In A Style Funk (ETA Picture of my "Pick Me Up" - YouLookFab Forum

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In A Style Funk (ETA Picture of my "Pick Me Up"

Deborah

Veteran

Hi Ladies,

I really try not to come onto the forum and complain, but I have been in such a style funk this last week that I could have 'almost' come to work in my pj's today.

I am sure it has something to do with the fact that I am feeling a little exhausted following a minor medical procedure last week, followed by the extraction of two back teeth (wisdom and moler) this week and the fact that Spring is in the air, but is not quite here. I am having some great ideas for Spring outfits but its still to cold to wear them.

I know I have some lovely things in my wardrobe but I am having trouble seeing them:)

Am I alone here, or do any of you have weeks/times like this?

As you come to the end of a season, how do you keep your wardrobe feeling fresh and fun? I would love some strategies to get me back on track... and having fun with my wardrobe:)

xxx Deborah

ETA: Scroll down for my pick me up... new trench. I blame Jj *wink*

Dressing

19 replies

Latest reply was from christy

Thistle

Veteran

Could you incorporate a piece or two of your spring wardrobe into what you are wearing now? It would help you usher in the new season, give you a chance to wear a few favorite pieces, and maybe help break you out of the style rut.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Time to recoup and rest your body first, Debs. It's been through a lot and you need a break. You ALWAYS look fantastic so don't for a second think you are in a style funk!

As for the change is seasons, it's really normal to feel sick of the clothes you've been wearing all Winter (in your case). After you're feeling better, make a conscious effort to pull out the clothes that you haven't worn for while and ask yourself WHY. Start there. Perhaps you'll rediscover closet treasures. Perhaps you have moved on from that look.

I think it's high time your yellow shoes came out to play

Deborah

Veteran

Thistle, great idea thank you! I think maybe some of my spring blouses could perhaps come into rotation under my jackets to brighten things up.

Angie, thanks so much for the encouragement and kind words. I nearly wore my yellow shoes today... they are earmarked for tomorrow now I will try and make some time on the weekend to do as you suggest. My wardrobe seems to be getting smaller and smaller, which is not altogether a bad thing:) I attended a special new season preview at one of our stores last night and did not buy a thing! Nothing excited me:(

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Oh, Deborah - so sorry you are feeling unwell. Big hugs!!

The transition to spring is the MOST difficult one for me, personally. I find it a very difficult season to dress for.

Like Angie, I find myself craving clearer and brighter colours, and I also think lighter footwear can add a more spring like touch.

Another option in your case might be to feature more of your navy and ink blue (and cobalt and red) and a bit less of the black (unless in pattern with white or cream). And how about winter white?

What if you took out all the items in your closet that read "transitional" in the sense that they are in warmer fabrications but brighter, clearer colours (or can be layered somehow). You could then try out some outfits just using those items. I found that helped me quite a lot last spring.

I also PUT AWAY a couple of items that I had really worn to death all fall/winter. In terms of the temperature, they were still just fine - but I wasn't fine with them, if you know what I mean. I reminded myself that I live in a true four season climate, and it was okay to dress accordingly!

Jjsloane

Veteran

I hear you on the end of season funk. I usually buy a few items in the end of season sales to stay "in season" but have something new.

Hope you are feeling better and Angie is correct that you always look great.

annagybe

(website)

Veteran

Yeah it's the end of the season. It's cooled down in Seattle, but not cool enough for fall clothes.

Gaylene

Veteran

So sorry to hear about the medical stuff; even if it's minor, it still takes the fun out of life.

But, on to your question of how to get out of your PJs. I have two strategies that work for me. First I click on a few WIW posts from some of the fabulous ladies on the forum. A MaryK outfit, for example, always puts a smile on my face-- she is so fearless in her use of color that I, a neutral lover, just find inspiring. I also take a look at some of Angie's past outfits; again, it gets the creative juices flowing.

After feeling a bit better, I then move to some of Angie's "how to" and MOTG posts for ideas on how to combine, or refresh, the less than inspired jeans and t-shirts that I default to when I'm feeling under the weather. Other times, I pull out an item that has been languishing at the back of my closet and try to find a post that showcases a similar item.

For example, I had a black lace top that I had bought a year ago for a party, wore once, and stashed in the "dressy" section of my closet. I searched for "lace top" and was inspired enough to try wearing it with my white clams. Definitely a stretch for me, but, more importantly, it made me think of two or three other items that I could try with the top. And, even if I felt a bit ridiculous and didn't wear it out of the house, I had fun.

Transcona Shannon

Veteran

So sorry you've had a rough bit with your health Deborah - you'd certainly never know it by how chic and gorgeous you look!

I always start to feel disenchanted with my wardrobe when the season is about to change. I'm usually tired of that season's clothes by then but it hasn't yet switched to the other season - it's like some sort of "twilight zone" and you don't really know how to dress.

Angie as usual has stellar advice - look after yourself first and then have a look through your closet with fresh eyes.

JR

Veteran

Hard to imagine you in a style funk, Deborah. You're always so well pulled together. Sounds like you have a raging case of spring fever.

It probably isn't much consolation, but I am pretty sick to death of my summer clothes too. I'm jumping on every opportunity to wear long pants.

And as you read this, you're thinking (or should be) "it's a good thing the people higher up this thread had good advice to give, because I'm not getting any from JR." Well, hey, they used up all the good ideas!

You will come through this beautifully. You are going to discover some brand new combination in your closet and will be blowing us all away with it. I guarantee it.

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

Agree that you always look wonderful even if you aren't feeling it right now. Of course you are in a funk after your medical procedures! Challenge yourself to pull out one of your spring tops and make it work right now with those yellow loafers. I am sure the result will be fab!

pil

Veteran

I don't have anything new to add, but I hope you're as good as new very soon.

Krista

Veteran

Deb, I like Thistle's suggestion because that's something that I do when I'm starting to feel the pinch at the end of a season. I mean, let's face it, the dark neutrals of navy, black, grey and brown really start to feel out of place when the days get brighter. Sometimes I just start to prepare my next season's clothes and that rejuvenates me (e.g. getting stuff dry cleaned) but other times I choose a few bright tops to start mixing in and I feel better right away.

I know you'll get through it! Also hope you're feeling better soon!

anne

Veteran

Deborah, I am sorry you are feeling this way. I really can't add to any of the great advice you have been getting and wanted to say that I was particularly impressed by Gaylene's process of working through weaing her lace top.

Caro in Oz

Veteran

No great ideas - only commiserations!! It's been a long winter in Sth. Australia too.

Aziraphale

Veteran

Not a lot of style advice from me, but I can relate. I find spring hard to dress for too. It always seems to be the longest in coming -- it's damp and chilly for such a long time and it's always much later than you think before you can wear no tights (that's kind of my barometer for when spring has officially, er, sprung). And also, tooth extraction is hard on you. Any time someone is working that close to your brain, it rattles your nervous system. And extractions involve all kinds of digging and pulling! And there's a huge hole that has to heal when it's done. I remember having all four wisdoms extracted in my early 20s, and I thought I was just fine -- in fact I went hiking that afternoon -- and then my body rebelled and I slept for 20 hours that night! So please, be kind to yourself and take it easy. And when you're ready, wear those cheerful yellow shoes.

Lyn D.

Veteran

Thanks for this post Deborah! It is always nice to know that we are not alone when feeling a bit 'down'. At least with your sore mouth you can still eat chocolate, or coffee and cake with a friend!
I IS a hard time for feeling fab, especially when it is still mainly too cold to even make the effort of trying new warmer weather pieces or editing the old.
I am really just looking forward to Spring Fashion Week and the next school holidays, because the kids are getting tired too!
Have you considered some sort of D.I.Y. related to fashion? This you can do in your PJs and feel a sense of achievement at the same time. At the moment I am shortening the sleeves of a little worn utility jacket. So far so good, and I am sure I will actually wear it more often as a result.
I hope you feel better soon, knowing that your post has cheered others up too!

Deborah

Veteran

Thank you, you are all so awesome and full of great wisdom.

Suz, you made me realise that at the end of the season I start to get less intentional with my dresssing. Great advice re the transeasonal pieces, will do that. And consider what colors I am pulling out of my wardrobe.

Jj, clever thinking. We have massive sales on at the moment so I took your advice and popped out at lunch time and bought the trenchbelow and a white very plain satin blouse Both fill wardrobe holes and I figure I can throw the trench over just about anything and maintain a moderate style quotient:)

Anna, let the new season come soon.. for both of us:)

Gaylene such excellent suggestions. Thank you. I often peruse Angie's posts for inspiration and I love your idea of playing with something that doesn't get much wear and seeing if I can inject new life into it.

Shannon, exactly! I feel like I am in the style "twighlight zone'.

JR you are too funny and you are so encouraging thank you x

Shevia & pil ... thank you:)

Krista, I like your strategy.

Anne, thanks and yes Gayelene's thoughts are quite inspiring and practical.

So interesting to hear how you deal with your wardrobes at times like this. Nice to know I am not alone:)

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Deborah

Veteran

Caro, I think its been a long cold winter all round:) We have a little sun today and it is heavenly.

Elisabeth, thank you, I think I forgot that even minor things can take a toll on our bodies. I went back to the office straight after the extractions (Monday afternoon) and have been going full steam ahead since!

Lyn, DIY is a good idea. And I have been doing some minor alternations to a couple of things. I have been putting together a pile to go to the dressmaker (hems to be done, tapering of skirts, etc) ready for the coming season.

christy

Veteran

I think your recent health issues have earned you the right to take a bit of a break from worrying too much about fashion. You have an innate sense of fabulous style that you can fall back on in times like these. No need to stretch or innovate when you aren't feeling well. That's part of the benefit of a well-curated closet! Get some rest and find inspiration where you can!

Hope you feel better VERY soon!