https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/putting-my-new-mantra-into-action Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Wed, 08 Apr 2026 15:03:30 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/putting-my-new-mantra-into-action/page/2#post-1577463 Wed, 28 Oct 2015 03:24:30 +0000 Cococat 1577463@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Perhaps Aida would like to visit Australia. She could do a world tour! ;)</p> <p> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/putting-my-new-mantra-into-action/page/2#post-1577462 Wed, 28 Oct 2015 03:22:31 +0000 catgirl 1577462@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>YAY!&nbsp; Aida's precision engineering skills plus artistic talent make a formidable fashionista.</p> <p>I said in another thread that I don't want my closet to feel like I'm sorting through trail mix for the bits I like - it should ALL be what I like.&nbsp; Sounds like you are well on your way to that.</p> <p>A friend lent me the Marie Kondo book and I've been making fun of it but also kind of implementing it.&nbsp; I've done my socks and sweaters and some of my closet and have a mountain of stuff to donate, sell or gift already.&nbsp; I think the book provides a different spin on culling than the usual rules and lets you break out of a pruning rut.</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/putting-my-new-mantra-into-action/page/2#post-1577457 Wed, 28 Oct 2015 03:13:48 +0000 Debbie 1577457@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Would love to have a YLF buddy help me with my closet. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/putting-my-new-mantra-into-action/page/2#post-1577451 Wed, 28 Oct 2015 02:57:06 +0000 Jaime 1577451@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Sounds absolutely wonderful Sharan. If only I could lure Aida to Israel! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/putting-my-new-mantra-into-action/page/2#post-1577412 Wed, 28 Oct 2015 01:24:55 +0000 Karie 1577412@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Closet editing with a fashion forward friend sounds like a great way to spend the day! <br />"No more mediocre clothes" is a great mantra, and one I have also been trying to adhere to. Today I wore a new beautiful quality, perfectly fitting white button down shirt, and after loving the fit and feel of it all day, I promptly came home and removed the three annoying, low quality white button downs and put them in the donate bin! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/putting-my-new-mantra-into-action#post-1577407 Wed, 28 Oct 2015 01:04:46 +0000 Susie 1577407@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>That sounds like an ideal way to do a wardrobe refresh- I love your mantra, you had an assistant with a great eye, and I'm sure it was big fun too! </p> <p>I had been doing a series of smaller culls over the last few months, with some pieces being fairly easy and others first spent some time in a holding zone. Now it's more like a piece here and there, usually after I've put it on to wear and don't feel good in it- or or realize that while wearing it. </p> <p>I could probably fit my whole wardrobe in my closet but I really prefer moving out the true winter and summer pieces. a lot of stuff works for 3 seasons so the majority stays which means a short sleeve gray tee is there to wear with a jacket, but I don't have to see gray cashmere when it's 100 degrees! Plus things feel more fresh when they return since I haven't been seeing them every day month after month.</p> <p>I think I've gotten much better at not settling for mediocre when shopping but now I want to take another look at what I've been keeping with that mantra in mind. Thanks for a great post! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/putting-my-new-mantra-into-action#post-1577342 Tue, 27 Oct 2015 22:35:20 +0000 kellygirl 1577342@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Wow! What a great mantra. I could use a dose of that--especially after being willing to fill my holes with mediocre stuff since it's &nbsp;"just for work!" But, I digress. Sounds like your closet and your state of mind are in sync How lucky to be able to have Aida's expert eyes help you cull!&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/putting-my-new-mantra-into-action#post-1577338 Tue, 27 Oct 2015 22:30:44 +0000 Firecracker (Sharan) 1577338@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p><b>unfrumped</b> and <b>Aida</b>, that does make sense--the transeasonal core with smaller warm- and cold-weather additions. </p> <p><b>approprio</b>--Yes, it's hard to cull things we've made, isn't it? I've gotten pretty good about it, though, for the most part. It just takes time. At some point, enough time has passed that I can pass on the old hand-made loves in favor of new ones. And on your pants: could you replace the buttons with sturdy snaps or hook &amp; loop closures (velcro)? (Just asking, because I think these would be easier than a zipper to apply in already-made pants.)</p> <p><b>Sally</b>: <i>This does not mean that I am dressed immaculately every day - more that I love what I am wearing most days.&nbsp;</i>That's it exactly! I am pretty sure my closet clean-out will not manifest itself in my WIWs; I'll probably look the same to outsiders. It's more about how I feel about, and in, my clothes.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/putting-my-new-mantra-into-action#post-1577303 Tue, 27 Oct 2015 21:22:23 +0000 Aida 1577303@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Unfrumped, that's an interesting concept you mention: <i>having a smaller number per season and a recognizable "transeasonal" core.</i></p> <p>That's basically what I do for myself. Our weather is mild enough that clothing which works for fall covers nearly 9 months of the year here. So the bulk of my closet is "Transeasonal Core" and then it's accented with some high summer pieces (less of these) and some low winter pieces (more of these). I do leave everything in my closet though. Out of season stuff simply moves to higher shelves when not in use, and grouped together for easy spotting on the racks.</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/putting-my-new-mantra-into-action#post-1577291 Tue, 27 Oct 2015 21:02:21 +0000 celia 1577291@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>That is an awesome mantra. We do settle sometimes and totally shouldn't. And how great that you and Aida spent some time 'playing around' in your closet( which seems to be a great place to be ) </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/putting-my-new-mantra-into-action#post-1577260 Tue, 27 Oct 2015 20:19:14 +0000 Sal 1577260@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>That sounds like a fun day - with a great result. &nbsp;Yes - amen to that - no more mediocrity!</p> <p>I have been trying to do the same. &nbsp;This does not mean that I am dressed immaculately every day - more that I love what I am wearing most days. &nbsp;I think I am up to 75% at the moment but we are in spring and most of my wardrobe is suitable for these temperatures. &nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/putting-my-new-mantra-into-action#post-1577237 Tue, 27 Oct 2015 19:46:47 +0000 approprio 1577237@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>This is a good mantra. I can totally identify with the "creative project" bit and I find it very hard to part with mediocre pieces I've made myself or put effort into altering. This resonated today with a pair of pants I altered to fit me. I really rather like them apart from their unbelievably annoying button fly, which is fast becoming a deal breaker.</p> <p>I'm going to keep this in mind when I come back from my travels and see if I can't purge my own collection of lingering mediocrity. It will hurt, but no doubt I will be better off without it.&nbsp;</p> <p>Well done you! And three cheers for Aida! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/putting-my-new-mantra-into-action#post-1577212 Tue, 27 Oct 2015 18:51:32 +0000 Anonymous 1577212@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Does Aida make house calls? &nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/putting-my-new-mantra-into-action#post-1577199 Tue, 27 Oct 2015 17:43:37 +0000 unfrumped 1577199@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I've come to conclusion that as long as I have the space, I'll continue to have seasonal closet and off-season storage. One reason is that though our winters aren't too cold, I wear quite warm sweaters and so for wool and cashmere&nbsp;I need special storage. <br />I need less "hot summer" items than a lot of people, even though our summers <u>are</u>&nbsp; hot, for a few months. I can repeat casual items and right now I work in A/C . <br />But, what I'm editing toward is having a smaller number per season and a recognizable "transeasonal" core. Because with the S/S and F/W "closets" , things expanded too much.<br />For a long time I liked having most of my items out all the time but I became less enamored of that. So I'm almost wondering if I'm lining up with 4 seasonal capsules but with overlap. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/putting-my-new-mantra-into-action#post-1577187 Tue, 27 Oct 2015 17:21:58 +0000 Firecracker (Sharan) 1577187@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thanks, everyone, for the encouraging comments! <br /><b>Maneera</b>, I'm seeing the advantage to having winter and summer closets. Your system sounds really effective. There are items that I could pull right now and not be able to wear, because they are true summer items and not right for the season. With our climate, though, I would say I have way more cross-seasonal clothes than otherwise, so it seems too hard to try separating things out. <br /><b>Smittie</b>, I agree that quality is a good point of discrimination. Some of my oldest items that I still like and wear are less expensive pieces, though. Funny how that works, sometimes.<br /><b>Janet</b>, yes, I know what you mean. It can be confounding when those items that should work beautifully just don't, for whatever obscure reason.<br />Ha ha, <b>Shedev</b>!</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/putting-my-new-mantra-into-action#post-1577185 Tue, 27 Oct 2015 17:18:14 +0000 Anonymous 1577185@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Having met both you and Aida, I can just imagine what a wonderful team you were. I'm so pleased and encouraged to hear about your newly refreshed wardrobe. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/putting-my-new-mantra-into-action#post-1577177 Tue, 27 Oct 2015 17:09:34 +0000 unfrumped 1577177@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Love wardrobe edit stories!<br />Sounds great. <br />My mantra is circling around some concepts such as, avoid Scattered Duplication,&nbsp; focus any new items on truly making some kind of change, and&nbsp;&nbsp;1 in/! out. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/putting-my-new-mantra-into-action#post-1577140 Tue, 27 Oct 2015 15:34:58 +0000 shedev 1577140@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>But wait, I think I found the perfect job for your mediocre clothes, JK. Sounds like you are in a happy place. Aida is a peach, but we already knew that. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/putting-my-new-mantra-into-action#post-1577101 Tue, 27 Oct 2015 14:14:21 +0000 Angie 1577101@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Yay. Great teamwork.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/putting-my-new-mantra-into-action#post-1577077 Tue, 27 Oct 2015 13:43:42 +0000 Anonymous 1577077@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Great to have a closet helper in Aida! I definitely think that having a mantra, and repeating it to yourself often while you shop, is a good way of minimizing closet mistakes. I really like your mantra, and think I'll adopt it!</p> <p>I know what you mean about not settling for mediocre, but having it infiltrate the wardrobe despite the best intentions.</p> <p>For me, the disappointments come mostly in the form of lack of quality. The item looks old before it should, and that really bugs me. I've found a few brands that deliver consistently on quality, and I think it's just a matter of having the discipline to stick to those brands. Very tough though, because they're $, and I have to order online, i.e.: no immediate satisfaction.</p> <p>I guess a secondary reason for wardrobe fails is that the item just doesn't suit my style. It's funny how I have to live with an item to know it's not my style. I can't just look at it in a picture to tell...I hope that with more experimentation, I'll be able to make fewer style mistakes. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/putting-my-new-mantra-into-action#post-1577069 Tue, 27 Oct 2015 13:32:41 +0000 Dee 1577069@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>That sounds like a great approach to clothes, and one I hope to better follow myself. You always post fantastic WIWs, so why keep pieces that you don't love wearing just in case? And how lovely that Aida came to help! All closet clean outs should be done with a buddy for perspective. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/putting-my-new-mantra-into-action#post-1577068 Tue, 27 Oct 2015 13:32:15 +0000 Sara L. 1577068@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>It sounds like a successful edit!&nbsp; I love how my closet looks right after I've purged.&nbsp; I've been doing mine a little at a time.&nbsp; I wear a shirt and then realize I just don't like it that much and out it goes.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/putting-my-new-mantra-into-action#post-1577065 Tue, 27 Oct 2015 13:22:30 +0000 Alassë 1577065@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Yay for Aida!&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/putting-my-new-mantra-into-action#post-1577054 Tue, 27 Oct 2015 13:11:40 +0000 Anonymous 1577054@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I loved this post and can see that you and Aida are ideal for the job. Your mantra is wise and one to be borrowed. It made me feel right in leaving an EF linen dress that fit and was long enough on clearance for $35 because I just was not thrilled with the look on myself...mediocre is the word. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/putting-my-new-mantra-into-action#post-1577046 Tue, 27 Oct 2015 12:42:46 +0000 Janet 1577046@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>What a great post, and how fun that you got help from Aida! I love real-life YLF partnerships. I bet that is such a good feeling. I've been doing some closet editing in bits and pieces as I have an hour here or there at home (while putting away laundry, etc.). That's a dangerous way to go because there is a very real danger of getting in too deep for the time I have available, and before you know it, I have half of my closet piled up on the bed and a half hour before I need to be somewhere! But hey, I now have three open spaces on my shoe shelves, for the first time I think EVER. </p> <p>Interesting that there are so many ways in which something can be mediocre. I am letting go of some things that really aren't mediocre in the sense of their quality or style, but in how they make me feel when I put them on. I put them on and like some things about them but not ALL the things about them. For example, there is a blouse I am taking to consignment -- it is emerald green and black, colors I adore. But the fit is weird -- it's plenty roomy across the back and through the body, it even skims my hips well enough. But when I do anything with my arms, it pull across my bust -- I think it was just not cut with sufficient room in the bust, even though it's not obvious at all when I'm just standing still with my arms to the sides. But that's not very practical, so whenever I tried to wear it, it left me feeling awkward and...well, mediocre. So it's going! </p> <p>Good work, Sharan! Enjoy the fruits of your labor. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/putting-my-new-mantra-into-action#post-1577045 Tue, 27 Oct 2015 12:39:21 +0000 Anonymous 1577045@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I like your mantra, and think that along with "does it add value?" , I will adopt it as my own. Why settle indeed? &nbsp;</p> <p>And I had a feeling it was going to be Aida when you started describing your day ......that must have been total fun, plus a great meeting of minds. &nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/putting-my-new-mantra-into-action#post-1577042 Tue, 27 Oct 2015 12:33:11 +0000 Windchime 1577042@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I enjoyed reading this post, Firecracker! I, too, have removed a LOT of items from my closet over the last few months (all the empty hangers are the proof) and am at a point with my fall wardrobe where I'm feeling good in my outfits almost every day. It's a pleasure to open my closet and really like everything in there, isn't it?</p> <p>Looking forward to seeing how your not mediocre wardrobe and style continue to evolve! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/putting-my-new-mantra-into-action#post-1577002 Tue, 27 Oct 2015 07:57:58 +0000 Maneera 1577002@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Oh what great news, Sharan! That's a fabulous mantra! You couldn't have found someone better than Aida to help you edit your closet </p> <p>Her sharp eye for detail and texture, and your keen sense of fabrics and cuts must've really culled and explored a lot in your closet! I'm sure everything that remains in your wardrobe is simply beautiful! Can't wait to see the next round of WIW! </p> <p>And I agree --- who has time for mediocre clothes?! I'm going to follow suit and remove everything mediocre from my closet too. Soon I'll be making the swap between winter &amp; summer clothes; that's when I actually see EVERYTHING I own together. Perfect time to remove anything that can't become the starting point of a beautiful outfit. </p> <p>Cheers to your beautiful closet! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/putting-my-new-mantra-into-action#post-1576995 Tue, 27 Oct 2015 06:42:17 +0000 Aida 1576995@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Aw thanks Sharan It was a blast, and my pleasure. Your closet is a beautiful place -- literally! Laid out wonderfully, roomy, and lots of light... and of course lots of pretty clothes. We went through quite a lot, glad to hear it feels lighter and fresher now.&nbsp;Cheers to your new mantra! I really love the thought of being able to pull out any piece and easily putting together a fab outfit. I think I need to adopt your mantra as well. Who has time for mediocre clothes!? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/putting-my-new-mantra-into-action#post-1576992 Tue, 27 Oct 2015 06:27:52 +0000 anne 1576992@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>However wonderful!! Good on Aida, and here's to your new resolution! </p>