Do you hate trying on outfits? - YouLookFab Forum

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Dressing

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Outfits Ensembles Trends Advice

Do you hate trying on outfits?

Aleta

I don't necessarily mean when you are shopping but when you are at home. I will happily clean out my closet, search for inspiration, read magazines and make lists and spreadsheets. Last winter I even took photos of every item in my closet and used the pics to plan possible outfit combinations. But actually trying them on, well that is a different matter, I know it is the only way but I keep putting it off! The whole process takes so long, and you end up with chaos and if your in the wrong mood nothing looks right! Am I the only one that has this problem? Do you just get stuck in or do you have a plan? Please fell free to tell me to get on with it and not to be so idle!!

Dressing

41 replies

Latest reply was from Deborah

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Personally, I find that trying on the outfits is the most fun part - when you've set aside the time and resign yourself to the chaos. This is where it ALL comes together and where your style makes a difference. It's never about just what you have - but how you put it together.

Your feelings make sense Aleta, although in the same breath I will also say that getting on with it reaps many a reward. No pain, no gain. May I suggest finding a fashion buddy to play dress up with and having an outfit creation party. Put on the music, prep a few snacks, and take photos of the creations you love. We can be your fashion buddy if that makes things easier.

Aleta

Thank you so much for your advice Angie, you are absolutely right of course. I think that the fact that I am more practical (with slight OCD tendencies, LOL) than artistic in temperament doesn't help! This is probably an unusual problem among the stylish ladies of YLF.

Catnip

Veteran

Trying on outfits takes a lot of time and energy and can certainly make a big mess, but there's really no substitute for it. You can plan in your head or on a spreadsheet and even lay outfits out on the bed or dress a hanger, but you won't really know what works until you have it on your own body. The final step is to take a picture, which can reveal flaws you might not notice in a mirror.

Since I'm serious about improving my style, I'm trying to do a little of this everyday. Sometimes it's trying on new purchases, but mostly it's trying to find new, better ways to wear what I already own. I have to say I'm not successful at least half the time, but when I find a new combination that works, it's more than worth the effort.

Anonymous

*bowing head in shame* My name is Diane and I suffer with procrastination and never trying on clothes

See, you are not alone! And I'm artistic!

Diana

Veteran

I pretty much only try out outfits in the morning when I am getting dressed. This can result in either of the following:

1. fabulous, serendipitous, and inspired combination of things
2. massive frustration. Revert to FFBO.

And also:
3. gigantic mess of clothes on bed. Late for work (again.) - good thing I set my own schedule!

I only pre-plan outfits if it's for a special occasion (i.e. going to a wedding, having a job interview, etc). Pre-planning has never worked for me, because I can never control the weather or how I happen to be feeling at the moment. Even with the special occasion outfits I'm always making last minute substitutions.

Anyway, to me coming up with things spontaneously is part of the fun of it (frustration notwithstanding). A lot of my outfits have this spontaneous "thrown together" quality that I like; what you all might not realize is that they're very often actually thrown together!

Aleta

Oh thanks for your confession Diane, I was expecting to feel very lonely on this thread!!

Diana, yes that's what I tend to do, but frankly it isn't working, too many FFBO's!

Hestonian

What Diana said! If I happen to hit on an outfit that pleases me, I take a photo of it and keep it in an app where I can refer back to my previous looks on those days when I'm feeling less than inspired!

Suz

(website)

Veteran

I do find it chaotic and time-consuming, but I also find it incredibly useful. I think of it as back end work to help me with at the front end. Once I know what works, I don't have to think in the day to day. So I do this before all trips, at the start of a season, when I bring home a new item -- whenever I can. I love Angie's idea of inviting a friend. Wish I had a style buddy here in town. But in the absence of that, I'll try YLF!

Anonymous

Yes and no. I don't mind changing my clothes, that is a fact of life several times a day with our extremes in temperatures. but when it comes to outfit creating (and taking pictures) I'm in a bit of a pickle. It plays havoc with my hair, especially if there are turtlenecks involved. If I'm on the second day after a shampoo, all of the trying on can make my hair get static-y and stringy looking pretty fast, ruining it for the rest of the day. So sometimes I do the trying on in a big marathon before a wash, but then I don't look too good for the pictures. Oh, and then it has to be not too hot, not too cold, the right lighting, etc, etc. But it's so worth it to get the feedback!

Aleta

Claire, I am hearing you sister! And I have a lot of turtlenecks (love them).

texstyle

(website)

Veteran

It's not my favorite thing to do rather in a store or at home. I don't mind laying them out on the bed but I don't enjoy the actual 'trying on' much at all. Unless it's a special occasion and I really, really want to be sure. That said, I know how useful it can be. Not just for what shape works with what but which color works with which - they always look different on the body with hair color and skin tone being part of the total look. I'm trying to work on doing it more often. Culling my wardrobe down to a smaller size is making it a little easier to do.

Amy

(website)

Veteran

I don't like the time-consuming and messy aspect of trying on clothes, but actually sucking it up and doing it *saves* me time and helps me to stay more organized in the long run. I do try to plan outfits at least the night before and sometimes do several outfits on the weekend. When I don't do this, my mornings and chaotic and stressful. My days are less pleasant because I feel less happy in my clothes. Planning and trying on clothes makes all the difference.

karymk

Veteran

What app is it you can use to store pics of your outfits?

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Aleta, me too! I relate to a lot of what Diana said. I don't like trying on stuff at home because I get hot and messy, and it disturbs my compulsion to organize and keep things tidy.

I tend to only do this when I am experimenting with and evaluating a new purchase. Otherwise, I tend to avoid testing outfits until I'm actually getting ready for the day. As Diana says, this can have serendipitous results, but can also be frustrating!

Aleta

Hi karymk, I use stylebook on my iPhone, it is really useful. Doesn't make me actually try things on though!! I think Hestonian mentioned an app, she may use a different one.

Mo

(website)

Veteran

I don't like to either. I really have to be in the mood to just go 'play' in the closet. I used to do that more often, but these days I find it a hassle. The hair muss, readjusting your underthings, the fact that I have to go to another room in the house to even find a mirror, all make it unappealing. It's usually when I'm planning an outfit for a particular outing that I will take the time to do this. Otherwise, I just grab and go.

Hestonian

karymk, I use Cloth, which was a free app.

Alassë

Veteran

It's a bother when you're not excited about trying the new top with every variation of bottom/topper. It's fun when you want some me time and happen to remember that you have several combos you theoretically like that should be tested. So yes, you have to be in the mood for it. At least for a mostly practical person like me. (AKA, what Mo said.)

rachylou

Veteran

Yes, I hate trying on outfits. It seems like a lot of work and it's definitely time-consuming. And if it's morning, I will like as not say "too bad" and leave anyways looking a hot mess. Hehe.

However, if there's someone to show your outfits to, that's fun

AJ

Veteran

I've done marathon creative sessions, but like everyone has already said, it's no fun cleaning up the mess. A few years ago hubby gifted me a dress form and that has been fun dressing up and having a first run look at how proportions might fight/complement each other.

Usually, I just try one new inspired outfit the night before and fine tune then. OK, honestly it mostly happens the morning of and the time restraints on the fine tuning actually help me come up with better solutions. I guess I think better under pressure. That does not mean that I've never left the house with an outfit that did not make me happy. Those are the times when I wished I had prepared the night before.

shemarie

Great question! Yes, yes, yes and yes, Aleta. You are definitely not alone. I am soooo right with you. Like you, Claire, Diana, and others have said: The hair! The temperature! The mess! The time! And for me, the oh-so-rare to uninterrupted time.

But the end result, of coarse, is that like RacheyLou said, I leave it till I have 25 minutes to shower and get out the door, so I throw on the outfit I had in my head which then inevitably doesn't translate to reality. I leave feeling "meh" and return dissatisfied and like that "hot mess." (Though I don't believe it for RacheyLou for a second really...her WIWs I've seen show such cool style).

All that to say that this is something I clearly need to get over and "Just Do It."

Anonymous

I can't truthfully say I like doing it, but whenever I'm trying to come up with a new outfit, there's really no substitute for trying everything on. I've avoided a few mistakes this way, lol.

Caro in Oz

Veteran

I think you can break it down a bit if it's overwhelming for you. Just start with one bottom & several tops that you think will work with it. Once you've found some combinations that you like work on shoes, toppers & accessories to go with them.
Taking photos helps too

Dee

Veteran

I often try to do this at the start of each season, as I sort through things to see what still fits, what I want to purge, etc. I feel like I have a fresher eye (and I'm more willing to try everything on) when I haven't worn certain pieces in awhile to find new combinations. And then I try to have little refreshers when I bring new pieces home, to check that they actually work with the rest of my wardrobe.

deb

Veteran

I confess, I do not do it. Although I probably should especially after doing the No Repeat November challenge. I am not liking what I am seeing.

Aleta

I think all of us that don't enjoy the task of trying out outfits need to be sprinkled with a little of Angie's "Fun Fashion Fairy Dust" so that we will all find the job more pleasurable!!

unfrumped

Veteran

I'm doing much better with it this year and learned that I need to pick the right times-and it's best to feel really relaxed and on "me time", to do more at once than less, because you make about the same amount of mess and you get further into the decision process if you allow enough time. So if I spend 15 minutes ( and especially when rushed or tired), I may just create iles of frustration and "maybe's," but in an hour (or 2) on a Saturday morning I may "find" several outfits and also make real decisions on what to toss or what I need to add. So I treat it as wardrobe review and edit and decluttering.

So maybe you won't enjoy it as much as some, but maybe also you need to give yourself the best shot & find your best times & moods.

Windchime

Veteran

For me, it's the same as cooking. I love trying on outfits and cooking when I have enough time to enter into the process and also to clean up afterward. Both of them lose their fun factor when I feel rushed.

Since finding YLF and starting to create capsules, I've spent several hours a few different days assembling outfits for (thus far) fall and winter. I write down the ones I like on Evernote so I don't have to think about it later. I am also constantly making edits to my Evernote outfit lists and adding new outfits as needed. Putting the time into capsule creation actually saves me time for the next several weeks, until it's time to work out the next capsule. I am a musician who loves list making, and I enjoy using both my creative and analytical sides in outfit making.

minimalist

Veteran

I'm trying to learn this from you all.

Did a short session last night, with a bag of K/R's to run by bf. He was settled on the sofa with a drink, and it seemed like a good time to ask for feedback, including on some things I'd decided to return. He's so positive about everything I put on, I wanted to hear some critical comments, you know? And he came through, wonderfully. #$%! that man has a good eye!

At one point, his cat started in on my ankles, so he suggested styling the dress in question with tights and boots if I was up for it. I said I wanted pictures of those boots with tights, so I could post them here for feedback about the shaft length, and bf immediately got up and got a camera.

Doing it that way was still work, and annoying, but much less so than it is alone or just with his cat in a dressing room.

Next up, I need to put together outfits for my lounge capsules and post pictures. Even though it's not high fashion, it's motivating to document the slow progress I'm making.

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