2021 Goals - YouLookFab Forum

Happy New Year, Fab Folks!

This year, I'm taking things slowly. In my last forum post, I talked a little bit about the goals I was thinking about for 2021 and said I'd come up with something a bit more formal. Now it's time!

Here are my 2021 Style Goals in order of importance:

Buy and dress for comfort

Purchase some sports bras with no underwire - I've gone braless for most of the pandemic and I can't imagine going back to those torture devices on the daily. I'm done.
Invest in a PERFECT pair of sneakers - ones I can wear all day that support my feet beautifully, and that I find aesthetically appealing. Converse have been my favorite since I was a teenager and I still enjoy wearing them, but my feet need something better now, so as much as it pains me, I think it's time to see other soles. (Hehehe.)

Reduce my wardrobe size

I don't currently have a specific number in mind, but I would like everything that requires a hanger to fit visibly in my small walk-in closet.
My goal is to NOT get rid of ANY items unless I find that they truly do not spark joy for me anymore - until I know what my lifestyle needs will be. This time last year I was trying to get into grad school. It didn't happen, and now I'm in the same boat again. I'm going to be patient and see where life takes me.
No matter how much I like an item in theory, if it doesn't fit well, it's going away. No more settling for blazers that ALMOST fit my large bust and broad shoulders. There will always be more tweed blazers.

Embrace eclecticism

Worrying about everything being cohesive stresses me out, and I'm interested in throwing stuff I like together and seeing what happens at this point.
Pair things together in unexpected combinations - punk with academic; dress up my grungy flannels; go casual glam, but make it androgynous. I want to have fun with this.

Add more neutrals

Black - my lifetime favorite, and I never tire of it. It looks great on me and it's my "calm" color to wear, so I'll be keeping an eye out for more pieces in this "base" neutral. I would especially like to acquire more black pants in various silhouettes.
Blue - my second most favored neutral. I would like to add more pieces other than blue jeans (though I could use another pair of blue jeans).
Gray - I have some and would like to have more across many types of items. Charcoal is my favorite, but I like others, too. I would like to acquire a charcoal gray suit, which would look great with many of my dress shirts.
Olive - I've been working on adding olive over the last few years and I have several pieces I enjoy. A highly desired item would be an olive pair of pants.
Dark brown - I've gone without brown for quite a long time and want to add it back in. The only pieces I currently have are a cap and a pair of chocolate brown leggings.
Maybe cognac - I like the idea of cognac, but it's not as high priority as the other neutrals I want because I have ZERO cognac right now.

Maybe some colors, too...

Last year I started adding more orange and teal/turquoise, and I would enjoy more items in those colors, but it's not a high priority because my craving for grounded neutral mixes is stronger. I could also get into some yellow. What's with me lately?!

So, that's pretty much it. I know some things will change after the pandemic comes to an end, but it's been pretty eye-opening for me in a lot of ways, too. I'm SUCH a creature of habit - I'm not going to wear what I can't see, I'm not going to wear what isn't comfy, I'm not going to dress up unless I'm going somewhere and/or seeing people, and no matter how many options I give myself, I'm going to reach for the same several faves time and time again.

I thought about that as I worked on this list. There's a desire to experiment and play more, but I think I need to do that with fewer options in front of me. I want EVERY item I own to be one I reach for as soon as it's clean again. There has to be a good balance between having enough so I don't get bored and not so much that I get overwhelmed. 2021 is going to be about finding that balance.

If you've made it this far, thanks for reading! If you've faced a similar challenge to what I just described and found something that's worked for you, I would LOVE to hear about it.

I hope everyone has a fab, fun, and fulfilling year.

3 years ago

Joy

Veteran

What articulate goals. I was nodding in agreement with most of what you wrote. Although I went braless for a few years when younger, I like how I look and feel better with a bra. They are not uncomfortable if you find the right ones. If the tag is irritating, cut it off. Adjust the straps. Be sure that you are wearing the right size, especially the band. If it too tight or too loose it will be uncomfortable.
I agree on closet size and like to be able to see and get to everything. I also pretty much agree with what you wrote about colors. You may have to try a few brands but you will find your comfortable sneakers. Do not expect what is comfortable for someone else to also be your best fit. You may also need to lace them differently. NIke and Sketchers will not work for me, but ECCO and Merrell does. Be sure that arch support is in the right place for your feet. Converse work for me because they do not have much arch support.

rachylou

Nodding in agreement with Joy nodding in agreement with you (!) Clear action items. Salient observations about what you will and won’t do. And yes, sneakers are tricky. New Balance (non-fashion ones) and then Merrells are probably the most reliably comfortable sneakers for me. I also can’t wear Nikes (never could) and now I can’t wear Skechers (too soft and pliable). And my knees now wonder how I ever wore Chucks...

Bijou

Such practical and realistic goals - just being aware of your preferences and thinking things through, helps to follow through.

In terms of colour, I like cognac leather items - such as a bag, belt or shoes - it is a nice neutral to wear with black and grey. I love my coloured bags, but always fall back on this bucket bag, particularly for travel when I want a 'one and done' solution.

Custom Find

by Bijou

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slim cat

Nice clear vision for the 2021.
Bralettes were my other choice besides going bra-less in a shutdown. Sneakers by Merrell and ECCO.
I'm also looking for more blue pieces after adding some black this year
( pale blue and black is still one of my fav combos ).

Helena

I love this Kaelyn, and your goals around balancing a smaller wardrobe with enough variety and fun to make you happy is 100% where I am at too, so I will love following your journey this year! I also love the wisdom with which you are pursuing a smaller wardrobe ... it's true with so much uncertainty, it makes sense to not be too ruthless with minimizing!

Liesbeth

'There has to be a good balance between having enough so I don't get bored and not so much that I get overwhelmed.'
This is my continuous struggle too :). Made harder by my reliance on shopping as a pick-me-up. I don't have a solution but I do track what goes into and out of my wardrobe and have noted what seems to be my 'set point' over the years. If I acquire too much then I will stop wearing other stuff (or maybe I buy more because the older stuff no longer speaks to me). Anyway this helps me 'see' when I'm on the verge of overwhelm. It works for subsets too. Eg I only wear skirts or dresses 2 times a week typically so I don't need (and won't wear) 10 winter dresses. I rotate between 4 bras tops even if I have more.
That being said a little spontaneity mist be allowed to prevent boredom, along with the acceptance that some items won't be workhorses. E.g. because I actually want to wear something special on Christmas eve that's not being worn throughout the year. That may be just me of course. I'm considering looking more towards second-hand for these types of garments that I know won't get thirty wears.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

*APPLAUSE*

#SIMPATSTYLE

Kaelyn, you are wise, focussed and eloquent. Such a balanced, sensible and fun way to go forward with your style.

I am very strict about the size of my own wardrobe (I have limited storage space in our loft). I keep it a certain size and don't let things slide. That way, I get the most out of what I have. Lots of variety, but no waste. Organization, things are easy to manage, and everything is in one place.

I encourage creating a cohesive wardrobe because wardrobe items have to relate to one another so that you can create head to toe outfits that make you feel fab. But what constitutes the cohesion is VERY personal. For example, my own wardrobe is very colourful and pattern-rich - which can look uncohesive to some. But since I have signature colours and patterns that I wear all the time and with everything - and I have a high affinity for colour and pattern-mixing - my wardrobe is cohesive to me.

Anonymous

Cool post! I like the concept of combining unexpected items. Bralettes and sports bras work for me and haven’t looked back. I wear Nike, Merrell, and Vans but admire Converse!

Jaime

Your goals are a pleasure to read. "There's a desire to experiment and play more, but I think I need to do that with fewer options in front of me." sound just right. Less energy on sorting more on creating!

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