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Outfit Planning

chewyspaghetti

Veteran

Kkards post in the "More X, Less Y" thread about needing to do more outfit planning made me wonder how everyone feels about this.
When I started a job that allows me to wear my own clothes, I started planning on my outfitsfor the week on the weekends. I sit down with the weather predictions and my schedule, and put together my combinations for the week and hang them in a separate part of my closet. At first, I would even put jewelery and matching masks on my on site week. The accessorizing part has fallen off, although I have usually thought it through in my head. I say that I do this to save time, but honestly I find it an enjoyable exercise. I look forward to it almost as much as taking care of my plants LOL
Do you plan your outfits- do you enjoy it?

General

29 replies

Latest reply was from Jenava

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

I plan work outfits in advance, sort of, as I decide what laundry load to do. Not just “x is/isn’t clean” but also “if I wear x today, then I can wear y on Friday and wash that load over the weekend”. Never thought of it as a super-fun thing, although there are sometimes things I look forward to wearing.

Runcarla

Veteran

When I was in the world of paid work, I did just like you - and like you, I enjoyed the Sunday night ritual. Sometimes, instead of a full set of outfits, I’d make a themed capsule (usually colours) from which I would create mix-and-match outfits for each day. These days I have more time, and leave outfit creation for the morning.

kkards

Veteran

As i noted on the other thread, unless i have an “event”, I’m a pretty emotional/situational dresser, so i don’t pre plan. In the past, ie before WFH, that could/would mean that a couple of days a month i would get a late start as I’d have either “what to wear crisis” or the “OMG what was i thinking crisis”. I know, 1st world problems. I will say that in the last couple of years, I’ve had less of these issues as this forum has made me more aware of, and i do more, up front experimenting with what items work with what, but still....
we learned this week that we will head back to the office 3 days a week starting July 6th, so I’m thinking about what that means and wondering if that would be a good time to start this pre planning process.
How do you, or maybe you don’t, plan for how you are feeling? For example, if I’ve had a bad day, and i don’t want that feeling to follow me, the next day i tend to reach for something that i know is emotionally comforting. Or if i know that i have something hard to do that day, I usually reach for for structured outfits because i feel braced. Does that make sense?

chewyspaghetti

Veteran

kkards- I use my schedule to think about how I might be feeling. If I know a particular day is going to be stressfulor rushed, I forego anything the slightest bit fussy.

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

Continuing down the path kkards started—there are some days when I know in advance how I’m likely to feel, like an anniversary on April 19 that means I need all the comfort. When I was a university lecturer, I planned classes so that on that day (and then later, also on my period), my effort would be put in outside the classroom. I can see planning my wardrobe to be comfy on those days. But surely you can’t predict your mood all the time! Do you ever drag yourself out of bed after a crappy night’s sleep and feel like there’s no way you can endure wearing what you’ve assigned to that day? Or are you blown away by beautiful weather and you just want to wear something that fits right in?

Kkards, I’m surprised your return to office can be planned so far in advance. Here, all the openings and closings are based on the current incident stats.

kkards

Veteran

FashIntern-we’ve had some other dates thrown out in the last year (1st it was July 1 2020, than September 7, 2020, than maybe after the new year, than May 31, 2021). At this point, it looks like we will be at peak vaccination around the end of May, so i think the thinking is that July will be the safest point we will be at. They need to give working parents time to set up child care etc. I imagine that if cases surge we will examine policy, but the county I’m in has seen cases dropping steadily in the past couple of weeks.

Chewyspaghetti - i do try to think about how what I’m doing that week might impact my emotional state, but i think maybe overall, I’m just very influenced by day to day happening, that in and of itself is something worth thinking about.

cat2

Veteran

I do this; I put together outfits for a few days at a time and hang them up together. I also get out the shoes and bags I will need. It makes mornings so much calmer if all I have to do is grab an outfit and add jewelry.

Irina

Veteran

Pre-COVID, I worked in the office 5 days a week. I planned my outfit in the evening for the next day, after checking the weather. It was a time saving measure, I didn’t hate it nor found it to be enjoyable. Sometimes my choice of clothes was based on a particular outwear I’d want to wear. Or I would have a second of outfits in mind, in case if I don’t feel like wearing the first one or I haven’t tried before particular garments together.

Zaeobi

(website)

Veteran

I also plan my outfits for the week at the weekend (although sometimes I'll keep chosen accessories to the side, instead of hanging on each outfit's hanger).

I don't force myself to stick to each planned outfit, though. For example, I hung two different bottoms on one hanger last week, because I knew there might be a chance of rain but also of blazing hot sun & humidity (gotta love HK's unpredictable summer showers lol). At the same time, sometimes an outfit works so well that I want to rewear it (& it isn't dirty enough to throw in the wash yet), so I'll dissect a piece from that outfit to reuse for another day's outfit. I keep both a light & dark laundry hamper going during the week, so I just run whichever load once it's ready.

I find this method helps re: emotional dressing, because it gives me flexibility to tweak my chosen outfit based on how I'm feeling that day. Plus I keep all accessories nearby (on my bookshelf, near to my bedroom door where I hang my weekly outfits) so I may change them easily. Of course it's not perfect (some days I hate absolutely *everything* I'm in lol) but it has helped to make my mornings less stressful

always trying

Veteran

With so much of not going anywhere for so long I find myself planning for little things like getting dressed yesterday to go to farmers market and a stop in Marshalls to see if they had any bucket hats rather than just get them on Amazon. Going to get a few to match outfits so will be planning all my non dog outings. I have to wear a hat every time I go out in the sun as I had skin cancer on my head. lots of years on a sailboat with no hat--not good--and my hair has not grown back so I have a comb over in the back-another reason to get cute bucket hats. Going to get cheaper ones -like masks to go with outfits--bucket hats are more fun....

DonnaF

Veteran

After checking the weather, I plan my outfits up to three or four days in advance. Then on the “day of” I finalize those plans during my 1.5 hr exercise walk because the temperatures seem to differ from what was predicted. I try to plan down to my jewelry and footwear because otherwise I can and will dither. And dither. And dither.

I often start by thinking about what I haven’t worn for awhile. My body is very temperature sensitive, and we rarely heat our house so a fluctuation of even five degrees makes a difference in what I will wear. During the pandemic I really haven’t changed how I dress.

Cardiff girl

Veteran

Funnily enough although l am the opposite of a spontaneous person in most aspects of my life l am completely spontaneous when it comes to dressing in the morning.l usually look in the wardrobe and see what speaks to me but then l am not having to dash off to an office.l can see the sense of planning ahead if you do.

RoseandJoan

Veteran

I'm an outlier here I feel, I have a small office capsule which I pull from, most of the tops and bottoms I can mix and match and I'm happy to repeat an outfit even within the same week.

I'm more likely to forward plan and experiment for events at the weekend.

Jenni NZ

Veteran

I don’t plan ahead except for parties and events especially dress-ups to a theme, when I can spend way too much time! On the daily, my work outfits are very easy to put together so I choose in the morning depending on how I feel- but they are all comfortable, some just a little more fussy than others eg some summer sandals that are harder to do up.

The Cat

Veteran

I plan my outfit the night before, and yes, I do enjoy it.

ophelia

Veteran

I think your planning routine sounds like a calming, enjoyable activity. I do something somewhat similar but more to save time. I am completely dysfunctional in the morning & could not imagine choosing based on how I feel. It also mentally prepares me for the week ahead to face the Sunday night blues, a reconciliation of sorts. I have five items clean & ready but may swap the “order” to deal with possible downpours. My habit of washing clothes after every wear-it’s both hot & humid here-has been reinforced in the age of Covid, so I only repeat items if I get some laundry done.

madeline

Veteran

When I was working, I planned my outfit the night before. I did enjoy it. I used to say that getting dressed was the best part of my day!

Janet

(website)

Veteran

I only plan ahead if there is a particular event, occasion, or meeting I need to dress for, or I’m packing to travel. Otherwise I am an emotional, weather-driven, “day-of” dresser.

But I’m self employed and work from home. I can see how planning outfits works well especially for those who have real jobs.

Barbara Diane

Veteran

The weather here changes too much to count on the predictions. Even same day predictions can be quite far off, but at least it’s something. I consider the weather, any activities, and my mood when getting dressed each morning. I also consider the week or weekend ahead to ensure that if I want something specific later in the week it won’t be in the laundry when I need it.

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

I am a morning person and a mood dresser so I never pre-planned my outfits through my many different job scenarios. I do always have a few default outfits I can always turn to if need be.

Sally

Veteran

I'm actually going to start this this week as I have some new work trousers some blouses and cardigans etc and I have a habit of slipping into black skinny jeans and a sweater. To add more versatility, use all my clothes and up the game so I am looking professional, I have a plan. I have listed everything in my small capsule autumn/winter wardrobe and so in order to wear everything, I am going to plan and tally how many times I wear a certain item. I also have limited time in the morning so think trying on my 5 days week's outfit and putting on a hanger will save me time. This is the plan...wish me luck.

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

Sally, good luck with your plan! Which of the parts of it will you prioritize?

BD, forecasts here are ridiculously inaccurate too. I don’t understand it.

Anonymous

I used to do it every Sunday, when I was working in the office. I'd try on combinations and make sure everything was in good condition and wrinkle free. That and cooking/portioning everything for the week. I'd rather spend my Sundays doing other things now

SarahD8

Veteran

Janet , funny that you say outfit planning isn’t really necessary because you are self employed and work from home. Me too, but I find the opposite— I have to plan outfits ahead, otherwise I won’t bother getting dressed, or won’t get dressed with any kind of intention. I am not consistent about planning though, sadly!

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Khris, I love hearing how much you enjoy this weekly process! And you certainly reap the rewards and look KILLER fab

Personally, I never plan my outfits unless I pack a travel capsule. Then I meticulously plan - with options too. Conversely, I enjoy the creative and spontaneous morning session of matching my outfit to my mood and the weather. That gives me joy similarly to you!

rachylou

Veteran

I only plan occasion outfits... and then only the main parts. I scramble for shoes and a coat and purse. And while I look at the weather reports all the time, I’m not trusting! I always poke my head outside before I decide! But I’ll pull items to work with for a week or so.

Sally

Veteran

@fashionintern. I'm going to prioritise using all my clothes, upping the game interms of putting in effort and adding a bit of yin to my clothing. I have a habit of wearing just the same old same old. In some ways I do that because it works as I think a lot of people do.

Sisi

Veteran

No, I do not plan my outfits in advance. For two main reasons: the weather is too unpredictable and, above all, I am not a planner by nature (not only wardrobe-wise).
Getting dressed is the last thing I do in the morning before leaving the house. I cannot say that I "enjoy" it but I find it more exciting than planning. I understand though that your planning exercise must be fun !

Jenava

(website)

Veteran

I used to be a planner, but TBH I found my outfits became sort of boring. I think I planned as a coping mechanism to anxiety and stress (infant at home, long commute, stressful job, no energy for fun outfit enjoyment at 6 am in the dark after 4 hours of sleep). Working from home has taken that away and I've become more spontaneous.

I do still plan when I feel I need to shop or purge.

If I find a piece I love, I will order it (between work/kids/pandemic, in person shopping is completely nonexistent) make sure it fits and is the expected color/fabrication, then lay it out with a few items to see if I can make some outfits I like.

Conversely, if I haven't worn an item in a while, I'll do the same thing to determine if I still love it.

I also keep a notepad with some outfit ideas - sometimes more baked than others - so if my creativity runs dry in the moment I can refer to it for some fresh ideas. For example, I've got some Fall/Winter ruminations around waist-length woolen jackets, flat boots, and pleated printed or colorful skirts.

Sometimes I keep coming back to a certain item and various styling ideas. So I keep my eye out for that item. Most recently I acquired a satin bias-cut knee length skirt that I've had some ideas for for quite a few months (deep sale, non-returnable, thank goodness it works!) It will slot in nicely to the outfit ideas I have. But I keep it loose and don't assign specific outfits to days because I've found that half the time I'm not in the mood for what I planned and then it feels like a waste.

That said, playing with styling ideas is totally my jam and feeds my in the moment creative process.