On the journey: Some questions

This is probably rambling and might not make any sense. But ... deep breaths ... here goes.

How do you learn/know/discover that a new-to-you silhouette is a good fit? Does the process necessarily include missteps, including financial ones? Is there a way to learn these things without making mistakes? I’d like to think I’m not just looking for short cuts, but rather that a) I’m risk averse b) I dislike making mistakes c) I want to do things the right way. This seems especially difficult as slow-and-steady weight loss has me in a constantly changing body, so I’m not even all that familiar with its actuality.

I’m thinking a minimal capsule-esque wardrobe is the ideal (I don’t think I’ll ever want a large wardrobe), but at the same time, I keep wanting to branch into new things, silhouettes I haven’t ever worn, or ones that I’m not sure will be flattering on my current body. But multiple silhouettes in a as small as possible temporary wardrobe gets complicated, and I like simple.

Example: I’ve never worn skinny jeans. Or leggings. First, I’ve fully embrace boot cuts (and flares, when they’re around). I’ve always liked wide-legged trousers, too, although I don’t have any right now. I like how boot cuts and flares balance out my proportions, and I like the movement, too. But with all today's tops styles being so fluid and oversized (ack, '80s!), since I’m not terribly comfortable with volume over volume, I’m back to the possibility of skinnies. And then I see Jenn mentioning her new burgundy skinnies, which as she loses weight will transition to “girlfriend jeans,” and since I’m also losing weight, that relative longevity makes sense. Or do I continue to ignore/buck the trends (something I’m perfectly fine with) and continue highlighting my smallest point with more fitted shirts and stick to wider pants?

Example 2: Jersey skirts. It’s the fabric that makes the most sense for a less expensive skirt, particularly given my desire to ban all synthetics from my life. But will it be too clingy over my pear hips? And does the shape of the skirt make a difference, or is the material just a no-go?

I know trying on some pieces is a way to get more information, but will it be enough information to actually make a good decision? Time to go try on (and contemplate) is limited with a little one, as are choices, locally.

I do, however, admit that I’m impatient. I want to be there, already. ;) I think I’ve done a lot of the mental work, of figuring out where I want to go, but I’m having trouble either figuring out what should come next, or actually taking that step.

It’s hard to bring a wardrobe up to snuff while really not want to spend much money on pieces that (if everything continues as it has the past 6+ months) I won’t be able to wear more than one season, if that long. Is it even possible? Or should I just shove all these thoughts and feelings down again and focus on the rest of life — the weight loss, the family, etc. — until I’m in a more stable place, size wise?

This post is also published in the youlookfab forum. You can read and reply to it in either place. All replies will appear in both places.

28 Comments

  • Laura (rhubarbgirl) replied 8 years ago

    I identified with a lot of your post, from the weight loss complications to the overthinking things and wanting to be at the finishing point right away. I will respond as my best self, what I'm trying to be, not necessarily what I manage to do every single day. :)

    There's a saying in project management that you can have any two of the three following attributes in a project: cheap, fast, or good. I think that's pretty much true in building a wardrobe, too. If you do it cheap and fast, you probably won't be thrilled with the results and they won't be long-lasting. If you have the time to put in to do thrift or consignment shopping, or try on a lot of things and do bargain hunting, you can manage a lower cost but it's going to take you an investment of time. If you have all the $$ in the world, you don't have to worry about cost and you can get whatever you want pretty quickly.

    I think mistakes are inevitable, in life as well as in wardrobes. The nice thing about clothes is that they're not that big of a deal. I mean, no one likes to throw good money away but sometimes trying something is required to see if it doesn't suit you. You can learn a lot from trying stuff on in a store but sometimes the flaws (or the genius) doesn't reveal itself until actual wearing in actual life circumstances. I like to think of this as an exercise for myself in taking risks, so that eventually I'll feel more comfortable taking risks in other areas of my life. That's also one of the reasons I started budgeting for my clothes, and I stick to it - so if I do make a misstep, it's still within budget so I'm not doing damage to my other priorities.

    Re the weight loss stuff, there's been a lot of conversation about that here and everyone seems to approach it differently. It also depends on how quickly you're losing. A couple years ago I was on a doctor supervised diet and was losing a couple pounds a week consistently. That kind of loss does mean that your pants will stop fitting in a month or so. But when I'm doing it on my own it's not that fast or consistent, so I wouldn't be as concerned about investing in items that might not last that long.

    Jersey skirts are tricky for me too. I can do jersey & ponte as long as they are designed like woven skirts, with a waistband and darts and such. Pull-on tube skirts just don't work for me, as much as I like their vibe and ease.

    OK, I've written a tome, and other people have probably commented in the meantime, so I'll stop.

  • Sal replied 8 years ago

    That made a lot of sense, and I can see your dilemma.

    I guess my advice would be to make sure you have a couple of outfits that look fab right now.....and since you like jeans - at least one pair of great jeans. I think also footwear is a way to buy something fun and fashionable that will last and that you won't grow out of/ become too small for. I have a pretty small wardrobe, it did used to be smaller, and then I made sure I had a couple of great day looks and at least one more dressy option.

    I think you could wear a knit skirt and look great too!

    I think, like myself, you may suit a straight leg jean. With jeans I now go into a retailer with a big selection and just try on 12 pairs and normally one is good, and 11 are not!

    Good luck

    ETA I like Laura's Project Management analogy.

  • abc replied 8 years ago

    I will try to chime in later when I have more time. My gut reaction is to say I don't know you can experiment and learn and move yourself along the curve of knowing your style self unless you make some mistakes along the way. It is a natural part of the process. You can minimize by limiting purchases but how will that affect the outcome? Lots to think about.

  • replied 8 years ago

    I think Angie's write UPS on body type are a good place to start, if you don't want to try things on immediately.
    Generally, flowing tops and skinny jeans are pretty flattering.
    I don't think trying new silhouettes necessarily means missteps. I find I make more missteps with things that don't quite fit right, or that shrink in weird ways, or that end up having a poor fabric quality (despite the price tag, often!).

    With a capsule wardrobe, I you want a variety of silhouettes, I think it's important to have either a very restricted colour palette, or else have a set of pre-planned outfits, where you only wear one thing with another thing.

    If you do decide to try some things on, I suggest trying things on in an outfit. So if you try on skinnies, try them on with a flowy top to get an idea of the actual outfit.

  • Laura (rhubarbgirl) replied 8 years ago

    A couple other thoughts: I do think that skinnies are an "adjust your eye" thing for a lot of us who are heavier. A few years ago I thought I'd never wear them ever ever. Then I got tired of looking completely out of fashion. I still know that they're not the most flattering for my overweight pear-to-apple shape, but I wear them sometimes making a compromise between figure flattery and currentness.

    Leggings, on the other hand, are just a titch too far for me; I feel like an ice cream cone. I do wear them, but only for PJs and at-home outfits only.

    I don't think that body shapes change all that much with weight loss - I know I've got the same general proportions at my heaviest and my skinniest, as well as in-between. At least for me at 5'9", I'd have to lose 50 pounds to have a very different silhouette. In general, you can 'get away with' less flattering options more easily when you are slim and fit, but the general principles stay the same. I really like Imogen's body shape posts at Inside Out Style.

    Since you have a young kiddo, online ordering might be the best approach - find a company with a good return policy, order a bunch of stuff, and try it on the comfort of your own home, with some time to ponder before you make any decisions.

  • Liz replied 8 years ago

    I don't think that more fluid tops than you've been used to require skinny jeans or leggings. You can wear a more fluid fit with straights, boyfriends, and bootlegs. 

    When you do try a new silhouette, I'd do it a whole outfit at a time. Proportions can be tricky, so buying the new top and bottom at the same time will ensure you get a wearable outfit and not orphans. 

    The jersey skirts ... hm. I think you'll have to try them on to see what your comfort level is.

  • Traci replied 8 years ago

    I have found Angie's finds invaluable in stretching my tendencies. She's very good at selecting useful pieces and telling us which body types they're for. Using her finds I've bought and fallen in love with a much higher portion of new to me looks.

  • kerry replied 8 years ago

    I think mistakes are inevitable but you'll minimize them with your thoughtful approach. The key is to figure out why something works and why it doesn't.

    I'm rather heavy and had a time getting my head around skinnies. My burgeoning apple belly got bossy and demanded waist surrendering, so slim on the bottom it was. I will only wear a slim bottom with some heft on the bottom - usually boots - to avoid the ice cream cone effect. This is easy for me as I live in a pretty cold climate. When not in boots, my preferred bottom is joggers or drapey with a taper at the ankle. I think these work with drapey tops too - reigns in the volume.

    I'm on a weight loss journey now too (just started). I'm curious if my style will change or my preference for long over lean.

    I think you want to focus on this just enough to get some clothing that makes you feel great at every stage of weight loss but not so much that it distracts from your primary goal - a healthier you.

  • Dee replied 8 years ago

    I think you have come to the right place to ask these questions and to get ideas about different clothing choices and what might or might not be right for you.  Nothing, however, takes the place of actually trying on some different silhouettes to see how they work for you.  I agree with the suggestions to try on entire outfits at a time to see how the different pieces work together and to get an idea how the whole outfit will look rather than piecemealing it together.  Like you, I was in a period of weight loss and I was holding off buying new things.  I finally gave in and tried skinny jeans and more fluid tops and found that I really liked them.  Because my budget is quite tight, I have shopped sales and kept my shopping to stores, such as Target and mid-range department stores.  I live in a moderate climate where end of season summer tops can be worn just about all year long with a topper.  By not spending a lot of money on these items, I feel freer to experiment and make some of the inevitable mistakes that come with experimentation.  In the meantime, I am enjoying my new clothes and the compliments I get when I wear them.  I recommend trying some new looks and giving the experimentation a try!

  • Jenn replied 8 years ago

    I can't remember who, but someone here referred to a small wardrobe as being "nimble." That is, it's easier to change up silhouettes and adjust to trends and body changes with a small wardrobe than with a larger one. I think you absolutely can do multiple silhouettes with a small, working wardrobe, you just have to realize you'll have one or two outfits in each silhouette, rather than five or seven. And you'll be doing more laundry... which you probably already do with a little one.

    One thing I did while trying to figure out silhouettes was to break down the outfits I liked on Pinterest. You can sort of see it when you look at my outfits board, but I'll attach a photo of what I did in my notebook. I highlighted the pieces that overlapped in multiple formulas. That gave me a sense of where I could get the most bang for my buck. I'm still working on finding the absolute best version of those pieces for me (for example: I can't even get my thighs into some skinny jeans, so "my skinnies" are actually straight legs or slim straights.)

    I'll be following the advice to try things on in the dressing room without buying, as well. I think it helps to take photos (even if only for yourself, so you can see any unflattering angles). I see things in photos I didn't notice in person, which is good and bad.

    It can also work to buy a super-inexpensive version of a piece just to test out a new theory, but I've found that some cheaply-made clothing will leave a bad taste in my mouth, where a better-tailored version will solve a lot of fit and construction problems. 

    We're going to make missteps. I think that's a given. You're diligent, though. You research and mull things over and try things on, so that will minimize the impact of those mistakes. Maybe just find a few things you adore and wear the heck out them for as long as you can?

  • E replied 8 years ago

    I haven't really changed size since I was 19 (no babies!), although my shape shifted a bit in my mid twenties, both because of age and some doctor prescribed courses of steroids. So I haven't had any experience building wardrobes around weight loss. However, it seems to me it would make sense to estimate how long clothes bought now would last (three months?), figure out what occassions/weather you'll face during that time, and then create enough outfits to get you through those months without going insane w boredom. Angie's capsule wardrobes would be a great place to start!

    I agree with everyone else that silhouette experiments should be bought as whole outfits to avoid wardrobe orphans. If you're on a tighter budget, you might have to pick between a very mix and match wardrobe in one or two silhouettes or an outfit-based wardrobe of a variety of silhouettes. Which would make you happier?

    I prefer woven to knit skirts, because tucking is easier and I worry that knitted fabric will cling to my bum. Lol But I'm sure a thicker, ponte like jersey would behave differently from a tee shirt like knit!

    I find most of my wardrobe mistakes are pieces I knew from the beginning weren't perfect and kept anyway, for a variety of reasons. So I'd say, if you find you're talking yourself into a purchase, proceed with caution. ;) Now I try to ask myself if I'd wear it at a forum meet up, which reminds me to pay close attention to the details! Lol

  • Peri replied 8 years ago

    I have heard this advice many times on the forum, that is you want to experiment with a style that is new to you, go on the lower end of the price range and just one outfit, just to try it. If you find yourself really liking the look then you can up the quality and buy a few more. That seems like a good way to figure things out to me. 

  • Style Fan replied 8 years ago

    You have gotten some excellent ideas from the other forum members.  I found Angie's post on body shape very helpful as well as Imogen Lamport's.  I also have found taking pictures to be invaluable.  How I look in the mirror is not how I look in a picture.
    When Angie post finds she describes how the garment fits and who it works for.  I find this helps me shop even if I don't buy that exact garment.  I am learning more and more what works for me.
    I have never worn skinnies and I don't plan on it.  I do wear leggings.  

  • Deborah replied 8 years ago

    In answer to your question How do you learn/know/discover that a new-to-you silhouette is a good fit? I do think you have to try it.  First you try it in the store.  You will know if you like the look first off, if you don't then you can forget it :)  If you like how it looks then maybe shopping the look at a moderate price is an option and then you wear your outfit and see how it feels.  Does it suit your lifestyle, is is comfortable, are you pulling and adjusting all the time, does it just make you forget you are even wearing it etc.  For example,  I have long loved the look of cullottes but my first pair were extremely good quality and 'thrifted'.  I wore them, played with outfit combos, decided that pair was too 'stiff', worked out I wanted ones that were softer with more movement so finally invested in a lovely pair from Metalicus.  

    Does the process necessarily include missteps, including financial ones? I am not sure how we avoid this.  Even with a finally honed style, I bought a dress the other week (it was very inexpensive (cheap lol) and I do not know what I was thinking.  The cut and the stripe does not work for me.  Looks awesome on one of my girlfiend's tho:) So yes, I think the process does include missteps.

    Is there a way to learn these things without making mistakes?  I don't think so, but as you hone your style, your mistakes will be come much much less.  And with your thoughtful consideration (as evidenced in this post), I think you will progress smoothly to where you want to be.  And just don't forget that it should all be fun :)

  • Angie replied 8 years ago

    Great advice here already, and thanks for the kind words, Traci. (Happy Birthday!)

    A few detailed thoughts on jeans:

    • Straight legs can be "your skinnies". An easier transition on the eye if you've never worn them.
    • Bootcuts are very fitted on the thigh (unlike wide legs), which makes wearing voluminous pieces with them very doable. 
    • Knitted tube skirts are GREAT on pears and hourglasses with the right untucked top.
    As hard as it is - patience is key. If you enjoy the journey, learn from mistakes and keep the positive reinforcement high - the fashion and style part of your life will be a lot more fun 

  • Word Lily replied 8 years ago

    Thank you, one and all for all your wisdom, ladies! I really appreciate it. Of course I know there will be some miscues along the way, but I do hope to minimize them as much as possible. :)

    Laura: The project management analogy is a good one, thank you. Makes total sense. I’m losing about 3 pounds a month, at this point. It’s slow, but so far it’s also sustainable, and it’s not taking every ounce of my head space to maintain it, so that’s OK with me!

    The kind of jersey skirt I’m specifically thinking about today is Alabama Chanin style (although I’d probably DIY it), so double thickness, and yeah, I’m naturally drawn to an A-line or flared style, and to thrift the fabric I’d probably need a gored design, as seen (see pic) here, which also has a real waistband. More doable in that iteration, do you think?

    I agree, general shape remains mostly the same; I was a pear even when I weighed 128 in college. But just because I recall liking how I looked in certain fabrications then doesn’t mean they’ll be flattering on me now, y’know?

    Kiwigal: Yes, I’ve got a couple new pairs of shoes — a pair of sandals and a pair of boots — this year, with hopefully another pair of boots yet to come. There are also a couple accessories I’ve discovered a longing for, and those mostly will last through size changes, too.

    Smittie: I’ve read the applicable body type write-ups several times, yes. And trying them on in an outfit makes complete sense.

    Traci: Yes, I’ve been devouring all the information here!

    Kerry: I do tend to prefer heavier, chunkier footwear. Good luck to you as you start out!

    Jenn: Nimble, that’s good! Yes, that’s part of my struggle! I value quality items, so I don’t want to spend a lot of money on poorly made junk, which will probably be annoying. Grr.

    E: I actually don’t know the answer to that (very mix and match in 1-2 silhouettes vs. an outfit based with more silhouettes)! I’m guessing I don’t crave tons of variety in silhouettes, though, since I’ve lived the past several years in mainly just one silhouette.

    The jersey skirts I was specifically thinking about are double-layer, Alabama Chanin style (see pic). So, not super clingy (I hope)?

    Deborah: Thanks for sharing your perspective! It’s really helpful.

    Angie: So maybe next time I need jeans I’ll try on some straight legs, that makes sense. My current skinniest bootcuts have some positive ease in the thigh, at least right now. I do have a pretty straight pair of tapered jeans that’s new to my closet, maybe I can treat them like straight legs?

    So, items to consider/try:

    • knitted tube skirt (where do I find these?)
    • voluminous top or two?
    • a gored Alabama Chanin skirt attempt

  • Angie replied 8 years ago

    Have we seen those straight legs on, Word Lilly? I'm blanking. I *think* they may have been baby bootcuts. 

  • Word Lily replied 8 years ago

    The tag called them tapered, you said they were straighter.

    Here's the post: http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....ered-jeans

  • Angie replied 8 years ago

    Yes. I remember them. It's hard to see them in the first unrolled pic because of the light, but you might like to try a pair of straight leg jeans that are even MORE tapered at the hems - bit not skinny. These look fab: 

  • celia replied 8 years ago

    It looks like you have done your homework and you have excellent advice here.
    My thoughts while reading your post were :
    - if you are building a capsule wardrobe and loosing weight don't rush to have it all at once. Like Jenn was talking about the jeans first you wear them in a certain way, when they start fittong different you wear them in another, and maybe by that time you will find a top to go with the jeans in the new combination.
    - Yes, you are going to make mistakes, everybody does. But if you keep yourself on the limit of how much mistakes ($ or otherwise) you make then what really is the problem ?
    - Trying new trends should happen because you feel curious about them or because someone like Angie said that this or that item might look good on your body type. Angie's find and advice are very accurate. You should never feel compelled to wear something just because everyone is doing it.
    Have fun with the process.

  • Maneera replied 8 years ago

    You've got some excellent advice already. I agree with the others, when it comes to fashion and style, mistakes are inevitable. You could experiment by trying things on in the store and buying them only if you feel confident that you enjoy the silhouette. With a little baby, online shopping through sites with good return policy may be your best bet.

    Since you already have a few fluid fit tops that you're finding hard to wear with bootcuts, a pair of blue straight fit jeans that fit you like skinnies (I love the example Angie has given) may give you more variety in silhouette with the tops you already own.

    As far as the skirt goes, I think you really will have to try a lot before you buy, if you want to avoid a mistake. Skirts are not so easy to fit, though I believe that's stretchy knit skirt looks great worn with fluid tops when you have a pear shaped hips. However, knit will always cling. You could try a woven skirt with just a bit of stretch might be better, as it glides over the thighs and bum easily to close at the waist (or have an elasticated waist). Other great option is a denim skirt.

  • Jeweled replied 8 years ago

    When you try on a variety of silhouettes in a fitting room, here are a couple of ways to get photos that will be more useful you in deciding which items and silhouettes work best for your body:

    I step out of my fitting room cubicle and use the mirror that's usually at one end of the main fitting room.  You can stand farther away from the mirror there than you can in the cubicle - and get a photo that's at a more natural angle.  (Photos taken inside the cubicle are often so close to the mirror that the photo angle makes everything look top-heavy.)

    Also, if possible, make sure that your phone isn't covering up your outfit when you shoot your photos.  It can be hard to tell whether a garment or silhouette works for you when a big portion of your body is obscured by the phone in the photo.

    And finally, a great way to decide what looks best on you is to pull up 2 or 3 of your fitting-room photos on your computer screen at the same time.  It's easy to compare and contrast them when you can see them right next to each other.

    Congratulations on your weight loss journey / style journey!  It's a lovely thing to do for yourself, with so many self revelations along the way.

  • Summer replied 8 years ago

    You've had lots of good advice already so I'll keep my reply short.
    My first thought was that, since you are in the process of losing weight and your clothes are turning over quickly, doesn't that give you the perfect opportunity to experiment?  I'm guessing that you won't be wanting to invest too much cash in fast-moving wardrobe, so your experiments - and any mistakes - shouldn't be too costly.

  • Kat replied 8 years ago

    As you've already gotten wonderful advice from others and reassurances about mistakes/learning opportunities, I thought I'd chime in with some possibly useful direction. As a grad student with small kids who lives in a place with extremely limited shopping options (and I rarely have time to drive to stores to "shop around" anyway), I have found two things most helpful:
     
    1. Knowing measurements (my own body for sure, as well as that of clothes that fit well and I like on myself, and then looking for specific measurements of items I'm interested in purchasing), and

    2. Shopping online at places like Zappos (which has some clothes and accessories, in addition to shoes) and Nordstrom, which have excellent customer service (you can ask questions and get helpful advice before you buy) and free shipping and returns-- allows me to use my own home as a dressing room-- I can try items with others I own, I can buy multiple sizes and PLAN on sending back much in the same way as I would in a dressing room.....

    has been really helpful. For budgeting, once you have a handle on your own measurements and what you need for clothing (i.e. I now have a good sense of what inseams, rises, etc. will work, whether or not a size _x_  in this brand will flatter, etc.) you can branch out onto eBay or other online consignment places (again checking the posted measurements and being certain about return policies. Shipping will likely cost you something, but once you are more certain of measurements and brands, you will do this less often).

  • Tania replied 8 years ago

    Word lily, I was in a similar place a couple of years ago- risk averse, wanting to do things right, etc.  I also had almost zero experience trying things out. 

    A slow and steady approach worked best for me.  I stuck to a basic capsule of clothes and tried to address the area that I live the most- daily casual wear.  I remind myself regularly that it is ok to make mistakes.  If I buy something and it doesn't work, I accept that, but only after I've been able to identify why.  I document all my purchases in a spreadsheet and keep cost-per-wear.  I've realized that when I love something, I will wear it to the ground very quickly, and since I have a small capsule, I am able to add/replace relatively quickly.  I stuck to one silhouette at a time and try to buy a complete outfit at once so I would be able to see how it worked.  If it wasn't perfect, I'd still wear it because I had a limited wardrobe, but I would keep notes for the next purchase. 

    But, yes, mistakes are an essential part of the process.  I think it has been valuable to learn about myself.

    Also, I found that it was useful to stick to free return sites, like Nordstroms.  I have often shopped my ideas and tried at home and realized what worked without having to keep things.  I've also done in-store trips for just trying things on without feeling the pressure to buy.  I've done a couple trips with a Nordstrom personal shopper, with friends, by myself, and I've received so much help.  I've found many SA's love to help those who are totally clueless but kind and grateful lol.  

    Anyway, I discovered I had a few ideas that stood in my way:

    a) there is one perfect item for a situation

    b) I can buy everything I want and need for little money and time

    c) I just need a few things

    d) style is having clean and well-fitting clothes

    I discovered quickly that while I could keep a small capsule, I let go of the idea of the perfect item.  So much depends on circumstance and styling.  Over time, I realized that I would need to spend more time and money than I ever had (which had never been much lol).  I also realized that I had almost no support acts- basic tees, camis, layering pieces, toppers, shoe variety, accessories, and with a basic wardrobe, you can use these to lend variety.  And style is so much more than clean and well-fitting clothes...

    So I think even if you are in a weight loss phase, you can work on this over time in bits that make sense.  It is a process. 

    Anyway, sorry if this response is so rambly! 

  • amiable replied 8 years ago

    I have a hard time liking skinnies on myself because I feel like an ice cream cone - I think I need the width to balance out my larger middle and top half.  But, like Laura said, I think that a lot of wearing skinnies is getting used to it on yourself.

    In my limited experience, missteps are still inevitable, even though I'm at a fairly comfortable place with my style.  I thrifted a dress a couple of weeks ago that I don't like at all now that I have it home (even though it got compliments when I wore it).  I used to think that if I could just hire Angie, my wardrobe would be perfect.  Now I doubt that even that would prevent an occasional mistake.

    Keeping your wardrobe small through transitional weights is a smart idea, I think - especially since you don't crave as much variety as some (me, for instance).  

    Perhaps it would work to set a wardrobe experimentation budget, and resolve to spend it all (though saving up for a bigger ticket item would be acceptable).  Then your success could be in the experimentation itself, rather than merely in the finding of successful items?  (This idea makes sense in my head - I'm not sure it does on the screen).

    We really need to set up a girls day to go out shopping together.

  • Word Lily replied 8 years ago

    I like what Celia said about “Trying new trends should happen because you feel curious about them …” This feels so obvious, but it’s a good reminder. This, combined with what Angie explained about why bootcuts can work with loose tops, [I love “whys.” Understanding the hows and whys really illuminates things to me.] and a couple examples I saw on her Fall 2015 Inspirations pinboard of similar silhouettes, has me leaning back toward just sticking to bootcuts (and potentially flares) for now.

    Maneera: Yes, a denim skirt is on my wishlist. :)

    Jeweled: Thanks for the dressing room photo-taking tips!

    Summer: You’re right, of course. :)

    Kat: I’m not sure I’ll ever have tried enough things recently enough to actually be able to make educated guesses about sizes in a certain brand, but I love the optimism! :)

    Tania: I do have some “support acts” that will probably fit for quite a while longer, so that’s helpful. Thanks for your post, it’s really helpful!

    Amy: A wardrobe experimentation budget makes a lot of sense, but I’m not sure I could convince myself to actually do it. I was really really close to sending you a message a week or so ago and asking if you could take me to all the best thrift stores (or whatever)! I keep going back and forth on when and how often things like that need to happen (I’m trying to figure out how to get a shopping day with my sister, too, but that’s quite a bit more complicated than meeting up with you.) All that to say: Yes, we do need to set up a day and do it! :)

  • Rambling Ann replied 8 years ago

    Especially the first year or so but even today, whenever I shop I try to find and try on one item that is outside my normal, just for practice.

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