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Confessions!

Eva

Some of you confessed to wearing Uggs in Angie’s blog yesterday. It started me thinking; what else would you confess to. What item(s) of clothing do you wear which are contrary to the consensus of the YLB members? (Note, I said consensus, because some items are "in fashion" but not with the consensus of the members.) I will start:

Tie dye – And even worse – homemade tie dye. Not your huge rainbow swirl, but a variety of shirts with one to several colors. I used them primarily for our “uniform” when doing disc dog shows or competing in canine agility, but I confess, you might see me at the grocery store with a tie dye shirt.

Merrill Jungle Mocs – Not officially on the “do not wear” list, but that is just because it isn’t discussed at all. Again, another item you might see me in walking the dogs or on a quick run to the grocery store.

I’m sure I can think of more, but that is what I have for now. What will you confess to?

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36 replies

Latest reply was from Maya

Tanya

Veteran

Hmm, this is an interesting one. I assume we shouldn't include our lounging clothes , then it would take forever

Well, I wear corduroy pants, which most of the YLF does not approve of. I also have and wear some jeans that have distressing and are not uniform dark wash (e.g. Seven for all Mankind in New York Dark wash). Finally, I have some khakis that I wear went I want to blend int the 'business casual scientist' crowd.

bella

(website)

Veteran

Corduroy pants and timberland boots, which I posted in another topic.

Patience

Veteran

I confess to occasionally popping into the grocery store after yoga class. Since YLF I have reduced the number of times I do this to emergencies only but when the yoga studio is in the same shopping center as the grocery store and you've got 2 kids and a husband waiting at home for dinner, it happens. I am considering getting an "after yoga" dress to throw on at the studio in the summer.

Anonymous

I must confess to the yoga clothes, and what I think are nicer T shirts. Honestly I do not know how to replace the T shirts in a warderobe. What else would I wear in it's place? Is it alright to wear the T shirt as long as I have a layering piece over it? I have gotten rid of all my T shirts that are not fitted.

Violet

I have sometimes worn lounge wear when I've been home all day and I need to run to the grocery store or get some carry out for dinner. I also have a collection of Hard Rock cafe t-shirts that I will sometimes wear in the summer. Since YLF, I have definitely been more conscious of my non-work outfits.

taylor

Veteran

I will cofess that I may have a saftey pin hidden somewhear to tighten somthing up a smidge..even a loose turleneck drives me nuts, so I will secretly put a saftey pin in the back hiden under the flap to sinch that up.

ChristineB

Bad shoes. My shoe wardrobe is in serious need of overhauling, and now that my clothes wardrobe is in much better shape (thank you to an amazing end of season clearance sale at my very favorite store - 70% off!) my next focus is shoes. My new pants all are the perfect length for shoes with a 1.5" heel, and that's my next purchase.

I also don't pay as much attention to my clothes on Saturday when I know I'll be home & cleaning most of the day. Oh, and sometimes after work I change into pjs. Strictly for the comfy factor.

Maya

Veteran

I don't pay any attention whatsoever to season or location. I will happily wear optic white in winter and I wouldn't hesitate to wear tall black boots in Florida (weather permitting). If you step back and really think about it, I don't think 99% of the population cares one bit if you're wearing optic white instead of cream. I certainly don't, so I don't hold myself to it. I just find it very persnickety and restricting. I can hardly even tell the difference between the different whites unless they're being compared against each other, and I'm not about to start carrying paintchips around with me.

I would also die if I had to overhaul my entire wardrobe just because I moved to a different location! When everyone was discussing what to wear in NM in Tanya's post, I was in shock. I do not use my clothes as camouflage!

I also rarely tailor anything, unless it's a pant hem. I just hate buying things and then having to spend an extra $25 just to make it fit properly. I'm also one of those people that wants to wear their new purchase the very next day, so delaying it bums me out.

As for lounge clothes--I don't see anything so terrible about it. Everyone here is aware that they are not appropriate for everyday wear, but if I can use Patience as an example, I think it would be ridiculous for her to go all the way home, change, and then go all the way back to the shopping center that's in the same location as the yoga place. I'd probably judge a person more harshly for going through all that trouble just to pick up some bread and milk than I would someone who is wearing yoga gear.

I don't think anyone here is in danger of spiraling out of control and wearing lounge pants everywhere. There are some rare instances where practicality and style do not go together, and I think we should all be reasonable and accommodating about that.

I hope we don't give Angie an apoplexy

marianne

I wear t-shirts occasionally - to playground, grocery store etc. Sometimes I pop into a grocery store in my yoga or running clothes on my way home - it just doesn't make sense to make an extra trip, and I also hate changing into regular clothes without taking a shower. I also wear "comfort" (clunky) shoes like Josef Seibel and Mephisto when I know I'd be walking a lot. There I said it!

shiny

Veteran

Other than my well-known refusal to part with my Uggs, let's see...

1) Wearing of exercise gear to grocery store and to pick up my kids: GUILTY.

In my defense, I have a routine where I often walk to the grocery store to kill two birds with one stone, and I rarely have to get out of the car when I pick up the kids. Although yes, on a few occasions, I was completely mortified to have to get out of the car and track them down... mortified because not only was I in gear, I hadn't taken a shower all day long and looked dreadful!

2) Wearing my beach doo-rags year-round, not just at the beach: GUILTY.

This may be my greatest sin. I put these on to keep the hair out of my face and disguise the fact I haven't yet showered and groomed my hair (I can't just roll out of bed, brush and go - I get awful bed-head and need to re-wet and blow dry each day).

The doo-rags are in colorful, bright colors and are from Jcrew; they completely clash with my dark winter sweats. Okay, I know I'm talking sweats... but still. I am sure I look a fright, when pulling up to the curb to pick the kids up.

(My DH says they are cute when I wear them with my colorful GAP PJ's though!)

3) Wearing pants too short: GUILTY

I'm much better with PPL since discovering YLF, but I just can't see buying one pair of jeans to go with 1-1/2 inch heels, one pair to go with 2 inch heels, and one to go with 2-1/2 inch heels!!! Most of my heels are only 1-1/2 inches, but yes, I will still venture out occasionally in 2-1/2 inches wearing the same jeans.

I also confess that I do not like my pants to drag on the ground, even a tad, and I prefer seeing some shoe instead of looking like "who cut off her foot?" So my PPL is on the shorter side as it is.

4) Mini-skirts, or above-the-knee skirts, after age 35: GUILTY. But I think I got a special dispensation for this one! I don't wear these as frequently as I used to, but I haven't given them away yet either.

5) Styles that aren't a 10 for my figure: GUILTY. Not everything has to be perfect; as a mood dresser, sometimes I want to change things up and wear something that is less than ideal, just because it is the current trend and I feel like it!! Case in point: trapeze jackets. Yes, they give me zero waist definition. But, they're cute!

Finally, to San - I still have a stock of GAP scoop-neck tee shirts that I'm not giving up anytime soon. But, I don't wear them as much anymore. I save them for lounging around, and going on long walks when I don't want to dress in exercise gear, but I don't want to sweat through my better tops.

With that said, last Spring I wore them quite frequently under jackets, and I may do that again this year! I have a plum one that is a very pretty shade and looks nice under a jacket that is a statement on its own and begs for a top that is more understated and simple.

hanna

(website)

shhh... i actually have a pretty extensive tshirt collection, because everytime i go to a rock concert (and i go pretty regularly) i buy one as a keepsake... and i wear them sometimes with khakis and a funky denim moto jacket, with converse... i'm not ready to part with them yet!

shell

flip flops. i know there were ample flip flop debates in the summer, so i won't prattle on about them anymore. but i must say, they are perfect for summer days. they're super comfortable for me and are practical for some parts of my summer lifestyle.

shiny

Veteran

Oh... I forgot my velour sweats .... I know they probably need to go.... especially since they are also way too short!

And my capri sweat pants that are all the wrong length...

But, just as Maya hates to pay for hemming, I just can't see tailoring gear I bought at Target! However the vast majority of sweats are way too long on me (Unless they are petite - like my velour sweats), so I long ago learned to buy capri-length sweats instead.... then not bother to get them hemmed ....

Laura

(website)

Veteran

True confession: I wear cargo pants, usually in spring/summer as a lighter-weight alternative to jeans.

Now I'm going to duck out of here before I imagine the expression on Angie's face!

Laura

(website)

Veteran

p.s. to Maya: I don't use clothes as camoflauge either, but if you went from Manhattan to Phoenix wearing exactly the same thing, believe me when I say you'd soon be wanting to make a few changes to your wardrobe!

chelle

Okay, okay...I have a long sleeve, crew neck, black t that has a giant beaded Santa face on it. How many sins in just one shirt? I only wear it the very last day of school before winter break. It is my last ditch effort at behavior management (Santa is watching!). Don't scoff until you have had to manage elementary students before break!

Ana

(website)

Veteran

It's true Maya and Laura--almost nothing from my Idaho wardrobe has made it this far in Austin. There's just no use for all that heavy clothing, and I nearly died of the heat that first summer, since I could wear pants and a t-shirt in Boise in the summer. Definitely not here.

Hmm....I'm trying to think. Sometimes I go check the mail or pay the rent wearing my loungy pajama bottoms and a heavy sweatshirt (so I don't have to put a bra on). Heh.

In the summer, I've *occasionally* been known to take a walk down the street in my workout shorts, a t-shirt, canvas fishing hat and tennis shoes. Oh, why, here's a Starbucks! It wouldn't hurt to pop in really quickly and grab an iced tea as a reward for my walk before I turn around and go home.

Maya

Veteran

Oh, let me clarify: I would definitely get new clothes for a different climate. That's just a practical necessity. But I wouldn't change my color palette or style or anything like that. I want my colors to look good on ME. I don't care how they look in my surroundings!

Ana

(website)

Veteran

Oh, I see what you're saying, Maya. Yeah, I pretty much agree with that. Although, I hardly see anyone wearing dark or black in the summer here in Austin. It's just too hot, and really, it looks kind of ridiculous, because it is so hot. I'm not sure, but I get the impression people wear dark or black clothing in the summer in other parts of the country?

Antje

Veteran

Mine are shoe related - which is funny considering how important shoes are to my style and how many nice ones I have... Oh well.

I wear cheapo flip-flops a lot in summer and not just at home but also to the grocery story, coffee shop, playground...

Per yesterday's blog, I have some Ugg-like black snow boots that I wore around Xmas during "snow week" in Seattle, even to the movies. Very practical, not fashionable.

As to lounge wear, let's just say I dread the door bell when I'm home alone... Sometimes I do okay, but other times it's pretty dreadful. I actually have nicer lounge pants on my shopping list, but I have a hard time making it a priority and actually doing the work to find one.

Maya

Veteran

I just think there are so many factors at play when it comes to colors and fabrications. Season is just the least important to me.

I would absolutely wear a black sleeveless cotton top that fit well and looked great and was cool and comfortable. If I had a job that had a no jeans rule in place, I would also be fine wearing tweed pants, though probably not in any other situation. It's more important to me that I'm comfortable in an air conditioned office and dressed appropriately than dressed by some arbitrary standard based on season. Does that make sense? I just don't see any reason why black should look weird in summer or white should look weird in winter.

greenglove

(website)

Veteran

Great thread, I was just discussing this with a YLF friend:
1. oversized boxy jackets, I have a camel leather Gap jean style one that is short and oversized, love it would definitely be told to toss if I posted it
2. very drab neutral colors, love to wear tone on tone. Nothing pops.
3. Cowboy hat my husband loves
4. Ugly workout clothes that have paint on them layered badly for warmth that I sometimes wear while doing errands and taking breaks between painting.
5. bulky JCrew cardigans, really warm, not flattering.
6. Michael stars baby cap sleeved tees with wrinkled linen skirts in summer.(love the look)
I am sure I have way more fashion no-nos that I have not listed.
YLF has knocked off a few but some looks I will always like.
i have a thing for the Sundance catalog look when I am in rural areas.

Eva

Excellent responses! Lots of confessions. Do we feel the weight off our shoulders?

Many responses reminded me that I had more to confess especially for the summer (flip flops - I AM from Hawaii, shorts that are well above the knee, I own a bikini and am well over 20).

I think it is agreed that if we are coming back from working out (or in my case training dogs) and we need groceries, we will get groceries before going home.

Taylor, your safety pin note makes me curious. It sounds like the fasion version of the ductape for guys.

I think velour sweats are okay for wearing around the house. (Shh, I might even walk a block to Safeway in them)

Shiny, good point on jeans length and shoes.

Maya, of course you can wear black in the summer. I agree you should match your style. My sister in Hawaii, wears black everyday.

Haven't heard from Angie. Either we are in the clear and she hasn't seen this or she has fainted. Now, I'd better duck out before Angie catches me.

Nicole

Veteran

Wow what a great thread!

Not only do I wear cords and tee shirts, but I enjoy wearing them and think they look good when worn in the right situations.

I rarely think about color and how it looks on my skin tone or hair color. I am impressed with people who say things like "these tan shoes will look good with my blonde hair". I suppose because I don't have that much insight into the big picture when I'm deciding on what color to get. (But I do think like that when I'm shopping for home furnishings, or paint colors).

I'm guilty of wearing things that need a button replaced, or have a torn hem.

And Ana, I do wear black in the summer--but I wouldn't feel comfortable wearing white in the winter--unless it's off white.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I don't quite know how to respond, other than that my face is sad, very sad.

Ana

(website)

Veteran

I wear a sleeveless black top in the summer, it's true. But I always pair it with white bottoms. It's more for comfort than anything else--black is more hot than wearing white. It absorbs heat, and I don't wear black at all when temps are above 95. I think that's why people down here don't wear it that much in the summer, and I can't remember one time I've seen someone in head to toe black (other than a girl wearing a black maxi dress, and I thought she was daft because it was over 100). But I could see wearing it someplace that doesn't get quite as hot and humid as that, and it would probably be fine.

Heh--don't we get some leeway due to our usually good behavior, Angie?

Tanya

Veteran

Oh no! Angie please do not be sad! I guess we are not perfect, but we are certainly trying.

Would it make you feel better to know that 4 pairs of my corduroy pants have just ended in the donation bag?

Anonymous

Angie that response made me laugh out loud.

Eva

It made me laughed too.

Tayna, good job cleaning out your cords!

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