Sal’s July Challenge: What I learned

I joined Sal’s July challenge and wanted to do a follow up. Basically my version was to wear all my summer bottoms, styled with tops, topper and accessories. I wanted to see what I could get rid of and what I needed.
I learned that I have a lot of summer clothes and do not need anything as I am pretty content with what I have even after passing on lots of pants, skirts and jeans.
I learned that theme weeks like all color or white bottoms drove me crazy. I can wear color for a couple of days, then crave a minimal neutral outfit.
I learned that I have a good supply of summer toppers and need them for the cool mornings, evenings, and air conditioning, but could use more accessories in summer colors, especially bracelets in orange, yellow, olive, and white.
I have enough though, that I can wear a metal and metallic shoes.
I see that some tops do not fit like they used to and need to have a big try on session with tops and dresses.
I would like to add more wide legged pants and maybe tunics but need to explore volume over volume
Toward the end of the month, I did not do well getting photos, but will add a few to this post from my phone. Thank you to Sal and all who journeyed with me on this challenge.
ETA: photos 1-4are with an old denim pencil skirt, white tee, and EF navy cardigan. Photos 5/6 and 10/11 are olive cropped pants and rust tank with a pattern mix of silk blouse and silk scarf with silver bag and jewelry. Photos 7-9 are EF navy pants with a striped rash guard top and white linen man’s shirt used as a topper. Navy bag and canvas ballet flats with a bit of a wedge ( Clark’s Cloudsteppers).

1

Go to the full post to see all of the pictures →

26 comments

Wardrobe Basics Edit

Today I finished the Wardrobe Basics edit. Using La Pedestrian 's template, here it is:
Sleep shirts (long sleeve) -- 0, I don't wear them
Sleep shirts (short sleeve) -- 0
PJ shorts -- 0
Robes--2
Lounge pants -- 3 ( for sick days. I don't lounge
At-home hoodies -- 0
Long johns (Tops). --5
Long johns (Bottoms)--3
Bralettes -- 1
Bras--14 (eliminated 4)
Knickers -- 22 (eliminated 6)
Crew socks -- 6 (eliminated 4 pair)
Ankle/no-show socks -- 6 ( double as slippers)
Knee socks -- 3(eliminated 3)
Camis/layering tanks -- 11 ( wear daily, will replace most this summer)
Tights -- 10 (4 opaque, 2 sheer black, 3 sheer nude, 3 printed, 5 micro fishnet). Most of these need to be assessed for comfort and condition.
Swim (sets of suit, coverup, deck shoes).. 2
Other sport or exercise gear: 0 ( I wear my regular clothes)

Shopping list: yellow undies to match yellow bra ...1
Replace white and black tanks when there is a sale...4 of each
Look for taupe or grey sheer stockings, better color nude.
Thank you for reading this. Suggestions appreciated.

11 comments

Musings and Goals for the new year

Angie's blog post prompted me to do some thinking about the new year and the closet. I have started watching the Kondo tidying series on Netflix and need to finish my closet edit, especially before even thinking of adding anything but replacements. Of course, jeans need to be replaced for higher rises. I think this is going to involve lots of trying on and alterations.
First up is the mid winter closet. My plan is to experiment with different neutrals together, especially black and navy and browns. I have very limited browns in the closet and need to decide if I will allow more and which ones. Dark chocolate brown used to be a favorite as my eyes are dark brown, but the color is just so-so with my hair and skin. I am leaning more toward toffee and tans, but am not sure what I want. In February I will start wearing my cold spring items ( more color, but midtones and pastels). I think I am well supplied with summer items having moved to an area with less hot weather from one where summer was the dominant season. Now Transitional is dominant.
Your thoughts are always appreciated. Should I think about adding browns? If so, which shades do you think? Any other ideas?
Any ideas about the best brands of jeans to try for an insulin-induced tummy and no hips? I am finding higher rises that fit at the waist are too baggy in the rear and thighs.

20 comments

Everything Closet vs Seasonal: pros and cons

I moved from a house with a small non-walkin closet to a house with a medium walk in closet. I intend and have tried to keep all my clothes in the new closet at once, not knowing how I would feel about that.
After nearly 2 years, I find pros and cons. Pros: I mix clothing more and cross seasons, There is less temptation to repeat buy as I see it all, all the time. There is less confusion and work at changing out seasons. Less stuffed closet.
Cons: I miss the excitement of bringing back old favorites for a new season. I think I may be tiring of my clothes faster since I see them all the time. I use clothing out of the season I bought it for, so tire of it early.
Anyone else had experience with this? What do you prefer? Packing away or one big closet?

51 comments

Packing for Maui

On this thread I asked for advice for what to pack for Maui in early March.
https://youlookfab.com/welookf.....at-to-pack
Here is my clothing so far. I have to tweet yet and decide on a few extra pieces. I plan to get everything in a duffle carry-on that fits under the seat as I like to put my feet up on long flights.
Photos 1/2: swim suit #1 and some of what I can use with it. The suit is a one piece Miraclesuit. I can use my white or striped rash guard with it, also black silk cropped pants, EF linen tee, black lace cover-up shown better in 2. I have the running shorts and tee in #4, bought for this suit, but not completely sold on them.
#3 is swim suit #2, Caribbean Joe tankini with things I plan to wear with it on the beach...white rash guard or hoody (5), leopard Crocs, sun hat, dark brown knit coverup.  I plan to use the same black bag.

8-11 is jewelry I plan to take plus 11 is what I hope I can wear out to dinner (2 pieces that form a fairly dressy looking LBD with black crossbody bag w/ silver chain, silver flats, possibly silver scarf or open black lace topper that falls open in back. 

I plan to travel in black ponte EF pants, maybe the cream hoody in 5, a brown and turquoise tee or black and white striped tee, and light utility coat and sneakers.  #7 shows footwear possibilities but the turquoise sandals will probably stay home...too open.  Am I on the right track?

1

Go to the full post to see all of the pictures →

17 comments

Possible DIY Project

Do you think it would work to reset buttons on this JCrew shirt so that it would stay at a diagonal. What do you think? I would probably wear it out but it could be tucked

1

Go to the full post to see all of the pictures →

15 comments

Alteration questions: Culottes

I have a couple pair of pants that I'm considering shortening for culottes and would like your opinions. There is also a pair of EF viscose culottes that I picked up on clearance at The Rack in a size larger than I usually wear that I'm including for your opinions.
First are black JCrew Italian wool wide pants. I'm sorry that the black does not show up well.
1: Full length
2. -6: Trying to show some possible lengths. Should I cut these off? If so, how short?
7-9: EF culottes. Again, how short? Should they also be narrowed? Or should I return them?

1

Go to the full post to see all of the pictures →

7 comments

Help me decide: Black blazers

I have way too many black jackets. Besides the ones here, I have a couple dressier ones ( light and heavier weight), a black knit jacket, a long EF knit jacket, and a black bomber and a moto. Do you like any of the blazers? I need your thoughts.
Ack, the photos are mixed up. 1-2 go together. I tried to get a quick picture of the jacket open and buttoned, but would most probably wear them open. All but the last have one button. I would wear sleeves pushed up.

1

Go to the full post to see all of the pictures →

34 comments

Transcending Seasons: What's in your closet?

During Sterling's challenge last month of wearing seldom worn items, I realized that most were limited in their usefulness because of climate...they are too warm to wear during the long summers and too cold to be comfortable in winter. Although I change out most of my closet 6 times a year, I long for more wardrobe items that transcend the seasons. I have a few:
Tops:
*. Tanks, cotton and silk. They are a base layer in winter for warmth and a summer top in hot weather and layer with a topper in between.
*. Sheer long sleeved pieces like SweetPea mesh tops and silky shirts. They can be worn with a tank or long-sleeved thermal layer, even wool in winter.
*. Button down shirts. They can be layered under a pullover sweater or even serve as a summer jacket worn open.

Pants:
*. Light weight knits, twill and denim with a skinny silhouette. They can be worn with long silk underwear or tights in winter and rolled to ankle or even capri length for summer and worn as is in between.
*. Light weight fashion joggers

Colors: light and dark neutrals, metallics, olive

Prints: animal from leopard to lizard and snake, stripes

Footwear: toe coverage...D'Orsay, basic pumps, fashion sneakers, anything that can be worn with or without socks.

what do you have that works for multiple seasons?

30 comments

Thoughts on my Holiday Capsule

It is time to put away the strictly holiday items that are in heavy rotation between Thanksgiving and New Years. Over the time I've been at YLF, I've gradually moved from dressy formal pieces to mostly casual or smart casual ones. Now I am seeing that I also need to gather items that are not cosy warm...more cotton rather than wool. Our last few years of holidays have been too warm for much wool.
This year I was very happy with the variety I had, especially using Angie's ideas of making plaid, sweater dresses, and jeans look festive. I especially loved wearing lots of white and shades of white, pairing the with a bit of bling. Sweater dresses, my red wool suit, my beaded wool skirt and my tux pant suit felt right for dressy events as long beaded and velvet skirts stayed in the closet.
I really enjoyed wearing metallic gold and metallic blue jeans and a pair of sort of red/teal/black plaid jeans for casual events. It was fun to do sparkle on the bottom instead of the top sometimes. I think this was an Angie idea for Holidays 2014. I also liked a dressy top with regular jeans.
For next year I will watch for metallic booties and the right holiday long sleeved tees. A long duster to add dressiness to a casual outfit would also be welcomed if it doesn't overwhelm.
What did you like and not like about your holiday outfits? What will you do differently next year?

23 comments