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How ahead do you shop?

Laura (rhubarbgirl)

(website)

Veteran

Into-mind once again has a very insightful post, this one about the yearly cycle of retail, planning your wardrobe, and when to buy what: http://into-mind.com/2014/08/1.....-the-year/

I've been starting to think about fall even though the weather here stays warm through September. Do you shop when new stuff shows up in stores, I.e. in advance of a season, during a season, toward the end of a season, or some combination of all? As a recovering cheapskate, I never used to shop early because I didn't want to spend full price. These days it seems like sales are more common so that's less of a factor, and I'm starting to see the appeal of what I think Angie recommends, to shop early in the season so that you have the greatest variety of items to choose from.

Shopping

30 replies

Latest reply was from Keturah

Alana in Canada

(website)

Veteran

Good heavens, I started shopping the first week of August for Fall--but that will probably be the first and last time I ever start that early!

I need to have a large selection. I was in a store the other day and triedon probably six different styles of shirts and at least two different styles of pants-- and nothing, nothing fit. The store was already out of my size in the pants--and no other stores had any in.

Every single top had tight sleeves in the upper arms. A sales person confided to me that she found the same thing with this particular company's tops.

Yeah. So ironic. I hate shopping--and here I am out at least once a week, sometimes 2x.

lyn*

(website)

Veteran

If it is something that I know I will wear -for sure- next year, sometimes up to a year ahead! I know that these must be basic things: tanks, tights, etc.

Anonymous

Interestingly enough, I have noticed over the years that the pieces I buy too soon and that have to sit in the closet until the temp is right , are those that never or rarely get worn. By the time the actual season hits, I'm onto something else or have changed my ideas about what I really want to wear based on a bigger selection a little further in. For example, there is still lots to come for Fall clothing, and I am trying not to get all wound up in what is out there right now. The "real" stuff seems to be just starting to trickle in....I figure I won't be doing much for another few weeks.

Anonymous

It also sounds like I need to read that article!

Aziraphale

Veteran

I always shop early, for several reasons. One is that I don't buy a lot at a time (because I've never had a drastic style overhaul), so I can afford to pay full price on a relatively small number of items. That is, full price within limits. Another reason is that I am very petite, and for whatever reason, small sizes sell out. Maybe they don't order very many small sizes. (I know it's true for shoes at least; a shop will typically have five pairs of size 7 for every one pair of size 6 shoes). Anyway, there's nothing more frustrating than finding the right thing and it's sold out in your size. Finally, I've made a few memorable mistakes when buying sale items. I've been lured into buying things I don't wear, and that's annoying too! Now I'm wary of sale items. I always wonder, why did everybody else pass this up? What's wrong with it? (Maybe nothing, but I still ask myself that question. Now I only go for a sale item if I would be prepared to pay full price for it.

One final reason: by the end of a season, I'm always itching for the next one to start. Right now, I've had enough of summer. It's been nice, but bring on the fall!

Mo

(website)

Veteran

I buy it when I find it and it's the right thing, no matter the season. That meant both suede booties and a flannel shirt this summer in the midst of unbearable heat and humidity. I won't wear them until Nov. or Dec. likely, but they were exactly what I wanted and I have no trouble putting them away in the closet for a few months.
I'm trying to be more seasonal shopping minded, but I grab HEWI's when they come around.

Mia

Veteran

Last few years I have been shopping when the new season stock comes in and rarely buying sale items unless I find a HEWI out of season (like once maybe). I have been having much fewer "misses" and not spending more, probably less.

Neel

Veteran

I have never done it ... But this time would be the first. (I am looking at you camel coat)! The problem with buying late into a season is that you don't get to enjoy it enough because only a little of the season is left and the next year you already want something new because what you bought is now no longer trending and something trendier has caught your eye. Classics of course don't fall in this category.

Alana in Canada

(website)

Veteran

What is HEWI?

Aziraphale--if I could award you a comedy icon I would--I have the exact same thoughts whenever I see stuff on sale, too! Just why is this stuff still there?

Gigi

Veteran

I shop as far ahead as possible, for the same reasons as Aziraphale. I wear a very hard-to-find size, and it can be gone in an instant if it's something really nice. So if I find something that really strikes my fancy, I will buy it early. I have gotten some really special pieces that way that I love and that were sold out in my size by the time the item was discounted.

gryffin

Veteran

I buy when I see. or to quote my mom "she who hesitates is lost" the follow up being "when in doubt, buy!" I wanted a new coat this year, so when Angie's picks came out for NAS I hopped on the Elie Tahari Greece coat in back. I wanted a "man coat" and would have preferred a tweed but otherwise it was perfect. I adore it and it's already sold out completely in both colors and, so far, nothing else is even tickling my fancy. I've been looking for three years so this is a real HEWI for me. If I had waited I would have lost out. So I buy when I see. I am really trying to stick with buy better, buy less and weed out anything that is less than perfect (that's the hardest part) but I am happier when I stick with this!!

kkards

Veteran

alana, HEWI= Highly elusive wardrobe item

i used to be a shop only the sales type of girl, but as retailers started to cut back there inventory, i was finding that by the time i was ready to buy typically my size was sold out of most of the basics. so now i buy at both ends. i'm not opposed to buying a great sandal on sale at the end of august or a great buy on a cashmere sweater in Feb. but for basics and everyday needs i buy when i see.

Susie

Veteran

For fall and winter I tend to buy early, probably because those are the things I like best, like boots and sweaters. Plus shopping the NAS the last couple of years gets me started on that. Then when the after Christmas sales hit, I buy a few more items on sale because they help to freshen my wardrobe for the remainder of the season plus still feel fairly new the next year.

But if I find something I love, I buy it, within reason.

chadya

Veteran

I buy in season, I may very rarely buy something ahead but like the writer upthread when I have bought something like at the NAS by the time Fall rolls around the interest has waned. Lesson learned
The stores always have something to buy

Alassë

Veteran

Mo's answer.

Meredith

Veteran

Like kkards, I used to only shop sale items and all of my clothes were either purchased at the middle/end of the season or a whole season in advance. This summer is really the first time I'm thinking about fall in advance. I'd love to have a capsule in place by September, but I'm trying to practice some discipline because there is some uncertainty about what type of wardrobe I will need (hoping to get a job). I also think I will always hold off on buying things like sweaters. It's easy for me to be drawn to lightweight merino and cashmere at this time of year, but I know I would rather wear wovens until about November and then I will want a heavy duty cozy sweater. Those just aren't available in stores yet.

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

I'm all over the map. I will buy things second hand whenever they turn up, and in charity shops they often turn up out of season. I wait for the after sales at my favorite local shoe stores for many of my shoe splurges. On the other hand, I often pounce on a new Zara piece right after it appears because it makes everything else current.

Deb

Veteran

I like to buy shoes and coats early in the season.....not only do I get the style, size and colour I want, but I like them nice and clean and not tried on by who knows how many people first.

Marlene

Veteran

Well this is making me think through my buying patterns! At the start of a season (early) I do a closet purge and edit. At that point I will purchase basics...this year my early buying, I bought layering tanks and tees, some new slim ponte pants and BRAS! Then as the season progresses, I will figure out what I am wearing and if anything new in the stores is interesting. This is usually when I get the more fashion-y items and I can usually get them on sale. At the END of the season, I snap up any clearance items for next year. So at the end of LAST winter, for example, I got some new black knee high boots on super-clearance to replace the ones I wore to death... to wear THIS year.

Beth

Veteran

I don't intentionally shop early, with the exception of NAS. That said, I always keep my eyes peeled for HEWIs, and if I see anything I must have, I'll buy it and have the anticipation of wearing it in a few months!

always trying

Veteran

since I am retired and do not have to plan a work wardrobe, I do an early assessment of what I think will still be in for the next season and a bit of a purge. Then try to get an idea of the best items for replacements of the everyday casual stuff. Next the anticipation of vacations, short trips, etc. comes in, and here is where things start to go wrong. Too early and I end up with the wrong stuff-too late and I sometimes end up with something that is just "wrong ' in some way. am learning more about better planning since I have been on this board..so now I am spacing it out throught the season.

rute

Veteran

I used to shop earlier, but I always regreted that because the brands have new pieces every other month. Now I wait until the end of August

Laura (rhubarbgirl)

(website)

Veteran

Interesting to read everyone's replies. I was definitely a deal-driven shopper which usually meant I didn't shop ahead. And of course I was a thrifter, which inherently means buying whatever's available which might not be current season. I did sometimes forget about things before the season for their wearing came around, or accidentally duplicate without meaning to. Which probably just means that I need to keep better records!

Marlene, I think whatever pattern works for you and feels manageable is great. We've all got such different climate and budget limitations that it makes sense that we all have different approaches.

Rute, good point - with the rise of fast and just in time fashion the fashion 'seasons' are less rigid than they used to be.

E

Veteran

I'm a thrifter, so I buy things when I find them. However, my style doesn't have a terribly strong relationship with trends, so it's pretty easy for me to know if I'm going to enjoy wearing it whenever the appropriate season arrives.
I do shop retail for shoes, and I buy those at the start of the season at the latest, so that I can wear them as needed. But I've also been rebuilding my shoe wardrobe: now that I've got enough basics to get me through my daily life, there's no longer the same urgency factor and that might affect next year's shopping strategy. However, my very favourite shoes are made by a small indie company (Aurora Shoe Co) that doesn't discount, so there's no point in waiting for sales.

doubleh

Veteran

I'm a recovering cheapskate too- so I know what you mean! After missing the bus a couple times - waiting on that cheaper fare- I am trying to shop earlier or at least in season. When I get an itch for a deal I head specifically to that type of store- consignment, tj maxx etc. That's usually when I have to buy something I only need 3xs at most or towards end of season.

Alassë

Veteran

Also, I have a thrifter mentality due to eBay/Twice, but for online stores I hate paying full price at the start of a season. I'll usually wait till the first sale of the season for something I definitely want, rather than wait till clearance and find it's sold out.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

YLF (and a better paid job) have converted me. I used to be a deal-seeker and never bought anything full price or in advance. Now I am shopping early in the season for the most part -- with occasional mid-season refreshers (especially in winter) and also occasional out of season deals (again, especially for winter, since it lasts about 6 months here and I get bored of my clothes more easily in that period.

I love planning ahead now. It's really helping me get a handle on things.

Suzanne (ambergreen)

Veteran

I don't have any rules, but I do have some patterns.

From reading my mom's Vogue back in the 80s, I learned to *think* ahead to the next season early, but in practice I almost never pay full price for anything and usually wait until things go on sale, or I shop off-price or thrift. Sometimes I do miss out on my sizes in both clothing and shoes, but other things come along that I can get steals and deals on.

Although I do pay attention to trends, I only acquire things that I feel fit with my own personal style anyway. I very carefully consider most potentials and don't bite unless something really speaks to me and/or fills a need well so that an item will work with what I have ongoingly and I don't have "I'm-already-sick-of-this-itis" by the time I can wear something. I do buy past-season things that I've judged still have style life for myself.

kerry

Veteran

I agree with buying early for must-have items. I also agree with buying HEWIs whenever you find them. I hadn't thought of buying too early and the item losing its lustre by the time the season started - food for thought.

What doesn't work anymore is buying for DD in advance. When she was a baby and toddler we used to buy clothes on sale at the end of the season for the next year. Now that she's going on 5 she definitely has a style of her own and that doesn't work anymore

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