https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/on-creating-a-large-functional-wardrobe Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Wed, 15 Apr 2026 05:38:50 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/on-creating-a-large-functional-wardrobe/page/2#post-1320966 Fri, 01 Aug 2014 17:57:20 +0000 Keturah 1320966@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>This is just such a great post, E. I don't have much to add at present. But I love all the details you've given us. Thank you for sharing this!! I am finding it all very helpful as I transition to capsule wardrobes!&nbsp;<br />xo </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/on-creating-a-large-functional-wardrobe/page/2#post-1312219 Wed, 23 Jul 2014 15:57:54 +0000 lyn67 1312219@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Wow,&nbsp;I bookmarked this post but didn't get to read it until now, and boy, I am amazed! You are so clever, all! And E, I was surprised to find out that unconsciously I pretty much did what you did with your core neutrals, and then with the colors, too. Having all kind of pieces in your core neutrals is making life so easy.</p> <p>I only love a few colors (some shades of corals and orange&nbsp;and&nbsp; citron/yellow/grass green&nbsp;comes to my mind) and so I limit my colored items to these. And they both go so well with all the neutrals I collected in time (blacks, greys, blue denim, navies, whites, creams&nbsp;and even some taupe).&nbsp;</p> <p>I don't like pattern that much (and esp not around my face). But I love&nbsp;stripes, or some graphic/abstract print (esp. on my lower half, for&nbsp;skirts and&nbsp; dresses), and I love them better mono- or bi- chromatic(of some neutrals), with an occasional accent color of the 2 main palette&nbsp;mentioned above. </p> <p>I do&nbsp;love a column of collor(inside or outside), but do it very carefully, and never suits alike. I always pay attention to change up texture if working with the same shade(for the example Claire asked for)-and then, &nbsp;I have to break it all up with some sort of pattern. This is the seldom occasion I like to wear a printed top (say under an outside column of the same or different neutrals, so that it has to be perceived in the smallest amount possible:-))).</p> <p>Then, I&nbsp; mix and match&nbsp;with confindece my blacks, whites,&nbsp; denims and my new navies,&nbsp;&nbsp;with chock &nbsp;BROWN or cognac.</p> <p>Regarding preffered &nbsp;silouettes. I do also have only a few I respect and keep on working over the years,&nbsp;so it's really&nbsp;less of a &nbsp;pain and liberating.&nbsp;I always loved fluidly &nbsp;tailored-&nbsp;if there is such a thing(?):-))).&nbsp;&nbsp;I live in my debombshelled pencil skirts (have &nbsp;only a few A-line or flared skirts, esp for summer), and&nbsp; shift dresses all year round! Easy breezy:-).&nbsp;Than a kind of topper, prefferable not too short, at least hip length, or longer. Some straight legs, and a few BF's. That's all I have. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/on-creating-a-large-functional-wardrobe/page/2#post-1310991 Tue, 22 Jul 2014 16:20:07 +0000 E 1310991@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Alana, good luck sorting out trousers! They are my fitting Waterloo; I’m so glad high rises are finally coming back, because my rise is so long it takes 10” to hit a couple inches below my belly button. :o<div><br /></div><div>You’re welcome Elle!</div><div><br /></div><div>Marin, sorry it was overload at first! I’m not good at succinctness. It sounds like we have a similar closet/dressing approach. Have you tried belting a looser top over the wide legs so you’re getting some waist definition? A fitted vest or wrap cardigan would do that too. Or any fitted top, if you have some. That’s the only way I feel good in them, and linen wider legs are so comfy in high heat. The shoe situation is definitely tricky though!</div><div><br /></div><div>Crst, I’m glad you liked the thread and that you’re another one who enjoys a large wardrobe (vs feeling overwhelmed)!</div><div><br /></div><div>Wow, thank you Sharon. I’m so glad it was helpful!</div><div><br /></div><div>Rabbit, I’ll get working on the philosophical one then. It’ll be a bit trickier, as I don’t want to step on any toes, so will have to work out clear disclaimers. ;)</div><div><br /></div><div>I loved hearing about craftsmen: how fascinating! (BTW, have you read Victoria Finlay’s Colour: a Natural History of the Palette? If not, you might enjoy it with your art background: it talks about how different paints were made, especially historically.) You look great in all of your different silhouettes: we’ve basically chosen to limit opposite things! And all that variety allows you to rock those runway inspirations posts. :D</div><div><br /></div><div>I’m glad you liked it Deborah! It felt a bit presumptuous while writing it, so I’m relieced it doesn’t come across that way. Your palette is much more limited than mine, but it looks great on you. I *love* your final sentence: it’s SO true. I feel much happier with my body now that I’m not expecting it to fill out a wrap dress.</div><div><br /></div><div>Thanks Jeanie! What type of wardrobe holes do you have? If I were you, I’d figure out which of your neutrals is most versatile, and then buy the item in that neutral (if you can find it of course), so that it would work with most of your wardrobe. But if you don’t have many colours that need matching, that might not be necessary for you. :)</div><div><br /></div><div>Neel, those are all good monikers, and I can see how you want a mix in each of your outfits! Sounds like you are well on your way to a functional large wardrobe. :D</div><div><br /></div><div>Thanks Diane! I wish I had your sewing ability, but even as a non-sewist I get a lot of wardrobe planning info from sewing sites, probably because if you’re committing so many hours to sew something, you don’t want it to end up as an orphan.</div><div><br /></div><div>Thank you Melaine! I’m a details/information person, so not everyone needs to learn as much as I did. I research to relax, believe it or not!</div><div><br /></div><div>Alasse, I’ll start turning it all over in my mind then!</div> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/on-creating-a-large-functional-wardrobe/page/2#post-1310874 Tue, 22 Jul 2014 14:31:53 +0000 Alassë 1310874@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Seconding Rabbit's request for more. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/on-creating-a-large-functional-wardrobe/page/2#post-1310704 Tue, 22 Jul 2014 10:53:00 +0000 Melaine 1310704@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Wow, I don't have much to add but wanted to thank you for the post....really interesting and helpful! I have so much to learn here! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/on-creating-a-large-functional-wardrobe/page/2#post-1310681 Tue, 22 Jul 2014 08:41:45 +0000 Anonymous 1310681@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Love this post E! I had a quick read last night, but no time to reply. You've really got me thinking about 'my' neutrals and 'my' silhouettes now. What great links too! I particularly love the sewing links. I'm adding this post and the links to my favourites </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/on-creating-a-large-functional-wardrobe/page/2#post-1310679 Tue, 22 Jul 2014 08:22:43 +0000 Neel 1310679@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>E, that was one amazing read! You have a very very well curated large wardrobe. I am all for a large wardrobe that works and is loved by the individual.</p> <p>While I was purging tops, I successfully purged those that were old/pilled or those that I was bored of. But still I have 75 in there I couldn't get around to purging because I like them all! My wardrobe seems to be a much manageable number now (although still on the higher side). I also realized I need a bigger wardrobe with a variety of silhouettes to stay happy. But what helped me where the monikers that I have come to associate with my style. Sporty, Edgy, Classy, Girly, Trendy. I mix and match these style monickers in almost every outfit I wear. For eg. A classy sheath with trendy sneaks. Items that did not fit into my style monickers were easily purged because I obviously never reached for them much. The exercises that everyone has been doing out here is finally making sense to me.</p> <p>Knowing what you have is truly the first step to a well curated wardrobe.<br /> Thank you for sharing your experience with us </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/on-creating-a-large-functional-wardrobe/page/2#post-1310674 Tue, 22 Jul 2014 07:40:47 +0000 Jeanie 1310674@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Wow E, I just love this post and all the comments. &nbsp;I would love to hear how you apply this process in picking out what to wear each day. &nbsp;I have a medium size closet but still find wardrobe holes. &nbsp;Maybe focusing on a couple of colors would help. &nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/on-creating-a-large-functional-wardrobe/page/2#post-1310663 Tue, 22 Jul 2014 06:45:23 +0000 Deborah 1310663@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>E thank you so much for sharing this:) I wish I could add something clever but I really need to consider and take in how this works for you.&nbsp;&nbsp; I absolutely relate to sticking to a particular silhouette and limiting my colour palette, personally I find it incredibly liberating and dressing in the mornings now is done with such ease.&nbsp; Life changes dramatically when we stop trying to fit our body into a silhouette that looks fab on others but not on us :)&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/on-creating-a-large-functional-wardrobe/page/2#post-1310662 Tue, 22 Jul 2014 06:36:26 +0000 rabbit 1310662@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Very interesting! &nbsp;Thanks for so much for sharing. &nbsp;One thought before I forget, you said:&nbsp;<i>I haven't gotten into anything philosophical, as this post was already running too long, but I'm happy do another post another time on that, from a large wardrobe, secondhand-preferring, small budget perspective, if anyone's interested.</i></p> <p><i><br /> </i></p> <p><i></i>Yes! &nbsp;I'm interested &nbsp;</p> <p>I realized what your core&nbsp;silhouettes&nbsp;and repetition of each building block in the same color&nbsp;reminded me of, and that is a craftsperson's body of work. &nbsp;A crafter&nbsp;is known for creating work&nbsp;that has a certain amount of&nbsp;cohesion in shape, color, line, medium&nbsp;and texture, &nbsp;but they can create many multiples that play on or reinterpret these basic building blocks. &nbsp; For example, someone should be able to instantly recognize their work and pick it out among their peers, because there&nbsp;is a 'signature' to their hand, regardless of whether the work is labelled. &nbsp; This signature style can evolve as well, but tends to do so in an evolutionary manner.</p> <p>I collect clothing with limited colors, but a fair amount of flexibility in&nbsp;silhouette, and I love&nbsp;pattern that incorporates my limited colors. &nbsp; So in my wardrobe is the black section (large), the gray section (large, mostly mid-tone), and the smaller navy/denim/ink section. &nbsp; Then there are color pops in olive/hunter, pink/coral,&nbsp;turquoise, white, and cobalt purple. &nbsp;I have several patterned tops and some patterned skirts and they incorporate one or more of the neutrals, plus one or more of the color pops. &nbsp; I prefer floral and animal patterns so there is some cohesion there as well.</p> <p>But&nbsp;silhouettes, man there is a lot&nbsp;of variety in my closet. &nbsp;&nbsp;I like experimenting with&nbsp;silhouette&nbsp;more&nbsp;than&nbsp;with color and have found several that are JFE. &nbsp;So far there has been enough variety in tops&nbsp;in each of the big black and gray capsules that I rarely end up with an orphan due to&nbsp;silhouette, although occasionally I'll note that I need some cropped tops with volume, or a skinnier/higher rise pair of pale bottoms, for example. &nbsp;&nbsp;<i></i></p> <p><i><br /> </i></p> <p><i></i><i><br /></i> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/on-creating-a-large-functional-wardrobe/page/2#post-1310633 Tue, 22 Jul 2014 04:45:03 +0000 Sharon 1310633@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>This is a great post E. I am going to bookmark it and use it to help plan my summer purchases. Thanks for sharing your process. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/on-creating-a-large-functional-wardrobe/page/2#post-1310620 Tue, 22 Jul 2014 04:25:37 +0000 crst 1310620@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I have a large wardrobe too - I can afford what I buy, and I love the items and the variety they offer.&nbsp; When it gets overwhelming, I purge.&nbsp; But otherwise I just enjoy it.&nbsp; My friends say that I have a knack for knowing what looks good on me, and I guess I do instinctively.&nbsp; I have certain categories (like pencil skirts) that always work.&nbsp; I need to sit down and analyze it more, like you have though.&nbsp; Thank you for the ideas.&nbsp; This is a most enlightening, enjoyable thread. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/on-creating-a-large-functional-wardrobe/page/2#post-1310610 Tue, 22 Jul 2014 04:13:06 +0000 Anonymous 1310610@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Wow. Thanks for such a great post. And the conversation following your post is as enlightening. </p> <p>Your 'same silhouette' formula is genius. I skimmed through your post this morning and it was more than I was able to take in at the time. I moved on thinking it was just too analytical for me. But, what you said sat with my all day. I just read your post and all the comments. I limit my silhouette to some degree already. When I think of what doesn't get worn in my closet they are silhouette outliers. Color and fabric are very much what I reach for but not shape. I have a pair of gorgeous navy linen, slightly high waisted, verging on wide leg pants. I love these pants. Fit me like they were custom made. High end I got for a song. They have hung in my closet for 3+ years, never worn. I am queen purge, if I don't wear something it is gone but, these pants survive purges. All my other pants are skinny or straight, nothing with volume, even my dress/work slacks. If I applied your formula the linen pants would be purged. It makes sense, my tops and shoes just do not work with the pants because everything in my closet is for a narrower pant silhouette. The color and fabrics are spot on. Thank you for putting words to this for me. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/on-creating-a-large-functional-wardrobe/page/2#post-1310579 Tue, 22 Jul 2014 03:33:41 +0000 ElleH 1310579@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thanks fir this detailed post. A lot of useful info to ponder. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/on-creating-a-large-functional-wardrobe/page/2#post-1310559 Tue, 22 Jul 2014 03:20:43 +0000 Alana in Canada 1310559@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thanks so much for clarifying what you meant by "the same sihouette" E.</p> <p>I may be following in your dainty footsteps: for the most part, all of my tops are untucked--and will remain so--so I feel I need to have interesting hemlines. As for my pants--I've discovered I can do a slim leg rolled--buying the wide legged white pants really through me for a loop because I just had no idea how to handle all that volume on the bottom and not feel like &nbsp;big ol' rectangle. That reminds me, I need to get them out and play with them more so tey lose their fear factor, lol! I haven't found the perfect width for winter trousers yet, but I hope to.<br />As for those links--whenever you get the chance is fine. No worries.&nbsp;I appreciate it. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/on-creating-a-large-functional-wardrobe/page/2#post-1310532 Tue, 22 Jul 2014 02:44:34 +0000 E 1310532@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Cross-posted while sorting out my reply to Alana!</p> <p> <div><br /></div><div>Sarah, you have a gorgeous closet &amp; always look great, so if formulas don’t make you excited, you clearly don’t need them. I don’t care for high maintenance individual items, which is why I (almost always) stick to my tried &amp; true shapes! I end up fussing in other ones.</div><div><br /></div><div>Hi Mona! Yep, I definitely have soft white in my closet, although whether I use it as an accent or neutral is debatable I suppose. I don’t have much, and it’s all in tops (blouses &amp; sweaters &amp; one sundress), so I’m on the lookout for the perfect soft white lower piece (skirt/trousers/shorts) that will let me play with it even more. I do have a pair of blush skinnies that are so pale/muted they almost function as white/beige.</div><div><br /></div><div>I’ll have to list out all of the items I have in each of my neutral capsules, as I enjoyed reading Suz’s lists! It definitely includes things for each season.</div><div><br /></div><div>Gigi, those Start From Scratch posts didn’t exist 3 years ago, when I picked my method. I wish they had though! I kind of extrapolated a similar process&nbsp;from all of the sources I read: I think minimalist closet approaches are helpful for wardrobes of any size and all say similar things anyway.&nbsp;Unlike Janice I’m not as big on accessories or ‘pops’ of colour: I basically started out using&nbsp;my blouses &amp; sweaters (so my tops) the way she uses scarves and jewelry. Then I added skinnies &amp; skirts in colours too.</div><div><br /></div><div>You could definitely have neutral capsules for different seasons instead of having items for all 4 seasons in one neutral! That’s fun that we both enjoy how the neutrals let us wear as many regular colours as we want. And just to clarify, I have other neutrals as well, just not in the same amount as my ‘core’ ones.</div><div><br /></div><div>I tend to prefer the combination of one fitted &amp; one voluminous too. I also hate feeling constricted when I’m walking, so I only wear full skirts. But full trousers are difficult for me to style (I can't just tuck at my natural waist&nbsp;&amp; thus sidestep all of my long torso/long rise&nbsp;challenges), which is why I originally opted for skinnies, which of course require a different type of top than a body con tee. My wardrobe would definitely be smaller if I’d chosen to always do voluminous bottoms &amp; fitted tops or vice versa, or even just chosen between skirts and trousers,&nbsp;but I don’t mind having a bigger variety so I can wear my favourite silhouettes instead! ;)</div></p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/on-creating-a-large-functional-wardrobe#post-1310522 Tue, 22 Jul 2014 02:32:12 +0000 E 1310522@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thank you Susie: I’m glad you enjoyed it! I just like having other people who are fascinated by clothes too to talk with. I personally don’t have colours vs accent colours, just neutrals vs colours. Oh but I think sometimes I talk about my ‘colours’ as in entire palette &amp; then I mean both neutrals &amp; non-neutral colours. Whoops! I just realised I was being confusing. A lot of the minimal wardrobe guides I’ve read (and linked to) refer to non-neutral colours as accent colours: maybe that’s why? So under them I think your deep red, blue shades, and greens would all be accents. I personally consider navy a neutral, because I easily wear non-neutral colours with it (especially when it’s dark denim jeans), but I could see functioning in someone else’s closet as an accent colour.<div><br /></div><div>Suz, I consider navy/ink/dark denim pretty interchangeable too. Loved hearing about your capsules &amp; how they work for you. I don’t feel urgency about any of my collections at this point either; although I’m kind of tired of looking for grey dresses &amp; slim wool trousers (…3 years…). I suppose if my closet’s functioned for 3 years without them, they’re more of a theoretical hole than practical one anyway! (I really want to incorporate the sleeveless full dress as jumper/pinafore look into my cooler weather wardrobe but find it trickier to layer my current brown dress than a grey dress would be.)</div><div><br /></div><div>I have no clue why you love suits &amp; columns of colour while Claire and I don’t! We all have relatively similar body shapes/types too, so I can’t blame it on that! You know, according to Kibbe, I’m pretty sure I’m a soft gamine (and if not I’m some other gamine), and he mentions that gamines look best in broken lines vs all one colour. I had that preference before I read that advice, but maybe our subtle face/body differences result in different preferred styles? Or maybe it’s all down to personality? I do enjoy the occasional high contrast (for me) look, but my default is definitely mid/low.</div><div><br /></div><div>Alana, I’m so glad it’s helpful! I have far more links in a bookmark folder if you’d like some more. They’re on my old computer, but I’ll try to pull some up tomorrow &amp; PM you.</div><div><br /></div><div>I don’t limit myself to one silhouette period. I limit it to one silhouette per ‘item’: so all of my skirts are full, high waisted, and knee length. All of my dresses are knee length, fit and flares (so they’re kind of a subset of the skirt &amp; top look). All of my trousers are slim/skinny and either ankle length or I roll them that way. All of my shorts are mid-thigh length and not-fitted (some are baggy, some of full, but none are tight). And then I wear them the same way: tops always get tucked into skirts &amp; worn untucked with trousers &amp; shorts. My blouses have more silhouette variety than bottoms, but they all work at least one way (tucked/untucked) and generally the tuckable ones are much more fitted and all have some type of round neckline. Trust me, I still have a broad range to play with! But generally, I’m either wearing a fitted (often knit) top tucked into a flared skirt with waist definition or fitted trousers/loose shorts (depending on the season)&nbsp;with a looser woven top to balance out the body con aspects of skinnies/shorter shorts. And almost always flat shoes.</div><div><br /></div><div>Since becoming an active member in the forum, I’ve begun occasionally experimenting with two newer silhouettes. The first, wearing slim trousers under my flared dresses, especially the ones too short for me to wear on their own now), doesn’t require any new wardrobe pieces. The second is letting wide legged trousers have a second chance…my winter ones have a waist high enough to tuck so I treat them kind of like a full skirt. But my summer ones can’t do that, so it’s been interesting to see if I can make them work without buying any new pieces. So far I just wrap my cardigans differently to get some waist definition like I'd want with a skirt&nbsp;&amp; that seems to work!</div> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/on-creating-a-large-functional-wardrobe#post-1310517 Tue, 22 Jul 2014 02:20:36 +0000 Gigi 1310517@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Great information here, E! Thank you so much for sharing. It's so interesting to think through your system. I was on the Vivienne Files last night and looked through the "Start from Scratch" posts, and I could see how those affected your own method.</p> <p>I thought about how I could implement your system in my own closet, and I think that the toughest part would be deciding on the neutrals. I actually love neutrals and don't know that I could really narrow them down! My favorites are black, navy, and&nbsp;dark gray, with olive and chocolate being secondary but still much loved. But some of these neutrals are more prominent in some seasons than in others—for instance, I'm not much into chocolate brown until cold weather sets in, and the same goes for dark gray. Olive may be a warm-weather neutral—haven't worn it enough to have noticed a preference yet.&nbsp;So maybe I could adapt my core pieces to be seasonal, so that I don't have to buy one of *everything* in *each* neutral color. Food for thought!</p> <p>The core of my wardrobe is already neutrals, and I had just noted in Carter's thread about limiting colors that I have found that having a neutral-heavy closet enables you to buy pretty much any color and have it work with your existing items. It looks like you have found that too!</p> <p>I've just lately started to think more about silhouettes, and I agree that this is a great way to really get your wardrobe to work well. I have always looked good in very fitted items, so I have been buying fitted tops and fitted bottoms almost exclusively. But I am now finding that I don't always like the *combination* of the fitted top and the fitted bottom—I like a fitted bottom and a fluid top! Maybe the reverse holds true too, that a fluid bottom will work with a fitted top. I have almost no fluid bottoms, so maybe it's time for some experimentation!&nbsp;:) </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/on-creating-a-large-functional-wardrobe#post-1310507 Tue, 22 Jul 2014 02:08:13 +0000 Mona 1310507@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I was just reading through Vivienne files the other day after a long time and saw how she had mentioned to pick two core colours and 2 accent colours with a dash of white. That idea really resonated with me and after a little bit of thinking, for the first time ever in my life, I picked two neutral colours for my wardrobe. navy and khaki.&nbsp;<br />Reading this post has helped me ponder this idea in more depth. For example, I had not thought about living in a 4 season climate. DUh!!! So if I have navy as a neutral, I should have a pair of shorts or a skirt in navy. Also, can navy work as a neutral in both summer and winter? Do you add white as an accent colour too with your capsules? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/on-creating-a-large-functional-wardrobe#post-1310505 Tue, 22 Jul 2014 02:07:43 +0000 SarahTheWhite 1310505@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Wow... Lots of food for thought! Your closets are so lovely and it is wonderful to see how you have created a wardrobe that is perfectly you! I'll have to think on the ideas that you gave. I want to break out hives at even the thought of bringing any kind of a formula to something this creative, but I can see how it can be useful... I probably follow some type of unconscious formula, but identifying it may be tricky. I am with you on liking a wardrobe that is not too minimal. Mine is probably a good bit smaller than yours, but I can still add a bit. I just don't want to cram things in too much either, and I have found that I've lost all patience for keeping things that might work if all of the conditions are miraculously right and all of the stars have aligned. </p> <p>(Also on Suz' team with the column of color.) </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/on-creating-a-large-functional-wardrobe#post-1310504 Tue, 22 Jul 2014 02:05:25 +0000 Alana in Canada 1310504@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>E Thank you so much for this! I will be checking out your links, pronto. It is so interesting to read about your journey--how you thought it through and implemented what you realised you liked. Interesting.&nbsp;<br />I find it intriguing that you limited yourself to one silhouette. I need to look up your WIW posts. Looking forward to the promised pictures, too. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/on-creating-a-large-functional-wardrobe#post-1310470 Tue, 22 Jul 2014 01:36:44 +0000 Suz 1310470@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>So...I have less systematically been trying to create a similar neutrals capsule. It's sort of based on the old idea of beginning with a suit in your preferred neutrals, correct? I always got stuck on that because I didn't really need a dressy "suit" -- although it turned out I <b>WANTED</b> one, which is a different matter.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <p>Anyway. I chose navy and/or denim and/ or ink as my first neutral. They are sort of interchangeable -- or at least, intermixable --&nbsp;for me.&nbsp;</p> <p>At the moment I have a winter dress in navy, a summer "occasion" dress in navy, and a cotton knit dress that is relatively cross-seasonal and casual.&nbsp;</p> <p>I also have jeans (winter bottoms), a navy slim skirt (spring/ summer/ early fall) and navy shorts (spring/ summer/ early fall). And I have a navy jacket (works best with pants but could go with dresses in a pinch), plus a denim jacket (works best with dresses but can go with pants in a pinch, providing I have the right tops, or some non denim pants.) I also have ink and/or navy tops in sleeved and sleeveless versions (for cooler and warm weather).&nbsp;</p> <p>I have ink booties. No other navy or ink accessories or footwear, although I would love that. I do wear black and sub it in. It's more of a "colour" in my wardrobe and less of a neutral.&nbsp;</p> <p>For a while I was aiming at a similar taupe capsule. It was much tougher to pull together. At the moment I have taupe (really, tan) jeans, and a taupe pant suit, plus a taupe blouse. Because I rarely wear dresses and prefer skirts in spring/ summer to fall/ winter, I seem to be doing okay without a taupe skirt or dress -- although if one I like&nbsp;pops up in my price range,&nbsp;I will definitely try it.&nbsp;</p> <p>I'd love a new pair of taupe booties. I have one pair that is a bit dated and not terribly weather worthy, though comfortable enough that I don't wish to purge.&nbsp;</p> <p>Grey (in all shades) and winter white are my other core neutrals. I don't have full capsules in those, but I have tops and pants, and&nbsp;I'm gradually collecting more pieces, with no sense of urgency about it all.&nbsp;</p> <p>I prefer wearing my neutrals as my core, and unlike you and Claire, I actually <b>LOVE</b> wearing "suits" (or pseudo suits -- i.e. navy jacket with jeans) and I <b>LOVE</b> wearing inner or outer columns of colour. In fact, my preferred outfits are tone on tone or all one colour -- <b>OR</b> relatively high contrast. (High contrast for me, that is -- i.e. navy and off-white.) Isn't it interesting that we, with such similar colouring and such a similar preferred palette, would feel differently about this column of colour business? I wonder why that is?&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/on-creating-a-large-functional-wardrobe#post-1310418 Tue, 22 Jul 2014 00:37:10 +0000 Susie 1310418@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Wow, E, this has been a fascinating read. You are so gracious to share your thought process in such detail. For those just starting out- and the rest of us too- you've provided a wealth of information. And it's true that there are any number of ways to get to our goal of a right-sized, cohesive wardrobe that works well day to day and season to season. </p> <p>It's interesting that you mention silhouette because that is where I've felt my preferences shift. When I first came here, about 2 years ago, I would have said that I have 2 preferred silhouettes- long top over slim bottom and jean style pants, tucked tee or tank, belt and topper. More often than not, my current go to look is pants or skirt with an oversized or drapey top. It's easy, comfortable and it feels like me. I try to insure that there is some bit of interest in one or both of the pieces, like texture or shape or pattern. Paired with nice shoes and a bag, and maybe earrings, watch and a ring, and I am good to go. </p> <p>I don't think I intentionally set out to limit my colors but I have. My neutrals are primarily white, black, gray and denim. I have a little navy too but maybe that's one of my colors? My colors include deep red/burgundy, different shades of blues (aqua, cobalt, teal) and citron/lime green. I'm not sure I understand what makes something one of my colors vs an accent color? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/on-creating-a-large-functional-wardrobe#post-1310390 Tue, 22 Jul 2014 00:07:18 +0000 E 1310390@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Awww: thank you Claire. I actually aim for simplicity/as few possessions as will get the job done in the rest of my non-closet or bookcase related life, so it's important to me that my closets still look nice &amp; not too packed.&nbsp;Otherwise it makes me cranky, even with the doors closed, because I know what's hiding inside! &nbsp;White space is so lovely, and I have no interest in an overflowing wardrobe (or bookcase for that matter: all books and bits &amp; bobs must fit neatly on to <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/30275861/">this shelving unit</a> my parents bought for me that doubles nicely as a room divider; and my books are arranged from light to dark just like my clothes! hehe).</p> <p>Caro, I gave up black 3 years ago and don't miss it, except for when I'm shoe shopping. How neat that you limit your silhouettes too! I wouldn't have realised that just from checking out your WIWs as they pop up. I'll go look at several of them in a row instead! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/on-creating-a-large-functional-wardrobe#post-1310297 Mon, 21 Jul 2014 22:20:51 +0000 Caro in Oz 1310297@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thanks for sharing E I find this really interesting too I found that by limiting my silhouettes my wardrobe became far more functional overnight. </p> <p>I'm currently redefining my colours. I have decided I'm not buying any&nbsp;more blac, I just don't feel great in it. Changing my&nbsp;neutrals has really been an eye opener. Without my core neutral pieces getting dressed is much more stressful&nbsp;:) </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/on-creating-a-large-functional-wardrobe#post-1310296 Mon, 21 Jul 2014 22:19:59 +0000 Anonymous 1310296@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>E, thanks for more pictures! Your closets are a thing of beauty. They are well lit, organized and don't feel overwhelming to me at all&nbsp;(like large closets sometimes do).&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/on-creating-a-large-functional-wardrobe#post-1310295 Mon, 21 Jul 2014 22:19:34 +0000 E 1310295@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thnx Kiwigal!</p> <p>Suz, I have an impressive winter wardrobe despite it being about the same amount of time as your summers. Looking forward to more of your thoughts on core neutrals!</p> <p>Thnx Amiable! Your project should help you figure out a lot of your favourite things. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/on-creating-a-large-functional-wardrobe#post-1310281 Mon, 21 Jul 2014 22:00:36 +0000 amiable 1310281@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Wow - brilliant post, and brilliant strategy! &nbsp;I'm several years behind you, but suspect I'm on a similar path. &nbsp;I'm getting an idea of my favorite silhouettes, and getting more comfortable with my favorite colors, I think. &nbsp;Minimizing my wardrobe is helping with both of these. &nbsp;As I expand, I'll keep making notes of what works in these categories. &nbsp;&nbsp;And I suspect I'll be referring back to this post a few times. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/on-creating-a-large-functional-wardrobe#post-1310268 Mon, 21 Jul 2014 21:50:47 +0000 Suz 1310268@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>That's a great idea, E! Thank you. I had been thinking a bit along those lines...now I just have to ensure that I figure out the silhouettes I want to use. For the past year it was pretty &nbsp;much entirely slim jeans, fluid top, belt. Rinse, repeat. On the rare sunny dry day in fall I would wear wide leg pants (or flared jeans), fluid top. Or skirt/ fluid welted pullover.&nbsp;</p> <p>Summer gives me more variety of silhouette as well as more clothing items to play with (since I seem to have bought approximately as many summer items -- for about 10 weeks) as I have bought for Spring/ Fall/ Winter -- the other 42!!!</p> <p>Lots to ponder here. I have more to say about core neutrals. Although my wardrobe is (so far!!!) smaller than yours and I (think) I prefer to keep it that way, I have also been building my closet in a similar way around core neutrals. That's why people say it is cohesive, I think.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/on-creating-a-large-functional-wardrobe#post-1310263 Mon, 21 Jul 2014 21:41:24 +0000 Sal 1310263@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Interesting reading, thanks for sharing. </p>