https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/style-and-wardrobe-musings-long Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Sat, 18 Apr 2026 13:06:51 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/style-and-wardrobe-musings-long#post-1362839 Thu, 25 Sep 2014 19:59:32 +0000 krishnidoux 1362839@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Such a great testimony... </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/style-and-wardrobe-musings-long#post-1362815 Thu, 25 Sep 2014 19:13:03 +0000 Suz 1362815@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Susie, such a great post! And I've enjoyed reading the responses, too. I was <b>JUST</b> going to say, Alaskagirl and I said this a little while ago...when I saw Una's post to that effect! &nbsp;So, yeah. You are <b>NOT</b> alone. I've definitely come full circle. I have realized that I'm wearing the things I always loved, in the ways I always loved wearing them. And nothing has changed there.&nbsp;</p> <p>Also, the way I feel in my clothes is also crucial. I need to be able to move through my days with ease, with a sense of fun, with a bit of "modern." I don't mind repeating items or outfits, but I also want some variety. I get bored if I can't vary the silhouette now and again.&nbsp;</p> <p>I <b>LOVE</b> your style. And I hope you don't feel pressure to wear your items any differently than you do. Your look is modern, streamlined, and clean. I relate to it very much. So I hope you won't completely stop posting WIW photos because I gain inspiration and feel affirmed when I see your beautiful outfits.&nbsp;</p> <p>Love what Caro said, too. She is one wise woman.&nbsp;</p> <p> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/style-and-wardrobe-musings-long#post-1362804 Thu, 25 Sep 2014 18:56:11 +0000 Alassë 1362804@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Hey, more rambling is great! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/style-and-wardrobe-musings-long#post-1362801 Thu, 25 Sep 2014 18:47:28 +0000 unfrumped 1362801@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Great post and it is so right for you to use the experimentation to make decisions on what is right for you. (gosh,that sounds like a major life choice, not clothes!). Like your BF jean analysis. <br />This also sometimes leads to a kind of wardrobe expansion and then re-grouping.<br />I know I'm in that zone now, and am enjoying "refining". So,&nbsp; not tossing just to reduce numbers, but if I wear something a few more times and start to wonder "why", then I can see that it's just not my style and let it go and then am more focused on what's working.<br />I found several items for fall and winter that I really like and that feel very much like "me". I bought <u>some</u> of them and made a big effort to use them as replacements and not additions; but others, even if I liked them, I was able to see that there'd be no reason to get them unless I were ready to get rid of&nbsp;even more&nbsp;items, and weigh the cost of whether an upgrade or replacement were really needed or better to bide my time. So, not being minimal but asking, if I add this, why, and what&nbsp;should it replace?</p> <p>I like this idea of "biding" and not feeling like everything has to be perfect all the time. (I'm not necessarily good at it, but I'm embracing it!).That perfection approach is unrealistic and can actually limit evolution because personally, I don't&nbsp; have the resources for both--being mostly satisfied but still tolerating a little bit of wardrobe angst, last year's this or that, or the option of just not wearing all&nbsp;my &nbsp;items if I'm not as sure of them, gives me more time and $$ to experiment down the road or to grab something fab that turns up.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/style-and-wardrobe-musings-long#post-1362768 Thu, 25 Sep 2014 18:08:16 +0000 Elizabeth P 1362768@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Wonderful insights Susie, thanks for sharing.&nbsp; And please continue to share WIW's, we get just as much from seeing outfits that are "things that you love and are comfortable" as anything trend setting! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/style-and-wardrobe-musings-long#post-1362749 Thu, 25 Sep 2014 17:25:20 +0000 Susie 1362749@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Oh my gosh, thank you all so much for your support and wise insights! It's nice to hear that others have had similar thoughts. </p> <p>Now.....with the exception of a colorful coat, will you please hold me to my vow to quit shopping! You can remind me that 180 items of clothing and 60+ pairs of shoes (with most of them purchased in the last year or two) are PLENTY and I do NOT need more!! </p> <p>Seriously, I am very pleased that I've improved on not buying things 'just because.' And experiments have been valuable. For instance, it probably is shocking to hear this on here, but I don't like boyfriend jeans! I've tried them but for my shape, a more slim fit in the legs is more flattering. My waist is my largest area so pants that fit my waist are already roomy in the hips/legs. Skinnies usually aren't 'calf sucking' on me and boyfriend styles end up feeling like clown pants; I just don't like having extra fabric in that area. So I've circled back to slim leg pants and jeans and I feel good about that because I know I've tried others. </p> <p>Tracking what I wear has been quite beneficial...I've learned that I do need a decent amount of variety. I don't mind wearing things in just one or two ways (set outfits) but I don't want to wear an outfit more than once every 3 - 4 weeks. So I wouldn't be happy with a super minimal wardrobe. On the other hand, tracking has shown that I had some pieces that were only worn once in 6 months and that feels wasteful so I could stand to reduce some more. </p> <p>Oops, that just turned into more rambling! Thank you, again, for your kind comments. I appreciate it very much! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/style-and-wardrobe-musings-long#post-1362737 Thu, 25 Sep 2014 17:01:29 +0000 catgirl 1362737@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I think Suz and I have both posted regarding "full circle" syndrome. You are not alone! I must have copied everyone on the forum at some point only to get back to my own preferences - hopefully with improved insight and more deliberate choices. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/style-and-wardrobe-musings-long#post-1362708 Thu, 25 Sep 2014 16:17:58 +0000 Peri 1362708@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Oh thank you! I'm so with you on the "style it" that I laughed! I'm the same way...my extent of styling something is to put it on with black trousers and pick out some jewelry. A scarf if it's not summer. That's as far as I go. I admire the creative stylists we have, but I'm not one of them.</p> <p>Caro...love the poem, thanks! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/style-and-wardrobe-musings-long#post-1362699 Thu, 25 Sep 2014 15:56:34 +0000 Angie_T 1362699@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I love what Firecracker said....I also learn so much from how others wear things.&nbsp; One of the things that draws me to this group is the diversity in wardrobes, style and taste of the members.&nbsp; So even if you are shopping your closet I hope you find time to share.&nbsp; </p> <p>And we still have to find time to get together!&nbsp; This week went off the rails for me.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/style-and-wardrobe-musings-long#post-1362691 Thu, 25 Sep 2014 15:44:30 +0000 Lisa 1362691@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>You have gained great insight here. &nbsp;And like yourself, I shopped a lot, tried a number of styles, but ultimately have circled back around to many of the same styles that I've always enjoyed. &nbsp;Sometimes you have to try out something new to realize that you liked where you started from. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/style-and-wardrobe-musings-long#post-1362501 Thu, 25 Sep 2014 05:24:53 +0000 Firecracker (Sharan) 1362501@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Susie, thanks for sharing your thoughts. I agree with a lot of what you say. It's good to hear you say that you've never been happier with your wardrobe; I think I'm not there yet, though I have acquired a lot of things I do love during my time so far with YLF. Your comment about people wanting to see how you will "style" a piece is enlightening for me. I didn't realize it, but "style" as a verb is a bit of jargon I've picked up here on YLF. And to me, it really just means "wear"!&nbsp; Ha ha! So if I say I can't wait to see how you style something, I'm just looking forward to your WIWs that include the new item. That's all. Because I learn so much from seeing how people wear things. Maybe things that are very much like some of my own clothes, but worn in ways I wouldn't have thought of. Or items with silhouettes that are new to me, like boxy sweaters and tube skirts! <br /> <i>"I don't want getting dressed to be stressful or too much work. I want<br /> it to be fun because I'm just wearing things that I love!"</i><br />Well said, Susie. You've articulated a brilliant goal for me. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/style-and-wardrobe-musings-long#post-1362468 Thu, 25 Sep 2014 04:09:44 +0000 Beth Ann 1362468@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Well done, Susie!&nbsp; The happiness factor, how an outfit makes us <i>feel</i> is the more crucial element to dressing well.&nbsp; It's the characteristic that allows dressing to strengthen our confidence and contentment.&nbsp; I think these are qualities that enhance the beauty of the wearer -- onlookers can tell, and they respond to such things.</p> <p>Brava! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/style-and-wardrobe-musings-long#post-1362459 Thu, 25 Sep 2014 04:02:57 +0000 CocoLion 1362459@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I always read these kinds of threads, you never have to apologize for sharing your insights Susie. &nbsp;I love your idea of making a list of likes and dislikes. &nbsp;I am going to do this! &nbsp;I also like what you have said about culling for the sake of culling. &nbsp;Last month I was on a mission to come up with a specific, more minimal wardrobe count and it just hasn't happened. &nbsp;I'm also not running out of space but do feel like I am splitting wears and that having too much stuff and too many choices is stressful. &nbsp;I'm just not able to cull at the moment due to a busy schedule but on my part, the purge must continue. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/style-and-wardrobe-musings-long#post-1362451 Thu, 25 Sep 2014 03:33:15 +0000 Carole 1362451@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Susie! I totally relate to the insight into your style progression. After experimenting and exploring I find myself not too far from where I started, too, but with more confidence and focus in my choices. </p> <p>I have always enjoyed your WIWs and your style and look forward to your sharing more in the future! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/style-and-wardrobe-musings-long#post-1362447 Thu, 25 Sep 2014 03:16:58 +0000 amiable 1362447@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I could have written this, almost word for word, myself. &nbsp;Congrats on over 2 years (I'm pretty sure that's about how long I've been here too), and I too have come back to the style that was me all along. &nbsp;I also wish I was more creative, but like that my closet is currently easy and filled with things I love (many of which were from you!)<br />Great post, and so glad that you also are thrilled with your closet.</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/style-and-wardrobe-musings-long#post-1362443 Thu, 25 Sep 2014 03:07:35 +0000 Anonymous 1362443@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I can relate to a lot of this!</p> <p>Especially the part about how I always feel like people are overestimating me when they say they can't wait to see how I'll style something. (Odds are that I'll just wear it with a black pencil skirt, and probably a cardigan.&nbsp;And also&nbsp;with cool black shoes.) And the part about liking clothes and fashion, but not wanting to get the point where it feels like work, rather than just a fun part of my daily life.</p> <p>Congrats on&nbsp;hitting closet happiness! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/style-and-wardrobe-musings-long#post-1362432 Thu, 25 Sep 2014 02:51:41 +0000 Jaime 1362432@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Great insights and I really can't beat Caro's citation on this, so I will just applaud and appreciate&nbsp;it. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/style-and-wardrobe-musings-long#post-1362367 Thu, 25 Sep 2014 00:57:28 +0000 frannieb 1362367@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thanks for sharing I love posts where people share their wardrobe evolutions.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/style-and-wardrobe-musings-long#post-1362315 Wed, 24 Sep 2014 23:15:36 +0000 Windchime 1362315@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I'm glad you wrote all this down for us to read, Susie! I'm really struck by how your two years of experiments have led you to an "improved me with more thoughtful choices"... If that isn't exactly the point of what we do here, then I don't know what is! It reminds me some of Inge's Emma Thompson quote in this past weekend's fashion round-up; did you happen to see it? It's about going more deep into who we are as we age, rather than superficially following trends.</p> <p>It's also nice to read of your contentment and happiness with your current closet. It seems you are in a really good space with your style! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/style-and-wardrobe-musings-long#post-1362273 Wed, 24 Sep 2014 22:38:53 +0000 Caro in Oz 1362273@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Just want to say&nbsp;I love seeing your WIW posts &amp; I love your style. Please don't ever think you are not stylish - if you feel that way just go sit with your shoes &amp; bags for a while :)&nbsp;:)</p> <p>Fabulous insights Susie, it's wonderful seeing someone return to themselves as it were<span>.&nbsp;<br /></span><br />&nbsp;“We shall not cease from exploration<br />And the end of all our exploring<br />Will be to arrive where we started<br />And know the place for the first time.”&nbsp;<br />―&nbsp;<a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/18540.T_S_Eliot">T.S. Eliot</a>,&nbsp;<i><a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.goodreads.com/work/quotes/2886568">Four Quartets</a></i> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/style-and-wardrobe-musings-long#post-1362261 Wed, 24 Sep 2014 22:24:15 +0000 cheryle (Dianthus) 1362261@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Wow. &nbsp;I could have written that myself. &nbsp;I was drafting a similar message in my head on the way to work the &nbsp;other day. &nbsp;I realized that I have been influenced by what works for others and it doesn't usually work for me. &nbsp;I end up with a bunch of items I don't wear because they aren't me. &nbsp;I also decided to stop posting wiw's for similar reasons. &nbsp;</p> <p>Thanks for posting. &nbsp;I feel better knowing I am not alone. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/style-and-wardrobe-musings-long#post-1362183 Wed, 24 Sep 2014 20:29:25 +0000 Alassë 1362183@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I'm glad your closet is working well for you and that you've come to terms with your style simplicity. High five fellow tracker! I always look forward to your posts. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/style-and-wardrobe-musings-long#post-1362181 Wed, 24 Sep 2014 20:27:50 +0000 texstyle 1362181@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Great to hear your insights Susie - it's helpful to know that other members feel similar. I don't post a lot of WIWs either. I don't have a lot of time to devote to it and I guess I often feel pretty good in what I choose to wear as well. I have also replaced a great deal of my wardrobe over the past two years. For me, that means mostly different jeans/shorts, different tees, different button downs, different flats, etc. A lot more belts and shoes, less jewelry. It's a bit boring compared to some of the more trend setting outfits I often see here, but I feel like you, that I've been able to make better choices on those great everyday casual items that I wear for 90% of my life.</p> <p>My shopping has slowed a bit too. I see things in a different light than I used to. And I am more careful to ask myself before buying: "Do I already own something similar that I'm just not wearing enough, and if so, why?"&nbsp; Often it's simply because the item feels just a bit dressy for my everyday needs. That's why I will sometimes make sure I wear it the next day to *prove* to myself that it's not too dressy, but I just need to get over it.</p> <p>Fall/winter is a short season for me so I can't justify buying a lot during this time of year. I have several new items waiting to be worn already. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/style-and-wardrobe-musings-long#post-1362177 Wed, 24 Sep 2014 20:23:15 +0000 Mona 1362177@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>You indeed have come a long way, Susie. Thanks for sharing your insights here. I think it is lovely when we love our clothes and are able to wear all of them. Sounds like you have reached closet Nirvana!!! Enjoy it and don't forget to share your super outfits with us. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/style-and-wardrobe-musings-long#post-1362173 Wed, 24 Sep 2014 20:17:26 +0000 Susie 1362173@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I have been on YLF for over 2 years now. During that time, I've tried different looks, as I was attracted to and influenced by the styles of various posters. I have been a lemming at times, both with overall looks and individual pieces. Some of those experiments have worked well, others not so much. I made plenty of purchasing mistakes but I have definitely improved in that area. </p> <p>Interestingly, as I've refined my style and focused more on what is "me", I seem to have circled back to what was me all along. But hopefully it's an improved me with more thoughtful choices and updated/upgraded items in my wardrobe now. A year or so ago, I created a list of likes/dislikes and most of those are still the same today. </p> <p>In some ways, I wish I was more creative in putting together looks. Just as I wish I was more creative in other areas, like drawing or singing or preparing a delicious dish without a recipe. I wish I had a true flair for fashion but I don't have that knack. If I show a new sweater on here, someone might say, "I can't wait to see how you style it." And I think, "yikes! Style it? I'm going to wear it with jeans, black pants, or white jeans and cool (probably black!) shoes and that's it!" But I've come to be ok with that. While I have an interest in clothes and fashion, I don't want getting dressed to be stressful or too much work. I want it to be fun because I'm just wearing things that I love! Since so much of my wardrobe has been purchased in the last year or two, I guess that feels to me like my things are "in style" enough. And I am comfortable saying no to trends that just aren't me. </p> <p>I've come to realize that I mostly dress just to please myself. Today, for instance, I am wearing a midi tube skirt (super comfortable), a cropped sweatshirt (casual) and my black and white heeled oxfords. My daughter once described the shoes worn with a skirt as 'hot for teacher' and DH this morning said I look like a school girl. Neither of those are what I intended! But I am quite happy in this outfit so it's all good. We've talked about the "happiness factor" and Caro stresses the importance of how she feels in an outfit and I think that's where I am. Maybe that's why I haven't been posting WIW photos...because they are more about how an outfit looks rather than how it feels??? </p> <p>Overall, I don't think that I've ever been happier with my wardrobe. I love a lot of my clothes and I seem to have something appropriate to wear for most any occasion. I am still planning 2-4 weeks worth of work outfits at a time and that makes getting dressed in the morning so much faster and easier than it used to be. </p> <p>I have bought A LOT over the past 2 years and it's time to stop shopping and just enjoy what I have. I will try to not buy anything else for fall. I've got some nice new pieces and it's been fun to work them in slowly the last couple of weeks, even though it's still pretty warm here. And I am very excited to soon be able to wear all of my booties and sweaters!</p> <p>I will continue to track my purchases and what I wear, just because I'm nerdy that way! The number of items that I have still seems too high but I'm not going to cull just to reduce the number. I've got enough room in my closet for everything and I seem to wear the majority of what I have, so the size is ok for now. </p> <p>Wow, sorry so long! If you've read all of this, bless you! I've had these thoughts swirling around for a bit and it's helpful to type them all out. So thank you for indulging me </p>