Reflections - 2015, and the year ahead - YouLookFab Forum

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Reflections - 2015, and the year ahead

Helena

Veteran

Hiya, well to re-engage with the style world, I went through some questions that Brigette Raes posted on her website as tools for reflection - I won't bore you with the full details, but here are a few highlights - thought posting might solidify the thoughts in my mind, so hope you'll indulge me

Three wardrobe management changes for 2016: 1. Buy for need or love, not "list" (I am notorious for trying to fill in the blanks on those "50 pieces for your closet" type lists!), 2. Accept how casual my life is, 3. Don't purge based on frequency of wear alone (if I like it and it's in good condition, put it in a "shop your closet" type zone rather than purging right away)

What I do well (IMHO!): 1. Spend well within a reasonable budget, 2. Tend to look neat and polished day-to-day, 3. Dress up my basics with accessories to transition from casual day to night - e.g. my black v-neck with jeans dresses up quite nicely with a statement necklace, heels and a red lip! Maximizes some of those favorite pieces.

My obstacles: 1. Comparison (especially to some younger, stylish friends - the thief of joy, indeed), 2. Lack of self-trust (big one!!!!), 3. Don't have a "go - to" store for my style preferences (Canadians, I continue to mourn the loss of Jacob!)

My 2016 goals: 1. Shop with personal intention - for need or love, as mentioned, not to check off a list or follow anyone else. 2. Stick to my style, but try something trendy each season - even fails are successes if it means I am staying engaged and interested. 3. Embrace my ultra-casual day to day lifestyle, but continue to "polish up" daily (prettify my hair and makeup). Even my hoodie can look cute with some lipstick and freshly-washed hair

Good thing I stuck to the "short" version LOL!! Looking forward to reading others musings and goals! xx

Dressing

28 replies

Latest reply was from

Anonymous

Thanks for sharing your musings--tons of great advice here that I'll be looking at for myself. And I hear you loud and clear on the lack of self-trust obstacle. That's definitely me!

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

These are GREAT, Helena.

Now, think about these things:

Don't compare and despair. Compete with the best version of your current self and no one else.
Think about whether your current style will prevent outfit boredom.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Fabulous set of reflections. I think you've honed in on some of your key challenges and successes! And I like Angie's suggestions as well.

texstyle

(website)

Veteran

Great reflections - looking neat and polished every day is key to what many of us strive towards - at least I'd guess it is. Yesterday I put on great jeans, a well fitting navy sweatshirt, silver jewelry, cognac boots, a deep eggplant fleece jacket, cognac bag, and a scarf that included deep eggplant, navy, taupe (as well as taupe gloves) and felt perfect in the most casual way. This is how I gauge my fashion success. I wish I'd taken a pic.

gryffin

Veteran

TG - so good to hear your thoughts!! Great insights. Did you read sterlings post from whowhatwear on Emerson fry's thoughts on minimalism? I think that would fit right in with you thoughts. I keep that up on my phone to review. I think simple, elegant pieces transition well and if each piece is something you really love it is a thrill to wear it. Congrats for achieving such a good place and just as importantly having figured out where you want to go. Kudos!!

gradfashionista

(website)

Veteran

Jacob's gone?? Oh noes, when did this happen? That was my go-to store all through undergrad.

Thanks for sharing your insights. These seem well thought out, and offer good direction for the upcoming year. I like the goal of polishing up one's ultra-casual look, and will think of ways that I can apply this to my own casual lifestyle.

Helena

Veteran

Thanks so much for the positive feedback, everyone! Gryffin, I have not seen Sterling's post but will look for it after this.

Angie, your comment about outfit boredom really resonated - and that's part of my vicious cycle, I realize: Paring down and defining, then boredom, then buying a bunch of stuff based on what other's are doing, and back to paring down again. So I've given some thought to some boredom-busting strategies a la me! As I think of it, I have four major wardrobe needs and I have an idea for keeping each out of the boredom zone:

ultra-casual/active wear - which can take me from walking the kids to school, to a walking workout, to a quick stop at the grocery store, to the household chores. Some sort of stretchy pant and comfy active top generally makes sense here (leggings/comfy jeans and a hoodie/fleece/stretchy pullover for winter). The most overlooked part of my wardrobe, yet I wear this every, single, day, at least for the morning. Boredom buster: Bold color - for some reason easier to wear in activewear form. For now, I will keep an eye out for an additional active pullover or hoodie in a bold color to add to the mix, plus an additional pair of leggings.
MOTG wear - which can take me through errands, school meetings, church, lunch or casual evening with friends. I am going to focus on Angie's classic fall ensemble, because this is picture-perfect for my taste/lifestyle. Boredom buster: Angie suggests a bunch of variations in the posts, e.g. a graphic t vs. plain, a pop of color in the jeans or trench, etc. I will keep an eye out for a bright spring jacket, and wear my red Keds more often (once winter is gone!!)
girls night out/date night - these are infrequent, and I think I can bling up to MOTG pieces with statement jewellery and heels for most occasions. Boredom buster - I have some fun costumer-jewellery pieces - but I need to actually wear them!!
special occasions - these are rare so boredom not a concern - maybe once or twice a year, with my husband's work, and at Christmas. I think purchasing a new dress for my hubby and a new sparkly something for Christmas is called for, unless there is something in my closet I particularly feel called to wear.

Gosh, I'm being long-winded!

MuseumGal

Veteran

Welcome back! "Buy for need or love," I love this, and am going to adopt it as well!

deb

Veteran

Wonderful list.

Alassë

Veteran

Your formula + boredom buster is a great strategy!

Anonymous

Thank you for posting your thoughts and boredom busters. I need to give all this serious thought as I do some serious purging because I get bored easily. Color and accessories are a good idea.

Helena

Veteran

Thx for the interest and encouragement All!!

Anonymous

I've enjoyed reading this whole post - comments included. I am intrigued by the idea of a shop-your-closet zone, as well as by the buy-for-need-or-love concept. Lots of good food for thought here - and I relate to a lot of what you are saying , despite our different lifestyles and life stages !

anne

Veteran

I've also enjoyed reading your post and the comments - we have some really interesting threads on YLF at the moment!

chirico (Chiara)

(website)

Veteran

Love this thread! Both you first reflections and boredom boosters are inspiring - I should take note to try dealing with my own wardrobe boredom...

Anonymous

Lovely to hear from you again TG! What a great post. Your initial analyses and then your boredom busters are just fab! I love your ideas to use jewellery, colour and make up to elevate outfits to fit your style aesthetic. Good luck and Happy New Year.

Style Fan

Veteran

Great to hear from you TG! I also have to think about my day to day outfit this year. I continue to mourn Jacob. Great stylish but simple clothing. I can't believe that store is gone. There are a few Jacobs in Montreal. I don't know if it is the same though. I went in but didn't see the usual Jacob stuff.

Elizabeth P

Veteran

Great to see you "re-engaging", TG! I've missed you.

I discovered Jacob just before they closed. I bought three pieces from them, and they continue to be among my favourites, almost three years later.

Very interesting observations about your style journey, and several things there are things I will continue to ponder, about myslef. I will also go and check out Bridgette's list. Thanks for sharing/posting!

In terms of combating boredom, is it worth considering exploring a new silhouette?

Helena

Veteran

So glad to know there are some fellow Jacob-lovers out there ... I have one last Jacob piece in my wardrobe and think I shall never let it go!! There really is a huge gap in the Canadian marketplace for women over 35, isn't there?

Elizabeth, that is a good question - I have added a few drapier tops to the rotation, as well as an occasional wide bootcut jean with heels for dressier and MOTG days, and that has felt fresh. I am definitely playing more with the volume on top, fitted on bottom, or vice versa, idea, and will keep your suggestion in mind!

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I like your "boredom busters"!

How much of your time do you spend wearing your intra casual/active wear capsule?

Helena

Veteran

Angie, thx! Re: the activewear - quite a bit, at the moment. I've fought it and fought it, but for the last couple of months, I have started to embrace that it really works for a lot of my lifestyle. I do so much active walking in a day, and in the winter months it fits great under my snow pants and jacket! (I hate to be cold!)

I would say I have started to allow some ultra-casual wear every day, at least in the morning. If I will be properly out and about through the day, I'll change into "proper" (MOTG) clothes after dropping the babes off at school and I won't be going out for dinner in yoga pants, but if I'm staying around the house and doing most of my errands on foot or squeezing in a fitness walk during the day, then I'll stay in my comfies.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Aha. Got it.

FWIW, in my experience with dressing people with your type of lifestyle for a living, Helena, it's precisely this way of dressing daily (when uber casual/ active wear is the dominant part of their style) that makes you happy for a while (because it's practical, machine-washable, and cost-effective for a stay at home lifestyle) - but it can also get you down big time later when you're interested in fashion. This is not a criticism, but a gentle warning should signs of style dissatisfaction arise at all. And if they do, we will take it from there!

Helena

Veteran

Angie, your point is well-taken, and I appreciate your comments and feedback and even criticism in any form! I will do some work on each of my capsules to ensure they are all as good as they can be ... and if I fall into a style rut (or abyss!) I know exactly where to come for help

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Great strategy. I look forward to hearing more about this leg of your style journey, Helena. Sounds like you are right on track.

Colette

Veteran

OMG, I think we have similar lifestyles and wardrobe needs; sans the kids for me though.

I like your reflections, very well written, and the boredom busters are super fab! When I read I have some fun jewelry pieces but I have to actually wear them, I laughed because that is soooo me!!! It's easy for me to get in a super casual rut but thankfully YLF helps me with that. And I've also recently come to the same conclusion about special occasions, I have so few that when they arise I will shop for them.

Helena

Veteran

Colette, looking forward to getting to "know" you better in the forum and thanks for the boost!

donnat

Veteran

Great post. I especially like your boredom busters. There is lots of things here to think about.

Anonymous

TG - I love your 'boredom busters' -- such a great concept! I sort of have already understood the idea that activewear should be colourful to ward off boredom. Lulu and others have some amazingly fun prints now. And bright sneakers might be cool too.