My November SYC Challenges - YouLookFab Forum

I know I've been somewhat absent from the forum this month--it's my busy time of year--but I've still been doing the November no-buy/shop-your-closet. For the first half of the month, it was smooth sailing, but I've come up against some challenges in the past week or so. Here's what I'm noticing:

It's been a couple of years since I purchased elements for my "work at home uniform." I used to be able to reach for that on days when I knew I needed to get down to business and get a lot done, but the tops I used for it have mostly been demoted to sleepwear, and the bottoms have well over 100 wears, so it just doesn't feel as great to wear anymore. I probably need a refresh here, but I'll need to update to something that will work for the warmer autumn/winter temps we'll have after this summer's relocation.
Instead of a company holiday party to dress for this year, we have tickets to Disneyland next week, and my summer "theme park capsule" doesn't extend to the milder temperatures (60s/70s) in California right now. I have plenty of clothes for that kind of weather, but most of it isn't in the "durable, über-casual" category. I can manage the two days of clothing I need out of my closet, I think, but I'll need a more robust capsule for this over the next year.
And finally, less of a challenge than a lesson, I have learned that I'm much more likely to think I need new things when I don't keep up with laundry. My wardrobe isn't big and I have it all in a spreadsheet, but I still forget how much I actually have when it isn't all clean.

5 years ago

Runcarla

Veteran

LOL! I've been pondering laundry questions! Since the October closet edit, I haven't felt the desire to build up my wardrobe at all despite its small size. However, I do laundry every other day. Soggy sports stuff is a daily in my life and i don't want it sitting around. I do a collection of the dirty laundry after the second day deposit of sports gear and towels and there is usually enough for a dark load. Lights might take a few more days. There isn't much down time for my clothes and I have a high tolerance to repeats and 'uniforms'.

I could be in trouble, though, if I had to go on a trip and didn't have access to a washer and dryer!

I can see you are thinking about your soon-to-be new climate. I wonder if in addition to different types of garments, and different weights of fabric, you will be interested in different colours?

Suz

(website)

Interesting observations. And smart idea to wait for upgrades to the at-home work capsule until you test out the new climate.

What will you bring/ wear for Disneyland? Jeans seem like a no-brainer and you have those. Sounds as if layers could be a good idea and you have that covered, too. But since this may be your new "winter" you'll definitely need a larger capsule.

Laundry. Yup. Key pieces of mine make a huge difference to functionality. And if they are in the basket I often have trouble making outfits despite having a heck of a lot of clothes. I should get more careful about noting what those items are and possibly duplicating a few.

Stagiaire Fash

Preparing for a big move is such a project—it’d be great to hold off on some of those purchases if you can. I’m curious if your preferred colors and fabrics will change. I certainly hear you on the laundry. That is honestly one of the best things about having gotten the rest of our stuff.

rachylou

Ohmigosh, that is so true about laundry.

It’s turned rather chilly here, at least in No Cal. My heavier sweaters are coming out. You probably will want to rethink what to wear next year. It’s its own kind of cold.

Joy

We spent a few years living in Southern California. I relied heavily on silk under layers for warmth. If I were you, I’d invest in some UniQlo Heat Tech layering pieces now. Also, do not be too quick to give away your warm clothes. Your new climate may mean warmer winters, but your tolerance for cold will change. In 4-5 years you will want warmer, heavier clothes.

cindysmith

I've run into that whole laundry/nothing to wear thing. I had been kind of doing the bare minimum laundry due to work and school, and when I got some time off I spent an entire day washing, drying, ironing, folding, and hanging. I had nowhere to out half the clothes. I was astounded at the closet accounting trickery that had been going on in my head, and i likened it to the same financial trickery that brought about the great recession and economic collapse in 2008.

Jenn

Runcarla, since my husband moved to the apartment in LA, it's been harder to make full loads, so my laundry gets done less often. Who knew washing for two people instead of three would make such a big difference?!

On the colors, I really don't know, but I suspect not a lot will change. I like what I like, and that's been pretty stable for most of my adult life. I think what's more likely to happen is that the balance of light/dark might shift over time, but that ebbs and flows anyway. It's not like I'm moving from someplace dark to someplace bright or vice versa. Colorado and California have almost the same number of sunshine days a year...some of them are just colder here.

Suz, here's what I'm bringing, for two days (plus two travel days and Thanksgiving with family before coming home) :

Airplane outfit (also for Thanksgiving the day we get back): Eileen Fisher tank dress, Dolce Vita Sutton suede booties, Johnny Was embroidered sweater
2 tees -- a graphic tee and the rust blouson one in Finds
jeans
2 toppers -- wool poncho, lightweight cardigan (This is in addition to the Johnny Was. The poncho might be overkill, but I wanted something slightly dressier in case we went out somewhere nice.)

1 scarf
1 pair jeans
1 pair sneakers -- AllBirds

Not everything is in Finds, but I linked what is.

Fashintern, I'm not about to go on a "California weather" buying binge or anything, but since I'm spending a reasonable amount of time out there prior to the full move, I'll probably add as I see needs.

rachylou, my husband keeps complaining that he's cold there. I'm like, "Dude, it is 19° outside right now, shut your face."

Joy, I'm sure that's true! I'm not getting rid of anything, just not buying more. I run hot, so I don't have a lot of cold weather layers, even for here in Colorado.

cindysmith, yes! There's something about looking at an empty closet that triggers the desire to spend, even when there are perfectly good clothes two feet away in the hamper.

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by Jenn

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GOOD AMERICAN Good American Good Legs High Waist Raw Hem Skinny Jeans (Blue 182) (Regular & Plus Size) | Nordstrom

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Johnny Was Biya by Black Kaleid Hooded Duster (Medium)

Eileen Fisher Wool Shibori Herringbone Poncho

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Boden

Easy Merino Silk Cardigan

Buying bit by bit is what I did for this move. You and some other people advised me against it, but today I’m wearing a Commando bodysuit I got on clearance at the Loft and a red velvet T-shirt bought for $20 at Nordstrom’s. Neither was something I could use in Florida (well, maybe the T-shirt, but I considered it several times, and always rejected it for being too warm). I am glad to have them now.

Angie

Fashion Stylist

Laughing at your laundry light bulb moment

Fashintern, your move was different than mine, in that you had a pretty radical climate adjustment! For me, it's more that the balance is shifting. Most of my current wardrobe will still work, I'll just have a longer summer and more mild winter.

Angie, I'm just going to have to do laundry more often!

Sal

Interesting Jenn! Funny how workhorses can be brilliant 99 times and then one day they suddenly feel tired and sad.

I rely on frequent laundry - some things never make it into the drawers!!

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