One-Dollar Wonders

Fashion Games

January 7, 2014

When Angie wrote her post on goals for 2014, one of the things I put down on my own list was to entertain myself with non-shopping fashion games.

Usually, I really love the challenge of HEWI Easter-egg hunts. Except... I've gotten too good at them, and now most of my elusive items have been found. Great! But my brain just wants to keep thinking up more elusive things to hunt. So unless I want to beggar myself, I want to channel this energy into other things.

What other types of fashion games do you like to play? How do you challenge yourself? What makes you happy when you spend a day playing in your closet? 

Inquiring minds want to know!

Posted in the Inspiration category
This post is also published in the youlookfab forum. You can read and reply to it in either place. All replies will appear in both places.

23 Comments

  • catgirl replied 10 years ago

    How about if we give you our HEWIs and you find them? :D

  • LACeleste replied 10 years ago

    Great idea AG! 

  • Thistle replied 10 years ago

    Love AGs idea! :)

  • lyn* replied 10 years ago

    I just thought that this was going to be like the Hunger Games.

  • Joy replied 10 years ago

    I love Una's idea! Can I send you on a boot hunt for my biggest HEWI?
    Lately my biggest closet challenge and rewarding activity is to work on making capsules. Eventually I want to come up with a six season set...maybe eight...each of which will be able to carry me from casual to something like business casual, with options for dressy and a travel capsule. I have lots of work to do, including editing and identifying holes and what needs updating. I enjoy this sort of activity very much but finding the time is the problem as it creates pulling out lots that makes a mess.

  • Suz replied 10 years ago

    OOoh -- I love the idea of exchanging HEWIs!! 

    I am in the midst of a work crunch so there is little play and lots of work going on in my closet right now. I can't wait to get back to playing. 

  • CocoLion replied 10 years ago

    I have also thought of starting a "Post your HEWIs here" thread.  We all list them, and keep each other's HEWIs listed on our desktops.  Therefore when browsing/shopping there is a redeeming selfless aspect to it.  Nothing like helping other people to pull you out of your first world problems right?

    So my fashion game right now is designing my own line.  In my head.  While driving to the dentist, for example.  Actually I fancy designing it for someone else because no one has heard of the CocoLion brand.

  • Jewell replied 10 years ago

    Una read my mind!

    Sometimes I take one wardrobe item and try to make as many potential outfits as I can with it. I try these outfits on and photograph the ones I like and want to wear. I recently learned that this is one of Mr. J's faves. He told me the other day, "I like to see you try on lots of clothes." I said, "Let me guess...because I have to keep taking them off?"

    Another thing I do to challenge myself is search for pictures on Google images and then create outfits inspired by the colors or whatever else I see in them. I save the looks along with the inspiration pic using my Stylebook app. I've worn a number of color combos/outfits that I might not have otherwise thought of had it not been for this little exercise. Below is an outfit inspired by beautiful autumn scenery.

    1 2
  • Peri replied 10 years ago

    What in the world is everyone talking about?!

  • Greyscale replied 10 years ago

    I was also going to say you should find other people's HEWIs. That's one of my favorite things to do. When I run out of my own things to hunt for, I start finding ideas for my boyfriend. But he gets grouchy about that because he would rather find his own clothes.

    (Jewell, you are so lucky. My boyfriend loves my clothes, loves my fashion sense, contributes good ideas and encourages me to be more avant garde - but sitting and watching me try things on always makes him look bored to tears.)

    CocoLion, designing a line in your head sounds so much more creative than I usually am!

  • Gigi replied 10 years ago

    Peri, HEWI = highly elusive wardrobe item. 

    When I can't go shopping, I like to read a book about style (like how to dress different body types) or I like to experiment with beauty-related things (homemade hand lotions, facial products, different ways to style my hair, etc.). I figure that beauty is kind of ancillary to fashion, since how you wear your hair, etc., can really influence the vibe of the overall outfit.

  • rae replied 10 years ago

    Thank you for your wisdom, ladies!

    Peri - there's a link up top to Angie's post on HEWIs. I hope that helps! 

    Una et al - I do like shopping for others, but the big catch is that I do tend to end up wanting one for myself when I do find something awesome, lol. Or I'll get distracted by something shiny while I'm looking. 

    Lyn* - is that a spoof waiting to happen? o_0 

    Joy - capsule-making is a fun idea! I do have an upcoming trip... :)

    Denise - another really awesome mental game. Kind of forces you to really hone in on your personal style and crystalize your "brand."

    Gigi - I never pay that much attention to beauty... hm, maybe I ought to...

    Jewell - that is too funny! I also really like your game. We sometimes have a "picture perfect" challenge around here that is very similar. I never thought to just do it on my own. Love the outfit!

  • deb replied 10 years ago

    Ok, this is perfect timing for me. I have to go to two wedding this spring and I really want to wear this skirt because I love it. It is a Tadashi taffeta I purchased about four years ago and I do not have an appropriate top. I tried a sweater in #1 and a silky T tucked in #2 & 3. I think I am more comfortable with an untucked top. I am open for any and all suggestions.

    1 2 3
  • rae replied 10 years ago

    Pretty skirt, Deb! Have you tried it with something cropped? Either crisp and slightly boxy or fluid and slim?

    http://www.zappos.com/bcbgmaxa.....=shopstyle

    http://www.shopstyle.com/p/aso...../440285952

    http://www.zara.com/us/en/new-.....34p1667475

    http://www.shopstyle.com/p/aso...../441738721

    http://www.zara.com/us/en/new-.....68199.html

  • Missey replied 10 years ago

    Deb...I'm with Rae, cropped and/or boxy.  Sparkly is a must, I think!

  • Missey replied 10 years ago

    PS Rae, my you are good at finding things for people!  Must come with the territory ;)  I envy your job for that, it would be so much fun!

  • ManidipaM replied 10 years ago

    I stutter.

    That is, with my clothes. Repeat one item from today tomorrow and build from there.

    No idea why this helps.

  • Jewell replied 10 years ago

    ManidipaM, I like your idea. It lends itself well to remix challenges. I think I'm going to play your game this spring or summer as I'm often uninspired by warm weather dressing.

  • Beth Ann replied 10 years ago

    Great thread, Rae!

    I will often choose one item and pair it as many ways as I can.  I will wear this items as many as 3 times a week while doing this.

    I also make mini short-term capsules.  For example, I'm putting together a casual travel capsule that will be great for winter now, using a base of T-necks, skinnies and boots/booties.  I'll wear this capsule for 1-3 weeks and then move to another.  I'm easily bored with my wardrobe, and this helps keep this fresh without purchasing new things.

    Deb:  love that skirt!  It highlights in a ladylike way your pretty legs.  We must find the perfect topper!

    Mandipa:  I will now refer to my repeats as a "fashion stutter"

  • Peri replied 10 years ago

    Okay, I did follow that link after I posted. Now you are going to find all my HEWI's! Excellent! I like this game. ;)

  • milehighstyle (Linda) replied 10 years ago

    I sometimes do themes for the week. Some of the themes I've done:
    Sports teams (wore our local teams' football, basketball, hockey, and baseball colors on consecutive days)
    Pattern mixing every day
    Wear an orphaned or hard to style item every day - helps to determine if you want to keep or toss something.
    Since I rarely wear trousers, I'll sometimes create a whole week of trouser outfits I love. This could work for any type of item you've stopped loving (cardigans, skirts, etc).
    Wear colored tights every day.
    Copycat a fashion blogger or YLF member every day.

  • catgirl replied 10 years ago

    Oh I design my own fantasy clothes too. For instance, louche black silky velvet harem trousers, like Oscar Wilde might wear. Why don't those exist!

  • Isabel replied 10 years ago

    I will never forget the HEWI that got a way...because I was lazy. SIGH.

    It happened in CA last year during Shoptoberfest. I spotted it and even touched it and tried it on.  We were alone, me and THE trench.  It felt like a longed for love.  The perfect cranberry trench. THE trench. At a Banana Republic. Then I put it back thinking I did not want to lug it all the way back to MA.  When I got home I tried to order it. But POOF !  It was gone. Back into the ethers. Not even on ebay. Just forever etched in my heart ( which is also red ). 

    I am so sad now.   : ( 

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I'm just your average working stiff who loves nice things and hates to pay for them. This blog outlines my efforts to navigate that treacherous shopping/saving divide through swappin', thriftin', and even a little resellin'. Many of the pieces in my wardrobe cost me just $1! We've heard a lot about people "living above their means" in recent years; I'm championing the concept of living large *below* your means - whatever that means for you. :)