My Big Shopping Mistakes

About the Author

Angie is co-founder of YLF and its resident fashion stylist.

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Outfits Ensembles Trends Advice

My Big Shopping Mistakes

— by Angie

on November 10, 2021

I am extremely grateful for my wardrobe, and in a very happy place with my style. I love my stuff, look forward to putting on a-fab-for-me outfit each morning, and seldom make shopping mistakes these days. But, I’ve made loads of shopping mistakes in the past, and I learned from them the hard way.

1. Committing to Uncomfortable Footwear

I have wasted an embarrassing amount of money on footwear that looked great, but was uncomfortable. Over and over again I was stubborn about believing that uncomfortable and ill-fitting shoes would become comfortable over time, and mould to my feet. Well, they didn’t. Either I ended up with sore feet, or shoes that were seldom worn. I finally realized that there is only so much that I can do to make shoes comfy with insoles and anti-chafing balm. Slowly but surely, I’ve learned which types of shoes are suited to my feet and walking lifestyle, and which are not. I still make footwear shopping mistakes, but far, far less frequently.

If the types of shoes I wear are having their fashion moment, bonus. If not, it’s all good. Go Team Happy Feet.

2. Shopping for an Imaginary Climate

I thoroughly enjoy wearing and shopping for Spring and Summer fashion. It’s my favourite. But I no longer live in a tropical or Mediterranean climate, so I don’t need as much of it as I used to. When I first moved to Seattle eighteen years ago, I continued to shop for my favourite seasons instead of my dominant seasons. Since I loathe to feel cold, this led to a wardrobe of gorgeous items that I seldom wore. It took me years of living here to get this part of my shopping strategy right.

I’m the one wrapped up and covered when others are not. I’m the one in trousers, a pullover, and jacket for dressy occasions when others are in sleeveless dresses. I’m the one in closed footwear when others are in sandals. I finally have a wardrobe that reflects my need to feel insulated, and it’s awesome.

3. Wearing a Look Meant for Someone Else

For years, especially early in my retail buying days, I bought items that I thought I should be wearing because I was a fashion professional. They were usually hard-edged items, lots of black, and avant-garde silhouettes. Beautiful pieces that are meant for some of our forum members, my clients, and my friends, but not for me. It took me years to acknowledge that these items do not make me happy, and I shouldn’t wear them.

I enjoy wearing playful, crisp, retro, “soft and pretty”, trendy classic looks that are on the dressy side, and with lots of colour and pattern. That is what I embraced after soul searching and being honest with myself about what I truly enjoy wearing, instead of what I thought I should be wearing. Go Team SIMPAT Style.

It doesn’t matter if what you enjoy wearing is not worn by fashion influencers, your peers, or on-trend. What matters is that you like your outfits, feel good in them, and can get on with your day.

Over to you. Do these shopping mistakes resonate with you? Feel free to share your own recurring shopping mistakes in the comments, and hopefully you’re learning from them too.

Shopping Strategy

53 comments · Add a comment

Forum conversations about this post

Waiting too long to replace essentials — by Jenn

Staysfit

Veteran

It’s good to reflect on mistakes like this Angie, I have done all three you mention, plus I have purchased for a more formal lifestyle than I currently live….fantasy life shopping? I also have purchased some items made with overly flimsy/delicate material and they snag or do not survive the dry cleaners, or even through one wear.

November 10, 2021 at 4:08 am

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

I have a whole era of shopping mistakes during a period of my life that was generally unhappy. I bought things made of materials I know not to be comfortable for me “just to try again” and when I bought things looking ahead to taking off the weight I’d put on, I imagined I’d want to wear fluke-ier, more out-there stuff than I’m actually comfortable in. There have also been a few (but not many) fit surprises as I’ve sized down into them. My advice on buying things to motivate body reshaping is to just go one step ahead, a single size down from current size.

Many of my looks when I was younger were for my buyer (=my mother & a sister)s’ idea of who I was /should be. These are the pieces that I so enjoy remixing my way.

My tall brown boots I bought when I really wanted flat saddle boots. There were 3 heel heights on otherwise identical boots on sale. I bought the least expensive, 3” high. That was 19 years ago, when my son was an infant. They are wearing out now, and I can’t wait to get my flat riding boots! On the upside, however, I will say that they are extremely well made and have never made my feet hurt, despite the higher heels than I usually wear, and yes, I can (& do) run and jump in them.

My son is intent on not making purchasing mistakes, and would rather have nothing (or a total of 4 or pants, 3 of which have holes) than buy something that isn’t perfect.

November 10, 2021 at 4:16 am

JamC

Veteran

I have made all the buying mistakes you mention as well as Staysfit’s too formal error! But I more often make good choices that I will wear often and for many years. Looking at old photos, my wardrobe essentials have remained steady and I continue to think “I would still wear that if I had it!”
One shopping mistake I do tend to repeat is thinking I need something in a particular color, settling on something after much looking, wearing it once or twice and realizing I just don’t like it. Those mistakes are frustrating and the items get donated quickly.

November 10, 2021 at 4:24 am

Janet

(website)

Veteran

I’d like to know if there is anyone out there who feels they’ve never made these mistakes, LOL!

Footwear is tricky. It’s so hard to know whether an item that feels fine in the store for five minutes will go the distance once you try wearing them for a full day. I’ve been disappointed more times than I care to admit.

One pointer that I think I heard a long time ago but forgot, and then remembered thanks to an excellent SA in NYC this year: Test out shoes in the store by walking on a hard surface — wood or tile, not plush carpet. The carpet can fool you into thinking the shoe has more cushioning than it really does. She was right!

My mistakes often arise from convincing myself that an item will be more useful than it really is — wishful thinking is probably to blame for most of my shopping mistakes.

I also sometimes make the mistake of “if one of this style is good, then two will be even better!” Often it turns out that a favorite between two items quickly makes itself apparent and the second was unnecessary.

At least I have learned to not buy for a size I am not anymore. Aspirational or motivational shopping is a recipe for disaster IMO.

I’ve also gotten better at not buying too much for transitional seasons, and at buying with climate in mind. We tend to have very little time in between sandal weather and boot weather — I can be wearing short sleeves one day and layering long sleeves and a jacket two days later. I don’t particularly enjoy shopping for summer, but I’ve learned I need to make sure I have sufficient items to endure the months of heat and humidity while still having a bit of variety and not having laundry bottlenecks.

November 10, 2021 at 4:59 am

suntiger

Yes, yes and yes!
1. Shoes are really hard for me, especially transitional shoes which are always way too loose at the heels. I tend to keep them if they work At All.
2. Climate- I’ve historically been in winter denial, and really neglected cold weather clothes. Getting better now.
3. Buying things that look right on others- yep! Lots of wrong for me colors, lots of trend cycling. Just cause it’s trending does not mean I need to wear it!

One more- right color, wrong style. I often grab up my colors even if the style isn’t right for me.

November 10, 2021 at 5:02 am

suntiger

And I relate to Janet re: duplicating. I’ve done that waaay too much in the past.
*ehem…side eyes my new black and brown button ups*

November 10, 2021 at 5:09 am

Eliza

Veteran

With you 100% on #1. I spent too much time telling myself that shoes of a sub-par comfort level were okay for certain circumstances (occasions where little walking was required, I’d be mostly sitting, etc). Eventually admitted that there is no acceptable situation or time frame to have uncomfortable feet. This mission was greatly assisted by the huge uptick in comfortable footwear. Not only the prevalence of sneaker options, but also the appearance of dressy flats and stealth sneaker-like infra-structure in many styles.

My other misconception was that despite my generally casual lifestyle, it made sense to invest more in dressier clothes. With ylf’s collective help, I found my way to adding quality pieces that are in keeping with both my lifestyle and wish for a polished look.

Great topic.

November 10, 2021 at 5:15 am

Bijou

Veteran

Mistakes! Oh too many.. and the same as you mention. I have to add:
1. settling for something that was close but not right.
2. Don’t buy dresses that require any sort of magic tape or special underwear.
3. Don’t buy clothing that crushes easily.
4. Don’t go shopping when upset – retail therapy is a misnomer.
5. Never buy anything that makes my skin uncomfortable – itchy knitwear is the biggest no go zone for me.

November 10, 2021 at 5:46 am

gryffin

Veteran

Oy – hangs head in shame but number 3 is me. It was very difficult when I first joined YLF not to get caught up in what looked incredible on you or another fabber. Major wantsies and I would buy it, it would fit, and then I found I was not comfortable wearing it. So, so many gorgeous items but just not me. It’s taken me a very long time to return to myself, it’s okay if I don’t dress like anyone else. It’s ok if I like things that don’t get a lot of love. It’s okay to pass on things that are wonderful but just not authentic to me. I learned that I like simple monochromatic fitted pieces. Like you I am always cold, jackets are a must, layers are a must, close toed shoes esp booties even in summer a must. Bottom line is know thyself. I still can be lured by the siren’s call of “wonderful but not for me” but I think I do it less. But when I think of the bags of barely worn it’s shameful. So I’ve been really selective buying for IRL and moving in the right direction. But that’s my goal going forward!!

November 10, 2021 at 6:01 am

April

Veteran

#2 is the least problematic for me; #3 is the most currently problematic and #1 is the most formerly problematic.

With shopping increasingly taking place online, one mistake I make is talking myself into keeping a piece rather than going through the returns process.

November 10, 2021 at 6:15 am

Sarah

Agree 100 percent with all three, but especially #1, which has gotten me thinking about my favorite shoe stores — they all seem to have very thick, plush carpeting. Hmmm.

November 10, 2021 at 6:30 am

Beth Ann

Veteran

I’ve loved seeing you embrace what works in you life and makes you happy!

For me, I’ve recently realized that crossbody purses (or at least ones that can convert to crossbody) are essential. I need my hands free! Because I have a larger bust, this can be tricky, but I now have some good options in my closet!

I also need footwear that goes on and off easily, which means no tall boots at the moment.

I keep it fun with color (yellow purse, guitar-style straps, red mock-croc boots, etc).

November 10, 2021 at 6:31 am

Ginger

Veteran

The single biggest mistake I make is buying the “only okay”: not a good fit, not the best color/fabric, wrong design features, etc. In my first big closet cleanout I discovered FOUR knee-length chocolate brown skirts, none of which I wore. Why did I buy them? Why was I keeping them? The idea of a brown skirt wasn’t bad. But I didn’t need it to complete outfits, and I didn’t like any of those particular skirts enough to wear them anyway.

I’ve put a lot of time and money into things like that over the years. But I’m really getting better. I’m not settling any more for just okay fits, in particular. Things I’ve made for myself, or had altered, or magically fit just right, are always what I want to wear ahead of anything else.

November 10, 2021 at 7:11 am

Lesley

Veteran

God, who doesn’t have shopping mistakes in their past? I would like to meet them. Shoes, 110 percent what you said, Angie.

One of my mistakes is also thinking I’ve matured and am done with making shopping mistakes. You’re never done with them, particularly if you like to have fun/take risks. I’ve tried to just get better at not making *costly* shopping mistakes, which just means thinking longer and harder about something the more expensive it is.

Otherwise my mistakes tend to be what Bijou said—settling for something that’s almost just right, but not quite. I think it was the wise Kim France (over at Girls of a Certain Age) who said that your favorite day with a piece of clothing is the one where you take it home, which means, if on the day you take it home there’s some detail about it that’s nagging you, that nagging isn’t going to get better, but is only going to get worse. I live in a tough town for bricks-and-mortar shopping, and I always have to watch that the laziness of not wanting to do internet returns (plus spend more money on shipping) won’t push me to keep something that’s not right. A good reason to shop with free-ship places like Nordstrom, but I often don’t take advantage of that.

The tough thing for me is that my gut is quite often my guide, but I have had plenty of things that were meh or “mostly good” that go on to become my favorite things, so I can’t always trust my very first instinct about something. Sometimes I have to trust that I will find fun ways to wear something for a while, and that will be good enough.

November 10, 2021 at 7:20 am

Roberta

Veteran

I’m with Ginger. I still have to metaphorically slap myself to stop from buying (for example) a sweater that’s “pretty good”. It meets the sometimes wholly imaginary need I have for a dark green sweater, say. And so I will buy the only thing I can find that is close, because I don’t want to keep searching for the right thing. I count myself lucky that I live close to two big malls, and returning items is not a chore.

November 10, 2021 at 7:23 am

Aquamarine

Veteran

Your mistakes have been my mistakes! Footwear especially sticks out in my mind, and I have tried to instill that lesson into my young adult daughter, to put her money into comfortable shoes now since she unfortunately inherited my feet problems. This does not mean less fashionable shoes because it’s more and more likely you can find comfortable *and* trendy/current styles although they tend to be expensive.

November 10, 2021 at 7:24 am

Irina

Veteran

I’ve done all three! Still like the summer clothes the best and summers here are short. Another one of my mistakes is to compromise on a fabric content but do this one less and less.

November 10, 2021 at 7:39 am

Zaeobi

(website)

Veteran

It’s the shoes aspect for me – I loved those orange suede D’orsay flats I showed in a recent forum WIW, but I passed them on. They weren’t *uncomfortable* but, having to fuss with an ankle buckle & make sure my feet are inserted *just so*, was a hassle. Lesson learnt – comfort, for me, includes things like ease of closure.

Too much black is another aspect I’m currently contemplating – I test drove a black capsule wardrobe for a few months &, whilst it wasn’t bad, it didn’t really ‘speak’ to me either. Maybe I should post some of my experiments, to get some more objective forum feedback instead…?

November 10, 2021 at 7:39 am

SW prof

Active Member

I’ve been guilty of all of the above, but I hope less so now than in the past. One of my frequent errors is buying clothing items that require special care (careful ironing or dry cleaning) when I know I will avoid wearing them to avoid the effort. Lazy, perhaps, but that’s the way it is. The less exciting wash-and-wear item will win almost every time.

November 10, 2021 at 7:44 am

aloha emily

Active Member

By far my most common mistake is saving things for a special occasion- which never arrives!! Or by the time it does, the item doesn’t suit/fit/make me happy anymore. Ugh!! I’ve learned that if I can afford it, I should buy two of an item I like. Having a second one on hand gives me the emotional freedom to wear the item. I think I’m slowly growing out of needing this trick- which is good because sometimes by the time the first one is worn out, I’m over the item anyway.

November 10, 2021 at 7:49 am

cat2

Veteran

My mistakes:
1. Buying a knit or fabric that itches
2. Buying a neck too high, like a full turtle
3. Buying skirts that just fit instead of having a bit of ease at the hip
4. Buying leather and fabrics that are too expensive to clean: such as clothing with leather detailing or skirts with complicated pleats.
5. Buying pieces that are too modern for me when that is trending; they make me feel like I am wearing a Star Trek uniform.
6. Being shamed by the fashion tyrants at work into buying more expensive pieces than I need.

November 10, 2021 at 7:49 am

nuancedream

Veteran

So many shopping mistakes! I am especially guilty of buying eye catching but ill-fitting footwear into which I gleefully forced my feet. No more being stylish yet hobbled. However, the biggest shopping mistake of all was my failure to be an active participant in the shopping process as well as the process of defining my personal style. Specifically, letting other people have too much influence for too long a period over what I wore. My mother, although very well-intentioned, bought items that she thought I would like and wear. Not surprisingly, I never felt comfortable in any of them. Defining and refining my personal style over many years has significantly reduced the frequency of shopping mistakes. Thanks to you, Angie, my style and wardrobe are also in a happy place.

November 10, 2021 at 7:50 am

Runcarla

Veteran

Although I know ‘you get what you pay for’ – I haven’t quite given up my old pair of sales goggles! This is especially bad when online shopping and ‘final sales’ and a long term chronic problem I battle constantly.

November 10, 2021 at 7:55 am

aloha emily

Active Member

Also, this blog and all Angie’s wisdom and guidance have shown me how WONDERFUL it feels to wear the things I love all day, every day. Before YLF, I didn’t know how to put things together, so I didn’t feel I was getting much bang for the buck when I wore nice things. Now I feel smashing on a regular basis, and that is a very addicting feeling!! Makes it rewarding, not scary, to wear the heck out of the things I love. THANK YOU, ANGIE!!!

November 10, 2021 at 7:59 am

JAileen

Veteran

I’ve gotten better at avoiding some of my personal shopping mistakes. My biggest one was buying for my fantasy life. I am finally realizing I don’t need dressy clothes anymore.

November 10, 2021 at 8:10 am

Bonnie

Veteran

My biggest problems happen in stores but not with online shopping. I’m either influenced by sales assistants who flatter me into purchasing something I don’t need or even want or I fall for something that doesn’t fit in with the rest of my wardrobe and needs a whole different supporting act. I seem to make much better choices when online shopping where I can spend time choosing and have the option of returning.

November 10, 2021 at 8:11 am

Inge

(website)

Moderator

I’ve done the uncomfortable footwear way too often as well, but have learnt my lesson now:-)
The other one that took me a while to get my head around is to stop buying things I don’t really need for my very casual lifestyle (working from home full-time, dog walking, getting around on foot mostly and using public transport). I’ve gotten a lot better at catching myself, but the temptation is always there: I do so love a dressy item/look!-)

November 10, 2021 at 8:14 am

lisa p

My big achilles heel is rushing to fill some perceived hole or need in my wardrobe, and ending up with something just so-so. I get an idea in my head and can’t rest until it’s purchased. It’s the weirdest thing.

November 10, 2021 at 8:15 am

Joy

Veteran

You are so wise. My biggest fashion mistakes are usually settling for something and still find myself shopping for a better version. This is usually something inferior to what I really want and applies to more than just clothing. I am finally realizing these mistakes. I also most often make mistakes buying for an event. Now I try harder to shop my wardrobe first and anticipate what I may need and buy it when I see it.
This is especially true of travel items and special events.
It is freeing to do closet edits and pass on those mistakes. It gets rid of guilt and fussy things that are not comfortable like mohair sweaters (for me).

November 10, 2021 at 8:23 am

Ginger

Veteran

Lisa, I do the same thing!

November 10, 2021 at 9:06 am

Katerina

Veteran

I have made shopping mistakes and still do, though less now then in the past. Uncomfortable footwear was the most common mistake for me. I am extra careful now and mistakes are fewer.

November 10, 2021 at 9:12 am

Suz

(website)

Veteran

I have made many shopping mistakes!

Mistake #1, not shopping! Or shopping exclusively in discount outlets and buying what they had vs. what I actually needed. For years, did this. Is it any surprise I had nothing to wear? True, much of this was driven by budget, but I could have sat down and allocated a bit more to my wardrobe.

Mistake #2, shopping for imaginary life and imaginary climate. When I wasn’t buying too little, I was buying the wrong stuff! (Shakes head wearily at self.)

Mistake #3, shopping by colour alone (not factoring in cut or style.) I love colour and gravitate to it in stores so I would pick up items in my favourite tones but then realize they didn’t work together with what I had.

I’ve made other mistakes as well, but less consistently. Footwear is tough to get right and easy to get wrong. Sometimes I’ll try a trend only to decide it’s “not me.” But those mistakes are infrequent and perhaps just part of shopping life and evolving a style. I’m okay with those and don’t beat myself up about them any more.

November 10, 2021 at 9:54 am

rachylou

Veteran

Oh all three! Gak. Not to mention also Living in the Past, Over-Buying for Rare Occasions and Close But Not Quite. Ahem!

November 10, 2021 at 10:21 am

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

WOW. Loved reading these! Lots of HIGH FIVING. Especially on the footwear mistake front.

More common mistakes that are coming through are:

Shopping for an imaginary or fantasy lifestyle.

Settling for something that is just okay.

Unnecessary item duplication.

Wearing sales goggles.

Buying itchy items.

And some unique shopping mistakes from Suz, cat2, Bijou and bonnie!

Aloha Emily, and Nuancedream, thanks for the kind words

November 10, 2021 at 10:32 am

kkards

Veteran

nodding along with almost everything everyone has said. but in particular with lisap, buying to full a perceived hole or need and ending up with a less than perfect something, often times which i then end replacing/updating a year later when the perfect something does come along. my other big one is when shopping with others letting them talk me into something i know isn’t me or isn’t right for me now.

November 10, 2021 at 10:51 am

Sal

Veteran

Yes I have made mistakes too around climate or a fantasy life. I need transitional weather clothes and less in the true winter season. My most common mistake is buying great pieces that don’t form a cohesive wardrobe. Now I am planning better I can wear my wardrobe more effectively.

November 10, 2021 at 11:19 am

kj2008

Shoes are the big one. More than once I have bought shoes that are almost OK. Then they are not comfortable, or they fall off. I know why this happens. Shoes in my size & width are hard to find. Shopping in person often means a day trip & I don’t want to return empty-handed. I have also bought shoes online & the color looked different & I didn’t send them back, and now I have nice looking $49 dress flats that don’t really go with anything. Luggage tan is supposed to be a neutral, right? Well, anything they sold that the bride’s aunt could wear to a wedding & not look ridiculous, would not go with luggage tan.
Oh, and once I got a winter jacket that was too short. Had it one winter. Winter coats have to cover my behind. No exceptions.

November 10, 2021 at 12:06 pm

Jonesy

Veteran

Thanks for sharing these, Angie! Footwear is really tough for me, and I have made lots of mistakes over the years, though I am getting better. Another one that lots of people have said is settling for something that isn’t quite right.

November 10, 2021 at 12:21 pm

Joanna

(website)

Active Member

1. Buying things that only *almost* fit or flattered
2. Buying cocktail wear long after going out was a thing of the past
3. Buying things that amused me but didn’t fit in my wardrobe

November 10, 2021 at 12:56 pm

Laura

(website)

Veteran

My buying mistakes used to stem from having a soft spot for certain items when shopping, namely sweaters and boots. I bought too many items that were similar and lacked variety in my wardrobe.

November 10, 2021 at 1:17 pm

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Oh my gosh, Bonnie just reminded me of my other fashion mistake! Bonnie, I have done that so many times in stores! Like you, I tend to make better decisions with online shopping.

November 10, 2021 at 1:28 pm

Kay

Yes, all those mistakes, amplified by my need to dress “professionally.” Now that I am liberated, I dress to please myself and, to some degree, my husband. This means I buy almost all my clothes from one English company, supplemented by an occasional find at Marshall’s. Last year I found a gorgeous, thick, very high quality cashmere cardigan there, which does not pill and just came out of a gentle cycle wash looking perfect.

Buying shoes that fit came first. My feet are long, low volume, Roman, with very narrow heels but wider across the top. Sandals are the best. I have to pay a lot of money for closed shoes, and hardly any brands work. I like Naot. Aquitalia boots are perfect. I love Cydwok shoes, and they fit, but their leather soles don’t have enough padding for my sensitive feet. And when you wear a size 9, it’s very difficult to find the right shoes on sale.

November 10, 2021 at 1:52 pm

lozz_oz

Veteran

Like most people have admitted to – shoes that looked great, but failed the comfort test.
A total overhaul of my ’shoedrobe’ due to the need to use custom orthotics has actually been a positive thing – quality comfortable footwear is expensive, so I have been very considered, careful and realistic of my needs and lifestyle before committing to big spends.
Like Sal, I’ve bought lovely items that then weren’t cohesive with the rest of my wardrobe….perhaps a new colour, that then didn’t have the right support acts.

November 10, 2021 at 2:27 pm

lozz_oz

Veteran

Oh and I’m not that trusting of sales assistants….something may look great and fit well, but they don’t necessarily gauge whether an item is authentically you. I prefer to shop alone and not be swayed by other opinions!

November 10, 2021 at 2:30 pm

Style Fan

Veteran

All of the above. Yes, every one of them. It has taken me a long time to realize that the only way to have a working wardrobe is to buy one.

November 10, 2021 at 2:53 pm

Kate

Veteran

I’ve made all those mistakes. I was especially guilty of not buying for what has come to be our dominant season, summer. Yuck. I finally broke down and did it over the past couple of years and it has made a big difference in my wardrobe happiness. I still much prefer cold weather dressing though, and look forward to it. I have tried with reasonable success to put the breaks on duplicating unnecessarily.

November 10, 2021 at 3:26 pm

emsido

Active Member

Such an interesting topic! I have made all of these mistakes and felt dreadful about them. Although when i accompany my husband into the men’s sections i often feel jealous of the practical, sensible, quality items available in useful colours and wonder if my mistakes are part of a system and not entirely my fault. Still, i am trying to be more savvy about it all. Especially footwear!

November 10, 2021 at 3:26 pm

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

Oh my! All this and more! Bringing home ridiculous items from the thrift store to “try” is a big one. (Although sometimes it does work out .)
But shoes are definitely my achilles heel, literally. I have stopped buying heels almost completely but do find it impossible to know if a shoes is truly comfortable until I have walked a while in it.
I also own what many would consider far too many coats for our short winter, but I have yet to admit that is a mistake!

November 10, 2021 at 7:28 pm

Brooklyn

Veteran

All of the above. And in particular for me:
*Settling for something that I’ve been lusting after that is close to what I want but not quite right
*Valuing aesthetics over comfort (polyester tops and dresses and sweater dresses can look great but are usually a mistake for me)

November 10, 2021 at 8:30 pm

Jenni NZ

Veteran

The shoes one is my biggest. Thanks to you Angie and all the Fabbers I am doing much better on that.
My other one is sales goggles. I am much better to plan hard for the sort of thing I am after, and then if it happens to be on sale, like the pants I am waiting to arrive, so much the better (they are still returnable). Otherwise too many random things that appealed. I have even paid full price at times lately. It makes me think harder about what I really, really want!

November 11, 2021 at 2:38 am

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Shoes! They are soooo tricky! Especially as we get older.

Thanks for sharing, everyone. There is much similarity with our shopping mistakes. Onward to fewer shopping mistakes

November 11, 2021 at 7:58 am

unagi

Active Member

Ah, the footwear thing. I used to have big feet, but lived in the bay area where people walk and a few stores had good options. Age has pushed me into really big feet, even wider, and I now live in a backwater place, the pandemic has accelerated the retirement and closure of the one decent local store. Eeeck! I am fine with wearing men’s shoes for the rest of my life, but I am not very experienced at it and learning to do it online is a trial. I hope I get to New York some time so I can stock up

November 11, 2021 at 11:43 am

Tanya

Veteran

I too have fallen for uncomfortable shoes many times! I have gotten much better at this, but there is still an occasional error here.

November 21, 2021 at 7:24 am

About the Author

My Big Shopping Mistakes

1. Committing to Uncomfortable Footwear

2. Shopping for an Imaginary Climate

3. Wearing a Look Meant for Someone Else

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About the Author

1. Committing to Uncomfortable Footwear

2. Shopping for an Imaginary Climate

3. Wearing a Look Meant for Someone Else

Forum conversations about this post

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Recent Ensembles

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