My February Challenge (accountability post) - YouLookFab Forum

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My February Challenge (accountability post)

Helena

Veteran

Hi all, Suz' post on the whys of the January SYC challenge got me thinking about how much I do enjoy these challenges! I'm the same with fitness, food, etc. - I guess it's the gamification effect that I enjoy.

In any case, I am going to try a 30x30(ish) challenge for February (I say 'ish' because we're a few days into the month already, not to mention that it doesn't have 30 days! But close enough - and balanced out by the fact that a few of my pieces are actually cold-weather basics like my toque - so I think it's close enough )

The purpose of this challenge is fun and curiosity. I am not going to be fraught if I have a hankering for something not on the list - I'll just take note of it and move along. On the other hand, I'm not going to stress about repeating outfits; in fact, I'm curious to see if I get through all 30 pieces!

https://youlookfab.com/finds/c.....ction=8337 (note, it's short two pieces - the BR magic sweater in black, and a BR balloon sleeve t. I didn't count mitts of my 'never take off' jewelry, such as my wedding ring, memory necklace and Fitbit.

Do you have any challenges or style plans for February?

General

26 replies

Latest reply was from Bonnie

Runcarla

Veteran

I’m interested in the concept of creative limitation - how purposefully limiting oneself can actually drive creativity. For February I am going to continue the SYC challenge, only I’m going to replace shop with STYLE, since that’s really what it’s all about.

I’ve packed my suitcase and there are only 2 things that I wore in January. (7 tops, 2 shorts, 2 pants - including travel outfit, 2 dresses, a utility jacket, rash guard, and bikinis which are mix and match, and reversible!). The repeats are the jeans I’m wearing for travel, and the Lululemon OTF 7/8 pants which are very light weight.

I’ve done a few 30X30 challenges. I usually start with 10-12 pieces and then some more each week. This facilitates adjustments for the vagaries of weather and emotional dressing.

Cardiff girl

Veteran

Sounds good TG,can’t wait to see how you get on.

notsaf

Veteran

Looks like a lovely set off items! I especially like the deep blues/greens.

Thanks to you, I've been keeping track of items worn per month in collections. For December it was about 35. January had a few more since I was trying to SYC. 30 seems very reasonable!

Sal

Veteran

I have I think participated in three 30x30 - I didn't include scarves or jewelry but managed pretty well. It is a good way to mix things up creatively I agree.

My challenge for February is to take outfit pics of my work capsule and make progress on additions. I did purchase some pants on the last day of February which will be part of this capsule.

I also need to
- mend a skirt
- change buttons on a thrifted long blazer added last year. It is too warm for February but I want it to be ready in April for autumn weather.

Style Fan

Veteran

Challenges are always fun for me. I am already doing a challenge of sorts. We are in Montreal until mid April. I have limited clothing with me so you could say that is a challenge.

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

Got you about the gamification aspect of challenges. Looking forward to seeing how this plays out. My wardrobe self challenges tend to be wearing more of my clothes than less - although I have a large closet, I can easily default to a small subset if I am feeling uninspired. Hmm, I just thought of that, thanks Helena !

Jenni NZ

Veteran

When I counted up my January SYC numbers, it was 31 clothing items and 14 pairs shoes. I wasn’t trying to limit them, I was trying to wear less worn things to bring everything nearer to #30 wears.
I think this month, which is starting out very hot, I may be wearing similar things as in January. I will SYC a while longer. Good luck to you!

The Cat

Veteran

My wardrobe & style plans for February:
● Mend/repair etc.: a pair of pants, a pair of boots, a couple of belts and some jewellery.
● Make a list of winter items that have got little or no wear so far this season, and then each day (from February 10) try to incorporate one of them in my outfit.
● Identify items I don't want to wear next winter, and purge them.
● Identify what needs to be replenished before next winter. Make a list.
● Make sure winter items that are going to be stored in my attic (hopefully from mid March or sooner) are clean and wearable.
● Start looking/shopping for items I'll need in spring. Among these are long rainboots and a midi trenchcoat.

rachylou

Veteran

I do like monthly capsules, repeating within a month... I doubt I could stand a 30x30 repeating for 365 because that is my nature and I also feel all the little weather shifts.

Right now I’m deleting, eliminating the dead that I’ve been hanging on to because of love and the hated I’ve been hanging on to because ‘just in case.’ If they don’t suffice, they don’t suffice (I’m talking thin, not warm pashmina scarves here...).

nemosmom

Veteran

A 30x30 does sound fun, and you have a really solid-looking capsule! I am really excited to follow your month!

I am with you on enjoying the gamification of challenges! They work for me with exercise, housework, even work - I should do more of them for my wardrobe...

We are traveling later this month, so for February I am:

- Creating a small, functional travel capsule;

- Re-assessing the pieces I've struggled with this season and doing outfit labs with them.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Good idea, and it’s great that challenges really work for you!

Hmm, if I take a challenge for February, I think it either needs to be a no-shop month, or a wear-all-my-(fill in the blank) month. The point would be to see if I’m getting wear out of all my winter stuff before March comes around and I start craving some spring touches, even though early March is definitely still winter here. It’s been a mild winter in our area, so my wool coats and heavier sweaters haven’t seen much action this year. So maybe the challenge should be for sweaters, coats, or scarves.

Helena

Veteran

Thanks so much everyone, for the encouragement and sharing your February plans - I'll have fun following how everyone makes out with them!

Carla, I love that expression: "creative limitation" - it's like a perfect analogy for life really - and I do believe in the paradox of choice, at least for a certain personality type such as I have!

Nemosmom and Shevia - yay to gamification. It really is motivating especially for ho-hum tasks like cleaning and getting dressed. Nm, my new obsession is the Tody app for cleaning, if you ever need a change-up

Adriana

Veteran

I am curious how it will work out. If you say 30 pieces it sounds like a lot, but if I see it in your finds it doesn't.
Last month I travelled 2 weeks. And missed SYC. But was happy with the things in my suitcase. And that is not often.
For this month:
Looking at my skirts: I am changing my shorter skirts for longer and midi (longer project off course).
Planning for Spring and Summer. It always takes me by surprise.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

(No snow boots? Rest of the capsule looks great!)

Helena, I like your fun and curious spirit. Refreshing and positive

Looking forward to your outfits and musings. Most of all, have fun and relax into it! EVOLVE.

My own challenge is wrapped around my word for the year - EXPERIENCE. Daily and monthly actions. Trying to experience new things, think in new ways, and allow my past experiences to shine in ways that can help me and others.

Wardrobe: simply having LOTS of fun choosing what makes the cut in terms of new purchases. Being extra mindful about it, and the process is a treat. I am thankful to be unaffected about what most people say and do. I have a subset of people whose opinions matter greatly to me and run with that. That's stress-free in itself. It's all a relaxing and therapeutic jigsaw puzzle for me.

Food: I love to cook. And I LOVE cake. I'm experimenting with baking all sorts of new cakes that work for a variety of dietary restrictions. Doing the same in the savoury department.

Body: I fell on my back badly a few months ago - a week before Thanksgiving. Broke ribs, and jolted my sciatic nerve. Doing PT and my exercises VERY diligently. Miss yoga. Still walk 14,000 to 20,000 steps a day, and move a lot. Can't do a vinyasa class though. It is what it is....

Spirit: It's always my goal to be more self aware, and less judgemental and defensive about EVERYTHING. Everyone wants to be heard and validated. Give them that, and make your own balanced and unemotional conclusions.

Events: We just experienced our first Sundance Film Festival in Park City! We are still in Utah.

Helena

Veteran

Absolutely love your list Angie .. so sorry about the back injury though. Restorative yoga will be there for you when your body is ready. Healing thoughts to you in the meantime! I think you are wonderful about hearing and validating folks ... And I hope you'll share photos of the cakes!

I have various liners for my Hunter boots which have been surprisingly sufficient for this relatively not horrible winter. DD has taken over my snow boots which is fine with me for this year; I'll take them for a professional clean at end of season and they'll be back in rotation next year.

RobinF

Veteran

Great idea! I would fail on the shoes alone! I like the simplicity and neutral-ness of your pieces.

Helena

Veteran

Robin lol! I am not a shoe girl ... but I've already told myself I can go off-script on earrings if I feel like it

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Thanks, Helena. I appreciate the kind words. I post my cakes on Instagram, if you're interested. When I get back to Seattle, I'm baking a vegan strawberry cake. I follow "Nora Cooks", and her vegan food has impressed me. Sooooooo many bad recipes out there. Hers are a cut above.

GREAT that the Hunter boots liners are working for you! That will do the trick. Lucky DD

(Sorry for typos. Went back to fix them).

Anonymous

I always like seeing those 30 x 30 challenges - go for it!

Mine will be to continue working my way through my winter clothes to see what makes the final cut at the end of the season. And I too am getting wear out of my Hunters with the inner sock - it's been that warm here too .

Angie "Spirit: It's always my goal to be more self aware, and less judgemental and defensive about EVERYTHING. Everyone wants to be heard and validated. Give them that, and make your own balanced and unemotional conclusions."

This really resonates with me - thank you for sharing .

Anonymous

Challenges are fun Well yours is, mine not so much.
This month I will address bras, as in actually buy not try 2 and give up. I mean it this time. I will carry my problematic tops to the shop, and try them with the bras. My normal bras are ok. It's just strapless and plunge are needed.
Still not intending to buy non-basics for now.

zonobrah

Member

I have the same experience on making videos. I used to do daily videos on my gaming channel and it just puts your minds towards productivity, like crazy. It definitely takes a toll on quality but you'll learn so much after that challenge, you won't believe how fast it'll go too best of luck!

SarahD8

Veteran

Fun challenge, torontogirl! I look forward to following along.

I did a little January review over the weekend and realized that I wore very few items, by my standards (45 items including everything you counted) -- and didn't like it. So I guess my challenge should be somehow the opposite of yours.

Maybe:
Do not repeat clothing items (bottom/top/topper) within a week
Don't wear the same pair of shoes 2 days in a row
Wear at least one accessory every day.

Hm. That would indeed be a good challenge. Need to think about whether I'm capable of following through. A 1-week trip in the middle of the month would make it very difficult, but maybe while I'm at home?

SarahD8

Veteran

Hey so I actually did what I proposed above during this working week and it really helped. Thanks again for the inspiration.

Helena

Veteran

Thats awesome Sarah! So you are the opposite of a uniform dresser - you need intentional variety from day to day and even week to week - would you say?

SarahD8

Veteran

Good questions, torontogirl! I need the intentional variety more from day to day than week to week, I think. If I wear some of the same outfits next week it will be fine. And my silhouettes are often the same, so I’m a uniform dresser in that sense. But I need *something* to separate one day from the next lol. (Maybe by my daily schedule/activities are so unvarying? Hmm, very interesting to think about how these preferences interact with and may be shaped by one’s lifestyle.....)

Bonnie

Veteran

Rereading this post, made me want to find out how many items I wore in January so I checked my numbers for shoes, tops, bottoms, dresses, and accessories and the total was 63 for 1/1 to 2/7. Limiting myself to 30 items would be a fun challenge but I really need to continue to address the fact that I have way too many Out and About toppers. I'd like to be able to shop for at least one newer style each season but I have so many that I feel guilty adding more. Ideally, I'd wear each one 30+ times but because I've overbought that is not going to happen for a long time. I've decided to stay with my January SYC Challenge and use what I have to make new outfits but I'll continue to limit the number of toppers I wear and shop the rest of my closet to give me variety in my outfits. Purchasing for cold weather At Home outfits will be OK because I have a definite need and lack of variety in that category. Thank you for sharing these types of posts, I like hearing about your and other members challenges and they inspire me to think about my own wardrobe in a focused way.