https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/more-2024-stats-and-thoughts Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Tue, 28 Apr 2026 00:37:02 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/more-2024-stats-and-thoughts#post-2377595 Sun, 05 Jan 2025 05:34:14 +0000 Sal 2377595@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Another thoughtful post - I think you have awesome style and are really nailing your retirement wardrobe.</p> <p>I am no expert on reducing consumption- maybe one in, one out. I find keeping a wardrobe inventory helpful to see where I have too many pieces. I also have a do not buy list and find this a helpful reminder to not keep adding the same pieces. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/more-2024-stats-and-thoughts#post-2377572 Sat, 04 Jan 2025 20:32:07 +0000 Jenni NZ 2377572@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I guess it’s your style changing fairly often that tends to make you buy more? If you keep some things for decades are there not earlier versions of some items, or maybe colours, that you could pull out? Like I was able to re-use my 1988 fuchsia Thai silk blouse with the puffed sleeves when both fuchsia and puffed sleeves came back recently? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/more-2024-stats-and-thoughts#post-2377399 Thu, 02 Jan 2025 23:32:15 +0000 SarahD8 2377399@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>This is very interesting food for thought, Roberta!<br />I agree with others who suggest that you are still within the "window" of adjusting your wardrobe to retirement.<br />Also I like Jaime's point that upgrading an item that has proven to be a workhorse even in its imperfect form (wide-leg jeans) is a solid strategy.<br />But, in order to be something other than an indiscriminate enabler, I'll say that I think your instinct to pull back on buying duplicates of different colors (Carys sweater) is a good one, given that you say your style changes fairly often. Maybe 2 iterations or so are sufficient to enable you to enjoy an item to its fullest before you go "off" it? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/more-2024-stats-and-thoughts#post-2377334 Thu, 02 Jan 2025 17:02:53 +0000 RachelNZ 2377334@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>There definitely can be a lot of change in a wardrobe when life changes and we must remember to give ourselves grace over that time. Retirement is one of the big life changes so it makes sense that you have had churn over that period as you settle in to new environments and activities.&nbsp;</p> <p>For me personally I had some body shape changes around 4 years ago&nbsp; which led to a big refresh and change in age for my wardrobe. However I do want to settle down with how much is coming and going. Something that hurt my heart over that period was letting go of items I wasn't actually 'done' with, I still enjoyed wearing them and knew that at times I had 'saved' them. So I need to remember that and wear what I love from my wardrobe now rather than continually bring in new items. This will require challenging my scarcity mindset which has also been feeding into some of my additions. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/more-2024-stats-and-thoughts#post-2377280 Thu, 02 Jan 2025 02:35:19 +0000 Lisa 2377280@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>You've done a great job tracking your wardrobe and looking at not only what you kept but what you also moved along is a great idea! I've always tracked what I own and when I purchased it but never how much I've gotten rid of or how quickly. </p> <p>A quick glance at my tracking sheet shows me that I have kept very little of my wardrobe over the long term. A shift to WFH and a move to a new climate heavily impacted my wardrobe these last few years. I'm hoping things will settle down after a heavy refresh in 2024 and I look forward to enjoying all my new things. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/more-2024-stats-and-thoughts#post-2377274 Thu, 02 Jan 2025 01:06:32 +0000 Jaime 2377274@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I am so impressed with you careful trackers. That is not me for sure! Thrifting, especially in thrift stores, is not for everyone. It is not even for most people that do not have the time or inclination. There are more and more second hand on-line options which do allow searching to be very specific and efficient, but it is still not shopping retail where all the options are typically available in multiple sizes, colors, etc.<br />Second thought is about the temptation to upgrade your wide leg jeans. I think it is natural to want to upgrade a wardrobe piece that has proven successful and if you find the perfect pair it would probably be a pretty safe investment. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/more-2024-stats-and-thoughts#post-2377271 Thu, 02 Jan 2025 01:03:23 +0000 Angie 2377271@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>*APPLAUSE*</p> <p>:)</p> <p><b>Roberta,</b> you are doing smashingly! You have never looked better than what I saw you post this year!! You've found your style groove - and sounds like you've hit on a new successful shopping strategy too. Or rather - lack thereof! Good job.</p> <p>Your monk strap oxfords are the BOMB!! Suit you to a tee.&nbsp;</p> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/more-2024-stats-and-thoughts#post-2377252 Wed, 01 Jan 2025 21:01:25 +0000 Suz 2377252@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Oh, same thing different colour can be a curse or a blessing, depending on whether you are a uniform dresser or not! I always say that I don't do it, and then I look over my items and guess what? I <b>do</b>!! In fact, the collection below (all duplicates or triplicates) represents a huge proportion of my closet!&nbsp;</p> <p>In my defence, <b>all</b> are workhorse items and all get worn, pretty well equally. So I guess when I do it, I do it quite sensibly.&nbsp;</p> <p>Re the next best thing - if it is to do with a real fit issue or a troublesome problem like the one you describe, I chalk it up to learning, and when I do find the better version, I let go of the older version without guilt or regret. Sometimes you just can't know until you know.&nbsp;</p> <p>BTW, I did a count -- I let go of about 100 items in the last 5 years and kept 75. So...well. There it is. Good to cogitate on. It's quite a lot of churn, for sures.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/more-2024-stats-and-thoughts#post-2377251 Wed, 01 Jan 2025 20:52:53 +0000 Dee 2377251@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Haha, <b>Roberta</b> my waistline seems to have gone missing as well, Ugh! Ageing! &nbsp; I’ll also take up <b>Runcarla's</b> 5 year pass on wardrobe churn for retirement, because I too, have had to pass on at least 40% of my wardrobe due to weight fluctuations and lifestyle changes.<br />However, I also know that I love to shop, and that it can be a problem for me. I enjoy fashion and the creativity, but I probably need to find a different way to enjoy it now. I have a pretty big wardrobe, with lots of variety, so I’m trying to find some newer ways to style and wear what I already own instead.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/more-2024-stats-and-thoughts#post-2377249 Wed, 01 Jan 2025 20:48:07 +0000 Roberta 2377249@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p><b>Runcarla</b> and <b>Kkards</b>, I retired three years ago, so I can't use that excuse any longer! But it did make for a huge purge in 2022 and 2023. And then lots of new casual clothes since I didn't really have much.</p> <p><b>Suz</b>, I plan to stop buying "same thing, different color." I do way too much of that (that Carys sweater!). Also, "same thing, better version." <i>Example</i>: I have a pair of wide leg jeans that are a solid B+. I like the wash, the length, and the rise. But they have wee pockets at the hip that never lie right. I find myself looking for a "better" pair. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/more-2024-stats-and-thoughts#post-2377247 Wed, 01 Jan 2025 20:10:50 +0000 kkards 2377247@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Nodding along with Runcarla. Give your some time and room to reset and rethink your needs are now.<br /> But good for you thinking about what you’re buying and how and what you’re actually wearing. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/more-2024-stats-and-thoughts#post-2377246 Wed, 01 Jan 2025 20:04:16 +0000 Carla 2377246@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>It’s my conviction that anyone who is going through retirement gets a ‘pass’ on wardrobe churn for at least a couple of years, and that it takes about 5 years to get the closet sorted for what comes next! &nbsp;</p> <p> <div><br /></div><div>The same can be said about any big lifestyle change (pregnancy, a move to a new geographical area, illness, even changing jobs) - but in my opinion, no matter how much you plan for life after leaving the world of paid work - nothing prepares you for the reality! &nbsp;The confluence of changed activities of daily living, alteration in income, age, possible downsizing or relocating domiciles ,can result in chaos on so many levels. &nbsp;New opportunities and a freedom to express yourself through how you dress, for sure - but new constraints as well! </p> <p>I manage my closet quite tightly, but when something doesn’t work, is worn out, or I’m ‘over’ it - I deal with it quickly - and forget about it! &nbsp;Out of sight, out of mind. &nbsp;I need a better understanding of what&nbsp;<i>leaves&nbsp;</i>my closet - and why. &nbsp;A resolution for 2025? &nbsp;</p> </div></p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/more-2024-stats-and-thoughts#post-2377244 Wed, 01 Jan 2025 19:42:30 +0000 Suz 2377244@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p><b>Roberta</b>, this is really interesting. I need to go back to do what you have done. I counted the number of items I have from previous years but did not look at the number I no longer own (i.e. the level of churn from those years.) Maybe I don't want to know, oy. But what I suspect is that there is a lot of churn in years when I do a big refresh (which seems to be about once every 8 to 10 years) and a lot less in the years between when my style is evolving more easily. 2023 was a big buy / shift year for me and I also made a lot more buying mistakes that year than is typical.&nbsp;</p> <p>I think you and I both like a larger closet. You also live in an area with four distinct seasons that have vastly different clothing requirements, and with your retirement, your lifestyle changed.&nbsp;</p> <p>If you feel you need to or want to shop less, what strategies might you adopt to make this a reality? Asking for a friend, LOL.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/more-2024-stats-and-thoughts#post-2377242 Wed, 01 Jan 2025 18:14:57 +0000 Roberta 2377242@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Several thoughtful YLF members are helping me look at my wardrobe in different ways. </p> <p><b>TL; DR:</b>&nbsp;I need to shop MUCH LESS in the future, and try to buy things that I will enjoy for a long time.&nbsp;</p> <p><b>Average age of my closet:</b> I did the math and have <b>99 items</b> (clothing and shoes) purchased between 2016 and 2019: ie. <b>at least five years old. </b>There are a few things older than 2016, but I only started tracking that year. That is only a third of my total wardrobe. I tend to keep coats and shoes for a looooong time.</p> <p><b>Churn</b>: What I have hung onto is about 40% of the total purchases in those years, meaning <b>I weeded 60%</b> of what I bought in the last five years. That's a lot of churn. There was a significant break when I retired and weeded almost all of my office wardrobe, which accounts for a big chunk of it. And I lost my waistline (has anyone seen it?) along the way, which meant many pants no longer fit.</p> <p><b>Thrift</b>: I'm never going to be a big thrifter. Thrift stores are just not for me. Only 20% of my purchases this year were from eBay or Poshmark, and I really made an effort to shop there. The exception is coats, which I rarely buy new. I must shop less overall if I'm going to reduce my environmental impact.</p> <p><b>Style Changes</b>: This year I went all in on wide legs and barrel pants. In past years I embraced sneakers in all their glory. I found the Maeve Carys sweater four years ago and now own FIVE of them. I accept that my style changes fairly often and sometimes a trend is right up my alley.</p> <p>Below are some of my fave purchases this year. Worn a LOT and with great pleasure. Thanks for reading and for all of your insight and inspiration this year! </p>