Pinboard & Planning - YouLookFab Forum

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Pinboard & Planning

Sarah A

Veteran

If anyone has a few (hundred) moments I have a massive pinboard (like 500 OMG) that I am working to decipher into a workable shopping/dressing plan.

http://pinterest.com/mtngirlnc/pins/

I have done a great closet purge using my pins as inspiration but I think I could use some help.

What I see is:
1. lots of modern classic ... stripes, jeans, trenches, blazers
2. many neutrals with occasional pops of color
3. mainly refined footwear
4. I fairly am seasonally confused... not many here is dressed for summer in the SE United States.
5. graphic black and white patterns, a few colored patterns
6. asymmetrical avant garde pieces
7. occasional boho
8. very few florals

I think:
1. the jeans featured are almost all more distressed than my denim
2. my classic essentials collection is probably in good stead

my plan:
1. i need to start getting some of more graphic and avant garde peices... where to buy this for a reasonable price? (since the stack of fabric and patterns I have for these types of things hasnt magically crafted itself into anything i can wear...)
2. stop thrifting. I am not going to find avant garde stuff there only more classic essentials that i dont need.
3. review my pinboard frequently so i dont go off track with purchases

i am also curious if you see a chronological style shift from the strart to the finish. I am a late adopter of pinterest and think i started pinning with what i consider my current desired style but would like an objective opinions.

what advice or insights can you all share? and a million thanks if you can take the time to help me with the whole mess here!

18 replies

Latest reply was from Lantana

Beth Ann

Veteran

have to teach this morning, but I'll take a look later today and give you some feedback. One question: is the move to neutrals a natural, organic preference shift, or are you choosing it for practicality or a sense that neutrals are more sophisticated?

I'm asking myself this question. I always fear that the brights I often choose are less sophisticated, too suburban mom, or too "Chicostastic." And yet.......Angie does color in such a modern way, and I seem to actually look better in the high contrast. I might try to focus on neutrals and end up dull and miserable, instead of minimal and fab. Or would I really feel more peaceful?

This fall, I'm going to use some black/white combos, too, and I'll try some outfits that are mostly neutral with smaller pops of saturated color. And I've decided that burgundy is a neutral!

ManidipaM

Veteran

I'll have a look and try to come back with something useful. But I fear I'm in the same boat as you with a giant board of recent pins mostly. I am trying to muster courage for a purging of pins before I tackle the actual closet or shopping!

Gabrielle

I LOVE your pinboard. When I get home this evening, I will spend more time looking at your pins.

I use my boards exactly as you are proposing. I was able to figure out what color schemes/silhouettes I like and what don't appear to me. I also weeded out all of the "fantasy" ideas. I love them in theory, but fantasy pins were not going to help me develop a working wardrobe.

Once I was clear on what I liked, I started to expand on my everyday work and casual capsules. Good luck to you, I think you are on the right path.

ManidipaM

Veteran

Ok, I see modern classic with emphasis on modern rather than avant garde. Seek architectural effects. And prints that are modern graphics as well as retro.

amiable

Veteran

I too, LOVE your pinboard, and I suspect will be repinning lots of your looks.

I see a certain element of drama - either from an unusual shape, or a high contrast color pairing.

I'm also wondering - I know it says "My Style", but is "My Style" something that you like, or something that you'd wear as-is. I found it really helpful to create a board for pinning things that I would wear, exactly as pictured (or with minor exceptions that I note). It's a lot narrower than "what I like".

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Sarah, I am going to come back to this later - I'm in the middle of a crazy day at work. But I wanted to say I glanced at this board and #1, I am super flattered, and #2, we are kindred style spirits! I will pop back later with some observations.

rachylou

Veteran

I think we like a lot of the same things... but the interesting part is the overall impression is quite different. I think your gestalt is "healthy, fresh-faced, boyish - yet with dresses." My board is urban decay, lol. I feel like maybe your earlier pins had more fashion art and your later are more real-wear.

Sarah A

Veteran

Thanks Beth Ann, i hope you have a good day of teaching! HMMMM... on neutrals? I think there was in day in Feb. maybe when I was looking at Ceit's outfits and te black/gray/blue palette she was wearing and I just thought that would be so relaxing. I said to myself "I could wear gray everyday" (but really I know I can't...) I am also inspired by Deborah's limited colors. I have no external need (professional advancement or such) to look sophisticated but I am definitely feeling like internally I want a more "grown up" arty look than the more cutesy arty look I wore when I first joined YLF.

Manidipa, purrging of pins. Ha! I did take about 5-10 off before I put out the link (you'll note they werent my desired doorbell or light fixtures though... sorry) I think you hit the nail of the head with "architectural" to describe what i was trying to use the word avant garde for. That is a great clairification and a great word I can use in selecting items. In the dressing room asking "It is avant garde" can encompass a lot more than "is it architectural". Thanks you for the precision.

Amiable, I think "my style" was the name of the default original pinboard assigned when I made my account. I just have to one board b/c well... I am frustrated by my lack of proficiency on pinterest so I just pin stuff there. If i like all of it or one aspect. I also only write my own comment maybe 3% on the time. So it is just like a visual collage for me I suppose. So it doesnt really mean anything to me in the context. LOL. Yes, I should likely

Sarah A

Veteran

... continuing.... sort my stuff into wear and inspire. As Rachy noted there is fashion as art mixed with fashion to wear everyday. There are ideas I just came upon and liked, designers I searched for, and utfits where I had one peice and searched for styling ideas. And only in my mind do I know which pins are which. I need to think about how might clarify the catagories. It seems obvious to seperate fashion as art out but I am not sure I want to... hmmmmm

Thanks Suz! I'll look forward to your observations

Rachy, yes! I do agree that we like many of the same quirky things. I do end up with the fresh faced feel, I think I have a secret little grunge urban decay alter ego but not anywhere to wear it or feel comfortable in it (No one is walking their girlfriend on a leash anywhere around here... LOL) I think in general I consider myself to be a very clean-cut and by-the-rules kind of person.... I think the timing of the fall runway shows contributed to more art pins earlier on in my board or maybe some looking for the art then letting it trickle down? This is a good thing to think about. I think I need to get back to doing some more fashion as art pinning b/c I think it hones the edge.

ETA: Gabrielle, I am so sorry I missed responding to you originally! I am so excited you are do the same thing with pinterest. I feel like my brick and mortar sopping options are limited so I really like using the internet to help me figure things out and have an idea of what to be looking for locally or online order. Noting which pins are fantasy life versus reality is a good practice. Thanks for the idea!

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Okay - grabbed a second. We really are style sisters!

I love your pins. And see much overlap in our aspirational styles.

How to proceed? Your ideas so far are excellent. As of the fall of 2012, I stopped thrifting and consignment shopping except for the most basic classics. It made a huge difference. I had to buy stuff in more modern cuts and that instantly upped my game. When I look back at the pics I can see it so clearly. Of course, there's always the chance you'll find something current and amazing while thrifting - or something you otherwise might not try at a price point you can afford. And if so, that's fine. But that's the exception. If you want a modern look, it's got to be current. (Sad, from a $$ perspective, but maybe not in the long run, as I think a current piece has longevity.)

I agree with Moni that you are probably seeking "architectural" effects and some drama vs. avant-garde, per se. Looking for some pieces that have sharp angles and asymmetry would be a good idea, but they don't necesarily have to be Helmut Lang.

Where to find pieces like that at a lower price point? Hmmm. Go raid Deborah's closet? (Just joking, obviously).

In all seriousness, it can be difficult to find those items, but not impossible. Take a peek at Una's latest NAS Trouve sweater, for example.

At the same time, maybe you can learn from my mistakes. I decided I needed to be avant-garde last year around this time. So I went out and bought a few drapey pieces. You can go find them in the "mistakes were made" thread. OY. Anyway, suffice it to say that I decided some kinds of draping are not my friend and it's not necessarily "avant-garde" I want so much as crisp sharp lines and some asymmetry -- very modern. There is room for some avant-garde in there, but avant-garde may not be necessary to get the look I am actually after. YMMV.

Graphic pattern is easier. You're a huge stripe lover on the evidence of your board, so make sure you grab some of those!

Sarah A

Veteran

Suz, believe it or not... I have very few stripes in my closet! I know huh? It is very obvious I love them when you consider the board but I have just purged 3 striped tops for fit issues! I may have to consider how I approach replenishment, a few certainly will be coming back in but to choose those that have different vibes as opposed to being duplicates of each others. And the VC stripe tube skirt... calling my name I believe. I have no striped bottoms currently. So... when are we taking that trip down under to leave Deborah clothless? LOL. I am fascinated by the DIY she posted the other day. I agree wholeheartedly with the architectural descriptor. I think slowing down, realizing I am not in a race to arrive at my style destination (it is a PROCESS after all!) and taking my time to consider purchases and (like you told Amiable) whether they advance me toward my style goals. I am off to go find your mistakes thread... thanks for sharing it. And to check out Una's sweater. Thank you for your detailed insights. I will be coming back to digest more I am sure as well.

Beth Ann

Veteran

Great pinterest board! I pinned some of your looks myself, and found myself wading through the Burda site! If I can only find a big block of sewing time!

I think I understand where you're wanting to go. A look that adds architectural, urban and dramatic elements to your modern classic style. I will say that you do "preppy" and "girly" very well, but I've been working in a similar direction myself and I understand how difficult it is to get from point A to point B, particularly on a budget and with a mostly casual lifestyle.

I'd encourage you not to throw out all color, but look for more sophisticated ways to use it. Suz has been colorblocking this Summer. You could probably remix some of your current items in a delicious way with colorblocking. Also, I'd focus on using more wovens to achieve a "richer look," and be picky about the quality of the fabric and construction in your knitwear. This is not always a function of pricepoint. I find I have to really handle the fabric and look at the seams, and I'm still not sure about how the item will launder!

Finally, your have beautiful, shiny, swingy hair. Have you thought of asking your stylist for a little more "modern" in the texture and shaping of your hair?
You could achieve this without changing the underlying length and style too dramatically.

Sarah A

Veteran

Beth Ann, oh yes the burda danger. most luckily my printer doesnt work right now so there is little temptation to just order up the pdf and give it a whirl! I think I may just commit to whipping up maybe two simple things with an asymmetric hem because that may give my just enough new ideas to play with wearing a bit. I definitely see some bold color remaining as a important part of my style. I love my bright bags and covet more and am also thinking some bold items will be good. I think this colors-neutrals-colors-neutrals preferance is very cyclical for me. Although I do not know when or why my feelings for color cycle this way. Things to figure out. I do think i need to figure out something for my hair. I (hides head) dont have an honest to goodness stylist, I just kinds of get it cut by whoever (including doing it myself....) and it is only shiny and swingy when just washed. I feel like I get stringy problems. Trying to get the hair right is BIG. Ill have to surf haircut photos and see if I can figure some things.

Suz, that mistakes thread was VERY educational. Thanks for directing me to it!

Mia

Veteran

Love your board and would have happily looked at more. Thanks for sharing.

I am still looking for the perfect striped maxi so those looks were inspirational.
I think you are on the right track for sure.

ManidipaM

Veteran

I find I cycle between neutrals/simple graphics (dots, stripes) and bright colours/hectic patterns too.

Of late, I have found the approach from the into-mind blogger (Astrid shared one of her links, I think? Or did I pin it off her?) helpful---basically, identify the main silhouettes/shapes you wear (viz., A-line skirts, straight or A-line maxi dresses, collared buttondowns, etc) and then figure out how many of each you want/need, and finally assign colours to them. So she (with a modular approach to closet building, as opposed to dramatic statements + supporting act essentials) argues for choosing a couple of main colours, a couple of neutrals and a few accents. Then making sure each of your shapes/silhouettes/garment categories contains at least one or two pieces in both your main colours as well as one or two neutrals, and if you have lots of items in that category, throw in a few of those accent colours too!

Works for me! Especially if you make a neutral one of your main colours too (grey is turning out to be mine), you get lots of mileage even in neutral mode but can easily dive back into colour/pattern when the mood takes you.

Lantana

Veteran

I haven't read the other comments yet but here's my 2 cents worth.
Your Pinboard at a glance is strong on graphic black and white prints, mainly stripes and mainly thick, striking stripes, though I see breton stripes sprinkled throughtout as well.

There is a love of royal blue and Schiaparelli pink; of fabrics with defined motifs - (I see no blurred edges); of assymetry; and of strong structural lines in a garment.

Hope that helps.

I need to get on board with pinning myself, pun unintended.

Sarah A

Veteran

Manidipa, I did see the link for Astird, and read it.... but think i should read it again and reflect on it a bit. I am glad I am not the only one who goes in color cycles too! Iterestingly, I think I wear jeans and A lines dresses a lot because I have many of them but I am not sure they are the direction I desire.... I know I dont want anymore a line skirts. No so sure on dresses. This thinking about shilouettes as a starting point is good stuff....

Lantana, you have been the lady of the day! You comment about no blurred edge patterns really hit a home run for me. I have been browsing shops online and guess what? If i cant make out the pattern in the thumbnail version of the pic, it is blurred in the larger version and I dont seem to care for it! I think you have just provided the best revelation there! I also appreciated the eye opener of bold stripes versus breton stripes. I so appreciate you taking the time to comment!

Lantana

Veteran

Thank you Sarah. I am skilled at saccading, which means I can visually scan back and forth rapidly and pick up patterns in a short time.
I'm chuffed that you found my comments helpful; it's what the forum is all about.