https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-is-your-planning-style Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Sun, 26 Apr 2026 07:50:27 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-is-your-planning-style/page/2#post-444117 Fri, 14 Oct 2011 02:41:16 +0000 Anonymous 444117@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>What a brilliant read! I'm glad to hear that there is no right or wrong way to do this. I have always just tried to fill a few wardrobe holes each season, but everything I have is just "good enough". My strategy worked for a long time as a budget conscious SAHM, but my kids are in high school now, and I'm having more oportunities to travel and do things that require clothing and outfits I can count on. Sometimes I just want to chuck everything and start over. The alternative seems to be to build on the mediocre Items I have, and I might want to go in a different (color) direction entirely. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-is-your-planning-style/page/2#post-441990 Tue, 11 Oct 2011 19:24:04 +0000 mrseccentric 441990@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Hi Elly! a couple of thoughts - re: dressing an hourglass....i find that softer, thinner, stretchier, drapier fabrics are much more 'forgiving' when it comes to 'extra bulk' around the waist. With these types of fabrics you don't have to take in as much as you would a stiffer, thicker, more stable fabric if you are tailoring at the waist, for example. I've found this to be the case for stretch wovens as well as knits (so you can get that more tailored look you like).</p> <p>re: clothes for a new job. Every manager i've known (worked with or for, or to whom i'm related) understands that a person takes a while to 'get dressed' nicely for a new position. They also understand this will take even longer if you are new to the field or haven't worked for a while. The important thing is for you to show you are making an effort to be appropriately clothed for your position. </p> <p>As Aida points out, you may have to wear less than perfect items until you can get a hold of the items you really want. In my experience most managers will notice that you are not dressing according to the dress code while they will not care that your hem is at a dowdy length, you are wearing a less than flattering color, blouse is kind of baggy at the waist, etc.</p> <p>Depending on the state of your closet, budget, and shopping options one approach would be to buy some 'stopgap' work appropriate pieces at cheap prices (sales, T.J.Maxx, etc.). You can wear these at work while you acquire what you really want. It's not ideal, but then dressing for work often isn't : )</p> <p>HTH!! happy afternoon, steph </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-is-your-planning-style/page/2#post-441963 Tue, 11 Oct 2011 18:46:10 +0000 Lynne 441963@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Elly, you might be better to stick with bias cut or stretch fabrics that will give and drape? Would that fit with your style? On Imogens Inside Out Style blog she has some tips for dressing what she describes as 'a figure 8' that you mind find useful, too:<br /> <a href="http://www.insideoutstyleblog.com/2010/10/guest-post-real-life-dressing-a-figure-8-shape.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.insideoutstyleblog......shape.html</a></p> <p>I love the idea of a 'calm' wardrobe, and the outfit descriptions. I am going to make sure I have all of these covered. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-is-your-planning-style/page/2#post-441944 Tue, 11 Oct 2011 18:19:54 +0000 Elly 441944@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Aida-- thanks, good to know someone else feels my pain.</p> <p>I actually am a decent seamstress. I don't make my own clothing for daily wear, but I am pretty confident around a sewing machine. I do do some of my own alterations. I can put a dart or two in a button-down no problem. However, I often run into items that are very hard to alter down enough. Taking something in 8 inches in the waist can become complicated and I don't attempt alterations that most tailors refuse-- like resetting pre-cut sleeves that are two low or big-- that is a nightmare. I also sometimes get tired or nervous about having to tear apart high end lined garments. I don't want to mess them up, but tailors charge a lot when they are practically having to recut a garment because the jacket or pants have to be taken up SO much in the waist. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-is-your-planning-style/page/2#post-441377 Tue, 11 Oct 2011 01:12:06 +0000 Kate 441377@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Elly and Aida, I'm right there with you about tweaking proportions. I pretty much don't buy anything that surrenders the waist, unless it's a top that I can wear under a skirt and belt if it's over pants. And both of my A-line skirts are flowy so that they don't throw off proportions with my shoulders. On a related note, I try to only buy tops that I can wear tucked into skirts AND over pants AND that is fitted at the waist, but it's really difficult. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-is-your-planning-style/page/2#post-441264 Mon, 10 Oct 2011 22:42:18 +0000 Aida 441264@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Elly, what you said: "As an hourglass I find that I am constantly needing to tweak proportions to keep my body looking like my body instead of letting it become unbalanced by clothing or greatly enlarged by clothing."</p> <p>I hear you!! I think we either need to bite the bullet and get things altered, or accept some of the extra width clothing is going to add to us. If you can get in the habit of altering, especially if you can take garments in right away, those spontaneous purchases will then get worn because they fit correctly. This is my current biggest problem; I don't do this at all, and I very very much need to. So I've gotten very comfortable with waist surrender, and adding extra width... but as my style improves I am becoming less and less patient with this so I'm sure I'll suck it up and go to the tailor soon. If you don't have a nearby alterations location, perhaps it would be worth learning to make some of the common alterations you'd need yourself? (back darts, waist nipping, etc.)</p> <p>For your work wardrobe, if you have pieces that are close-but-not-perfect and nothing to replace them with (e.g. tops for those two skirts), you may just have to wear them until you can find proper replacements. Can't have you going to work topless </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-is-your-planning-style/page/2#post-441254 Mon, 10 Oct 2011 22:28:48 +0000 krishnidoux 441254@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>In Other Words </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-is-your-planning-style#post-441228 Mon, 10 Oct 2011 21:43:35 +0000 Janet 441228@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Is IOW = I Often Wear? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-is-your-planning-style#post-441224 Mon, 10 Oct 2011 21:42:31 +0000 Janet 441224@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Wow, what an enlightening thread! </p> <p>It's so funny that I am a list-maker and planner extraordinaire when it comes to all kinds of things: my work, travel plans, etc., but... I do not plan my wardrobe (except for when I'm planning outfits to pack for a trip), and I have only started to make lists for clothes shopping. </p> <p>My shopping and dressing style is, dare I say it, disorganized. I definitely tend toward the more serendipitous style of working with my wardrobe. I suppose this comes along with the habit I learned from my mom of "shopping as hobby." I shop frequently, for short periods of time usually -- say, an idle hour between appointments. I also have a habit of shopping for items, not outfits. </p> <p>This method can be fun, but it's probably led to more closet orphans than I care to admit. In most aspects of my life, I am a very left-brain/right-brain person -- analytical but creative. I think I am going to try taking a cue from some of you when it comes to planning and shopping. I'm not quite sure where to start. Some of these ideas appeal to me -- especially some kind of inventory of my wardrobe -- but I'm not excited by the idea of a spreadsheet at all. </p> <p>OK, who wants to come help me out? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-is-your-planning-style#post-441185 Mon, 10 Oct 2011 20:53:37 +0000 Elly 441185@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Wow-- it seems like there is quiet a good mix here. </p> <p>I thought the right and left brain comparisons were very interesting. I am a left-hander and do have a lot of strong right-brain creative tendencies. I struggle with certain left-brained tasks and actually found out several years ago that I have lifelong brain damage that might explain some of those things. On the other hand, I'm a INTJ/mastermind when it comes to personality sorters, which is a rational and very planner-y and also the rarest personality type (1-2%of the pop), which explains why I am sometimes stand alone to certain things. </p> <p>As far as simplicity goes-- it isn't so much something I struggle with or aspire to as something that I don't function well without. </p> <p>In theory I know what I like and I know what works, but I have a hard time finding the pieces to complete planned looks. It isn't as simple as finding a white button down that fits correctly as I find that I may need two or three to complete all the looks I would want to wear one with. As an hourglass I find that I am constantly needing to tweak proportions to keep my body looking like my body instead of letting it become unbalanced by clothing or greatly enlarged by clothing. That frustrates the planner/minimalist part of myself to no end. However, for the same reason of not being able to play with the clothes and try on and return easily and nip and tuck I often find myself with orphans for more spontaneous pieces. </p> <p>That is where I find myself in the work wardrobe. I would love to just work with what I have, but I have two work-type skirts with no tops and no non-jean or nice jean bottoms. I am down to one pair of jeans that isn't worn as is. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-is-your-planning-style#post-440925 Mon, 10 Oct 2011 13:28:19 +0000 rosee 440925@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Anne, I'm assuming IOW = "in other words".</p> <p>MrsE: thanks for the left-brain / right-brain idea. I believe I incorporate both in my planning (I scored equally left and right brain on a test once), but while I write lists for the left brain stuff, I do the right brain stuff more casually and instinctively. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-is-your-planning-style#post-440915 Mon, 10 Oct 2011 12:40:21 +0000 anne 440915@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>What is IOW? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-is-your-planning-style#post-440905 Mon, 10 Oct 2011 10:06:53 +0000 krishnidoux 440905@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Lynne, that is a very sweet thing of you to say.</p> <p>Vildy, I am very inspired by this! Especially the IOW's. You bet I will incorporate this to my notebook entries. The IOW description compels you to stay focus on the goal when outfit building AS WELL AS when outfit recreating. It allows one to last-minute swap an element for another, while staying within the limits of what you are dressing for.<br /> I especially like the elegance and modesty of the descriptions you posted.<br /> I am looking forward to read future comments to this thread. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-is-your-planning-style#post-440902 Mon, 10 Oct 2011 09:57:05 +0000 MrMartin 440902@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>How Do You Spend Your Time?</p> <p>Your wardrobe is a tool; one that works with your lifestyle. So … um, what is your lifestyle? Sit down and do an inventory of your ‘usual’ week. How much time do you spend at work? How much time on leisure and entertainment? If it helps make a diagram to show how you spend your time.</p> <p>Below are some questions to try and get you started.</p> <p>Family: Are you married, dating, divorced? Do you have children? How old are they?</p> <p>Location: Do you live in a city, town, quiet beachside resort, the country or the suburbs?</p> <p>Weather: What is the weather like where you live? Are there long hot summers? Or freezing cold winters? Are the spring and fall (autumn) temperate or cool?</p> <p>Work Life: How much time do you spend working? What sort of activities does your job entail? Do you need special considerations in your wardrobe like conservative suits or durable clothing? Is there a dress code in your job or a uniform?</p> <p>Home Life: What is your role in the family? What style of home do you have? What are your regular activities or duties? What do you and your family do as a group?</p> <p>Social Life: Do you go out often? Where do you go? What do you do? Whom do you do it with? Do you do community work? Do you attend fundraisers or church or the kids football on a regular basis?</p> <p>Exercise / Sport style: What sort of sport do you play or exercise do you do? Do you need special clothing, such as for tennis or gold or yoga?</p> <p>Weekend / Holiday / Travel Style: Do you go a way for the weekend? Where do you go and what sort of activities do you undertake.</p> <p>Try and take a long term view – over the next year. Are you going somewhere on holiday? Are you planning on moving to a more temperate or cooler environment? Will there be major changes in your lifestyle over the next year?</p> <p>Once you know how much time you spend on various activities in your life, and have identified any unusual events that will require different items then you’re ready for the next step: Wardrobe Planning Step 2: What Do You Already Have? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-is-your-planning-style#post-440898 Mon, 10 Oct 2011 09:34:16 +0000 Vildy 440898@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I think there was also 5: something to wear to "church" occasion like a christening or bar mitzvah. IOW, appear happy to be there and happy for everyone and in a ladylike way.<br /> Modest dress in terms of coverage and not trying to outshine the celebrants. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-is-your-planning-style#post-440897 Mon, 10 Oct 2011 09:31:12 +0000 Vildy 440897@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>One thing that helped me is a scaled down version of ironkurtin's idea of having something for every eventuality. I read a book, possibly called Scaling Down, about<br /> having to or wanting to downsize possessions. I found her advice re: wardrobe very<br /> calming. She said to go through your closet and extract certain outfits first. I believe<br /> it was: 1) funeral. IOW (my takes) something to wear for a sober and dignified occasion where the emphasis is not on you but on the importance of the event. 2) lunch out with the girls. IOW something to enjoy yourself in and show enthusiasm for the occasion but not competitive. 3. dinner in an elegant restaurant. IOW this time the focus can be on you in your most romantic or liking to be pampered incarnation. 4. new year's eve. IOW<br /> very personal, at your most festive and reflecting your own style of celebrating. Could therefore be your long and glitzy item or - I'm sure she didn't mean this - might be a chunky sweater and high boots. </p> <p>Next, she had you go through and make up, say, 10 everyday outfits from top to toe.<br /> Now you're covered for everything and you can be calm.</p> <p>As for shopping, I'm totally intuitive. It often takes my wardrobe in surprising directions.<br /> If I worked outside the home I would probably, though, get myself a simple template and stick to it like glue so I could feel pleasantly presentable and get on with other things.</p> <p>I spent some years doing volunteer work and instinctively wore skirted suits, even though no one else did. Worked for me as I could get dressed in ten minutes. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-is-your-planning-style#post-440896 Mon, 10 Oct 2011 09:29:10 +0000 Lynne 440896@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>wow, so amazing to read all these right brain and left brain strategies! </p> <p>Steph, I love your observation about the different things to be gained from different perspectives; brilliant. </p> <p>@KD, please tell me you will share some more pages from your notebook? Or publish it, so i can have it on my coffee table? It sounds wonderful. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-is-your-planning-style#post-440848 Mon, 10 Oct 2011 05:23:30 +0000 Kate 440848@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I talk about this ALL THE TIME, but here's how I plan:</p> <p>First, I should say that I plan my wardrobe like crazy, but my outfits are rarely planned in advance unless there's a special occasion or I'm going on a trip. I do keep a folder on the computer of picture of outfit inspirations, but I've never actually looked at them when deciding what to wear.</p> <p>I keep an excel spreadsheet with worksheets that track my clothes, accessories, and shoes. Within each of those spreadsheets I track not only what I wear each day, but the cost of each item, when it was last worn, the number of times it was worn, the cost per wear, and how many more times I need to wear each item to get to $1 cost per wear.</p> <p>I also have worksheets in that same excel file that keep track of all of my jewelry and nail polish, but don't track when I wear what. There are also worksheets with my style description (using Aida's method), what I want to get, how many of each color I have in my wardrobe, all of my purchases this year, my average cost per wear for clothes, accessories, and shoes tracked twice per month, a potential packing list for my next vacation, the number of items in my wardrobe tracked monthly, and my 2012 shopping budget. It's a bit absurd, but it's really helped me to pinpoint my fashion habits, and make better shopping choices. </p> <p>It's also awesome to know that I have 60 fewer items than I did a year ago (!!!) and I love my wardrobe so much more! Not to mention getting dressed in the morning is so much easier than it was when I started my style journey. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-is-your-planning-style#post-440813 Mon, 10 Oct 2011 04:10:09 +0000 Aida 440813@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>So interesting to read everyone's approach! Steph's post really resonates with me; I also use both halves of my brain for planning, both in terms of hard lists of items I want/need as well as determining which new "whims" need perusing.</p> <p>Initially, I started by making lists but then found that I'd often settle for sub-par items just so I could tick them off my list. So these days I have a hybrid system, mainly using lists to focus my wants and needs. So after looking at mags/runway shows and doing some research, I list the main trends I'm interested in for the season; determine which I have, which need purchasing. Do the same for fringe trends. Then make my "shopping list", which I keep on my computer and update as new things come to me. If it's something that will be cornerstone for my style that season, I actively hunt for it. The other list items are simply kept in my head when I'm out shopping; otherwise I get too narrowly focused and miss out on those serendipitous items :)</p> <p>As the season goes on, new things I want to try pop out to me from various sources (YLF, magazines, blogs, catalogs, people watching, etc.) and those I will often buy spontaneously while I'm still thinking about it. And as wardrobe holes come up, I jot them down and THAT is a list I keep with me when shopping. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-is-your-planning-style#post-440804 Mon, 10 Oct 2011 03:46:24 +0000 Mo 440804@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I'm not nearly so organized as any of you! I get an idea - wanting booties with a bit of edge to wear with skirts and dresses was the latest - and hunt around until I find what I like within budget.<br /> A few things I did plan ahead for earlier this summer - wedding, funeral, and job interview capsules. And I bought a Little Black Dress with no real need at the time for it, but once again, the right item at the right price presented itself and I pounced. Wore it this weekend finally :)<br /> I suppose I first define a wardrobe hole (some quite possibly self imagined!) and then search to fill it. I keep a running list of these items and find I sometimes cross them off or lose interest after a few months if I have not procured them. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-is-your-planning-style#post-440750 Mon, 10 Oct 2011 02:29:51 +0000 Refugee 440750@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I had to balance the right brain serendipitous with some planning. I have started a simple spreadsheet listing items of clothes with plenty of room to add detail to the item then 2 columns one for OK for now and one for the perfect item. Things get added and removed form the list but it has given me a starting point and helps me be more thoughtful about my wardrobe. I find things getting added to the list and removed. I get more specific about things I am looking for in 'the perfect item There are still things I purchase that were not on the list. When reading posts here on YLF or looking at other blogs or magazines I add things to the list or learn what what is not me and should not go on my current list. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-is-your-planning-style#post-440678 Mon, 10 Oct 2011 00:49:24 +0000 Suz 440678@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Wow! What a fascinating thread! This is utterly amazing to me! Pre- YLF, I didn't plan my shopping or my dressing much beyond going to the discount store to see what they had in my approximate size and looking for tops and bottoms that did not clash. Given what I've learned here about the care and effort (both left brain and right brain) that can go into the creation of fashionable outfits, no WONDER I was never happy with the way I looked! </p> <p>Spreadsheets! Lists! Private notebooks! Clippings folders! Outfit names! </p> <p>But it seems I've been doing some of this, too, without even being fully aware of it. </p> <p>The other day in going through an old journal of my own, I was surprised to see a whole entry on clothes, what I needed, what I wanted. Then another entry questioning my style (or lack thereof) with words and images that I repeated several years later (all unconsciously) in yet another journal entry. Apprently, I have been preoccupied with these questions for a long time, but not really admitting it to myself. </p> <p>Lately, especially for important occasions, I've been trying on outfits in advance, posting them here, writing them in my notebook. I think I will continue with this because it is helpful not only in terms of the look of the day, but also to suggest holes in my wardrobe. (People often say "It would look good with x or y" and then I know that I could consider adding x or y to my wardrobe. </p> <p>Elly, I think Krishnidoux is really onto something for your particular dilemma. If you can find a way to make even a couple of your current pieces "work-worthy" you will feel much more prepared should your job begin in a week. You could also make a concentrated effort to shop for one item that you know is fairly easy for you to find in a good fit; save the more difficult-to-purchase, hard to fit items for later. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-is-your-planning-style#post-440647 Sun, 09 Oct 2011 23:40:14 +0000 krishnidoux 440647@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Now on to this thread's topic. </p> <p>I keep a little diary of my planned or worn outfits in a cute notebook which I hide (yes, hide) in my underwear drawer. In this diary, I write by hand my weekly outfits as I plan them. The pages are filled with capsules inspired by Angie's formulas or other "recipes". I ornate them with little explanatory drawings which I take pleasure doing. For example a little drawing to show which direction to tie a scarf was later much useful when recreating the outfit. </p> <p>Out of necessity for outfit formulas I have had to "name" my clothes, which is something I have found very amusing. I had never thought before as how I referred to a piece of clothing other than learning how it was called in English for purchase purposes. I have found that I tend to remember them by the name of the store or place I got them, but not always. I also tend to title my outfits and this is both practical and funny. It helps in the morning to select what I need, and to lift my spirits. In making these outfits I make the effort to imagine what is the suitable outerwear depending on the weather, as well as jewelery and purse. </p> <p>I've had to undo entire outfits for lack of suitable matching handbag. Better it happening in the intimacy of my room on a Sunday night than right before leaving in the morning!</p> <p>If one was to open this diary at any page, one would read things like:</p> <p>"Folies Berbères":<br /> Bottes douces hautes U. bleues<br /> Jupe fausse soie bleue du Maroc<br /> Cami blanche Roots<br /> Chemise C.M. chiffon petits cubes bleus et blancs, portée par-dessus<br /> Collants imprimés<br /> Bague énorme mauve façon "Isabelle"<br /> + veste cuir rouge + foulard fleuri + sac chats Lauren Bauer<br /> (SI FROID:) + manteau court évasé Mod + foulard laine bleue + mouffles + sac<br /> violet.<br /> (Si PLUIE:) + imper noir + bottillons noirs + parapluie à pois + sac violet </p> <p>Translation:</p> <p>"Folies Berbères" (this title tells me the outfit is not too serious, and a bit exotic).<br /> U. high soft blue boots<br /> Faux silk skirt Morocco<br /> Roots white cami<br /> C.M. chiffon shirt with little blue and white squares, untucked<br /> Printed hosiery<br /> Huge purple "Isabelle" style ring<br /> + Red leather jacket + floral print scarf + Lauren Bauer bag with cats<br /> (IF COLD) + Short waist surrendering Mod coat + blue wool scarf + mittens+ purple<br /> purse.<br /> (IF RAIN) + Black raincoat + black booties + polka dots umbrella + purple purse.</p> <p>In the morning, after coffee, I take a minute to browse through the pages and find what suits the occasion and my mood. </p> <p>I try to take some time every week to prepare this, and to examine my clothes, tend to those in need such as ironing, mending, or identifying capsule holes. </p> <p>I write down any need as they arise on large post-its that I stick on throughout the pages of my hidden notebook. I specify what other clothes I want to wear it with. When it's time to shop, I quickly take the post-its with me. I sometimes bring some clothing with me to match the color. Keeping it on post-its next to the planned outfits helps remembering why I needed this particular item and what I intend to wear it with. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-is-your-planning-style#post-440595 Sun, 09 Oct 2011 21:26:29 +0000 krishnidoux 440595@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>This is a very interesting thread, with everybody's own personal answer. It is an eye opener to see that one is not alone in these thoughts and dilemmas. Thank you Elly for starting it. I hope you find some insight regarding your own present position. </p> <p>Regarding your particular issue of the chance that you may be called in for work on short notice when you feel you have no suitable clothes, here is my advice: forget the idea of an hypothetical capsule of work clothes non related to your present life. Go to your closet. Take something nice, presentable that you tend to wear often, that you fell good in, that is presently in your closet/in your drawers. For example, a pretty tee-shirt with some detail finish and a clean, non jeans bottom. Build on this embryo, tweak it a little to bring it to the needed level. Concentrate your efforts on accessories, don't be afraid to mix things you never thought could go together. For example pearls with that tee, sleeker boots with that bottom. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-is-your-planning-style#post-440564 Sun, 09 Oct 2011 20:25:41 +0000 Barbara 440564@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>What a great post, Elly. Interesting replies.</p> <p>I'm a list-maker and planner, buying seasonally and thoughtfully. I peruse and clip pages from Vogue, Elle, Bazaar and make monthly look books with my favorites. Of course, if I find something absolutely GORGEOUS, like the leopard coat from SteinMart, I may veer off course. These distractions are what keep my wardrobe interesting! </p> <p>I do keep a seasonal wish list in my purse, just in case. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-is-your-planning-style#post-440529 Sun, 09 Oct 2011 18:30:55 +0000 qfbrenda 440529@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I also love lists and planning. I have a 3 ring binder than holds print outs for the MOTG formulas and other blog posts from Angie that are either formula-based or are focused on dressing my body type. I have a few other articles from other sources, but most is from YLF. I've poured over those formulas over and over, and get new inspiration every time as my eyes are opened to new possibilities.</p> <p>As I've decided on things I want to get, I've made lists of those general times. My lists are pretty generic.... "cord skirt... black moto boots...etc." Then I just do the best I can to figure out what needs to be bought first. It was easy to know I should focus on boots when I realized I had almost no shoes for the fall. When I find something else on my list by accident that is perfect, I don't mind straying from my plan. ;)</p> <p>I don't think my lists will ever be completely empty since things in my closet will need replacing and fashions will change. But I can tell my plan is helping me because my wardrobe is improving and the lists are getting shorter. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-is-your-planning-style#post-440515 Sun, 09 Oct 2011 18:08:47 +0000 mrseccentric 440515@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Elly, what an interesting topic! and everyone has such interesting replies!</p> <p>for me, planing encompasses the ideas in your thread about feeling 'at home' in what you wear, the thread about events forcing a wardrobe overhaul, and right vs. left brain thinking.</p> <p>i've found that different 'parts' of the brain (left vs. right, analytical vs. intuitive, logical vs. creative, etc.) process information differently and come up with/present you with ideas in different ways. For a long time i believed that i had to focus on one way OR the other when it came to building my wardrobe. Sometimes this worked, usually when life was 'as normal', &amp; i didn't have to deal with unusual weather or events.</p> <p>But then.....i started perimenopause, or moved to a drastically different climate, or started a new job, or or or.......and just 'being spontaneously creative' didn't work at all. The last decade or so i've been 'working both sides of the fence', as it were - doing analytical research, reading books and blogs about wardrobe planning and advice, making lists and breaking down my wardrobe via capsules, climate, color, etc. for the 'left' brain. </p> <p>But i also do things for the right brain - inspiration boards, taking photos, doing a challenge or two, window shopping (no buying allowed!). I also realize that the right brain 'talks' to me in a softer, more subtle language - so i try to keep an ear open and listen for whimsical ideas, those ones that just 'pop into' my head for no reason.</p> <p>It turns out that when you exercise both parts of your brain, they talk to each other and you get the benefit of BOTH approaches. For me, realizing and then cultivating this process has been the big breakthrough.</p> <p>I hope this gives a little sense of the approach that is most fruitful for me. It's very much along the lines of Angie's formulas (an idea that i've thought genius for years). You provide a general framework, so you don't have an utter lack of focus, but within that framework you have tons of flexibility. Look at all the different outfits, the variety of styles represented, in Rita's recent challenge for example:</p> <p><a href="http://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/dress-down-your-formal-wear-post-your-pix-here" rel="nofollow">http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....r-pix-here</a></p> <p>My natural inclination is to be spontaneous about shopping, clothes, etc. But i found, thru events that forced a big change in clothing for me, that i was ill-equipped to dress for my new circumstances and *** still feel like me *** . For whatever reason, i am particularly sensitive to what i wear, and this really bothered me!! That was what started me on analyzing clothing, wardrobes, and personal style from the 'left brain' viewpoint. And i found that this information was useful, especially when i let it sit a bit, didn't force it, and it began to 'marinate over' into the right brain - who would figure out how all these ideas worked for me in particular.</p> <p>If i wasn't so fussy about clothes and style, and didn't face such big changes of circumstances, i don't think i would have been so interested in or needed to look at these topics from the analytical perspective. But i have to say it's a lot of fun, and some of the ideas have really made my life much easier and more fun! Hope this helps, and thank you everyone for sharing your thoughts!! steph </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-is-your-planning-style#post-440500 Sun, 09 Oct 2011 17:34:43 +0000 ironkurtin 440500@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I think I am reactionary wardrobe-wise, in that I react to life and try to deal with it via my closet. I like to know I am prepared in terms of my wardrobe, so that no matter what curveball gets thrown (wedding? funeral? invitation to the White House? No, really, I did that back in the 90s), I am ready. I guess it's more like capsule planning, with some happy crossover right in the middle of casual dressing. Um, big capsules. I probably have way more than I need, but you never know what life will send your way, right? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-is-your-planning-style#post-440491 Sun, 09 Oct 2011 17:13:03 +0000 Aziraphale 440491@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I can't say I thought too much about wardrobe planning before YLF. I think about it more now, after hearing advice from Angie and everyone else! </p> <p>I guess I'm still more of a serendipitous shopper, and my wardrobe grows organically based on occasional spur-of-the-moment purchases. But this is where the planning comes in. I will have purchased a new item, often shoes or boots, that I've fallen in love with, but then I don't have the right pants or skirt to wear with them, so that leads to the purchase of new bottoms of some kind. But the new bottoms may only go with one or two tops in my wardrobe, so I'll find myself trying to branch out into a different type of top. Then I find myself with a new silhouette that I really like, and I'll try to repeat the formula, or some variation of it, in later purchases.</p> <p>I guess what I'm saying is that I don't just randomly buy stuff, because then I'd end up with a wardrobe where nothing went together! But there's definitely an element of serendipity to it.</p> <p>And like others, budget plays a big part. I'm sure I'd shop a lot more if I had more $$ to spend! I've become more adventurous over the past three years, and I have a growing desire to look pulled-together and 'my age'. </p> <p>I'm also not restricted by having to buy clothing for an office job. I'm sure that would affect my choices. Even back when I taught school, I had a lot of freedom of choice, since where I live, a schoolteacher can wear pretty much whatever she/he wants, as long as it's not ragged/torn/revealing. Especially when you're a science teacher, 'cause you've got a white lab coat to throw over your outfit whenever you want to! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-is-your-planning-style#post-440364 Sun, 09 Oct 2011 11:12:05 +0000 ButterflyLady 440364@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>What a fascinating thread.</p> <p>Before I started with YLF, I was an avid reader of those lists of 10 items every woman should have in her closet. But I'd often find myself half way down the list, thinking 'I don't need a dark neutral suit for my MOTG lifestyle' and then I would abandon the magazine and sigh with frustration. In other areas of my life, I am a planner, organiser and list-maker, but when I've tried to do it with clothes, I've found I ended up with dull and uninspiring outfits which I could tick off my list, but which did nothing to make me feel good. </p> <p>Since I found YLF, and read Angie's MOTG formulas, I can see how I can still have a plan (the formula) but that I won't look the same every single day - if I have a choice of different items within each formula, then I could wear a formula every day, but still look put together and interesting. It was such a massive eye opener! I'm also paying close attention to the accessories Angie has used to illustrate her formlae, and to YLF-ers WIW posts, because accessorising is (one of) my weak areas.</p> <p>So now (and this is very recent!) I kind of plan - but I plan around the MOTG formulae - which allows me to browse, and feel fabrics, and enjoy colours and have fun.</p> <p>I don't have a huge budget, nor do I have lots of space to store clothes, so the natural confines of both will keep me in check! </p>