What have you never had in your wardrobe? - YouLookFab Forum

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What have you never had in your wardrobe?

Janet

(website)

Veteran

When I saw nuancedream’s recent glorious red suit post, it occurred to me that I have not had a suit in my life since I was about 21 and had a couple from a clothing store for whom I did summer inventory work. I got two suits that I could wear to my then full-time job (front desk supervisor at a luxury hotel). When I left that job, the suits went away and I never got one again…

Oh wait! I had one more. It was purple, and it was 1991. It was a long double-breasted jacket and an above-the-knee skirt. I got it to wear to a friend’s wedding. The color was in her color scheme and I I was giving a reading at the wedding so I wore that purple suit. I think I gave it away shortly after because I don’t remember ever wearing it again.

So it’s been over 30 years since I owned a suit. Even then I had trouble finding suits in which the jacket and bottoms both fit me. I gave up many years ago, and even now I see some great-looking ones here or in the blogs, and it’s tempting for a moment, and then I remember 1) my fit challenges and 2) my lifestyle. LOL

So, what ubiquitous wardrobe item have you never had, or haven’t had in a very long time? Just for fun.

General

89 replies

Latest reply was from Firecracker (Sharan)

Helena

Veteran

A suit for me too - I donated the last of them in about 2008 I'd say?

And loafers. I haven't had a pair of loafers since my Clarke's penny loafers in Grade 9, so that's circa 1988 I guess. They looked fabulous with my poofed half-up half-down hair-do and my blue felt school blazer lol *facepalm* (I'd kill to have those eyebrows back though!!)

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Janet

(website)

Veteran

Helena, that’s awesome!

Somewhere there is a pic of me in the purple suit, with appropriately poofy early 90s hair. Lest anyone forget that 90s style didn’t really take hold until a few years later. Early 90s were still 80s, style-wise. I’ll try to find the pic.

nuancedream

Veteran

I have never owned a black handbag. It's not something I deliberately avoided because I've had plenty of black accessories, namely footwear, over the years. I just gravitate to other colors for handbags.

Jenni NZ

Veteran

A denim jacket. Wonder how many of you would say that? They have never felt like me.

Sal

Veteran

Fab photo Helena! My last new suit was purchased 22 years ago so it’s been a while for me too. Your suit sounds just fab Janet!!

It’s also been about 18-19 years since I owned a white shirt. I have had white and cream and ecru tops but no classic style.

It’s been close to 30 years since I owned loafers. I am very particular about the style of loafer I like for me and none have ever made it over the line.

Great topic!

unfrumped

Veteran

Skinny jeans. Black leather moto jacket. Stilettos or kitten heels. Knee- high boots. A hat other than outdoorsy sun types. Long ( knee- length type) cardigan.
These are “ never had “ items.

Dee

Veteran

I’ve never owned a pair of leather pants. I’ve owned a leather skirt and several leather jackets though. I guess I always thought they felt rather edgy, cool, sexy and that really doesn't seem to be me lol.
I see the pleather ones out there now and I’ve been tempted as they seem like they’d b easier to wear with the stretch that’s usually added and all the different colours available but I’m still not sure they are for me.

Kate

Veteran

Leather pants. Corduroy jacket. Shacket of any type.

Gaylene

Veteran

Mid-calf skirts, heels over 2 inches, pointed toes, fashion-ripped jeans (shudder!), button-down shirts, lady-like suits and coats, ballet-style shoes, ruffles, strapless anything, puffy sleeves, tulle, and satchel designer handbags.

Great on others but not for me. I love watching Grace Kelly in those old movies, but couldn’t for the life of me see myself in her outfits.

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Jonesy

Veteran

Awesome pic, Helena! You are an adorable 9th grader :).

Never owned a trench coat, a long puffer coat, or any clothes that are leather or faux leather.

JAileen

Veteran

I haven’t bought a suit since the 80s. I do not miss them, or those little bows, either. Or pumps.

I’ve never had a fur coat. I mention this because I recently took a mink coat to the thrift store where I’ve volunteered for years. I was surprised how heavy it was. A member of our church died and her husband donated a lot of her things to an organization that helps the homeless. The director rejected the coat, not because it wasn’t nice, but he said whoever got it would likely sell it for drugs. Anyway, the volunteer at the thrift store was thrilled. It made me think of the minks I’ve seen along the river.

Minaminu

Veteran

white jeans! this is something that I am planning to resolve before next summer!

DonnaF

Veteran

Never ever: Ballet flats, loafers, and other slip-on shoes. They slip off. Also never owned a pants suit that I recall, but possibly had a quilted on in seventh grade. Owned a couple of skirted suits in the late ‘80s when I felt it was important to Dress for Success.

Lesley

Veteran

My one "absolute never": cowboy boots.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Helena, you win best photo of the day

The last time I wore short shorts was on the beach in Cape Town 27 years ago.

The last I wore earrings was at our wedding almost 26 years ago.

I've never worn or owned shoes with heels over 3 inches. Never had platformed heels either. But wore platformed sneakers in the '90s.

The last time I wore thick tights was at age 17 - part of my school uniform. I am NEVER wearing tights again. Too many awful memories. But I like sheer hosiery.

LJP

Veteran

I’ve had everything - well except for a fur coat . But not a suit in 25 years, and no pumps in probably 15 years . Western or cowboy boots since first of second year uni- in 1979 / 1980.

Style Fan

Veteran

Skinny jeans
Ballet flats

Those are the two that come to mind. There are probably others.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Ooh, Gaylene, good one — I’ve never had strapless ANYTHING. Just not workable on big boob and small rib cage — everything slides down! LOL

Most of what you all are mentioning, I have had at some point. I’ve never had real leather trousers — just faux ones.

I’ve never worn real fur either. Never had any desire to. Donated my inherited fur coats to an animal rescue organization.

Kathie

Veteran

Purple, in any clothing item, skinny jeans, ripped/overly distressed denim, any type of combat/granny/lace-up style boot. Lug soles, too- even though I love a chunky sole, lugged ones never end up in my closet. It's been decades since I owned a long puffer coat, though I do think of buying one every winter.

Irina

Veteran

Never had cowboy boots or anything in western style. Bike shorts, leggings as pants, some gear things are also something I never had.

Last time wore a skirt in my 20s if I don’t count a beach sarong.

No fur coat but I wore a fur hat years ago! Well, I’m Russian

Vildy

Veteran

All I can think of is skinny jeans and leggings.

cjh

(website)

Veteran

Ripped or shredded jeans, leggings except for running tights, tall leather boots, maxi dresses or skirts, bathing suit coverups (I’d rather wear shorts and tees over, or just change), tunic length tops (returned the one or two I brought home to try.)

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Helena, what an adorable photo!

An iconic item I hadn't worn since childhood, purchased for the first time this year -- loafers. I have avoided them and most flats because like Donna, I suffer from the slipping off problem. But the current pair don't slip (in spite of some reviews that say they do!). So that is a fun switch up for me. I never avoided them out of dislike; only out of an inability to wear.

Similarly, I haven't owned a pump without a strap for decades.

I do own and wear most of the other iconic items usually mentioned in lists for classic dressers -- white shirt, trench coat, suit, black turtleneck (though mine is charcoal), etc. I've never owned a black leather jacket but I do own a blue one.

Karie

(website)

Veteran

Real leather anything. I would love a real leather jacket, but I’ve never owned one. Never had anything made of real fur either.

Anonymous

Since I left Catholic-school uniforms behind, I have not owned a single piece of plaid. This is a plaid-free zone.

Runcarla

Veteran

Never had (or worn) a long/duster sweater, fur coat, sheepskin anything (including Uggs), no Crocs, Birks, or Docs. No Spanx. No contacts.

Probably tried everything else, and did wear a lot of suits - together or broken up - through to retirement. Loafers in every decade (low and high stacked heeled-loved those!) most heel heights - including platforms, dresses/skirts/pants of all lengths, all colours, most patterns, most fabrics.

I’ve been more adventurous (and confident) in my later years - bikinis in my 40’s, and first leather and jean jackets in my 50’s! Pedi’s in my 50’s and mani’s in my 60’s!

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MsMary

Veteran

I think I've owned just about everything except a brand-new big poofy white wedding gown. I did have a big poofy white gown, but I bought it second hand. And for my subsequent weddings (heh) I went for less traditional options.

rachylou

Veteran

Camel overcoat? Ballet tutu that sticks straight out? There’s not much I haven’t worn, lol.

Ginger

Veteran

I'm with Lisa - it's actually pretty hard to find things that I've never had!

- Modern dress slacks
- Real leather pants or skirt
- Black turtleneck
- Heels over 4"
- White jeans
- Designer handbag
- Bermuda shorts

I currently own cowboy boots, a "fur" (mouton) coat and several stoles, strapless (evening) dress, at least three vintage suits, trench coat (I think 1970s), etc.

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