The outfit project- update - YouLookFab Forum

Last July, I started what I called my outfit project, which is really just a way to decide what to wear everyday, without wasting time on deciding each morning. And for the most part it has worked really well for me, in terms of making my work day mornings basically stress free.

Simply stated, I generally work in 2, 3 or 4 week schedules. I start with a number of favorite pieces (both tops and bottoms) or just pieces that I want to wear. Then I select a favorite way to wear that piece and create outfits. I do try to include a variety of silhouettes (I basically have 3). I don't repeat an entire outfit during the time period I am working with.

Each morning, I just choose one of the pre-selected outfits, depending on my mood and the weather, and then pick shoes and bag for the day. The limited choices help narrow my focus, while still allowing me to follow my mood.

I don't force myself to wear a certain number of things, or to try to work something in that I'm just not feeling. I do keep track of what I wear, but mostly just so I can use number of wears to help determine the wardrobe size that works best for me. I have continued to curate and just recently let go of a good number of pieces. My closet continues to be super organized
I've included a couple of photos of the outfits I will be wearing these next 2 weeks.

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10 years ago

Susie

Veteran

Hmmm, sorry the pics are sideways...I thought that I fixed that!

trekkiegirl

Great strategy! I did the exact same thing for the first 4 weeks at my new job, but after I ran out of outfits I didn't make time to replenish them. I would like to be better about this though.

I've had a few weeks where I've had to just wing it and I've learned that I really do better wiht a bit of preplanning. Our weather will be changing soon (right now it's cold again but we had a couple of weeks of milder weather already) so I'm trying to get in more wears of my favorite winter things.

Sal

Great idea! Pleased it simplifying and streamlining your life.

Do you repeat pieces during this timeframe, but not whole outfits?

Kiwigal, thanks. If I am planning for just 2 weeks, I usually don't have any repeats. But if it's 3 or 4 weeks, I don't mind repeating items, just not whole outfits.

ATLynn

Very cool. I was thinking of doing the same thing on paper (kind of like weekly meal planning) but I really like that you brought it to life by actually putting the pieces together in your closet.

Summer

That's a brilliant way to simplify your working life,Susie. Who needs stress first thing in the morning? Working with a limited number of items really does force you to come up with new ways of wearing your favourite things.

By the way, I love your colour palette.

Jenava

(website)

I love this! Can you come to my house and do this for me every two weeks? LOL...

Caro in Oz

Glad it's working for you Susie:) It's interesting that you've been able to let go of more by doing this. Were they things that didn't work with the rest of your clothes or did you just have better? I'm also interested to know which silhouettes you are wearing.

You must feel super organized now! How long does the outfit making session usually take you?

Add my name after Jenava's! (I won't fight her for first since she just had a baby.)

jackiec

Well done. You are SO organized

deb

Ah, isn't it wonderful how organization can limit stress? Nicely done.

Thank you all for your comments. It's a simple thing but it's been so helpful. I should probably point out that I am a fairly minimal dresser....every one of the 10 outfits I selected are just 2 pieces; in this case, all consist of pants and top. I think my shoes help to add interest. And I might semi tuck a top and add a belt or add a scarf or necklace, but in terms of clothing, my outfits are simple.

Lynn, sometimes I do mine on paper but it does make it even easier when the outfits are hanging together.

Summer, thanks for the color love. I actually focus on my favorite way to wear my things...if that means repeating an outfit as is rather than re-mixing it just for the sake of variety, I would rather repeat an outfit that I really like rather than where something I am just meh about.

Jenava, I would love too! But I think that you are way more creative than I am! PS, hope you and the little one are doing well.

Caro, I think by allowing myself to just wear what I really like without forcing anything, some pieces just didn't get worn. As to silhouettes, for fall and winter, I basically have three- jean style pants with mid length top (mostly sweaters), slim leg pants with longer/tunic tops and slouchy pants with shorter length tops. I even organized my closet according to the silhouettes. With the 10 oufits I am wearing these next 2 weeks, all 3 are represented.

AJ, I have to admit that I am really, really organized. DH says I spend more time in my closet than any other room in the house
Yesterday it didn't take me long at all. Although it's pretty cold again here, we've already had some more mild weather so winter is probably only another 4 - 6 weeks. So I focused on using my favorite winter pieces to know they will get another wear or two.

Jackie, yes, maybe crazily so!

Deb, it's so nice to have the mornings go more smoothly. And, even better, I end up liking what I am wearing more often than when I don't preplan. I used to flit from one idea to another and end up wasting enough time that in the end I just settled for something just to get out the door!

missvee

It's a great idea, especially if you have a big wardrobe.

Tina

Thanks for the update! I was wondering just a few days ago how you were doing with your project and or if you were still doing it. Now you've answered all my questions!
I think this would work well for me although I would likely only need to do a week at a time. I have a very low key work/SAHM life. I'm another super organized person, I understand the OCD tendencies that can come with that:-/

Thanks Susie - it's very interesting, I found the same thing happening when I made a point of building outfits with my clothes.

Suz

Great to see you check in, Susie, and I'm so glad this system seems to be working well for you. I love the closeups of your closet, too! Gorgeous fabrics and textures that aren't always as visible in an outfit shot.

Anonymous

It looks like you have lots of variety and color. Great idea.

Dimity

Active Member

This sounds like a really effective way to get mornings sorted. I love being organised.

celia

I love this kind of posts and knowing that getting up dressed and fabulous can be stress free.

Sara L.

Very interesting! I sort of do this in my head. I preplan several days in advance and sometimes change the order depending on the weather or my mood. If I had space to hang the completed outfits so I could see them, I would definitely think of doing something similar.

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