How do you make the most of Finds? - YouLookFab Forum

Category

General

Welcome! Read about what to wear and how to wear it on the YLF Blog. Join the YLF Forum to ask specific questions or just chat about fashion and personal style. Or check out the curated list of things we love in YLF Finds.

Outfits Ensembles Trends Advice

How do you make the most of Finds?

Helena

Veteran

Hi everyone, inspired by Jenn's incredible discipline with tracking and shopping, I am thinking about how to use Finds more effectively for managing my wardrobe and my style hobby in general?

A few things I haven't been doing but plan to:

keep track of all my purchases for 2020 so I have a running visual list and count
create a wish list to keep track of items I think I might want
maybe a collection of dream-life items that I love but make no sense for my lifestyle and/or budget - as a way of indulging without purchasing?

This is in addition to trying to take advantage of Angie's recommendations more this year.

How do you use finds? Do you have a mishmash of items, like I currently do? Are you careful with labeling? What sort of collections do you create to keep yourself organized? Do you manage in some sort of regular way, or just whenever you have time for a long coffee break?

Thank you, and happy Monday!

General

34 replies

Latest reply was from Helena

Elizabeth P

Veteran

I just create finds for items I have, or are thinking about so want to be able to find quickly. I usually delete these if I "get over them".
I know finds is a great tool, but I find Stylebook suits my needs better. I love playing with all the options you can do in that. I find it much simpler to find things... don't have pages to scroll through. So there, not helpful at all!

Irina

Veteran

I use Pinterest. I create a yearly board and place pictures of my purchases there. This way I see all of it at once. Helps me to evaluate my overall style and color choices. I have a folder "shopping wish list" on my phone, I add photos of potential purchases there. Helps me to remember specific items once I'm in a store.
I keep a spreadsheet of my purchases, where I make my style notes and put the goals for a year as well. For 2020 I'm planing to start keeping record of my returns.

Kathie

Veteran

I get most of my shopping inspiration from YLF, so will click the heart on most anything I like. Then, when I’m looking for something, that gives me a sense of what might be out there. Even if a particular item is no longer available, I can get a sense of which brands have been working for forum members. Like Elizabeth P., I’ll delete items from my finds, if they’re no longer useful.

I do make sure that everything I buy is in my finds, and once a year, I curate those to ensure that they’re in “wardrobe” and then I create collections (tops, coats and jackets, etc) for what I bought each year. This helps me plan for the next year, and decide what categories I should focus on in the future.

I don’t track wears, nor outfits. I’m super impressed by those who do, but it’s not something that’s a priority for me. I do keep a mental tally of items that wear out before I’ve gotten two years of wear from them, and then generally think twice before purchasing those brands again.

notsaf

Veteran

Ha ha, Helena -- it's amazing you asked this today! I was just thinking about this last night, after Angie wrote (in Janet post?) about documenting all of her pieces in Finds.

Anyway, I just discovered the feature where you can click on the information icon in the lower left and recategorize things by "Wardrobe" and "History." This is really useful, since it allows me to differentiate between things that have caught my eye, things I actually own, and things that I've retired.

Maybe you all already knew this?!

I use pinterest as well to collect inspiration season by season, but Finds is great for keep track of purchases realtime. Since I don't think in "outfits" -- and hate having things on my phone -- it's a much better tool for me than the apps and one of the reasons I hang around here.

nemosmom

Veteran

I put the majority of my wardrobe in Finds back in October. It really didn't take much time (a couple of hours over two or three days) to upload and organize it all. I didn't photograph everything; I copied stock photos for a lot of it. I also didn't add every single item - most of my gear, accessories, pjs, underpinnings, and hosiery were not added to Finds. I also did not add dupes (all five of my white tees, for example).

I was diligent about labeling things as "wardrobe" or "history", but not about "shopping". After I uploaded everything, I started playing with the Collections feature to create different capsules for color groups, special occasion wear, my holding zone, and boredom busters. I also have a capsule for 2019 Purchases and 2019 Purges and found them really helpful.

If you are on a computer, it is really easy to use the filters on the right to find your clothes by store, or by type. I find the mobile version a little trickier to find specific items, so I also created capsules by item type, so I can see my wardrobe on my phone when I'm out shopping. On the computer, I can achieve the same result
(without all the sorting) by clicking "wardrobe" and then filtering by
item type on the right. I don't know that I will maintain the item-specific (e.g., all pants) capsules going forward, as updating those can get time consuming.

Now that the majority of my stuff is in there, I find it really easy to maintain. I am on YLF almost daily anyway, so it doesn't take much time or effort to update everything. Here's my collection:

https://youlookfab.com/finds/c.....r=nemosmom

I use Stylebook to track my daily outfits and analyze clothes by season/color/most worn. I use "notes" on my iphone to keep my "do not buy" list and a google doc to track monthly churn numbers (dollar and quantity) and my thoughts on why I'm purging something. But, I am kind of a dork when it comes to tracking and analyzing things, so YMMV.

notsaf

Veteran

Nemosmom, your collections are incredible!

Staysfit

Veteran

Tracking has not been a priority for me like other things that might consume time, however I can see it’s value. So far, I use finds only when I see an item that I currently own or that fits my sense of style. I mark it and categorize it as to whether it’s in my wardrobe, or something I am considering. I have had a hard time getting finds to work on my current laptop, so I have not been able to use it as a reliable tracking tool. Not everything I own or purchase is uploaded in my finds. I still have a fair number of items from my wardrobe categorized by color and type. I find this format helpful in spotting repeat themes in my wardrobe.

I am still considering what to do with my wardrobe for 2020.

Chris987

Veteran

I use finds in a lot, some of these ideas have already been mentioned. I am pretty religious about creating finds for everything I buy, even if I have to take a photo myself, which is often what I need to do for thrifted or TJmaxx items. There are some gear, sleepwear things I've had for a while for which I don't bother but most everything is there. I also use a spreadsheet to track purchases/returns etc. I'm not very good at remembering what is in my wardrobe, and using finds/collections has helped me avoid buying or keeping another *** on many occasions

- I often create collections by color. Once I do that I can see what colors I wear in various seasons.....and even thought I might have say 12 things in Olive, 8 of them are for summer.......
- I keep a running collection called "due or under review" so I know what has been ordered but not delivered, or delivered but not decided upon (keep vs return). This is hugely helpful along with the spreadsheet I keep.
- I keep a collection of footwear that didn't work, so I can keep notes on what brands/styles do and don't work. I find it helpful to have this detail beyond what is in the online descriptions.

https://youlookfab.com/finds/c.....ction=7545

- I also keep collections of what footwear I buy each year. I could do this for other item types but don't usually bother because I have it in the spreadsheet.
- when I see a find that shows an OUTFIT I like, I often save it for reference. I have a collection called "ensemble an outfit idea" that mostly contains custom finds I've created, some from Angie's ensembles. https://youlookfab.com/finds/c.....ction=7816
-I tend to remove finds when I retire an item.
- I love looking at all the finds as they go by.....some give me good ideas or sometimes a chuckle when I see things not my style...it's all good fun kind of like how much fun I had browsing catalogs years ago.

- I often create finds when I'm online shopping even if I don't have plans to buy something....it's a way to "shop" with no committeemen but I have a reference later if I want it.

- I create a collection of finds that are just ideas or inspiration, and then "uncollect" each of the finds so they don't show up in my main list, but they are still available in the collection.

and last but not least, I create and delete finds and collections pretty often as I play around with ideas.

Anonymous

I don't collect finds for things I don't own - that has no value for me at all. I update my finds when I'm posting on the forum and need the corresponding photos. Most of what I own and buy are not find-able, so I need to create custom finds, which I don't always remember to do.

This all brings up a big question (for me) : why do I not want to/choose to set aside time to document my wardrobe and be more organized with it? Somehow I feel really guilty about spending time at the computer doing it, and I'm afraid someone will see what I'm doing and , well, mock me for it. Ugh, I really need to be better with this !

Bonnie

Veteran

I've been using find much the same way you do. I've tracked purchases in finds for the past three years. I sort by color, item type, and capsule. It helps me remember what I have so I don't duplicate. Duplicating is something I really have to watch out for.

Anonymous

Nemosmom and Chris987, you Rock!
My purchases for this year are all in, though a lot of it is custom finds. Wish I had nicer pics of those things, but I like seeing the lot together
The rest is just saving things that I may want to buy, try on, or look for similar things at B&M.
My goal is to put my wardrobe into Finds, probably over the winter.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Helena, I MILK the FINDS feature like no other

I use it for:

blog post collections
sales and top pick lists
creating collections for clients and making suggestions to clients
creating my wardrobe capsules
creating my travel capsules
keeping track of trends
assessing my wardrobe needs
reviewing my wardrobe holes
counting my wardrobe items and categories
getting a visual sense of my wardrobe in terms of colour, palette, silhouette, fabric and season
documenting my wardrobe accurately (it's VERY updated and I'm a bit obsessed with that part )
tracking purchases and potential purchases in "Shopping"
seeing what others are browsing

I don't know how I coped without FINDS! I don't know how I coped before having my wardrobe digitally represented! It's changed the game, and makes me extremely organized about my wardrobe, style, style goals, budget, and pandering to my needs. It keeps me on track, disciplined, and tempers my emotions. It also keeps me VERY appreciative of what I have because I can see what I have anywhere and at any time as long as I have my phone. FINDS is an indispensable style tool to me.

Jenn

(website)

Veteran

This thread inspired me to spend a few minutes cleaning up my collections this morning. Nemosmom's are so fantastic!

I'm another who uses the Considering-Shopping-Wardrobe-History classifications. Red hearts are any random things that look interesting. I reserve yellow hearts (Shopping) for pieces I've ordered but haven't decided whether to keep or return. Wardrobe is for things I own, and History is for things I've retired. I made a wardrobe Collection, as well, that just has my clothing without any of the gear and sleepwear in my Finds.

I also use Finds a lot for travel capsules. I find it really helpful to see all the items I'm packing together, without having to take it all out of my closet. It's also nice to look back on previous trips and see what I packed for different locations/times of year.

Helena

Veteran

So sorry I posted and disappeared!! Dealing with a mouse on the house!!! Will respond later but thx everyone for responding can't wait to read xx

SW prof

I use Finds exactly as Jenn describes. Planning travel capsules (in Collections) is so much easier with pictures, plus now I've been doing this for a couple of years I can look and see past efforts - along with the notes I make after a trip on what worked and what didn't. I also have an Excel spreadsheet for tracking how much money I've spent.

Helena

Veteran

Ok ... after sterilizing every square centimetre of my kitchen, (*gag*) thanks to my little mousey friend, for the last 6 hours, I'm now ready for a cup of tea and some YLF!

Thank you ALL for the suggestions - appreciate it so much and sorry I'm not doing individual responses, but I read every comment and appreciate it very much.

I am going to clean up my finds right now! I think I will start very simple - I've updated most of the items in my 2019 shopping collection, and will go through and remove any items that I randomly collected but are not currently relevant. I will take a few minutes of my YLF time to add some more current wardrobe items so I eventually have it all represented.

Going forward, I will be sure to label items that I collect, so that I am collecting for a purpose rather than just willy-nilly. I will also make a point of creating a collection for 2020 purchases. Let's see how that goes.

I know there are some other great tools out there and thanks everyone for sharing them. For me, using YLF makes good sense because I have enough trouble sticking to my plans to track and be organized (Lisa, we can make a club!!) but at least I know I'm on here regularly so should hopefully be more successful here than with an outside tool.

Thanks all! xoxo

rachylou

Veteran

I think I’d have to do all custom finds, which is a little bit no fun because I like clicking thru to stores. But I’m on my phone and can’t really collect anything. I’m thinking maybe of just starting going forward. I’d like a better idea of how long things last me. I have been marking dates bought on inside tags, but then some tags are black! I don’t have a white ink permanent pen, if there is such a thing...

Suz

(website)

Veteran

WOW, what a great thread. These are brilliant ideas. I do some things already -- wardrobe, history, item types, colours, etc. but I am not religious about it .Not everything I have is in Finds, but I'm getting much closer to that goal.

Nemosmom and Chris -- you gave me some fantastic jumping off points -- thanks!

Sal

Veteran

I use them too but have learnt about the history function here.

I find them a way to see what I have in different categories and not to forget pieces in my closet. 90% of my closet is on there and I have a few collections that show me

Summer
Winter
All year
Occasion wear
2019 additions
2019 retirements

I mostly do it for fun. And yes I do find it a way to get ideas without shopping.

Style Fan

Veteran

I use Finds to organize my wardrobe planning. I keep track of all my purchases, my travel capsules, my jeans capsule, my outfit planning and other things. I have been slowly putting my wardrobe into finds. Some of my pieces need to be photographed and then a custom find made.
I get lost in Pinterest and it takes me ages to come out.

Kari

Veteran

I can’t, unless someone else has collected something that I add. I really only browse YLF and upload photos from mobile. To add finds, and add them to a post, I’d have to log in a second time from a computer (which is not often turned on, since I almost always use mobile at home.) I mostly use finds like I used to use Pinterest: browsing for inspiration, wish list items, or just peeking on pretty stuff other folks are collecting (or what Angie has bookmarked.)

nemosmom

Veteran

A mouse?! Eek!

One other fun thing about Finds is the outfit generator; it comes up with some fun combinations!

However it works for you, have fun!

UmmLila (Lisa)

Veteran

I don't do the best job with finds. I do try to put all my new purchases in there. I also put items that I like, or that I think other people might like, or that are under discussion. I try to clean out eventually.

I still miss polyvore -- I did love the playing paper dolls with clothing.

Is there really no substitute for it yet?

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Another list I keep - NAS considerations and then NAS purchases (usually fewer items and sometimes not what I was considering to start!).

I also collect Finds randomly even when I'm not shopping -- just items I like. I sometimes delete these later, but not always. It can be handy to have them on file when someone asks for a recommendation for a similar item.

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

I am impressed by how well you all seem to use the finds feature! I almost never use it. Two basic reasons: very few of my items are findable and I use a chromebook almost all of the time and I don't think it is compatible with the finds feature. But it is quite fun to see your collections!

Joy

Veteran

I wish.

Helena

Veteran

Thanks everyone - some great ideas. Nemosmom, I forgot about the ROG ... might try that today (now that mousie is no more RIP mouse).

Joy - does Finds not work for you?

RobinF

Veteran

Great question! I really only use it for inspiration but feel like I should make better use of it. Some great ideas here. Love Nemosmom's collections - wow!

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

I need to read back through replies. Off the top of my head, I use them to keep track of what I like. Even though I don’t get most of them, I can gauge what I want by looking at my finds, and can also see how my tastes might be evolving.

Most of my wardrobe consists of things I’ve had for a long time. If I could upload a bunch of pix at once and then drop them in separate custom finds, I would make collections, etc. But setting up the tool to do that would not support shopping, so I don’t expect it to be added.

ETA thanks to people who mentioned the “history” option. Somehow I knew about the first 3 but not that one.
I do most ylf stuff on my phone. I can’t make new finds, but I do sometimes grudge through all the pages to find what I want to add to a post.

12