goldenpig

Another fun question--where are you on the classic vs. trendy scale? I'm arbitrarity assigning 1 to classic and 10 to trendy (no value judgement on the numbers). One is if you primarily like classic cuts and items and wait to adopt trends until they become fairly classic pieces that look like they will survive the test of time. Ten is if you are an early adopter and love trying out the latest trends. Five is if you equally love classic and trendy pieces and have them in equal amounts in your wardrobe.

I know there can be some negative associations with both words (ie classic=conservative or boring, trendy=fashion victim) but I think both can be equally stylish and I want to know where you stand. And does your personality fit with where you are on the fashion scale?

I am not sure where I stand, but I am guessing a 8! I am much more of a risk taker (lately) with fashion than I am in real life!

Fun question--I'm just curious whether your assessment of people's K/R and WIWs are influenced by their commentary about their outfit. Do you look at the pics first and decide first without reading, or do you read what they said first and then decide?

For example, if someone says their outfit is 10 years old, are you more likely to call it dated than if they didn't say anything about its age? Or if someone says that they felt super fab in an outfit, are you more likely to give it a thumbs up even if you don't think it looks the best on them fit or fashion wise? Or if it looks fab to you, but the poster said they don't feel comfortable in it because it's not their usual style, are you more likely to tell them to return it? And are you influenced by the other replies from other commenters?

I'm asking because I am a very poor judge of datedness--I tend to like things in my closet for a lot longer than I perhaps should even when the style world has moved on. I like to think I'm more trendy than classic but maybe I have a classic streak in me. And I do feel like my impression of other peoples' outfits are swayed by how they feel about it--I'm more likely to compliment it if the original poster raves about it or subsequent replies are all positive, even if my initial reaction was negative. Sometimes if I'm not sure, I'll wait to see what the first few replies are--I've had situations where I loved something that everyone else hated or vice versa. I know that shouldn't matter but sometimes I'm sensitive about giving the "wrong" advice on K/R's. I'd like to think I'm objective, but I think fashion is somewhat subjective and I'm highly influenced by the person's feelings about the outfit! Maybe I could be more objective if I had been following fashion for a long time or was a professional like Angie, but I think the feelings of the person wearing it is the most important--it doesn't matter if it looks fab on them if it makes them uncomfortable, and conversely if it makes them feel fab and confident and they're having fun, then that makes me happy even if it's not personally my taste!

So, are you an objective or subjective evaluator?

How long does it take you to get ready in the morning and what is your beauty routine? Just curious what the average amount of time spent on getting dressed and personal grooming is, and how complicated your steps are?

For me, picking outfits is the greatest time suck. I spend almost zero time on hair and makeup which is why the hairstylist's suggestion that I start hot rolling my hair seems very impractical for my lifestyle.

I do:
Shower--3 min
Wash face-1 min
Brush teeth-1 min
Brush hair--30 sec
Clean glasses--30 sec
Deodorant--15 sec
Picking outfit and getting dressed--5-10 min including taking outfit pics
Eating breakfast/checking email/YLF--0-10 min (depending on if I'm late)
Swipe of Black honey lipstick--15 sec

That doesn't include taking care of the kids which adds about another 1/2 hour. So it's usually at least an hour to get out the door (sometimes I can do it in 1/2 hr if the nanny takes care of the kids), with minimal beauty routine (no blowdrying or hairstyling or full makeup). How long does it take for you?

Now that I've shifted from wardrobe building to wardrobe maintenance phase (for the most part--still haven't been able to go fully SYC--I think I'm more of a SYB girl), I've been thinking about the size of my wardrobe and how to tell when a wardrobe is too large? What's the maximum size for a reasonable wardrobe?

I inventoried my wardrobe in December (http://goldenpig.lookfab.com/p.....ation-pics) and counted about 300 pieces of clothing altogether. Since then I've done several further comb-through purges and culled most of my old pre-YLF clothes except for some basics and a few stubbornly sentimental faves (like a couple of my fave 90's skirts). I even have started purging a few post-YLF items that I now realize don't look the best on me. I gave some away to my family, consigned some and donated some. But then I've also added several pieces since December (mainly dresses and handbags) as well, so I'm probably still hovering around 300 items. I did a rough count recently and seems like I have about 30 pieces in each category: 30 dresses, 30 skirts, 30 short sleeve and 30 long sleeve tops, 30 jackets/coats, 30 pants (mostly jeans, only a few trousers but I don't wear trousers much), 30 shoes/boots, 30 purses etc. Is that too many?

Everything fits in my closet (although I need a better system for storing handbags), and one 5-dresser drawer for T shirts and PJs and undies and socks and loungewear, and long coats are stored in the coat closet upstairs. So it's not a question of space--it's all organized and I can see everything. I'm just wondering if that total is too many items--like I could spend a whole month wearing nothing but dresses and another whole month wearing only skirts! I do like everything that is currently in my closet. But should I be paring down further so I can wear things more often? I do sometimes sit and stare at my clothes in the morning wondering what I should wear--maybe I have too many choices? It is nice to have lots of options but sometimes it can be paralyzing when you're trying so hard to be creative and remix and not just reach for old favorites so you get around to wearing everything in your closet. But even with such a large wardrobe I still feel like I have holes...like not enough MOTG wear like casual tops and nicer/interesting tees, very few shorts (still need denim shorts and white shorts or clams), few casual/flat sandals, etc. Crazy!

Just wondering what you consider the maximum reasonable size for a fully purged/organized/curated wardrobe and what the biggest wardrobes are around here--hopefully I'm not the only one with a huge number of clothes!

I have been trying to update my apparently dated 90's bias cut skirts and we've been discussing what's dated or "out" in these threads:
http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....ted-or-out
http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....t-the-norm
http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....hion-grain
http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....90s-skirts

Denise mentioned that she was also going to try to update one of her dated items. So I thought that would be a fun YLF challenge to open up to the group. Take your oldest or most dated item in your closet and see if you can rescue it by styling it with modern pieces and bring it up to date. How old is this item, when was the last time you wore it, and how do you feel wearing it now? Do you plan to keep it, or do you realize now that it's time to purge it and move on? Hopelessly non-salvageable dated items welcome too if you want to post just for laughs! If it's still in your closet, it's fair game!

Thanks for playing--I can't wait to see what you come up with!

PS I'm going to purge the brown skirt, but the blue ditsy floral and black/white/red geometric print patterns are staying in my closet, dated or not! :)

Sparked by Angie's post here:
http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....t-the-norm
I tried pulling out some of my 90's skirts and styling them with my modern pieces but apparently they still look dated:
http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....hion-grain
http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....90s-skirts

So apparently bias cut above the knee printed skirts scream 90's and are super dated. I am curious to find out what else is considered dated or "out". This is slightly different from Angie's post where she asked what things you currently wear that aren't currently in fashion. This is more about what do you consider a fashion no-no because it looks dated.

My theory (although maybe MaryK is right about me clinging to the past) is that midi skirts are back in after they were popular in the 50's but then considered frumpy up until now, and now they're totally in fashion again. The 70's have had their big revival for the past few years, and now the 80's are just coming back in fashion (notice the neon and bright colors and tapered trousers all in this spring). So maybe the 90's are next in line and will come back in style in a few years. I think I'll save my favorite skirts till they're the height of fashion again! LOL!

What looks do you consider dated or "out" and why? Do you think they will ever come back in style?

I feel like I'm developing my work wardrobe and style persona and finally am getting the hang of it. But I don't quite feel the same way about my MOTG style yet. I am having trouble finding outfits that aren't too dressy (like I've repurposed my work blouses), that don't stand out TOO much from the norm (when everyone else is wearing gear and T shirts) but also aren't so blah and boring (like my pre-YLF casual style with fleece and clogs/Mocs). I want to have my casual style reflect my style persona, but I don't want to look like I'm trying too hard to look like a fashionista, or dressing too juvenile. My heels (and even my wedge sandals) are not appropriate for taking the kids to the park, but my Cons seem to skew too young esp. when I pair them with graphic T's and jeans. I've been relying on my Jason Wu for Target items but I'm getting a bit tired of them and they're starting to wear/fade. I have so many new clothes since YLF but a lot of them are rather dressy.

Here are some of my recent MOTG looks. #1 & #2 are too loud and bright to fit in with my environment. #3 and #4 are a bit too dressy and are work type outfits repurposed into MOTG. #5 and #6 are the right level for MOTG but I wear this polka dot shirt and red cardigan, and red and blue stripe shirt allll the time and I'm starting to get sick of them!

What should I do? How do I find that MOTG sweet spot between drab and dressy, that is both comfy and casually chic? I'll have a look at Angie's MOTG formulas again, but I just am feeling a bit like I don't quite have my MOTG style persona down. Demure bombshell UWP doesn't exactly translate to MOTG! Any suggestions for anyone's WIW's to follow? I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed and lost!

Mary asked me in another thread how many handbags I own and whether I switch them out every day. Yes, I do in fact try to coordinate my handbag to my outfit...it's part of the fun! I wasn't sure how many I had so I decided to inventory them. I decided to only count bags I've bought since joining YLF since most of my pre-YLF bags are quite old and worn and I don't use them much. I have 15 post-YLF bags, and 2 pre-YLF bags that are still in regular rotation (red Fossil tote and brown Jack Georges briefcase). I tend to use large satchels or totes so I can carry everything I need, sometimes including my laptop and work papers.

The rest of my pre-YLF bags are mostly tiny handbags that aren't very practical now that I have kids and work. Including one Coach purse that is very worn (the corners are frayed/split and I don't think it's fixable. And some Paul Frank and Gama Go purses that I think are probably too childish to go with my current style now. I'm including a few pics of some of them, but they don't get used very often.

I'm pretty happy with my lineup--I've got nearly all the colors of the rainbow, plus neutrals. The only bags I would potentially add are a black evening clutch and a green satchel, to complete the rainbow. But otherwise I feel like I have a fab handbag to go with pretty much any outfit I wear!

How many handbags do you own? I'm curious to see if I'm on the high or low side. Pics appreciated if possible (either individual or group shots of your whole collection). Especially if you can show me how you organize your handbags in your closet! Right now I have all the satchels (except the clutches/small bags which are on a shelf) stuffed under my skirts/jackets on the closet floor, and that is not ideal. Which handbag is the most used and which is your favorite?

1. Red snakeskin structured bag (White House Black Market)
2. Fossil red diamond satchel
3. Red ruffle evening clutch (Nordstrom)
4. Fossil red North-South Executive tote (old, from Macy's)
5. Kate Spade orange slice straw bag
6. Dooney & Bourke yellow satchel
7. Kate Spade turquoise clutch
8. Guess purple and orange handbag (TJ Maxx)
9. Fossil floral satchel
10. Jack Georges brown briefcase (old, from Macy's)
11. Marc by Marc Jacobs dotty snake crossbody purse (Nordstrom)
12. Kate Spade Japanese floral Melinda satchel
13. Jason Wu for Target straw handbag
14. Jason Wu for Target Milu cat tote
15. Kate Spade grey croc tote
16. Fossil black chevron tote
17. Ralph Lauren black doctor's satchel (TJ Maxx)

Old purses:
18. Paul Frank Parisian handbag (I have more, not pictured)
19. Green mini satchel (unknown brand)
20. Ann Taylor Loft green flat handbag (too small, but matches jacket--gift from mom)
21. Grey evening bag (think it was a gift with an Estee Lauder makeup set)
22. Black sequin evening bag (worn, needs replacing & too small)
23. Coach black handbag (worn beyond repair)

I think my most used bag is the Fossil floral satchel and my favorite is the Kate Spade orange slice purse. The most expensive one was the Dooney & Bourke (the Kate Spade purses were all bought on sale). Which one of these do you like best?

Coming back to try to refine my style rubric. (FYI the term originated in Shannon's thread as suggested by Rae: http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....va-va-voom)
I first posted about my rubric a month ago here:
http://goldenpig.lookfab.com/p.....yle-rubric

Initially I came up with:
"Primary rubric
1. Ladylike--this is such a given in all my outfits that I wonder if it's even necessary?
2. Structure--fitted, waist definition
3. Pattern (I noticed that pretty much all of my outfits include a print of some kind, and often several!)
4. Luxe--polished, textured
5. Flair--at least one statement piece per outfit, classic piece with a twist, or secret or whimsical detail (this is my favorite part of the rubric!) :)

Secondary rubric (not all outfits will have all of these but usually will have at least one or two)
1. Color
2. Retro-inspired
3. Matchy matchy
4. ALGO
5. UWP--tough elements mixed with ladylike"

But that gets a little too complicated to remember for day to day dressing! So here's my new attempt at my style rubric (I eliminated primary and secondary and am simplifying to just one short list):

Color or contrast
Matchy Matchy
Patterned
Fitted
Flair

I think these are the terms that work the most like a checklist for me to help me get dressed. Ladylike is out because, well, everything I wear is ladylike! So that doesn't help me narrow it down. I do like to wear luxe looking clothes, but not for the sake of being fancy or rich, and it's a bit hard to define, so it doesn't feel quite like the right term.

I love bright color so I thought that was a key addition to the rubric. But I do also like high contrast black and white outfits, so I made it an either/or (or sometimes both, like black/white/red). Plus I can also use contrast to mean juxtaposition (like tough and ladylike). I added Matchy Matchy, because I'm finding that I really like to have some sort of repetition in my outfit. I want everything to tie in together--for example, choosing a bag with teal accents in a handbag to match the teal in a bracelet. Or snakeskin bag and snakeskin pants plus dotty shirt and dotty bag. And sometimes I go all out with ultra matchy outfits, like three different chevron stripes (skirt, bag, shoes) or the Japanese floral pattern in dress, bag and coat lining. Pattern is a definite, because I rarely feel myself in an all solid outfit. And I would include textures and pattern mixing into that aspect of the rubric. I changed Structured to Fitted, because I really love fitted clothes and waist definition. Plus Fitted and Flair sounds like a pun on Fit and Flare so it's fun to say out loud! And Flair remains unchanged, because it's where I put all the fun things that make dressing exciting!

BTW, is it a little OCD that I arranged the terms in descending length order? It just looks better that way! LOL!

Here's the lineup of outfits from the last couple weeks. How did I do with my new style rubric--do my outfits reflect that list? Fun to see all my outfits together in kind of a mini-retrospective! :) I think today especially, I tried to make sure that my outfit followed the rubric. I certainly felt like my outfit today very much reflects my style. Did I succeed?

As you know I rarely wear makeup or do anything with my hair. I'm so busy trying to get dressed and out the door that I never think about hair and makeup. But I recently saw an article about a study that showed that wearing makeup makes you seem more professional and competent to others. They showed pictures of women in various levels of makeup (bare faced, natural, professional and glamorous). The ones with makeup were judged as being more confident and competent, even with the heavier "glamorous" makeup (although apparently the "glamourous" women are rated as slightly less trustworthy, LOL).
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/10.....study.html

I know Angie has suggested makeup to me before. So I thought I'd give makeup a try today. I dug up a makeup set that I got at Nordstrom for Christmas but hadn't really used yet.

Here are my pics with different levels of makeup (ignore the wet hair):
1. Bare--washed with Olay exfoliator brush (like Clarisonic)--that was new for me! With foundation on but no makeup. This is already more than I typically do!
2. Natural--with Clinique Black Honey sheer lipstick
3/4. Professional--with eyeshadow, mascara, eyeliner, blush, and powder. This felt pretty heavily made up to me looking in the mirror, but the pictures make it look less bright/made up.
5-6. My outfit and how the makeup looked at a distance.
7. Levels of makeup used in the study--bare, natural, professional, glamorous

I have to admit that I don't know if I want to bother with makeup. It takes extra time to get ready in the morning (and I'm usually running late as it is), plus it needs re-application several times in the day so that's more time spent. And today I went to the restroom and discovered my mascara was all smudged (I'm not used to wearing it and I sometimes rub my eyes) and I had raccoon eyes. And the lipstick needed to be reapplied multiple times. So it's a lot of fussing!

So my question is--should I bother with makeup? Is it worth it? I've usually done no makeup or just a swipe of the sheer lipstick. My eyes are hidden behind specs--does it even matter if I wear eye makeup? Should I be going for full makeup every day at work? Do I look more professional, competent and confident in #3/4 as opposed to #1/2? I have to admit I do think #3/4 looks nicer. But are there any ways to cut down on the time spent applying and reapplying makeup?

And do you all wear makeup at work?