Seasonal musing - YouLookFab Forum

There have been a number of end of year wrap up/goals for the new year type postings and I've had lots of thoughts swirling about so I've decided to add my own musings. Sorry if it's long but typing them all out does help provide clarity.

Back in September, I shared that I felt like I had circled back to what is really "me" after experimenting during my first 2 years here, when there was a lot of churn as I was focused on acquiring and culling. I am still happy with my wardrobe and continue to dress primarily for me. How I feel in something (or the happiness factor, according to Caro) is my first priority.

I have continued to refine and define my preferences. I've come to realize that I have 3 main silhouettes that I primarily wear, at least at this time of year:

1) slim leg pants with longer top (ie tunic)
2) slouchy pants with shorter top (approx waist length)
3) jean style pants with mid length top (approx mid hip)

I realized that- besides color- the length of a top is the primary consideration in determining what bottoms I choose to wear with it. So I recently re-organized my closet and hung things together according to those categories. I'm not sure if it will stay that way forever, but so far I like it.

I know what colors I like and wear. I strongly prefer pure, saturated colors to heathered or muted shades. My main colors are black, gray, white and denim. Other colors I wear include red/burgundy and berries/purples. Blues I like include navy, cobalt and aqua. (I recently eliminated teal because I don't like it with some shades of denim). For summer, I add yellow/green in shades like citron, mustard and lime green. I don't wear khaki, olive, orange or pink. Brown is limited to caramel and that's in boots and bag.

I prefer solids over patterns and I really like texture and tone on tone pattern. Almost every pattern in my wardrobe includes black so they are easy to work with.

When I first came here, I often wore belted pants with a plain layer tucked in and a cardigan or jacket. So I thought I needed to add more toppers- primarily jackets- and update my layers. I got rid of all of my old style cardigans and added a few jackets. Now, I have since come to prefer untucked layers (with a bit more interest) and unstructured toppers.

I do prefer to wear pants most days and I also love jeans. I have 4 dresses and all of them are shift style. I have 7 skirts and all of them are knit and slim/tube shaped. So I think I know my preferences pretty well and now buy accordingly!

Shoes and bags are important to me. I wear black footwear most often and I like to have a number of pairs in several styles. Texture is important here too. I LOVE booties and wear them almost daily when it's cold. I also like pumps as well as higher vamped shoes with a sling back or ankle strap. My preferred heel height is 1-3." For low heeled options, I like oxfords and don't wear ballerina flats or smoking slippers. I like peep or pointed toes. I like more closed styles and don't like many sandals, except for casual wear. I have bags in several styles and a variety of colors. I believel they help add polish to an outfit and I change my bag regularly or even daily.

My outfits tend to be pretty simple ahd usually consist of just a top and bottom. But I feel that I get enough interest with a mixed knit, leather trim, zipper detail, etc. Although I had somewhat gotten away from them, lately I enjoy adding a third piece, such as a scarf or statement necklace.

As for goals, this month I am focused on wearing my cold weather pieces. January will be cold but by February we usually get hints of spring so I want to wear my wool and cashmere while I can.

I will continue to seasonally rotate some things in and out of my closet to keep them more fresh. I will continue to plan work outfits ahead of time so that morning dressing is easier and I feel happy with my outfit all day.
I will be very picky about what is allowed in my closet. I will not buy just to add something new or because it's on sale or because it looks good on someone on YLF! I will spend much less money on my wardrobe than I did last year. I will continue to track purchases and strive to make every one really count! Since I have really honed in on what I like and what works for me, there are many things that I can happily ignore! I will adopt only those trends that feel right for ME. I want to make sure that every addition/replacement to my wardrobe fits well, is comfortable, works well with other pieces and isn't a duplicate...and most of all, that I LOVE it!

Phew, sorry so long! How about you....any musings or goals that you haven't shared yet?

11 years ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

(Susie, I will be covering my own goals on the blog in a post tomorrow).

I'm glad that you found some clear cut direction, and like your strategy. Great analysis - a fun process I'm sure.

I would like to know why you don't wear pink?

jackiec

Veteran

Wow! Great write-up! What a nice feeling to be able to nail down your likes and dislikes. Sounds like you are in a really good place wardrobe-wise. I agree about only buying what you LOVE, and that has been a goal of mine, and continues to be one going forward. I haven't posting a "musing" post since I haven't fully articulated my goals. But, like you've mentioned, buying only what I LOVE and works well is something I strive for. Thanks for sharing!!!

TraceyLiz65

You've made such great progress and exude a confidence in knowing your style! I like your idea of hanging the tops in different lengths together... It makes perfect sense to me... As a petite the top length definitely determines the bottoms and shoe choices..

deb

Nicely done!

Alassë

Thanks for sharing! I like your analysis posts.

CocoLion

I too love your idea of organizing tops by length. Top length is a huge consideration for me. I am 5'4" so fall between regular and petites but my torso is mostly petite. It is on the shorter side. Most tops fall at a place that cuts my body exactly in half. This is such an unflattering length on me. Semi-tucking has helped a lot. Tunics are great for me, as are cropped tops.

I hear you on the bootie love. It's been bootie season for years and I hope it continues- still not sick of them. They are so easy to wear and protective. I also have a lot of problems with ballet flats. They cut into the top of my foot painfully. I do have one pair that I wear maybe 30-60 minutes at a time but that's it. I've yet to find a pair that aren't painful and don't fall off.

Caro in Oz

I really enjoyed reading this Susie. All your work has brought you to a great place with your wardrobe

My hanging space for clothes is mostly really short so I've been forced to hang shorter & longer tops separately - it was what brought me to the realisation that I was happy with very few silhouettes.

Susie

Thank you for reading my novel!

I was thinking too of Una's recent post where Gaylene so eloquently described what seems to be a common cycle among forum members...the seeking, experimenting, purging, shopping etc until we reach that place where we feel, for the most part, satisfied with our wardrobes. There does seem to be quite a few of us at the same stage. I still find great value in Angie's blog and still greatly enjoy the discussions on the forum. I'm just not as likely to post WIW or shopping type posts anymore.

Angie, I wear very few pastels but I do have a bit of blue and yellow. As a professional woman who is short- and after being described as "cute" for a good part of my life- I avoid anything girly or cutesy. Pink falls into that category for me. Though I did recently get 2 sweaters in magenta/fuchsia as I am attracted to the stronger shades of pink.

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