Misfire turned workhorse - YouLookFab Forum

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Misfire turned workhorse

Gretchen

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I bought this Boden sweater last fall. And by January had worn it exactly 1 time. I was disappointed, but decided I would hang on to it and try to make it work better in my wardrobe. Then life got busy and I didn’t get around to an outfit planning session.

Now it’s March, and lo and behold this sweater is an MVP. Apparently for me, this is not a fall sweater - it’s the perfect spring sweater. The colors are bright, but the cashmere weight means I can wear it on brisk days. So glad I held onto this, and that it’s become a vital part of my spring wardrobe.

Anyone have a potential misfire grow into a workhorse?

Cashmere Vneck Sweater

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cat2

Veteran

Yeah, when the Kate Spade design team changed I snapped up a bunch of the old designs, including a set of sweats I did not really wear for a few years. Fast forward to this year, and I have been living in the slim jogger style pant, and what I thought was a weird cropped top has been in heavy rotation with a pair of new high waisted pants. Sometimes you just need to wait a bit and other things will arrive that you need to make a piece work.

Anonymous

Yes, and same scenario, a lambswool crew neck in a flecked oatmeal that I thought unflattering when my face is ruddy from autumn weather is now ideal for the chillier spring days.

kkards

Veteran

I think for me that would be a spring sweater as well, something about the white background & the hints of pink.
I’ve had a couple of items like that, a mid weight coat I bought years ago and then didn’t wear and then one year it just clicked and a workhorse was born. And a cream cotton sweater I bought for spring but is really to heavy for spring but it turns out is perfect for a warm(ish) fall/winter day

Anonymous

Ooh- that’s a cool combination of colours for a cashmere sweater and looks totally springy to me ! I’d love to wear it with olive joggers / cargo pants .

Suz

(website)

Veteran

This would be a spring item for me, too. These are the best colours and the right fabrication for those brisk spring days!

I have had many, many apparent misfires turn into MVPs. A couple of memorable ones.

1. a green and blue sleeveless silk top that I could not find a way to wear at all -- until the semi-tuck, when it became a workhorse!
2. a couple of linen tees that weren't quite the right colour, somehow -- but ended up working brilliantly as summer PJ tops!
3. several long sleeve shirts and booties that got almost no wear in my previous climate and small city but became essential in new climate/ larger city.

Together, these illustrate the main categories (for me, at least):

the item you like but can't figure out how to style.
the item that doesn't blend quite as seamlessly into the closet as you expected (and sometimes try-on sessions don't really reveal the issue)
the item that is almost but not quite right for your climate/ lifestyle -- if the climate or lifestyle changes even a little, you may reach for it all the time.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

What a great pullover. Glad it has found its place in your style, Gretchen.

YES. This has happened to me too! I bought these sneakers in Sept. Didn't wear them until the first week of Feb. Now they are my Spring low top go-to's. Workhorses!

Bought this navy puffer in Sept to replace an essential that died. Didn't wear it until March this year. It's too lightweight for Autumn and Winter. Now it's perfect

Maria Comfort Sneakers

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Water Repellent Puffer Jacket

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Sal

Veteran

I love this workhorse Gretchen - and I can see why it works in Spring!!

Love your new workhorse sneakers Angie!!

The blue linen blouse below was bought for a summer cover up to protect my skin on hot days. It is too thick and hot and only gets worn on spring days when it is the perfect weight - it is a lovely clear periwinkle blue.

The floral dress was a $30 charity shop buy that I got talked into. I left feeling it was a donation that I would not wear. But it is a great option for casual day parties - an art exhibition, an anniversary party, or having friends for a casual summer dinner. I probably only wear it four times a season but I don't see myself getting rid of it any time soon.

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Firecracker (Sharan)

Veteran

I agree, it's a perfect spring pullover!

Janet

(website)

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Oh, I can see how it was not quite right in fall but perfect now. I have similar preferences for fall vs spring colors.

I know I have items like this but can’t remember exactly what at the moment!

Isabel

Veteran

It's beautiful...and I can totally see it as more of a Spring sweater.

rachylou

Veteran

This is a great story, Gretchen! I don’t know that I have a story to match, but I definitely have things that come in and out of favour with me.

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

I feel like this happens to me frequently. I have mood phases and may not be in the mood for a certain piece for a while and then suddenly wear it all the time. For example, I have been wearing my denim jacket a lot lately after not wearing it for a couple of years (it is about 8 years in my closet).

Jenni NZ

Veteran

I think sometimes I’m a bit slow to warm up to things even when I have put a good amount of thought into the purchase. Happened with a black top and the black-and-white snakeskin pants from 2019. Worn no times and twice respectively that year. But in 2020- 20 times and 34 times each, several of those times worn together. I don’t understand myself sometimes!

Sal

Veteran

Haha Jenni - I sometimes don't understand myself either:)

Cardiff girl

Veteran

This happens to me all the time,which is why I am very slow to get rid of things,you just never know when their moment will come!

SarahD8

Veteran

Very pretty sweater!

I have a white blouse that I've had for maybe 3-4 years, it's made it through numerous wardrobe edits and yet I don't think I'd ever worn it until this spring. Now it's getting tons of play. I suspect the advent of cottage core enabled me to see this piece in a different light -- as homespun rather than boho. Just the thing to pair with cozy cardigans and fair isle socks.

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Jules

Veteran

I can't think of anything specific but I definitely understanding having fall vs. spring items, even if the weather is similar. I think it's to do with the light and surrounding colours - fall leaves vs spring flowers, etc. Certainly there is lots of overlap but I enjoy having some blush and other light spring colours to bust out at this time of year. Your sweater is perfect!

cat2

Veteran

I am so glad to hear I am not the only one who does this! Today I am wearing a plaid top that sat neglected all year last year; I could not tell you why.

Anonymous

Looks like a (cold) spring sweater to me! Can't really think of anything similar, but can think of the opposite! I've bought things thinking they'd be workhorses and I don't reach for them that much. Ahem- black winter tops. Most of my pants are black and a column of black with no skin showing is too much on me (facepalm).

Runcarla

Veteran

Oh yes! I bought 2 mesh shirts (in Finds) last summer. I wore the floral version 8x, and the leopard twice. This year I’ve already worn the leopard 9x. Then the white jeans that I hardly ever wore (preferring another pair). Hacked them into shorts and wore them 39 times - and they look like new and will get more wear as soon as the weather warms up.

Halogen Boat Neck Mesh Top

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Halogen Boat Neck Mesh Top

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notsaf

Veteran

This happens to me all the time: I buy a piece in one season and then need to wait for another season to see it true value. This is one of the reasons that I hold onto things in my four-season climate!

Anonymous

That looks like a perfect spring sweater! Something I’m learning this year is that I really do need spring sweaters, because by this point I’m tired of all my autumnal/wintery items and I’m slow to admit that it’s still frequently cold. For me it’s my umpteenth attempt at Converse high tops (ok, it’s maybe my third or fourth pair). I kept buying statement colors and prints because I love those things generally, but I finally realized that I prefer to wear plain Converse with statement outfits. Now that I have a classic plain white pair I wear them often. I never would have guessed!