Stuck in a rut. I need wardrobe help.

Lately I feel like I have a closet just full of orphan pieces and no real "outfits". I'm looking for new inspiration to use what I already have without buying any new pieces right now, but I'm having a lot of trouble with it.

One of the issues I have with my clothes is I feel like I have a LOT of black. And I wear something black almost every day. Let me tell you, I am SICK TO DEATH of wearing black. I feel like I want to incorporate other colors as my main neutral, like brown or navy. Black completely washes me out. I think I have so much of it because it's just easy, know what I mean?

My only fashion-related 2013 resolution is to not buy any black clothing, whatsoever. (I may be a little lenient with shoes, depending on what I need to replace.)

But throwing outfits together without black? Really difficult for me. And my typical uniform tends to be a pair of pants, top, cardigan, and a scarf. Don't get me wrong, I have a lot of color in my wardrobe, but I feel like I'm blind to it all right now, if that makes any sense. And I work on a factory shop floor, but as a salary employee. I'm supposed to look professional, but it's difficult when everyone else around me is wearing jeans or slacks all the time. And I have to wear my steel-toe safety shoes when I'm out on the shop floor (but not at my desk in the cubicle area of the shop).

I want to look stylish and professional, but not over-dressed. I feel stuck.

Here's a list of what I have and wear on a regular basis (off the top of my head):

Bottoms:

Black dress pants (2 pairs)
Grey dress pants (2 pair)
Brown dress pants (1 pair)
Black leggings (1 pair)
Dark blue denim skinnies (1 pair)
Blue denim boot cuts (2 pair)

Tops:

Long sleeve tops
- black
- grey heather
- slate blue wrap around
- Dark grey dolman sleeve

Short sleeve tops
- black (2)
- brown
- black/grey print
- oxblood/black/purple print
- red/white mini stripe ruffle front

Blouses (usually paired with a cardigan)
- royal purple sleeveless silk
- dark purple sleeveless silk
- coral silk sleeveless silk
- turquoise cap sleeve silk
- brown/yellow floral sleeveless satin
- Plaid (cranberry/light teal/black) button down shirt (oversized and casual)

Camis
- black (3)
- teal (2)
- white (1)
- kelly green (1)
- pale pink (1)

Cardigans
- black
- brown
- navy
- dusty rose
- gray cable knit
- white cable knit

Scarves
- bright orchid cashmere
- teal pashmina
- orangey-red
- brown/black woven print
- black

Sweaters (pullover)
- dark heathered black v-neck dolman
- light grey & white striped dolman
- navy & white stripe
- bright blue cowl neck
- red cowl neck
- navy v-neck cable (dislike the fit)
- mulberry v-neck cable (dislike the fit)

Dresses (not very often)
- Black sleeveless sheath
- Grey sleeveless sheath
- Green/teal/brown paisley wrap dress
- Black shirt dress
- Black/multi-purple a-line dress
- Navy ruffled sleeveless mini
- Black linen with red flower screen print

Skirts
- denim mini
- khaki mini
- black a-line
- black pencil
- black/white print a-line
- grey/black/cream print pencil

Shoes
- flats (black, red patent, leopard print, blue patent)
- brown knee-high riding boots
- black high heeled booties
- brown leather pumps
- black converse (low-top chucks)
- gold leather strappy heels (open toe, not for work)

If you've made it this far, you deserve a cookie. I will try to post some WIW in the next coming weeks to give you and idea of what I wear every day so you can critique.

13 years ago

Caro in Oz

Veteran

Sounds like you have a good basic wardrobe there - I would concentrate on fit & styles that you like. Pull out a few things & put them together on the bed - if you like them try them on. Have a look through the WIW section here - there are some inspirational dressers:)

Oh & post photos when you can - it is so helpful to see your own clothes through anothers eye.

Suz

(website)

It sounds as if the problem isn't a lack of clothing. It sounds as if you are tired of the combinations you can put together.

Maybe one idea would be to buy a bright coloured or a patterned bottom (either pants or a skirt). Sometimes just putting the colour in a different place than usual can help to shake things up a bit.

Emily

Pants + Top + Cardigan + Scarf is a great uniform, it's one of my favourites as well. It sounds like you have lots of nice things and a solid foundation of neutrals to work with. And actually I don't count that much black - 16 pieces out of 70 or so - not so bad.

Have you seen Angie's capsule posts? If you're trying to update and reduce orphans why not plan a capsule work wardrobe with a couple of your coloured pieces and a new neutral?

http://youlookfab.com/2011/03/.....-for-less/
http://youlookfab.com/2012/03/.....y-outfits/
http://youlookfab.com/2012/03/.....t-capsule/

cobaltblue

Sounds like you have a great core wardrobe. Can you identify problems with specific pieces you rarely wear and seek replacements that make your heart throb? I don't mind wearing the same things often if I really love them.

Sveta

Maybe "uniform" is the real problem? Before YLF I felt like I lost all interest in dressing and this was because I wore 'uniform" of flared skirts or trousers and fitted tops. They were different colors but I felt I am wearing the same thing everyday and I was so bored. As soon as I began to add more shapes and silhouettes into my wardrobe thing began to change.

ManidipaM

Seconding Suz's suggestion to add just the one coloured skirt or pants when you find one that you like. It's a substantial enough change, more so than coloured tops, scarves and cardigans alone will give you.

In the meanwhile, what if you deliberately set yourself to making outfits that include no more than one piece of black, and restrict ANY black at all to no more than say twice or thrice a week? Use your other neutrals and combine colours you didn't think of wearing together before --- maybe even figure out combinations for the week beforehand.

Black is so easy, as you say, that dressing in the morning without forethought often has us reaching for black (or denim). You might find there's considerable variety in there, as Emily notes, once you stop reaching for the black on auto-pilot.

And should you want to up the ante, how about boxing up the black bits entirely for a month or two to see if you really miss any of it --- and only bring them back if you do?

Krista

I agree with Sveta - it could be the uniform look that you are wearing, in that the overall shape is always the same. For example, I used to always wear just wide-legged trousers and wrap tops because I thought that was all I could wear for my figure. But I was so bored with that look. Once I joined YLF, I started looking into other shapes to expand my wardrobe. Now I have a few pairs of skinny trousers to wear with tunic tops or a chunky sweater and I don't feel as bored with wide-legged trousers anymore. I've also found that by trying different shapes and styles, I am not as obsessed with figure flattery. As long as I'm wearing something that has good proportions, I feel like I'm meeting my daily goal of feeling comfortable, professional and stylish.

Traci

Do you have a different neutral besides black? I think that's one of the hardest things about transitioning away from black. You can't just replace the black with color or you'll end up looking like an exploded paint factory. You still need a neutral in your wardrobe. Once you have non black neutrals in place you'll start finding a flow to your wardrobe again.

I'm just moving back to some black in my wardrobe after years of shunning it. Charcoal and camel were my neutrals instead. They both look great with black too, so I didn't have to overhaul everything.

Inge

Moderator

One other thought: I don't see a blazer or jacket on your list. I think a (p)leather jacket or blazer in a bright colour (like the green pleather Express jacket you linked to for me on Catherine's) thread could really help to change things up. It will go with many of your existing items, plus it always helps me feel more put together and dressier. It might even give your "black outfits" a different vibe.

A.Kiernan

Active Member

Inge, it's funny that you mention that. I have been on the hunt for a blazer or a jacket but I haven't really found anything that fits me that I can commit to. But I will keep looking!

Fingers crossed you'll find a good one soon. Keep us posted!

Anonymous

One idea would be to take everything that you really can't stand right now and put it in hidden storage. Then try to make "outfits on the bed" with what's left. With the worst offenders (black or not) out of the picture, a plan might begin to take shape. Good luck. Your hard work will be worth it in the end!

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