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YouLookFab Forum » Topic: Looking back - 2018 in review https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/looking-back---2018-in-review Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Sat, 25 Apr 2026 22:20:18 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 <![CDATA[Search]]> q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php Zaeobi on "Looking back - 2018 in review" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/looking-back---2018-in-review/page/2#post-2312557 Wed, 08 Mar 2023 02:06:48 +0000 Zaeobi 2312557@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Gosh, 2018 was 5 years ago already?? How time flies - that's when I got married! So, for better or for worse (pun intended ), most of my fashion budget then went to both the UK & HK wedding (clothes & accessories). I still have everything I bought for those outfits though (down to the comfy block heel sandals), so I suppose that counts as success? Looking back through my calendar & emails, the only time I shopped & kept anything NON wedding related was during my trip to Australia & New Zealand - I picked up this teal silk scarf & cute wooden necklace made of an abstract bird & leaves Maybe I should paint the bird over in brown or gold, to better work with my chosen palette (since my 2019 personal style/ colour consultation). The only thing I don't wear from my 2018 purchases was a koala jumper (obviously an Aussie souvenir lol) - I've since learnt that sweatshirts need to either be cropped or past the bum to not feel 'messy' on me. ChristelJ on "Looking back - 2018 in review" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/looking-back---2018-in-review/page/2#post-2312368 Mon, 06 Mar 2023 23:13:01 +0000 ChristelJ 2312368@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ After looking back at my photos from 2018, I will estimate I still have about half. I was much thinner then and many things had to go when I gained weight. I don't think I would buy most of those items again, though. There were some long tunics that were meh in shape and some less than exciting capris that I wore under them.  Low rise jeans, not anymore for my body. I would definitely buy some rusty orange linen cargos again if I could get them in my new size. How I miss those! Love your Vince cargos, Irina and all your classy tops. Carla on "Looking back - 2018 in review" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/looking-back---2018-in-review/page/2#post-2312342 Mon, 06 Mar 2023 21:47:22 +0000 Carla 2312342@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I would repurchase everything that I still have from 2018 (and earlier) though two items were very special occasion wear (ball skirt, silky button down).  I wish I’d bought the matching skirt to go with the Uniqlo lace tank top.  It would be a great dress alternative for dressy occasions. Sal on "Looking back - 2018 in review" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/looking-back---2018-in-review#post-2312338 Mon, 06 Mar 2023 21:37:10 +0000 Sal 2312338@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I did a quick scan through the list for you Irina and worked out 39 additions - 11 were gear or accessories - 9 still worn - 9 wore out - 10 donated or sold (I think three were sold and the balance donated) I had more mistakes in 2018 than usual and there were about 4-5 donated quickly, the balance over a couple of years.  From 2019 onwards I have made better shopping choices looking at wearability.  I think to be honest that trends have been more in line with my style which has made it easier, whereas from 2012-2018 I veered between retro and trendy looks, some working but many not.... Suz on "Looking back - 2018 in review" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/looking-back---2018-in-review#post-2312324 Mon, 06 Mar 2023 20:20:29 +0000 Suz 2312324@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Great question, Irina. I think I'd buy the pieces that remain in my closet, although perhaps not the J. Crew skirt (as fabulous as it was at the time) since I don't really want that shape of skirt any more. I will probably wear it this year again and then be done with it. I also probably would not buy the western belt -- that was the trend that year. I do still wear it occasionally and will keep it because belts cycle in and out and I sometimes like statement silver hardware.  Looking at the <a rel="nofollow" href="https://youlookfab.com/finds/collections/?collection=6891">other items </a>, I would not buy the slim/ skinny pants and jeans now, but that makes sense. My bottoms are a trendier part of my style as a rule. I wouldn't buy the more classic jersey dresses with slim skirts.  Irina on "Looking back - 2018 in review" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/looking-back---2018-in-review#post-2312293 Mon, 06 Mar 2023 18:22:52 +0000 Irina 2312293@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ RobinF, looks like you might need a wardrobe edit.  <div> </div><div>Another interesting question - would you buy items from 2018 today?</div><div> </div><div>Myself, I would not repurchase slim straight dress pants, a couple of classic cardigan and some rather boring outwear. So, about 25% I don’t want and don’t have it anymore. But the rest I wear and enjoy and absolutely would’ve bought it today. I consider it a good result. More of 2018 purchases:</div><div>1. Love these cargo Vince pants and wear them every summer  2. same goes to this Theory cashmere speckled sweater </div> RobinF on "Looking back - 2018 in review" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/looking-back---2018-in-review#post-2312238 Mon, 06 Mar 2023 14:00:41 +0000 RobinF 2312238@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I am not a tracker but I looked back at photos on my phone from 2018 and found that a lot of what I wore (but didn't necessarily buy that year) I still have but no longer wear - I really need to be better about purging this stuff. I must say though, many of those were tops that I wore a lot until they got too worn to look good any more and one is actually in my pile of painting clothes! Also saw some cute black patent mules that I wish I still had now! Not sure why I got rid of them. I think I am more like Jaime, tend to hang on and the wear comes and goes.  Irina on "Looking back - 2018 in review" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/looking-back---2018-in-review#post-2312234 Mon, 06 Mar 2023 13:08:06 +0000 Irina 2312234@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Bijou, what a fab collection! That owl bag is one of my forever favorites! Joy, 2018 was challenging for you, too but you successfully edit your wardrobe! Bravo! Jaime, I don’t like to keep things I don’t wear for long. Yes, an exact opposite of you But you are a collector! Jenni, hope it comes back for you I wore long over lean but probably only in a few outfits since the silhouette didn’t work for me at the time. But who knows, maybe this time around it will.  Jenni NZ on "Looking back - 2018 in review" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/looking-back---2018-in-review#post-2312212 Mon, 06 Mar 2023 05:01:34 +0000 Jenni NZ 2312212@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Oh Jaime if long over lean is coming back I will be on trend again since I have not fully given it up! I’m very slow to change preferences although I am buying shorter tops these days. I will make sure not to ditch those tunics just in time for them to come back! Jaime on "Looking back - 2018 in review" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/looking-back---2018-in-review#post-2312190 Mon, 06 Mar 2023 02:37:27 +0000 Jaime 2312190@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ My eyes are popping at the meticulous records you all keep! I keep items I like for a very long time, rotating them in and out as fashion and my tastes change, but cannot be more specific than that. I hear you on the problem with outerwear Irina - the thing is that the shorter jackets will probably come back with long over lean, which also seems to be coming back. I think. I don't know, which is why I save . Anonymous on "Looking back - 2018 in review" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/looking-back---2018-in-review#post-2312188 Mon, 06 Mar 2023 02:31:50 +0000 Anonymous 2312188@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ 2018 was a big upheavlal year.  I moved to a new 4-season climate and added sleeved tops and more toppers to my wardrobe and layers for seasonal transitions.  Most of what I got rid of (1/3of my closet) were things that were damaged it duplicates.  Most were prints.  I have kept what was most expensive and in my best colors. These things felt best and gave me the most courage.    Bijou on "Looking back - 2018 in review" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/looking-back---2018-in-review#post-2312180 Mon, 06 Mar 2023 01:54:37 +0000 Bijou 2312180@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I still have most of the items I purchased in 2018 in my current wardrobe. A few of the sheath dresses as slightly too tight, and unless I drop a few pounds will not be able to be worn, but otherwise I am happy to have these items in my wardrobe. Lilac bag, lilac blouse (which I bought two of), embroidered denim jacket and white boots win MVPs award as they have had the most use. Irina on "Looking back - 2018 in review" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/looking-back---2018-in-review#post-2312174 Mon, 06 Mar 2023 01:22:51 +0000 Irina 2312174@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Roberta, 90% of 2018 purchases are still in your closet! Impressive! suntiger, hmmm, you listed a fair number of thing from 2018 Kate, wow, you still have all 2018 purchases. I’m lost for words :) Angie, wise and supportive as always! Thanks! Tanya, thanks! I feel I’m in the same boat. I gained a bit of weight in the last year, struggle to loose it and find it annoying! I  Irina on "Looking back - 2018 in review" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/looking-back---2018-in-review#post-2312171 Mon, 06 Mar 2023 01:15:31 +0000 Irina 2312171@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Helena, thank you, very kind words! LJP, I, also, have to take a look at some jackets comes spring. I already have 3 for rehoming.  <div>Jenni NZ, some of my 2018 tops are well past 30 wears but I still like them. I think that having now larger wardrobe helps, I don’t wear it as often.  </div><div>Kkards, 2018 was the opposite for me - I started a new job in the Financial district and felt I needed more updated office wear. Remember how I panic bought 2 pairs of cotton pants from Zara, they became my last pants from Zara.  </div><div>Minaminu, interesting, I can flip through my yearly boards on Pinterest and see how I slowly stopped buying classic clothes as my work needs changed and my sartorial preferences shifted.  </div><div>Sal, I’m curious what is the main reason other items are not in service anymore.  </div><div>MsMaven, Would you consider wear dresses now? For some women, they are easier to fit.  </div><div>Suz, thanks! I often feel guilty about the churn in my wardrobe but actually I’m doing not too bad with it. I also should stop keeping “nice things “ for “special occasions “ that might never happen and wear them.</div><div> </div> Tanya on "Looking back - 2018 in review" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/looking-back---2018-in-review#post-2312159 Sun, 05 Mar 2023 23:44:59 +0000 Tanya 2312159@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Thank you for sharing, Irina, so interesting.  No wonder you still enjoy those tops you shared in the 2nd post, they are gorgeous! My situation is complicated.   I switched jobs from super casual to pretty dressy in mid-2017, and had to start building a very different wardrobe.  The new job and related lifestyle resulted in some weight gain.   Then came the pandemic, WFH for over 2 years, and more weight gain.  During the first year of the pandemic I bought tons of work clothes on crazy sales.   We are now working hybrid, and this is supposedly the year the specifics of that hybrid schedule will be ironed out.  I am also trying to loose some of the gained weight, and downsize my wardrobe.   So I am still waiting to see what the "new normal" will be in multiple ways, and it is difficult to make any useful conclusions at the moment as to what I am wearing and what I am not, as a lot of may change. Angie on "Looking back - 2018 in review" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/looking-back---2018-in-review#post-2312153 Sun, 05 Mar 2023 22:37:07 +0000 Angie 2312153@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Irina, interesting! And makes sense. As our sartorial preferences change, so do certain key wardrobe silhouettes at first, and consequently their support acts change to complement them. Change is generally good, and wardrobe churn is not an entirely bad thing! Kate on "Looking back - 2018 in review" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/looking-back---2018-in-review#post-2312135 Sun, 05 Mar 2023 21:39:19 +0000 Kate 2312135@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I think I still have everything I bought from 2018, which was also a pivotal year for me. That year I bought deeply into wide, barrel legged pants—7 pairs!—and still have and wear them all. I also bought two wool cocoon coats that year (one knee length, one mid-calf length), which joined a short cocoon wool coat I had bought a year or so earlier. Subsequent outerwear purchases have hewed to that silhouette in various lengths as well as more dramatic and/or oversized in a couple of puffers. Earlier purchases of leather jackets have all been given away with one exception. I do still have in my wardrobe a lightweight wool calf length coat I bought in the mid-80s that is a cocoon shape. I don't wear it often, but it does get an occasional outing. I guess I returned to my favored silhouette without realizing it! The most worn tops in my closet are my sweaters, most of which I have had a long time. I have to stop adding to my collection, unless I'm willing to winnow. Ack!  Anonymous on "Looking back - 2018 in review" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/looking-back---2018-in-review#post-2312126 Sun, 05 Mar 2023 21:17:55 +0000 Anonymous 2312126@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Looks like I don't have much left from 2018. But the workhorse heeled booties I wore for drum circle are from then! Other things Burgundy tall boots- heels wrecked I just bought replacements. Burgundy Athleta crops Black bell sleeve BR blouse Black wrap RL dress Beige short cardi Rust long cardi Brown ponte NYDJ pants Cognac crossbody MK bag Gold bracelet clutch Suz on "Looking back - 2018 in review" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/looking-back---2018-in-review#post-2312122 Sun, 05 Mar 2023 21:08:17 +0000 Suz 2312122@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Irina, I love every one of those 2018 tops still in your closet.  Very interesting insight about the outerwear. It makes sense that you would need an update -- partly because you did evolve your silhouette to more oversize items and you therefore need a coat that accommodates dropped sleeves, etc. And partly just because outerwear is such a huge need in your climate. It's expensive, true, but if you count up CPW, that expense may be quite low even if you keep a coat for 3 years or less instead of 10.  In fall 2018, I moved to BC. It was a huge shopping year for me! I made 52 purchases -- which is far over my usual number. Some of this was replacement of worn out essentials, as you can see (turtlenecks still in the collection.) There was footwear (most of which wears out for me in two years at most -- so it's no surprise those items are now gone.) Some jersey summer dresses that I did not expect to last. I gained some weight around then, too, so perhaps I was buying for the new size -- I subsequently lost the weight again and edited these things out.  Even so, I have 20 items from that year still in the closet. To be honest, most of these are also due for retirement this year.  MsMaven on "Looking back - 2018 in review" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/looking-back---2018-in-review#post-2312119 Sun, 05 Mar 2023 20:59:21 +0000 MsMaven 2312119@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Interesting exercise. Thanks for posting--good to look back and see what lasts. I looked at my list and this is what I still have: Boden jacket, navy with red/white flowers. Another Fabber has one too. Worn a lot.  2 long sleeve Boden cotton sweaters, worn a lot. Lighter color didn't last as long. Blue and green still going strong.  BR short denim jacket. Angie has the same one.  1 pair of Bonica gold sandals. Love them, hope another summer for them. Several belts Paige Manhattan jeans, getting worn out from cat snags. Jewelry--mostly earrings. 2018 was the year I realized I don't wear dresses much and shouldn't buy them. Mostly bought tops, sweaters, jeans, and shoes, most of which didn't make it this far. Body changes in the last 5 years. I still have several items bought before 2018.  Roberta on "Looking back - 2018 in review" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/looking-back---2018-in-review#post-2312117 Sun, 05 Mar 2023 20:56:40 +0000 Roberta 2312117@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Such a useful exercise! I do the same thing with Pinterest because the images really help me see if I was interested in a particular style or mood that year. The spreadsheet tells me where all my money went.  :-) 2018 was a good year for me - I still have 90% of what I bought. A few things I basically wore out, and I passed on a few pairs of pants that no longer fit in the waist. I can really see the change in my figure here! I didn't buy much for work that year because I was trying to glow up my casual wardrobe. Lots of tops and pants. I laughed when I saw a cardigan from 2018 that I thought was MUCH older! I guess I have worn it so often that it feels ancient. It was $15 on eBay, so I hope that atones for the LL Bean boots that I never wore. Sal on "Looking back - 2018 in review" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/looking-back---2018-in-review#post-2312115 Sun, 05 Mar 2023 20:43:35 +0000 Sal 2312115@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Here are my 2018 purchases that I still wear and own (plus a few accessories and pieces of activewear)  In total I would guess about 18 are still in the closet. I added 39 things in total that year (it was the first year I tracked) including gear and accessories (scarves, hats, sunglasses etc).   I think 2018 for me was a year that silhouettes started moving towards wider legs, culottes, fuller skirts etc - which was a welcome change. Of the pieces still in my closet the sandals and boots are still workhorses, the linen shirt is a beach staple and the culottes have been well worn.  I still love the blazer.  The two piece dress is still worn but is not as in favour as it was....The lace dress and pumps are classics that I have worn a few times but not for the last year.  But I don't plan to edit them out. Minaminu on "Looking back - 2018 in review" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/looking-back---2018-in-review#post-2312108 Sun, 05 Mar 2023 19:37:21 +0000 Minaminu 2312108@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I still have 9 pieces bought in 2018 - all classics in dark colours. The rest has been replaced due to size changes / damages and change of style. kkards on "Looking back - 2018 in review" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/looking-back---2018-in-review#post-2312107 Sun, 05 Mar 2023 19:32:51 +0000 kkards 2312107@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Interesting read. I went back to my collections in finds and for some reason I don’t have 2018, I’ve got 16, 17, 19 etc. anyway 2017 was our transition year to casual at work, so I imagine 2018 was lots of jeans, sweaters and knit wear Jenni NZ on "Looking back - 2018 in review" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/looking-back---2018-in-review#post-2312103 Sun, 05 Mar 2023 19:12:06 +0000 Jenni NZ 2312103@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I still have 16 items I bought in 2018. That year I bought 30 items though. So I still have just over half of them. Most of what is gone is due to wear (3 pairs of the shoes due to wear- 2 boots, and one sandals which actually broke at 30 wears) and a couple of other items for size as they became too large. 2018 was my heaviest year, most ever after returning from Bali and I started losing weight from early 2019. Most of the edited out items did have #30 wears before that. 2 pairs of fantastic fitting trousers (elastic waist) from that year are on probation though, one is looking a bit worn and really I am just a bit tired of both after 5 years of heavy wear, since I kept going into the work building all through the pandemic, no working from home. My silhouette preferences have not changed much except I am not as into longer tops as I was then. LJP on "Looking back - 2018 in review" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/looking-back---2018-in-review#post-2312093 Sun, 05 Mar 2023 18:00:27 +0000 LJP 2312093@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Came back to read more and see that my reply isn't here . Odd. Anyways, what I wrote was that I feel the same way about my outerwear in that I like it to be current, if not necessarily trendy.  I have a collection of about 5 or 6 fall/spring weight jackets/coats that are more fitted and narrow than I prefer now.  I haven't worn them in at least a year or two, and have been thinking they will be moved on when I do my next closet edit at the end of March . They are all from that same time frame - 2018 ish back when I was working in sales and needed a dressier wardrobe. Helena on "Looking back - 2018 in review" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/looking-back---2018-in-review#post-2312091 Sun, 05 Mar 2023 17:59:50 +0000 Helena 2312091@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Irina thank you for sharing your process; your style is amazing, well considered and intentional but also has a nice flow to the way you evolve it. An inspiration! I haven't tracked my purchasing long enough to get a 5 year trend, but I have been since the beginning of 2021. I am a bit dismayed by the by the number of items that have not gone the distance (10) but at least I have insights why now! 2 items it was a matter of how the fit over the course of a day, i.e they shifted in weird ways, so those I don't think were preventable mistakes. One item just hasn't held up well, and one was a failed statement. Lessons are to be be keen on quality and careful with statements! 6 items were purchased in order to fulfill a "capsule" ideal ... They were somewhat hasty purchases made to check a box. I think I've broken this habit and obsession with capsules so hopefully that is behind me Irina on "Looking back - 2018 in review" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/looking-back---2018-in-review#post-2312084 Sun, 05 Mar 2023 17:41:11 +0000 Irina 2312084@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Some of the favorite tops from 2018 that I still wear and enjoy. <div>1. EF cotton top, wear often every summer 2. 3.1 Phillip Lim silk top, unworn since 2020, plan to use more this summer 3. Agnona silk oversized top, part of a special even collection, unworn since 2020 4. Weekend Max Mara silk front top, wear every summer 5. Equipment silk top, wear often, requires repair  6. EF silk tunic, last worn in 2021. Used to be a part of a special evens collection but want to try to wear it this summer with denim. </div> Irina on "Looking back - 2018 in review" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/looking-back---2018-in-review#post-2312082 Sun, 05 Mar 2023 17:33:11 +0000 Irina 2312082@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ RunCarla, what a significant change happened to you in 2018. You fared well and a great example to us all in how to handle the wardrobe overhaul. Love you silk scarves.  Anchie, really enjoyed seeing your jewelry collection! slim cat, I wish I lived in a milder climate! Finding light weight jackets is not easy task, I know too well myself. I’m glad some oversized options are available, they suit me better but you are right, they might overwhelm a petite frame.  slim cat on "Looking back - 2018 in review" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/looking-back---2018-in-review#post-2312074 Sun, 05 Mar 2023 16:45:15 +0000 slim cat 2312074@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I haven't updated the outerwear since the last pale blue puffer was bought during the shutdown in April 2020 ( deep sale and perfect color ). The milder winters in CA ( compare to Seattle WA ) put a stop on the coat shopping - still wear things from Seattle era.  My biggest shift in wardrobe needs was in 2019/2020 - getting a SA job in Bloomingdales forced me to get more black pieces in somewhat more conservative style. Currently I switched to more moto jackets, linen track jackets and midi skirts for summer. The lightweight jackets is still a category I'm interested - looking for cropped white non denim jacket that would go with almost everything ( slightly oversized ok but nothing so far feels that way on me - "oversized" often looks plain huge on me - lol ).