Rejecting Old Favourites - YouLookFab Forum

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Rejecting Old Favourites

Dee

Veteran

Last week it was unseasonably hot and it had me scrambling through my summer wear to find something that would suit these warm temps. However, it was in this mad search that I noticed that I no longer wanted to wear anything remotely body - con, not even my favorite cropped pants, capris or the shorts I bought at the end of last season. If they felt snug on my thighs/calves or a top was a bit fitted, it no longer felt right anymore.

Its funny because I've always gravitated to this slimmer/ fitted silhouette. Its been my default for so many years but I guess now with all the wider, looser and/or boxier fits happening it now feels too confining on me. I also may have put on a few pounds over winter, so maybe there's that too.

Anyone else feeling the same way? Do you have any old favourites that just aren't cutting it anymore ?

Dressing

20 replies

Latest reply was from Dee

RobinF

Veteran

Yes that happens to me too! I have had it where my favorites from the previous year just don't feel right any more when I pull them back out. Seems so weird. I have been avoiding the wider legs but obviously it is creeping in anyway

Janet

(website)

Veteran

I can relate! Once I started rejecting calf-sucking skinny jeans a few years ago, it was like the floodgates opened. My pencil skirts are all gone, and most of my clingy dresses are gone. I’m even giving the side eye to an old beloved pair of Lululemon pants from many years ago — I wore them the other day and even though the waist and hip are fine, the calf is narrow and clings to my leg, forcing me to hitch them down when I stand up.

There has been a shift towards roomier fits lately, and I think we all embraced looser garments during the pandemic. I’m trying to maintain a balance and not get rid of everything fitted in my wardrobe though. I do like to wear something fluid with something more fitted — wide pants with a gently fitted top or a structured jacket, for example.

I’m actually finding that some of my clothes are now looser and I’m enjoying them that way, rather than wanting to shop for new smaller items (I’m currently down 8 lbs from my peak weight 5 months ago, a slow and steady intentional process, as I do not want to approach my 60s continuing to add a couple of pounds a year, feeling my clothes grow ever tighter).

LJP

Veteran

Oh I get this ! I've already mentally bagged up my fitted bermuda shorts that I've worn for a few summers (I haven't pulled them out fo storage yet but they are already a target for the donate bag) . This look is no longer how I want to dress - and doesn't seem fresh .

jussie

Veteran

Yes, this happens to me too. I think our shape can change within a year and things just sit differently. It may not even be a weight gain or loss, just a shift in body proportion.
It’s kind of annoying though!

Roberta

Veteran

I think we also get eye fatigue by certain cuts or styles. We wear them so often that they look tired. "Those again!" I have half a dozen slim ankle pants that were just the thing for years, and though they still fit just fine, I"m looking at wider, looser styles as a a refresh. So, joggers, wide-leg, or barrel pants for a while.

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Cardiff girl

Veteran

Er ,yes ,my entire wardrobe!Like you l was a body con girl now l just want to lurk in my clothes and can’t bear anything too fitted .l have put it down to my age in my case but maybe you are right about eyes adjusting to new silhouettes.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Yep! I'm in the same camp. I have been doing a HUGE edit of the closet, much larger than any edit I've done since joining YLF, I think -- and I am far from done. I think it had just been so long since I had a major closet refresh, and it is time. I'm letting all kinds and manner of items go and fit is -- in most cases -- the issue.

I have two key findings.

1. In search of a looser fit, I had actually been buying my pants a size too big for the past few years. So some items are going out because they are too big.

2. I have less tolerance for tight, overly tailored, snug, and that applies both top and bottom. So many tops are going, as are some shorts, etc.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

You are not alone, dee! I can relate too.

I wore my old white G-Star BF jeans last week (FIND #1), which aren't as roomy and baggy (or pleated) as my new trendy Essential Antwerp red jeans (FIND #2). I felt off all day because I am trendy with my bottoms. I have demoted the G-Stars to beach walks with the doggies! Sorted

I subsequently bought a dramatic pair of white wide leg full length jeans to replace them (Find #3) - they feel perfect!

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Anonymous

Yep. I have several knee length tube skirts which I used to live in, but prefer longer skirts now. Ditto skinnier pants. I'm preferring higher necklines than I used to wear too, and am off nearly all non neutral colors and poly. I'm not passing on the lot, but just no longer buying those things.

Historically when I have a style shift, I revamp my whole wardrobe, but then hate the lot next time I change. I'm trying to be more careful now- examining what it true to me over my lifetime as well as tracking my wardrobe.

Firecracker (Sharan)

Veteran

I'm nodding along with your post and the responses here. I do have a word of caution, though: I wouldn't get rid of those old favorites until the end of the season, after you have a chance to see if your mind changes about them at all. Sometimes I find that I get a little more bold about what I wear and my size may shift a little bit as the summer goes on.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Sharan, you are right! Old faves can come back into favour

Sal

Veteran

I know that feeling! I am not there at the moment but can relate from other seasons.

Dee

Veteran

Looks like I’m in good company and this seems to be the year for a major style shift for many of us.

Sharan/Angie - Yes, I agree, although I may not prefer this fitted silhouette right now, I don’t plan to get rid of these favourites just yet.

Jessikams

(website)

Veteran

Yes, especially pants fit preference seems to change. Like Janet I can’t stand calf-sucking pants any more— I hate having to pull them down every time I stand up. I’ve also gotten really picky about waist and rise. I need space!

Dee

Veteran

Yes Jessikams its funny how the clinginess of these pants/jeans never used to bother me but now all of sudden it feels intolerable.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Dee, I am chuckling. That word "intolerable" -- it's so apt! I don't understand how the feature that at one time made the item so desirable to me can suddenly be the one I can't stand!

Brooklyn

Veteran

I feel the same about pants, but I was never really on board with the skinnies thing.

This has also happened to me with skirt/dress lengths. I suddenly found I did not want to wear any skirt above the knee. So I went for midis. And then midi length felt too short. Now I’m at midaxi/maxi. One day I will wake up and feel dowdy in my uber long skirts and “need” to have shorter skirts again. It’s a vicious cycle!

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Brooklyn!! EXACTLY where I am at with the skirts! Except I doubt I'll ever really go to wanting minis, because they never did work on me. But I can imagine wanting shorter whereas now all I want is longer! I was actually going to do a post in a day or two on an alteration (to increase length) that i am contemplating on a favourite skirt....

Brooklyn

Veteran

Suz, I’d be interested in that. I actually now keep an eye out for skirts that I can use to layer under other skirts, as skirt extenders.

Dee

Veteran

Suz/Brooklyn- you’re so right about the skirt/dress lengths as well. I remember a time when knee lengths felt just fine and then suddenly they didn’t anymore but I now am happily enjoying this midi length moment while it lasts. I’ve never worn a maxi unless it was a gown.