My Style & Shopping Goals For Spring - YouLookFab Forum

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My Style & Shopping Goals For Spring

Ingunn

(website)

Veteran

I know that we had a round of New Years Style Resolutions a couple of weeks ago, but I wasn't prepared enough to articulate my goals then. But now, as 2015 is getting a grip on me, I'm giving it a try.

Last year I spent too much money on my wardrobe. I didn't break the bank per se, but I could definitely use some of it for other things in my life. So, one goal in 2015 is to spend less. Buy fewer, better pieces and cut down on my budget. I'm replenishing essentials too, of course, but the major goal is to only add a handful of new things each season.

I'm aiming for Simple Chic Modern Classic with a hint of Playful. One trend that I'm into is more denim, particularly a dark wash flared pair of jeans. I'm thinking navy, grey, red, white, cream and olive for spring with accents of light blue and blush.

My wish list:
Said jeans
A cool/statement jacket (done, the deep navy moto is very statement-esque for me)
A shirt dress in olive
A light blue shirt
A fine knit white/cream sweater, maybe with interesting details (I might knit one myself)
A pair of interesting flats or sneakers

Other suggestions are most welcome!

Please hold me accountable as I try to stick to this very short list, and let's how it goes. I have a couple of summer wishes, too, but summer is far away where I live right now.

Please share your top five for spring! Thanks for reading.

Shopping

17 replies

Latest reply was from

Anonymous

That sounds like a well thought out plan.

For some reason, shopping and wardrobe planning for Spring is always difficult for me. I just bought a few button-down shirts that I hope will give me more versatility and help me transition between the seasons. I bought a blue tencel shirt from J. Jill that will more than likely be the most versatile piece. I also bought some printed shirts for variety--two tone-on-tone dotted ones (one blue + one coral, from Lands End), one tone-on-tone blue floral (from Ann Taylor Loft), and one striped (blue with black, from Pendleton). I should be able to wear all of these shirts under my v-neck sweaters. I can also wear them over camisoles, belted on the outside for shape. Before purchasing these pieces, I researched various websites for ideas on how to style button-down shirts. After seeing how versatile they can be, I decided to add a few to my wardrobe. I also bought a couple of Fossil leather belts. Spring should be easier with the addition of these pieces, I think, and they can also be worn in other seasons.

viva

Veteran

Ingunn,

We have a lot in common! We definitely have some overlap between our spring lists., and I'm trying to be more focused in my purchasing and spend less money. I'm trying to do less impulse purchasing (which means less time on YLF, sadly, because I am weak) and more thought-out, financial prudent purchasing. That said, for spring I would love to find the following:

A trench or trench-like spring coat - top priority
Drapey masculine trousers
A fluid top in the right light blue
1.5 inch daytime heels that are not booties, to wear with jeans and trousers
A tunic for over skinnies, or possibly a shirt-dress (I've been intrigued by quite a few that have been popping up, but they don't always work well on me)

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

You are already 100% a Simple Chic Modern Classic with a hint of Playful.

Your list is a great starting point, and we'll keep an eye on you. xo

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Great list, Ingunn. I really look forward to seeing how you will style that gorgeous new jacket, and I'm intrigued by your thought of the olive shirt dress. That will be fun.

I don't have any spring specific items yet on my list but I have started to think about this. Like you, I am aiming to buy less (or fewer) this year -- and my budget is much reduced. I will replace what needs replacing (not much at this point) but my main purchases will be "statement" type items to add some zing to my essentials. Footwear will be key. A couple of things I'm considering:

Light taupe booties to upgrade/ replace my Marks booties. (This would count as replace/ upgrade, not statement).

Another pair of comfortable shoes -- maybe sneakers -- not sure what.

A trendy backpack. I gave my Zara one to my stepdaughter and have not been able to get a replacement yet.

A fun moto or other topper.

Ingunn

(website)

Veteran

Betty, shirts are essentials in my wardrobe too, particularly in spring and fall. I don't have many, but a white one and a blue one are always essential for me. I also like to have a couple of patterned shirts at hand.

Viva, that is so much fun! We can inspire each other. I love the idea of a new trench, too, but this year my money went into the moto, so no new trench yet. I do have one in navy and one in stone, so I'm set I think.

Angie, that is good to know. Please don't hesitate to reign me in if I go wild

Thank you, Suz, I'm so glad you liked it - it means a lot coming from you! The moto took several seasons to get, and the olive shirt dress is so far only existing in my imagination, so it might never turn up. I could of course pick another color. To me, a shirtdress is a nod to the 70's trend. I could maybe wear it over pants, too. I agree that shoes are very important, and I have that on my list, too. I'm not sure what kind, though. I have light booties in suede and cognac oxfords, and I have the Adidas sneakers (and white Chucks), so I should probably be looking for some that go well with skirts.

Anonymous

I love shirtdresses and did wear them back in the '70s. I've been looking for one, but have not found one I like yet. I want the type that has a fitted waist and a full skirt.

Mona

Veteran

I am trying to make my list for spring and can't see how or where to start. Yours looks great and well thought out.

UmmLila (Lisa)

Veteran

I think I'm finally going to break my "no more brown" rule and look into cognac boots and a bag.

Ingunn

(website)

Veteran

UmmLila, cognac goes with virtually everything. That will be a great addition.

texstyle

(website)

Veteran

Good list and a sensible plan too Ingunn. I've also slowed down my purchases because I feel like I have basically enough and just need to refine a few things. I *think* I found a pair of taupe booties after a very long and tiring search. I haven't worn them out of the house yet but they seem pretty comfortable. I also have a pair of black heeled sandals I'm planning to wear come spring. So I guess shoes were my main items. I would like to find a supersoft asymmetrical tee or tank, and another everyday necklace as I've been wearing my favorite SO often I'm getting tired of it.

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ramya

Veteran

I love your list Ingunn and envy your talent to knit

No major list this year for me other than buy things to accommodate my changing body

Helena

Veteran

Great list Ingunn, and what a smart exercise to go through! My list:

- new flats - either red or leopard - perhaps red Keds
- white fluid fit button up
- delicate pendant necklace (40th birthday gift from my parents - longest 40th ever )
- hip-length spring jacket - navy? tan? thinking trench-y but shorter, for a more casual look
- mariniere style top

Also, I need to replace the battery in my Skagen watch so I can switch up my daily accessory a little.

Anonymous

Ingunn. I like your list, but upon rereading it, I noticed that your goals are not very specific. If you want to be successful, try to write more specific goals. For example, list how much you want to decrease your annual spending by. List what you mean by buying quality. That type of thing.

I personally find that when I write a goal with specific criteria, I achieve that goal. Example: lose five pounds in five weeks. By xx/xx/xxxx, I will weigh xxx pounds. I also write out what steps I will take to support my five pound weight loss. It helps me. I hope it will help you as well.

Joy

Veteran

Sterling, I need to try your 5 pound weight loss method:)
Ingunn, I like how you kept your list short. That should help keep you focused.
I have been aiming for fewer items but spending for better quality, but it is backfiring in that the better quality items are initiating spending (or wanting to) for more at that level. On the other hand, it's helping me to walk away from inferior pieces that I really like otherwise.

Adelfa

Veteran

Thanks for writing this. I haven't done any Spring planning and I think Spring is coming here in about four weeks!!!

Ingunn

(website)

Veteran

Tex, those booties are great! I particularly like how the heel is at a practical height.

Ramya, that is a wise attitude. Your body will get back to normal sooner than you think, but of course, some changes are inevitable, and you might also consider the change in lifestyle when you shop this year. But please, don't put all the effort into the little one's wellbeing - it is important to let oneself feel good, too.

Torontogirl, I'm thinking about getting red flats, too, or maybe yellow. An alternative is something in a print, like snake. I love leopard patterned shoes on others, but haven't found any that suits me yet.

Sterling, I need to try your five pound weight loss method, too! In particular the part where you write out steps. Is sounds very helpful. You are quite right, of course. The more specific, the better chance of success. I have in fact been more specific than I led you to think, because I already have a defined budget and specific criteria that I look for in regards of quality. it is quite necessary.

Joy, fewer and better does not lead to less spending in my opinion. That's how I ended up spending quite a lot last year. This year, however, I think I have a very functional wardrobe and I will try very hard to only add a few seasonal additions. The new moto I just bought is in that category, and because of it, I will have to curb my spending the next couple of months. That should be very doable.

Adelfa, that sounds wonderful. I think spring will be here in about three months

Anonymous

Ingunn. So glad you have a plan. My friends laugh at me because I am "so serious" about goal setting (especially at the start of every single year). But I noticed through the years that they talk about things they would like to do or get done and then fail to follow through. Through the practice of actually writing things down, I have managed to follow through on quite a few goals. Best wishes for the new year.