I'm feeling a bit lost - YouLookFab Forum

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I'm feeling a bit lost

Astrid

Veteran

I'm not sure what I'm asking here, just venting a bit...

Today was the first really warm day this year and I wore one of my regular outfits - and I just felt off. I guess the outfit felt just too classic to me. And my ballet flats weren't up to a whole day of walking either. My feet really hurt at the end of the day. I'd have normally worn my oxfords, but they look like they might fall apart any moment. I might have a slight shoe problem.

All in all I just fear that I'm not really prepared for the coming warmer months. But I'm not enthusiastic about shopping either... I have some shorts and two tops in the mail that will hopefully work out and I have that list I made, but I just can't seem to find fitting stuff in the stores. I haven't found a clutch for my dressy outfit yet and I've had no luck with sandals either. I've also had some unexpected expenses, so I don't have much money left to spend until May.

I'm really not quite sure what to do about it all. Oh and I need a haircut, too!

General

23 replies

Latest reply was from Janet

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Don't worry!! When new temperatures hit out of the blue - it's natural for our style to feel caught off guard. And wearing Summer shoes after months and months of Winter shoes is always a question of getting use to it again. Our fussy feet have to harden, Astrid. I ALWAYS have to break in Summer shoe wearing again.

Sooooo, by all means get a haircut ASAP!

Then sort out the shoe dilemma because you walk alot and need happy feet. Start by wearing your favourite warmer weather wardrobe items and leave it a couple of weeks before you shop again. Collections in stores turn over fast at the height of the season. There will be new stuff is stores in no time.

And I hope the stuff that is on the way works out

Transcona Shannon

Veteran

HUGS Astrid!

The changing of seasons causes many of us style angst. Then add in some unexpected expenses and it can make any of us feel "off".

Would it help if you went through all of your stuff that you can wear now and into summer and make a list of what your absolute needs are? Then play in your closet with what you have and see how many outfits you can come up with. That will give you an idea of where you're really at. It may not be as bad as you think

I find when I get feeling this way I need to step back from shopping for a bit until my head clears. Otherwise I find myself on the perpetual "buy-and-return" cycle.

Astrid

Veteran

Thanks Angie! Very good advice. You're right that I probably will have to get used to the shoes again. I'm thinking about making a appointment for the hair tomorrow, then I just have to decide how short I want to go. Shoe shopping (and other stuff) might need to wait until May if I get my haircut now, but I think it's a good idea to take a short shopping break. I'm going to post some pics on the shorts and tops if I'm unsure.

Astrid

Veteran

Thanks Shannon! Going through my clothes and making outfits is a good idea. It might calm myself a bit if I see that I do have some outfits. I think the most important thing I need is footwear, I think. My birks just don't make for a stylish outfit and with my missing oxfords there's not much left but sneakers (that don't go with skirts) and my ballet flats.

krishnidoux

Veteran

Another whole bunch of HUGS here! So normal on first days of the warmer season! We've been waiting for fairer weather and when it finally arrives, we don't know how to dress any more. I second Angie's suggestion about getting your haircut first, shoes second. Shoes are so basic. They determine a shape, a silhouette, a direction. They open up many possibilities with what you already have.

And everything seems to fall into place with a good haircut.

Astrid

Veteran

Thanks Krishnidoux. When I got my last haircut Julie linked to this pic http://www.ukhairdressers.com/.....styl1=Milk, I'm thinking about going that short. That would be a big change though! Not quite sure. You're right that shoes are important, I think I need some that work similar to my oxfords.

krishnidoux

Veteran

I think you should totally go for it. It would look very pretty on you. And for the shoes... there are some very awesome summer oxfords in the stores right now.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Hugs, Astrid. This is totally normal. It is very hard on our feet and our imaginations to switch into warmer weather dressing. Like Angie, I find my feet always have to "harden" to the summer footwear. And I usually suffer a bit in the meantime. And our temperature swings mean I often don't know what to put on!

I agree with what the others have said -- a haircut and then new footwear. You really need that. Afterwards, the shopping for clothes, if you can.

Sveta

(website)

Veteran

I have nothing valuable to add to all this expert advice you have already gotten but I have some supply of 'HUGS' I can share as well!:-)

Astrid

Veteran

Thanks Krishnidoux! I think it might be time to go shorter again.

Thanks Suz. And I know these temperature swings too. Sometimes it's very difficult to get dressed, especially if I have to wear that one outfit the whole day. I'm definitely going for that haircut, I thought it might be nice to have one before my sister's confirmation anyway. Maybe I will be able to do some shoe shopping in the days when I'm at home.

Thanks Sveta!

nancylee

Veteran

Astrid, I feel your pain! We had weather last week that ranged from the mid-80's to the mid-40's. Crazy. And I had the same reaction to the sudden onset of warm weather that you did: I'm not ready!

I think the advice to play in your closet is a good one. In fact, I'm planning to do this later this week. Sometimes we forget what's there, so it's good to take inventory at the start of the new season.

Good luck! I'm right there with you.

Astrid

Veteran

Thanks Nancylee. I think I'm going to play a bit in mine next weekend, I should have time then. Good luck to you too!

Caro in Oz

Veteran

Great advice here just adding my sympathies. I love that haircut too - I think it may be just the change you need:)

Anonymous

That haircut would be adorable on you, if you're feeling like going for it. Also, I'm not surprised at all that you put on a former summer "go to" outfit and it didn't excite you any more. Like Angie said, it happens to all of us. It's a new season, and when the mood strikes, you will feel like shopping. That's the time to go! In the meantime you can spend some time playing in your closet, getting your winter clothes ready for storage, checking buttons, hems. boot soles, etc. Maybe creativity will strike while you're in there. And a new haircut will magically make everything seem new again while you wait for the next infusion of cash (almost like I've had to do this before).

Tina

Veteran

I agree with the others. Haircut, then shoes, then clothes. A new do will make everything look different. I think you could totally wear the style you posted. I'm recalling the picture you posted a while back of you with shorter hair, very pretty!

Firecracker (Sharan)

Veteran

Like Tina, I recall a photo of you with short hair, and you looked terrific. You could definitely wear the shoulder-length cut, in my opinion. If you have a hair stylist you trust, go for it.
You've got lots of good ideas here, and all I have to say is I echo the idea of getting the haircut first. It will put you in a good frame of mind to tackle the other style issues! You always look great, and your PP Challenge week looks were totally fab!

Astrid

Veteran

Thanks Caro.

Thanks Claire! Wise words... I haven't really done anything with my closet because I don't have the space to really switch between winter and summer, but I'm going to go through my things on the weekend. Those wool knit sweaters can go to the higher shelves at least. I also need to purge all my worn out tights.

Thanks Tina! I've had over shoulder length hair for almost three years now, so the time might have come to go shorter again. And a longer curly bob is definitely a "safe" cut. I don't think I will go back to a pixie anytime soon though!

Thanks Firecracker! I tried a new stylist with my last cut and I think she did it well.

Anonymous

Oh no Astrid! I'm feeling your distress (especially with regards to shoes). Angies right there is still more stock to get into the stores. meanwhile sort out your hair and that may also spark off some new style ideas. Keep us posted and you know there is always plenty of help on YLF.

Ornella

(website)

Veteran

Astrid, thanks so much for putting this into words, I've had almost identical issue yesterday. Our weather had changed dramatically over the course of 2 days and from wearing very wintery-like outfits last week I now feel we've jumped from boots to sandals, from puffers to almost wearing tank tops.

Great advice here already. New haircut - by all means. Instant gratification.

Shoes - that is tough, but at least you know you're after something similar to your old oxfords, that narrows down the search.

And last but not least - on-line shopping with anyone who gives free returns (so far I only know sOliver, Mexx and amazon, but I haven't shopped much here either - I hope to learn from you and Scarlet). On-line is a lifesaver apart form funds not being available again until the refund is processed, but at least you can invest the time you'd spend in brick and mortar shops to browsing. The main thing would be knowing what you'd want to begin with.

Btw, what happened to that navy Esprit skirt, did it work?

lyn67

Veteran

Ornell@-if you're still here: are returns trully free on amazon? (free only for DE, or all EU?) I ask because we just have had a return to amazon last week (not yet confirmed-but in process) and didn't quite understood, will they return our backshipping costs too(from HU to DE?). Initially we payed with paypal for the item itself and initial shipping from DE to HU).

Astrid, hugs! I know what you mean. Transition is always hard. Hope you'll have a goreous cut, so that will change everything.

Ornella

(website)

Veteran

Lyn :: the way it works for me in DE - you select an item on-line from your last purchases, then there is an option to print a return label. It's free.

The courier for Amazon is Hermes (not *that* fancy scarves Hermes, btw, it took me some time to get used to it ) and I just drop the box off at their collection point. I did it exactly 2 times, when I returned SE booties in two different sizes I ordered separately to try them on.

Astrid

Veteran

Thanks Diane! I think I'm going to take my oxfords to the cobbler and ask if he can glue the soles for little money. And I'm planning on calling the hair stylist tomorrow to see if they can squeeze me in soon.

Thanks Ornella! And yes, I know what kind of shoes I need - neutral ones that work with skirts. And yes, online shopping is a good option. I do like Amazon too! I forgot to give you all the update on the Esprit skirt, it didn't work out. It fit, but the fabric wasn't very nice. At least my white floral patterned summer skirt fits again, so I have one more option. It only closes when it sits at my natural waist, but I can wear it and still breathe.

Thanks Lyn.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Astrid, it sounds like a little prioritizing is in order, along with some of the great advice the others have given. It seems to me like now is a great time to be on the lookout for some replacement oxfords since there are so many fab ones out there! I always feel like having the shoe situation sorted out is a critical first step. Comfy, fashionable shoes in good condition make everything better.