https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/hello-notes-for-2020-and-2021 Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Thu, 30 Apr 2026 07:18:25 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/hello-notes-for-2020-and-2021#post-2163246 Fri, 01 Jan 2021 16:10:24 +0000 Angie 2163246@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>*APPLAUSE*</p> <p>You are amazing,<b> notsaf</b>! You adapted, yet stayed true to your SIMPAT style. You successfully assess and analyze, and follow through without the paralysis. You put in as much emotion as you do organization and discipline. The results are KILLER.&nbsp;</p> <p>WELL DONE!&nbsp;</p> <p>Hope you're settling in nicely, and thanks for the kind words :)</p> <p> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/hello-notes-for-2020-and-2021#post-2163216 Fri, 01 Jan 2021 14:46:40 +0000 notsaf 2163216@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p><b>La Ped, Suntiger, Style Fan, </b>and<b> Liesbeth</b>: it's great to hear from all of you and thank for the kind words!</p> <p>For those that organize by color -- Suntiger and Jenn -- I wonder if you could say something about how that influences your process of dressing. I organize by type, and then by color within type, but I often find myself thinking "I'd like to wear a cozy sweater today" rather than "I'd like to wear something blue", so I find it's an easier path to get to what I want if things are stored together by type. How does it work for you? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/hello-notes-for-2020-and-2021#post-2162966 Thu, 31 Dec 2020 08:29:13 +0000 Liesbeth 2162966@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thanks for sharing! I always enjoy your posts and the quiet elegance of your outfits. Looks like you kept a good hold on your style this year despite challenges on several fronts! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/hello-notes-for-2020-and-2021#post-2162859 Wed, 30 Dec 2020 23:05:08 +0000 Style Fan 2162859@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Notsaf, good to hear from you!&nbsp; I love your collections.&nbsp; I have also found the finds feature so useful.&nbsp; Your style moniker is a great one.&nbsp; I can see it in your pieces.&nbsp;&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/hello-notes-for-2020-and-2021#post-2162847 Wed, 30 Dec 2020 22:09:59 +0000 Anonymous 2162847@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Love your collections- you're an inspiration! Guess that'll have to be my 2021 project :)<br /> And @Jenn- yaaas to closet by color not type of item! It looks so much more restful and harmonious that way. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/hello-notes-for-2020-and-2021#post-2162841 Wed, 30 Dec 2020 21:40:57 +0000 LaPed 2162841@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Nice work! Your Collections are a treat to browse, and very in keeping with "Softly Utilitarian" -- what great guiding words those are.&nbsp;</p> <p>And congrats on the new house!&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/hello-notes-for-2020-and-2021#post-2162838 Wed, 30 Dec 2020 21:22:47 +0000 notsaf 2162838@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p><b>TG</b>, <b>Sal</b>, and <b>Jenn</b>: it's so good to hear from all of you! I love all of your posts as well (go team modern classics!), and it's so nice to know that you get something out of mine, too. Hopefully I'll be able to spend a little more time here on the forum again in the new year. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/hello-notes-for-2020-and-2021#post-2162826 Wed, 30 Dec 2020 18:46:27 +0000 Jenn 2162826@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I remember when you first set up your color capsule collections. It actually inspired me to rearrange my closet, which is now organized by color and then item, as opposed to vice versa. I love seeing all the items in a single color grouped together, and I agree that limiting wardrobe colors makes mixing and matching much, much easier.</p> <p>Your cosmopolitan closet is an inspiration, and I always love seeing a glimpse into it with your posts. Your collections alone are as good as many fashion blogs! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/hello-notes-for-2020-and-2021#post-2162804 Wed, 30 Dec 2020 17:36:04 +0000 Sal 2162804@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Interesting read Notsaf and I enjoyed browsing your collections. I have a similar but different set up and I enjoy using it to plan and review my style and purchases. I find it relaxing too.</p> <p>I enjoy your posts a lot - and wish you a safe happy and fun 2021! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/hello-notes-for-2020-and-2021#post-2162798 Wed, 30 Dec 2020 17:08:46 +0000 Helena 2162798@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Ok -&nbsp; chiming back in now that I'm on my laptop. This looks so amazing nosaf - you have such a clear sense of your style and yet still let it evolve to meet your changing needs - this is really the holy grail of wardrobe management, and you've absolutely nailed it. Absolutely love it all, and the way you've captured everything in Finds is amazing.</p> <p>Have really missed your posts and so happy that you chimed in! Can't wait to see how your style evolves in 2021! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/hello-notes-for-2020-and-2021#post-2162787 Wed, 30 Dec 2020 14:51:31 +0000 notsaf 2162787@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p><b></b><b>Carla</b><b></b> — I’m excited to see what you do with finds! As for your suitcase and the flower show, I remember that well (sigh). What an interesting question: for me, I think there’s more of a difference between living in places that are somewhat more fashion-conscious (London, Rome) and places that are less so (I’m usually based in Boston: not a fashionable town!). It allowed me to stretch my sartorial muscles a little and to try some new silhouettes that might have taken me a bit longer to come around to at home. And (before COVID) I did a reasonable bit of in-person shopping, which was fun! Newness in general a great spur to creativity, and is one of the great pleasures of travel and one of the things I have been missing most recently!</p> <p><b>Joy</b> -- I'll be interested to hear about your color story. I borrowed the "color capsule" idea from Angie and Suz, but don't exactly treat them like capsule wardrobes. Rather, knowing that I have a whole slew of things in that accent color which I can match and build on helps me make choices when I'm making purchases (like: to buy a pair of pants in olive drab not navy, because it has "friends" in my closet). And arranging those things together in my collections means that I don't have to keep them together in my closet (which is organized by type) to see the pattern! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/hello-notes-for-2020-and-2021#post-2162781 Wed, 30 Dec 2020 12:26:37 +0000 Star (Lise) 2162781@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>The pieces in your capsules are enviable!&nbsp; I have found that my color of the year tends to choose me, even when I think I know what I want it to be.&nbsp; &nbsp;Then I lean into it too. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/hello-notes-for-2020-and-2021#post-2162760 Wed, 30 Dec 2020 04:42:22 +0000 Bijou 2162760@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Notasof - your capsules and collections pages are amazing. You have great style and it is so practical for the life you live. 'Softly Utilitarian' is a great style moniker, but I see the elegant elements in all your combinations and beautiful loungewear too. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/hello-notes-for-2020-and-2021#post-2162755 Wed, 30 Dec 2020 04:23:04 +0000 Anonymous 2162755@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Well thought out, notsaf. My color changed during the year as what I thought I wanted just was not available. I will explain more later.i hope your new home and capsules work out well. Do you form your capsules by color, by season, or ? I want to try to do more of this. How do you organize your closet? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/hello-notes-for-2020-and-2021#post-2162743 Wed, 30 Dec 2020 02:40:30 +0000 Jaime 2162743@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Very inspirational! I took a quick look at your finds page and am impressed! And yes, YLF has been an oasis of calm in a hectic year! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/hello-notes-for-2020-and-2021#post-2162741 Wed, 30 Dec 2020 02:34:22 +0000 Carla 2162741@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Absolutely brilliant! &nbsp;Having just figured out how to create my own <b>Finds&nbsp;</b>I’ve now figured out <b>Collections</b>! &nbsp;I’m&nbsp;going to copy your idea and document purchases in 2021. &nbsp;(I use a notebook and will continue that practice to log $ spent, wears, etc - but I&nbsp;<i>love&nbsp;</i>the idea of having a visual.) &nbsp;</p> <p>You’ve got such a tightly cohesive collection of beautiful clothes, notsaf. &nbsp;Pandemic lifestyle influences notwithstanding, do you find you ‘feel’ differently about the way you dress stateside vs across the pond? &nbsp;(I’m always intrigued by the implications travel and/or living abroad/relocation has on a wardrobe - be it disruption or inspiration.)</p> <p>My last purchase before Covid locked down the world was - LOL! - a new suitcase!</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/hello-notes-for-2020-and-2021#post-2162719 Tue, 29 Dec 2020 21:41:37 +0000 Helena 2162719@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Haha nope ... Although I am still sticking to neutral versions for now </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/hello-notes-for-2020-and-2021#post-2162717 Tue, 29 Dec 2020 21:19:22 +0000 notsaf 2162717@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p><b>TG</b>: Haha, yes -- stripes are still in the mix! (Active ones are here:&nbsp;<a rel="nofollow" href="https://youlookfab.com/finds/collections/?collection=8778">https://youlookfab.com/finds/c.....ction=8778</a>) The retirements are tees that wore out or shrank in the wash. Since I wear and wash my striped tees heavily, I'll be looking to replace these with higher quality knits going forward. The Boden voop (below) was a real hit and is holding up well. I have another from Amour Vert on the way. Are you still steering clear?</p> <p><b>Suz</b>: Thanks so much for the kind words! You are always so thoughtful about your writing and about your collections, so it's high praise coming from you. Hoping 2021 brings some changes for the better for all of us! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/hello-notes-for-2020-and-2021#post-2162715 Tue, 29 Dec 2020 20:39:02 +0000 Helena 2162715@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Awesome post and going to respond more later, but just a quick question ... Did stripes as a pattern get the boot this year? Or were those pieces just not working ...</p> <p>Love your style, palette, and moniker! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/hello-notes-for-2020-and-2021#post-2162711 Tue, 29 Dec 2020 19:49:30 +0000 rachylou 2162711@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Ah! The power of a style phrase and tracking! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/hello-notes-for-2020-and-2021#post-2162710 Tue, 29 Dec 2020 18:59:29 +0000 Suz 2162710@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>What a great post. I really enjoyed exploring the links and checking out your various collections. That is such a great feature, I agree, and it can really help to keep one organized and on track with purchases and retirements and also to see possibilities for outfits that might not have occurred to one.&nbsp;</p> <p>I really like your pattern of allowing your key colour to evolve, as it were, i.e. your habit of watching what you do -- descriptive vs. self-prescriptive. Both approaches can have merit, but in this year when life threw up so many unexpected barriers and necessitated quick changes, watching for what happened and following the flow made more sense than ever! And it has clearly served you well. It looks as if you have a highly curated collection of classic neutrals with the odd pop of colour.&nbsp;</p> <p>As one who also invested heavily in activewear this year, I understand the impulse to go in that direction. Love your loungewear, too!&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/hello-notes-for-2020-and-2021#post-2162699 Tue, 29 Dec 2020 18:09:03 +0000 notsaf 2162699@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Hi fabbers: it's been a while!</p> <p>I don't think I've posted here since September, which is when we moved into a new house, and that has naturally taken over much of my creative attention and leisure time over the last months. But year-end reflections are one of my favorite things about YLF, and -- despite what a strange year it has been -- it seems like a good time to catch up and reflect.</p> <p><a rel="nofollow" href="https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/2019-and-2020-style-notes">Last year</a> I wrote about how posting on YLF and tracking purchases here has helped me stay focused and make fewer mistakes: that remains absolutely true! I've tracked all of my clothing, shoes, and accessories purchases month-by-month this year, using the YLF "<a rel="nofollow" href="https://youlookfab.com/finds/collections/?member=notsaf">Collections</a>" feature. Especially as my shopping has moved entirely online, it has become absolutely essential in my process: helping me to get a sense of how any given piece will "fit" in the whole and helping me to identify holes and avoid too much reduplication. Thank you, Angie and Greg, for maintaining this feature!</p> <p><b>Color</b>: As a neutral-focused dresser, I've struggled with color in the past, but keeping capsules of my key colors (<a rel="nofollow" href="https://youlookfab.com/finds/collections/?collection=8807">white</a>, <a rel="nofollow" href="https://youlookfab.com/finds/collections/?collection=8155">olive</a>, <a rel="nofollow" href="https://youlookfab.com/finds/collections/?collection=8154">camel</a>, <a rel="nofollow" href="https://youlookfab.com/finds/collections/?collection=8156">everything else</a>) has helped me to identify patterns: for example, I found mid-year that&nbsp;<a rel="nofollow" href="https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-verdict-is-in-my-2020-color-is-white">my color for 2020 was white</a>&nbsp;and I have happily leaned in! As was true last year, only time will tell what my 2021 color will be (perhaps inky blue!?), but these collections will help me to spot it when it appears.</p> <p><b>Style notes</b>: At the beginning of 2020, my style notes were "<b></b>Classic Soft Elegant." At some point in the year (in fact, thanks to the wonder of the YLF archive, I can see that it was the <a rel="nofollow" href="https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/lockdown-reflections-on-dressing">end of May</a>!) I hit upon the phrase "Softly Utilitarian," which has been working for me ever since. It has allowed me to feel a-ok about investing in warm and cold weather <a rel="nofollow" href="https://youlookfab.com/finds/collections/?collection=8976">activewear</a>, very practical, since I am able to drive out of the city to do a little hiking about two times per week, and in slippers, sleepwear, and <a rel="nofollow" href="https://youlookfab.com/finds/collections/?collection=9349">loungewear</a>, since -- well -- it's 2020! And it has also guided my proper clothing purchases, too, leading me to feel great about replacing and quadruplicating (!) my favorite jeans and to enrich my capsule of Zoom-ready tops, shirts, and sweaters: all very "useful" when getting dressed for WFH, with an attention to fabrics that are softly structured and easy to launder. It has also made it easy to say <a rel="nofollow" href="https://youlookfab.com/finds/collections/?collection=8145">goodbye</a> to some pieces that weren't serving me because of unpleasant fabrication, fussy cuts, or wear. Overall, there's been far less churn and a lot more enjoyment, which is a huge win.</p> <p>Anyway, thanks to those of you who read this far. And again, to Angie and Greg for making this space: thank you, thank you, and happy 2021 to all!</p>