Why a List? - YouLookFab Forum

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Outfits Ensembles Trends Advice

Why a List?

Thistle

Veteran

Abc asked why I wanted a list to shop off of rather than my rather eclectic buying habits. I did some thinking, and here is what I have come up with for me:
1. I want to always have something easy to wear that still looks good.
2. I want to up my style quotient and want to only add pieces that do this
3. I want to reduce the time and energy I spend shopping while still increasing my style quotient
4. I want to reduce what I spend on clothing. (Budget will be a lot tighter with two children in full time daycare).

Over to you. What drives you to use a list for your clothing purchases?

Shopping

18 replies

Latest reply was from Sal

deb

Veteran

Not a list maker for clothing here but your ideas are good.

rachylou

Veteran

I was just thinking that a list of criteria is more useful to me than a list of items... I mean, "electric blue suit" has been on my list so long, I think it's gone out of fashion. Ditto for "electric blue boots." Maybe if I'd just said, "electric blue," I wouldn't have missed the window of opportunity...

Susie

Veteran

I keep a list of things that I "need"- like a certain color top to use as a layer under a jacket for instance. Otherwise I just have a more general idea of things that I could use, like knit tops for summer but not specific colors.

Helena

Veteran

I'm a sometimes-list shopper, when I have a gap to fill in particular; however, sometimes my list item is more vague, as rachylou says. And then sometimes like today I come home with two items for myself when I was supposed to be Xmas shopping ... *sigh* ...

Lists are especially helpful with the budgeting pieces, as it prevents impulse purchasing - after all, if you are out and see something you truly love, it's worth the trouble of adding it to the list to see whether your bank account allows for it.

Debbie

Veteran

I don't keep a list as such. I am a list maker to. If I have a list for clothing though I tend to buy to check it off the list. I do keep a wish list in Nordstrom's and add to my finds here but a normal list for clothing puts me over budget every time .

unfrumped

Veteran

Because there are still items that would make dressing easier, help me be more prepared for certain occasions, move me in an interesting direction but without a list I will drift in the wind and buy easier-to-find more of the same stuff. Then my closet is fuller, but I'm not better off, and it makes me unhappy to get to the end of a season and realize I didn't really wear some things due just not needing that many items. Also, I tend to put off replenishing sheer hose, tights, tank tops, or other basics that help me get through the week and yet still take a nip out of the budget.

Liz

Veteran

Because I want to be decently dressed and because I have a very small clothes budget. That means I have to plan ahead and stick to the plan, or I end up scrambling for stuff to wear or not feeling good in what I'm wearing. There just isn't much leeway for random purchases that don't really do anything for my wardrobe.

ETA: What unfrumped said, too. I have to put the dull, necessary stuff like tights and underwear and layering tops on the list, because if I don't, I rationalize that I can't spend my small budget on stuff like that.

Elly

Veteran

I like what Liz said.

I shop with a list because I have a budget and can't afford to (frequently, anyway) find some fab new jacket that I have to buy pants, a top, and shoes to go with. I need to know up from what pieces I need to avoid orphaning something I love that I already own. Not that a list automatically means that I know that something will look good with something I own at home. I usually wear "my uniform" when shopping and if the piece doesn't look good with my uniform but think it might go well with a different color or shillouette I already own, I will purchase and try at home.

I'm a big pre-shopper and try to pair types of items together ahead of time then look for one of each type in a pair (i.e. bomber to wear with skirts and trousers I already own, colored denim jacket to wear over thick sweaters with blue jeans). I love YLF finds for this reason-- I'm intensely visual, but not much of a computer person and love to play with the retailer pictures and see how things look together at least on a conceptual level without having to upload or edit a ton of stuff. Since I mostly shop online, this works great.

Plus, I have a clearer idea of what I will actually wear at home, when I'm making my list (i.e. flannel shirts, sweatshirts, and sweaters in neutrals), than when I'm shopping and all I am seeing is cowl-neck short sleeve tunics in vibrant colors. In the past, because of budget, I've given up and bought whatever looked nice that was readily available even if it was far to feminine for my style and made me feel silly after the newness wore off.

I need to go into any purchase knowing I already own something that I can wear with it, or can afford to buy what I want to wear with it. If it is the latter, I keep the tags on until I find its partner.

Plus, I have a pretty good idea about how many outfits I need to get through a time period with grace and a pretty good idea about how many pieces are needed in an outfit during a certain season based on my climate.

I often have "wish-list" items that I've been trying to find for months or years because they fit right in with my style or are practical for me. Sometimes I know I really want to try a trend. Other times I just know I need to buy 3 knit tees and 2 button downs (usually because I've worn out 3 knit tees, needed them and they weren't there, etc.).

abc

Veteran

Glad you thought about it and know why you want a list. Sorry I'm late to respond, we were hanging Christmas lights

Deborah

Veteran

My list helps me stay on track, ensure I make wise purchases ensuring value for money and cohesiveness in my closet;)

Tania

Veteran

A list helps keep my thoughts organized, my searches focused, my budget in line, and my wardrobe cohesive.

viva

Veteran

I am a big list maker in life generally, but with fashion, I limit my list-making only to specific pieces I hope to add to my wardrobe. I don't ever have t-shirts or jeans or undergarments or those kinds of things on a list -- I tend to just get to where those things are really, really needed and I buy them quickly and easily. I use a list for special and harder to find things. Sometimes I get them, and sometimes (like Rachy's blue suit, they remain on the list forever, or they float away on the ether of a trend) but setting them down somewhere initially helps me make note and keeps me from spending money unnecessarily on less-needed things.

Right now, the only thing on my list is a great simple silk blouse, which I made note of after seeing this picture of Maggie Gyllenhall in The Honourable Woman. (I'd like the jacket too, actually.)

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E

Veteran

Both of your list threads have been so interesting Thistle. I've come to realise that I don't make an actual physical list for clothing shopping (although I do for the grocery store/packing/library/etc.)! I'm mentally aware of my closet 'holes' (these are all colour/fabric based, so they're want holes rather than need holes if that makes sense) & try to tackle them, but I'm not sure a physical list would help me, because it's so tricky to find exactly what I listed. Hence why it ends up being a list of HEWIs. I know what a grocery & library inventory is going to be, whereas clothing store inventories are such a moving target. Of course, shopping secondhand increases the chance factor, but even if I shopped retail I'd be dependent on trends & the store's buyer liking what I liked.

Sharon

Veteran

I don't have a list. But I can see the appeal of a list, because in order to create one, you need to have a very clear understanding of what is in your wardrobe, what works with what and any possible deficits. So I see a list as providing structure and order to what is already owned, as well as being a guide in what to buy.

Thistle

Veteran

E - that is a fabulous point. I wonder if list shopping for clothes IS harder because I don't know what is available. And, I'll add to that, I don't always know what will fit and flatter. And I struglle with knowing what will increase my style quotient.

On the other hand, I know exactly what I need to make olive crusted chicken, and I know my grocery store carries it!

Alexandra

(website)

Veteran

I use a list for clothing purchases because that's how I shop for just about everything. I figure out what I want, which may be vague (red belt) or very detailed (red skinny patent leather belt with a brushed nickel oval buckle), and write it in my shopping notebook. Then when I'm shopping, I look for the items on my list. The notebook has a permanent spot in my handbag.

It's easy. I don't have to remember stuff. I don't come home with things I don't need. It makes my life simpler so I'm all for making lists.

And I get to check things off the list. Very satisfying

Anonymous

I like to think I keep a mental list going all the time , but I'm not sure how true that is. Usually, I've decided that I would like to get a sweater, and off I go to find one. That said, with my renewed commitment to having a planned and well thought-out closet, keeping a list might be what I need to do to keep focused. I used to think I would use Pinterest for that purpose, but that never happened either.

Sal

Veteran

More of a mental list rather than a physical one, although I do note down what I have.

For example I know I own five pairs of jeans, two pairs of which whilst I still wear are not ideal any more (one too tight in waist, one has too much wear). I know I will add at least one more pair in late summer, at this stage I am not sure of the style or colour.

I also know I need a smart coat, that works with black and with both skirts and pants. It might be black or red or pink or blue, it won't be brown. It might be wool or maybe something lighter. I will know when I see it and as long as I keep within the parameters I think I will get it right.
I am not someone to trawl through shops in person or online to find the perfect item. I find when I do this I get the best of what is on offer but it tends not to be truly successful.

It is great we are all different.