https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/progress-made-since-joining-ylf Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Sun, 24 May 2026 18:41:48 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/progress-made-since-joining-ylf/page/2#post-1860519 Tue, 14 Nov 2017 10:51:12 +0000 Sisi 1860519@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Ha, how I like this kind of threads! Thank you Sterling. I will read all the interesting answers later, during lunch break, as a treat :).</p> <p>I learnt so many lessons from YLF. Here are some: shop for your dominant season, shop for your lifestyle, <b>shop with a plan</b>.&nbsp;&nbsp;Last but not least I realized something that I had never suspected in my life: I am a minimalist at heart. This was&nbsp;enlightening!&nbsp;</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/progress-made-since-joining-ylf/page/2#post-1860495 Tue, 14 Nov 2017 03:43:47 +0000 Penny 1860495@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Sterling, first, your threads are always interesting, insightful, and thought-provoking - thank you for them! </p> <p>Couple of my key lessons:<br /> - Enjoy what works and embrace a signature style (for me, all dresses, lots of navy with hits of burgundy).<br /> - Focus on your lifestyle needs (I’ve greatly reduced formal wear to better reflect the frequency of use, and invested in some high-quality professional wear worn at least weekly).<br /> - Be aware of what you buy and what you have (I keep track with lists, as some members do, which makes me more aware of any gaps, keeps me on track with one-in one-out, and helps me devote most of my wardrobe to professional wear, then weekend/lounge wear, then formal wear).<br /> - Be patient and picky, and realize it’s always a journey (much as I’d love to feel “done!”). </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/progress-made-since-joining-ylf/page/2#post-1860480 Tue, 14 Nov 2017 02:16:24 +0000 Nomad 1860480@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Oh! I thought of another one!</p> <p>Developing an awareness of trends and being able to incorporate the ones that appeal while ignoring those that don't. I used to have absolutely no awareness of trends at all... just didn't even see them. Case in point: I wouldn't have realized that sock boots existed, or were a thing, without following YLF. And I just got my first pair and am pretty sure they'll be a versatile workhorse that fills a wardrobe hole. Meanwhile, I don't love most of the exaggerated sleeve trends or ruffles on myself, so I can leave those for others to enjoy. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/progress-made-since-joining-ylf#post-1860475 Tue, 14 Nov 2017 02:03:21 +0000 cjh 1860475@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Two most important lessons for me have been to have the clothes I need for my life and activities, and to wear the good stuff. Many times in the past, I had nice things that I "saved" too long and then they were outdated. Total waste of time, money and closet space. Don't do it.</p> <p>As to having the right clothes for my life, I've spent some time this fall clearing out the work wardrobe, and elevating my&nbsp;current daily wardrobe - kept all the best jeans, shorts&nbsp;and nicest tops, matching them up with sweaters and scarves to make go-to outfits. It's been almost a year since I retired. It is hard to fill the bags for donation with dearly loved, attractive and still in-good-condition items, which were really "me", but I haven't worn&nbsp;more than a few things for church, so off they went. I did keep my best black wool skirt, some good black slacks and high heels, and&nbsp;a few nice blouses and sweaters in case of&nbsp;funerals or other dressy events. (Didn't own any winter dresses.)&nbsp;</p> <p>It can be boiled down to: know what you like and need to wear, get the right things, and wear them fearlessly.</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/progress-made-since-joining-ylf#post-1860466 Tue, 14 Nov 2017 01:36:24 +0000 Anonymous 1860466@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Dressing for my lifestyle, climate, body type and style.</p> <p>Finding a flattering color palette and sticking with it.</p> <p>Shopping at the begining of thr season instead of just grabbing stuff on clearance that really doesn’t work for me.</p> <p>Not passing up sales when I find what really does suit me. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/progress-made-since-joining-ylf#post-1860098 Sun, 12 Nov 2017 13:56:56 +0000 Anonymous 1860098@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Lessons:<br /> - Like Suz, I have learned the importance of *Creating capsules around function*. I used to buy clothes almost exclusively for work, and neglected the other areas of my life. And as a follow-on....<br /> - ...Like *rambling Ann*, gear is a big part of my life and I need to make it a priority. I have massively increased the gear in my wardrobe. This is not apparent on YLF. I think we need more gear representation in this board, actually.<br /> - I am not a blonde (waaahhhh!!) which means that my favourite colour combo of black, blue and grey doesn’t work as well on me. I need to tweak it to be a bit softer—ink, chocolate work better than black on me.</p> <p>- </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/progress-made-since-joining-ylf#post-1860095 Sun, 12 Nov 2017 13:07:54 +0000 RobinF 1860095@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I love this question! I feel like I am still a newbie, even though I have been around for a year and a half, but I am still trying to figure out my style and what direction I want to go with it. That being said, I have learned a lot about shopping mindfully, using capsules and having fun with my outfits. Also, I have learned about style itself, what is in and what is coming in. I don’t really read fashion magazines regularly but like clothes and this has become my main source for advice and inspiration. And I totally agree with fashiontern about the wonderful supportive community we have here. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/progress-made-since-joining-ylf#post-1860066 Sun, 12 Nov 2017 04:49:07 +0000 Bijou 1860066@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I keep reading these posts and think (oh yes, me too)! &nbsp;The biggest thing I have learned is that my personal style is fluid - I am never going to arrive at 'the perfect wardrobe', I will always be a work in progress. I have also learnt to dress and accept the body I have now and have fun with fashion and not fear that fashion is no longer for me, just because I am getting older.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/progress-made-since-joining-ylf#post-1860056 Sun, 12 Nov 2017 03:14:56 +0000 Jaime 1860056@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Oh this thread is so good to read. I think the most important overarching things I have learned here is to have fun with fashion, to be able to put myself out there in a community of strangers, and to face growing older with a positive attitude. That plus countless smaller details! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/progress-made-since-joining-ylf#post-1860037 Sun, 12 Nov 2017 02:19:11 +0000 Brooklyn 1860037@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>For me it was Angie’s post about colour mixing and the importance of figuring out how much you like to colour mix. I love colour (perhaps more than is apparent from my wiws) but I don’t care to wear a big mix of colours, unless they are neutrals. So I need to carefully limit my colour palette to avoid a bloated wardrobe and wardrobe orphans. I have been pretty strict about this and as a result I am far happier with my capacity to mix and match items in my wardrobe. And that gives me lots of variety without lots more stuff. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/progress-made-since-joining-ylf#post-1859997 Sat, 11 Nov 2017 22:10:11 +0000 BrieN 1859997@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Shopping with a plan.&nbsp;<br />I have a list of things I'm looking for -- it's written down! it's specific! It's goal driven! (i.e. with the goal being a completed outfit).&nbsp; &nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/progress-made-since-joining-ylf#post-1859993 Sat, 11 Nov 2017 21:30:01 +0000 Nomad 1859993@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Choosing a couple of words to define a style theme was a revelation... that helps tremendously with focus and keeps me from assembling a bunch of nice but random things that don't project the mood that I want my clothing to convey.</p> <p>I still have a few things in my closet that don't fit my theme... mostly gifts from my mother or other items where she expressed dismay when I said I was thinking about getting rid of them. I'm working up the resolve to quietly move them on (I don't think she'd ever know since I almost never wear them when I see her), but there's still an irrational guilt factor there. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/progress-made-since-joining-ylf#post-1859989 Sat, 11 Nov 2017 21:14:49 +0000 Roxanna 1859989@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>My big breakthrough came last year when I did a wardrobe clean out and came to terms with how much I actually have, and realised that shopping with no plan/priority in place had led to a crazy bloated wardrobe. You all were so patient with me and so supportive - it meant a lot. Since then, I have culled my wardrobe almost by half, organised it visually in Stylebook so I can manage it better, and taken a shopping fast. I am getting better and spending less. </p> <p>But capsules are the next frontier! If I tell the truth, all that planning scares me a little bit. But I think they will be helpful. Maybe I will attack them in the new year, once I have a grip on my wardrobe. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/progress-made-since-joining-ylf#post-1859981 Sat, 11 Nov 2017 20:44:44 +0000 karen13 1859981@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>One of my key learnings is how different a photo is from the mirror. You can see different things and analyze them - you don't even have to post them, although it is feedback from member that has most helped me figure what I like and don't like even when I couldn't put my finger on it.</p> <p>From outfits to eyeglass shopping - the process of looking a pictures has led me in different directions than where the mirror alone points me.&nbsp;</p> <p>A photo helped me more correctly ID my body type, and start to let go of some "hard and fast" rules that really weren't helping me.&nbsp;</p> <p>And most recently, how unexpected color combinations can work so well - of course it helps to have carefully curated inspiration from Angie!</p> <p>Many more including bookending, the importance of footwear in elevating an outfit (and that comfort doesn't have to equal ugly), and (trying to) ID wardrobe holes and shop with a plan. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/progress-made-since-joining-ylf#post-1859968 Sat, 11 Nov 2017 19:25:30 +0000 Beth Ann 1859968@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I learned to create a wardrobe, rather than purchasing pretty things.&nbsp; I also learned that style descriptors and capsules help me create a functioning wardrobe!&nbsp; I'm still working on dressing for my real life! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/progress-made-since-joining-ylf#post-1859963 Sat, 11 Nov 2017 19:13:10 +0000 Carla 1859963@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Having fun with fashion! Sure there are lots of great concepts that are helping me put together better outfits, but using outfit creation as a creative outlet and enjoying the process - playing in my closet - and not taking things so seriously. That is my most valuable YLF lesson. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/progress-made-since-joining-ylf#post-1859950 Sat, 11 Nov 2017 16:26:07 +0000 kkards 1859950@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>(1st Sterling, i dont think you were whining, i think you were genuine and open and honest, as usual)</p> <p>what i've learned...well it took a while until i really understood it, but buy for your dominant season....honestly it took me 2 or 3 years to understand that my dominant&nbsp;season is transition....i now live in a true 4 season climate...i used to wonder why it was so hard to get dressed in Oct and November and then again in March and April...and then i realized wool sweaters, heavy pants, and boots don't really work and i needed something else....it's the "else" that has taken me sometime to work thru, but this year i think i finally got it almost right.</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/progress-made-since-joining-ylf#post-1859949 Sat, 11 Nov 2017 16:24:13 +0000 Angie 1859949@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I'm about to head out to the airport, but wanted to quickly chime in to say that<i> this thread makes my heart happy -&nbsp;</i>(I enjoyed the chuckles too). THANK YOU.</p> <p><b>fashiontern,</b> I was particularly touched by your first paragraph. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/progress-made-since-joining-ylf#post-1859943 Sat, 11 Nov 2017 16:00:34 +0000 Rambling Ann 1859943@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Spending money in proportion to my real life needs. If I'm wearing gear 90% of the time, maybe I should invest in gear that at least doesn't clash. I used to buy whatever was on sale because it was "just" gear.&nbsp;</p> <p>Buy the essentials even if boring to shop for.&nbsp;<br /><div><br /></div><div>Define a palette. Stick to it.&nbsp;</p> <p>I'm learning a lot from the Ocean Park project, not quite ready to sum it up yet, but it's coming (along with several posts).&nbsp;</div> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/progress-made-since-joining-ylf#post-1859941 Sat, 11 Nov 2017 15:53:54 +0000 Stagiaire Fash 1859941@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I'm a newbie, still on the steep learning curve. My first big revelation was that stereotypes don't hold up here. The Cattiness and shallowness I expected are not present in&nbsp; this&nbsp; kind, supportive community. I don't learn well by hearing other people's experiences--have to live it myself. This can make me frustrating to deal with, and y'all have been patient with me. I noticed one reason for the gentle tone right away; it was Angie's birthday. The heartfelt good wishes to her made it clear that many people here have felt warmth from her personally, and like attracts like. Fashion-wise thus far, I've really liked finding new ways of thinking about color and pattern combos, shopping, and my wardrobe.</p> <p>I've enjoyed 3 trips to the mall where I didn't buy anything. I wrote about the first here, and how I was more observant of style than I have usually been. The second was a "research" trip to try on all the things at any price range and just really see what I liked. That was surprisingly fun. The third was last week when I was looking for blush being used as a winter color. The most fun about that was the freedom from wondering if I should buy random other attractive things that were on my path. (Ok, ok, I did buy a pair of fuzzy socks that go with my pjs). I don't typically enjoy shopping trips much, so these were all huge revelations to me. </p> <p>I'm working on defining a style/shaping my wardrobe. I'd like to get my wardrobe down to less than half (more like a third) of its current size, but I'm not worrying about that now, because I'm hoping for further changes in my body and location (it's not the clothes--I look pretty decent dressed, but don't like my body naked right now). I'm currently doing a 30x30ish challenge, and am very curious what it will yield.&nbsp; Lots of people were doing them when I joined, and they made no sense to me. I think I kind of get it now. </p> <p>There are lots of other things I'm still figuring out, like organizing a closet by color. I've done that with the "challenge" pieces, and so far it does not feel natural or helpful to me. When I want to put something on my bottom half, I still don't like looking past the shirts and other top half pieces that the shorts and skirts are mixed in with, and when I want short sleeves, I don't find it easy to mentally sort out the long sleeves &amp; tank tops. But I'm giving it a go. At the end of the month, maybe I'll like it, maybe I won't.</p> <p>Oh, and I'm pretty sure online shopping is my equivalent of emotional eating. I have set up a notebook with mindless tasks I need to do online next to the computer so I can do them instead, need to set up something similar on my phone.&nbsp; </p> <p>Sorry to go on so long--you guys already know all this stuff from your own lives. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/progress-made-since-joining-ylf#post-1859928 Sat, 11 Nov 2017 15:22:59 +0000 Suz 1859928@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Ha, <b>Approprio,</b> just thinking of that suitcase makes me squirm...(and, sadly, remember a few packing misadventures of my own pre-YLF!)&nbsp;</p> </p> <ul> <li>I think my biggest or at least my first lesson has been dress for the climate and lifestyle you have. Sometimes it drives me crazy but it is what it is. We can't all live in California!&nbsp;</li> <li>Next, and connected, I learned the value of capsules, esp. <b>capsules by function.&nbsp;</b>I intuitively understood mix-and-match wardrobe capsules but they weren't always wearable or adaptable to weather shifts because I wasn't covering all the bases. Thinking in functionally esp. in terms of my climate has helped a lot and allowed me to get more wear from my clothes as well as to accept the fact that some clothes simply will not get a lot of wear but that does not mean I don't need them -- even if I only have 3 dressy occasions a year, I still have them and need something to wear to them (duh!).&nbsp;</li> <li>Refining my colour palette. And then refining it again to work with new hair colour.&nbsp;</li> <li>Again, connected -- <b>bookending</b>!&nbsp;</li> <li>Next, as <b>Liz</b> said, learning what suits me -- Kibbe etc. conversations here allowed me to dig into this further. Details like shoulder-neck point (as <b>Staysfit </b>mentioned) and proportions were super helpful -- some I got here and some from other sites but usually went in search of the info based on the <b>photos that I posted. Seeing the photos was key to figuring out what works and what does not.&nbsp;</b></li> </ul> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/progress-made-since-joining-ylf#post-1859906 Sat, 11 Nov 2017 13:57:04 +0000 approprio 1859906@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>So many, How can I choose? Off the top of my head: </p> <ul> <li>Refining the colour palette and returning to black as a core neutral. Black and white doesn't need to be boring - it can be quite striking.&nbsp;</li> <li>Defining essentials: it turns out there can be quite a lot of them, but they really are the glue that holds my wardrobe together.</li> <li>Learning what suits me: theories such as SCA and Kibbe may read like woo but the principles work. This boosted my confidence in my own preferences and helped me identify some personal styling tricks.&nbsp;</li> <li>Shopping mindfully, with better planning and actual goals in mind.&nbsp;</li> <li>Honing successful capsules into outfit formulae. Makes getting dressed so much easier.&nbsp;</li> </ul> <b>ETA</b>: I'm not sure I'd trust a fashion blogger who couldn't see the value of capsules. I mean, everyone has their own preferences, but I find it hard to imagine a functional wardrobe that doesn't use them somehow. And I shudder to think how she packs a suitcase. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/progress-made-since-joining-ylf#post-1859903 Sat, 11 Nov 2017 12:48:14 +0000 Anonymous 1859903@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I am so glad I am not the only one that relies on capsules. &nbsp;I saw a blogger write about capsules and she was incredibly belittling and negative. &nbsp;I remember thinking to myself ....&nbsp;<i>but&nbsp;how would I get dressed&nbsp;in the morning? &nbsp;</i>I no longer read that blogger. &nbsp;I don't need more negative stuff in my head. &nbsp; </p> <p>AND after a long time of resistance, I am finally buying and dressing for my primary climate!!!!!!!!!!!!! &nbsp;</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/progress-made-since-joining-ylf#post-1859881 Sat, 11 Nov 2017 09:22:44 +0000 Staysfit 1859881@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Oh my! So much! I think sticking with a style description, having a set of colors I love and some silhouettes that work. However, my epiphany moment was when I finally understood shoulder neck point. When I look at anything, if the shoulder neck point is not right for my frame, I think extra hard about making a purchase because it’s rare that I end up wearing or enjoying those items. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/progress-made-since-joining-ylf#post-1859869 Sat, 11 Nov 2017 07:28:07 +0000 Gigi 1859869@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>My favorite YLF lesson is that when stuff doesn't fit, it's the clothing, not me. It took me a lot of perseverance to find retailers whose clothing fit me properly. I always used to look dumpy due to fit issues, but now I have a wardrobe full of stuff I love wearing because it actually fits right. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/progress-made-since-joining-ylf#post-1859866 Sat, 11 Nov 2017 05:41:25 +0000 Sal 1859866@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>For me it is thinking and planning and being patient. Knowing that I need a pair of summer slides and bring patient and picky til the right ones come along.</p> <p>And my essentials- what they are, and if my black tee gets passed on, I can't necessarily replace it with a red tee. Which is what I used to do. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/progress-made-since-joining-ylf#post-1859852 Sat, 11 Nov 2017 03:52:32 +0000 Anonymous 1859852@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>What delurked said...buying for your real life, including climate. I came thinking I could put together the perfect wardrobe ( I was starting over after weight loss), a wardrobe that, when finished, would serve me for years. Ha! It will never be "finished" nor should it be. It is a journey and always changing, needing refreshment to keep me happy. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/progress-made-since-joining-ylf#post-1859843 Sat, 11 Nov 2017 02:24:11 +0000 Anonymous 1859843@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Capsules . The rest ( like buying for the body you have right now ) , I outright reject , lol. I will be a work in progress until the day I die . </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/progress-made-since-joining-ylf#post-1859839 Sat, 11 Nov 2017 02:13:53 +0000 Paula 1859839@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>My greatest lesson has been creating my wardrobe around outfits. That has made all the difference!</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/progress-made-since-joining-ylf#post-1859823 Sat, 11 Nov 2017 01:07:13 +0000 Jenni NZ 1859823@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>My lessons are many, and I love tapping into Angie's wisdom. But my greatest help has come from you, Sterling, and from Jenn. Do a shopping fast, and try to wear everything 30 times. Tracking wears I had already learned from Debbie Roes of Recovering Shopaholic and had been doing before joining YLF. And my greatest fun has come from Rachylou, who makes me crack a smile or laugh out loud on almost a daily basis. Please never leave, Rachy! </p>