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YouLookFab Forum » Topic: . https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/trying-something-new-for-2015 Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Sat, 11 Apr 2026 00:13:21 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 <![CDATA[Search]]> q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php unfrumped on "." https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/trying-something-new-for-2015/page/2#post-1414275 Mon, 22 Dec 2014 03:58:00 +0000 unfrumped 1414275@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Wow, challenging ideas here. No advice but watching with you. 2015 will be different for me, too and I'm intrigued by what Liz said. I've been through the YLF cycle, J guess and have added and culled and certainly have plenty of clothes. But I still add too many basics or dupe and need to go slower and savor a few new directions. See Rute's post on adding her cape. Also I hear you on 10's--maybe how to recognize, and for me, repeat more of the best and don't force combinations just to say I mixed them up. Though OTOH I'm also interested in enough versatility-- colors and styles that will mix& match. And finally-- fewer work outfits overall, while filling in some " occasion" gaps. unagi on "." https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/trying-something-new-for-2015/page/2#post-1414187 Sun, 21 Dec 2014 23:32:16 +0000 unagi 1414187@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Carter, I second everyone's advice to not think so firmly in terms of numbers.  It could be that buying a single different pair of pants updates 10 existing outfits for instance, how do you quantify that :-)?  But I'd like to emphasize the comment above to try to think in terms of capsules rather than outfits..  That's worked much better for me in terms of both limiting numbers, and being a lot more wearable without head-scratching in front of the closet.  If you've never gone through the exercise of devising even one small capsule, I'd recommend you try it. carter on "." https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/trying-something-new-for-2015#post-1413878 Sat, 20 Dec 2014 21:28:05 +0000 carter 1413878@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Suz, what a great revelation! Love those lightbulb moments. I could use a few myself. Thanks, Alasse. I always hope when I start these crazy threads that we can all benefit from the wisdom of the comments! Shedev, I know you have your well-thought out list for 2015. It was your post that jump started me into figuring out how I would approach the year. Looking forward to following your journey. Annabelle, I love your pre-purchase questions! I can definitely see how just those two questions can keep you focused on winners. I'm putting those as a note in my phone. Hopefully, I'll remember to look at them before I hand over my Visa:-) Thanks, TG. I appreciate the feedback on the outfits. I'll have to study them. Thanks, Denise! I really liked that outfit when I put it on, but I felt a little matchy matchy when I looked at the picture at the end of the day. I'll give it another go when I can wear real shoes again. Based on Deb's numbers post and the comments here, I'm rethinking the item number targets. I definitely think I'll stick with the "10" outfit goals for each season. I get so many last minute calls for showings, that I just think it will be so nice to have a stable of outfits that I know will be perfect. CocoLion on "." https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/trying-something-new-for-2015#post-1413831 Sat, 20 Dec 2014 18:26:45 +0000 CocoLion 1413831@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Carter, I think picture 4 (starting clockwise) of the 8s is a 10.  :-) ETA -- And I think your idea of having a certain amount of 10s ready to go is a great one.  I would like to try something like this myself. Helena on "." https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/trying-something-new-for-2015#post-1413828 Sat, 20 Dec 2014 18:21:42 +0000 Helena 1413828@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Carter, for what it's worth, I love all those outfits. There is a difference in the first slide - there's an ease and lightness to the outfits, whereas the second slide strikes me as a little more serious. I noticed elements like cuffed pant bottoms in the first one. Also, the overall color of the first slide is lighter than the second. That's just my impression. Following your journey with interest and support! annabelle on "." https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/trying-something-new-for-2015#post-1413790 Sat, 20 Dec 2014 17:30:12 +0000 annabelle 1413790@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Carter, having read through all the excellent comments, I agree with the consensus of planning # of outfits, and letting the # of purchases be dictated by your needs and desires. I start each season looking for, say, 6 outfits in the season (plus sales meetings + occasions, etc). For Fall, say the outfit is jeans and a sweater and a layer. I inventory what I loved from last season, and see whether there are missing elements. Then - and this is key - I won't purchase anything unless it (a) makes my 6 outfits minimum complete, or (b) is so much more irresistible to me than 100% of the existing sweaters that the new one is the instant "favorite." This strategy has worked really, very well for  keeping my wardrobe concise, and letting me wear these clothes I LOVE with a high frequency so none of the items gets lonely. And it means a rotation quite similar to CocoLion's where the age of the items in my wardrobe is staggered, and each season I enjoy finding a way to refresh. This season I ended up buying 2 pair of delicious boots, 2 pair of updated jeans/pants, a few patterned knit tops from yoox, a leather moto jacket, and no sweaters at all, because I enjoy my current collection so much. By the way, I love your outfits, both the 10s and the 8s. You truly understand your style and you own it. shedev on "." https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/trying-something-new-for-2015#post-1413547 Sat, 20 Dec 2014 00:29:30 +0000 shedev 1413547@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I'm in roughly the same place as you, Carter. In 2013, I replaced a ton of stuff. I didn't have a money or item budget. In 2014, I bought a lot less, bought more higher end pieces and moved much closer to my aspirational style. I also had both item and money budgets. The money budget was pretty generous. I snuck in some extra pieces, but stayed within the money budget. In 2014, I'm shopping from a list. I don't have a money budget but there are limits to what I'll spend on a piece of clothing. There are some specific things, like grey BF jeans, and some items like tee shirt that are more general. Sticking to the list would  mean 1 to 2 pieces in each category. I also have some open spots for wildcard items. My list isn't written in stone and I'll be thrilled if I come close to sticking to it. At the end of the day, it's more about focusing my purchasing than sticking to the numbers. Suz on "." https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/trying-something-new-for-2015#post-1413424 Fri, 19 Dec 2014 19:52:46 +0000 Suz 1413424@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ My guess is that some of it has to do with fit and texture of the clothing. I mean to say, stuff that might not be visible to us from the photos. How you FEEL.  Yes, there are slight differences between the 8s and the 10s but you are mostly dealing with the same silhouettes so it is not a major thing.  So...in that case...you need to get analytical about what feels good. For example, it took me more than a year to realize that I feel better in soft cozy things at home -- and structured things when I am out of the house. Lightbulb -- that guides my buying for the future. How many days am I at home? How often out and need the structure? This influences the proportions of the kinds of toppers I'll buy.  Meanwhile, it was only with Angie's help this year that I realized I wasn't reaching for my beloved button fronts in winter because of the fabrication. Too "crisp" and it didn't feel warm. So I needed some flannel shirts so I could continue to wear a top silhouette that is my most flattering.  For you, it might be the fabrications of those sweaters and pants. The rises of the jeans. Etc.  Alassë on "." https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/trying-something-new-for-2015#post-1413338 Fri, 19 Dec 2014 16:18:24 +0000 Alassë 1413338@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ This is a really interesting thread; thanks for starting it so we all can benefit from the advice! IMO, slide 1's looks are a little different - more complex, with unexpected elements. Slide 2's outfits are more predictable - good and stylish, but within a mold, if that makes sense. carter on "." https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/trying-something-new-for-2015#post-1413326 Fri, 19 Dec 2014 16:00:31 +0000 carter 1413326@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Oh my goodness! So much awesome advice. I have so much more work to do! 2014 (plus the last few months of 2013) was a complete overhaul year for me. Lots of updating needed to be done. Now I'd like to move into the maintenance level updating phase in order to figure out what this will look like going forward in terms of budget and closet turnover. As I mentioned in the original post, early retirement is quite possible in the not too distant future. I don't want to overly restrict myself this year so that I end up setting future budgets and expectations unrealistically. Nor do I want to overbuy this year for a life that will likely look much different very soon. So, what I'm hearing from Angie is that I probably won't be able to predict this until I'm in the midst of it. Fine. I can live with that if I put some type of parameters on myself. Maybe as Thimbelina says, it's simply mindfulness that should guide me. So that brings me back to what Caro and CocoLion said, which is basically that trying to fit my circumstances into a neat little box that works for someone else isn't likely to work for me. Pretty sure I agree with that one too. I do still really like the idea of striving for a specific number of outfits that are 10s. It's probably my definition of a 10 that is different than most. For me, it's basically an outfit that I want to be a FFBO. Whether it's for work or casual or date night, it's an outfit that I want to wear over and over because I feel great in it. On the other hand, for me, an "8" is an outfit in which I felt perfectly fine in but that I don't feel like I want to wear that particular combo as often as possible. Since I did the homework assigned by Donna, I'll post it below. Donna asked what keeps my 8 outfits from being 10s. I'm still not sure. I suspect it may be more of an internal barometer than an external one. Maybe I'm just too close to this, and the difference will jump out at you immediately. You be the judge. The first slide has my *10s*, the ones I want to wear over and over because I feel great in them. The next slide is the *8s*. Perfectly fine but not calling me to repeat as often as possible. Angie on "." https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/trying-something-new-for-2015#post-1413311 Fri, 19 Dec 2014 15:33:54 +0000 Angie 1413311@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I'm glad it made sense, Style Fan.  Carter, I  love what Caro, Suz, Donna and Cocolion suggested. That - to me - is effective planning if you want to play a numbers game with your wardrobe. Track your wears - and based on that - build more killer outfits. Refresh seasonally with new trends, and duplicate the items that get a lot of wear. That's being in tune with your current style preferences. Some can do this intuitively, while others prefer an app or spreadsheet. Trying to fit x amount of purchases into a number that you assigned arbitrarily is like putting the cart before the horse.  Stop shopping. Wait till the need arises, and the next trend tickles your fancy.  Helena on "." https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/trying-something-new-for-2015#post-1413284 Fri, 19 Dec 2014 14:30:11 +0000 Helena 1413284@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Carter, no brilliant advice, just support - as a fellow planner and analyzer, I am so with you on what you are trying to do ... following with interest as this thread is sure to help me also, so thanks for posting thimblelina on "." https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/trying-something-new-for-2015#post-1413274 Fri, 19 Dec 2014 13:49:06 +0000 thimblelina 1413274@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ It's sounds to me like your are looking for any tool at your disposal to simply slow the tap & keep too many things from rushing in all at once. Is this correct? If it is, I understand that feeling very, very well. Oddly, the same tool helps me when I need to pry open the tap a little to let in some more than might feel comfortable... For me it is wears! Wearing my clothes a lot of different ways and seeing exactly why I am wearing things a lot but still experiencing some minor wardrobe gaps helps me make sound, strategical purchases step by step. So I would encourage you to track wears for a little bit if you don't already. It really helps me a lot. After all my time on YLF I have learned 'new clothes' don't make me anxious; its new clothes that I don't have a firm grasp on how I want to wear that make me anxious! I think we all come with some core clothing values embedded deep inside that are hard to recognize at first. Sometimes they are restricting & need to be gently exorcised, like preconceptions about age or size. But others are valid for ourselves & just need to be recognized & honored. I see clothing I never wear or feel completely uncomfortable wearing as waste. Not just monetary waste either, but time & attention & life force too. And I hate waste! So it's not cut& dried like a single cost per wear or a fixed number of seasonal purchases or an annual budget goal. I get a wardrobe I want to wear by slowly and deliberately wearing what I have and making well thought out decisions that radiate out from those actions. For me, paying attention to what I'm wearing most happily and least self consciously sets the acquisition tap to a comfortable flow. Its neither flood nor drought. And I make fewer mistakes. This year the mistakes I made were very honest ones: a cheap blazer wasn't deemed worthy of tailoring repairs, a thrifted skirt, although new with tags, was a poor fabric choice that pilled; and I learned that ruanas & special ed subs shouldn't go to work together expecting to get much done... heh... Suz on "." https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/trying-something-new-for-2015#post-1413269 Fri, 19 Dec 2014 13:38:42 +0000 Suz 1413269@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Oooh, Liz, I love that idea!!  This might be what I do, too. I have already embraced more trends than I ever would have thought possible...but maybe I will make it a more intentional thing next year.  Liz on "." https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/trying-something-new-for-2015#post-1413266 Fri, 19 Dec 2014 13:32:52 +0000 Liz 1413266@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Carter, how about a whole different approach. Instead of restricting based on something arbitrary, why not restrict for the sake of doing something new and fun?  You might do this: Stop shopping altogether for the kind of clothes you always wear. You've said you have enough clothing and don't really need anything, and from your WIWs, you seem beautifully dressed. So, a total buying ban on your classic staples for 2015. Set a goal, instead, to buy one or two very new outfits each season based on the trends Angie features. Think of it as a Style Adventure and Play year. Style Fan on "." https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/trying-something-new-for-2015#post-1413235 Fri, 19 Dec 2014 11:34:24 +0000 Style Fan 1413235@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ This is a great post and the issues are ones that I have been struggling with for the last 3 years (!) since I retired.  What clothes do I need now and how many?  I found Angie's response very helpful.  It is a work in progress. CocoLion on "." https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/trying-something-new-for-2015#post-1413220 Fri, 19 Dec 2014 08:50:51 +0000 CocoLion 1413220@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I have grappled with wardrobe size and management for some time, having done some form of analysis in both 2012 and this past Summer, where I tried the 37 item capsule for 37 days.  The lessons that have stuck with me most are: - Purchase for the life and body you have, not a fantasy.  Even if it means you can't post the same quality of WIWs as before, because your wardrobe is more realistic. - Designate a certain amount of space and stick to it, thereafter practicing one in, one out.  Before I did this I kept buying more racks and plastic bins.  I'm happy to now have 4 empty plastic bins (although the racks haven't been reduced yet, just thinned out a bit). - Identify, be honest and accept what makes you tick.  For me, this means specifically that I like higher quality items, especially footwear.  The second thing I've come to accept about myself is that I like a high turnover because I get bored easily with my clothes.  Plus, I am hard on them and wash frequently.  I think I would be happiest with a wardrobe that turns over like this: 40% year one-30% year two-20% year three -10% items that are 4 years plus.  (Right now my guess is I'm at 30-30-20-20.) - Have Fun!!!  This is my hobby and source of joy, and not worth feeling guilty or stressed about. carter on "." https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/trying-something-new-for-2015#post-1413190 Fri, 19 Dec 2014 04:58:53 +0000 carter 1413190@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Laura, I don't know if my numbers are enough either. I've been playing around with this idea for months now, and I still don't know the answer. I do know that I don't *need* anything. I am clearly NOT an early adopter of trends and I tend to be rather classic, so I have more than enough to be properly dressed. It's the "I wants" that I feel need to have some limitations and structure. carter on "." https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/trying-something-new-for-2015#post-1413186 Fri, 19 Dec 2014 04:49:21 +0000 carter 1413186@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I agree with you, Suz. Picking a random number of items as a limit really doesn't make sense to me either. But neither does picking a random budget number. It's all pretty much a crap shoot for me at the moment. It seems to me that I need some type of foundational target (number of outfits) to figure out where my line should be. What I found with several months of tracking this year was that certain things in my closet get more wear because they're "best of" in category, not necessarily because they are part of fantastic outfits. Good heavens, Donna! Yet another profound question for homework. I'll flip though my WIWs tomorrow to see if I can answer this. Seems like it would be a darned good answer to know! Laura (rhubarbgirl) on "." https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/trying-something-new-for-2015#post-1413179 Fri, 19 Dec 2014 04:44:17 +0000 Laura (rhubarbgirl) 1413179@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Maybe I'm biased because I'm planning to do something similar (which you may have read at Mo's blog already, carter) but I think it might work. I mean, I think settling on a budget and trying to stick to that is step zero, but step one might be aiming for a particular number of items per season. You've got the most items in summer, which is your dominant season. I just don't know if your numbers are enough - especially if you try to shoehorn (ha) all the new shoes you may need once your foot is healed. I really dig the idea of trying to get a certain number of go to fab outfits, and making that your first priority. Especially since as I recall you don't have to get dressed up every day, since you don't always have client meetings. DonnaF on "." https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/trying-something-new-for-2015#post-1413161 Fri, 19 Dec 2014 04:19:40 +0000 DonnaF 1413161@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I think if I were you, I would wait to see what happened to my feet:  If I could go back to my pre-surgery shoes or if I had to replace a lot of my footwear for one reason or another.  Footwear can have quite an impact on skirt/dress and pant lengths that will work, not to mention silhouettes. What do you think keeps your *8* outfits from being *10*s? Suz on "." https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/trying-something-new-for-2015#post-1413160 Fri, 19 Dec 2014 04:19:40 +0000 Suz 1413160@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Carter, this makes perfect sense to me. You're in a similar position to where I was at the start of this season. I had finally replaced/ upgraded enough that I had a working closet. But I still needed the "glue" pieces and some statements to make the wardrobe really sing.  I'm still in the process of figuring this out for myself. But in my experience, footwear can be huge, and, as Angie says, finding a couple of key trends that you want to play with. That might not be true for those who do not have a modern classic style, but it is particularly important for those of us whose core style is modern classic. Otherwise the "modern" disappears from the "classic" awfully fast.  To determine my true needs, I am doing what Caro has suggested in the past -- keeping a strict tally of what I am actually wearing. I am going to do this for the season and then re-evaluate the size and distribution of my closet. I don't think I can follow any strict "numbers" system either -- whether that be a 10 item wardrobe, a 333, a 37 item capsule, or a decision to purchase 6 (or 10) items per season. It just ends up feeling arbitrary and silly to me, somehow. I do have limited space in my closet, and so I simply work with the space I have. I can't have more stuff than I have space for. My fashion budget is about to get a drastic cut, so that is also going to be an issue in future.  But once I have a very clear idea of how many wears each type of item is getting, I can decide more easily on whether I really want or need to add any more of that type of thing to my closet. Or whether I want to edit. Or simply upgrade what I already have. Or get rid of a few of "those" in favour of a few more of "these." Where do I get my biggest joy for the $$?  I DO think that focusing on creating 6 fantastic "10" outfits is a great way to go. And you can look back at some of last year's outfits now and ask yourself -- what would have made that a truly fabulous outfit, to me?  We always do a post around New Year's, collecting up our favourite outfits of the year. That can be a great opportunity to review your style and to see what might be missing.  rachylou on "." https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/trying-something-new-for-2015#post-1413154 Fri, 19 Dec 2014 04:04:22 +0000 rachylou 1413154@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ It's an idea that quite intrigues me. I think I'd need to photograph each outfit and put them on my closet doors, so I knew what to look for each day. Angie on "." https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/trying-something-new-for-2015#post-1413152 Fri, 19 Dec 2014 04:03:07 +0000 Angie 1413152@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ There you go, Carter. See. You're already figuring out the puzzle effectively. Often, we fail to solve our wardrobe challenges because we haven't figured out how we really feel about something when asked why? Asking these questions will help you do that.  carter on "." https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/trying-something-new-for-2015#post-1413148 Fri, 19 Dec 2014 03:56:37 +0000 carter 1413148@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ ugh...tablet crashed and lost my response. Here's where I think my problem lies: "look at the trends for the season, filter the info, refresh." In a way I did this in the past year or so, but it was really more like catch up with the decade/millenium (hello skinny jeans) and chuck all the old stuff. I have never done a regular closet refresh before because, I suppose, ignorance was bliss. Angie and Caro have given me quite a bit to think through. I'll be back--probably with more questions than answers;-) Angie on "." https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/trying-something-new-for-2015#post-1413138 Fri, 19 Dec 2014 03:28:08 +0000 Angie 1413138@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ *holding your hand* It's okay, Carter. YOU ARE GOING TO DO GREAT. These are very interesting questions that are worth thrashing out, and you are well to finding solutions.  With few budget and closet constraints straight off the bat, you are already in an excellent position. Lucky you.  You need to road test the looks you LOVE for the season before you purchase more of an item. That way you are in touch with your current style preferences. Look at the trends for the season. Filter the info. Wait. With which new silhouettes do you want to refresh your look? Perhaps you love your current stuff and you'll  focus on adding new footwear? But that wasn't the plan, so you might ignore your true needs in an effort to stick with the plan. And so starts the problem.   I am ALL for planning. But over planning too far in advance - has in my experience so far - left people with wardrobes that stuck to the spreadsheet, but did not fulfill their needs. A high level plan absolutely needs to be in place so that you don't purchase another 3 pairs of jeans when you already have 20 pairs because what you really need is a another ten tops. That level of planning is crucial.  May I suggest sitting back, Carter. Enjoy the ride. Wait till the new collections emerge. Asses those wardrobe holes when you put together outfits with your current wardrobe items - if there are any. Asses how many times you want to wear an outfit. Assess where your style preferences are at the time, and THEN start planning for ONE season (6 months of retail).  FWIW, I've really rambled. I hope it makes some sense. I'm here to help you any way I can. xo ps. High five, Caro.  Caro in Oz on "." https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/trying-something-new-for-2015#post-1413137 Fri, 19 Dec 2014 03:23:21 +0000 Caro in Oz 1413137@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Agreeing totally with Angie. Just some random thoughts - if budget & space aren't restrictions then maybe it's better to come from it the other way around. What would feel wasteful to you? How many "wears" do you like to get from your clothing? How often do you like to replenish your wardrobe or parts of your wardrobe? Do you want your clothes to be versatile or are you happy wearing them the same way? How often to you do the laundry?  This is why I get peeved with the x item wardrobe concept. I wasted a lot of energy trying to find THE FORMULA. I don't know what made me think I didn't have to figure it out for myself :)  carter on "." https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/trying-something-new-for-2015#post-1413134 Fri, 19 Dec 2014 03:06:45 +0000 carter 1413134@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Angie, I am so lost! How do I "feel my way before I can plan"? I'm from the "if you fail to plan, you plan to fail" generation. How do I restrict my wardrobe purchases if my budget is really a non issue and my closet space is plentiful? carter on "." https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/trying-something-new-for-2015#post-1413132 Fri, 19 Dec 2014 02:59:20 +0000 carter 1413132@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Suz, this year I bought a bunch of bottoms I love and a bunch of tops I love, but I didn't end up with a bunch of outfits that totally rock (10s). I feel like I have plenty of 8s, but I'm really missing the 10s. So, for Spring (which is only 6-8 weeks here in terms of weather-required clothing), if I can create 6 work outfits that are 10s--and still have plenty of 8s outfits for fillers--I should be fine. So, I'm not thinking so much of a capsule as I am what it takes to make a great outfit with a piece I already have and love. Does that make sense? Angie on "." https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/trying-something-new-for-2015#post-1413130 Fri, 19 Dec 2014 02:53:45 +0000 Angie 1413130@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Personally, I don't think it's a good idea to put a number (like X amount) to the items that you will buy in future. It sounds like ineffective planning to me. It's restricting, and puts the number ahead of your needs, style quotient, style preferences, budget, or the item itself. And your current needs MUST come ahead of the very arbitrary number you assigned to items you think you will purchase.  I DO like the idea of building X amounts of killer outfits per season, Carter. But you have to assess your needs and style preferences much closer to the time, because they change. Who knows what you will want to wear - and not wear - in 2015. Nobody knows. Style is art, not science. You have to feel your way before you can plan.  Restricting your wardrobe purchases because of a budget and closet space - based on your needs - makes a lot more sense to me. That way the strategy is planned, sensible, and very flexible.