YouLookFab Forum » Topic: Musing on focus

YouLookFab Forum » Topic: Musing on focus https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/musing-on-focus Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Fri, 01 May 2026 04:02:35 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 <![CDATA[Search]]> q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php Lisa on "Musing on focus" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/musing-on-focus/page/2#post-1329059 Tue, 12 Aug 2014 13:16:55 +0000 Lisa 1329059@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I find analyzing why an item is being purged to be very, very helpful for me not to make the same mistakes again.  And I also try to recognize why something becomes worn out.  Pinpointing these features has made my shopping much easier.  So has focusing on less colors and thinking of how I will remix the item with pieces I already own as opposed to what additional pieces I need to purchase from the store. cheryl on "Musing on focus" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/musing-on-focus/page/2#post-1328651 Tue, 12 Aug 2014 00:06:17 +0000 cheryl 1328651@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ This has been a great thread and so interesting. I normally shop by piece and not by outfit. I have a very large, very casual wardrobe so usually everything I buy works with something I own. Jeans are my favorite and I have different silhouettes so I can usually find a pair of jeans to go with any top that I buy.  I have been considering buying a couple of complete outfits though. I would love an olive top and bottom and a navy top and bottom and think I should probably buy it as a set so I know for sure the colors match.  rachylou on "Musing on focus" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/musing-on-focus/page/2#post-1328618 Mon, 11 Aug 2014 23:22:56 +0000 rachylou 1328618@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Well, the thing is, man plans and god laughs. Mo - I've been living in the faux leather overalls you found for me. It's been sooo cold this summer. Winter is packed up. The overalls are *it* for Saturdays. texstyle on "Musing on focus" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/musing-on-focus/page/2#post-1328482 Mon, 11 Aug 2014 20:49:59 +0000 texstyle 1328482@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Mo, this is a great thread - especially for us outfit challenged shoppers. I've gotten better. Example: I "thought" I needed cognac shoes for fall to go with my cognac handbag or cognac belt and bookend some of the tones in my hair - but on a whim I ordered the same shoes in navy.  At first I thought I'd keep both to wear with different outfits because they were so comfortable and relatively cute. But you know what? After playing in the closet on several different days I realized the navy shoes were really going to be the winning workhorse and the cognac shoes would likely just sit there. Why? Because I prefer a neutral or mostly neutral color palette and cognac shoes (for me) are sort of "bright".  I already have deep cognac booties for fall/winter. I don't have space to just store another pair. So back they go. I also thought for the past 2 years I had to find the "perfect" chambray shirt. I don't know why, but I just wanted it. I tried at least six, several of those I kept but shouldn't have. I recently found myself trying one last time the NAS sale tencel denim shirt. And immediately upon touching it I knew it wouldn't work because it was too heavy for my climate. The funny thing is that I don't "need" a chambray shirt. I wear a lot of denim and would never wear the two together (personal pref there). I don't even think I look particularly great in a manly sort of shirt which many chambrays seem to project. And the best one (for me) I kept and like enough is fine to wear with the olive or black pants I occasionally wear. So what was I thinking? I'm not sure I was but I have officially ended that hunt. :-D I did a similar hunt for a long time for the perfect olive jacket only to learn after a full season wearing one that olive is no longer a great color up near my face. Duh. Now I have a perfectly fine *navy* utility style jacket (bought for next to nothing) that suits me and goes with those navy shoes just as well as the navy knit moto I bought last year on Angie's picks. So sticking with my navy, denim, off white, charcoal and black core colors is serving me better. I still buy some other colors of course - and I love using light tan accents (shoes, belts) to go with my hair. But a simple color scheme and VERY careful shopping is in my future too. CocoLion on "Musing on focus" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/musing-on-focus/page/2#post-1327814 Sun, 10 Aug 2014 20:19:51 +0000 CocoLion 1327814@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Mo, I love what you're saying about item acquisition vs. outfit construction.  I am in full agreement with your present focus.  As part of my 34-day capsule test, I have been noting what's NOT getting worn as much as what is.  And then I actually write down my thoughts in my Mac Notes.  It is helping me understand my color preferences, my silhouette preferences, and lifestyle needs with a clarity previously absent. I am becoming so analytical about this LOL!  Next thing you know I'll be joining team spreadsheet, team track your wears and team CPW. Mo on "Musing on focus" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/musing-on-focus/page/2#post-1327649 Sun, 10 Aug 2014 15:00:47 +0000 Mo 1327649@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Janet, and Fuzzy, I never shopped in outfits.  Maybe that's part of the bargain hunting nature?  Seems I've always cobbled stuff together piece by piece, a little at a time.  I did narrow my color palette a few years ago and that's been so freeing.  I thought it would limit me but surprised to find I can do more when I get in there and get pairing things up.  I think deep down inside I know limiting my number of options further will only make things easier but I'm scared to take another step towards limiting myself.   Kiwigal - that's just it.  Do we need to replace the item itself or more accurately it's role in the wardrobe?  Tan sandal vs airy, light, walkable summer shoe.  Hunting down replacements of old tired workhorses can not only be time consuming and a let down compared to its original, I'm thinking it's also holding me (us) back in our style journey.  Rambling Ann on "Musing on focus" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/musing-on-focus/page/2#post-1327611 Sun, 10 Aug 2014 13:52:51 +0000 Rambling Ann 1327611@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Cooking up outfits, I am discovering, can be a kind of creative fun once the basic ingredients are in the pantry/closet. But it can lead me down a different acquisitive rabbit hole, the if onlys. If only I had a cobalt top, I could do this...coral shoes...turtlenecks in olive and black, I could make that outfit. I could probably come up with justifications to build 200 outfits or more with stuff on my want list. Just like buying specialty ingredients for that new recipe I will make only once, it can quickly spiral into another way to buy to excess for my fantasy life of free time. I need four capsules: -mud and manure uniform (7 days a week, 50 weeks a year) -lounge (1-2 days a week when I get chores done with energy to change, more often in winter, less in summer) -real but casual clothes (~50 outfits a year, no longer than 7-10 days in a row in the city, usually a just weekend or most often a casual dinner at someone's house nearby, equally split for winter and summer) -serious seasonless clothes (funeral, wedding, cocktail, max 5x per year) It's not that I buy clothes that are inappropriate for the city capsule, it's that I've been buying color duplicates than end up unworn. Either I'm not sure which I prefer so I avoid deciding by getting both, or there's a deep discount on the second item that seems like too good of a deal. But I always seem to prefer one and the other languishes.  I need to be realistic about how many outfits I really wear and how often, esp in a four season climate. Two 7 day, tightly edited capsules (fall/winter and spring/summer) is plenty. Maybe a couple extra layering tops. If some items cross over into the lounge category, that helps the CPW or makes a little larger city wardrobe seem reasonable. But I don't need silk blouses in six colors, even if they would all build spectacular outfits with what I have.  The plus side of being disciplined on quantity, I'm discovering, is that a luxury-to-me cashmere turtleneck seems like a reasonable purchase this year if I'm only getting one item in that category. Like Mo started us with, it's staying focused. Linking to boots I want, are in one of my core neutrals, would add to at least half my winter city outfits, but am not going to buy because I bought the black Aquatalias during NAS and that is enough.  Melaine on "Musing on focus" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/musing-on-focus#post-1327573 Sun, 10 Aug 2014 11:24:05 +0000 Melaine 1327573@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Such a helpful thread! Lyn D. on "Musing on focus" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/musing-on-focus#post-1327555 Sun, 10 Aug 2014 10:36:21 +0000 Lyn D. 1327555@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Caro makes a good point about limiting the colour palette in order to ensure that a new item will play well with what we currently own. I really think that 1-in-1-out also goes a long way to help avoid items that may not be as useful as we imagine. And, as you say Mo- pieces must actually leave the house-  and make us happy to be truly successful fuzzylogic on "Musing on focus" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/musing-on-focus#post-1327538 Sun, 10 Aug 2014 07:06:01 +0000 fuzzylogic 1327538@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Great idea, Mo! Shopping in terms of outfits works for me. No orphaned items. Sometimes I see a linear progression through an outfit that leads to a (small) capsule! Jeanie on "Musing on focus" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/musing-on-focus#post-1327533 Sun, 10 Aug 2014 06:14:15 +0000 Jeanie 1327533@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Yes, Yes!  I totally agree.  I have lots of pieces but when I go to wear them, I am realizing that I don't have outfits.  If you buy a cool new skirt but don't have a shirt or shoes to make it work then you won't be wearing that new skirt.  Now I keep a list of what I still need to make outfits work.  It has been rewarding to find a piece and put the outfit into action. Sal on "Musing on focus" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/musing-on-focus#post-1327519 Sun, 10 Aug 2014 05:29:23 +0000 Sal 1327519@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Interesting thread!!  I can relate to this - I think I want tan replacement casual sandals but maybe I need white birkenstocks.  After all what I want is comfortable summer airy shoes that I can wear with a variety of casual outifts and walk for good periods of time in... I Mo on "Musing on focus" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/musing-on-focus#post-1327488 Sun, 10 Aug 2014 03:44:36 +0000 Mo 1327488@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ . . . and make it onto our bodies and OUT THE DOOR into the world  Not just hang prettily in the closet suggesting what 'could be'. Suz on "Musing on focus" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/musing-on-focus#post-1327485 Sun, 10 Aug 2014 03:38:25 +0000 Suz 1327485@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ When shopping with Sveta she challenged me to the "3 outfit" test. Can I come up with 3 outfits that I would like to wear with this item I'm considering? That I WOULD wear? Where and when would I wear them? How often?  I do think it's okay to have some items in the closet that work only in one or two outfits. Special occasion wear -- that's obvious. Although some of it might get pulled into everyday outfits with some ingenuity, I don't think we should HAVE to figure out how to do that.   But we might have a special top that we really only wear in combination with one jacket or pair of pants....and that is okay, as long as we love it and do wear it in that combination. As long as we don't have orphans.... Outfits not orphans.... In other words, I don't think every item has to pass the 3 outfit test. There can be room in a moderate closet for a few single-use items. But every item should fit into at least ONE outfit.  Gigi on "Musing on focus" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/musing-on-focus#post-1327368 Sat, 09 Aug 2014 23:57:11 +0000 Gigi 1327368@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ This is very good thinking, Mo! I like how Rambling Ann put it: outfit gap glue. In general, I try to wait until I feel a desire for some kind of item in my heart rather than just put something on a checklist to cross off. The one thing that I did keep on the checklist without really "wanting" it was a pair of nude heels, but that was because I knew that I had no lighter-colored shoes in my closet, and eventually I would have an outfit that needed a lighter-colored shoe. Sure enough, that happened, and I was prepared because I had already purchased the shoes. I just finished putting my wardrobe into an Excel spreadsheet, and I did exactly what you are talking about: looked at the items that aren't getting worn and asked why. I found out that for me, the three biggies were bad fit, a too-young look (meaning reading a little teeny-bopperish), and wrong style. Whenever I buy an item, I try it on with whatever else is in my wardrobe, to see how it will work with other items. If it doesn't work with other things, I decide whether I like the item enough to hunt for pairings or whether I want to take the item back. Sometimes the item is a new style direction for me, in which case I very well might need to hunt for additional pairings. Jaime on "Musing on focus" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/musing-on-focus#post-1327350 Sat, 09 Aug 2014 23:35:38 +0000 Jaime 1327350@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Outfits not items is a great catch phrase to keep in mind while shopping or planning Mo. I have learned to save myself from many temptations by asking myself how would I wear this and with what. Especially important while thrifting, I keep in mind what I don't need: more straight jeans, more blouses and what I would like: shorter tops to wear with high waisted culottes for one! Caro in Oz on "Musing on focus" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/musing-on-focus#post-1327318 Sat, 09 Aug 2014 22:58:11 +0000 Caro in Oz 1327318@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Deciding on (& limiting) colours & silhouettes before I buy has been revolutionary for me. So far I've bought two pairs of pants & two tops & they work with most of my current spring/summer wardrobe. In the past I've been all over the place - just buying what I love or what I thought I needed. In my case, shopping like that didn't make for a functional wardrobe :)  Urbanfae on "Musing on focus" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/musing-on-focus#post-1327257 Sat, 09 Aug 2014 21:28:54 +0000 Urbanfae 1327257@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ This discussion has been incredibly helpful to me. I'm just beginning to take a real interest in fashion and after reading this discussion, I can see how I've been making the same mistakes over and over again. I also completely understand about feeling my life is boring. I expect most people would see it that way, lol. However, it's a perfect match for me. Mo on "Musing on focus" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/musing-on-focus#post-1327256 Sat, 09 Aug 2014 21:28:39 +0000 Mo 1327256@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Back from my swim.  Yes, I didn't elaborate, but a lot of my reasons in the 'not worn' column were weather related, some were needing alterations (I don't trust anyone here so that means a wait until Tahoe, ugh), and too dressy for my daily lifestyle.  Suz, like you, I do still want and need a few of these dressier than my daily doings, but I don't need MORE.  I need more of what I put on every day going about my life.   And I so relate on the color search.  I'm going through it right now with white shorts actually.  I know my old Bermudas need to go.  The rise is too low.  I just don't want to rush to 'plug that hole' as I always have, only to find I didn't think it through.  (I ordered Madewell BF's but they made me look like I had man parts so they went right back lol).  Now I am torn between just waiting until next year and trying some more offerings.  But am I just focusing again on 'the hole' instead of what outfit I"m missing in particular with no white shorts?  I dunno . . .    Suz on "Musing on focus" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/musing-on-focus#post-1327240 Sat, 09 Aug 2014 21:14:02 +0000 Suz 1327240@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I love the idea of thinking in terms of outfits. Or silhouettes, which can be similar.  I'm also really trying hard to track my practical, real life needs. The sandals I wear are the low wedge metallic sandals. The shoes I wear less often are the pretty but less stable Okalas. I actually do need both in my wardrobe -- and the Okalas proved good value.   But I do not need another pair like the Okalas. Whereas I actually could use and would use another pair similar to the low wedge gladiators. Important information for next year's shopping. Meanwhile, like Janet, I am ready to banish the platforms. But I don't need new platforms. I need whatever practical sandal will keep my look current NEXT YEAR.  I used to be a real "item" shopper and I tended to think far too much about colour. If the colours harmonized I believed it all should "go" together. And then I would be mystified when the proportions made it all wrong. Thinking in terms of silhouette has really helped me make some progress there.  Most of my unworn or less worn pieces this summer are items that did not work in the weather we had (it's been an unusually cool summer), or items that no longer feel current due to cut.  shedev on "Musing on focus" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/musing-on-focus#post-1327202 Sat, 09 Aug 2014 20:12:21 +0000 shedev 1327202@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I never need anything on must have lists. Most people would scratch their heads at the things on my must have list. I was good at purging all the ill fitting thrift store finds, but now I'm looking at stuff that is current, fits well and I do like but have a lot of trouble styling to my persona. Since the items are current, I've been consigning some things lately. But first, I try to figure out why the item isn't working for me. Anonymous on "Musing on focus" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/musing-on-focus#post-1327134 Sat, 09 Aug 2014 18:25:30 +0000 Anonymous 1327134@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I should have quietly read more, and thought more, before jumping in with an early reply here.  I think I misunderstood what you were getting at - and now I see:)  Still a very interesting thread - and totally enjoyed reading all of the comments. I'm still a ways away from figuring out how to do this myself - as I feel my wardrobe is a big disconnected mess and needs a lot of sorting out. I do like the idea of taping the note to the credit card though :) Janet on "Musing on focus" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/musing-on-focus#post-1327098 Sat, 09 Aug 2014 17:33:36 +0000 Janet 1327098@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Wow, can I relate to all of this!  I've been taking some mental note of the pieces that are going unworn this summer: any fluid tops that don't work semi-tucked, my old khaki shorts, even some of my dresses. Platform wedges are on the decline too. But I don't need to replace them -- I already have! I have other things that work better for me now. I've had some times when I've been so single-minded about replacing an X that I've failed to realize that I've simply moved on from the X, to the Y. :-)  I know some people who shop for outfits, not items. I've never been one of those people. But I have become much better about choosing items that work well with what I already have. Getting more familiar with the silhouettes that work best for me has really helped.  I need to print out this quote and stick it on my credit cards: "I need to shift that focus away from acquisition of items to construction of outfits." AJ on "Musing on focus" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/musing-on-focus#post-1327086 Sat, 09 Aug 2014 17:16:22 +0000 AJ 1327086@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I like your shopping epiphany! Makes perfect sense. The past couple of years, especially when shopping for my dominant season, I've been paying attention to what I don't wear. For S/S, I don't reach for pants nor sleeveless all that much. So even though there are all these FAB boyfriend jeans outfits here on the forum, I know it will not be a staple for me. However, I did buy white straight leg jeans which does fill a gap in my date night and dressy casual capsule. It's so hard to feel chic in the summer but somehow my white jeans add that polish without seeming stifling hot. Definitely the way an item makes me feel both in the tactile and visual sense, has been new shopping parameters for my dominant season. Jen W on "Musing on focus" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/musing-on-focus#post-1327073 Sat, 09 Aug 2014 17:04:18 +0000 Jen W 1327073@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Thank you for articulating this so well. I've been in wardrobe building mode this year and am now starting to reflect on what pieces worked and became workhorses and which sat idle. I think this kind of thoughtful analysis is what takes personal style to the next level. I'm hoping to make the switch from searching for items to creating capsules with pieces that create the outfits I want to wear. Seeing how others bring an item home and try to style it with their existing closet inspires me. Exciting that this is always something new to learn! Mo on "Musing on focus" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/musing-on-focus#post-1327059 Sat, 09 Aug 2014 16:49:07 +0000 Mo 1327059@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Yes, Ann!!  I want to start with the outfit needed and then work back to the item to create it.  NOT the other way around.  For soooo long I got in the mindset of items instead of outfits.  Sure, I think of what they might go with, but as a qualifier to get them in the closet, not as the driving reason behind buying that item.  I want to flip that.  Mo on "Musing on focus" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/musing-on-focus#post-1327052 Sat, 09 Aug 2014 16:45:51 +0000 Mo 1327052@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Peri, so true that we don't all have the same cookie cutter needs those 'must have lists' would have you believe.  I came to a realization that my closet needs aren't the norm a while back.  I basically don't have weekend clothes and work clothes (beyond jeans and some golf skirts, and some sneakers for my uniform).  Instead I have: <ul> <li>stay in </li> <li>out in the world </li> <li>going out on the town</li> </ul> This is a simplified version, but at the core, that's really my daily needs boiled down.  A helpful realization was to not expect items to cross all boundaries of these categories.  Most items will straddle 2 of these 3 categories at most some only fit 1.  And that's okay.  Rambling Ann on "Musing on focus" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/musing-on-focus#post-1327049 Sat, 09 Aug 2014 16:43:58 +0000 Rambling Ann 1327049@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I think you are completely on to something. Searching for outfit gap glue as opposed to wardrobe hole patches has me on very different shopping missions. It's more of a top-down approach, a harder question to ask ahead of time: what outfit do I want to make? Like a recipe, I want to make a pie, then go get the flour and lard for the crust, the peaches for the filling. No peaches in the store, do I want apple pie instead? Instead of, ooh I found peaches, what can I make? Both ways work, but when I know I'm making a pie, I know how many peaches to buy. And if I make a lot of pies, I know to keep the staples on hand to make that recipe. Rambling again...but I am trying to ask myself what outfits I need and shop for the ingredients rather than falling for the next pretty I have no idea what to do with. I just ordered this staple blouse for the date night capsule after thinking out about three outfits I want to try with it. We'll see if it works when it comes. <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/extension/"></a><a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/extension/"></a> Peri on "Musing on focus" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/musing-on-focus#post-1327040 Sat, 09 Aug 2014 16:23:57 +0000 Peri 1327040@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ The other reason I fall prey to those lists, and even to wanting the thing I admire on another fabber, I now realize, is some worry that my life isn't good enough! That the way I dress is boring, or not stylish enough. Or, what is wrong with my life that I don't have occasions to wear that dress???! I'm not social enough or I don't have the right hobbies, or I am boring. I read something the other day about how much money is made off of women's insecurities. That "you must have a crisp white shirt" becoming, "oh wow, something is wrong with me, I need to change my life so that I have use for a crisp white shirt"! I did come looking for YLF because I wanted to look better...to upgrade my wardrobe. But I need to always remind myself that I want to upgrade my wardrobe for the life I love, not for someone else's. Like you, Mo, my daily life is a bit outside the norm. The best way to dress to teach piano is smart casual. Current and nice, but not dressed up. That same smart casual does great for the meeting close friends for dinner kind of socializing I do. When I do something requiring dressing up, it is dressing up for ballroom dance...a very different and unique dressy capsule that doesn't translate to regular dress up at all. Those clothes in between, that most people have need for, just don't meet any real needs for me. And there is nothing wrong with that!  Anonymous on "Musing on focus" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/musing-on-focus#post-1327025 Sat, 09 Aug 2014 15:37:10 +0000 Anonymous 1327025@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Good thinking Mo. I have been trying not to replace worn out items with close facsimiles. Even if I do find something similar, it's not at good as the old favorite, and often ends up unworn. I'm starting to think I'm better off just looking for something new.   After purging my one and only pair of long shorts/capris, I decided to see if I could do without something in this category. I hadn't been wearing them this Summer, so their absence didn't create any real wardrobe hole. I'm either in a skirt or dress or I need full length jeans to keep warm in the arctic A/C. I can always go out and buy a pair if I really miss them later. I, too, have gotten all excited about filling holes and checking "must have" items off my list in the past. Maybe it's fun to be on a mission or something. Peri is right. Just because something is a "must have" for someone else, doesn't mean it's a must have for me. Only I can determine what I really wear and what I truly need.  I love your idea about questioning why you aren't wearing some of your clothes. When I did the last of the big closet clean-outs, I wrote down the reasons why I was getting rid of each item so I wouldn't repeat the mistakes. I need to remember to read through that list each time I go shopping because otherwise I've been known to be seduced by a cute on-trend item that is itchy/scratchy/synthetic/DCO and make the same mistakes. Again. :)