Updates / lessons learned from minimal shopping

Inspired by a recent post by approprio here are some of my takeaways from limited shopping over the last year or so.

Last items bought:
July 2016 - red Cole Haan cross body purse; 4 pair Gap jeans
August 2016 - 2 pair Frye boots (boots+Frye+Rack prices= my downfall)
November 2016 - winter parka, winter hat; plaid button up shirt

For me, that is not a lot in a 8 month period. I have a feeling I'll fall way off the wagon when I go back to the USA (no trip yet, but one's probably coming). Hopefully this helps keep me focused.

Priorities

I definitely need (general):

To focus on personal care: hair, nails
To dress for my lifestyle (sigh)
To get dressed every day (WFH slippery slope)
To use my purses
To wear my hats more often (sun protection important here)
To reorganize my closet and cull again (cue the Frozen song)
To solve the long term shoe storage issue (custom storage solution)

I definitely need (clothing/shopping specific):

To re-evaluate my jeans
- Skinny are too skinny
- Straights are too long
- Replace the one worn out Gap pair (?)
- More dark wash (?)
Flat slip on shoes (only have AGL and black flats), maybe a sporty sandal?
A jacket or topper that works with a tunic top (For some reason I don't reach for the ones I have)
To replace the worn out navy leggings
To at least evaluate the bra situation

I probably need:

More sporty luxe items (like the Lucy capsule I have) - track pants, sporty pants, mix and match
Solid color summer dress with sleeves

I could use, but can live without:

Nude tone wedge sandal
NYDJ henley blouse - solid or print (see note about uniform below)

I crave:

Structured shoulders
To be dressier than I need to be
Comfort

I must not buy:

Boots
Heeled shoes
Toppers, blazers, jackets (one exception above)
Items that don't fit my lifestyle
T-shirts
Dresses without at least a short sleeve (I'm self conscious and will wear a denim jacket over the top if sleeveless, so it doesn't make sense for the heat of summer to have only dresses that require a topper)

I've also found that I have a uniform and I repeat it over and over. To the point that I am bored, yet finding myself looking for more of the same blouse. I am usually pressed for time and find myself reaching for a NYDJ henley blouse (or knockoff/equivalent) + skinny jeans and I'm done. No thought, no variation (I have several colors, solids and prints). It's probably a symptom of not shopping much lately coupled with how well the shirts wear and flatter, but I need to branch out more and try to use what I have instead of just defaulting to that formula.

If I'm not wearing skinnies + fluid blouse, I'm wearing one of my two sporty luxe aka soccer mom outfits. It is what it is I need to admit this is practical for my lifestyle and embrace it. With higher quality items, coordinated to be a capsule, I feel better about wearing them.

I'm to the point of wearing out a few items. Haven't done this in a while, shows that I'm wearing what I have, which is good.

Summer will be here soon (hottest temps around Mar-Apr) so I need to be ready for the transition to hot weather dressing.

I feel like I'm gonna go crazy shopping next time I'm back bc I really have bought very little in the last 8+ months. I need to balance it so I'm not restricting myself SO much that I need way too many things all of a sudden. Hope that makes sense.

Thank you for reading, feedback welcome and appreciated.

7 years ago

Elizabeth P

Veteran

I think you are off to a great start. When you hit the US, you could have a lot of fun shopping for your needs, probably needs, and maybe even the could use's. No need to get into don't need territory! But take the list as a reminder. And I bet by then, you'll have refined this list further.

approprio

(website)

Ooh! Glad that helped! You've been much more thorough in your definitions than I was, which is a good thing. I'm thinking maybe the sporty luxe pieces could move up the list to keep you off the WFH slippery slope.

Interesting that you mention the personal uniform. I've been thinking lately about the relative merits of uniform dressing which I've never really done before. I'm a long way from anything remotely like it, but I notice I'm settling on formulae and signatures to bring more coherence. It helps.

Another thing: since I began hanging out here I've learned to make an emotional investment in shopping for necessities. Somehow it's far more satisfying to fill a wardrobe niche with something mundane when you can see the bigger picture.

Anonymous

I think these little analytical posts are worthwhile for all of us. Just concise enough to keep it workable. Putting words to paper also makes the goals look achievable help one stick to them. I've been mulling mine over in my head for the past two weeks and will soon put said words to paper I think a "must not buy" list is as important as a "to buy " list too.....

rachylou

Agree so much about the must not buy list... I MUST remember that I have a lifetime supply of black puff sleeve tops...

shedev

That is not a lot of shopping. If you do splurge a little in the US, it could give you a good opportunity to buy a capsule. Things of the same season could be pretty mixable. I don't think there is anything wrong with uniform dressing, as long as you like the uniform.

If being dressier than you need to be is your happy place, why fight it? Could you bring in an element of dressy into your casual that still allows you to do your days activities?

Angie

Fashion Stylist

*applause*

WELL DONE. Great Style Goals & Style Direction analysis. Keep it flexible.

Jenava

Good thoughts. I think you sound a little conflicted; you see the benefit of wearing the same items over and over and wearing them out, but also you sound like you value being more creative. I personally am trying to make peace with the idea that a uniform is not bad nor does it mean you aren't creative (as long as it brings your satisfaction and confidence).

Joy

So many great thoughts here. You have made me think about my own immediate priorities.

Sisi

Compliments! I wish I could see things as clear as you. You have done a great analysis.

How did I miss this post? It is exactly the type of inspiration I need. You have done a great analysis.

Suz

This is terrific. I really liked approprio's categories, too -- I need to try that.

A few posters have noted that you sound a bit conflicted on the "uniform" issue. I share your conflict. Big time. I have found this year that even more than in the past, I tend to default every work at home day to slim crops or slouchy skinny BF jeans (which amount to the same thing on me) and a navy blue top -- whether it be blouse, turtleneck, crew neck. Yes. All blue, all the time (almost) and a total uniform.

Weirdly, I kind of like it for my at home wear. What I don't want (at least not yet) is for it to become my total out of the home uniform. Though I may even be heading in that direction...wow. (I say that even though a completely contradictory goal is to add more bright colour to my closet!!!) Oh well...

JAileen

Frye boots are irresistible, aren't they?! Great analysis. I especially like "I must not buy" list. I should do an analysis like this.

Glory

Great job and I really appreciate your thoughts and analysis. I am applying to myself and there is lots in common.

Lisa

A great job keeping shopping to a minimum and pre planning what you do and do not need. I find replanning and making lists help me to stay focused when I shop.

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