https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/summer-to-winter-evaluation-of-tops Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Sat, 16 May 2026 04:26:57 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/summer-to-winter-evaluation-of-tops#post-1850850 Thu, 05 Oct 2017 09:15:56 +0000 Anonymous 1850850@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Yay <b>Dianna</b>. &nbsp;You made my entire day. &nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/summer-to-winter-evaluation-of-tops#post-1850823 Thu, 05 Oct 2017 04:02:35 +0000 Dianna 1850823@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Sterling, I have nothing to contribute, but I just want to say that I enjoy reading your wardrobe analysis so much, and have learned a lot from there.&nbsp; I am nowhere close to where you are, but your posts have been really helpful for me to start, specially the spreadsheet. It's not even complete yet, but I am already getting some insights.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/summer-to-winter-evaluation-of-tops#post-1850616 Wed, 04 Oct 2017 12:06:46 +0000 Anonymous 1850616@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p><b>Joy</b> -- so nice to see you!&nbsp; Have you been away?&nbsp; Busy?&nbsp; Missed you.</p> <p>It is not too much information, <b>Ignorant Awareness</b>.&nbsp; It sounds like you are self aware and smart.&nbsp;&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/summer-to-winter-evaluation-of-tops#post-1850589 Wed, 04 Oct 2017 09:46:18 +0000 Style Fan 1850589@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Great analysis Sterling.&nbsp; I also find that I have more tops than bottoms and that I rarely buy button-ups.&nbsp; Our weather is very different (we have long winters) but I still wash my tops more often than my bottoms.&nbsp; If I find a top that works for me I will duplicate it.&nbsp; Mr Style Fan does the same.<br />Tradelands apparently has button-ups that don't gap because of their button placement.&nbsp; They only sell on-line.&nbsp; They have very good reviews.&nbsp; I have never been able to find a button-up that works for me but it is on my list. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/summer-to-winter-evaluation-of-tops#post-1850566 Wed, 04 Oct 2017 05:00:19 +0000 Zaeobi 1850566@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Don't know about you but, where I am, it's not only perpetually summer but humid as well. It probably sounds gross &amp; TMI, but I often bring 2 tops with me to work; one for the humid commute &amp; one for the office AC. Buying lots of duplicates makes sense, in that context! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/summer-to-winter-evaluation-of-tops#post-1850564 Wed, 04 Oct 2017 04:50:19 +0000 Anonymous 1850564@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Sterling, I see nothing wrong with lots of tops per bottom, especially for summer. I like to have at least 2 tops per bottom, often in different weights or able to be layered. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/summer-to-winter-evaluation-of-tops#post-1850555 Wed, 04 Oct 2017 04:22:02 +0000 Sal 1850555@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Sterling, thanks I will do so.</p> <p>I started to write out my needs and reasoning but will do in a different post....&nbsp; I like the white top above but I don't wear white tops with black pants (a funny quirk of mine).</p> <p>I do think a simple top and simple pants can be fabulous without accessories or pattern too. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/summer-to-winter-evaluation-of-tops#post-1850553 Wed, 04 Oct 2017 04:16:47 +0000 Laura G 1850553@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>It's good advice to have pattern in your tops or your bottoms, but not both. Ask me how I know, said the magpie. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/summer-to-winter-evaluation-of-tops#post-1850496 Tue, 03 Oct 2017 23:58:40 +0000 Anonymous 1850496@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Very interesting question, <b>Fashiontern</b>. &nbsp;I like the focus to be on my bottom half. &nbsp;I do wear lots of prints / colors on the bottom half of my body. &nbsp;I literally had not realized it until just this moment. &nbsp;I keep my tops very plain. &nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/summer-to-winter-evaluation-of-tops#post-1850489 Tue, 03 Oct 2017 22:50:24 +0000 Stagiaire Fash 1850489@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Have you thought about where you wear pattern? Lately I've been attracted to patterned bottoms, with less craziness near my face. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/summer-to-winter-evaluation-of-tops#post-1850472 Tue, 03 Oct 2017 21:29:17 +0000 texstyle 1850472@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I don't seem to reach for patterns as often as solids either - but I have added some to my closet this year in particular. Maybe I just didn't have enough options before. Or maybe it's because I don't love high contrast and many patterns feel a bit high contrast or too busy for me. The ones I've added seem more subtle which I do prefer. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/summer-to-winter-evaluation-of-tops#post-1850443 Tue, 03 Oct 2017 19:31:42 +0000 Anonymous 1850443@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thank you, <b>Robin</b>! &nbsp;I <i>am</i> doing better with tops in comparison to bottoms, season-wise. &nbsp;YAY for me. &nbsp;It was an interesting analysis and I encourage you to do the same. &nbsp;</p> <p>Hi <b>TexStyle</b>. &nbsp;I fully understand the desire to duplicate tops we find that we love. &nbsp;This is something I am going to consciously work on in 2018. &nbsp;</p> <p>Sleeveless tops work so well for me because I don't get cool or cold in the office. &nbsp;I can see how that might not work for you if either your body runs cooler or your office air conditioning works better. &nbsp;But I really like the idea. &nbsp;I hope it works for you with a light-weight cardigan. &nbsp;</p> <p><b>Sal </b>-- if anything this year, I have digressed <i>even more so</i> to solids in very neutral colors. &nbsp;This has been the year of no color. &nbsp;This does not mean I don't adore prints (especially floral and graphic). &nbsp;Yet I never seem to bring them home with me. &nbsp;</p> <p>Interesting comment about your tops/jackets. &nbsp;I bought this top in white and in black. &nbsp;As you make decisions about future tops,&nbsp;<u>I hope you will post about it so I can learn </u>. &nbsp;</p> <p> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/summer-to-winter-evaluation-of-tops#post-1850440 Tue, 03 Oct 2017 19:13:33 +0000 Sal 1850440@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Sterling, have you tried more pattern in the summer.&nbsp; You like the plaid in the winter but there may be a summer pattern that you like.&nbsp; Obviously patterns are very personal but there are some subtle or muted ones if you don't want bold stripes or flowers.&nbsp; You have mentioned that you struggle with finding interesting tops and pattern is such an easy way of adding this interest.</p> <p>I find my tops are fine with my pants, but they don't currently line up with my jackets so I am looking for two simple tops that work with my leather jackets, a green cropped jacket, and blazers.&nbsp; One dark and one light. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/summer-to-winter-evaluation-of-tops#post-1850372 Tue, 03 Oct 2017 14:43:03 +0000 texstyle 1850372@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I feel like I'm learning along with you Sterling. I have a weakness for tops and seem to add more than I should - only to learn later that certain ones just aren't exactly right for whatever reason. I'm doing better, but still, I always end up with at least several at the end of a season or two that barely were worn, and others that were worn to death.</p> <p>Some of my tops I've had for several years and even though I don't love them, I've held onto them trying to get my CPW to some reasonable number. I can't explain it, but sometimes it's the tops that I *didn't* think I really liked as much that I end up wearing more. I still sometimes buy more than one top in the same style but different color or pattern and then wear only one of them mostly. Example here in Finds.</p> <p>I thought I needed more sleeveless tops so I could layer a jacket in cool weather, but I'm not sure yet if that's going to be practical for me or not. I still get cold indoors if I take the jacket off with sleeveless, yet I'm often too warm with one on! One exception is my featherweight taupe cardi so I'm going to be trying that over one of these soon.</p> <p>Recently I knew I *had to have* this taupe knit (and I do love it) but then I couldn't help myself but to purchase the same top in a heathered blue (because I love heathered blue and soft cozy tops). But I'm still second guessing if I should have the same top in 2 colors (again) because it's almost always a mistake unless it's just a tee since those are so "easy" to justify. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/summer-to-winter-evaluation-of-tops#post-1850366 Tue, 03 Oct 2017 14:31:53 +0000 RobinF 1850366@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Great summary. I also struggle with tops, not with fit but with knowing what I want and what I need to make my outfits more interesting. You seem to be doing better with your summer tops than with the pants (quantity-wise summer to winter I mean), so that's reassuring right? What a great exercise, I am inspired to do the same.</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/summer-to-winter-evaluation-of-tops#post-1850364 Tue, 03 Oct 2017 14:15:15 +0000 Anonymous 1850364@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>When I evaluated my bottoms using these new parameters, I found my wardrobe skewed heavily toward Winter. Given that Summer is my predominant Season, this is problematic. In my defense, I love the whole idea of cool, crisp, clean weather that makes you reach for a cozy sweater. Buying Winter clothes just feels good. But it can lead to the problem of having the wrong stuff in your wardrobe when you want to get dressed in the morning. </p> <p>Having discovered that the bottoms in my wardrobe skewed heavily toward Winter, I was reluctant to evaluate my tops. Here are the results.</p> <p><b>Long Sleeve Button Down </b></p> <p>I own seven items in this category. I categorized them as Fall/Spring (3) and Winter (4). When the weather is right, I really enjoy wearing the plaid button downs. They switch things up from sweaters and tee shirts. None of these shirts coordinate with my new flowy wide legged silk pants so I really can only wear them with jeans and ponte pants. That is fine because I will never quite eliminate either of these categories entirely from my wardrobe. </p> <p>Although I should always have one long sleeve button down in white in wardrobe, I do not need to buy any additional button downs. They are hard to fit across the breast. I hate gaps. </p> <p><b>Long Sleeve and Short Sleeve Knit Tops</b></p> <p>I own five long sleeve knit tops that are suitable for Fall/Winter. I only own four short sleeved knit tops (all of which were purchased in 2017). This totals nine knit tops. This is a category I would like to amp up, but it has to be the right top. One hundred percent cotton. The Brooks Brothers is the one I reach for more than other top. </p> <p><b>Sleeveless Summer Tops in Knit and Woven</b></p> <p>I now own fourteen tops in this category. Eight of the 14 were purchased in the Summer of 2017. I bought both knits and button downs. Only two have not been worn all that often. </p> <p>I have good success with this category of top. I feel comfortable in them and reach for them often. Only two have noticeably received less wear. One is an Eileen Fisher camisole that I seem to be “saving.” The second is a bright yellow sleeveless button down. I may subconsciously be “saving” this one too. </p> <p>THESE can be four season tops. I love wearing them. I have plenty of toppers that I can wear during cooler months. </p> <p><b>Casual Long Sleeve and Short Sleeve Tee Shirts</b></p> <p>I own fifteen tops in this category, evenly distributed between long and short sleeve. I never thought I would say this. I am tired of short sleeved white tee shirts. I want the same silhouette in different colors. So far I have expanded to navy. I wear the navy a lot. In fact, the right shade of navy (navy peacoat and midnight) has slowly been taking over my wardrobe. This works for me and as long as I can find those shades in retail I will continue to buy. </p> <p>Although I own a lot of tee shirts, they range in age from 2010 to 2017. Some of them are very worn. I keep them because they are ideal for travel and hiking. The modal tee shirts I bought from the Gap in 2016 are pilling. They will soon be downgraded to travel/hiking. </p> <p>I won’t be buying any more tee shirts from either the Gap or Old Navy. Experience has shown the quality to be marginal at best. Seams that came apart after one or two wearings. Pilling after a mere ten wears. It is a shame because for years they were the only retailer I shopped for basics. </p> <p><b>In summary.</b> <i>Tops are my weakness. I don’t know how to purchase them. When I find some I like, I buy two and three and even four. I may have sufficient numbers of tops to get dressed, but I lack variety and interest. I often wear the same exact silhouette, with very slight variation, for days on end. I tell myself this is my “uniform.” I am lying to myself. The truth is I just don’t know how to buy tops. </i> </p>