Dear YLF, help, I need to talk! Put the kettle on.

Now that we are into F/W temperatures, I'm finding that there are things in my 10-Item Wardrobe that just aren't working. There was no way to discover this until it was time to really wear the clothes. Trying on briefly did not tell me what I needed to know. Has this ever happened to you? I really thought I had my wardrobe nailed down for the season. After all, the clothes looked so great hanging there together, lol!

It all started when I decided to trade my Very Fitted Skinnies for some slouchy and sized-up skinnies. The bottom half of me is breathing a sigh of relief. But now some of my tops don't look right with my bottoms. Early on, I got rid of one very bodycon sweater, but now two more (which I would describe as classic tailored fit) are on the chopping block. I don't like the way they play with my jeans. And with only ten core items, I can't afford to have two players on the bench. I've tried on some more substantial sweaters with a high low hem and I REALLY like that silhouette much better. Now to find some in breathable fabrics!

Also, I wore my tailored Theory snake print blouse yesterday and the snug fit through the shoulders really bothered me after wearing my boxier button fronts almost exclusively. When I hold it up to the light, I can see where the seams are straining. I have loved that blouse for years (it's the one I made out of a mini-dress) but I think I'm going to consign it before I hulk through the back completely. On a happy note, the consignment store is selling everything I bring in. My tight skinnies have sold, a blazer, and various other gleanings from my shoes and accessories "department", and I have a fat store credit (which I can also cash out at a smaller percentage--and buy something modern from a retail store). I think it helps that I don't hang onto things until they're so dated that no one wants them.

I consigned my black blazer a few weeks ago because it was so fitted in the torso that I didn't care for it over my slouchy sweaters and boxy tops. I bought it at that same consignment sore a few years ago! I'm more into two piece dressing right now. I'm not feeling the need to add a blazer or topper as a "completer piece" (most of the time it's too warm during the day to wear one anyway). Maybe that's because I don't wear T-shirts. I feel like a lot of jackets and cardigans out there are the main event, almost requiring you to wear a plain T-shirt or tank underneath for them to work. The sleeves are often very fitted and they don't layer well over a button front shirt or a sweater with sleeves. Right now, I'm just throwing my long trench over everything and it works because it's plenty roomy. I would like some sort of warm indoor topper for the chilly evenings, but that blazer was not it. .

Which brings me to my next point. I really prefer to wear long jeans and long sleeved shirts year-round (in arctic air conditioning at least). I can roll the jeans and scrunch my sleeves when it's hot, but I feel like full-length is so much more versatile for me--and I'm all about versatility! Full coverage when worn in a looser fit, seems to have the advantage of being warmer in Winter and cooler in Summer. Hooray for the new looser fit!

So I don't know if I'm having a Style Evolution, or if I'm just adapting to a more current look that seems to be taking hold in Fashion. What do you think? Are you having problems mixing in your more classic, tailored pieces with the new looser fit ones? What solutions have you come up with?

It seems like just a few months ago I was talking all kinds of smack about how I didn't need anything for F/W except maybe some chelsea boots. Yeah, right. We see how that went! Thanks for hearing me out.