Now that i am looking- i actually do love example 1.1 and would wear it as is. It’s SO hard to create examples of looks i don’t like- that was the hardest part of this newsletter. It’s like i can’t let myself add something that feels “wrong” to me. But i think you see what i am illustrating with the examples!
For some reason I can also picture you in look 2.1 something about the texture of the bag and the red bandana create two points of interest for my eye?
I said OH! aloud so many times reading this! The multiple points of interest might have changed my life; I hate one point of interest looks so much I often go for no points of interest instead. And completely agreed with you on no bra unfriendly tops, especially postpartum. Thank you Allison!
Fussy sleeves! They’re a big “no” for me. If I can’t fit it under a coat without it bunching, then I’m not going to wear it. But even aside from that, I don’t want to have to worry about my sleeves dragging through stuff or getting caught on things.
Same about the logos. I won’t wear anything with logos even if I think it’s cute.
I love this concept! I will often look through my Poshmark sales and try to find themes and do my best to avoid making the same or similar purchases in the future (easier said than done). Something that makes me irrationally angry is when a long sleeve top or jacket are just the slightest bit too tight in my biceps when I put my arms out in front of me. I hate feeling restricted like that, and as someone with broader shoulders, it happens quite often. Thanks, Allison!
My approach to many prints seems to have shifted over the years. I still love looking at them and am tempted by them, but it just seems I rarely want to wear them, or I tire of them more quickly than I used to. I am being very careful with them these days. Stripes? Ok. Florals? Not investing heavily.
The one that immediately came to mind is covered buttons. I hate when a jacket or blazer has buttons that are covered in the same fabric as the item. It just looks cheap to me. Give me a horn button please! I think it dredges up memories of semi-slutty suits from Bebe everyone was wearing for our first jobs back in the 90s or something.
I love this! It's so interesting to see your rules and the reasoning behind them. I particularly like "no single point of interest" - that articulates something about balance that I've been trying to consider.
I've had some of my personal shopping rules for years - they help me make decisions and avoid feeling pressured to buy things that look cute or are very fashionable but won't work for me. So they're all "no" rules to eliminate choices and direct my shopping.
1. No animal prints.
2. No on-seam pockets in pants. They sit weird on my hips. Jean-style pockets only.
3. No pink, peach, beige, tan, or any shade of red. I buy everything in the same cool and neutral palette, so it all coordinates (to my eye). Exceptions can be made for accessories, e.g the red belt I wear with my blue and white outfit on July 4.
4. No wedges, no toe thongs, no heels. Zero-percent tolerance for shoe discomfort.
5. No asymmetry.
6. No ruffles, bows, or puffed sleeves. I'm not girly in that way.
7. Natural fabrics preferred. No acrylic or rayon. No cotton sweaters.
8. No high contrast-prints, unless it's stripes. No polka dots.
I have wide hips, and so I buy these types of trousers one size up. They do a kind of cool, low-waisted thing and the trouser pockets make them look slouchy but put together.
Starting this before I read yours :). No cardigans. No polo collars (there are exceptions). No side zips, ever. No duplicates (one exception in my closet: the perfect linen button-down). Never settle for the dupe, and nothing that looks like a “blouse” or a “shell” bc even if I like it in the mirror, I will never ever want to put it on. Oh and no bell sleeves! Cuffs or short, no exceptions and finally pants must have pockets. (High Sport, I am looking at you.) Editing to agree—never all new.
The points of interest bit is blowing my mind! I always add something fun to spice up my outfits when they feel boring, but then it doesn't feel right, so I assume it's because the flashy thing doesn't "go" - and then I end up editing out everything interesting in my closet because I can't figure out how to wear it. but now I'm realizing it's because there needs to be MORE. Definitely going to be thinking about this a lot now!!! Ty!
I’m having so much fun thinking about my red flags using yours as fodder. For example, I am obsessed with the image of myself gardening and on safari, so if a linen button-up does not have tabs for sleeve-rolling, how will I ever achieve my intended aesthetic LOL
I love the tabs for sleeve-rolling too :) They make me feel like an explorer or naturalist in the backcountry - in tune with nature and ready for action!
So many of these are no-gos for me as well. :) Plus, nothing drop waisted or low waisted. No dresses that hug my lower belly. I'm very picky about drop shoulder items as they tend to make me feel like a linebacker... and so many things are drop shoulder these days! I'm trying to dress a little more in my color palette, or to at least steer clear of autumnal shades near my face. And then, style-wise, no pouf sleeves, smocking, ruffles, big bows... just not my shade of feminine.
Love this, I feel the same about pants like I cannot have my socks and calves/ ankles showing when seated. 🫣🤷♀️much more into baggy, relaxed everything these days
I need a good bra for under sheer garments 🆘 post partum and need all the help’
I don’t get the issue with mixing metals, mixing colours navy/ Blk etc.. luv to mismatch etc….
Anything above 2 percent elastane in jeans. Feels perfect in the fitting room, bags at the knees by month six. Learned it the expensive way.
Same logic as your wrinkled-on-the-hanger rule: the fabric tells you upfront exactly how it will behave, most of us just don’t want to listen in the moment.
My other one is any logo I can read from across the room. If a piece needs to announce its brand, it isn’t doing the work itself. The quietest pieces in my closet are the ones that get asked about most.
Anything Y2K is a no for me, especially ultra low waisted jeans. Other than anything too figure hugging or too trendy, I just don’t feel like myself. And I love the look of high heels, but if I’d try walking in them, it would be a one way ticket to an orthopaedic surgeon 😅
Now that i am looking- i actually do love example 1.1 and would wear it as is. It’s SO hard to create examples of looks i don’t like- that was the hardest part of this newsletter. It’s like i can’t let myself add something that feels “wrong” to me. But i think you see what i am illustrating with the examples!
For some reason I can also picture you in look 2.1 something about the texture of the bag and the red bandana create two points of interest for my eye?
Any item of clothing that is itchy, scratchy, or uncomfortable in any way. I don't care how cute it is, I can't keep it in my closet.
Hard relate!
I said OH! aloud so many times reading this! The multiple points of interest might have changed my life; I hate one point of interest looks so much I often go for no points of interest instead. And completely agreed with you on no bra unfriendly tops, especially postpartum. Thank you Allison!
Agreed!!! The 1 vs multiple points of interest was so fun, I’m going to experiment with this
Fussy sleeves! They’re a big “no” for me. If I can’t fit it under a coat without it bunching, then I’m not going to wear it. But even aside from that, I don’t want to have to worry about my sleeves dragging through stuff or getting caught on things.
Same about the logos. I won’t wear anything with logos even if I think it’s cute.
I love this concept! I will often look through my Poshmark sales and try to find themes and do my best to avoid making the same or similar purchases in the future (easier said than done). Something that makes me irrationally angry is when a long sleeve top or jacket are just the slightest bit too tight in my biceps when I put my arms out in front of me. I hate feeling restricted like that, and as someone with broader shoulders, it happens quite often. Thanks, Allison!
Looking at what you sell is such a smart idea!!!!!
Thanks! I realized I have sold almost every single floral item I've ever bought. So I need to avoid floral!
My approach to many prints seems to have shifted over the years. I still love looking at them and am tempted by them, but it just seems I rarely want to wear them, or I tire of them more quickly than I used to. I am being very careful with them these days. Stripes? Ok. Florals? Not investing heavily.
Totally agree with you.
The one that immediately came to mind is covered buttons. I hate when a jacket or blazer has buttons that are covered in the same fabric as the item. It just looks cheap to me. Give me a horn button please! I think it dredges up memories of semi-slutty suits from Bebe everyone was wearing for our first jobs back in the 90s or something.
I love this! It's so interesting to see your rules and the reasoning behind them. I particularly like "no single point of interest" - that articulates something about balance that I've been trying to consider.
I've had some of my personal shopping rules for years - they help me make decisions and avoid feeling pressured to buy things that look cute or are very fashionable but won't work for me. So they're all "no" rules to eliminate choices and direct my shopping.
1. No animal prints.
2. No on-seam pockets in pants. They sit weird on my hips. Jean-style pockets only.
3. No pink, peach, beige, tan, or any shade of red. I buy everything in the same cool and neutral palette, so it all coordinates (to my eye). Exceptions can be made for accessories, e.g the red belt I wear with my blue and white outfit on July 4.
4. No wedges, no toe thongs, no heels. Zero-percent tolerance for shoe discomfort.
5. No asymmetry.
6. No ruffles, bows, or puffed sleeves. I'm not girly in that way.
7. Natural fabrics preferred. No acrylic or rayon. No cotton sweaters.
8. No high contrast-prints, unless it's stripes. No polka dots.
Oh, on-seam pockets! I have HIPS and they are so problematic on me — I just returned a promising pair of shorts for that reason.
No ruffles, bows, puff sleeves, and tiered skirts for me. So tired of all of these being the prevalent thing at retail.
I love asymmetry though!
I have wide hips, and so I buy these types of trousers one size up. They do a kind of cool, low-waisted thing and the trouser pockets make them look slouchy but put together.
Great tip, I'll have to try that. So many nice trousers have on-seam pockets. Thanks!
NO POLKA DOTS. That’s a sure route to I will never wear this. Good one!
If Kelly Dodd wore it, instant red flag
And that’s a fact
Red flags! 🚩
1) gimmicky jeans (incl cargo)
2) OTT feminine dresses or skirts (think agua by agua bendita)
3) anything with a strong nautical vibe (striped bretons are allowed)
4) anything overtly preppy (eg structured polos, chinos, traditional loafers)
Starting this before I read yours :). No cardigans. No polo collars (there are exceptions). No side zips, ever. No duplicates (one exception in my closet: the perfect linen button-down). Never settle for the dupe, and nothing that looks like a “blouse” or a “shell” bc even if I like it in the mirror, I will never ever want to put it on. Oh and no bell sleeves! Cuffs or short, no exceptions and finally pants must have pockets. (High Sport, I am looking at you.) Editing to agree—never all new.
Yes to no dupes! And drives me crazy when friends say “they sell the SAME thing at gap”. It’s not the same!!!
The points of interest bit is blowing my mind! I always add something fun to spice up my outfits when they feel boring, but then it doesn't feel right, so I assume it's because the flashy thing doesn't "go" - and then I end up editing out everything interesting in my closet because I can't figure out how to wear it. but now I'm realizing it's because there needs to be MORE. Definitely going to be thinking about this a lot now!!! Ty!
I’m having so much fun thinking about my red flags using yours as fodder. For example, I am obsessed with the image of myself gardening and on safari, so if a linen button-up does not have tabs for sleeve-rolling, how will I ever achieve my intended aesthetic LOL
I love the tabs for sleeve-rolling too :) They make me feel like an explorer or naturalist in the backcountry - in tune with nature and ready for action!
You said that so well. That’s exactly how I want to feel when I get dressed!
So many of these are no-gos for me as well. :) Plus, nothing drop waisted or low waisted. No dresses that hug my lower belly. I'm very picky about drop shoulder items as they tend to make me feel like a linebacker... and so many things are drop shoulder these days! I'm trying to dress a little more in my color palette, or to at least steer clear of autumnal shades near my face. And then, style-wise, no pouf sleeves, smocking, ruffles, big bows... just not my shade of feminine.
Love this, I feel the same about pants like I cannot have my socks and calves/ ankles showing when seated. 🫣🤷♀️much more into baggy, relaxed everything these days
I need a good bra for under sheer garments 🆘 post partum and need all the help’
I don’t get the issue with mixing metals, mixing colours navy/ Blk etc.. luv to mismatch etc….
Anything above 2 percent elastane in jeans. Feels perfect in the fitting room, bags at the knees by month six. Learned it the expensive way.
Same logic as your wrinkled-on-the-hanger rule: the fabric tells you upfront exactly how it will behave, most of us just don’t want to listen in the moment.
My other one is any logo I can read from across the room. If a piece needs to announce its brand, it isn’t doing the work itself. The quietest pieces in my closet are the ones that get asked about most.
Anything Y2K is a no for me, especially ultra low waisted jeans. Other than anything too figure hugging or too trendy, I just don’t feel like myself. And I love the look of high heels, but if I’d try walking in them, it would be a one way ticket to an orthopaedic surgeon 😅