Reviewing my 2015 - YouLookFab Forum

...in clothes, that is; I won't bore you with the rest of it!

Denim: I stopped buying tight-all-the-way-down skinnies, although I do still occasionally wear the couple pair I still have. Experimented with a boyfriend cut which never quite fit right, then found a boyfriend-meets-slim-straight this fall which I quite like. Bought a pair of flares at NAS that I need to wear more.
Shoes: This was the year that I stopped relying exclusively on ballet flats and bought some loafers, oxfords and smoking slippers. I 'deaccessioned' some boots due to wear at the end of last winter and still haven't found replacements that make me 100% happy. Still am almost never wearing my heels.
Tops: not a lot of change. I find myself drawn to knit tops with a bit more going on than a plain v-neck, which has been my go-to for a long time.
Colors: I've continued to go away from black, especially near the face. Enjoying the pinker blushes and some of the more purple-y burgundies that are out there. Palette hasn't changed much otherwise: lots of gray, denim, cream, clear greens, clear blues, taupe. Not many prints, which seems to be the trend in general right now.
Outfits in general: Not a lot of change in silhouettes. Wearing tunics and leggings for at-home wear more than before.

Budget: I tracked and stuck to my budget, although I'm still wanting to spend each period's allowance as soon as I get it. I still need to work on shopping because I'm bored.
Other style goals: I increased my spending per item; I think $40-50 average per item is about right for the quality and variety I want to have. I stopped thrifting almost entirely (Twice closed so that helped) and I don't really miss it or the items I used to buy. I tried some new-to-me stores but haven't found any that need to be added to the list of old favorites.

Hair: I just got a haircut yesterday so my layers, which were crazy earlier this fall, are less dramatic. I really need to leave it alone for a few months so it can grow out and I can do something new with it, but I get so bored with the growing out process. I want to do something more current/inventive with my cut and color, but the cost of a nice salon compared to a cheaper place that can handle a basic bob really adds up.
Makeup: I've continued to try a few new products along and I'm pretty happy with my routine at the moment.

I never really got into a groove this fall - we had summer weather for so long and then went straight to cooler temps. And I'm still at the high end of my weight range. The good news is that my health issues seem to be under control at the moment so hopefully I can manage a post-Christmas project of exercise and weight loss.

10 years ago

Alassë

Veteran

Very comprehensive review! Thanks for posting.

Anonymous

Fascinating read.

carter

Great review! I really need to do one myself. So glad you found some jeans!

gradfashionista

(website)

A thorough account, and glad that the health issues are being taken of. I'm with you about the seasonal jump. East coast, mid-December and still waiting for the first frost.

Janet

I'm glad the health issues are improved! This was such a great analysis, and it makes me think I should look back at my outfits and posts from the year to see what patterns and changes have emerged. I do feel like a shift of some sort has happened for me, and it might be helpful to articulate things as well as you have here. Good job!

Jenn

This thoughtful introspection is great. It sounds like you're pretty happy where you're at. Do you feel like you're in a rut at all, or do you feel like you've found a happy comfort zone where you can experiment with incremental changes?

Meredith

Interesting read! I know you've been trying to get the cost per item up for a while, so good job! Hard to resist the siren song of the "bargains."

JAileen

How was your trip to Boise? What did you think of it and were you prepared for the weather?

Suz

I admire the way you do regular reviews, Laura. It helps with the planning and processing.

Laura (rhubarbgirl)

Glad this wasn't too tedious! Carter, I'd be interested in your review (or anyone else's of course), especially in how you continue to transition to a more casual wardrobe. Meredith, yes - I'm toying with a minimum cost per item for 2016 but if I'm honest I'm not sure if I could stick to it.

JAileen, we had a nice time in Boise. It's an endearing town, somehow - it's like they want to pretend it's bigger than it is, especially in the downtown area. We ended up getting in a fender-bender our last day there, which put a damper on things since we had to deal with all the rental car paperwork and such. Weather-wise it was pretty cold; most nights it was well below freezing and we got a couple days with small snow flurries and one morning woke up with ice on the car. I did OK with layering under sweaters and switching up between my wool coat and the packable down I got from Uniqlo. If I were to go back in similar weather I'd look for some thermal leggings to wear under pants, because my legs were the coldest part when out and about, especially when it was windy - my feet and my torso were fine, with multiple layers.

ETA, to Jenn: I'm not particularly enjoying my wardrobe right now; it seems a bit dull and nothing looks as good on me as I wish it did. But I think that's 75% psychological because I feel stuck on some other stuff and because I'm heavier than I want to be. I'm restraining myself from throwing everything out in a fit of pique because a) I have to have clothes to wear and b) it's not like I know what I'd replace it with anyway.

That's too bad about your car accident. Interesting impression you had of the town. I'm glad you had a nice time, and that what you took mostly worked out.

kkards

i totally hear you on how hard it has been to get into a groove this fall…because of the weather (which is unseasonable and unpredictable), and because i feel like fashion is a holding zone, and i'm wondering what's coming next.

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