The voyage so far...thoughts on becoming a veteran.

"The more I learn, the more I learn how little I know..."-Socrates

So this month I became a veteran participant in the YLF forum! I have stuck with my original goal, which is like many here...to re-evaluate my wardrobe and clothing needs for my RL ( 50 something careerist transitioning towards active retirement lifestyle) as well as keeping a smallish but well curated wardrobe. Also important was to find a way of being authentic to who I am, while remaining stylish and engaged.

Although I cannot say that I have figured everything out and achieved wardrobe nirvana, I'm really happy with my collection of clothes. A year ago I had some wardrobe holes (mostly casual/dressy casual) but I am now confident that I can put together an outfit for any occasion and feel confident that I look appropriate, while being comfortable, and maybe even a little bit fab!

To keep things simple, here's a list of 10 things that I learned here, and that are really working for me:

1. Bookending
2. The power of white (including footwear)
3. The cool factor of a great leather jacket
4. How really, really important good undergarments are (especially bra!)
5. How really, really important the right footwear is!
6. Quality matters
7. Capsules for different occasions
8. Eye wear should follow the brow line and 'lift' at the outside bottom edge
9. Animal print/snakeskin is a neutral
10. Have fun with fashion!

Thank you Angie, and fellow Fabber's for a year of inspiration, support, and thought provoking threads. Now, if I could just figure out the half-tuck.....

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10 years ago

Caro in Oz

Veteran

Congratulations Runcarla. Love your what I have learned list

Anonymous

Congratulations!

Susie

What a great list...you've learned a lot and you are looking fab!

MuseumGal

Look how stylish and fab you are!
Also: PURPLE LEATHER JACKET OMG.

Congrats! It was so fun reading your reflections & then seeing your photos. Your closet is definitely full of fab pieces that you combine beautifully!

April

That "veteran" moment is a big one, isn't it?

I've been here, on and off, for some years now, and I share every one of the items on your list of things you learned here, with the addition of "perfect pants length." That's probably the one that's produced the most weeding out for me over the years.

I think the most important sentence in your post is "I'm really happy with my collection of clothes." That's what it's all about, right?

deb

Congratulations, stylish lady!

Suz

(website)

Congratulations, and you go straight to the head of the class! Those are superb lessons to learn, and wow, have you learned them well. #9 is K to the power of K-worthy in my books! But you look fantastic in all.

It's been a real pleasure to share this journey so far with you. I love how you have blended your passion for fitness with your love of fashion and also learned to look absolutely 100% amazing when travelling!!

Suja

Congratulations! Love your lessons learned.

Congrats! Great summary and wonderful pictures!

Transcona Shannon

Congratulations Carla! Your outfits are fab and I love your list of things you've learned.

Sveta

Congratulations, stylish veteran!
These are all great insights and you are so well on the path to achieve your style goals. I think I can sign under every each of your 10 commandments, they are pretty much the distilled essence of YLF wisdom!

Jaime

Congratulations! Great lessons and great retrospective of you style!

Runcarla

I'm home after a week of travel. Looking for a home that will be the home that takes DH and me through the next 15-20 years, as we transition to the last years of our careers, fledge our 2 sons, get closer geographically to family who might require our support in the coming years, etc.

I packed a travel capsule similar to my Sept. UK capsule, but subbed purple striped t and purple leather jacket from husband enabled Nov. shopping spree, and felt super fab despite ++high stress levels. Though I had hardly worn jacket since purchase, the temps were right, and I wore it everyday this week and needed the sartorial boost dealing with the new environment. Museum Gal...much as I fight it, purple is my signature colour and when I fall, I fall hard.

April, I almost put PPL as one of the '10' but since I still struggle (as a tall, but not really a tall off the rack) and I still err on the side of trousers 'not quite long enough' I have not learned the lesson. Suz, you do not KNOW (or maybe you do!) how much my travel capsule has been the 'go to' capsule and what confidence it provides when day after day, en-route, one can pull out an outfit from a carry on that will serve any purpose. Sveta, I relate in so many ways...inseam, arm length, and shoulder breadth issues. (Not to mention shoe size/fit issues.) Climate not withstanding! You are an inspiration, and I appreciate any and all advice.

Thank you ALL for your insight and contributions.

Helena

Wow, that's awesome!

Brava, Carla! I have really enjoyed watching your style unfold. You have learned some great lessons, ones that I'm trying to learn as well. I love your signature stripes and your newly broken in purple leather jacket is just superb on you.

Neel

Love the ten things you learnt and all your outfits are stellar! Congratulations on achieving the veteran state

goldenpig

Congrats on becoming a veteran, and you look fabulous! Great list of lessons!

catgirl

Congrats! Great post.

karymk

I have loved your posts. You are very inspiring!

Debra

Congratulations

sinead

Active Member

Thanks for posting this! As a fellow over-50, I have found it to be extra challenging to keep my eye on my wardrobe goals. Just when I think I have something figured out, I realize I've been working with the wrong colors, or I lose too much weight and nothing fits, or the budget takes another beating... what keeps me going is seeing all of you fab and stylish ladies succeeding in your fashion goals. And I love your leather jackets!

Angie

Fashion Stylist

*applause*

Congrats. And thanks for for being so fab. xo

TraceyLiz65

Congratulations! Love your list!

gryffin

Runcarla - what a happy and wonderful milestone!!! Congratulations!! That happens to be a fantastic list! Great lessons learned, fantastic outfits shared and best of all you are in a happy wardrobe place!! That pretty much sounds like nirvana to me!!! Always such a joy to read your posts, see your wonderful outfits and enjoy your insightful comments!! Here's raising a virtual glass to the next phase of your journey!!

Alassë

Glory

What a great write up! Thanks for sharing your thoughts and the wonderful photos!

viva

Carla, this post and its accompanying photos create one of my favorite YLF forum moments EVER. To me, this is what YLF is all about. I love how you reflected on where you are, how succinctly you boiled down the big learning, and really: your photos are just fantastic. I want to always feel how you look in those pics.

Flagging this post to read whenever I feel dragged down by life and by closet.

Thank you!

Ornella

Congratulations Carla. I remember when you started posting (Run? Carla? Oh, Carla who runs? Wow!! No, Carla who does triathlons! WOW!). What a great write up and excellent learnings pointing what was important for you. There is always of sense of achievement and also surprise with both how much there was to be learnt and how much we enjoy getting dressed with this new knowledge, don't you think.

I wish you all the best in the transitional stage that's ahead of you, I hope it won't be long and stressful and that you'll be quickly settled in ready to embrace what life has to offer you next.

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