How do you recover from a bad outfit?

My husband and I were walking around a local outdoor mall today, and I kept seeing my reflection in store windows. I HATED the jeans I had on. I couldn't wait to get home and throw them into the "give away" bag. And the sad part is, they are not that old. I bought them just a few months ago. I KNOW BETTER!

Not only did I hate the jeans, I didn't much care for the top I had on. It was more of a lounging at home/hoodie kind of top. It was definitely not a "flop proof outfit," which I have learned from this site how to pull together. But I certainly flopped today!

I have been reading YLF for about a year and I'm so much more informed than I was before, but apparently I still make mistakes! Bad ones!

I know I have to forgive myself and move on, but it makes me fear that I will never get it together.

Do any of you ever just get bored with the tried and true styles that you know absolutely work? How do you keep it fresh? (New colors? Accessories? Or just accept what looks good and don't torment yourself?)

How do you all maintain your discipline to ONLY BUY the styles/colors you know work for you? Do any of you still make mistakes? (Please tell me I'm not the only one!)

17 years ago

Antje

Veteran

Ok, I gotta log off and be a good mom providing a snack for my daughter now but let me quickly say: You bet I make mistakes and find myself in outfits I don't much care for. I hate that feeling. And it's exactly like you describe - you see yourself in some mirror/reflection and you see something is off, and you know you can't do anything about it for hours, and you just feel awkward. I've been there and can empathize. It happens less and less now that Angie and YLF are in my life, but it still happens. Don't worry about it too much, you've got great tools now through YLF so this will happen less and less often (I'm sure the other ladies will point you to some helpful prior threads or have new constructive ideas for how to spiff up existing clothes to make them "fresh" again.) And if you want to post a picture of what you were unhappy with, we can even help with some specific suggestion on how to turn a dud into a winning outfit again. But first be kind on yourself

Ana

(website)

Don't worry, you're not alone! I definitely still make mistakes. I just bought a top from AT a little over a month ago, and it's a total closet orphan! I bought it because I thought it would be a good layering piece, but I always end up choosing other layering pieces instead. I'm thinking of just putting it in the give-away/consign pile.

I try to keep the "tried and true" styles fresh with accessories. It's amazing how one accessory can really add to or change the feel of an outfit. Also, I look for interesting colors and patterns so I don't get bored. But I do still get bored sometimes. I'm still wearing my summer clothes since it's warm down here, and I'm really getting sick of those.

kellygirl

You are in good company, Tarzy! Putting together outfits still takes me awhile. I have a few that I know work and I feel very confident in those. Fortunately, I don't see my reflection very much during the day so I don't worry about it too much once I'm out the door.

I think one of the best things I did was clear the closet--I have fewer items to choose from so it's easier to put something together. I'm also way more careful about my purchases. I'm a bargain shopper so I try not to buy anything that I don't absolutely love even if it is a great deal. The other thing I did was to try and buy some accessories--a couple scarves, belts and a necklace. I found that I could tweak an outfit that I know works by adding something simple (Like AJ did with her wrap top, skinnies plus scarf.)

For me, I feel like I need a balance. I don't think I have the time, energy, talent or inclination to pull off an 8, 9 or 10 every day. I can however, look much more put together than I used to in my typical jeans/shorts and tee/tank top uniform.

Antje is right about posting pics. I find the feedback enormously helpful. I've gotten some terrific insights about how to change an outfit or what isn't working and why. I also like what she said about being kind on yourself--that is so true.

Violet

Active Member

Hi Tarzy! I can definitely relate to what you are saying. I feel like I have at least one day a week where it seems like I just don't have anything to wear and I end up having a bad outfit. There's nothing wrong with having an off day and maybe in comparison, it can help you figure out what does look good on you.

Lately, I have been actively cleaning out my closet and getting rid of items I haven't worn in months or even years! That helps ensure that I only have fool-proof items to work with. Posting pictures on YLF definitely helps. I've gotten a lot of food advice and feedback. I know that with my body type v-neck or scoop neck shirts work best, so I try to only look at those when shopping.

Last week, I made a list of potential outfits to wear during the week. That helped with getting ready during the morning rush. I didn't completely stick to the list, but it helped me stay focused and I wore items in my wardrobe that I haven't worn in a while.

As far as keeping things fresh, I try to do that with accessories. I love necklaces and scarves and those help to add a little more variety to an outfit.

Good luck! Like others said, don't be too hard on yourself. Just because you had one bad day does not mean you are doomed.

Anonymous

I'm still making mistakes and find it happens most often when shopping with someone else or when I really love something and try to force it to work for me.
We will always make mistakes. We just hope they are not expensive ones.

The more expensive something is, the more I tend to think of fit, how I'll use it, etc. Is it fab enough to justify the price? That helps prevent mistakes. Now if I'd just learn to do that with each and every purchase. It also helps if I think about the space the item will take up in the closet or drawer and what I'll need to get rid of to make room for it.

Angie's posts about using your pieces to bridge seasons help keep me keep from getting bored, as well as different accessories. Studying how summer tops work with jackets or cardies or how skirts and pants might look with boots and booties, adding a scarf for fall...it all keeps things fresh.

Alecia

Grrr. I've tried to post twice now and had something happen. Hopefully, third times a charm. I think this happens to everyone. And as the times and fashions change, even things that make you feel fab now may make you cringe in the future. So we have to be prepared. Like others have said, I try to be easy on myself. It can be hard since it can really impact my attitude for the rest of the day. But most importantly, I try to figure out what about the outfit I don't like so I can work on rectifying it. Sounds like you had done that about your outfit.

I am also a firm believer in accessories. They can transform outfits and help keep things fresh and fun.

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