YouLookFab Forum » Topic: Learnings from 30 x 30 (warning- very long)

YouLookFab Forum » Topic: Learnings from 30 x 30 (warning- very long) https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/learnings-from-30-x-30-warning--very-long Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Tue, 21 Apr 2026 08:51:11 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 <![CDATA[Search]]> q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php Stagiaire Fash on "Learnings from 30 x 30 (warning- very long)" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/learnings-from-30-x-30-warning--very-long#post-1876617 Mon, 08 Jan 2018 19:34:36 +0000 Stagiaire Fash 1876617@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Wishing you a speedy recovery! Lynn on "Learnings from 30 x 30 (warning- very long)" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/learnings-from-30-x-30-warning--very-long#post-1876586 Mon, 08 Jan 2018 18:04:09 +0000 Lynn 1876586@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Thanks everyone for your replies. Much appreciated.  Sterling-  I am having a lot of fun with this challenge and it is very illuminating, both my own experience but also other's experiences. You will probably be seeing a lot of long navel-gazing posts from me about casual attire. Hopefully we can all figure it out together. :)  Clementine- The yoga pants and leggings were from the Eddie Bauer outlet several years ago. Unfortunately, the outlet items are not online. The yoga pants had really wide hems. But I liked the fabric and they were cheap so I remade them to have a narrower hem.  Rachylou-  It is a sweater knit with a loose cowl neck and shirt-tail hem. The hem hits @ my upper thigh.   Toban- I will play around a bit more with booties and straight leg pants. I need to figure out the maximum hem width that I like with booties. Katrina- I like the idea of focusing on jewelry and scarves to elevate the style quotient of outfits. Especially as I am not big on toppers, except as a coats!  La Ped- Funny about the LL Bean and Uniqlo sweaters! I like that I have a wardrobe twin. My mother has a large loom- it does pull at me but the last thing I need is another textile hobby. I am just getting back to garment making and I have enough fabric to clothe myself and several other people for the rest of my life. Many years ago I used to sew the majority of my clothes and I would like to get back to that. The good news about that is I can have the lovely flannel plaid but in a better style for me.  LaPed on "Learnings from 30 x 30 (warning- very long)" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/learnings-from-30-x-30-warning--very-long#post-1876491 Mon, 08 Jan 2018 11:28:49 +0000 LaPed 1876491@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ This is a great reflection, and from the looks of it you and I have a lot of wardrobe overlap! I have that same LLBean black stewart flannel (love those colours -- so versatile), and a Uniqlo merino V-Neck in a darker red (those are a great staple -- I'm wondering if I ought to add a crewneck at some point too). I think there are a lot of forum members who find tailored shirts restrictive and not quite right. Angie had a great post not too long ago on shirts vs blouses, which might give you some inspiration: <a rel="nofollow" href="https://youlookfab.com/2017/06/29/the-difference-between-shirts-and-blouses/">https://youlookfab.com/2017/06.....d-blouses/</a> Now might be a good time to look for tartan blouses on clearance racks, since the holidays are over...  Re: sweater itch -- I have sensitive skin, and I find I cannot put a wool shirt on right when I come out of the shower and my skin is warm. I also need to put lotion on any skin the wool will come into contact with (colloidal oatmeal formulas, like Aveeno, work best for me). This may seem like a lot of trouble, but in the end wool ends up working better for me than synthetics as a next-to-skin layer. Polyester and microfiber are so moisture-wicking that they can leave my skin very dry by the end of a winter day. Silk baselayers are perhaps my favourite, but it's hard to find durable ones; I wonder if you might look into silk-blend sweaters for a less-itchy alternative to merino that still has some sheen and polish? I hear you on needing a pair of winter-appropriate boots that are "a step up" in terms of dressiness -- I've been eying those Blondo's for that very reason but haven't pulled the trigger yet.  I love that you get to go to Handweavers Guild meetings with your mom! My mom is a knitter, not a weaver, but she keeps threatening to find me a loom, since my house has more space for one than hers does. Mainelady on "Learnings from 30 x 30 (warning- very long)" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/learnings-from-30-x-30-warning--very-long#post-1876489 Mon, 08 Jan 2018 11:19:18 +0000 Mainelady 1876489@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ You really have learned a lot in a week! I appreciate you sharing your reflections with us. I enjoy learning from others and reading the posts from forum members often gives me points to consider during my own process. Best wishes for your upcoming surgery and recovery! Katerina on "Learnings from 30 x 30 (warning- very long)" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/learnings-from-30-x-30-warning--very-long#post-1876471 Mon, 08 Jan 2018 07:39:06 +0000 Katerina 1876471@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Lynn, I admire your clear and structured analysis, Especially how you have thought through the types of casual ware. Personally, I am not at all good at casual outfits and this challenge made me see that even more clearly. No matter how I try, my outfits always end up on the dressier side. I am fine with it, basically, but I would like to be able to do more variety of styles. As for the polished casual - absolutely, jewelry will give more polish. You could do hoop earrings for example, if you like and wear those, a pearl studs or add a cuff. It is difficult to tell in general without knowing you and your taste. Personally, I wear a lot of scarves - almost with everything. I feel that they make my outfits, so I would add a scarf or two even to your casual categories. But again, it is personal what people like and feel comfortable with. Best wishes for a fast recovery. Toban on "Learnings from 30 x 30 (warning- very long)" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/learnings-from-30-x-30-warning--very-long#post-1876409 Mon, 08 Jan 2018 01:21:27 +0000 Toban 1876409@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ A very thoughtful plan that reflects your lifestyle. With booties I wear straight leg jeans in one of two ways, in case you want to giv3 straight leg jeans another go. These are booties that have a shaft of 2-4 inches above ankle bone. The first is full length (breaks nicely below ankle) over the bootie which hides the bootie details, but is super elongating and my legs look miles long. The second is with a moderate cuff with low contrast pant that overlaps the top of bootie by 1-2 inches. I don’t like having a gap between jean and bootie in this combination (though I like it with other pant styles). Here are a couple of my favorite jean, bootie combinations. My jeans are ~2” longer than on model. I especially like them cuffed with a tunic and the Chelsea boots. Best wishes for a speedy recovery. rachylou on "Learnings from 30 x 30 (warning- very long)" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/learnings-from-30-x-30-warning--very-long#post-1876402 Mon, 08 Jan 2018 00:41:38 +0000 rachylou 1876402@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Very very interesting! I like your finds. They all look like they play well, harmonious but not soporific palette. You know... I’d like to see the purple cowl, I’m not sure I can imagine it (esp the hemline) and I LOVE me a sweater coat carter on "Learnings from 30 x 30 (warning- very long)" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/learnings-from-30-x-30-warning--very-long#post-1876369 Sun, 07 Jan 2018 22:27:26 +0000 carter 1876369@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ You did learn quite a bit! Congrats. I bet you learn even more next week;-). If you have a link or find for the EB yoga pants, I would appreciate it. I could use a refresh here. Anonymous on "Learnings from 30 x 30 (warning- very long)" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/learnings-from-30-x-30-warning--very-long#post-1876354 Sun, 07 Jan 2018 21:20:04 +0000 Anonymous 1876354@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Hi Lynn -- Great synopsis!  And you did learn so much about your style preferences in just a single week.  You could call that a major success. Everything you wrote here applies to me as well.  I am not retired, but I work in a semi-casual office three days a week.  I telework the other two days.  Having levels of casual dress is important to our self esteem.  Casual attire is one of my hardest challenges.  If you should crack this nut, let me know immediately.   Best wishes on a speedy recovery.   I'll keep you in mind on January 15th -- sending you well wishes from afar.   P.S.  I'm in love with your shoes.   Lynn on "Learnings from 30 x 30 (warning- very long)" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/learnings-from-30-x-30-warning--very-long#post-1876348 Sun, 07 Jan 2018 20:53:21 +0000 Lynn 1876348@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Here is my initial thread <a rel="nofollow" href="https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/determining-“enough”-wardrobe-joy--my-30-x-30-challenge">https://youlookfab.com/welookf.....-challenge</a> Week 1: Amazing what you can learn about yourself in just 1 week when you pay attention! Here are the items in my closet right now with my notes. I have put in bold those items I definitively want to keep in my wardrobe.  Pants (8) -  3 jeans: medium dark wash, black & red. denim & black would be adequate for my needs but other options nice.  - 1 pair heavy weight black leggings- Wore with my snow boots .  Have also worn them with longer length tunics everyday.   - 1 pair slim black ponte pants- these are my “dressy” option. - 3 black yoga pants - my preferred at home wear.  I like cotton/lycra (EB) much more than tech fabric (Lucy)   Tops: (8)-  - Medium width black/white stripe tee – love with denim, like with black & red pants. Tried a narrower stripe initially but did not like with black pants (too heavy feeling). Medium width much better. - V neck red wool sweater – Like the cut, wool a little itchy for everyday. Works for a more “polished look”. - "Arty tee" Tie dyed cotton knit tunic (black, grey, indigo, rust)- I really like this. Fabric feels good. Good silhouette- has some waist shaping. Like with denim & black jeans. Would like with grey jeans - Black/Red flannel shirt- love the feel of flannel but not a tailored shirt fan. Need different silhouette.  - 3 others that are OK but nothing special. Purple cowl neck tunic (like cowl necks), black/grey speckled sweatshirt tunic length (too boxy, but like sweat shirting),   Slate blue waffle knit tunic with embroidery-(not a fan of the embroidery, feels fussy to me, would prefer a different color, maybe rust or teal) - Subbed a Nic + Zoe sweater for the black/white dot sweater. Dots too big and sweater too short. Similar to B/W stripe top in a way, The new sweater is blues &  black . Can be more casual with jeans, more polished with black ponte pants.  I will add the following  for next week (5) -  Grey jeans,  a favorite “arty” tee ,  a more casual red top. (I like red), Black/Grey stripe tee (very soft, another option with grey jeans) and a teal top  Toppers (2)- Learned  I prefer mid-thigh to above knee length -  Down: heavyweight coat, light weight longer length jacket.– not counting in 30.  Would like an alternate to the light weight down coat that is a little dressier. - Black heavy weight above knee length sweater coat - love it. Comfortable, very clean lines, polished appearing. - Black wool waterfall mid thigh length cardigan- lighter weight than coat. Felt OK but not as great as sweater coat. Shoes (3)-  + snow boots - Blondo heeled black booties- a winner. Wear for “dress”. Prefer flatter heels for everyday wear - Born booties with buckles- these feel a little RATE for what I apparently prefer. - Clark’s black high top sneakers- I feel kid like when I wear them which is good and bad. But they do make me smile. Some other learnings: I discovered that I would like a more polished look then what I have been wearing. I want several different levels of casual in my wardrobe. (I am retired and my lifestyle is very casual)  At home/Everyday casual –Comfort is the key here.  I typically change yoga pants to jeans and keep on the same top when I go out. This works for me. I only change outfits completely for events.  So I need to focus on everyday tops that I enjoy wearing.   Polished casual- casual dining out , concerts, etc  1-3 times/week. Here is where I would like to “up my game” at bit. Will have to think on how to do that. Maybe add a casual bracelet + earrings. Any ideas? "Dressy'  casual-   For holiday events, theatre, dining out in nicer restaurants. Needs 2-3 outfits for the season Arty casual- for Handweavers Guild meetings 1-2 times/month. I don’t weave but I take my mother to these meetings. I love textiles so it isn’t a hardship.  I am OK with a single uniform of slim pants + tunic length tops + longer topper/coat + booties. I tried straight leg jeans one day but did not like them with booties so I put on sneakers instead and felt blah and boring. Interesting!  Colors/Patterns- I like black, red, rust & teal. I would wear cognac/leopard in tops if I had some that fit. I like a moderate level of contrast (who knew!). I did not feel good in all black. I like patterned tops with solid pants but only geometric and abstract patterns apparently. I have several other print tees that I have no desire to wear. If you have read all the way through this- I thank you. I will post an update (hopefully shorter) after next week. I am having knee surgery Jan 15th (was scheduled for early Feb.) so I will have to put the challenge on hold for the several weeks after. I will use that time to consider the "with purpose" part of my wardrobe goals. i.e. develop a plan (a favorite thing of mine to do) I added a few finds. The sweater coat style  is similar to mind. Will try to take some pictures of the tie dye tunic and other arty tee. Am not up for outfit pics right now.