ETA Reaping the benefits: my 10/10

Hi guys, after our big discussion about how many clothes is TOO many, I decided 120 is a goal for me, as I have been overwhelmed with underwhelming options lol.
We also realized the ideal number is most definitely unique to each persons needs- nothing wrong with a small or a very large wardrobe.
So I had a fairly big cull, I’m at 125 now. But I still wondered, is aiming for 10/10 outfits realistic? Maybe I’m a perfectionist and will never be satisfied? But..then..... today’s outfit is a 10/10!! I like it THAT much. Comfort, aesthetics, fit, suitable for purpose, in line with my boho style aspirations.
I know an outfit is good if I feel like I don’t need make-up on with it. In the pics it doesn’t look very exciting, but the textures and charcoal colours are more interesting IRL than in the photos. The days plan is Playgroup, grocery shopping, school drop-offs and after-school play.
I don’t know if I would’ve put this outfit together unless I’d organized my wardrobe better.
-Stitched distressed charcoal pants
-Long sleeved oversized charcoal top with light flecks, with a fairly subtle twist detail on the lower front
-Camel Faux shearling vest
-Olive boho wooden earrings
-Distressed camel moccasin-style leather shoes

Thanks for looking.
**ETA** pictures 4 and 5 are the next day, using some of the same principles. This ones a 9/10 for me. It’s quirkier as it uses a long cardi with a midi skirt, never gonna be as conventionally flattering. But I love the texture and charcoal colours of the cardi, interesting wrap feature of the skirt, leg-lengthening black tights with heeled black booties and boho earrings. Also extremely comfortable. Fitted black cami tucked into a skirt waist to provide some structure, but using the coverage of the cardi for comfort. The black shoes admittedly look a little heavy when compared with the lightness of my hair/face/décolletage but I think it’s workable still. I feel like this outfit has a nice artsy tone that I like.
Thanks again for looking

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7 years ago

Elizabeth P

Veteran

Love this! Now, to identify exactly what works with this, and how to make sure other outfits check the same boxes... the tough part.

I still haven’t posted on your other thread. I intend to! It’s a great thread.

cindysmith

Love it, that vest looks so cozy!

Carla

Actually, one of your best outfits, jussie! Now remember that repetition isn't bad if you look and feel great in an outfit. Also, I don't think that striving for 10/10 is unrealistic. You might fall short some days, but when it works, you will have another great combo to add to your list of FFOs.

Bijou

Jussi, I love having a list of fall back outfits that I can repeat and feel fab in. This is perfect in every way and suits your days activities.

Mirjana

Lovely outfit, great best.

texstyle

(website)

I think it works so well because "your" colors are weaved throughout - the vest has your hair colors and skin tones as do the shoes. Your ankles peeking out add more of your color and lengthen the leg line, the charcoal brings out your eyes. The textures are soft and natural. This is more natural casual to me as opposed to "Boho" but I guess the vest has a touch of Western Boho style and of course the earrings are Boho.

Sara L.

Lovely outfit! I really like the contrast with the dark charcoal against the camel vest and shoes. You look perfect for the day's activities.

viva

This is inspiring to me. I love the idea of pulling together my 10/10 outfits and then thinking through what makes them work so well. (Elizabeth: This is probably YLF 101, a class I must have slept through when I joined years ago.) For me, this exercise is more enticing and likely more valuable than counting items or wears. I’m definitely doing this this weekend.

I absolutely love your 10/10 outfit. It’s got a point of view, it’s interesting, it looks cozy... I especially love the textures and what Tex has to say about how your colors are woven through. So much to think about.

jussie

Elizabeth, Cindy, Runcarla, Bijou, Sarah L, Tex, Viva: Thanks very much for the feedback. I am definitely taking notes on what exactly it is about this outfit that has a high happiness factor for me- so I can hopefully re-create it again. Some preliminary ideas:
1: Oversized top, but that shows the shape of my arms still, to provide structure. I personally feel that looser/oversized tops are often better on me. This is controversial lol. They are certainly more comfortable but I also like the way they drape and I think an abundance of fabric gives a nice look.
2: Flecked fabric of top, I love flecked and heathered fabrics, so forgiving on the skin tone.
3: Hair tightly pulled back WITH statement earrings. I've always liked that look for myself, because of the femininity of statement earrings, plus the comfort of hair back.
4: Charcoal: I like it because it seems so much richer than black and also more forgiving on the skin tone.
5: Showing the ankles/feet: One of my "better" body parts that I like to "show off" lol. gives a relaxed vibe to outfits imho.
6: Tight-ish pants, (but still flattering- that rare and magical combination) to provide structure to the outfit.
7: A personality piece! The shearling vest. This also serves as a 3rd piece.
8: Shoes and vest that bookend the hair colour.
Phew.
Thanks again guys for your kind an valuable comments.

Staysfit

Great outfit. I can see why it’s a perfect 10 for you. I’ve been toying around with using the idea of “perfect 10” to further weed my wardrobe. Even though I am happy with what I own, there are definitely items I like better than others and outfits that I love more than others. I don’t want to waste my day wearing something that’s an 8 when there are 10’s in the closet. Isn’t is better to only wear the 10’s? My big unresolved question comes from those items that seem like they are lower scored in one outfit, but then paired with something else they suddenly shine and become a 10. In other words, should items be evaluated individually or as part of an outfit?
You have a perfect 10 outfit here, and in some ways, the outfit method seems preferable. It allows multiple items to be evaluated at once. It also means that a single great item isn’t left hanging as an orphan.

Anonymous

I think 10/10 is unrealistic if you also want to keep your clothes for a long time. The older clothes will always get a lower mark.

Suz

This is a terrific outfit, perfect for the purpose, as you say, and in line with your style aspirations. I agree with Texstyle that another reason it works is that it complements your personal colouring and feels cohesive. It is calm while also showing a bit of edge. Brava!

Oh dear lord I forgot to say how much i like your outfit, Jussie.
I’m a fan of vests these days and I think you’ve paired it nicely with the other items.

Smittie, Stays, Suz: thanks for your helpful feedback. Stays I totally think some garments that are say... a 7 can come up to a 10 in the right outfit. That’s the tricky bit and where ‘completer pieces’ are so important, to finish off outfits to the max potential.
It is nice to have colours that harmonize with natural colouring, it makes a huge difference. However it takes some self discipline to stick to it lol, for me anyway.
Smittie sometimes I think the happiness factor for old clothes can still stay high- depending on how well they wear over time. But 10/10 every day does seem like a tall order I agree! 8+ and I’m thrilled.
Thanks guys.

Angie

Fashion Stylist

What Suz said. FABULOUS looks.

125 is where I like to be too - a moderate sized wardrobe across 4 seasons.

LaPed

This is an awesome looking outfit, I can see why it's a 10! You've also done a really nice job identifying the elements that contribute to its high happiness factor. One of the few style bloggers I follow, Andrea of Seasons and Salt, usually rates her outfits on a 1-10 scale and explains what she likes/doesn't like when she posts them, which I find very engaging to read.

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