YouLookFab Forum » Topic: Limiting or freeing?

YouLookFab Forum » Topic: Limiting or freeing? https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/limiting-or-freeing Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Fri, 10 Apr 2026 20:27:19 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 <![CDATA[Search]]> q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php Stagiaire Fash on "Limiting or freeing?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/limiting-or-freeing/page/2#post-2256072 Tue, 22 Mar 2022 16:50:57 +0000 Stagiaire Fash 2256072@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Such good replies. Sorry I wasn’t around to respond, but glad for the good discussion. Bijou on "Limiting or freeing?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/limiting-or-freeing/page/2#post-2255799 Mon, 21 Mar 2022 05:53:44 +0000 Bijou 2255799@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I am happy to try on almost any item of clothing, but will always have an instinctive reaction to things as to whether or not they 'feel like me'. Once something passes that hurdle, I then use logic to answer 'where am I going in this' and 'what can I wear it with'. I won't buy an item if it will not work with other items in my wardrobe and I don't know when and where I will wear it. DonnaF on "Limiting or freeing?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/limiting-or-freeing/page/2#post-2255782 Mon, 21 Mar 2022 01:17:07 +0000 DonnaF 2255782@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Since posting on this thread two days ago, I have decided to stop buying color -- after telling myself for YEARS that I needed to add more color to my wardrobe. Wearing more white/cream/silver gray cheers me up on sunny days just fine. It's the wearing a darker gray with black that's a bit dreary. As mentioned previously, I won't be getting rid of my colored stuff; I will just stop adding to it. I guess it has been a bit freeing to conclude that the only footwear that gives my fussy, problem fit are oxfords, combat boots, and some high cut slides, and that it is almost always too cool for my Raynaud's prone toes to wear sandals. Knowing this protects me from a measure of frustration. And I guess it provides an excuse to be the only person on earth who has two pairs of green oxfords and a pair of green combat boots. [Colored footwear is not part of my no color restriction.] Sally on "Limiting or freeing?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/limiting-or-freeing/page/2#post-2255562 Sat, 19 Mar 2022 06:39:39 +0000 Sally 2255562@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I like to stick to formulas and find it freeing to limit myself.  If i like a colour I will add it in but tend not to buy a lot of different colours.  In fact I have had to encourage myself to add more colours.   Kate on "Limiting or freeing?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/limiting-or-freeing/page/2#post-2255558 Sat, 19 Mar 2022 04:06:59 +0000 Kate 2255558@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ To answer your question, I place no restrictions on my wardrobe. There are colors that I love, which typically tend to be neutrals, and they are widely represented in my closet. But if I have a desire to step off the neutral path, as I did a few years ago with lilac, and more recently with cream, I do that, with no self-recriminations. I have a limited number of jackets (3) because I don't really need them. But I was interested in wearing a longer jacket this past winter, so I  bought an oversized one to wear over beefy sweaters. There are shapes that appeal to me, ex., cropped and boxy tops, which go well with my preferred high rise pants/jeans plus the few ancient pleated skirts I have, and my eye is always attracted by those kinds of tops. Even though I don't need skirts, and I stopped buying black a number of years ago, in December I happily bought a beautiful knitted black skirt from an Icelandic designer.  I love high neck anything, and sleeveless items, so again, my eye is always drawn by those whenever I see them. I have realized that much more than color or shape, what drives my wardrobe choices is comfort. I am most comfortable in high rises, cropped (but non-belly baring!) tops, high necks and sleeveless tops. I imagine these things will always feature in my closet. Until they don't. And that's just fine. Because I don't like limiting my options, I am open to experimentation as long as a garment is comfortable. Jonesy on "Limiting or freeing?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/limiting-or-freeing/page/2#post-2255538 Sat, 19 Mar 2022 02:17:33 +0000 Jonesy 2255538@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ For myself, I don't think in terms of "my colors," "my palette," or "colors I can wear" but instead just buy colors I like, which all work together to my eye. I don't like to feel restricted or dictated to (in terms of fashion, style, or life in general, lol), so feeling like I "can" wear this color but "can't" wear that color rubs me the wrong way. Anonymous on "Limiting or freeing?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/limiting-or-freeing/page/2#post-2255508 Fri, 18 Mar 2022 22:37:56 +0000 Anonymous 2255508@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ RoseandJoan, I wholeheartedly agree with you, that self-imposed restrictions are freeing while restrictions imposed by others results in pushing it completely ignoring the boundaries & “rules.” RoseandJoan on "Limiting or freeing?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/limiting-or-freeing/page/2#post-2255493 Fri, 18 Mar 2022 20:20:19 +0000 RoseandJoan 2255493@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ This has been a great read. Personally, I find internal limits narrow the field of vision and provide a focal point for dressing as a creative process and because I am the one the setting the limits I also have the freedom to redefine my boundaries at any time. External limits leave me cold, i'll try to push at the boundaries as much as possible. So from a colour analysis point of view, if I chose to have my colours analysed I would enjoy the process and use the information to enhance my dressing, I can also see the logic of having more options because everything works together. However, if someone said "you are a summer you should wear X, Y & Z", I would have to politely tell that person to jog on mate. LaPed on "Limiting or freeing?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/limiting-or-freeing/page/2#post-2255486 Fri, 18 Mar 2022 19:36:42 +0000 LaPed 2255486@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Oh yeah, this resonates: "Instead of injecting boundaries and limits, for me it’s a process of discovering and labeling what’s already there." That's more or less what I was getting at. Coming from a background of settling for whatever was the most affordable/durable/readily available, and, "It doesn't matter what colour your parka is; its job is to keep you warm (but no you can't have the white one because it will get dirty)," there really was a learning curve to figuring out what I genuinely liked and how things made me feel, crazy as that might sound. It probably took me all of my teens and twenties, trying out all kinds of weird proportions and colour combos, to reach a point where I have some kind of sense of what makes me happy w/r/t clothes.   And I think something that's hard for a lot of people is recognizing when they like the *idea* of something vs the thing itself. It's actually pretty easy to end up with a closet full of great ideas but only a few things you actually want to wear.  The closet numbers question is somewhat separate, to my mind. There are lots of reasons to go or not go minimalist (space, budget, psychology, whatever), and there are lots of different ways to do it, one of which is a tight colour palette. But you can have a clearly defined set of colours and silhouettes and still have a large selection of clothes with lots variety and choices within those parameters (Janet's style comes to mind). There are also, conversely, folks who are happy with a small number of items in a wide array of colours, shapes and patterns (I think Runcarla is a good example of this approach).  Barbara Diane on "Limiting or freeing?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/limiting-or-freeing#post-2255482 Fri, 18 Mar 2022 19:06:57 +0000 Barbara Diane 2255482@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Having my colors done in person was a monumental and breakthrough moment for me. Before that I had no idea what colors looked good on me and my closet was a ragtag mess. I do, however, find it quite challenging to find the more subtle or nuanced colors of my palette, which I believe would give more depth and interest to my style. I also have a primary fit but I do vary it, even though sometimes I’m not sure that I’ve hit JFE; there’s usually something about the item I love so much that I make an exception. All in all, I find that self decided guidelines are an asset. Zaeobi on "Limiting or freeing?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/limiting-or-freeing#post-2255445 Fri, 18 Mar 2022 15:05:16 +0000 Zaeobi 2255445@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Interesting question: I'd say my style can be freeing within the constraints of my real life, but can be limiting within my fantasy one. In other words, my current closet freely allows for my lifestyle restraints of: 1) machine washing (so no dry clean only + everything usually fits into either very dark or mid bright tones, to make laundry separation easier). 2) a small wardrobe (so fixed colour palettes offers maximum mix & matchability). 3) modesty preferences (so either crop+maxi or long-over-lean silhouettes). 4) a Deep Autumn palette (wearing clothes up top that don't require lots of makeup to look 'in harmony' with my face, lol). Defining my style itself outside of these 'practical' parameters is still a work in progress lol, but I do sometimes feel limited by my current closet. Fantasy: it doesn't just consist of an array of brightly coloured silks in: long sleeve boatneck crop tops, bias cut/ fishtail maxi skirts, rectangular scarves, cigarette pants & pussybow tunics - these are my fantasy HEW colours/ fabrics/ silhouettes. But alas it would be more effort than it's worth (for me) to get these HEWIs to work for my currently 'smart casual' lifestyle & Deep Autumn colouring, hence 'fantasy' That said, sometimes I do give into the fantasy by buying items like a hot pink tunic (not a 'mid bright'), but that's usually calculated (i.e. I made sure I'd feel comfortable wearing it in 3 outfits in my current closet before committing to it). Anonymous on "Limiting or freeing?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/limiting-or-freeing#post-2255433 Fri, 18 Mar 2022 12:51:41 +0000 Anonymous 2255433@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ My life is less stressful when I adhere to the colors that look best on me & that can be mixed & matched. Shopping & getting dressed is a lot easier, & freeing. Making less buying mistakes is freeing, too. Our condo is a little under half the size of the house we’re currently living in, & there’s not much storage space. Having less things in general is freeing, as there is less inventory to manage. DonnaF on "Limiting or freeing?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/limiting-or-freeing#post-2255401 Fri, 18 Mar 2022 04:23:55 +0000 DonnaF 2255401@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I am drawn to the "gryffin palette" and most of what I own within that palette I can mix'n'match. But at a certain point, especially on bright sunny days, I find it all terribly dreary and depressing even if I wear a lot of silvery bling. So then I want to wear color. But a whole week of color (like green for St. Patty's Day or red for Valentine's Day) is Too Much for me I discovered and makes me acutely uncomfortable. Maybe when my budget shrinks after I 100% retire, I will stop buying color and when I want color just wear what I own until it wears out. That should last me a decade or a dozen years. I had my colors "done" maybe 35 years ago. I was told that some function as neutrals on me since I can wear them but they don't provide a lot of energy. This thick packet of colors has helped me identify colors that clearly don't work for me and, if I bought any they wouldn't go with anything I own. So that has been freeing. Sal on "Limiting or freeing?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/limiting-or-freeing#post-2255349 Thu, 17 Mar 2022 21:41:21 +0000 Sal 2255349@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I don't have a strict palette or style, but I think intuitively I do (mostly) pick pieces and colours that suit me.  Like you StagF I have probably done this through experimentation.   I can see that a capsule or a colour season can be freeing in a lot of ways, and I can be drawn to this.  But in the most part the variety inspires me and I don't like to put too many boundaries in place for me in this part of my life. And it would certainly be boring if we were all the same. Lana on "Limiting or freeing?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/limiting-or-freeing#post-2255346 Thu, 17 Mar 2022 20:44:39 +0000 Lana 2255346@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ To me it’s freeing to know the colors that look good on me because if I want to wear ones that aren’t so good, I use them in small amounts and farther away from my face. It’s good to know the “rules” so we can break them intelligently. I love making capsules for the seasons and am working on my Spring one now — I’m thinking it will be Navy/Denim, White, Pink and Lilac. Capsules help me be more creative with my clothes since I have limited choices. gryffin on "Limiting or freeing?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/limiting-or-freeing#post-2255341 Thu, 17 Mar 2022 19:44:15 +0000 gryffin 2255341@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ My mother never taught me how to dress.  She herself bought "outfits" and there was no mix and match.  When I started working I went into AT and bought a skirt suit, pants suit etc.  So I had outfits not a cohesive wardrobe.  My epiphany cames in the mid-90's.  I didn't know it then but Donna Karan had just come out with her 7 easy pieces.  I bought a long cream/black/eggshell plaid long blazer, a black blazer, skirt, pants and black and eggshell faux jodphur leggings.  Added a couple of black bodysuits, a ribbed eggshell silk sweater and suede and black leather booties.  All of a sudden I had an incredible capsule wardrobe.  It was a total revelation.  I wore these pieces everywhere for the next 10 yr until they literally wore out.  There was literally no ocassion they weren't right for.  So as things wore out I began replacing with a very strict palate - Black, pearl gray, charcoal gray and denim.  Literally the earth moved, the angel's wept.  Peace, harmony, easy, elegance...wow.  I have added in some white over the last 2 decades and recently added navy (long story, my son's school colors and no one on campus wears black...)  Would I buy something not in my palate.  Maybe, if it really called to me and I could work with it.  But truly, those are my favorite colors to wear.  It's not about limiting so much as "freedom from..." (having to do something) is sometimes more nurturing than "freedom to..." (to do everything, which I find overwhelming).   rachylou on "Limiting or freeing?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/limiting-or-freeing#post-2255334 Thu, 17 Mar 2022 19:09:25 +0000 rachylou 2255334@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Tbh, the absence of any colour in my closet is probably due to attrition. I haven’t any permanent rules against any colour, but do pass things on and wear items out. Albeit, I do stage my own personal colour fads for periods of time. I banned orange without ever actually giving it up, lol Stagiaire Fash on "Limiting or freeing?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/limiting-or-freeing#post-2255331 Thu, 17 Mar 2022 18:55:52 +0000 Stagiaire Fash 2255331@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Not choosing some is also a choice… rachylou on "Limiting or freeing?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/limiting-or-freeing#post-2255330 Thu, 17 Mar 2022 18:51:20 +0000 rachylou 2255330@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Interestingly enough, no. There may be the absence of a few colours, like lemon yellow (but I could probably still pull an item or two), but not a dominance of any. I’m conscientious about colour in that way, wanting an array. The only thing I have a lot of is white/ivory sweaters - sort of the absence of colour. I don’t even have a balance of black to match, the neutral I wear all the time. I go for clashing colour a lot, so that’s a factor. Stagiaire Fash on "Limiting or freeing?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/limiting-or-freeing#post-2255325 Thu, 17 Mar 2022 18:24:29 +0000 Stagiaire Fash 2255325@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Chewy, I agree that it’s the variation in the wardrobe, not the number of items, that makes mixing and matching easy (or not). But I guess I already made my position on that clear in my response to Suntiger. Carla, it’s about feelings. I’m not really trying to figure anything out, more just polling people as to where they stand on that question the video raised—is setting these limits freeing or confining? Rachylou, even though you haven’t set a pallet for yourself, don’t you find, when you look at your closet, that you have more of some colors, less of others, and nothing in certain colors? Cat2, nice example of fitting the trends to you. I think I do that fairly instinctively. Of course I’m blanking on examples now, but I’m pretty headstrong about not wearing a thing that doesn’t look/feel “like me”, no matter how trendy it is. Renee P on "Limiting or freeing?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/limiting-or-freeing#post-2255322 Thu, 17 Mar 2022 18:17:30 +0000 Renee P 2255322@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I do tend to stick to a basic palette. I know that I look best in darker colors and jewel tones. Warm colors just don't look good on me. cat2 on "Limiting or freeing?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/limiting-or-freeing#post-2255315 Thu, 17 Mar 2022 17:18:42 +0000 cat2 2255315@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Here’s the algorithm: What do I currently need? A couple of non-boring sweaters. What is currently trending? Angie says Fair Isles, but I don’t like the classic round neck style and pattern placement, it’s not flattering on me. Is there a version of what is currently trending that I do really like? Yes, after two years of fruitless clicking I found a modern version with a mock neck and the Fair Isle pattern exploded into a large modern pattern across the shoulders. So what I bought is current, rather than looking like what I wore in college, but also long term me because it is a updated version of a classic. rachylou on "Limiting or freeing?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/limiting-or-freeing#post-2255311 Thu, 17 Mar 2022 16:44:21 +0000 rachylou 2255311@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ And one more: I have NO colour palette. I strongly strongly prefer a limited silhouette and lots of different colour. I feel completely suffocated with colour limits. So have to say… I’m choosy about where I have rules… rachylou on "Limiting or freeing?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/limiting-or-freeing#post-2255309 Thu, 17 Mar 2022 16:38:36 +0000 rachylou 2255309@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Chewy: I like math! rachylou on "Limiting or freeing?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/limiting-or-freeing#post-2255308 Thu, 17 Mar 2022 16:36:29 +0000 rachylou 2255308@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I think that’s a good point, Angie, about setting one’s own limits. ‘Unforced limits’ if you will, that actually work for you. Re my own thoughts—great topic, btw, SF: I have always felt boundaries and goals foster creativity. You have to get clever with what you have. They also allow one to break the rules in a judicious, useful manner. Throw lots of paint onto something… and the colour you’ll get is ‘mud’, so to speak. They allow you a place to start. So for example, a place like Macy’s used to totally overwhelm me. Floors and floors of racks crammed with clothing. I’d never find anything in a store like that before Angie. I couldn’t even stay very long in one. Or I’d buy a lot of cute things that I didn’t particularly want to wear after the initial experiment was over. Or I had so many styles in my closet, that I personally had no style, which I found a big problem—my clothes lied about me all the time. Also: there are different possibilities for rules, and I find rules for ‘how’ more useful than rules for ‘what.’ Ruling out light grey is less useful to me than ruling out light grey in certain circumstances (as in light-weight grandpa cardigans ). Carla on "Limiting or freeing?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/limiting-or-freeing#post-2255305 Thu, 17 Mar 2022 16:31:22 +0000 Carla 2255305@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ You are loosing me here, Stagaire Fash.  I fear I’m not understanding what you’ve found provocative from the video and what you are trying to  tease out in this thread.   chewyspaghetti on "Limiting or freeing?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/limiting-or-freeing#post-2255303 Thu, 17 Mar 2022 16:19:41 +0000 chewyspaghetti 2255303@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ The more variation your wardrobe has (in color, color types, styles, etc), the less likely it is that two random pieces will go together. That's just a mathematical equation. Narrowing down a color story, style, etc increases those chances of things working together, so it's easier tojust grab two pieces and have them work. Stagiaire Fash on "Limiting or freeing?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/limiting-or-freeing#post-2255302 Thu, 17 Mar 2022 16:05:16 +0000 Stagiaire Fash 2255302@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Carla, yes, the color analyst’s point was that analyzing colors isn’t restrictive. That made me curious about how people felt about style guidelines in general. Isn’t the way a garment makes them feel everyone’s main criteria? We want to feel different ways at different times, of course, but can you help me picture an instance when creating a particular feeling isn’t central to choosing a garment? There are, of course, an endless variety of ways garment might connect up to how someone feels. Some people say wearing a business suit helps them focus and think sharply; I can’t imagine being able to concentrate wearing a business suit (but I’d be happy to wear one to give a presentation). Other times the ability to focus isn’t paramount but some other feeling is. A certain fellow once snorted at prices of lingerie I was looking at and suggested a different place to shop; their fabrics felt “fake” and scratchy, and did not give me the feeling we were going for, no matter what they looked like. Some people seem to think bold color blocking makes the wearer feel bold; I feel like it’s wearing me. Cat2, good point about not always buying the exact same things. Maybe it’s a chicken-and-egg question I’m asking here. Is it your style because it’s what you reach for in a store or in your closet, or do you buy and wear it because it’s your style? cat2 on "Limiting or freeing?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/limiting-or-freeing#post-2255301 Thu, 17 Mar 2022 16:03:34 +0000 cat2 2255301@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I find sticking with my palette and general style with a few wildcard items is freeing, because I have fewer moments where I can’t get dressed. And sticking with a style doesn’t mean buying the same thing over and over, it means knowing in a particular category which items are mostly likely to resonate with me long term. So since I have a classic style, I don’t buy jeans with trendy washes or silhouettes and then I don’t get stressed out that my jeans are too trendy or RATE and not really me and just get dressed. You have a more boho style so are going to still have jeans but they may be retro or embroidered, etc. And Angie likes more modern and 70s nods and will have a completely different selection with more modern cuts and patterns. Carla on "Limiting or freeing?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/limiting-or-freeing#post-2255299 Thu, 17 Mar 2022 15:44:28 +0000 Carla 2255299@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ My take-away after watching the Christie Reissel video that Mary Beth linked to, was that having a palette of personal best colours (and pretty extensive, to be honest) was liberating due to the inherent harmony of the collection such that ‘everything goes with everything’ and creates a visually satisfying effect of combining similar or related elements.   <div> </div><div>As others have mentioned, having a set of selected values (colour) chosen for a particular circumstance (outfits) and in relation to other variables (garments) is an exercise in judicious use of resources (management.)  I believe the term ‘liberating’ is used upon the discovery of a solution to a problem, and thus the video’s theme of how resolving upon a personal colour palette can be liberating.  A person might determine that finding a style persona or Kibbe type is liberating, while yet another person might find a lifestyle change liberating to their fashion challenges.   I sense that you are interested in colour, but I suspect your first determinant in considering any garment (old or new) is how it makes you feel.  Maybe that is your personal determinant? </div>