Friday Closet Day: Disaster and Venting - YouLookFab Forum

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Friday Closet Day: Disaster and Venting

Mae

After a relatively successful, fun week of quickly thinking of inspired outfits and feeling great, this morning was HORRIBLE. A complete disaster. Did I run out of ideas? Favorites? Inspiration? All of the above? Have I lost it forever? Or is this just how it is on Fridays?

I was getting into such a nice groove. Oooo- how about this with that and this? Yes! Go.

Perhaps it's because I didn't start with an idea in the shower. I tried, but couldn't get anything in my head. Cocky me said to myself, "oh you'll get it once you take a peek in the closet." Ha. No such luck.

I think the key for me is to think of one piece I really want to wear, and then work around it. Today, starting with nothing, it was AWFUL. I ended up trying on almost everything I own and could NOT get anything to work. Eventually I just settled for "not disastrous". Booo!!!!

The ups and down! The emotional turmoil! The fickleness of style! Argh.

Anyone else have bad closet days?

General

22 replies

Latest reply was from April

Mamapicklejuice

Veteran

Yes, the worst start with the phrase, "oooh, no underwear..."

Mae

Thank you for the perspective, MPJ.

taylor

Veteran

You need a couple of "emergency go to outfits" that are tried and true for just such days.
Mine is usually one of my black sheaths, or denim and a jacket favorite

Sveta

(website)

Veteran

MPJ, you crack me up but it is so true!
Mae, sure, sounds familiar. I usually think in the evening what I want to wear in the morning (my showers are too quick for this :-)) or at least the main ingredients. If I do not do it this way I usually end up wearing one of my "fool-proof fall back" outfits.

Mae

Ah yes, the "go to" outfits. I used to have them but I got sick of them. Clearly, I need to develop more. Maybe this weekend... in between social events, baby showers, and grading papers. Thank you, Taylor and Sveta! The voices of reason. Ahhh.

MNsara

Veteran

Angie calls it FFBO for Fast Fall Back Outfit (I think). You should definitely develop one (or two in case of laundry).

Your inspiration idea sounds like Isaac Mizrahi who said something about building his outfit for the day on something he thinks of when he first gets up. He used his silver moccasins as an example - imagine that!

Mae

I have a feeling Isaac Mizrahi does not have these bad closet moments. But thanks for the boost, Sara!

RandomThoughts (Andrea)

Veteran

If it makes you feel better Mae...

I have days like that all the time.

I saw a movie about dogs and their celebrity owners. Isaac Mizrahi was not dressed all that fabulously, so I suspect he does have those days!

Michelle

(website)

Veteran

Oh Mae, welcome to my life about once a week!! I operate exactly the same way you do, i.e. building outfits around one thing I want to wear. Sometimes like last night I have the foresight to check with YLF first, and I'm learning that's a very good strategy.
But have no fear, I'm sure you looked better than you think you did!

Anonymous

Definitely have those days, especially if part of the outfit I'd thought of needs cleaning, pressing or repair or can't be found because a puppy carried it off to chew on. Those are the days I go to my denim pencil skirt or black BR Martin skinny pants because there are lots of choices with those neutrals.

Mae

Thanks Michelle! I'm SO glad I'm not the only one who suffers like this. Posting outfits beforehand makes so much sense. I think I got just a tiny bit too big for my britches there this morning, thinking I could just magically throw something wonderful together without an ounce of inspiration. I probably needed to get knocked down a few pegs. It worked.

Joy, I had worn my BR Martins the day before. Hey now, there's a reason to duplicate!

JewelryGirl

Mae, I struggled this morning a bit also! I've found if I pick out a few the weekend before & then firm up each night before it works best for me. That got me through the week up till Friday & I was grabbing my favorite stand-by's this morning also. I think it's typical. It's also seasonal for me until I get settled on my workhorses & a few stand-by outfit's for the season. So, overall I am going through it right now as well. It will get better!

Vani

Veteran

Oh Mae, there have been days where I've barely made in time for meetings in the morning because "the outfit just isn't working". I love Angie's suggestion of keeping a log of a handful of FFBOs so that you can step out in a hurry without feeling un-inspired, dull & harried. I bought half a dozen plain white scoop neck tees earlier this year and I find that pairing them with a neutral bottom, a colorful or statement-ey scarf/necklace and an optional jacket makes for a quick fall back outfit.

Mae

Now we're talking. A log of stand-by items. Hmm... My things to do for the weekend list is growing. For the record, I *was* late for a meeting this morning.

I guess since I don't have much to begin with, I should start doing a load of delicates every couple of days for these situations. I already throw in a load of something every day anyway, but usually save the "good pieces" for the weekend washing.

Also, the problem today was that I didn't want an old stand-by. I wanted to create something fresh, wonderful, and more interesting. Come to think of it, I could have thrown on something that has worked in the past. I did have choices now that I have a minute to reflect.

New rule. If I haven't been inspired to create something new in the first 5-10 minutes of closet shopping, I will MOVE TO THE STAND-BY LIST.

Kyle

Veteran

These are the days I grab a dress! Very little thought required.

Sally

Veteran

I always end up in jeans on a Friday purely because I've run out of steam as far as dressing creatively goes.

Queen Mum

Veteran

MPJ- in a severe emergency, undies can be hand washed and dried in the microwave. I haven't actually used that trick in the recent past, but I remember doing it with panty hose long ago.

Mae- This problem seems to hit me most often in these seasonal transitions. I have just begun to explore new ways to mix items for cooler (or warmer) weather but haven't worked out all the kinks yet. Definitely keep a list of some tried and true no fail outfits (kind of like keeping a jar of spaghetti sauce and box of pasta on hand at all times)

Louise

Veteran

The times I've ended up with no undies!!! I now keep a super small laundry basket about the size of a car wash bucket. I know when it's full it's one load of laundry and I now never run out of undies or my favourite clothes x

April

Veteran

Yes, Mae, I STILL have those mornings, even after two years of hanging out here and transforming my wardrobe. They are happening much less frequently now that I have built more of what I've been calling "infrastructure": a sufficient array of basics to make the more special items work.

Developing a couple of tried-and-true fallback outfits is a great idea, as is staying current on the laundry.

Also, there may be a couple of items on their way to you that should help.

Mae

My saving grace!

bj1111

Veteran

i remember standing in the middle of the bedroom holding the necklace i "had" to wear that day, with only underwear on after having changed out of 2 skirts and three blouses. my husband asked me if i was having a stroke.

April

Veteran

BJ -- LOL. Don't you hate when you have an outfit in mind -- one piece of which is non-negotiable, such as your necklace -- and then it doesn't work like you thought it would? Yet you can't give up that extremely important piece, even for a day, and so the trying-on begins...

Hee hee -- been there.