https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/spring-work-wear-refresh Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Tue, 21 Apr 2026 01:41:06 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/spring-work-wear-refresh#post-1893131 Fri, 23 Feb 2018 10:22:31 +0000 Anonymous 1893131@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Sigh. &nbsp;Budgets. &nbsp;Having to revamp my wardrobe is an unanticipated expense. &nbsp;I resolved not to dip into savings for this exercise so I am being very judicious. &nbsp;So far, so good. &nbsp;But all I have purchased in 2018 is one pearl necklace (to boost my mood) and some no-show socks (because I needed them). &nbsp;I have bought hundreds of dollars of pants, but have yet to remove the tags off a single pair. &nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/spring-work-wear-refresh#post-1893127 Fri, 23 Feb 2018 09:45:44 +0000 Amy Isabella 1893127@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>What a gorgeous capsule. I'm going to revisit some of your posts - they are super helpful and inspiring. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/spring-work-wear-refresh#post-1893096 Fri, 23 Feb 2018 03:02:45 +0000 Jaime 1893096@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>You are such an amazingly focused and thoughtful shopper and you look fantastic in the pictures above. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/spring-work-wear-refresh#post-1893079 Fri, 23 Feb 2018 02:15:31 +0000 Toban 1893079@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p><b>Angie</b>, I agree that mid-tones are definitely my friend. I am definitely willing to branch out when I find the right undertones. I did add some green in two casual tops, which I didn't include in my work wear capsule. My casual capsule doesn't need to be quite as tightly focused on colors, since the bottoms are usually jeans.<b></p> <p>bonnie</b>, thanks. Keeping the colors tight has been a great help in dealing with this transition, since new additions tend to work with existing pieces. I do look forward to expanding eventually.</p> <p><b>Vix</b>, it helped that my mom and close friend were there to assist me and weren't looking for themselves. So it was a very focused trip at a small number of stores that I've had previous success at. I had also haunted the websites of the stores in advance, so I had a good idea of what I might find.&nbsp;</p> <p><b>Sterling</b>, yes, we do deserve and need good fitting clothing. It isn't always easy to accomplish and it may not always be in our budgets.&nbsp;</p> <p><b>unfrumped</b>, thanks. It has been hard to remain disciplined, but accountability to myself and others has helped. I agree that it's best to not wear those items that you don't feel fab in. Glad to hear you have plenty that you do feel fab. I "panic shop" online, but then don't actually order it. I try to sleep on these decisions and have a list to minimize panic shopping. But being disciplined has had its own angst and frustration. Best wishes with your goals to rev up exercise and healthy eating. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/spring-work-wear-refresh#post-1893062 Fri, 23 Feb 2018 01:08:05 +0000 unfrumped 1893062@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Wonderful capsule! I admire your discipline and focus.<br /> I am really retaking nites. I am trying to rev up my exercise and healthy eating to get out of the winter doldrums. I have a my mber of clothing items that don’t fit well and make me feel not fab, so need to be put in holding zone or tossed. I really think I have plenty of things to wear without struggling with those. I find it hard to resist “ panic shopping” sometimes to try to find better fits that I love and so may “ settle” on something that gives more variety, in an attempt to get fit in a style I’d like to wear but maybe just isn’t working right now for my shape. So that adds no value in better fit or style. I hope to follow your example! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/spring-work-wear-refresh#post-1892948 Thu, 22 Feb 2018 18:56:19 +0000 Anonymous 1892948@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p><b>I can't thank you enough for this post.&nbsp; It is very timely.&nbsp;&nbsp;</b></p> <p>It is my goal to emulate your example:&nbsp; tight color palette, limited silhouettes, and all mix and match.&nbsp; Currently, I am concentrating on my work capsule.&nbsp; I keep reminding myself that I need <u>and deserve</u> good fitting clothing.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <p> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/spring-work-wear-refresh#post-1892927 Thu, 22 Feb 2018 17:32:19 +0000 Vix 1892927@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Hi Toban --</p> <p>I'm pretty in awe that you could end up with so many successful, flexible pieces so fast WHILE on a pleasure trip -- talk about multi-tasking!</p> <p>Seems like you won't have to worry about looking great at work or play anymore.&nbsp;</p> <p>Thanks for letting us tag along as you rebuild your wardrobe!&nbsp;</p> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/spring-work-wear-refresh#post-1892881 Thu, 22 Feb 2018 15:42:50 +0000 Bonnie 1892881@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>You look great. I really like how you stick with your colors. It will give you lots of mix and match options.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/spring-work-wear-refresh#post-1892880 Thu, 22 Feb 2018 15:36:09 +0000 Toban 1892880@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>My coloring is warm. I wear some mid-tone blues and greens (eg aqua) that are neutral to warm in color when I find them. I find that most in the store tend towards cool. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/spring-work-wear-refresh#post-1892876 Thu, 22 Feb 2018 15:17:18 +0000 Angie 1892876@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p><b>Toban</b>, have you tried cool mid-tones?&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/spring-work-wear-refresh#post-1892850 Thu, 22 Feb 2018 14:12:02 +0000 Katerina 1892850@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Wonderful fun with girls weekend and shopping! Happy for you and impressed by your achievements and your wardrobe. I love the new clothes, especially the patterned tops. And wow, what a dress! Super! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/spring-work-wear-refresh#post-1892813 Thu, 22 Feb 2018 11:22:59 +0000 Toban 1892813@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thanks, Angie. pencil skirts are one of my favorite silhouettes. I tend to brighten up my wardrobe through necklaces and colorful shoes (my shoe collection includes sandals that are wearable to work in teal, pink, olive, orange, tan, caramel, blue, and bronze). I rarely wear light colors and usually stick with medium and medium/dark colors. That said, I do want to add more florals, greens, and possibly purple to my wardrobe. I just haven’t found those pieces yet. A pair of cream bottoms is too much contrast for me, but I wouldn’t mind adding a cream/ivory pencil skirt. As a dark autumn, I struggle with finding the right colors for me in spring’s light colors. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/spring-work-wear-refresh#post-1892737 Thu, 22 Feb 2018 02:34:56 +0000 Angie 1892737@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>You are gorgeous in a pencil skirt and shell. WOW, <b>Toban.&nbsp;</b></p> <p><b></b>Quite the moody colour palette for&nbsp;<b></b>Spring<b></b>. Why not. Do you think you will lighten things up?&nbsp;<b></b> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/spring-work-wear-refresh#post-1892674 Wed, 21 Feb 2018 23:33:52 +0000 Mainelady 1892674@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Toban, I am so happy for you! A getaway with your girls and some shopping, too! Your new items are wonderful! I really like the outfit you wore today. The sleeveless top is amazing on you! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/spring-work-wear-refresh#post-1892669 Wed, 21 Feb 2018 23:08:38 +0000 Toban 1892669@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p><b>Suz</b><b>,&nbsp;</b>I think Transcona Shannon was before I joined YLF, but she's right that it is a good solution for petites. It needs to be mixed in with other sources, though, especially to fit one's style persona. I've always found that the pieces wash and wear well. I just wash on gentle and hang to dry almost all their pieces.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/spring-work-wear-refresh#post-1892666 Wed, 21 Feb 2018 23:01:09 +0000 Suz 1892666@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>It looks terrific! Lovely!&nbsp;</p> <p>I don't know if you were reading when <b>Transcona Shannon </b>used to post but she swore by Cleo for petites, and got some really wonderful stuff there. It's all in the styling.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/spring-work-wear-refresh#post-1892664 Wed, 21 Feb 2018 22:57:29 +0000 Toban 1892664@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p><b>tanstaafl</b>, the orchid color is really lovely in person. I have had a lot of success with Cleo's for work clothes, and wish I could order from them from the states. But I get to Canada one or two times a year and always fit in a shopping trip to Cleo's. An advantage to this plan is that no one I work with in the US will show up with the same clothing item, especially noticeable with patterns :).</p> <p><b>Christina</b>, it's been hard to keep a small capsule. I want everything now. It is especially hard being really close to my goal weight, but not being able to wait for new clothes because very little fit. I desperately needed tops, so it was my focus here. But I think the tops will fit fine even at my goal weight. I need more bottoms, but size differences are more apparent there, so I buy just the minimum right now.</p> <p>Thanks,&nbsp;<b>Sal</b>, it was a great weekend and I got lots of quality time with my closest friends, an uncle and aunt, and my mother-in-law.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/spring-work-wear-refresh#post-1892656 Wed, 21 Feb 2018 22:50:10 +0000 Toban 1892656@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I added today’s outfit, with and without my asymmetric navy cardigan. I quite like how this top looks without a topper. The ‘sleeve’ is wide so it doesn’t feel bare. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/spring-work-wear-refresh#post-1892614 Wed, 21 Feb 2018 19:24:29 +0000 Sal 1892614@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Sounds like a terrific weekend - friends and shopping!! I like your additions and your plan too. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/spring-work-wear-refresh#post-1892611 Wed, 21 Feb 2018 19:15:35 +0000 Christina F. 1892611@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Oh, well done! You've created a very cohesive capsule for your new size. I think I just would have panicked and bought ALL THE THINGS, but you've been going about this journey very methodically to begin with. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/spring-work-wear-refresh#post-1892610 Wed, 21 Feb 2018 19:12:50 +0000 tanstaafl 1892610@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I just clicked through Cleo's website and found a bunch of stuff I like.&nbsp; Their orchid color is beautiful.&nbsp; Then I realized they are Canadian, so no free shipping/returns means I'll have to keep looking at US stores. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/spring-work-wear-refresh#post-1892606 Wed, 21 Feb 2018 19:01:06 +0000 Toban 1892606@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Suz, the navy solid, navy floral, navy gray print, cardigan and suit are all from Cleo’s. The wine top is from Laura’s. </p> <p>Elizabeth, I have a hard time finding petites in B&amp;M stores in the US and given that I don’t know my sizes yet, online ordering can be challenging. Cleo’s and Laura can always be counted on to have a good selection of petites in stock. Good for getting my basics and I look elsewhere for statement pieces. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/spring-work-wear-refresh#post-1892583 Wed, 21 Feb 2018 17:54:52 +0000 Suz 1892583@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>What a gorgeous capsule! I would love it. I really like those Cleo tops and am very tempted by that one you mentioned in my own thread -- thank you! I am planning to check it out. Is the floral one with the lacy bottom also from there?&nbsp;</p> <p>You've done so incredibly well on the weight loss front. Brava!&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/spring-work-wear-refresh#post-1892582 Wed, 21 Feb 2018 17:49:00 +0000 Elizabeth P 1892582@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Sounds like a very productive visit to Vancouver!&nbsp; How ironic to us Canucks that you did you shopping in Canada... when you live in the US :)</p> <p>Congratulations on your continued weight loss, you are doing SO well!&nbsp; </p> <p>Your capsule of clothes continues to look wonderful, and your additions blend in perfectly.&nbsp; I'm glad to see the COS dress is still there. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/spring-work-wear-refresh#post-1892549 Wed, 21 Feb 2018 15:36:37 +0000 Toban 1892549@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>My apologies, I've had limited time on the forum after the 30x30 challenge&nbsp;due to work and travel. I had a girls weekend in Vancouver with my mother-in-law and friends from high school and university. Of course we went shopping! Due to my on-going weight loss, I had almost no clothes that fit me by the end of January and this trip couldn't come fast enough.&nbsp; I have dropped from a size 16 to an 8 and from an XL to a M. Everything needed updating. </p> <p>I successfully refreshed my work, casual, and exercise capsules on this trip. I thought I'd share the additions, and existing clothes, that make up my updated work wear capsule. I keep a tight color palette for this, comprised of burgundy, rust, navy,&nbsp;teal, and&nbsp;cream and I keep to a couple core silhouettes. Most mix and match. The core new pieces are a matching navy pencil skirt and jacket, which I'll predominantly wear as separates but will wear as a suit for invited talks. The tops, cardigans,&nbsp;and jacket should still fit when I get to my goal weight in 10-15 lbs (based on my shoulders I don't imagine I'll fit a S). I bought the skirt in my current size 8 and in a size 6 so that this suit will also work at my goal weight.</p> <p>My weekend purchases for this capsule were the following:</p> <p>- matching navy pencil skirt and jacket (textured knit)</p> <p>- four sleeveless shells (navy solid, 2 navy print, 1 wine)</p> <p>- one long sleeve navy COS tunic (ordered on online sale)</p> <p>- long navy cardigan</p> <p>There are a several existing items in my wardrobe that will work with this capsule which are also shown below. There are also several not shown because they are not yet in&nbsp;my finds (but my 30x30 posts had them), including a lightweight navy asymmetric cardigan, a burgundy waterfall cardigan,&nbsp;a dark denim jacket, a teal sleeveless shell, a patterned pencil skirt (burgundy, rust, and cream), and many accessories. </p> <p>I also got a date night dress that is too body con/romantic for work:&nbsp; <a href="https://www.laura.ca/en/laura/clothing/dresses/floral-print-faux-wrap-dress/3030101-8856.html" rel="nofollow">https://www.laura.ca/en/laura/.....-8856.html</a></p> <p>At a minimum, these are the things I'd still like to add this spring:</p> <p>- a single-breasted trench coat (navy or toffee or cream)</p> <p>- navy ankle pants</p> <p>- colored ankle pant or pencil skirt (likely burgundy, but may be printed)</p> <p>- navy block heel shoes or dressy sandals</p> <p>- a work dress (likely a sheath dress that works with my toppers)</p>