https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/post-your-personal-style-challenge-week-12---finale Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Sun, 26 Apr 2026 07:53:22 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/post-your-personal-style-challenge-week-12---finale#post-1759801 Mon, 12 Dec 2016 17:26:01 +0000 Anonymous 1759801@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Great work, <b>Sisi</b>.&nbsp; Best wishes on your continuing challenges. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/post-your-personal-style-challenge-week-12---finale#post-1759708 Mon, 12 Dec 2016 14:17:20 +0000 Sisi 1759708@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thanks again El Cee, for all the time and energy you put into this. </p> <p>My challenge "Wear less pants and more dresses in Autumn (that is, in colder weather)" went more or less well. Until now I was able to create&nbsp;outfits using Summer dresses (since I do now own any Autumn/Winter dress) , which required more efforts than&nbsp;&nbsp;just throwing on a&nbsp;pull, a pair of pants and booties (easy and quick). I would like to continue this challenge through Winter and in&nbsp;the future in general. Other challenges:&nbsp;add&nbsp;more color to&nbsp;my wardrobe;&nbsp;&nbsp;continue my minimalist path - the final goals is to build a small wardobe&nbsp;made only of clothes that make me happy. No more "meh" items bought on impulse!</p> <p></p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/post-your-personal-style-challenge-week-12---finale#post-1759241 Sat, 10 Dec 2016 05:32:19 +0000 Anonymous 1759241@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Add me to the list of those who want some "stone" jeans. EF has some cool light grey ones that I hope to try. I saw them this week at either Nordstrom's or Dillards. When I'm not on my iPad, i will try to add a Find for them. They were a new item and not on sale. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/post-your-personal-style-challenge-week-12---finale#post-1759201 Sat, 10 Dec 2016 02:04:43 +0000 Anonymous 1759201@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>It was a long challenge. My original challenge goals were uninspired. I wanted to transition my winter wardrobe into my working wardrobe and make a point of wearing those pieces that have short seasonal windows. </p> <p>The weather didn’t cooperate as much as I hoped and I wore of mix of deep summer/fall clothing into November. BUT, I did pack away all of my sloppy fallback options (tee shirts/oversized and sloppy shirts). I thought if they were unavailable to me, I would just naturally reach for a nicer alternative. It worked. Tops that were on probation are now slated for the Goodwill. I also know that I don’t feel good about myself if I am wearing sloppy fallback options. Probably obvious to everyone else. I had to learn it by experimentation. </p> <p>The next leg of my journey was more inspired. I started developing a template of ensembles for work/casual/athletic/travel. I spent some quality time evaluating those pieces that don't fit into a single ensemble. I debated whether to shop for new coordinating pieces to make those orphans work or to accept the fact that they were orphans and move on. I wanted to avoid impulse buys. It was at this point that I came to understand I suffer from sales goggles. </p> <p>Because I am a sales shopper, I literally shop throughout the year. It is a type of shopping prowl. Then as I transition my wardrobe across the seasons, those pieces that have been stored away for half a year suddenly seem stale to me. I have since bought things that are in the same clothing category to refresh my wardrobe and those things seem so much more appropriate. </p> <p>My wardrobe is actually in constant flex. I add to it every single month. I will never be completely satisfied or completely finished. I am one of those women that turns over her entire wardrobe every few years.</p> <p>I spent a week thinking about wardrobe churn and my churn in particular. I came up with a list a reasons for my personal churn, including weigh fluctuations, sales, peer pressure, marketing pressure, rewards, boredom, and special event. Thankfully, forum members reached out and helped me realize that churn is normal and my degree of churn wasn't that unusual. That made me feel a lot better. </p> <p>Still my sales shopping was a problem. I decided to implement a “purchasing fast” for myself until January 2, 2017. The “purchasing fast” was meant to help me address my "sales shopping addiction." I needed to stop shopping sales for a while and reground myself.</p> <p>Because I was not shopping, I had renewed interest in my existing wardrobe. Without even thinking about it, I was trying new wardrobe combinations that I really liked; I was wearing items that had previously been pushed to the side of the closet; and I saved enough money to plan a trip over the Holidays. </p> <p>Most importantly, I put the brakes on sales shopping. I am literally forcing myself to not shop sales (AT THIS TIME OF YEAR). I can literally fell the neurons in my brain being rewired. I feel like I have been through intense therapy. </p> <p>Some challenge members expressed interest in a SYC challenge beginning in February 2017. I have already started thinking about how much I will benefit from a SYC challenge in the new year. </p> <p>Special thank you for <b>El Cee</b> for all her hard work. A shout out to <b>Approprio</b>, I loved her Style Labs. Thank you to everyone else that made this challenge so interesting, fun, and informative. &nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/post-your-personal-style-challenge-week-12---finale#post-1759139 Fri, 09 Dec 2016 22:26:35 +0000 Anonymous 1759139@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p><b>Shedev </b>-- I can't seem to add your name to the list in this post. &nbsp;I did add your name of my "real list" though. &nbsp;I look forward to your participation and knowledge. &nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/post-your-personal-style-challenge-week-12---finale#post-1759108 Fri, 09 Dec 2016 20:30:08 +0000 shedev 1759108@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Sterling, I'm interested in a SYC challenge in February.<br />The two challenges I did were wear my nice things and work on my definition of essentials. Defining my essentials will come in handy when I do my year end closet edit. I'm still holding on to too many things that are too classic for my style. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/post-your-personal-style-challenge-week-12---finale#post-1758988 Fri, 09 Dec 2016 14:56:24 +0000 El Cee 1758988@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Finally have a bit of time to reflect on my own challenges -- especially in the areas of what I learned and where I might be headed. </p> <p>The main points I took away from my challenges are:<br />1.) I really do have <b>enough</b> in my closet/wardrobe to dress myself appropriately and stylishly for each season -- including the difficult transition periods between the seasons.<br />2.) I require sufficient choices in terms of both colors and silhouettes in order to be completely content and to be excited by my wardrobe (and to not want to shop). This is likely because I have an eclectic style and am a "mood dresser".<br />3.) I need to get more "experimental" with outfit creation toward the end of a season in order to prevent boredom.<br />4.) I am a bit of a packrat in terms of keeping well fitting garments for a long time and, as a result, have a fairly large holding/storage area. This is OK as I often fall back in love with things that I have put in the holding area after a season or two. But I do need to find a better system for storing these items as I forget what I have in the holding zone. (Out of sight, out of mind.)<br />5.) Although I have <b>enough</b> (see #1) and am, for the most part, content -- I like to add a few trendier pieces each season to my existing wardrobe.</p> <p>Going forward, I want to continue to play around more with seasonal silhouettes and find enough variety to make me happy for both "work from home" and "out of the house" days.</p> <p>Additionally -- doing a <b>"Shop Your Closet First"</b> exercise in the New Year will be good for me.&nbsp;I need to take time to go through not only the items in my working closet, but the holding zone garments as well. I need to analyze the garments' potential usefulness and cull if I find they no longer fit in with my style direction. I may set up a system where I first shop my working closet, and then shop my holding zone before deciding to make new purchases. I will allow for the occasional fun, serendipitous acquisition as that keeps me happy. I also need to apply this SYC exercise to my jewelry and accessories collection.</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/post-your-personal-style-challenge-week-12---finale#post-1758977 Fri, 09 Dec 2016 14:08:59 +0000 El Cee 1758977@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p><b>Barbara Diane</b> -- I love red velvet (or even red accents) with gray. That is a stunning combo. I have the same issue with storage of scarves. They are currently in a drawer -- and I do not reach for them as much because "out of sight, out of mind". This is a great time of year to pull out the dresses and give them some love... and marking possible "dress time" on your calendar is a fabulous idea.</p> <p><b>Sterling</b> -- My "stone" jeans are a true neutral -- and can go either way, warm or cool. Makes them very versatile. They were a fabulous find. Wish I had duplicated them back when I made the purchase 3 years ago.</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/post-your-personal-style-challenge-week-12---finale#post-1758751 Thu, 08 Dec 2016 21:26:15 +0000 Barbara Diane 1758751@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I wanted to report on my goals from week 11. </p> <p>1. "Make outfits with my velvet scarves." I found that besides wearing all black, which I have decided to shy away from, one scarf works with two pairs of non black pants. It turns out that the red in the other 3 scarves is a different red than my red sweater, so they don't really go with anything else. Although I may be able to make them work with my gray jeans. </p> <p>2. "Find a place for my scarves." I reorganized them, but I still haven't figured out where to put them so that I can easily see them.</p> <p>3. "Figure out opportunities to wear dresses through the end of the year." &nbsp;I&nbsp;went through my calendar and marked on it any occasion that was a little fancier where I could imagine wearing a dress. That way I will remember to consider it.</p> <p>4. "Mull over style related changes for 2017." Not yet. But a reminder to do so is on my calendar. But this goal might get moved to January. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/post-your-personal-style-challenge-week-12---finale#post-1758617 Thu, 08 Dec 2016 14:40:40 +0000 El Cee 1758617@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p><b>Brooklyn</b> -- I hear you on the subject of humidity and hair. I fight with that issue every summer. You are right that this is a big style challenge all on its own. Hope that you are enjoying your holiday!</p> <p><b>Kerlyn</b> -- Loved your challenge of giving love to BOTH the new pieces AND old favorites. I did a lot of that myself this season. Like you, I have been experimenting with adding some of my dressier pieces to casual outfits... and have been pleased with the results. You are right -- feeling "put together" is a big boost to the day.</p> <p><b>Barbara Diane</b> -- You have gotten me thinking about trying consignment again. One of my goals in the New Year will be to identify consignment shops in my area. I will be doing some "analytical culling" in the next few months and might put some things aside for resale. I usually just take everything to Goodwill. Now I may want two separate piles. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/post-your-personal-style-challenge-week-12---finale#post-1758615 Thu, 08 Dec 2016 14:33:20 +0000 Anonymous 1758615@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I love stone-colored jeans/pants.&nbsp; It is an exact color in my mind.&nbsp; Very cool.&nbsp; No yellow whatsoever.&nbsp; I can't find that color in stores at this time.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/post-your-personal-style-challenge-week-12---finale#post-1758613 Thu, 08 Dec 2016 14:26:50 +0000 El Cee 1758613@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p><b>Joy </b>-- I think I have been on a similar journey as you this Fall. Focusing on "my life style now" has been the biggest part of my challenge these past few months. I came to a similar conclusion as you -- that although my "work from home" life style is very casual, I still need a "large closet with options" in order to be content. I still need to figure a way to have these "options" without taking up as much closet and storage space. That might be part of my own winter challenge. I will definitely need to do some "analytical culling".</p> <p><b>Bonnie</b> -- Your "red jacket" capsule was very inspiring. It got me to think differently about the process of capsule creation. I used to always start with bottoms (jeans, pants, skirts). Since reading your post, I am giving more thought to building capsules around toppers. I am going to play with that for the next couple of months... while we are fully in jacket season. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/post-your-personal-style-challenge-week-12---finale#post-1758606 Thu, 08 Dec 2016 14:13:59 +0000 El Cee 1758606@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p><b>Suz</b> -- I, too, got a lot of organizational energy from the challenge group. My closet would not be in the good shape that it is in if it were not for the inspiration I got from you and the other ladies. The accountability part kept spurring me on. :-)</p> <p><b>Sterling</b> -- Your steadfastness in achieving your goals has been very inspiring. Thanks. I agree that this challenge was a lot of fun. I am very much looking forward to participating in the February SYC group.</p> <p><b>Texstyle</b> -- You were so smart to keep your goals concrete and manageable. Sometimes all it takes is "tweaking" to get things where you want them to be. On the subject of off-white jeans -- I have fallen back in love with a pair of light "stone" jeans that will be my "winter white".</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/post-your-personal-style-challenge-week-12---finale#post-1758569 Thu, 08 Dec 2016 10:13:48 +0000 Anonymous 1758569@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I agree, <b>Barbara Diane</b>. &nbsp;My SYC will focus on wearing as much of my existing wardrobe as possible in new and interesting combinations! &nbsp;But should I find a hole, I will challenge myself to fill that hole in the most thoughtful way possible (NO MORE SALE shopping; it is my downfall). &nbsp;</p> <p>On a side note, it is finally colder here. <u>I am wearing layers</u>!!! &nbsp;That means I am shopping my closet because all my clothes are new to me again. &nbsp;I even wore Ugg boots yesterday!!! &nbsp;So happy. &nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/post-your-personal-style-challenge-week-12---finale#post-1758495 Thu, 08 Dec 2016 02:29:07 +0000 Barbara Diane 1758495@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p><b>To El Cee and all the participants</b>, thanks for the thread and the support. I'm not going to spend time looking back at my challenges, but the most significant one was that my fall/winter consignment items made it to consignment! 2 years ago I took some items in and was told to come back in 2 weeks. I had transportation challenges and didn't make it back. And didn't try last year. So, just getting them there was a huge lift, and it probably wouldn't have happened if I didn't put it down as a challenge that I felt I had to report back on. Now, hopefully, some of it will sell. :)<br />Looking forward to the SYC challenge. I'm not going to limit myself to only SYC, but I want to use it to make more outfits and wear items more often.<br />Happy Holidays to everyone!&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/post-your-personal-style-challenge-week-12---finale#post-1758473 Thu, 08 Dec 2016 01:22:49 +0000 kerlyn 1758473@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thanks, El Cee, for doing this! &nbsp;I've really enjoyed and benefitted from this thread (even when I didn't actively post!) &nbsp;I challenged myself to wear all my new pieces and older favorites (instead of saving them, which I'm inclined to do.) &nbsp;And I did! &nbsp;I cycled through all of my boots, jeans, and sweaters at least once these last few months. &nbsp;It felt really good to make use out of all of these items, and I think I've learned a bit more about what I like and why. &nbsp;I also wore pieces that might've been a tad dressier than the occasion called for, and I didn't worry for a second that I might be overdressed. &nbsp;In fact, it felt really good to feel "put together!" &nbsp;I'd like to continue this through the holiday season, even if my friends and relatives dress very casually.</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/post-your-personal-style-challenge-week-12---finale#post-1758457 Thu, 08 Dec 2016 00:17:05 +0000 Brooklyn 1758457@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thanks for doing this El Cee. This has been a really interesting thread and has given me a lot to think about. Also, more chatty than most threads, which is really nice. I feel like I have gotten to know people better. I am away on holiday where my main style challenge is the effect of the summer humidity on my hair (it's brutal folks, just brutal). But I am still popping into the forum. I won't be doing SYC (frankly, I don't have the discipline) but I will enjoy cheering on others </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/post-your-personal-style-challenge-week-12---finale#post-1758449 Wed, 07 Dec 2016 23:45:07 +0000 Bonnie 1758449@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I would like to participate in the SYC challenge in February. Particpating in El Cee's thread really motivated me to get my closet organized: I filled wardrobe holes, made my first ever capsule, and have photos of my best outfits on file. I enjoyed reading about everyone's challenges and got many great ideas on how to work with my wardrobe. Thank you El Cee for your caring responses, and thank you Sterling for offering to host the next challenge. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/post-your-personal-style-challenge-week-12---finale#post-1758386 Wed, 07 Dec 2016 21:23:04 +0000 Anonymous 1758386@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>These are the individuals that have expressed some interest in a SYC challenge beginning in February 2017. &nbsp;I'm keeping a list to make sure each of you receives a personal invite. &nbsp;Of course, any one can join us at any time. &nbsp;And each of us will define our own personal challenge to best benefit our lives. &nbsp;</p> <p>Carter<br />Barbara Diane<br />Kiwigal<br />El Cee<br />Elizabeth P<br />RunCarla<br />Approprio<br />Joy<br />Bonnie</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/post-your-personal-style-challenge-week-12---finale#post-1758382 Wed, 07 Dec 2016 21:04:21 +0000 Anonymous 1758382@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>El Cee, thank you so much for these valuable challenge threads. Over all my theme was to use what I had and to organize a closet in a new place that works smoothly. I have learned that building seasonal capsules is so helpful in getting dressed each day, that I need to concentrate on my life style now, that I need a large closet with choices, that I need to get as much as possible out where I can see it. I was inspired and energized by the challenges of others. I have shopped very little these past weeks,trying tousle what I have. Sterling, I will be happy to do a Shop Your Closet First challenge as I need to do that to figure out what I need and where my style is going. On going is trying to fit everything and all seasons into one closet shared with DH. This means more editing and serious consideration before making purchases. I am most generous with myself when it comes to footwear as it is critical to health issues as well as feeling up dated. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/post-your-personal-style-challenge-week-12---finale#post-1758335 Wed, 07 Dec 2016 19:31:52 +0000 texstyle 1758335@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I've really enjoyed this challenge over the past few weeks and appreciate El Cee sticking to it and Sterling and everyone else giving great input on their personal challenges. So helpful!</p> <p>I kept my few challenges easy and really just tried to focus on things I wanted to tweak in my wardrobe. I'm not sure I have a challenge this week. I wore my off white BR jeans for a change, I got another pair of cold weather shoes (Ecco high tops), I wore a new top I wasn't sure I liked (and decided I liked it after all). I even switched out my handbag to better go with my outfits a couple of days - which is more "fashion effort" than I've done in a while. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/post-your-personal-style-challenge-week-12---finale#post-1758280 Wed, 07 Dec 2016 17:24:58 +0000 Anonymous 1758280@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>WE DID IT!!!&nbsp;&nbsp; </p> <p>My personal challenges evolved over the 12 week course.&nbsp; I had some successes and some "not-quite-successes", but I never gave up and I never quit.&nbsp; I kept coming back to continue to learn from other challenge participants.&nbsp; I gotta say.&nbsp; <i><u>It was fun</u></i>.&nbsp; </p> <p>Oh.&nbsp; I have no challenge this week.&nbsp; I am here to read and absorb what others do.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/post-your-personal-style-challenge-week-12---finale#post-1758258 Wed, 07 Dec 2016 16:02:35 +0000 Suz 1758258@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p><b>El Cee </b>-- thank you so much for herding us cats and keeping us focused on our challenges. This has been really instructive and while I was pretty much missing in action the last few weeks, I profited enormously from the organizational energy this gave me in the autumn.<br />My closet is neat and tidy, with new hangers, a new shoe rack, and a new system for my bags, etc. I got items hemmed and repaired and wore them. I tried out a new and fun silhouette (culottes) and did not overbuy for the season. &nbsp;</p> <p>My challenge this week is to sort out a few holiday ready outfits and see if I am missing any key pieces. I have a couple of ideas but need to experiment with try-ons.&nbsp;</p> <p> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/post-your-personal-style-challenge-week-12---finale#post-1758253 Wed, 07 Dec 2016 15:56:01 +0000 El Cee 1758253@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Wow!!! We completed 12 weeks... can you believe it? This week will be our Grand Finale -- a time to look over all you have accomplished and learned from your personal challenges, and to give yourself a big pat on the back. You have earned bragging rights -- so brag away! What were your successes? What did you learn from your challenge(s)? What personal style challenges and goals might you be setting for the holiday season and for 2017? Please share.</p> <p>Special thanks to <b>Carter</b> who inspired our challenge thread. And also a big shout-out to <b>Sterling</b> who has offered to lead a <b>"Shop Your Closet First"</b> type challenge starting in February. Stay tuned for more details... and let Sterling know if you might be interested in participating so she can alert you before the challenge begins.</p> <p>Thanks to <b>all</b> you wonderful ladies for your participation, ideas, inspiration, support and encouragement! Happy Holidays!!!</p> <p>Here is a look back at where we started and what we accomplished:</p> <p>Carter's inspiration thread:&nbsp;<a rel="nofollow" href="http://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-slippery-slope-and-how-to-stop-the-slide-long">http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....slide-long</a><br />Week 1:&nbsp;<a rel="nofollow" href="http://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/post-your-seasonal-style-challenge-week-one">http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....e-week-one</a><br />Week 2:&nbsp;<a rel="nofollow" href="http://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/post-your-personal-style-challenge-week-2">http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....nge-week-2</a><br />Week 3:&nbsp;<a rel="nofollow" href="http://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/post-your-personal-style-challenge-week-3">http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....nge-week-3</a><br />Week:4:&nbsp;<a rel="nofollow" href="http://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/post-your-personal-style-challenge-week-4">http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....nge-week-4</a><br />Week 5:&nbsp;<a rel="nofollow" href="http://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/post-your-personal-style-challenge-week-5">http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....nge-week-5</a><br />Week 6:&nbsp;<a rel="nofollow" href="http://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/post-your-personal-style-challenge-week-6">http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....nge-week-6</a><br />Week 7:&nbsp;<a rel="nofollow" href="http://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/post-your-personal-style-challenge-week-7">http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....nge-week-7</a><br />Week 8:&nbsp;<a rel="nofollow" href="http://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/post-your-personal-style-challenge-week-8">http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....nge-week-8</a><br />Week 9:&nbsp;<a rel="nofollow" href="http://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/post-your-personal-style-challenge-week-9">http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....nge-week-9</a><br />Week 10:&nbsp;<a rel="nofollow" href="http://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/post-your-personal-style-challenge-week-10">http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....ge-week-10</a><br />Week 11:&nbsp;<a rel="nofollow" href="http://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/post-your-personal-style-challenge-week-11">http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....ge-week-11</a> </p>