What's your "must be able to do" clothing requirement? - YouLookFab Forum

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What's your "must be able to do" clothing requirement?

catgirl

Veteran

Cileena's thread on blazers for moms of small kids (and Elly's and Patty's comments about needing to throw a punch or fix the car) made me think what I require of my clothing in those terms. It made me realize I generally don't wear shoes that wouldn't allow me to outrun or drop-kick a (slow) psychopath in a dark alley... a leftover fear from my summers of living in inner city Philly and taking the train late at night.

You?

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37 replies

Latest reply was from catgirl

Sally

Veteran

I work in a high school so must be able to climb on the desks to shut the windows and not likely to fall over and show my underclothes

crwilson

Veteran

For home, I need to be able to get up and down off the floor without being indecent, and I need to be able to go outside and sit in the dirt and reasonably expect that my clothes will be able to get clean again without too much hassle. And, right now, I need to be able to breastfeed relatively easily.

For work, I don't need anything special, I don't think, although I prefer clothes that don't draw too much attention to me.

Kristen

(website)

Veteran

My work clothes must be able to get me through a variety of temperatures, often on the same day. They must have the ability to look polished and professional, but with enough variety so I am comfortable on the more casual days at my desk churning out reports and emails, or dressier days in meetings with execs. The dressier days are proving a challenge for me lately.

My "play clothes" need to make me feel slim. I don't know why I insist on that, but I do.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

For me it totally depends on the day. If I'm out shooting pictures, chances are good I'm going to get dirty -- last Thursday I spent the day in a massive drydock shooting historic ships being repaired, and I hadn't been there 10 minutes before stepping smack in a trench of stinky bay water! So on photo days, I must be able to lie down on the ground, walk through mud, and climb up and down ladders or other structures. I often try to wear a dark neutral top to minimize color reflections if I happen to shoot details on reflective surfaces (although sometimes I'll get interesting results otherwise!).

Suffice to say those days are not my most fashionable.

Most other days, I really don't have much in the way of restrictions, but if it's a day with a lot of walking planned, I try to plan my footwear accordingly.

Dusty

(website)

My only real requirement is that I need to be able to run fast enough to catch a bolting preschooler and be stable enough that I'm not afraid of falling if I happen to be carrying said preschooler.

modgrl

(website)

Veteran

My Friday through Sunday on the go clothes must be cute AND wash and wear. No delicate, handwash or dry clean only fabrics.

Queen Mum

Veteran

I don't have requirements as to what I must be able to physically do, but my plan is to keep a small functional wardrobe so I always ask myself when shopping, can this piece go to the grocery store as well as to church. Obviously I have some dressier clothes that I don't necessarily pull out on grocery store day and some more casual clothing that is more relegated to errand day, but for the most part I try to keep my wardrobe pieces in the mid-dressy range so that they can work for multiple occasions for me.

Kristine

Veteran

I also have to be able to run, but usually for a bus instead of from anything. My job is active too, so comfortable shoes are important and for me that means no heels over 2" (and only those when I know I'll be at my desk all day).

I have to be able to lift exhibit case tops, heavy artifacts or boxes. I need freedom of movement and good coverage if I'm stretching over stuff or my arms are over my head.

I also have to be ready for the possibility that I'll get mold, grease or dirt on my work clothes, so nothing that's too delicate or requires dry cleaning (many dry cleaned items can be hand washed).

I have two huskies so clothing that doesn't attract or camouflages pet hair is a big plus also.

Isabel

Veteran

My every day clothes must also be machine washable. They must also be easy to get in and out of. For example, I may be cleaning the house and then change to go to the store or pick up the kids, but then I need to come back home and clean or cook......this is probably one of the main reasons that I like jackets so much. They can really make you look pulled together and they are easy to whip on and off.

Barbara

Veteran

Great question, Una. Since I work with torches in my design studio, I wear cotton tees and jeans under a fireproof denim apron. Natural fabrics are somewhat fire resistant. I live in leather ballet flats unless I'm attending a gala event. Then I break out my glam shoes (and usually take a cab).

When in class or out and around in the city, I have to be able to walk, run, sit AND look great. I buy natural fabrics with modern style. Only my wool coats require dry cleaning and NOTHING I wear requires ironing. I have more fun things to do!

rae

(website)

Veteran

Una, good to know the psychopaths will not be getting you!

For work, I only have to be able to tromp around the office while lugging paper/presentations/packages. For the weekends, however, I need to be able to reach, bend, squat, and haul armloads of clothes when I'm at the swap meet. I should also be able to engage in a game of frisbee at any moment (you never know with my SO) or try on clothes over my current outfit.

Kristen, I also insist that my clothes make me feel slim! I certainly don't want to feel bloated all day.

Mo

(website)

Veteran

For me it is only about how hard the items are to care for. No ironing or dry cleaning in my daily life. I do both about twice a year and I'd like to keep it that way! I live a wash 'n wear life from my hair to my toes

Kate

Veteran

Most days I walk at least 2 miles (some of which isn't paved) and go up and down at least 10 flights of stairs, so my shoes have to be comfy and sturdy! I also need clothes that will layer well - the temperature fluctuates a lot over the course of a day here during the winter, and the AC is absurd during the summer, so even when it's 100+ outside I have to bring a cardi with me for going indoors.

Heather

Veteran

+ I must have on comfy 3"+ heels that allow me to walk and RUN three/four flights of stairs at my office. Una, I am in agreement on wearing shoes that you can run if chased/emergency situation.

+ I like to remix my closet everyday and always hope to hear: "Is that new?"

Carole

Veteran

What a great question to ponder...hmmm? For me it's mostly about shoe comfort-that is my biggest obstacle and challenge. Great looking comfortable low heels that can cross over from casual to dress up!

MsMary

Veteran

I just need to be able to walk a couple of blocks to lunch with my colleagues if I'm so inclined.

And I know that I will neither iron nor make it to the cleaner's regularly, so items that need to be ironed are pretty much no-go for me.

Mamapicklejuice

Veteran

I know some equate wanting to reach up with wanting to do Olympic level gymnastics, but as a SAHM to two young children, I need to be able to catch a toddler leaping from a play structure or be able to put the dishes away, so I need good arm/shoulder mobility in my tops.

Patty

Veteran

Philly must have been a scary place Una--scarred for life!!!!
Still have car issue clothes but with kids I do add running and bending. With my hands in the sink all the time I check if sleeves are either shorter or will stay rolled so they don't unfurl into the water or even into a raw chicken cavity.

Anonymous

I walk a lot during the day, so my shoes have good soles or I will tear and scuff the leather almost immediately! I have problems with leather covered heels and flats where the shoe leather is too close to the ground, so I avoid these styles.

Scarlet

Veteran

Hmm...I do gravitate toward fire-retardant clothing for sure... Must be able to raise my arms above my head without requiring readjustment.

Diana

Veteran

I have to be able to walk ~1 mile each way as part of my daily commute, so my shoes have to be able to get my somewhat fussy feet through that without pain. My bag also has to be big enough to hold my keys/phone/wallet, a book, lunch, and other assorted items all in one place (plus laptop sometimes) and I need to be able to carry it on a shoulder easily over my coat.

Lynne

Veteran

great thread! My clothes have to be in fabrics that feel nice - I'm pretty tactile and I always touch things before I try them. I like fabrics that are soft and not scratchy, and I've learnt to pass on shiny fabrics with metallic thread, even though I love how they look.

Patty

Veteran

I touch things to--couldn't resist touching a tapestry at the Royal Ontario Museum once --the alarms are really loud there-and the security staff are cranky!!

Aziraphale

Veteran

Great thread! My clothing requirements vary from day to day, depending on what I'm going to be doing. I confess I often change a couple of times a day -- usually just my bottoms -- because on the days I work, I sometimes spill ink or paint on my pants and I really hate ruining my "good" clothes. So I swap bottoms when it's time to run to the school to pick up my kids.

I don't have too many general clothing requirements, but I can't wear anything that's remotely itchy (I think I might have a slight allergy to wool, sadly) and I can't wear anything that comes up high on my neck, or I feel like I'm being strangled.

Becky

Veteran

Great question!
I require:
*shoe comfort (must be able to walk about 2 miles and/or be on my feet most of the day comfortably)
*arm/shoulder mobility
*ability to easily get onto and off the floor without flashing anyone
*tops that keep my flat chest covered even when I bend over
*washability (I own only a few dry-clean items)
*clothing that requires no ironing (I iron very seldom)

RoseandJoan

Veteran

My shoes need to highlight or hide my body art, and my jackets have to pass the pat your head test. My trousers have to pass the brickies bum test but I would most definitely like to be able to outrun a psychopath too. Food for thought.

Elly

Veteran

Honestly, what I truly want from my clothes is to be comfortable standing on a roof with a 16-penny pneumatic framing nail gun WHILE look hot.

Unfortunately, that is pretty much impossible. I did work construction/landscaping/as a handy-person for almost two years, and I have a feeling that that is part of my fashion problem.

In reality, I have two dogs that come into contact with any clothes I wear on a daily basis unless I want to put on two full sets of clothes in the space of ten minutes (one is a house dog and the other is elderly and remains in our climate controlled garage until the last minute before we leave the house). I also deal with a muddy or very snowy driveway and path to the dog rug from October to April or May. The parking lots and sidewalks at the college aren't much better and we have lots of lawns and dirt paths. In the summer I sometimes have to move irrigation water in my clothing (pipe has to be moved 6-8 times a day). After living in a border town I also like my clothing to have secure pockets where I can keep my ID, cash, ect. I can run in all my shoes, but I am not very fast-- so I would prefer a pair of heavy boots that would (cough) "make an impression" over something that keeps me light on my feet.

Maya

Veteran

I walk very fast and refuse to wear shoes that slow me down or prevent me from walking with my natural gait. Una, I am 100% with you. Most would laugh at me but it really does sicken me to see all those 20-somethings tottering around bars in 5" heels. Alcohol + unwalkable shoes just sounds like a potential tragedy to me. I don't know a single woman who can walk or run with the same speed in very heels as in flats or low heels.

Ok, I'm beginning to sound like my mother, which scares me. I'll stop there.

My pants must cover everything from behind and hold everything in from the front.

Everything must be capable of being worn with a bra.

Elly

Veteran

He he . . . in defense of heels--- pumps that are quick to take off make some of the best improvised close-range weapons on earth. Oh, and you can throw them. I don't wear heels anymore, but I had no problems taking mine off to make a speedy get away. Of course, I was used to being barefoot and my feet were pretty tough from being a gymnast.

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