ButterflyLady, do bring more items in a separate bag! You point out something worthwhile: the pre-fabricated outfits often lack that oomph, or that mysterious stylishness, and can't be helped no matter what accessories we add. So true! That is one of the reasons I have been staying away from buying whole outfits.

Shannon, so true that clothes are emotional and that is why it is hard to think of them as a working "mecano" piece of a whole. I often don't know why I am so attracted to one given item, but once at home, I sure know quickly why it doesn't work with anything else... and then I am faced with two outcomes: either buy more things to suit it, or return it! Now that I have some direction, knowing for example that my overall style is Soft Gamine, it is easier to decide what to do, but I admit I am a reluctant returner.

abc, I'm going to read your WIW right now. So true that the problem becomes more apparent when packing for a trip and trying to create capsules. Suz is the queen of travelling capsules, do go check out her WIW for inspiration!

Caro, that is a great trick, and I will remember it: starting off with the footwear. Yes, it does help a great deal!

Sveta, you know how I admire your wardrobe and how you wear it too. Good for you for being able to memorize each item! I will try to pay more attention myself, see if I can. Then pulling everything out and trying it BEFORE having fully, finally bought the item in question is a good idea. I will also apply it. I do this exactly, but too often, only once the item is bought for good, I don't know why I never thought of doing like you. That is a great trick.

Nancylee, you've nailed it: proportion! So often this is WHY it doesn't work... cut, length, silhouette all lead to proportion issues. I will also keep this in mind next time I shop.

Donna, I can imagine how your orange blazer would be more versatile... I notice on this forum that often, pieces that members report as "workhorses" are NOT in a neutral colour.
We think neutral is safer and should match everything else and that is where we trip and fall, it seems. Your post and Claire's seem to demonstrate this exact point.

krish - I would have done that, but I already had two large bags of returns to carry, and I am still having problems with my shoulder I'm planning another trip though, and will take a few more things.

I think Angie's advice about wearing an item you need to get things for to make an outfit, while shopping, is a good one.

Because yeah - it's only in theory that theory works like in practice.

what a great discussion.

I agree with many many points and have picked up some great tips here.

My contribution is that I have a limited set of bottoms per season that I am trying to match toppers to. They are either skinny or slouchy.

So when trying to evaluate a topper for the skinny bottoms (this is winter so no skirts) I have found the silhouette I prefer is looser, maybe a half tuck. And if not tucked, I know from many many years of the wrong lengths, just what length top my wide thighs look best in. SO I evaluate the top for half tuck and untucked against a specific length. If it passes all these fit criteria, then it usually works for my skinnies at home.

for my loose trousers, I prefer the fitted top to I can have a waist. This also works for full tuck and also untucked. Again, I keep the tops a bit shorter when fitting for slouchy trousers. Most of the time they work for both bottoms but there are a few toppers I wear only with one type of bottom.

I keep my bottoms neutral (grey black, and ok cobalt is a neutral right?) or dark jean and I have my definite color ranges for toppers. Actually when I think about it, it is only fit I have to worry about because i keep to primary colors on the top for the most part. and hey, everything goes with cobalt, right?

Jayne, do you shop for top and topper at the same time? Do you find you have a hard time with top and topper? Often this is what gives me issues: the shirt's collar won't fit the jacket's, even though lengths are good and colours sublime Or it will be sleeves, or shape. One top is "round" and its topper too straight, too short. Do you get that?

^ I noticed I am having this problem recently with a ruffled cream cardigan. I thought it was a simple enough piece when I bought it, but the scoop of the cut on the top is a little too wide and the ruffles are not playing nice with my other topper items. This seems to happen quite a bit with me. I guess I am not picking plain enough seperates???

Ruffles! Ds, that is one that I have a hard time pairing with a proper bottom bc it can so easily overwhelm it. Then it is hard to match with a shirt, unless it is a blouse, and still. It pretty much would leave only tees or camis! Although it can look pretty nice paired with a rocker or disco, RATE print tee or a sequin tee, and a loose student-like scarf.

I don't think the problem is plain vs detailed, but, rather, harmony between pieces. You could run into the same problem with a closet full of plain separates: some would be square plain, others A line, others round... some long and some short...

Sorry, missed your question earlier, I don't really have too much problem with toppers either although I am really stuggling with one leather moto that I cannot find the right 'under' for. I have decided earlier I look best in jackets with collars so I rarely buy without a collar and then most of the tops are T shirt like (no collar) or vneck which look fab under a jacket with a collar. So I guess I have limited myself that way, but I find it freeing to stop trying every single type of top or jacket. I rarely pair collar shirts with collar jacket but I do when I go for the preppy look which is within my style zone.

No much help, I have limited myself after experimenting to what looked good with my favorite jackets. The jacket has been a staple for me all my adult life. I am trying to now learn to find toppers without jackets that suit me and my style aspirations. Again, the best have collars. or v neck. I find boat neck is wrong on my shoulder type or neck length or something. So eliminating what does not look good seems to be the path I followed. Have you any inspirations from all this?