https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/no-repeat-november---what-i-learned Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Mon, 06 Apr 2026 06:47:57 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/no-repeat-november---what-i-learned#post-1110850 Wed, 11 Dec 2013 15:42:46 +0000 Lisa 1110850@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>It sounds like you had a very successful Nov.&nbsp; Some great insights you had were: you've nailed down your color palette.&nbsp; That will make your shopping so much easier in the stores, you know which colors to beeline for now.&nbsp; And you also found what sounds like a wardrobe hole, more footwear options.&nbsp; It also sounds like you need a gardening capsule.&nbsp; So a great start here.&nbsp; </p> <p>As far as work vs casual styles go, have you decided what you want your home style to be?&nbsp; I wanted my styles to crossover easily.&nbsp; I have a casual job now so this is quite easy to do.&nbsp; I just wear items for work and weekends, with the bulk of these items working for both settings.&nbsp; But when I dressed more formally for work I still sported items I wore for business settings (especially my blazers) with jeans on weekends so that I can crossover.&nbsp; If you don't want crossover clothing, then I would focus on a small capsule of at home outfits. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/no-repeat-november---what-i-learned#post-1110661 Wed, 11 Dec 2013 12:03:15 +0000 MRL 1110661@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Deb, you have me thinking of trying a no repeat month! </p> <p>I am very conscious of what I wear to work and have spent the last few years focusing on that. As someone who returned to the outside work force about 6 years ago it's easy for me to justify buying clothes if they can be worn at work.&nbsp; I have not put nearly as much effort into my home clothes, although Angie's recent post about lounge wear has me thinking about it. (and that's a start, right?)</p> <p>I would love a shopping buddy and have someone in mind, however I think that Kate Middleton is too busy these days </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/no-repeat-november---what-i-learned#post-1110595 Wed, 11 Dec 2013 06:40:32 +0000 Marley 1110595@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Wow Deb - such great insights that you have shared here!&nbsp; It sounds as though there was a mix of "positive" and "negative" realizations - one of the most positive being that you want to make your at-home capsule as feel-good as your work capsule.&nbsp; That is a great goal - and most certainly attainable.&nbsp; I agree with others who have commented on this thread already, that at-home capsules are more difficult to get <i>just right </i>as compared to work capsules.&nbsp; Its like Mo said, the structure and fabric of work clothes do the <i>work</i> for you - while with at-home clothing items its very easy to cross the line into frumpyville since we're more focused on comfort and warmth.&nbsp;</p> <p> When I first started working at home, I continued to buy as though I was working in an office - in fact I did it for about 5 years (seriously).&nbsp; It was ridiculous - and such a waste of money.&nbsp; However, it took me that long for it to hit me that it was actually OK to spend money on casual/at-home clothing and also, that it could be just as fun as work clothing (in fact I now have completely flipped my thinking, and think that shopping for casual/at-home clothing is <i>much </i>more fun than work clothing!&nbsp; </p> <p>One of the things that might help you develop your at-home capsule is to see if you can identify any of your work clothing that could cross-over to at-home wear.&nbsp; I ended up transitioning over a lot of my less structured work-clothing into my at-home capsule.&nbsp; It seemed to help take my at-home capsule up a notch and it was a great way to wear some of the clothing that I had bought over the last 5 years.</p> <p>In answer to your question - my at-home wardrobe and my work wardrobe are one and the same - so I don't have the challenge of trying to make them consistent with each other - or true to my style.&nbsp; When I <i>do </i>go out, its usually to do a presentation for the animal shelter (pretty darn casual!) attend a board meeting, or go out with girlfriends or my husband - and the clothes that I wear then are a little more dressy than my at-home capsule - even though there is a lot of cross-over!</p> <p>OK - I've rambled on enough!&nbsp; Thank you for sharing - and also, thank you for putting together this challenge!&nbsp; It was a lot of fun! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/no-repeat-november---what-i-learned#post-1102356 Sun, 01 Dec 2013 21:28:06 +0000 celia 1102356@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Great insights Deb.<br />Knowing and putting into action are definitely not the same thing, right?<br />I work from home and have some activities outside the house , I would say that although the degree of casualness varies from one to the other I would say I am pretty consistent.&nbsp;</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/no-repeat-november---what-i-learned#post-1102254 Sun, 01 Dec 2013 19:30:18 +0000 Jewell 1102254@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thanks for the pics- very helpful! That's exactly what I'm going for, but I have a little more shuffling to do. Your closet looks great btw! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/no-repeat-november---what-i-learned#post-1102246 Sun, 01 Dec 2013 19:19:24 +0000 MsMary 1102246@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Seems like you had a great, instructive month!&nbsp; Hooray!</p> <p>I organize my closet the same way you do -- like items, by color.&nbsp; I've tried other methods but I always come back to this one.</p> <p>It took me a while to get a "home/weekend" look dialed in, too.&nbsp; It seemed frivolous or wasteful to spend money and effort on clothes that nobody would see.&nbsp; But now I LOVE my casual clothes and get dressed even if I'm just going to the grocery store, because it makes me happy.&nbsp; And when I was living with Mr. K I would get dressed just to hang around the house.&nbsp; (I will admit there are more "pajama days" now that it's just me in the Bachelorette Pad!)&nbsp; </p> <p>Generally, I'd say yes, my home and work wardrobes are similar.&nbsp; In fact, I wear many of the same tops and accessories for both, and just change out, say, a pencil skirt and pumps for skinny jeans and boots.</p> <p>One tip:&nbsp; I got rid of all the really ratty "at home" clothes.&nbsp; These days pretty much everything I own is presentable, which really helps! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/no-repeat-november---what-i-learned#post-1102236 Sun, 01 Dec 2013 19:08:13 +0000 Anonymous 1102236@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Wow, I'm impressed with your analysis.&nbsp; No-repeat-vember was a great success for you.&nbsp; I really get what you said for #7 "I have not put into<br /> practice what I have learned here, at YLF."&nbsp; I struggle with the at home fashion stuff and know what I need to do and should do but I guess I'm just lazy and it's easy to slump around in sloppy lounge wear.&nbsp; I hope this exercise is just what you needed to get you where you want to be. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/no-repeat-november---what-i-learned#post-1102224 Sun, 01 Dec 2013 18:47:34 +0000 deb 1102224@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Jewell,&nbsp;my closet is organized by type; tops, pants, toppers, skirts.&nbsp;each category is then ordered by color. Here are pictures.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <p>#1 &amp; 2 - shirts (all long sleeve, sleeveless, tanks, tees, all of them)<br />#3 - pants and jeans<br />#4 - toppers&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/no-repeat-november---what-i-learned#post-1102190 Sun, 01 Dec 2013 17:52:30 +0000 Jewell 1102190@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Glad you shared what you gleaned from this experience! I can totally relate to the disconnect between work and home capsules. I guess I should consider that when setting my style goals for 2014. </p> <p>And a question about your closet organization: do you have all items of a certain color together or are they grouped by item and then by color within the item category? I used to have everything arranged ROYGBIV style, with all red items (pants, shirts, everything) together. Then I tried organizing by item, with all jackets together, all pants together, etc but it threw off the rainbow effect. Still trying to decide which I like better. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/no-repeat-november---what-i-learned#post-1102155 Sun, 01 Dec 2013 17:08:40 +0000 Angie 1102155@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>These are great insights, Deb. I'm impressed. Lets work on creating a gardening and home wear capsule that makes you feel fab.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/no-repeat-november---what-i-learned#post-1102144 Sun, 01 Dec 2013 16:57:00 +0000 Catnip 1102144@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>First, thank you for mentioning Advanced Style.&nbsp; What an interesting site,&nbsp;and I don't want to look like them either. </p> <p>You have learned so much, and also realized how hard it is to put new knowledge into practice... something I'm just beginning to understand.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/no-repeat-november---what-i-learned#post-1102136 Sun, 01 Dec 2013 16:50:57 +0000 LACeleste 1102136@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Hi Deb,</p> <p>I enjoyed your exercise and your analysis. &nbsp;I think your eye wear and color combos are very chic and I hope you will enjoy shopping for additions&nbsp;using the new&nbsp;insights.</p> <p>I am not great at casual looks&nbsp;but getting better. &nbsp;Call me crazy&nbsp;but I really like&nbsp;wearing suits (i. e.&nbsp;"client engagement" clothes). &nbsp;That's not my life at the moment so I am trying to figure it out.&nbsp;</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/no-repeat-november---what-i-learned#post-1102099 Sun, 01 Dec 2013 15:51:06 +0000 Mo 1102099@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thanks for sharing! &nbsp;I've often thought casual pulled together is harder to achieve than many consider. &nbsp;Dressing up can be an easy default IMO. &nbsp;The fabrics and structure sort of take care of it for you, in a sense. &nbsp;Anyway, I concur ;)&nbsp;<br />I wonder if it was the no repeating, or more the no wearing of business wear that struck you? &nbsp;<br />I also would like to look, and feel, more like the usual me in my lounging stuff. &nbsp;It's not bad, but like you say, it's just okay, not really a 'style' unto itself. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/no-repeat-november---what-i-learned#post-1102086 Sun, 01 Dec 2013 15:34:42 +0000 Ariadne 1102086@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Fascinating insights. &nbsp;Sounds like it's time to focus on your casual at-home wear, and maybe buy more shoes. &nbsp;Oh, darn! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/no-repeat-november---what-i-learned#post-1102073 Sun, 01 Dec 2013 15:17:56 +0000 dustt 1102073@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Wow - those are some great personal learning pearls!! - they've got me thinking now too.&nbsp; Deb - &nbsp;I too have a pretty good disconnect between my work wardrobe and my home wardrobe. I spend so much time in structured, conservative work clothes that especially in the winter - my home goals focus very heavily on casual and comfortable - and during winter there is a definite warmth factor that needs to be addressed. Jeans are an absolute no go at work - so I tend towards loads of them in the winter - those or my cords - add a sweater and a scarf (and wool socks and long underwear) - and it pretty much feels like a casual uniform - one I'd like to sometimes break out of - but not sure how with my current wardrobe items - believe me I've got loads of casual sweaters!!! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/no-repeat-november---what-i-learned#post-1102053 Sun, 01 Dec 2013 14:48:33 +0000 MuseumGal 1102053@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Interesting insights!&nbsp; <br />I want to look nice while gardening and doing field work too, and have decided that this means actually buying clothing for it, instead of relying on old worn out pants with rips in them and my husband's worn out, stained, and ripped buttondowns.&nbsp; I'm trying to put together a little gardening capsule that can then be the basis for my field work capsule.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/no-repeat-november---what-i-learned#post-1102038 Sun, 01 Dec 2013 14:13:22 +0000 TraceyLiz65 1102038@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Great insights , thanks for sharing them! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/no-repeat-november---what-i-learned#post-1102017 Sun, 01 Dec 2013 13:43:34 +0000 Suz 1102017@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>ETA: the question isn't really relevant to me since I don't work in an office. My at home and work wear are identical. But I do have a separate work life of appearances, plus a fair bit of city travelling. I think these are pretty seamlessly part of my style -- there is considerable overlap, just a greater degree of either formality or trendiness (depending).&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/no-repeat-november---what-i-learned#post-1102016 Sun, 01 Dec 2013 13:42:12 +0000 Suz 1102016@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Deb, this is an amazing set of insights. Wow! It seems as if the challenge was truly worth it for you.&nbsp;</p> <p>In looking over your outfits and comparing them to your work style, I'd say that one element that comes across more in the work style is "sleek." That might be because the clothing is by its nature more structured. And when we are at home, we tend to want (and need) more comfortable clothing, which translates to some extent into "softer" looks. Which <b>can</b> feel and sometimes also look "frumpier" than the crisper, cleaner, sharper looks that we'd wear to an office. Or at least that's how I feel.&nbsp;</p> <p>For casual wear, I have learned a great deal from looking at the choices of people like Kellygirl and Mo -- even though they live in very different locales and don't have the same style or body type, just seeing what works for them in their daily lives has helped me consider why I was reaching more often for items that in my head, I don't <b>think</b> I like as much as I do (hello cozy sweater)&nbsp;&nbsp;-- and why I wasn't reaching for items that I supposedly "love" (button front shirt I am looking at you.)</p> <p>You were especially limited this month due to footwear issues -- you might have injected more "sleek" and more "modern" or more "edge" with your footwear if you had been able to.&nbsp;</p> <p>Anyway, I wonder if that word "sleek" could be applied to your work at home, casual wear as you move forward, making purchases, and if you'd then bring your two styles more into line -- assuming you want to!&nbsp;</p> <p>For gardening, have you considered a special and specific "outfit" much the way someone would choose a gear outfit? A little gardening capsule, maybe. Rather than just wearing old duds and cast-offs.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/no-repeat-november---what-i-learned#post-1102002 Sun, 01 Dec 2013 12:44:58 +0000 Karie 1102002@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>My work and home wardrobe are mies apart - not even in the same neighborhood! Work: Classic, dressy, fashiony (I hope). Home: Well...once, back in the days when I taught Kindergarten, one of my charges forgot to bring home the Christmas present he made for his mother. I phoned the mother and and offered to meet her at a location to get the gift to her. When we met, I had run out the door at the last minute - I was baking Christmas cookies and was wearing sweats, and my "accessories" included bits of cookie dough and flour. Upon seeing me, his mother called out "You really <i>do</i> dress like one of us!"&nbsp;</p> <p>My work wardrobe is dressy, my causal wardrobe has a bit more funky to it, but my at-home winter wardrobe? Nice, heavy Prairie Mountain sweat pants and Cuddl Duds.&nbsp;Hey, it's cold here! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/no-repeat-november---what-i-learned#post-1101977 Sun, 01 Dec 2013 08:50:52 +0000 Lyn D. 1101977@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Great insights Deb!<br />This must have been a worthwhile exercise for you to have gained so much.<br />I wouldn't mind being #12 too. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/no-repeat-november---what-i-learned#post-1101975 Sun, 01 Dec 2013 08:43:13 +0000 Adelfa 1101975@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Oh Deb, it's so hard to put what we learn into practice, isn't it?</p> <p>This season I have sort of overbought non-work clothes. But I love them, and got a comment that my casual style is really coming together.</p> <p>I have enjoyed buying things that are in colors and silhouettes that feel like me, but that are inexpensive, such as H&amp;M skinny jeans in different colors, and American Apparel lightweight open neck cropped sweatshirts. And wearing Cons a ton!</p> <p>My work wardrobe often says "stay away" as well, and with what I've been doing this year, it was a necessity. I'll have to watch that at my new job. My non-work wardrobe says that for a middle-aged woman I'm a little bit hip.</p> <p>I wonder if there are any fabbers in your area who could help you shop?</p> <p> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/no-repeat-november---what-i-learned#post-1101971 Sun, 01 Dec 2013 08:31:46 +0000 deb 1101971@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p><div>I am sure there are more things, but this is what stands out right now. </div> <ol> <li>I look like my mother, at least the body shape</li> <li>Home clothing = frump tendency</li> <li>My work style = classic and is under control</li> <li>I have a definite disconnect between my work clothing and my home clothing – Work = classic / Home = just OK (I really do not have a descriptor for it)</li> <li>I found my color palette – black, white, teal, cranberry, grey</li> <li>Shoes make me happy – this is not new news but I wish I had been able to have more shoe variety.</li> <li>I have not put into<br /> practice what I have learned here, at YLF.</li> <li>I like my new closet organization. – Like items in color order</li> <li>Spring/Summer wardrobe is in better shape than F/W</li> <li>I want to look good gardening – I had several visitors while wearing my gardening clothes</li> <li>I do not want to be seen as the crazy old&nbsp;lady in the weird clothes. – OK, I like to read <a href="http://advancedstyle.blogspot.com/" rel="nofollow">Advanced Style</a>, but I do not want to look like them.</li> <li>I would not mind being seen as the crazy old lady with the funky glasses and the great shoes. ( I hope this is different than # 11)</li> </ol> <p><b>What I need to do</b></p> <ol> <li>Get in and try on clothes in the store. – I wish I had a buddy to help with this</li> <li>Translate my classic style into my home clothing – and make it comfortable</li> <li>Think about what my&nbsp;clothing says about me – my work wardrobe says ‘stay away’ Home, not so much.</li> </ol> <p><b>Question </b></p> <div>Are you guys consistent with your work and home wardrobes?</div> </p>