YouLookFab Forum » Topic: My Wardrobe Goals

YouLookFab Forum » Topic: My Wardrobe Goals - Long https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/my-wardrobe-goals---long Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Sat, 25 Apr 2026 20:33:46 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 <![CDATA[Search]]> q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php MovingFashionForward on "My Wardrobe Goals - Long" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/my-wardrobe-goals---long#post-1786731 Sun, 12 Mar 2017 15:07:42 +0000 MovingFashionForward 1786731@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Ryce, unfortunately not in any standard shops. I found one in a charity shop in Knightsbridge, another in Tokyo, one evidently vintage one in a strange little shop in Oxford that is usually closed(!) and another I found online (I think it was a South Korean site). However, my favourite, most interesting ones are ones I have made myself, because I am super fussy about fit, opacity and colour and can't stand polyester lining, etc. Sarah unfrumped on "My Wardrobe Goals - Long" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/my-wardrobe-goals---long#post-1786456 Sat, 11 Mar 2017 16:40:48 +0000 unfrumped 1786456@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Very great analysis! I can relate s but- took a short temporary retirement but went back to work. Also have a new grandbaby so need washable travel clothing. But want to look good! I would wotknon silhouette and best styles/ shapes for you. For me, that means avoiding falling into the boxy Hanes T- shirt look. Also being careful with the low- hip straight hem tops that look like J cams out of the Talbots of JJill catalog. I look for curved hems, slash necks, fluid fit but with some drape in toward the waist. That's for my shape, but YMMV so you define that. Try on different casual brands and see who " gets you". It's worth trying string casusl brands like LLBean, Eddie Bauer, Lands Enc because they wash& wear well. The sneaker trend is your friend, as can have several fun pairs. Fun watches don't have to be expensive- I buy some Timex's when I find a band or watch face color that works. Wear your best colors- don't settle. Angie on "My Wardrobe Goals - Long" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/my-wardrobe-goals---long#post-1786444 Sat, 11 Mar 2017 16:26:05 +0000 Angie 1786444@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Keep us posted, Ryce. This really can be a fun leg of your style journey. Anonymous on "My Wardrobe Goals - Long" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/my-wardrobe-goals---long#post-1786415 Sat, 11 Mar 2017 15:01:41 +0000 Anonymous 1786415@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Thanks, everyone, for sharing your thoughts and ideas. Angie, I remember some of your posts highlighting you client Karen.  With your assistance, she has killer style, and I'll certain take a look at those Angie-approved pieces.  I'll be checking them out at Nordstrom on Monday (no mall on the weekend if it can be avoided here!)  I have high hopes for them. Suz, from what I have seen, you have an enviable work-at-home wardrobe.  I would love to have my act together in the same way by the time my hot season is in full swing. Thanks for raising the point about current styles in pants. I probably don't put enough thought into the bottom half of my outfits.  I'm pretty hard to fit in pants and shorts.  (need petite rise, have an out-of-the-ordinary waist-to-hip ratio), so tend to buy what I find that fits and work around it.  Perhaps I should try a little harder on that front. MFF, wherever do you find these "interestingly-cut 100% cotton or linen dresses with a high neckline and long sleeves."  I need me some of those!  Bijou, those are beautiful items you have chosen and shared.  Those pieces definitely give me some good ideas. Sterling, well, I guess I am glad to know I'm not the only one, but sorry that you, too, suffered from Eileen Fisher-googles.  I know exactly why I fell for them - some of the best low-key dressed women I know wear a lot of Eileen. It's a style I really admire.  Also, it is difficult to find that level of quality elsewhere, especially in US- or ethically-made clothing.  And I've had a couple of spectacular successes with her line - both items that are not "typical" for the brand.  But truth is, she really seems to design for a pear-shaped figure with all those a-line pieces, the usual color scheme doesn't suit me at all (my best colors are very warm) and then the whole drapey/flowy thing.  Honestly, I'm a klutz - always catching a sleeve or a hem in the car door or something when I wear that stuff.  So we learned and now we move on, right?  Right!! Anonymous on "My Wardrobe Goals - Long" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/my-wardrobe-goals---long#post-1786132 Fri, 10 Mar 2017 19:03:08 +0000 Anonymous 1786132@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Love these posts so much!!! You have done an amazing job of analyzing your style and defining your path forward.  I bow to you.   This comment stood out to me:  My early purchases were heavily weighted toward drapey/flowy items that I had often admired on others. I bought a lot of Eileen Fisher (mostly on sale) during this period. Turns out I don’t really care for flowy clothing. I’ve learned through trial and error that I definitely prefer both the look and and especially the feel of tailored pieces. I also am happiest when I stick to a a couple of defined silhouettes. It jumped out at me because yesterday I was wearing one of the Eileen Fisher oversized drapey/flowy items.  I like it for the coolness, but drapey/flowy always makes me feel sloppy.  I am going to follow your excellent example and focus on doing more tailored species in defined silhouettes.   I always wonder did we buy into these fashion statements because that was all that was represented in retail; peer pressure to dress like everyone else; or did we really like it?  Early on I realized oversized equated to sloppy in my mind.  Yet I still bought a few more pieces. I am not sure what I was trying to achieve.   Angie on "My Wardrobe Goals - Long" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/my-wardrobe-goals---long#post-1786125 Fri, 10 Mar 2017 18:50:31 +0000 Angie 1786125@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Ryce, you have done an EXCELLENT job of analyzing the internal and external factors that affect your style, married them to your sartorial preferences and your body type, learned from your shopping mistakes, AND have an action plan for outfit formulas. I AM WOWED. WELL DONE.  It sounds like you're after Relaxed Chic. It's up to you how much you want to be affected by your environmental norm. There is no need to resort to hiking shorts and tees if it doesn't make you feel fab. You sound like my client Karen - who is 76 now - and she refuses to wear gear unless she's working out. She lives in AZ for half the year so she gets hot weather. We JUST went shopping and this is what we bought as her new "uniform". The tees are AMAZING because they are fitted, but not clingy. Add cute flat black and silver sandals to the mix, jewellery, and you're good to go.  MovingFashionForward on "My Wardrobe Goals - Long" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/my-wardrobe-goals---long#post-1785997 Fri, 10 Mar 2017 15:09:39 +0000 MovingFashionForward 1785997@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Ha! Suz, I do the same thing -- change several times a day, for the sheer fun of it, wearing a different outfit for each thing I'm doing. Having fun with fashion! Ryce, I have very pale skin that must be covered at all times when I'm outside, even in England, but especially in hotter, sunnier places, so I too have had to solve the problem of hot-weather attire that is cool yet skin-covering. My solution has been interestingly-cut (otherwise I would want to be adding stuff for interest) 100% cotton or linen dresses with a high neckline and long sleeves. I do have some short-sleeved and sleeveless dresses but I basically only wear those in the very early morning and after the sun has gone down, when I'm in a hot/sunny place. I have to wear a sun hat and sunglasses too, to protect my face. Sunscreen makes my eyes stream no matter how 'hypoallergenic' it is. Sarah Bijou on "My Wardrobe Goals - Long" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/my-wardrobe-goals---long#post-1785995 Fri, 10 Mar 2017 14:59:08 +0000 Bijou 1785995@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Ryce - these are the jeans and summer tops that I like to wear, when out and about on the weekend. I do change into a casual t-shirt for house cleaning, cooking etc. but for comfort I do like tops that do not need to be tucked into my jeans.  MovingFashionForward on "My Wardrobe Goals - Long" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/my-wardrobe-goals---long#post-1785992 Fri, 10 Mar 2017 14:51:14 +0000 MovingFashionForward 1785992@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ These are my favourite posts by far -- the longer the better! Fab post, Ryce! Style Fan, if you miss dressing up, why do you not dress up? The way I dress (and even more, my sister) is super dressed up by most people's standards, and my life is very relaxed/casual. I've never understood why people feel compelled to stop dressing up when they retire, missing dressing up. Of course many don't miss it at all, but if you yourself do, what is stopping you dressing up? My sister dresses in the same crisp, tailored, smart but fun (NOT bohemian) dresses whether she is working or not. Even when she goes to the gym, she wears a dress over her gym clothes to cycle to the gym. I mention my sister because she favours the sort of dresses that need to be dry cleaned, for example, silk-lined wool, and that did not change when she had a young and messy baby/child. It simply wouldn't occur to her that that would call for a different wardrobe. She simply expects to wear her clothes hard and get them cleaned when necessary. (She's very good at dealing with little spills etc immediately though, to save dry cleaning bills.) Some people who miss dressing up feel as though they will look out of place in their environment if they dress up, perhaps because everyone around them is wearing very casual, dressed down jeans outfits. I promise anyone who feels like that that whilst you might initially feel self-conscious (and thus attract comments of the "Ooh, why are you so dressed up?" sort) if you dress the way you would prefer to dress, that feeling will pass, and you will then feel fully free to dress your preferred way and nothing bad will happen. I promise you, you will not get embarrassing comments on your attire for ever. Like Angie, I think we should all dress the way that makes us happy, whatever way that is. If you have a hankering for a different style, whatever that style is, try it. Or ask yourself what is stopping you dressing that way. Just a thought. I'm only mentioning this because you said you miss dressing up. Sarah Suz on "My Wardrobe Goals - Long" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/my-wardrobe-goals---long#post-1785987 Fri, 10 Mar 2017 14:27:56 +0000 Suz 1785987@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Ryce, I am close to your age. I live in a cold climate and I am not retired, but I do work from home, and run into similar issues. My lifestyle is active and casual, yet my preferred style is dressier.  It takes a long time to get the balance right. I think you've got a terrific plan, and it will take you far. I love the idea of making notes on how you feel about newer items/ combinations/ silhouettes in action.  I make an effort to wear "an outfit" each day, even at home. One way I've managed that is by identifying core colours and neutrals for my wardrobe early on. Most things "go" with most other things at least theoretically. As you are planning to do, I also tend to revert to a couple of silhouettes, although for me, silhouette variety is precisely what gives the (happy) feeling of variety -- so I need to be judicious here and allow myself some leeway to try new shapes when they appear (and if they appeal to me, of course).  For me, current cuts of denim are key to feeling up to date and stylish vs. overly casual. That goes for shorts as well -- I look for ones that are current (though the styles seem to change less quickly with shorts).  I also take every excuse to dress up and often change several times a day. I'll wear one very simple jeans and sweater outfit at home, change it for something else to meet a friend for lunch, and change again to prepare a meal. It's a lot of changing, but seems worth it.  Anonymous on "My Wardrobe Goals - Long" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/my-wardrobe-goals---long#post-1785981 Fri, 10 Mar 2017 14:11:02 +0000 Anonymous 1785981@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ JAileen, we do have a lot of the same "issues", don't we?  I guess dressy is relative.  I've always thought from your posts that your looks are somewhat "dressy" in your environment.  Is that an accurate impressions?  (PS  Hope your husband is doing well!) StyleFan, it certainly looks to me like you have your wardrobe well in hand.  I could never forget mosquitos.  I actually have an anti-mosquito "capsule".  (Everything in it is sprayed with permethrin.) It was devised for a trip where malaria and dengue were a concern, but I end up using it a fair amount here in the summer. Joy, you and your WIWs are a true inspiration, and I appreciate your comments here.  I do feel I have my wardrobe 90% sorted out from casual date night up to full-on formal affairs.  It's the day-to-day that is confounding me.  Maybe I should call this my "it's-105-degrees-and-I'm-doing-laundry-today" capsule.   Angie, thanks for the encouragement.  Any and all advice welcome! delurked, thanks for the thoughts about makeup and accessories.  Yes, It is truly shocking how quickly summer tops become tatty and pretty much unwearable.  Your pointing that out is causing me to consider if I should up the number of tops in my plan. Thank you, Penny.  I love ballet flats, too.  My feet are less sure about them these days, but I may need to be on the hunt for some that do work. Bijou, you have certainly found some great pieces lately.  Which of the most recent pieces you showed us did you decide to keep? I do have plenty of opportunity to "dress up".  Dinners, lunches, volunteer meetings, concerts, weddings, etc..  But there are usually about 3 days a week that I don't have any of those events.  And even on the days when I do, my current lifestyle makes it a bit awkward to wear that clothing all day.  Wearing a silk blouse to lunch and then returning to sit at a desk and work makes perfect sense.  Wearing that same blouse to cook dinner and check on the garden is less appealing.  Does that make sense? Bijou on "My Wardrobe Goals - Long" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/my-wardrobe-goals---long#post-1785933 Fri, 10 Mar 2017 09:11:38 +0000 Bijou 1785933@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Ryce this sounds like a great plan. Transitioning your wardrobe away from clothing for work sounds very challenging - this is something I would find hard because I enjoy my work clothes. To be smart, yet still appropriate on weekends, I have a number of trendy jeans and casual dresses and two casual skirts. I love Joy's suggestion of wearing a skirt or dress on Sunday as a good way of making sure that you dress up from time to time (hiking shorts and a t-shirt will get boring, even it it is super practical). Warm weather is challenging, because usually it is just a top and jeans/skirt/shorts. I have found wearing soft blouses with my cropped jeans (being often sleeveless in summer), a good way to feel stylish, yet cool. Footwear is a fun way to inject style into a casual look. I like your suggestion of a variety of summer sneakers. I live in a hot climate, so summer for me means a variety of flat (or low heeled) sandals. Looking forward to seeing some WIW posts. All your posts show someone with great style. Penny on "My Wardrobe Goals - Long" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/my-wardrobe-goals---long#post-1785902 Fri, 10 Mar 2017 04:26:49 +0000 Penny 1785902@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Very impressed by this - it looks like you've carefully identified your needs and a workable action plan. I like the idea of multiple colors of footwear for variety - I like wearing a variety of ballet flats with my casual summer dresses. Looking forward to reading about the implementation! Anonymous on "My Wardrobe Goals - Long" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/my-wardrobe-goals---long#post-1785895 Fri, 10 Mar 2017 04:05:09 +0000 Anonymous 1785895@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I also relate to much of this, although I'm not retired. I live a casual life in a hot climate, and always need more summer tops because they get worn quickly. I like structure, and would like a third completer piece , but find necklaces, especially long necklaces that elongate, help fill this gap. I have been doing pretty well at dressing for my everyday life. Some ways I feel put together while being casual (and hot). Hair (makeup) done. Accessories from jewelry to purse to shoes. Some detail on a top, from a graphic tee to embroidery on a top or a printed top (my favorite). That's why I'm also searching for dresses. They're good for the heat and easy. ETA - my tops wear out much quicker than my bottoms. I was disappointed the tops I liked over the last couple years are mostly all moved along for wear. I will be following your journey. Angie on "My Wardrobe Goals - Long" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/my-wardrobe-goals---long#post-1785892 Fri, 10 Mar 2017 03:54:31 +0000 Angie 1785892@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Ryce, I'll be back to comment fully tomorrow, but wanted to quickly chime in to say WELL DONE. This is a fabulous.  Anonymous on "My Wardrobe Goals - Long" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/my-wardrobe-goals---long#post-1785881 Fri, 10 Mar 2017 03:00:44 +0000 Anonymous 1785881@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I can identify with retirement dressing and wanting to dress up a little more. I always wear a dress or skirt on Sunday to church, although it may be a sweater dress or denim skirt. I have joined organizations and volunteer opportunities that call for smart casual dress. We are season members of the Denver symphony and hope to join other similar venues. I dress up more for these events. One sees all kinds of outfits from cocktail to occasional jeans. I am looking forward to seeing and hearing more about your style adventures. We have similar body types although I am much older. Style Fan on "My Wardrobe Goals - Long" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/my-wardrobe-goals---long#post-1785855 Fri, 10 Mar 2017 01:35:26 +0000 Style Fan 1785855@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ We are struggling with many of the same issues.  It took me a long time to figure out how to dress in retirement.  I think it has been 6 or 7 years now.  I still have to fight the urge to buy work clothes.  I miss dressing up.  I struggle with finding bottoms for hot weather.  I am interested in seeing what you come up with.  I forgot all about mosquitos.      JAileen on "My Wardrobe Goals - Long" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/my-wardrobe-goals---long#post-1785836 Fri, 10 Mar 2017 00:20:37 +0000 JAileen 1785836@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Your post could be describing my life! We're about the same age, same waist issues , same hot summer (although I have a cold winter, too), and the same desire to dress up a little. I guess the last one is relative, because some here would not describe my style as dressy even though I do attempt to avoid sweats and fleece for the most part. Anonymous on "My Wardrobe Goals - Long" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/my-wardrobe-goals---long#post-1785826 Thu, 09 Mar 2017 23:31:18 +0000 Anonymous 1785826@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I've been reading and absorbing here for a while now, and with the influence of so many of you who have shared your goals, I'm beginning to find mine.  I hope I'm not setting a record for the longest post ever on the forum.  :-) After a long career which required full business dress and in the final few years, dressy business casual, I am still struggling to figure out what I want out of my retirement wardrobe.  At first, I was it felt so freeing to not have to wear office attire everyday. But my early attempts to build a more casual wardrobe weren’t so successful. 1.           Personal Preferences.  My early purchases were heavily weighted toward drapey/flowy items that I had often admired on others. I bought a lot of Eileen Fisher (mostly on sale) during this period. Turns out I don’t really care for flowy clothing.  I’ve learned through trial and error that I definitely prefer both the look and and especially the feel of tailored pieces. I also am happiest when I stick to a a couple of defined silhouettes. That makes it easier to mix and match tops, bottoms, shoes, etc. 2.         Climate.  I also didn’t really purchase enough clothing for my climate. My warm season is hot and long. Clothing that is appropriate for my warm climate, even if it is high quality, is lightweight - and it simply wears out more quickly. Additionally, it has to be laundered every time it is worn, which also reduces its life. Furthermore, in the hottest months, I sometimes change clothes (or at least tops) simply to feel fresh. Bottom line – I need a large quantity of summer everyday clothing. Even though it is much less fun to shop for than "special pieces". 3.         Real Life.  Additionally, I have made the common mistake of buying too much “nice “ clothing and not enough “everyday” pieces. The reality is that many of my days consist of walking and playing with my dog, running errands, household and hobby projects, working out, etc. In other words, other than workout gear, I could spend those days in a pair of hiking shorts and a t-shirt. And honestly that is kind of the habit I have fallen into. And there is nothing in the world wrong with that EXCEPT…… I kind of enjoy “dressing up”. It makes me happy to be wearing an “outfit” rather than whichever shorts and tee were clean that day. There has to be a way to do that without being overdressed for my real life. 4.         Body changes. Yep, they happen. I never realized how easy I had it when I was clothing a more trim figure.  But the days of emphasizing my waistline are over. That’s ok – I just need to adjust my eye and figure out which silhouettes flatter my shape now and going forward. 5.         Style? I have no idea what “my style” is. For now I’m going to focus on two silhouettes with the added goal of being age-appropriate (I’m 59), but (hopefully) not frumpy. That is challenge enough for the time being, I think. So, my goal for the next few months is to concentrate solely on rounding out my hot weather everyday wardrobe. I could definitely stand to refine my everyday wardrobe for other seasons as well, but I feel I should be concentrating first on the area where the need is largest. 1.    Choose at least two silhouettes – leaning towards: a.    Walking shorts and woven or non-clinging knit tops with some structure.  I’d also like to introduce some cropped or ankle length pants that work with the same tops, because sometimes I just need a little more protection from the sun and mosquitos.  For the same reason, at least some of the tops must have sleeves that can be rolled down to full length. b.    Just above-the-knee dresses – probably mostly woven. Mostly in a loose silhouette that isn’t fitted at the waist. Cool and comfortable are key. c.    Consider a third silhouette of loose tunic over capri length leggings. But I’ve got a lot on my plate, so maybe that is a project for next year.  2.    Pay particular attention to proportions – lengths of garments, fit – especially in the waist area, etc.  3.    Since it is just too hot for me to be adding a traditional topper as a “third piece”, I need to find other ways to elevate theselooks a bit.   Ideas for this include: a.    More options in footwear. Instead of having one pair of summer sneakers, why not have 3 or 4 in colors that are chosen intentionally to coordinate with the colors that predominate in my wardrobe. (To some that will sound excessive, but I’m not a minimalist. And having more pairs means that they will last longer.) b.     I’m not a fan of wearing much jewelry with truly casual clothing, but I do always wear earrings and a watch, so I could focus on having some choices that go particularly well with different outfits, rather than always wearing plain gold studs and the same watchband. c.     I do tend to prefer simpler clothing pieces, but can’t deny that multi-colored patterns and details like a bit of embroidery or contrasting trim add some interest to an otherwise simple outfit.  The Game Plan:  1.   My goal is to put together a wardrobe of 8 outfits in each of the 2 silhouettes above. That doesn’t mean I need 8 pairs of shorts/pants/shoes.  Certainly those items can be used in multiple outfits. Also, some of the individual pieces will transfer to other seasons. So.for example, a black cotton voilesleeveless shirt that is worn with khaki shorts and sandals in summer can be worn with jeans and and closed footwear in the early fall. I would also like to have 2 loose tops and 2 lightweight dresses that can be worn over workout gear (one of each to go with black workout capris and one of each to go with navy). The tops will probably only be worn over workout wear, but the dresses could most likely be included in the total of 8 pieces. 2.   Try on and assess every piece I have from last summer. Discard the things that are worn. Then make a list of what is needed to create the wardrobe described in (1) above. 3.   Once the clothing has been chosen, start wearing it and identifying footwear, accessories, etc. that add the finishing touch to each outfit. Purchase those items and time, budget and availability allow. There.  I feel much better getting this all down in writing.  This should be do-able, right? And thanks once more to each of you who has shared an analysis like this in recent months.  It really is invaluable to see how other people's thought process works.  I hope that maybe someone can find some small inspiration in my progress as well.