Out of control? Who's out of control? Control starts... now?

Well... I just ordered Parsley's Talbots trench - not to try in place of the scottvest, but just to add as a work piece. Hey, I'm cold to and from work, and the liner would make it a year-round deal in LA. I also ordered the Land's End straight leg jeans (instead of Denise's tuxedo stripe Rag & Bones, because I decided those wouldn't work for the office). But the point of my story is that I feel like... maybe my work wardrobe is ready for a bit of SYC action!

Off the top of my head, I have this left after purging:

PANTS:
navy stripe sloans
gray plaid
black AT
gray widelegs
burgundy straight legs (must DIY)
plum straight legs (must DIY)

SKIRTS:
black pencil
navy a-line
gray a-line
red midi
tan midi
orange
brown patterned
teal brocade

TOPS:
Blue BB shirt
White BB shirt
Chocolate shirt
Cat print shirt
Red pinstriped shirt
Butterfly blouse
Citron Blouse
Yellow Blouse
Red sweater
Gray sweater
Orange cowl
White sleeveless hi-low shirt

JACKETS/CARDIGANS
AT black jacket
Burgundy F21 blazer
Orange F21 blazer
Gray convertible trench
Cropped Armani Exchange jacket
Rust suede F21 jacket
Chocolate blazer
BR cream cardi
Gray cardi
Charcoal flyaway cardi
Chocolate leather jacket

Dresses:
Red AT sheath
Cobalt sheath
Cat print dress
Lime patterned dress
Brown sweater dress
CCV striped dress

Shoes:
gray (heeled peep toes, tall boots)
black (low and high boots)
tan/nude/gold (booties, pumps)
chocolate (booties)
red (loafers)

Outerwear:
paprika trench
black heavy wool coat
citron trench (hopefully works out!)
red trench (hopefully works, too!)

Looking over that... it seems like it all works together. I don't really see any holes, if one or both trenches work, and I think I could possibly even purge some more. I had an orange or lime pencil skirt on my wish list, but it doesn't seem necessary when I look at everything laid out this way.

What do you think - any holes? Would you sign off on SYC? I'm thinking that, if I can hold out until my birthday in December, I could allow a victory pair of reduced-priced Fryes.

14 years ago

Anonymous

Wow, you've gotten a lot accomplished since starting to develop your work wardrobe. You might just be ready for work wardrobe SYC. Did it help to be on casual wear SYC? Did buying for work ever become more fun for you?

morethanbeige

Veteran

Very impressed here.

rae

(website)

Claire, it did help! I realized more and more how satisfied I was with what was already in my casual wardrobe, and I don't really have a desire to add to it right now. I keep thinking, "But if I buy X and Y, when will I wear my Z?" I want that for work, too.

Shopping for work did become fun... almost too much fun. I feel like I've gotten more of a hold on my "look," so shopping was much less random.

modgrl

I know I am battling the urge to run over the the Cole Haan store tonight to check out the heels and bag I want but do not need!!

lyn*

It looks quite fabulous Rae - could I inquire about your F21 blazers? Do you think they are of sufficient fab-ness to be worn at work? I have been reluctant to purchase any of them.

Looking at your list makes me realize that I must have at least twice the amount of items, yet, you seem to look brand new every morning, whereas I'm soooo bored with my stuff right now...

I think you are in a great place for SYC. I will be too, once I get sorted with a pant alternative, other than the Editors, and finally get to replace my red and white blazers.

Ria, I very narrowly resisted snapping up a pair of waterproof Cole Haan wedge boots, so I know how you feel!

Lyn, the F21 blazer quality can be hit and miss... actually saying this I realize I just bought an ink blue blazer from there for $12 a couple weeks ago... but back to the point: I generally find that the lined blazers look just as fab as most others that I see around. It helps that their jackets always seem to fit me like a second skin, so that adds a lot to the polish of the look for work.

Zap, please let me know if you find an Editor alternative. I liked the cut of the Editor for the most part, but I did not care for the fabrics they chose this last season.

jayne

Oh I didn't realize you have done a casual wardrobe before!! That explains why you are so good at this! I am going the other way, work first then casual.

Trust me... I will find one out !!!!
My Editors are older, uhhh, I hope this is not a sign that those are going to h.e. double sticks as well.

Jilly

Active Member

I haven't been around long on the forum, so I'm not sure how. The shopping your closet challenge works. Doesn't 9 months seem like a pretty long time? Do you give yourself slack for fashion emergencies? Can you try shopping your closet for 3 months and see how it goes?

Jilly, it's true that 9 months is a long time. Maybe I should have a loophole that I can do 1-in-2-out in the event that something really is perfect, and that I can thrift for true emergencies? And the boots are only allowed if I don't use the loopholes?

Go for it Rae!! I am glad I did my 3 months, even though I had 2 slips. If nothing else, it gives you the opportunity to cycle through all that you have and time to actually grow tired of some things lol.

Meredith1953

Rae,
What a fabulous wardrobe you have! And you always look so put together! I'm still weeding and experimenting and planning and dreaming (hopefully not buying too much till I really know EXACTLY what I want). You have it all going on!

Thanks for the support! I am going to have to take pics of my full wardrobe so that it will help keep me honest. SYC starts today!

Jjsloane

You sound so organized. I'm in awe. Have you tried to categorize it in capsules? I started this exercise today, but only got the headings portion. (hanging head in shame except I was AT WORK).

Sarah A

Sounds like a great plan! I am trying to SYB (originally SYC but changing sizes is ending that) but hadn't taken full pics of my wardrobe for this project... That is a great idea!

Jeanne, this kinda sorta IS a capsule! lol I have way too much stuff; this is my work capsule. I have about as much or maybe more in my casual capsule. o_0

ManidipaM

Rae, that is SO. very. impressive! I'd be glad to even get to the place where I can remember my capsules off the top of my head!!

Seriously, though, you seem sorted. I would be tempted to add one more pair of shoes myself in a non-neutral (red is neutral to me!) colour or pattern just for kicks --- but you don't really call that a *hole* for a work wardrobe (as long as you have one for casual wear).

I think you're ready to SYC, and I'm liking your 1-for-2 swapper idea for a FAB deal or emergency.

I'll try hard not to enable you too much for the next year or so! ;-)... Though, beware of the shopping in Paris! You HAVE a strategy in place, right?

CocoLion

Rae, will these items carry you through the dog days of summer?

christieanne

Are you covered in the work wardrobe for the hottest days of summer? Seems like you have Fall down for sure. I would just plan ahead a bit weather/occasion wise just in case. You want to be ready to do this all out and not find yourself frustrated in the middle. Set your self for success! Otherwise, you seem like you have quite a bit to mix and play with.

Well, there are no dog days of summer in the frozen tundra known as Beverly Hills Office Buildings, so I'm good on that front...

But OMG Manidipa, I forgot about vacation shopping!!!! Ok, Italy definitely does not count! Maybe I'll have to give up one of my loopholes to compensate, but I'm definitely getting some fashion souvenirs.

Category