WIW 7/9 – Repeat and some thoughts

I have not been posting outfits lately mainly as they are repeats. While I want to look nice, I am not the creative sort, and once I have a stable of outfits that have met my style goals and gotten YLF approval, I tend to just repeat them.

Here is a case in point. My dotty skirt with a basic v-neck tee. It is ¾ length, so I can scrunch, but still warm enough for the arctic AC in the office. I pair this skirt with this top and another indigo scoop neck. Belt is optional. I have a second skirt that I pair with either of these two tops for my “indigo” capsule. It is almost like a dress as I automatically know which tops to wear with it. I have tried white tops, but for some reason I like the white a lot less so I stick with the indigo tops.

Doing some thinking, I realized I LOVE this type of skirt. I have another similar in a bright pattern that I reach for often. I hope it doesn't take me into dowdy territory, but it is kind to my hips which is the hardest part of me to fit, and it is long and flowy enough I don’t have to clamp my legs together all day like I feel obligated to do in a pencil skirt.

While I love the ease of dresses, I have found skirts suit me better as I am a different size on top than bottom. Much easier to fit, and while not as versatile as what some do with their wadrobes, by allocating specific tops to the skirts, they become dress-like. I did order a few more of this silhoutte of skirt as I fear they will go out of style soon.

I am taking my skirt discovery to heart as I look forward to NAS, and I have held off on buying more dresses for the moment as 95% of them seem to end up returned.

This post has 2 photos. Photos uploaded by this member are only visible to other logged in members.

If you aren't a member, but would like to participate, please consider signing up. It only takes a minute and we'd love to have you.

12 years ago

Sara L.

Veteran

I don't think there is anything wrong with wearing repeats. If it looks good and you feel good in it, of course you want to wear that outfit again. You look great in this outfit and ordering more of this type of skirt seems like a smart decision to me.

lyn67

I can see your love of this type of cut for skirts or dresses-fits your body and style like a glove. A column of color is always flattering, and I do it often too. BTW nothing wrong with repeats,so pls post more often.:-)

unfrumped

I hear that! Also different size top and bottom and find dresses very difficult. I like this outfit! Also would try navy belt, to get the shaping at the waist, but have it look kind of like a 2-tone dress and follow the rule of thirds for a different look.

Astrid

I like your outfit! I think repeating is totally fine. I repeat too, it's just less stress overall and when you have a small wardrobe repeats are almost a given. I also prefer skirts to dresses for fit reasons.

columbine(erin)

It's a flattering outfit and you look happy in it. It's worth repeating.

shedev

YLF, repeat often.

annagybe

(website)

You look great.

Eliza

It is so good to know what you love to wear and have it love you right back.
Dresses do have to work simultaneously in a lot of places. Once you have a skirt and a topper that are a 10 together, you will the functional ease of a dress.

Thistle, you make good sense. I think many of the happiest dressers have a general theme to much of what they wear. I am impressed with your thought process. When I had toddler, I was well-dressed with a high happiness quotient if there were not mashed vegetables staining my shirt.

Suz

Thistle, I repeat my outfits all the time. And I don't think there is anything "uncreative" about it. If something gives us satisfaction and is pleasing, then why not repeat?

It may be sacrilege to say this in the blogosphere, but I would rather wear the same 10 or 12 FAB outfits per season (with occasional switchups of accessories, perhaps) than a series of 60 different, but not as fab, combinations. So that is precisely what I do!

Of course it is easier for me to take this position since I work from home and I don't have to worry that my workmates will get bored with what I am wearing. But I tend to think, in most lines of work, people barely notice what others are wearing except if it looks odd to them. I could be wrong about that, of course.

True, I have different combinations and FFBO for different situations. Some for my work-at-home life, some for my city-visits, some for events or appearances. In other words, I'm not always wearing exactly the same thing, because I need different capsules by purpose. But still...the basic idea is there.

This particular outfit looks terrific on you. The fit is spot on, the style is pretty, and the overall effect is fresh and ladylike.

rachylou

This is a great look, leagues away from dowdy. And I remember distinctly this being one of Angie's offered menu of wardrobe strategies - sets of complete outfits - and her talking about how liberating this can be.

I don't repeat because I have so much clothing, but I tell you, I do sort of miss my school girl days when my mum had me on a wardrobe schedule. 'Cuz I could say I'm going to wear this outfit for this and then for that. Lol. But you get to see how much utility and versatility whole outfits have.

Also, Tuesdays were spaghetti and Fridays were pizza!!

Thistle

Eliza - you crack me up!! But there is a reason why I lay out my clothes and quick put them on as DH is putting DD in her carseat!

What Suz said, also.
Proportion issues mean repeating, for me. I am learning that if jacket 1 looks lots better with an outfit, due to any number of issues such as length, cut, even color--than jacket 2 , I can of course wear jacket 2 to have a "new" outfit but may not be as happy going out the door as in the one that works.
For one thing I'm less tolerant about helter-skelter looks that seem to work quite well on leggy 20-something models, who'd look good in a burlap sack.

But then that brings me back to your original point--you like how this silhouette works, so you're making an effort to duplicate the silhouette.
So as above, we can be mindful of what works and then decide how to repeat it--either by wearing the same outfit or by carefully duplicating some of the components, but maybe in a way that looks as different as possible--color and pattern come to mind here--or by really smart accessory use with items that don't upset the balance of the most important aspects of what's working.

Debra

Hi Thistle, this is a lovely outfit, why would you not want to repeat it ?
Looking good

biscuitsmom

I agree... nothing wrong with repeating what works and this sure does! So glad you found some combos that you love and looks fabulous on you

Caro in Oz

Find the perfect outfit & repeat Not a problem in my book. YLF.

Transcona Shannon

I'm all in favour of repeating outfits that work for us and one as flattering as this one deserves to be repeated often Thistle!

And FWIW, I am also falling in love with skirts again (more than dresses) because they are indeed easier to fit. I think this shape of skirt is lovely on you and I can definitely see you adding another one or two to your wardrobe.

Angie

Fashion Stylist

KILLER

One of your best!

Thistle, I like that you repeat the same outfits "in your stable" over and over again. That's one approach to wardrobing - and if it works for you - why the heck not!!!

I do miss seeing your outfits though

And last, no wonder you love that style of skirt. It loves you right back times a billion! xo

Nadya

Yea for repeats! I happily repeat outfits. Once I find a combination I like I don't feel compelled to do something else just for the sake of being new.

However, today I wanted to wear my cobalt skirt, but none of its normal tops were ironed, so I wore a new pairing, which may be a keeper

Deborah

I don't mind if you post repeats! I am loving how your style has come together. Fantastic style revelation too. I think those discoveries about what works for us and what doesn't is half the battle won. Having the ease of a wardrobe that works and pieces that we know work together is just heaven.

harmonica

Gorgeous Thistle!

Repeats are a good sign of what you have accomplished and all the effort you have put into your wardrobe. Skirt + top = dress - didn't Angie have a post on that recently?

Category