https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/where-to-now-style-musings-for-the-new-year Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Sun, 26 Apr 2026 17:09:45 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/where-to-now-style-musings-for-the-new-year#post-1735741 Tue, 04 Oct 2016 13:26:34 +0000 Staysfit 1735741@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I should post the pics of my mothers mini first aid kit. It's truly amazing. She thinks of everything. Seriously. Although she's a pharmacist so she could get sample sizes of some items that most of us could never find. Her fist aid kit fits into a soap dish and holds the following:<br /> 1. Naftin<br /> 2. Hydrocortisone cream<br /> 3. Triple Antibiotic<br /> 4. Triamcinolone<br /> 5. Cavit (in case she loses a filling while in a foreign country)<br /> 6. Vanos<br /> 7. Mitigator<br /> 8. Band aids, Q tips, tooth pics, moist wipes, tweezers, etc.</p> <p>She's encountered fire ants and fungus! Spiders too. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/where-to-now-style-musings-for-the-new-year#post-1735709 Tue, 04 Oct 2016 12:11:45 +0000 Elizabeth P 1735709@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Chuckling to myslef over the vest, pants, bees.&nbsp; Nope, no sense of humour at all :)</p> <p>I do agree that shoes are the foundation of a travel capsule.&nbsp; It's certainly where I start.&nbsp; And where I discover that I don't have the right ones, or that my current fav clothes, or packable clothes, do NOT go with said shoes.&nbsp; I've returned from several trips swearing I'm going to get a pair of shoes that do it all, but of course never do.&nbsp; Although this was the thought when I tried on, and bought, my Munro Abby's - they were so freaking comfortable, and such a great heel height, when I put them on I said "these are my conference shoes".&nbsp; Can wear them all day and still be okay if somebody says "lets walk 10 miles for dinner and no you can't go and change first".</p> <p>Frannieb, PLEASE POST YOUR PANAMA BACKPACK CAPSULE!! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/where-to-now-style-musings-for-the-new-year#post-1735706 Tue, 04 Oct 2016 11:53:17 +0000 JamC 1735706@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I also see the need for a travel capsule. It would make getting ready for a trip so much easier! Please share your finds and feedback with all of us. Frannieb I look forward to your post about what you bring camping and what worked for Panama! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/where-to-now-style-musings-for-the-new-year#post-1735700 Tue, 04 Oct 2016 11:35:20 +0000 frannieb 1735700@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Oh what a fun thread.<br />Staysfit we started YLF around the same time and we are both in the same place with our wardrobes two years later. I also adore everything I wear and getting dressed is so easy.<br />I hear ya on capsules - I camp and hike a great deal - this year a finally made a camping/hiking capsule that lives in a under the bed box. It is wonderful - no thinking at all for camping trips and when we return I just wash and stick back in the box.<br />Traveling - I kinda also created a travel capsule this summer I had the opportunity to go to panama for a month and i did it with one back pack, weighing 20 pounds. &nbsp;I did some research found pieces that work for me - because it was winter in panama I had everything from sort cold, pouring rain, tropical heat and I managed to be comfortable the whole time, have an outfit to wear for all occasions - I even had to do a skype interview for my new job while I was there - and enjoyed myself. I keep saying I have to do a post on what was in my backpack - it will be my forever travel capsule and i did splurge on some specific travel pieces of clothing that were 100% worth it. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/where-to-now-style-musings-for-the-new-year#post-1735696 Tue, 04 Oct 2016 11:06:57 +0000 unfrumped 1735696@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Do you remember the old movie that had the scene of killer army ants marching through the village? It was on TV when I was a kid; maybe " Saturday Night at the Movies ". Now that was spooky; will never forget!</p> <p>The JV vest is hilarious because I really want one- have so nearly got something from Travel Smith or similar, but have resisted. I love vests and pockets and hands-free, but am aware of the potential for style destruction and am still too vain to risk it. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/where-to-now-style-musings-for-the-new-year#post-1735677 Tue, 04 Oct 2016 09:43:09 +0000 Staysfit 1735677@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Anne, my mother has an entire wardrobe of sunblock clothes from Solumbra and maybe some other companies also. My mom likes Travelsmith too but I'm not sure they make sunblock clothes? She wears them whenever she travels in sunny tropical or dry hot locations. It includes a hat collection. I love the full coverage hat with neck drapes. It's looks like a bee keeper hat---well it does if you use some imagination which I have in full supply. So, my mom also has a Bee Keeper uniform! No bee hives though, which I'm sad about because I love fresh honey. (I do know some people near here that have a lot of property and some bee hives. Bees are apparently fickle and it's hard to get them to stay in their hive. They get spooked easily. Seriously, I was told that small things could make them abandon a hive. Noise, wind, an animal, etc. Is it true? No clue? Any bee keepers here? My takeaway here is no bee keeper hat. Very practical but they make me giggle too much. I have to remain serious if I am walking around with a Passport someplace. </p> <p>I know a little bit about travel pants too, they have some great ones. My mom has a large collection of zip pants that become shorts. Maybe from Columbia? In fact she has a lifetime supply. I believe she purchases a new pair whenever she sees them on sale. She's loves a bargain. If she was my height I would be set for life because she would never miss if I took a pair or two. However, she's maybe 4 inches shorter and pear shaped. Do we think ankle strap shoes would look good with them and close the gap? (My mom tends to pair them with sturdy Merrell's). Did I mention that those pants have lots of pockets like the vest. Maybe I should call her Kangaroo because of her fondness for pockets! It's fun when she can't remember which pocket she put something in and then she needs to search! There's no dementia, just too many pockets! My takeaway here is not too many pockets on pants, and I'm not sure about convertible pants. If I want shorts on a hot day, I'm likely to pick a skirt instead. Now that I really think about this, I don't think my mom has ever used her convertible pants as shorts! Never! Now she's really going to hear from me! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/where-to-now-style-musings-for-the-new-year#post-1735675 Tue, 04 Oct 2016 09:40:56 +0000 Sally 1735675@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>What a great thread. You can definitely arrive at some place with a wardrobe. It makes life easier, helps you express yourself etc..it's a great thing. I look forward to seeing your travel capsule. I find multi utility travel clothes interesting and love the idea of travel clothes. I will live vicariously through yours for now. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/where-to-now-style-musings-for-the-new-year#post-1735583 Tue, 04 Oct 2016 03:44:56 +0000 anne 1735583@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Staysfit - what an interesting thread. Great place to be with your wardrobe.</p> <p>My mother is also quite a traveller and I had to borrow hiking pants from her for our recent trip to Nepal.</p> <p>I'll be interested to see how your capsule unfolds</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/where-to-now-style-musings-for-the-new-year#post-1735569 Tue, 04 Oct 2016 02:58:44 +0000 Staysfit 1735569@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>You can hear them marching. Everything else flees, and the birds even stop singing when they are around. Army ants! Very scary little creatures! Stay out of their way! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/where-to-now-style-musings-for-the-new-year#post-1735568 Tue, 04 Oct 2016 02:56:45 +0000 Staysfit 1735568@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>There are some great ideas here. I wonder if it's better to wear trousers or dresses when traveling? If I'm doing something very active, like hiking, I can pull out some gear. I'm more likely to be wandering in a museum or down a city street if I'm along with my DH. Of course, I've been to the rainforest with my mom also. I needed mosquito netting there and protection from killer ants. Maybe they're called army ants! Yes, army ants! Those guys are spooky! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/where-to-now-style-musings-for-the-new-year#post-1735567 Tue, 04 Oct 2016 02:50:41 +0000 Jenn 1735567@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I have a weird fascination with travel clothing (hello, <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.territoryahead.com">Territory Ahead</a>), so I can't wait to see how you build out this capsule. It's obvious from your initial post that you really love your current everyday wardrobe, so I have no doubts you'll make to pull together an equally great travel capsule. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/where-to-now-style-musings-for-the-new-year#post-1735561 Tue, 04 Oct 2016 02:32:29 +0000 Suz 1735561@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Oh, that last post about your mom's vest made me laugh out loud. Hilarious!!!! </p> <p>Nope, no sense of humour to you whatsoever. ;)</p> <p>You know, I would love in theory to limit myself to 3 shoes per trip but I find it is impossible. For one, I walk a huge amount when I travel and I sometimes get blisters despite precautions. Changing the footwear saves misery. Secondly, I often go away for long periods (a month or more) and will be doing many different kinds of things on the same trip (hiking in the mountains and dining in fancy restaurants). So my own secret weapon of travel is weightlifting. Yes! It's amazing how many pairs of shoes I can fit in a carry on...and I can still carry it because I do resistance training. &nbsp;;)&nbsp;</p> <p>In all seriousness, I don't think 3 shoes is excessive especially if one pair is gear. But I also see your point. It should be possible to build great outfits around fewer pairs of shoes for most shorter trips. I recently went to a temperate place for a week and brought one pair of waterproof booties, one leather sneaker, one sandal bootie, and one dressy pump. It worked well. (But there was no gear....since I knew I would be walking about 6-12 miles a day I didn't worry about getting any runs in). If the season had not been transitional I could have done without the sandal bootie but as it was, I wore it more than the weatherproof bootie because temps were unusually high.&nbsp;</p> <p>I would agree with Joy that scarves can offer lots of variety in a travel capsule. Another great idea is a colourful topper -- either a knit blazer (or a wrinkle free wool one) or a cardigan in your happy colours.&nbsp;</p> <p> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/where-to-now-style-musings-for-the-new-year#post-1735549 Tue, 04 Oct 2016 02:09:34 +0000 Anonymous 1735549@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>It has been fun and inspirational to watch your style journey. I have a travel capsule that has worked beautifully over several years and many types of trips and packs in a carryon. My advice would be to get items that you can wear normally too. Start with at least one neutral that you like. Mine is black. It especially dorks in big cities. Dark colors don't cast wrinkle shadows and are more easily worn from day into evening. I have EF pull on black pants ( full length that can stay rolled to cropped length for warmer weather), matching bomber jacket that is roomy enough to layer under. It can be zipped up to be a top.<br /> It is important for me to wear separates so that access to a waist money belt is not too difficult as well as ability to give myself stealth insulin injections if necessary.<br /> Layers for tops..cashmere or Smartwool, silk or nylon. A poly shirt can give warmth and wash easily and dry quickly, but I've had seams rip out and other disasters with that fabric. Put the most money into a great looking waterproof coat and comfortable footwear. My LaCanadienne waterproof dark grey suede booties have walked rainy zen gardens in Kyoto, climbed rock trails in Ireland and Maine, walked all over Italy, Germany, Austria, and England plus the streets of New York City and kept my feet happy.<br /> Color and variety can be added with tops and scarves. When you return from your trips, you will be sick of these clothes for awhile but so happy that you have them. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/where-to-now-style-musings-for-the-new-year#post-1735517 Tue, 04 Oct 2016 00:52:14 +0000 Staysfit 1735517@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Creating a travel capsule will be an interesting challenge. My mother is certainly an expert at packing and has a fabulous travel capsule that works for her in every county and climate. Her needs and taste are very different from my own, and this highlights the risks of seeking advice, even from those who are well intentioned. It makes me think of what my kids and I call the Juan Valdez Vest (JVV). My mother always includes a fishermans style travel vest in her travel bag. It allows her to carry more while distributing the weight. No purse or bags needed if you have this wonderful multi pocketed vest. This is particularly true of her photography gear. It's an excellent choice for my mother who had polio and has post polio syndrome. However, when she wears the vest, and a large sun hat and gets her picture taken on a coffee plantation in Costa Rica and texts it to the family it's bound to resemble - Juan Valdez! OMG! LOL! I will never forget that picture because it was so funny it was unreal. Did my mom realize it was so funny? I think she did. She must have, because my mom has a keen sense of humor. I should find that picture and post it, but only if my mom gives permission. The story goes on......</p> <p>So, when my mom tried to give me one of her extra JVV I panicked. Was she playing a cruel joke? Probably. What kind of game was she playing? I am certain she set me up. I quickly passed the vest to my DD, who gave it to my DS, who gave it to my DH who gave it back to my mom. She then gave it to my brother who gave it to one of my neices who gave it back to my mom. That JVV is circulating indefinitely around the Staysfit family like a hot potato. It's a great family joke and a reminder of two things. Most importantly, my mom can laugh at herself. Secondly, I don't want a JVV because I cannot laugh at myself. Nope, impossible. No sense of humor in me at all. (That smiley face must be a typo) I also don't want any travel clothes that become so practical that they are frumpy or silly looking. It's important that I maintain my style persona when I travel. </p> <p>I was away for the weekend and realized that I packed four pairs of shoes. I wore all of them, but for three days four pairs of shoes seems excessive. I want only three for a travel capsule for any given trip. One pair is always going to be my Aasics sneakers. That leaves two. One dressier, and one more casual. I need to factor in weather as well. Shoes for travel are tough right? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/where-to-now-style-musings-for-the-new-year#post-1735469 Mon, 03 Oct 2016 22:44:38 +0000 unfrumped 1735469@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Great post.<br /> I love t he travel capsule idea and have also found that packing and travel, especially somewhat mininalist, air travel-- really can benefit from items and combinations that are highly specific. I had thought that I OUGHT to be able to just raid my regular closet, and I do use items of course, but I think it's because I don't demand complete versatility from my regular wardrobe, nor washability, that makes it hard dometimes to pull things together. Also , travel footwear for me is. almost a separate animal, because I can't just go home &amp; change if feet are not happy. </p> <p>So it'd be fun to flip things around and create the IDEAL travel capsule, or 2-3, for climate, and then say great, some of these items will also work for work, or casual, etc, instead of the other way around. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/where-to-now-style-musings-for-the-new-year#post-1735446 Mon, 03 Oct 2016 21:41:16 +0000 Style Fan 1735446@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Great post.&nbsp; It has been wonderful to be part of your wardrobe evolution.&nbsp; I remember how exciting it was when you had your colour analysis done.&nbsp; I have been so inspired by your journey.&nbsp; <br />I also travel a lot now and keep a bag packed with my toiletries.&nbsp; I keep my packing lists and make notes.&nbsp; I am looking forward to hearing more about your travel capsule. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/where-to-now-style-musings-for-the-new-year#post-1735413 Mon, 03 Oct 2016 20:15:13 +0000 Quietgirl 1735413@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Well, I have to admit I am disappointed that I cannot view your style journey. (all your photos are deleted) I understand completely why you took them down. I was just eager to see what you had done in the past couple of years. Congratulations on making a great transition to a fashionable you! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/where-to-now-style-musings-for-the-new-year#post-1735287 Mon, 03 Oct 2016 15:32:07 +0000 anchie 1735287@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>It is a great place to be. You have really built beautiful and functional wardrobe. And adding now just the pieces that speaks to you is the best way forward.&nbsp;<br />But can you tell more about your plans for travel capsule. I just cannot imagine what you have in mind, since every travel for me requires completely different wardrobe depending on weather and activities. I just build it form my regular clothes. For example my two recent travels were summer vacation in Italy and spring conference in London, and I don't think that there were any overlap of wardrobe items. &nbsp;&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/where-to-now-style-musings-for-the-new-year#post-1735260 Mon, 03 Oct 2016 14:37:11 +0000 JAileen 1735260@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>It has been fascinating watching your wardrobe evolve. I agree that it's very very nice. </p> <p>My parents were world travellers. My mother kept packing lists on her computer.</p> <p>This summer when I had so many visits to my mother after she tripped, I had an easy time packing because I had bought several new tops and bottoms in my new color scheme and they fit, looked nice, and mixed and matched with each other. One less thing to worry about. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/where-to-now-style-musings-for-the-new-year#post-1735246 Mon, 03 Oct 2016 14:13:28 +0000 Suz 1735246@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>What an inspiring post. You've built a beautiful wardrobe and it works so well for you! It's been fun to watch your journey. Thank you for sharing with us.&nbsp;</p> <p>I'm really interested in your idea to make a dedicated travel capsule. I do a LOT of travelling and it has not occurred to me to try this. I think the reason is that my trips differ enormously in their purpose, locale, time of year, and the activities I will be involved in. I'm often making presentations in my travel and need to dress for those, as well.&nbsp;</p> <p>I seem to manage really well just out of my regular closet, although I will acknowledge that I may have adapted my regular closet somewhat to work for travel! (That is a funny but true thought.) For instance, I have consciously purchased items in non-wrinkle easily packable fabrics. Not every item in my regular closet, of course -- but I do make sure that I have a complement of such items in most categories (e.g. top, dress, pants.)&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/where-to-now-style-musings-for-the-new-year#post-1735218 Mon, 03 Oct 2016 13:15:43 +0000 Joyce B 1735218@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I think you are in a very good place with your wardrobe.<br /> Like Ummlila, I have a dedicated toiletry bag that is ready to go. I am interested in seeing what you will get for your travel casule. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/where-to-now-style-musings-for-the-new-year#post-1735205 Mon, 03 Oct 2016 12:58:00 +0000 UmmLila (Lisa) 1735205@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I have a travel toiletries and cosmetics bag (loving Stowaway for this purpose) kept stocked and ready to go. </p> <p>I have often thought it would be nice to have a set of traveling clothes ready to go in the same way. </p> <p>I'm perfectly capable of putting together a good travel capsule (mine usually involve black, grey and navy, and more knits and less wovens than I would usually prefer day to day). However if I don't have the time to do it right -- and this happened to me this summer -- I just feel a little dissatisfied for the entire trip.</p> <p>I have a couple pairs of wide pants that I keep around solely for travel to conservative countries, but that's the extent of my dedicated travel wardrobe.</p> <p>I have a feeling that if one wanted to have a dedicated travel wardrobe, Eileen Fisher would be the way to go, because there are so many fabrics that are knit or crepe and won't get wrinkled, and because their items are easy to mix and match. However, if all EF is not your style (I know yours isn't), I don't know if it would be worth having a ready-to-go look that wasn't really "you." </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/where-to-now-style-musings-for-the-new-year#post-1735197 Mon, 03 Oct 2016 12:18:41 +0000 RobinF 1735197@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>It sounds like you are in a really good place with your wardrobe, and how fun to think about doing some travel! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/where-to-now-style-musings-for-the-new-year#post-1735195 Mon, 03 Oct 2016 12:16:31 +0000 Tanya 1735195@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>What a great place to be in.&nbsp; You have a beautiful wardrobe full of gorgeous things that really works for you.</p> <p>Building a dedicated travel capsule sounds like w wonderful idea.&nbsp; I would also keep my eyes open for nice blouses/tops since you day you do not have enough of them. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/where-to-now-style-musings-for-the-new-year#post-1735190 Mon, 03 Oct 2016 12:11:48 +0000 Traci 1735190@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I'm fascinated by this convertible cardigan/dress/scarf thing, but it is totally a fantasy life item for me as I'm not jetsetting anywhere.</p> <p><a rel="nofollow" href="http://herpackinglist.com/2014/03/encircled-chrysalis-cardi-review/">http://herpackinglist.com/2014.....di-review/</a></p> <p>I find many of the items from this company appealing, but I'm not sure about the pricetag for what they are. &nbsp;<a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.encircled.ca/products/the-chrysalis-cardi-black">https://www.encircled.ca/produ.....ardi-black</a> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/where-to-now-style-musings-for-the-new-year#post-1735188 Mon, 03 Oct 2016 12:08:46 +0000 Penny 1735188@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Sounds like you are in a fantastic place and have a clear path forward! Well done. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/where-to-now-style-musings-for-the-new-year#post-1735172 Mon, 03 Oct 2016 11:47:34 +0000 Anonymous 1735172@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>GREAT JOB.&nbsp; Great post.&nbsp; SO INSPIRATIONAL.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/where-to-now-style-musings-for-the-new-year#post-1735170 Mon, 03 Oct 2016 11:44:31 +0000 Elizabeth P 1735170@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>What a fantastic post!&nbsp; I love how well you've articulated your journey, and how content with your wardrobe you now are.&nbsp; It's been fun following you as you got here.</p> <p>I totally understand wanting a dedicated "travel capsule", and think you'll have a lot of fun putting that together, especially as one can pretty much do it pressure-free (cuz you can always take what you have if you haven't completed it before the next trip).&nbsp; I find that I tend to travel with different clothes than I wear frequently in my real life, and this is exactly why... you want lightweight, more versatile, easy to wash, layer, etc.&nbsp; I hadn't thought of actually having a capsule persay, but it makes a lot of sense.&nbsp; My wide variety of silhouettes always makes packing to travel a bit more difficult than it should be.&nbsp; Things don't mix and match like they should.&nbsp; </p> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/where-to-now-style-musings-for-the-new-year#post-1735168 Mon, 03 Oct 2016 11:39:03 +0000 Windchime 1735168@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>We Fabbers know that you certainly can arrive someplace with a wardrobe!<br /> It's been fun watching your style journey over the last couple years. You have put together a fabulous wardrobe which really meets your style identity. It's always a treat to see WIW's from you.</p> <p>Creating a wardrobe dedicated to travel makes all kinds of sense for you at this point. Or at least having several key pieces for travel, leaving you the option of switching out accessories, colors, etc. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/where-to-now-style-musings-for-the-new-year#post-1735164 Mon, 03 Oct 2016 11:29:51 +0000 Staysfit 1735164@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>When I look in my closet it is replete with the beautiful items that I have chosen over the past two years. I have defined a clear style identity for myself. It may be eclectic, and difficult for others to pinpoint, but I understand and recognize it when I see it. I have identified key words to help guide my choices, Serene Elegance; Genuine Composed; Soft, Calm, Fresh, Classic, Polished, Light. My style has some humor and fun, a funky side and playfulness that reflects my inner child and my work with children and adolescents. I delight in the use of color and have a well developed color palette that makes me happy whenever I see it. In fact, everything started with the color palette. When I analyze my closet/wardrobe, there are primarily solids, and there is more consistency in silhouettes among my clothes than my shoes and accessories. It's the shoes and accessories that add the fun and variety in my closet. I have a wide variety of accessories. In fact anything goes. I do not stick to any formula or style rules with my shoes or accessories. I get whatever I like. </p> <p>I have built a tremendous working closet, I can build outfits of all sorts. I can creat a myriad of work appropriate outfits, outfits for dates, for going out with my fiends, for exercise, for special occassions, for lounging and for exercise. My wardrobe spans four seasons. The only gap I see at the moment, maybe, is a good travel capsule. I am not saying I cannot put together a capsule for travel. I certainly can do that. I am saying that it would be nice to have a set of lightweight, easy to keep clean, easy to pack and carry clothing dedicated for travel. Why now? I need them. My DH is a college professor and travels all over the world. In the past three years he has been to Australia, Switzerland, China, England, Sweden, Finland, and Within the USA he's been to Montana, Utah, Rhode Island, Vermont, Pennsylvania, Texas, Washington DC, etc. Now that both my children are out of the house, I am free to travel with him. Who wouldn't want to go to China or Australia, etc. In any case, re-creating a travel capsule every time I travel is not what I want to do. My mother is a seasoned world traveler, and she has a dedicated travel capsule of lightweight clothes that she layers. They all fit in a carry on bag. She can wash them and they dry overnight. They aren't gorgeous, they are practical. I plan to work on building a practical travel wardrobe also. </p> <p>The only other imbalance I see in my wardrobe is still a larger number of jeans compared to blouses and toppers. Its hard for me to find blouses I love. The same is true with toppers. I have added a fair number of dresses to my wardrobe, and I love wearing them. I have added some toppers. I am not a fan of trousers and rarely if ever wear them. I am not a fan or wider leg trousers or jeans and my solution is to wear more dresses. They seem to fit me well with few tailoring alterations.</p> <p>I have stopped making lots of purchases. I recently added a formal gown to my wardrobe. I mean a truly formal long gown. It's style is avant garde and should be good for a long time. I didn't have anything truly formal, but definitely have some formal occassions. I also added a very warm, long down puffer to replace an old one that is leaking feathers like a sieve and I am still considering the emerald green wool coat. </p> <p>When I peruse online stores, I am finding that I already have items in my closet that serve the purpose of the things I am attracted to. I am therefore not adding anything I see to my cart. My plan going forward is to start slowly working on a travel capsule. I am also going to continue developing my accessories capsule. Shoes, scarves, handbags and jewelry - I can always use them to freshen my wardrobe. I will certainly add something new if I think it is in keeping with my style, or if I fall in love, but I am otherwise not going to add something unless it really brings something special and different to my wardrobe. I also plan to keep up my wardrobe by freshening dated items and replacing worn items but that is a given.</p> <p>I am very content with the progress I have made in the past two years. I feel like I am on a good path now, and I have arrived someplace. If you can arrive someplace with a wardrobe! I am grateful to Angie, and to everyone here for all your help! Thanks! I couldn't have done this without you! </p> <p>:-) </p>