https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/pre-shopping-as-well-where-to-draw-the-line Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Thu, 30 Apr 2026 00:48:01 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/pre-shopping-as-well-where-to-draw-the-line#post-1358210 Thu, 18 Sep 2014 14:31:28 +0000 Elly 1358210@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thanks so much for your help, I will keep both outfits and numbers in mind as pieces come in! I still really am hoping to find something red and a welted pullover.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/pre-shopping-as-well-where-to-draw-the-line#post-1358007 Thu, 18 Sep 2014 04:53:18 +0000 Elly 1358007@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>UPDATED--- I recieved a small order I had put in because I was worried about items selling out --- the orange sweater, scarf, tencel shirt, oxfords, and a belt were in the order. The scarf is beautiful, really really beautiful but HUGE--- it is a wrap, not a scarf and I can't wear it to work, so it is going back. The tencel shirt was awkward on me, but the fabric was beautiful (I think it is because my height and chest size, the pockets were diminutive and the shirt body a bit short). The orange sweater was likewise a bit small for tall, broad-shouldered me --- not oversized like on the model. The oxfords have awesome footbeds, but are a bit femme and would look the best with skin or tights and I want them for pants and socks. The belt was gorgeous, but I somehow got my mens' size wrong, but I anticipate trying one size up. </p> <p>The green wrap blouse and purple cashmere sweater are sold out or backordered way into october. The green flannel was backordered, but should ship soon. Fashion moves so fast! I ordered the black and purple sweater, the zippy sweatshirt, the olive sweatshirt, and the merino tee. The grey zip hoodie is already on order. I also ordered a pair of boots and black jeans to try. I also ordered the navy cardi and green tunic sweater (got a great coupon code). I ordered a black pleione drape blouse, but will see if it is work appropriate before committing. I still want a welted-type piece and to add some additional color, but I definitely want full length sleeves, which is something I didn't realize about the LOFT pieces. </p> <p>Caro-- I did just that. I had already had a order in, and placed some more this evening --- several items that I was interested in over the last few weeks have sold out, some overnight. I will definitely be putting the clothes through the paces before keeping anything. Thanks so much for chiming in!</p> <p>Alasse -- 10 or 11 would be great, but I think the minimum would be 7-8, esp. if there are some casual only pieces and dressy pieces mixed in. My big thing between the laundry and not wanting to make my co-workers look at the same shirt Tuesday, Friday, and Tuesday means that having JUST OVER a week of work clothes would be awesome. </p> <p>Thimbelina-- thanks for coming back. I would love to add a piece at a time, but I really won't have anything to wear this winter if I don't get my butt in gear because of our early fall and the online ordering lag. </p> <p>E-- Thanks for joining. I actually am not much of a pattern person, but I love a good plaid. I love deep- rich colors, but also feel like I need some shots of color to occasionally brighten things up. As I mentioned above, I could get away with 7 work outfits and 2 weekend outfits, but a few more might make things easier. Managing the suitcase is a whole other dillema -- bringing enough nice tops for work and a special weekend event, unexpected stays over because of weather or other circumstances, keeping things from always being a wrinkled mess, and having the right shoes and jackets for an outfit takes a lot of formulaic planning. That is part of the reason I like to have more casual stuff like the olive hoodie for the weekends -- something special that is waiting for me at the end of the work week. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/pre-shopping-as-well-where-to-draw-the-line#post-1357840 Thu, 18 Sep 2014 00:38:40 +0000 E 1357840@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I'm in awe of your wardrobe planning Elly!</p> <p>Are you a pattern person? If so,&nbsp;I'd definitely include the flannel as almost everything else is a solid. And I'm a colour person, so I'd want the purple/orange top too. If you do go that route, the most versatile choice for me is a cardigan that works both open and buttoned up as a jumper. I don't know if you like that look, but it doubles your wearing options if you do! Honestly, the odd one out to me, looking at just the pics, is the olive hoodie: it looks significantly more casual than everything else you're considering. But then, that might be what you need for dirty days on your job.</p> <p>Anyway, considering your laundry bottlenecks &amp; complicated life, I think another top might be helpful. On the other hand, would that make too many clothes for living out of suitcase ease? Or are you pretty good w dividing up what's in your suitcase vs what you leave at your house? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/pre-shopping-as-well-where-to-draw-the-line#post-1357808 Wed, 17 Sep 2014 23:47:32 +0000 thimblelina 1357808@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I really like what you narrowed down! And my process was not advice, per se, just sharing where I've noticed myself bogged down when I try to make too many choices contingent upon one another to work. Sitting here with my finger twitching... I'm about ready to order one of my first fall picks, an oversized plaid shirt from madewell. I'll be sooooo bummed if it doesn't work out. Fingers crossed! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/pre-shopping-as-well-where-to-draw-the-line#post-1357795 Wed, 17 Sep 2014 23:21:54 +0000 Alassë 1357795@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Have you counted out the number of outfits you could make with the proposed pieces? Do you have the 11 you wanted? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/pre-shopping-as-well-where-to-draw-the-line#post-1357792 Wed, 17 Sep 2014 23:16:58 +0000 Caro in Oz 1357792@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>They all look like they could work with your current wardrobe Elly. I find that until I try things on I never really know. Is it possible to order them all &amp; send back the ones that aren't versatile enough? Given that you like a small wardrobe looking for pieces that can be dressed up for work &amp; down for weekends is probably a good option too :)</p> <p>I think I'm going to have to try&nbsp;thimblelina's method too :)</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/pre-shopping-as-well-where-to-draw-the-line#post-1357732 Wed, 17 Sep 2014 21:31:15 +0000 Elly 1357732@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>7 is much easier to get down to than 5---<br />I'm viewing the merino tee from Uniqlo as a replacement for a black tee that is no longer in service--- since I wear l/s tees under almost all my tops in winter I need at least 6, and I'm at 5.&nbsp;<br />I'm also counting the grey zip sweatshirt as a replacement for a grey fleece that is too thick to wear under my lightweight jackets that are important for dirty days to keep things dress-code appropriate. I'm not counting the navy blouse as it was a summer purchase and didn't come out of my budget.&nbsp;</p> <p>I originally budgeted for 2 blouses, 3 pull-overs, and 2 cardis, plus a flannel shirt, a polo, and a rock tee with thermal underlayer. Plus, some sort of cocktail-y blouse for my December event.&nbsp;</p> <p>To winterize the navy blouse, I need a cardi. The navy cardi also does double duty as a "dress cardi" for events as it should harmonize with my mostly black and charcoal gallery capsule.&nbsp;</p> <p>A washable warm sweatshirt like the black zip would be extremely handy for work.&nbsp;</p> <p>A more casual button down (like the grey tencel)&nbsp;would come in handy during transitional seasons, while traveling, and could be worn all winter to work. I had to pass on my 2 grey l/s tees and both grey toppers I was wearing last year, so I have a charcoal grey hole.&nbsp;</p> <p>The forest green pullover tunic would fill 2 holes since it is a new, skinny pant friendly silhouette, and fills my forest green hole.&nbsp;</p> <p>Either the black or the navy welted drapey pullovers would fill a new silhouette hole, a gallery topper hole (navy would be great with this-- plus it is color-block!), and black would go great with the new scarf.&nbsp;</p> <p>Beyond those pieces, I'm having a harder time choosing between things. The dark flannel could be worn to work or on weekends, would be transitional, but could also be worn under a cardi or jacket. A purple, orange, or red sweater or blouse would also add a much needed shot of color and could be worn casually as well (orange or purple cardi or purple sweater) or be used transitionally (purple or red blouse). The rock tee and the olive hoodie would make great weekend pieces (the rock tee could be worn in summer as well) because of the washability and warmth. </p> <p>The original goal was 11 work outfits. Flannel shirt, rock tee, olive hoodie, tencel shirt, navy blouse, black silky tee, black s/s. welted pullover, and green pullover &nbsp;equals 8 stand-alone tops. Navy cardi, army jacket, leather jacket, jean jacket, and orange cardi equals 5 toppers. BF jeans, straight blue jeans, black jeans, light wash bootcuts, dark wash bootcuts = 5 bottoms. In addition, I have 3 dress bottoms and 3 dress shirts to mix and match for days spent in training, sitting on interview boards, museum events, gallery openings, and funerals. I also have capsule with jeans that have seen better days and several older tops and tees for things like baking, dealing with the orchard, etc. My question is, are the 8 stand-alone tops enough considering I will occasionally wear gear clothes on weekends, tees under jackets to work especially on sweaty or dirty days, and an occasional dress top to work -- or should I think about adding another top or two? My transitional seasons are Sept.-mid-Oct and may-mid june&nbsp;with 6+ months of winter in between.&nbsp;</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/pre-shopping-as-well-where-to-draw-the-line#post-1357571 Wed, 17 Sep 2014 17:03:55 +0000 Elly 1357571@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Suz-- great idea. I am having an awful time narrowing though! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/pre-shopping-as-well-where-to-draw-the-line#post-1357538 Wed, 17 Sep 2014 16:26:32 +0000 Elly 1357538@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thimbelina-- thanks for sharing your strategy with me. I identified adding a couple (2-3) bottoms as needs so I will have 4-5 smart casual bottoms for my dominant season -- I currently have 3 pair, but one pair needs to be demoted having the extra pair or two would stop my laundry bottlenecks. Shoes are another need and I have those budgeted for. I also added a warm layering piece to winterize my jacket collection. I have good layering tees from last year, am set for "business" wear, and have the 3 blouses and 2 button downs. My other 2 top priorities were work winter sweaters/tops&nbsp;and accessories. My biggest problem is that because I don't have B&amp;M locally I have to shop online, so by the time I get any purchases I order today it will likely be almost October, and in my climate the high temps will be down in the 60s-- so planning ahead is a must.&nbsp;</p> <p>Alasse -- I could probably swing everything, though it is a bit more than the budget I'd planned for but I didn't end up using all of my spring summer budget from the past year. What I really need help with is evaluating the cohesiveness and usefulness of pieces, the practicality of things. I would like to figure out first priorities and things that might be duplicates or less useful should I decide to cut the budget. Plus, I am a bit of a minimalist &nbsp;-- I'm tired of laundry bottlenecks, but a small wardrobe works well for me.&nbsp;</p> <p>As far as colors go, my neutrals are navy, grey, black, with some olive and cognac -- these are a huge part of my wardrobe. I was really hoping for some deep reds, but I'm not seeing pieces I'm in love with. I like to have 1-2 purple pieces at a time because it helps pull things together when I wear my glasses. The super deep purple almost black top would get worn as a black top, not as a purple though.&nbsp;</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/pre-shopping-as-well-where-to-draw-the-line#post-1357513 Wed, 17 Sep 2014 15:42:40 +0000 Suz 1357513@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Wow, Thimbelina gives great advice. I should do what she says instead of what I do! My usual pattern is to buy up a lot at once (when I can).&nbsp;</p> <p>I think all the pieces you show have potential. And to me it doesn't look like "too much" considering the fact that your core wardrobe is very small and you are essentially building, not simply refreshing.&nbsp;</p> <p>But I would pick your top 5 needs from this group for now, and see how those work in to your wardrobe and plans. Especially since you never know when your work might change up the dress code again! Remember when you bought &nbsp;up a lot of tees in the spring and then learned you were not supposed to be wearing them? Oy! Maybe they will do the same about pullovers, although what people would wear to cover themselves then, I do not know.&nbsp;</p> <p> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/pre-shopping-as-well-where-to-draw-the-line#post-1357426 Wed, 17 Sep 2014 14:11:24 +0000 Alassë 1357426@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Excellent analysis &amp; realizations about your workplace style, Elly. Your choices (finds)&nbsp;seem well-thought-out and cohesive to me. Can you swing all of them, or do you need help narrowing down?</p> <p>It's ok to change courses regarding your planned colour palette. How do you feel about the lack of deep red? Are you okay with shifting your emphasis to purple (it doesn't seem like too much to me, as a core colour), or are you missing red?&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/pre-shopping-as-well-where-to-draw-the-line#post-1357418 Wed, 17 Sep 2014 14:04:01 +0000 thimblelina 1357418@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I loooove that scarf! And I have that same shirt next to it pinned to my Pinterest board of possibilities. My pre-shop goes like this: I make a huge exciting Pinterest board with a dazzling array of choices that will transform me into an utter fashion maven.... Best. Board. Ever. Walking on air! At some point I add it all up. Feel queasy. Then when it's time to shop I force myself to prioritize the top 2-3 items. And then I pause! I really want to wear &amp; enjoy those purchases. And I'm usually pretty sure they were my priorities because that's where I had gaps and I knew there would be things in my closet to wear with them. At that point I only add more in a small slow trickle and concentrate on really enjoying each individual piece before I even think about something new. And as that all happens the clock just organically runs out on the season. I'm left with a very specific list of things to look for on sale. Leftovers might appear on the next season's list in some new way. The key for me is not overloading myself with too many new things at once. That's when I get frustrated and make lots of mistakes! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/pre-shopping-as-well-where-to-draw-the-line#post-1357382 Wed, 17 Sep 2014 13:13:37 +0000 Elly 1357382@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Recent threads about wardrobe numbers and uniforms have had me pondering-- both Deborah and Claire brought up the idea of a work uniform, and a recent thread by Cecilia got be thinking about numbers of items for work wardrobes. </p> <p>After pondering Claire's suggestion (as the master of small wardrobes she is) I decided I DO care about looking like myself at work. I spend 11-15 hours a day, 5 days a week in my work clothes because of the long hours combined with my commute-- after work I'm either running errands in my work clothes, eating out in my work clothes, or at home changing to cook or lounge. Also, because I work Tue-Sat almost all of the events and gallery openings I go to are after work. While I don't mind bringing slacks to replace jeans in an outfit, because I'm already living out of a suitcase it is a bit much to change the whole outfit just to look more me and presentable after work. </p> <p>Weekend clothing is equally important to me--- I definitely need 2-3 outfits that were made for sitting on the couch and then running errands with the boy and several outfits that are otherwise a bit more special for the many BBQs, casual parties and bar nights that the SOs co-workers and friends like to throw. Plus I need something for his Christmas party. The rest of my time is usually spent in gear, loungewear, or on short trips which I usually try to mix gear with my work wardrobe (casual button down over tee with my cargo pants for a day of shooting photos in the mountains then dinner out). </p> <p>So, the age old question is-- how much is enough? </p> <p>This is a major building year for me, but I don't want to overdo it. I currently own a pink french cuff button front and a black one, but they are better for occasional work wear than everyday-- I also have a ponte pencil skirt, the lemming Spiegel jacket, grey wool slacks, and black trousers, plus bootcut and straight leg denim. I have a jean jacket and a army jacket and have a grey knit hoodie on order, and have layering tees in oatmeal, black, and navy, a black poly t-shirt blouse, the navy scarf print, and a mock neck drapey knit black top. </p> <p>I also fell in love with the scarf pictured below.</p> <p>So, top-wise what do I add? </p> <p>I figure the Unliquo merino layer would be great to winterize my black poly tee.<br />The navy Old Navy cardigan for wearing with the drapey navy scarf blouse I already own. <br />I have the Nordies cardi on order in orange, which is my favorite color-- but I wonder if purple would be better.<br />I love the color of the purple cashmere (my glasses are smokey grey and purple) but I wonder how it will wear with my lifestyle. <br />I am definitely adding 1-2 flannels this season-- the colors on this would be good for work. <br />I want at least 1 tunic since I bought my first slim jeans and am contemplating ponte-- but don't know about wearing with bootcuts or my wide-leg dress slacks. <br />I could see the navy AT with my grey wool slacks for openings, or with jeans. <br />The black AT sweater would look great with the scarf I am in love with or with my black items for gallery openings.<br />The sweatshirt is uber practical for my work but looks dressed up enough to get by and the tencel shirt should wash well and make a good transition piece. </p> <p>The olive hoodie could go to work under my leather jacket, but would likely be one of my key weekend pieces, along with a flannel and a thermal layer + my favorite metallica tee. </p> <p>That said, there will still be workdays where I want to wear my l/s tees with the grey hoodie and a jacket to pass dress code, then take everything but the tee or hoodie off for dirty jobs. </p> <p>I originally thought I wanted a drapey turtleneck, but wonder if my black blouse fills that hole. I'm wondering if by chosing mostly sweaters I'm putting myself in a situation where I won't have enough transitional tops in spring with only 3-4 blouses. </p> <p>I'm also thinking about how I originally planned the season in charcoal, navy, and black with a few green, deep red, and orange pieces. Is my orange cardi out of place? I don't have any deep red on the list? Do I have too much purple?&nbsp; What about cobalt blue? -- the SO likes me in Cobalt and green and purple. I'm also aware that I have a purple-colored awareness even, a red-colored awareness event, and 2 blue awareness events each year (the blues are different--- red is a personal cause, blues are for the SO, and purple I fundraise for). </p> <p>Advice on shopping the season? </p> <p>SEE UPDATE IN COMMENTS</p>