STYLETHREAD -- LET'S TALK SHOP!

Alegria · Kate Spade

What do you do?

Collette · Chanel

Things I do

Tear out magazine photos of outfits you like and look to see if I have comparable things to make outfit

Invite over a friend or two to go through closet and make outfits you wouldn't initially think of

Take one bottom or one top and force yoruself to try it on with everything in your closet.

When all else fails layer different things to make a new outift out of old favorites!

atlgirl · Gucci

I do a lot of what Collette does, especially taking one item and trying it on with lots of other things. I will do this - from soup to nuts (so if it's an outfit with tights, I'll put the tights on, and try out different shoes, etc) - and take pics. Sometimes things I thought were fabulous before the picture are not so much after. Then I keep a list of what works so I know what to pull from my closet when I'm in a hurry!

squishy · Coach

i'll 'hide' my favorite pieces of clothing so i force myself to wear other stuff. i usually end up putting together new (and cooler!) outfits that way.

Kitty · Hermes

Collette wrote:

Things I do

Tear out magazine photos of outfits you like and look to see if I have comparable things to make outfit

Invite over a friend or two to go through closet and make outfits you wouldn't initially think of

Take one bottom or one top and force yoruself to try it on with everything in your closet.

When all else fails layer different things to make a new outift out of old favorites!

These are awesome suggestions. I especially agree with #3. If there's something in my closet I rarely wear, I will force myself to spend an hour or so trying to make it work with the other pieces in my closet. I'll try it on with everything.

I also think it's helpful to look through stylediary. You can find people with the exact same things as you (or similar things) and see how they've made outfits.

luckylily · Gucci

This might make me sound like I'm crazy, but anyway...

I keep a spreadsheet that lists all my clothes, the cost, how many times I've worn it, and calculates the cost/wear. Whenever I'm having a hard time finding an outfit, I should look through the list and pick out an item that has a higher cost/wear and force myself to make an outfit out of that item. It actually works like a charm because I often see things on the list that I'd kind of forgotten about.

I also like the idea of taking a day to try a bunch of things together. You can take pictures or make a list, so that you'll remember them later.

Also, I think there is a ton of things you can do w/ accessories to change the vibe of an outfit. Like a pair of kickin heels and a fedora might make the same outfit look a lot more hip that it would with pumas and a jersey scarf. Or a going out top can be made work appropriate w/ the right cardigan. I know this is pretty obvious, but I'm certainly guilty of not really thinking through how to make a piece more versatile.

Cortney1982 · Chanel

I take a visual inventory of what I have and try pairing something I haven't worn in a while with something new. Also, I will lay a few key pieces out on my bed and then make outfits to see what I can come up with.

NCshopper · Hermes

In cases like that I do the following:

1) I do laundry. Most of the time when I feel like I have nothing to wear, it's usually because everything's dirty.

2) Then I play dress-up. I mix and match and try on different shoes and accessories until I'm satisfied I have a few new looks to work with.

3) If that fails, then I go shopping for accessories.

4) Last resort is to go buy a few new pieces and in that case, I go with a list and I stick to it.

Kitty · Hermes

luckylily wrote:

This might make me sound like I'm crazy, but anyway...

I keep a spreadsheet that lists all my clothes, the cost, how many times I've worn it, and calculates the cost/wear. Whenever I'm having a hard time finding an outfit, I should look through the list and pick out an item that has a higher cost/wear and force myself to make an outfit out of that item. It actually works like a charm because I often see things on the list that I'd kind of forgotten about.

I also like the idea of taking a day to try a bunch of things together. You can take pictures or make a list, so that you'll remember them later.

Also, I think there is a ton of things you can do w/ accessories to change the vibe of an outfit. Like a pair of kickin heels and a fedora might make the same outfit look a lot more hip that it would with pumas and a jersey scarf. Or a going out top can be made work appropriate w/ the right cardigan. I know this is pretty obvious, but I'm certainly guilty of not really thinking through how to make a piece more versatile.

I wish I were this organized.

Out of curiosity, what do you think is a good cost per wear?

luckylily · Gucci

Kitty wrote:

luckylily wrote:

This might make me sound like I'm crazy, but anyway...

I keep a spreadsheet that lists all my clothes, the cost, how many times I've worn it, and calculates the cost/wear. Whenever I'm having a hard time finding an outfit, I should look through the list and pick out an item that has a higher cost/wear and force myself to make an outfit out of that item. It actually works like a charm because I often see things on the list that I'd kind of forgotten about.

I also like the idea of taking a day to try a bunch of things together. You can take pictures or make a list, so that you'll remember them later.

Also, I think there is a ton of things you can do w/ accessories to change the vibe of an outfit. Like a pair of kickin heels and a fedora might make the same outfit look a lot more hip that it would with pumas and a jersey scarf. Or a going out top can be made work appropriate w/ the right cardigan. I know this is pretty obvious, but I'm certainly guilty of not really thinking through how to make a piece more versatile.

I wish I were this organized.

Out of curiosity, what do you think is a good cost per wear?

I've actually thought that through a little bit. Let's see...For basic, really versatile items like jeans, t-shirts, or solid color sweater, I like to get them below $1/wear before they wear out. For prints, dresses, and things that are slightly less versatile, I like to be below $5/wear. And then I have a few special occassion things that are a lot higher, but I bought them knowing I might only be able to wear them a few times or that it would take a long time to get my moneys worth.

At least that's what I tend to shoot for, I'm not always successful. I'm usually good about getting a lot of use out of my clothes, but I have tons of accessories I don't use as much as I should.

Suasoria · Chanel

Out of curiosity, what do you think is a good cost per wear?

Pennies, except for very fancy dresses.

I say this all the time on the Lucky forums, but to me, a closetful of clothes and nothing to wear usually means you don't have enough neutral, classic, go-to basics. If that's not your problem, then these ideas might help:

1. "If only..." This thing would work great if you only had a certain thing, like a pair of flat brown boots, a purple tee, or some specific other piece to go along with it. So either buy that missing piece, or get rid of the thing that needs a companion in order to work for you. Sometimes this is just dumb stuff - like if you only had a pair or $8 tights you could wear a certain skirt. So...duh. Make a list of what you need and if within 30 days you haven't fulfilled it, go ahead and dump the problem things.

2. Like NCshopper said, do laundry/iron/dry clean more often. The world will not burn up if you washed two small loads instead of one large. Keep your go-to pieces accessible at all times. And alter/mend what needs it, or get rid of it if you can't or won't.

3. If you have a career-type of job that you want to keep for the forseeable future, why do you have so many "fun" and "casual" clothes? 80% of your budget should go to things you can wear to work. Focus more when shopping on what you wear during the more critical portions of your week when it's important to look your best. Frankly, those of us with fulfilling, demanding careers from Monday to Friday often see no point in looking swell on the weekends.

3. The husband (and anyone else) doesn't see you "looking bad." He feels you feeling bad about how you look. If you aren't selling what you're wearing, then yes, people will pick up on that. But the solutiion to this is to focus less on what other people might or might not be thinking, and more on how you're feeling. It's not about other people, even the people we're married to. It's about us.

This may seem critical, but I'm trying to say 'buck up, put on your big-girl panties, and get motivated.' Did it work?

Alegria · Kate Spade

Jeez, you girls are full of good suggestions. I will have to take some time this weekend to play around. I know a big problem is the weight loss I am experiencing right now and not being in the jolly-est of moods has made me have a hard time being comfortable in anything I wear. I guess if I had it my way I would stay in my jammies all day but we all know I can't and shouldn't do that.

Luckylily- I wish I could be as organized as you! Also, I would love to see the looks on the kids and other teacher's faces if I came to work in "some kicking heels or a fedora". That put such a smile on my face! I love it and your style.

Sausoria- I have thought about what you said and I have taken offense to it. Although you have some good suggestions like #1 and #2 the rest I feel was way below the belt. I felt that you implied that I do not care about my job or that I do not have a career worth dressing for. And...big surprise the "critical portions" of my day ARE when I am at home with my family. I put them above all else. I will most certainly shop for the weekends. I want to look "swell" on my time off. Especially if it's what I like to wear. I won't be a slave to basics and work clothes just because I have a job. You obviously didn't read the part where I said I didn't feel like wearing work clothes right now, not that I don't own any work appropriate clothes. That in no way means my job is not "fullfilling". Also, your comment about "'buck up, put on your big-girl panties, and get motivated" was really wrong. I am trying to give you the benefit of the doubt in being a new poster and probably not knowing what is going on with me and my husband but really why comment if you are clueless? You really are trying to make it like I am insecure and have no self esteem. I guess I was a got a bit too comfortable in feeling that this forum was supportive friends and I tend to forget that just anyone can come on here and post and try to make others feel bad. So please, step off your high horse and think twice about what you say, how you say it, and why you feel the need to say it.

luckylily · Gucci

shpgqueenet wrote:

Luckylily- I wish I could be as organized as you! Also, I would love to see the looks on the kids and other teacher's faces if I came to work in "some kicking heels or a fedora". That put such a smile on my face! I love it and your style.

LOL...well, I don't really dress like that at my job either, but you know what I mean about accessories being good tools for changing up basics.

Suasoria - I also have to disagree regarding your point about job fulfillment and weekend wear. I have a fabulous job, but the weekend is still my favorite time in terms of my ability to put together cool outfits. Plus, being job appropriate can be really limiting, I don't think there's anything wrong with having a big chunk of your wardrobe be fun, casual stuff.

Aurora · Marc Jacobs

I do things sorta like Collette and kitty have mentioned with saving pics of things I like. I tend to have a few people on here whose style I like so I often look at their thread style posts & weekend/weekday shopping posts and if its something fabulous I will copy and paste into word for when I am in a funk. I swear I'm not a stalker yall just like the fashion sense around here!

greendiamond · Marc Jacobs

Personally, when I don't have anything ot wear, its a pants problem. I have work pants, and jeans, and that's it. (oh, and lounge pants, but they don't seem to be what you need, because they don't maximize the cute factor).

I finally bought a pair of trouser jeans and they have helps TONS! Not only are they flattering no matter what, but they dress up some more casual stuff, and make cute tops more wearable. Some of my going out tops from my bar days look family/hubby approprite with these jeans and a cardigan. I have also gotten a lot of use from olive twill pants. I'm not a fan of khaki, and have found a lot to wear with the olive pants.

When all else fails, I buy a few new tops, but at inexpensive places.

What about buying a new bra/panty set? I always feel more cute when I'm wearing sexy underthings, and I think it shows by the way I carry myself. On crummy days that's the first thing I do, and it helps a tad.

And, as others have mentioned, I invite a friend over to eliminate things from my closet that need to be gotten rid of, then let her make new outfits from my clothes. A fresh eye can really put to gether things you may not think of.

Good luck! We all fall in this rut from time to time.

-gd

sydney · Kate Spade

Wow! Lucklylily. Seriously - this sounds like something I would think of, but somehow I didn't - wow! That is detailed oriented!

-- Edited by sydney at 23:47, 2006-12-17

Bastet · Kate Spade

Maybe it's because your closet space is too crowded? My closet used to be really crowded and I found I had a smililar problem. When I re-organized my closet and tried to make it more space efficient, I found it much easier to see what I actually owned! When looking at a lot of clothes hanging really close together, it's so hard to see each piece of clothing. Instead it looks like an overwhelming muddle of tops and bottoms and it's really hard to go through the clothes and make outfits.

If you have things hanging in your closet that are for summer, maybe put them away if it's cold out where you live, or separate them from your winter clothes. Also, if you have summer clothes, maybe put them on stacking hangers until it gets warmer, that could open up some space in your closet. HTH!

Suasoria · Chanel

Shpgqueenet, I did misunderstand - I thought the problem was not being able to put together work outfits and having too much on the casual side.

I appreciate getting the benefit o' the doubt. As a new member I don't know what's going on in everybody's personal lives. The reason I felt I would comment was because it seemed like a problem that was typical of other young women I've known who are juggling career and personal lives - but because I misunderstood the problem, it wasn't.

I really wasn't trying to make you feel bad, but to provide a spark for some new perspectives. I do apologize that it came across as critical instead of supportive.

greca · BCBG

Suasoria, not to beat a dead horse, but I don't really understand why having a "fullfilling, demanding career during the week" would make one not care about looking "swell" on the weekends?? It sounds like you're implying that it's superficial or a waste of time to look your best outside of work...What's wrong with wanting to look your best all the time??

minkiki · BCBG

Suasoria, I "know" you from the Lucky forums, you're a sweetie and always helpful there. I think it's hard to convey personality or intent sometimes online but I definitely know you didn't intend to harm or offend. A post gone awry is a bummer but that was a nice apology :)

I do think you touched on something with the weekend comment. In my community it is easy to spot the newer SAHMs and/or possible career ladies by the extreme casualness of their weekend wear.

My own sister, the Fortune 500 company VP is guilty being waaay too casually dressed when not at work. She doesn't care about looking swell on the weekends and she doesn't want to. Her excuse is that she has to dress up all week and she wants to relaaaax on the weekend. I wouldn't be caught dead out of the house (or even in it, to tell the truth) with that level of relaxed but then again that's me, Miss Clothing Obsessed. She feels differently and you know what...I need to accept that's really okay.

Many new SAHMs are usually unaware at first what casual dress means so they show up everywhere looking obviously ultra casual. Most "get it" after a bit but it takes time to figure out what appropriate casual is when youv'e just had a baby or you've moved into a new community. It's really HARD actually!

Thinking more about it, appropriate business casual is recognised problem for a lot of women so it makes sense that weekend casual could be the same.

I dunno, as long as someone we know and love doesn't end up on Glamour's DON'T page, it's all okay right?

Sorry shpgqueenet, I think I just totally threadjacked. I just have to tell you though, I LOVE the way your closet looks! Are those the Stor shoe boxes up on the top? (The plastic ones that open from the front?)