https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/orphans-then-what Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Sat, 11 Apr 2026 02:59:04 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/orphans-then-what#post-2244504 Sat, 18 Dec 2021 19:22:35 +0000 Stagiaire Fash 2244504@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>It’s hard to avoid being too matchy *and* too multicolored. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/orphans-then-what#post-2244473 Sat, 18 Dec 2021 17:20:47 +0000 nemosmom 2244473@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p><div>Thank you, everyone for your responses!&nbsp; Sorry to have posted, then disappeared.</div><div><br /></div><div>I like the idea of my orphans being more like the 'odd man out' - after all, they fit, and I love them, and if the right occasion were to pop up, I'd certainly reach for them.&nbsp; They are rarely worn, not only because I lack an occasion to wear them, but then, I don't know what to pair them with.</div><div>My mix-and-match wardrobe likely contains pieces already, but what to look for stumps me. <br /></div><div><br /></div><div>I'll spend some time listing what I <i>don't </i>want in an outfit using said odd man out and see what I can glean from that.&nbsp; I know I don't want too matchy, I don't want too many colors in a single outfit (e.g. black boot, rust skirt, green top, tan bag), but I lack patterns so I'll have to do some more digging to see what I can come up with. <br /></div></p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/orphans-then-what#post-2242551 Wed, 08 Dec 2021 18:15:10 +0000 SarahD8 2242551@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>This is a great thread! I am taking notes.</p> <p>I think orphans are different than rarely worn items, no? That is, orphans are a specific category of rarely-worn items (rarely worn because you lack the pieces to work them into outfits vs. other reasons that things rarely get worn).</p> <p>If your orphans really are dressy/occasion-wear items, then I would suggest:<br />-pull out all your dressy items and make outfits for the types of occasions you're likely to encounter. Are you covered for all of your likely (if infrequent) needs? Would making purchases that would allow you to work your dressy orphans into outfits yield a functional benefit (aha! if only I had a skirt to go with that dressy black top I would have a funeral outfit, which I currently lack)? Or just more options for rare events? If the latter, might be safe/best to let the orphans go...</p> <p>BUT, I would also pull together everything you think is an orphan and ask if it really is. And perhaps more precisely, ask if they are really obligate dressy/occasion-wear items. Can you perhaps wear them in a more casual way and maybe there are pairings for them already in your closet that you've overlooked in the past. (Of course, then the question becomes would you actually choose those pairings now that they're top of mind over other possibilities?)</p> <p>Tl;dr: I echo others who say we need to see these items! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/orphans-then-what#post-2242479 Wed, 08 Dec 2021 11:36:38 +0000 Stagiaire Fash 2242479@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Lots of good ideas in this thread, and by “good ideas” I mean things I agree with Too many to mention them all, but I will say that I don’t think of special occasion wear or things I can’t wear right now because of a nearly unprecedented global situation that will eventually pass as orphans. I’m probably not a great person to comment, wink wink, because I think it’s entirely normal to have things in storage, on site or off, for years and then happily bring them back into the fold. Liking things “for now” doesn’t really make sense to me. If I like a thing, I probably always have, and I expect I’ll continue liking it. If my tastes change at all, it’s probably in the direction of being more open to things. </p> <p>I don’t purchase complete outfits any more, and am not into fully matching color schemes. I’m happy to wear classic pairs like cognac and black, but also like interesting combos across the color wheel, like teal and cognac, or combining several shades (tones, tints) of the same color, like OJ orange and orange sherbet. (My palette has remained stable forever—and it’s about the same as my mother’s and sisters’, so even clothes shared from them fit right in). Shape-wise, I’m on the conservative side of trends. It is possible to mix shapes in my closet badly, &amp; I have the posts to prove it, but those probably result from me reaching out for something new &amp; different *because* my things tend to all work together very easily. Put those together, and there’s a low chance of orphans for me. </p> <p>Like Suz, I think of your closet as also fairly mix-&amp;-match. Why don’t you do as Carla suggests and post the items you’re working with? I bet there’s something green that would work with each of them I can’t remember if you have most of your items in Finds. If you’re like me and your Finds are full of stuff you like but haven’t bought, you might want to make one giant collection of what you own, so we can make suggestions from there. </p> <p>Final thought: I’ve been seeing insta posts about schools having lunch tables for kids to sit at when they don’t have anyone else to sit with, and then other kids come join them. They’re all very heartfelt and sweet. You could think of these pieces like that, nothing wrong with them, just don’t have a buddy right now.</p> <p>ETA Suntiger, maybe the coat will lead you to create more social occasions even that weather! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/orphans-then-what#post-2242478 Wed, 08 Dec 2021 10:29:37 +0000 Anonymous 2242478@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I've been much better about avoiding orphans-since I've kept a tight color palette and focused on buying high PUPY items. My general policy is just to pass them on- the nicest ones went to the theatre for costumes several years ago.<br /> The one orphan I can think of ATM is a silver and opal bracelet I bought at the beach on my 40th birthday. I like it, but the clasp is fussy and silver really doesn't suit my skin tone. Maybe mom would like to wear it, or maybe I'll wear it more when I have grey hair. I guess I mainly think of it as sentimental, like my wedding dress!<br /> ETA I'm wondering if the furry wine purple coat will be an orphan, though I have plenty to go with it. It would be a great holiday topper, but Decembers can be 30 or 70 around here. It's usually January and February we get the bitter cold days, and that's when I don't socialize! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/orphans-then-what#post-2242475 Wed, 08 Dec 2021 09:41:49 +0000 Star (Lise) 2242475@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I try to analyze why an item is orphaned.&nbsp; Simple example being a leopard print skirt that is hardly ever worn.&nbsp; I really like leopard print.&nbsp; I realised it is too clingy on the tummy, and also the style does not match with a button up or patterns.&nbsp; I need a slightly longer, more fluid top in a solid color that I like to wear with warm leopard. This actually made me realise most of my orphans are due to me having too many patterned tops and not enough solid colored ones. As I thrift shop mostly it is easier on my purse to experiment a bit.&nbsp;&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/orphans-then-what#post-2242465 Wed, 08 Dec 2021 05:22:28 +0000 Jenni NZ 2242465@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I like what Sloper says the best. You probably know that I am very sentimental about my clothes ( and some other possessions) and thus I keep some items I have loved perhaps too long. But sometimes “their hold on me may diminish”, as Sloper so wisely says. And then I can more easily let them go if I am not wearing them. I did this in my first year of YLF when I edited out two pairs of square-toed shooties. It still took a bit of doing as I find it hard to let go sometimes, and then it felt like 5 minutes ( was maybe 2 years later?) that square toes were back and so I was slightly annoyed…<br /> But ultimately I realised that I had newer shoes I liked better ( these were a 1996 and a 2008 pair) and because their hold on me had diminished, I was not ultimately unhappy that I had passed them on.<br /> I am not sure this helps you at all, might come back to you after cooking dinner! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/orphans-then-what#post-2242463 Wed, 08 Dec 2021 05:12:38 +0000 Jessikams 2242463@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>A lot of my orphans are simply things I don’t wear because I’m afraid to ruin them. I’ve started to realize, I have way too many clothes, so ruining a few would probably be a good thing! Now I just wear them and to heck with it if they’re too delicate. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/orphans-then-what#post-2242445 Wed, 08 Dec 2021 03:52:09 +0000 slim cat 2242445@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I have a few "orphans" and still trying to figure out how to deal with them. <br />I have trouble letting go of a silk top that was slightly altered to fit me better but doesn't work with anything in my current wardrobe &nbsp;;( &nbsp;. It's still sits with other pieces and makes me sad a bit each time I see it. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/orphans-then-what#post-2242443 Wed, 08 Dec 2021 03:41:02 +0000 Carla 2242443@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Just to show you how ‘useful’ an orphan might be. &nbsp;The silky cream button down in Finds below was bought for the same NYE wedding weekend (5 years ago) as the silver foil t-shirt. &nbsp;I&nbsp;<i>did&nbsp;</i>wear it quite a bit for work, until I retired in early 2019. &nbsp;In 2020, I wore it&nbsp;<b>once</b>! &nbsp;This year I’ve worn it&nbsp;<b>twice&nbsp;</b>so far. &nbsp;It’s too ‘fancy’ for every day wear, but I would wear it for Bridge night (now that we are back playing) or for a date night, so it will get more wears in the future. &nbsp;Although I haven’t chalked up lots of wears&nbsp;<i>recently,&nbsp;</i>it’s an occasion capsule workhorse, IYKWIM, and probably one of those things that would be on a list of ‘what every woman should have in her closet.’ </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/orphans-then-what#post-2242438 Wed, 08 Dec 2021 03:09:58 +0000 Bijou 2242438@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I 100% agree with Shevia.</p> <p>For my closet dressy closet orphans I find most things work back with denim.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/orphans-then-what#post-2242430 Wed, 08 Dec 2021 02:07:20 +0000 Helena 2242430@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I agree with Carla ... Let's see the orphans (or even just your favorite(s) ) ... Searching the item on Pinterest to see how others wear them is also a great idea (and a good way to decide if there's a styling option that will work for *you*)! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/orphans-then-what#post-2242424 Wed, 08 Dec 2021 01:39:23 +0000 Jaime 2242424@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>If the pieces are occasion specific and the occasions have dwindled due to Covid or other circumstances I would wait to evaluate them until things change. It really depends on why you are not wearing the item. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/orphans-then-what#post-2242415 Wed, 08 Dec 2021 01:12:02 +0000 DonnaF 2242415@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>It depends on why an item is an orphan or orphan-like. I have sandals and other hot weather items I didn't wear this year or last year but that was because the summer temps were cool for me. That doesn't mean that I will never again travel outside my immediate micro-climate so I am keeping them. I keep an eye out on Angie's color combos and I should probably also look on Pinterest and other styling sites because I can be too conservative with my color combos.&nbsp;</p> <p>This is rather enabling and not necessarily helpful, but I find that with a larger wardrobe these days, I rarely have orphans. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/orphans-then-what#post-2242414 Wed, 08 Dec 2021 01:08:46 +0000 Anonymous 2242414@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I will be watching this thread. &nbsp;My only orphan I can think of is a full navy skirt that is a cotton eyelet. &nbsp;It is good for summer but I really wanted a navy tube skirt. &nbsp;I do not wear my white items enough because the get worn, stained or just need to be cleaned more often than darker colors, but I love them. &nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/orphans-then-what#post-2242399 Tue, 07 Dec 2021 23:30:41 +0000 Janet 2242399@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>It really depends on the individual piece. If I love it — and that’s a big if to answer — but it’s infrequently worn, sometimes I simply make peace with the idea that some items are not going to be workhorses. They may get worn even as infrequently as once or twice a year, and I may still find them worthy of keeping. If I love the item and it’s on the unique side, I’m happy to hang onto it to see what happens. </p> <p>Eventually, sometimes that means I fall out of love with an item and decide to give it up sometime down the road. That’s fine. I just hate it when I give up an item that I still like, and then realize the possibilities for it too late. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/orphans-then-what#post-2242394 Tue, 07 Dec 2021 22:50:30 +0000 cat2 2242394@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Except for occasion wear, with challenging fabrics, I never shop to have a specific outfit, and so the “how much would it cost to assemble an entire outfit around this” calculus doesn’t make sense to me. I find that if I wait, my regular shopping will accidentally deliver a match, and then I have an additional outfit at no extra cost. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/orphans-then-what#post-2242392 Tue, 07 Dec 2021 22:35:34 +0000 Angie 2242392@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I think it depends on the item ;)</p> <p>How much are you willing to spend in order to de-orphan it with the right support act, and how much do you love the item to actually keep it.</p> <p> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/orphans-then-what#post-2242387 Tue, 07 Dec 2021 22:18:39 +0000 rachylou 2242387@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I think my orphans tend to be generated by changing hemlines/waistlines and silhouettes… like low waist v high waist pants and accompanying tops. I tend to make adjustments in tops more than bottoms. So, I’ve kept low waist pants and looked for different tops… </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/orphans-then-what#post-2242381 Tue, 07 Dec 2021 21:55:30 +0000 Sal 2242381@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>A mix of the above strategies is how I handle them.</p> <p>I would ask<br />- are they a true classic for me or more of a fad<br />- if I purchase a support act would it work with other things I have<br />- is it just sentiment or will I wear it.</p> <p>For example if a new tee would make them work again I am likely to purchase that.&nbsp; But maybe not new coat and boots....</p> <p>I am more likely to have tops that I like, but that I can only wear with denim.&nbsp; The two finds are good examples of this.&nbsp; The green is sentimental but I don't think I have worn since summer 2019/20.&nbsp; But every now and then it feels like the right thing.&nbsp; The cream/red/brown one I like too but only with lighter denim, and as I have quite a few tops to wear with jeans this one rarely makes it to the top.&nbsp; I probably wear 2-3 times a year.</p> <p>I do have a holding zone (suitcase in high cupboard) where I put things like this along with out of season clothes and anything I am unsure about or just know that I am not feeling at the moment. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/orphans-then-what#post-2242380 Tue, 07 Dec 2021 21:50:50 +0000 Suz 2242380@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>It really depends. I don't have a lot, mainly because, like <b>Carla</b>, I have a fairly mix and match closet (but wait -- so do you!). But also because the closet is neutrals heavy. (Wait -- so is yours, meaning neutrals for you, e.g. greens/ cognac/ cinammon, etc. right?)&nbsp;</p> <p>I do have lesser worn items but I don't consider them orphans unless I don't have the items I'd need to complete an outfit. Which I do.&nbsp;</p> <p> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/orphans-then-what#post-2242379 Tue, 07 Dec 2021 21:46:33 +0000 Irina 2242379@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I don’t call my occasional wear orphans although I don’t see any events I can use them for in near future :)<br />I have two types of orphans in my closet:<br />- one that I intended to develop into more outfits and will purchase additional items for it. So, I look for potential in an orphans to become a more often used item.The&nbsp;additional items must work with everything else in my wardrobe.&nbsp;<br />- a wild card item that was bought for a specific outfit. Once other items became unusable, I have an orphan in my closet. My wild cards tend to be in colors outside of my palette or in delicate fabrics. I keep it and hope that one day something else will work with it but I’m not interested in shopping to make it work. More likely that I would need items that are not going to be versatile for me.</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/orphans-then-what#post-2242377 Tue, 07 Dec 2021 21:42:50 +0000 cat2 2242377@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I keep my orphans, as I find that over time other pieces arrive that work with them. Like I had a pair of orphan army green and bronze flats, and then army trended and I was in business. I also tend to buy some essentials that make almost anything work: cream and black tops and sweaters, solid black and grey pants and skirts, and metallic shoes and bags. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/orphans-then-what#post-2242376 Tue, 07 Dec 2021 21:39:12 +0000 Carla 2242376@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Since I went down the mix-and-match capsule road of wardrobe management, orphans are a rare thing. &nbsp;Usually they occur with 1. occasion wear (as you pointed out) or 2. when I phase out a colour. I don’t think of them so much as ‘orphans’ but rather as the ‘odd man out’ - because I&nbsp;<i>still really like the individual item, </i>and would probably purchase something similar if I didn’t have it. &nbsp;I keep ‘orphans’ that fill a unique niche. &nbsp;(If it’s an ordinary item that I’ve replaced with something similar/better and I’m just not wearing it, I pass it along.)<i></i></p> <p><div><i><br /></i></div><div><i></i>When I feel like the item is getting neglected, I do a Pinterest search using a phrase like ‘silver t-shirt outfit style’ or ‘styling a red pleated skirt &nbsp;street style’ or some such. &nbsp;I also go to sites that show outfit combinations (like BR, Ann Taylor, Gap, etc.) find a similar item in their inventory and see how they style it. &nbsp;Then, I go to my closet to see if I can approximate the look with items on hand.</p> <p>Sometimes I might be enamoured of a particular combination, and actually buy a&nbsp;<i>new&nbsp;</i>garment to ‘go’ with the orphan. &nbsp;However, the new garment must meet all the usual requirements I have for new aquisitions.</p> <p>I recently searched for ideas for the silver foil top. &nbsp;Ann Taylor had a silver foil turtleneck that was paired with forest green faux leather pants. &nbsp; &nbsp; The leather pants looked like they would be a great addition to my closet, and I figured I could wear them with a couple of tops I already own! - so I pulled the trigger. &nbsp;Also, I’m going to try to wear the ‘orphan’ silver foil t-shirt a couple times this month (even if it’s just with jeans) &nbsp;since *holidays* &nbsp;</p> <p></div><div><br /></div><div>Why not post about your favourite (or top 3) orphans, and ask the YLF hive mind for styling ideas?</div> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/orphans-then-what#post-2242375 Tue, 07 Dec 2021 21:38:04 +0000 Sloper 2242375@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Some orphans are so special and unique from either a fabrication/style, or an emotional/remembrance standpoint.&nbsp; So I just hold on to them and love them when I come upon them when reorganizing drawers &amp; closets.</p> <p>As time goes by, however, their hold on me may diminish and I fondly say farewell.&nbsp; Or I finally get real with myself that the opportunity to wear them is just not happening.&nbsp; Also, for me, space is finite and I just can't save everything.&nbsp; Nor can I access everything for the foreseeable future (physical limitations).</p> <p> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/orphans-then-what#post-2242371 Tue, 07 Dec 2021 21:17:01 +0000 Anonymous 2242371@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>This is a good question . &nbsp;My first reaction is to pass them on, but I've made too mistakes doing that, and regretted it later. &nbsp;I spent this afternoon cleaning and sorting out some drawers of jeans and pants, and there's a pair of cognac jeans I have that I like but have never worn. &nbsp;I'm trying to decide if it's worth investing in the footwear I'd need to make these work, and in a sweater and/or blouse to wear with them. &nbsp;I think it is, but it's going to take awhile before I can eke it out of my budget - so staying patient is the key. NOT my strong suit. &nbsp;It means I may not wear them this winter, and it will be September before I have new boots/tops for fall . but......it's a colour I like and want to move ahead with.</p> <p>On the other hand, I have a pair of navy booties that aren't getting worn anymore (too pointy a toe and too extreme -western of a heel for &nbsp;me) &nbsp;and I really don't have any navy at all to speak of in my closet anymore. &nbsp;To make them work, I'd need more navy tops and I can't see myself buying any at this point. &nbsp;Also would need a coat to wear with navy , and that isn't going to happen right now either. So - off these orphans go. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/orphans-then-what#post-2242368 Tue, 07 Dec 2021 21:06:28 +0000 nemosmom 2242368@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p><div>Hi friends,</div><div><br /></div><div>I'm going through older posts on orphans, and find lots of great tips on how to avoid having them or creating them, by not buying orphan-able items in the first place.</div><div><br /></div><div>But, what about the orphans that already exist in your wardrobe that you love?&nbsp; I suspect the majority of my orphans are better suited for special-occasions or, well, any occasion that is outside of quarantine at my house <br /></div><div><br /></div><div>What do you do about the orphans you love and want to keep?&nbsp; What qualities do you look for (either in your closet or when shopping) when you want to try to save them?<br /></div> </p>