30 x 30 Challenge (Week 2) - YouLookFab Forum

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30 x 30 Challenge (Week 2)

Anonymous

Day 8. I have already begun to learn valuable lessons about my style preferences. I learned that I love toppers. Just love them. They fit my personal aesthetic of "cozy comfort." They make an outfit feel more complete. I want to take this knowledge forward and learn how to add toppers in Spring and Fall.

Here are my items to date:

1. Grey ponte pants
2. Navy blue long sleeved tee shirt
--. Grey long line cardigan (DONATED)
3. Kut from the Kloth dark blue jeans
4. Gap white short sleeved tee shirt
5. NEW Landsend navy cardigan
6. Nordic Track Half Zip Fleece Top (Slated for DONATION)
7. Old Navy Boyfriend Velvet Top in Medium Blue
8. Kut from the Kloth 'Diana' Ponte Pants in Black
9. Gap Cotton Cashmere Shawl Cardigan
10. Landsend short sleeved crew neck knit top in Fresh Blue.

I looked down at my top and realized I dribbled black coffee up the front of my blue sweater. I was self conscious about it all day long.

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Dressing

63 replies

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Toban

Veteran

Toppers are a crucial component of my wardrobe, especially at work to manage the varying temperatures between indoors and outdoors. What kinds of toppers are you interested in? I love asymmetric cardigans and they are my go to toppers that always work. For blazers and jackets, pay attention to the weight of the item and identify if it is more indoor or outdoor wear. I have found that a few toppers I’ve chosen to complete a work outfit are in fact way too warm for me.

My favorite current cardigan is the following, which I am wearing today:

White House Black Market

Petite Waterfall Midi Cover-Up

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3

Joy

Veteran

Sterling, this is a great list that looks right on target for numbers going into week 2. Only 3 bottoms, but they seem very versatile. You have plenty of room in your 30 to add in more toppers.

Bonnie

Veteran

Sterling: I agree with you completely. On cooler days, I enjoy wearing a topper over a layering tee that can be worn on its own. One of my last year's goals was to find better layering tops and now I am set. Inside temperatures can vary and this system keeps me comfortable.

Toban: That is a great topper. I checked and they are currently sold out.

delurked

Veteran

It’s interesting that 2 of the items selected are not winners for you. I think this could be the case for me as well, and I am a believer of moving on the items that just don’t make you feel good. It got me to thinking a question I’ve seen as a criteria for purchases (sorry, can’t remember by which member) - if you purchase x item, will you still be looking for something like it? So, for example, I would like a white T-shirt that isn’t too thin, too low, too etc. If I find one and decide to purchase it, it should satisfy my need for a white shirt. If it feels like it’s a placeholder and that I’ll still be looking for something better, I should pass on it and not settle for the one in hand.

Lynn

Veteran

Great learning, Sterling. This 30 x 30 challenge is really helpful in defining style issues.

I am the exact opposite. I dislike layering. I feel constricted even wearing a topper over a sleeved garment unless it is really loose fitting. I have a visceral negative reaction to the idea of wearing a blazer or even a fitted cardigan.

I have other tactile issues, too. I hate labels (have to cut them out), I prefer a looser fit in clothing, and the feel of the fabric is critical to whether I will wear something.

This bring home the fact I need to find other ways to "finish" an outfit other than wearing a topper.

Thanks again for starting this challenge.

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

Sterling, I just want to say thanks for running the challenge. It's great how you are commenting, encouraging, cross-pollinating, and generally keeping everyone going.

Anonymous

Hi Delurked -- I too find it interesting that two of my items are either donated or slated for donation. I think the problems with these two garments became clear when faced with a very limited selection to choose from. Naturally, you want your favorites to be included. But you want the piece to be versatile as well.

I have other sweaters that I prefer to the long line cardigan. I always hated the way that cardigan hung open and it is speckled so I can't wear it across my wardrobe. I kept it because it was a perfectly good cardigan in one hundred percent cotton, but I never loved it. I am relieved it is gone.

It was Joy that made the statement about continuing to shop for purchased garments. Her comment resonated with me as well.

Thank you, Fashintern. Your comment means a lot to me. I sincerely hope you enjoy the challenge and learn lots of stuff about your wardrobe needs. And have fun!!

That is such an interesting observation, Lynn. I feel the same way about labels and have been known to remove the actual stitches so that I can get every single spect of label out. There are lots of posts about how to "finish" an ensemble if you choose not to wear toppers. I can find some fo them for you, if you are interested. Let me know.

I know some Forum Member are moving away from cardigans toward blazers, Bonnie. Either type of topper is wonderful to have in both a professional and casual environment. Me? I like to fee swathed in layers. I feel safe. I do have to remove my topper mid-day as the building heats up.

Thank you, Joy. I am feeling incredibly confident today ... at this minute. I have actually pseudo-planned out my work outfits for the entire week just to make sure I have everything in place and clean. I planned outfits that I am looking forward to wearing in the New Year.

Great suggestion, Toban, thank you. A decade ago, my wardrobe wholly comprised of blazers. I wore them because that was the office culture. I have two remnant blazers left from that collection. I have worn either in years. My topper collection comprised entirely of cardigans. My cardigans are plainer than your lovely cardigan. They look very much like the Find below. I own that type of cardigan in cream, navy, fuchsia, and grey. I am content.

Katerina

Veteran

Sterling, I echo FashIntern - thank you, you are wonderful!

Great progress! And I love your black pearls. I love your elegant casual style. You are so good with the colours.

Agree about toppers - my favourites too, although I love blazers. There is nothing better to me than a perfectly cut blazer. I love cardigans too, but more on other people.

Joy

Veteran

Sterling, you inspired me to kind of plan outfits for the week too. I feel like I am adding pieces too quickly.

Brooklyn

Veteran

Just wanted to say add me to the chorus of appreciation Sterling. And I think your BIG find photos are fun too

Mainelady

Veteran

I am joining the appreciation club. Thank you for starting this challenge. I enjoy following the journeys, discovering more about forum members and their styles and learning through others. There is much more to discover!

anchie

Veteran

I am not participating, but I am grateful to you for starting and managing the challenge. Reading everyone take with interest.

One of the reasons that I am not participating is just because I cannot dress without topper, I am with you on that. My average outfit contains about 7 items, so I would reach 30 items within a week.

Anonymous

You women are too wonderful. Thank you all for your kind words. They warm my heart.

Anonymous

Day 9: Even though I normally telework on Tuesday, I had to come into the office. I opted to repeat the Old Navy Boyfriend Velvet Top in Medium Blue and the Kut from the Kloth 'Diana' Ponte Pants in Black. No topper today (which I deeply regret).

Looking at these pictures today, I can say I "feel" fabulous. But I don't think I look fabulous. I have to do a full tuck with the tee shirt because of how it is cut (half tucks do not work). The look is high waisted and bulky around my middle. I am wondering if these pants are slightly too big as well.

Based on the glorious scarfs I've seen during the Challenge, I added a scarf to the ensemble. I am quite happy with it because it feels cozy.

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Toban

Veteran

You look great! The scarf is very pretty and vibrant and adds personality to the outfit. I can imagine that having uncovered arms today might be too cold in the office?

anchie

Veteran

I would like to see it un-tucked and with scarf double wrapped closer to neck so that it is little shorter.

Katerina

Veteran

Yay to the scarf, Sterling! The colours work perfectly with the top! What a joyous outfit! No wonder you feel fabulous and so you should!

SarahD8

Veteran

Sterling, I echo others in their appreciation of your efforts in organizing the challenge, and also your warmth and deep engagement in following others' posts.

Your capsule is shaping up so nicely. I like seeing the blue velvet top repeated and styled in different ways. It seems like a great piece for this time of year -- soft, comfortable, but with a little bit of interest.

Isn't it so interesting how paring down to a subset of our wardrobe with just 30 items can actually encourage us to get rid of things? I have found that to be true for me too.

I like anchie's suggestion about today's scarf, I'd love to see what it looks like double-wrapped as well. Maybe that would also provide a bit more warmth to your topper-less outfit? I have been surprised how nicely toasty an "indoor" scarf can be!

Anonymous

Sarah and Anchie -- I will try the scarf tied higher on my neck later today. I'll post pictures this evening. YAY.

And Sarah -- yes! I am identifying garments in my wardrobe that don't pull their weight. After careful scrutiny, I am figuring out the why of it. That makes it really easy to rationalize passing the garment onto someone else that might appreciate it more.

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

“Why” can be so tricky, and is so important.

Elizabeth P

Veteran

I'd also like to see the scarf tied closer to your neck.

The way you described how you thought you looked...
"high waisted and bulky around my middle" is how I feel whenever I tuck anything in. It's the proportions of shoulder width to distance from shoulders to waist. Might this be the case with you too?

Style Fan

Veteran

Sterling, I am firmly on Team Topper. I like cardigans and blazers. I feel finished when I have my third piece on.
Great job with figuring out what pieces are working and why. I have had some realizations as well.

Anonymous

I look forward to reading your thoughts, Style Fan.

Interesting question, Elizabeth. I'll have to look closely at my proportions. It has been a long time since I have fully tucked a shirt in. It felt funny all day long.

So Sarah and Anchie -- I forgot to take a picture of the outfit untucked and with the scarf tied higher. I did retie the scarf in the office though after your very thoughtful comments.

Yes Fashintern. The why is the problem. So I have two new developments. I have decided to wash the fleece top and donate it. I also spilled coffee on my blue top. I treated and washed the top but the coffee stains remain. Gone. Nine days in and I have removed three items from my list. I like that the Challenge is providing me an opportunity to really examine my wardrobe and decide whether a particular garment works for me or not.

1. Grey ponte pants
2. Navy blue long sleeved tee shirt
--. Grey long line cardigan (DONATED)
3. Kut from the Kloth dark blue jeans
4. Gap white short sleeved tee shirt
5. NEW Landsend navy cardigan
--. Nordic Track Half Zip Fleece Top (DONATED)
6. Old Navy Boyfriend Velvet Top in Medium Blue
7. Kut from the Kloth 'Diana' Ponte Pants in Black
8. Gap Cotton Cashmere Shawl Cardigan
--. Landsend short sleeved knit top in Fresh Blue (DONATED)

Thank you Katerina and Toban. I have enjoyed reading both of your comments on Forum Posts. Your comments are so incredibly thoughtful!!! I will certainly come away from this Challenge having learned a lot.

Brooklyn

Veteran

Hi Sterling! I am also finding this process of evaluating each item as I put it on my list really useful. I have gone the opposite way to you and just decided to duplicate something on my list, because I have now realised it is an essential for me (I will report on that later).
Re: tucking the top. I find a full or semi tuck generally works better with mid rise pants. I think the pants you are wearing are a higher rise and this may be why you are not feeling it.

Windchime

Veteran

Sterling, I'm adding my voice to the chorus thanking you for organizing this challenge, and for how involved and encouraging you have been in response to all of our posts. You are fab!

And so is the scarf you combined with today's outfit! Wonderful colors. How did you feel in the outfit when you tied the scarf higher?

I learned to love scarves about 25 years ago when I was in Germany in January. I noticed many women wore lightweight scarves indoors, simply wrapped around their necks with the ends hanging loose. (I'm not describing the style very well.). It was so easy and yet added so much to a shirt and pants outfit. All of us German majors promptly adopted the style, and scarves have been part of my wardrobe since. (except in the heat of summer.)

tanstaafl

Did you like the outfit more with the top untucked? I struggled with tucking or not tucking today as well. And with getting a decent picture. I was fine (not thrilled, but fine) with the proportions of my outfit looking at myself in the mirror. But it is so easy to distort your actual proportions when taking mirror selfies. Also, cropping your head out of the picture affects the visual as well.

Anonymous

Day 10: This has to be a quick post today because I have meetings. We are 1/3 of the way through the challenge. I have donated three problematic pieces that don't pull their weight. I feel really good about those decisions!

I am added in three completely new pieces. EF ponte pants; EF burgandy top; and Old Navy grey cardigan. I'll come back this evening and provide more information. If I find myself in the bathroom today, I'll snap a few pictures.

1/3 of the way through the challenge!!!! Time flew!!!! I am having fun.

Elizabeth P

Veteran

When you said your blue top was ruined, I immediately thought of your velvet one, and _I_ was disappointed! So happy it's a more "normal" one, that is probably replaceable if needed. Phew.

I'm impressed you're 1/3 the way through, with only 12 items. I'm a quarter of the way, with 16. No purges yet though... just a couple of categories that I can/should do some serious thinking about, now that I've chosen my "favourite" of the bunch.

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

1/3 or 1/4 through? I’m going so slowly that I’m on my sixth outfit now, so 1/5 the way through (rewearing my tunic + leggings for Time’s Up solidarity slowed me down a little bit yesterday).

Should we do some kind of outfit lab/hitting the wall/remix post, where everybody can figure out what *else* to do with their pieces that have already been worn the “obvious” ways?

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