HEWIs in the age of Covid19 - YouLookFab Forum

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HEWIs in the age of Covid19

nemosmom

Veteran

Ahh HEWIs... you all know the item: That ONE piece that you've spent time crafting the perfect version of in your mind, adding it to your wish list, hoping beyond hope, year after year, that with a little luck and patience the retail Gods will smile on you?

I am curious to know, how has your quest for HEWIs changed these days? Have you adjusted your wishlist according to the new normal? Or, are you still planning to add those pieces that were probably better-suited for your pre-Covid life?

General

36 replies

Latest reply was from nuancedream

unfrumped

Veteran

Great question.
There is so much overlap with changes from retirement and trying to re- calibrate what is realistic for new lifestyle.
Things tgat might have been on the watch list before, but aren’t/ shouldn’t be:
— the perfect cocktail/ dressy dress.
—“ investment “ blazers or jackets, which I didn’t really need before anyway, but felt it was expected that good jackets be so wonderful they should last for eternity, in black or navy
- perfect black boots in several styles
- stylish wool winter coat in HEWI color and fabrication
— dressy pumps with elegant toe and heel height that are somehow killer un- frumpy but also miraculously comfortable

Helena

Veteran

I was hoping to find the perfect Goldilocks shoe - not too dressy, not too casual, not too classic, not too statement-ish - alas, that's going to wait! I bought slippers instead ha!

What about you Nemosmom - what's your HEWI these days, or have you put them aside for now?

Anonymous

I live in an area that I appreciate for it's natural beauty but is largely populated by a more polished community. Finding clothing that balances the two is my greatest challenge and hasn't changed.

But the amount of things i feel compelled to carry has changed and after decades of carrying nothing more than a set of keys and a very small wallet, having no need for a bag, I'm looking for the definitive crossbody.

Joy

Veteran

My HEWI has been a great year-round weight navy skirt ( probably pencil skirt) that will match at least one navy jacket and pants that I own. I probably don’t need a skirt now. Now it would need to be pull on anyway.
I now want wool pull-on pants for winter. I may have to grit my teeth and try corduroy.

Runcarla

Veteran

A dress winter coat, possibly from Sentaler. The dream is to visit their atelier/flagship in Toronto to actually try on one of their classic designs to determine if it would work for me. I’ve tried a coat with a similar collar and it suits my build very well. Anyway, with the pandemic on, a one hour train commute to ‘The Big City’ just isn’t in the cards.

https://sentaler.ca/products/l.....army-green

Also, after procrastinating for years, I really do need a decent pair of (prescription) sunglasses - because, well, DH bought ‘a thing’ and our 2020 (and 2021) plans are for picnics and exploring the beautiful countryside of central and eastern Ontario (Instead of trips abroad.). But with opticians working on an emergency basis, it may be a while - so I might just get a ball cap.

#1 The Sentaler coat (not sure which colour)
#2 DH’s ‘thing’

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Anonymous

Ooh nice coat and to "the thing"!
I think my HEWI is to wfh for the rest of my life! Oh- and my own pool that's big enough for proper lap swimming

Sal

Veteran

Nice wheels Carla!

I don’t have anything on my Hewi list - I have a few things I am looking for but they are pretty open. I did think at one stage I would get a new special dress for my significant birthday. But I didn’t and don’t think I will.

I have noticed more dressy clothes and in particular shoes are on sale here so I think it could be a good time to get blazers, dressy boots etc whereas sneakers, knitwear etc are selling better.

kellygirl

Veteran

The only HEWI I can think of is a pair of sweatpants in a moderately firm cotton rich fabric with a comfortable waist band, slim fit but not leggings and pockets and nice enough that I'm comfortable wearing them in public.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

My HEWI is an affordable beach house in our coveted areas as a second home

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

On a more attainable note, I've had a turquoise wool coat on my shopping list for YEARS. Found it last month! No other wardrobe HEWI's at the moment.

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Brooklyn

Veteran

For me it’s all about shoes, which is a change. I’m not a big shoe person but I really want to add more flat or near flat shoes and phase out most of my heels.

I’m after:
Burgundy combat boots - chunky and flat.
Burgundy leather sneakers - maybe a boot hybrid.
Platform flat strappy sandals in - you guessed it - burgundy.

At least my HEWI colours haven’t changed!

always trying

Veteran

Other than replacing a well loved and worn fleece jacket and my perfect fit jeans I posted a photo of earlier I am not actually planning anything. One other thing on my mind are the Ecco flexure t-cap sneakers, but I really should get more wear out of some I have before adding another pair.

nemosmom

Veteran

@unfrumped - trying to recalibrate is hard! Even pre-covid I had an excuse to wear shoes! And jackets... *sigh*

@TG - ah, the elusive "just right" shoe. I had cognac chelsea boots and a jacket on my list, but it's hard to think forward to cold weather in covid times. :(. What slippers did you get?!?!?

@Phoebe - a perfect crossbody that is polished AND adventurous would definitely be a HEWI! Let us know if one turns up!

@Joy - I could see corduroy for you! Pull-on wool pants sound cozy and dreamy for colder weather.

@Carla - Man, that coat is DREAMY (and it comes in olive! *swoon*)! And, what a sweet ride! Maybe you could drive it to the atelier to try on the coat...

@suntiger - oh, a lap pool would be amazing!

nemosmom

Veteran

@Sal - I am noticing the same here re: dressy clothes being marked down. Seems like a great opportunity to get those kind of pieces! I am sorry you did not get your birthday dress. Maybe the orange or navy one would serve as a great scaled down version?

@kellygirl - oooh fab cotton sweatpants! A HEWI here, too.

@Angie - a beachhouse?! YES, please! Your turquoise wool coat is a beauty! I bet you are counting the days until the cold weather!

@Brooklyn - burgundy is SO amazing on you, and plays beautifully with your palette! Hope you will report back on the boots - they sound fun! You make an interesting statement about HEWI colors. When they show up at retail, it's hard not to add them!

@always trying - a great fleece sounds perfect for the coming season!

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

Oh I want a beach house too! I don't really have HEWIs (oh wait maybe a super comfortable, super supportive bra that I don't want to change when I get home). I do have floating focuses - I am looking for a slip skirt or tube skirt that is the exact right balance of casual, interesting and versatile but that is more of a hobby than a need. I have many things I would be delighted to find, but absolutely no long term goals right now.

Bonnie

Veteran

My current HEWs will work during and after pandemic. I'm actively looking for comfortable jeans in blue and a pale blue. I've reordered the Rag & Bone jeans from Nordstrom in a larger size and ordered the Lucky jeans shown in finds from Lucky Brand, not Amazon, because of their Labor Day sale. Why do manufacturers size their jeans so differently? Apparently I wear sizes 27 in Everlane, 28 in Rag & Bone, and 29 in Lucky Brand.

Rag & Bone Nina High Waist Ankle Cigarette Jeans

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Lucky Brand Women's Mid Rise Ava Bootcut Jean

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Gigi

Veteran

I'm looking for a leather moto, preferably one that is cropped (I would like to use it as a topper for dresses). Since it will be a classic piece, I will buy it when I find it, regardless of COVID.

HJ

Gigi - try Mint Velvet for a cropped leather moto jacket. After searching for years I found mine there a couple months ago! It’s perfect for wearing with dresses.

Irina

Veteran

Bags are on my list but I’m changing the requirements for them now. I will be mostly working from home and will not have to carry a laptop to the office every day. I recently found some of my HEWIs - white cotton sweater and a linen blazer. I’ve been looking for them for a long time, pandemic or no pandemic, I bought them! A good cotton trench coat and a camel wool coat are still on the list but on a back burner for now.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

My HEWIs are changing due to different life circumstances. I'd like a perfect slip on house shoe for winter, which for me will be really tricky since slip-ons pretty much always slip-OFF my feet. Even loafers with their higher vamp.

I'm tired of wearing slippers indoors all winter. They make me feel frumpy and "why bother getting dressed" and often lack the support I need in a shoe. But a shoe that can't be kicked on and off easily won't be worn. So...

Liesbeth

Veteran

I don't have many HEWI's... just a burgundy crossbody right now. It's not a priority b/o covid as this would be a work bag to be worn together with my laptop bag. Or to be worn to kid-free parties :(. I'm as of this month set for 'personal life' bags. Yet if I come across that perfect burgundy crossbody, I know I'll get it. Eventually things will go back to a kind of normal and then that bag won't feel dated like clothes purchases might.

Staysfit

Veteran

No HEWI list at present. I am set with all I need for a while....just refreshing my wardrobe on occasion if something pulls at me with “I must own it”! Vibes.

Minaminu

Veteran

My HEWI for the next season is a winter dress, in a good material and a decent weight. I recently tried a few winter and none were right. The search continues!!!

anchie

Veteran

My HEWI for last few years have been navy leather handbag, that is not too heavy, not too big but not too small, that has a silver hardware, a satchel shape but that can be worn crossbody.
Another one is trench coat in light neutral but not beige. Maybe cream, light gray, even light blue? And that it doesn’t have shoulder lapels and doesn’t look like lab coat

Anonymous

Kellygirl try American Giant for cotton rich, they sell out constantly but they restock too

Mary Beth (formerly LBD)

(website)

Veteran

I don't know that I would call these HEWIs, but currently on my list:

Nude, pointed-toe patent leather flats. I would consider regular leather as well. My Schutz go-tos are starting to look very loved. These are the most HEWI on my list.

Flat or low-wedge, knee-high leather boots. Nothing RATE. I want polish. I haven't decided on a color yet. Maybe black, maybe the Universe can surprise me. This is up there on the HEWI list right below my flats, but truthfully, it's low priority, because I'm pretty sure we're not travelling to Toronto or NYC this winter, and I have boots a-plenty for Atlanta.

A dark (black, blue or teal-green), fine-gauge seasonless knit or sweater that I can use to film auditions and wear for Zoom calls. This is higher priority, but not too HEWI, as I have several items currently bookmarked.

One more pair of neutral-color shorts to see me through to October. Black, tan, ivory or white.

And I'm looking at replacing some underpinnings.

I should probably start looking at warm loungewear and slippers for fall and winter...

Mary Beth (formerly LBD)

(website)

Veteran

Oh. I forgot. The HEWI that's a wanty-want, and not a need, is something fabulous in a Hawaiian print. The kind of "I'll know it when I see it" top or skirt or shorts or novelty bag. I've been craving some tropical floral for at least a year now.

Barbara Diane

Veteran

Beach house please. Fixed up home.
Can I consider items HEWI’s if I’m not looking for them?
1. Very specific dresses with 3/4 sleeves sleeves for hot summer days. On hold until next year.
2. Casual Pewter, and black, shoes or flat boots with zippers that are comfortable.

cindysmith

Veteran

My new job has me really rethinking some of my HEWI ideas. The perfect "_____" is only going to get used very little because I only have 2 days off every week, and I spend one of those days on the couch resting because it's been hard since the coronapocalypse kicked off. A Rick Owens leather jacket is still on the list, a great pair of point-toe stiletto-heeled boots? still on there...

But the perfect platform wedges, be they boots or sandals? Not on the list because why spend all that time and energy chasing down something I'm not going to use anytime soon.

The coronapocalypse has killed some of my dreams.

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