Who does the work, you or your clothes? - YouLookFab Forum

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Who does the work, you or your clothes?

catgirl

Veteran

Kyle's lovely comment on my teal skirt thread included this statement:

the pattern on the skirt adds a textural-looking element

and a small lightbulb clicked in my head. I kind of knew this already, but I'm on Team Let The Clothes Do The Work. In other words, I inherently prefer items with built-in interest, rather than building lots of different versions of outfits. This also explains why my wardrobe revolves around a lot of solid black. I really fall back on combinations of something avant-garde or UWP in black plus something funky, letting the textures and cut of items speak for themselves.

There are so many of you here that do the work - you remix and play and get creative and have capsule strategies, but I am beginning to grasp that despite my aspirations to edginess, I am much more a formulaic dresser than I thought, letting the interest be in the clothes rather than any brilliant combinations of them.

Your thoughts, Fabbers?

Dressing

48 replies

Latest reply was from DonnaF

Alexandra

(website)

Veteran

Interesting question. I've never thought of it that way, but I am on the same team. I'm an outfit person, not much for mixing and matching. So the clothes have to do the work. I don't ask much of them, just that they keep me comfortable and presentable, and let people see and remember me, not the clothes.

Beth

Veteran

Great question!

I also let my clothes do the heavy lifting. Creativity isn't my strong suit and remixing, as fun as it can be, takes a lot of mental energy that I just don't always have. It's easier to let the clothes shine.

Irene

Veteran

Me too! I don't go for statement pieces, but I do like items that fit me well and make me look pulled together and comfortable.

Mo

(website)

Veteran

I'm moving from one team over to the other I think. I definitely used to let the clothes do the work. But just today I was contemplating my recent penchant for solid tops, and instead adding a cuff here or a metallic shoe there. Ditched all my cargo items (built in interest there) this year. Hmmm. Interesting.

Diana

Veteran

I mostly let my clothes do the work but maybe it's because I like to buy statement pieces. So they talk whether or not I want them to, LOL.

Jenava

(website)

Veteran

I might be in between. I realized lately that I don't feel happy unless I have a least one item that is really luxe or beautiful. But, I don't mind if the rest of the outfit is somewhat re-mixed...i.e. I do tend towards either statement pieces or plain items that are easier to mix up like white silk blouses, colored pencil skirt, plain dark wash denim, classic simple moto jackets, etc.

Marlene

Veteran

I think I am one that lets the clothes do the work....now. I am finding that as my wardrobe develops, I am collecting items that have more interesting details, I think I figured out recently that most of my clothes were very basic which is why my outfits were very bland. So now I am gathering more quirky pieces, layering more, mixing high and low, dressy with casual and building in more texture. Its fun!

Anonymous

Hmmm.. I think I'm kind of with Jenava, in that I'm a little in between. I do do a fair bit of work myself in remixing items and then occasionally I like one much more interesting piece to be the star turn and do the work for me. Interesting thread Una.

catgirl

Veteran

I don't think it's all or nothing here - I feel it's a spectrum. But it helps me think about what future purchases need to do in my closet.

Adelfa

Veteran

I'm not sure anybody's doing the work when I get dressed;-)

By which I mean, I like basic pieces but I'm not sure my creative remixing is adding interest! Lately I've bought a couple of interesting (for me) belts, and my shoes usually draw comment. So I guess it's my accessories that do the work!

Anonymous

Very interesting concept. I definitely let my clothes do the work. I don't mind mixing and matching and getting creative but I live a very casual life. Mostly I wear dress/shoes or top/bottom/shoes. I don't do a lot of layering, using toppers just for occasional added warmth. I don't like a lot of fuss like belt over clothes (only through belt loops) or a lot of layers (no blouses under pullovers here). This means things can get boring very easily unless my clothes/shoes have a bit of interest. I wear a lot of patterns/color.

ironkurtin

Veteran

If I have to work my clothes are not doing their job right.

Gaylene

Veteran

This post hit home! I'm probably a card carrying member of Team Let The Clothes Do The Work. A standard navy blazer would just languish in my closet, as would basic pumps, a basic white shirt, and a simple LBD. The only area where a basic gets much love is if it is a pant or, more rarely, a skirt.

I'm also so much of a formulaic dresser that my closet is arranged into categories! My only accessories are my watch, my specs, and the occasional scarf in cooler weather or belt if I'm faux-tucking into my pants. I assemble my outfits by picking an item from each category, and I'm out the door.

shedev

Veteran

I let the clothes do the work. I think its cause I like a lot of statement pieces. Though during the short time I was doing the small closet experiment, I did a couple mixes that I had never thought of before.

MsMary

Veteran

Hmmm.... I think I am constantly in flux. I do love a statement piece, but I won't lie -- I do a lot of work putting my outfits together. If I had to pick a team, I think I would be Team Do The Work Myself. But I'm glad I don't have to pick!

ETA: Hold on, though. I totally have a formula, at least for work. Skirt, top, jacket/cardi, heels. But I put in a LOT of work coordinating the pieces. I'm not sure having a formula necessarily means you are letting the clothes do the work.

Or does it?

I dunno. I am hopeless when it comes to these philosophical/academic discussions.

annagybe

(website)

Veteran

I love statement pieces. But I also like putting them together in interesting ways to show them off.

Karie

(website)

Veteran

I love, love, love to remix and be creative and play in my closet! Having said that, when it's time to rush out the door and oops! I forgot to get an outfit ready for the day, I do have a favorite FFBO formula.

Scarlet

Veteran

I am probably more like you, but I am starting to gravitate more toward simple pieces.

CocoLion

(website)

Veteran

Thank you for engaging us with interesting topic Una.

I'm not so sure about my clothes, but I know I let my footwear do a lot of the work. Almost always, the first things strangers notice about me is my choice in footwear. I think footwear is the fastest way to frump or un-frump and outfit. Then as far as clothes go, I'm into basics (mostly due to my casual lifestyle). But I take pains in styling the garment just so -- so it's more interesting. For example, how I roll the pants, tuck the top, flip the collar, roll the sleeve.

Honestly I feel like I do more of the work because even if my clothes or shoes are working for me, I have usually spent a great deal of time finding that just-right jacket, backpack, coat, grey jean, oxford, v-neck tee, etc. Creating the holy grail vibe of effortless chic is a lot of work, especially when you live where I do. But of course I enjoy the work or I wouldn't be on YLF.

Eternity

Hmm...I really enjoy putting outfits together and remixing, so I guess I'm Team Do My Own Work. I have a few shirts that speak for themselves but most days I have to combine different things to get a look. I'm okay with it though - I appreciate the versatility.

rachylou

Veteran

For work, I think I let the clothes do the work. Have a simple formula and rely on the individual pieces to be interesting. Roaming free, I'm a complete nut. Ok. That's prob not true... But I do get weirder (although you know, I don't really know what's so weird about my combos, just that they are ...)

Lyn D.

Veteran

I'm not one for re-mixing much either, and can relate to C.L's attention to details thing.
I like my clothes to talk quietly and not to 'wear me', then I am happy!

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I'm not on either Team.

I love simple pieces in well cut designs, perfect fit, beautiful fabrications, and without the extra bells and whistles. I don't like garments with lots of detail for my own style. My colour palettes are very focused, which helps focus my outfits without giving it much thought. I do not like to layer, wear jewelry or scarves (unless I'm cold). I like to make a statement with a simple sense of aesthetic. Boring to some but not to others. I like to remix just enough so that my style feels refreshed and energized. I love the stress of creating outfits. It's pure joy to me and I can do it all day long. I guess that's one of the reasons I'm a fashion stylist.

Una, this is a good insight. And it makes sense for your style persona and how you are as a person - based on what I have gathered over the years.

Caro in Oz

Veteran

I do both I think. I put most of my effort with clothes in trying to buy the right pieces. If I do this well then the mixing becomes effortless. A great new jacket will work with most of my pants or a new pair of pants will work with most of my tops. Also, I'm with CL on shoes. They are what I go to first when choosing my outfit.

Marley

Veteran

I think I'm on both Teams! I love (if I have the time) playing with the clothes in my closet, coming up with interesting combinations, trying out new things, "working" on capsules, etc. - but I also am thrilled when I have a beautiful piece of clothing that just speaks for itself - requires no thought or fussing - and looks great just the way it is. Is that what you mean by letting the clothes do the work?

ironkurtin

Veteran

Wait, let me see if I get this straight. You're talking about formulas versus mixing and matching. I don't necessarily equate formulas with the clothing doing more "work" to add interest than they would in a mix and match capsule scenario. In my wardrobe, I tend toward what I think of as divas, and then the supporting cast. That doesn't mean I don't wear my supporting cast by itself, or that they aren't doing "work."

Maybe I don't get what you mean.

deb

Veteran

I am with you, IK. I really need to think about this because I am not sure where I fit.

Peri

Veteran

I've never thought in these terms before and I'm not certain sure I get it, but I would say my clothes have to do the work. I'm not at all creative about mixing things, or wearing one thing lots of different ways. I like items that are a bit unusual in themselves and then I tend to let them make the statement for me. I think if I understand right, this is letting my clothes do the work.

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

I first thought you were going to ask if it is me or my spanx (I don't wear spanx nor do I look like I do, so neither)!

Anyway, I love interesting well designed clothes and agree strongly with Denise about shoes. On the other hand, not all interesting well designed clothes look good together. So I guess I rely on my clothes to have some interest and myself not to mess it up too much!

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