Just when you think you found the perfect denim shirt....And Kitchen Counter Couture - YouLookFab Forum

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Just when you think you found the perfect denim shirt....And Kitchen Counter Couture

karymk

Veteran

Or perfect boot, or perfect ballet flat, for that matter, along comes something BETTER! COOLER! EDGIER! MORE 'NOW'!

I have a habit, good or bad, of upgrading things I already have! For instance, I should be happy to have my plain old J.Crew denim shirt. I mean, It can go with anything, fits fine and didn't cost an arm and leg. BUT NO, along comes a new version that I MUST HAVE! Look at how much more personality this version of the denim shirt has. God I love it, but I already have a perfectly serviceable denim shirt.

Do you do this too? Throw over perfectly good wardrobe items for a Trophy version?

I upgraded my regular tall patent leather boots with the Stuart Weitzman over the knee boot because the new one had a tighter silhouette, cooler heel and toe than the old ones, which all of a sudden made me feel like an old lady.

I updated last year's champagne gold metallic Brahmin bag for my new Coach Borough bag in a "hipper" metallic finish. Why O Why?

Later that day...Okay, I got my seam ripper out and decided to start a little makeover on my current denim shirt from JCrew. See below.

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24 replies

Latest reply was from rachylou

Dimity

Guilty. I currently have a few chambray shirts in my cupboard, all different. This is how the fashion industry stays alive and we don't all die of boredom.

Vicki

(website)

Veteran

You've stated it very well, karymk, about our desire to always seem to be looking for those finer points, the little details that add visual interest and quality to an item, especially as we transition from one season to the next.

Also, if we are keen on styles and trends, as you are with your great eye, then jumping on or in early may create this dilemma where even cooler, better and edgier items show up. I've done it before and Angie talks about having patience, which is what I'm attempting to use more often. I have a few items in my closet that were close, but just not there. You're not alone!

UmmLila (Lisa)

Veteran

I have a little grey sweater problem, myself. There's always one with a slightly different edge. I just gravitate to them all the time, even after I've said they are off limits.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Well, on the positive side, if we're gravitating to the same kinds of item again and again, at least we know what our wardrobe "essentials" are! And, shouldn't our "essentials" be the highest quality we can afford?

That's my theory, and I'm stickin' to it.

karymk

Veteran

I just realized that maybe I could give my old denim shirt a little "makeover." I am starting by removing the pockets:

Next up: changing to black buttons and maybe removing and dyeing the sleeves. Do I dare????

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Joy

Veteran

Like Suz said, at least you know that you will use the replacements. I come close to doing this often, but usually decide to wait and give the older piece another season's wear before looking for a replacement. By then I may want something with different details, fit or silhouette.
I like your plans for the shirt. Instead of all the work of taking off the sleeves, dyeing and resewing them, I wonder if they could be left on and dyed with an ombré look or sewing on sleeves from a different, darker shirt.

abc

Veteran

Beware of a woman wielding a seam ripper

karymk

Veteran

Joy I don't think i can mess with the sleeves because if I try to dye them, then the "wrong side" of the fabric will be dyed too and I won't get that contrast when I roll up the sleeves. Or maybe I can consider just leaving the sleeves unrolled on this shirt. Hmmm.

Beth Ann

Veteran

That's the way to boss your clothes!

I often dip my toe into a style or trend by buying on a budget. Sometimes that scratches the itch and I'm done. Sometimes I discover it wasn't for me, and I have the consolation of not having blown my budget. Sometimes I discover I love the item, and begin searching for a better quality "upgrade."

I think upgrading items that are your signature or essential pieces makes good sense. Getting caught up in that something special just around the corner? Well, that's another thing altogether.....not that I've had any, I mean much, I mean a whole lot of, personal experience with the phenomenon!

jackiec

Veteran

*guilty*

Hey, but look how you're remaking your old shirt!? Wow creativity! I agree with Suz - at least you're gravitating towards the same things....

Anonymous

totally guilty and....

this is where too much knowledge (of fashion and what's out there) can be a bad thing

deb

Veteran

Go for it!!! The worst that can happen is the garbage can.

Sharon

Veteran

My suspicion is that those tiny details are the very things that make an outfit look current! And let's face it, if clothes were just about "serviceable" we would run out of things to talk about pretty quickly!

Anonymous

Yes. I do exactly the same thing. It defies logic, especially when I have good serviceable items already. The thing is I can rationalize the upgrades.

Although I am not encouraging you, I do want to say that the shirt you found is pretty magnificent.

Anonymous

Yes, I think a lot of us are guilty of moving on to the next 'better' item. The CM shirt looks great.

I like what you're planning with your shirt too. You could even try a pleather sleeve if you fancy it. It could just be a standard shaped one without cuffs (yes, I'm definitely enabling and encouraging :))

Jjsloane

Veteran

I love the CM shirt, but I'm also excited to see your DIY (another enabler). I absolutely buy more of the same things.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Oh, I know this phenomenon quite well.

For some reason, the "perfect" chambray shirt seems to be a particularly elusive and ever-changing thing. For a while, mine was a fitted, dark-medium wash Levis snap-front. Then fits got more fluid and I "upgraded" to a lighter-wash, button-front, straigher-cut version, which I like very much (and it layers better because the pockets on the chest don't have snaps). But then I see this CM version and think, hey, that's cute and a little more unique. So, I have something like three chambray shirts at the Texas ranch (which is a good solution for many of my phased-out casual pieces), and two current ones in my closet. Oh, wait, three, because I have a grey one from CM!

I like your DIY so far. Hmm, seam ripper makeover is giving me ideas...

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Absolutely, Karen. Wradrobe Essentials need to be updated or "refreshed", and I am always on the lookout for the "next style". Hope you get that denim shirt. xo

tulle

Veteran

I would change the buttons on the old shirt, but probably not to black--light red, maybe? And then I would probably . . . buy the new one, too. Because that azure blue and minimalist shape are so cool.

catgirl

Veteran

With certain items, yes! There always seems to be another black sweater, BF jeans or skinnies, pair of edgy boots or winter coat that I "need." And I don't replace, I just accumulate and hoard.

I agree the denim shirt is a crazy unicorn. I have gone through several and I'm not even sure it's my style. Just call me Don Quixote!

Laura (rhubarbgirl)

(website)

Veteran

I think I own four chambray or denim shirts...maybe it's five.

It's a fine balance, isn't it, to keep your look updated, but at the same time be ok with what you currently have...

Laura

This post is great. I like the Don Quixote comment as we all take stabs at the fleeting trends. I posted in the forum, late last night (error no. 1) about a restyle of an old Levi's vintage western shirt I confiscated from my husband which I am debating going one step further with: scissors!
Now that can be scary. Let us know your thoughts on my idea.
Xo
Laura

Staysfit

Veteran

I love the idea of a clothing makeover! We change our hairstyles, our nail polish, our makeup, why not do a nip and tuck on our shirts? I've been known to doctor a few items in my closet now and again. Post your results!

rachylou

Veteran

Guilty guilty guilty. And I have to agree that the patch denim is just that little bit cooler. Yeah, I say keep going with the makeover. Loving it already.