Style Goals 2022 - YouLookFab Forum

I'm late this year because I've had a lot on my plate and needed some really solid time to reflect... but it was worth it! I'm about to run, but I wanted to get these thoughts out. Will check and respond to any comments later today or tomorrow.

Top Priorities

I need to refresh my spring/summer wardrobe so I can feel fab in hot weather, as it's my dominant season here in Georgia and I'm staying at least two more years.
I need to replace my well-loved footwear.
I want to fill wardrobe gaps to make the pieces I love as functionable and remixable as possible.

Purchasing (lower priority purchases will likely carry over into 2023)

FOOTWEAR:
- Replace my house slippers (and I'm considering going for a warmer pair and a cooler pair; I don't like walking around barefoot but the ones I have from LL Bean are a bit intense in the summer)
- Replace my 'running around' sneakers (I'm considering trying New Balance after several people recommended them to me - sneakers are always a workhorse for me)
- Replace my walking sandals (may get another pair of Sketchers because these worked well for me)
- Purchase a pair of comfortable dressy sandals in black or dark brown - something flat and light and breezy
- Purchase a pair of snakeskin booties in black and dark brown - need to have a 1" heel (lower priority; I want to replace my Blondos because I really enjoyed them, but found it difficult to match them with other pieces, which limited their wear)
OUTERWEAR:

Purchase a wool coat - should be able to dress up or down, as I only need a super warm coat a few weeks out of the year; will likely opt for black
Purchase a light neutral blazer (white or light blue)
Purchase a colorful blazer (orange or cobalt would be a dream)

BASICS:

Purchase two pairs of sweatpants (one heavier, one lighter) - mostly for lounging, but may use them as athletic clothing as well in the cooler months
Purchase cotton crew socks in my happy colors

TOPS:

Purchase 3-5 hot weather tops in light or bright colors (1-2 can be patterned, the rest should be solid)

BOTTOMS:

Add one more pair of casual shorts - light denim or some other cool material - must be the perfect length for me, which is about mid-thigh

ACCESSORIES:

Purchase a leather hobo bag in dark brown
Purchase 1-2 bandanas in my happy colors
Purchase a few silver necklaces
Purchase more jewelry made of natural materials (leather, stone, bone, wood, etc.)
Purchase a few silver rings (new size 7.5)
Purchase a pearl necklace
Purchase some fun hair accessories - now that my hair is a bit longer, I want colorful ways to pull it up, like scrunchies and claw clips for a 90s throwback

COLORS:

All shades of blue - still my favorite color, and very flattering on me - especially interested in light blue for S/S
Sunflower yellow - I LOVE yellow with blue
Bright orange - perfect items for me in my favorite orange are still hard to find, but I'm keeping an eye out
Bright red - in small doses; I would love a top with bright red in a pattern to go with my red denim jacket
Interested in adding emerald green - I still love olive, but I want a brighter green represented, too

DO NOT BUY:

Jeans (I have enough; I will make an exception ONLY if I find bootcut jeans in a unique color because they're a long-time HEWI)
Tees (I have enough - absolutely no new ones this year unless I need to replace one of my solid or striped tees due to wear)
Jackets (happy with number and variety; will make an exception ONLY if I find the perfect tweed jacket, which has been a HEWI)
Hats (I have enough)
Anything on impulse - stick to this shopping list unless I identify a wardrobe gap, in which case I can add the item to the list, but I won't buy anything I haven't put a lot of thought into (I've already done that a bit these first couple months, and now I'm putting my foot down )

Dressing

Have fun mixing colors and patterns - I'm in the mood for somewhat louder outfits this year and I want to run with it
Find new ways to combine my favorite items - don't just default to jeans and a top, experiment
Dress for comfort, especially considering the weather - last year I frequently found myself dressed inappropriately for rain, heat, and cold, and I want to work on that this year

Other Stuff

Take more outfit pictures... I don't know how y'all do it, I feel like I really struggle to take good ones except for selfies that only have my face and shoulders in them.
Improve how I do laundry so it's not as laborious a task - lately I've been struggling to keep up and my back has been acting up during long folding sessions
Improve shared closet organization to accommodate very different organization styles for myself and my fiancée - a friend recently introduced us to Clutterbug and it's really helped (in case anyone else follows, I'm a cricket and she's a butterfly)! This is something I'm focusing on other areas of my life, too, and the closet is definitely one area that can be improved so both of us are happy and able to find what we need.
And finally... look utterly fabulous at our wedding.

If you've made it this far, thanks for reading. Cheers!

2 years ago

Bonnie

Veteran

I am so impressed with your analysis and plan. I need to follow your example.

Jenni NZ

This is excellent. It does look like quite a lot of items- over 15? But I am aware that you lost weight and so a lot of your previous clothes became too big. I like the do-not-buy list!
I will look up Clutterbug- have never heard of it.
And all the very very best for your wedding soon!

Runcarla

Sounds/Looks good, Kaelyn. Actually, really well thought out. I’m late with my 2022 goals as well, but they’ve been gelling this week!

Anonymous

Excellent plans! Looking forward to your color and pattern mixing. I enjoy Clutterbug on YouTube

rachylou

Specific and thorough. Excellent list.

Jaime

(website)

Excellent list. Regarding selfies, I do find mirror selfies the easiest because I can see how I look as I shoot and make adjustments accordingly. But does require a well placed full length mirror.

Kaelyn

Thanks, everyone!

Jenni - Yes, it's quite a long list! But I do have priorities that I will put actual energy into finding, and the rest will be a nice if the right item comes along and is in my budget kind of thing. My footwear needs attention and I REALLY need those hot weather tops. The shorts would also be really nice, but I'm super picky about them. They're always too short or too long (usually too short).

Runcarla - I'm looking forward to seeing your newly gelled goals if/when you share them!

Jaime - I've never quite gotten the hang of mirror selfies. I can't seem to get a decent angle or hold the camera/phone in such a way that it doesn't block the outfit. But after we move back to the side of town where my university is (hopefully soon), I'll plan to invest in a good full length mirror and give it another go.

By the way, if anyone closely reading the comments has any recommendations for brands to check out that 1) make tops with natural fibers (which is becoming more and more necessary for me in our spring/summer heat) and 2) carry plus sizes, please let me know! All my usual shopping destinations are pretty lacking right now (or have some things, but not in my style) and I've been more comfortable branching out lately.

Joy

You obviously put lots of thought and work into your analysis and plans. This is very impressive. Reguarding taming the laundry, I have started doing one or sometimes two loads a day. The idea is to finish everything, including folding and putting away. If I do not use the drier, I let things dry overnight and put away the next morning. Then I start a new load. This works well for two people and never overwhelms. I do sort into darks, lights, and mid tones. I learned to buy bedding and towels that work with the pile where I usually need more. For example my bedding is mostly ivory and towels are pale green or blue. I can put these with lights and whites or mid tones. Try it. It helps make things manageable. Pick a weekday to change bed linens and wash the ones you have been using. My day is Wednesday. You have a great plan.

Angie

Fashion Stylist

*APPLAUSE*

Impressed with your analysis, plan, and always positive attitude! I'm excited to see the strategy through with you

Can you sit down to fold laundry?

Style Fan

Great plan! I am still working on my goals. In the summer I also prefer natural fibres.

Joy - That's smart, spreading it out. Something I've been trying to internalize is that I don't have to have large blocks of time to do things, and I suppose it's time to spread that to chores! I don't know if I could keep up with it on a daily basis, but I could at least start a day early so there's less to do at once.

Angie - I do sit on my bed while I fold if I have a lot to do, though it's not ideal. There's not space in my current place, but we're hoping to move soon and I'm planning on getting a small kitchen island to use as a folding station if there's a proper laundry room. Thanks for the encouragement on the style goals, too!

Style Fan - Natural fibers really do make a difference!

Zaeobi

GA gets both very hot & very cold, right? I've never been but DH is from ATL & compares GA summers to HK (which is a feat, considering we're subtropical...) Then again, it *did* just go from 8C last week to 24C today - so maybe he's onto something! Lol...

Your analysis is a good one! I'm also on the hunt for warm weather slippers - I use some supportive ballet flats (with insoles) for winter, but my summer sandals have been co-opted for the balcony & rubbish removal duties What are your feet like? I'm reconsidering Birkenstocks in EVA for my wide forefoot/ slim heel/ high instep, since they're wipeable & adjustable (the instep of my foot tends to swell in summer). Be aware though that I had a pair for a few years until the strap finally got too loose for comfort... (I guess EVA plastic eventually expands?)

As for natural fibres, my go-to is Seasalt Cornwall (UK brand but free international shipping above a certain amount). They do petites & regular lengths, plus I believe they go up to a UK size 26-28 (depending on the style). I have both my wool coat & cotton tunics from there

I've also used Nomads (another UK brand) but find their necklines are a little low for my personal modesty preferences (might be fine for you though?) You might be interested in the handmade jewellery they partner with though? (Like Daughter of the Ganges).

As for laundry, I hear you! DH tends to bung his clothes directly into the washing machine after any particularly sweaty workouts (TMI lol sorry!) & I find that it helps to load the relevant colours & pour in the appropriate amount of detergent etc *then & there*. That way, even if I'm not able to run a load at that particular time, I'm ready to pounce whenever it's a good time (I find these prep steps help to overcome that mental hurdle, if you know what I mean?).

I believe places like Amazon also have those 'laundry folding boards' that may help speed up the post-laundry process for you - have never used them before, but I think the leading brands are BoxLegend & FlipFold?

Hope that helps

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