects my current leg of fashion journey. &nbsp;I suspect you are in the same position.</p> <p>One of the things I am considering is a new style of bottom. &nbsp;I am NOT a traditional work-pant kinda girl so I am looking at the new drapey track-style pants to mix things up a little. &nbsp;They seem to be the pant of the moment. &nbsp;Even Ann Taylor has a nice pair done in a regular pant-weight&nbsp;fabric. &nbsp;I've tried on a couple and if you get them in regular pant material (not silky, not gear fabric) they can be rather modern and interesting. &nbsp;</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/closet-rumination-trying-to-go-deep#post-1339619 Mon, 25 Aug 2014 16:22:07 +0000 Angie 1339619@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I'm so proud of you for doing this analysis, Una. WELL DONE.&nbsp;</p> <p>I think we all go through phases of what we like to wear in a season - and patterned pencil skirts is your look for 2014. It's not your style to wear them with blouses and shirts, so no wonder those items languished in your closet. You wear them with oversized knitted tops and chunky shoes.&nbsp;</p> <p>As for jackets -&nbsp;you don't seem to&nbsp;wear them indoors - and definitely&nbsp;not in Summer unless your office is freezing.&nbsp;AND your tops are oversized, which makes fitted toppers hard to layer. It's no wonder those toppers&nbsp;are orphaned. And in Winter, you're a big sweater and coat gal.&nbsp;</p> <p>I think you have to bite the bullet and wear GREAT current wool trousers - no &nbsp;trying to be all that&nbsp;fashion forward with the item. Match them up with a very fashionable&nbsp;support act, and you are there.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/closet-rumination-trying-to-go-deep#post-1339610 Mon, 25 Aug 2014 15:53:51 +0000 Mo 1339610@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I think any way that gets you where you are going is the 'right' way to analyze your closet needs. &nbsp;No need for spreadsheets or lists. &nbsp;<br />Part of my question to myself: what if I make myself wear what I have first, before going out to buy more _____? &nbsp;Was to address the very issue of realizing you have half a dozen of ____ that you just are not wearing. &nbsp;I prefer now to have one ____ (or two) and then call it a failed experiment and move on! &nbsp; Slowing down the buy rate in turn slows down the churn as well. &nbsp;<br />I agree with trying to give the silky button fronts another try as they seem like a good answer to the lack of non knit tops. &nbsp;If they don't work, is it proportion, or a layering issue or what? &nbsp;Figuring that out could help inform future buys.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/closet-rumination-trying-to-go-deep#post-1339605 Mon, 25 Aug 2014 15:42:28 +0000 RoseandJoan 1339605@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Hi Una, love the musings!</p> <p>I may be completely of base given my holiday from the forum but you strike me as a uniform dresser, which is not a negative in any way. You have a current uniform for both your work and casual life which if my hunch is right you tweak to match the seasons. Do the silk shirts belong to a past uniform by any chance? </p> <p>Also #2 is this a wardrobe hole or do you have no real need for such tops? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/closet-rumination-trying-to-go-deep#post-1339600 Mon, 25 Aug 2014 15:23:40 +0000 Jules 1339600@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Why aren't the silk tops of #5 a solution to the missing tops from #2?&nbsp;</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/closet-rumination-trying-to-go-deep#post-1339589 Mon, 25 Aug 2014 15:02:14 +0000 ironkurtin 1339589@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Hm, my post got eaten!</p> <p>The pencil skirts sound like a really workable uniform.&nbsp; Nothing wrong with that!</p> <p>With pants for the office, Lululemon and JBrand both make pants that are comfortable and blend in, but are suitably stylish and flattering.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/closet-rumination-trying-to-go-deep#post-1339586 Mon, 25 Aug 2014 14:59:07 +0000 Windchime 1339586@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Actually, this sounds like a very useful analysis! </p> <p>Yes, finding reasonably on-trend professional pants is a challenge, isn't it?<br /> I have the opposite shirt abundance issue than you. I have more sleeveless shirts than I need and not enough tops/blouses with long sleeves. It's because I have a very hard time finding long enough sleeves for my long arms. Sleeve length obviously becomes a non-issue with sleeveless tops!</p> <p>Eager to see where your insightful analysis takes you! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/closet-rumination-trying-to-go-deep#post-1339575 Mon, 25 Aug 2014 14:40:14 +0000 jackiec 1339575@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I think this is a great analysis. In fact, it's my kind of analysis as well. It makes you aware of what's in your closet, and prevents you from adding where you don't need to add. I also default to certain looks, and will easily snap up more if I'm out poking around in stores or see a sale. If I have a decent map of what's in my closet, it helps me prevent doing this. (PS love the term "Coconut bonk to the head!") </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/closet-rumination-trying-to-go-deep#post-1339544 Mon, 25 Aug 2014 13:37:57 +0000 christieanne 1339544@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Seems like the perfect simple analysis of a closet and how you are actually dressing. The others brought up good points.&nbsp;<br />Until you stumble on a cache of work pants and blouses/tops (the constant need in my closet as well by the way) can you start mixing the silk shirts with the skirts? Or are you just bored by the shirts?&nbsp;<br />Nothing wrong with the constant rotating of a work "uniform" in my mind.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/closet-rumination-trying-to-go-deep#post-1339540 Mon, 25 Aug 2014 13:30:36 +0000 Lisa 1339540@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I always enjoy an analysis. &nbsp;And it sounds like you come out of your closet clean out knowing what NOT to buy, which is half the battle right there. &nbsp;As far as interesting, comfortable, professional pants one place to start may be <ol> <li>What material do you prefer/fits you best (for me it's non knit pants, but for you it may be the opposite)? &nbsp;I'm able to easily pass by or know to stop and look at pants once I realized what materials I preferred.</li> <li>What colors do you want or don't want? &nbsp;Maybe a new color would freshen things up.</li> <li>What prints do you want or don't want? &nbsp;Professional pants are often solids, but I used to freshen mine up with the occasional pattern: pin stripes, tweed, tiny checks and plaid usually come in professional styles.</li> <li>What shape do you want? &nbsp;With the abundance of styles in the stores today, perhaps you can try a new shape? &nbsp;I used to always sport a boot cut trouser, but now I also have a slim leg pair and a wide leg cuff pair. &nbsp;All 3 are black but the shapes vary up my looks.</li> </ol> <br />I hope that helps!</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/closet-rumination-trying-to-go-deep#post-1339539 Mon, 25 Aug 2014 13:28:21 +0000 Anonymous 1339539@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Una, it sounds like your closet analysis has accomplished a lot. I like to make lists, etc. But then I ignore them. I learn the most by working on making capsules </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/closet-rumination-trying-to-go-deep#post-1339532 Mon, 25 Aug 2014 12:58:45 +0000 texstyle 1339532@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I am with you on not wanting to do a thorough analysis. I did organize my wardrobe drawers this weekend and purged any underthings I don't wear, jewelry I'm not wearing, and belts I don't reach for. In addition I purged at least 4 more pairs of jeans that just weren't right and I used the "Would I buy these now?" approach to make a very quick and easy decision on them. I also hacked off the one pair of white jeans to make shorts but they seem a bit slim when rolled, so I'm not sure they will work this way either but it was a good experiment.</p> <p>I agree with others that figuring out what you are *not* wearing is a great way to get&nbsp; your closet in better order. Mine is starting to feel like a good size for me and at most of the items are things I wear at minimum a few times each season. They are not all 10's but it is improving.</p> <p>And it does seem like you'll wear more blazers/leather in fall/winter, right? I don't have to wear dress pants per se so I only have black ponte and&nbsp; a jacquard navy pair for those special times. I think I have 2 pair of older, but more traditional dress pants in the spare closet "just in case". </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/closet-rumination-trying-to-go-deep#post-1339523 Mon, 25 Aug 2014 12:36:31 +0000 Jaime 1339523@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Hmm, yes to what Suz said about your silk button fronts because I recall you looking great in some Equipment shirts. And will you wear the leather jackets more in the autumn/winter? Apart from that your insights seem very useful. I don't think there is anything wrong with limiting yourself to two signature casual looks btw. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/closet-rumination-trying-to-go-deep#post-1339514 Mon, 25 Aug 2014 12:22:16 +0000 Anonymous 1339514@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>These posts are SO MUCH FUN! &nbsp;And I learn so much from other people's analyses. &nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/closet-rumination-trying-to-go-deep#post-1339510 Mon, 25 Aug 2014 12:16:22 +0000 Suz 1339510@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Okay, first off, this sounds like exactly the kind of analysis you needed to do to start the season with more mindful purchases. You know what you have enough of, you know what you tend to wear, and you know what you would like to wear.&nbsp;</p> <p>Just to complicate things a wee bit...</p> <p>Re the blazers and jackets and silky shirts: are these not getting worn year round, or are they not getting worn <b>right now</b>?&nbsp;</p> <p>I ask because I almost fell prey to expunging a huge section of my closet a year or so ago, because I was convinced that I "never" wear button up shirts of any variety any more (even though they suit me and work for my style.) So...yeah. Then autumn rolled round and for two months I wore little else. Uh...except said shirts with blazers and leather jackets!!!&nbsp;</p> <p>Two months later it was true winter and I was barely wearing jackets and shirts any more. Shirts only as an underlayer to a sweater.&nbsp;</p> <p>So I would keep an eye on what you reach for moving through the seasons. Until you've passed about a year in a new job/ climate/ lifestyle you can't be 100% sure what you reach for and why.&nbsp;</p> <p>Oh -- and why are your silk button up tops not wearable to you with or without jackets? (Since you say you're lacking tops, but also have too many tops, LOL. Remember that old thread...I have too many X and not enough Y?)&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/closet-rumination-trying-to-go-deep#post-1339507 Mon, 25 Aug 2014 12:04:54 +0000 Anonymous 1339507@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>That definitely sounds like a good analysis you'll be able to build on in the future! I'm not a spreadsheet person either, BTW. Wouldn't even know where to start if I tried.</p> <p>Can completely&nbsp;relate on how hard it is to find non-boring work pants. Can you maybe go for a few basic pairs you can wear with more interesting tops (and your awesome shoes!), at least as a stopgap?&nbsp;And this is probably&nbsp;obvious, but do any of the blazers or jackets or silk shirts work with the patterned pencils?</p> <p>I also know what you mean about defaulting to a few effortless silhouettes on the weekend. For me, it's a knit dress when it's warm and either the same knit dresses or tunics/long sweaters with leggings when it's cooler. I always <i>think</i> I'll mix things up more, but just can't make myself pick variety over&nbsp;comfort and ease when it comes right down to it.</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/closet-rumination-trying-to-go-deep#post-1339503 Mon, 25 Aug 2014 11:54:10 +0000 viva 1339503@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I think that understanding what you <u>don't</u> need to buy is really big. And any exercise that helps you get rid of chaff is worthwhile. So good for you. </p>