Aspirational pieces - YouLookFab Forum

From time to time, the subject of aspirational style comes up. The discussion may center on how to define it, achieve or improve it, but I recently had a related thought. While reorganizing a closet, I ran across a “shacket” I bought two years ago, as I was trying to work into more casual, artsy but not boho, what I only could define as modified skater girl. I think now it’d call it closer to the grandpa style?

At the time I didn’t really care for it, but kept because it seemed like it might work as a canvas for some applique or embroidery to make an artistic garment. It’s boxy, not detailed, a subtle blue plaid, heavy cotton, kind of denim fabric.

My first impulse was to put directly into donate pile, but decided to try it on. I was really surprised! It looked and felt great! My style! I’ll take another photo when I add to an outfit later.

Has anyone else experienced this, finding that maybe you’ve grown into your aspirational style without even knowing it?

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2 months ago

Joy

Veteran

Color is a big aspiration,for me . I look for pieces to make a column of color.

cat2

I do buy pieces I like that I don’t really have a plan for. Often it turns out that as trends shift I add new pieces that suddenly make it work. Like I bought a corduroy version of a jean jacket that was a closet orphan until last Fall, when I wore it lots. Conventional wisdom would have had me not buy it because I didn’t have three outfits to wear it with or prune it out because I didn’t wear it for more than a year, but I find those rules mean you don’t really evolve your closet.

Star

Interesting CJH! I tend to have the same experiences as Cat2. My DH and I have a saying for new items not being worn. 'It's time will come'. It usually always falls into place even if it takes a few months or even years, and then can even become a workhorse. Not sure if this is what you are describing... That is a very pretty blue.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Interesting!

Sometimes we buy things ahead of our time, and they don't get worn much. A year or so later - they work! Sometimes we need the right pieces to go with them - which we only get later - and the planets align

Suz

For me, it has sometimes happened that i don't have the right "go-with" items at the time I make a purchase. And/ or the weather doesn't cooperate, or I don't have occasions to wear the item for some unusual reason (pandemic, for example, LOL.) But then they come into their own. Nice that you have a new jacket to play with now!

RobinF

Yes! What Angie said! But also, sometimes it feels uncomfortable for me until I see it around more and kind of get used to how it looks. Late adopter here!

slim cat

Great "shacket" - easy and practical.
Sometimes I feel similar - trying not to overdo editing in a bad mood .

Dee

Oh I love the colours of your shacket, should be fun to style.
I had been considering donating the bright green jacket I wore recently to London because I hardly every wore it in the past 5 years but I made a last minute decision to bring it along just in case and it turned into a real workhorse for me on that trip and I just wore it again this morning. It suddenly seems to coordinate with a lot of my current wardrobe, so sometimes you just never know when an older item will suddenly get a new life again.

Lisa

I held on to an olive short sleeve top for two years because I liked it, but couldn't think of how to wear it with anything other than black or white. It's been perfect for our hot fall days and pairing it with blush/pink, is something I started doing this season which made the top an instant workhorse.

Jaime

Yes, totally. I am often quite surprised how something that I liked but considered too out there eventually becomes completely normal to wear. Although I can't think of an example right now, it has absolutely happened.

Runcarla

In June 2021 I was ‘influenced’ by an article on what the Princess of Wales was wearing, which had a link to a ‘look alike’ LLBean utility jacket. Of course the Princess’ jacket was a bright coral colour, which LLBean had - but I picked a more neutral beige.

The jacket served a purpose, but I didn’t love it as much as I had hoped at the time. It was stiff, and a little snug. With time (and wear) it has lost its stiffness. Since it’s purchase, I’ve shifted 10lbs, so there’s more ease.

This fall it’s the topper I’m reaching for the most!

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by Runcarla

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LaPed

That shacket feels very “now” — the colors, shape, big buttons… I love it! It’s a piece that would appeal to me personally regardless of trends, but would be easier to wear in the current moment because it feels fresh and relevant.

I definitely have pieces that I’m glad I held onto, despite rarely or never wearing them when I first acquired them. I have a pair of slouchy 90s style bootcuts that are a good example. When I first picked them up at the thrift store, I liked the fit but worried they were dated, but after sitting on them for a while I decide to embrace the so-old-it’s-new vibe and have been wearing them nonstop this fall.

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