https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/my-summer-wardrobe-challenge Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Mon, 20 Apr 2026 12:38:41 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/my-summer-wardrobe-challenge#post-1953676 Thu, 06 Sep 2018 13:29:54 +0000 Anonymous 1953676@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I have far too many summer clothes too - and it's not even my favourite season. I changed out my closet last weekend, and was horrified at the pile of stuff that never saw the light of day this summer. &nbsp;My needs are different than yours, and I'm no analyst , so my thoughts on this challenge are not of use or value, but.....I do admire the work and thought you've put into this. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/my-summer-wardrobe-challenge#post-1953672 Thu, 06 Sep 2018 13:23:19 +0000 LaPed 1953672@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>You might be interested in this blog post:&nbsp;<a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.seasons-and-salt.com/2018/09/05/6-days-of-styling-elizabeth-suzann-clyde-trench/">https://www.seasons-and-salt.c.....de-trench/</a>&nbsp;</p> <p>It's a great round-up of 6 different outfits built around one under-utilized garment. I love her analysis, the way she breaks down what works and what doesn't, and comes away with a set of guidelines about how she'll wear the new piece going forward. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/my-summer-wardrobe-challenge#post-1953583 Thu, 06 Sep 2018 03:58:47 +0000 karen13 1953583@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>So helpful to see this! I’m trying to give myself permission to donate items that I don’t reach for,for whatever reason, and this is a great set of criteria. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/my-summer-wardrobe-challenge#post-1953572 Thu, 06 Sep 2018 03:35:34 +0000 jussie 1953572@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I do the same thing; try to make sure I can make 3 different outfits with something before I buy it. Sometimes I make an exception, like if it’s a really special and unusual piece, or if I’m willing to buy a low cost supporting items to help it be more versatile, such as the perfect scarf :).<br /> Also I think it’s easy to stockpile more summer clothes because the colours tend to be brighter and more appealing, plus lighter fabrics are a bit cheaper. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/my-summer-wardrobe-challenge#post-1953469 Wed, 05 Sep 2018 20:11:21 +0000 Stagiaire Fash 1953469@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>This is so well thought out! I like that you gave yourself the flexibility to include things that you like (and wear) a lot, even if they don't work in lots of combos. Seems to me that it would also be an excellent way to come up with a capsule for a trip or the like. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/my-summer-wardrobe-challenge#post-1953441 Wed, 05 Sep 2018 18:10:21 +0000 Elizabeth P 1953441@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thanks <b>LaP</b>.&nbsp; I love what you wrote in your second paragraph... I'm the same. I like my varying silhouettes, neutrals, colour... which does make it easy to purchase orphans, or find out a possible workhorse is really only a show pony. </p> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/my-summer-wardrobe-challenge#post-1953410 Wed, 05 Sep 2018 16:22:53 +0000 LaPed 1953410@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Love this! You've articulated your process really nicely, and I love the visuals. Whenever I'm looking at adding something new, I try to put it through the three different outfits test, and if it doesn't pass it doesn't come home, unless I really really love it and am willing to factor in the cost of buying a new "support act" just to ensure that item will get worn.&nbsp;</p> <p>I used to get frustrated when I had items that only went with a few other things and not with *everything* in my closet, but I think I'm finally getting over that. I'm not a uniform dresser, I don't wear all-neutrals or all-solids, I like to vary silhouettes from season to season and within a season. Unless I want to do a complete overhaul of my wardrobe (and my personality!) there are going to be very few universal "master key" pieces for me... so the trick is avoiding pieces that will be true orphans. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/my-summer-wardrobe-challenge#post-1953396 Wed, 05 Sep 2018 15:56:14 +0000 Elizabeth P 1953396@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p><div>Thanks for the responses <b>efbgen</b>, <b>cindysmith</b>, and <b>chouette22</b>.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Lyn67</b>, if you do something similar, I hope you'll share how it goes!</div><div><br /></div><div>I must say, I find it interesting that there are some of us struggling with too many summer clothes, it seems that so many people dislike dressing for summer.&nbsp; Not me, I love summer clothes.&nbsp; Apparently :)<br /></div> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/my-summer-wardrobe-challenge#post-1953381 Wed, 05 Sep 2018 14:47:54 +0000 lyn67 1953381@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I see how this may work for me, too! Great ideea, thank you!:-) </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/my-summer-wardrobe-challenge#post-1953331 Wed, 05 Sep 2018 08:06:27 +0000 Anonymous 1953331@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>What a great plan and implementation. It is tough to let go of things that are nice and fit but just aren’t the ones we reach for......I used this process to definitely edit out 3 dresses with my eye on at least 2-3 more ( big summer dress person).<br /> I think your rules of 3 ( either 3 wears or 3 items to coordinate with) is smart and will lend itself to capsule dressing and seeing the cream float to the top.<br /> Well done </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/my-summer-wardrobe-challenge#post-1953260 Wed, 05 Sep 2018 00:15:27 +0000 cindysmith 1953260@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I was becoming overwhelmed with "high summer" clothes too (which is saying a lot, since I live in Texas and it's hot for a long time here so I need lots of these clothes). I had to keep two separate wardrobes, one I didn't care about for work and one I liked for "not-work". It was overwhelming, trying to get dressed. I had mini meltdowns on the regular.</p> <p>I got lucky and got fired from the job that needed clothes I didn't cry over when they got ruined. I don't know that I could have done what you did and figured it out if I hadn't gotten fired and been able to give away a BUNCH of clothes I didn't care about.</p> <p>Well done. You came up with a good set of criteria, and you actually seem to have stuck to them. Good job! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/my-summer-wardrobe-challenge#post-1953230 Tue, 04 Sep 2018 21:22:42 +0000 chouette22 1953230@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>What a great way to bring some discipline into your wardrobe! I too have too many summer clothes, because when you teach at the college level, by the time our winter semester was over, I hadn't even once worn anything short sleeved this year. Now that we are back on campus, it'll be a matter of a couple of weeks for summer clothes. I have so many nice outfits that I need to wear right now! I taught online during the summer, but I can do that in pajamas, thus it doesn't help.&nbsp;<br />You, however, are well on your way - well done!</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/my-summer-wardrobe-challenge#post-1953208 Tue, 04 Sep 2018 19:24:35 +0000 Angie 1953208@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>For me<b> Elizabeth</b>, it's almost ALL about the feelings and the visual - but with a good dose of discipline.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/my-summer-wardrobe-challenge#post-1953203 Tue, 04 Sep 2018 19:06:59 +0000 Christina F. 1953203@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>My hope is to identify which tops and dresses I'm not reaching for, and figure out why I'm not by actually making myself wear them. I've had moderate success so far.... but yeah, I do like most of them, and it's simply that I'm splitting my wears and have to decide whether to be okay with that. Something like what you're doing may be a next step for me! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/my-summer-wardrobe-challenge#post-1953200 Tue, 04 Sep 2018 18:58:44 +0000 Elizabeth P 1953200@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p> <div>Thanks <b>Angie </b>and <b>Cardiff girl</b>.&nbsp; Funny how this visual way of looking at things brought some perspective.&nbsp; It stops me from saying "I need x number of tops" forgetting that they need to be worn WITH something. <br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b>Rachy</b>, changing weather really messes with one doesn't it.&nbsp; I was lucky this summer that it was pretty consistent for the 8-9 weeks I was working.&nbsp; I think our all over the place weather is (part of) the reason I struggle.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Christina</b>... this was a way to keep my need for variety, as well as meeting some sort of bar of <b>wanting </b>to wear it.&nbsp; I did a "wear my orphans" approach last summer, and all it did was tell me I liked the tops I wasn't wearing. It didn't help me figure out why they were orphans other than the sheer lack of days to wear things in. This is helping the cream to rise, so to speak. <br /></div><div>Oh, and different coloured bottoms in the same silhouette definitely count! </p> <p> </div><br /> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/my-summer-wardrobe-challenge#post-1953196 Tue, 04 Sep 2018 18:33:00 +0000 Christina F. 1953196@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p><div>I could have written the start of this post (and am in the midst of a wear my orphans project with similar goals). I have too many summer tops and dresses, in particular.</div><div><br /></div><div>I am intrigued by this notion that each piece (like a separate) should be able to be worn 3 different ways if not 3 different times. I think I pass that easily with most tops (unless similar silhouettes but different colors of bottom don't count), but less so with skirts. I've greatly reduced the number of my skirts, though. Please continue updating on any new insights you gain from this process.<br /></div> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/my-summer-wardrobe-challenge#post-1953191 Tue, 04 Sep 2018 18:21:07 +0000 rachylou 1953191@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>So interesting. I wear the same thing, same silhouette, all the time. And yet the weather is so variable I can’t sort out my summer wardrobe... </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/my-summer-wardrobe-challenge#post-1953164 Tue, 04 Sep 2018 16:50:12 +0000 Cardiff girl 1953164@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I need to follow your example as I too have a lot of summer clothes.l m glad that your system brought you some clarity to managing your wardrobe. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/my-summer-wardrobe-challenge#post-1953159 Tue, 04 Sep 2018 16:40:34 +0000 Angie 1953159@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I'm glad you've found a way to edit your wardrobe using this strategy, <b>Elizabeth</b>. If it works - why not!&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/my-summer-wardrobe-challenge#post-1953142 Tue, 04 Sep 2018 15:26:22 +0000 Elizabeth P 1953142@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p> <div>I’m fresh back from vacation, and while away I took the time to write up the summer wardrobe challenge I set myself. It’s not done yet, but the results won’t change at this point. So, time to share! Warning: this is long. <br /></div><div><br /></div> </p> <p>The thing I wanted to get a handle on: the sheer volume of my summer clothes. I knew I had too many, I just felt somewhat paralyzed about how to deal with it. Many of my tops are new(ish), and ones I like, so motivation to get rid of them for fit/style/wearing out issues were not there. I just knew I’d totally overshot how many I needed. And while I like variety, it has become overwhelming.</p> <p>I’d played games with numbers… if I want to wear x, y times, how many x’s do I need… all it told me was what I knew. I have too much. Nor did it&nbsp; help me figure out what the excess was, what didn't really fit in, what could go. </p> <p>But then I hit on an idea, that has really worked for me. And the weather somewhat cooperated as well. </p> <p>Summer arrived at the end of June. We went from spring (closed toe shoes, toppers or light sweaters) to “high summer” (temps in the 30’s, high&nbsp; humidity), overnight. Totally skipped "early summer", when I wear cage sandals and short sleeved sweaters, and went directly to open sandals, sleeveless, natural fabrics. Even my culottes seemed too confining, all I wanted to wear were dresses and lose things.</p> <p>So, I decided to apply my challenge just to my “high summer” clothes, which have been worn over eight work weeks so far, and looks like could easily continue for 2-3. </p> <p>So, my challenge: </p> <ol> <li>This is for work clothes only.</li> <li>&nbsp;I need to love everything I wear. Both the pieces AND the outfit.</li> <li>Everything needs to be worn either three times, or <b>can </b>be worn three different ways. </li> <li>What this means, is that a dress (for example) needs to be enjoyed enough that I’m happy wearing it three times. Or a particular outfit that doesn’t mix and match well needs to be worn three times.</li> <li>If I wear top A with bottom N, then top A also needs to have a bottom O and P (which I also love) to be worn with. Bottom O,<br /> which obviously goes with top A, also needs top B and C. And so on. After a few weeks, the circle began to close. And my perfect summer wardrobe began to form. Not everything WAS worn three times, but at least I knew all the pieces worked well enough in the system that they could. OK, writing this out seems a bit over the top, but I did it all in Stylebook, so had the visuals. </li> </ol> <p>None of this was really about final numbers, but was rather a great way to see what I really did want to wear, and wouldn’t get tired of. Yes, there are some tops still unworn. I’m going to take a look at these once&nbsp; summer is over, to see if they would have been worn if there had been more time (ie still met the love to wear, goes with 3 things criteria), or not.</p> <p>&nbsp;I’ve already identified a couple of dresses and 5-6 tops that have been set aside for Dress for Success. Yes, I may like them, they may fit, but I did not reach for them, either physically, or virtually, to add to this capsule. This feels good. I may whittle things down further, but this<br /> has been fun, and really helpful.</p> <p>Here is an illustration of how I did it.</p> <p>Photo 1: A black skirt, and 5 tops, I wore, or could wear, with it.</p> <p>Photo 2: One of those tops, with 3 bottoms</p> <p>Photo 3: One of those bottoms, with 6 tops that I wore, or could wear, with them.</p> <p>Photo 4: Full circle with one of these tops going with the original black skirt.</p> </p> <p>Thanks for reading!&nbsp; </p>