Taming the Wardrobe - YouLookFab Forum

I did a much needed wardrobe purge. I tend to get in the bad habit of buying lots of clothes just so I am certain that I can put together the perfect outfit. Sometimes I wind up having my closet tight full. I am trying to break myself of that habit for both practical and of course financial reasons.

I remember Oprah saying that you tend to make a bee line and buy a lot of what you felt like you didn't have growing up. If it gets too out of whack, one can end up hoarding. Good thing I'm not in the hoarding category. I had a really awful childhood and teen years. My father was an addict and he also was obsessed with high end clothing items. He would spend just about every penny on himself and my mother and I to struggle. He was also very abusive. He would call me ugly and fat, even though at that time I was not even close to being clinically overweight. I suffered eating disorders as a result. I didn't have the totally latest fad fashions like the other kids had, but my mother's sewing skills at least kept me somewhat current-ish.

So my thing I didn't have growing up was fashionable clothes and quality make up and skin care. So that's what I tend to buy a lot of to counter the mean tapes in my head telling me that I'm ugly, frumpy and unfashionable.

Right now I am trying to capsulize my wardrobe and give it some boundaries. I tend to like classics with a bit of a boho twist to them. I don't want to got too far into the bohemian look to the point that I look like I live in a Coachella fantasy world, but just enough to be fun. I like sticking with classics because they can be worked into just about anything.

So, ladies, what's your ride or die item? If you're a capsule gal, what items are on your list?

3 years ago

Joy

Veteran

My capsule list would start with a neutral color that I can wear as a column and add different tops or toppers. I used to try for at least 2 bottoms ( pants and skirt) and a simple top or two in different weights and/or sleeve lengths ( example: a shirt or blouse and a sweater), and a topper (I prefer a jacket that can make a pant and skirt suit with the bottoms). To these pieces it is easy to add the same in a light neutral and accent colors ( I like to make a sort of twin set with colors like a pink cashmere hoodie with a pink tee). I look for patterns in a top or indoor scarf with the neutral(s) and accent colors to pull everything together.

Jenn

(website)

Last year, I made myself a list of essentials (see image) that I use as a base for more interesting statements. I build everything from there. This year, to stave off boredom, I'm also going to do seasonal capsules, but this list here makes sure my wardrobe isn't wanting. If I really needed to, I could dress comfortably and appropriately for most occasions with just these pieces.

This post has 1 photo. Photos uploaded by this member are only visible to other logged in members.

If you aren't a member, but would like to participate, please consider signing up. It only takes a minute and we'd love to have you.

Jaime

Hi Renee. I am sorry to hear about your upbringing, but you bring a lot of self awareness, and it is good you can talk (write) about it.
Anyway, I think shoes are my first fashion love, and it may very well be due to being convinced at a vulnerable point that people are judging me because of my shoes (not my family or in childhood, just to be clear).
Or maybe I just love shoes .

rachylou

Hmm. My ride or die item may just be a Christmas dress. I’m still getting one every year for absolutely no reason. That’s no doubt family related. Always was put in a special dress at Xmas, and I remember the year my cousin and I were put in the same dress - but she was blue and I was pink, and we’ve been divided like that ever since. I’m England, she’s France. And then there was the year my uncle said to our younger cousin, ‘Didn’t we see that dress four years ago?’ Or something like that. You don’t get to wear old clothes at Xmas until you’re 70! My fam is famously snitty. It’s a badge of valour amongst the cousins’ friends to walk the gauntlet of one of our family dinners. Or perhaps it’s a hazing ritual. Mercy! But it’s wickedly funny... 30 years down the line. I took to dyeing my hair in Appalling Colour to beat them back, which may have been too successful. If I look normal, and thus cancel the game, I get sad puppy dog eyes. One just can’t pick one’s family.

I have capsules, but do tend to stick to a silhouette of skinny bottoms, combat boots in winter/retro running shoes in summer, and a long coat. With puffy sleeves...

Beth Ann

You have done the hard work of coming to terms with the challenges of your past in a way that helps you move forward. Brava! Capsules are a great way to create order and boundaries. They let you really enjoy your clothes, too.

Typically, I've been doing seasonal mini-wardrobes by rotating things in my closet. These are capsules of about 30-40 pieces on average. These have been:

Deep Winter
Hope of Spring (hey, I'm in the Midwest)
Cool Spring
Warm Spring
Early Summer (until July)
High Summer
Indian Summer / Warm Autumn
Cool Autumn
Holiday

The pandemic has changed this, and I'm working toward weekly capsules that are a lot smaller. These have 2-3 Zoom/Aldi outfits, 2-3 at home outfits, and workout wear. Soon I'll return to seeing some of my music therapy clients in their homes. At first, I think I'll do 2-3 week capsules, but even then I can often get 2 work days out of outfits if I change the first layer top (and undergarments, of course). This works, because I don't have coworkers I see everyday, but I do see the same people on the same day each week.

As for my must haves:
Shoes/boots that I can put on without hands, since I'm always carrying instruments or groceries, etc
Signature silhouettes must be accounted for in each capsule. For example: bootcuts and booties with short jacket

Sal

I quite like thinking in capsules and it can be a way to slow down purchases. Having fun with your existing pieces and remixing them for example.

I wear a small amount of boho - mostly long sleeve blouses with jeans or a kimono. I think the right hat can make an outfit look more boho too.

I have just completed by shopping wishlist, it will change and get added to and subtracted from as the year goes on. My top items to add right now are some gear but I also hope to find a smart mid weight coat.

Star

For the first time ever I have drawn up capsules. Two actually for this coming Spring. Each comprising 20 pieces in different color ways, one based on gray/purple/white/dark denim, the other rust/olive/gray/white. Some pieces overlap into both capsules. My goal is to wear the clothes I really love more and I really fancy the idea of most pieces going with each other for easy, pulled-together dressing. I have too many pieces in my wardrobe and most I like enough not to purge, but some I really love. My ride and die item is definitely jeans. The Vivienne Files offers great capsule building advice.

Runcarla

Yay for capsules! I’m a big fan. You might do like forum member Anchie, who is in a building phase and is adding one outfit each month. Kind of a monthly mini capsule. (I’m quite enamoured of her idea, to tell the truth.)

https://youlookfab.com/welookf.....uar-outfit

I’m not familiar with the term ‘ride or die’. Does that mean something you can’t go on without or something signature to your style?

Cee

I'm sorry to read about your father, Renee. Hopefully if he's still with us he's tried to make amends.

Windchime

It can take a long time to work through those painful childhood experiences, Renee. It sounds like you have good insight into yourself and are moving forward at your own pace. And a wardrobe purge is a great way to start the new year. I have loose seasonal capsules; they aren’t as well organized as some Fabbers’. I have found it extremely helpful to go through my entire wardrobe at least four times a year, when seasons change, and consider what I want to pass along and what I want to add.

cindysmith

My Naadam cashmere sweater. My newest 7FAM skinny jeans. My Sorel wedge boots with the lug sole. My screaming pink Tibi joggers. These are the items that are on repeat this winter, on those rare occasions when I'm not at work.

Category