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Longevity vs. Experimentation

Transcona Shannon

Veteran

In my recent post about buying a pastel suit for spring summer (http://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/spring-lists) there were some comments about this being a different color palette for me and whether or not an item like this has any staying power in my wardrobe. These were wonderful questions and comments and really got me thinking.

For me, the pastel suit represents something new and fun, an experiment really. I'm not spending big bucks on this and honestly, will probably only wear it for spring and summer this year (provided it fits). And I think that's ok - for me, not everything I buy needs to have a longevity factor.

So over to you - do you choose items to try out and experiment knowing full well you won't be wearing them for any length of time? Or do you choose your clothes looking for staying power? Or is it a little bit of both - the camp I think I fall into.

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17 replies

Latest reply was from Sarah A

goldenpig

(website)

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Yes, life is too short not to have some fun! Hello fuzzy pink sweater!
http://goldenpig.lookfab.com/p.....grapefruit
I think you'd look awesome in a pastel suit Shannon! How fun!

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Mo

(website)

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I used to never think about the life span of an item in my closet. I liked something, bought it, the end. Never really purged either. Had too much stuff!
When a friend of mine gave me a couple tops from F21 about 5 years ago and mentioned, "oh it's the kind of stuff that's just good for one or two seasons" was the first time I ever even thought about an expiration date for clothing!
I do buy some stuff that's less quality and 'fun' for right now. Most recently my bright berry button front from Alloy. It doesn't feel like silk. It feels completely like poly chiffon with that slight scratch to it! I imagine it might snag and run as well if I'm not real careful. So I expect it to last maybe 2 seasons and I'll be totally happy with it while it does, and the $20 I spent on it!
Of course, conversely, I expect my Frye knee high boots to last me 10 years, so there is a balance there

abc

Veteran

This is a good question. One I haven't really overtly thought of, but I think when I buy, I feel like for the amount of money I'm spending, it should have some longevity. In the past few years I have all but stopped shopping at lower end retailers (ON, Target, JCP) with the hope that I'm getting better quality (not always, I'm learning) and fit, therefore longer staying power in the wardrobe. I don't tend toward too many trendy items in clothing, more in accessories, so I guess my long winded answer is that I personally tend toward longevity vs experimentation. I think you are on the right track experimenting with a lower-end price point. I admire those of you that are willing to step out and try something different. I have to gently nudge myself to do that every so often, but thanks to YLF it's happening more frequently!

Suz

(website)

Veteran

When I first joined YLF, almost everything felt like an experiment -- and was -- because I was still defining my style. Luckily I bought most of it at thrift, consignment, or on sale, or I'd be even more broke than I am now!

These days, although my style is most definitely still evolving, I do have a stronger sense of my overall preferences and my core essentials.

But I still like to experiment by trying trends, and so yes -- each season I buy at least one or two items as an experiment. Either the "wild card" item that might earn a real and long-lasting place in my wardrobe (hello fuchsia jacket!) or then again, might turn out to be a bit of a failure (I'm looking at you, orange pants); OR the item I recognize right away as a short-term fling (waving at my floral print spring jacket from last year's Zara lineup). I won't invest a lot in these -- but they freshen my look and my attitude.

Most of my buys are things that I know I'll wear a lot for several years. But without experiments, where's the fun?

catgirl

Veteran

What Suz said (man, I've been saying that a lot). Hence my recent tulle skirt purchase - not expensive and fun to try out.

Beth Ann

Veteran

I do love that suit, Shannon. It is classic, but with subtle modern proportions, and you would look beautiful in it. I'm in total agreement that items like this, that seem like "outliers," are crucial to growing style and having fun with fashion.

I've been mulling this over a lot -- part of the reason I read, but didn't post on your last thread about spring items. I know I should only need a little refreshing, but there's a good portion of my warm weather wardrobe, particularly my "high summer" clothes that I'm not excited about wearing again.

Last year, I was experimenting with doing "super casual" summer looks well. I think it was largely successful, introducing new silhouettes with BF jeans, for example, but I don't feel quite "myself" when wearing those outfits todays. I could easily replace 1/4 of my spring and 1/2 of my summer closet......I'll have to write for a "style grant!"

This year, just like you, I will look for a trend or two to embrace that stretches me a bit and allows me to play with, say, a shadow style. Most of my funds and effort, however, will go to furthering my sense of "personal" style -- dressing in a way that seems to reflect my own body, complexion, lifestyle and tastes, and incorporating the trends into that goal, rather than vice versa.
I still resonate with retro dressing, particularly Kate Hepburn trousers, turtlenecks and soft shirts (although a different color palette), but I'm finding "clean" versions of these silhouettes impossible to find in RTW. The retro look of a few years ago is quite different --- more focus on details than "architecture" and silhouette, if that makes sense. I'm not interested in anything that might read as "twee," although I like those looks on others. I'd love more fluid fits, and I'm interested in adding one or two full midis to my spring/summer wardrobe, along with some pants with beautiful drape, both tapered and wide leg. I think I will get closer to the outfits I have in my mind if I get out my sewing machine again --- surmounting the issue of time and space!

catgirl

Veteran

Deleted double post

abc

Veteran

I like how Suz articulated the types of experimentation. Gonna bookmark this thread!

Thistle

Veteran

Guilty of the snakeprint sweater I am wearing today probably being a one year purchase

I am okay with it. Less expensive items for fun, but I spend more on quality basics that see me through multiple years and seasons.

E

Veteran

Hmmm: I do bring home experiments, but if they work out, I expect them to last for a long time! And if they don't work out, I don't wear them at all; I can't think of anything I've bought for just a season two, knowing I probably wouldn't like it after a few months. This might be because I have a large wardrobe, though, so individual clothes don't see frequent repeats. And because my experiments are usually because I've fallen in love with the fabric, so they tend to be higher quality items!

In the past, however, I would buy 'close enough' items (7-8s) as placeholders until my dream PPP item came along, knowing that when I found the 10, I'd get rid of the placeholder. Those weren't experiments though, but things I felt would give my closet more cohesion! I'm not letting myself do that anymore, because the items don't get as much wear as the PPP stuff would anyway, and I don't have any real closet holes (just wants), so there's no true need for placeholders. Sadly, I've yet to come across most of my 10s, so I'm still stuck with some second best stuff. Hence my desire to learn how to sew this year!

(As I only shop secondhand, there's no correlation between cost and quality, which undoubtedly affects how I see experimental pieces.)

Peri

Veteran

I'm with Mo...I think most of my post YLF unhappiness was from thinking that clothes had to be worn forever. My closet was so packed and nothing in it was new or fun or looked good in any way.

So, thinking of clothes in terms of happy for now makes a ton more sense to me than thinking of everything as needing longevity. It's not that I want things to fall apart, or that I want to be nothing but trendy...because I'm not even close to trendy. It's just that I want to feel free for things to NOT be considered lifers!

Gigi

Veteran

I do a little bit of both. If I'm spending big bucks, I expect the item to last for a long time, so I usually reserve big expenditures for classically styled items. But the experiments are valuable and teach us about ourselves and our stye. So if I'm just dipping my feet in, I don't spend as much money. If the item turns out to be a success, I will probably buy another one, again at a low price point. Only if I really sense that the item is going to last a long time both trend-wise and personal style-wise will I start shelling out more serious money.

AviaMariah

Veteran

I think I naturally stay with what I know works which leads me to being bored. It's been so helpful to me to see Angie trying new things all the time, even though she knows her own style inside and out. This has helped my to step out of my comfort zone and it can be really fun! I think if you know that that's what you're doing then it's fine. If you know the blue suit is an experiment and you're not investing a ton of you budget on it then you won't be disappointed if it doesn't get worn for more than a few seasons.

Glory

Veteran

YOLO is what I say. Buy the suit and have fun. If you don't like it next year then that will be okay to. I love the idea of this - try one or two new things. they dont have to last forever. When I first joined here I felt somewhat like a hoarder - hanging on to items that were old but still had wear - even if I would not wear them. I am getting better!

rae

(website)

Veteran

I definitely do both! And FWIW, I didn't realize you were only speaking about this particular suit - I thought you were going on a pastel suit hunt that might have been a big time investment you might not want to spend on a seasonal experiment.

Liz A.

Veteran

I don't think my brain works that way , Shannon. I just don't think in terms of how long I'll have something. For the most part, it is assumed I'll have something till it wears out...maybe because I don't buy super high quality very often so wearing out does happen. I'm aware that some items have been culled while still in good shape but I certainly don't go in shwith that outcome in mind.

Sarah A

Veteran

I think i am in a big experimentation phase so I relate to the wanting to try something new even it if doesnt turn out to have a lot of longevity. i wonder after i come to know my preferences if i wont look as far afield or if my eclectic taste with new trends etc. keep things more varied on the long term. I suppose your take on this depends on many factors.