YouLookFab Forum » Topic: Five silhouette rotation?

YouLookFab Forum » Topic: Five silhouette rotation? https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/five-silhouette-rotation Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Tue, 14 Apr 2026 23:51:01 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 <![CDATA[Search]]> q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php Lisa on "Five silhouette rotation?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/five-silhouette-rotation/page/2#post-1401862 Mon, 24 Nov 2014 14:59:07 +0000 Lisa 1401862@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ A great plan to ensure variety during a long season.  I switch from bootcuts and short boots to skinnies and tall boots to maintain variety with my winter looks. Karie on "Five silhouette rotation?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/five-silhouette-rotation/page/2#post-1401407 Sun, 23 Nov 2014 14:04:25 +0000 Karie 1401407@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I'm late to this party, but here are mine and I've broken them up into work and non-work (play) outfits. Skinnies/slim fit pants, sweater/tunic, boots/shoes (work/play)  Pencil skirt, blouse/sweater, tights/stockings, boots/shoes (work) Tube skirt, sweater/fluid top, stockings, shoes (until temps dip below 32F (work) Loose fitting pants, flowy top/sweater, shoes/booties (play) Blazer with anything (work/play) Jeans, sweater/top, boots/shoes (play) This was not as easy as I thought it would be! I had a hard time coming up with different silhouettes for work. I will wear my tube skirts in winter until temps dip below freezing as I work in an extremely warm 100+ year old school building. Once they turn the heat on, it's like a sauna in my room. I also have no winter dresses. Dresses are very hard for me as the waist is always off, and when wearing tunic style dresses I look like 5 lbs. of potatoes in a 10 lb. sack. A great challenge! catgirl on "Five silhouette rotation?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/five-silhouette-rotation/page/2#post-1396226 Thu, 13 Nov 2014 18:16:57 +0000 catgirl 1396226@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Some seriously amazing insights here! Getting ideas for other silhouettes and approaches to varying it up. Staysfit, I had to purge a bunch of sweaters that were bleh but felt necessary for some unknown reason. If Mo were here she could break down the numbers for me, but with 20 weeks of winter, in theory I only need 20 variations on each silhouette - NOT 20 different items for each! So I need MUCH LESS than I think, unless I end up favoring one silhouette a lot more... Need to come back and reread when I have more time - so much to digest here. unfrumped on "Five silhouette rotation?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/five-silhouette-rotation/page/2#post-1396139 Thu, 13 Nov 2014 16:11:46 +0000 unfrumped 1396139@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ The weather influences my silhouette rotation even within season, of course. For example, I might brave the skirt & tights look at certain temp range and then huddle into wool pants and boots. Plus there are some work type variations that make some items more appropriate. So to "make hay", I might want to wear a pencil skirt 2 or even more days in one week and then none for a couple, or wooly trousers 5 days in a row. That does make me think about whether the outfits look so alike that they're a blur, or whether color, pattern and footwear really can make a difference even if the silhouette is the same. It makes me think about duplicating vs not, and whether each item earns its keep or just is more monotony. Carole on "Five silhouette rotation?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/five-silhouette-rotation/page/2#post-1396121 Thu, 13 Nov 2014 15:48:16 +0000 Carole 1396121@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ We'll, this sounds like a great idea, Una! I get super bored, too, especially when I could wear skinnies, boots and some sort of top and outer layer everyday and no one would even notice it was the same silhouette. At least working outside the home allowed for some variety. I'm going to follow closely and see where this goes! Suz on "Five silhouette rotation?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/five-silhouette-rotation/page/2#post-1396090 Thu, 13 Nov 2014 15:05:06 +0000 Suz 1396090@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Hahah, Elizabeth, you forced me to get out of my bathrobe, LOL!!  I just typed a whole new SPIN OFF thread on this one and wasn't signed in so lost the whole post. I will try to get back to this later.  sarah on "Five silhouette rotation?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/five-silhouette-rotation/page/2#post-1396059 Thu, 13 Nov 2014 14:41:47 +0000 sarah 1396059@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ This is a very wise approach I think. I know exactly what you mean about getting bored with silhouettes. I only have six, and they are all quite similar, really, since I don't like wearing skirts or dresses in winter (too cold): trousers + pullover + booties + scarf or belt trousers + jacket + button-down/layering sweater + belt or scarf skinnies + oversized sweater + scarf + booties or boots skinnies + shirt layered under pullover BF jeans + pullover sweater + belt + booties BF jeans + jacket + layering sweater + belt Elizabeth P on "Five silhouette rotation?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/five-silhouette-rotation/page/2#post-1396037 Thu, 13 Nov 2014 14:16:33 +0000 Elizabeth P 1396037@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ One thing I find really interesting about this is that so many of you (fabbers, not necessarily the ones commenting on this thread) complained about summer dressing, and found it difficult, and couldn’t wait to get back to fall/winter when you could more easily play with layering, and toppers.  Yet here we are, with limited silhouettes… bored…  Funny bunch aren’t we?   Now Suz… go ahead and add that pajama pants and a fleece top silhouette… I KNOW YOU WANT TO!  Admit you’re human under all that fabness :)    I think this is a great idea, and was actually thinking of doing something similar.  Finding the time to actually THINK about it is my problem.  I decide I need to expand upon a certain silhouette and go about expanding, without taking the time to see if I really do!  Both from a “need” and “does it work” perspective.  I find that I default, especially when I’m tired, to the same pair of black pants and a comfy sweater.  Gee, guess what I’m wearing today….   I do have a number of silhouettes for work: Sheath dress with shirt/tee and boots/booties (not worn often) Pencil skirt with sweater and boots/booties (also not worn often) Skinnies or slim pants with tunic/long cardigan or oversized topper.  Boots or pumps Skinnies or slim pants with a sweater, boots or pumps Straight leg trousers with sweater/cardigan (sometimes with layered shirt, sometimes with tee) Straight leg trousers with semi-tucked blouse. Wildcards:  culottes.  Wrap dress? And I’m pretty sure this isn’t it… no time right now to go through pics to  evaluate further, but I will! Yeesh, no wonder I have a hard time deciding what to wear. I also tend to dress based on the weather and temperature.  I’m terrible at deciding the night before… it seems whenever I try, my mood or the weather has changed.  Or both.  But a challenge like this might stop me defaulting to my BFFBO too often. Viva posted while I was typing this out… I like her approach, and I think something similar will work for me.  Thanks Una!  Once again, great thread. Alassë on "Five silhouette rotation?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/five-silhouette-rotation/page/2#post-1396034 Thu, 13 Nov 2014 14:05:17 +0000 Alassë 1396034@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Now I feel over-abundant in silhouettes. I have 8 summer, 12 spring/fall, and 8 winter: 1. A-line skirt (summer, spring/fall, winter) 2. Full skirt (summer, spring/fall, winter) 3. Full ruffled skirt (summer, spring/fall) 4. Pencil skirt (summer, spring/fall, winter) 5. Split skirt (spring/fall, winter) 6. Maxi skirt (summer, spring/fall, winter) 7. Dress (summer, spring/fall) 8. Knee-length shorts (summer, spring/fall) 9. Shorter shorts (summer, spring/fall) 10. Trouser-style denim + corduroys (spring/fall, winter) 11. Bootcut corduroys (spring/fall, winter) 12. Wildcard silhouettes (spring/fall, winter) unfrumped on "Five silhouette rotation?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/five-silhouette-rotation/page/2#post-1395997 Thu, 13 Nov 2014 12:51:42 +0000 unfrumped 1395997@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I think it's logical that an at- home winter rotation is more limited at the basic level because you've got to cover up and also you're just not going to forego the comfort or washability in order to wear things you might wear " out". So you have to get into tweaking silhouettes- them you might also have to consider JFE. So, tweaks might be poncho ( over something) or true oversized sweater; various vest options; wool culottes instead of skirt; I'd certainly utilize sporty luxe and mix in selected " gear" mainly because some of it offers performance fabrics great for warmth/ comfort. And embellishment. Maybe the analyses do reveal a need for more color or color surprises after all. viva on "Five silhouette rotation?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/five-silhouette-rotation/page/2#post-1395990 Thu, 13 Nov 2014 12:41:35 +0000 viva 1395990@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ This is so interesting. Una, as usual, I so appreciate the push to think differently. What I love about your silhouette-based plan is that it is or can be designed to make more use of specific items that have been left behind (like your blazers). That is so smart. Your particular silhouettes make sense to me and reflect such a nice variety that you won't get bored and you will be likely to use more of your fabulous clothing. I have a really hard time analyzing my wardrobe while at my computer -- I don't know how you do it; my brain is already on five different things -- but anyway, you have inspired me to try the following. 1 - next week post a WIW each day (of the five working days) 2 - consciously try for a different silhouette each day 3 - make note of the silhouettes, the ease / difficulty of putting them together 4 - see what it all means I must be an experiential learner. unfrumped on "Five silhouette rotation?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/five-silhouette-rotation/page/2#post-1395984 Thu, 13 Nov 2014 12:26:55 +0000 unfrumped 1395984@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I think it's logical that an at- home winter rotation is more limited at the basic level because you've got to cover up and also you're just not going to forego the comfort or washability in order to wear things you might wear " out". So you have to get into tweaking silhouettes- them you might also have to consider JFE. So, tweaks might be poncho ( over something) or true oversized sweater; various vest options; wool culottes instead of skirt; I'd certainly utilize sporty luxe and mix in selected " gear" mainly because some of it offers performance fabrics great for warmth/ comfort. And embellishment. Maybe the analyses do reveal a need for more color or color surprises after all. Neel on "Five silhouette rotation?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/five-silhouette-rotation/page/2#post-1395982 Thu, 13 Nov 2014 12:23:50 +0000 Neel 1395982@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ This is very interesting! Unlike Suz, I crave variety in form of colors, material, pattern, texture. That also explains why I am a chronic duplicator! If I love a shape or silhouette I would buy it in all the colors of the rainbow (OK my flattering colors!)! I also seem to find solace in repeating silhouettes that I love. I would be very interested in seeing your weekly outfits Una! And to learn from your learnings. Suz - I would think of BFs and slouchy track pants as two very different outfits even if they are similar in silhouette. The vibes are diferent ... One is casual ... The other is sporty. Do you think you could come up with 5 different vibes of outfits instead of silhouettes? For eg. Everyday Casual, Sporty Casual, Biker Chic, Ladylike Tomboy, Preppy Casual, Trendy Chic etc? Staysfit on "Five silhouette rotation?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/five-silhouette-rotation/page/2#post-1395980 Thu, 13 Nov 2014 12:13:13 +0000 Staysfit 1395980@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ As a winter weather dweller who gets quickly bored with my clothes, I have enjoyed this post! I am also becoming anxious because this may be the source of my previously huge sweater collection, which is now much reduced due to my massive closet purge after I found out my colors were not working well for me. I think my winter silhouettes are: 1. Straight leg jeans, long sleeve sweater or blouse, boots/booties or shoes 2. Skinny jeans, tunic length sweater or blouse, boots/booties or shoes 3. Pencil skirt, fluid blouse, tights, boots/booties or shoes 4. Sheath dress, tights, boots/booties or shoes 5. ? (Maybe statement outfit) Four silhouettes unless I separate sweaters from blouses, and go even further and separate my blouses into fluid silk vs. cotton button down. I am not sure that really changes the silhouette, it only provides variety within the silhouette, and it may dress it up or make it more casual. I can do the same by substituting a pair of straight leg slacks for the jeans, etc. In the past I had quantity for variety. I am trying to get away from that. I really need to think on this. Perhaps dressing up a few days of the week? Perhaps experimenting and finding a new silhouette? Maybe I missed one, so I need to go back and look at my outfit pis to see. Eliza on "Five silhouette rotation?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/five-silhouette-rotation/page/2#post-1395977 Thu, 13 Nov 2014 11:47:39 +0000 Eliza 1395977@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Una- you will solve the world 's problems walking the dog ! My first thought was "way to turn winter into summer" from the standpoint of wardrobe variety. Then I read Suz's list of options for both seasons and realize how we all get into cold weather ruts so easily, just due to climate pragmatism. I think you are on to something and may have found a way out of the box. I don't wear skirts and dresses in the winter except for events, so I have a lot of thinking to do! Thanks for the nudge . gryffin on "Five silhouette rotation?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/five-silhouette-rotation/page/2#post-1395971 Thu, 13 Nov 2014 11:31:05 +0000 gryffin 1395971@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Wow, impressed.  I have two main silhouettes for work: 1. Tunic or mini dress, leggings, boots/booties/long jacket 2. Dress, tights, booties, long jacket Minor: 3. pants, top, long jacket I really related to your idea of adding in the 3rd piece.  For me jackets more than anything make my outit.  They are my key players.  That's why their loss was really devastating - this formula does not work without them.  But it's more - jackets are an aegis - they give protection and power.  I really don't feel dressed without them.  How do you feel when you add a third piece into the mix?  It not only would give your variety it would could add texture, polish, color depending on what you pick - esp since you mentioned you wanted to focus more on them.  Your multiple silhouettes require a lot of different pieces from the look of it.  I guess I try and streamline for ease of mix and match.  The less silhouettes you select the greater the variety of pieces within each you can have.  Perhaps that's why I dont get bored.  I like the proportions, but concentrate on finding more jackets, more tunics etc.  It's whatever you feel gives you the diversity that you need!!  But think you are off to an awesome start!! CocoLion on "Five silhouette rotation?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/five-silhouette-rotation/page/2#post-1395908 Thu, 13 Nov 2014 07:44:35 +0000 CocoLion 1395908@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ OMG I can only come up with four outfit formulas.  And they are so similar, I'm not sure these are even four formulas, as the 3rd and 4th just involve a looser fit of jeans (I almost never wear the really voluminous boyfriend jeans, mine are all orphans waiting for consignment). - Skinnies + tunic + booties - Skinnies + shorter pullover + longer shirt or tee - Skinnies + cardigan + tee - Boyfriend jeans + tee + cardigan No wonder I'm feeling like I have nothing to wear, I'm stuck in this rut, and have been for years.  Before it used to be bootcut jeans and like a zipper body con cardigan, but still it's a similar concept.  I need some new silhouette ideas! DonnaF on "Five silhouette rotation?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/five-silhouette-rotation#post-1395856 Thu, 13 Nov 2014 05:12:10 +0000 DonnaF 1395856@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ This is interesting.  It would never occur to me to organize by silhouette; maybe because I definitely have fewer than five since I prefer figure flattery and don't want to work a lot to make something work.  I tend to organize my intended outfits by five degree outdoor temperature increments (55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, and 85 degrees mostly)  as I rarely turn on my heat and I don't have air conditioning.  I also organize by how much walking I will have to do and my range of footwear to fill that requirement.  FWIW, I tend to trade off between monochromatic but textured gray (or taupe in summer) and a mixture of neutrals/mixture of neutrals with a touch of color. Suz on "Five silhouette rotation?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/five-silhouette-rotation#post-1395782 Thu, 13 Nov 2014 03:16:25 +0000 Suz 1395782@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Well....this is just it, Una. My everyday wear is definitely casual. Not as casual as some (because I bat for Team Polished). But still casual.  I don't really want to wear a "dressy" outfit at home. I will wear a dressier outfit if I am out and about -- even to appointments and such. But not if I am simply working at home.  I can't thank you enough for starting this thread. It's been a real lightbulb for me. I knew I was craving more variety in my winter silhouettes, but I hadn't actually COUNTED.  Joy, for sure I could count sweater layered over shirt as a separate silhouette -- but really, it's not. It still gives the same basic shape with a little extra warmth. I guess if my sweater is super boxy it might not -- so maybe one would be OVERSIZE or tunic sweater with skinnies (either with a shirt layered under, or not.) And I do have two oversized sweaters, plus my one tunic. Hmmm.... Karie on "Five silhouette rotation?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/five-silhouette-rotation#post-1395781 Thu, 13 Nov 2014 03:10:42 +0000 Karie 1395781@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Oh what a great exercise and I want to join you! I don't think I can next week as I am totally swamped with work, but maybe I'll try in a few weeks. Right now my outfits mostly consist of "This doesn't have to be ironed" paired with "And this doesn't have to be ironed either."  I'm also tired of the skinnies/boots combo, and I haven't even worn them yet - maybe I'm just dreading the cold, long winter that I know is coming. And Suz, "...lack of variety in silhouette is more bothersome to me than lack of variety in colour." Very interesting! I honestly don't know if that is true for me, or vice versa. Hmmm....something to ponder as I drift off to sleep tonight.  catgirl on "Five silhouette rotation?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/five-silhouette-rotation#post-1395767 Thu, 13 Nov 2014 02:52:25 +0000 catgirl 1395767@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ See, I can distinguish casual from work.  So my PJ jeans are a slouchy bottom, but not part of this rotation.  I think you can get MORE from your wardrobe as you can mix it all up as you wish.  So a sub-category here for you could be dressy/casual.  For instance: Dressy or casual tunic with dressy or casual skinnies - four combos right there! :) I really you're neither THAT dressy or THAT casual most days, so maybe some other descriptor would work better.  Statement/essential? *head spinning* Suz on "Five silhouette rotation?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/five-silhouette-rotation#post-1395759 Thu, 13 Nov 2014 02:46:21 +0000 Suz 1395759@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ You're right -- I'm dealing with a 7 day rotation. And that just makes it more glaringly obvious why I get bored in winter!! I could have gone on naming my summer silhouettes. Whereas I can barely eke out four for winter -- and several of those are impractical or nearly identical anyway.  This has been incredibly instructive.  Now, I DO have (and wear, and love) jackets -- but I don't find them practical for at home wear. I do own, and enjoy, a pair of wide legs, and a pair of flares. But those are not really wearable at home (dragging hems) and even less wearable in true winter weather.  Okay. I am off to cogitate a bit more. I guess I do have "wild card" outfits like cropped over long (but not many of those). Maybe track pants and alternatives can count as a silhouette as well? To me they fit in a similar category as BF jeans and other slouchy, baggier denim, but maybe I need to distinguish them a bit more. They are more of a "statement." Hmmm Anonymous on "Five silhouette rotation?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/five-silhouette-rotation#post-1395757 Thu, 13 Nov 2014 02:43:51 +0000 Anonymous 1395757@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Una, I love your idea of several different silhouettes in rotation and may also have to join you. Like Suz, this may be the best way to avoid winter boredom, and throwing in a mix of textures and s few prints. Suz, not that you must have 5, but could you break up your #1 into Skinnies with semitucked pullover and Skinnies with shirt under pullover? Jaime on "Five silhouette rotation?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/five-silhouette-rotation#post-1395753 Thu, 13 Nov 2014 02:40:11 +0000 Jaime 1395753@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I am too sleepy to think of even one silhouette I wear. Are they all the same or never repeat - I have no idea. Ok, I will look at some pictures and give this some thought. Can't wait for some pictures Una and Suz! Windchime on "Five silhouette rotation?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/five-silhouette-rotation#post-1395750 Thu, 13 Nov 2014 02:35:48 +0000 Windchime 1395750@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ It sounds like a great idea to get more even wear out of your winter wardrobe. Looking forward to seeing your weekly recaps! Alassë on "Five silhouette rotation?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/five-silhouette-rotation#post-1395742 Thu, 13 Nov 2014 02:25:48 +0000 Alassë 1395742@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Caveat: I like organization. That said, I think this is a great idea, Una! I do something similar myself. I'll be curious to hear how it works for you. Joyce B on "Five silhouette rotation?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/five-silhouette-rotation#post-1395709 Thu, 13 Nov 2014 01:21:25 +0000 Joyce B 1395709@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ That's a great idea. I also try to do different silhouettes during the week, it keeps me from feeling that I am wearing a uniform. I am following your thread, it's a good one. UmmLila (Lisa) on "Five silhouette rotation?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/five-silhouette-rotation#post-1395691 Thu, 13 Nov 2014 00:52:41 +0000 UmmLila (Lisa) 1395691@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Count dress and skirt separately for another outfit type? And what about blazer outfits? I'm thinking of trying this out as a self challenge because I'm already too deep into sweater and skinnies mode. catgirl on "Five silhouette rotation?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/five-silhouette-rotation#post-1395690 Thu, 13 Nov 2014 00:52:21 +0000 catgirl 1395690@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Suz, I think four is fine - maybe a wildcard as the 5th?  I'm had a hard time coming up with five.  I have so many wasted jackets now and am dealing with a 5 day workweek, whereas you may be looking at a 7 day rotation, so a four day rotation might work for you.  I'm not planning to do a 1-2-3-4-5 week.  It might be a 3-1-4-2-5 or whatever, to give me some flexibility. Susie on "Five silhouette rotation?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/five-silhouette-rotation#post-1395685 Thu, 13 Nov 2014 00:45:00 +0000 Susie 1395685@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I think this sounds like a really good plan. I have 5 or so silhouettes that I wear regularly and I recently made lists of items that fall into each. Not that I've actually used the lists for anything yet! It has really helped me to pre-select work outfits, 5-15 at a time, and then just choose from that group each morning. While I haven't made it a point to use each of my silhouettes, I think I naturally tend to mix it up by adding a dress or skirt each time, or selecting leggings which means a tunic top, or slouchy pants which mean a shorter top, etc. Please keep us updated on how this plan works for you!