YouLookFab Forum » Topic: The slow-out-of-the gate, eventual winner workhorse.

YouLookFab Forum » Topic: The slow-out-of-the gate, eventual winner workhorse. https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-slow-out-of-the-gate-eventual-winner-workhorse Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Tue, 14 Apr 2026 22:12:41 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 <![CDATA[Search]]> q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php Suz on "The slow-out-of-the gate, eventual winner workhorse." https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-slow-out-of-the-gate-eventual-winner-workhorse#post-2385223 Tue, 29 Apr 2025 16:56:06 +0000 Suz 2385223@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ LOVE it, Kyle! The colour is gorgeous on you! And perfect with turquoise.  Kyle on "The slow-out-of-the gate, eventual winner workhorse." https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-slow-out-of-the-gate-eventual-winner-workhorse#post-2385209 Tue, 29 Apr 2025 13:52:54 +0000 Kyle 2385209@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Bought this tee last summer and never wore it..Every time I put it on I took it back off. So eventually I put it in my donation pile. Recently I wondered how it would look with my turquoise necklace and suddenly I liked it. Now this tee is back in my closet and in regular rotation. Suz on "The slow-out-of-the gate, eventual winner workhorse." https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-slow-out-of-the-gate-eventual-winner-workhorse#post-2385128 Sun, 27 Apr 2025 23:11:18 +0000 Suz 2385128@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ That's. gorgeous blouse, Sal! I can see it with your blue trousers for sure. And thank you!  Sal on "The slow-out-of-the gate, eventual winner workhorse." https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-slow-out-of-the-gate-eventual-winner-workhorse#post-2385070 Sat, 26 Apr 2025 21:19:42 +0000 Sal 2385070@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ The only thing I can think of in my wardrobe is this silk blouse which I added in 2021 but it has been more worn in 2024-2025. It’s because I like it with a couple of pairs of work trousers that I own now but didn’t in the past. Love those jeans on you Suz - a really great fit and style. Suz on "The slow-out-of-the gate, eventual winner workhorse." https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-slow-out-of-the-gate-eventual-winner-workhorse#post-2385066 Sat, 26 Apr 2025 20:05:51 +0000 Suz 2385066@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Helena, that makes sense. But more and more you have a strong sense of which trends you will eventually like, so the items do get worn in their time.  Angie -- exactly! I love that blazer .And of course it works for you now! The right tops beneath are critical.  JAileen, copy away! I'm honoured.  Helena on "The slow-out-of-the gate, eventual winner workhorse." https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-slow-out-of-the-gate-eventual-winner-workhorse#post-2385026 Sat, 26 Apr 2025 01:25:25 +0000 Helena 2385026@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Love these Suz ... They look great on you! For me I think when I jump on a current style before my eye has quite adjusted, it's takes a while for me to ramp up for low wear to workhorse. Angie on "The slow-out-of-the gate, eventual winner workhorse." https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-slow-out-of-the-gate-eventual-winner-workhorse#post-2384998 Fri, 25 Apr 2025 16:53:41 +0000 Angie 2384998@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I have an example, Suz!  I hardly wore this old denim blazer because it wasn't comfortable over tops. In the last year, I've been wearing it a lot because I now have tops I love it with, and I reach for it a lot - like today :)  The blazer has cotton lining which causes friction layering over cotton tops. But wearing it over slippery silk and mesh tops is perfect! Good gliding and comfy. Always learning..... Suz on "The slow-out-of-the gate, eventual winner workhorse." https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-slow-out-of-the-gate-eventual-winner-workhorse#post-2384997 Fri, 25 Apr 2025 16:51:53 +0000 Suz 2384997@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Carol -- I hear you on the intricacies of a good stone wash! These do look like that, don't they? And I love your Cuddle Duds top story -- very satisfying to put something to work more consistently than you had anticipated.  Janet, I love those jeans. And yes, sometimes, with some items, it just takes a while for us to adjust to the style and when we do -- bingo. I was comfortable out of the gate with wide legs (especially the A-line versions) but went for a heavier weight jean or crops more often back then.  Brooklyn, i remember your mentioning those Docs! And I can see why they went back into rotation. I have also had items like that -- much worn at first, then put away for awhile, then brought back. In fact my usual pattern with new items is like Jenni's -- i wear the heck out of them -- but the rare exception that becomes a workhorse later on is a real gift.  Ooh, Bijou! I've been missing your outfits. These whites and blues are exactly up my alley and I like seeing how you are combining soft blue denim with white for your heat.  Star, wise words from your husband!  Lisa, I love that Coach bag -- it looks super versatile and so crisp.  slim cat, I can see you in those crops! You have done well with the wide legs, too.  Carla -- that's a great bag! I think bags can definitely become workhorses all of a sudden, after some spell of not using them much. My own burgundy bag is a bit like that, in fact. I wore it a ton the first two years I had it, then it languished, and now it is back in heavy rotation.  Bonnie, you are a champ at wearing your new things with joy right out of the gate! I usually do that also...just every once in a while something takes a while to come into its own.  Jaime, it totally makes sense this would happen to you a lot. You find something new (to you) and then the old thing has a new way of being styled -- I think those who thrift a lot can experience this a lot!  JAileen on "The slow-out-of-the gate, eventual winner workhorse." https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-slow-out-of-the-gate-eventual-winner-workhorse#post-2384994 Fri, 25 Apr 2025 16:21:00 +0000 JAileen 2384994@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I can see why these are workhorses.  Both outfits are really appealing.  You know how much I like your style, so how can I copy them?!  :) Carol on "The slow-out-of-the gate, eventual winner workhorse." https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-slow-out-of-the-gate-eventual-winner-workhorse#post-2384978 Fri, 25 Apr 2025 14:55:44 +0000 Carol 2384978@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Oh, yeah--those are great. And look a bit stone washed. I like to zoom in on various stone washes the way other people zoom in on painting details. I don't know if I have any slow-out-of-the-gate workhorses. A thrifted Cuddl Duds black long-sleeve base layer that I bought as a base layer for cold days. And eventually I realized it looked so crisp on its own I could go out in it, or pair it with things.   Janet on "The slow-out-of-the gate, eventual winner workhorse." https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-slow-out-of-the-gate-eventual-winner-workhorse#post-2384947 Fri, 25 Apr 2025 10:54:12 +0000 Janet 2384947@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Those a great jeans and I can see why you wear them so much! How perfect with the crisp stripes. (And scritches to Max!) Interestingly enough, I think my most current example of this kind of workhorse is these “skater” jeans from Anthro, purchased about two years ago. I wore them sporadically that first year, but for some reason, this year I’ve worn them a lot. I think it’s because I got those at the beginning of the wide-leg trend, and I’ve now gotten very comfortable in that style so I’ve leaned into it, and also learned how I like to style them. I get compliments on them and feel like myself in them these days, while I think I felt just a little self-consciously ahead of the curve in them a couple of years ago. Brooklyn on "The slow-out-of-the gate, eventual winner workhorse." https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-slow-out-of-the-gate-eventual-winner-workhorse#post-2384946 Fri, 25 Apr 2025 10:49:55 +0000 Brooklyn 2384946@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I can’t think of an example, but certainly I have things that rotate in and out of favour. I have a pair of Docs that I bought over 10 years ago that I wore a lot for a couple of years, then completely abandoned for about 5 years, then resurrected a couple of years ago and put back into heavy rotation. Quite satisfying! Your jeans look fabulous on you! Bijou on "The slow-out-of-the gate, eventual winner workhorse." https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-slow-out-of-the-gate-eventual-winner-workhorse#post-2384945 Fri, 25 Apr 2025 07:28:38 +0000 Bijou 2384945@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ The items that I bought over 12 months ago but seem to be wearing often at the moment are my white cargo pants, white dress and sequinned denim jacket. I didn't buy any new sandals for summer, but have been wearing my gold and leopard print flats or my white wedges which are at least 3 years old on repeat. It seems that I have been having a bit of a white-out lately as my temps have been unseasonally high. I'm hoping for some cooler weather in the next few weeks. Star (Lise) on "The slow-out-of-the gate, eventual winner workhorse." https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-slow-out-of-the-gate-eventual-winner-workhorse#post-2384942 Fri, 25 Apr 2025 05:53:17 +0000 Star (Lise) 2384942@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ The jeans look fabulous on you Suz!  Light wash is stunning with your hair.  This happens to me quite a bit too.  My DH has a saying when not wearing something new immediately, 'it's time will come' and it truly always does, for both of us. Lisa on "The slow-out-of-the gate, eventual winner workhorse." https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-slow-out-of-the-gate-eventual-winner-workhorse#post-2384935 Fri, 25 Apr 2025 02:54:00 +0000 Lisa 2384935@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ A wonderful pair of wide leg light wash denim. I’m a big yay for wide legs, they are my bottom of choice right now and I own a few wide legs as jeans and pants. But my sleeper item has actually been my chaulk Coach crossbody bag and gold slip on Ecco sneakers. As I phase out black and add more color to my wardrobe the lighter color accessories seem to go with everything!  slim cat on "The slow-out-of-the gate, eventual winner workhorse." https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-slow-out-of-the-gate-eventual-winner-workhorse#post-2384925 Fri, 25 Apr 2025 01:25:57 +0000 slim cat 2384925@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Perfect light blue jeans and great outfit ! Lovely kitty brings smiles to everyone ! I have a light blue cropped jeans ( wide leg style ) in 2 sizes - for bloating days and "skinny" days - starting to wear it again now. Carla on "The slow-out-of-the gate, eventual winner workhorse." https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-slow-out-of-the-gate-eventual-winner-workhorse#post-2384924 Fri, 25 Apr 2025 01:12:01 +0000 Carla 2384924@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I thrifted a merlot Coach bag in 2022, and used it - but not what I would consider ‘a lot’.  For some reason, it appealed to me more than any of my other bags starting late lsummer ‘24, and is the bag I use the most ATM.  I switch out for certain outfits, but for most day-to-day, I’m reaching for the old merlot - so yeah, a slow burn love! Bonnie on "The slow-out-of-the gate, eventual winner workhorse." https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-slow-out-of-the-gate-eventual-winner-workhorse#post-2384923 Fri, 25 Apr 2025 01:02:35 +0000 Bonnie 2384923@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I checked my lists and found not one single slow favorite. I seem to wear new items on repeat when I first get them and less often each year after. I really like those jeans, they seem really versatile and will go with a lot of your tops.  Jaime on "The slow-out-of-the gate, eventual winner workhorse." https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-slow-out-of-the-gate-eventual-winner-workhorse#post-2384921 Fri, 25 Apr 2025 00:01:05 +0000 Jaime 2384921@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ The jeans look smashing on you Suz! And the sentiment resonates deeply. This happens to me all the time - which makes sense since I have so many eras of items. Which is why I tend to hold on to pieces that still fit and are in good condition even if I am not in the mood for them at the time. Suz on "The slow-out-of-the gate, eventual winner workhorse." https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-slow-out-of-the-gate-eventual-winner-workhorse#post-2384918 Thu, 24 Apr 2025 23:54:06 +0000 Suz 2384918@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Jenni, I know the feeling! I never want to buy nothing either, much as I do want to be mindful...sigh...anyway, I love those sandals and that top and they do go together so well! Gorgeous colours!  I can edit things that don't fit me right without qualms. And I am comfortable editing anything that is really showing wear as long as it's not a workhorse I don't have a replacement for or a sentimental and irreplaceable favourite, like my kitty print silk shirts.  Even so, the closet can indeed get larger if I am not careful....still, I'm on your team, cat2, for the reason you say. If I like it and it still fits, just because I didn't wear it a lot last year doesn't mean I won't wear it this year. Sometimes it's a styling lightbulb, and sometimes it's finding the right complement, and sometimes it's about the weather and my activities.  Irina, I can really see you making lots of use of the right cream linen pants. I'm on the hunt for linen pants myself this summer.  Dee, those are great jeans that look sensational on you! Sometimes the inexpensive items work out reallyl well.  rebekah, those are fun camo pants and I can see why they'd become favourites because they allow for interesting pattern mixing.  ket, I remember that sweater -- the colour is so rich and perfect for you! I am pretty sure I'd be wearing that almost every day in winter in my climate, at least for lounging in!  Thanks, Angie! Max is waving back to you all. He is now on some very expernsive arthritis medicine that, wonder of wonders, really seems to be helping him. So he's a lot more active again.  Jenni NZ on "The slow-out-of-the gate, eventual winner workhorse." https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-slow-out-of-the-gate-eventual-winner-workhorse#post-2384912 Thu, 24 Apr 2025 23:40:07 +0000 Jenni NZ 2384912@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I agree with cat2 as usual. But being a slower editor can lead to the wardrobe getting bigger unless you buy nothing. Which I never want to do, even when trying hard to be environmentally conscious. cat2 on "The slow-out-of-the gate, eventual winner workhorse." https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-slow-out-of-the-gate-eventual-winner-workhorse#post-2384909 Thu, 24 Apr 2025 23:08:50 +0000 cat2 2384909@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Yeah, I have different favorites every year. I think it’s usually result of figuring out new styling (usually by copying something here). Or if I add in an essential in a new color or silhouette. Last summer I wore two blouses in constant rotation that I had barely touched the prior year. So I don’t do closet purges because I haven’t worn something in a year. Irina on "The slow-out-of-the gate, eventual winner workhorse." https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-slow-out-of-the-gate-eventual-winner-workhorse#post-2384908 Thu, 24 Apr 2025 22:57:19 +0000 Irina 2384908@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Nice jeans, Suz! It is so great when an item from previous years becomes a workhorse! I don’t think I have something like it right now but I hope that a pair of cream linen full length pants will get worn more this summer. I got cropped tops that may work with it.  Jenni NZ on "The slow-out-of-the gate, eventual winner workhorse." https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-slow-out-of-the-gate-eventual-winner-workhorse#post-2384900 Thu, 24 Apr 2025 22:13:04 +0000 Jenni NZ 2384900@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I just had a look at the lists. Mostly it’s the other way around, often something that has been worn a great deal slowly falls out of favour, perhaps displaced by newer items that I love. Editing is not easy for me when I have really loved something, so it needs to be a few years of not wearing as much before I think of letting something go! There is one example from the summer we have recently finished where 2 items were worn a lot more than in 2024. I think this must be weather. The items are not new and both are beginning to show age- the 2016 metallic green sandals and the 2020 “blurred floral” top. The sandals are getting the marks on the inside footbed of my toes, which I dislike, and the polyester top (despite being “fabric from Italy” and expensive from Veronika Maine, Australian brand) is getting those tiny loose threads which I also dislike. But they go together so beautifully and I reached for them more in Jan and Feb. And occasionally in March on warm days. Top: 8 times in 2024, 18 times this year already. Sandals: 14 times in 2024, 23 times this year already. No photo of me in them together any more, deleted from phone, is in old posts. But here they are separately. Dee on "The slow-out-of-the gate, eventual winner workhorse." https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-slow-out-of-the-gate-eventual-winner-workhorse#post-2384899 Thu, 24 Apr 2025 22:12:50 +0000 Dee 2384899@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Great pair of ON jeans Suz, glad to hear they're back in rotation and serving you well once again. I've had some pretty good luck with some ON jeans myself. My grey wide-leg jeans that I wore in my most recent post are from Old Navy and they have been working out great for me this spring season too. rebekahphoto on "The slow-out-of-the gate, eventual winner workhorse." https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-slow-out-of-the-gate-eventual-winner-workhorse#post-2384893 Thu, 24 Apr 2025 21:41:15 +0000 rebekahphoto 2384893@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ those jeans look great on you! love the fluid line the first thing of mine that come to mind are my olive/camo jeans, a few years old, Im actually wearing them today-with my fav black graphic-T leather jacket & pink sneakers! I typically wear lots of jeans--black or dark usually, and these pants sat in the closet for a while unworn However they now are in the rotation--they have a great fit, (looser on me than the model) fun pattern--a little edgy vibe, comfortable and surprisingly versatile. Often I wear with black, or hot pink accents, and pattern mixing. Its also works well with a white tee, and layered knit, or structured dressy blazer Ket on "The slow-out-of-the gate, eventual winner workhorse." https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-slow-out-of-the-gate-eventual-winner-workhorse#post-2384892 Thu, 24 Apr 2025 21:38:38 +0000 Ket 2384892@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Oh gosh, I want a pair of those jeans for myself! Yours are great. <div> </div><div>Hello, pretty kitty!</div><div> </div><div>My own example is the midi length brown cardigan. It's from Target and acrylic (soft but not breathable), very pilly and covered in cat hair. And gosh, do I wear that thing every wear! It's going on 2 years old. Packs easily into a tote bag for errands and trips. Goes with about every single thing I own. It's drapey without being sloppy. It has a lovely high collar in the back that hugs the neck.  Really, I only bought it for the color (it's a really amazing clove brown color) as a little extra topper. Yet, somehow it's become a workhorse. It probably needs replaced but I just don't know what to even replace it with. It's a fine enough knit that I feel a bit lazy to try knitting a replacement myself. Might shop resale sights to see if there is a second one to be had. </div> Jenni NZ on "The slow-out-of-the gate, eventual winner workhorse." https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-slow-out-of-the-gate-eventual-winner-workhorse#post-2384891 Thu, 24 Apr 2025 21:36:05 +0000 Jenni NZ 2384891@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I can’t think right now of one, but can check my lists. I do notice that sometimes I wear something less one year then a lot the next year. Could be weather, or something I combine it with? Angie on "The slow-out-of-the gate, eventual winner workhorse." https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-slow-out-of-the-gate-eventual-winner-workhorse#post-2384885 Thu, 24 Apr 2025 21:19:09 +0000 Angie 2384885@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Hi, Max!  (I'm thanking the fashion world for wide pants with you - for wide crops especially. My favourite). KILLER jeans, Suz! They love you right back. You are our other Queen Stripe! I love the way you tied the scarf in #2. It effectively amps up the outfit, and pattern mixes with charm :)  I know, right? We are not in the mood to wear something frequently, and suddenly they become a workhorse - and very conveniently too! I'm sure we all have examples of that!  Suz on "The slow-out-of-the gate, eventual winner workhorse." https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-slow-out-of-the-gate-eventual-winner-workhorse#post-2384877 Thu, 24 Apr 2025 20:11:15 +0000 Suz 2384877@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ One of my favourite wardrobe items is the workhorse that does not become a workhorse immediately but shows its true colours later ---  at the very moment you need a bit of a refresh.  I've had many of these over the years and they always bring me great joy.  This pair of Old Navy jeans definitely qualifies. I bought them 3 years ago. Wore them on a San Francisco trip that summer, but not a lot otherwise that season since I was in the mood for dark wash jeans at full length, or cropped jeans in the summer. Last summer, same thing. Suddenly this year, they're the jeans I'm reaching for multiple times a week. I don't mind their mild distressing, I'm in the mood for their light wash, the days are sunny but cool enough so far that I often prefer full length to cropped -- and they are just generally a great jean to wear! Thank you, Old Navy and thank you, fashion world, for A-line wide leg jeans!  Do you have any items like this in your seasonal closet? What made them suddenly workhorses, do you think?