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Dressing each morning

Brin

A bit earlier this evening I was in a state of panic -- the outfit I had planned to wear tomorrow was not going to work. (I knew those pants were too tight, which was probably why I was checking up on them.) I had also hoped to post a photo here and ask for opinions on the challenge I had set myself: tucking a top into trousers (whereas usually I hide my midsection as much as possible). But I couldn't work out the photo either. The evening was not going well for me.

Luckily, I now have enough clothes in my wardrobe (hallelujah) to sub in another pair of pants, so I will be making my experiment tomorrow after all.

It made me wonder, though, (as I was panicking) whether there might be anyone else out there like me -- I make a chart every week of what I plan to wear each day. Down to the socks. (Which may be overkill, but I do have some rather interesting socks.) Whereas there must be others of us who prefer to decide each morning what they feel like wearing.

No doubt this has come up before now (but I wonder if our answers might change over time...) Are you more comfortable working out the details beforehand, or being spontaneous in your choices? Or where are you on the continuum?

Dressing

29 replies

Latest reply was from Brin

Anonymous

I wing it in the morning
All my clothes are roughly the same level of dressiness, and are all one of four colours, so it's pretty easy to grab and go.

I sound like I have it all figured out, but I don't. Really, I think I just happen to be going through a phase right now where I only like a few colours on myself.

ETA: All of my socks are black. This is actually one of the best things I've done to simplify my life. But I can understand wanting to wear cute socks as part of an outfit

rachylou

Veteran

Sometimes I'll plan outfits because there's an idea I want to try out - but I couldn't do this on an everyday basis. I have the same issue with groceries. The day of, I always want to do something else. The closest I come is pulling out a bunch of things - a temporary capsule - to work with for a month or so. Also interesting (or not ), I like to cook by technique more than by recipe.

Jenn

(website)

Veteran

I usually wing it, unless I have something important going on. Even then, I rarely decide before the previous night.

Alassë

Veteran

I've done that level of detail for the past few months.

rabbit

Veteran

I keep a spreadsheet of daily outfits and track cost per wear, so I'm usually trying to wear either new items, and/or items that haven't been worn as often or have a short seasonal window, all other things being equal. So I'll know that there are three pairs of shoes and two coats I should wear during the week or something. That usually gives me a starting point. When I bring home a new item I usually write down a bunch of clothing partners I've tried it on with or want to test it with, and if I'm stumped for an outfit I'll look back at these.

Sometimes I jot down a note of what I plan to wear the next day, sometimes I think up the entire outfit lying in bed right before going to sleep (for some reason I find this super relaxing). I also try to keep in mind a variation depending on how rainy or cold it turns out to be. I don't usually write down more than a day ahead of time, but I almost always know what I'm going to wear before the next morning.

Heh, I usually don't have socks show, and all the no-shows are black, but if I did have socks that showed, I'd plan that out too.

Anonymous

When I first started working after university I was Miss Efficient and Organized. Lists (there were no spreadsheets in those days - ha) and more lists. Tacked onto my closet wall - and all planned out in advance.

Now - I wing it. I have not the energy nor interest to track things any more.

Anonymous

I don't always do it, but I like to decide the night before what I'm going to wear and lay everything out. I'm not good with decisions in the morning, so this gets me going more easily. Planning for a few days ahead or even the whole week is such a stress reliever and means that I know what needs to be available from the laundry or cleaners to make it happen. I also do a better job of using accessories and changing hand bags.

Penny

Veteran

Sometimes I plan the night before or for a few of the days of the week, although I have a pretty well-defined work wardrobe and weekend wardrobe in a limited color palette that getting dressed without a plan doesn't take long. I do find it fun to plan outfits for events well in advance, sometimes as soon as I receive the invitation!

JAileen

Veteran

If I have something special I'll think about an outfit, or if I have something new, I'll think about how I can wear it. But otherwise I wait until morning and see how I feel, or see what the weather is like.

BrieN

Veteran

Sometimes I'll do a running two day plan (so I know what I"m wearing tomorrow and the next day) and usually in my head before I fall asleep.

Sally

Veteran

I generally have an idea of what I'm going to wear the night before but things can change. For example I was going to wear a summer dress today but woke up and the weather was stormy so I wore jeans and boots. I try to plan because I go to work early and don't have time to think about it. I also like to have my ironing sorted and the right bra etc organized.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

If I have a trip or special event, I plan. (With contingency plans for different weather -- I commute on foot so need to plan outfits from the footwear up.)

If it's a normal day, I wing it. I like to allow my mood (and, sigh, the weather) to dictate.

chirico (Chiara)

(website)

Veteran

During the week, I always pull out what I'll wear the day after, up to socks/tights and underwear, necklace and makeup. This is to avoid waking up husband, who works shifts, and to speed up greatly things in the morning.
I usually plan my outfit while I am doing the dishes, and pull out what needed after I am done.
Sometimes I am not totally satisfied with my choice from the night before, and in these cases I either wear what planned anyway, or go silently find a different item to change one thing I am wearing. It doesn't happen often, though.

MsMary

Veteran

I used to spend a lot of time putting together my outfits the night before. These days I mostly wing it.

Anonymous

I plan my outfits every evening to save time and stress in the morning. My system works for me.

Barbara Diane

Veteran

I usually choose my outfit in the morning after checking the weather. It often changes between night and morning. Although since I started on YLF I'm more likely to consider outfits ahead of time. If the weather cooperates tomorrow I'm going to try an outfit based on the colors in two of Sterling's posts.

Maneera

(website)

Veteran

I only plan outfits in advance for traveling, special events, parties etc. I used to like to plan everything for a week in advance a few years back.

Now I just let my mood decide what I'll be wearing that day. Weather and activities planned for the day feature in too. For example, if i'll be making a messy curry, I wouldnt wear white. Or if I have to visit the vet, I wouldn't wear a skirt coz I'll need to bend and contort while I keep the dogs under control.

Momo

Veteran

I much prefer to plan the night before but I hardly ever do it. I generally get a thought I want to wear something and then I work an outfit around it in the morning. Unfortunately this sometimes causes me stress as I am always running late and makes a mess as I tend to throw everything o didn't use on the bed or floor!
I think I need a new strategy!

El Cee

Veteran

I am an emotional/mood dresser so I usually just wing it. If I have a real early start to the day, I might lay out the items the night before. But I always admire those who do more advance planning.

Ginger

Veteran

On work days I have zero time to dither, so I try to decide the night beforehand. If I'm off my game, I might have to decide while I wash my face in the morning or put makeup on. I also try to decide Sunday morning church wear the night before.

But even at other times, I rarely think much ahead. I usually decide on a particular item I feel I MUST wear that day, then plan an outfit around it. Partly this is preference. Partly it's necessity, especially these days when the weather changes hourly. Planning outfits a week ahead is an exercise in futility in March in Texas.

Windchime

Veteran

Unless I'm too tired, I plan the next day's outfit the night before. I think about what I have scheduled for the day--meetings? teaching? playing in public?--and choose something comfortable and appropriate. Figuring it out the night before gives me more time to play around making outfits and also means I can do laundry or iron if needed.

I do informally track wears and try to more or less rotate through everything, although some things are worn much more than others.

For special events, I plan outfits further in advance in case shopping needs to happen.

Carla

Veteran

With a tight am schedule, I have no time for experimentation or indecision on workday mornings. I have a lot of room in my closet, so select a capsule of mix and match items and move them to the far end of my clothes rod. I group them into roughly 3 different outfits for grab and go in the am. Depending on my mood (and the weather) I grab one of the outfit combinations. I might remix outfit combinations in the pm, but I pretty much always stick to working from the capsule.

Weekends are more spontaneous.

texstyle

(website)

Veteran

I wing it unless it's a special event or I'm planning a travel capsule. My mood changes from night to morning and of course the weather can also require a change of heart.

Anonymous

Hmm, I could really do with being more organised, but tend to wing it a fair bit and as a result, I sometimes default to the same items and I need to plan more looks.

retailgirl

Veteran

I Plan my outfits out for a week, usually. I include jewelry. I put everything out the night before. I have to do this, my closet is in our bedroom and my husband gets up later than I do. If I have five outfits planned, I can switch them out depending on the weather. If I know I have a Corporate visit or presentation, I have my outfit planned as soon as I hear bout it. I started this back in high school...it's how I kept myself awake during history class! But back then I had fewer clothes and I did this to ensure I didn't repeat too often and also so I wouldn't wear all my favorites at the beginning of the week.

cjh

(website)

Veteran

Most of the time, I plan 5 work outfits on Sunday after checking the weather forecast and activities. I hang the whole outfit (excluding undies and socks), including pants, jewelry, top and topper, in order - Monday in front. This takes 30-45 minutes on Sunday, but saves me lots of time on work mornings. I am rarely disappointed in my outfits this way.

For weeks when we have board meeting, or other times when extra people may be in the office, I plan my dressier outfits or to wear newer pieces (though my dressiness level stays fairly the same most of the time.)

Bonnie

Veteran

I rely on the photos of my outfits that I have been taking to check proportions. I print the ones I like the best, and in the morning I look through the notebook I keep the photos in, and decide which one will work best. I also try to note when and where I've worn something on the photo so I don't repeat and can also track what is being chosen or ignored. It seems like a lot of work, but in reality it makes deciding what to wear each day a breeze. I keep my clothes organized by type instead of capsules, so finding the pieces that work together is easy.

Gail

Veteran

I plan if it is something special, otherwise I see what the temperature is. That seems to do a lot of the deciding for me. It is chilly here so I am stuck in jeans and boots STILL I loosely try to remember if I have already worn the same outfit to somewhere before .
I am going to FL at the end of April so am planning outfits for that .

Brin

Thanks everybody for sharing your practices and perceptions!

smittie - It does seem like you have a great solution to dressing efficiently.

Rachylou - I love that you always want to do something other than the plan (being creatively inspired...)

Jenn - I stand in awe.

Alasse - I find there's something very calming about working the details out beforehand.

rabbit - Hooray for spreadsheets! I hadn't thought of tracking cost per wear - though I can see it happening... I'm actually doing a menswear thing with the socks - you know how trouser legs ride up when you're sitting down? I was going to try to post a picture of my favourite crazy multicolour striped socks - but the picture has the wrong extension (sigh)

lisap - You've been on both sides of the coin. I wonder if all my planning now might give me the confidence to wing it later...?

Joy - Like you, I find it much less stressful to have a plan - and you make a good point about organizing the laundry and cleaners to make sure a plan will work.

Penny - It sounds like you've planned on a higher level, like smittie - you already have pieces that fall into place.

JAileen - Dressing for the day's weather makes a lot of sense. I try to use the advance weather report, but they can be oh so wrong.

BrieN - I like the sound of a two-day plan (but if I thought it up before falling asleep I don't think I'd remember it in the morning...)

Sally - I know what you mean about organizing the essentials...

Suz - I find it so hard to plan footwear! In the end, I rely on changing shoes once I get to work (and I only have one pair of work shoes, so there's one thing simplified!)

chirico - Your process seems to flow through your evenings and mornings. So graceful.

MsMary - It seems like a pattern: often someone will start by planning and eventually start to wing it. Is it a confidence thing, I wonder?

Sterling - I think your system makes a lot of sense.

Barbara Diane - It's interesting that YLF has made you think about outfits more in advance. I love what Angie does in terms of analysis (of a garment, an outfit, an ensemble...) She certainly makesme think!

Maneera - You also planned clothing at first and now it sounds like you work your clothing around your other plans.

Momo - It sounds like you're half planning and half winging it!

El Cee - I find it interesting that you wing it (based on mood, etc.) but you still find value in the advance planning of others...

Ginger - Wow, weather does make a big difference! I like how you choose one item and plan around that.

Windchime - Your level of planning seems really sensible, especially regarding the ironing (sigh)

Runcarla - Capsule planning! I could learn from that.

texstyle - I have to admit, sometimes I deviate from my plan because of a change in mood (as you mention). Or often because of a lack of confidence.

Diane G - Even when I'm planning, there are some items which show up more often. I think they're the ones that make me feel comfortable - or comforted.

retailgirl - I think there is sometimes a link between planning and having fewer clothes (as you said was true in high school). It gets to be like trying to fit the puzzle pieces together.

cjh - Yes! The Sunday planning!

Bonnie G - I envy you those photos - so much useful information!

Gail - Sorry to hear about the jeans and boots - I hope Florida will be a very different experience!

Again, thank you all for posting -- and I think this is the longest post I am ever going to write!