Had to go over my 25 items for the year - YouLookFab Forum

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Had to go over my 25 items for the year

Anonymous

But it was for a good cause!
My "wear my wardrobe" challenge (and unseasonably cold mornings- booooo) has revealed that several of my coats are way too tight in the shoulders for comfort. Not sure if it's cause I'm swimming 50 laps to 2 miles each time instead of just 1 mile, or if my back got wider to accommodate "the girls" which haven't yet returned to normal. Either way, I figured it was better to size up to accommodate layering anyway. So I found a black packable puffer (32 degrees- will do Find when I use computer again) that will replace 3 coats. Think my new shopping goal will be to replace multiple dysfunctional items with 1 do it all piece!

Shopping

22 replies

Latest reply was from

Star (Lise)

Veteran

One coat to replace 3 I think allows you to go over :). I am practicing 1 in 2 out this year in an effort to reduce my large wardrobe and I am on track. The pieces I am sending out are mostly really old.

unfrumped

Veteran

That is a good plan. I love jackets but I have too many ( period!), plus too many that I only seem to wear a couple of ways. It’s partly because of length or silhouette- what goes with pants of different types vs skirts, plus using jacket as a type of color since I don’t do black or navy usually, or the fabric weight/ warmth . But wishing some of them were more “ universal”.

Helena

Veteran

That is an excellent shopping goal!

Anonymous

Great goal and a great start.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Wardrobe items MUST fit comfortably, and function the way we need them to.

Suntiger, you are bang on the money to replace some of your outerwear - and other dysfunctional items!

nemosmom

Veteran

Ah yes, I am familiar with the struggle of the shoulder fit. Often when I find a comfortable shoulder fit, I am usually swimming in the rest of it. Your goal of finding do-it-all wardrobe items sounds perfect!

slim cat

Veteran

Sounds like a great puffer! My daughter had somewhat similar problem this year - down to one coat ( I'm still looking for replacements for the other two ). The puffer option is the one I'm pushing for .

kkards

Veteran

Replacing 3 with 1 sounds like a winner to me.

cat2

Veteran

Glad the Wear Your Wardrobe has given you new direction. Sometimes you discover gems and sometimes it’s time to move on. My shoulders and back have gotten broader from swimming while the rest of me has slimmed down a bit. This week I pulled out a top I never wore because it was a bit too casual for work and it was great with what used to be my weekend jeans. I found that once I have figured out a new pairing for an old item I will remember to keep it in rotation.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

This was for a good cause indeed. I have also noticed some jackets and coats are tighter around the back and don't know if it is from my kettlebells workouts or if I'm just less tolerant of the tightness!

In any case, it's good you replaced a few dysfunctional items with one that works well. Brava!

Bonnie

Veteran

That's a smart strategy.

rachylou

Veteran

Brilliant (but I woukd say that - packable puffy! ). Love the notion of doing something about dysfunctional items. I need to think about that.

Irina

Veteran

50 laps? Like, 50 laps? I found hard to move past this statement! Is it non stop?

Good luck with replacing your coat!

Cardiff girl

Veteran

I think that actually wearing wardrobe items is very helpful in terms of assessing fit and a big yay for replacing the many with the few.

Anonymous

Thanks all! Since the new one is Packable! and Has A Hood! and Is Bum Covering! the coats that it will replace are: a black hooded raincoat that water gets through, a black quilted too-tight- for- years coat with no hood, and a beige but short packable puffer. I may keep the beige one in it's bag for now and try it again for cold spring.

The other coat that's too tight so far is my wine purple wool. That makes me sad cause I love it. Will keep in the HZ.

I'm definitely trying to shrink my wardrobe too by a bit. Having everything out right now is overwhelming, and I've always been an aspiring minimalist anyway.

Re: swimming, 50 laps is my minimum these days. I used to just do a mile, cause that's what I was doing when my old landlord and I did 20ish years ago. But this year I've been swimming longer since I can go during the day when it's quiet I do only backstroke cause chlorine makes me sick, so it's literally a meditation to me. 2 miles (72 laps) takes about an hour 45 min so it's really not as much as it sounds! I don't take breaks unless nature calls.

ETA- I did discover one drawback to the coat. I was working a festival after dark last night and realized I was not visible to traffic. On the upside, it did fit over my layers. Glad I bought the L not the M!

JAileen

Veteran

I had the same issue when I swam laps. I’d have to get a size larger jacket than skirt. And I’d get into a kind of trance. It was wonderful. Re visibility, when my husband walks our dogs at night, he puts on one of those reflective vests. Also, we have reflective leashes.

ChristelJ

Veteran

It's satisfying to read you are already reaping the rewards of your challenge and finding solutions. You have put in the work. Gives me hope! Also, I am in complete awe of your fitness level and comfort in the water!

SarahD8

Veteran

Fantastic thought process here and I hope your new coat proves very satisfying. I am also a lap swimmer, I had to give it up at the start of the pandemic but have just rejoined the gym last week and dipping my toes back into the water (so to speak) has made me realize how much I have missed it. I usually do 1/2 mile but would like to work up to a full mile.

Anonymous

Sarah, once you're done your 1/2 mile, then say you'll just do another 7 laps. Then you're at 25. When you're used to doing the 25- it's just another 11 to the mile

Paula B

I really like this idea hun!!!!
I need to copy you as my wardrobe is bulging!!!!,HA,HA!!!!

Hugs,Paula B,XXX

SarahD8

Veteran

Suntiger, yes! That's exactly my plan. I do need to work up to it, on Friday I swam in the morning and then walked 3miles round trip to meet a friend in the evening and...that was a little much for my current state of fitness! Thanks for the inspiration that it can be done.

Anonymous

It can definitely be done
Ok- 2 coats and 3 dresses are off to consignment now!