Craving Simplicity - YouLookFab Forum

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About Collection: Nordstrom Roundup: Fun Neutrals

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Craving Simplicity

Jenn

(website)

Veteran

We're in our last week of school here. Three days until summer vacation, and (despite a recent spate of cool, rainy weather), I should be preparing to go full boho. Instead, I'm adding a good half of Angie's neutral items to my Finds and craving the simplest of simple outfits.

Maybe this is related to losing my mom so recently, but I find myself wanting to strip my wardrobe down to a neutral capsule and wear the same things over and over. Has anyone else gone through this? Is it a phase?

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Women's Apt. 9 High-Low Maxi Dress

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Women's Kickback Twill Jogger Pants

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Dressing

25 replies

Latest reply was from Lisa

Anonymous

I'm not sure if it's a phase, but that's what has happened to me in the past year. I simply do not want more things, more clothes, more bags,shoes, anything. I know I've said this before, and I'll say it again, but my dream is to have one vintage iron rolling rack in my bedroom with the 10 or so pieces that form the core of my wardrobe all hanging with lots of space between each one. That's it. I am perfectly happy wearing the same things over and over again. Losing your mother may have influenced this mind set - I know it did mine. There is something to be said for a clean and simple yet thoughtfully chosen collection of clothes. We are more than a stack of random cheap t-shirts

Anonymous

If you're grieving, probably the last thing you have on your mind is coming up with new/complicated/effortful looks. You might be turning inward to deal with all the emotions that get unleashed when you've lost a parent. It's comforting to wear "old friends" and colors that are soothing and restful to the soul. Uncomplicating your wardrobe seems like a therapeutic thing to do as you move through the process. Take care of yourself!

AviaMariah

Veteran

I've been feeling this a lot lately too. For me, I just have so much going on that I get overwhelmed and I want things that I can control to be as simple as possible. On the top of my clothing shopping list for spring/summer I wrote, "Minimal - neutrals, good fit, good quality, easy care." I'm glad I wrote that because I find myself going off on rabbit trails and having to real myself back in.

texstyle

(website)

Veteran

I think it's natural to want to streamline anytime we feel additional stress in life. You look great in these simple neutrals and who knows, maybe a more minimal wardrobe is in your future. I don't like being overwhelmed with too many choices in my closet and tend to keep my color palette and styles pretty streamlined, though I won't call it minimal.

That said, it might be fun and therapeutic to choose an outfit you think your mom would have loved and wear it out to celebrate in honor of her sometime soon. I still sometimes do this in honor of my Grandma, who was one of my favorite people ever - she loved green so I'll sometimes wear green in memory of her and toast her fun loving spirit.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Simple, neutral and casually stylish. Looking Killer, Jenn.

Toban

Veteran

These outfits look great -- polished casual, comfort. Easy to understand why you're craving simplicity right now. Interestingly, in my grief (my stepfather last year and my terminally ill father-in-law, who has only days left), I've gone the other way, turning towards my favorite colors and away from neutrals as a means to pick up my spirits and bring a bit of joy amidst the heavy heart. Only time will only tell if neutrals are just a phase or a longer term style direction -- but if you strip down your wardrobe you might want to consider putting your colorful, boho pieces into a 'hold' box rather than 'donate'.

Texstyle -- what a great idea to occasionally wear something special in honor/memory of a loved one.

rachylou

Veteran

Oh yes. Such moods strike me regularly. I like simplicity and how you're doing it.

goldenpig

(website)

Veteran

I'm sorry about the loss of your mom, Jenn. Totally understandable to want to simplify in times of stress. You do it so well and look great in all your outfits. I too am craving simplicity especially when my life is a circus! Trying out simpler outfits. I'm trying to unclutter my house too. I don't think I can ever do complete minimalism in my closet though, I love fun colors and patterns and matchy matchy too much!

Firecracker (Sharan)

Veteran

Your simple, neutral style is just as winning as your more accessorized, colorful looks, Jenn. You have the trademark casual slouchy look going on in some of these, and the worn-and-loved look of your awesome footwear that feels a very integral part of your style. You shine in these neutral shades, too.
I tend to go in cycles where I want to create a busy look (pile on accessories, mix some patterns, etc.) and where I just want to wear something simple and unadorned. I can understand how the loss of your mother could bring on a shift like this, where you crave the comfort of simplicity. (For others, it might be the comfort of piling on favorite things, I imagine, too.)

RobinF

Veteran

I think grief affects us in all different ways. I agree with Xtabay it could result in you wanting to keep things simple because it is one less thing to worry about. That makes perfect sense to me. I like your neutral look, it works.

Jane

Veteran

Great outfits! I like the hem on the pinafore

eds

So interesting! I lost my mother about 4 years ago, in October. I just didn't have it in me to go all out with holiday decorations that year, something I'd enjoyed in the past. I thought it was grief and would pass. I have continued with simplicity in my holiday decor ever since, and really in so many aspects of my life. I think you just refocus after the loss of a loved one and things that had been important just may not feel that way.

Sally

Veteran

I crave simplicity in my clothes. ..for me it's my incredibly hectic life and I want one area that is simple. I like to have my clothes so I can just pack them in a suitcase if I want....but I still find it hard to cull down to that. I like your style. ..it looks casual but together and stylish.

Vildy

Veteran

I did go through this but in a more extreme version of what you're doing. My mother had been failing for about 5 years but you're never prepared and I was 26. I wore a cream colored silk knit textured very structural cap sleeve tee and cream silk woven textured pants that I'd made myself and I swear I wore the same outfit every single day for maybe a year. Whenever I tried to go into a store, I missed her so much I was heartbroken and I couldn't shop at all.

Dee

Veteran

These looks still have a level of slouch and ease that looks like your other outfits, just more streamlined. I think it's perfectly normal to want things to be as easy and non-fussy as possible in times of stress. Give it some time and see if your old tastes come back, or if maybe you've changed as well as your outfits.

Anonymous

I so crave simplicity right now. What LisaP posted struck me like a ton of bricks. I agree one hundred and ten percent with her comment.

Jenn

(website)

Veteran

Thank you all for the reassurances, both that this is quite normal, and that the neutrals are working just fine. I especially appreciate the musings from those of you who spoke from experience.

LisaP, I remember you saying that before about the stripped-down, simple wardrobe. I always admire people who are so at home in their style that something like that is an option. Not sure I'll ever get there, but I'm feeling closer.

Toban, I thought your comment was especially interesting about going the opposite direction. And goldenpig, yours too, about loving fun colors. I have kind of gone the opposite way in my house, as well (see photo) and just bought a saturated, teal couch. So a little from column A, a little from column B, I guess.

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Brooklyn

Veteran

I agree that it's natural to want to simplify in times of stress. You look great in those outfits and I think they are still consistent with your style. I have been going through a big process of culling and de cluttering as a result of our home renovation. We had heaps of stuff in storage (not just clothes) and now I am just getting rid of a lot of it. I want to be more mindful about future acquisitions.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

You look terrific, Jenn. And I do think that grief makes many of us crave simplicity. I also think the neutral tones feel more appropriate in a way to grieving. Not that I feel anyone should feel compelled to wear them but there are probably reasons for those old traditions.

I lost my own mother during the summer and found that I didn't have much energy or interest in my outfits. I just chose what was easiest to hand. Favourite fallback outfits -- jeans and knits pretty much every day. I didn't wear all neutrals but neither did I feel much like shopping. I think this is fairly common.

Hoping you heal as time goes on. It's definitely an ongoing process.

celia

Veteran

You do this simple neutral outfits extremely well.
I personally crave simplicity whenever I am emotionally overwhelmed , it is a way of calming myself. When my grandmothers passed away after an initial period of mourning I felt the need to embrace life and colors. They were both extraordinary women that never apologized for whom they were and I felt that the best wanton honor that heritage was to also be true to myself, and I like color and pretty.
Love the teal couch.

Jenn

(website)

Veteran

You know, I've always wanted to be able to pull off a neutral capsule wardrobe, so maybe I shouldn't look a gift horse in the mouth, and just enjoy it while it lasts.

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

Your outfits look terrific and it makes sense to me that during stressful times you want to make as few decisions, and take as few risks, as possible. As far as I can tell, most state of mind is a phase.

Colette

Veteran

I went full on neutrals and just repeated the same few things for a long while. I also went on a shopping hiatus at the same time. It was a break I needed to clear my head. Now I'm starting to add a little color back and shop but in a much different way.

You look great in your neutral outfits. I do love you in that maxi dress!

lyn67

Veteran

Love your neutrals, but so sorry for loss of your DM, Jenn.
I am so grateful I worked so hard in the past years to achieve a cohesive wardrobe suitable for my lifestyle and climate as yes, there are phases occurring in our lives when a good fit, a great neutral and a well put together FFBO will seem so comforting....

Lisa

Veteran

Over time my wardrobe has shifted more and more to neutrals and solids. I find them easiest to remix into outfits and I desire a small wardrobe, that remixes easily. Neutrals and simple structures work best for this need.