My current wardrobe favourites and mainstays--all thanks to YLF

You know how we often say "My wardrobe wouldn't function without X item"? Well, my wardrobe wouldn't function without YLF. I thought it would be fun to make a list of all the that make my wardrobe function that I discovered thanks to YLF--both the blog and the forum.

- my white watch. I bough a Michael Kors "Jet Set Sport" mini resin white watch at the NAS (which I also only knew about thanks to YLF--and Angie checked out the watch for me and gave it the thumbs up before I ordered it, so I knew it would be great) and I wear it every single day. Never would have considered a white watch before YLF. Mine is this one: http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/30.....rchresults

- my Second Base camis, which Tara reviewew for a blog post I have a black one and a white one and they prevent accidental bra reveals due my daughter's grabby hands and the weight of her body tugging down my neckline--without adding extra warmth or bulk to my outfit.

- my skinny higher-rise jeans, which I posted pics of for YLF approval when I got them and which get worn almost daily

- my Down East Basics half-sleeve and long-sleeve tees, which I wear ALL the time under cardis, jackets, or my baby when she's in a wrap! Someone recommended these in the comments to a blog post about sleevel length and they are awesome. Cheap, decent quality, great fit and colors--perfect.

- my chunky grey faux pearls. Angie's pearl love won me over and now I love to wear these when I dress up a bit.

- my red wool coat and shiny black rainboots. YLF gave me the guts to go with a bold color and an eye catching texture for these 2 essentials to life in Vancouver, and they are so much more cheerful than the flat black wool and flat black rubber I probably would have chosen pre-YLF

- my Teething Bling teething necklace (and my two Little Gems necklaces, which are similar). These are awesome functional necklaces that some ladies on the forum recommended to me when the Chickadee was born. They let me wear a bold accessory that is also great for Maddie to chew on! Unbelieveably useful when you wear your baby a lot--saves your neckline from becoming a teething toy instead.

- my 2 pairs of Converse (charcoal low-tops and red hi-tops) and my silver Docs. Need I say more?

- the "Angie knot." Scarf weather arrived in earnest this week and I wore my turquoise pashmina with the Angie knot all day yesterday and probably will do for the next, oh, six months or so.

- my red patent tote. This doesn't get used every day but it gives me a lift every time I bring it out. Again, Angie and the other YLF ladies gave me the guts to buy a statement item like this that I would have shied away from pre-YLF

- the 2 Banana Republic cashmere blend open cardis I recently bought (in dove grey and black) and have been wearing at least 4 days a week every since. Angie and San's cascading Club Monaco cardis sent me looking for a "new look" cardi or two of my own and these have become absolutely indispensable to me. They were pricey but at this rate the cost-per-wear by the end of sweater weather this year alone will amount to pennies.

I will probably think of more to add later, but for now what is on your list?

16 years ago

Anonymous

I am finding I'm wearing my Chico's ponte knit pants at least once a week. Then I put on one of my Merona ultimate tee long sleeve shirt as a base and layer over any of my cardi's or jackets or vests. Add in some of my handmade jewelry or scarves and I've got my quick and easy uniform. Its easy and I feel put together..regardless of where my crazy days take me. I give full credit to this formula to YLF.

I was surprised at how often I wear those ponte pants! I do have some straight leg cords and some jeans that I also wear, but I now have ponte-pant love and these are definitely my fav!

Footwear has been a challenge with the rain. But I have my patent leather Cons, shiny black rain boots, and a couple pairs of tall boots that are serving me well. Having a good well-thought out shoe wardrobe has definitely made my life easier.

I'm finding that having some clear go-to BASICS has been life-changing for me. I just switch out my top layering piece and accessories and I feel like its a completely different outfit. As a MOTG, I do need to keep some parts of my life easy and predictable.

marianna

Veteran

I've added quite a few jackets to my wardrobe thanks to YLF. Most notable, my houndstooth jacket and brown leather "moto" jacket are getting lots of wear.

Secondly, premium denim has replaced my Gap denim completely. Pre-YL I only wore Gap jeans (the only jeans that fit me) and I loved them, but now I have discovered the world of plus-size premium denim and I am never turning back.

Also, pearls! I never wore pearls before but now I have a staple pearl bracelet that I ALWAYS wear, as well as two pearl necklaces that I wear quite often.

RoseandJoan

I would never have purchased these microcheck trousers pre YLF, but I probably wear them at least once a week and love them. I combine them with a black graphic tee and stacks of jet bracelets.
http://www.bensherman.com/weba.....0551_19102

I'm lusting over coloured accessories as a direct result of the blog and forum.

I'm equally lusting over a denim shirt.

I have acquired the confidence to wear what I like, even if it means being slightly overdressed at toddlers.

I have revamped my hairstyle after losing 15% of my hair after the birth of DD2.

I have embraced the pale and no longer feel the need to cover my see through blue legs with hose all of the time.

I change my handbag all of the time.

I'm PPL paranoid.

These are the things which have come to my head immediately, if I really thought about it I could at least triple the list!

THANK YOU ANGIE

Maya

I can't even think about this right now. My head will explode. I have written about it before though and all I will say is that I would be in a state of style self-denial right now without YLF. I can't believe all the things I used to reluctantly avoid just because Stacey and Clinton told me I was too old for them. I would have aged long before my time.

Brianna, I wanted to ask you if you ever found a pair of comfy moccasins or loafers? I know we discussed this a while back and the topic has come up on the blog and the forum since then!

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Brianna - BIG HUG. You made my heart smile.

Julie, I'm so, so touched. More heart smiling.

Marinanna, Marlene and Maya (the three M's), "big happy sigh*.

Mac

Marianna: if you haven't already done so, would you mind please starting a thread just talking/writing about everything you've learned on the subject of plus-size premium denim? I would love love love to reap the benefits of your knowledge : )

Mac, I haven't really learned too much... except that premium plus denim often ends up at discount stores because it's not in high demand. It also gets discontinued very frequently. I can try to write up a thread, but first I'll answer your questions in the private message and see if I can cultivate any ideas from that. I'll be responding shortly.

Thanks, Marianna : )

I'm relatively new to this site, but I've started considering silhouettes I've never given myself permission to think about before! Skinny jeans? Letting go of the waist? Flowing cardis? My mind has been opened to new realms of shapes and combinations.

Ariadne

Super fun to read everyone else's lists!

Maya, no luck on loafers or mocs yet. You?

Mamapicklejuice

Brianna - great list! I have YLF to thank for my specs and watch (to be bought this weekend). Without the push, I wouldn't have hunted to long and hard for funky frames.

Can I ask what brand your jeans are? I'm a fan of the higher rise, too - or maybe you could link to your original post? I haven't found it yet.

shiny

I'm afraid my list would be endless. I'll just list a few things that come to mind:

- smart casual formula: jeans+nice top+blazer or cardi to layer over. After investing in my first pair of premium jeans (I never wore jeans before), I was googling the term "smart casual" and that's what originally led me to YLF in the first place.

- ponte knit pants: new favorites! Sooo comfy, warm and smart looking.

- Me-too ballet flats

- white jean jacket

- cream/white purse(s)

- long necklaces. I said I couldn't wear these; Angie said I could. I gave it a whirl, and now I'm hooked. How did I live without them before??

- dressy blouses instead of tees

- wearing camis underneath to smooth out lumps, add warmth and give coverage

- clamdiggers

marianne

Active Member

That's a great list, Brianna! My list would also be huge, but one of the most important things I learned here is that things can be mixed up. Before YLF there was a clear divide in my wardrobe between casual and "dressy", or business clothes, and in particular shoes. Shoes fell into 2 categories: dressy/uncomfortable and walking/clunky. Incorporating docs, converse, and Me Too flats pretty much revolutionized my wardrobe and created so many new options.

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