This is a fun read. I think the biggest thing for me is just to embrace my shape. It is what it is. I have curves, embrace them, don't try to hide them.

1.the power of casual day dresses, button downs and kitten heels
2.oxfords can work with skirt and dresses(if having a small wedge heel)
3. puffer coats can be stylish (and work for me too...picties in a thread to follow..:-))

1. Outerwear does not have to be black, brown or beige. It is fab to invest in a colourful coat. I bought a red wool knee-length coat and can wear it with everything! I also now own a shorter purple military-style wool coat. LOVE how they both kill the black winter blahs.
2. Although I'm just 5"3, I CAN wear tall (albeit mid-calf length) boots and not look silly.
3. Long necklaces, patterns on top, and slim-cut jeans are my friends!

What great insights! I think I need to print this out and do some highlighting! The collective wisdom is incredible!

So, I've been absorbing all this YLF wisdom for two years now, but I FINALLY got that:

1. I do not need to try every cute/fab look that comes along.

2. I am not a slender, leggy 5'10" and need to beware that styles that suit those lucky ladies will (more than likely) not suit me.

3. At 53, I feel more appropriate and well dressed when clothing has a little more ease (i.e. size up in knits, sweaters, and pants

4. I feel most myself in 'less': less layers, less accessories, etc.

This is a fun thread. This year I learned:

1. There's not just PPL, there is also PSL (perfect sleeve length) and my blazers fit a lot nicer with the shorter sleeves now.

2. My core color is blue and I look best in cool toned colors. This makes selecting a new top a lot easier when I can eliminate half the selection based on the tone of the colors.

3. Dresses are easier for me to fit my pear shape than skirts. And it's faster to get dressed too.

4. Having a variety of jean styles in my closet. This keeps me from getting bored with my daily formula of wearing jeans, and when I couldn't wear skinnies because they would not fit over a healing foot, I still had jeans I could wear with my bootcuts and flares.

I've recently (in the past couple weeks) realized the power of bookending and cohesiveness. I was pondering this the other day that when I am mindful of creating some kind of bookending with my shoes it really does create cohesiveness with an outfit and makes the outfit appear effortless rather than contrived. I'm not talking matchy-matchy, just "in the same neighborhood"
I was especially struck as I was going through the "2011 faves" thread how with you beautiful blonde ladies, I was especially drawn to the outfits where you included a bit of a light color somewhere in the outfit. It made the difference between a great outfit, and a head to toe great look.

My other ephipany was that when I go looking to fill an immediate hole (like Easter shoes and cardigan on the day before) I am inevitably going to make less than a killer purchase. I am better off building my wardrobe patiently and creating outfits from what I have rather than shopping at the last minute.

I have 669 photos of my 2011 outfits, and I have spent a good amount of time looking at them and trying to figure out the lessons to be learned. So far I've come up with the following:

1. I can base my work wardrobe on bright skirts! The number one most worn work bottom for 2011 was the Halogen pencil skirt in FEVER PINK!! And each of the other bright skirts was worn a minimum of twice a month, which is a lot for me because I have a big wardrobe. By the time I'm finished the cost of those babies will be down near nothing! This concept also works off hours with colorful skinny jeans!

2. I love printed tops! The number one most worn top was my Laura Max multi top, which I first wore on January 3, wore on December 24, and 9 more times in between! And the Hinge silk peony pussybow blouse has also become a real workhorse, as have a few more printed blouses I acquired over the year.

3. Neutrals! Pussybow blouses! Nude shoes -- including nude boots!! All new to me and loving them all in 2011 and beyond!

4. I learned that sometimes spending a ton of money on a wardrobe item can pay off big time. (I'm looking at you, Kate Spade!) I have amassed a small collection of items for which I paid more than I would ever dream of (although still far less than other would pay), and you know what? I love 'em and have no regrets! In fact, my resolution for 2012 is to do that more, and buy little or no cheap stuff just because it's cheap!

Those Kate Spade pumps just scream MaryK to me

I know, lyn*! They screamed so loud I had to buy 'em!

I forgot one more lesson I learned this year:

5. No matter how cute the flat shoes are, don't buy 'em because you're not gonna wear 'em. (Unless they're sandals for summer.)

Ah, I have a MaryK corollary for Mo - no matter how cute those 3.5" heels are don't buy 'em, cause you can't balance on them! (unless they also have a 1" platform to diminish the heel angle)

MaryK, The fever pink skirt is my favorite purchase of the year too!!

My biggest lesson of the year is to embrace the present and don't wait. Don't buy for a future season or future body. Also don't wait for things to go on sale, your size will be long gone.

This thread really got me thinking. It has been 1 year and 7 months for me of YLF and while I learned the most when I started in 2010 (it is so easy to fill an empty glass :-)) there are some refinements for 2011:

1. I don't want to have a large wardrobe. It literally pains me to have things I wear seldomly because I feel guilty about it. Right now I am devising a strategy for 2012: how to update my wardrobe seasonally without increasing its size very much.
2. I have learned to spend more on quality items without agonyzing over this. That fits well with my point #1 as fewer wardrobe updates means I can spend more time or money for the right things.
3. I am done tolerating uncomfortable footwear no matter how much I spent on it. I got rid of all my uncomfortable shoes in 2011 and from now on they have to be comfortable right out of the box to earn a place in my closet!
4. I have discovered that online shopping does not work for me unless I can return the stuff easily and free. I wish we had Zappos in Canada!
5. I have learned a new power shopping strategy for NAS which works for me!
6. I have discovered that a girl needs more that one coat - especially if she lives in Canada - and that your outdoor outfits are as important as your indoor ones!

I am sure there are more but i will stop here for now

Sarah, I also want to throw in that if I have to fuss with my clothes or feel self conscious about anything, then I will either fix it or give it away or just not buy it.

I have learned that once it is on your body, it shouldn't need work.

LOL, Mo, I was thinking the exact same thing! But I DID manage to move up to a 2.5 inch heel and do so in comfort. Whoohoo!!

Sveta, I have hit the 7 month mark (I think) and you are so right...it is easy to fill up an empty glass! But I hope this year I can benefit from your NAS strategy and learn from your advanced shopping skills. I have the same issues with online shopping (it is SO risky for us from the U.S.) but a trip to Nordstrom's with advance ordering sounds brilliant!

It's hard to narrow them down to the most important, especially as I was nodding while reading through this thread.

1) how to dress an IT

2) coats matter.... have a decent selection

3) shoes make a huge difference... be careful what you choose

4) buy clothes that fit... over-sized doesn't work for this short IT

5) limit color selection to help my closet feel more cohesive

6) don't settle... be picky

Hi, Everyone!

This is an awesome thread.

Lessons learned and newly adopted ideas:

1-Carefully consider a piece before welcoming it into my wardrobe. Can this item be worn at least three different ways?

2-I have three pairs of FLATS now, but my heel height has amped up to 5".

3-If it isn't perfect, don't rely so heavily on alterations--just don't buy it. It is not my mission in life to make everything work.

4-Sleeve removal: Making coats into vests is my new favorite thing.

5-Embrace slouchier silhouettes!

I agree with so many of the style revelations. Here are mine.

1. As a fellow 53 year old, I agree with MNSara that less is more. Less accessories in particular for me.

2. There are values driving my purchases now. I try very hard to source the majority of my apparel from the USA and desire not to add to the balance of trade deficit which the US has with China.

3. YLF *will* help you discover your style! Just stick around, give it a little time. It took me around 10 months. Bold minimal is the style I am in love with now. It makes shopping easier! I can look at something and say, does this fit with my current style direction, yes or no?

4. Don't pay too much for knits, they deteriorate quickly.

Ok Sveta--dish! What is this power shopping strategy for NAS? Now you've got me curious!

MaryK--I agree with Lyn, those pumps are so you! And I love how even with your large wardrobe you manage to keep everything in rotation so often. It must be because you're Queen ALGO and can wear so many different layering pieces in one stylish outfit!

Rita--amen to not waiting for sales! Grab your size before it's gone! I've been able to get price adjustments for things that went on sale soon after I bought them, so I'm less worried about that aspect than losing out on something that is perfect for me by waiting for sales.

1. I can still look like me and dress authoritatively for work.
2. Fit, fit, fit!
3. Buy the highest quality possible--don't settle when I don't have to. It's not a race! No need to rush!
4. Enjoy the process, rather than focusing on some far-off goal.

CocoLion,

Your style is super fab! Adore the photo where you're sporting the red velvet blazer!

You said it took ten months to find your style -- hope I can do that too.
I've followed this website since last summer.
How did you come to the conclusion that your style is bold minimal?
How do you know what accessories to leave off so that it just feels right?

I'm little older than you - almost 61-- so others with a style that I like in my age circle interests me.

Quality over quantity, quality over quantity... repeat ad infinitum. Especially where fab specs, shoes, and handbags are concerned.
While pencil skirts are a natural fit, I'm not ONLY limited to them - the right fit-and-flare dress can look stunning too.
Despite being a redhead, I can totally rock the right shade of red, pink, AND red lipstick.
It pays to be picky about quality and fit.
A fab dress can be a totally awesome souvenir!
Shorter, choppier hair can completely transform my style.
Do NOT ever say that I can't wear a certain trend, ever, because that's a sure sign that I'll be eating my words within a few months.
Remember that just because one interpretation of a trend isn't my cup of tea - for example, boho/hippie 70s wear - it doesn't mean that the entire trend (more dressy, glam 70s attire) is out.
Moving past your comfort zone and pushing the style envelope - even if it means making mistakes - is an excellent way to prevent style stagnation.

Also, I finally learned how to apply eyeliner from my sister (who has the pencil and liquid eyeliner regimen totally down pat.) Liquid liner is still beyond my skill level and shaky hands, but once I found a very creamy pencil liner, I was finally able to get the dark-rimmed, smoky eye I'd been trying to achieve for a while.

For me, it would be that what I wear to work makes a real difference in how I'm perceived. This summer I invested in a couple great-fitting dresses and worked on accessorizing them and wearing great shoes with them. Multiple times, coworkers commented on how I was "stepping it up" and how I was looking great. Even the big boss commented once! Somehow between summer and fall dressing, things unravelled a bit. But I'm back to focusing on it and want to start building a cold-weather, put-together wardrobe, too.

(This is not to say that I'm dressing solely for others. I know that I feel incredibly confident and great in my own skin when I look good, so I have a hunch that some of the nice compliments I received were due to my shift in attitude!)

Loved reading all of these! I have to say that my biggest style lessons from 2011 are: (in this order)

1. Style is personal. Therefore, you have to own it and define it. You can't get it from someone else. Whether you like it, admit it or think it's not fair, we communicate to the world when we get dressed every day. That said, if what you are "saying" isn't' what you mean, you have the power to change it! Speak up and speak clearly!

2. Personal style is something that you continually develop. LOVE this---whew! It's going to be okay! Be observant of women whose style "speaks" to you and find your way of interepreting it...play with it, try it on for size, change it!

3. I love mixing patterns and fabrics and seem to have a knack for it. It's important to discover what you are good at...who knows? It could be your "signature style" secretly at work!

Looking VERY forward to the style adventure of 2012 and having YLF in my style toolbelt....notice I didn't say toolBOX? LOVE belts and need them to create the waist I simply don't have!

I'm still in style kindergarten, but learning quickly, so here's what I have down so far (if not applied yet in many cases):

1. shoes are a really great place to budget money when building a wardrobe from almost nothing

2. fit, of course--this has been a big realization for me

3. I should hold out for things I really love and be willing to spend more for them, not worrying about waiting for price to go down

4. it will take some time to nail my style, but it's getting clearer

5. internet shopping is not scary

6. come up with a strategy for prioritizing what I need first before buying less-important items

7. I figured out what layering shirts were and how much I should have plenty of them

8. just have to bite the bullet and buy at once a lot of things that should have come into my possession over time (camis, shoes, etc)

9. coats are part of the outfit, not just something that goes on top and doesn't matter

10. there are a lot of conflicting style rules out there and ultimately I should trust my instincts on what looks good on me

11. skinny jeans--yay

12. slight heels are manageable and desirable

13. I don't have to own everything at once, and the perfect bag, necklace, etc will make its way to me in its own time

14. I need footwear that's comfortable as well as beautiful, and unfortunately it often costs a lot

15. I don't want or need an unmanageably large wardrobe, and am getting an idea of how much will be right for me

16. hair is a critical part of the whole look, and I need to get my hair under control and looking good STAT

17. it's okay to have a look everyone else has (boots with skinny jeans)

18. taking pics of outfits is incredibly helpful and also fun

19. I am getting a lot better, but am still rough on my clothes, so should rethink buying expensive silk blouses, etc.

20. dry cleaning and tailoring costs are important considerations above the basic cost of an item

2011 has been a year of fine tuning a bit. My discoveries have been
(1) that less can be more, especially with accessories.
(2) that most trends can be adapted to one's age and lifestyle if one is patient, creative, and finds the right pieces.
I'm learning the power of footwear and having fun with experiments in pattern mixing.

Wow! Fantastic thread and read!
I arrive here a bit late...
Here are my 2011 main style lessons:

1) As it was already said: taking pictures of your outfit is most instructive. In my case I realized...
a. That a lot of clothes swamp me and any style I am trying to create;
b. That I my feet point outward when I think they are straight!

2) Explore: I thought I was daring and fun with my clothing just because I had received a few compliments in the past... but realized to my surprise that actually, I wasn't so daring. My style thoughts were cluttered with unconscious silly ''rules'' about dressing to look thin, dressing to please or impress my mother (!). These prevented me to explore. In my efforts to overcome this, I have tried many 'out-of-my-comfort-zone' daily outfits. Some have confirmed my preferences, and some have become favorites. Still working on it in 2012.

3) A great piece such as a scarf, colorful coat or top can replace makeup! More specifically a top or scarf that matches my eye color, but even the colorful punch of a bright bag brightens the face. I used to snub scarves, not understanding what they were for. Now I consider them allies.

4) Winter coats: I was afraid of them, afraid to buy 'mistakes' which, in the case of winter coats, can be costly. But I have learned this more important lesson: owning only one absolutely IS a fashion mistake. Ergo with winter accessories.
I also discovered second hand shops and Winners.

Wow, lots of great insights here! Here are a few of mine from 2011:

- just because it fits and looks good doesn't mean I have to buy it; if it doesn't help further my style goals it's not worth bringing home

- I learned enough about my personal style that I finally feel confident spending money on higher quality items, as well as basics and classic items that will work for my style

- subtle lip color changes can really enhance an outfit since I wear very very little makeup (e.g. light pink might look good with one outfit, while orange looks better with another)

- my color season is somewhere in between Autumn and Winter; learning which colors from each work best for me has been really helpful

- with my pale skin and dark hair/eyes, no matter what I wear, I have a little bit of high contrast built in; so regardless of whether my outfit is high or low contrast, there will always be contrast near my face

EDIT: Forgot one! I'm really starting to realize that for my style goals, wovens > knits. I hope to act on this better in 2012!

I'm coming to this party rather late, but I wanted to read everyone's responses first. I really enjoyed them all. My list of style lessons learned in 2011:

-I can wear knee-length skirts (even with my scrawny legs).
-You're not completely dressed until you've accessorized.
-Scarves take one's style to a whole different level. I even found a website with 37 ways to tie a scarf complete with video instructions
http://www.scarves.net/how-to-tie-a-scarf/
-Layering is lovely.
-I can wear make-up without looking made up.
-Knee boots look good on everyone, even me.
-Invest in comfortable and well-made shoes.
-The only rule worth remembering is that there are no rules.

Here are the most important style lessons I learned in 2011:

- The right pair of specs instantly elevates your look.
- I just need the right pair of jeans to enjoy wearing them.
- And last but not least, you can change so much overall with only little steps!