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What's Next?

Alana in Canada

(website)

Veteran

Hello Ladies!

In just a couple of days my family and I will be going on a vacation where we will not access the internet--so you won't "see" me for a while. I wanted to tell you this so you will know I have not abandoned YLF! On the contrary, I will miss you all.

I thought this would be the perfect time to ask for your advice about where to go from here.

I think I finally have the bases covered. This is my smart, casual, mom on the go summer wardrobe. My work wardrobe and my "at home" clothes are not included below.

Bottoms: 6.
I have a skirt, some shorts, two pairs of jeans (one very dark slim fit, one dark boot cut) and two pairs of white trousers (linen wide leg and NYDJ ankle pants)

toppers: 2;
a black flowy thing, and a jean jacket.

For tops, 6.
5 sleeveless, 4 patterned, 1 white, plain and
1 with sleeves, horizontal striped.

Dress: 1

Shoes: 4
1 black sandal
1 white sandal
1 whitedressy
1 white (and blue) runners.

Actually, all that is not as important as these facts:
1. I spent money indiscriminately. I spent more than I could really afford.
2. I had no plan whatsoever except to find flattering clothes I liked that fit.
3. I did this astonishingly fast. (My first shopping trip was June 8th. It is now June 30th). I was picky--but not patient!

I discovered a few things:
1. I make decisions quickly. Either something works, or it doesn't. I am not wasting time agonizing--except for a frivolous purchase I made yesterday. (A pair of gaudy orangey/coral heels which are incredibly fun.)
2. I prefer patterns to solids in tops.
3. There are not that many places which sell plus sized clothing where I live. For example, had I thought to LOOK for solids I would have had a difficult time. I did try to look for tops with sleeves but I was told it was "too late" in the season. None of their current shipment had any. If we eliminate The Bay (which has a wonderful collection of plus sized clothing--but at plus sized prices) I won't have a lot to wear--at all! So, I need advice on how to maximize my budget. (Thrift stores here are more miss than hit when it comes to my size. I dislike shopping in them intensely.)

All that aside, any advice?

Anything you wish you would have done when you were first starting out and building your wardrobe? Should I start cost per wear analysis? Take a photo everyday to figure out what looks good on me and what I actually do wear?

Should I start building accessories (I have started talking about that here, already)?

Should I make up a style statement? (how?)

Is there anything I can expect. For example, now I've got the basics covered, do most of us start buying like crazy people just for fun and make lots of "mistakes"? Is that common?

In short, what next?

If you have read this far, thank you so much!

Dressing

16 replies

Latest reply was from Laura

abc

Veteran

I would say what's next is to wear and enjoy (and analyze to the extent you're comfortable) your purchases. By wearing them you're going to discover what your preferences are. For example, a "I wish more of my tops had sleeves" type of thing. Pics help a lot if you're willing to do it. Or a style app. I haven't loaded all of my stuff yet but I liked the idea of Stylitics.

Good luck and good job. Enjoy your trip!

Neel

Veteran

I am afraid for me it was trial and error when I started out. But you are in a more advantageous position than I was. I hadn't discovered YLF then. You can now buy patiently (yes! Patience is key!) Since your bases are covered and then do k/r posts to help you decide if something that looks flattering to you is really flattering through other's eyes. It really helps to take opinions even if you think an item is perfect. We sometimes are blinded by things like a favorite color, print or style. A few pairs of analytical eyes helps you seal the deal. I think that's the key to building a wardrobe that will be loved by you. I am still working on it and I am now more cautious about what I buy. But it almost always has to pass the YLF test!

So go ahead ... Post some more :). Whenever you buy anything new!

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Well, I can tell you what I wish I had done:

1. I wish I had taken daily photos from the beginning here. It took me quite a while to get that process streamlined, but once I did, I started making quicker progress. Posting pics here, listening to feedback, and making note of what I loved, what bothered me, what I wore often, and what I didn't reach for, really helped me to refine my choices and make wiser purchases overall. Neel is right -- K/R posts can be really instructive. You will get much more honest feedback on those posts than on WIW posts, for obvious reasons. WIW is already a done deal! With a K/R post, you can expect reasoned assessments.

2. Think a bit in terms of capsules. It sounds as if you have already done that (home, work, going out) but consider this going forward for the winter as well. What are your regular activities and do you have enough outfits to get you through those activities in style. Will you have special occasions coming up? What happens if there is another wedding, or a funeral?

3. Start considering some online retailers if you do not have much choice nearby. It is difficult in Canada. Not many offer free shipping and returns. But they are out there and it is worth it to investigate them. Even if you can get free shipping and free IN STORE returns and you will travel to a place that has the store within 60 days, it can be worth it. (I do this often since my small city lacks the big-city stores, but I travel to a bigger city on a regular basis).

In terms of what to expect psychologically, addiction to the website and forum is one thing!!

You also might be tempted to go crazy and buy a lot. Many of us do...but others get all analytical with our numbers and track CPW. And others do both!

In my own case, I PURGED like crazy after joining YLF. Oh, and considering I had next to no clothes to begin with, this was a serious problem for a while!

Really, anything can happen. But you certainly can expect to have fun!

Alana in Canada

(website)

Veteran

abc-- thank you. Yes, I think starting a small notebook of clothing observations may be a thought--or keeping them in my bullet journal, for sure. Thanks.

Neel--thanks for the encouragement. I had not realised the distinctio between k/r and wiw posts before this.

Suz-- Can I give you a hug? You have been so kind and helpful--and you say exactly what I need to hear every single time. It's uncanny.
1. Daily photos. OK. Got it.
2. Yes. Winter. We will chat when I get back. Capsules. Yes. Love the concept. Looking forward to developing and deepening my understanding.
3. Ok. Wow. Scary, scary stuff.

Addiction? Who me?
We're leaving on July 2nd. You bet I'll be here off and on until we are out the door!

Thanks.

carter

Veteran

Well, of course, what Suz said! I made lots of mistakes (still do) by buying what looks so good on other fabbers that either doesn't suit my life or my shape. So, don't do that;-).

My thoughts are to take it slow...plan, plan, plan! Angie's post today about how she wants her fall/winter to shape up would be a great place for you to start. You will not be lacking for anything to wear the next couple months, so take your time to plan what you want/need for fall/winter. You're not going to miss out if you don't have this figured out until September or so. Others will start posting their fall/winter purchases and thoughts on how they'll wear them. Pay attention to those posts, and see what can and should be applied to your life. Finally, do NOT spend more than you can afford. I would much rather wear a few items I love over and over than go into debt for a "full capsule". Your tastes and expectations will change hugely over the next year, so if you're like me, most of what you buy for the coming season will be out of favor with you next year.

Caro in Oz

Veteran

Sounds like you are in a good place
The thing that has helped me the most is tracking the CPW (cost per wear) of my clothing. It has really thrown up some interesting data & made me see where I really should be putting my money.
Have a great break.

amiable

Veteran

Watching with interest - I should do these too!

lyn*

(website)

Veteran

I'd suggest a way of tracking ... whatever you want to track. I use StyleBook to help me keep track of what I wear and what I don't wear. CPW doesn't really bother me that much, because sometimes getting that one awesome wear is worth more than forcing myself to wear things until they're falling apart. I guess you'll have to decide for yourself if CPW is something you're interested in tracking.

I also like Stylebook because it forces me to keep organized and a finger on the pulse of what I have. I can also make outfits on the fly (because I'm pretty sure I know how 90% of my closet will play nicely together) - so I can do this when I have downtime at work or on a commute, etc. I have it on my iPad right now.

I think another thing is not to be hard on yourself for mistakes. We all make them!

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Road test your looks. Assess which you like best. Duplicate as necessary. Onto Fall Fashion. xo

Alana in Canada

(website)

Veteran

Carter, thanks! I will set up a budget when I return. And you bet I will be playing close attention to what everyone will be doing for fall.

Caro in Oz--CPW. So interesting. (I am a spreadsheet, list loving kind of gal). I will definitely take those photos to gather data.

Amiable--so glad this is helpful to you, too!
Lyn* Thanks. It is hard to forgive yourself for mistakes--especially with $$ involved! Fortunately, I have you guys to help minimize that!

Angie--I was curious about what you would say! Road test. OK. Assess--well, OK--I will depend a lot on others, too, though, since my eye is so "untrained" as it were. Onto Fall, lol! I am not ready! And I used to resent retailers for making me think about winter and snow in August! It's usually here by the third week of October which is soon enough. But maybe this year I'll have my winter coat sorted. (I want a new one. I think the one I have is five years old? I've had to resew on all the buttons.)

Laura (rhubarbgirl)

(website)

Veteran

Can you belong to Gwynnie Bee in Canada? I think they are a great source for plus size brands that are otherwise hard to find, and the Netflix-for-clothes format is a good way to try out new trends without shopper's regret. (I've been a member for a year - I think I've written past threads about them and can send you an invite if you want one.)

Otherwise I echo Suz's advice about looking into online retailers, especially when you need to minimize your budget. I know that can be trickier in Canada but even some cross border purchases now and then might be worth it. With plus especially it can be tricky to find quality items at a reasonable price.

Also, I suggest starting to make lists if you don't already. Ideas for outfits, a wish list of items you need or want, style goals for the current and next season, that sort of thing.

Gigi

Veteran

Wow, you have begun an exciting journey!

The sizing issue can be really frustrating at times. I wear petite sizes, so I know how difficult it can be trying to find interesting stuff that fits. It can really be a barrier to realizing your style. After a year of doing fashion stuff via YLF, I see that I often settle for things that are "OK" because of fit issues and also because of a reluctance to spend higher-end prices (and this isn't really true high-end but more like upper end of midrange). I'm starting to change my tune on the pricing, however. I've discovered that when you buy things that are just OK, you continue to look for what really makes you happy...and you end up buying a lot of OK items to compensate for the one perfect one that you don't have. Once you find the perfect one, you feel "done" with shopping for that type of item. So it can really save you money in the long run to buy the higher-end item if that's what you really want.

One thing I would do differently if I had to do my first year over again is be more particular about fit. I bought some items early on in my style journey that did not fit well, but I thought they fit "well enough." I was really attracted to the texture and feel of the items. Well, as time went on and I got pickier about what I wore, I couldn't stand to wear these items because they made me look really frumpy! So I would be very particular about getting the fit right and not settling for something that doesn't fit well.

The main thing I have found is that we need to accept our mistakes as part of the learning process. All of us on this forum have made lots and lots of mistakes, and still do. Quite honestly, making mistakes is one of the best ways of learning what you really do like and don't like. Experience and trial and error are the main teachers here!

Anonymous

You asked if their was anything we wish we had done building a wardrobe. I wish I had taken it slower and been pickier and bought higher quality. I've learned to not shop too often with friends. They like too many things on me that are just ok. I get talked into items that I don't want or need. Be picky about buying only those things that you feel fabulous wearing and that fit or can be altered easily to fit. Don't settle for just ok. It's a waste of money because you will still be looking for the right piece.

Alana in Canada

(website)

Veteran

Laura--I have never heard of Gwynnie Bee. I will find out more about it when I get back. Lists--I like making lists!

that reminds me--has Angie a post on how to create your style statement?

Gigi--I have heard that--about how so-so things leave you unsatisfied and you keep looking (or give up completely, as I eventually did). Fewer but better. I agree--and going into Fall--when I need a Winter coat (pricey, pricey) that's good advice. No more frumpy!!

Thank you, Joy! I hope to be able to run my purchases past you guys before I decide to keep them. But does that not count as "shopping with friends?"

Eliza

Veteran

Have a great trip. You have gotten wonderful feedback already and made quick work out of your summer needs, Play around with it all and notice what makes you happiest to wear. Aspects of this process will inform your fall/winter focus later in the summer.

For me, just deciding to make figuring out wardrobe preferences a priority was motivating and empowering. I liked viewing myself as a learner in this context and I still do.

Laura

You have been very thorough. It looks like you have the essentials covered!