Reader L wrote in to us with an interesting idea for a poll — how far in advance do you plan your outfits? This is particularly interesting given that we don’t think our personal system has been working. Long ago, in our early 20s, we decided to let the “mood” of the morning decide what to wear each day — it seemed true! and right! and a lot of other things that now sound somewhat naive and overemotional. Whatever the basis for the decision, though, the practical effect of each morning is that, oh drat, we’re-running-late-yet-AGAIN and quick-just-grab-the-suit-or-dress-and-jacket and run out the door. (This seems particularly sad given that, you know, we write a fashion blog.) So we’re rethinking. Photo credit: Closet, originally uploaded to Flickr by Becaberry.
Readers, how far in advance do you plan your wardrobe? We’ve tried to hit broad strokes in the poll, but please tell us in comments why you’ve taken that particular plan of attack. Obvious things factor into the decision — the weather, what’s clean, what fits — but what else?
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@ Mel – I think 2 weeks is a good time frame for not double dipping on shirts. Pants are not as important if they are basic styles in dark colors. If you don’t want to spend a lot on clothes try to buy solid colors basics – jackets, pants, cardigans, button downs then look for colorful scarves, pins, necklaces to spice up the outfit. They are a cheap way to make a basic white sweater and black pants look completely different.
@ Laura – I struggled with this same problem for several years. What I have done to combat my issue, is I dress the body I have in clothes that I love. Buy pieces that flatter your figure and make you feel confident and beautiful. As you begin the process of working towards the body you want, buy the basics (there is no point in buy a closet full of clothes for every size along the way). As women we deserve to feel great about ourselves no matter what size we are. And maybe you may find that once you have clothes that make you feel great, size isn’t as important as you though – I did!
Kay-Wow. I think it is a great system but I can’t imagine having enough clothes to go an entire month without duplicating my outfit. I’m lucky if I can go two weeks.
My basic approach seems to be more or less the norm; on Sunday I look at my calendar to see what days I have activities that require certain types of outfits (suits, day to night dresses) and select outfits for those (doing my best to make sure that I am not planning on wearing the same thing I wore to the last client meeting, cocktail hour, or whatever). For days that I don’t have anything specific going on, I usually come up with an outfit in my head the night before but often change it in the morning depending on the weather.
I try and plan the night before but like many of you have said with the weather or mood that can change.
One thing that easily can dictate what I wear is – what shoes do I want to wear or don’t want to wear. If there is a day I know I am going to be doing a lot of walking or standing I don’t want my stillitos. I have some pants for flats, others for heels, etc. Certain skirts look better with a certain shoe too.
Today is a great example, my body is tired from softball and aerobics so I planned my outfit around my comfy shoes. I got lucky and don’t have any meetings today so it could be done.
I have similar system to Kay, since I’m still able to do laundry once a month, and dry cleaning weekly, I usually have enough clothing to go a whole month without truly wearing an outfit twice. I picked the more than a week option too!!
For bottom, my real decision maker is did I shave my legs or can I wear hosiery today? Pretty much seals the deal on skirt or pants or dress.
For jackets, since I go to court every morning and have to wear a jacket, once the type of bottom is picked, I just go to the next jacket in the rotation and pick out a matching bottom.
For tops, my other decision maker is my bra color rotation, yes I still wear matching sets, which makes the decision on the color top that can be worn. So then I keep all tops in color spectrum order, then monthly I pull out about 20 long sleeved and 20 short sleeved tops for the “work section” and just rotate based on current staples, new purchases, and old finds.
For accessories, again I have a “work section” of my jewelery box that I have matched up with jackets generally, and again rotate in new pieces or items that match a particular blouse or pair of shoes.
For shoes, I walk about 2 miles a day between my home, office, and courthouse, so I have 2 pairs of pumps that I regularly repair and replace and don’t really think twice about them. Tall boots in the winter.
I have a few fave outfits that I will gravitate towards when I have some important, and I have few casual outfits for days I know I have nothing important.
I have a system rather like Kay’s. I plan my outfits as much as two months in advance (entered into either my planner or an Excel spreadsheet), and then shuffled a particular week’s outfits around within their week to account for meetings, weather, etc. Yes, it is a little silly but it truly pays off in time saved each morning. I spend very little time getting dressed these days…a true feat considering how long it took me to dress back in high school!
@Laura, I struggle with this as well, particularly because my weight fluctuates up to 10 pounds with that “time of the month,” and as I normally wear a size 2, adding 10 pounds can mean I literally have nothing to wear. I recommend owning at least 1, but no more than 3, nice suits that make you feel fabulous in the size you are when you’re struggling most, and the size you are when you’re struggling least.
Weight fluctuation is an almost inescapable part of dieting, getting/staying on track, baby-having, and just plain being female. You can head to the tailor if you lose a significant amount of weight for good, but for those of us who have a slight yo-yo effect every now and then, there’s nothing that can beat having a suit in your closet that fits you perfectly — today — whatever today looks like.
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