Shop Your Closet / Budget - midway thru week 7 - YouLookFab Forum

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Shop Your Closet / Budget - midway thru week 7

Mo

(website)

Veteran

I am knee deep in packing and cleaning but I still managed to find time to window shop online. Have made no purchases beyond the major Frye boot acquisition. Even ended up returning a skirt from pre New Year and not getting a replacement!! Hmm, with that and my consignment dollars, my Frye's expenditure is offset to $200 even. I can live with that.
Dropped off a few shorts and summer dresses yesterday when collecting my consignment money. They were still in fine shape, but I'm wanting to lighten my load and being realistic that a) I might be outgrowing those styles and b) I don't need near the sheer number of summer items for the foreseeable future. So that felt good to free myself lol.
I am still eyeing that cobalt shirt and I am tracking the blue dress I returned. If I fall, it will be the blue shirt once we get back to Tahoe. I love the dress but know I don't have enough warm season to wear what dresses I do have.
The next purchase will be the petite wooden hangers that I have eBay funds built up to cover. So I suppose I am a success with my SYC all things considered!
Okay, back to packing. Trying to get a featherbed into a SpaceBag is really something.

How are you doing with your endeavors??

Shopping

21 replies

Latest reply was from Sarah A

chewyspaghetti

Veteran

I think you're doing really well, Mo.
I had ordered gold loafers for my birthday- they came and were way too small, so I exchange for a full size up. They came and guess what? Way too big- so I exchanged for a 1/2 size smaller. I am still waiting for them to come. I hope they fit! We have been so crazy busy that I have not even been tempted to shop- even though I really need summer clothes as soon as I can find them. Oh I did pick up a pair of black sandals at Ross a while ago. As long as I wear sandals (at least 6 months a year), I never seem to have enough variety. One of my goals for this year is to buy every comfy pair of flat sandals that I come across- I know they will get worn.

Queen Mum

Veteran

great goal Khris. I know what you mean about having that one wardrobe item that you can't have too many of.

You're doing great Mo.

Here in the 12 in 2012 camp, I'm right on schedule. My February purchase was my H&M green jacket. I was actually just thinking, while I was vacuuming, how freeing it has been to not have to constantly be cycling through the keep or return mental cycle. Making a choice and then having time to play with that item undistracted (apparently that's not a word) has really given me a sense of calm and contentment. And so far, I have yet to have to go naked one day this year...imagine that. LOL

Now off to turbotax.com

Lisa

Veteran

Queen Mum mentions a really good point. The cycle of purchasing and returning. I was certainly doing a LOT of that all last year. And most of the year before. It was exhausting, frustrating and time consuming. So far, except for when I caved at JCrew on the first of the month, I've been doing ok.

This past Saturday was really hard when a pretty flower printed blazer was in my grasp and I had the lovely NYC YLF gathering lasses for opinions, including Angie of course. But I left it in the store (it helped that the blazer had a pull on it) and I've been doing ok this week. Sunday is going to be hard when I see a friend to catch up. We are meeting in the mall and I know she loves to browse Nordie's. Well usually we browse and shop together. I'm leaving the door open for me to purchase any new shoes that fit and are comfortable since I have no new shoes for spring/summer yet and I am rebuilding my shoe wardrobe. Staying away from purchases for anything above my feet will be the tough part.

rae

(website)

Veteran

I've got to be spending the most money ever during this SYC period! Haha, that's what I get for trying to revamp the work wardrobe...

I totally hear you about the purchase/return cycle. I'm fully irritated and exhausted, as I went on and on about in my pants post last night. What a bother! With all the time I've spent driving to UPS, I could have driven out to the outlets and spent a day by now.

In regards to following my rules, I've been very good. I'm even craving some more rules! I want an above-knee orange or lime skirt for Spring, and I want 1-2 more pairs of pants. I think everything else will be off limits from now on.

After I secure those items, I'm very much considering 100% SYC for 6-mos to a year. I'm thinking I'd be allowed DIY alterations (dying bags et al) and 1-in-2-out replacements. I think this could really help me to get in tune with the wardrobe and eventually shrink it down.

You all are doing so great - it's really inspiring. I'm really happy to have these posts, because the thrill of posting a new find is actually a real temptation for me to keep buying.

ironkurtin

Veteran

I actually just discovered purchase and return - not the purchase, the return part! I have found it quite freeing to send things BACK. In fact, many of the things I've bought have headed straight back out again. I agree it does get wearying! But then, I'm selling things on ebay like a mad thing, so I'm always at the shipper anyway.

So far I am shopping my sales, and though I have bought some things, I didn't buy anything on the covet list I posted. After reviewing my closet, I did get some linen things for summer. I also shifted my closet to Spring - bye bye cashmere - and plan to wear midweight things and layer as much as possible.

In reviewing my closet I have come to the conclusion that I have WAY too freaking many shoes. I have an entire boot container from Container Store full of sandals! On one hand, I wear them because we have a long summer. On the other, I have an entire boot bin! If I don't wear something this summer I think it's time for it to fly and be free. We'll see.

Mo

(website)

Veteran

Sound like after some initial trouble throttling back from holiday buying mode, most of us have hit a stride. I'm happy with where I am and it sounds like most of you are, too!
I hate to start a post and run but I'm literally under 24 hours until hitting the pavement so I have been just popping in between scrubbing bathrooms and packing up bedding. Internet goes in about 5 or 6 hours. So if I don't comment back, you know why!!

modgrl

(website)

Veteran

Good luck moving Mo! You are doing great! I knew I'd be shopping at the YLF NYC meetup - how could I not with so many of my girls there to help and support me?! Angie picked out an animal print bag for me. I've been looking for one since your Real Simple article post. And I also have on order the little polka dot number. I'm already over my 1/mo quota but I feel like I am making good decisions about things that I will really love and use.

I am also starting to think about purging some of the things I got a year ago when I was first starting my wardrobe overhaul and was in a desperate buying phase. Pumps have turned out to be a total failure, who knew I wouldn't ever be able to integrate them into my business casual wardrobe?! Also, pretty much anything that I thrifted in the last year is inching closer to the donate pile. Sad but true. Pretty much anything that I thought I was saving money on, was actually money that I might as well have set on fire!

Lisa

Veteran

Good luck moving Mo!

ironkurtin

Veteran

One of the lessons I am learning is that it really is better to have fewer items that I really enjoy, rather than tons of stuff I like but don't wear. Now if I ciuld onky identify which are which beforehand I'd be home free.

Jewell

Veteran

I am so grateful for how picky I've become since joining YLF. That is partly the reason I'm able to SYB so successfully. Today I listed all my purchases since January, and I feel that I've made some good choices.

For less than $250 I've added the following to my closet:

silk BR skirt
orange GAP t-neck
fuschia MNG blazer
navy tank and red tee from NY&Co.
textured tights
three new scarves (all from different retailers)
pleated JW for Target skirt
strand of glass pearls with matching stud earrings
my "perfect" navy leather handbag
a casual crossbody in dark denim

Much of this was accomplished using retail credits and gift cards which I'm all out of now, so my goal for March is to only buy ONE thing.

nicoleb

(website)

Veteran

Well i said i wasn't going to shop until March except for Jason Wu. I ended up not shopping Jason Wu at all so i bought myself a pair of creepers instead.

I've gone thrifting twice, but I've also been selling my old clothes and using $ from it to buy new clothes so...it doesn't feel like cheating... >.>

I haven't bought anything from a retail store though!

Sarah A

Veteran

i fell of the train this week! two new bras -- okay this is really a need not a want, ive lost weight and went from 38B (just about falling off) to 34B what a difference!!!! but the JCrew calf hair belt i just ordered... totally a want, i hope i love it as much as i do on my computer screen. No more purchases for Feb. Promise!

goldenpig

(website)

Veteran

I just ordered a couple things with my Nordstrom notes--a pair of white skinny jeans and the red Jolt denim jacket. And I'm still sorting through the Jason Wu stuff and deciding whether I'm going to keep any of it. Other than that though, I've mainly just been returning a bunch of stuff. I am really trying hard not to buy anything new! I don't know how long I can last, but I'll keep trying!

Good luck with the move, Mo!

Mo

(website)

Veteran

Greetings from SC! I have been good but I am now staying 1/2 block from an actual mall with a Dillard's and everything lol. We are here for 2 days to see the BF's family so I may stroll over there at some point. No touchie, only lookie!!
Thanks for the well wishes - day 1 of the drive went smooth. The cable appt. last night not so much . . . the supervisor had to come himself at 8am this morning, after 3 hours of trying to track down the tech in the field turned up nothing and held us hostage from getting dinner.

I am really starting to look forward to a few select pieces later this year. If I can manage Frye boots by not buying other random stuff, I can probably also manage a real DVF wrap dress this fall by staying the course in the meantime. And maybe another previously undreamt of thing, leather jacket this coming winter. That would be 3 totally awesome, high dollar (for me) additions to the closet I would treasure for the next decade! And I can do it if I just cut back on all the $25 clutter.

goldenpig

(website)

Veteran

That sounds like an awesome plan, Mo! Those would be super additions to your closet. I can already picture you in a DVF wrap dress...maybe red?

celia

Veteran

Mo, I hope the move goes smoothly from now on.I like your goals, they seem very healthy ones.
About Syc.... I bought tw more items .I guess I have to go cold turkey , there is no middle term for me.
But mostly I am starting to wonder where do I go from here,in which direction is my style evolving.

rae

(website)

Veteran

There are some Frye dress boots on sale for a great price in med brown and cognac... I am telling that little devil on my shoulder that my gray lace-ups are all I need, but it is SO hard. Now that I am in love with their quality and leather linings, that little voice inside keeps whispering that I'll regret it forever if I don't pounce on the deal.

Mo

(website)

Veteran

Rae, does it help to remember Frye has been in business since the Civil War making boots? I'll bet they will make some more nice dress boots someday

I walked the mall today and got to actually touch items I've seen here modeled - the Express white blazer, the American Eagle white denim jacket, the Levi white denim jacket. Got to try on B'tempted by Wacoal bra in both 30D and 30DD to compare even! And I walked away with nothing - happily. It was a good day.

rae

(website)

Veteran

Yes, but they are usually a price I don't want to pay, lol. I'm telling myself: part of my love for the Julias is the sleek ankle, and there is no way I can replicate that with a pull-on boot.

Your shopping trip is really inspiring - did you not like any of the pieces, or just not feel you needed them? Trying to get inside your SYC-successful head...

Mo

(website)

Veteran

Rae, part of it is having no jobs and no room in the truck, truth be told!! Seriously, though, I didn't *need* any of it.
The jackets I tried on to file away in my head for future purchasing time. Really liked the AE - and the only one in the store was on the mannequin, whom I stripped hee hee. I'll likely hope for a sale by May on that one.
Everything else was just good recon and I was browsing blue dresses realizing that wovens are here in a big way and I think there will be lots of day dress options in a few months still.

Stay strong on those boots if the sleek ankle is the real draw and you know they won't deliver that.

Sarah A

Veteran

I am so impressed by you going to the mall and making it home free! The weather was great in NC today, I imagine it was there as well. I am trying to just keep thinking spring to stay off the boot purchases! Best for your continuing travels...