https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/january-purchases Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Tue, 07 Apr 2026 09:00:05 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/january-purchases#post-1155328 Sat, 01 Feb 2014 23:09:37 +0000 Thistle 1155328@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Looks like you took your time, thought it through, and made sound purchases. I look forward to seeing you in them! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/january-purchases#post-1155325 Sat, 01 Feb 2014 23:05:10 +0000 E 1155325@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p> <div>Carter, I actually wore the striped pullover in one of my wiws back in November! But I didn't love it, which is part of why I mentally earmarked it for removal. I agree that I've undergone a style shift since I got these pieces, which are all several years old.</div><div><br /></div><div>MG, looking forward to seeing yours! OMG, let's not talk about Summers of Death. *shudder* I wish I'd 'discovered' linen earlier to help me in the past 3 summers, but it's quite difficult to come across while thrifting, so lightweight cotton and cotton/silk blends have been my go-to.&nbsp;The cashmere in my lounge/pj capsule is there because it's too big to be in my regular rotation. I have to stop myself from buying up all the cashmere and merino I see while thrifting, but it's sadly more difficult to find it in the colours and shapes and sizes I need. I really love this new cardi though, so I'll see if I can diy it into submission.</div><div><br /></div><div>Thank you K!</div><div><br /></div><div>Laura, I'm one of those all or nothing personalities; if I do things informally/without any structure, I tend to not follow through. Hence these posts!</div><div><br /></div><div>Thanks Astrid. At the rate I'm buying, it might not be that slow of an adjustment! lol Pretty soon I need to refresh my intimitates, though, so that'll be a month or two off thrifting.</div><div><br /></div><div>Fuzzylogic, I agree! My poor clothes: I love them all to death, and wear them all eventually (I'm not a '20 of closet 80% of time' girl), but I also have so many that I don't repeat items terribly frequently unless I take them on a trip. Which is the only cause of my hesitation for having the size wardrobe that I do. But I'll just have to remember that for the future!</div><div><br /></div><div>Thank you Ornella. I just love clothes, the physicality of them and the textiles and the sewing that transforms flat lengths of cloth into shaped objects (and the weaving or knitting before that to make the cloth…and the growing of natural fibers…and on and on and on). Sadly, in the past I didn't know where to draw the line from a mathematical point of view (50 blouses anyone?), because I love having a variety of colours and fabrics, but I've learned now, so I'm hoping my wardrobe slowly shrinks from attrition. I might have to cut it down for my move, depending on storage space whereever I end up, but I truly love almost everything in it, so that would be a sad day.&nbsp;</div></p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/january-purchases#post-1155273 Sat, 01 Feb 2014 21:07:31 +0000 Ornella 1155273@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Keep writing!</p> <p>Great stuff. I am amazed by how much detailing you pay attention to, from the small pleats to the more earthy feel of the twill ribbon. It's a joy to read and I feel like I'm feeling those same clothes with you and actually chatting&nbsp;whether to buy it all&nbsp;or not.&nbsp;</p> <p>That alone would make me say "buy everything you like, because those clothes will truly be loved", but as we've determined before the simple mathematic shows we cannot possibly wear everything we have, I'll trust you'll know where to draw the line.&nbsp;</p> <p>And yes, linen IS a fascinating fabric and that particular top has your name all over it. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/january-purchases#post-1155258 Sat, 01 Feb 2014 20:53:24 +0000 fuzzylogic 1155258@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>The one in-one out system has a certain harmony to it. Like energy moving around the universe, the clothes keep moving until they find a perfect home. On a more 'sensible' note, garments are on the whole meant to be worn and not to gather dust in a closet somewhere. I like this approach! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/january-purchases#post-1155245 Sat, 01 Feb 2014 20:39:41 +0000 Astrid 1155245@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Great choices and yes, they are cohesive and seem to fit well into your style. I can't wait to see you style them! I think one in one out is a good idea to slowly adjust wardrobe quality (in every sense). </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/january-purchases#post-1155187 Sat, 01 Feb 2014 19:38:45 +0000 Laura (rhubarbgirl) 1155187@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I really like the idea of thinking through each item, having to defend it so to speak. Thanks for sharing. I'm doing 1I1O as well this year but so far rather more informally. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/january-purchases#post-1155075 Sat, 01 Feb 2014 17:24:41 +0000 Kristin L 1155075@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>It looks like you found some great pieces! I like your reasoning behind each one as well.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/january-purchases#post-1155059 Sat, 01 Feb 2014 17:04:37 +0000 MuseumGal 1155059@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I <i>love</i> in and out posts and am getting ready to do one too.&nbsp; That dress looks Just Like You, can't wait to see it in action.&nbsp; I know what you mean about linen - it has been my savior theses last few Summers of Death, where it has been over 110F every day for months on end.&nbsp; Oh, also, I am wildly jealous that you find enough cashmere that it's in your lounge capsule!</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/january-purchases#post-1155026 Sat, 01 Feb 2014 16:02:10 +0000 carter 1155026@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Very interesting. The new items look so much like the "you" we've come to know. The ones leaving the closet just don't look like they belonged to the same person. Good job! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/january-purchases#post-1155014 Sat, 01 Feb 2014 15:47:23 +0000 E 1155014@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Jewell, it's difficult to remember all the pretty things at home when there are new pretty things staring at you in stores! We'll see if the accountability posting works for me; it definitely kept me from some less than perfect purchases in January. I don't need more placeholders. I didn't do an item limit for this year, as I'm moving to a very different climate and don't want to stress too much,&nbsp;but that might happen next year. It'd be a challenge for me, but a good one!</p> <p>Suz, I've definitely got a decent sized wardrobe! If not more than decent. I actually wore the linen top while on my trip (hence its crumpled state, post backpack and pulled out of the hamper for the pic, hehe) but didn't manage to photograph it. Soon! And I want to try the dress all layered up soon too; the weather's getting warm here (ugh) so it's just a matter of me taking up the straps a bit.</p> <p>Aubergine, they were a weird length! I resorted my blouses by sleeve length during my closet run through last night (exciting Fridays are clearly my speciality) and was saddened by how many bracelet sleeves there were. What is it with manufacturers not wanting to give us full length tops?! Or maybe it's just that more shorter ones get donated, because they drive other women nuts too.</p> <p>RachyLou, eek! The dark dress is the one leaving. :/ I'm glad you like it, since I wore it quite a bit before, but now the bodice just drives me nuts. I will miss the colours though. I love the striped top too &amp; am thrilled to imagine a little bit of RachyLou in my closet. ;D </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/january-purchases#post-1154984 Sat, 01 Feb 2014 15:25:35 +0000 rachylou 1154984@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Cool. I esp. like the dark dress, because of the way it will mix things up. Last pic, left top - that is *so me* </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/january-purchases#post-1154981 Sat, 01 Feb 2014 15:22:15 +0000 Anonymous 1154981@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Sounds like you're being very thoughtful and deliberate! I'm also trying to remind myself&nbsp;not to buy things if they're not much better than things I already have at home.</p> <p>I remember that cardigan and know it looks great on you and also love the dress. It looks like everything makes sense swap-wise too. The sleeves on the sweater the cardigan's replacing, in particular, just seem like a really weird length that would make it harder to wear. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/january-purchases#post-1154975 Sat, 01 Feb 2014 15:01:52 +0000 Suz 1154975@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>These look like excellent choices for you and you've clearly thought it all through. We've already seen the cardigan featured so you know that works for you; you'll get to test the others as the weather warms up. I think the one-in-one-out is a great policy for wardrobe management once a person has reached a decent sized wardrobe. Makes perfect sense.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/january-purchases#post-1154969 Sat, 01 Feb 2014 14:41:30 +0000 Jewell 1154969@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>E, you have been very deliberate with your purchases and I loved reading the rationale behind each one. And I look forward to seing them featured in future WIWs. I should probably try a similar accountability posting as I'm finding it difficult to resist some of the pretty items in stores. I seem to keep making excuses...er exceptions for my 24 items purchasing limit. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/january-purchases#post-1154959 Sat, 01 Feb 2014 14:15:53 +0000 E 1154959@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I think I mentioned (somewhere?!) that while I'm back to thrifting, I want to essentially follow 1 in/1 out for things I buy (vs clothes I make, which will have a free pass, in an effort to encourage myself to make more). I'd like the clothes to be from similar 'categories' too.&nbsp;And I'm going to use the forum to hold me accountable, because otherwise it's far too easy to just overlook something here and there or 'forget' to remove an item. Last night, I went ahead and balanced out my January clothes, which made me so happy I ended up pulling several other pieces that I don't love 100% out of the rotation. A little part of me thought 'save them! you'll need them for future 1 in/1 out!,' but then I saw how silly I was being. Really, I have an abundance in almost every aspect of my closet (my only true hole at the moment is a pair of dressy trousers; come next winter, when I've moved up north, I might have a few more), which is what I want to keep in mind at the thrift stores. If something isn't a big improvement over what I have, why bring it home? The only categories excepted are jumpers/pullovers, because I wear them frequently in cooler weather and don't have that many, so I'm allowed a couple more wool and cotton/other warmer weather blend and colourful skirts, which I'm also 'lacking'. With any luck, these guidelines will allow me to keep looking for wardrobe HEWIs without succumbing as much to the temptation of lovely things! ;)</p> <p>In January, I went thrifting twice and came home with 5 items (! that'd be 60 new pieces for the year&nbsp;if I keep that up) for $31 plus tax (I had $10 in Christmas present money to add to my usual budget). In addition to the Trench of Contention, which I forgot to photograph as it lives in the coat closet, I added:</p> <p>a light coloured, pattern&nbsp;cotton dress because </p> <ul> <li>I think it will work as both a sundress and layer well in the fall and spring (even winter here in Texas but perhaps not in upstate NY)</li> <li>it has a high, square&nbsp;neckline (once I take up the straps a bit), which flatters me,&nbsp;and is knee length</li> <li>I love the raspberry family of pinks and don't have anything like that in my entire (not insubstantial)&nbsp;closet</li> <li>the little pintucks/mini pleats&nbsp;at the waist were adorable</li> <li>it's lined in acetate, which feels fine to me, unlike polyester (which I find very itchy as a lining)</li> </ul> <p>and it's displacing a different (darker) patterned&nbsp;cotton dress, which hasn't been worn at all in at least a year, perhaps two, because the bodice is lined in polyester (itchy!), and the silhouette, while flattering to my body, is too retro/50s for me to feel entirely comfortable in, and the quality just isn't up to my current standards (I got this dress before I was really into thrifting, so I've had it for probably 6 years &amp; wore it a lot when I was younger); </p> <p>a navy cotton cardigan with ribbon detailing because </p> <ul> <li>it fits beautifully buttoned up, so can easily be worn as a jumper/pullover (I have no full sleeve cotton jumpers at the moment)</li> <li>it's a crewneck, my favourite kind of cardigan</li> <li>I loved the ribbon detailing (actually a kind of twill bias tape, I believe, so it has an earthier feel to it than real ribbon would)</li> <li>navy is one of 'my' neutrals</li> <li>the quality is excellent: it looks like it's never been worn and is a lovely, substantial cotton (you'll have to take my word for it, since my poor camera couldn't cope with the white closet door and dark navy colour so the details were lost)</li> </ul> <p>and it's displacing a thin cotton jumper/pullover, which is really past its prime, and I prefer full length sleeves anyway, and thicker fabric; </p> <p>a linen striped blouse because </p> <ul> <li>I've become much more interested in linen lately, as it seems like a fascinating fiber, and I'd like to add some to my wardrobe</li> <li>the stripes are perfect for me, with a muted blues and pinks, and the vertical placement is such fun</li> <li>I love curved yokes, especially with round necklines (when worn, the little cut out in the middle isn't as dramatic a v)</li> <li>it made me feel like a 1920s bathing beauty, and I found it 2 days before my seashore trip, so it felt like fate</li> </ul> <p>and it's displacing another striped short sleeve top, which was too long for me, and just not quite right. </p> <p>Now careful counters will notice I'm missing my fifth piece! It's a pair of trousers that I wore yesterday, but I'd like some input on them before I decide whether to keep them and thus choose a sacrificial victim to make room on the shelf. So you'll see them in my next wiw. :)</p> <p>Oh! I almost forgot! I actually bought a 6th item, a grey cashmere sweater, for my loungewear/pj capsule. It's truly delicious cashmere and a lovely colour, so now I'm tempted to see if I can somehow alter the too low/big armcyse (spelling?) and put it in my normal closet. If that happens, you'll see it in February's round up!</p> <p>I have no clue if this will be helpful to anyone to read, but it was definitely helpful for me to write. If it turns out not to be helpful, I'll keep future accounts more brief! But I suspect the idea of forum eyes on my new purchases will help give me a bit of extra will power while thrifting. Seeing the photos side by side, I think it's clear that all of the left hand (new) pieces seem to belong in the same closet. And that they're all an upgrade in quality.&nbsp;I hope so anyway! </p>