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2024 Wardrobe Goals

Irina

Veteran

I don't have many goals for 2024 as I'm happy with my wardrobe at this time. Thought of sharing with you the main ones, though.
1. No trends.
I love all things fashion and always curious about new things coming up. I used to think that I'm not too much into trends but use what fits with my personal style.
Last year I actually paid attention to what trendy things I bought and how successfully I incorporated them into my wardrobe. The result just confirmed what I suspected - I do not enjoy wearing trendy things. I'm not an early adopter and by the time I get an idea to buy something trendy, it is very popular where I live. I don't buy many trendy things but nevertheless, it's annoying to find myself so influenced!
Last year trendy purchases:
- Gazelle Adidas navy sneakers. Met my goal of additing navy footwear, were very comfortable but because of their trendiness every time I wore them, I looked like I wanted to be with "cool kids" which is laughable. Sold it on Poshmark
- Oversized blazer. I knew it was risky and although I wear almost exclusively oversized clothes, I avoid oversized blazers or outwear. Never wore and sold it on Poshmark.
- Striped hat with bright pink. Thought of adding bright color to my winter accessories but pink is just not me. Never worn, selling on Poshmark.
- Full length wide pants. Bought two, one for each season. They are classic but I still struggle to style them in my own way. Keeping both and will work more on styling. I acknowledge that it is difficult for me to switch from cropped pants to full length, I need to find good outfit proportions for it.
- Trendy color. Well, it actually happened a few years ago when camel/caramel was everywhere. This is too warm color for me but I bought into it. Sold the last of it on Poshmark this year aside from 2 sweaters because I like the cut.
2. No duplications
I got better with restraining myself from buying duplicates. I bought a brown linen dress last year but not because of a trendy brown color, it was a duplicate of a black one and only available in brown. Love them both but could do with only the black one. Duplicated a t-shirt on sale from COS , I bought the first one second hand. Do I need two? Clearly, I should try harder.
3. Continue editing wardrobe.
I will be reevaluating my spring/summer wardrobe and selling items that didn't make a cut/don't properly fit.

I have a handful of items on my shopping list. Some replacement (black silk pants and an evening purse). Some new (grey winter wool coat and white summer dress). Some of them are in the HEWI category and I'm not expecting to find everything. But I'm looking forward to see what is out there and to have fun.

I know opinions on trends and duplication are varied on the Forum. Please, share yours if you feel comfortable.

Dressing

24 replies

Latest reply was from Ginger

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Great to get this down on paper. Well done! Awesome that you're happy with your wardrobe. Sweet music to my ears!

My dear Irina, you are an on trend dresser

May I suggest "Selective Trends", instead of "No Trends" for #1. Some trends work, and others don't. It's a gamble!

Have you tried cropping the full length pairs of pants you're struggling with? A hacked length might make them more wearable.

#2 - you are not alone! Some duplicates work, and others don't. It's trial and error, and a bit of luck too.

#3 - good strategy!

"I'm looking forward to see what is out there and to have fun" = SING IT SISTER!

I have three small style goals that I will pop into a blog post next week. Stay tuned. Word and colour of the year sorted and actioned! Stay tuned again.....

kkards

Veteran

Nodding with Angie’s comment re selective trends. This is a strategy that I’ve found works better for me. But I’m always a person who doesn’t react well to no/never. On trends I’ve tuned into what trends feel like me, and how can I do that trend in something that’s not to far from what I know I like and/or what works for me.

Duplicates yup, I struggle with that. But I feel like in the last couple of years I’ve gotten better at stepping away exact duplicates. I’m more of a well I’m wearing my navy cashmere sweater a lot, so I should get another navy cashmere sweater, so end up just wearing the 1st one less. Need to figure that one out.

pirouette

Irinai I like to duplicate items as if I find something I like I fear it will wear out or get damaged but usually I duplicate the exact same colour. I have found if I get a duplicate in a second colour it’s rarely worn. I am not a trend follower as most trends don’t suit me or I don’t like them. just stick to what I like. I don’t set wardrobe goals but I do have a short list of items I want and I keep an eye out for them online and in the shops.

Dee

Veteran

It seems that if a trend really takes off and its suddenly everywhere, you no longer enjoy it quite as much, am I understanding this right? Well trendy or not, depending on one’s definition, to me, you always look very modern and stylish.

I do pay attention to the trends, but will only go with the ones that I can make suit my style, so even though wide-legs were popular last year, I decided that going slightly looser or baggier instead of full on wide-leg would suit me much better.

As for duplications, its been hit and miss. Usually if I buy 2 different colours in a duplicate, I tend to favour one colour more so than the other, and then wonder why I felt the need to get the second colour in the first place.

Jules

Veteran

I relate about trends, especially when it comes to colour. It’s pretty much always been a mistake when I buy a colour I know isn’t truly one of mine, just because it’s trendy and I like it (or the specific pattern or item), ‘well enough’ - it’s better for me to work from a palette of favourites, which sometimes has to adjust based on availability, but doesn’t need to incorporate things I don’t actually like for myself!
Same with duplications, I have a history of finding something that really works (like say a trendy oversize blazer, lol) and I think that feels so good that I want another version - not an exact duplicate but in a different colour or pattern. But I already have the exact right thing (of the moment), and duplications are never as good, so it becomes unnecessary excess. I do well duplicating only on essentials that are causing laundry bottlenecks - and even then I believe in doing laundry and rewearing current favourites often, because my seaons, size and tastes change frequently so ‘stocking up’ isn’t always advisable!

Phew, thanks for giving me a place to get my thoughts out, some of which are reminders to myself of my own rules and goals for the coming year May I suggest for you that maybe it’s not so much ‘no trends’ as ‘no trends that are not Irina’s core style’?

Helena

Veteran

Team elective trends! I agree Irina that you are trendy - what you're not (and I know this is semantics) is faddish ... I don't see you ever wearing the "viral XXX from Instagram", let's say, because you have a very definite and well defined style statement. I like your plan Irina ... You always look fab and know what works!

slim cat

Veteran

Selective trends for sure! Duplicates in a careful way ( I often only love the first one ).
I like your plan for 2024 - feel somewhat similar about "chasing" new trends ( some work, some - just lost time and $ ).
You did so well with re-selling and analyzing - I'm still learning how to do all that. Probably because of my work in retail I feel more tired than excited about the end of year and plans for the next one - lol.

Irina

Veteran

Dee, when a trend is everywhere I don’t want to wear it because it makes me feel that I’m trying to fit in, I don’t know if it makes sense. Sometimes a trend illustrates an idea I had. I wanted low profile sneakers after seeing so many chunky ones. And I wanted a bit retro, also subtle in colors (bold colors combined in sneakers were popular in spring). I was surprised that Gazelle and Samba sneakers were selling out in minutes once available on the Adidas website. That should’ve been a clue for me. Every one had a same idea. After I sold my Gazelle, I bought a white pair of a retro style sneakers from Massimo Dutti that had more of a generic design.

BTW, this is my problem with duplication - if I buy two, I tend to favor one color over the other. One exception - shoes, because it’s so hard to find a comfortable pair, I’m ok with duplicates.

Angie, we all have a slightly different definition of trends. Contemporary v trendy, probably.

Re: pants. Cropping the full length pants would be my last resort. I’d like to have more variety in pants and since I don’t change the preferred silhouette much, I like to try different lengths.

Jules, I can’t be completely without trends as long as I shop mainstream retailers. What they offer is of course, influenced by current trends. When we are so visually influenced online and IRL, I’m afraid to loose my individuality.

Jenni NZ

Veteran

I think I only like trends if they fit with what I already like, if that makes any sense to anyone? So I must have liked trends in the past, but probably the distant past, like the colours and shapes of the 80s mostly. And then I love it when those colours and shapes come around again and buy some more of them. Because I do buy in retail mostly with only a small amount of second hand, then what I buy must be somewhat trendy but certainly not “of the moment”. It makes me happy if it’s on sale because it’s old stock so the fact it’s not right on trend doesn’t bother me at all.
This has left me in the past with the suggestion that I’m not “moving forward with fashion”, whatever that means. Yay for that if it means I’m not constantly buying the latest thing and then having to ditch it again when the new latest thing comes along!

Dee

Veteran

Yes Irina, I can understand wanting to maintain your own unique style and not looking exactly like everyone else.

SarahD8

Veteran

Sounds like you have a solid plan for the coming year. I agree with others that you always look current and contemporary -- even if you are resisting the omnipresent trends.

For myself, I would say selective trends. But I have noticed that when I am milking a current trend that corresponds to something I have long favored (e.g., if fair isle were trending), items stay in my wardrobe for longer than when I hop on a trend that is more novel to me -- where I've seen something around enough that my eye adjusts and eventually even starts to like it (e.g., I think I want a bum bag to wear as a crossbody?).

I also enjoy duplication -- occasionally of the exact item/color but also same item/different color. If I have multiple colors of an item and I wear them unevenly I don't consider that a failure of duplication necessarily -- even occasional wears of the less favored color will create a sense of variety and take some pressure off the more favored color. I'm at peace with it!

ChristelJ

Veteran

When I see your thought process, I see why you have such a perfect-for-you wardrobe with such an authentic style. So glad you feel happy with it these days.
About trends, I don't keep up well and am a late adopter when the items still appeal to me, regardless of how popular they are. I am still buying cropped tops, for example, because for so long I couldn't find short lengths in tops to go with my high rise pants and petite height. Now I am stocking up even though I'm sure tunic tops will come back as soon as I think I'm all settled.
Duplicates can succeed or fail for me, and there is no way to predict it. Some things I have two colors of and love both. Some I only wear one of. So I try not to do it often, but I do duplicate some hard worn basics in hopes of expanding the wears.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

As I read I was thinking "late adopter" is a relative term because I had no idea that lower profile sneakers had become a trend this year (all the kids are wearing chunky where I live.) Ha!

Anyway...I see your style as contemporary minimalist. I wouldn't call it "trendy" per se, but it's definitely influenced by trends, as how can it fail to be, if one shops at retail -- as you say.

I like what others have said about following or picking up on those trends that work for us personally -- "selective trends." Your cropped wide legs are an example. They were a trend (and still are, to some extent, although maybe they are becoming an established, stylish-but-not-trendy look now?). But they suit you and work for you so you bought up on them. Nothing wrong with that.

If styles veer to extreme maximalism, you are unlikely to adopt any of that -- it wouldn't be "you." But you might layer more items -- something more subtle but still a nod to what is happening in fashion at that moment.

Sal

Veteran

Trends are tricky to discuss and define- and range broadly. I wear some trending pieces - some happily and some I have been overly influenced by.

To me it’s how you combine the pieces - and make them your own - but I also don’t like to wear something that is ubiquitous. True Religion jeans in about 2006 and skinnies with ballet flats in 2009 both felt that way. But these were also not me so that was part of it.

I rarely duplicate - tees are the exception or gym gear/leggings. I do have a couple of pairs of blue straight jeans but they fit differently and are different lengths.

I prefer to thrash the piece and then replace when it wears out. By then I am often keen for a slight tweak in cut or length. But now I have a tee cut and shape that I love I will replace that easily- I currently have a black in a larger size and a white in a smaller size - I really wear the white as a layering piece under jackets or sweaters. It’s the Maple tee by AS colour.

Barbara Diane

Veteran

Glad you’ve realized useful information from your analysis.

I heavily purchase trending color when it is my color. I’ve purchased several red items. I also ordered one of the items in the very popular pink, but kept the red and returned the pink.

My shoe duplications are always spot on and worn. I have one pair I purchased in 3 color ways and wish I had bought more as I’ve worn them all out and haven’t been able to replace. Same with another style I bought 3 pairs, 2 in one color and the third in another. One the other hand my most worn dress is still going strong so the duplicate seems unnecessary.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Following up here -- it's so interesting reading different people's experiences with duplication (works so well for some and not at all for other and for others it works in specific circumstances). i was about to say I rarely duplicate -- but I realize my recent shopping has been all about duplication! Shocking (to me). I think I'll start a thread about it!

Olive Green

Veteran

Irina, I always think of your style as modern, with a sense of humor. Have come to loathe the word ‘curated’ as it now means, ‘simple, but we will charge ridiculous prices for it’, however, that is what I see when I look at your pics. Pieces carefully collected from the constant stream of the new.

Jules

Veteran

I hear you Irina - I personally struggle to determine what’s my taste and what is the influence of trends, both in clothing and home decor. I have to ask myself conscious questions around whether I truly like an item or just appreciate it in the moment. However I’ve somewhat reached the opposite conclusion that I’m ok with loving a passing trend or two, in clothing. At home I’m really happy I did not overindulge in certain decor and reno trends that wouldn’t have been a great match for my 110 year old east end semi (if you know the type of typical Toronto house!), and now that I understand that those truly were trends and that I can get some serious but ultimately temporary crushes on trendy styles, I’m a lot more mindful about what I add to my eclectic home while still figuring out what my own core style is - if I have one!
I see and admire that you know your own style well - it can appear quite effortless, so hearing about mistakes is helpful because it’s an articulation of ideas that can be quite intuitive for some.

Jules

Veteran

By the way here’s what happened when I tried to jump on the colourful narrow adidas trend - ended up falling for these instead! They’re very chunky in person, with a thick tongue and laces. I love them! So basically I returned to my own usual form… I still had my eye on a skinny pair for future but this thread is making me rethink a bit! Maybe it’s a trend I can also bypass.

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Irina

Veteran

Jules, my house is even less eclectic than me I definitely don’t follow decor or reno trends. At least I think I don’t.

In 2015 I bought 3 suites for interviews and office work. The only retailers with petite sizes in my price range were BR and Ann Taylor. All the blazers were fitted, pants were with low rise and I disliked the style. But the it was popular then and I didn’t have a choice. Two suits were donated year or two later. Waste of money and the examples of how retailers make us follow trends.

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

I agree that your style is very current if not trendy (not sure it is not trendy, so I will just leave that part alone). But you definitely are not a fad dresser. Fads used to be very short trends, although I don't really see that term used much these days. Any which way, you are extremely stylish and elegant.
As for me, I will try (almost) any trend I can find at the thrift store. But I stick with very few.

Jules

Veteran

I hear you - I just in the last couple of years realized I don’t actually like wearing burgundy/merlot shades very much, but had been buying them because earth tones, browns and my best greens weren’t available for so long. There’s a tricky balance of making do with what’s available over long trend cycles, and sticking to our own preferences. Sorry about your suits, very annoying

Irina

Veteran

Thank you all for your kind words and support. I enjoyed reading thoughts on style and now a new thread on duplications.

I have high hopes for this year. The last one was full of drama but

a this year might be the last year before I retire and it’s also on my mind.

Ginger

Veteran

Thank you for sharing your goals! I share at least one of them myself.

No trends - I've learned this goal for myself along with you. In my first few years on YLF I did try to stretch my boundaries and try some trends that appealed to me or might work out. But pretty much all of those things were edited out within a few years. Nowadays I may get trendy items, but only because they already perfectly align with my desired wardrobe. Not because they are trendy or to change things up. These things also tend to be trendy in broader terms (Maybe that's a fashion movement, not a trend?). Like cropped tops and jackets to wear with big skirts, teal and green, white tall boots, straight leg high waist jeans, and mary janes. Like Jules, I know what it feels like to have "my" colors missing at retail! I really try to wait it out in that case. The wrong colors really aren't placeholders since they coordinate differently.