The boredom of 'less but better' - YouLookFab Forum

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The boredom of 'less but better'

Laura (rhubarbgirl)

(website)

Veteran

More of a whinge than anything more productive - one of my goals for this year, fashion-wise, was to get in a mode of buying less items but better quality. It took me a while to stop thrifting and buying random deals and getting better at planning ahead. I think I'm finally getting pretty good at it. I'm buying ahead of the season, when possible, or right at the beginning, instead of waiting for end-of-season deals.

But of course my overall budget is the same, which means less items and less choice. I like the items I've chosen - it's easy to get used to higher quality - but now I'm a little bored. I was responsible and bought a bunch of new bras and well-made shoes and a few more things, and now I'm done shopping for fall, because I'm out of money. Zzzzzzz.

I enjoy making outfits and taking care of what I have and doing the occasional cull, but it's not the same as searching for something new, is it? Anyone looking for something in particular? I could be your personal shopper...

General

23 replies

Latest reply was from Carole

Sal

Veteran

I do know what you mean Laura...

I am not going to volunteer though for you to be my shopper...USD NZD exchange rate is NOT in my favour right now.

unfrumped

Veteran

I think i have to separate boredom with the clothes from issues with the shopping fun. I figured out I have enough, even too msny choices and can forget some of the best options if not careful, or forget to have fun getting dressed for an event, choosing which accessories. Slow fashion!. Or taking time keep items in good shape. And not being too tired and frazzled to actually go places.
So I think I want more time for that.

carter

Veteran

I have focused on fewer items but better quality this year as well. I'm actually liking it, but I will say that I'm not strictly front-loading my seasonal buying. I am doing more buying pre-season, but I'm also supplementing throughout the season with both retail and, most recently, ebay purchases. Maybe leaving budget/room for sporadic purchases as you find them will help with the boredom.

To your question: Yes! I have a HHHHHHEWI. My stepmom has several tops that she either bought years ago through some company that used to sell in the back of the Horchow catalog or at the uptown garden/home furnishings store that occasionally gets a fabulous clothing item for some crazy reason (although never when I'm there).

If you want a shopping challenge, I'd be thrilled if you could find a source for me. The tops from the Horchow catalog look like a raw silk (she cut the tags out) button front shirt/jacket with a straight cut and straight hem and TDF rich colors. The one she had on today was kind of a Mediterranean blue/green/brown, depending on how the light hit it.She has another that is a deep orange/gold/bronze. Another is deep red/fuschia/purple. This type of top is the one I want most for my "comfortably dressy" efforts.

The ones from the garden/home center are more taffeta-ish with a more shaped jacket cut than the others. These would be more suited for my dress-up capsule, so not as urgent, but still a HEWI.

She wears both with simple slim and/or knit pants and looks like a million bucks.

Elly

Veteran

I don't actually like shopping much. I keep my eyes on outfit combos and new seasons and holes and maintaining and future building but I don't love to shop. Because of this, when my seasonal buying is over I shift my focus to painting or photography or hiking or day tripping or . . .

Firecracker (Sharan)

Veteran

I feel the same way about less but better. I crave frequent style fixes. One thing that I think brings fun to shopping my own closet is to participate in challenges. Angie said on her blog post today that she enjoys shopping her closet to put together a look, and I find that to be true, too. But shopping my closet for everyday dressing just doesn't have the same appeal.
So: you might get less bored if you give yourself a weekly challenge of trying to put together at least one version of Angie's Friday ensemble post, or something like that. And I could do the same!

Stephanie

I'm feeling this too lately to an extent - I cleaned out my wardrobe in the spring and I mean that quite literally. I got rid of everything that didn't quit fit, or that I didn't like anymore, or that simply wasn't flattering. The scariest thing was seeing just how little was left. However, forcing myself to get by on less has put into perspective that yes it may be a little boring but I can indeed survive without a ton of clothes, which I feel is a good lesson. Plus, every once in a while I still manage to find a new combination and it does force me to be more creative, which I like.

Another thing I've found is that shopping less/smarter has been a real challenge because it means not settling for "good enough." Take for example the striped peplum top I was super excited to get in the mail today…only to be totally let down that I didn't quite love the fit. It can definitely get frustrating! I'm in the bra update/fix my hair/get new glasses phase too and admit it's not quite the same as searching for a new top or something more exciting. Stay strong!

Anonymous

I'm an end-of-season fanatic. I don't know how to stop. I was checking out flip flops and slides today, haha!
I hear you about being bored and wanting to go shop. Sometimes it's fun just to go and try some things on (but also a bit dangerous).

Kari

Veteran

I hear ya, and also when you've massively culled your wardrobe it can take a few seasons to replenish with higher quality items.
My past pitfalls were much like Stephanie's. I made do with items that were ok, not great. Because they weren't great I'd buy another nearly identical item to try again, with mixed success. I really do get less bored when I buy an item that I fall in love with; in fact I want to wear them again and again. My basics, bras and undies especially, don't fall into this category, but special statement pieces (my emerald glasses for example) certainly do. But I at least bought basics that are amazing staples with the pieces that make my heart flutter.
If you find yourself still getting bored despite loving what you have, a few ideas:
Pinterest
Polyvore
Collecting YLF finds that you like even if you don't plan to buy
Queen for One Day YLF Posts
Challenge yourself to interpret Angie's ensemble posts, or close

tulle

Veteran

Hey Carter, you might want to check out the Gump's website. They have some tops that seem a lot like what you are looking for: The Empress A-line shirt (silk/poly blend) and the Silk Dupioni shirt. Both come in a couple of rich colors, and the Dupioni version is on sale. Good luck!

stashandtheory

(website)

I am just starting a fewer pieces/better quality wardrobe transition and now I hope I won't be bored by it!

Astrid

Veteran

I think you need to find something to do that's fun and rewarding, something you can do instead of shopping. At least for me that worked well! Because if I'm honest I didn't miss buying new clothes, I missed the chase. Not sure if it's the same for you, but if it is then it might be worth a try to find something else to focus your attention on.

Maneera

(website)

Veteran

I do know what you mean, sadly. With my new "Let's set a budget" idea and after realizing that I have far far too many clothes/bags/shoes/jewelry than a person with my kind of lifestyle needs, I've decided to only shop when I come across something exceptional, or if something needs replacing. There are barely any chances of the latter happening!

I used to shop at an alarming rate and my things just simply never wear out....they barely get worn!

So I'm now at a point where I want to wear wear wear my things so that somethings can wear out, and I can have a justified reason to shop! Phew. Not good. We're still a good 2 months away from winter and I've already added all the winter pieces I could think of. So really ---- I have nothing to buy!

I do enjoy the chase of finding something 'awesome' too. And I came scarily close to realizing I like shopping for clothes far more than I like playing around with my clothes. So it's going to be just 'playing' around for me for a while....hahaha....

We should totally come up with a challenge idea that makes us enjoy what's in our closet! We can call it:

Dont Have Money To Shop? SYC With Us!

Summer

Veteran

I know exactly what you mean, Laura. For the past two seasons I've shopped ahead of budget and have then had to twiddle my thumbs for a few months. I don't buy many pieces in any one year, but I realise that I'm happier focusing on one item at time, letting my monthly budget accumulate if necessary. BUT, I need to have a small amount available to spend on accessories while I'm waiting for the big stuff. I'm not a shopaholic by any means, but I do like a treat now and then.

Staysfit

Veteran

I am just starting the fewer pieces better quality phase. In September I purchased two pairs of shoes, earrings, and a new wool coat. Four items is definitely slowing down for me, plus I am sticking to a strict budget and I'm culling items when they don't work, are worn out or don't feel right. It will be interesting to see what my closet looks like next year after doing this, however, I think it will take maybe two years to truly see results. Reading what you have written makes me wonder if you should reserve part of your budget for shopping throughout a season and therefore spend slightly less on your high quality items. I can attest that price does not always equal durability/quality, so you might be able to find a way to stretch your budget.

rute

Veteran

ah ah you are funny! like you I decided to shop less and have better quality items, I enjoy better quality pieces but sometimes we do get bored.

That's why I bought recently a cheap dress and boots from zara, edgier, black, cheap just to add variety. I decided to add 1 or 2 cheaper items every 2 months just for the fun!

carter

Veteran

Tulle, you are exactly right! My stepmom finally remembered the store/catalog name last night. Gumps. The green and orange shirts are gorgeous, but sadly, not my colors. I'll be keeping an eye out for some jewel tones though! How wonderful to find that a HEWI won't be pricey!

Nebraskim

Veteran

I absolutely love to shop and browse, look and compare. But my actual purchases have become few and far between. One reason I shop is to see what's new, how stores are styling and displaying things, etc. I get ideas of how to shop my closet to style things I own. Occ, I see a newer, better more flattering item that could replace something I have in a fresh way and after much consideration, I will buy it. I have a huge and deep wardrobe and I live in a definitely 4-season climate in which winter predominates. I also retired last summer (2014) from working in an office to self employment at home. So my needs have changed and I am in a readjustment mode. Some of my best finds, both in terms of price and style, have surfaced this way.

I admit I love the hunt so much that I even grocery shop, or shop the hardware store, in a "look and see" manner.

Anonymous

I am in much the same position as you. I spent my entire 2015 budget (with $3 to spare) by mid-September. As a consequence, I am doing SYC until Christmas. This is the longest length of non-shopping I will have ever experienced. I think the early days will be hard. I hope that as I build SYC-muscle, it will get progressively easier.

On a positive note, whenever I undertake these types of personal challenges, I end up learning a lot about myself. So I believe that the next few months will be interesting. I intend to use the time I would have spent shopping exploring new hobbies and pursuits. I am going to make a point of devoting some of that time to other people and charities. Then come December 26th, I am going to resort back to my former narcissistic self.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Ah, I think this is why it can be good to adopt a strategy of *overall* striving for fewer, better quality pieces, but still have an allowance for some more fun, trendy, inexpensive, or wild card items here and there, to keep things fresh and fun.

I've tried and returned a bunch of things lately, in a variety of price ranges (from very nice tall cognac boots to $15 Nordstrom Rack discount tops), so I'm getting pickier across the board. However, after adding a couple of nice quality "investment" items like the Stuart Weitzman black boots to replace a couple of old pairs of tall boots, I had a little bargain fun last night and got that beautiful blouse that lisap posted in a recent WIW post, plus another two printed tops that I'll try to post later (one requires some repair that I can do myself, which is why it was such a bargain).

It's a little like the idea of eating a healthy diet most days with the knowledge that here and there, you can enjoy a little treat.

Astrid

Veteran

On a recent post on Becoming Minimalist there was someone in the comments asking how you can actually work on not only owning less but on wanting less too. One of the answers to that question definitely resonated with me:

We often think that our desires shape our actions: we desire to
achieve something, so we go for it. However, I’ve been realizing that
our actions can shape our desires too. We can make choices despite
ourselves, and those choices begin to change the way we see the world–
eventually they change our heart’s desires too. There’s nothing easy about making a choice that goes against your current desires, but supports your better judgment.

I think this definitely rings true, at least for me. It was difficult at the start to not give into every urge to buy or browse. But with each time I managed to step back my wishes changed and the instant urge to buy became less too. I'm not even close to being tempted by things I would have found hard to resist a year ago. I still love to shop and treat myself, but the way I go about it and the amount of time I concede to it are quite different.

Elly

Veteran

Carter-- I see purple and cobalt and grey in that top too.

Laura (rhubarbgirl)

(website)

Veteran

Wow, such great thoughts, and astrid, your quote is really relevant for me. I've been thinking a lot about long term goals versus short term satisfaction in my life recently, and shopping and clothes is only one aspect of that.

I do enjoy the search for new items - it's like a game. Can I find something that fits me and suits my taste, reflects current trends and fits my budget? And the retail landscape is always changing, so there's always new stuff to keep up with. It feels like an achievement when I manage it, and when I don't, it's not the end of the world, so there's not a great deal of peril involved.

Carter, I'm glad this conversation turned up Gumps - they're in my neck of the woods. I didn't know they sold clothes.

I'll have to give some thought about whether I wat to add a 'mad money' category to my clothing budget, and how to structure it. I used to have a 'less than ten bucks at the thrift store' rule, but I've been so uninterested in thrift store shopping in recent months - it feels like visual clutter to me right now.

Carole

Veteran

I can relate, but I've figured out I like to repeat favorite outfits more than always trying to create something different, so that has helped me focus on better pieces less stuff! Its cool to have time for other things rather than filling every spare moment shopping and looking for something new. I'm tackling cleaning out drawers and closets right now, with all my spare time..feels good!