YouLookFab Forum » Topic: January 2020 recap

YouLookFab Forum » Topic: January 2020 recap https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/january-2020-recap Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Tue, 12 May 2026 10:50:11 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 <![CDATA[Search]]> q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php SarahD8 on "January 2020 recap" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/january-2020-recap#post-2098525 Tue, 11 Feb 2020 18:34:24 +0000 SarahD8 2098525@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Oh, those are lovely JenniNZ! Thanks for sharing your paua shell jewelry. Paua always looks very distinctive to me, different than other abalone -- bluer. I wonder if because it's a different species of snail? Jenni NZ on "January 2020 recap" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/january-2020-recap#post-2098143 Mon, 10 Feb 2020 02:09:47 +0000 Jenni NZ 2098143@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Love your abalone jewellery and The Cat’s scarf. We call our abalone paua shell, that’s a NZ Maori word ( language of our indigenous Polynesian people), pronounced similar to par-wah. I love it and have 3 pairs earrings. I bought the mother-of-pearl ones with tiny paua triangles in 1985! I also really enjoy the tiny kiwi ones, our national bird plus what we call ourselves, and the third pair were a gift years ago from my sister SarahD8 on "January 2020 recap" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/january-2020-recap#post-2097886 Sat, 08 Feb 2020 02:40:21 +0000 SarahD8 2097886@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ That scarf is just lovely, The Cat! And I do see the northern lights resemblance. Thanks so much for sharing! The Cat on "January 2020 recap" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/january-2020-recap#post-2097449 Wed, 05 Feb 2020 22:42:57 +0000 The Cat 2097449@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Beautiful jewelry! Thank you for sharing photo and information. Here is my scarf: SarahD8 on "January 2020 recap" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/january-2020-recap#post-2097294 Wed, 05 Feb 2020 01:11:29 +0000 SarahD8 2097294@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Angie, thanks! I'm so relieved to get the Official Seal of Approval. Jenn, it's one to repeat for sure! Thanks for the appreciation. La Ped, would love to see your kitty! The Cat, my abalone jewelry is from Etsy. Photo below. Show us your scarf? I'm really curious about it now. Style Fan, yeah, jeans can be so hard! But worth the hunt... Re: cuffing the jeans, for me this doesn't work with the boots. The length of the jeans and the height of the boot shaft is such that the cuff and the top of the boots end up "fighting" with each other...feels fussy. Might not bother others but bugs me. I'll definitely wear them cuffed in warmer weather with sandals (and maybe flats) though! Style Fan on "January 2020 recap" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/january-2020-recap#post-2097278 Tue, 04 Feb 2020 22:47:53 +0000 Style Fan 2097278@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I like the jeans with the chunky boots.  Great look.    I know how hard it is to find the right jeans.  I feel like I am always shopping for jeans. Brooches add such a nice punch to an outfit.  I never think to wear mine.   The Cat on "January 2020 recap" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/january-2020-recap#post-2097275 Tue, 04 Feb 2020 22:26:28 +0000 The Cat 2097275@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ How interesting that you have chosen abalone as a key material for jewelry for your deep winter wardrobe! I absolutely agree about the similarity of abalone and the northern lights and am fascinated by the amazing colours of both. One of my favourite silk scarves, looking like an abstract piece of art, reminds me of abalone as well as the northern lights, and I happily wear it year round. Would love to see your abalone jewelry, which sounds really inspirational to me. Where do you buy it? LaPed on "January 2020 recap" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/january-2020-recap#post-2097272 Tue, 04 Feb 2020 21:55:02 +0000 LaPed 2097272@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I like the new jeans, and I agree with everyone above who's suggested a wide cuff or rolling them a couple times if you want to experiment with ankle length. The chunky boots are great!! Also, your jewelry additions have inspired me to dig out my abalone cat pendant. I'll try to remember to post a pic when I wear it. Jenn on "January 2020 recap" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/january-2020-recap#post-2097235 Tue, 04 Feb 2020 17:15:43 +0000 Jenn 2097235@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ That first outfit is an absolute winner! Angie on "January 2020 recap" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/january-2020-recap#post-2097215 Tue, 04 Feb 2020 16:28:44 +0000 Angie 2097215@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ The straight legs look great with the boots! Try a single cuff too.  Your quirky brooches are signature and fun :) SarahD8 on "January 2020 recap" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/january-2020-recap#post-2097197 Tue, 04 Feb 2020 14:54:24 +0000 SarahD8 2097197@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Thanks for the cat love, Suz and Cardiff Girl! I’m glad the jeans are looking good to all. I think I’ll wear them today! Joy I did a quick try at rolling them and I do like them a bit shorter like that with sandals. Maybe I’ll take them along on my warm weather trip later this month and experiment with them at different lengths. Nemosmom, this: “I want comfort, I need to use my brain for other things” is so well articulated. You’ve made me realize that the comfort piece is really important. For those chaotic times I don’t just need fallback outfits that I know work/look good, I need outfits that are *especially* comfortable. Great idea to spend some time thinking up new combinations that might fit the bill. nemosmom on "January 2020 recap" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/january-2020-recap#post-2097180 Tue, 04 Feb 2020 14:15:42 +0000 nemosmom 2097180@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ What a great month you've had, Sarah! Identifying your priorities obviously paid off (40% under budget?! Nice!) I love your new jeans, too.  I am certainly no expert on hem length, but the fit looks great on you. What really resonated with me is, "I end up wearing the same thing over and over when my life is chaotic in other ways, as it was this past month." I suspect that is true for me, as well. I want comfort, I need to use my brain for other things, so I suspect I reach for old faithfuls when I feel like everything else is out of control. It's like the favorite go-to outfit is the respite in the storm.  I wonder if it would work to carve out time to create more of those go-to's, and maybe even group them together for when things get hectic.... hmmm... Cardiff girl on "January 2020 recap" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/january-2020-recap#post-2097129 Tue, 04 Feb 2020 08:15:38 +0000 Cardiff girl 2097129@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Well done ,some thoughtful shopping and returning going on here, love the cat brooch! Anonymous on "January 2020 recap" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/january-2020-recap#post-2097117 Tue, 04 Feb 2020 05:10:09 +0000 Anonymous 2097117@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Great job. I like the straight jeans from the photos. You can roll them a bit shorter for warm weather. Suz on "January 2020 recap" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/january-2020-recap#post-2097115 Tue, 04 Feb 2020 05:01:05 +0000 Suz 2097115@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Forum member Roxanna is GREAT inspiration for brooches. I love them in theory but often do not wear my own, either. Maybe I will make more effort to do so. Of course i love any cat themed item so I love yours!  I like the tunic and agree with Sal it will be great in spring without toppers -- there is something floaty and artist smock-like about it that begs to be seen on its own.  I think the jeans will work with sandals and flats as well as the boots. You could also roll them one roll and see how you like that.  SarahD8 on "January 2020 recap" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/january-2020-recap#post-2097110 Tue, 04 Feb 2020 04:17:58 +0000 SarahD8 2097110@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Thanks for the vote of confidence on the pants, all! Rachylou I’m glad you like the Westwood-inspired outfit. It seems like your kind of thing and you’d tell me if I’d gone wide of the mark. Slim cat I think intentionally showing whimsical socks would work in theory...in practice I have a poison eye for that look *on me* (I enjoy it on others!). Love the idea of a hair scarf to liven up that neutral outfit! Sal good call on the artiness of this style of top. I think I’m also realizing that I prefer that black cardi over shirts that are shorter than it is. Hm. Shevia ooh I love the idea of jeans this length with flat sandals! Very “beach in shoulder season” iykwim. Will definitely try it. Jaime on "January 2020 recap" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/january-2020-recap#post-2097093 Tue, 04 Feb 2020 03:04:19 +0000 Jaime 2097093@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Vivienne Westwood is definitely a great start with inspiration. I think the jeans will also work as shorter full length with flat sandals and even oxfords. Hope your life is less hectic this month!  Sal on "January 2020 recap" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/january-2020-recap#post-2097092 Tue, 04 Feb 2020 02:58:43 +0000 Sal 2097092@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I like the jeans with the boots.  It is hard to know with lengths isn't it and that was one easy thing with skinnies - lengths were more forgiving. I think I would prefer 4 without the cardigan in spring with the sleeves rolled up.  Or as you say with more colour or pattern.  These shirts have an artists look to them so I would play on that a bit. slim cat on "January 2020 recap" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/january-2020-recap#post-2097079 Tue, 04 Feb 2020 01:57:38 +0000 slim cat 2097079@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ The straight jeans look fine with boots. High tops will work too. I wonder if wearing flats with whimsical socks and intentionally showing it off will work?.. Oxfords could be worn with no-show socks in warmer weather probably.  I wear my straight jeans in cold weather with fun socks (stripes, colors ). I agree that outfit #4 could use some fun addition like mini scarf in black/blue/white print, bracelets with same colors, scarf tied to your hair ( if you would like that ), extra jewelry/necklace, mini cross bag in burgundy or grey color... rachylou on "January 2020 recap" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/january-2020-recap#post-2097048 Mon, 03 Feb 2020 23:49:08 +0000 rachylou 2097048@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Decisive! Concise. I love your inspired outfit, and agree the other outfit is a bit basic. Fine of course, but it could be kicked up a notch with a final polishing flair. I yield to wiser people on pants hems, but they seem good to me with the boots. SarahD8 on "January 2020 recap" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/january-2020-recap#post-2097044 Mon, 03 Feb 2020 23:04:17 +0000 SarahD8 2097044@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Edited: <ul> <li>I did a quick Underpinnings edit at the start of the year and passed on some undies, socks, and a couple other items, mostly due to wear. It was SO GREAT how quick and non-stressful this was after having done a thorough Basics edit at the beginning of 2019!</li> <li>I also put a couple of things from my holding zone to the donation bag and dropped them off at Goodwill.</li> </ul> Added to my wardrobe: <ul> <li>Silver marcasite small hoops. To replace the one I lost in Stockholm. These fill the function fine, though I have to admit I don’t like them quite as well as the old ones. Sigh. Isn’t that always the way?</li> <li>Abalone drop earrings. A couple of years ago I identified abalone as a key material for jewelry for my deep winter wardrobe (bc of the similarity to Northern Lights…sounds wacky since abalone is usually associated with a beachy look but it really works for me!). These are lightweight and small enough for everyday wear. High happiness factor here!</li> <li>Heattech camisoles (3 white, 1 light pink). Identified as a priority in my 2020 plan. Previously, I had stocked up on black camisoles but only had 1 white one. I found that I was wearing it so much it got dingy fast!</li> <li>Heattech leggings/long johns (black). I had tried to buy a pair of these before our Stockholm trip but they were sold out. I have less immediate need for them now, but added them to my camisoles order to take advantage of free shipping.</li> <li>Blue cotton popover tunic with white collar. Light colored tunic length shirts were on my priorities list for my cold weather wardrobe. I like the menswear look of this and the fit is good. See below for outfits. </li> <li>Mid-wash straight leg jeans. See photos below, would love your feedback.</li> </ul> Tried but didn’t work out: <ul> <li>Silver oxfords. On my priorities list for footwear. But these were too small. Returned.</li> <li>Blue striped pullover. Would have been a nice transitional option. But the color wasn’t quite what I expected (medium blue and pale blue stripes…I had thought the lighter stripes were white — as a result it read more like rugby stripes than Breton stripes) and the neckline was more like a crewneck than a boatneck. Overall just blah on me. Returned.</li> <li>Ivory corduroy straight leg pants. Straight leg pants are a priority for my cold season wardrobe (and honestly a bit of a hewi at this point!). I have never been interested in the forum-favorite white jeans but somehow the idea of a pair of pale corduroy pants appealed to me. Unfortunately these turned out to be too small, even though their measurements corresponded to pants that fit me well. (Buying pants secondhand online has been a bit of a crapshoot even with measurements.) These weren’t returnable so they are in my holding zone for now because I do like the idea of them. If they don’t fit by next fall I’ll resell.</li> <li>2 pair heavyweight crew socks. My Underpinnings edit revealed that most of my thicker socks are showing wear. But these were just too thick, and the quality didn’t seem great. Had no desire to put them on my feet, so I returned them!</li> </ul> Overall: <ul> <li>I did a pretty good job focusing on the <a rel="nofollow" href="https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/state-of-the-wardrobe-and-looking-ahead-to-2020">priorities I identified</a> at the beginning of the year. Definitely feel that I am reaping the rewards of that effort. I feel more in control of the wardrobe building process than I have in the past.  </li> <li>My purchases came in about 40% under the monthly budget (see link above) I have set for myself. That’s interesting, as January is often a big shopping month for me. Maybe just the act of setting a budget (which I’ve never explicitly done before, and my current one is pretty generous to be honest) causes me to slow down and be more judicious. Hm.  </li> </ul> What I wore: I wore 5 pairs of pants, 12 tops, 6 toppers, and 4 pairs of shoes throughout the month. So, not much variety. I also wore a number of outfits multiple times (more than twice, even). I know that for some forum members this sort of simplicity and repetition brings peace and contentment. It kind of makes me feel like a hot mess! (Actually though, I’m not sure if that is intrinsic to the clothes, or if it’s just that I end up wearing the same thing over and over when my life is chaotic in other ways, as it was this past month. I also don’t mind repeating outfits — just not, you know, three times in a single week.) On the other hand I wore the same coat and carried the same bag all month and I was pretty much fine with that! Funny how that works. A couple of outfit photos with the new tunic: Photo 1. black ribbed leggings / light blue tunic / burgundy cardi / patent stompy boots / vintage cat brooch 2. Close up of brooch. 3. Inspiration photo I’d been wanting to copy this outfit for a while and finally have the pieces to do it — and enjoyed the result. I don’t think I’ve ever worn the brooch before! I am always attracted to brooches but never actually wear them. I think in this case the stompy boots (channeling Dame Vivienne’s punk vibe) save the look from being too sweet. 4. gray skinnies / light blue tunic / black midi cardi / cognac riding boots Although blue standard length tops are on my do not buy list, I thought that a blue tunic length shirt would be useful because my least structured bottoms are black and gray. But I did not like this outfit AT ALL. It’s just so basic and blah. I started to worry that maybe I’d bought this top just to make that one particular outfit above? That would not be good. After more more thought, I realized this outfit was not only all neutral, it featured no pattern, and nothing to tie it together (i.e., none of the colors are repeated). I suspect that outfits with this top need some kind of saturated color to make me happy. That I can do. Finally, some pics of the mid-wash straight leg jeans (photos 5-7). A lot of you know what a saga my attempt to add straight leg pants to my wardrobe has been. I am VERY happy with the fit of these (fitted just at the very top of the thigh, then loose and straight through the rest of the leg). They’re the right color/wash, and very soft. I’m definitely keeping them in some capacity. My question is about the length. They hit right at the bottom of my ankle bone. They’re too short to wear with loafers and oxfords (they don’t cover enough of the vamp, and my socks show — yet they’re too long to look intentionally cropped). But I think I REALLY like them with ankle boots as shown here — I *think* they work as a “shorter full length” pant in this context but am I fooling myself? Anyway if I’m doing the shorter-full-length thing wrong I’ll roll or hack them and wear them as crops in warmer seasons. Thanks for your input!