2018 Review and 2019 Goals - YouLookFab Forum

I have enjoyed reading others goals and plans for this year so thought I should join the party and make a contribution.

My goals in 2018 were:

1) To continue to wear outfits that fit within my flamboyant natural style persona – key words are sporty, elegant and relaxed.

I think I mostly achieved this. I think most of my outfits are at least two of these.

2) Be clear and fussy on new additions – pouncing when I know something is perfect, but sometimes waiting is the best approach.

I made one or two hasty additions last year and two that did not pay off - one poor quality and cheap, one expensive but didn't meet my needs. I also added navy boots which I like a lot but were harder to style than black (which was my intention). I then added a navy bag so I have a commitment to see that through now.

3) Building on my love of 70s looks with one or two new midi looks.

I added two pairs of culottes, two summer midi dresses, and continue to wear other midi looks. I see this continuing into 2019.

4) Key new additions will be – puffer jacket, ankle boots, blazer.

I never added the puffer but did add a blazer and ankle boots - both have been workhorses.

5) Hold back on statement pieces that are hard to layer and enjoy wearing the ones I already have.

I did achieve this goal and actually ended up passing on two or three of the offending tops that I don't have toppers for. I still have two or three which is a good number.

6) Find a great outfit for a mid winter wedding ( the midi 70s look would be my ideal.

I bought a black lace dress that I love and is a true classic.

7) Re-evaluate my winter essentials early in the season (March) as this is an area that I can get caught out on.

I did add black skinnies, navy boots and bag for winter, all which were well worn. I didn't need a lot of replacements last year.

8) Develop a work winter capsule that is professional and practical and stylish. I need flat covered shoes, simple pieces, some warmth and really only about four to five looks of .which I have many of already - one or two careful additions will make this work well (the ankle boots and the blazer).

I didn't do so well here and focused on weekend clothes. It didn't really matter but I could have done better.

In total I added 34 pieces- more than my goal by about 10 items. And several of them were higher end as well. So the budget was blown.

footwear x 4 (ankle boots, oxfords, chunky sandals, black pumps)
sunhats x 2
sunglasses x 2
wide leg pants/culottes x 3
jeans x 2 (white and black)
dresses x 5 (three casual, one work, one occasion)
knitwear x 2
coat x 1
jacket x 3
tee/knit top x 3 (one tank, one long sleeve, one short sleeve)
summer tops x 3 (one shell, one cami, one linen long sleeve)
skirt x 1
tunic x 1

My 2019 goals

1) Continue to wear outfits that fit within my flamboyant natural style persona – key words are elegant and relaxed (taken out the sporty- still there but not as important)

2) Being clear and fussy on new additions – pouncing when I know something is perfect, but sometimes waiting is the best approach.

3) Upgrading essentials - puffer, practical city walking boots, work pants, winter knitwear, blazer.

4) Make sure I have a good base for three week trip to Italy - especially shoes.

5) Don't duplicate - the power of one. There are very few exceptions to this for me.

6) Quality!! Check this out.

7) Step away from/do not buy

Heels (I have enough for my needs)
Summer casual dresses ( love them but I have enough)
Party dresses - again I have plenty
Summer scarves - they never feel right on me
Tunics ( I have two which I will keep wearing - that is enough)

8) Consider more

Light neutrals - caramel, cream, soft light grey
Red

9) I seem to be moving to midi, wide leg bottoms and skirts and simple tops. Keep exploring that carefully.

10) Keep having fun!! Be bold. I like one statement per outfit - this works for me.

That is about all for now. Finds are below with the exception of the long sleeve tee x 1, hats x 2, one pair sunglasses, the bomber that lasted two months

Comments or questions are welcomed.

Thanks

Sally

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5 years ago

Jenni NZ

Veteran

Just checking in before bed and there you are! Looks great overall. So sorry the bomber was no good

Sal

I loved it too - but I bought from a cheap shop....(Dotti). I bought it because I admired your one along with Carla's. A lesson to check the quality before getting sucked in.

rachylou

Hmm. You have given me food for thought. I should think about my winter capsule now...

Bijou

Hi Sal, we did post at the same time and I can see so much consistency in our goals. Now I wish I had goal #4 in my 2019 list... You lucky fish!

I want to set a goal for you to either save some of your budget to buy a beautiful and wearable souvenir of your trip or simply include that as an extra because these sorts of trips don't happen often and you need a "happiness factor" to borrow from Mainelady to remember your 3 weeks in Italy.

Anonymous

Great assessment. Always fascinating to look at the year in review.

I especially like your 2019 goals of avoiding duplication and adding statements to every ensemble.

Best wishes for the New Year.

Helena

Terrific assessment and list Sal - I love your style so much and look forward to following your evolution in 2019. Good point about duplication - I think I am an over-duplicator. Must ponder this further ...

When's the trip to Italy - sounds fantastic!

Nice write-up, sal. 34 doesn't sound unreasonable given you are 'flamboyant', and that characteristic means you need a bit more variety.

"The power of 1" -> I'll steal this one. It is so easy to duplicate, and in the end, the money could be better spent on something completely different.

"sporty" -> I am also copying you here. Important to have a good set of gear (or at least, not too grungy).

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

*APPLAUSE*

Another extremely well thought out set of 2019 goals Sal, and excellent review of 2018. You are VERY GOOD AT THIS. Like Suz, Bijou and Jenn, you put in the effort, are patient, flexible and level headed, balance analysis with emotion, and reap the reward. You have never looked better. ROCK ON.

High fiving you on the '70s, light neutrals, red, midis, and having fun with fashion

AND, just think of your navy boots as "black". Creating a complement with a navy bag was a good move.

karen13

Excellent progress! I share many of your 2019 goals and I need to go back and review my 2018 progress. I think the navy bag/ other navy accessories is key to the boots. And I'm excited to hear about Italy - sounds amazing!!

I agree about the navy complement! How about adding some lapis lazuli jewelry to go with the boots too

Thanks Suntiger - good idea to have jewelry that tones in too.

Karen - thank you. Italy will be amazing, can't wait!!

Thank you Angie - I hope there are some light neutrals available this winter here - I feel optimistic!!

Smittie - I don't know if I am that flamboyant really - but I do like statements - but what I call a statement might be only a patterned top. And duplication does not really work for me - I prefer to have less essentials and replace more often as I tire of them and they wear out. I can see for some people duplication can work well.....

Sterling - I think for people who like a uniform style of dressing duplication could work well. There are times when I wear out an essential I wish I had an exact replacement but 2/3 of the time I am happy to tweak it and move on.

Bijou - I am hoping to maybe get a bag or shoes in Italy - definitely open to a couple of souvenirs. I am not the best shopper on holiday. We are heading over with my sister in law and 11 year old niece so I might have a bit more shopping company than usual. My husband and sons are completely disinterested:)

Toronto Girl - we go in April (Spring). With a teenager in his last year of school this was the best time except for mid winter. I am thinking of layering pieces, a raincoat, midi dresses etc... We will be travelling by train and car so light packing will be required. I will launder every five days or so - I always do on holiday.

Rachy - I don't really have capsules and work/home/weekend/social all merge together to some extent. It is a bit sad how badly I can dress an get away with it.

Thanks all:)

Jenn

I always enjoy getting insight into your thought processes and how you construct your wonderful wardrobe. My favorite of your goals is “the power of one,” because this is something I have to remind myself of ALL THE TIME. The temptation is so strong to add multiples when shopping for something specific, either because you’re so happy to find what feels like a unicorn or because a “need” worms its way into your psyche and doesn’t let go. I am very guilty of this, and it almost never works out as Well as just buying one would have.

Thanks Jenn - I did overspend and overpurchase. I like to think that means less purchasing this year - but that is often not true is it..... More spending one year can lead to more spending the following year...

I did buy a few things for specific occasions
- black lace dress and pumps for a wedding
- wrap pants for an event I was hosting

I like these both and see they will get wear over the years.

If I am honest the pieces that I bought emotionally - to cheer myself up
-rust pants were bought in a sad moment prior to Christmas when a few things came to light.... I do love them but it was a bit of a rash decision.
- same with the black midi dress

The two beach dresses, geometric pattern tunic, black skinnies, check culottes and one tee were bought from my friend who is a designer. I find that I get 2 out of 3 right with her things. I definitely could have got away with one beach dress not two but I liked them both...I am one the fence with the tunic a bit but it is a useful work item for my climate and workplace so I am keeping it for that reason. The skinnies and culottes were successes and the tee is a useful layering item.

Aside from the two mistakes (black bomber and black crop knit) I am very happy with everything else.

An additional goal is to keep below 30 purchases including gear.

Included
shoes
Clothing
Gear
Bags
Scarves

Excluded
Lingerie
Socks and hosiery
Thermals and camisoles
Gifts
Beanies and wooly gloves

I also want to keep to my loose one in, one out strategy. I don’t want my wardrobe to increase in size but the mix may well change - I have been decreasing tops and increasing jackets and dresses.

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