Filling a Wardrobe Hole - YouLookFab Forum

****I think my original post was somehow lost? Anyway, I couldn’t find it after I submitted it, so if there are two identical threads floating around, I apologize profusely in advance!)****

Hi everyone!

I need your expert advice! I just got back my tax return, and since it was a little more than expected, I have decided to use the extras to try to fill one of my pesky wardrobe holes. The question is—which one? I have a lot of wardrobe holes that would be wardrobe workhorses if I could only fill them! I can be a somewhat undisciplined shopper in that I much prefer to buy statement pieces rather than basics. This has left me with some embarrassing holes that I need to fill as soon as I can. I am willing to spend up to $75-100 on one or more of these items.

Would someone mind taking a look and letting me know which one(s) I should focus on? Or if you have any recommendations on where to find my missing pieces?

1. Dressy white button up—I would like this one to be fairly basic, but with enough details to keep it from being boring, if that makes sense. I prefer elbow-length sleeves, and I need it to be fitted, since I will be mostly wearing it un-tucked.
2. Black blazer (I’m embarrassed to even list this one and #1 because I feel like anyone with even a slight interest in style should already own one). In my defense, I have a hard time finding blazers that fit both my bust and my arms/shoulders. I have a small bust, and most of the blazers I’ve found are made for someone with…more than what I have, but if I size down to fit my chest, then the arms are just a little too tight for comfort. I don’t mind getting one tailored, but would you find a jacket that fits your bust and then get the arms tailored or vice versa? I also need a good black long-sleeved cardigan as well.
3. White pencil skirt—I want to find one with a good lining that is also fairly wrinkle resistant. Last year, I made the mistake of buying a linen skirt, and the experience was not pleasant. Linen and I are no longer friends.
4. Leopard print flats—I can’t decide whether or not these count as a hole. I know I could wear them with about 1/3 of my outfits, but since I technically do have other shoes that go with the outfits as well, I don’t need them per se. But I want them soooo badly!
5. Casual tan jacket/blazer—same reasons as #2.
6. Olive cargo/safari vest—I’ve been looking for one of these for about two years, but I was never able to find the right style in the right style. I have several outfits that it would go with, and I think it could be the perfect summer layering piece. But I’m not sure if these are still in style or not? I haven’t seen them as often as I used to.

Any thoughts/suggestions?

Sorry for being so long and rambly.

Thanks!

13 years ago

Caro in Oz

Veteran

How do you spend your time Ajoanna?

I'd be getting the things that would enable me to dress better most of the time. Jackets would always be top of my list but I'm a jacket person so I'd always choose a jacket over a cardigan - but you may be the opposite:)

Have a look at Angie's post

http://youlookfab.com/2012/04/.....sules-101/

Agnes

Active Member

I would go for either the white button up [you can wear it for years] or leopard print flats, becasue they go with everything and make everything seem a little perky. I had some that I completely wore out becasue they did seem to work with so many different colours and outfits.

rachylou

Considering white on white is trending, as per Angie, I think this would be a good season to shop for the white shirt and skirt...

harmonica

Ajoanna, I think caro's question is really essential. I havn't been very active lately, so I'm not sure what you already got and how your lifestye is. Do you prefer skirts or jeans? Does your lifestyle require a blazer stight away (i.e. for dayly work wear) or is it more for dressier days that are not so often?

You list 1 top, 2 blazers, 1 bottom (skirt) and 1 topper (vest). Are you in need for more tops or could you manage with what you have for a while? Since good fitting blazers are hard to find for you, that would probably be a long term priority, but maybe it is easier to get a shirt before the blazer?

Considering these kind of questions will probably help you prioritize. I always analyze my needs, lifestyle, style goals and what I already have. That helps me in realising what is top priority and what is not. Keep us updated

Ajoanna

I guess I should have provided more details—sorry!
My work dress code is business casual, but I currently take classes at a private school where the dress code is fairly dressy. I normally try to dress in a hybrid of the two. I also dress up on Sundays, so that’s why most of the items on my list fall into the dressy category.

I have a lot of good pieces, but I’m a thrifter and clearance rack shopper at heart, so I tend to neglect investment pieces.

I think the pieces I put up in the list are the “missing link” of my outfit capsules.

I have a couple of skirts that currently have foster families (outfits that go, but aren’t ideally what I would like to pair with them) that would ideally go with a crisp white button down and maybe even the black blazer.

I currently only own two blazers that are in regular rotation—a dressy denim and a dark brown. The tan or the black would definitely help fill in that hole.

I am also in need of professional summer skirts. Almost all of the ones I currently have are either more casual or floaty A-lines.

The flats would work for basically all of my flat and dressy wardrobe capsules, and since I’m trying to steer away from wearing black shoes, I think they could really help.

I put the vest on the list because I live in Florida, and most sweaters and blazers are unbearable in the heat. I adore the look of safari vests on other people, and I always feel more put together when I have some sort of topper on. I think a vest is going to be about my only option for triple digit temperatures.

Does that help at all?

(website)

Let me know if you find that fitted, not boring, white button front! I am in the market for one similar.

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