Reality of outfit needs and frequency sinking in - YouLookFab Forum

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Reality of outfit needs and frequency sinking in

Mo

(website)

Veteran

I have been home about 2 1/2 weeks now. And I have put on 2 'outfits' in that time! (and one snow shoveling/go to get quick groceries look that honestly had my sleep cami underneath lol) I am mostly in uniform or lounge wear or PJ's. This is a big eye opener. I spent so much off time in FL over the last 2.5 years that I forgot how much time I really spend in uniform back in Tahoe. We also spend a lot of our off time during winter tucked in the house keeping warm, hence the preponderance of lounge and PJ wearing. So, I have plenty of outfits for the maybe 2 times a week I will be wearing 'going out' clothing. This is a great thing.
I am much more comfortable with the idea of next year's 12 for 12 now. I do still need a skinny BF jean, mostly to wear for work, but also for double duty outside of work. Everything else is just gravy! I am thrilled to have paid attention to the loungewear capsule and get that for a Christmas gift. And I have a dozen PJ sets thanks to the BF's previous years of gifts.
Excited to add the few, great pieces in the coming year. And thanks to YLF (and taking pics) I actually realized my day to day needs instead of *thinking* I need outfits a,b,c and d each week.

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19 replies

Latest reply was from Marley

bj1111

Veteran

nothing beats pjs when it's snowy outside. kudos that you've thought ahead and the 12 x 12 would be easy peasy! get some dream items.

Caro in Oz

Veteran

Thanks for the reminder about "real" life Mo. I suspect I could join you in a 12 for 12 - I need to think about this.

christieanne

Veteran

Add the uber casual Tahoe dress "code" to the cold and I understand where you are going with this. I was reading on a blog (Dashing Eccentric? I can't remember) about blog closet vs. reality closet and your realization reminds me of that.
Slouchy BF's seem like they would fit in - add some cozy boots, a coat and sweater and you are set.

catgirl

Veteran

Ain't that the truth! I have been trying to vary it up as I'm on casual semi-vacation here, and I can't seem to do it! It's jeans and warm fleece tops every day!

Raisin

Veteran

I am in the exact same boat! Uniform all day at work (when I get back from mat leave anyway) and into lounge clothes as soon as I get home. "Outfits" are pretty much reserved for a few weekend outings. Your 12 for 12 will be a lot of fun now, you can pretty much shop for a few really great pieces.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

So smart and so cool! It will be great to shop for twelve stellar standout pieces!

Interesting - it's almost like I have the opposite problem. I need a lot more clothes than I think I should. I COULD wear loungewear or workout wear all the time, at home, and maybe I ought to, speaking economically. But I don't feel fab doing it. Meanwhile, I also have the public stuff and need clothes for that as well.

I LOVE Angie's focus on what is practical and functional, though. It really helps each of us, whatever our situations might be.

CocoLion

(website)

Veteran

I don't wear loungewear any more except to sleep in. That way, at home, I get to wear more of my clothes. My skinny and especially bf jeans are my new loungewear, along with cozy cardigans.

I don't know if you remember, but last summer I did a spreadsheet (nerd alert!) analyzing my capsule "needs." Most of my needs were work wear (which is quasi-uniform), then came casual clothes e.g. my version of loungewear, last was smart casual and a minute amount for formal wear, like going to the opera. Yet I realized I was spending all of my money on my 20% smart casual capsule. Now I buy many more things for the casual capsule as well as things I could wear to work.

I don't know if I am ready for a 12 in 12 shopping approach, but I am going to be SYC come January 7 until March 15 (closing the restaurant for improvements) so I will have to be on shopping hiatus, excluding any credits I have.

annagybe

(website)

Veteran

I'm coming to a similar realization. I only need real clothes for the three days a week I don't work. Yet my closet is bursting. My recent SYC has made realize I don't need lots of clothes and that it's ok to repeat outfits.
I commute in skinny jeans, shearling lined boots and a moth eaten cashmere hoodie. As soon as I get to work I change into scrubs. This is for winter.

Kristin L

Veteran

That's a great realization to have, Mo.

Thistle

Veteran

Great realization, Mo. It will also help focus your 12 for 12!

Anonymous

Your realization is something for all of us to think about...what do we really wear most days? Like Denise, I don't wear loungewear unless sleeping in an unheated attic. But I do need jeans or wool trousers and warm sweaters for casual everyday, even if not leaving home. On Team Dressy, it's too easy to reach for the silky shirt instead of the denim one.

Anonymous

Mo - we are in similar boats. I wear a unifrom abour four days a week...and usually change right into work out apparel to go to the gym, and then I come home and change into loungewear/pjs. I really only need clothes for Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.

I need to stop buying clothes to fill a closet for a life I wish I had and buy some stellar pieces for a life I live.

What is the 12x12 you speak of?

I am in the middle of working out my activities capsules and wonder if 12x12 will help.

ManidipaM

Veteran

Thanks for this epiphany/reminder, Mo. This upgraded and filled out loungewear capsule for 'real life' at home is an idea I need to steal off you.

I'm coming to the realization that I need a sort of in-between capsule, something that has elements of loungewear to it as well as 'outfit', for most days of the week, most months of the year. Working from home in my existing pajamas just makes me feel drab (waving to Suz!) even if it's comfy-cosy --- because they're old and shapeless if serviceable, and not presentable for receiving the mail etc. On the other hand, much as I enjoy my skinnies and cotton leggings, they don't cut it on (respectively) days full of sitting around tailor-fashion for hours and chilly days.

I need to identify clothes that are warm *and* presentable *and* as comfy as pajamas or athletic gear --- and I need to acknowledge that it's my biggest (in the sense Denise explains) wardrobe need. That's what I'm going to focus on for next year's closet project. So thanks for helping me make up my mind about my 2013 style goal!

Anonymous

Heh. And this is why I can live in a(n almost) 10-item wardrobe. Plus I don't work. Plus I'm not thrifting so I'm not leaving the house to do that. You have some great "going out" clothes, so you should have any event covered for next year. 12 x 12 is going to be a piece of cake for you, and you'll probably be able to afford some really nice things!

Lisa

Veteran

12 x 12 sounds like a great plan. I've been tracking my wardrobe for a couple years now and am still amazed at how little I really "need" for clothes. Especially since I have a casual work dress code, my clothes are worn 7 days a week with no need for a specific "work" and "non work" wardrobes in my closet.

Transcona Shannon

Veteran

Brilliant realization Mo! This conclusion is going to save you alot of frustration and money.

Mo

(website)

Veteran

Sorry to post and run - it's that busy time at work and I had to cover a shift. It's good to see that others have a similar realization. Funny how we can trick ourselves into the fantasy life / needs!
I know that I found YLF while I was off work 2.5 years ago, and only returned to work for a short month this spring, before unexpectedly returning to FL. So it makes sense that in my head I still thought about 7 days a week to dress for. Now that I am immersed in my actual reality I'm totally excited about the 12 for 12.
For Avettestingray, that means 12 items over the 12 months of the year. Quality over quantity. A longtime forum member, Queen mum, took it on last year along with I think a few others. I have enough basics that it's time to slow down with always acquiring new new new lol. And for me, a bargain hunter for decades, it gives me permission to buy 'big ticket' items because I am only getting a few for the whole year. Color me excited!!!

morethanbeige

Veteran

Thanks for sharing your epiphany, Mo. I'm starting to realize the same thing!

Marley

Veteran

Hey Mo - so glad that you shared this with the forum. It really is a reality check for me. I am in a similar position as you. I work from home, so there is no need for some of the items that I find myself longing for. In addition, most of the time when I am away from home, its because I am volunteering for the animal shelter - and so that means that I wear my oldest, stretched out and faded clothing items - because I handle a lot of animals and they end up getting stained, snagged, etc! I used to try to wear cute casual outfits to the shelter - what a joke that was - I ruined a couple of pair of nice jeans before I finally was willing to admit to myself that it just wasn't practical to dress the way that I thought I should be dressing! So . . . thanks for putting your thoughts out there - I'm right there with you!