2020 Style Goals - YouLookFab Forum

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2020 Style Goals

Jenn

(website)

Veteran

Yay! It's that time again! My 2020 goals are more about wardrobe maintenance than style, mostly because I feel fairly content with where I'm at, but there are a few style reminders and tweaks in there too.

Shrink and simplify. I have 103 pieces of clothing on my spreadsheet (which counts everything but underwear and sleepwear), with 10 more items in the holding zone. So really 113 wardrobe items. I would like less. My new closet is smaller than my old one, and though it's nowhere close to full, I'm just feeling like I'd be happiest with a wardrobe full of beautiful, well-made workhorses.
Return to using the 5-piece French system, with two annual purchasing seasons, focusing on supporting brands that match my lifestyle and values. Sometimes when I think about it, five statement pieces a season seems like a lot. Sometimes, it seems like not much at all. I decided that my ten statement items should be truly special pieces, though, which brings me to...
Spend more per item. Ever since I read this article a few years ago, I've been mentally raising the dollar amount I'm willing to pay per garment. I did some math based on annual income and recommended percentages to spend on clothing, and realized I can afford to spend more than I am, especially since I'm purchasing less.
Focus on summer. There's more warm weather than cold here. There's more warm weather than cold. There's more warm weather than cold.
Hair and glasses. I need to find a new optometrist and hairdresser here in California. I'm not wanting a radical new hairstyle, but updates to both hair and glasses are in order.
Remember my keywords, Last year's words were "casual, rich, natural, feminine, textured." This year, I'm replacing "rich" with "luxe" because I'm finding myself drawn to luxurious-feeling, high-quality pieces, but often in less saturated colors than before. Luxe is also a reminder to spend a little more for truly worthwhile items. Casual, luxe, textured, natural, feminine.
Dress joyfully. For the first time this year, I chose a focus word for the whole year, and that's "joy." 2019 was stressful and not a lot of fun, so I'm looking forward to kindling joy in every aspect of my life, including my wardrobe, in 2020.

I'm not really feeling like I have any specific capsules I need to build out this year, or major changes to make, besides continuing to rebalance my wardrobe towards a longer warm season. When it comes to down to it, I just want to love and wear what I have, update, edit, and replace mindfully, and, as Angie says, have fun!

General

22 replies

Latest reply was from smittie

notsaf

Veteran

So excited to see what you do this year! Keep us posted!

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Yippee! I love your recaps, assessments, and reflections, Jenn, and I can't wait to see where your wardrobe will go next.

I laughed so hard at this part: There's more warm weather than cold here. I'm sure it bears repeating a dozen times. Knowing you, you'll get a handle on this sooner than many people would, but I completely understand your wish to repeat it!!

Another phrase that stood out to me: This year, I'm replacing "rich" with "luxe." Again, this makes a lot of sense in relation to the new climate. "Rich" for me connotes textural, (i.e. velvety) and often darker colours or patterns. "Luxe" might be that but might equally refer to lighter tones, fabrics, textures -- all of which might make more sense in your new climate.

I also hear you loud and clear on the joy! 2019 was a stressful year for many of us here, it seems. For me personally it was better than 2018 but I still feel like I am recovering from that one and could use an infusion of joy!

5 statement items per season sounds like a lot when you don't need to replace any statements. It sounds like a little if all your statement pieces wear out at the same time.

Off to read that article you linked, and thanks!

rachylou

Veteran

You have given me a lot to think about Jenn. I think I’m ready to concentrate more on refining, on details, on individual superb pieces. I don’t feel so experimental in terms of style. I could probably stand to spend more on individual items.

Cardiff girl

Veteran

Sounds like you are in a good place wardrobe wise.l will follow your progress with the five piece French system with interest as I am thinking of having a go at this myself although our climates are very different.

Gretchen

Veteran

Kudos on a great plan!

I love the reminder about summer. It’s not my shopping sweet spot either!

As you think about refining and luxe pieces, are there any specific types of pieces you want to target? A rich, luxe, summer maxi-dress? Or a fabulous lightweight tunic?

Will watch your 5 piece program with interest!

Bijou

Veteran

Thank you for this post and can see that you have a road map that meets your goals and provides room for fun and joy.

I also loved that article, it makes a lot of sense.

Like Suz, I had to laugh at the focus on your new climate. Your resolve to focus on dressing for warm weather makes so much sense. I live in a climate similar to CA and find long sleeve linen shirts to be warm weather staples. They are beautiful to wear and provide protection from the sun and can be worn in lots of different ways.

When moving to a new city I have asked a woman in my local area with similar hair to what I want mine to be what stylist she goes to. I have never been sent to a bad hairdresser, all have been really thrilled to make a recommendation.

Brooklyn

Veteran

Nice! The “focus on summer” resonates with me. It’s hard when summer fashion is so BORING! I made the same resolution last year. One thing that occurs to me is that you could redistribute “statement items” having regard to climate. So perhaps 7 statement items for S/S, but only 3 statement items for F/W. I’m going to be doing something similar this year.

Helena

Veteran

Terrific plan Jenn. I admire your discipline and focus, and will really enjoy following your journey this year!

RobinF

Veteran

Sounds like a great plan, well thought out and reasonable. And your word "Joy" is perfect.

Anonymous

Sounds great to me! And agreeing that focusing on your warm weather statement items would be a good idea
Maybe some artisan jewelry too!

karen13

Veteran

Your post displays such self knowledge and resonates deeply with me. You (and many other Fabbers) seem to be in a great place style-wise and that gives me hope that is achievable for me too. I really like the distinction between Rich and Luxe.

lm looking forward to your posts moving forward.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

*APPLAUSE*

As always Jenn, your strategy is very eloquent, mindful, careful, level-headed, sensible, effective, organized and disciplined. I love it! Go, you!

YES, you will need more hot weather clothing

Very much looking forward to the specs refresh. FWIW, I think you should go bigger, wider, and an earth tone.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Bravo on another really well-thought-out plan. And yes, I laughed a bit at "there's more warm weather than cold here." I have to remind myself that our transition seasons are brief and I don't need any more clothes for those seasons.

Runcarla

Veteran

Brilliant post, Jenn, and what a GREAT article. Maybe send it to Inge next time she makes a request for ‘Link Love’ submissions?

Jenni NZ

Veteran

Excellent plan. I am not sure that I have a plan except for wearing what I already own. I was sorry about what you wrote on Kari’s recent post about not finding your size

Penny

Veteran

Jenn, what a wonderful set of goals! They resonate strongly with me - especially a wardrobe full of beautiful, well-made workhorses, and aiming to buy less but spend more when doing so. Hoping you find a few really spectacular pieces this year while updating and replacing mindfully!

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

Hear, hear! I remember that article about buying expensive (or something very similar to it) and I think it contains a lot of wisdom. I am thinking about how to implement that into my life given my mostly second hand wardrobe where the price points are not necessarily connected to value. Dress joyfully is such an important aspect of life, I am glad you reminded us.

Jenn

(website)

Veteran

Sorry to post and run like I did. We have had houseguests since December 28 (and still do). It's been hectic, but fun to host family and friends in our new abode.

Thanks for taking the time to read and comment, notsaf, torontogirl, and RobinF!

Suz, it's also important to remember that in 5PF "statement" also includes essentials over a certain dollar threshold. I'm sure that's where many of my ten will come from.

rachylou, it's a mental hurdle to spend more per item, when we live in a society that glorifies thriftiness (thank the Puritans). Of course, I'm not talking expense for flash and status, just being willing to pay what garments should actually cost to make in a sustainable, ethical way.

Cardiff Girl, it worked in my Colorado climate, so I'm willing to bet it can be adapted for anywhere.

Gretchen, you know, when I try to target a specific type of piece as a statement, I usually end up on a long, fruitless search and then convince myself that something is "the one" when it actually isn't. I do much better when I take a "know it when I see it" approach.

Bijou, I've done that with hairdressers too! Here, there's a salon with good reviews just around the corner from my house. I'm going to try them out and hope, because it sure would be nice to be able to have a two-minute walk to get my hair cut. And yes to long-sleeve linen!

Brooklyn, it is supposedly the coldest part of the year and today was 72° (22C). I don't even know how to distribute items anymore!

sungtiger, years of working craft shows and trading with other vendors means my artisan jewelry situation is pretty settled!

karen13, what a lovely thing to say! I'm so glad to hear it resonates for you.

Angie, new sunglasses this year too! It will be lots of fun!

Janet, I think I probably need more "transitional" clothing too. It is both spring and fall here right now. Some trees are losing their leaves, while others are budding and blooming.

Runcarla, it's quite old! We had a discussion about it here when it first came out: https://youlookfab.com/welookf.....-under-150

JenniNZ, it's just a fact of life for those of us above a certain size...and my size is easier to come by than those larger than me.

Penny, I'm so glad to hear this resonates with others! I'm always mindful that spending more isn't possible for everyone, but for those of us for whom it is, it's definitely something to think about.

shevia, shopping secondhand is a whole different story, and the creativity with which you build and rebuild your wardrobe that way is admirable! I don't think you have to change a thing!

Style Fan

Veteran

Excellent plan, Jenn. I really like the article that you shared. I am going to include the spend more and buy fewer items in my style goals. I look forward to seeing what you come up with this year.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I want to see your eyewear project and journey on YLF!

Sal

Veteran

I enjoyed reading this post and article.

I can see how the five piece system could work for you- I love the concept but can’t quite adapt it for me. I am not quite sure why - I think it is the expensive essentials and the cheap statements that I often end up with.

Will be interested to see your new additions. A long sleeve dress is a great piece in transitional weather - I wear mine often.

smittie

Veteran

These sounds like excellent goals, especially the ones about finding brands that have your values. I would imagine that having a few go-to brands would make shopping a lot easier.

Also, I very much appreciate the link to the article about how much to spend per item. It was a fun read and it made me think.