Remaking my closet—LOOOONG - YouLookFab Forum

Tl/dr I need to get dressed for work and maybe a garanimals system.

I have literally gone thru 80% of my closet after a 20# weight loss and spent an afternoon rolling around in my closet. The bed pile (pic1) is AFTER I amassed two donation bags of saggy bottomed jeans and pull down pants—ie pants I can pull down without undoing the zip.

Feels like starting from scratch.

GOAL: 5 summer outfits that I can reach for and go to work. Work context. Boss always in a custom made suit. Not ostentatious, just well fitting and boss like. Boss’s boss is in jeans and a tee in the office when not presenting in front donors and the public. I would like to :

—be appropriate to meet with both on the same day and match their vibe as a sign of respect for the office while still being authentic
—minimize buying new clothes that won’t transition well to a retirement that while not imminent is not 10 years away.
—remain appropriately dressed as I transition across the many areas of the city from Harlem to the UES to the LES.
—sartorially KILLER

TALL ORDER I know. You ladies have such great perspectives and a seemingly photographic memory. Finally ready to hear it.

I have some candidate outfits.

The first (pic 2) with the polka dot top is probably fine as is. Maybe a closed toe loafer that has come sort of element that reads like dots/spots for bookending the blouse. And no baseball cap

Pic3 I like this although with shoes for work. Need a concept shoe to make more work appropriate. Like refined loafer in black or maybe the pointy toe suede espadrille. Or even the one of the one from pic8

Pic4 feels like something I should like but it doesn’t gel for me. Is it the pant? Is it the jacket?

Pic5 I like the shape. The brooch is too much. Without it I’ve lost the interesting bit about the outfit and how do I make the sweater more summer hot? Don’t have a tee in this shape.

Pic6 is solid work day —for summer I would carry the coat for the icebox office and swap the boot with tabi mary Jane’s?

Pic7 you’ve seen. Work appropriate? I I get cold I can just repurpose the scarf?

Thanks in advance. Will space out the rest of my posts to avoid fatiguing everyone

This post has 8 photos. Photos uploaded by this member are only visible to other logged in members.

If you aren't a member, but would like to participate, please consider signing up. It only takes a minute and we'd love to have you.

10 hours ago

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

First I read your post and thought that is a pretty tall order - bespoke suits to jeans, Harlem to the upper AND lower East sides. But then your outfits blew me away. I love every single one. I think #5 might be the most versatile, and #6 the most UES but mostly I am inspired and the opposite of fatigued .

Angie

Fashion Stylist

WELL DONE, bj11111! Editing your wardrobe is the first BIG STEP!! Getting rid of the noise to find peace is sooooo important. Can't think with noise.

*APPLAUSE*

Have some questions:

Do you need to wear closed shoes for work?
Do you need to wear jackets to work to combat the cold?
Are you sticking to a black-white-grey-denim palette? You LOVE black, and wear it well! Works extremely well with your hair and skin tone!
For #4 - it's the pants, to my eye. Not wide enough to slouch. If you like them - may I suggest a hack to showcase the shoe and your cute ankles.

And you used to LOVE loafers. Where are they!

Rest assured, met you in person, and you always look sartorially KILLER

My 2 cents:

Based on what your bosses wear, Smart Casual and Business Casual YOUR way - (with a whole lot of architectural fashion forwardness thrown into the mix) - sounds like the sweet spot! #5 and #6 are THERE (unless you can't wear sandals to work)! These are items you can CASUALIZE later with support acts like casual shoes, bags, hats, belts, and jewellery. For when you don't work, or head into retirement.

LJP

What industry do you work in ?

7 hours ago

Star (Lise)

I love your style and look forward to seeing more of it. I agree with all your observations except for pic 4 which I really like. I think it has a good mix of casual and polished that you want. The pointy shoes being the polished part. If you were wearing sneakers that would obviously make it too casual. Maybe pin the length and show us before if you decide to hack them. I like them as is for now. Different vibe to hacked.

6 hours ago

Sal

Love your style, all of these are either excellent OR have high potential to be.

Some pointy flats of some description or loafers with a twist could be excellent. I like the studded sandals and these might work on some days for you too (they would work here but NZ'ers love sandals)

I like the denim jacket, side stripe pants. I always struggle to feel good in a denim jacket despite liking them on others. No more for me!!

5 hours ago

Suz

I'm with Jaime. You are killing it! These are great outfits. I echo everything Angie said, including her questions about footwear, jackets, etc.

Re #2 -- I'm not sure you need to bookend the dots in the blouse with your footwear. Maybe some jewellery if you wear it -- i.e. a ring, earrings, a cuff -- you wouldn't need dots. Just maybe something that repeats the circular shape somehow.

Pic 3 -- love!

Pc 4 -- really like that jacket. I suspect Angie is right about the pants.

Pic 5 -- love this! It should be possible to find a top or a tee in this shape, no? And if you take away the brooch, maybe try a scarf tied asymmetrically the way they are doing these days, or just carry a cool bag and/ or wear and interesting cuff or earrings (if you wear those at all).

Pic 6 -- yes, for sure, swap the boots for Mary Janes in the heat.

Pic 7 -- could be work appropriate, yes.... I am thinking you might want to try some more structured (vs. knit ) tops like in pic 3, both because wovens can be cooler in the heat, and also because they can provide a bit of crispness which can work well in the business setting when you don't want to wear a blazer or a full on suit.

Category