Budget success, and S-LIGHT change to style adjectives

Sorry for my absence. I have been very busy with work and travel to conferences. August was the last month of my year long wardrobe make-over and I went all out by spending lavishly on 14 high ticket items. Knowing I could not sustain that level of spending, September started my newly implemented budget which I wrote about in another post. So far it has been very successful. From September until now I have purchased only 6 items, one of which was an inexpensive logo tee from a conference. All the items except the tee and a Donna Morgan dress are below. Sticking to the budget has been easy. I can only spend the money in my debit account, so I cannot go over the limit. I am eliminating one or more items from my closet whenever a new item is added.

As I wear the items from my closet, I have discovered that I tend to pull clothes that are LIGHT in weight, LIGHT in color, feel LIGHT on my skin, look floaty and feathery LIGHT at the hemline, etc. My LIGHT summer color palette links them as well. My current style adjectives are SOFT, CALM, FRESH, CLASSIC, POLISHED, and does not include the word LIGHT. I am thinking of eliminating the word POLISHED. Polished seems too formal and stiff. I am not RATE. Personally, I want to present myself as GENUINE and COMPOSED. COMPOSED to me means that I have given thought to what I am wearing but it could be casual, or formal, but put together in a thoughtful manner. I like the word COMPOSED, but am not sure I need to include it in my style descriptors. I like to think I am a genuine and composed person. I want my clothing to reflect that, and my style adjectives are there to help me get there. So, my new style adjectives: SOFT, CALM, FRESH, CLASSIC, LIGHT.

Ta Da! It make me happy! What do you think?

Nordstrom

Vince Skinny Rib Knit Cardigan

$265.00

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Nordstrom

Autumn Cashmere Sleeveless Cashmere Turtleneck Dress

$352.00 $211.20

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Nordstrom

Velvet By Graham & Spencer Loose Knit Turtleneck Sweater

$189.00

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Velvet By Graham & Spencer Asymmetrical Hem Pullover Sweater

$118.80

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9 years ago

unfrumped

Veteran

I like it! I get a mental image from that grouping.

Staysfit

Thanks Unfrumped, hopefully the image you get is in keeping with what I purchase!

JAileen

Congratulations on your wardrobe transformation. The clothing bank account is a great idea. I changed the neutral in my wardrobe from tan and beige to grey, when I went grey. I had to replace lots of stuff, and whenever I saw something that seemed to work, I bought it. Unfortunately, that has become a habit that is hard to break. I don't have a specific budget, but I just have a sense that I'm spending too much. Maybe I should follow your lead.

Regarding your style adjectives: are they also one in and one out?

Jenn

(website)

You're always so thoughtful about your wardrobe building. The new items look great! I especially like that cashmere sweater dress, and can almost picture it on you. Looks perfect for your style!

JAileen, I am not sure if you are trying to be funny, but regarding the style adjectives, if I keep adding them they may end up like my previous wardrobe, one big overwhelming mess! I am trying to keep them to a maximum of 5.

Jenn, thanks, I believe you are equally thoughtful about your wardrobe as well and have greatly enjoyed reading your posts. I was happy to find the dress, especially because it is an eggplant color and I am working on a small capsule in that color. So far I have the dress and a leather jacket. I may eventually add some additional items if I find them. It's slow going....

Sal

I think the descriptors describe what I have seen you in, and the direction you are going. Composed possibly almost goes without saying in your case - I could add this to mine though as sometimes I can get a little lazy.

I love the asymmetric sweater, I find it hard to get knitwear in colours that I like - I think it is easier to find in winter and fall season colours.

Staysfit, I hope I didn't offend you, it just struck me funny. You were practicing one in one out with your wardrobe, AND with your adjectives!

JAileen, I was laughing when I read your first post! It was funny! I qualified my response because I hoped you weren't offended that I thought it was funny! So now we have checked and re-checked that no one was offended!

Kiwigal, I agree that finding knitwear colors in a restricted color palette can be almost impossible. Perhaps Light Summer colors are scarce in the cool seasons of Fall and Winter. I built my knitwear base with neutrals - mostly Winter white, and with the plan to add pieces in my colors as I find them.

UmmLila (Lisa)

And it kind of fits with changing your YLF moniker to tinkerbell

Joy

Staysfit, your links are not working for me but I really like the orange or coral ? sweater with the assymetrical hem. Good job staying on budget.

Joy, I'm not sure why the links aren't working but all the garments shown are from Nordstroms.

UmmLila, yes! LIGHT for TINKERBELL!

Suz

Love your new items, Staysfit, particularly the turtleneck dress and sweater, and I agree that it's a good idea to add light to your personal descriptors. So glad you have reached a place of wardrobe happiness. And in record time, too.

Firecracker (Sharan)

Makes a lot of sense to me. Your adjectives leave a lot of leeway for different style influences while remaining true to your personality. Your new pieces look great, and very much in keeping with your descriptors.

Bijou

I think Light is a great addition to your descriptors and suits the items that you have purchased. I prefer wearing light clothes too (light in weight particularly), but increasingly light in colour. I would say you present yourself as genuine in every sense of the word - not just looks but also in your personal dealings.

Karie

Your style adjectives, combined with the WIWs I have seen you post, give me a clear picture of who you are and what you want to communicate through the way you dress. Congratulations - you have certainly achieved your year-long goal. I also like the practice of using a debit account (as long as there is no overdraft attached to it). When the money's gone, there's no more shopping. I might try that.

Karie, you make an excellent point about the overdraft protection. The bank offered that to me when I set up the account and I knew it could be a pitfall so I rejected it. Since then, the bank has sent three applications for the overdraft protection! They must make money this way, but not from me!

Bijou, thank you for the complements!

Firecracker, I'm glad you see flexibility in my style adjectives. I was hoping that would be the case. It would be difficult to re-create them every time there is a shift in fashion trends, etc.

Suz, I get very focused and efficient when I take on a project! A year long effort seems long to me, but perhaps it seems quick for others. I happened to be in the correct frame of mind, and in the right place in terms of life circumstances to take this on. I would never suggest that anyone else do this. It has been a fascinating journey!

Anonymous

I love your adjectives, Staysfit! Light is a spot-on choice for you. I know what you mean about descriptor creep: As I try to define my style, I find it harder to cull descriptors than wardrobe items. I recall you once mentioned that you use your adjectives as a mental checklist while dressing to verify how you feel about your outfit, an idea that gives real purpose to descriptors and made me realise I really do need some, even as I struggle with a moniker. So I think your new list is perfect. I can't wait to see pics of the eggplant dress, it's gorgeous!

So great to have you back again.

lyn67

Great analysis...

I see light is really key for you---and can't wait to see that purple dress IRL (wiw:-)).

Aliona, it's good to be back, and to have a reprieve from all the hectic stress of work! I post my adjectives on a notecard in my closet so I can see them easily. It works well unless my dog gets in the closet because he likes to eat my notecards. If I can see them, so can he! I'm still working on a solution - maybe a picture frame?

Lyn67, I promise to post a WIW of the purple/eggplant dress the next time I wear it.

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