Ask Angie: quick question about today's blog post - YouLookFab Forum

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Ask Angie: quick question about today's blog post

Aziraphale

Veteran

Hi Angie,

I slept in and missed participating in today's blog post because it's a holiday in Canada (woohooooooMayLongWeekend!!) but I do have a quick question. When you have a new item that isn't going to be super versatile (like your citron pants, which, although very cute, clearly don't go with everything you own), and you spend time working out a capsule for them, do you simply remember afterward? Or do you make a note of it? For more versatile new wardrobe items, is it the same process? Do you make a note of all the things that go with the item, even if there are a lot of things?

I'm asking because I have a few items that only go with a small capsule, but sometimes I forget. With versatile items, it's not so much of a problem.

Dressing

14 replies

Latest reply was from Destri

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Not Angie, but I'm betting she would remember easily once she had tried the potential outfits on because she's super organized, has a visual memory, and her closet is smooth to navigate, with most things out in the open and easily visible.

And if she did happen to forget, she has her photos (because she uses Finds and creates Collections). So she can make a collection of a capsule or an outfit or her "spring wardrobe" or her "whole wardrobe" or anything she wants.

rachylou

Veteran

That was my question too! Also, I have some tunics that I remember how I wore and can't think for the life of me why I liked them, lol.

AviaMariah

Veteran

I'm terrible about this. I don't even always remember what works after I've worn it. But I don't like the idea of having WIW pictures plastered in my closet although that's probably what would work best for me. I agree with Suz that Angie just probably remembers.

rabbit

Veteran

I have an excel sheet where when I incorporate a new item that goes with a smaller group of things, I make a list of that item, and its mirror-tested pairings underneath. It's kind of my 'wear this next' list and I tend to delete the pairings once I've worn them out once -- because then I usually remember them. But next to the entry for the wardrobe item in my CPW chart I list things that work well with it. This is a good reminder that I should look back at that sometimes though, especially when I haven't worn something in several months....

I think a post-it note on the closet wall would work too, for a low-tech solution, since it's mainly useful for the first season of incorporating something new.

RobinF

Veteran

Good question! I am also curious about this.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

E, you haven't missed the blog post at all! Go ahead and ask these great questions on the post, and I will happily answer them.

Anonymous

When I develop capsules, I photo-document them. There is no way I could possibly remember my inspirations from one day to another.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

But to satisfy your curiosity now: I have a very attentive memory for certain things, so I can easily remember all my outfit combinations that I create in capsules. I make mental photographs in my head AS I TRY ON THE OUTFITS AND LIKE THEM, and the photographs stay put in my brain. I do not need another visual reminder.

(But don't ask me to remember your phone number, my social security number, or the price of our antique wedding cabinet. I am useless at remembering those types of things).

unfrumped

Veteran

I like the photos Angie showed and am thinking I should consider photo-ing the items laid out on a white coverlet instead of trying to do all the outfits. For one thing, I don't have good photography setup for WIW's. Second, I like showing the capsule in total, even if some items might not be the 10's--it's more of a reminder of what is possible. And just one photo as opposed to every permutation, particularly when considering toppers and accessories. And it's easier to play with as a "puzzle" on the bed rather than wriggle into and out of items.
With that, at least I'd be more likely to recall options, since they might not be stored as a capsule, and probably my dim memory could remember my favorites vs. the second-stringers.

Aziraphale

Veteran

Thanks, all! Suz, you know Angie well. Rabbit, good grief, you are organized! Aviamariah, I agree with you -- I don't think I'd want to decorate my closet with photo-documentation of my outfits! But maybe just keeping photos of capsules (as Sterling and unfrumped suggest) would help. It seems like a lot of work though. I'm not sure if I'd remember to look at the pictures.

Angie, I will ask right on the blog next time -- I didn't know you kept checking. I had assumed that after about eight o'clock, you kind of moved on with your day.

BTW I know what you mean about having a great memory for some things and a terrible one for others -- I'm the same. Things I effortlessly remember: word spellings, people's names (providing I've seen them written down), and exactly where every ornament in my house belongs, including angles and spacing (I will notice right away if something has been moved). Things I forget, even if I try not to: the price of basic groceries, where I put my coffee down, people's faces (this one is highly embarrassing, since it makes people think I don't like them!).

Anna

My sister bought me a notebook called a Fashionary. It has outlines of a person, 3 to a page. You can use the outlines of the person to draw your own clothing designs. I use it to draw pictures of my outfits. I am not an artist by any means but the outlines help immensely. Then I label them. For example, navy pencil skirt, apple green blouse with navy trim, navy pumps. I put the different variations of the clothing pieces on the same page. Like the same blouse with navy ankle pants, suede belt and a cardigan and my navy suede flats. I also list jewelry and purses. It really helps me to remember the different outfits. It is also helpful to realize the gaps in my wardrobe. I carry the notebook when I am shopping to help me create other outfits with pieces I already have. I do my drawing at night while watching TV. When I buy something new I can't wait to put it in my notebook! I use mechanical pencils in case I have to erase. Sometimes I even color them in with colored pencil. After you get your outfits in it takes very little time. It has also saved me quite a bit of money as I don't buy duplicates or too similar pieces. And it's nice and compact and all in one place.

Aziraphale

Veteran

Anna, my daughter used to have these! They were called Fashion Angels, I think. Definitely marketed for kids, but I used to sit there with her and draw outfits on them -- sometimes my own clothes.

What a cool idea to use them for adults.

Bonnie

Veteran

I photograph the best outfits and print them. I keep them in a note book with dividers for four photo prints. When I need an outfit, I find one in my notebook. It's really helpful and doesn't take a lot of time.

Destri

OK, so, I think I need an excel spreadsheet to track both outfit combinations *and* CPW. Rabbit, I would love to see yours if you have a way to post!