Summer wrap-up - YouLookFab Forum

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Summer wrap-up

Laura (rhubarbgirl)

(website)

Veteran

Posting a little early, since September is usually still quite warm here, but I'm definitely done buying for summer. I continue to move away from black and brights, and toward mid-tones. I wore my dresses less than last summer - summer is the season I wear dresses most, but this year I just didn't reach for them as much.

My sandal 'wardrobe' worked well - I aggressively shopped out of season so I would be ready for June and it really helped a lot. I only need a week's worth of 'really hot' outfits since it rarely lasts longer than that here without a break in the weather.

Needs for next summer (repeating a bit from my post in July): black/dark flat sandals, lightweight cardigans without dropped shoulders, summer-suitable woven tops with sleeves.

What about you?

General

16 replies

Latest reply was from Laura (rhubarbgirl)

E

Veteran

That's a great wrap up! How interesting that you don't find yourself reaching for dresses, while I wish I had more to reach for. Anyway, I shall aggressively shop for a pair of sandals next year, following your advice.

Tania

Veteran

You sound well organized!

I need to keep working on my summer wardrobe. I still have a small number of items as I work through fit/style. Summer is my least preferred season and I have only just started to pay attention to filling my summer capsule. I need just about everything for the summer season. I'll add a couple of tops before the month is out, but then I'll wait until next year.

Anonymous

Hi Laura.

Great analysis. It is interesting that you are not wearing dresses as much anymore. Do you think something triggered that change? I may follow your example and do preseason shopping from now on. It seems to work well from what I have observed.

You don't shop end of season sales? Everyone seems to be running to the mall right now trying to hit the sales. I admit to going as well, but didn't find a single thing. Not one. I'm realizing it is very much a waste of time.

Laura (rhubarbgirl)

(website)

Veteran

I wish I knew why I'm not drawn to dresses as much right now - I've definitely been moving in a more androgynous direction, so that's part of it.

Tania, summer is my least favorite season for dressing, too. Unfortunately it's the longest one weather wise, so I really need to reconcile myself to it better.

Sterling, are there a lot of end of season sales happening right now? I guess I haven't been in the stores much to see. Seems like it's all about back to school for the kids right now, at least around here.

Jenn

(website)

Veteran

I'm curious... do you think black sandals are going to work for you by next year if you continue moving towards midtones? I'm doing the same thing, and I'm finding I reach for my black footwear less and less.

Why, oh why, is summer dressing so difficult? I'm leaning towards just developing a summer uniform and being done with it.

JAileen

Veteran

I shopped early for sandals too. Usually my size sells out so I was able to get what I wanted and wear them as soon as it warmed up. In fact I got a bonus when Zappos sent the wrong sandals they told me to keep them!

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Do you have taupe sandals, Laura? I think a dark taupe would be a great bookend for you. I also see the need for dark or black sandals or shoes as well. With fair skin and relatively light hair, it can be good to have a dark shoe to make outfits with darker elements more cohesive.

Sounds as if your wardrobe worked well for you and you have a handle on your needs for next year.

But don't toss those dresses yet -- sometimes we just need to take a rest on something and go back to it in another year.

My summer wardrobe worked really well. I didn't buy a ton this year because last year was my huge buying year. But I did get a pair of sandals and a pair of slip on sneakers, a couple of very casual dresses, a dressy top, a casual woven top, and a few replacement tees. I also splurged on a silk dress late in the season (on sale). I'm not counting NAS purchases since apart from bras and the VC skirts, they are not for wearing until September.

All of these were complete workhorses for me. My summer was more casual than most, and included even more travel than usual. My bigger trips took me to a very hot climate and then to a rural environment and beaches as well as a sophisticated urban centre. I felt very well prepared for all situations and this was a huge relief considering what I was coping with.

carter

Veteran

This was a very weird Summer for me.

I wasn't working, so most of my Summer wardrobe sat unworn. I'm spending a lot more time in gear and uber-casual clothes.
My Summer casual wardrobe is severely lacking. I have 3 pair of shorts, 2 pair of denim capris, 4-5 pair of lightweight "jeans", and about 8-10 casual sleeveless tops (most tops and two pair of shorts bought this year).
I can count on one hand how many SS tees I wore this year, and that's my previous normal non-working go-to.
I wanted--but did not have--casual sleeveless Summer dresses. I've ordered 2 to get me through September, but I'm not sure if I'll actually wear them or not.
The two most comfortable/easy pairs of sandals I have should have been retired LONG AGO. Yet, I keep wearing them because I haven't found anything that works as well.It was basically an on-the-fly mess. Hopefully I've planned a bit better for F/W.

celia

Veteran

I love this kind of post, it is so interesting to know what works in terms of strategies and capsules for different people.
I agree with Suz that you should let the dresses rest until next year, some items seem to need a rest period.
I am of two minds about buying sales, on one hand things are less expensive and there are certain needs that you can judge for next year, on the other end it seems that after shopping those sales items, and because budgets are what they are, and start concentrating in Fall/ winter you already miss the boat for the next season and are catching up. ( at least that's what I feel)

Summer

Veteran

I've been quite pleased with how my summer wardrobe has worked. Like you, I bought ahead of season, so I was prepared for the warmer weather, BUT I still neglected to buy the pure linen or cotton pieces that I need - albeit for a very short time - for summer. I'm hoping that I will put that right next time round, but no more summer shopping for me this year.

Mona

Veteran

Great post, Laura. My summer wardrobe served me really well except for the shoes. I have been on a journey to reduce the size of my closet so I only bought a coupe of tees, a pair of printed Sloan pants, a pair of white franco sarto holts and a pair of cognac sandals this summer. I am really happy with all these purchases.
Moving forward, I think I would like to add a couple of handbags to my summer wardrobe and may be some nice tops.

Anonymous

There are A LOT of end of season sales going on right now. But I don't think you are missing anything. I perused the sales and tried on a lot of different pieces. It seems to me that the stuff that is on sale is the stuff that never really sold and they are trying to dump it. I didn't see one single thing that was worth the money even at discounts of greater than 50 and 60 percent. For all the people that don't shop end of season sales, I now understand why.

I am going to shop at the beginning of each season from now on. This will be a new strategy that I learned from you and many other women on YLF. Although it seemed counter-intuitive to me, I can see how you might save money in the long run. And it will be so much more fun!!

rachylou

Veteran

Interesting! I've been living in dresses... in the midday hot, that is. It's cold in the morning and evening. I went *Spanish Romance* on the style front and, I must say, I've been pleased. I've been floundering on a summer style that's still me for years really...

Anonymous

Interesting observations. My summer wardrobe has been the best ever because of variety and natural fibers. When I buy too far ahead, I forget how hot it gets and think polyester and long pants will be ok. This year I fully expected to need to shop for some pieces but, except for a couple of bottoms and updating shoes, I was surprised not to need many refreshers. I think this was mostly due to being satisfied with what I have and not getting bored...yet.
Thinking of next year, I will need to look for more modern fitting basic tops, that is more fluid without overwhelming volume and that still have some structure. I have learned the it pays to practice PPP because with the right piece, I stop shopping to fill that hole or want.
Oh, and some of the biggest sales will be this week through Labor Day in the US. They need to make room for the fall/winter things coming in.

Word Lily

Veteran

I've been pretty unhappy with my wardrobe (partly dislike of summer in general and partly not having the right pieces); I've got a long ways to go.

I'd started a list of pieces to shop for / acquire, with some more immediate and others farther down the road, but in the last week or so I've been feeling so angsty that I feel like I just need everything, the list has kind of been thrown out the window.

Laura (rhubarbgirl)

(website)

Veteran

Jenn and Suz, I did add a pair of dark taupe cage sandals - I thought they'd work as a black equivalent but I haven't reached for them as much as the nude pair. In outfits, it's like the tint makes as much difference as the darkness of shade, if that makes any sense. But then bookending my hair has always been something that isn't a slam dunk for me since I would never wear an item of clothing that's the same color as my hair.

Carter, by next summer you'll be moved, right? I bet you'll need even more casual stuff that you did this year. It probably will be a moving target for a couple of years until you figure out what you will really wear.

Joy and Sterling, interesting about the sales. I was always a bargain hunter and rarely shopped ahead before I found YLF, but the longer I am here the more I'm interested in being strategic and buying ahead of a season instead of at the end.

Mona and rachylou, glad your summer wardrobe has been working for you, and Word Lily, sorry it hasn't. I've been there, believe me.