Review Reprised/reappraised - YouLookFab Forum

It’s only been a month since I posted this. There have been a few changes. https://youlookfab.com/welookf.....022-v-long

Repeating the numbers from that post, hoping the years-end spirit of annual reviews will inspire some of those fabbers who are so good at seeing things in data to comment:

2018 (starting in June) 17
Toppers (including pullovers)4
Dresses/jumpsuits 1
Footwear 3
Pants 5
Lounge 2
Jackets 1
Tops 1
Undies
Skirts
Gym/swim

2019 13
Toppers (including pullovers) 3
Dresses/jumpsuits 5
Footwear
Pants 1
Lounge
Jackets
Tops 2
Undies 1
Skirts 1
Gym/swim

2020 5
Toppers (including pullovers)
Dresses/jumpsuits
Footwear 1
Pants
Lounge
Jackets
Tops
Undies 4
Skirts
Gym/swim

2021 35
Toppers (including pullovers) 1
Dresses/jumpsuits
Footwear 8
Pants 3
Lounge
Jackets 3
Tops 7
Undies 7
Skirts
Gym/swim 6

2022 14
Toppers (including pullovers)
Dresses/jumpsuits 1
Footwear
Pants 4
Lounge
Jackets
Tops 7
Undies
Skirts
Gym/swim 2

Packing my stuff up, I mostly went by seasons. As I reported in Roberta’s post, it came out to
1 capsule wardrobe of about 40 pieces to wear this coming month
1 big suitcase of winter clothes
2 Ikea Frakta bags of winter clothes
1 bag of spring things
1 bag summer
1 bag spring/summer
1 bag socks, undies, pjs, etc
1 bag coats, jackets, hats, mittens, scarves
1 suitcase bags, coats, shoes.
(No suitcase for the Med trip, because it is still uncertain; if I go, I will have the rest of my things before then.)

Photo 1 shows most of that, minus a suitcase and plus some bags with bedding, etc. Everything (except the capsule) will go onto a pallet together, so it’s unlikely just one part will be lost.
Speaking of losing things, in packing up, I never did come across my blackberry sweater. I loved that cardi, because it was warm and thin and went with absolutely everything. RIP. There is also a black skirt with gold sequins I posted about before moving here that I’ve never ever worn, but might have a chance for in my new life. It has vanished. Sob.

On the buy-bye Berlin bucket: I returned to a boutique that sells mostly Berlin designers, and got a green boiled wool jacket I think I will love, as well as a nice purple cord skirt. Did a couple last-minute orders from Yoox to take advantage of European policies that let you try on and return even clearance items. I kept some, returned some, and didn’t even pick up a third box when it arrived in the thick of sorting the wardrobe. Never made it to the secondhand store that I thought would have good fancy wear toppers. Saw the outfit in pic 3, loved it, couldn’t get myself to try it on. Maybe I can order from them overseas.

On the numbers: things I’ve bought this month bring my annual average for the past five years up to 18. I expect that to go down, if it changes at all. I will take advantage of being in Big Blue nation, where they bleed blue for the local team, and pick up a few cobalt items. I will have a lot to do with finding and setting up a place to live, finally getting the rest of my stuff back from Florida, etc. I’m happy my wardrobe is mostly in a happy place.

I do expect to continue developing my style, jff. I’ll be surrounded by southern belles, including lots of college students, so we’ll see how I react to them. I predict slightly tongue-in-cheek takes on the former, but nothing that requires new pieces. I’m glad I started thinking through my winter style here. Think I’ve gotten some good ideas that will be helpful once I land and am adjusting to my new environment.

I still have a wish list. Right now the two top items on it are tall brown & black (riding style?) boots and a swishy cranberry /scarlets /magenta coat. I wish I hadn’t sent off my leather jacket with the movers, expect I’ll be very tired of my red puffer and my navy coat before too long. Still, idk if I’ll find them that quickly. I decided soon after moving to Berlin that I wanted light-colored, probably pink, boots. Four years later, my white Sorels checked that box.

My son’s style is changing now that he’s at college. He is big on natural fibers and pieces that will last. His hat here is merino and he is tickled with it. These are the first jeans he’s had in over a decade. The leather jacket is one a friend gave me in the 90s. He’s sitting where the magistrates sat in annual court at the cathedral in Jena. This pic is to be united, one day, with one of him as a preschooler in the very same seat. He is returning the cashmere joggers he got from COS. They are very comfortable, but not worth $200 in his opinion (or mine!).

Our carryons will include a couple changes of clothing, my jewelry box, a bag of old computers, cameras, and data storage devices that we need to mine for photos (somebody destroyed the digital collection when he was about 14), and many old photos and some school papers.

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1 year ago

April

Veteran

Wow, what a daunting task! All of it, but mostly the move. Pure admiration here.

And how great to see Little Mr. SF! Safe travels and I hope we'll see you in spring.

Stagiaire Fash

April, thanks so much for the good wishes! And never fear—you’ll see lots of me even before springtime. That’s one thing about digital communities—we can move all around the world and you’ll never be rid of me, bwahaha.

Today is a bit daunting. Took advantage of bad weather warnings for Thurs & Fri to reschedule our Fri flight to Sat. When that was canceled, we couldn’t get another flight out until Monday, so we are spending Christmas in Berlin. I scrambled and found some groceries before all the shops, and most restaurants and Christmas markets closed for the holidays, then found out when services were at the cathedral and what cozy restaurants with fireplaces are open for Christmas. Too bad/so sad because the little one spiked a fever in the night & has been throwing up all day. Keeping spirits up is the best I can do. Haven’t decided when to give him his stocking it’s mostly nostalgic sweet things that will just feel like extra crap for him to pack right now.

Anonymous

Awesome job categorizing and packing for the move! Great you were able to tally purchases and compare with previous years. Are the categories without a number mean no purchases were made in those wardrobe areas? I like how you can quickly see where you have added pieces. Hope your son feels better soon!

Roberta

Being sick at Christmas is the worst! I hope the planets align for you all soon. That beautifully packed and organized pile of clothing is so impressive. I would have given up in tears long before you did.

Thanks Nikki and Roberta! Your appreciation of the clothing organization helps, because the rest of the apt is not how I’d like to leave it.

Yea, the blanks mean nothing in that category purchased that year.

When my son was little, he always got a fever the night before we traveled. I thought that’s what was happening this time, until there was more. He seems to be better now, and just ate dinner. Fingers crossed for an uneventful flight!

Wow- that's been a project! Fun to see DSs style evolution too! He seems way more intentional and mindful about his style than I was at his age!

Kate

Ah, I've been in Berlin over Christmas and gotten tripped up by holiday closings. Your calm is as impressive as your organization. I hope your son is feeling better soon, SF. It is miserable flying when sick. Best wishes for an easy, uneventful flight on the 26th.

rachylou

I must say it will be very interesting to see how southern belle style influences your own. Have a good flight! Hope your son is feeling a little better!

Minaminu

Job very well done! Wish your son a quick recovery and hope the New Year will bring you lots of fun and happiness in the new location.

Suntiger, his style interest has been the hugest surprise! It’s fun for me to see perhaps a little influence from me, with the preference for a buy and hold strategy of a few good quality pieces at a time.

Thanks Kate! My first Christmas in Berlin was a disaster. My Somali friends saved me. This year I knew the gig, thank goodness.

Rachylou, I know you’ll have good and fun comments.

Thanks Minaminu! Great that you’re planning for your own move so far in advance. Mine was a fairly quick decision.

Thanks, everyone, for the good wishes for my son! We took advantage of empty rows of seats in the gate area, and are now on a pretty full flight to Newark.

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Hope you have an uneventful flight!

LaPed

Welcome back stateside! I can’t wait to hear/see how southern style influences your outfit choices. More color, less color? More femme, less femme? Hmm…

I love your son’s curated style. My youngest brother, who’s in his 20s, has been going through a similar evolution. Fun to watch!

Suz

(website)

Such a daunting task! But you organized it all so well, it sounds like. Safe travels and safe arrivals!

SarahD8

Safe travels and best of luck in your new landing spot! Well done on getting all the belongings and logistics sorted while nursing a sick kiddo. I hope he is feeling better!

You asked for data-driven insights, but I'm not sure I can see anything beyond the pattern you already identified of (somewhat unintentionally) focusing on one category for a year and then a different category the next. If I squint, it kinda seems to me like maybe you tackled the big, practical categories (like pants and shoes) when you first moved to a new climate, and then later moved on to categories with more of an outfit completer vibe, like tops? I am not sure that is really a strong pattern there but offer it in case it is useful in thinking about the move you're now in the midst of...

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