YouLookFab Forum » Topic: Wardrobe Evaluations Part 1

YouLookFab Forum » Topic: Wardrobe Evaluations Part 1 https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wardrobe-evaluations-part-1 Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Wed, 15 Apr 2026 02:52:26 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 <![CDATA[Search]]> q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php Cerinda on "Wardrobe Evaluations Part 1" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wardrobe-evaluations-part-1#post-1731659 Sat, 24 Sep 2016 20:42:12 +0000 Cerinda 1731659@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Sterling, your analysis is a total eye-opener!  Your discoveries just raised the possibility that I plan capsules but actually wear ensembles (and that may create orphans and encourage saving).  Thanks for helping define my challenge. shedev on "Wardrobe Evaluations Part 1" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wardrobe-evaluations-part-1#post-1731544 Sat, 24 Sep 2016 15:54:52 +0000 shedev 1731544@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Great job on your wardrobe analysis, Sterling. You really earned that pedi. cheryl on "Wardrobe Evaluations Part 1" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wardrobe-evaluations-part-1#post-1729886 Tue, 20 Sep 2016 23:08:37 +0000 cheryl 1729886@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ This is a fantastic evaluation. I love how you showed the outfit combos on a spreadsheet and then in a photo. Style Fan on "Wardrobe Evaluations Part 1" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wardrobe-evaluations-part-1#post-1729079 Mon, 19 Sep 2016 09:27:42 +0000 Style Fan 1729079@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Sterling I enjoyed reading your post.  I learn so much from wardrobe evaluations.  I like how you put together a spread sheet of outfits and then the picture of the actual pieces. Formulas have worked for you.    Also patterns don't.  One of the benefits of doing wardrobe evaluations is finding out what is working and what is not.   Pedicures are the best.     Liz A. on "Wardrobe Evaluations Part 1" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wardrobe-evaluations-part-1#post-1728939 Sun, 18 Sep 2016 22:01:34 +0000 Liz A. 1728939@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Sterling, I am so surprised that you have trouble wearing multiple tops with the same bottoms.  Would it help if you start thinking about how much you love each top and then maybe you would be more inspired to wear it even if its not your first choice with the bottoms?  If you don't love the tops, well then I guess they can go, right? Suz on "Wardrobe Evaluations Part 1" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wardrobe-evaluations-part-1#post-1728932 Sun, 18 Sep 2016 21:44:26 +0000 Suz 1728932@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Interesting discoveries.  I am the opposite in that I love patterned bottoms and actually prefer them (and find them easier to mix) than patterned tops. I tire of patterned tops much faster. And I guess I tend to buy more plain than patterned tops.  I am somewhere in between you and Jenn. Like you, I definitely have "favourite combinations" that are my FFBO for certain purposes. (I'm going to wear one of those to teach tomorrow). But like Jenn, I also wear most pieces with other items and sometimes those combinations become FFBO for different purposes. For instance, linen tee that is going to be my top tomorrow (for work) is also a great standby travel top under a different topper. Anonymous on "Wardrobe Evaluations Part 1" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wardrobe-evaluations-part-1#post-1728890 Sun, 18 Sep 2016 19:41:37 +0000 Anonymous 1728890@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ La Pedestrienne - I am forcing myself to stop buying patterns.  I love them and they always attract me in the store, but then I have problems when I get home and try to make them work.   Jenn -- I may be alone in this desire to develop specific outfits.  I know most of my friends experiment a lot more than me.  I discovered that I like formulas so I am working that paradigm.   Jenn on "Wardrobe Evaluations Part 1" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wardrobe-evaluations-part-1#post-1728863 Sun, 18 Sep 2016 18:14:54 +0000 Jenn 1728863@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I find it really interesting that you're a strict ensemble person. My mom used to always buy me clothes in complete "outfits" (often, she'd purchase exactly what the mannequin was wearing) but I rarely wear them that way. My struggle is just the opposite of yours. I'm always mixing, matching, and tweaking, instead of just re-wearing my tried and trues. I'm actually trying to go back through my wear tracking app and consciously repeat, because I think it can result in higher outfit satisfaction! I really love the way you've defined your combinations in a spreadsheet. LaPed on "Wardrobe Evaluations Part 1" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wardrobe-evaluations-part-1#post-1728841 Sun, 18 Sep 2016 17:29:51 +0000 LaPed 1728841@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Sterling, I have the same problem with printed/patterned pants and skirts! I've phased most of mine out because I found them too frustrating to style. I have a lot of striped and plaid shirts, and "busy" bottoms always ended up at the back of the closet, neglected. I'd love to add pinstriped pants to the mix, but in order to do that I'll have to find some more solid/neutral tops that I love.  Anonymous on "Wardrobe Evaluations Part 1" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wardrobe-evaluations-part-1#post-1728838 Sun, 18 Sep 2016 17:18:21 +0000 Anonymous 1728838@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Continuing with the wardrobe evaluations, I pulled everything out of my closets and out of storage.  Everything got heaped onto the bed.  I started physically building wardrobe ensembles based on either work or casual bottoms.  My goal was to have a minimum of two tops for each bottom (not to exceed four tops).   I took pictures of each ensemble and will start to post the pictures on Carter's Challenge Thread.  I also developed a spreadsheet that listed each bottom and the coordinating tops.   Some observations:   <ul> <li>I own a lot of Kut from the Kloth ponte pants.  I don't need to buy any more in the near future.  </li> <li>Although I have multiple tops for each bottom, experience has taught me that I will eventually settle on one "favorite" ensemble and wear that one the most.  As time goes on, I hope to identify those favorites.  That may mean that some tops will become orphans.  </li> <li>I took a picture of all the items that did not get coordinated into an ensemble.  I am going to use Carter's Challenge to figure out how to make them work.  If I can't figure out how to make them work, then I am going to boldly remove them from my wardrobe (I will not donate them at this time). </li> <li>I have a lot of variety.  The ensembles are all very different in terms color, texture, and overall feel.  </li> <li>My Winter casual wardrobe is much better than my Summer casual wardrobe.  </li> <li>I am going to continue build outward by adding shoes/toppers/jewelry.  </li> <li>Toppers are not a huge part of my style element.  I find them hot.</li> <li>OH!!  This is huge.  I always thought that garments went unworn in my wardrobe because I was "saving them."  Although this is true to some extent, I discovered today that a lot of those "wonderful saved pieces" don't actually have a corresponding coordinating piece.  I had no idea until today!!!!  </li> </ul> Anonymous on "Wardrobe Evaluations Part 1" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wardrobe-evaluations-part-1#post-1726211 Mon, 12 Sep 2016 09:43:12 +0000 Anonymous 1726211@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Sveta -- quite by accident I discovered that although I buy separates with the intent of mixing and matching, I rarely do.  I always find one single ensemble that makes my heart sing.  When I find that one single ensemble, I wear it almost exclusively.  Rarely I might wear a given top with several different bottoms, but it never feels quite as great to me.  So I actually cataloged those "perfect-to-me" ensembles.  My goal has always been to have eight or ten "perfect-to-me" ensembles for both work and casual.  This is literally what I am working toward.   The problem is that I have been conditioned to buy separates.  I continue to buy separates (trying to change that strategy) but it is happenstance when I hit upon my perfect outfit (sometimes it takes experimentation with existing wardrobe items; sometimes I have to buy a new supporting piece).   I am trying to retrain my brain to think in terms of complete outfits while shopping.  Not as easy as I would have thought.   Anonymous on "Wardrobe Evaluations Part 1" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wardrobe-evaluations-part-1#post-1726173 Mon, 12 Sep 2016 03:57:30 +0000 Anonymous 1726173@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ What I've learned - the majority of your items you are very happy with. That's a great thing, and should give you inspiration to bring in only items that meet the same criteria. Sveta on "Wardrobe Evaluations Part 1" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wardrobe-evaluations-part-1#post-1726117 Mon, 12 Sep 2016 02:06:05 +0000 Sveta 1726117@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Good job on your wardrobe evaluation! I have a question though: why do you feel that you need to have 8 tops and 8 bottoms for 2 work weeks? Is this a matter of laundering the item after it has been worn once or just so you do not want to repeat outfits in 2 weeks? You still can have "no repeat" outfits by wearing the same bottoms with different tops and nobody would notice that you are repeating the bottoms here.  Elizabeth P on "Wardrobe Evaluations Part 1" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wardrobe-evaluations-part-1#post-1726100 Mon, 12 Sep 2016 01:47:29 +0000 Elizabeth P 1726100@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I like how you've broken down your needs in thus post. yet more food for thought! kerry on "Wardrobe Evaluations Part 1" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wardrobe-evaluations-part-1#post-1726023 Sun, 11 Sep 2016 22:58:38 +0000 kerry 1726023@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ You've inspired me to go through the the bathroom vanity and give it a good clearing out! Barbara Diane on "Wardrobe Evaluations Part 1" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wardrobe-evaluations-part-1#post-1725926 Sun, 11 Sep 2016 19:02:57 +0000 Barbara Diane 1725926@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Great job getting rid of stuff. It's amazing how wonderful it feels. I think I've acquired more cosmetic items that need to go so I need to do it again. I'm loving the analysis process. I'm learning so much from everyone. Anonymous on "Wardrobe Evaluations Part 1" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wardrobe-evaluations-part-1#post-1725909 Sun, 11 Sep 2016 17:30:03 +0000 Anonymous 1725909@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I have read every single wardrobe evaluation that was posted this month.  All of the posts have been so inspirational to me.  I took that inspiration and really worked on my wardrobe.  I took it a bit further and started evaluating my makeup and toiletries as well.  I dumped all the stuff was old and/or rarely used.  I found stuff.  I found stuff that I didn't even remember buying, much less using.  As a reward for my hard work, I got a pedicure.   The wardrobe evaluations got me thinking about my personal needs.  I wear multiple complete ensembles during my day.  No overlap.  No cross over.  Each ensemble is based on the same exact formula:  bottom (usually pants in a dark color); top (contrasting); shoes; and earrings.    Here are my categories: WORK:  four days a week.   I need four bottoms and four tops (no toppers) for work for one week.  No repeats during the week.  So if I would like to have two weeks of no repeats, I need eight bottoms and eight tops.  I currently have five bottoms in rotation.  Although this number falls short of the goal, all five are stellar and I am happy to wear any of them on any given day.  Obviously I get dressed every day, but this category could use some attention.  CASUAL:  seven days a week.  I need at least four bottoms and four tops for casual for one week.  I do repeat casual, but I would like to reach a point where I don't repeat casual outfits in a given week.  So in essence, I would really like seven bottoms and seven tops.  I currently have six bottoms in rotation.  All six are "my favorite."  Here is the problem.  Two of the six are a print.  I love them, but the print severely limits the tops I can coordinate them.  I am constantly having to search for tops that work with these two print bottoms and I find I reach for the same exact three shirts ad nauseum.  I am so tired of those three shirts (note, I am not tired of the bottoms).   I am inclined to wear a topper during the winter months so that adds one piece to this formula.  I have yet to switch over my closet, but I feel I have toppers covered.   Oh, and I don't want my casual clothing to consist of work clothes that have been downgraded to casual.  I want casual clothing that make me feel really good about myself.   LOUNGING/SLEEP:  seven days a week.  One bottom and one matching top.  I am set here.  Everything I own is relatively new and a perfect 10.  All are comfortable.  All are coordinating.  I am quite proud of this particular capsule.   GYM:  five days a week.   I need five bottoms and five tops for one week.  Because I sweat so much when I work out, I tend to wash these garments frequently.  I actually own seven bottoms and ten tops.  During the Winter, I add a topper to this formula if I am outdoors.   What did I learn?  I have a lot of clothes, but there are certain pieces that I reach for over and over again.  I can rationalize a shopping spree.