How did you do in Austerity August? - YouLookFab Forum

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How did you do in Austerity August?

DonnaF

Veteran

The shirt and skirt I ordered in two sizes won't arrive until September, but I'm pretty sure all will be returned anyway. I saw the skirt at Nordstrom yesterday, and it is SHORT even in regular sizes. The shirt I thought was on sale for 50% off isn't, and it may not have the shirttail hem I prefer. If I R-E-A-L-L-Y like it, I may try reordering during Triple Points Days in September. *My* bra was seriously discounted from $60 to $40, so I sprang as I said I would.

The razor blade necklace that I bought and loved during NAS broke, so I returned it and now have a credit. Before she left for a semester in India, DD gave me a $10 H&M gift card, so I spent another $3 and bought a necklace yesterday, but I wasn't planning to count jewelry in Austerity August, but this was way less than my credit anyway. DH was waiting for me to finish my errands before we went to a food festival, so other than jewelry I didn't even browse at H&M. Victory! [DH also thought it was pretty funny that a ring display had the middle finger up, so I'm sure if he were on Instagram he would have posted.]

Anyway, I feel that this month has slowed me down, and I don't really want to go overboard in the future. I need to replace my black Dansko Pros with something equally comfortable, but I go back and forth on whether it needs to be black.

I'm feeling pretty good about this month. How about you?

Shopping

26 replies

Latest reply was from anne

MsMary

Veteran

Done! Two months in a row with no fashion purchases! I actually have a positive balance in my "clothing" account! I'm going to try and hold out until Seattle Shoptember Inge-Fest.

Although I swear I don't think I should get any credit at all, what with all the money I've been spending on the house project...

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Done! I did buy a pair of running shoes (strictly gear). That's it.

I was tempted by J. Crew's flash sale a few days ago. But was so tired from a day and night of meetings that I didn't feel able to make decisions, and lost the chance to order. Nothing looked as tempting at the regular price, which I figure was a good sign.

I cannot promise not to shop in September, however.

doubleh

Veteran

I think I need a qualifier for these no-shop months...:) I held out until the twenty-somethingth. I did find- finally- a pair of white jeans. After buying and returning six pairs I didn't hold out much hope. But the 7th stuck! And then a few things I'd been stalking at Nordies went on sale....it's a slippery slope. So, budget-wise, not so much. Willpower-wise: I held out almost to the end. That should count for something, right?

Debbie

Veteran

Did it! I am proud of myself.

annagybe

(website)

Veteran

I did it! Even though I'm in Oregon, land of no sales tax. I was in the same mall as an Off Fifth, & today I saw but didn't go into Solestruck.
I'm very proud of myself.

MsMary

Veteran

Hooray, ladies! Well done!

rabbit

Veteran

I almost made it, like doubleh I held out until a few days ago (ironically exactly a month since I'd last bought something) and then bought a very dark burgundy flowy sweater top at Goodwill. I thought about it for a day or so, but it was a great color on me and it had a welt, a shorter length and interesting sleeves so it would fit perfectly with many of my fall bottoms (I have a lack of shorter/cropped tops for those skirts that need them).

note to self -- don't pop into Goodwill when you have 15 minutes to kill before meeting somebody during an austerity month That said, I'm happy with it, and have held off on any retail purchases which I've gambled will still be around in September.

deb

Veteran

I failed!!! I bought a top from Mossimo Dutti and yester two sweaters from H& M. BUT, I spent a lot less than normal so I count that as a win. The red Puma's went back and I will reorder tomorrow.

columbine(erin)

Veteran

Hehe. Failed. I needed to buy my husband more dress shirts and I got myself a new ballet neck, three quarter sleeve, navy and white t. from Lands End. This is it for clothes shopping for awhile. Husband just retired from the military and we don't have a new job yet.

goldenpig

(website)

Veteran

I did great--not a single item of clothing! Not even tempted to cheat! Being very busy and also a week of vacation definitely helps make the time fly by. Also having lots of new stuff from NAS to keep me happy...I may even be able to last till Shoptember too!

Gigi

Veteran

I technically failed, but the stuff I bought was important to my style direction, and some were HEWIs. I bought a pair of chinos at BR for $1 (I had rewards points), a column knit skirt from AT (on sale; I like longer skirts and have a hard time finding them in a straight cut like this), a pair of dressy dark blue jeans without any distressing or fading (on sale; something that's been on my wish list for a while), and my fantabulous Cole Haan sandals from yesterday (on sale but still a little pricey). All my purchases were well thought out, and they were all pretty good deals, so I'm not complaining! I think Austerity August helped me to slow down, as you said, Donna. It brought back some balance so that I can assess my would-be purchases better.

minimalist

Veteran

Really "well," because I slacked off on forcing myself to shop. Did some actual hunting (trying on eyewear and boots) which will lead to sizeable outlays, but failed to pick up needed basics and gear.

Classically Casual

Veteran

One of the neighbors believes that there's a "weight constant" on our street.
In other words, when someone looses weight, someone else is gaining.

Perhaps I'm providing the counterpart to you disciplined ladies for Austerity August: new gym shoes, a plaid shirt for camping, and deeply discounted black booties.

Today I'm seriously tempted by the J Crew sale....

viva

Veteran

I did not buy anything for the first three weeks, and then I purchased a number of things last week. Too many to list -- and all online, for home try-on, so few will probably be kept. I realized that I am traveling for most of September and really need that fall work capsule to be ready to go, especially after my recent closet cull and purge -- so I'm okay with the way August went. Pausing for the first few weeks really helped me.

Anonymous

I did very well up until Banana Republic offered free two day shipping. I ended up buying two items.

Thistle

Veteran

I almost made it. I found a pair of full length maternity jeans, that fit, for under $30. Yep, I snapped them up. I figure I will need them once it turns cold.

I did order some shoes, but it knew they wouldn't ship until September.

I did pick DD up a few things for DD, but all in the next size up. I swear she grows all at once over the summer! Many of her full length pants are now capris :). Okay for early September, but not so much once we get into October.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Not bad. I got that plaid shirt from Target, but it was more than offset byy returning the failed plaid shirt from Nordstrom. I got that beautiful floral dress, which was truly my only departure from the plan.

I got a new sports bra and cycling shorts, but gear does not count IMHO, especially since I'm training for a big event and needed good gear for August, which has seen my longest and most intense bike rides ever. And I got new eyeglasses and prescription sunglasses, but I also view those as a fashionable medical/functional necessity.

Tomorrow I'll pull the trigger on those red booties!

Anonymous

Well, my reverse psychology plan worked. I did NOT join Austerity August, so i made it through the month without buying anything, lol. I even shopped! Late last night I ordered some dresses from LOFT to try, but it was after midnight I think.

JAileen

Veteran

I only bought 3 jackets! Hahahaha!

One was from the thrift store - charcoal boiled wool.

Next two were fleece for outdoor activities:

Royal Robbins waterproof hooded fleece - from Sierra Trading Post for 60 percent off. I think it'll be perfect for Fall.

Patagonia Better Jacket. I found this at their outlet store the day before their big blowout sale. They had only one, in my size and preferred color, and it was already on sale - 30 percent off. It looks nice for fleece, and it layers under my waterproof shell.

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Laura (rhubarbgirl)

(website)

Veteran

JAileen, those jackets look perfect for fall.

I failed. I failed utterly, but I did end up staying on budget at least. The big problem was the day that I went to the outlet mall because I had some discount cards that were about to expire. Funnily enough, I ended up returning about half of it after my head had cooled sufficiently. Lesson learned: if I want to take a shopping break, I can't go into stores at all, even thrift stores. Bummer since I like to browse for fun.

I am out of budget until it's officially fall; done, finito. But I am glad to be reminded of the Nordstrom triple points days right around the fall equinox. If anything on my loooooong wish list is still available then, I am ordering.

DonnaF

Veteran

It sounds like everyone made wise decisions! After all, what is the point of a shopping ban if once it is over one has to pay significantly more for an item one needs? IMHO, we are good as long as we are moving toward making our closets full of *10* items that we love, aren't closet items, and are not breaking the bank.

This wardrobe stuff is like a home improvement/home repair project: You're a friggin' genius if you get everything you need and in the right size and not an iota more after only a single trip to the hardware store. Seriously, who does that? It's just a process of moving forward. . .

unfrumped

Veteran

Well, I bailed, not failed. I had found a couple of items that really were fun, which prompted a big review and sme aha! moments, leading me to toss out: shoes- 12; tops-13; pants- 9, jackets- 3; and 2 dresses/ 1 skirt. This really clarified what I wanted to wear and I focused on some items and combinations in that vein. I did about 4:1 out vs in, and can tell the improved function. I stayed in fall/ winter mode rather than adding any summer items this late, so no hoarding for next year!

Alassë

Veteran

I stayed strong till the last week, then splurged on a bunch of Etsy accessories. At least that didn't up my wardrobe count. I'm afraid I'll be purchasing a few new-fall-stock items to try this month, however.

Theodora

Well, I almost made it too, especially as I haven't been able to get out to stores right now, but , really, 20% off an already 25% reduced item AND free shipping? BCBG got a skirt order, which is a hole I have to fill, as I lost all 6 of my skirts to middle-aged donut tummy... And then there were these great skirts at J. Crew that were on sale too, and in a design that I LOVE! Kind of sewed down pleats, with a small flare. So feminine and so me. I hope they work out! Ordered this is both navy and distressed quartz, kind of a soft pink. Miss my skirts...

I also ordered a pair of kitten heeled suede shoes in fuschia, because I learned here on YLF about book ending. I have a lot of pink and fuschia tops and sweaters, and I would never have thought of this before. Can't wait to see how it looks!
So, Labor Day is actually September anyway, right?

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Suja

Veteran

Bought a pair of peep-toe booties in black. I have the nude ones and they are workhorses so I snapped up the black since they were sold out everywhere except Amazon in my size. I also stopped it a couple days early to take advantage of labor day sales on basic items.

Overall I give myself a C. A couple slips but I fought many temptations and feel happy that I did as well as I did.

anne

Veteran

Well I wasn't trying to do AA but I have done it yet again anyway. I find it harder to buy than not to and my clothing budget of around ten bucks a week plus vouchers etc needs lot of time to recover.