Since joining YLF a few years ago, my purchases have gotten more deliberate and thoughtful, and I've really been liking my wardrobe. Earlier this winter, though, I started the process of getting a divorce (sad but necessary and ultimately a positive development), and unexpectedly lost 20 lbs from stress. I'm feeling better now and doing fine, but that carefully grown wardrobe is now baggy and makes me feel frumpy at a time when I'm trying really hard to have a positive outlook.
My biggest challenge is dressing for work, which is often casual, but I have lots of work-related events and my fallback outfits are now out of the running. I took inventory this weekend and it's kind of bleak:
The bad news...
- Tops: Many of my knits are fairly forgiving, but a few key pieces are baggy now. At least it's sweater season and I don't mind an oversized look... but I'm really limited to casual options at this point.
- Pants: I only have two (!!!) pairs of pants that fit well, which makes getting dressed for work very frustrating. I'm currently wearing a pair of lovely J brand jeans in a dark wash that I'd hoped would be a workhorse and easy to dress up... but just found a hole in them and they need to be decommissioned.
- Dresses: I've got maybe three dresses that fit well and can be worn to work events, but they're somewhat distinctive so it's hard to put them in frequent rotation. One is a sweater dress, so won't be helpful in the spring when I have many events coming up.
- Jackets: I've got three excellent fitting blazers that I'm leaning really heavily on, thank goodness. Also a leather jacket that was snug but now works well, that I can use over dresses and sweaters for more interest.
- Foundational garments (underthings, tanks, tees, layering pieces): a mix of fits and actually still serving me well, which is a relief.
- YLF blog and forum. I've been spending a lot of time rereading the archives!
- Keep the too-big clothes in a holding zone. For maybe at least 6 months? I don't know if the weight will come back or what... but I have the storage space so might as well hang on to the clothing.
- Fill essential gaps. Work pants are a priority, and another pair of jeans. Waiting on an order from Everlane, but I'll need a mall trip to visit some brick and mortar stores, since I don't know what size I am anymore.
- Keep it fun. I love shopping and am trying to enjoy the process. I also signed up for Stitch Fix hoping for some surprise wildcards - I know it's hit or miss but the novelty and idea that "the perfect piece" might show up on my doorstep is intriguing to me right now.
- Take the opportunity for reinvention. I'm not going to chop off my hair (my stylist thankfully talked me down) or get a tattoo (too afraid of needles!) but the big shift in my life is an excuse to make some shifts in my style and reassess my style goals.
