Unfrumped and Amy, I think shopping in stores we ordinarily don't try can be very informative and helpful. Even if we don't actually buy anything.

I remember the first few times I entered an H&M I was APPALLED. I really mean that. I was overstimulated, choked, almost on the surfeit of goods, dismayed by the poor quality and what I considered the harsh dyes, and unable to discern ANYTHING that I might actually want to try.

But I kept going in every once in a while, mainly because I saw people on the forum sporting nifty pieces they'd found there. And lo and behold, eventually I found something there, too.

I'll never be an H&M dresser from head to toe. But if I need a little spark to make an outfit pop at the last minute, especially for special occasion wear, you can bet I'll head there for a quick fix.

Una, it may have felt like a long time to find your style groove, but once you hit it, WOW!! You are a constant inspiration to me; I have seen you struggle. I have seen that it wasn't easy...and then I've seen it all fall into place. Thank you for sharing that process with us, and I hope you won't feel embarrassed for long.

Isabel, beauty every day is a necessity. And you supply it here with your warm, caring, incredibly thoughtful presence!!

Julie, I SO identify with what you are saying. I am a bit of a bleeping snob, too, as you can see from the above. But yes...it is worth at least checking the lower price point stores, because the merchandise does change over time, and even if it doesn't, one can get lucky!

RunnerRae, I SO identify with what you say, too. Online mistakes are so frustrating, and maybe a fact of life for those of us who live in Canada (assuming we don't want to confine our shopping to the Mark's Work Wearhouse.)

Junebug, it sounds as if you have come to a really good and more balanced place! A few mistakes a season is not bad at all, especially since you're also discovering new things to love. And if you can return the failures, that is just not a mistake at all, in my book. It's a try-on!!

Shedev, I would rather shoot for happy than perfect, too. Jayne's "happiness factor" is such a great way to measure an item and an outfit, I think. And if the moto would make you happy, YAY for holding out for it!

Manidia, you are always so thoughtful! And yes, please DO post more often!! It may be difficult right now, but we would love to see your outfits as pregnancy progresses and then motherhood ensues!

Sveta, I so feel your pain about expensive returns. But I agree about Nordstrom's. It is just so great that we can return items there for full credit. And once again, I sure am aiming for the NAS this year!!

I love these thought provoking threads! That said, my first reaction was like Rita's and IK's - no reason to be embarrassed about a shopping habit. It is fashion! Fun! Ok, nonetheless I am definitely a YAY bringing home the experimental piece and then realizing it will never work for me. And so it goes into my consignment pile and I fund my next experiment. Fun! Of course I am quite spoiled in that I have time to pursue my hobby and live quite near some excellent thrift stores, and if I were paying full price I could never do so much experimenting. Like I said, Suz, love a thought provoking thread. Thanks for starting this one!

Ack, just lost a long post!
Suz, I'm guilty of all of the above, including your ETA. Too many black turtlenecks repeated, too much almost right but not perfect, and passing up the right stuff because i don't want to spend that much.
My one small thing is to avoid January sales and wear my winter clothes like crazy, focusing purchases on the next season or possibly any really important wardrobe holes. As Angie says, high low is the way to go, but it will take extra discipline for me not to fall for a bargain that isn't quite right.
Thank you for this thread and helping us ponder this enough to possibly make a real change.

Hmmm . . . the idea of being embarrassed about my shopping habits/patterns is pretty foreign to me. I guess that I don't embarrass that easily - I've certainly made many "mistakes" with items that I've bought and those that I've passed up - but, hey - that's the way it goes! Now, if you were to ask about closet organization, wardrobe capsules - things that involve organizing and "thinking" rather than relying on my gut - I'd be a big Yay to Embarrassment. So, for me - what I want to do "different" is get my closet/wardrobe organized (I'm still working on it!)