https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/in-wardrobe-do-you-do-better-or-worse-with-hard-and-fast-rules Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Fri, 10 Apr 2026 20:11:56 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/in-wardrobe-do-you-do-better-or-worse-with-hard-and-fast-rules/page/2#post-2301812 Fri, 13 Jan 2023 15:27:17 +0000 Bonnie 2301812@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I think I'm going with rules this year because guidelines haven't been working for me.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/in-wardrobe-do-you-do-better-or-worse-with-hard-and-fast-rules/page/2#post-2301806 Fri, 13 Jan 2023 14:49:51 +0000 Irina 2301806@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>My “rules” would come and go. The only one that is unchanged - no synthetic fabrics in my regular clothes. I accepted it as necessary evil for outwear, some underwear and gear but nothing else. There are things that I don’t consider as rules but more as a second nature to me - lounge wear is for lounging, gym gear is for gym, clothes that I wear must be ironed even if it will get wrinkled with wear. Are they rules? Perhaps, I know that dropping them would make me uncomfortable.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/in-wardrobe-do-you-do-better-or-worse-with-hard-and-fast-rules/page/2#post-2301799 Fri, 13 Jan 2023 14:32:18 +0000 Helena 2301799@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>A year ago I would have said that I love rules and that they make my life less stressful ... but now I am embracing a less rule-oriented approach. I think I was getting to the point that I was so worried about rules I was undercutting my own common sense and intuition. So now, my only rule is that rules are made to be broken (at least in style matters!) ... and my own emotions + pragmatism are the only boss of me </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/in-wardrobe-do-you-do-better-or-worse-with-hard-and-fast-rules/page/2#post-2301766 Fri, 13 Jan 2023 09:31:25 +0000 lyn67 2301766@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I like to boss my rules!:-) </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/in-wardrobe-do-you-do-better-or-worse-with-hard-and-fast-rules/page/2#post-2301653 Thu, 12 Jan 2023 22:13:53 +0000 April 2301653@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>It's funny, for almost 14 years now, I have gone with "no rules, just keep up on YLF and all will be well" and that has served me extremely well.&nbsp; But right now, I find myself still too willing to lemming, still spending too much time online ordering and returning, still not quite where I want to be in terms of dressing.</p> <p>And so, a few serious rules are now helpful.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <p> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/in-wardrobe-do-you-do-better-or-worse-with-hard-and-fast-rules/page/2#post-2301593 Thu, 12 Jan 2023 18:12:20 +0000 kkards 2301593@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Ginger has the exact same rules that i do!&nbsp;<br />no 3/4 sleeve, and no matter how much i like it, if its not a color i love that will work seamlessly in my wardrobe its a no...<br />i have zero other rules, but should&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/in-wardrobe-do-you-do-better-or-worse-with-hard-and-fast-rules/page/2#post-2301591 Thu, 12 Jan 2023 18:07:12 +0000 Jenni NZ 2301591@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Ha ha April! As a group we probably do swamp sites that are mentioned here </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/in-wardrobe-do-you-do-better-or-worse-with-hard-and-fast-rules/page/2#post-2301563 Thu, 12 Jan 2023 15:29:31 +0000 Zaeobi 2301563@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Haha I don't take too much stock in MBTI over the cognitive function stacks &amp; Jung's interpretation of aspects, since many of the online tests read more like horoscopes lol. But the topic gave me a good chuckle because I remember our school giving us 'official' MBTI tests where we had to choose between dichotomous descriptions of each item. I was split equally between INFP &amp; INFJ but our school careers counsellor tried to convince me that I was INFP because *she's* an ENFP, so we must be the same because we both believe in social justice &amp; making the world a better place </p> <p>I'm sharing this mostly tongue in cheek because I *know* what features my brain automatically defaults to (when I'm in an emotionally healthy place where I can express my natural tendencies), but most people like to make assumptions about this for me (including an ENFJ former boss &amp; my ENFJ mother). </p> <p>Anyway, thread jack over! I can see how rules can be helpful (for me &amp; others) but I also feel that they can get in the way of wardrobe growth if you (me &amp; others) don't create them with the future in mind too. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/in-wardrobe-do-you-do-better-or-worse-with-hard-and-fast-rules/page/2#post-2301552 Thu, 12 Jan 2023 14:40:41 +0000 Christina F. 2301552@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I took a different personality assessment last fall for work (Lumina Spark) and it said that I am inwardly <i>deeply</i> a radical, but that I don't show that part of my persona to the world at all. At least, not in a work context. I suppose this would help explain why I am not too keen on rules for dressing.... It also said I am more comfortable than most people with ambiguity, as I mentioned above. </p> <p> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/in-wardrobe-do-you-do-better-or-worse-with-hard-and-fast-rules/page/2#post-2301524 Thu, 12 Jan 2023 12:32:00 +0000 Anonymous 2301524@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I'm still INFP April- though a bit more in the middle with all things than I used to be. Apparently INFP-A "assertive mediator". </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/in-wardrobe-do-you-do-better-or-worse-with-hard-and-fast-rules/page/2#post-2301520 Thu, 12 Jan 2023 12:17:41 +0000 April 2301520@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Psychologist here, weighing in to remind all that the MBTI is a fluid measure - meaning how you came out 2 or 5 or 10 years ago may not be how you'd score today.</p> <p>[stands back as curious YLFers stampede the free online MBTI site...] </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/in-wardrobe-do-you-do-better-or-worse-with-hard-and-fast-rules/page/2#post-2301510 Thu, 12 Jan 2023 10:50:57 +0000 Zaeobi 2301510@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Haha everyone who hates 3/4 sleeves, boatnecks, bias cuts &amp; collarless jackets, feel free to pass them onto me instead! I wear the former instead of half sleeves, so had to ban myself from tshirts (except for PJs). </p> <p>Interesting how people are relating this to MBTI - I've always scored equally on both INFP &amp; INFJ, but this makes me think I should indeed be INFJ (I like things planned out &amp; ordered, whereas Mr Z doesn't even know what he wants to eat each evening until it rolls around lol!) </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/in-wardrobe-do-you-do-better-or-worse-with-hard-and-fast-rules/page/2#post-2301486 Thu, 12 Jan 2023 07:45:01 +0000 Bijou 2301486@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>My rules are mainly about comfort and fit and they work well for me. Examples that spring to mind: <ul> <li>no clothing that requires shapewear, because honestly my climate is too hot for something that makes me feel like I am in sausage casing. </li> <li>no jeans that slide down my backside (this was an issue when the extremely low-rise jeans of the early 2000's were a thing)</li> <li>no itchy fabrics</li> <li>no uncomfortable shoes</li> <li>no blouses or dresses that are dryclean only (if I break this one, I generally hand wash and hope for the best)!</li> </ul> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/in-wardrobe-do-you-do-better-or-worse-with-hard-and-fast-rules/page/2#post-2301476 Thu, 12 Jan 2023 05:22:15 +0000 Barbara Diane 2301476@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Guidelines like nothing that itches, I have to look good in the color, almost nothing that needs dry cleaning, etc. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/in-wardrobe-do-you-do-better-or-worse-with-hard-and-fast-rules/page/2#post-2301463 Thu, 12 Jan 2023 02:47:35 +0000 Jaime 2301463@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Hmm, although I am quite routine oriented and disciplined in some areas, I am not sure I have wardrobe rules. Or perhaps they are so ingrained I do not realize what they are. Actually I am more about unearthing my hidden rules and testing them . </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/in-wardrobe-do-you-do-better-or-worse-with-hard-and-fast-rules/page/2#post-2301455 Thu, 12 Jan 2023 01:34:07 +0000 Carla 2301455@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Susan over at ‘Une Femme d’un Certain Age’ tackled this subject in her most recent post:&nbsp;<a rel="nofollow" href="https://unefemme.net/style-rules-over-50-look-modern.html">https://unefemme.net/style-rul.....odern.html</a> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/in-wardrobe-do-you-do-better-or-worse-with-hard-and-fast-rules/page/2#post-2301454 Thu, 12 Jan 2023 01:19:49 +0000 DonnaF 2301454@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>No more 100% acrylic sweaters, and think long and hard if a sweater is substantially acrylic; too much pilling. No DCO in regular clothing and try to avoid in outerwear; I end up not wearing DCO stuff because it's *too precious*. Heels over 1.75" are out; not sure I can even go above 1.25" these days.&nbsp;</p> <p>Never say *never* with regard to styles. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/in-wardrobe-do-you-do-better-or-worse-with-hard-and-fast-rules/page/2#post-2301449 Thu, 12 Jan 2023 00:50:49 +0000 Sloper 2301449@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Not so much "rules" as "experience has shown me this doesn't work so don't do it again" type guidelines. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/in-wardrobe-do-you-do-better-or-worse-with-hard-and-fast-rules#post-2301444 Thu, 12 Jan 2023 00:24:44 +0000 LaPed 2301444@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Parameters and guidelines, yes. Rules, no. I am too contrarian to adhere to strict rules, but a completely open-ended approach to shopping and getting dressed leads, in my experience, to decision fatigue.&nbsp;</p> <p>High five to my mates on Team No Three-Quarter Sleeves! :)&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/in-wardrobe-do-you-do-better-or-worse-with-hard-and-fast-rules#post-2301443 Thu, 12 Jan 2023 00:21:31 +0000 Suz 2301443@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>LOL, <b>SarahDB</b>, that sounds like a great plan!&nbsp;</p> <p>And yes, personal guidelines are great if they are based on experience.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/in-wardrobe-do-you-do-better-or-worse-with-hard-and-fast-rules#post-2301437 Wed, 11 Jan 2023 23:32:04 +0000 nuancedream 2301437@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Suz, I hear you! My personal style rules/guidelines serve me quite well. There are few things from a style perspective that get me hot under the collar with the exception of arbitrarily determined rules such as, " If you are over X age, you shouldn't wear Y" or lists of "10 essential items all women need in their wardrobe." ALL women?? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/in-wardrobe-do-you-do-better-or-worse-with-hard-and-fast-rules#post-2301435 Wed, 11 Jan 2023 23:26:44 +0000 SarahD8 2301435@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>New rule: I give Suz my share of the world's sharp jackets and she gives me her share of tunics and leggings! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/in-wardrobe-do-you-do-better-or-worse-with-hard-and-fast-rules#post-2301430 Wed, 11 Jan 2023 22:36:25 +0000 Anonymous 2301430@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>As I get older I make more rules because they keep me from making fashion mistakes. In general I rebel against rules but maybe that is what Suz means when it is someone else’s rules. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/in-wardrobe-do-you-do-better-or-worse-with-hard-and-fast-rules#post-2301419 Wed, 11 Jan 2023 22:01:34 +0000 MsMaven 2301419@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Over the years I've had all kinds of rules, some of my own and others I got from magazines, TV shows, etc. And I'm sure I've broken them all. This year my only rule was to not buy anything in January--just work with what I have. So at the end of December I ordered a pair of shoes and a top that arrived in January. Lately my old bras feel too tight in the band so I've ordered some new ones, up a band size, last week.&nbsp;</p> <p>And I realize I need to replace some items that are getting shabby. I promise myself to wait a few weeks.&nbsp;</p> <p>I hate 3/4 sleeves. Always have. They do nothing for my long, skinny arms. Last summer I bought a couple, however, for physical therapy. They were fine for that.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/in-wardrobe-do-you-do-better-or-worse-with-hard-and-fast-rules#post-2301416 Wed, 11 Jan 2023 21:58:16 +0000 Dee 2301416@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Any strict rules as far as my wardrobe goes I find I’m not too great with, but as others have mentioned, I have finally adopted a few “guidelines” to keep things under control instead, such as: <ul> <li>Sticking to a certain colour palette.&nbsp;</li> <li>Any new item should be able to go with some of what I own already.</li> <li>Must be comfortable and not too fussy.</li> <li>Needs to be realistic to my current lifestyle.</li> </ul> I find these few guidelines have been pretty helpful, because before I used to just buy whatever caught my fancy and my wardrobe was all over the place.</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/in-wardrobe-do-you-do-better-or-worse-with-hard-and-fast-rules#post-2301415 Wed, 11 Jan 2023 21:57:51 +0000 jussie 2301415@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Gosh I have a tonne of wardrobe rules. I think overall they do help me. Actually though; I often try to make rules or strict categories for things, and frankly whilst it’s good for the wardrobe….. it’s not so good at all when it generalizes to other, less controllable areas of life! I’m a J on the mbti. I’m actually making an effort to be less rigid generally.<br /> Occasionally I do break the wardrobe rules for the right item though, recently with good results when I bought two good raglan sleeve items in the last two years, normally a no go zone for me.<br /> Some of my wardrobe rules:<br /> One in one out, no 100% polyester, no boat necks, no 3/4 sleeves, no synthetic shoes, no red or orange, no collarless jackets, no “fit and flare” dresses, no bias cut, no bright white, no brogues or derby’s, no scoop necks, no stiff cotton button up shirts….. you get the picture! I think it has helped me have a wardrobe that’s pretty functional and joyful-for-me, as much as it sounds restrictive. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/in-wardrobe-do-you-do-better-or-worse-with-hard-and-fast-rules#post-2301414 Wed, 11 Jan 2023 21:56:51 +0000 Suz 2301414@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>High five, <b>nuancedream</b>! If someone else sets the rules I want to argue; if I decide on the guidelines, they typically serve me well. (And I'm a J in Myers-Briggs, too -- go figure.)&nbsp;</p> <p>High five, <b>SarahDB</b> -- one of my guidelines is no acrylic sweaters (same issues as yours). Another is no leggings and tunics outfits -- I just don't like them on me, and though I like them enough on others to be tempted to try the silhouette, I've been down that road too many times now to go there. I easily steer away from colours that don't flatter me (esp. yellow near the face -- high five, <b>Christina</b>!), but struggle more with dressing for the real vs. the fantasy life. Yet without that guideline would fall down in this area more often. So those are the kinds of guidelines I try to set and follow for myself.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/in-wardrobe-do-you-do-better-or-worse-with-hard-and-fast-rules#post-2301405 Wed, 11 Jan 2023 21:31:50 +0000 nuancedream 2301405@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>If the hard and fast rules are set by someone else who has no clue about my personality, lifestyle, preferences, etc., I will break them in a heartbeat. However, I do have personal guidelines that I follow like no black handbags, no tweed, no mohair in knitwear, no dropped waist dresses or skirts, and high five to Ginger and April, no 3/4 sleeves. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/in-wardrobe-do-you-do-better-or-worse-with-hard-and-fast-rules#post-2301394 Wed, 11 Jan 2023 19:30:46 +0000 ophelia 2301394@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I’ve never met a rule I didn’t want to break.<br /> I do make decisions based on analysis though. I have a ludicrous quantity of skirts-if I didn’t have a bunch packed away I’d count them &amp; we could all have a good yet horrified laugh—so I will aim to not buy more. But the right skirt could all too easily change my mind. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/in-wardrobe-do-you-do-better-or-worse-with-hard-and-fast-rules#post-2301388 Wed, 11 Jan 2023 18:55:31 +0000 Star (Lise) 2301388@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I never applied wardrobe rules and as a result I have way too many clothes, in a mish-mash of styles.&nbsp; Since being on YLF I am becoming much more discerning about what I buy.&nbsp; 2022 I tried to practice 1 in 2 out and almost made it.&nbsp; I will continue with that this year.&nbsp; My rules now are mostly around colors and fit of a garment.&nbsp; Two recent examples; I spied a lovely spring green made in Italy handbag in the thrift shop.&nbsp; I went home to chew on it knowing that spring green does nothing for my silver hair (it makes it look green).&nbsp; I was trying to convince myself that a handbag is away from my face, etc, then I remembered in the past I have had 2 spring green handbags that I barely used.&nbsp; Hhhm, no spring green bag for me.&nbsp; No spring green anything for me ever!&nbsp; The other item was a red plaid pair of trousers.&nbsp; Such fun, nice and bright, chewing over it reminded me that I had a pair of red trousers before and struggled to style them, as well as a bright pink pair which I also struggle with.&nbsp; So imagine how much I will struggle with red PLAID.&nbsp; So the rule, which I did set previously, no colorful pants, was applied and must be applied from here forward!&nbsp; :)&nbsp; I think I am doing better with these types of rules.&nbsp; Also no skirts, unless they are of pure cotton.&nbsp; I have so many other ones that I just never wear.</p>