https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/essential-or-obsession Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Tue, 14 Apr 2026 20:14:14 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/essential-or-obsession/page/2#post-1829753 Wed, 26 Jul 2017 16:18:09 +0000 Stagiaire Fash 1829753@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Angie, thanks for weighing in. I've been blowing up the forum while you're at the iNASanity, as I affectionately call it. Your lieutenants have been quite helpful. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/essential-or-obsession/page/2#post-1829694 Wed, 26 Jul 2017 14:07:38 +0000 Christina F. 1829694@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I'm a blue addict myself. I don't have as many blue dresses, but if you look at my wardrobe as a whole, blues and greens are the dominant colors. As Angie says above, I've accepted it as part of&nbsp; my signature style.</p> <p>I especially like the 5th dress you modeled in the first batch. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/essential-or-obsession#post-1829659 Wed, 26 Jul 2017 12:57:23 +0000 Angie 1829659@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Blue frocks could be part of your signature style.&nbsp;</p> <p>I like the first batch of dresses that you modeled. You can pass on the ones in the second batch. To my eye, none of them do you justice. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/essential-or-obsession#post-1829625 Wed, 26 Jul 2017 10:44:34 +0000 Tammyb 1829625@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>You rock them all. Since you are a dress person keep them all. They are all unique in some way. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/essential-or-obsession#post-1829615 Wed, 26 Jul 2017 10:30:33 +0000 Jenni NZ 1829615@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Have you actually counted your wardrobe numbers Fashiontern? I found that quite instructive. I counted main clothing items like tops, pants, shorts, skirts, jackets, coats, dresses and shoes. I didn't count handbags as only have 2 in regular use, or scarves, gloves, and hats, or togs ( swimwear). Essentially I counted what I would be most likely to be tempted to buy in shops. It was quite helpful. I found that putting a number ( getting on for 200) to the amount shocked me and is helping me to cull slowly ( as somewhat of a hoarder, maybe like you?) and not to buy more indiscriminately.<br /> I don't think the second lot of dresses does much to make you look good compared with the first blue lot. If you seriously have "a crapload" then either donate them( which has its own issues, from my reading) or just wear them heaps this summer so they can go into rag bags afterwards? I know myself I have a cool cotton swing dress which is a bit short and not that flattering on my 56 y old body but boy is it comfy on hot summer weekend or holiday days, so I wear it then. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/essential-or-obsession#post-1829445 Tue, 25 Jul 2017 23:59:26 +0000 Stagiaire Fash 1829445@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>That sheath dress is particularly similar irl </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/essential-or-obsession#post-1829348 Tue, 25 Jul 2017 19:45:44 +0000 Firecracker (Sharan) 1829348@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Ah, interesting! That top looks (on my monitor) closest to dresses 3 and 6 in your original batch. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/essential-or-obsession#post-1829284 Tue, 25 Jul 2017 16:40:45 +0000 Stagiaire Fash 1829284@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Firecracker, it's a range of blues, but they start dead center (don't they?) and head towards indigo, none of them in the direction of teal/green. My very favorite is this linen top, sadly misshapen by a center post washing machine. I hang onto it in hopes of a magical reshaping cure. </p> <p>Sal, my wardrobe is nearly all natural fiber, including a LOT of cotton. I gave up wool while still living up north, because I got tired of itchy eyes and tickly, runny nose. I think wool for all seasons is ok, but many sweaters that don't seem fuzzy have bothered me. And, like I said; I vastly prefer the feel of natural fibers. I don't do acrylics, polyester, etc tyvm. </p> <p>Meredith and Firecracker, thanks. I tend to forget that I'm not the first person ever to go through things. </p> <p>I'm going to try to be less angsty and write shorter posts, leaving out the play by play on each item, closer to "batch one: nice dresses that can be styled fashionably (except for #6). Batch two: the kind of stuff I actually wear on the regular but could never wear in an office (should include #6). What does it show me about what I like?" </p> <p>I'll keep reading--was just distracted by a couple of "next posts" on Angie's posts on finding your style. Part of me feels like that intern in cerulean blue, discovering that the things I've liked and "just happened to pick up" over the last few years actually fall right along with trends, more than I thought. I'm also learning stuff about what I don't like: wearing anything asymmetrical gives me a headache, because I contort myself to try to even it out. Turns out there's a reason for uneven hemlines--they draw the eye up, creating movement and verticality. Makes sense to me, even if I still don't want to wear them. </p> <p>And I just said I was going to keep things short. Ha! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/essential-or-obsession#post-1829173 Tue, 25 Jul 2017 11:58:00 +0000 Meredith 1829173@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thanks for responding and keep pushing forward! I hope you know we all love these types of posts and enjoy seeing people work through this process. Don't worry about wasting our time. I agree with Rachey's assessment of the blue dresses. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/essential-or-obsession#post-1829081 Tue, 25 Jul 2017 04:01:09 +0000 Firecracker (Sharan) 1829081@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Well, this is quite an undertaking, and it looks familiar. I am one who waits too long between closet edits and then finds it overwhelming. Kudos to you for taking the plunge! I think going through the pieces and seeing which ones you really like or don't--and why--can help clarify your thoughts about your style. And while you are trying to define your style, it's going to be hard to really edit, because you don't exactly know where you're headed yet. So I wouldn't worry too much about the edit, and try to enjoy the process of examining and pondering what you have. <br />I like your thought here:<br />&nbsp;<i>Keep going, but slow down a bit, read and think, don't try to do it all at once. <br /></i>On the dresses you've shown, I think the second group can all go. They look like holdovers from an earlier time. In the first group, I will note that you have kind of a range of blues there. Going forward, you might try to think about which shades of blue you like best, and try to build on those, so that you have more mix-and-match opportunities in your wardrobe as you go. <i><br /></i></p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/essential-or-obsession#post-1829065 Tue, 25 Jul 2017 03:25:34 +0000 Stagiaire Fash 1829065@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thanks shiny! Nice to meet you. I'm fairly new around these parts. If you look at the "about" for my blog, you'll see that I've done some fantasy shopping, planning a great escape from the southern duldrums where I live back to somewhere with 4 seasons and hills and the kind of work I want to do. These are only the blue dresses, probably about half what I have in my closet, or a little more. Suz and La Pedestrienne and Rachylou and some others have been very helpful in explaining me why defining your style matters, and getting me started on it. (That conversation is in my post called Analyzing an Outfit). The angst in the exchange I just had with Meredith comes from this whole question of whether this is my life or if a change is coming soon enough to plan for it. But I need to cull this herd in any event. </p> <p>Back to brass tacks, or underthings about that comfortable. You know I was wearing one in the first set of photos, right? I know I need to get fitted/sized, but I didn't think what I had was that bad. But yes, *sigh* the top of the dress Rachylou says is too big might work better if things are uplifted a bit. </p> <p>Funny that my friend's comment about a sous-vide and a water carbonator works so well for wardrobes, isn't it? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/essential-or-obsession#post-1829056 Tue, 25 Jul 2017 03:09:27 +0000 Sal 1829056@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>We are not all wardrobe minimalists. &nbsp;In fact being one can mean just that you have the means to buy something new if needed so it is a very "middle class" thing. &nbsp;Once you own clothing, unless it is very good quality, labels etc it is not worth anything to sell. &nbsp;Getting rid of it is only worthwhile if it is holding you back mentally or cluttering your space or if you consciously want to move your style. &nbsp;So if you like, wear, fit and can store these dresses you should do so. &nbsp;However there does seem some duplication and I am sure there are some you prefer to others.</p> <p>I also don't &nbsp;"get dressed" seven days a week - I work from home and attend lots of very casual events. &nbsp;I live in a casual place too. &nbsp;Hot Florida weather adds it's own flavour too.</p> <p>Here is my opinion on the dresses:<br />First batch - I like 2 3 5 the best. &nbsp;3 is my most favourite. &nbsp;I would pass on 1, I find it a little too fussy. &nbsp;I like 6 too but the photo is not as clear.</p> <p>Second batch - I think you can pass them on. &nbsp;I actually like 2 the best but I think 6 from the first batch fits the need better. &nbsp;I cannot see the fabrics but if any of the first batch are knit or cotton I would just wear them casually and enjoy them because they look great. &nbsp;Don't save them too much!!</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/essential-or-obsession#post-1829053 Tue, 25 Jul 2017 03:03:23 +0000 shiny 1829053@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I must've missed your earlier posts, I am a long-time poster but I pop in and out these days. Nice to meet you!</p> <p>I don't think you have too many dresses. But I may be an enabler. </p> <p>As to color, if it works, it works. I've found lately I'm decluttering out the brighter dresses, the kind that works if I travel to the south, but makes me feel like a flashy bird or something, when in my natural habitat. </p> <p>I am a soft summer and murky blue-based shades work best for me. My dresses that have made it past the culling look similar, except with more black and grey too, since I'm in Boston and black is practically a uniform here. And yeah I have a lot more with sleeves, and in sweater weights, because Boston. And snow.</p> <p>I chuckled the most about your friend's comment regarding taking to the retirement home. We recently made a move to the "next phase" -- the period between now and retirement home. To a town which is much more casual, though it's still in the city. So my wardrobe is changing as a result. And my MIL is in a retirement home, and my parents probably will be soon. I can tell you that does influence me a bit, as I can see that comfy fabrics with elastic and that are highly washable are in the future eventually, and yes I'm gravitating towards that more in more... but it's still a decade or two off for me, and such clothes won't last that long.</p> <p>May I kindly and gently suggest that a bra may help? I know. I don't like them either. &nbsp;But we get older. And a bra will center, er, things higher, and make the garment fall better. But if you don't want to wear them at home, well I have dresses that can work with or without a bra, I put the bra on when I leave the house, strip it off when I get home. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/essential-or-obsession#post-1829051 Tue, 25 Jul 2017 02:59:25 +0000 Stagiaire Fash 1829051@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Meredith, I absolutely want to be honest with people! I'd hate to waste your time (or mine)</p> <p>Let me sort through some things here:</p> <p>Reading the defining your style threads feels really good, like I'm in control of this thing. Saying I don't usually feel that way about fashion is an understatement. </p> <p>Your admission that WuW many days is not post-able is reassuring.</p> <p>I am not so worried about my presentation here in suburbia as I am if I'm invited to speak somewhere or if I get a grant or a job offer. In those cases, I'll need to project vitality (which comes naturally) and being pulled together (which does not).</p> <p>I really enjoyed the "shop my closet" aspect of choosing shoes and a wrap I already own over new for that wedding. That's a phrase I've heard a lot, but I never understood it like this before.</p> <p>I have too much stuff, a crapload of stuff; a lot of it needs to go. It only makes sense to do have guidelines, so I don't wind up with an closet orphanage.</p> <p>I am learning a lot from other people's comments on my posts--way more than I thought possible, in directions that are new for me. The articles and threads are also surprising me with ways to think that I haven't considered before. I love that. </p> <p>Having spent a couple years thinking through home style, without making any major purchases, I feel much better about being ready to pull a home together quickly if we move; working through my wardrobe systematically could do the same thing for me sartorially.</p> <p>I appreciate other people's eyes on my photos. It's easier for other people to "see" my figure and what works or doesn't, and you all are much better at noticing details that go right past me, like on the blue and peach colored tops (but I'll learn). </p> <p>I think what adds up to is yes, keep going, but take it step by step. After I read about 1 neutral and 1 basic color, my blue dresses kept popping out at me. At first I thought I'd pull a few together for a laugh at myself, but that turned into a productive exercise. As I was getting pumped doing it today, I was thinking ahead, wondering if I should do blue tops and bottoms next, or all the black pieces. Or maybe all these dang white, ivory, cream and sand colored collared blouses. Or the blazers and other toppers that i can't figure out heads or tails of. And then my energy ebbed in late afternoon and I thought "what am I doing this for? I have no life. It doesn't matter what I wear to take my kid to school" and I wrote that comment.<br /> So that's where I am. I hope I'll get some more good responses on this batch of blues. I'm going to read some more, don't know what my next post will be. I think that's the way to proceed. Keep going, but slow down a bit, read and think, don't try to do it all at once. </p> <p>And don't try people's patience by making them think I'm playing. I'm not. This is actually more tiring than I had realized. Not physically, but there seems to be a lot of energy tied up in my clothing and my body.</p> <p>Thanks for your frank comment. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/essential-or-obsession#post-1829040 Tue, 25 Jul 2017 02:45:28 +0000 rachylou 1829040@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>First set, they are all nice, although I don't really like the tiered one or the ombré.</p> <p>The second set - the last seems too big, although I think the longer length is very *now*. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/essential-or-obsession#post-1828987 Tue, 25 Jul 2017 01:05:15 +0000 Meredith 1828987@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Responding to your last comment here: "I'm wondering just how far I want to go with the fashion and the closet clean out. " I think this is something you need to decide and be clear on-with yourself and all of us here on the forum. The last thing any of us want is to tell you to to ditch perfectly serviceable clothes if you don't have the desire or the means to replace them. Sure, we can tell you if something could be longer or more "this or that." You're the one that needs to decide if this is all academic or if you plan to take action. </p> <p>I don't think it is heresy to suggest style isn't always your utmost priority. I actually wear jeans and a T a couple days a week and skimping on the cost of those outfits allows me to splurge elsewhere. I think you'll find we all have quite different strategies to balance the desire to update our closets with our respective budgets, feelings about wardrobe churn, etc.</p> <p>I like 2 and 3 of the last photos you posted. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/essential-or-obsession#post-1828983 Tue, 25 Jul 2017 00:48:03 +0000 Stagiaire Fash 1828983@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Caution: possible heresy ahead. Proceed with care. </p> <p>I'm wondering just how far I want to go with the fashion and the closet clean out. I have nice things and I could conceivably wear them. I occasionally pull on something nice to go to a restaurant or show. But most days, I don't go to a restaurant or a show, and I'm more likely to be at Super Target than at the glitzy mall. There might be someone picking up a gallon of milk on their way home who has office clothes on, but that's not the same as styling my outfit for a grocery/drug store run. Most of the time, this is how I frump around town. Still in blue or maybe purple dresses, but not really unfashionable because what I have on is fairly unrelated to fashion.<br /> This is what I do wear now.<br /> I don't know if it's what i want to wear or not.<br /> I don't know if I'll want to take these these with me if I hit that big life change and we move. </p> <p>Nearly-anon people of the Internet, what say you? </p> <p>Want to play a matching game? As I said in my last post, the floral Patagonia dress and the stripey blue dress are on their way out. There are two dresses here that I've just dug out of cold storage. For A, I need "underpinnings" &amp;/or a tighter body, but I'm shocked that it looks even as acceptable as it does. I'm pleased as punch at how B fits, thought it could maybe be a tunic, but think it works alone. I actually don't wear C past the garage much these days, unless we are staying in a hotel; I toss it on to run to the ice maker or to get milk from the restaurant for coffee I'm making in the room. D one caught my eye as I walked into Hollister with my son, because it has that built-in support I like. Can you match the number of the picture to the letter of the description? And seriously, should I burn these? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/essential-or-obsession#post-1828967 Tue, 25 Jul 2017 00:05:10 +0000 Stagiaire Fash 1828967@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Sterling, I'm trying to get to know people as I chat with them, so I just clicked through to your page. Interesting that as I'm discovering sheath dresses,you've just jettisoned them--but still like this one (#3) on me. I don't know know what to say about that but that it's interesting </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/essential-or-obsession#post-1828960 Mon, 24 Jul 2017 23:48:46 +0000 Stagiaire Fash 1828960@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Sterling, that's so sweet of you! Thanks! They're pretty special, aren't they? </p> <p>On the dresses: I expect ageism will be something I'll have to deal with going back to work. Looking good won't end it, but maybe it could help. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/essential-or-obsession#post-1828932 Mon, 24 Jul 2017 22:48:49 +0000 Anonymous 1828932@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Your son AND Rachylou made me smile today. &nbsp;</p> <p>Forgive me for not having read every comment, but I wanted to say you are gorgeous in your dresses (especially numbers 3,4, and 5). The WOW factor is off the charts. &nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/essential-or-obsession#post-1828784 Mon, 24 Jul 2017 18:38:05 +0000 Stagiaire Fash 1828784@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Almost missed Jenn's last question: I rarely have difficulty deciding what to wear. If I do it's because I can't find the thing I want or it's loose in a way that doesn't look right. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/essential-or-obsession#post-1828781 Mon, 24 Jul 2017 18:34:45 +0000 Stagiaire Fash 1828781@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I wear dresses more than anything else, have recently tried to wear more shorts, but I allow myself to cheat a little with some short skirts instead of shorts. </p> <p>Storage isn't so much the issue as "would it be worth taking with us". I have a friend who's a bit older than me who says she evaluates all potential purchases for the likelihood she'd take it with her to the nursing home. I'm trying to go through all our stuff deciding what I'd take with me if we move. Making me smile is one part of that. Some things, like my bedroom furniture, obviously don't get tossed immediately just because I wouldn't take them, but will not come with us then. I'm glad to be making these choices now. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/essential-or-obsession#post-1828780 Mon, 24 Jul 2017 18:24:08 +0000 Stagiaire Fash 1828780@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>This took a while because my son, agreeing with Rachylou's grandma a bit too much, came in to say he wants his old mama back and I shouldn't be asking strangers on the internet for permission to wear what I want, so we needed to have a talk. </p> <p>The floral dress is one I wore a lot a year ago. It used to be just perfect to run around in and feel good, if not fashionable (there's a little bead necklace my sunshine made for me in fourth grade that happens to go with it well) It is too big now The blue stripey one would take its place &amp; La Pedestrienne and I could be "twins", but the fabric is not as cool, and it's starting to get a little large too. It's almost on the way out, but I really like tops that don't require a bra! I'm just a B, so don't need a lot of support. These things are not the most fashionable, but they are so practical! </p> <p>The fluttery dress is clearly not something I'm going to wear in the next 30 days just 'cause. I bought it &amp; another one for my parents' anniversary a few years ago (while my weight was on its way up). I wore the other one, never returned this one. I wanted to wear it once last fall, but it was snug. Now it feels much better on. It came with a wrap that I wore for the wedding a week ago.<br /> No way am I wearing a sweater dress with sleeves for the next couple months, but I like it and can see wearing it now and in that fantasy future life. (Hurts to call it "fantasy". I should go do something to move me towards actually getting there).<br /> The Lands End 4 season wool, I love, even though I have no occasion for it here, even in winter.<br /> The bright blue fit n flare in my "finds" is a little different than this one, because I can no longer find this one on line. I wore it to my son's BB game at the Y and then out to dinner with him at an Indian restaurant earlier this summer. Too small when I got it, a little roomy now, but not crazy big.<br /> The ombré dress was bought too small, has never been worn. It fits &amp; I could probably find reason to wear it this fall, if I force it.<br /> The 3/4 sleeve dress has never been worn either. As with the ombré, I could make myself wear it, but wouldn't put it on in this suburban life otherwise. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/essential-or-obsession#post-1828778 Mon, 24 Jul 2017 18:19:51 +0000 cindysmith 1828778@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>There is no such thing as too much of a good thing. If you wear them, keep them. If you think you'll wear them, keep them for 6 months and see if they actually get worn; if not then move them along. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/essential-or-obsession#post-1828773 Mon, 24 Jul 2017 17:58:37 +0000 Jenn 1828773@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I guess the question is, realistically, how often do you wear your dresses? You live in a warm climate, and I know I wear dresses quite often in the summer months, because they're an easy, cool alternative for hot days. So ask yourself:</p> <p>Do they fit?<br />Are they in good condition?<br />Do you wear all these regularly?<br />Do you need certain dresses for certain occasions, even if you don't wear them regularly?<br />Do you have storage space?<br />Does having this many options contribute to choice paralysis, making it harder for you to get dressed in the morning?</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/essential-or-obsession#post-1828769 Mon, 24 Jul 2017 17:14:45 +0000 rachylou 1828769@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Hahaha! I was not aware of this scandal. As my grandma would say, some people need to get off the Internets and cook dinner for their husband and children. Lol. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/essential-or-obsession#post-1828768 Mon, 24 Jul 2017 17:08:34 +0000 LaPed 1828768@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>This is a really nice colour palette. You could build a whole wardrobe around the colours in these dresses and it would look super.&nbsp;</p> <p>Also, I know several forum members have done "wear my dresses" challenges. For many, it can be easy to skip over dresses, even casual ones, in favour of pants -- maybe setting a goal/challenge for yourself could help get these into rotation. Wear one or two per week 'til you've gotten through all of them, and that could give you an idea of which ones are keepers and which ones aren't.</p> <p>BTW -- I do the same thing with stripes that you do with blue. I can't say no to stripes. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/essential-or-obsession#post-1828763 Mon, 24 Jul 2017 17:02:13 +0000 rachylou 1828763@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>The second from the right end </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/essential-or-obsession#post-1828762 Mon, 24 Jul 2017 17:01:11 +0000 Stagiaire Fash 1828762@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Burgandy? The sweater dress near the end or the jumper in the middle?</p> <p>If you google "Obama arms", or "armgate" I'm sure you'll get plenty of info on the "scandal". </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/essential-or-obsession#post-1828758 Mon, 24 Jul 2017 16:54:41 +0000 rachylou 1828758@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Go for the actual blue and navy dresses - let's see the pics! :)</p> <p>Although, after that you MUST model the burgundy one.</p> <p>Was there a hoopla about MO's arms? Did she try to show them to Pope Benedict or something? Lol. (I'm sure Pope Francis wouldn't care...) </p>