2018 Style Goals - YouLookFab Forum

Late 2017 and now early 2018 have proven to be full of transitions for me. I'm truly an empty nester, having sent my daughter off to college and my husband to ... perdition. It's left me with peace, quiet and contemplative time, not to mention all the college bills. I also had a weight change.

From the garment requirements perspective, my situation is this: I work from home, so I can wear what makes me happy. I have a dog who needs walking or running twice daily. I occasionally need a conservative suit for checking in at the Wall Street law firm I am outside counsel to. I periodically need something dressy for events. And I travel a couple of times a year for fun. I live in a climate that is very cold in the winter.

I have never developed any style descriptors; I'm good at turning the analytical mind on others but not myself. And I'd rather not get overly analytical with fashion anyway; it seems too much like work otherwise. I can recognize what looks good on me pretty well, and also what doesn't, and adopt trends appropriately. I always like to dress well and stay fashionable in my look, even when I'm home. I don't keep any ratty clothes for loungewear.

What I want to do style-wise this year:

Replace clothes that no longer fit, with the aim of buying fewer, but more high end items that I really love and will keep longer. I also need to not spend too much overall.

Stop going into must-have-new-clothes mode when I have a trip to New York or a vacation coming up. I have a tendency to think I need all sorts of new things every time -- but I want to instead have a base look or capsule ready to go, and save the shopping if any for fun on the trip. I've got a casual navy and black set fairly well in order, but need a dressier, city version.

6 years ago

Toban

Veteran

Thanks for sharing. I wish you a wonderful 2018 and much success to your daughter. I share these same two goals with you, with an aim to have a small, good quality wardrobe, and to not get all new things for every trip. I've got a lot of work and personal travel this year, so I will definitely need to take that into account during my wardrobe re-building.

Janet

(website)

Good and simple goals for you! I admire how you're tackling your new phase in life.

Angie

Fashion Stylist

UmmLila, that's quite the change. Not easy, and I wish you strength, peace in your heart, and luck. We are here to support you in any way at all. I hope you have a fabulous set of friends close-by, and of course, your doggie is imprinted in your heart - the ultimate therapy.

You have a fabulous wardrobe, and these are great goals. Manageable, and will keep you accountable. Sounds like a closet edit and review is in order to assess what fits. From there, you can fill in the holes. Much love to you. xo

Please pop these goals onto the blog post:

https://youlookfab.com/2018/01.....-for-2018/

Christina F.

It sounds like you have a manageable plan for adapting your wardrobe to your new phase of life.

Where do you like to shop in NYC?

UmmLila (Lisa)

I like boutiques in the Village, Little Italy and Soho.

Anonymous

Like you, I tend to think I need new clothes for every trip I go on, which is totally ridiculous, and I know it. And like you, I am attempting to create a core group of pieces that I know will be perfect for these trips, which I hope reduces the anxiety I experience every time I need to pack. Weight changes are challenging to shop for -tempting to buy everything you see , but then a good opportunity to figure out what's really important and worth your hard-earned $.

JAileen

Your changes are huge. Launching your daughter is hard but of course we want our kids to become autonomous adults. You don’t need any wardrobe advice from me. Best of luck to you.

Mainelady

Life’s journey is taking you down some new roads. 2018 may be a year of growth and discovery for you. Embrace the parts of your journey that make your heart sing and step gently over the places that are not where you want to be. Every step you take forward gets you closer to the next bend in the road.
You have well defined style goals and a good eye for what works for you.
I like your plan to purchase fewer items and only higher end, or ones that you will really love for a long time. It is exciting to look forward to trips and vacations. I often think I need something new when looking ahead to an event. I rarely do need anything, so a strategy of mine is to not purchase anything that is not essential for the trip. If something grabs my attention, I would rather make a purchase on my trip.
Warmest wishes to you as you move forward. I look forward to seeing your updates.

Suz

These are big transitions indeed! But your goals are terrific. I really like the idea of a capsule for city trips. It helps that your activities while there are quite consistent. This should make it easier to anticipate what you might need. Will you start by thinking about which outfits or type of outfit you've felt best in, on previous trips, and go from there?

Nice! I your idea to purchase higher end things that you love and will hang onto longer. I loved your Veronica beard pink blazer. It is so good on you!

I bow to you, the owner of only non-ratty loungewear (or no loungewear?)

Sal

UmmLila - that is quite a start to the year. Good luck with the year and the life changes - I hope you are doing well.

Great goals - if your size has changed some pieces may still work . And coats, blazers and boots should still be fine:)

I am sure we would love to help put a city capsule together with your existing wardrobe along with a few carefully chosen additions.

It's unfortunate that the best suit I ever owned -- a Theory trans-seasonal greenish-blue wool suit that was a perfect match for my eyes -- was reduced to a mess when I tried to have my seamstress alter it down. So I need to get a new suit, definitely.

Bijou

Umm Lila these are great goals. I always love your outfit posts, so I think you know what will work for you instinctively. I hope 2018 brings you happiness and another perfect suit.

Jaime

Huge transitions and a year to rediscover who you are. Sounds like one or two perfect suits and a lot of slow and enjoyable shopping is what you need most.

cindysmith

Wow, these are some really good goals: very consider, to the point, well defined; and yet not constricting.

I like that you aren't too caught up in descriptors. It touches me in that place that refuses to "define" my higher power that I rely on to stay clean (sober), because I fear that defining it would limit it. (If that made any sense?)

lyn67

Love your aims for this year, and I can especially relate to the second point. Good luck with your new life!

viva

Oh, best wishes to you, Lisa. I'm glad you've turned the corner to a new year. Count me in on the travel capsule club. Maybe we can actually meet this year for shopping or just commiserating? That would be an excellent goal, actually.

Joy

A great list of doable goals. I commend you for considering your life changes and challenges. They will help you grow. May this be a wonderful year for you.

karen13

Wow - big transitions! You are fortunate to have figured out such a great style and wardrobe, so that you aren't juggling that on top of everything else. Here is to a great 2018.

(My DD finally got all her college apps done and is now waiting to hear. I am excited for her next adventure and know my life will change a lot.)

Kathie

I really appreciated your thoughts on style descriptors. I’ve struggled with that, and am not sure if I need them at this point. Good luck with all your life changes- hopefully you have some wonderful vacations planned for 2018!

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