YouLookFab Forum » Topic: decision to simplify, decision to complicate

YouLookFab Forum » Topic: decision to simplify, decision to complicate https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/decision-to-simplify-decision-to-complicate Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Sat, 11 Apr 2026 05:50:04 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 <![CDATA[Search]]> q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php Adelfa on "decision to simplify, decision to complicate" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/decision-to-simplify-decision-to-complicate/page/2#post-982668 Wed, 17 Jul 2013 14:31:51 +0000 Adelfa 982668@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Beth Ann, you're reminding me of what Claire said about finding out preferences. I love how you say that you feel confined in some areas and want freedom in your wardrobe. It sounds like you understand exactly what's going on with yourself. It also sounds as though wardrobe variety could be an important form of therapy for you right now! Manidipa, I would love to learn more about the ethnic garments you wear! And very clever to get your maxi fix with saris! Lisa, these are all very thoughtful choices. It sounds like you are quite a ways down the simplifying path. Lisa on "decision to simplify, decision to complicate" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/decision-to-simplify-decision-to-complicate/page/2#post-982614 Wed, 17 Jul 2013 13:57:41 +0000 Lisa 982614@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ This is a really interesting thread.  A super minimal, easy to mix and match wardrobe has been my goal for years.  And while I've cut down to half my original numbers for my 4 season wardrobe, I still have 4 very varied seasons and I seem to prefer a little more variety IRL than in my head. I've simplified and complicated my wardrobe over the years by: -I run on team cold so for my warm weather clothes my items need to layer.  This has helped me stay away from open knit sweaters or tops with sleeves that do not layer well with a blazer or cardigan (such as a bell sleeve) over it. -I've limited my 3/4 sleeve tops to 3 and none of my blazers have 3/4 sleeves.  I used to purchase lots of 3/4 sleeve items but found layering them in non summer months a real challenge.  Now I have a couple for variety but since it's only 3 if they sit for colder months it's not a huge pile of clothes sitting unworn for a large chunk of time.  Also because it's a small number there is a high chance by the end of the season the item is ready for purging anyway. -I do not own any skirts and I own 3 dresses.  All 3 dresses are occasion specific (business or special occasion).  I've never found pairing skirts with tops easy so I stopped trying.  And I noticed I'd rather grab a pair of shorts than a dress in the heat so I phased out a large skirt/dress wardrobe that mostly sat unworn and that really cut down my wardrobe size. -I own very few season specific items.  I do like to dress for the seasons but I am more interested in versatile items.  So I limit my seasonal clothing.  For warm months I only have 2 pairs of shorts, 1 pair of white jeans, and no bottoms that are cropped.  I wear jeans to work year round so it's easier for me to have jeans that are full length and not cropped.  For toppers I only have one (a cardigan) with 3/4 sleeves.  All the rest are long sleeves and colors I can wear year round.  I just push up the sleeves if I want to expose some forearm.  When I purchase toppers I try to pick neutrals/seasonless colors that I can wear year round.  -I add a seasonal vibe with my layering pieces.  Right now in the heat, that means short sleeve tops in prints of the season.  But all the prints can be paired with my toppers.  Since my layering items are washed frequently they tend to wear quickly and be replaced seasonally.  This freshens up my wardrobe and keeps me from having layering orphans. -I am very selective with my toppers.  These items are usually pricier, and worn year round (I'll wear a blazer in chilly a/c at work) so neutrals work better here.  But I do have color with these so maybe it's the materials I am paying close attention to.  I can sport a tan blazer year round even though you usually see them in spring as long as it is not linen which would make it too seasonal for my year round needs.  I will purchase a seasonal item (such as the plum Tory Burch sweatercoat from NAS) but I'll wear that item for fall, winter and spring and just vary up the layering items and bottoms to make it work (plum is lovely with white in spring and a sweatercoat works great on rainy cold spring days and the plum will also be lovely with black for fall and winter).  -I stick to one heel height for my bottoms.  All my bootcut jeans and trousers work with a small heel.  If I want to wear a large heel I'll wear skinny jeans or a dress.  When I first found out about PPL I went nuts with varying hemlengths on my jeans.  But it was too confusing!  Now when I shop I know the heel height I need and I just look at footwear that has that heel height.  This has really simplified my shoe shopping. ManidipaM on "decision to simplify, decision to complicate" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/decision-to-simplify-decision-to-complicate/page/2#post-982495 Wed, 17 Jul 2013 11:53:48 +0000 ManidipaM 982495@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Adelfa, you own the most exquisite jewelry! My simplifying and complicating choices resonate with many others, I guess. Simplifying: - narrowing my palette down, though I am not there yet (for reference, it is very similar to the one Suz mentioned hers is on I think unfrumped's thread) - eschewing black, except in the LBD and accessories context: for some mysterious reason I have the devil's own time mixing black with anything but white and don't like to resemble a panda, much as I love the animal itself! - adding skinny/tapered pants that make more shoe choices possible, though I still prefer straight legs - reducing heel height options to 2 inches and under, and really a LOT of flats (needed to give myself permission to do this and not feel frumpy) - using sarees for by 'maxi' fix (see below under 'complicating' options) as they are an *adjustable* maxi length by nature - narrowing my preferred silhouettes, especially in ethnic garments (churidars/leggings vs salwars, saree blouses) but also in terms of seasons---A-line skirts for summer, no skirts for the monsoons, add pencils as well for winter etc - sticking to silver and antiqued brass/bronze - separating summer and winter neutrals, same as Jayne Complicating: - moving from all-neutrals in the beige-brown family to more/other neutrals plus strong colours! - wearing white and cream, like you! - challenging myself to add in RED, which I used to be super-scared of, because it actually flatters me in several shades and is culturally important for me - having Marlene's issue of loving cobalt and not thinking it works with denim, while jeans are the mainstay of my out-and-about wardrobe - loving maxi dresses and skirts (cf. heel heights issue!) - refusing to rule out many silhouettes (length, shape, volume) except minis and top-to-toe body con - having a gold wedding ring (sent it on sabbatical!) - sitting on the floor a lot, meaning very different silhouette and shoe choices than when out and about! I need whole other sets of clothes for at-home for this reason alone Beth Ann on "decision to simplify, decision to complicate" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/decision-to-simplify-decision-to-complicate/page/2#post-982348 Wed, 17 Jul 2013 05:27:52 +0000 Beth Ann 982348@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Fascinating thread, Adelfa, and it gives me much to think about.  I SO crave variety, and I feel "confined" in several areas of my life, which just makes me crave the "freedom" of lots of choices even more.  YLF has helped me to focus on an "ensemble" wardrobe -- high quality players that work well together, but I do think this Golden Retriever (squirrel!) mentality has slowed my progress a bit. Complicating Factors:  I gave up the "black trousers and shoes" uniform, incorporating more color, returning to wearing both silver and gold, and favoring a variety of silhouettes in pants and skirt/dresses. Simplifying:  Use of formulas (printed shells and black blazer, bf's and printed woven top), "families" of color Adelfa on "decision to simplify, decision to complicate" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/decision-to-simplify-decision-to-complicate/page/2#post-982338 Wed, 17 Jul 2013 04:52:20 +0000 Adelfa 982338@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Marley, that's interesting about the earrings!  I myself confine myself to about a 1" drop max! Vix, you have overwhelmed me with your blog post *in a good way*. I'm going to have to think about this. I know I love classics but I also know there's MORE! Vix on "decision to simplify, decision to complicate" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/decision-to-simplify-decision-to-complicate#post-981678 Tue, 16 Jul 2013 14:17:44 +0000 Vix 981678@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Man, I forgot about the pants length/shoe issue as a complication; I wear mostly bootcut pants and jeans, so it's a pain. You skinny fans definitely have the edge there. My "simplify" for that is to have a few pairs hemmed for my lowest heel, but mostly I try to buy shoes within a 0.5" heel range --  and I wear lots of skirts/dresses to get round it! Adelfa --  You and I sound like we have some overlap with preferences -- or we at least share a need to have multiple directions!  As many YLFers know, I'm only to happy to go on (and on, and on...) about my efforts to dress myself. Hence my dumping lots of it in blog posts with links to yet more about me and my style journey. Be careful what you ask for/in case it helps links below.... If you missed this link above, here's my nattering + photos re <a rel="nofollow" href="http://buildingacolorfullife.wordpress.com/2012/11/18/towards-a-closet-with-more-method-than-madness-or-making-the-most-of-my-style-personas/">my attempt to placate my 3 style personas (Contrarian Classicist, Minimalist Magpie, and Persnickety Bohemian) by cross-pollinating my closet items </a>vs having silos. It starts with the buying end of things, so I go into my thought process there, too. You'll see a lot of my looks end up being Barely Boho or Vaguely Vintage, which in my world is a good thing, ha. Here are some YLF threads that show more of the same: <a rel="nofollow" href="http://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wiw-putting-my-boho-luxe-blouse-on-the-modern-classic-straight-narrow">WIW: Putting my Boho Luxe Blouse on the (Modern Classic) Straight & Narrow</a> <a rel="nofollow" href="http://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wiw-slightly-slouchy-silky-for-work-and-play">WIW: (Slightly) Slouchy + Silky for work and play</a> <a rel="nofollow" href="http://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wiw-will-i-learn-to-love-my-flat-stanley-sandals">WIW: Will I learn to love my Flat Stanley Sandals?</a><a rel="nofollow" href="http://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wiw-will-i-learn-to-love-my-flat-stanley-sandals"> </a> (aside from the flat sandals + long-sleeved sheer top, everything shown is 2-14 years old and thus has been "persona'd" in various ways!) Marley on "decision to simplify, decision to complicate" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/decision-to-simplify-decision-to-complicate#post-981422 Tue, 16 Jul 2013 06:22:41 +0000 Marley 981422@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Simplifying factors: * De-segregated metals.  They are all one big happy family in my wardrobe. * Limited Color Pallete.  I used to limit myself to "cool" colors - but that left too many opportunities for wardrobe orphans - so, I scaled it down even further to blue (from navy to pastel), pink, gray, black, white, cream/ivory, taupe.  Once in awhile I will allow an emerald green or a lavendar to join the "party" but not very often! * Limited patterned items.  I'm on a solid kick right now and it is making things so much easier! * No turtlenecks.  No boat necks. (horribly unflattering on me!) * No brown shoes/boots or handbags. * Post earrings only. * Lots of skinny jeans - I can wear them with a large variety of footwear - anywhere from flats to OTK boots! Complicating factors: * Pants/Trousers/Jeans with all different rises means that I need several different sizes of belts - XS to M.  Sometimes I find myself reaching for the "perfect" belt to wear with my jeans and realize that I bought it to wear with a very slouchy low-rise BF and its too big to wear with the jeans!  So frustrating! * Too much stuff.  I've been purging for several years, but still feel overwhelmed and out-of-control when I look at my wardrobe.  I'm one of those people that Suz mentions that forgets about items that she has in her closet.  Yep - that's me. * This will sound pretty lame, but - I can't see my entire closet all at one time.  There are 3 large sliding doors and so only 2 of them can be open at one time - I forget about what is in that "hidden" third of the closet. Adelfa on "decision to simplify, decision to complicate" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/decision-to-simplify-decision-to-complicate#post-981391 Tue, 16 Jul 2013 05:02:41 +0000 Adelfa 981391@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Jyoti, I have that problem with scarves, too!  Right now I picked out three to have for summer and have hidden the rest away. Jyoti on "decision to simplify, decision to complicate" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/decision-to-simplify-decision-to-complicate#post-981387 Tue, 16 Jul 2013 04:54:12 +0000 Jyoti 981387@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I just moved from living with my family to living by myself, and it necessitated a much smaller wardrobe.  I actually think I only have about one suitcase worth of clothes here!  I am finding that it's difficult for me to be happy with such a small amount of clothing.  I crave variety in all ways, and I really, really enjoy mixing and matching all my clothes in a myriad of variations.  It's been about three weeks and I'll already planning a rescue mission to retrieve one or two more suitcases of clothes from home lol. I'm happy I downsized some things though-- mostly scarves.  I was suffocating under a large pile of scarves at home, and realized I don't really need that many. xD Adelfa on "decision to simplify, decision to complicate" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/decision-to-simplify-decision-to-complicate#post-981384 Tue, 16 Jul 2013 04:39:51 +0000 Adelfa 981384@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Vix, I'd love to hear more about how your style persona simplifies things. I don't have one yet, so I'm vacillating wildly between elegant classic and 70's girl on the prairie! Thistle, I think you're right about the effort--minimal has to be a labor of love! Anne, rae, and Marlene--I'm loving that you understand how red complicates things! And rae, I think a key is pinks.  I wear so many pinks from apple blossom to hot pink to raspberry, and I don't enjoy how reds go with those. My daughter wears all the cobalt and teal and periwinkle that I do, but no pink whatsoever (she's a redhead) and so enjoys red as an accent color. Shedev, I definitely think that opening one's mind can be complicating! Cindy, I love your bottoms capsule--not sure you need any more! Rachy, I must have a photo of your closet! unfrumped, that's really fascinating about limiting in some areas so it's not too complicated to try new things! I like it! unfrumped on "decision to simplify, decision to complicate" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/decision-to-simplify-decision-to-complicate#post-981003 Mon, 15 Jul 2013 19:57:51 +0000 unfrumped 981003@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Complicating: Different pant styles frequently require different footwear (bootcut, tapered, etc). Wanting long leg line when possible means having some 11/2- 2" heeled shoes I don't really feel are mey "go to" shoes,   but  haven't decided to give up that look altogether, and requires different PPL's. Wearing both skirts and pants takes different tops & jackets, frequently New styles--BF jeans complicated top selections--need more top length, for exposure,  and width for balance. Simplifying Trying to limit to pencil/straight skirts in colors that could use some of the same footwear and tops but different accessories, layers. BF jeans had potential to simplify footwear because could roll up or down for different shoe types Limiting colors and combos for "usual" styles so as to allow resources (time, $$, frustration!)  to try new silhouettes from time to time rachylou on "decision to simplify, decision to complicate" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/decision-to-simplify-decision-to-complicate#post-980941 Mon, 15 Jul 2013 19:13:27 +0000 rachylou 980941@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Hmm. I have simplified by: - going mainly with certain silhouettes - arranging my closet like Geranimals (pick one from this shelf, pick another from that shelf) I have complicated by: - kicking the limited colour palette to the curb - having a ton of clothes (although I have been trying to whittle away at it) Cindy on "decision to simplify, decision to complicate" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/decision-to-simplify-decision-to-complicate#post-980899 Mon, 15 Jul 2013 18:22:10 +0000 Cindy 980899@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Hmm....Simplifying factors: I only wear cool colors so most items can mix and match. (Warm colors are confined to accessories like the scarf in my avatar.) I don't have a problem with using both navy and black in an outfit. I routinely mix metals since my rings that I wear daily are silver, white gold, yellow gold, and rose gold! LOL Both simplifying and complicating, depending on how you look at it, is the fact  that I currently have only five bottoms that fit me. (A medication change caused me to put on weight in the tummy and I had hoped to get back down so I have been reluctant to buy clothes.) I have dark navy skinny jeans, black cigarette jeans, loose fit khakis, a black maxi skirt, and a navy lace pencil skirt. (Edited to add that I forgot the thick black leggings I am wearing today and black boot cut ponte pants that just arrived. I really don't need any more bottoms but need to shop for tops.) Complicating factors: most of my tops are fitted to wear with the loose trousers that are all too small now. Buying the skinny jeans means that I need to shop for loose or "fluid" tops to go with them.  Marlene on "decision to simplify, decision to complicate" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/decision-to-simplify-decision-to-complicate#post-980872 Mon, 15 Jul 2013 17:52:40 +0000 Marlene 980872@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I am loving reading this thread!  I think that what is simple for one person is complicated for another.  For example, I don't wear red anymore...not part of my pallet and i find it complicates things.  Others consider it a "neutral".  I find that purple is a neutral. I wear purples with everything!  Same with teal and fushia.  I do have a hard time with cobalt blue because i don't like how it goes with denim....even though its one of my most favorite colors.  Color is one of the most amazing, fascinating and subjective topics around.  One of the ways I simplified my closet last month was getting rid of some mint colored chinos.  I could NOT make them work and was going on big shopping trips trying to find tops to make it work.  It was driving me batty.  So I passed them on and now I am happier and the pants are happier (I'm sure!) Reading other's points I have the following to add: <ul> <li>OK to mix metals but not gold and silver.  Silver and copper?  Yes.  Silver and pewter?  Yes.  But never silver and gold for me.</li> <li>I've also simplified by only having one "high heel" height.  So basically I have flats and 2-1/4" heels in my closet.  Now I only have to deal with a limited hem length.  </li> <li>I find that any time I try and expand my color pallet I regret it.  It seems to throw off my sense of cohesion in my closet.  So I will stick to experimenting with color with the use of scarfs.  Or maybe t-shirts. Those seem to be low-risk ways to experiment.</li> <li>Through trial and error I know that ruffles and polka dots annoy me when I wear them.  I like them on others so I keep trying.  I think I need to come to terms with the fact that some details just don't work for me.  </li> </ul> shedev on "decision to simplify, decision to complicate" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/decision-to-simplify-decision-to-complicate#post-980817 Mon, 15 Jul 2013 16:10:21 +0000 shedev 980817@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I'd get really bored with a truly minimalist closet, but my closet has shrunk a great deal in the past year and I'm sure it will shrink some more. I think I've done both simplication and complication. simplifying -stay within style persona -shop within capsules -extending the seasons complicating -expanding color pallette -trying some new fits rae on "decision to simplify, decision to complicate" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/decision-to-simplify-decision-to-complicate#post-980771 Mon, 15 Jul 2013 15:01:18 +0000 rae 980771@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Ah, yes, I guess I have to take responsibility for my choices and how they led me to this larger (but still smaller than before!) wardrobe.  Simplifying choices:  <ul> <li>Ok to mix metals and mix black/brown in one outfit</li> <li>Limit to sour brights and sapphire blues (almost all my red is gone, too)</li> <li>Heel height limit is 3" (only one pair remains that breaks this, but it helps PPL)</li> </ul> Complicating choices: <ul> <li>OK to wear both baggy and fitted bottoms (they need different tops)</li> <li>OK to wear varied skirt lengths (they need different boot heights)</li> <li>OK to wear a variety of necklines (they need different necklace lengths as well as different toppers)</li> </ul> I'm sure there are more, but that's what immediately grabbed me! Oh, and I sure do find it interesting that your reds didn't go with anything, while Natalie's reds go with everything. It sure makes a difference what else you have in your closet - color versatility is relative. anne on "decision to simplify, decision to complicate" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/decision-to-simplify-decision-to-complicate#post-980767 Mon, 15 Jul 2013 14:57:04 +0000 anne 980767@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Such an interesting thread. My complicating factor is having red and pink in my wardrobe. Am also becoming aware that I haven't bought anything patterned, bar one striped tee,for years, and should rectify this! Thistle on "decision to simplify, decision to complicate" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/decision-to-simplify-decision-to-complicate#post-980763 Mon, 15 Jul 2013 14:45:58 +0000 Thistle 980763@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I love the idea of minimal, but frankly, I think it takes too much effort!!  Vix on "decision to simplify, decision to complicate" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/decision-to-simplify-decision-to-complicate#post-980750 Mon, 15 Jul 2013 14:37:47 +0000 Vix 980750@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Hi Adelfa -- It's always an interesting tension to find the right balance between simple and complicated, isn't it? Glued to the responses so far. I'm another who resonates with Jayne's "complicate my shopping to simplify my closet." After 7 or so years of building from the near-ground up, my wardrobe is far from minimalist -- I need to get better about saying goodbye to things before they wear out -- but with the exception of highly formal wear I have items I love to wear, in colors that more or less make me glow, in styles that are easy to "assemble" for work and play. SIMPLIFYING (aids in my goal of a 2-Minutes-and-Out-the-Door Closet): <ul> <li>Limited -- but still highly varied due to print mixes and "shades of" -- <a rel="nofollow" href="http://buildingacolorfullife.wordpress.com/2013/05/07/expanding-my-warm-weather-clothing-capsule-in-a-red-hot-hurry/">color palette</a></li> <li><a rel="nofollow" href="http://buildingacolorfullife.wordpress.com/2012/11/18/towards-a-closet-with-more-method-than-madness-or-making-the-most-of-my-style-personas/">Figuring out my so-called style personas</a> -- helps me evaluate new shapes/trends even if they originally seem a little out there for my primarily modern classic style</li> <li>~ 99% light metallic or skintone-blend shoes for warmer weather, many of which have gotten that way thanks to <a rel="nofollow" href="http://buildingacolorfullife.wordpress.com/2010/04/08/is-that-platinum-shoe-cream-in-your-pocket-or-are-you-just-happy-to-see-me/">DIYing with metallic etc leather shoe cream</a></li> <li>Primarily boots in my chosen dark neutral shades for cooler shades</li> <li>Lots of basic shapes in solid colors (mostly my core neutrals, but some in color-color) that make it fairly easy to create a low-key outfit or something more exciting-to-me with the addition of livelier items </li> <li>Prints that mix dark and light colors from my palette (makes it easier to transition between seasons)</li> <li>Online shopping, especially for shoes (I rarely buy shoes in-store due to selection/fit issues)</li> </ul> COMPLICATING <ul> <li>All of the above!</li> <li>Being fairly picky about fit (having to factor alterations into budget -- and make time to get to tailor)</li> <li>Choosing to do some custom projects every now and again when I cannot find what I'm craving in stores..requires shopping for fabric, finding a seamstress with time, dealing with fittings, planning for when it will hit the budget</li> <li>My hatred of mailing anything, including online returns no matter how easy a company makes it</li> </ul> Adelfa on "decision to simplify, decision to complicate" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/decision-to-simplify-decision-to-complicate#post-980728 Mon, 15 Jul 2013 14:12:56 +0000 Adelfa 980728@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Denise, that's interesting. I want to see how it goes with balancing your desire for flattery vs desire for newness. You definitely rock that trendy edge and your outfits are very flattering as well. Natalie, of course red goes with everything! I was just talking to my daughter about how even though we wear a lot of the same colors, red is an important accent for her. She loves red lipstick, red shoes, and I know would love a red bag if she had it. It was just my own personal insight that I'm not all that happy in red even though I like it and even though it's objectively a good color for me with my dark hair. And I love your riot! Jayne, I like the idea of figuring out if one wants pattern on the top or on the bottom. I used to be bottom all the way but now I do both. Unfrumped, so true about the shopping filters. I find that mine aren't as useful now that, thanks to ylf, I'm trying to be open to new colors and silhouettes. Suz, thanks for the description--that makes sense.  I've been working on a "33" per season for almost a year. This is not counting coats, tees, shoes, scarves, gear--a maximal 33! That seems to be a fairly comfortable number for me, but I have the idea that I'd love to tighten it up. Don't know yet if that's just an unrealistic aspiration! Suz on "decision to simplify, decision to complicate" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/decision-to-simplify-decision-to-complicate#post-980628 Mon, 15 Jul 2013 11:56:00 +0000 Suz 980628@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Adelfa, congratulations on meeting the pattern goal!! I have a small goal of buying a few carefully chosen pattened items this season, too, because I know that pattern adds such interest to a wardrobe, even if I have to fight myself to buy it. :-)   "Small and efficient but not minimal" -- to me, this means something like Sveta's closet, Angie's closet, or (I hope) mine. (Maybe lots of other fabbers, too -- I just don't know the contents of their closets as well.)  The ten item closet would never ever, work for me. It appeals to a part of me on a visceral level -- I dislike waste, I like structure and calm, I would love 10 carefully chosen very high quality items, I don't mind repeated items or outfits, I love a wardrobe that remixes easily, I'm love editing and purging -- I enjoy the process of streamlining.  So all those factors make a very small wardrobe extremely attractive to me. But in the end, I've found that  I can't do it. I can't do it psychologically, because while I love to repeat items and whole outfits within a season, I also love to have pretty new things -- at least a few -- every season. Also, I get extremely bored of the same silhouette worn constantly, and need to switch that up from time to time.  I can't do it practically, because my weather is so extreme, that as Joy said, it's just ridiculous to expect the clothes of one season to be wearable in its opposite. Meanwhile, I have lots of different kinds of activities, regularly, and they require different kinds of clothes. I have work-at-home wear (which is typically super casual). I have smart casual for outings in my small, mostly casual university city, and and business casual for my frequent trips to the bigger city. I do a LOT of travelling and often to different climates. I need an "appearances" capsule, which sort of crosses categories a bit, but includes some dressier clothes as well and requires a bit of trendiness (and thus, frequent updating). I need clothes to wear to the theatre and out to dinner with my husband or friends. There's gear, of course, because fitness is a big part of my life and I spend time outdoors with my daughter. And sleepwear and loungewear.  On the other hand, I equally couldn't live with a very large closet. I'd be overwhelmed. I love seeing the variety of clothes and outfits on some of our Fabbers who have large closets. But for myself, personally -- I'd be wracked with guilt that I wasn't wearing certain items enough (heck...that already happens, and when it does, I purge like mad to get rid of the evidence!!) and if there came a time when I didn't know the contents of my closet or forgot I owned this or that...well, I'd just feel really uncomfortable. Note -- that's not a judgement. I'm not saying that big wardrobes are "wrong." I don't feel that way at all. I just know a really big wardrobe is wrong for me. Too much Calvinism in my own closet! But equally, too much frivolity and attachment for the truly zen closet, I guess.  Realistically, I probably do something more like a 40-50 item closet per season. Depending what you're calling an "item" (e.g. does footwear count? do coats? Does gear?) Anyway, I am talking just about clothing. And I make my own seasons in 6 to 8 week blocks, which roughly correspond to our seasons here. And rotate items in and out of my main closet on a seasonal basis.  Note that there is overlap between seasons, and a few items are truly all-year. I have a black dress that's all year, my jeans, a few shirts. So I'm not saying that I own a total of 400 items!! In fact, there is plenty of crossover except for the coldest and hottest seasons, which almost have their own mini- capsules. But you get the idea. I do regular "weeding." So...as the temperatures heat up, the navy jacket that I worse in spring moves to the second closet, while the Zara kimono comes to take its place.  Keeping my clothing moving and only leaving what's seasonal in my closet is another way I simplify. I find it mentally jarring to see heavy wools hanging next to cool linens, so I need to do this.  But I realize that for some people, all this switching of clothes around might feel complicating!  :-)  unfrumped on "decision to simplify, decision to complicate" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/decision-to-simplify-decision-to-complicate#post-980607 Mon, 15 Jul 2013 11:04:37 +0000 unfrumped 980607@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ jayne's concept--" complicating my shopping simplifies my dressing." This has really been hitting home recently and is another great mantra for style focus. With recent editing and refocusing on certain silhouettes and colors, I can scan a store and realize, no, nothing here right now that fits the bill. And same for online. It comes back to shopping but less buying. It is enjoying the new form of complication because the accompanying area of simplicity is more valuable than the reverse. jayne on "decision to simplify, decision to complicate" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/decision-to-simplify-decision-to-complicate#post-980560 Mon, 15 Jul 2013 07:03:37 +0000 jayne 980560@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ How do I simplify?  I chose to have the core basic colors of white and navy for summer and black and greys for winter.  Then for further simplicity I have chosen that basics means bottoms and I try very hard to avoid letting there be any 'new' colors or patterns in my bottom choices.  This is a challenge as I love the new stuff just like Cocolion does.  But I remind myself that for every new fun bottom I will need a selection of tops to go with it. Then on tops, I only limit myself to my colors, being a winter, and try to avoid beige like the plague.  Sometimes that is hard because where I live there are lots of cool, fun pieces in beige and creams but this does not go with my coloring.  I feel all my rules complicates my shopping, but simplifies my dressing. goldenpig on "decision to simplify, decision to complicate" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/decision-to-simplify-decision-to-complicate#post-980554 Mon, 15 Jul 2013 06:46:35 +0000 goldenpig 980554@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Well, I disagree about the red...my new red purse goes with everything! It sure would have simplified my purse collection if I had bought it first! LOL! I always tend to want to have a more minimalist closet after seeing others post about their zen neutral streamlined closets, but I think it's just hopeless for me. I like a riot of color and pattern and more is more...and my wardrobe reflects that. I need to stop kidding myself that I can ever achieve a minimalist closet. CocoLion on "decision to simplify, decision to complicate" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/decision-to-simplify-decision-to-complicate#post-980546 Mon, 15 Jul 2013 06:21:38 +0000 CocoLion 980546@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I would like to uncomplicate my wardrobe as follows:  fewer colors, and fewer unflattering items, even if they appeal to my trendy side.  As the colors go, I am fairly clueless as to which colors work best on me.  All I know is that black near my face is quite unflattering so I am proud that I haven't purchased a black top in over a year.  The unflattering styles is another point; I'm still learning.  It's hard because when I am shopping I get overly excited by ANYTHING that feels new to me.  So something can look pretty bad but I won't see that because all I see is a new and exciting silhouette which trumps all to my eye.  Until weeks, months or a year later when I achieve some sobriety around this point. Adelfa on "decision to simplify, decision to complicate" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/decision-to-simplify-decision-to-complicate#post-980502 Mon, 15 Jul 2013 03:53:41 +0000 Adelfa 980502@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Suz, I used to wear exclusively solids... seeing your comments makes me realize that I've met my goal of adding pattern! I'm trying to get my mind around what "small and efficient but not minimal" means.... am I understanding correctly that you need different kinds of clothes for different activities and different climates so that means you have more clothes than some others might have?  Joy, that's fascinating about your journey. I have to say you look amazing in every single color you wear on the forum. Claire, I was hoping you'd weigh in! The idea of minimalism like yours appeals to me deeply.  I'm not sure I'll get there--I hope to, but if it ends up just not being me, I'll accept that! I love your last sentence: "We all have our issues and I think it's fine to just acknowledge them as perfectly reasonable preferences and then accommodate them." Anonymous on "decision to simplify, decision to complicate" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/decision-to-simplify-decision-to-complicate#post-980437 Mon, 15 Jul 2013 02:04:35 +0000 Anonymous 980437@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Well, gee, I'm flattered but I hardly have all of this figured out! It sounds like you are finding out what you like and what works for you Adelfa. I think each person finds their own desired level of simplicity when they dip down into boredom and then feel the need to complicate things a bit again-- like you mentioned --to stir things up. Calmness and serenity is great, but boredom is, well, boring! I love your color choices and it makes sense to me that you don't wear red; I totally get that! For some people, red is a neutral, but others (myself included) find it a bit bossy in the closet. Keeping your metals separate is another preference you have; I believe Angie does this as well. It's good that you know what you like, and you're not trying to force yourself to mix your metals if that would truly bother you.  I have the same issues with black & brown, white & cream and navy & black. I had a cream silk blouse (the shiny one, that I tried to dye and ended up donating) that I kept trying to make work with my white clams. I really wanted to try that column of white thing. I tried bridging them with a brown belt and tan sandals but nothing looked more in-congruent to my eye than white denim (sporty) and shiny cream silk (dressy). Even though I'm sure Angie could have made them work together. It would have really, really bothered me (on a profound psychological level, lol) to leave the house in that outfit. It didn't match, for crying out loud! I can kind of sneak a mismatch past my subconscious if one of the colors is only hinted at in a print and the other plays it's role as the solid. But only just. We all have our issues and I think it's fine to just acknowledge them as perfectly reasonable preferences and then accommodate them.  Anonymous on "decision to simplify, decision to complicate" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/decision-to-simplify-decision-to-complicate#post-980428 Mon, 15 Jul 2013 01:56:13 +0000 Anonymous 980428@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ When I began building a new wardrobe after losing weight, I tried to simplify my colors but I have completely lost control of that. I was going to stick to off white as my light neutral, but can't give up brighter whites, light shades of gray, taupe, denim/chambray, blush/nude, and even some flattering shades do beige. My dark neutral was going to be black because it was easy, but I can't resist charcoal, chocolate, and navy, all which I can wear well. Then there are metallics and metals. I wear both silver and gold and don't mind mixing some if it is not blatant. However I feel better if bag hardwear matches metallic shoes, etc. I really need to make peace with wearing pewter shoes with a bag with lots of gold hardwear. I' e also given up on narrowing colors, although I hope to do this somewhat by season. To simplify, I'm careful about prints and now only let certain ones into the closet. It will take time, but I'm aiming for only prints I love and are low contrast. I had planned to try for mostly year round weights in fabrics, but bitter cold weeks when only wool feels good and really oppressive summer heat when only the lightest fabric is tolerable changed that. It can vary by year too. Last year was on the mild side, so I wore booties less than tall boots, for example. This coming winter could be much colder. ETA: I stick to heels 2" and lower, but not completely flat and only pants that are no wider than straight, simplifying PPL. Buying only tops that have a high neckline or come into contact with my neck rules out lots of them when shopping, although I still have older tops, especially summer, that break this rule. Sticking to warmer reds and corals rather than blue reds. Your plan is wonderful and I'll be following with interest. Suz on "decision to simplify, decision to complicate" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/decision-to-simplify-decision-to-complicate#post-980418 Mon, 15 Jul 2013 01:46:50 +0000 Suz 980418@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Love your colours! They look so tempting laid out like that.  Seeing the array, I realize that in addition to limiting my colour palette to a degree, I also simplify by focusing largely on solids. I do like patterns and I have some -- perhaps not quite enough, in fact! But solids tend to feel calmer to me. (In winter I'll add pattern with a scarf which I also need for warmth.) I love the idea of a minimal wardrobe, but I like Anna, I've learned that it isn't really applicable to my life. Some of our members who have super minimalist wardrobes wear uniforms for work (like Raisin). Others, like Claire, have a fairly limited set of activities, most of which require the same kinds of clothes, and live in a climate where the seasons are less extreme. (Or where some of the seasons are less extreme. I don't think anybody would really call an Arizona summer "temperate!")  I've realized that my life requires a small and efficient but not minimal closet. I need different kinds of clothes for my different capsules, and with that being true, I must at times "complicate."  It's also interesting to consider the role that our temperaments play in all this. For example, it never even occurred to me that wearing both silver and gold could be "complicating." It doesn't feel like a complication at all to me, I cheerfully wear both, and rose gold, too. (Though I admit I have some limits with metal mixing, too...some feels okay and some does not.)  Nor does a wardrobe that includes both cream and white feel complicated to me. Not only would I wear them both, I'd wear them together, LOL.  Yet I'm sure there are many combinations that would feel "complicated" or "chaotic" to me -- that would feel perfectly fine to others. Lots of pattern being one of them, probably, LOL!!  I also think that by inviting certain complications into our wardrobes we can evolve our styles.  Adelfa on "decision to simplify, decision to complicate" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/decision-to-simplify-decision-to-complicate#post-980413 Mon, 15 Jul 2013 01:42:27 +0000 Adelfa 980413@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Marlene, unfrumped and Shevia:  ah yes, brown and black! I used to have separate brown and black wardrobes. I've whittled down to mostly black, with the occasional brown leather piece (boot, belt, jacket) that plays well with the rest of my wardrobe, including black. Anna, I think the fact that you have well-defined capsules is a simplifying choice! It's actually so easy to buy a cute item that doesn't work with anything, either with other pieces or with one's actual life! It sounds like you're making each purchase serve a purpose.