This has taken me a long time to write. Finally finished it!
What happened in 2016
- Found YLF! I discovered my first fashion blog in fall of 2015 via a newspaper I almost never read; true serendipity.From there I discovered a bunch of other fashion blogs, finding my way to YLF early in 2016.
- Did a lot of experimentation with styles, silhouettes, colors, retailers, outfits after I unexpectedly but happily retired from my corporate/tech career. Got such tremendous and helpful feedback from Angie and the YLF community.
- Completely revamped my shopping behaviors from random magpie to a pre-defined list with an occasional random discovery and a very occasional retail research trip.. I made a few mistakes over the past year, but am making fewer now, and if I do I figure it out pretty quickly and return the items.
- Kept a detailed log of purchases starting in January 2016 and daily outfits (except some at-home looks) starting in June. I’m still
doing this. This has given me a lot of great information to work with as I continue on my style journey..
Wardrobe Goals for
2017
- Build up my spring wardrobe a bit, and to a lesser extent summer. I’m feeling a lot more knowledgeable and confident about this than I was last year.
- Buy fewer items than last year, make each piece count, and minimize the “just ok” items (other than true basics) . This does not necessarily mean buy more “statement” pieces, just be pickier about each purchase. I’ve seen this goal in a lot of other
fabbers’ lists. - Spend more time building outfits and repeating them.
- I’ve improved dramatically at assessing fit when I try things on, but I still bring home items that I later decide to return for reasons other than fit. Need to keep working at that. Online shopping is totally different since you don’t know what it will be like until you see it.
- I still have a bunch of items that I have worn zero or one time. More possibilities for culling itmes I no longer want
Style Direction for 2017 (mostly about spring/summer)
Fit is my #1 goal. Regardless of what styles I wear, I want them to fit WELL. This could mean a looser fit or a tighter fit, depending on what’s appropriate to the garment. It’s ok if alterations are needed to get there, in fact I need to alter probably 1/4 of what i get and I’m ok with that.
- After a year of experimentation my style persona has come back home (actually it never really moved out…J) I’m still happiest as a modern classic, sporty natural, and a little bit boho and/or preppy. These fit my body type, personality, lifestyle, climate, area of living, and truly feel like “me”. However I do like having a smattering of trends in my wardrobe. Right now I’m loving the embroidery
trend, a small bell sleeve, floral patterns, and blush. Also liking this
year’s pantone “greenery” color but don’t have any of it yet. A bit of maximal from time to time but no kitchen sink. - Add more “pretty”. I don’t care for traditionally pretty details like ruffles and bows, but I do like lace, soft flowy fabrics (like silk), and pretty colors and prints.
- Add more “polish” to my mostly casual wardrobe, at least some of the time.This is the one that’s the most difficult for me, it seems so
tricky to figure out what this means.. - As much as I love traditional blue jeans, I want to wear more outfits that do NOT include blue jeans. Dresses, skirts, non-jean pants or jeans in colors other than blue. For dresses/skirts I need to get some different footwear to make this happen.
- I still need a solid black outfit collection for my 20 or so music performances per year, and am looking for a few new pieces, but otherwise I don’t like an all-black outfit as much as I used to, Instead I want black to be a supporting act or mixed ith other colors. I do still love the black top/denim jean bottom/black footwear look.
- Last but certainly not least, I need a serious refresh of footwear for spring. I want what I buy to “elevate” my outfits beyond super casual. I’m thinking fashion sneakers in black and/or blush for casual wear, light colored booties, flat pretty shoes in grey
and/or red. Also for summer I need to consider new sandals in light neutrals. - Silhouette and Shape: mostly classic:some structured and tailored, and some softer and more feminine. Shapes that are traditionally JFE for my petite, short-waisted, curvy body. Most trendy silhouettes (like cropped flares or asymmetrical tunics) do not feel like me or look JFE to my eye and I’ve made peace with that, but I will continue to try new things and never say never.
- Colors/Patterns: mostly neutrals, but add a bit more color and pattern/print. For spring I’m liking a cooler and lighter palate of blush, light blue, light grey. tomato red….plus black/white/navy. Solids, stripes, floral prints, a touch of geometric prints. My skin and hair coloring allow me to wear warm and cool colors equally
well and I won’t get rid of the warmer items I have; I just want a change.
NONE of this would have happened without YLF!!!! So so grateful.
