Wardrobe refresh? - YouLookFab Forum

Hi ladies! I'm new! (waves)

Longtime lurker, first-time caller. I used to read a lot of YLF when I was figuring out my style post-babies. I did a lot of buying and returning (and making some poor choices) until I sort of figured it out, filled the big holes in my wardrobe and then quit thinking about clothes so much. Which was a relief! I am not a visual person and I find these things exhausting.

Now I seem to be in a new phase of life and thinking I need another refresh. The big problem is that I am perimenopausal and my body is now shaped like a large whiskey barrel I'm trying not to be too bummed out, because I'm definitely healthy--in fact I just ran a half marathon!--but I have to be the only person I know who can run 20 miles a week and actually put on weight.

Of course, I want to lose it. And I'm going to try (sigh, AGAIN). But right now I'm busting out of my clothes and my skin is freaking out from my shifting hormones and I just feel like a hot mess. I don't want to invest in a whole new wardrobe, but I feel like a few inexpensive pieces might help my self-image, which might actually help me do the work it will take to lose weight. First I need to do a huge closet cull--pick out my favorite clothes and store them in my cedar closet downstairs where they won't sit there in my closet making me feel bad--which is where I may need your advice.

And then after that: where to go for interim styles? If funds were not an issue ... I would be stocking up on Eileen Fisher, as I find that her stuff drapes nicely on my changing body and I like the artier designs quite well. Other than that .....?

I am challenging to fit in the best of times: short-waisted, narrow hips, big belly, big bust, big arms, no waistline. I do still have nice legs, sniff.

Thoughts? Sorry for the tldr;

10 years ago

Thistle

Veteran

Dresses!! Show off those gams!

Seriously, dresses are your friend. They are kinder to shifting female bodies than pants, and they give you an instant shot of glamor.

As for purging; I would remove from your closet anything that doesn't fit Right Now. Let it Be Gone!

You can put it in a holding pile in your cedar chest, or whatever you feel you should do. I have little experience perimenapausal, but my pre-baby body is still missing

Next, what is your current lifestyle? Are you a SAHM? Do you need business casual? Casual?

carter

Great post! Right there with you (as she turns the air down again). The most helpful thing I have done to clothe this body while it sorts itself out is to find a silhouette that can be flattering and serve as camouflage. For me, long over lean seems to work reliably well. (I normally like to tuck/semi-tuck and belt, which really is not working for me at the moment.) A few pair of slim pants (ankle length/full length/cropped depending on your needs) and some longer length tops (both knits and wovens) are my mainstay at the moment. Honestly, I'm not buying terribly expensive items at the moment (mostly sale items from Nordstrom, BR, Gap, Old Navy, JCrew). I am still wishfully hoping that this is a temporary aberration;-).
As Thistle suggested, your temporary silhouette may involve dresses, skirts or shorts.

monkeypuzzle

Active Member

I am part SAHM with some work from home and I live in the most casualest of casual cities, so ... casual!

I do love dresses, but I find it *so* hard to get them right. Anything with a waistline is matronly on me. Wrap dresses are awful too. Shifts are OK sometimes (though not sheaths). Sigh ...

Alassë

Welcome from me, too! Definitely get those clothes out of your closet, though I'd suggest keeping them till your shape stabilizes. (Some place where you won't see them every day.)

Laura (rhubarbgirl)

(website)

J Jill? Has the same vibe as a lot of EF but not as spendy, even more so if you wait for a sale.

Aida

It might be worth getting one fabulous EF dress (on sale if you can) that makes you feel brilliant, and then wear often. That way you'll feel you have a mix of high/low; it's nice to have those inexpensive placeholder items, but it's also nice to have one or two nicer pieces to mix with them for those days you need the extra boost.

Jenn

I'm right there with you, monkeypuzzle, right down to the weird, hormonal weight shifts (mine has to do with a syndrome rather than perimenopause yet, but the end result is similar) and the casual city. I think my solution is going to be investing in great pieces that won't shift with sizing (belts, shoes, bags, accessories) and figuring out what works through trial and error and then sticking with it for everything else.

Daria

I second J Jill.
Another thought is Lands End and LLBean. Casual, good quality and not very spendy.

Angie

Fashion Stylist

Welcome, and I'm impressed that you ran a half marathon. I echo what Aida said too.

Anonymous

I've had pretty good luck finding Eileen Fisher items on EBay. It helps to know your size in a specific piece. I hope you can find some affordable pieces.

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