2023 in review - YouLookFab Forum

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2023 in review

Irina

Veteran

My shopping is not yet done for this year as I expect to receive some items bought in the last two days. But I can already conclude my experience in 2023.

This was a year of a big change for me, probably as monumental as 2015 when I overhauled my entire wardrobe.

In the late summer of 2023 I tried the waters of the online resale. And it became a success. I edited about a third of my wardrobe. I sold some, more posted and available for purchase, some summer clothes will be posted in 2024. This allowed me edit out shopping mistakes (not a lot) and not well fitted clothes. My clothes is in impeccable condition and not too difficult to sell, I don’t expect to return what was spent but it makes me happy to know that someone will enjoy wearing my clothes. I also experimented with buying second hand for myself with a mixed result. I have never been happier with my wardrobe.

I had to completely edit my shoe collection - last year injury made shoe fit even more challenging. I was able to resell some shoes and bought more than I thought I would have to.

Lessons of the year 2023:
- my goal to add more unique garments is not easy to achieve. Too expensive at the stores. Buying them on resale site is a lottery. It is too hard to judge the fit and mistakes are costly.

- maybe my goal should be adding uniqueness through accessories and shoes

Most bought from:
COS and Uniqlo

I look forward to the next year, hopefully I will continue to enjoy developing my style and discovering interesting pieces.

Here are my most used 2023 items. These are from a workhorse category.

COS tapered jeans (my new favorite style)
Uniqlo vest (travels well, fits nicely under outer layer and great on its own)
Muji linen dress (easy style, neckline fits me so well)
Uniqlo C grey pants (kind of ponte fabric with stitched creases, very comfortable and maybe my next travel pants)
H&M cashmere balaclava
Bao Bao bag (just makes every outfit better)

did you learn any lessons in 2023 and how do you think you did in 2023?

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Shopping

21 replies

Latest reply was from Jonesy

Sal

Veteran

Thanks for sharing your approach and lessons from 2023. Accessories are a great way to wear unique distinctive pieces - I do think many mid range retailers have been relatively conservative in recent years in order to sell reliably.

I love your style and am happy to read how good you are feeling about it right now.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

I'm impressed with your success at resale. I don't think I have the patience for it, myself, but would love to hear more about things went for you if you have time/ inclination at some point to share. I would think it would feel especially satisfying to get a little bit back on purchases that just didn't work out especially in years of big wardrobe adjustments/ major additions.

I think Sal is right about mid range retail skewing quite conservative in the last few years, by and large. So footwear and accessories sound like a great way to add variety/ zing. The Bao Bao is amazing. Love it.

I will start a thread about my own most-worn garments and successes in a few days, but quickly, I, too, had a year of big wardrobe change -- for me it was the biggest purchasing and turnover year since 2013 -- so a full decade, and like you, although I felt a bit of guilt at the churn I also have not been as happy with my closet since 2017 or so, which suggests it was high time I put this level of attention here.

Jenni NZ

Veteran

Looks like you have done really well overall. I’ve had no success selling or consigning in the past and have given up. I also don’t evolve my style as much as you since I have liked the same sort of thing since the 80s. It has been interesting having my UK based sister staying for the past 6 days (she moved from NZ to England aged 23, met and married an Englishman and never returned except on holiday.) Our styles diverged in my early 20s/her late teens (she is 5 years younger) and have never come back together really. We went shopping 2 days before Christmas and tended to reach for the opposite items! She loves oversized and I don’t.
I am yet to be totally sure but think I had the success of buying the smallest number of items in a decade- 11 things I think, and recent ones like some shorts that go to the top of the kneecap have been worn many times already. This is after huge research on shorts both online and in store.

Indigoprint

Veteran

Well done. How good it must feel to have a comfort level with your wardrobe!
I think I am getting there but I must have a big purge over the next year.
To clear my head and make room in my closet for what I really love wearing.

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

Delighted that you have dipped your toes in resale. And excellent point about the twin advantages of reselling - some recouping of cost and also putting your pieces in the hands of someone that truly wants them. Your favorite pieces look excellent - I also like Muji a lot for basic pieces. (I have not yet gathered my thoughts about this past year.) Second hand is great for accessories!

Kate

Veteran

Congrats on your successful wardrobe plan, and consequent happiness. You look fabulous in every outfit you've posted, so your strategy is certainly working for you.

This is the happiest I've been with my wardrobe in quite a long time. What I need to do is continue whittling down my wardrobe to a more manageable level, getting rid of the pilled, the little worn, and some duplicates that I find I don't wear. I have a big closet, but it needs breathing room!

I have had success in the past reselling clothes, but haven't done it in three years. I have a backlog of items to sell, including more than a few bags. I need to get on it. Both are good goals for the New Year.

I do love handbags, but in the past four or five years, I've transitioned from larger leather crossbody bags, to much smaller crossbodies in fabric and leather, as well as small handled bags that I've become increasingly fond of. They serve my casual lifestyle very well.

Bijou

Veteran

The Bao Bao is just a perfect bag for you. Having owned them for at least 8 years now, I can really vouch for how hard wearing they really are. At first I was quite concerned that they may rip at the seams, but that has not happened to any of my bags, so I hope you have many years to enjoy your Bao Bao.

RobinF

Veteran

Sounds like a great year! How nice to have some success with resale. I've experimented with Poshmark purchases but not sales. I should try that next year.

I love your favorites. And it is helpful to see why they are favorites.

Carol

(website)

Veteran

I love the easy architecture of all these pieces. You know, I would say I buy about 70% of my clothes online at Poshmark, which sells both used and new. It's never a problem for me, because I don't spend a lot for each item. If it doesn't work, I generally pass it on. Sometimes spending a little extra time searching on one of these sites yields clothes that are quality, but a great price. Then you don't have to worry so much if they don't work.

kkards

Veteran

what a great recap...and sigh, yes, the buying on resale sites is like the lottery...what a great analogy. i've had some real winners, but a couple of really big mistakes as well.
i love Uniqlo but its also a gamble as there isn't a store near by and returns can be costly, but i did hear that they are planning to open 20 stores in the US/Canada in the next year...hoping my city makes the list!
i love your most used items, the are cohesive and yet each is and does stand on its own. Good job! looking forward to seeing were you go in 2024

Cardiff girl

Veteran

Thank you for sharing your experiences,l always find other peoples a valuable post.l too have been busy selling online but find most people only want brand new preferably with labels but still l have made a little cash.l have been very restrained in my purchasing as it seems ridiculous to be selling clothes on one hand and buying a lot more in the other.l am going through a style shift brought on by age and circumstance,probably the biggest one l can remember so am not sure where l will land style wise yet therefore am going slowly.However am pleased to report positive comments from people on all my new purchases therefore feel am moving in the right direction.

Dee

Veteran

You have great style Irina and know the sort of specific pieces you want to help bring it all together. Glad you had some success in reselling items that you no longer need, I’ve never tried doing that, it feels like I couldn’t price my items high enough to make it really worthwhile.

2023 was still another year of me working out where I’d like my style to evolve to. Sometimes I get lead astray admiring other people’s style and then think that perhaps I can wear it too. However, after some trial and error I’m slowing figuring out what I think works best for me.

Lee

I like your pieces and share your sentiments on the bao bao. I have a maroon and a green one and they do make everything seem better/more interesting when worn together.

Good luck on your 2024 wardrobing.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Great work! I have lost patience for resale for the most part — I have some nice items that I may take to consignment. I keep thinking about hosting a big local clothing swap.

I love how cohesive your style is.

Irina

Veteran

Thank you for your support!
I’m not surprised that many tried or thought of trying resale. For me, Poshmark works because I like their site design and services. I tried consignment once and didn’t like. And I like to be in control - when and for how much I want to sell. I don’t mind taking photos, writing a description, packing and mailing.

As for purchasing there - I’m learning and hope to became better at it. One of the reasons I started to look for second hand is that I lost my other options for buying designer pieces at reduced prices since Nordstrom left and Winners now have very few interesting pieces compared to last 5 years.
TheRealReal is not an option in Canada, it seems I can’t get anything from Yoox (every time I try, my size is not available and it’s still too expensive), I dislike eBay, consignment store often overwhelm me.
I will explore more next year.

Runcarla

Veteran

There is a lot of hard work here - and it has really paid off for you, in my opinion.

SarahD8

Veteran

Sounds like a lot of big changes, but you are approaching them with admirable equanimity. I see your style in the list of highlighted items for sure!
I look forward to your further experiments in secondhand. I hope you find a reliable source for those unique pieces you are craving!

Joy

Veteran

I think I was prepared to wear what I have in 2023. Now I am ready to get rid of well worn items that I am tired of. I did well in buying used clothes in 2023 except for shoes and underwear and will continue this idea to keep good stuff out of the land fill.

I wear more white year round to brighten my looks as well as long Covid hair. It needs a big cut. Putting it up has become too easy.i am feeling my age, less energy. I will turn 78 this year and balance has become a problem. I fall more easily and so far have healed ok. My last fall was on a bus at Christmas and was painful. I am much better and more careful. My husband suggested physical therapy. He may be right. Getting up and down big steps and getting in and out of a car is still hard.

Irina

Veteran

Joy, so sorry to hear about the balance issues. I’m 20 years younger but too have this problem. Gentle balance exercises might help.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

You did brilliantly in 2023, Irina! WELL DONE.

"I have never been happier with my wardrobe"

Sweet music to my ears! Keep on doing what you're doing

I pass on wardrobe items to an excellent home too! Items get more wear and spread joy, which makes me happy. I don't get a monetary return, yet it's very satisfying nonetheless.

Jonesy

Veteran

Sad about Nordstrom pulling out and Winners reducing its interesting, designer stock! I remember when I used to find great bargains at the Rack, but those days are long gone. I hear you on finding interesting pieces that are still functional and not for an imaginary lifestyle (perhaps this last bit is really my own issue, lol). Your additions to your wardrobe strike all the right notes--beautiful, chic, but yet interesting pieces.