How to SYC/SYB and stay current?? - YouLookFab Forum

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How to SYC/SYB and stay current??

Mo

(website)

Veteran

Just how much of a season's trends or colors does one need to pick up or adopt to remain current? If you are shopping your closet or your strict budget, and can't really dip into trends but only replace basics as they wear out, are you doomed to be out of the loop and slowly dating yourself? Or is it a given that even those basics will be current versions, and therefore keeping you somewhat modern? I wonder on this as I feel I'm less blowing with the wind these days and in a groove (hopefully not a rut!) in my style.
For instance, I aim to buy about 12 items all year. Some of those are going to have to be practical workhorse things that have worn out from previous years. I would bet that maybe 1/3 of my new things could/would be trendier, fun items. For instance, I need black shorts. I will likely get cotton bermuda/cargos and not a chiffon pair with floral print, you know? If I only got trends with my 12 items, I think I'd still be left with holes, or even orphans when other supporting acts wear out. But who wants to buy only basic workhorses?!
Oh, how to find the balance! Do some of you on SYC/SYB worry about getting left behind? Or are you putting your purchase dollars firmly on the trends?

Shopping

29 replies

Latest reply was from Transcona Shannon

Anonymous

I was thinking about this just the other day. Well, okay, I think about it all the time, lol! I wasn't going to really participate in many trends this season, but then I saw that white high-low skirt for $5, then I found a really BRIGHT plaid shirt that I just loved at the 50% off sale at Goodwill for $3 so I bought that too even though brights aren't really my thing and it will probably wash me out a little. (I have a store credit there from my returns). My *big* purchases this year have been my snake bag and my navy blazer. I need fewer workhorses and more variety in the summer so I will add some cheap trends to my trusty pieces. Other than summer sandals, I can't think of any one investment item I really *need* to buy this season (but trust me, I'll probably think of one before long!).

Meredith1953

Veteran

I tend to do my trends with scarves....what a surprise! At least then I can indulge my desires for pattern and color without breaking the budget or having too much in the way of orphans. I'll buy a few trend pieces (probably a top or two) but not that much.

Mo

(website)

Veteran

I'm glad I'm not the only one thinking about this! I don't feel the need to be trendy, per se, but I do want to remain current and relevant! Not like when I woke up to shirt lengths 2 years ago to find all of mine were several years dated and barely covering my waistbands!! And I had no idea and thought I looked fine since no one told me different @@

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Mo, your basics don't need replacing all that frequently - and certainly not all at once if you have paid attention to your wardrobe each season. Spend the money on a trend and change the landscape of your wardrobe.

bj1111

Veteran

i usually pick 3-4 trends that are "me". so recent trends, colored bottoms, soft blouses (skipped the pb action), pattern pants, fur vest. i picked one item that i could see wearing all the time in each trend. cobalt skinnies, theory collared blouse with a flower print in blues and greys bordering on a neutral, intarsia-ish leggings with side stripe ( bonus incorporation of sporty trend) and my blue vest. it took a loooooong time to find the right soft blouse and patterned pants, but the vest and skinnies were impulse buys. these will rest in the closet when the trends cycle, while i bring out other trends that have cycled back, like pointy shoes from 2005 or peplum jacket from 2008. so, this means i have to really love the pieces because i could have them for a very long time!

Mo

(website)

Veteran

Thanks, Angie. I was really debating this - I guess it's that feeling that you will be going without if you get the fun thing and not the practical one. The same reason we don't purge as well as we should; fear of lacking 'that' piece when you think you 'might' need it

Mo

(website)

Veteran

BJ11111, I think your point that if you really love the few trends you pick, and make sure you can wear them with what you've got, it can be as smart as buying basics. I'll have to think hard on this - looks like I will have to be extra choosy in the few pieces I do buy this year. Not, oh there's a flowy blouse, check that off the list. But rather, OMG I love it *and* it happens to be a flowy blouse that's on trend.

Tanya

Veteran

Mo, I am in the same boat as you and have been also thinking along those lines. I wold personally spend 2/3 of the budget for trendy stuff and 1/3 for replacement of basics. As some ladies have already mentioned, be really choosy with the trends and pick only the ones you love and have something to wear them with. The most perfect trendy item that you adore would not be a good buy if you need 3 other new things to wear it with.
For example, I really want a pair of colored skinnies and while cobalt would be my first choice, they would be too bright for my work. So I am on the lookout for not-too-bright emerald ones that I would wear to work and also already have plenty of navy and cream items to go with them.

texstyle

(website)

Veteran

I like to use my own interpretation of a "trend" within budget. For example, I got a very bright orange-red tank top for $10 and a pair of bright red-orange shorts for about the same amount. Both of these are "trendy" to me because I don't usually buy super brights. But they both go well with navy, olive green, dark khaki, white, etc. so they will be basics for me for more than one season. I also bought a couple of striped tee tops that are a little nicer than regular t-shirts. I have a patterned pair of shorts I bought last year but no long patterned pants for me. Just not my style. And flowing tops aren't my thing either. I guess I choose only one or two trends that I might like.

Anonymous

What I tend to do is to use most of my budget on those trends that are "classics" being highlighted at the moment: i.e polka dots, PB blouses, blazers, as opposed to items that might have a shorter shelf life: i.e neon anything, wedge sneakers. I hate to spend the bulk of my funds on something that will look dated next season.

Vildy

Veteran

Mo, I'm not on SYC but I like to try out new ideas at bottom dollar cost so I shop at thrift stores mostly. I realize this is also shopping but I'm trying to make the point that I am very successful with *old* clothes. Now, I don't happen to want to wear what everybody else is recommended to wear, for just that reason. But I do pay attention to HOW things are worn. Those are mostly the ideas I'm looking for. So between that and being hip to a longer range trend, there isn't any reason you can't look current with your existing wardrobe. An example would be waking up to the fact that your shirts were the wrong length. Now you know and it would be hard, as a regular forum member, not to be clued in to the trends. I think you'll do fine plus it's very creative to see your wardrobe through new filters.

catgirl

Veteran

Great question, Mo. I am hoping to cut down on purchasing now that I have filled my closet with quite a few fab items. However, I've lamented my dislike of true basics before, and because I'm a weirdo, I find that my statement/trendy pieces have become my basics instead For example: colored skinnies, quilted booties, UWP sweaters, printed tunics, orange Anthro dress (an "event' basic!). My worry is that they will no longer be current soon.

Sorry that's no help, just wanted to say that you touched a nerve with me!

rachylou

Veteran

I'm starting to feel buying fatigue. I don't want to look stuck in a decade, but i need to develop, like, fashion stamina or something. Yet not be classic. I don't do classic.

Velma

Veteran

Are you allowing yourself to shop at thrift stores, even a small amount--$10 a month, say? I believe Sal at Already Pretty did something like that a while ago during a SYC effort.

I'm with Vildy. You can make much of your older clothes now that you're in the know. You could also choose to buy secondhand, very selectively, looking specifically for updates.

Just today, I bought a fantastic, probably brand new J. Crew Perfect Shirt--a women's shirt that is somewhat boxy and longer, but fits me through the shoulders--in colors that I probably would have passed by if I hadn't just read Angie's post about spring trends. It's a plaid in pretty shades of coral, orange, and white, with a bit of blue. Fun! $6! I will probably wear it a lot over skinnies and pencil skirts this summer. Next on my thrifting list: something white.

Speaking of Already Pretty, check out this helpful post, including the links to how to thrift for trends:
http://www.alreadypretty.com/2.....iends.html

Mo

(website)

Veteran

Thanks for all the ideas, and commisseration. As for thrifting, I never have here in Tahoe and am not sure there's much of a well to draw from since we have no normal stores even, to start with lol. I guess eBay is my version of thrifting, and yes, I do that quite a bit.
I was so stoked to start the year with my Frye Julia boots purchase, that I know I'll treasure and love for a decade to come, if not more! I got into the mindset of workhorses of quality. For a nickel and dimer, that was a big step.
Now I'm thinking of the spring trends, that may come and go but that I should at least nod to them in some way, at least the very few that appeal to me. Guess I'm feeling torn between the (hate to call them) investment pieces and the 'of the moment' stuff that injects freshness and modernity into your wardrobe. With the budget, it's hard to have both! But I guess it is possible?

Anonymous

It is possible Mo.

I am a very frugal shopper and have a whole lot of spending criteria in my head. For example: I am likely never to pay more than $50- $80 for a top that is not silk or natural fibers. I cringe at the idea of paying more than $100 for a top of any kind. I have done it, but I have to see myself wearing that top forever. As far as jeans, I scavenge the interwebs for premium denim on a discount and go though the sales racks of Nordstrom and Anthro like is going out of style. I almost never pay full price for anything and I even time my purchases to coincide with discounts. I do however, put more money on shoes and outerwear, since I think that is where you see more of a quality difference at different price points.

Does this pay off for me? Yes! I am like an extreme coupon lady, just for clothes!

Jonesy

Veteran

I agree with putting some decent coin toward new, trendy stuff, just to jazz things up a bit!

Velma

Veteran

I am so thrift-store dependent, Mo, that I would probably make the drive to Sacramento once in a while just for the secondhand stores, if I lived in your area. My own thrift mecca is actually in a ritzier town a decent drive away from the college town where we live (too picked-over here!).

In any case, I firmly believe it is possible to dress well on relatively little money, if approached with ingenuity and some patience. There are plenty of different ways to do it, too--whether secondhand shopping, buying very little but top quality, or sewing. Godspeed, and I hope you have fun with your well-chosen purchases this year.

Anonymous

Velma I happen to be traveling to Sacramento in May. I would love, love if you can please tell me more about this second hand shop extravaganza I've never heard of. I'm sorry for the threadjack Mo!

Velma

Veteran

Zapotee, sorry! My mecca is in upstate NY

I just meant that, in Mo's position, I'd drive to the nearest mid-sized city to do some secondhand shopping. I've got nothing particular to recommend in Sacramento, though I bet others who live closer may know some stores.

Vildy

Veteran

I hafta add that you always look great to me. You're very pretty and have your own style and I'm betting that if you were wearing those rejected shirts, women would look over at you and think to themselves, "You know, I think I better shorten my blouses."

ManidipaM

Veteran

Mo, thank you so much for this thread! I've really struggled with this --- and am still struggling, still doubtful --- myself. It's great to hear all the can-do responses!

I like Una's approach, of making a trendy piece into your own 'personal signature' piece.

I think you've also partly answered your own question in noting that knowledge is power (shirt lengths!). Like Claire and Velma say, you can now *see* the trendy piece as cheap currency, and that's a huge advantage to start with. For several years I did not even *know* what was current or not, but now that I do, I can see how some combinations of my existing clothes seem more dated and others more current --- just by virtue of mix-and-match. It's not just what you wear but how you wear it. There were some great ideas from so many people in this thread I'd begun a few weeks ago: http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....o-classics

I like Meredith's idea of a scarf to nod to a trend, and I imagine that can be done with cheaper tops if you prefer and have the storage space. For someone with little room and more of a budget, bags and shoes and belts can be the trend markers, I guess? With your lovely long hair, could it be hair accessories, perhaps?

Like Zap, I hardly ever pay full price either. I won't say never, because when an elusive workhorse turns up after months of searching, I sometimes do get that pair of jeans, the shoes I need, or the emergency replacement bag or sunglasses --- but just the strategy to gear shopping around discount season helps with the budget.

Zap, Vildy, Tanya and BJ all make great points about classics-as-trends or personal-style-favourites-as-trends. I confess to doing a lot of that, having just ferreted out years-old stripes, cobalt blues, midis, maxi skirts, plaids, conversational prints, dolman sleeves, pointy shoes, animal prints and wedges from my closet. The proof that this works? I did NOT even do this consciously as a 'strategy' --- I took something out because it felt 'right', then realized, oh, because it's cobalt and that's on-trend!

I too am hoping, rather than certain, that it can be done on a tight budget. Especially as my workhorses and basics get put through quite a drill and certainly need replacing due to sudden death far more often than seems rational.

Mo

(website)

Veteran

Continued thanks for the input and ideas! I do almost always discount/sale shop when possible.
For now, I will just look into the soft blouse trend. I was feeling the need for more drape in my tops months back anyway, so this should be easy!
Much of what will need replacing are long sleeve stretchy knits and layer tops, that can wait until fall. What I need to focus on at the moment is short sleeved tops. So that's what I will do! And I have the ankle strap sandals covered (even orange ribbons for them!). I can leave the patterned pants and pastels behind without a glance lol.

Scarlet

Veteran

A lot of trends actually last several years. The trick is knowing that in the beginning and getting in on the game early. Skinnies started as a trend. Stripes have been going for years now. I think they will never leave. Color blocking has been around for a couple of years. I bet slouchy trousers will last a couple of years as well as colored denim, because if for no other reason once people have bought this stuff and love it they want to keep wearing it. For my spring I bought a neutral dress, blouse, tunic, and coat, but two bright happy scarves, so that's how I would say I addressed the new colors on the cheap. Of course being able to wear ligh tweight scarves year-round depends on your climate.

Scarlet

Veteran

P.S. to my horror I am noticing shirt lengths creeping back up, btw.

fashionista

Veteran

Well trends come go, basics remain. So may be you could use trends in your accessories and buy clothes that will remain with you at least two seasons and some basic ones.

harmonica

Veteran

great thread!

LOL: "I woke up to shirt lengths 2 years ago to find all of mine were several years dated and barely covering my waistbands" - sounds like me! I woke up from *baby/toddler land* and almost all my clothes where outdated and/or outwashed with bad fit.

Anyway, this basic vs trends /updated look is also on my mind. I just got to think how I love vintage and clothes from my grandmother and mother (mostly from the 1970's) and how these items actually can give a current look.

In addition, I just thought of storing some clothes away and then use it as "new" after a while. We do this with the kids' toys and books (sort of rotating them) with great success. It's an extension of changing summer / winter wardrobe.

Our house is small with a small wardrobe, so putting clothes in boxes in the basement to rotate for later would also help to really see my clothes + have a decluttering effect + make old items new (just by not seeing/using them for a while)

Anonymous

I am familiar with Sacramento. With limited budget, the best shrift stores would have to be either Goodwill on holidays when all the clothings are 50% off or Deseret Industries off Capital Freeway.

Deseret Industries is my favorite shop in this area, it is clean, large, with a very good selection; you can always find something.

I would not try any of the consignment stores, which sell years old upper end stuff that is mostly black. I am sure we all have enough black already. And their prices are close to Macy's. Why bother.

You can hit many Goodwill within 10 mile radius. Map them out. Come early on the holiday Mondays, they are usually open at 6am.

Transcona Shannon

Veteran

I'm definitely participating in some trends this spring but am trying to choose carefully to ensure they play nicely with items I already have in my closet. I also thrift/consign shop for about 80% of my wardrobe which allows me to play around a bit more.