Plan of Attack in the New Year - YouLookFab Forum

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Plan of Attack in the New Year

Mamapicklejuice

Veteran

When I first joined YLF I had a very scattergun approach to upgrading my wardrobe, leading to many $$ purchases that were ultimately returned due to not being worn! (Or just not being right for me.)

Then I sort of settled down and started upgrading things piecemeal - a slew of Caslon camis, 4 new pairs of jeans (two leans, two straights), 4 new handbags and so on. I still feel like I can't pull together more than a couple of decent outfits (if that) and so I just feel like I'm going backwards, despite all the fab advice I get from Angie and all of you ladies on YLF.

Should I regroup and think of capsules instead? At least I'd have full outfits...I work so much better with lists...but I have utterly failed at compiling many of the MOTG formulas for some reason (well, a lot feature leans/skinnies)...

Here's what I came up with so far as a plan of attack.
1. GO TO THE MALL - mail ordering is just not working out for me...now that holiday shopping insanity is over, the mall is a safe place to visit again
2. SORT OUT DENIM - ugh...I just need to suck it up and try on everything. I need at least two more pairs (to replace the leans which are not working out for me) - preferably bootcuts.
3. TOPS/SWEATERS - Visit AT & Express (Angie's recs) in person to sort out sizing issues (AT mail order didn't work out, Express hasn't arrived yet)...

Does anyone have any suggestions for how to make ANY progress - or even 'been there' stories?

General

14 replies

Latest reply was from Isabel

londonkiwi (now back in NZ)

Veteran

Perhaps start with posting what you have already? I remember seeing you in some fantastic items.

What capsules do you need? I can think of:

- MOTG
- Dressy/Church
- Date Night
- any special activities you do with your children - like visiting the pool or the beach.

Mo

(website)

Veteran

I echo your sentiments on the mail order not working out MPJ. Adding the wait time for it to even arrive and then the cost and time at the post office once you find it didn't work it makes it doubly depressing. At least in a store if it doesn't fit you just leave it on the return rack in the dressing room!!
I think if you shop for outfits instead of category by category it might come together better for you. Like when it comes time to get denim - think what shirts, and even what jackets or cardis on top of them, that you will be wearing. Try and picture a few outfits with what you have in your closet when contemplating the item. You could even go one step further and wear part of what you are trying to pair up when you shop. I did this with some skinny pants to find a long enough top to go with them. I wore the pants I wanted to pair up and then tried a bunch of tops on until I found one that worked. Viola! We all make missteps along the way but maybe this can help a bit.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Welcome to Team Store

crwilson

Veteran

I've definitely been there, and I'm still there to some extent. Here are a couple of things that have helped me get out of this trap. First, I think that buying in outfits can be really helpful; you can remix later. At least then, though, you know that you'll have something to wear.

The other thing that I found helped me was playing with Polyvore. For each item that I think about buying, I try to make at least three different outfits. I've imported pictures of items that are mine or are a lot like mine so that I can work with what I already have in my closet (including shoes and accessories). If a piece, like a skirt, requires that I purchase a bunch of different things to make it work, I know it's not for me. If, on the other hand, I can imagine a lot of outfits, using pieces I already have, I'm a lot more likely to make the purchase. (Not now, of course, as I'm supposed to be doing SYC.)

Mamapicklejuice

Veteran

crwilson - it IS a trap, isn't it! I think, hey, I've got some cool new boots, except -whoops!- none of my jeans are PPL with them! Or yay, I love these tunics, but -darn it- these leggings are just not comfortable! So I keep coming up with 1/2 an outfit (if I'm lucky). I do well with accessories, but the outfit itself is meh.

Angie - lol - true enough. I think the main problem is still that they are individual items...the fault doesn't lie with YLF...I'm just not synthesizing outfits for some reason.

Mo - I often do mail order because it's just tough to find time to get to the mall - and the thought of going during the crowded holiday season made me cringe. I do love the idea of wearing an item I like from my closet with the idea of pairing it up with something else. I will definitely be wearing my cowboy boots when I go to try on jeans (they may need hemming, but at the very least, I will know if they are long enough).

londonkiwi - I do have some fab pieces, but some have become orphans due to part of the outfit no longer working for whatever reason...I am going to take your advice to heart and start a thread for each capsule I'm working on, complete with pix and additions I'm considering. It will help to write it out and see a clear plan.

Thanks, everyone, I'm feeling better!

Aida

Veteran

Shopping in capsules is a great idea, as long as you can think of a few ways to wear each item (or you'll end up with capsules that have orphans in relation to other capsules, though I'm not sure how far ahead you're thinking at this point ). I second Mo's suggestion of wearing part of the outfit you're shopping for, specifically shopping for anything in regards to pants/jeans. List out the items you have, and start noting what you're finding is missing then start sorting into capsules. It also helps if, as you're getting dressed, you note the things you find missing (I always forget what they are later in the day).

Once you have the list of things you need to get, group them by capsule and then rank them by importance (pieces which finish more outfits or are in multiple capsules should be given priority). That's not to say that you can't get lower ranked items as you find them, but they'll feel like they're making a lot less of an impact

Looking forward to your capsule threads!

MNsara

Veteran

Here's a stray idea for store shopping: go through Angie's store recommendations too, to help you spend your energy at the 'right' stores.

It's a lot of work to hunt for knits at multiple stores, denim in multiple stores, etc. I typically wear down if I have to try on too many things.

Yes, wear something if you are trying to build an outfit (or two) with it. Or at least bring it along. Shopping in the winter is especiallly trying if you have coat, scarf, boots, or layers -- so simplify before you go.

Mamapicklejuice

Veteran

MNSara - That is a great idea to go through the YLF store to make note of retail store names!

Aida - It's starting to sound like I'll need a spreadsheet! lol I hear you about "cross-referencing" items between capsules. For example, I think I only have one nice skirt for church during the winter months, and not many nice tops for it. If I could increase both of those items (tops + skirts) then the tops at least could be worn with jeans for casual wear.

***

I think my capsules (for winter) will be:
* church - dresses, skirts, sweaters & tops (knit and woven), hosiery, dress coat & heels, tall boots, necklaces/scarves
* MOTG - jeans (bootcut, trouser, straight), sweaters, tops, indoor jackets, bracelets, necklaces/scarves, wool hip length coat (outerwear)
* loungewear - yoga style pants and pullover in nice fabrication for early morning (when I'm getting the kids breakfast, pre-shower) and when I'm hosting the in-laws

Sound like a start? Some of the above items I have, some I need to add. I will try to take pix of my current Sunday wardrobe this weekend - I can't seem to track down my old WIW posts.

Thanks everyone!

catgirl

Veteran

Here's what I have done so far that has helped. For MOTG, I found a couple of silhouettes I loved (skinnies and tunics being a good example). Then I repeated them with variations in style and color - i.e. dressy, stripes, black leans, etc. That is now my casual go-to capsule.

Same with dresses: I realized I'm good with simple, easy, surrender-the-waist styles that don't require other accessories (like matching cardigan or shirts to wear underneath), so I found a couple of those that work on their own for me. The rest I admire on others (Megan's and PalmFrond's dress posts today!) but accept that I will not be able to wear because of body type or styling needs.

Okay, that's as far as I've gotten. Now I'm SYC in search of more enlightenment.

Aida

Veteran

MPJ, I think you should narrow your capsules down even further, at least to start your planning.

Pick a skirt you have, and list a couple tops you want to get for it (or have). Add in a few items of top layer (cardigan, blazer, jacket, etc.). Then a couple shoes, then accessories. Make sure all these items play with each other: e.g. all tops can be worn with the blazer; one (or more) top works with all cardigans; the shoes can all be worn with various combinations. You should be able to come up with a lot of different combinations with each mini-capsule.

Once you write out a few of these you'll start to get a good idea of specific items you can look for (some will clearly repeat themselves, others less so). It'll also help you work in items you already have and get your creative juices flowing.

Or maybe I'm being too much of an engineer with my approach?

AJ

Veteran

One tip I read somewhere is that if you are looking for an item...jeans for example...only shop for jeans that day. Do not go looking at anything else in the store. If that store doesn't have the jeans you need, go on to the next store and look only at the jeans. This will help keep you focused and keep you from spending money elsewhere.

Mamapicklejuice

Veteran

Aida - Not at all!! I am really enjoying your contributions to this thread! I am feeling overwhelmed by the amount of work my wardrobe seems to need, and drilling down to exact items is precisely what I want to do. When I post my church capsule thread, for example, I would love to hear styling suggestions, from skirt tops to hosiery. I'm going to remix as much as I can and post pictures in the initial post. I love QM's diamond hose, but I have a plaid skirt and a busy brown woodprint dress - maybe that's not the right pattern for me, and so on.

AJ - Great suggestion! I'm hoping by posting my existing capsules, I can develop a limited and very specific list. I do get worn down trying to look for everything at once.

Barbara

Veteran

Great advice, AJ! That's exactly how I shop: focused and specific.

Isabel

Veteran

MJP - the fact that you are eliminating looks is a huge step forward. And you are right, as CRW, it is a slippery slope to start a new silhouette like leans, because then you need longer tops, different shoes......

One strategy I use last year was I bought new silhouettes cheap. I went to Fashion Bug and bought skinny ponte and skinny jeans on sale for about $12 each. I wore the ponte several times and did not like them. I got used to the skinny jeans so I upgraded to the Gap and am now using the alot. I am someone who needs to wear it around and kind of figure out just how practical it is. Like you, I am a stay at home mom. The reality for us is that I think we need fewer clothes, too.

Tim Gunn recently said that one should pick a core, basic look or two and then have variations of that look. There is soooo much out there, I had no idea until I started YLF.

I also did SYC and I kept a list of anything where I would get dressed and think, " I have no X. " I would mark down how many times I would think that. Anything with more than two checks would be bought. The only thing that made it were belts. Though I a short ankle boot has now made the list too. Finally, I wore a wool maxi skirt ( because of all the talk here about it ) and a wool sweater that are both 28 years old yesterday !! I love both and thought I would wear them one last time to decide whether or not to keep. I got tons of compliments, was really warm, and very comfortable.....so keep. I think maybe you should do what Aida and AJ suggested and then road test !!!!!!