YouLookFab Forum » Topic: What to Buy

YouLookFab Forum » Topic: What to Buy https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-to-buy Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Sat, 11 Apr 2026 00:40:47 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 <![CDATA[Search]]> q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php Angie on "What to Buy" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-to-buy#post-2229642 Tue, 05 Oct 2021 18:29:03 +0000 Angie 2229642@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I forgot to add Everlane! They do great jeans. Bijou on "What to Buy" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-to-buy#post-2229593 Tue, 05 Oct 2021 12:41:14 +0000 Bijou 2229593@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Kyle, after everything you have been through you deserve to feel good and I would suggest buying something that you truly love. I personally love coats and boots find that they can dress up a basic outfit. Even when I drop some weight, with a coat it allows greater layering options. I have this trench coat that has an adjustable waist, and was thinking about something along these lines may be useful and to make it more casual and fun, I wear it with my Docs. Whilst the coat is quite lightweight as it is linen, in winter I wear a sweater underneath and in warmer weather just a shirt. Kyle on "What to Buy" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-to-buy#post-2229324 Mon, 04 Oct 2021 15:11:58 +0000 Kyle 2229324@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Thanks to everyone for the helpful and supportive responses. I am truly grateful. A shopping trip is probably in order so I can try out some of these suggestions. I’m a little unsure about elastic waists, as I feel they might balloon out and emphasize what I don’t want to draw attention to, but I won’t know unless I give them a try, right? Shopping for jeans is not my favorite thing, but a good-fitting pair would really come in handy as Arizona is starting to cool off, and I’ve already been prowling around the Nordstrom site looking at shirt dresses, which do feel very me. The YLF a community is a wonderful place and I’m glad I reached out for help with this fashion challenge. Hugs to all.  Angie on "What to Buy" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-to-buy#post-2229309 Mon, 04 Oct 2021 14:09:50 +0000 Angie 2229309@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Kyle, my tall clients do well with Paige, Frame, Madewell and Pilcro jeans in regular lengths.  BR, Boden and J.Crew do tall inseams, which helps too. Elastic waists, or part elastic waists are handy! Jonesy on "What to Buy" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-to-buy#post-2229184 Mon, 04 Oct 2021 01:36:30 +0000 Jonesy 2229184@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Kyle, I am so, so sorry to hear what you've been going through! I am glad to know that you are on the mend now. You have gotten great suggestions for rebuilding your wardrobe. How do you feel about jeans with an elastic waist, like joggers or paper bag style jeans? Those might be comfy and trendy and chic right now, but also still usable after your weight has stabilized? I have a few pairs (from J. Crew and Gap) and find them really versatile. Jaime on "What to Buy" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-to-buy#post-2229178 Mon, 04 Oct 2021 01:29:35 +0000 Jaime 2229178@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Kyle nothing to add to the great suggestions above, just wishing you the best of luck and admiring your determination after a very tough few years. Kyle on "What to Buy" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-to-buy#post-2229129 Sun, 03 Oct 2021 20:20:58 +0000 Kyle 2229129@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Angie, any suggestions on where to find the type of jeans you specify in a tall size? I think jeans and a dress, at the very least, with a few new tops, will get me started.  Laura on "What to Buy" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-to-buy#post-2229127 Sun, 03 Oct 2021 20:14:15 +0000 Laura 2229127@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Kyle, you've handled everything life has put in your path with grace. I'm glad you're feeling like treating yourself to a few new items during this transitional time. The bias-cut skirts and shirtdresses Angie shared look very "you." I am here for you if you ever want a shopping companion and second opinion! Minaminu on "What to Buy" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-to-buy#post-2229111 Sun, 03 Oct 2021 18:58:03 +0000 Minaminu 2229111@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Kyle, what a challenging couple of years you had! I admire your spirit and wish you a speedy recovery.  My weight has been creeping up over the last couple of years and I am slowly trying to get down to a healthy number. It's a journey and it's been a bumpy road so far. I am a heavy pear shape and so far my solution has been to buy tops that I like and they are quite fitted now, so that when I am a size or 2 down they are just loose and I can still use them in a couple of  years.  As for the bottoms, I limited to few pieces as I don't want to have too many trousers/jeans to replace if the body shapes changes. I have noticed that wrap coats,  a-line and wrap dresses are very forgiving with the current weight but can also be easily fitted when the weight goes down.  Best of luck in this journey and for a speedy recovery! kellygirl on "What to Buy" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-to-buy#post-2229090 Sun, 03 Oct 2021 17:42:29 +0000 kellygirl 2229090@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I'm so sorry to hear what you've been dealing with, Kyle. I agree with the suggestions above--especially a dark wash pair of straight/bootcut denim. Maybe Kut from the Kloth or Not Your Mothers Jeans that come in talls. Probably not the most trendy denim but they're marketed for being forgiving around the midsection--ask me how I know. Those with a blouson or wrap top would be a good match.  Also seconding the suggestion for the Athleta Brooklyn's or similar joggers. They come in tall as well and can be dressed up to be smart casual. They're comfortable and don't require changing to go for a walk or doing light exercise...  I can also picture you wearing a midi shirtdress--the straight kind (no waist tie.)  Angie on "What to Buy" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-to-buy#post-2229084 Sun, 03 Oct 2021 17:31:08 +0000 Angie 2229084@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ My dear, Kyle. You have been through soooo much, and have soldiered through with grace, calm, and strength. Thank you for being an inspiration. IMPRESSIVE! May I suggest dresses and skirts that are forgiving as far as fit goes with losing weight. Items like bias cut skirts, A-line skirts, fluid tops, and straighter dresses - (with or without a tie belt) - that don't cling to the midsection, will adapt to your changing body very organically. Some examples below. Also, a pair of RELAXED straight leg jeans and a semi-tucked striped shirt with popped collar, sound very KYLE to me too :) Anonymous on "What to Buy" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-to-buy#post-2229078 Sun, 03 Oct 2021 17:22:12 +0000 Anonymous 2229078@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ You are to be commended for wanting to dress in real clothes and have received excellent advice. A good pairs of jeans without distressing can go almost anywhere. I also need elastic waists and there are pants and skirts out there that will look streamlined. A straight silhouette may be the easiest to wear. You may also want to consider a good pair of black pants that can be a little dressier than jeans and be worn with a variety of tops. kkards on "What to Buy" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-to-buy#post-2229053 Sun, 03 Oct 2021 16:13:24 +0000 kkards 2229053@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I was thinking the same thing as cat2, if your a dress person, i think knit or jersey dresses would be a great place to start…check out Boden.   I’d also think about joggers, the elastic and/or drawstring allows you to change up the fit as needed. And, at least IMO, they can we dressed up or dressed down. I also like these other pants from Athleta (the last one is an older style, but check on any of the Venice or Brooklyn styles). Again, i like that they are easy, comfy and wash and wear well, but can be dressed up for going out. I also like RJ’s athleisure culottes suggestion, i own the pair in the custom finds, and they’ve been great with just a tee and sneakers, but also looked great with a real shoe and blazer.  On the top half, i like the idea of a knit blazer, again comfy and easy care, but can be dressed or down.  (Below are just some examples) Hope this helps.  Kyle on "What to Buy" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-to-buy#post-2229051 Sun, 03 Oct 2021 16:04:41 +0000 Kyle 2229051@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I think a pair of jeans would be great, if I can find something that fits and flatters my larger belly area.  A dress seems like a reasonable idea, too, as do layering tops if they aren’t too clingy. Right now, I look at clothes and say, “that won’t look good on me,” which is not a helpful attitude, I know. Will work to keep a more open mind! I do enjoy pieces that tend toward, simple, classic and tailored, but with a fashionable or dramatic twist. Suz, you have a good memory!  Suz on "What to Buy" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-to-buy#post-2229050 Sun, 03 Oct 2021 16:03:01 +0000 Suz 2229050@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Kyle, you've really been through the wringer. I'm so sorry. The life changes of retirement alone can shake a person  and make wardrobe choices confusing, but combined with multiple diagnoses, drug regimes, and an ongoing pandemic -- oy!  I really like the advice to buy a few core pieces in happy colours/ neutrals. I recall your style as modern, elegant without being overdone, luxe. You wear clothes beautifully with your height and that has not changed, I'm sure!  I'm with RoseandJoan and Carol that slightly softer items with elastic waists might work well in this situation -- you might find you can wear them later. At the same time, if I'm remembering correctly, I think you also like/ need a bit of structure in your outfits. So, it would be good if the items are not too "loosey-goosey." You have a great shoulder line, so that means even sweaters will hand well and look sharp (with the right cut). I wonder if COS would be a good retailer to try for their modern, architectural look? Some of the oversized styles might continue to work as you lose weight. Also thinking of sack or shirt dresses -- again, your great shoulder line will make these work but they don't feel restricting.  When I was losing weight, the items that stayed in my closet almost throughout the weight loss were a simple gored skirt similar to the one below (with elastic waist) and a few knit tops. Items that had to be purchased fresh during weight loss included jeans, woven tops, jackets. I had to buy a few items mid-way through the weight loss but because I was on a tight budget, I kept it to a very few (one pair of jeans, one or two woven tops, a couple of jackets from consignment).  Someone who did a brilliant job with this and posted about it is Toban. You could look up some of her posts in the archives. She was working throughout and needed a decent working wardrobe.  cat2 on "What to Buy" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-to-buy#post-2229035 Sun, 03 Oct 2021 15:20:57 +0000 cat2 2229035@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ You must be so exhausted from having to deal with this and a pandemic at the same time. Are you a dress person? I find stretchy knit dresses are comfy and can accommodate a wider range of weights than tailored pieces. No specific recommendations because I don’t know your style. CarolS on "What to Buy" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-to-buy#post-2229033 Sun, 03 Oct 2021 15:16:39 +0000 CarolS 2229033@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I'm sorry you're facing so many challenges right now. I hope feeling better about how you look will help your healing overall. You've had some excellent advice already. This might be a time to aim for pants that look like "real clothes" but have the softness and stretch of leisure wear (the culotte RoseandJoan show above is a good example) They can give you the more polished look you're after but still the comfort factor you might want if you're not feeling 100%, and can still feel good as your weight adjusts. RoseandJoan on "What to Buy" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-to-buy#post-2229027 Sun, 03 Oct 2021 15:06:07 +0000 RoseandJoan 2229027@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Oh Kyle, you have had so much to contend with. I think Tanya has provided a great start. My bamboo culottes have helped me to feel pulled together and comfortable these past few months falling somewhere between lounge clothes and street wear. They are of a heavy weight and I currently wear them with a merino sweater. I bought mine in the sale in charcoal. <a href="https://www.asquithlondon.com/chi-culottes-pebble-peb/" rel="nofollow">https://www.asquithlondon.com/.....ebble-peb/</a> Tanya on "What to Buy" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-to-buy#post-2229012 Sun, 03 Oct 2021 14:18:39 +0000 Tanya 2229012@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I am so sorry about you are going through, Kyle, and admire your perseverance. Since you are mentioning smart casual, how about one nice pair of jeans that makes you feel great, comfy but current shoes that go with them, one fun jacket ( could be a blazer, or something more casual if you prefer that) and several layering tops in your happy colors? Kyle on "What to Buy" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-to-buy#post-2229007 Sun, 03 Oct 2021 14:01:47 +0000 Kyle 2229007@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ When I retired 3 years ago I gained about 10 pounds so put off buying any clothes for my completely new lifestyle. Then came Covid and a cancer and Epstein-Barr diagnosis, and I put on more weight. Again, I bought no new clothes and have unhappily slouched around mostly in what I already had in my closet ever since. I’m now on a path to lose the excess weight, but it’s very slow going due in part to my diagnosis and multiple medications, But I’m plugging away and will get there eventually. Meanwhile, I’m tired of slouching and want to buy a few new things to tide me over. What would be a good basic capsule, assuming Covid lets me out of the house. I guess the ideal pieces might be considered casual or even smart casual, and figure flattery is important to me. I love and miss being able to pop on a fashionable outfit and feel good and confident about how I look. Any specific recommendations would be appreciated so much.