What Do I Even Need For Fall? - YouLookFab Forum

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What Do I Even Need For Fall?

Jenn

(website)

Veteran

With NAS coming up, that's my cue to start (early) thinking about what I'm going to wear this fall. Maybe it's just the heat of summer, but I'm feeling totally uninspired.

I reviewed my purchases from last fall/winter, and my favorites of 2016, but there's not a ton I'm feeling super excited about yet. I'm sure a handful of new statements and upgrades will help a lot...but what?!

Tell me about your NAS strategies, and if you've thought about a fall refresh yet. Do I just hope Angie's recs do the trick and inspire me?

Anniversary Sale

15 replies

Latest reply was from Angie

Diana

Veteran

I mostly just stick to basics, classics, and HEWIs for NAS (basically things that I want to replace/upgrade or have been looking for for a while), precisely because I can't think about fall trends in the middle of July. And of course I keep an eye out for Angie picks and popular forum choices.

ETA: this year I'm not sure I really need anything in particular although I spied a couple of interesting things in the preview that joy found.

Anonymous

Jenn - the only things I'm considering for fall NAS are:

A pair of shoes/boots with a low heel that can travel and hold up to weather well

Black slim or straight pants. Leaning toward ankle length, but would consider full length too.

I see last year you got some J Jill pants. I'm kind of thinking in that vein. How did you find those run - TTS, large, did you get a tall or regular?

I would like to consider Angie's picks this year, or take advantage of other YLF reviews, which can be so helpful.

If I don't find them at NAS, that's ok. I will try to find in stores in the fall. My only issue is sizing can be limited for me in stores, and I sometimes have difficulty finding what I see online. But my success rate in person is much greater, and I have no local Nordstrom. In fact, I was at the mall with my family recently, and I was lamenting there seem to be fewer and fewer stores for me to find things in, thus sending me back online.

Jenn

(website)

Veteran

delurked, the J.Jill pants run large. I got regular length and hemmed up to a true ankle length from the neither-here-nor-there length they came in. I should note, though, that I have short legs for my 5'9" height. If it hadn't been for the rise, I would have bought the petite pants to get the right length.

Diana, I like your strategy. I'm going to make a list of items that I know need replacing or upgrading, along with pieces I wanted to buy last year and didn't manage to find.

Aquamarine

Veteran

Well, this year I will try getting some new bras, and I'd love a new winter coat/jacket. find I do get caught up in forum hits, which are of course Angie's recommendations. My least worn NAS items are special occasion items, but I don't mind if they hang in my closet for those rare occasions. It's all good

JAileen

Veteran

I know what you mean about the heat. It's hard to imagine needing a coat or boots ever again.

I bought a ton of stuff last year, my first NAS, and kept very little. I bought whatever tickled my fancy. I was very realistic, though, when evaluating my purchases, not keeping anything that didn't fit well, or that I wouldn't use in my real life. I definitely don't need anything, but I'd like another leather jacket. I have a beautiful metallic leather jacket that makes a big statement. I'd like a blue or navy leather jacket that is more classic/basic. Seeing Angie's picks may make me realize wardrobe holes I never knew I had, though!

Suz

(website)

Veteran

My strategy, FWIW.

A.. Look at my list of fall items and see if I can identify wardrobe holes or genuine needs.

In my case, that includes:

a short casual weatherproof bootie or moto boot.
new pair of jeans in a darkish or at least medium wash
bras
grey long cardigan to replace a four year old worn to death one.

B. Consider "wants" and balance them against one another, depending what's being offered in the sale. Usually I end up buying at least one item that is merely a "want" but that ends up becoming a workhorse. My burgundy Dre jeans fell into that category last year. Could I have lived without them? Of course. But I wear them a lot!

C. Pick at least one wildcard item. Often for me it ends up being two -- one inexpensive and one more luxury. Last year that was my denim culottes and the famous gilet.

I base all of this on past experience, reviews, and most of all, Angie's recommendations.

Joy

Veteran

Janet, I feel just as you do. I am hoping some of Angie's picks will get me excited. For now I could refresh some basic turtlenecks and possibly weatherproof black booties or ankle boots. I never found a sweater dress in a color last winter and could stand to do an upgrade in mid grey. I wish I had made lists last spring when my winter wardrobe was fresh in mind.

Barbara Diane

Veteran

I'm found a few possibilities. I'm trying to decide whether to place an order, and if so, whether for pick up or delivery. I'm leaning toward going to my store first. No clothing my size, but I can try shoes and accessories.

I need to replace my black pants and there are a few possible tops that look interesting and useful.

Style Fan

Veteran

Last year was the first time I ordered anything from the NAS. It was an Angie top pick (Jen 7 eggplant pant/jean) and I had wanted burgundy jeans for awhile so these were on my list. I am not a big online shopper. Shopping online is more challenging in Canada but I have done more in the last year.
I have a few items on my wish list and if Angie puts some of them in her top picks I might order them.
1/ Olive green cropped (short to the waist) military type jacket. I see she is showing one in her pictures from Levis.
2/ Lightweight cashmere scarf
3/ Jeans - I am now down to one pair. I would like a medium rise straight leg not too slouchy but not skinny pair of jeans that fit well. Is that too much to ask?

Lisa

Veteran

I review how I prepare for NAS every year on my blog, here's the short version:
1. Review and edit what's in my fall capsule
2. Make a list of wardrobe holes to fill and anything that's a new style I want to try
3. Review the sales offerings for my list items, and a "splurge" item because the sale is the best time to pick up bigger ticket items and you can't pre-plan everything in advance
4. Check out Angie's lists because not only are they always spot on and have great fit tips, but also she always knows of items I haven't come across with my own searching
5. A few items that are always on my "look for" list are my wardrobe staples including: premium denim, blazers, bras, knickers, boots, and pullovers. These are all higher priced items and I find the best prices during the sale so I usually start by looking at these areas.

Good luck with your shopping!

Beth Ann

Veteran

Oh dear, I'm with you. I'm never quite ready to think about Fall in July, and this year there is a lot of uncertainty in my life that makes major purchases out of the question. I'm avoiding planning, because I'm might be frustrated by making a plan I can't properly execute, lol! However, I will be following your musings, so that I can jump into action when the time is right!

Jenn

(website)

Veteran

Your advice is helping me so much! Thank you all. I still have time, as I don't have a Nordie's card, and I don't plan to open one, but I've started collecting Finds based on some preliminary thoughts.

Dressy winter coat: I'm willing to hold out for the absolute right one.
Classic trench coat: Not a necessity here in Colorado the way it was in Seattle, but it sure would be nice to have one in my wardrobe again.
Cognac booties: I didn't find any I loved last year, and nothing is catching my eye in the sale yet, but my eyes are open.
Upgraded WAH uniform: I liked having a work-at-home uniform last year, but I started to feel a bit dowdy in mine by the end of the season, so I'd like to adjust it for the new year
Snow boots: A desperate need, but I don't think NAS is traditionally great for this.
A dark floral: I'm so, so picky about this, but definitely looking.

I also just collected anything else that caught my fancy, for whatever reason. I certainly won't be ordering everything on my list, and I haven't gone through to check for fabric composition and size ranges yet (although, since I'm cusp-sized, I did limit my search to brands that, at least nominally, carry my size.)

Here's the collection, and in Finds below.

Lauren Ralph Lauren Herringbone Wool Blend Long Military Coat

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Top Pick

5

Eileen Fisher Hall Pointy Toe Flat

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Top Pick

2

London Fog Hooded Double Breasted Long Trench Coat

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Top Pick

4

Karen Kane Knit Moto Jacket

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Top Pick

1

Lauren Ralph Lauren Double Breasted Long Coat

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Top Pick

2

Guess Velvet Trim Plaid Tweed Coat

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Top Pick

0

UGG Hayley Long Cardigan

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Top Pick

6

Eileen Fisher Side Slit Crop Jersey Pants

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Top Pick

2

Eileen Fisher Merino Wool Pullover

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Top Pick

1

Eileen Fisher Asymmetrical Merino Wool Pullover

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Top Pick

15

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I will write a post about this next week. This is a top pick.

Eileen Fisher Asymmetrical Merino Wool Pullover

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Top Pick

15

Jenn

(website)

Veteran

I'm so happy to hear that, Angie. That's my favorite of all the things I collected, so I was really hoping it would be good!

I spent some time looking through shoes and accessories yesterday and have added more to my collection. I'm sure I'll have things narrowed down by the time the sale starts proper.

Naturalizer Wanya Buckle Bootie

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Top Pick

1

Josef Seibel Sienna 59 Slouchy Chelsea Bootie

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Top Pick

0

Converse Chuck Taylor All Star Knit Low Top Sneaker

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Top Pick

0

Kork-Ease Mindo Chelsea Bootie

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Top Pick

3

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

It's going to be GREAT on you - the EF pullover.