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Changing style preferences on a minimal budget

Astrid

Veteran

I'm feeling like my style preferences are undergoing some changes at the moment, when I'm looking back to where I've been. The things that are most obvious are that

- my outfits are more neutral as a whole, I'm not as big a fan of lots of color and high contrast
- I'm feeling less drawn to boho elements
- I'm feeling less drawn to classic feminine looks
- I don't belt much in the waist
- love a bit more of a tomboy vibe
- I wear only a few scarves out of the many I have (I've stopped relying on them to change my outfits up)
- I'm really fed up with my t-shirts and cardigans, but I need them to get dressed day to day

I'm only using part of my wardrobe at the moment and am repeating a lot. I don't feel bad about that, but I'm not sure how to go about adding things when I'm not even quite sure where I want to end up and when I can only add so much at the time.

Maybe I should do one of these minimal wardrobe challenges...

Dressing

15 replies

Latest reply was from texstyle

Caro in Oz

Veteran

I would work out what my essentials are & make sure I had them covered. Angie's post says it better than I can

http://youlookfab.com/2012/08/.....ssentials/

After that I'd just try some new styles to see if any speak to me & work with my current wardrobe. Sounds like a jacket & some man-style pants might be worth trying.

Mellllls

Veteran

We all go through changes :). Just wear what you are loving and duplicate?

Thistle

Veteran

Perhaps you could start going through and pinning new looks that appeal to you. Start making a list of what you need to achieve the look.

It is a process to change your style, and I think it is a good idea to take it slow as you consider where you are going.

As for being on a budget, I think that will be easier to manage if you think through where you are going first. Then, you can make strategic purchases.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

I think being on a budget will be helpful if you aren't yet sure where you are going. You won't waste money buying up the wrong stuff. You'll have time to grow into your new preferences, whatever they are.

Gigi

Veteran

Why are you fed up with the T-shirts and cardigans? Is it the colors of them, or is it just the fact that they are T-shirts and cardigans? You said you need them to get dressed every day, so they are obviously functionally very important--maybe it would be worth spending some time thinking about this category and what you would like to replace it with.

Maybe it would be a good idea to go to the mall without any set intentions of buying anything but just looking at mannequins and displays and the people who are shopping and seeing what inspires you.

Anonymous

Maybe just taking a metaphorical time out and not worrying about adding, but just focus on identifying the parts of your closet you love.

Deborah

Veteran

Astrid, I don't know if this will help, but Amy (Amiable) linked to this the other day in one of her threads and I got a lot out of it, in fact still reading and re-reading.

http://www.erindepew.com/blog/.....-wardrobe/

Mary Beth (formerly LBD)

(website)

Veteran

Pinterest has really helped me to focus on elements I love, while I've been able to move away from other stuff that I used to love, and don't anymore. I pin outfits I would wear right now, today, exactly as they are styled. It has been very very helpful.

Anonymous

Maybe you just need to tweak your formula a bit. If you could get rid of T-shirts and cardigans, what would you rather be wearing on top? If funds are tight, you could try buttoning up your cardigans and wearing them backwards to see if you like the cleaner look in the front.

I've been mad a T-shirts and haven't worn one for about 9 months (I purged them ALL). Then, I bought a "new look" T shirt today, the slouchy, slubby kind, and it's like a whole different animal. I can't believe the difference. So there's that.

If you can zero in on one or two elements that say "tomboy" to you, and not 'classic femme" or "boho", those would be worth saving up for. Your new satchel should get you going in the right direction!

Scarlet

Veteran

I am curious about the T-shirts and cardigans comment. Do you mean you don't like them at all or that you rely too heavily on them, or is it the particular pieces that want updating? What would you wear instead?

E

Veteran

I'm sorry: I'm on a small budget and can't even imagine what I'd do without secondhand shopping options. I'd probably have a tiny wardrobe and become very frustrated when my style aspirations shifted, so you have my total sympathy.

I remember your wardrobe analysis awhile back and being struck by how few clothes you had in each category. So are you frustrated with your tees & cardigans because you have to wear them so frequently and are thus just tired of them? Or because they're wearing out? Or because you want a different style top (woven, maybe)?

If I were you, I'd look at the outfits you see that really make your heart sing, try to find 2-3 common elements to them that are missing in your wardrobe, and then make those a top purchasing priority. Which is easier said than done, I know. But the forum has so many clever eyes, maybe post some inspiration pics and ask others to analyse them? Just from your comments on tomboy-ness, lack of belting, and knit top frustration, maybe a button down shirt in a colour or neutral that isn't widely represented in your closet yet (but will still play well with your neutrals) would be helpful? Or a pair of non-jeans trousers that have a menswear vibe?

Astrid

Veteran

Thanks for the link Caro! I'm going to read it in depth later. I suspect some man-style pants would be great (although I lack the right shoes to wear them in winter), if I didn't have such a hard time pants shopping.

Thanks Mellllls! I guess I could do with more cozy sweaters for winter.

Thanks Thistle! I'm thinking about doing another board on Pinterest, but I'm not sure if it would help much at this point. I'm not considering a huge change, I think it's more about doing a little adjustment and ironing out the details. I still love (or like) most of the stuff I pinned on my board.

Thanks Suz! You're right of course.

Thanks Gigi! It's not the color, I'm fairly sure what I like and what suits me at this point. So I guess it's the style. I pretty much wear t-shirts and tank tops all summer (with skirts and shorts) and while I do have a casual style I think I might want to stop wearing them all the time. I use my cardigans to wear my summer tops year round because I don't really have many tops that are clearly one season or the other. Window shopping might be a good idea!

Thanks Parkmommychic, that's a good idea. Should go fast though, because I don't have that many things.

Thanks for the link, Deborah! Looks interesting.

Thanks LBD! Maybe I'll start another Pinterest board.

Thanks Claire! I was mostly wearing my few pullovers recently and doing laundry often. I just felt better wearing them, it makes for a more minimal look than layering. I do like the look of Cardigans worn backwards on some people, but my cardis are all v-neck, so that would look strange. And I agree, I love the new satchel!

Scarlet, I think it's that I rely to heavily on them and that the particular pieces need updating. My cardis are all simple cotton, striaght cut v-neck styles. No details, no nice texture, no modern cut. Very boring. And they started to feel a bit frumpy to me.

Thanks E! I have many friends who do secondhandshopping too here in Berlin, but that doesn't work for me at all. I never find anything that I love and that fits. Like I said to Scarlet, it's probably the combination of wearing them so oftern and not being in love with the pieces themselves. Woven is nice and instantly looks dressier, but I have a hard time finding woven shirts that fit so that might not be the easiest option.

texstyle

(website)

Veteran

I live in t-shirt style tops and button downs mostly with a few jackets when it's cool enough. What I've been working on is improving my t-shirt style options as budget and time permits. Maybe this would be something you could do too?

For example, I bought a slightly metallic (still cotton) tee from BR over the summer and I LOVE it. It wasn't expensive but it has the right fit (not form fitting) and a bit dressier look than the average tee.

Light weight sweaters instead of a tee with a cardi might also be worth looking into. I like Claire's idea of buttoning them up and wearing them alone as a sweater (if the neckline permits or backwards as she suggested).

I've also found myself wearing some of the elbow length sleeve tees I bought a couple years ago that are also a looser fit but have some style in that the arms have a banded design that make the upper part more structured. Funny thing (for me) is that none of those have V-necks and before that's all I seemed to be wearing. I also bought a more expensive "lace print" tee that is super soft and a bit dressy/edgy at the same time.

I'm going to keep focusing on buying tees that are less t-shirt and more "stand alone top" if that makes sense. I'd like to find one or two that have more of a banded fit at the bottom, but not necessarily a "band" per se. I'm looking for less fit through the waist right now.

Jewelry is also an inexpensive way to change up some basic tee outfits.

Astrid

Veteran

Thanks Texstyle! Looking for dressier 'upscale' t- shirts is a good idea. I don't think I could forego them completely, they are just so practical. Maybe I also should get one new cardigan that is a bit more modern or has an interesting detail.

I've done the Pinterest excercise again, just pinning whole outfits impulsively - here's the result. Not sure how helpful this is.

http://www.pinterest.com/ridrin/style-preferences/

texstyle

(website)

Veteran

Love some of those pins Astrid! I think looking for some careful details in new tee shirts and basics (color and fabric, pocket placement, neckline, embellishment, etc.) might make them more fun again and more stylish too.