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How do you recognise one? A Wildcard that is..

Anonymous

There have been a few mentions of wildcards on Astrid's recent thread http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....esive-look and this got me thinking. How can you tell when you've found one? Is it obvious? Can you actively look for one, or do they just happen? You see I'm not sure I've got one or ever had one... I mean I did look behind the back of the sofa... nope...not there either

Really in all seriousness, I would like a few thoughts on this. Another predicament comes to mind too. You see, as you know, I sew a lot of my own clothes, so wouldn't a wildcard have to be more pre-meditated? I mean, I have to decide on fabric, decide on a style, so it's not by accident, or fluke. It would be great if other sewers could chime in and give their thoughts on this too. Lately I've been planning and making a lot more than I used to so I'm wondering how wildcards would fit into this scenario. I love to hear your point of view. TIA

26 replies

Latest reply was from karymk

texstyle

(website)

Veteran

I think it's one of those things you buy (or make in your case) because you are inspired at a moment to try it, even though it's out of your normal style range - then you end up finding that you actually do really love it and wear it quite often.

Gaylene

Veteran

Interesting question, Diane. How do I determine the potential of a garment to be a wildcard? I understand that moving outside of my comfort zone and well-trodden path involves risk, but I'd like my risk to be a calculated one, especially if $$$ and, in the case of sewing, considerable time are involved. The realization that wild cards often come from my fantasy style aspirations also muddies the waters. If my fantasy life doesn't unfold the way I'd have envisioned, that garment can hang in my closet for a long time mocking me. Tricky business--these wild cards--once I move past the "well, it fits and flatters, and I like the idea of it..." stage.

All I can offer is that my best wild cards have been unexpected pleasures, but I can't for the life of me figure out why they have worked out when so many others have gone into the re-cycling bag. Personally, I think my biggest failures have been those items that I overthought and rationalized to myself. If I wear something immediately after I own it--within the next week--it has a better chance of success than something I love but aren't sure how to style or when to wear it. Immediacy seems to be a big factor for me.

Anonymous

"Inspired at a moment to try it". exactly Texstyle. There is, I think usually a spur of the moment element to this wildcard business. So maybe with sewing that would come with the discovery of a fabric that I wouldn't normally look twice at? Perhaps...

Oh, Gaylene. I've lost count of the times in the past when I've made stuff that's been a piece, maybe for my fantasy life, that has hung in my wardrobe unloved and unworn. I agree with you on the over thinking, over rationalising stuff. The idea of wearing a new item straight away..I like that. It does give an immediacy of will it work or not and trying it out.

SandyG

Veteran

I love to browse in consignment stores during downtime, so it's easy to try on pretty things that are usually outside my comfort zone. Every once in a while you find one so perfect that you just can't take it off. Pure love for these unexpected wild cards!

I don't sew but I think handbags, shoes and great belts would make fine wild cards for sewing/planned out wardrobe essentials. Like a top note to perfume; an easy lilt by adding a fab accessory. Luckily, consignment stores have those, too

Anonymous

Oh, yes, good point about accessories Sandy.

Astrid

Veteran

Yes, I've always thought of them as items you're discovering by chance. That are maybe a tad outside your comfort zone, but that you love all the same. I don't think you can actively look for them, they have to happen on their own.

approprio

(website)

Veteran

It's hard to define. I always have my eye open for new stuff. I guess a wildcard is when I see something unexpected and think: ooh! I could wear that! Sometimes they become absolute workhorses. I've picked out some of my very favourite pieces like that.

Thistle

Veteran

For me, it is always an emotional versus practical purpose. I fall in love with a piece and add it even if it doesn't really match my current style. Sometimes they work, sometimes they don't. I usually know its a wildcard when I purchase it as I love it but am not sure how it'll work for me.

catgirl

Veteran

My floral clutch was a wildcard. It just sang to me and makes me happy. Sadly I have yet to put it in use as it will involve a total switchover - but I can't wait and I fondle it at home all the time .

MILLY 'Tropical Orchid' Clutch

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Gennifyr

For me it's something out of place with the rest of my wardrobe. I actually thought about this today when looking at bunch of pink floral items.

AviaMariah

Veteran

I think of it as something that you have a strong emotional reaction too that you know isn't "you".

Anonymous

Astrid..something out of your comfort zone. Yes and I'm guessing that could be on a sort of continuum too. But I wonder, is it usually something wildly different or not?

Approprio. When something becomes a workhorse. I imagine then that the wildcard always adds something a bit special to an oufit.

Emotional vs practical. Good point Thistle.

Your clutch is lovely Una!

Gennifyr, it's interesting that you say 'out of place with the rest of your wardrobe'. So would such an item work?

Aviamariah, there's that word emotional again. It seems a common theme of thinking with heart not head.

Thanks for all the food for thought ladies. Lots of wise words. I'm still pondering if it can translate into my sewing. There has to be a visceral reaction to a fabric or a design I want to copy and try out, or something along those lines, I guess. It's different when just seeing a garment and trying it on.

Gaylene

Veteran

Sewing a wildcard is much trickier than discovering one in a dressing room. The vision has to come first which sort of runs counter to a serendipitous find.

My bet would to work on line and design instead of fabric. If I fall in love with a fabric, it's hard not to want to turn it into a sure thing. Otherwise, it's a double whammy if the item doesn't turn out. Thinking back, some of my most innovative sewing projects have happened when I let myself think like a designer instead of a seamstress. I sketched out an idea, experimented with draping and cutting, figured out techniques--in short, played around in the sewing room instead of being focused. If the final product didn't work out, I could console myself by remembering I still learned a lot from all that experimenting. And, when it worked, I was always really happy to wear something I had designed myself.

Astrid

Veteran

Diane, I wouldn't say wildly different. Maybe just a bit of a stretch?

Sveta

(website)

Veteran

For me a wildcard is something you get strangely attracted to even though you are not sure how to wear it. That's why it is "wild": you take a risk with it. Sometimes it pays off in spades (hello my plaid jeans, long gilet and culottes) and sometimes it is a failure (I am looking at you, camel wide leg pants!)
I am no help with sewing the wildcards though!

Caro in Oz

Veteran

Agreeing with everyone - my wildcards just bypass the logical part of my brain & just speak to me Having said that they need to be returnable & I need to make outfits with them as soon as possible after bringing them home.

If I were you I would just go to some department stores or boutiques that stock clothes you are attracted to but don't think are "you". Just try on heaps or stuff - take some photos & see what happens. You are very creative & I'm sure it will get your juices flowing. I'd love to come with you

Deborah

Veteran

My wildcard this season would be the the colour block wrap in this post:

http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....ti-western

I would call it a wildcard because on a number of levels it is not what I perceive to be my style. For example, it is not black, it is warm toned and it is also quite a 'trendy' item at the moment and I am not trend driven. If it was black of course it would have been a no brainer But I was strangely attracted to it. It is well made, a nice weight, it does have the element of drama that I like, and while not my favourite colour palette I felt it was flattering, and I can wear it over black. When I tried it on, it pleased me Of course time will tell just how much wear it gets this season:)

Elizabeth P

Veteran

I think of a wildcard more along the lines of what Sveta said. Something that is out of place with ones "normal" style, yet you are strangely attracted to. I don't think it needs to be a spur of the moment decision... after all there's not much difference (timewise) between seeing a "wildcard" online, then waiting for it to arrive vs having the inspiration, then sewing it. Nor do I think a wildcard has to work out.

Sometimes styling it is easy, sometimes it may need other pieces. Depends how wild you are

I think of my pleather cullotes as a wildcard. Definitely pushed my comfort zone with those - both style wise, and with all that pleather. But I ended up loving them. Wore them today!

Deborah

Veteran

Elizabeth I thought you would identify your leather culottes as a wildcard and aren't they fab:)

Just chiming back to add that I thought long and hard about the colour block wrap for a couple of weeks before I actually bought it. Tried it on in store, gazed at it on line, tried it again etc and then finally bought it. It might be a wildcard but it was carefully considered.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

What a fantastic question, and I am soaking up these wise responses! I love what everyone is saying:

intuitive choice
just "sings" to you somehow
out of your comfort zone in some way
not what you're usually attracted to
maybe you're not sure how to wear it
maybe isn't traditionally figure flattering
you can't stop thinking about it
you get it home and find out it goes with far more than you imagined...(like Deborah's wrap) and gives a new perspective on your usual style.
Or, if it doesn't "go" with everything, it simply makes you wildly happy every time you do wear it.

I am super practical and for so many years was on a very tight budget, so wildcards are pretty tough for me. But I do have a few.

Patterned footwear. This was a total YLF revelation; in the past I had two pairs of shoes, both black! I never knew how much fun patterned or colour-blocked shoes could be. I love them and now own six pairs (for different seasons). Oh, and one pair with patterned details. This is no longer a "wildcard" for me -- I have incorporated patterned shoes into my style.

Vivid coloured bag. My favourite was my dearly departed yellow bag. It's great to have a bag in a colour you can't ordinarily wear. Right now I have a cobalt bag and a hot pink one, but I would dearly like to add a red bag and a yellow or citron.

Vivid coloured jacket. I don't own one at the moment but I will be on the lookout for a fun one come autumn. I bought a cheap H&M fuchsia blazer and was completely gobsmacked by how useful it turned out to be.

Scenic "tourist" tee. It's a shlocky photo print of a mountain. It's made of some dubious polyester fabric. It's a tee, for heaven's sake. (I hardly wear any tees.) And it has a V neck, not usually my best (although this one is very modest). And guess what? I wore it weekly last summer.

I've also had some failures. Orange pants. They went with everything, but just weren't "me." I passed them along to Ms. Mary. The famous "butt-vest." Sigh. And most recently, the H&M asymmetrical peplum blouse, which proved "too much" for my frame. Live and learn. You never know until you try. The successes outweigh the failures. And, to be honest, I didn't LOVE my three failures. I LIKED them and thought they might be "interesting." Maybe love is the real key.

Rambling Ann

(website)

Veteran

As a knitter, I understand what you mean about project planning taking the spontaneity out of most hand-made stuff. If I'm going to spend free time on it, which has a high value around here, I'd better wear it. So I tend to not think of these as wildcards. Particularly because I lean toward "hero" projects like cabled Aran sweaters.

But..there is that wild skein of yarn I bought on a whim that I've been holding for just the right inspiration to become a scarf. Or the yarn that I bought and then ended up to be a completely different garment than the pattern I had planned. Those strike me as knitting wildcards.

But wildcards are much rarer in the knitting side of the closet, that's for sure.

DonnaF

Veteran

It ends up coming home with you and it wasn't on the list. Like my blue suede booties. Actually faux suede. And only about $22. I wear a lot of gray and black, especially in the winter. Not bright blue. Which is probably why the color works.

If it's boring, it isn't a wild card.

Anonymous

Well, I go to bed for my beauty sleep and then get up to such wonderful responses! I've thoroughly enjoyed reading and lapping up the collective wisdom.

Gaylene I love to think like a designer and funny you should say that because I've been sketching a lot these days and I now have a giant roll of plain draping fabric just waiting to be played with.

Yes, Astrid, it needs to be a stretch at least doesn't it.

Strangely attracted to..I love that Sveta.

Caro, that's a great ides, to go and try on stuff that I wouldn't normally think of and take photos. I could use them for inspiration. I can feel a trip to the city coming on where I can access more variety. And I love your company too

Deb, I love you in that warm tone wrap!

Oh, that's a good point Elizabeth, time spent considering and item online, then waiting for delivery is akin to having the inspiration and then sewing it. Your pleather culottes are indeed fab!

Deb, thanks for chiming in again. Yes I see what you mean. In your case there was an element of consideration which came after the initial pangs of love

Suz, You seem to have done well in the last season or two with getting a few wildcards, which are all wonderful. Obviously there have been mistakes (butt vest and orange pants!), but as you say it wasn't love for those and that I think is probably the crux of the matter, I agree.

Oh, I didn't know you knitted Ann. Yes handmade stuff that a lot of time has been spent on creates few wildcards, though it's still possible. Good to know.

Donna if it it's boring it isn't a wildcard...I like that

Thanks everyone! You've really got me thinking.

Style Fan

Veteran

After reading through this thread I realized I do have some wildcards in my wardrobe. I always thought I was without them. Mine are boots and shoes. I have bought footwear in styles and colours that were not part of my usual style. Sometimes it takes me awhile to start wearing them but I love having footwear that no one else does.

Anonymous

Hmm, now you've got me thinking, Stylefan. I reckon my teal suede boots were a bit of a wildcard (worn in my final fantasy challenge outfit last week). The thing is I've had them for sometime and only worn them a couple of times. I think it's because they are more suited to my fantasy life. So the thing I need to be careful of is to recognise a wildcard when I see it, but also to ensure it fits my lifestyle

karymk

Veteran

I love the idea that if you want to wear a new piece before you even swipe your card, it's a good bet as a Wildcard. When I shop now, I almost always determine if this thing looks good with what I have on NOW, in this store, and do I want to start wearing it post haste. If it's for a future fantasy event, no can do.