When to Update "Oldies but Goodies"

Encore

Hi All!

I am doing another closet clean out and started thinking about how to best determine when it is time to update pieces.

Here are a photos of "oldies" that I still wear and which are also in very good condition. You might even remember the photos from when I first posted them on YLF! Each piece goes back about 8 years (and 1 goes back 12 years) The pants, shoes and my hair color (!) are long gone but I still wear all of the other pieces. My profile photo shows my "new" hair color the outfit is one of my favorite "oldies".

I see catalog photos of current similiar items but quite frankly my pieces look to be about the same in lenghts and cut.

So, any tips on how you determine when it is time to update favorites?

Thanks!

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3 weeks ago

General

18 replies

Latest reply was from Jenni NZ

Runcarla

Veteran

Nothing here looks outdated, and frankly, outfit #5 (which is fab BTW) looks current. REALLY current!

Although there are some tweaks and trends in silouhettes - it’s kind of a free for all in fashion and style these days. Other than barrel leg pants shape, cognac/brown suede or leather unstructured totes, the colour brown, and a few other specific (but not necessary) items - it’s about how you style what you already have (like tying that red sweater like a scarf) rather than turning your closet upside down.

Remove/edit, or replace when the original no longer fits, or shows unsightly visible signs of wear.

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3 weeks ago

JAileen

Veteran

I like all of it and would wear it all myself.

3 weeks ago

Carol

(website)

Veteran

I cycle through stuff, and don't keep much. I also shop a lot secondhand or sales, so less investment pieces. But for something I love, I would replace it when it is literally getting pilly, threadbare, etc.

If we are just talking style, then sometimes I catch my reflection when I'm out and say: ouch, those pants look very dated. That happens, too.

3 weeks ago

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

What Carla said! It is all about the styling these days. Your new hair color looks fab .

3 weeks ago

Jenni NZ

Veteran

Hi Encore! Nice to “meet” you! You’ve been on YLF twice as long as me, wow!
Well I am someone who definitely keeps oldies, mostly for love of them. I still have 2 pieces of knitwear from the 80s and 2 from the 90s that are in good condition and which I still wear. A tuxedo jacket from 1995, a cardigan from 2000, 5 items from 2007-9, and 7 items from 2010. That’s 18 things older than 2011.
I only edit out things I love if they are looking obviously too worn out. I don’t worry much about them looking dated. One of the 1980s knits I did put away in a holding zone for about a decade in the late 90s until about 2010 as it looked so 80s, but I still loved it and 80s came back!
I’m with you that the brown hair is long gone, LOL. I like your hair.

3 weeks ago

cat2

Veteran

I have storage space and so hang onto anything that fits and is in good condition. I think the key is to remix them and over time mix them with new pieces as you add them so you are getting as much variety as you can from day to day. Carla is so good at this!

3 weeks ago

Sal

Veteran

I mostly edit due to wearing something out, or poor fit on me. I do have pieces that I decide never to wear again though because I am just "over" it - but I don't edit out pieces I genuinely like even if they are not super current.

If I am unsure I will usually wear it for a day and see how I feel. Often this helps me decide if I feel good or not.

I like 3-5 the most here - these look wonderful on you. 1 is also a goodie. With 2 do you wear the jacket with darker pants too?

3 weeks ago

Star (Lise)

Veteran

I agree with CARLA 100%.

3 weeks ago

lyn67

Veteran

Carla said it so well.

There are now some current, on trend sillhouettes/cuts/colors like wide/barrel leg pants shape, cognac/brown suede/leather unstructured totes and the colour brown...and a few other specifics but think it's just (or more) about how you feel about your older items or about what will you percieve new/updated on your own particular self. And, this may be very personal. It deeply depends where you feel currently on your own fashion road and where do you aspire.
If you urge the feel of refresh it may also lay on styling your older items in a new way and then see if you trully get the feel.
Then, observing your outfits from outside I love everything you posted and would maybe only replace the 2 shirts in nr 1&2 with other, same color but not collared and stiff tops and maybe a new bag (smaller than in nr 1 but bigger than in nr 4) of a more casual vibe (say a cross body)?Also, for nr 2. I would do more of a tonal scheme with a lighter colored shoes and top if for a maintaining the lighter scheme or would wear the jacket over an all dark outfit (shoes and bag) included for a darker one.

But this is only my completely personal 2 cents or more exactly what I would do myself with these outfits for feeling more updated. I also hang onto my older things forever:-)) and love to play around with older goodies, too.

Also curious about what others and Angie will have to say-thanx for the thread!

3 weeks ago

Sisi

Veteran

First of all, I like your new hair! All your outfits are very nice. You look fab in #5 - simple, chic and interesting shoes!
To answer your question, I also have some oldies but goodies that I still wear, but for me replacing them is not a matter of being updated or not. There is just a moment when I "feel" that I cannot wear something anymore (even if it is still in good contitions and I still like it). It is not a rational thing, it is instinctive.

3 weeks ago

LJP

Veteran

In my mind it's about switching up the pieces and adding in a few modern silhouettes. Straight leg pants can be worn with a more oversized/architectural top, and conversely, traditional tops can be updated with a wider pant. A modern shoe takes a traditional/classic outfit a long way too .

3 weeks ago

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Love your new hair! And I would agree with the others -- it is not about the individual pieces so much as how you style them and remix with newer items for a more contemporary look (if that is what you want to achieve.)

3 weeks ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Your salty coloured hair looks great, Encore!

If I understand correctly, you're talking about the jackets, shirts, vests, scarves and pullover in these photos. Not the bottoms or shoes. Is that right?

If you were my client and I was in your home answering these questions in front of your wardrobe - doing a proper closet edit and review - we'd look at how you updated your bottoms first. (Sounds like you did that already!) Then we'd look to see if these tops and toppers work with them.

For example, if you went for barrels, wide crops, relaxed straights, and wide legs, some of these old items would need to be shorter - or you'd need to tuck tops. If you chose flares (bootcuts) or slim straights - you could make these old items work similarly.

The utility jacket in #2 is the only item that gives me pause. Something about it looks off. Might be how it's styled.

So let's continue the conversation with what you're wearing on the bottom

3 weeks ago

Encore

Active Member

Thanks to everyone for your helpful comments!

I appreciate your comments about my hair too - I decided to now go with my "natural color" - it is such a liberating feeling for me

Angie - the utility jacket (G1 brand, size small, 100% cotton, around 8-10 years old) also gives me pause - and yes, I am starting to feel "off" wearing it. Any suggestions on how to style for a casual jean outfit - or what might be a good replacement?

I am pretty much a weekday casual wear now; bottoms are mainly light blue, dark wash blue and black NYDJ jeans in 8 petite. The brand fits me best around the seat and length but are a bit too tight around the waist (oops!). I also have a pair of ankle length NYDJ and those do make me feel more "current" . Any suggestions of another jean brand that I should try? I tried Ann Taylor 8P but they were a bit too long and snug all the way around. I am not a boot person so it's loafers, lug soles or flats for me. And.... if you are ever in the CA Bay Area, I would LOVE to connect with you and do a proper closet edit and review!

3 weeks ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Encore, it does not look sharp Give the utility jacket one more go with jeans and shoes. Don't roll the sleeves of your shirt back with the sleeves of the jacket. Pass on if you can't improve the look.

What style are your jeans! Can you provide a link, or a photo of you in them? That would help

Wit & Wisdom's ABSOLUTION collection of jeans have a very forgiving waistband. Lots of styles to choose from. Also, Chico's makes great forgiving on the waist jeans too. I think both come in petite.

2 weeks ago

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Great insights from all, and I’m especially relating to the advice from LJP to remix the items that don’t feel as current but still appeal to me enough to keep them.

I agree with Angie about the utility jacket — something about the combination of color and style are feeling a little off.

High five to another who has left the hair dye behind and embraced natural color. I’m growing to like mine more, although I’m waaaaaay overdue for a cut!

2 weeks ago

DonnaF

Veteran

I'm wondering if the utility jacket in #2 is too big for you, especially since you said you wear Petite pants. Otherwise, everything else looks fine to me, but then I tend to keep my clothes for decades so I'm not one to ask about these things.

2 weeks ago

Jenni NZ

Veteran

Encore, I would like to thank you, along with Suz for her thread about her temporarily lost scarf, and Sharan for her loafer thread, for making me finally realise that the 4 pairs of worn or damaged sandals really are too worn out for me to keep wearing even though I still like them! In fact they are too worn or damaged to even donate, and I feel a bit ashamed of taking so long! They are going out in my rubbish today to landfill! I feel OK about this as they have had a great many wears.
I had stated here to you that I would edit when things were really worn out… so now I have!
Hopefully your edit is going well.

2 weeks ago

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