Could you shop your closet for five months? - YouLookFab Forum

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Could you shop your closet for five months?

Laura

(website)

Veteran

Now I've really done it!! The magazine I write for has assigned me to a "shop your closet" challenge. It officially runs Oct. 1 to Dec. 31 but I am starting Aug. 1 since we're post-NAS and I am set for a while.

Rules are that I can borrow items from friends but whatever comes up with the holidays, etc -- tough luck. Can't buy even an accessory.

In one way, I see this as a great opportunity to roadtest the wardrobe built over 2 years on YLF. In another way? Panic! I am buying black Gap denim leggings and a couple of camis tonight to fill two wardrobe gaps but after that I'm on my own!

Could you shop your closet for 5 months? Any advice?

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86 replies

Latest reply was from Laura

chewyspaghetti

Veteran

No, I couldn't- I don't have any warm winter clothing form last year. It was all too big by spring, so I got rid of it. Good luck- you have a great wardrobe and I'm sure you will do fine with this task. If not- maybe set up a swap with some friends.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

WOW! That's super disciplined, Laura. Are you really going to do this?

I could absolutely 100% shop my closet for the next five months and feel quite fab - now that I've shopped the NAS.

But I'd *really* miss the high fashion trends which are yet to surface in stores. And while I'm still a young 40 who can wear trends - I want to carry on doing so!

I hope I wasn't too harsh about insisting you keep your short edgy crop on your other thread :0(

Advice: make sure you have enough accessories with colourful accents to see you through.

Anonymous

This sounds like quite a challenge, especially as it includes holidays. I think I could do it pretty easily this year. I've got wants but no real needs. If I keep NAS purchases this challenge will be implimented for my pocketbook. Laura, please give us regular updates on how this challenge is going. I can't wait to see how it will work out. You are so creative that you will do a fab job.... and can reward yourself with a shopping spree at the end.

Kate

Veteran

I think I'm almost at a point where I could shop my closet for 5 months, though I have a couple key items I'm still hunting for. And, of course, it's much easier for me to say I could do it than to actually try Granted, in my life pre-YLF I frequently went months at a time without shopping and didn't even realize it! But it wasn't a good thing...

It's very bold of you to start the challenge early, I imagine that the difference between going 3 months without shopping and 5 months without shopping is pretty substantial! It might be helpful to read up on similar challenges people have done to prepare yourself. Also, do socks and underwear count? I would definitely stock up on those if they do...

GOOD LUCK!

Maya

Veteran

Oh, I could do it. I just wouldn't want to.

PalmFronds

Looks like we will be closet shopping twins Laura I am on a self-imposed shopping ban from August 1 until December, which marks both my birthday and Christmas celebrations. The longest I have gone without shopping was during Lent this year, and that's the only time I ever stuck to a ban--I needed that higher inspiration there
Good luck! It will be a great experiment. When I did it during Lent I found the first 2-3 weeks very hard and I basically avoided any shops and fashion blogs whatsoever, then I did okay. I made lists of what I found missing in my wardrobe and when the ban was over I took time to fill those holes carefully. The whole exercise made me more resourceful as well because the ban was on buying ANYTHING for myself aside from food and entertainment. I will join you on this couple of months

Mamapicklejuice

Veteran

I could absolutely do this - after I order the rest of the Boden fall catalogue. (bada BING)

What made you decide to start the challenge early?

Also, people must celebrate fancier holidays than I do! I have one office party to attend (my husband's) and everything else is just celebrated at home with family, and the dress code is not exactly black tie around here.

Laura

(website)

Veteran

Thank you ladies! YES, I am really doing this, it's already assigned so no turning back, the whole magazine staff is excited (except me? LOL). The plus is that I am getting paid for a story a month plus saving money. You can bet I am going to hit the January sales!

The sad thing is I know Marc Jacobs or MK or Calvin Klein is going to come out with a killer fall/winter dress that I will miss out on. Sigh!

Angie, believe me, I am focusing on my hair in the next five months and it will remain short and probably very blonde. The forum (and Angie) has spoken.

Maybe I should buy a colorful scarf this weekend. Any scarves left at NAS or have we bought it all?

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I'm impressed, Laura! Please keep us posted on your wardrobe fast.

*very happy Angie* regarding your hair :0)

Check back at Nordies for great scarves.

Laura

(website)

Veteran

Oh good! I just saw PalmFronds' response. Will some of you do it with me?

One thing I cannot do is give up reading YLF. No way! I see YLF as a support in this project!

Mamapicklejuice, you are too funny. Just order the entire Boden catalog and get it over with We are usually invited to one black-tie holiday event which I demand to be taken to, because a girl needs to go to a ball now and then. Like Cinderella I'm going to need to piece together my own dress and borrow some slippers.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I shan't be able to do it with you - but I'm happy to be the support group :0)

shana

Veteran

Yes, I definitely can and I probably should! My closet is enormous (not literally but in terms of items)!!! I am not trendy by nature and I have enough of the "current"basics (skinny jeans, boots etc) so as not to feel totally out of place.

taylor

Veteran

I could easily shop my closet for 5 months......may I join too! I am not sure how long I can make it ...but I am going to give it a shot!!
May need support along the way though:)

Queen Mum

Veteran

Once I find a few basic layering t's, boots, a couple cardigans and a moto jacket I can
There's always that one more thing I need until my life is complete. But seriously, I do need to fill those few holes and then call it quits for a while.

Vix

Veteran

Congrats on the story, Laura, and good luck with the challenge!

I would *like* to say I could work with what I have for 5 months but based on my attempts to do it for 30 days at a time here and there I seem to always cheat with at least a little something (an accessory, tights, etc).

[And sometimes a BIG something (usually for an important event where my closet is not providing what seems appropriate).]

Like Kate I have gone ages without shopping in the "closed off to clothing" past; however, I think when one likes his/her wardrobe it's very easy to see something that would be "JUST the right thing" for something already owned or JUST the gap-filling item of one's dreams!

So again: good luck to all who are taking this on.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

The operative word here is "while" - how long will the while last? Taylor :0)

M. Jantz

I'll do it with you. I've got a trip planned for spring that I'd love to have a ton of shopping money for so this will be a great kickstart to saving the money.

kellygirl

Veteran

What an interesting challenge! I almost think I should do it with you although I'm not sure how successful I would be since I got rid of a lot of tired layering tops this past winter and they are yet to be replaced. I'll be looking forward to hearing how it goes!

PalmFronds

Sounds like you have a bandwagon full of us ready to run the race with you,Laura!
It's on ladies!

shell

Ooh - sounds fun! I hope you'll share the article with us once you've wrapped up the project!

I'm sure you'll do wonderfully! You always look impeccable!

Lisa

Veteran

Wow am I the only one who can't do this? Perhaps because I am in the middle of revamping my wardrobe and this will be my first fall/winter with YLF? I will be really interested in reading updates on how it is going. The nice thing will be, you can start a list of items to fill gaps as you move along the challenge. I bet you will have a very streamlined list of specific items when the challenge is done. Good luck everybody!

taylor

Veteran

Haa, Angie!!! I am not recommending anyone placing bets on me completing this!!

But, our Lovely Laura has inspired me into giving this a shot...1 day at a time:)

Laura

(website)

Veteran

Taylor, you are truly heroic for joining the cause. I am honored to have you as a partner in the shop your closet project.

The thing that's killing me is that my husband doesn't get what the big deal is. He goes for six months at a time not buying a thing for himself and doesn't think twice!

taylor

Veteran

I know Laura, My husband could go years without adding...I can barley get through a week. If I can do this with you it would be enormous!!!
There is nothing I need, so it really is about self control for me:)...let's see what Taylor is made of :0

Thank you for welcoming me aboard

Kyle

Veteran

I could - and probably should - do this! I can't wait to hear about the process and can't wait to see your hair!

Refugee

Veteran

I would love to feel I am in a place where I could do this. And the fact that you feel you can, Laura, is an inspiration to me. I'm still working on establishing a wardrobe I really feel good about. Besides, my birthday is next month. It's going to be all about adding things to my wardrobe.

Kate

Veteran

I really want to join in, but I'm not quite ready. My gaps to be filled are:

• camel/caramel v-neck cardi
• olive/army green tights/leggings
• 2 brown t shirts
• rust/terra cotta t shirt
• brown pencil skirt
• mustard scarf
• rust/terra cotta scarf
• teal scarf
• mustard, teal, or army green flats

I'm trying to limit myself to only the items on this list for the rest of the year. If I'm able to find and purchase all of these items before 2011 I will join the shopping ban for the remainder of 2010. Otherwise I'm just sticking to the list!

marianne

What an interesting challenge,Laura! Could you cheat? YLF is so full of temptations, you'd have to put a ban on it too!
I could probably do it, but I wouldn't want to And yes, my husband is the same way, he easily goes 6 months at a time. He just had a reasonable shopping haul at NAS, so I bet he won't buy anything till spring.

Carole

Veteran

I almost hate to admit it, but I think this would be sort of fun! My wardrobe isn't in the best shape yet, still a newby here, but I could be a minimalist, I think! Will enjoy seeing how this goes for you, Laura. Good luck!

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