https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/will-i-be-able-to-do-justice Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Mon, 27 Apr 2026 14:03:57 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/will-i-be-able-to-do-justice#post-1643326 Mon, 11 Apr 2016 20:59:05 +0000 shedev 1643326@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>That's a pretty dress. I track, but I also get up in the morning and dress emotionally. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/will-i-be-able-to-do-justice#post-1643254 Mon, 11 Apr 2016 18:47:26 +0000 rachylou 1643254@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I love outfit 2 and can absolutely see you in your new dress. I'll be interested in your count findings. I ballpark everything... </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/will-i-be-able-to-do-justice#post-1643161 Mon, 11 Apr 2016 16:58:08 +0000 Maneera 1643161@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Amen, Suz! Thanks for the motivation. Once I edit all 'categories' in my wardrobe based on this exercise, I have no plans to continue tracking! </p> <p>Jill - there is a lot of 'counting' talk on YLF today! I'm sure you're getting plenty of good ideas to develop your own method </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/will-i-be-able-to-do-justice#post-1643155 Mon, 11 Apr 2016 16:46:11 +0000 Suz 1643155@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Manny, that is a super new dress and will work really well with your casual needs. I love that it is pretty yet also denim!&nbsp;</p> <p>I too am of the intuitive school, but I did track wears for one long F/W season and found it pretty useful. It didn't really rob joy because I didn't use a spreadsheet, LOL -- just paper and pencil.&nbsp;</p> <p>I do think it helped me see what an ideal number of items is in my wardrobe. It taught me I needed every bit as big a closet as I had, and then some! I agree with Angie's points about your hot summer and the need for variety to avoid laundry problems and boredom. I think this exercise will be helpful and then like me, you can quit tracking again.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/will-i-be-able-to-do-justice#post-1643139 Mon, 11 Apr 2016 16:18:35 +0000 jill58 1643139@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Maneera, my shopping habits and lifestyle are so similar to yours. I tend to wear my most casual clothes the most and only wear my "pretty things" when I go out. I too have more formal things than I need. Still when I do wear them I'm very glad I have them even if they only get worn a few times a year. It's nice to have dresses that I feel great in even if the cost per wear is significantly higher than for my leggings or shorts. You look great in the pics you posted and I love the new dress which looks like it could be very versatile. I too am learning a lot from YLF and am also hoping to become more adept at shopping for my actual life rather than just random things that I like. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/will-i-be-able-to-do-justice#post-1643129 Mon, 11 Apr 2016 16:01:56 +0000 Maneera 1643129@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I also feel the need to explain *why* this exercise is so important to me. </p> <p>I joined YLF almost a year ago. Before that, the very concept of *wardrobe management* was alien to me. I used to go shopping and bought whatever I fell in love with, without a single thought if i 'need' that or would even be able to 'wear it enough'. Those things just didn't matter. I also have a need for variety, and while I'm not opposed to the idea of repeating outfits often, I don't think I'll ever do it often. </p> <p>My wardrobe was filled with pretty things and yet, I wore yoga pants or leggings or shorts most of the time. The pretty things only came out to play when I went out; and I don't go out enough. Don't misunderstand; I have a fairly decent social life. But even that is kind of casual. My weekend activities are more like long dog walks, dinners hosted at home, dinners at friends homes, swimming, grocery shopping/shopping, movies, lunch &amp; dinner dates. But my wardrobe has too many formal pencil skirts, sheath dresses, button down shirts and the likes. </p> <p>Now that I have joined YLF, I'm more careful of buying for my real life. I have culled a lot of clothes but I still hold on to many formal/office wear pieces that I have no real use for. I don't go to an office. But boy - these dresses look great on me and suit my body as well as cater to my love for dressing up. I sometimes wear these dresses with pretty sandals for a nice dinner out.....but I suspect I still may have too many of these. </p> <p>Here in India, there is no concept of 'consigning' clothes. Ppl don't buy 2nd hand clothes. They just don't. I don't really mind giving away my clothes if they're of no use to me, but it's hard to find someone who has the same dressing style as me and is the same size. I must also point out; dresses are actually not all that common in India in offices. Most Women are more modest (compared to me) and prefer pants to skirts/dresses. So where do these pretty dresses go? That's what I'm trying to figure out. And once I do, and my tracking exercise proves I don't actually "need" this many, I will feel better about giving them away. </p> <p>Here are 3 such office wear dresses I have worn out for dinners. But I struggle to wear all of them even once in an entire year. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/will-i-be-able-to-do-justice#post-1643117 Mon, 11 Apr 2016 15:44:34 +0000 Maneera 1643117@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thanks a lot for indulging me, ladies. There is a lot of wisdom here on YLF and I'm so glad I wrote this post. </p> <p>Sterling - thanks a lot for your encouragement and for sharing your experience. I want my wardrobe to "serve" me well. I want it to be functional. But I don't want it to cause me anxiety. That's the main reason I'm doing this tracking exercise. While I have no problem dressing up for everyday, I have a lot of trouble deciding what to wear when I go out. I have TOO MANY options and I can't possibly wear them all; so this exercise will help me note what I do choose, why I choose it, and help me with my shopping process in the future. I'm looking forward to it! </p> <p>Sally - seems like your wardrobe has always served you very well. I'm happy to hear that 30 day challenge taught you so much, but in not sure I could ever stick to so few pieces of clothing. Not that I *can't*, I simply don't *want* to. I struggle to wear everything once already! </p> <p>Diane - I always welcome your though and encouragement. I hope I stick to my plans! </p> <p>Windchime - This shopping hiatus will be good. Especially because when I buy something new, I get excited to make different combinations with it and ignore rest of the things in my wardrobe. I really don't need that right now! Right now I need to know if I even need this many categories and clothing pieces because I'm not 100% sure. I like to be sure! </p> <p>Thanks Lyn! I love the dress! I had to search high and low for a denim dress that was NOT a shirt dress and had sleeves! </p> <p>El Cee - your comment put my mind a little at ease. Who knows - I may figure out that I actually need this large a wardrobe at the end of this exercise! However, the biggest factor here is that I'm home 95% of the time. I'm afraid my at home/going out clothes are still not in the right ratio. </p> <p>Helen - thanks! I'm all set to enjoy my current wardrobe during this exercise. I want to get creative without ever feeling uncomfortable in what I wear and I'm ready to put my large wardrobe to a real TEST. It's about time! </p> <p>Ginger - I identify SO MUCH with every word you write. I'm much like you. I go through these 'phases' where I'd love leggings &amp; tunics, and then shorts &amp; tees, and then summer dresses with sandals. I want to make sure my wardrobe is able to cater to all these mood/style shifts within the season. And I'll add more clothing once a pattern is more clear. It's not like I don't want to shop; I want to shop for the *right* things. </p> <p>Sara - I have a good idea in my head too. But I want to see numbers. I'm already quite aware of what categories in my closet I wear more often and what I avoid (for example, button down shirts). Numbers will give me a real idea and more strength to cull more. </p> <p>Angie - you're so wise. Every thing you wrote is exactly what's on my mind. It's not uncommon for me to change my clothes thrice a day in our hot &amp; humid weather and everything gets laundered after every single wear. I do need big numbers but I want to be sure my numbers are in the right category. I love to shop. I look forward to it. But I want to make sure I'm adding more items to the right category. Right now, my closet is kind of full. If I need more additions, I Better cull the right things! To be honest, I do have a fair idea of what to cull (dressier items - I have too many for it to be practical) but I need more motivation to part with them. Does that make sense? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/will-i-be-able-to-do-justice#post-1643053 Mon, 11 Apr 2016 13:43:42 +0000 Angie 1643053@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>A few thoughts, Maneera:</p> <ul> <li>You live in India where you need to launder everything you wear in Summer after you've worn it once - it's THAT hot and humid. So yes - you need a big Summer wardrobe.&nbsp;</li> <li>Perhaps you need a closet edit first?</li> <li>Perhaps working through what you wore the entire Summer will help you cull at the end of the season.&nbsp;</li> <li>Once you're down to the right number of items, you <i>can</i> continue to wear items without counting the wears.&nbsp;</li> </ul> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/will-i-be-able-to-do-justice#post-1643046 Mon, 11 Apr 2016 13:38:34 +0000 Sara L. 1643046@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I'm curious to hear how the tracking works for you and what you learn from it.&nbsp; I'm resistant to tracking and even to counting my wardrobe items.&nbsp; I just don't want to know.&nbsp; I have a pretty good idea in my head of what I wear and what I don't.&nbsp; I'm similar to Ginger in that I'll wear certain items a lot for a couple months, and then switch to a different combo with different items.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/will-i-be-able-to-do-justice#post-1643029 Mon, 11 Apr 2016 12:50:47 +0000 Ginger 1643029@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I identify with a lot of what you say here. My summers aren't quite that long, but mid-April to mid-October isn't unusual for short-sleeve weather.&nbsp; And I also resist tracking wears, for the same reasons. So this is very brave of you! And I see the utility.&nbsp; One issue that occurred to me, though, is that I find in this long season I get into a pattern for several months.&nbsp; Then something shifts - maybe buying something new, maybe no real reason - and I'll start wearing a different set of items.&nbsp; Like sometimes, I'll do good with blouse and skirt combinations and peep-toe retro heels and wedges.&nbsp; Then suddenly nothing will do but dresses and flat sandals. It might be the endless heat getting to me, wanting to simplify things, or just getting tired of the same set of clothes.&nbsp; IF you happen to be like me, this sort of thing might skew your tracking. But probably not - this may be my own quirk! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/will-i-be-able-to-do-justice#post-1643017 Mon, 11 Apr 2016 12:28:05 +0000 Helen11 1643017@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Cute new dress!<br /> I hear you on needing plenty of variety in summer clothes. I'm interested to see what you find when you track wears. I'm sure my wardrobe is smaller -I've never even counted, so I'm strangely resistant to that, too.<br /> I hope you find some more favourites in your closet as you take a break from shopping. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/will-i-be-able-to-do-justice#post-1643006 Mon, 11 Apr 2016 11:27:36 +0000 El Cee 1643006@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Maneera -- I so admire your discipline and will be interested to hear what you discover from this exercise. Like Windchime, I am decidedly "tracking resistant" (an artsy, right-brained type), but I always love reading other members' &nbsp;threads about capsule building and wardrobe tracking. I do not see your 225 piece summer wardrobe as too large. My seasonal wardrobes (especially the winter one) are probably that size as I need variety to satisfy my creative side and also to accommodate various activities. Like you, I will probably be taking a shopping hiatus for at least a few months. I have enough. By the way, I love that new denim dress you purchased. I bet that will be a nice addition to your warm weather wardrobe.</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/will-i-be-able-to-do-justice#post-1643005 Mon, 11 Apr 2016 11:18:04 +0000 lyn67 1643005@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Oh, I have not seen a patterned denim dress in ages (oh, and it has short &nbsp;sleeves-also very rare!!) this one is so pretty- can't wait to see your styling, and follow ups ref. tracking:-). </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/will-i-be-able-to-do-justice#post-1642999 Mon, 11 Apr 2016 10:30:57 +0000 Windchime 1642999@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I am "tracking resistant," Maneera. That much analysis would be burdensome, rather than enjoyable, for me. However, I do keep careful inventories of what's in my closet each season, and I attempt to rotate through all of it somewhat evenly (with the exceptions of some special occasion wear).</p> <p>Shopping hiatuses have been enlightening for me. They clarify what my wardrobe workhorses are and also what wardrobe holes exist in my closet.</p> <p>Good for you for your planned experiments with tracking and a shopping hiatus. I'll be interested to read your follow up posts. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/will-i-be-able-to-do-justice#post-1642996 Mon, 11 Apr 2016 10:15:17 +0000 Anonymous 1642996@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>You're brave Manny, venturing into tracking wears territory. I've never tried it either. But maybe for just a short while as you plan to do&nbsp;won't be so tricky. It'll be good to find out what you discover.</p> <p>Like the new frock!</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/will-i-be-able-to-do-justice#post-1642967 Mon, 11 Apr 2016 09:05:19 +0000 Sal 1642967@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Good on you Maneera, it sounds like the post resonated with you. I agree, with your very long summer of course you need a large number of summer clothes. And if you love and wear them, all the better.</p> <p>It will be interesting to see what you discover.</p> <p>I don't track wears, although I did it for one month where a few of us wore 30 items for a month. I enjoyed the challenge, but like more variety than that long term.</p> <p>Let us know how you get on </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/will-i-be-able-to-do-justice#post-1642966 Mon, 11 Apr 2016 09:05:10 +0000 Anonymous 1642966@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Hi Maneera. &nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <p>I understand totally that tracking might make dressing less fun. &nbsp;But I think once you begin you will learn so much about your style of dressing and wardrobe that it becomes worth it. &nbsp;</p> <p>I started tracking after another YLF member posted about her tracking method. &nbsp; She was gracious enough to send me her spreadsheet and she helped me get started. &nbsp;</p> <p>I continued to track because I started to learn so much about myself. &nbsp;I admit to using the spreadsheet to wear those lesser worn items. &nbsp;It is not so much that I feel compelled to wear them as I remember I have them and haven't worn them in a long time. &nbsp;We all have certain favorites that we wear more than others. &nbsp;I immediately see what those favorites are and I can make future buying decisions based on what I wear. &nbsp;This really helps me avoid future buying mistakes. &nbsp;</p> <p>It does take the mystery out of dressing. &nbsp;I am wondering if there aren't a lot of different modes of thinking in this world? &nbsp;Perhaps I am more analytical by nature and tracking is second nature to me. &nbsp;Others might be more artistic and tracking would be abhorrent. &nbsp;</p> <p>Give it a try. &nbsp;PM if you have questions. &nbsp;Good luck. &nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/will-i-be-able-to-do-justice#post-1642962 Mon, 11 Apr 2016 08:15:02 +0000 Maneera 1642962@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I'll begin by thanking Rabbit. Her post about 'How many times will you wear it' pushed me to make a list of all the clothing items in my summer wardrobe. I have been thinking about it often but never got around to doing it. Like Janet &amp; Angie, I don't like the idea of tracking what I wear because I like the joy &amp; mystery of dressing for my mood everyday. I don't want to look at numbers and feel compelled to wear the 'less worn' items...especially if I don't hate them. But it seems I really NEED to do this. </p> <p>I organize my closet by categories. Jeans, casual pants, at home/casual skirts, formal skirts, at home/casual tops, going out tops etc....you get the drift, right? I even separate wovens from knits. The total number of items in my wardrobe this summer is 225....not counting sleepwear or workout clothes. Yes, that's a HUGE number. But our Summers start in March and we're usually still wearing summer clothes until mid Nov. So it's a LONG time. Also, I've included jeans because I do *sometimes* wear jeans in summer. </p> <p>But I'm afraid I wouldn't be able to do justice to all my clothes. I'd be lucky to get even 10 wears out of each item....and some WILL be lesser. </p> <p>Well, I'm willing to give it a try though. I'm going to track wears for a couple of months so that the *real* pattern becomes clear. Currently I do have a fair idea of what I tend to wear more often, but I'd like to see solid numbers. </p> <p>I'll also be taking a shopping hiatus because it's more than evident that I don't need more clothes to add to my confusion &amp; wardrobe anxiety! </p> <p>I did, however, add a denim dress to my wardrobe on Friday. I wanted a denim frock and this one called my name! </p> <p>I'll keep you all posted on my success/failure from time to time </p>