YouLookFab Forum » Topic: Per Suz, and thanks to Mo: the "Breakdown"

YouLookFab Forum » Topic: Per Suz, and thanks to Mo: the "Breakdown" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/per-suz-and-thanks-to-mo-the-breakdown Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Sun, 05 Apr 2026 00:57:25 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 <![CDATA[Search]]> q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php catgirl on "Per Suz, and thanks to Mo: the "Breakdown"" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/per-suz-and-thanks-to-mo-the-breakdown/page/2#post-1354366 Sat, 13 Sep 2014 07:09:03 +0000 catgirl 1354366@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Love the responses and will post more when my phone is not crashing! Staysfit on "Per Suz, and thanks to Mo: the "Breakdown"" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/per-suz-and-thanks-to-mo-the-breakdown/page/2#post-1354266 Sat, 13 Sep 2014 02:56:39 +0000 Staysfit 1354266@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ This is so very interesting. I have been thinking and sorting in my mind as I have been reading this thread. My categories are: 1. Loungewear/sleepwear - I change into this immediately when I get home from work. I don't have much but it includes two robes, one for warmer weather, and one for cold. My polar fleece tops and pants, all pajamas, and my boiled wool slippers. This area could use updating and more emphasis. 2. Smart Casual/Funky Casual- I think that describes the majority of my wardrobe and the majority of my purchases. I dress this way for work and on weekends also. I don't make too much distinction between what I wear for work and on the weekend, although I have been trying to change that. The biggest difference may be in the summer when I wear dresses. 3. Gear - I exercise 6 days a week. Pilates, running, yoga, walking the dog, biking, snow shoes, cross country skis. I have exercise bras, fitness tops and bottoms of all weights and lengths. I have shoes, hiking boots, and waterproof running shoes. Visors for the sun and rain. Technical jackets for rain and wind and cold. I am actually short of long sleeve shirts?! 4. Dressy- this is rare. Where I live you can go to the theatre, religious services, and out to eat, anywhere in smart casual. Dressy is for when my DH has a formal work event, when my residents graduate once a year, weddings, Bar/Bat Mitzvahs and funerals. I have more dressy clothes than I need, but they are for warm seasons. None are for the winter. If I have a winter event I will need to find something. For holiday parties I wear funky casual. 5. Travel- this is an area that I struggle with. I always scramble when it's time to pack. I really need to build a travel capsule of lightweight knits that are easily coordinated, and simple to put in a suitcase on short notice. I wonder if I should add a weekend casual or not? I don't distinguish much between work clothes and weekend clothes. The big difference is in the accessories. I won't wear necklaces, or scarves, or the same shoes/boots. I think there is something to be said for looking at shoes and maybe even accessories this way. I definitely have a skew in my shoe/boot collection. Thinking about it right now, my division is by weather and by style descriptors. My shoes are often more formal than the rest of my clothing. I may be wearing a casual outfit with very refined formal shoes. The majority of my shoes are in the refined category, although there is also the funky category, and the practical category, and the classic category. Then there is the division into seasons, which would be cold and warm. annagybe on "Per Suz, and thanks to Mo: the "Breakdown"" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/per-suz-and-thanks-to-mo-the-breakdown/page/2#post-1354253 Sat, 13 Sep 2014 02:36:56 +0000 annagybe 1354253@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I have gear, all sorts of gear. But I don't count it, at all. Suz on "Per Suz, and thanks to Mo: the "Breakdown"" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/per-suz-and-thanks-to-mo-the-breakdown/page/2#post-1354223 Sat, 13 Sep 2014 01:25:33 +0000 Suz 1354223@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Oooh...Denise...that is super helpful. COUNT THE NUMBER OF DAYS.  Thank you, thank you, thank you.  I am not sure I can reconstruct a year...or if last year has any bearing on what might happen this year....but I'm going to spend some time and try it.  Aida on "Per Suz, and thanks to Mo: the "Breakdown"" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/per-suz-and-thanks-to-mo-the-breakdown/page/2#post-1354140 Fri, 12 Sep 2014 22:56:52 +0000 Aida 1354140@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Here's my breakdown (though I'm sure I'm forgetting something): Lounge/sleepwear - Both the same for me. Could use an update. Gear - Worn little, but needs updating. Maybe that's why ;) Active casual - For physically active things, particularly outdoors. This was something I just sorted out this year. Separate from gear, as these casual outfits also get worn out-and-about. Currently no overlap in gear, but that could change in the future if I get Nicer Gear. Weekend casual - Really just a subset of smart casual, the simplest pieces with a slant to pretty; always styled simply. For hanging around the house, running errands, and casual activities with hubby. Smart casual - I could realistically wear this for weekend and for work (therefore, the bulk of my life) as there's no dress code and I essentially work from home. But I like having separate, nicer work clothing to help me feel more productive. So this has a lot of crossover into "work" wear, but the less "fashiony" pieces get worn for slightly dressier weekend events. Smarter casual/business creative casual (work) - Where I can play with fashion, and my favorite to buy for. Dressy - Not used often, and I can usually swing it by using dressy pieces from my smart casual clothing. Severely lacking, currently. As far as time spent (or even numbers) per category, I haven't done a proper analysis of it but have a general idea. Something like this: CocoLion on "Per Suz, and thanks to Mo: the "Breakdown"" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/per-suz-and-thanks-to-mo-the-breakdown/page/2#post-1353863 Fri, 12 Sep 2014 17:28:20 +0000 CocoLion 1353863@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I'll play! My categories correspond with my lifestyle. 1.  Casual.  365 days a year, I wear something casual and comfortable at least for part of the day.  On a work day, I start the day in casual clothing then change into my work uniform.  I do not wear loungewear, instead I wear  comfortable casual clothes.  Boyfriend jeans, tees, low heeled sandals and booties, and cardigans are a big part of this capsule. 2.  Smart casual.  30-60 days a year.  As Suz mentioned I overbuy for this capsule.  I realized this two years ago and posted about it, but the lesson didn't take hold apparently.  After my 34-day capsule test in August, my lack of need to add to this category became even more apparent.  3.  Work.  200-250 days per year.  I have a simple formula, a uniform.   4.  Dressy.  7-14 days year.  Opera, theater, fancy dinners, funerals, weddings. So that's how it breaks down by need.  In terms of closet content, I am oversupplied in the smart casual capsule, although I can often get away with smart casual attire for dressy occasions here in California.  I am a minimalist in the work and dressy capsules.  At first I thought of it as undersupplied but I do not feel I am lacking in these capsules so minimalist is a better term. <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/extension/"></a><a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/extension/"></a> Cerinda on "Per Suz, and thanks to Mo: the "Breakdown"" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/per-suz-and-thanks-to-mo-the-breakdown/page/2#post-1353832 Fri, 12 Sep 2014 16:54:49 +0000 Cerinda 1353832@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Una, thank you for starting this thread.  I've known for a while that smart casual is my problem area but not why or how to fix it.  Reading everyone's comments and framing my own is really helping me a) clarify my psychological resistance to smart casual ("Resistance is futile.") and b) suspect I have all the necessary ingredients already.  I'm beginning to think about ways to tone down my splashy / funky self without feeling bored, boring, inexpressive, or a pale imitation of someone else.  Thanks for the provocative post. Elly on "Per Suz, and thanks to Mo: the "Breakdown"" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/per-suz-and-thanks-to-mo-the-breakdown/page/2#post-1353684 Fri, 12 Sep 2014 13:34:55 +0000 Elly 1353684@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ For me, splashy casual is usually the special clothing that I can't wear to work because of the specifity or rules of the job mixed into my work capsule and casual capsule (essentially-- I'm really limited in accesories at work-- i.e. no jewelry except earrings and very short pendants, clothing has to sit just right to be moving around like crazy and using hand tools, I have to climb ladders and lift things, it is cold, I work with male interns that are younger than me but not young enough so am suddenly very very conscious of necklines, can't wear embellished blouses, light colors, etc.). I combine the special pieces with wide leg wool pants, skinny jeans, or BF jeans depending on where I am going. Karie on "Per Suz, and thanks to Mo: the "Breakdown"" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/per-suz-and-thanks-to-mo-the-breakdown/page/2#post-1353601 Fri, 12 Sep 2014 10:29:46 +0000 Karie 1353601@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I keep coming back to read more responses. Funky casual, yes - that's it! My new favorite category. I love it when my casual clothes are a bit funky - wait, that didn't sound right - I love having a funky style to my casual clothes - OK that sounds better :) What struck me when I re-read my own previous answer, and got me thinking while drinking my morning cup of coffee, is why do I make so many of my "loungewear" clothes that I never wear out of the house, and not so many of the clothes that I do wear out of the house? Am I afraid that they're going to fall apart or something? No, but it could be similar to why we buy more for one category than another, even when we don't need to. Or maybe it's a confidence thing. Hmmm...... My favorite capsule is the splashy/funky casual. I do try to incorporate some of this in to my work wear capsule, particularly since I like the juxtaposition of casual/dressy and I can dress somewhat casually for work.  Suz on "Per Suz, and thanks to Mo: the "Breakdown"" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/per-suz-and-thanks-to-mo-the-breakdown/page/2#post-1353484 Fri, 12 Sep 2014 03:06:38 +0000 Suz 1353484@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Elizabeth, I was hoping you'd pop in! I was sure this would be pertinent to you.  I love hearing everybody's categories, and also, as Una says, it is so interesting to see the areas that others tend to overbuy for. I remember CocoLion saying she tends to over buy for smart casual because it's her favourite capsule. I do this, too. So I made a huge effort not to, last fall and winter, and was mostly successful. But by spring -- despite the fact that I had refreshed my closet with a few new crossover work-from-home/ smart casual knits -- I was bored out of my mind!! I really needed more variety than I thought.  I have not yet resolved how I will handle that this year. Cerinda on "Per Suz, and thanks to Mo: the "Breakdown"" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/per-suz-and-thanks-to-mo-the-breakdown/page/2#post-1353468 Fri, 12 Sep 2014 02:46:08 +0000 Cerinda 1353468@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Elly-- Maybe splashy casual isn't as scary as it sounds to a recovering blackaholic?  I spent more than two decades dressed in black (and denim) with only tiny amounts of white, virtually no jewelry, and minimalist shoes, boots and bags.  Even I got bored after a while. I have a lot to learn.  I changed fields not long ago, and I'm still having trouble developing a personal style that is approachable, professional (by the standards of this field), and still me.   Elly on "Per Suz, and thanks to Mo: the "Breakdown"" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/per-suz-and-thanks-to-mo-the-breakdown/page/2#post-1353442 Fri, 12 Sep 2014 01:59:38 +0000 Elly 1353442@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Cerinda-- my splashy casual looks are almost entirely neutral with nice drape or texture, jeans, and boots + accessories. catgirl on "Per Suz, and thanks to Mo: the "Breakdown"" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/per-suz-and-thanks-to-mo-the-breakdown/page/2#post-1353417 Fri, 12 Sep 2014 01:26:36 +0000 catgirl 1353417@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Cerinda, love "granular"!  This is what I'm getting at... what's IN the figurative closet (including the dressers and laundry) and how do I actually wear it?  Great breakdown and looks like you're the first to run from splashy casual.  Cerinda on "Per Suz, and thanks to Mo: the "Breakdown"" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/per-suz-and-thanks-to-mo-the-breakdown/page/2#post-1353414 Fri, 12 Sep 2014 01:24:08 +0000 Cerinda 1353414@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ The more granular this analysis gets, the more helpful I find it.  I am beginning to think functionally and not artificially segregate work clothes from the rest of my wardrobe. A. Lounge- and sleepwear.  I lounge in my casual clothes.  Need little; got it. Nighties are lingerie in my book. B.  Gear. Fitness, outdoors, sports, etc.  But I regularly work in hiking boots, khakis, sun protection, fleece, down, etc.  An ongoing challenge. C.  Casual.  WAH and walk the dogs in jeans, tees, sweaters.  Only recently started paying attention to this category.  D.  Smart casual.  Meetings, most conferences and client meetings, urban fieldwork.  Bulk of my waking hours and bane of my sartorial existence.  I default to looking like my mother -- conservative, classic-- and that simply isn't me any more.     E.  Splashy casual.  **Runs screaming from the room.**  Can't do it:  heck, I even have trouble wearing small prints and accent colors.   Now, funky casual, I can get behind:  neutral, textural, and accessorized, with an emphasis on jeans and boots.   That covers errands, dates, performances, and the remaining conferences and client meetings.  This is what I enjoy, but this is what I need at most 25% of the time.    F.  Dressy.  Religious services, funerals, certain client meetings, interviews, and presentations.  Not much call for this capsule.  Home to my one and only seasonless pencil skirt. G.  Travel.  You know the drill. The light bulb went on when I recognized that the vast majority of items in my closet could be categorized as C., D., E., F., AND G.  For my (generally) blissfully casual lifestyle, it's not what I wear but how I wear it. Elizabeth P on "Per Suz, and thanks to Mo: the "Breakdown"" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/per-suz-and-thanks-to-mo-the-breakdown/page/2#post-1353404 Fri, 12 Sep 2014 01:08:48 +0000 Elizabeth P 1353404@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Great threat Una. This is a good extension of the ideas given to me in my thread a couple of days ago on struggling with capsules. I just got back from two long days on the road, but will definitely give this done thought when I'm not so tired. catgirl on "Per Suz, and thanks to Mo: the "Breakdown"" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/per-suz-and-thanks-to-mo-the-breakdown#post-1353386 Fri, 12 Sep 2014 00:44:58 +0000 catgirl 1353386@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Interesting to hear what categories people ignore and or adore in their lives.  I shop a lot for my casual capsule (and used to for my formal capsule,as both allow my fantasy lives to take over).  I do not love shopping for smart or business casual nearly as much.  Could care less about loungewear, and am totally practical regarding gear.  And we have not gotten to FOOTWEAR, BAGS, AND COATS! frannieb on "Per Suz, and thanks to Mo: the "Breakdown"" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/per-suz-and-thanks-to-mo-the-breakdown#post-1353381 Fri, 12 Sep 2014 00:38:49 +0000 frannieb 1353381@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Great thread - I like the term splashy casual. Always learning on YLF. I think my problem with my wardrobe is that I do most of my shopping for work which is Smart casual to dressy casual depending on the day (meeting and such) and have ignored the other categories I would say my categories  need to be  1.Sleepwear/lounge wear - need to work on this capsule 2. Casual - have made some major improvement since joining look fab. Saturdays and vacation 3. Smart Casual - Work and lots of times Sunday - This is my favorite category 4. Dressy Casual -  Work  5. Splashy Casual - I love this idea helps me think through shopping and will allow me to add a fun edgy piece once a season 6. Dressy formal - wedding, funerals, banquets etc. Have this category covered.  7. Gear - workout wear, camping stuff, hiking stuff Karie on "Per Suz, and thanks to Mo: the "Breakdown"" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/per-suz-and-thanks-to-mo-the-breakdown#post-1353369 Fri, 12 Sep 2014 00:17:00 +0000 Karie 1353369@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ A great exercise! For me, it's: Sleepwear - Flannel/fleece pj's and sleep shorts, tops too. Winter bathrobe and summer bathrobe. Almost everything is made by me, except one dressy silky pj set. Worn only to sleep in. Loungewear - I change in to this as soon as I get home. Some items are made by me. This crosses over to my gear capsule as I am including sweatpants and tee shirts. Worn for walking the dog, jogging, cooking dinner, all activities at home. Gear - Again, there is crossover from my Loungewear capsule. Some items are made by me. Worn for jogging, pilates, yoga, working out at the gym, hiking, biking, etc. Weekend Casual - More crossover, this time from my Gear capsule - jeans/pants/shorts worn for hiking, biking, kayaking. I don't think there are any items in this capsule that are made by me, all are purchased. This is mostly made up of jeans, casual shorts, the graphic tees that I love to wear, and sweatshirts. I wear these items for day trips to Cooperstown, VT, western Mass., the Catskills, and for weekend trips to Sackets Harbor, NY. Smart/Splashy Casual - My favorite capsule! Dressy jeans, BF jeans, fun/funky tops. I've been starting to make more items in this category, but the majority of items are purchased. With the exception of some jeans, most items in this category can get worn to work. Dressy casual - the work category. Skirts, dresses, dressy tops. I've made more items in this category than in the Smart/Splashy category, but still, most are purchased. Dressy Formal - A few items that can be worn to any dressy event. There's not much in this category, all are purchased, none are made by me. Aida on "Per Suz, and thanks to Mo: the "Breakdown"" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/per-suz-and-thanks-to-mo-the-breakdown#post-1353327 Thu, 11 Sep 2014 23:17:08 +0000 Aida 1353327@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ An interesting exercise! I'll have to think on this. rabbit on "Per Suz, and thanks to Mo: the "Breakdown"" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/per-suz-and-thanks-to-mo-the-breakdown#post-1353300 Thu, 11 Sep 2014 22:53:29 +0000 rabbit 1353300@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Splashy casual is totally where it's at for me (splashy given the town I live in that is).   I can see the usefulness of this kind of breakdown for others, but I'm having trouble seeing the usefulness for myself right now.   Partly it's that I don't have a regular schedule, some weeks I'm running a lot of errands and eating out a lot (opportunities for casual and occasional splash), others I'm in a studio basically wearing the same ratty tee for days on end (and happy with that, the idea of buying clothing for the category doesn't make sense to me, it's where my other clothes go to die. :D).    I don't feel like I need anything in my categories of sleepwear, lounge, work (muddy) wear, daily exercise gear and hiking/swimming/vacation gear.   I've got 3 dressier dresses should I need them.     Everything else I kind of group by color, silhouette and season/temperature,  mixing and matching between levels of casualness to dressy.   So I can identify holes by function or color in this 'being seen by others wearing clothes' capsule, and tracking wears shows me where to cut back or expand.   I recently spend a week in a cabin by a lake, so I borrowed a bit from gear, swimming, and hot weather capsules,  chose a few unifying colors and both open and closed shoes, long and short bottoms, and viola! I was good. ETA: I think part of it is that I really don't mind being over-dressed or slightly offbeat (it's kind of hard in my environment to really stick out no matter what you are wearing),  so I might wear a skirt and heels to the grocery store (and not be the only one),  or wear distressed jeans out to drink at night. Anonymous on "Per Suz, and thanks to Mo: the "Breakdown"" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/per-suz-and-thanks-to-mo-the-breakdown#post-1353283 Thu, 11 Sep 2014 22:37:13 +0000 Anonymous 1353283@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ This is helpful in figuring where to spend time , money and energy.  Unfortunately, and I'm sure I'm not alone here, I spend those aforementioned things in the wrong categories half the time.  I could not possible work out or engage in fitness/sports enough ever to wear the tons of stuff I have, unless I quit my job........hmmm.  :) I need almost nothing for those formal and dressy categories, as they rarely come up. And when they do, I either buy something new, or use whatever old classic chestnut is hiding in the back of the closet (applies mostly to funerals).  I think a lot of us are distracted by things in the categories that are not the major ones because it's interesting and fun.  Personally, I need to stop buying ripped jeans and skull sweaters because I can't wear them to work , but I get bored with "work" clothes. So this exercise has just pointed out what I already knew about myself - I am hopeless at staying focused.  *wink* Laura (rhubarbgirl) on "Per Suz, and thanks to Mo: the "Breakdown"" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/per-suz-and-thanks-to-mo-the-breakdown#post-1353265 Thu, 11 Sep 2014 22:21:48 +0000 Laura (rhubarbgirl) 1353265@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ DonnaF, I don't know if folks were using the word closet literally, or metaphorically to describe all their shoes, shoes, accessories, etc. All my knit tops, jeans and sweaters are in a chest of drawers in my bedroom, not in my closet, but I still think of them as part of my closet, you know? Or my 'wardrobe', even though I've never owned a wardrobe. I am totally stealing the phrases comfort casual and splashy casual. *snatches and runs away* I think this kind of analysis is so useful; even if you don't come up with a pie chart per se, you can't help but think about whether the ratios in your wardrobe match up with the ratios in your life. Somebody should write a wardrobe breakdown for Princess Kate, or someone like that: "25%, chasing after baby. 10%, attending state events with the Queen..." DonnaF on "Per Suz, and thanks to Mo: the "Breakdown"" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/per-suz-and-thanks-to-mo-the-breakdown#post-1353255 Thu, 11 Sep 2014 22:01:27 +0000 DonnaF 1353255@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Tee, hee, hee,  Neither my loungewear nor my gear has a place in my closet.  The loungewear is in drawers, and my gear is hanging near where I come in from exercise or is in with the dirty laundry. My formal and dressy life is next to non-existent, so I would probably scrape together something from what I have. My life is pretty much casual/smart casual/business casual.  What stays in business casual is older stuff that is DCO like lined skirts; nearly everything I've bought in the last year or two is washable, including toppers.  I've done this so to break down my psychological barriers between the categories and to get me to wear more of my wardrobe.  I think it's working. catgirl on "Per Suz, and thanks to Mo: the "Breakdown"" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/per-suz-and-thanks-to-mo-the-breakdown#post-1353154 Thu, 11 Sep 2014 19:27:47 +0000 catgirl 1353154@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I want a British Wedding category! Diana on "Per Suz, and thanks to Mo: the "Breakdown"" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/per-suz-and-thanks-to-mo-the-breakdown#post-1353130 Thu, 11 Sep 2014 19:04:49 +0000 Diana 1353130@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ OK, here's mine: Sleep/lounge (7X/week): Besides PJs for sleeping (chemises for most of the year, flannel pants + flannel or jersey top when it's too cold), I change into loungewear every night the minute I get home.  So I do things like cooking and cleaning in addition to just lounging.  This is mostly older, comfy dresses and skirts, and a few pairs of sweatpants/yoga pants.  (Plus tees or tanks on top).  Gear (~3-4X/week but for only short periods of time):  I mostly work out at home so this consists of sports bras, shorts, and sneakers/socks mostly.  I also have some stuff for hiking/outdoor stuff but it crosses over to the next category (weekend casual).  Weekend casual (1-2X/week): for errands and weekend fun things (casual meals out, walks around town, etc).  Sometimes we do slightly more outdoorsy things like hiking or the Arboretum, etc.   Jeans (shorts in summer), easy tops like sweatshirts or simple tees, hoodies, comfy flat shoes.  Smart casual (5X/week):  this is pretty much what I wear all the time to lab and is most of my WIWs.  I'll go more casual/comfy (like BF jeans and a sweater) if I'm going to be doing a lot of bench work or having a long day at lab, or more dressy (blazer, dressier shoes, etc) if I'm going out for a nice dinner or the symphony or something like that after work.  I almost never have time to go home and change if I am going out after work, so by default many of my date night outfits fall into this category.  ETA: I suppose the more dressy versions of this could be considered "splashy casual", but I tend to think of it all as "stuff I wear to work." Formal/business (rare): for interviews, funerals, etc.  I have a suit for this. Formal/party (a few times a year): for weddings, holiday parties, cocktail receptions, etc.  Nice dresses, ranging from garden party to cocktail in formality.  Also, we take every excuse we can to wear our British Wedding Hat! catgirl on "Per Suz, and thanks to Mo: the "Breakdown"" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/per-suz-and-thanks-to-mo-the-breakdown#post-1353117 Thu, 11 Sep 2014 18:50:05 +0000 catgirl 1353117@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Suz, exactly! The lightbulb for me was realizing that my work shifts have different needs, and then Mo's post about items that can go to lunch or grocery store was an added catalyst. I need to get more specific, not more general. Suz on "Per Suz, and thanks to Mo: the "Breakdown"" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/per-suz-and-thanks-to-mo-the-breakdown#post-1353095 Thu, 11 Sep 2014 18:36:54 +0000 Suz 1353095@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Function is all.  I once started a thread called "How Gear got me Here."  It's because I was wowed by the experience of wearing a gear capsule that went the distance and was comfortable for all activities that I began wondering: What would it be like if I felt like that about ALL my clothes?  And that's what led me to this site!  But I really believe that it's only by breaking it down quite minutely that you can figure out what qualities you require to meet the specific function. "Workwear" and "casual wear" just don't cut it as 'actionable' categories. At least not for me.  unfrumped on "Per Suz, and thanks to Mo: the "Breakdown"" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/per-suz-and-thanks-to-mo-the-breakdown#post-1353093 Thu, 11 Sep 2014 18:32:32 +0000 unfrumped 1353093@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Those categories are very much how I see mine, with just tweaks of descriptors. What I find harder these days is making sure I don't overcasualize my work wear in the pursuit of trends, or maybe, that it is sometimes hard to get the right look in my version of business casual ( no suits) which I still want to be more serious than what a lot of business casual has become. The fun opportunity has been to add more " splash". The key is it still has to be comfortable and easy to grab or I'll just default to casual. Alassë on "Per Suz, and thanks to Mo: the "Breakdown"" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/per-suz-and-thanks-to-mo-the-breakdown#post-1353051 Thu, 11 Sep 2014 17:33:31 +0000 Alassë 1353051@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Oh, trousers is my all-encompassing word for denim, corduroys, skinnies, etc. I did the time breakdown, too: 109 hours  13% gear (14 hrs/week) 75% smart casual/casual (81.5 hrs/week) -14 hrs must be SC, the rest can be either 9% evening lounge (10 hrs/week) 3% dressy (3.5 hrs/week) catgirl on "Per Suz, and thanks to Mo: the "Breakdown"" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/per-suz-and-thanks-to-mo-the-breakdown#post-1353030 Thu, 11 Sep 2014 17:11:57 +0000 catgirl 1353030@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Sorry, can't edit from this computer so have to keep adding. Alasse, I see you don't have jeans in any of your categories - which makes sense, but how interesting!