Have you heard of the FAFO craze? There are a deluge of videos and posts on social media in which content creators are taunting people who, as they say, “f**k-ed around and found out.” Meaning that people jumped into a situation with little to no knowledge or understanding of how the situation might turn out, and then were surprised when they found out that things did not go as they hoped. It’s mostly directed at voters in the recent American election and, in my opinion, most of the posts are depressingly mean-spirited.
And while I scroll past the videos wishing we’d all stop being so hateful to each other, I will admit that the phenomenon did provide a catchy acronym for a closet rummage. FAFO… or my version of it, the wardrobe version, namely… faff around and find out.
That’s what closet rummages are for. Faffing around and finding out things. Things about your clothes, about your style, about what goes with what, or doesn’t, or about what you’re going to wear to that event you’ll be attending soon.
Now that we are fully into winter, I am revising what I want to wear. Cold temperatures mean winter coats, of course. And the snow on the ground means no more loafers or sneakers or other non-boot footwear.
Of course on any given day, I could throw on my Stuart Weitzman ankle boots, any pair of jeans, pretty much any sweater in my drawer, and then add my short down jacket or my longer down coat depending on the length of the sweater, and be warmly and suitably dressed. Simple, right?
But somehow it never turns out to be that simple. Mostly because I have to love what I’m wearing, not just the individual pieces but the whole look. And if I don’t, I am cranky for the rest of the day. Shallow that may be, but it’s true nevertheless
So this past week, I faffed around in my closet. The first occasion for faffing was the day I met a friend for coffee in our village.
I started getting ready early because I had no idea what I wanted to wear. And the more I tried things on, somehow, the worse things got. Until I was convinced that I hated everything in my closet. Or I hated my body. Or both.
So I sucked it up and went back to first principles. What in my closet makes me happy? Makes me feel like myself? The easy answer is jeans. Jeans with a nice blazer and sneakers always makes me feel good, like myself. But this time of year blazers are too bulky under a winter coat, and as I said, non-boot footwear is not an option.
Okay. So I tried these questions. What do I feel like? How do I want to look? And the answer to that was comfy, cool, casual, current. Plus I wanted a simple outfit. I may not mind faffing around in my closet, but I did NOT want to have to faff around with my clothes once I was dressed. So this is what I ended up wearing. My old cream turtleneck from Gap, cream cargo pants from Aritzia, and my very old, black Cole Haan Chelsea boots. Simple, casual, and extremely comfortable. And the slightly baggy, all-cream look was cool, I thought.
Then I threw on my new-ish (two year old) green Max Mara coat. This coat always makes me happy. It looks great with a slouchy casual look. Especially with a “column of colour” underneath it. My black cross-body bag from COS and black gloves tied in with the black boots. I felt like a million bucks in this outfit. Just how I wanted to look and feel: comfy, cool, casual. And current. Even in twelve-year-old boots and a ten-year-old sweater.
When I came home from my coffee date, I tried some more closet faffing. How about a monochromatic outfit using my black dress pants from Aritzia as the anchor piece? The Cole Haan boots were too round-toed with the pants. My knee-high boots looked better with their more pointed toe. I wore a white short-sleeved tee shirt under a black cashmere sweater, and in the first try broke up the black with a brown belt. I like this look, even if it is a teensy ecclesiastical. The big black and gold hoop earrings helped a bit with this. In the outfit on the right, I lost the belt, swapped the big earrings for small, silver chunky hoops, and tied a grey, cream, and black silk neckerchief around my neck. I like this look as well. I’d wear either of these outfits with my green coat. But I’d also wear the one on the right with my short, cream down jacket.
Both of these outfits below are… good. I’d wear them. But they don’t make my heart sing. I feel that they are too staid, not edgy or current enough. I wish I had a chunky, slightly oversized, slightly cropped, crew-neck sweater to wear with the pants instead 0f the slim black cashmere. Something in grey and black heather, maybe. But I am probably being influenced by, well, influencers I see on social media. I don’t own a sweater like the one in my imagination. So I must turn my mind to others things. Other pieces.
As I was digging through my storage drawers, I spied the grey knit dress from Aritzia, below. I bought this dress during the pandemic. I’ve worn it multiple times. But not lately. Do I still love it?
Turns out I do still love it. I love the “leg of mutton” sleeves. With black tights and my black knee-high boots, it’s a one and done outfit. And just putting it on for a few minutes made me feel good. The looseness of the cut and the length make the dress feel current, and not too fussy. By the way, that’s an old brooch of my mum’s that I pinned on the neckline.
And since I had somehow morphed into dresses and skirts instead of pants, I thought I’d have a look at this faux-leather pleated skirt which was also a pandemic purchase. An uncharacteristic fast-fashion purchase, as it happens. I confessed my fast-fashion sins in this post at the time. I’ve worn the skirt multiple times and really like it with boots and a casual sweater. However, with this ultra-fine merino sweater from Uniqlo, it looked too boring, I thought, too serious, too work-y, too old-Sue.
Bu-ut, with the loosely tied gauzy scarf, my cream down jacket and the casual cross-body bag from COS, it’s much more of a run-around-town, grab lunch with a friend, retired-Sue look. More chill, and current, and less serious. Not that I was all that serious even when I was working. Ha. But my outfits were.
So next up in my closet faff around was to find something to wear with my suede Prada boots. A simple look with jeans, I thought. In my fall fashion video, I tried the boots with my chocolate brown leather jacket, the wine sweater I’m wearing above, and a brown and burgundy scarf, and they looked great. But the leather jacket is not suitable for winter. Like blazers, it would be too bulky under a coat. So I need something on top that will work with dark brown.
Purple goes with brown. And I like this simple outfit with the purple cashmere sweater, below. But where to go from here? None of my winter coats work with this outfit-in-progress. So I may have to go back to the drawing board.
I do own a hand-knit by moi dark brown, cream, and beige, chunky Icelandic wool sweater. It’s ancient. It was my first ever knitting project back in the mid-eighties. I can’t bear to get rid of my old hand-knit sweaters. Upon investigation I saw that it needed a good wash. So I hand-washed it a couple of days ago, and it’s still drying. Those chunky hand-knit sweaters take ages to dry. I’ll let you know how it looks with my boots when I can finally try it on.
But enough with the potential outfit faffing around.
Here’s what I wore on Friday to go vintage shopping. A loose cashmere turtleneck from Aritzia, old Theory leggings, my knee-high boots, and this chunky lilac scarf that I bought at Simon’s in Montreal on a girls shopping trip in 2022. I love the colour of this scarf.
And on top of this… a long, dark green, military-style dress coat that has been in my closet since before the turn of the century. I rarely wear this coat which is a shame because I love it. I bought it at Holt Renfrew back in the day when everyone needed a good coat. It’s a wool and angora blend and is as soft as anything. Not scratchy at all like some wool coats can be. But man, oh man, is it heavy, and a pain to haul into and out of cars in the winter. It’s a perfect coat if one needs to walk and wait in the cold for busses or other public transit.
But I love it a lot, and since long coats are definitely having a moment this season, I hauled it out to wear with my black sweater and leggings. And that lilac scarf. The deep green with the lilac looks so yummy, don’t you think?
Now this was an outfit that made my heart sing. I felt like a million bucks as I strode down Bank Street on the way to my favourite vintage shop on Friday. What with the super big slit in the back, this is a coat made for striding. And seriously, how appropriate to wear a coat from last century when one is vintage shopping, eh?
By the way the vintage shop in question is Bellwether’s Vintage on Florence Street in Ottawa. Shopping there is a great experience. I highly recommend it.
So that’s what I have been up to lately wardrobe-wise. Faffing around and finding out what I want to wear. And making the most of what I have in my closet.
You know, there have been so many times over the years when I have thanked my former self for buying quality pieces, like either of my green coats. Pieces that, while costly at the time, have continued to give me joy and solve outfit problems years later. Or pieces that were less expensive, but equally able to stand the test of time, like my cream sweater from Gap, or those Cole Haan black Chelsea boots.
Kay Barron, fashion director at Net-a-Porter calls these pieces your wardrobe anchors. Pieces that you turn to when you can’t find anything to wear. Like returning to first principles. Who are you? What pieces always make you feel like you?
Then you can decide what you want to feel like today, and go from there.
Finding just the right combination takes patience some days. And creativity. What if you added that scarf? Okay, maybe not that one, but how about this one? Changing out your jewellery. Adding something, or taking something off. And when you find just the right combination everything falls into place, and you feel like a million bucks. Seriously.
I recently listened to a podcast on the Sheer Luxe YouTube channel where Kay Barron was interviewed. I love her fashion philosophy. I loved that she was wearing a twelve-year-old shirt. She has such a common sense attitude towards fashion. She made me think, and she made me laugh at times. Like when she said that if you are too trend-driven, and wear the wrong trendy look, one that is not suited for who you are, you can look “like you’re in witness protection.” Like you’ve pulled on someone else’s clothes. I loved that. You can watch the entire podcast here. And you can find Kay Barron’s new book How to Wear Everything here.
Faffing around in your closet is always useful. Finding out what you want to wear and what you don’t. And maybe identifying what you need to make your wardrobe go further. I know that I have exceeded my five new pieces for 2024. Sigh. But I may yet shop for a chunky, crew-neck sweater to wear with my dress pants. We’ll see. As I said, I don’t own a sweater like that. All my chunky sweaters are turtlenecks.
But first I’ll shop vintage and consignment to see what I can find. That at least is one way that the Rule of Five Challenge has changed my shopping habits. I may not be perfect, but I’m working on it.
It’s your turn now, my wise friends? Have you seen any of those FAFO videos on social media? How about FAFO, the wardrobe version? Do you sometimes need to go back to first principles because it seems as if you hate everything in your closet? Has the whole “Rule of Five” thing changed your shopping habits at all? What say you… about any of this?
P.S. Here are shopping links to some of the pieces I’m wearing in the post. These pieces are still available and are, I believe, good quality and will last as anchor pieces in your wardrobe. If you make a purchase after clicking my link, I will earn a commission which helps to pay for the blog.
Cole Haan black Chelsea boots, Aritzia cream “Modern” cargo pants, COS black cross-body bag. Everlane black crew-neck cashmere sweater, Uniqlo boxy white tee shirt, Aritzia black “Effortless” dress pants, Uniqlo extra-fine merino sweater in “wine”, Uniqlo cream ultra-light down jacket, Uniqlo purple crew-neck cashmere sweater, Levi’s men’s 511 jeans. Aritzia black cashmere “Rosemont” turtleneck sweater.
Some of the Uniqlo pieces are sold out at the moment, but they are pieces that the brand always stocks. So they will be back.
P.P.S. If you don’t want to shop, which of course I completely agree with, but you’d like to support the blog, you can always buy me a coffee. 🙂
41 thoughts on “FAFO: Wardrobe Version”
Hi I always enjoy your posts. While I did not do the “limit “ my shopping to five items this past year I did keep track of every new item I purchased. It was good for me , it allowed me to see what and where I spent my money, I also bought more used clothing which I am proud of. Thanks for the idea and all the great posts!
I’m enjoying shopping second-hand too, Bonita.
Here’s me thinking Moi is some exclusive knitwear designer I’ve never heard of 😁 I love all those outfits bar the leggings in boots one . I’m not keen on that look . We have a quite surreal theatrical tradition in the UK called pantomime which is around at Christmas & one of the characters is a woman posing as a man . She wears the same look & stomps around slapping her thighs in a hearty manner , an image that comes to mind with outfits like that . But that’s just me – sorry . I especially like the cream jeans as a winter look & am plucking up courage to wear mine when I meet my old workmates for our Christmas lunch next week . They’ll likely tell me if they don’t approve, all blunt Yorkshire women – “why are you wearing summer clothes ? You’ll catch your death “ . All my depths of winter woolies are kept in an old wooden chest , away from moths , & it feels rather like a treasure chest when I open it again each winter & rake around . So I know what you are saying . And your mum’s old brooch is gorgeous.
I used to have an all white outfit back in the early eighties. A chunky sweater and wool pants in what we were calling “winter white.” I loved that outfit. Until one night a waiter missed his mark and I ended up drowned in red wine. I love the idea of the Christmas pantomime. Elly Griffiths has a mystery novel which centres around the pantomime called Smoke and Mirrors. I rarely wear the leggings in boots look anymore. But I needed a kind of blank canvas to wear under the coat. 🙂
P.S. The small but exclusive brand “moi” has made several sweaters for me. 🙂
Yeah, I live in the states and do understand the fafo mentality. But on to happier topics. I love all your outfit combinations. I like the black one that you said wasn’t edgy enough. I always find black edgy. I’ve pretty much stop using influencers to guide wardrobe choices. While I love and admire their style, not one has coloring, contrast level, body shape, or a similar height as me. What I’m getting ready to do is pack away everything I don’t love or isn’t essential and work with what’s left. For now, I am noting what outfit combinations/formulas work best on me. Also, what I need which are coats. I live in the south east and really don’t need heavy coats except for a month or so. At this point I’m attempting to figure out where to put my money. Please keep sharing your outfits and books!
I still follow some influencers on IG whose style I like. Mostly for ideas for different ways to wear what I already have. Good luck with the coat decision. 🙂
I too live in the states and deeply understand the FAFO mentality, so it might not have been my choice of words to describe the process of shopping your closet. However, as always, enjoyed seeing your outfits and book suggestions – keep them coming!
Thanks, Wini.
I always enjoy fashion posts even though my style is quite different. I always admire how neat your clothes look (and well-ironed). Some of mine are wearing out these days and I’m going to have to mend some holes… 🙂
My favourite outfit on you by far is the jeans with the purple cashmere sweater. I am trying to dissect why. I think the purple is a good colour on you (and I note that you love the Simons scarf in a slightly lighter version of the purple). You have great legs and the jeans look as though they fit without being too baggy or too tight. I can even see the crease you ironed in! Love the Prada boots too although not for the slush of course.
I’m with Wendy that the tall boots with leggings look is not for me these days. I wore the tall boots for a long time throughout the 90s and 00s and I don’t think I’d wear them again. The long coat is very interesting on the other hand.
I also enjoyed the video, although my thought when looking at the four women in it that their style was all a bit boring, except maybe the second from the left who talked about not wanting to be too perfect. (The two on the right looked exactly like what you’d think stylists would look like these days.) The looks are very fashionista, too much black (even though black doesn’t flatter everyone). When I’m looking at people’s style I’m looking at people through the lens of “Does this person look interesting? Can I see their personality in the outfit? Is it someone I’d like to talk to?” I realize that people have different objectives and sometimes they might be trying to telegraph that they are of the moment, or posh, or whatever.
Oh and your mom’s brooch is charming!
I still like the leggings tucked into boots if I have a long, simple sweater and am looking for something to wear under my long coat. That purple sweater and jeans with my suede boots had me thinking too. Trying to figure out why I like it. And I think it’s because the boots change up the look from too casual to a bit dressy. Like Allison Bornstein’s “wrong shoe” theory. I agree about the Sheer Luxe girls… the two women on the right in the video. There is a definite “look” that all these women seem to gravitate towards. And I wonder if it’s because they work together and so are talking fashion all the time, and naturally share ideas. I have seen Kay Barron before on her videos on Net-a-Porter, and she usually looks amazing. Her outfit in the YouTube video seemed quite uninspiring to me. I still like her ideas though.
You look very good in the tall boots look with long sweater – it suits your lean form!
I did enjoy the conversation and heard Kate Barron refer to liking colour. I’ll have to check out her other clothing.
I have intentionally lost 85 pounds over the last five years and am to the point where basically nothing in my closet fit- even underwear and bras. I have lost years of accumulated wardrobe pieces because they don’t fit. I finally bit the bullet and am consigning quite a lot. I have been buying fall/winter pieces for months now. My “problem” is that I haven’t worn anything together long enough to know what goes together for a quick dress and go which would give me the vibe desired. I am also adjusting to this new body shape. I really enjoy your blog. We have much of the same clothing aesthetic, I think. I love the cream column. I just found heavy weight cream jeans from Frame (I was traveling. Nordstrom did same day hemming for me and I was ecstatic ) which are in a steady rotation. I live in Virginia. It’s a sad state of affairs here.
The result of my faffing around in my closet usually throws up two or three outfits that I like and wear on rotation for a while. Taking photos for the blog helps to remind me. Have you tried taking a photo so you don’t forget what outfit combination you liked?
Really enjoyed your post. I, like you, struggle with coats and bulky sweaters/jackets. I have grown to love long down vests. If it’s super frigid, they’re not enough, but many days here in the States, they are perfect. My sleeves can be very bulky, but the vest does the job. I have 2- one black and one bright blue….everyone comments when I wear them!
Stay warm!
Long vests can be really chic… and a great substitute for a coat. Good idea, Shelley.
Sue,your wardrobe is an Aladdin Cave of Wonders! I admire your methodical approach while faffing around your closet and I utterly understand when you “just feel” that something is right or wrong, current or pasé.I like when I find the combination ( from my closet) that ticks all the boxes: comfort,”I own the look” feeling,current styling…..the only “problem” is that I than want to wear the same things/outfit all the time until I find the next combo to fall in love. And yes,I need the solution how to wear blazers during the winter, too 🙂
Love your outfits.I’ve wear cream corduroy trousers+ turtleneck last week . You look much better than me in wide pleated trousers. I don’t wear leggings usually ( or very rarely) except for walks or at home,but like the look as well.
The brooch is lovely (mum’s hug)
Dottoressa
Owning the look is a good way to put it… that feeling of “Yes! I’ve nailed it today.”
Your wardrobe looks great! I am impressed!
Thanks, Linda.
Thank you for the lovely topic today. Your cream column is stunning, and that green coat, yes gorgeous. A good rummage in the closet is perfect for the soul.
I will not be commenting for a few weeks, ( hospital visit) but will certainly be reading, and so good for the disposition to read such a fun topic. So, will say now, have a wonderful Christmas season and thanks for all you do. And Merry Chrstmas to all the wonderful commenters that I feel I know.
Good luck with your operation, Diane. Wishing you and your family a great holiday season. 🙂
Love all of your outfits especially the column of cream. I’ve never been brave enough to wear anything like that and have usually used the excuse of sticky fingered grandchildren. Now they have all left the country perhaps I could try wearing paler colours although I suspect I might find it’s me who makes the mess!
A wardrobe faff and declutter is really required here but it was over 30°C at the weekend and though a little cooler today, it is raining, so very muggy. The very thought of trying on outfits makes me break out in a sweat. I think sitting somewhere with a tiny bit of breeze and a good book might be the order of the day.
I still shudder when I remember the time in the eighties when red wine was spilled all over my winter white outfit. Wool dress pants and a chunky sweater. What a mess! Hope the weather cools off down there soon. 🙂
We’re in the midst of our annual Christmas Markets trip, where I dig out all my cold weather stuff and try to create a coherent plan. So far, not bad. I made it a point to pull out some of the crochet scarves/cowls I’ve gotten out of the habit of wearing, and I’m so happy I did. Old beloved friends.
Like you, even though I’m over my 2024 quota, I’m thinking of a final purchase. In my case, the desire is two-fold: I’m having arthroscopic knee surgery in January, and am well aware that flats are going to be a more important part of my wardrobe, and I’m also thinking that if I pull the trigger this year, it gives me a better chance for success next year! Truly, a rationalization a day does keep the psychiatrist away. In this case I’m rationalizing silver Adidas Sambas, just in case anyone needs to visualize.
Silver sambas sound like a great idea to me. I have had silver sneakers in the past and got my money’s worth from them. Good luck with the surgery.
I have seen silver sneakers out and about. They always look chic.
Loved FAFO a lot of that going on around the world I fear. Long woolly dresses are my go to in winter. With your height and long legs I can understand the jeans preference. Just saying and also a smidge jealous 😂
I should stop saving my long knit dress for special occasions. But they are so hard to find I’m afraid to ruin it and then be without a dress if I need one.
Love a monochromatic tone so your first outfit followed closely by the pleather skirt are my favs. I remember when you purchased the skirt and it is still a wonderful cornerstone to a great outfit. I love a good skirt but of late they have not loved me as my weight has shifted once again. I tried on 4 skirts yesterday before opting to wear pants and a turtleneck to Mass. Boring…and sent me into a spell of questioning the need to donate, discard or simply set the lot on fire. The closet and the storage area are valuable real estate so something has to give. Love your post as always and a read I look forward to each week.
Oh, I hate the feeling of trying on stuff and then leaving the house in an outfit you don’t like. As I said…that always makes me cranky.
I still love the leggings and tall boots look. Although I haven’t worn them in a while, I haven’t been able to part with my knee high suede boots. And I do live in leggings at home. Adding that beautiful scarf and coat made a great outfit IMO. You definitely have the legs to carry off that look as well as the cream outfit. I tried a couple different pairs of cream pants this fall and gave up. I think I do this every fall. Hope springs eternal.
When I’m wearing a long coat I love a leggings and sweater underneath. There’s already so much material in the coat, I like to keep everything else minimal. Levi’s makes great cream jeans that are quite heavy. Just sayin” 🙂
Hmmm. I will check them out. I keep trying to wear corduroy and it just adds pounds to the wrong places on me. 😏
i still cant talk about the american election. its strange how you can be so deeply involved in something which is happening in another country but there it is. I feel as though a beacon of light has been snuffed out and i dont seem to be able to get past it.
on a happier note i love your clothes faffing. I own one winter coat which its rarely cold enough for me to wear but on the up side jackets are perfect here in melbourne for about ten months of the year. i do have a slightly ridiculously large jacket collection. I wore pant suits to work all the time and the pants are almost all gone but the jackets are still worn regularly. i have stuck to my five pieces this year and since literally everything in the shops here is linen it hasnt been hard.
I’m so happy that it’s not just me hanging onto my old suit jackets from working days, Noreen. Good for you keeping to your five items!
P.S. I hear you about beacons of light. Especially considering the shade being tossed at Canadian leaders from south of our border. Chrystia Freeland is someone I admire and to hear her called “toxic” by you-know-who in a midnight tweet made my blood boil. So, I am currently focussing on decorating the house for Christmas and trying not to eat too many mince tarts. Ha.
I’m in full summer wear mode consisting of Christmas tees, shorts and sandals only !
Enjoy! And Merry Christmas. 🙂
Laurel good you held on to your suede knee highs because they are the boot of the moment currently. Sue I am really enjoy slim legs in tall boots this year. I have the height for it too.
Suede everything is on trend this year, isn’t it? 🙂 Me too, Lise.
Great winter outfits Sue! Your coats are so beautiful and they really make your outfits. I would love to see the all black outfit with one of the coats. Have you tried the black sweater and slacks with the suede boots? Those boots are divine! I couldn’t see the heel. Is it narrow or chunky?
I’ve ditched all of my boots with heels. Too dangerous feeling these days.
While I’ve gotten rid of slim jeans and leggings, I think that a tall boot is the thing that they work very well with. It makes for a clean look.
I’m a very big fan of cream or winter white. It isn’t my best color, but it appeals all the same.
Happy New Year!
Thanks, Dottie. My suede boots have a small not too narrow heel. Still haven’t found an outfit with a coat that I like to wear them with.
Comments are closed.