*Shop Your Closet* Trials and Triumphs! - YouLookFab Forum

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Shop Your Closet Trials and Triumphs!

ironkurtin

Veteran

I am finding it much easier to SMC knowing I can post all my temptations up here...

Good:

- Returned a bunch of nonperfect items to Yoox (ordered pre SYC)

- Sold a bunch of stuff on ebay and transferred $ to bank account instead of spending it on ebay

- Started looking at ebay mostly though saved searches on iphone mobile, which 1) eliminates all the time spent searching and 2) seems to limit the dopamine urge to keep looking - if nothing shows up to look at, oh well

- Went to Nordstrom Rack to buy slippers for the peanut and purchased NOTHING - Didn't even look at the other non-kid departments

Not so good:

- I bought two tops for next summer on JCrew's clearance take-an-extra-30%-off sale

- I purchased a leather purse from Yoox - but will return it if it isn't perfect, I swear!

- I succumbed to the allure of a VPL vest on ebay, paid for with ebay sale proceeds (http://www.ebay.com/itm/VPL-St....._499wt_924)

- I bought a pair of Fidjis on Amazon clearance using Amazon credits (again, will return if they are not perfect)

Overall, however, knowing that I am swimming the tide with the YLF community helps a LOT to evaluate each purchase with an eagle eye - and if I break SYC, then I know I've done it thinking it over from every angle.

Shopping

27 replies

Latest reply was from Transcona Shannon

Lynne

Veteran

You've done brilliantly, @IK. I haven't SYC-ed, but the big benifit everyone seems to mention is becoming more particular about what you bring into your closet. *clapping for you* :).

Mo

(website)

Veteran

I agree with your last sentence - that is how SYC has helped me in the past, even when I falter.
I am going through my closet with renewed determination to purge the 'so so' stuff. It's hard, especially when I know the budget is only going to get smaller from here on out. But if I don't have these not quite right pieces, I won't wear them!
I am also looking into minor alterations of what I have to improve on them. Mostly shorts lengths right now.
As for breaking SYC - I may have finally found gray cords. If so, I am allowing myself to purchase. NO guilt.

MNsara

Veteran

It sounds like you are doning really good at SYC I like that it makes you really take stock - not only of the closet contents, but of your approach to shopping.

My downfalls are bringing things home to think about - invariably I keep at least a little, but spend energy deciding and then returning - and continuing to putz around online looking to see what catches my eye - vs looking for predetermined 'needs'.

A time of stepping back and reconsidering our shopping habits is really valuable!

nancylee

Veteran

I hear you on the temptations. I'm only two weeks into SYC and I've already succumbed to this blouse:

http://www.luckybrand.com/John.....dColor=240

Like you, back it goes if it's not perfect, but one thing I've discovered only two weeks in is how many button blouses I have and how few more modern silhouette blouses.

This is what I'm learning as a first-time SYCer: that it's a very helpful exercise for slowing down the mad rush to accumulate items and giving you time to evaluate what you actually NEED.

rosee

Veteran

...ahem... was going to write up a post for a new thread with my SYC updates.
The old thread is here:
http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....very-wordy

I've decided to delay some of the SYC as I am really finding some good stuff that I didn't realize at the time I started SYC I actually needed. I feel no guilt about the purchases I made (about 5 or 6) b/c I very much like them and I didn't really have enough clothing in this larger size.
Some delays have been made to my weight loss efforts (due to unforseen circumstances) but I still will follow the plan once I get reorganized.
I consider myself "off track" but not completely lost.
I agree with the above statements about really evaluating a purchase before going through with it. I've also had several temptations but chose to ignore them, looking for something that is even more ideal.

Mo

(website)

Veteran

ACK! I spoke too soon! Total impulse purchase. I told myself no more summer wear, specifically no more tanks. But then I have been wanting a tiered or ruffled layer tank and I'm craving green again after an affair with red and purple. And it will go under so many of my jackets over skinnies. Excuses excuses. It's under $15 and returnable if for some reason my love affair simmers. Still rationalizing . . . @@

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rosee

Veteran

...looks like I'm in good company! Back to SYC soon -- I want to buy a pair of shoes I think I really must have and they fill a wardrobe hole for me. I was going to provide a link but they are no longer on the web page -- hopefully they are still in store.

Originally, I was going to hold onto all my clothes (in various sizes) until after the weight loss, but now I'm seeing that some pieces really don't work for me and no use in keeping them. Planning on selling them soon, maybe ebay.

Vildy

Veteran

Mo, I gotta admit that's a great top and I can see it on you. I totally get wanting a
sudden move to another color, too. That's pretty much why I shop your budget vs
shop your closet. (and I purge continually).

I'm pretty much on track with $29 spent so far. Whenever I post the average number of
items I acquire in a month, people seem to gasp so I'll tell you for the thrills factor:
31. Now don't you feel better! About 16 are clothing items and the rest accessories of one kind or another. I have 13 things purged already, including a coat.

I don't keep a wish list but I have a sense of what I'm looking to find. Sometimes I'm very happy with finding it - a mariniere stripe tee and a velvety soft (but not velvet) ballet neck grey tee - and sometimes I realize that I don't have the item because it really isn't what I want to wear - I now have exactly one turtleneck, it's in a favorite color of vanilla but I'll test out whether it gets worn.

I find that seeing what other YLF members post in their outfit photos is a big help to me. It might be something I've always wanted to wear - like khakis - and it looks wonderful on them but I get a strong sense that it isn't "me." Explaining why I have had and purged a few pair in my time. That khakis post helped me realize that I'm moving toward a Soft Within Structure feeling. I like ruching and also a tiny bit of fluidity within a defined structure. That's why I'm happy with cord jeans, it's a contained softness. But khakis seem to "bend", "crease," "crumple" and are more geometric in how the fabric behaves as you move.

Mo

(website)

Veteran

I LOVE your definition of 'soft within structure' and I think I long for the very same vibe but couldn't articulate it. Thanks!
I am kinda bad at purging so I think that's why 31 items sounds so huge to me lol. Glad you like the top for me - I saw it and totally fell in love.

Lisa

Veteran

Vildy-You are not the only 31 item a month person here. I'm right with you. One of the reasons why I have such a large unused wardrobe is because I am pretty poor at one in and one out with purchases. I have yet to shake the habit of coming home with little or no items and NOT feeling like the shopping trip was a failure!

I'm another SYC failure this week. Amazing that I am not going to the mall right now and yet I still managed to purchase some new items. I really, really wanted to try the midi trend. The attraction of skirts is very high right now as I deal with my still swollen foot. And our weather is cooling down fast (50-60sF during the daytime) and I am freezing in my shorter skirts until I can wear hose again.

I ordered 3 items from BR that came in two days! One I do not see online anymore but the brown skirt on the front page I got in grey. It's really a nice weight for the winter and it's even lined! I also purchased this skirt and while it is not lined, the pockets are very user friendly. My last item was this blouse in moon grey.

So the sad news is that I broke SYC. The good news is: I only ordered 3 items and I really love all of them. I only had one "winter" friendly skirt, which is a light grey corduroy so this really rounds out my winter skirts now. I've already worn one of the skirts and plan to wear the other one with the new blouse this week. In the past I've had a very poor habit of "saving" new purchases. I have no idea why so wearing these right away is a big change for me. And now I have to figure out what 3 bottoms to donate to keep up with one in, one out principle.

Ah well. *climbing back on the SYC wagon*

cheryle (Dianthus)

(website)

Veteran

I applaud all of you for at least giving SYC an effort. Even if you just give more thought to each purchase, you have accomplished something worthwhile.

Way to go.

rosee

Veteran

...really liking this thread, so "bump".

MsMary

Veteran

I'm back from my cruise and doing pretty well, all things considered. Believe it or not, there was a Coach store ON THE SHIP and with DH egging me on, I ended up with two lovely silk scarves. I was in a tizzy saying "I can't decide," and bless his heart, he said "You don't have to decide" and I got both! Big fun! I also got a pair of lovely but inexpensive earrings made out of conch shells in Nassau. And a tee from the Hard Rock Cafe in Miami and a tank from Hard Rock St. Maarten. But I consider all those purchases to be "vacation souvenirs" rather than "clothing," so as I said, I think I'm doing pretty well, all things considered.

mamaKate

Veteran

So glad we have this form as a way to be accountable to each other!

ironkurtin

Veteran

My fidji shoes arrived and fit great. Now I just need to look at them and decide if I will wear them enough to justify keeping them. They're not so much yellow as they are a natural shade, and I kindof wanted something bright. Must evaluate.

Oh, and since I lost weight working out, my winter running pants are now officially TOO BIG! Hurrah! New gear time! Looking fw to my new yoga pants.

Marley

Veteran

This weekend was a great exercise in my SYC journey because I spent it hanging around with a bunch of YLF women and we spent a lot of time at different shopping malls - and people were trying on things/buying. I found myself at times, wishing that I could join in on the activity, but for the most part was able to just enjoy watching and giving advice - and that fulfilled the "urge" that I sometimes get that I just HAVE to buy something. At one point however, I faltered. We were at Zara and Vicki had just found the perfect pair of orange pants (that I LOVED) - and there were some really cool scarfs there and then AJ demonstrated her special scarf "technique" where you can turn the scarf into a "vest" and before you knew it I had plunked down 30 bucks on a scarf! Total impulse buy. When I got home that night I went to put that scarf in my scarf drawer and I about died - I mean, I've got zillions of scarfs - I DONT NEED another scarf - and there were a LOT in my drawer that I liked much better than the one that I had just purchased. So I just put it back into the Zara bag, along with the receipt and put it in the car, so that when I drive by the mall this week I can make a quick stop in and return the scarf! And I don't feel one bit sad or deprived about it. So, I have definitely made progress! Yeah!

ironkurtin

Veteran

All of us deserve BIG PROPS. It's all about the process and we are definitely on our way!

Mo

(website)

Veteran

Great resolve Marley!
Ironkurtin, my army green boots came today and I LOVE them. Can't even imagine that I spent a few months searching around for similar ones instead of just getting these in the first place. If you really wanted a bright, and these Fidjis aren't the right color I would say return and get what you really want.
My very last temptation for the year, I hope, is the gray cords. Stay tuned . . .

annette

I am doing my first ever SYC challenge! Getting the InStyle app and loading my clothes has made me realize I have too much already. I plan to weed out and tighten things up, and get more creative with what I already have. Do people usually allow for replacing needed items? For example if an item no longer fits or is worn out? Many of my winter bottoms are too big so far, but I haven't tried everything on yet.

Kari

Veteran

Oh gosh. I was planning to start SYC as of Oct. 1 and haven't even started yet. AND I'm giving myself leeway to purchase really fab items I come across in Toronto that aren't easily available in my neck of the woods in the US.
*slaps self on wrist!"
I'll be joining you all eventually.

Mo

(website)

Veteran

Welcome aboard our rocky boat, Annette lol! I think everyone has their own parameters. Some don't count gear or things like socks or bras. Some also allow for replacements as things wear out. It's really up to you.
I am allowing myself a pair of cords, if I ever find the right pair.

rae

(website)

Veteran

I am with IK, trying my darndest to spend my sales proceeds, but returning a lot. I am keeping boots from Amazon, a F21 jacket found during YLF weekend in the OC, and possibly a pair of burgundy pants. I also bought a $10 Revel bag, a $1 pair of slacks, and a $2 necklace at the swap meet.

I'm returning a blue Express blazer (doesn't work with my work wardrobe of mostly long-sleeved tops), Zara pants (too small, and the size up is too big), orange H&M tee (decided I should either get full sleeves or a tank rather than a half-sleeve tissue tee for my weather here), a burgundy blazer (shoulder padding extends past my natural shoulder line), and a burgundy skirt (not lined). I have already returned the Celtic patterned bags I loved so much online but weren't perfect in person.

Yay for increased pickiness!

Marley

Veteran

Just want to report that the Zara scarf was returned today. Mission Accomplished.

ironkurtin

Veteran

This week is now halfway through - keep on staying strong!

Sarah A

Veteran

I am new to YLF and am loving the forums so far. I have been trying to do a style refresh mainly from weeding out the "not me anymore" stuff and wear more of what I find to be my favorites in a whole minimalist philosophy for everything. With that said, I am doing 2012 (hopefully) if it is new it is made in the USA... Thrifted finds I'll snatch up regardless of their origin. Anyone else on SYB thinking about restricting their buying outside of the obvious budget concerns?

Mo

(website)

Veteran

Hi Sarah. Denise (cocolion) and Kate have similar USA and green based shopping parameters.

Transcona Shannon

Veteran

I did place my first ever Nordstrom order today for two tops - but only after stalking them until they went 50% off. I am short of tops. I went thrifting tonight with a girlfriend and didn't buy ANYTHING!!!