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WIB, thinking about fall, style refresh and more

Helena

Veteran

Hi all, a bit of an accountability/mishmash post sharing a few random style thoughts bobbing around in my head.

1. Without consciously doing so, I've been going through a style refresh this year, hitting most of the items in Angie's recommendations (such as here). I feel good about it overall. My shopping numbers reflect this refresh BUT at least I am wearing what I've bought A LOT, so that's good! (new Everlane tees on repeat lol - it's the simple things for me!). My style is essential-heavy, but my essentials were in need of updating. Relaxed silhouette ftw! (yes I'm 5 years late the party but I did get there ha!)

2. My biggest success this year has been organized emotional shopping my way. I've been really clear about the practical need to be filled, but intuitive about what piece might fill it. Case in point - the green dress. I knew the requirements, then followed my heart. I applied the same idea to my active capsule. I wanted a summer set to mix & match with my current capsule. Spotted the cranberry set (finds), which has earned its keep already.

3. For fall planning, I went through my closet in terms of "levels of dress capsules" (i.e. active, casual day-to-day, smart casual, and evening casual-but-a-bit-dressier - full dressy is rare so a case by case situation!). I'm an outfit repeater so large quantities aren't needed - more important for me is to avoid a rut or overbuying for a capsule. I identified a few gaps: needing urgent attention, my smart-casual capsule was missing black shoes and my dressy-ish capsule was missing fall pants!

4. Now I can shop using my organized emotional method. Today I spotted loafers with a minimal silver detail that might work for the smart-casual, and indigo flare jeans that might up my dressy-ish game. Next step is to do an outfit creation session with these pieces and make sure they fill the practical need! Will share when I do this later in the week.

5. Inspired by alohaemily's post, my primary goal for the fall is to live by the question: "Will this piece move my style/closet/life forward?". I have more than plenty in the closet right now, so if something is not actively adding more value, I don't need it. Fit and silhouette will be my main focus for learning.

If you made it though this, thank you so much! Comments, additions, critique, thoughts about your own journey right now very welcome!

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High-waisted Flare Jeans Z1975

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20 replies

Latest reply was from gryffin

LJP

Veteran

I think you and I shop in a similar head space. "Organized- emotional" is a perfect way to describe it. I also appreciate the " will this piece move.....etc" means of assessment. I really love that Athleta set - wearing bike shorts with a shorter top is so much more modern, and I envy those who can or will do it. Such a cute look and great colour for you! Nice loafers and jeans too - good eye !

Fall is my favourite clothing season and I'm having a hard time not getting swept up into a buying frenzy. I simply do not need more clothing . Repeat it, Lisa

Helena

Veteran

Organized emotional is new for me Lisa, based on my slow but steady absorption of Angie's wisdom! In the past I've been super-over-analytical, to the point where I analyse the joy out of it and make unproductive decisions because they work great on my checklist but not irl, if that makes sense. So I'm happy to join your ranks!

Yes fall is the season of temptation for sure ... I just saw a heat wave is coming out way which took the wind out of my sales a little ... Maybe check the weather to see if you're getting it too lol

Sal

Veteran

Your confidence and happiness in your wardrobe is apparent - I don't think you are second guessing yourself - you are more focussed.

Love the cranberry set!!

After a wet 6 months we are now having a nice cool crisp late winter, early spring and I feel much happier with my closet. I agree with thinking whether something will move us forward in our closet is a good way of looking at it. For me remembering that if I love something I am very happy to wear it more than once a week helps - for example I really love this casual merino sweatshirt and will happily wear it at home or walking or for errands most of the week (I don't wear it to work).

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Veteran

That cranberry set is so cute—a gorgeous colour for you. I like the question, "Will this piece move etc......" I will try to think about that when looking at my fall shopping.

Helena

Veteran

Thank you all! Full credit to alohaemily and Angie for the moving forward question - it's sooo good (and will keep me from my usual moving in circles )

Sal, yes - I wear my favourites as much as possible and am quite happy to wear something a couple of times a week (provided its clean of course) ... so I am better not to duplicate, but rather to keep my essentials fresh ... perhaps less, but updated a little more frequently is the best way to articulate it (although I do have some OBGs that hang around for ages too). That lilac colour is so pretty!

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Helena, it really seems as if you have reached a new threshold of closet happiness and good wardrobe management. Love your new cranberry set and can't wait to see how you move your style forward over the next few seasons!

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

Sounds like things are going beautifully! I like the moving forward question - much more powerful than my usual what does this add to my closet. Because I can add a lot of variety without actually moving anywhere! Hope to see the jeans modelled if they are keepers.

pirouette

Well done you choose lovely pieces for your wardrobe. I really like the loafers. I am still running in circles buying more of the same.

RobinF

Veteran

I like reading about your process - very inspirational. Sounds like you are in a really good place with your wardrobe!

quietloud

It sounds like you are in a great space with your wardrobe and planning Helena! I am very much trying to adopt your organized emotional strategy, and I really like the question of "Will this piece move my style/closet/life forward?". Will try to keep this in mind for myself as well.

Love those flared jeans!

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Super cute cranberry top! I bet it loves you

Glad the Everlane tees are working out, and aren't too short!

Helena (and LJP), in case you're interested, I wrote a post on organized emotional shopping. It's how I encourage everyone to shop. For some, it's an intuitive thing:

https://youlookfab.com/2021/08.....hopping-2/

THRILLED you're allowing yourself to shop more freely, Helena! Are listening to your emotions, and going with the flow. YES!!! It makes life more manageable and enjoyable! It helps that the results have been stellar. Please carry on

IMPORTANT for Everyone: We don't always need to move our styles forward. Where our styles are right now can be zen and perfect. Remember that too

unfrumped

Veteran

Great progress, and I love your mantra.

I’ve been working on some kind of style re- direct for awhile now, kind of in recovery from retiring at start of pandemic. Gradually getting clearer on different “ roles and goals”, so your ideas about capsules, and having enough of one type of another or recognizing specific holes, is spot on.

An area that has required some thinking and try-ons has been setting limits on too much super- casual stuff —so, having some core items, capsule, of nicer but not fancy/ precious outfits for actually going a few places & doing more things. I would find myself thinking, oh sure I have things to wear to …( this, that) and then just feeling slobby in what I put together. Or, not near my own style. But also wanting not to be way outside my environmental norms, which are generally way more casual and less creative/ style oriented than what I like to have some fun with, but v which also is uncomfortable for me to appear overdressed or over-styled. Fortunately , my increasing demand for comfortable clothing, and especially footwear, goes s long way toward avoiding looking over- done!

This plus needing options for wide variations in seasonal weather, but not having lots of infrequently-worn items.

Helena

Veteran

Thank you so much everyone!

Angie, thank you for the link - I've been re-reading many of your articles around style renewal as well, and they are all so super-helpful. A great reminder too that it doesn't always need to be about renewing or changing - I am doing this specifically because I was so settled in a groove pre-pandemic, and then fashion moved forward but I did not. So I'm playing a bit of catch-up. And it's definitely just tweaks for me - often a small change, or some attention to a neglected area, is very impactful in my experience!

Unfrumped, YES - I found myself for a few things thinking, I have something that "will do" ... and that is fine for one-offs ... but if its something happening even once a month or a few times a year, why not get something that feels good - rather than buying yet another everyday sweater that doesn't really add anything (but it's easy ...)

Dottie

Very thoughtful post! I like the Zara jeans a lot! How do you find their sizing?

Joy

Veteran

Organized Emotional is a good description of how I shop. Over the years I have developed a manual list of basics that are always present in my wardrobe. A few, like red shoes, have been left behind. My problem is a mental attitude that new is seldom better these days, so I hang on to the old stuff too long. Now I depend on Angie to point the way to quality pieces.
I get bored quickly, for example, wearing mostly black and white in August has become difficult. I have been sneaking in a pop of color. Here it is the last day of August, and am so sick of summer black and white. Tomorrow brown and other autumn colors will be featured at the front of the closet with leaf motifs In accessories. I can hardly wait. I will pull on black pants for the last time til winter. Then black will be for very cold days requiring warmth, like snow pants.

Helena

Veteran

Joy it sounds like you've figured out your personal bugaboo and how to work with it ... That's as good as it gets in my book!

Dottie, I find for me Zara sizing is all over the place ... These jeans I'd say are true to size ... I bought what would be my standard jeans size and they are good!

Cardiff girl

Veteran

Sounds like you are really on a roll with the closet refresh.Wearing things that you buy is always a good sign that it’s a great purchase.l look forward to seeing your winter wardrobe!

Bijou

Veteran

I love the red exercise gear and the jeans and loafers look like they would fit into your wardrobe seamlessly. The term organised emotional is a perfect way to describe your approach, a perfect balance between heart and head.

Anonymous

Yay for organized emotional shopping! It sounds like you're definitely shopping for your real life and activities.
I like what Angie said about the Zen of not needing to move a wardrobe forward

gryffin

Veteran

Helena - that cranberry color is so beautiful. I would bet it makes you glow. What a wonderful way of curating your needs. Talk about sparking joy! Glad you are in such a great and happy place!!