YouLookFab Forum » Topic: Day 13 of 30 x 30 Challenge

YouLookFab Forum » Topic: Day 13 of 30 x 30 Challenge https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/day-13-of-30-x-30-challenge Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Fri, 15 May 2026 22:49:28 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 <![CDATA[Search]]> q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php Anonymous on "Day 13 of 30 x 30 Challenge" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/day-13-of-30-x-30-challenge#post-1821417 Thu, 06 Jul 2017 19:41:48 +0000 Anonymous 1821417@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Hi TexStyle.  The heat/humidity just hit our region this very week.  I certainly understand reaching for a very limited set of clothing that stand up to the heat with little to no fuss.  I'm wearing a gap cotton tee shirt right now.  Washes like a dream.   I am a firm believer in achieving a reasonable cost per wear in a reasonable time frame (unless it is a special category like my wedding guest capsule).  I'll never achieve a reasonable cost per wear for those items, but I made peace with that.  So I understand your second guessing dressier components in your wardrobe.  It just makes good financial sense.  That is the benefit of tracking these things.  YAY for us.   texstyle on "Day 13 of 30 x 30 Challenge" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/day-13-of-30-x-30-challenge#post-1821408 Thu, 06 Jul 2017 18:13:30 +0000 texstyle 1821408@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Sterling - sounds like the challenge is productive for you and that is great! It's so hot here now that I'm mostly just reaching for my light cotton tees and sleeveless tanks and wearing a rotation of my favorite 4 or 5 shorts. My biggest variety is in my sandal selection and necklace I think :-). But lately I've been really trying to purposely second guess new purchases because I still feel like I end up collecting items that I don't reach for enough. I don't buy "dressy" tops really, but even many of the casual slighter dressy ones seem too fussy when it's 100 F outside. I do change before going shopping or out to eat and try to make use of them for those times, but still the CPW is hard to justify unless I know I'm keeping them for 3 or more years. Anonymous on "Day 13 of 30 x 30 Challenge" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/day-13-of-30-x-30-challenge#post-1821398 Thu, 06 Jul 2017 17:16:24 +0000 Anonymous 1821398@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Suz -- thanks for weighing in.  I agree we all need a subset of special occasion capsules because when we need those types of items we can't find them handily and panic sets in and buying mistakes abound.  Furthermore, they become our amour during stressful situations.  You want to know you have it right!!!   This was a lesson I did not anticipate learning while participating in a 30 x 30 challenge.  It hit me when I had to reach into my "other" closet to dress myself for that meeting and I reached for pieces that are literally only worn once or twice a year.  I need them.  I really need them because they give me strength and confidence.  As an aside, I could have dressed myself using my 30 items, but it would not have given me the confidence I needed.  I made the conscious decision to abandon the challenge that day (with a little guilt).   I know Joy proposed swapping out items.  I was waiting until I filled those three empty slots before deciding if I needed to make any swaps.  So far, I haven't had to do so, but it is clear the Nike and Capezio leggings will kill me if I continue to work out in them.  I will have to swap them out this weekend.  I intend to swap them out for the Athleta cropped pants that Janet introduced the Forum to a few years back.  The fact that the Nike leggings are so hot is also informative because I was planning to buy another pair during NAS.  I will not be doing that now.   Suz on "Day 13 of 30 x 30 Challenge" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/day-13-of-30-x-30-challenge#post-1821365 Thu, 06 Jul 2017 13:38:00 +0000 Suz 1821365@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I learned that there are things in my closet that get very little wear, but when I need them, I really do need them. No more bashing them because they only get used once or twice a year. I fully understand their importance now and they have found a place in my closet. This is special subset of my wardrobe .... similar to a wedding guest capsule. Who knew? Yup. I hear you loud and clear. I learned this when trying to dress for a holiday party one year. I truly had nothing that felt right. I was so discouraged with what I ended up wearing. At that moment, I decided, enough is enough. Yes, my life is mostly casual. True, my "special occasion" wear (of various kinds, including business appropriate) may only get one outing per year. But I need it. In fact, emergency meetings, funerals, sudden requests for a more formal party, wanting to look especially great for a fancy date or public appearance -- those are among the most stressful fashion moments for me, and not having the right clothing costs me. Spending a few hundred dollars for this capsule is well worth it, even if the CPW remains high.  I think you're doing great with your challenge and I really like Joy's idea of subbing items that clearly won't work for your weather. This is one of the lessons of the whole thing -- learning what works and what doesn't in varying conditions.  Anonymous on "Day 13 of 30 x 30 Challenge" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/day-13-of-30-x-30-challenge#post-1821331 Thu, 06 Jul 2017 10:45:20 +0000 Anonymous 1821331@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I am continuing with the challenge.  My confession is that I stopped taking pictures.  This weekend was unusually busy.  Every time I thought of taking a picture, I was either in the car or just underdressed.  The idea of redressing to take a picture was abhorrent.  If you miss taking a picture one day, it seems easier to miss taking a picture the next day.  Sigh.   The good news is that I filled all three of my empty slots.  All three slots were filled with tops.  I hadn't anticipated that those slots would be tops, but it was variety in tops that I seemed to crave.  Lesson learned:  I create interest and variety by switching up tops (closer to face).  The bottom in my mind is the starting foundation upon which I build.  I can get by with a lot less variety in bottoms.   Lesson learned:  I discovered that the two pair of workout leggings (Nike and Capezio) that I included in my capsule are all wrong for deep summer workouts. They are hot.  They don't breath.  They are uncomfortably hot even in the air conditioning of the gym.  Does this statement even make sense?  I can't wait to get them off at the end of the work out.  I made a note that I need lighter weight, more airy garments for my deep summer workouts.  I don't want discomfort to become an excuse to just skip it.   I have successfully dressed from my 30 x 30 challenge this entire time, with one exception.  The exception was an unanticipated and very important work meeting.  I reached into my real closet to pull garments that were more appropriate.  It was the right thing to do.  I learned that there are things in my closet that get very little wear, but when I need them, I really do need them.  No more bashing them because they only get used once or twice a year.  I fully understand their importance now and they have found a place in my closet.  This is special subset of my wardrobe .... similar to a wedding guest capsule.  Who knew?   Tanya on "Day 13 of 30 x 30 Challenge" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/day-13-of-30-x-30-challenge#post-1820956 Tue, 04 Jul 2017 18:17:15 +0000 Tanya 1820956@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Sterling, I really like both of the new bottoms you chose.   Hope they work out for you. Anonymous on "Day 13 of 30 x 30 Challenge" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/day-13-of-30-x-30-challenge#post-1820953 Tue, 04 Jul 2017 18:12:16 +0000 Anonymous 1820953@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Anne -- Thank you.  So kind of you to post and I sincerely appreciate it. Delurked -- I seem to be buying sleeveless button down shirts that will wear well with multiple washings.  I chose not to iron so the shirts I am buying have some substance to them and don't appear to need ironing.  I have been washing them after each wearing due to the heat/sweat.   Anonymous on "Day 13 of 30 x 30 Challenge" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/day-13-of-30-x-30-challenge#post-1820678 Mon, 03 Jul 2017 17:44:40 +0000 Anonymous 1820678@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Sterling - looked here after responding to your other post. It sounds like you are choosing new vs what's already in your closet due to missing hole in your wardrobe. Sometimes it's not so obvious until you want to reach for something that's not there. Besides the one top I think I saw, what kind of tops are you after? And unfortunately, it confirms why it's so hard to shop only in stores. So many more choices to find what we seek are only online. Shorter shorts may work for many, but don't seem to work well for me either. May be due to height and proportion. Which leads back into the buy/return cycle. anne on "Day 13 of 30 x 30 Challenge" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/day-13-of-30-x-30-challenge#post-1820618 Mon, 03 Jul 2017 13:52:25 +0000 anne 1820618@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Just wanted to say Sterling, that although I'm not very good at commenting, that I am reading with interest ALL of your posts and enjoying your analysis of your learning. (And I like the look of those striped pants!) Anonymous on "Day 13 of 30 x 30 Challenge" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/day-13-of-30-x-30-challenge#post-1820603 Mon, 03 Jul 2017 11:55:42 +0000 Anonymous 1820603@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I know, Sal.  I never expected to love wide leg pants.  Yet, in a very short period of time, they have become an all time favorite.  They are also absolutely perfect for my weather.  Sal on "Day 13 of 30 x 30 Challenge" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/day-13-of-30-x-30-challenge#post-1820484 Sun, 02 Jul 2017 22:01:57 +0000 Sal 1820484@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Thanks Sterling, weather changes can take us by surprise..and I know the feeling that suddenly I have nothing to wear. I had a successful summer with shorts last season - I don't love shorts at all but there were some great ones around. I like both those potential new additions especially the wide leg ones. Anonymous on "Day 13 of 30 x 30 Challenge" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/day-13-of-30-x-30-challenge#post-1820482 Sun, 02 Jul 2017 21:56:14 +0000 Anonymous 1820482@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Thanks, Ryce.  I've been busy planning my line of attack.  I bought two pairs of pants online just today.  One pair is from GAP (two different sizes) and another pair is from Belks.   I would like to find a white straight cut denim skirt.  Most of what I see have a very slight A-line.  So I'll keep looking.   Anonymous on "Day 13 of 30 x 30 Challenge" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/day-13-of-30-x-30-challenge#post-1820481 Sun, 02 Jul 2017 21:51:04 +0000 Anonymous 1820481@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Sounds like your mission has been accomplished - you are LEARNING from this experience.  If everything went perfectly, then really what would the point have been of expending the effort? Even those of us not doing the challenge are learning a lot by following along with you and the other participants.  Thanks for sharing your process with us! Wish I had some suggestions about summer bottoms. Guess that is why I default to dresses and the occasional skirt when the weather turns.  I realize that isn't a good option for you - maybe search for some lightweight chinos?  If they are not in the stores, perhaps they could be found on-line? Anonymous on "Day 13 of 30 x 30 Challenge" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/day-13-of-30-x-30-challenge#post-1820435 Sun, 02 Jul 2017 18:23:14 +0000 Anonymous 1820435@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Thank you, RunCarla.  The weather suddenly turned exceptionally hot and humid for us just this weekend.  I had been marveling at how "temperate" June has been for us.  Then suddenly, it was summer.   You are wise to limit your clothing purchases for work.  YAY for you.  Retirement will have a big impact on your style.  But it does not mean opportunities to dress up and express yourself through fashion will end.  I think it will take on an even greater importance of dressing to please yourself.   Carla on "Day 13 of 30 x 30 Challenge" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/day-13-of-30-x-30-challenge#post-1820422 Sun, 02 Jul 2017 15:50:05 +0000 Carla 1820422@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Sterling, I am grateful to you for starting the challenge. ANY challenge is an opportunity to have fun with fashion, and yours is more - it has become a learning opportunity for those of us who are participating, and some who are following. I'm doing okay, since I kept my options open by starting with a core wardrobe of 12 with the addition of expansion sets as needed. (The weather has been too unpredictable to choose 30 items for long term.). Furthermore, I'm only counting items of clothing in my 30 - not shoes, not accessories. I'm trying to keep new purchases down regarding the work wardrobe. I have committed to a retirement date and have 145 work days/9 months (but who's counting ;-). left to dress for. ) I'm still trying to get my head wrapped around what I will need afterwards. From Joy I am learning that there will be lots or opportunities to dress up - jeans and a t-shirt won't work for all situations and can become stale after a while. FWIW, I was just telling DH that we will need to add some nice high summer items to our wardrobes for next year (as we were shopping for some shorts for him!) the sudden appearance of real summer weather has taken a few of us by surprise! Anonymous on "Day 13 of 30 x 30 Challenge" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/day-13-of-30-x-30-challenge#post-1820417 Sun, 02 Jul 2017 14:55:06 +0000 Anonymous 1820417@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Gigi and Srah -- Thank you so much for your kind words.   Joy -- I feel a little bit better know you are not playing in sandboxes with toddlers while wearing your best Eileen Fisher garments.   Style Fan -- I was in the mall yesterday because I needed last minute items for a party.  I quickly scanned the stores for July and August-appropriate bottoms.  Nothing.  JEANS, jeans, and more still jeans.  Or worse yet, thick polyester!!!  Some shorts and skirts that were too short for  me to wear gracefully.  And gathered waist, shapeless pants that I concluded didn't do me any favors.  The only items I saw that were possibilities were silk crepe Eileen Fisher, but I wonder if I am not overdoing that concept in my wardrobe.  All my bottoms are starting to look alike.   Anyway, I eagerly await your post.   Style Fan on "Day 13 of 30 x 30 Challenge" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/day-13-of-30-x-30-challenge#post-1820372 Sun, 02 Jul 2017 09:43:09 +0000 Style Fan 1820372@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Sterling I also struggle with a similar wardrobe hole.  I have very few summer bottoms.  I also find summer tops difficult to find.  More on that in my post.  The challenge has certainly been helpful in identifying wardrobe needs and style goals.  Anonymous on "Day 13 of 30 x 30 Challenge" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/day-13-of-30-x-30-challenge#post-1820347 Sun, 02 Jul 2017 05:30:46 +0000 Anonymous 1820347@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Sterling, you have learned about some wardrobe needs from your challenge. That is valuable information that will make your shopping more productive and result in a better working wardrobe going forward. About wearing nicer things casually, I have learned that I am not ready to wear the newest ones casually, but do find myself wearing the ones that are a season or more old and are washable, even if by hand. Nomad on "Day 13 of 30 x 30 Challenge" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/day-13-of-30-x-30-challenge#post-1820308 Sun, 02 Jul 2017 01:20:48 +0000 Nomad 1820308@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I second Gigi; I really enjoy your posts. You're eloquent and self-aware, and you've been helping a lot of us evolve our thoughts through this challenge. Don't be too hard on yourself! Gigi on "Day 13 of 30 x 30 Challenge" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/day-13-of-30-x-30-challenge#post-1820306 Sun, 02 Jul 2017 01:17:20 +0000 Gigi 1820306@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Sterling, I think you should pat yourself on the back for even attempting this challenge! It can be painful when we see that our plans didn't turn out like we wanted, but it is also an opportunity to learn, as you are doing. Sometimes I have gotten my best insights in the midst of failure.  I hope that with all of the Fourth of July sales you can find something to round out your assortment of bottoms. On a side note, I just want to say how much I enjoy reading your posts, not just about 30x30 but about other things as well. I like reading about your thought processes as they relate to your wardrobe and style. Anonymous on "Day 13 of 30 x 30 Challenge" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/day-13-of-30-x-30-challenge#post-1820173 Sat, 01 Jul 2017 14:26:35 +0000 Anonymous 1820173@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Thank you, Tanya!  I will be shopping the sales over the 4th.   Tanya on "Day 13 of 30 x 30 Challenge" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/day-13-of-30-x-30-challenge#post-1820171 Sat, 01 Jul 2017 14:20:10 +0000 Tanya 1820171@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ These are great lessons, Sterling, and I agree with Elizabeth that you are being too harsh on yourself.  The purpose of the challenge is to learn more, after all. There are tons of good sales going on right now, esp. for the July 4th, so hopefully you will be able to find some nice lighter-weight bottoms.   If they are for casual, drape-y linen or silk pants would work quite well. Anonymous on "Day 13 of 30 x 30 Challenge" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/day-13-of-30-x-30-challenge#post-1820168 Sat, 01 Jul 2017 14:15:05 +0000 Anonymous 1820168@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Here is the problem, Elizabeth, I don't have any bottoms to switch out.  My wardrobe lacks summer bottoms.   Oh, thank you for the reminder to be kind to myself.  Going back to edit it so that the words a bit less harsh.   Elizabeth P on "Day 13 of 30 x 30 Challenge" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/day-13-of-30-x-30-challenge#post-1820135 Sat, 01 Jul 2017 11:26:02 +0000 Elizabeth P 1820135@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Don't be so hard on yourself, Sterling! Great "lessons".  It appears you are gaining lots of self knowledge from the challenge. RE your bottoms... take a page from Joy's book - you realized you don't want to wear khaki's and denim, so take those out of the challenge and continue with two new bottoms.  Nothing wrong with learning your lesson early on and applying it!  I had the same issue, I'd chosen tops that are perfect for now, but can see them being too warm once July hits (maybe).  After all, this is about learning, figuring things, out, not making life unpleasant and difficult.  At least, I think it should be :) Anonymous on "Day 13 of 30 x 30 Challenge" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/day-13-of-30-x-30-challenge#post-1820125 Sat, 01 Jul 2017 10:08:41 +0000 Anonymous 1820125@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ My goal for participating in a 30 x 30 challenge was to identify summer wardrobe holes and identify style/dressing habits.   I am achieving some success.  Part of that success stems from reaching into my closet and not finding what I think I need.  Part results from an assessment of the 30 pieces I am choosing not to wear.  But most importantly, seeing and reading other participant's posts makes me realize I have fallen into a style rut and need to put more work into my ensembles.   Lesson 1:  It is summer.  I knew this going into the challenge.  I purposely selected three work slacks and four casual slacks.  The problem is that two of the bottoms selected for casual (Old Navy Full Length White Jeans and Gap Khakis) are heavy and I don't want to wear them right now.  That leaves me with only two bottoms for casual.   I assumed that there were no or few wardrobe holes.  I was wrong.  I need a much larger variety of wardrobe bottoms for summer months.  Jeans and khakis are all wrong for summer.  I don't have the depth I need.  Shout out to Anchie who is having similar issues.  While everyone else is shopping NAS for winter items, I will be scouring sales for lightweight summer bottoms in a variety of different styles.   Lesson 2:  I imagine myself as someone that wears items on repeat, but a quick review of my spreadsheet shows that I have spread my wears of bottoms out evenly over the course of the past 12 days.  Top wears, on the other hand, are lopsided.  I continually reach for the same tops.   I included a lot of tops in my challenge (10 with 2 empty slots).  I had work in mind when I selected my tops.  About half of the tops have yet to be worn.  This is because I haven't been in the office as much as I thought.  Two to three days per week.  And, unlike Joy, I am not quite ready to wear my nicer tops for casual wear.   Lesson 3:  The other 30 x 30 participants really make an effort. They think about things. They plan things. They coordinate things. All this planning results in lovely variety.  I would guess that their coworkers and family might not even know they were doing a 30 x 30 challenge because they are doing it masterfully.  They make it look easy.  In contrast, my outfits are not characterized by as much variety or interest. What I am learning is that I need to try harder.  Although I am not opposed to style uniforms, my casual dressing these past few days feels very much like a rut.  Just because I am not going into the office and/or it is summer is not an excuse to give up. I have the clothes, wear them.   My goal next week is NOT to repeat .... even once.  My goal next week is also to add interest.   Lesson 4:  There are always side effects to a challenge.  In this case, it was enhanced self care (makeup; pedicure and manicure; hair cut and color).  I'm going to Sephora today to look at new foundations/blushes.