https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/10-years-of-clothes-warning-long Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Sat, 11 Apr 2026 21:28:20 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/10-years-of-clothes-warning-long/page/2#post-2190211 Tue, 27 Apr 2021 03:35:54 +0000 SW prof 2190211@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I started an Excel spreadsheet to track purchases in 1999, so by this point it's quite entertaining to look back at. Unfortunately the earlier descriptions tend to be vague, so I can't always identify/remember what it was I bought. But it is helpful to review and recall which purchases were successes, and which were mistakes. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/10-years-of-clothes-warning-long/page/2#post-2190100 Mon, 26 Apr 2021 16:43:42 +0000 Suz 2190100@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p><b>Jenni,</b> I'm awfully late to this thread but just want to join in the chorus here -- you have done such a wonderful job of keeping track and keeping yourself accountable -- not just financially -- but also emotionally. You've really considered what drives or drove your shopping, tried to reckon with inherited guilt, thought hard about your values and what brings you joy. And your really hard-working and fun wardrobe is the result!&nbsp;</p> <p>Like <b>Staysfit, </b>I came to YLF from the opposite place -- I really had not purchased much of anything for more than 20 years, and all of what I'd bought was ill fitting Lands End or similar before I lost a lot of weight and found YLF. Then I went on a spending and wardrobe building spree! But now my purchasing numbers are falling to what I consider more reasonable and sustainable limits -- as <b>Carla </b>mentioned, that magic number 24 (or so) rings a bell. I tend to buy and retire the same number of items per year, whether that is 35 or 15, but it looks like a figure in the mid 20s is my most common place to land.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/10-years-of-clothes-warning-long/page/2#post-2190099 Mon, 26 Apr 2021 16:39:44 +0000 cat2 2190099@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Hey Suntiger, you might think about a savings cushion— at one point it helped me to set a budget, and transfer every dollar that came in over that budget to my savings account (at the same bank, so an easy transfer). The savings account dollars were out of sight out of mind unless I needed them, and earned a teeny bit more interest. Then I worked within my budget as much as I could. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/10-years-of-clothes-warning-long/page/2#post-2190098 Mon, 26 Apr 2021 16:33:17 +0000 Angie 2190098@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p><b>Jenni,</b> I'm back. And find your 10 years of wardrobe tracking paperwork impressive, earnest and endearing (I've been tracking my own wardrobe/budget on spreadsheets for 13 years - and included the Finds system later - and it's invaluable. I don't track wears, though).&nbsp;</p> <p>I LOVED the sentimental way you used your inheritance. That's special and like a gift that keeps on giving.</p> <p>I'm nodding along with <b>Sal, Shevia</b> and <b>Bijou.&nbsp;</b>Your wardrobe gives you great pleasure because it's sartorially where you want it, but also HOW, WHEN, WHERE and WHY you bought and passed on wardrobe items gels with your beliefs and values. VERY well done! My toes are tickled when people follow through responsibly and consistently on their goals and actions - and you are a great example of that!</p> <p>(Yes, social media influencers can magnify wardrobe waste. It's a great shame).&nbsp;</p> <p>Personally, I'm happy with my own sustainable and ethical wardrobe choices. I have my priorities, manage them well, and keep on at it. I also like to pass on items to people who can enjoy them in pristine condition sometimes - that sparks joy for me too.</p> <p>My bigger thing is food waste. I cannot stand it. My parents grew up during WW2. Dad in Nazi occupied Netherlands, and Mum in Japanese occupied Indonesia. They had nothing during and after the war. Not wasting food was a huge thing in our home, and it stuck. I go to great lengths not to waste food in our home. I am perhaps even more meticulous and thoughtful with grocery shopping, grocery runs, cooking, and meal planning than I am with my style and wardrobe </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/10-years-of-clothes-warning-long/page/2#post-2190076 Mon, 26 Apr 2021 15:47:48 +0000 Anonymous 2190076@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Jenni - thanks for writing this post. &nbsp;Every time I feel like I'm alone in wearing my heart on my sleeve, and being honest about what drives me, I find you right there too. &nbsp;</p> <p>I am not a record-keeper. It has been the bane of my existence forever. I declare it something I will "now get right" , set up the systems, and then lose the plot very quickly. I can barely keep my daytimer in order. Anyways, I am always very impressed with your consistency and ability to stick to your plan. &nbsp;You analyze a situation, make a plan, then work at it until it's where you want it to be. I suppose that makes you so suited for your profession as well. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/10-years-of-clothes-warning-long/page/2#post-2190072 Mon, 26 Apr 2021 15:37:33 +0000 Zaeobi 2190072@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>@Jenni NZ Oh of course - just because cheap isn't necessarily better, doesn't mean more expensive is either! But I do think you're right that it's important to be discerning about quality. I've seen firsthand how items sold for £20 in the UK are then sold for less than £1 in PK if they have some tiny defect which doesn't actually affect the wearability (e.g. I have a pair of PJ's from a UK high street brand being resold in PK, where the hanging loops were sewn into the front &amp; back seams instead of the side seams but they were still comfy). Those are the brands that are often marking up by a huge margin - hence why they can then afford to slash their prices so low in comparison when it comes to Boxing Day/ big sale seasons.</p> <p>So whilst I do still shop the high street for some things (e.g. buying my underwear in bulk from Uniqlo, because I've had to make peace with the fact that it's difficult to find clothing in my size out here in particular, where I'm classified as a 2XL), I'm also not averse to still hunting for a good bargain (especially now that I know my way better around the secondhand situation here). I've found great items in natural fabrics for a song out here - sometimes having a sense of style that isn't common in your area can be a good thing, since no one else is interested in your HEWIs </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/10-years-of-clothes-warning-long/page/2#post-2190006 Mon, 26 Apr 2021 11:43:18 +0000 Anonymous 2190006@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I sometimes feel like I'm wasting money on clothes (or other non essentials) too. I'll buy things if I don't have big car, home repair, medical, or vet expenses that month, but then some big thing hits the next month and I wish I saved the money! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/10-years-of-clothes-warning-long/page/2#post-2190003 Mon, 26 Apr 2021 11:20:49 +0000 Staysfit 2190003@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Jenni, I greatly admire your organization and thoughtful approach. &nbsp;I like numbers, but for whatever reason have not had the wherewithal or diligence to keep track of my wardrobe. &nbsp;In retrospect, I had no clue how to create a wardrobe until I joined this forum and I am still learning.</p> <p>&nbsp;In the 5 years before I started on the forum, in my mid 40’s, I realized I finally had some time and some money saved and that I could pay attention to myself, since I never had before. &nbsp;However, right about that time there were multiple painful losses....I went overboard. &nbsp;Shopping inappropriately quelled my emotional pain. &nbsp;I think you have always known me as someone with an extra large wardrobe, but that has definitely not been the case. &nbsp;I had a very small, not well fitting but functional wardrobe, mostly purchased from Eddie Bauer and Lands End, until my mid 40’s. &nbsp;It took around &nbsp;5 years, with the help of this forum, to feel reasonably confident with my personal style. My purchasing decelerated over time as I gained that confidence. I have significantly decreased closet overload, but it is still a work in progress. &nbsp;My wardrobe remains moderately large. &nbsp;All this to say that your posts, (and Jenny’s) have been among the most motivating to me for reigning in my emotional purchases, regaining control, and getting things back in order. I do not have a numbers count or dollar amount for my purchases over the past three years, but the number of items I buy has decreased exponentially. My success in choosing items has increased. &nbsp;There are fewer failures, and very few regrets. &nbsp;My recent purchases would be easy to catalog if I choose to do so. &nbsp;I have purchased items to replace worn items, like new undies, or to fill gaps (yes I have some). I also am buying items from companies that use sustainable practices and materials whenever possible. &nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/10-years-of-clothes-warning-long/page/2#post-2189995 Mon, 26 Apr 2021 09:37:24 +0000 Jenni NZ 2189995@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Bijou and Sloper, thank you both. I like that you do lots of Excel Sloper! I think it’s the modern equivalent of my mother’s budgeting notebooks she used to do in the 1960s-80s! I haven’t done budgets but overall we are not huge spenders ( husband’s upbringing similar to mine) so we have tended to watch the spend in general and have surpluses. The times that we have been short of money ( when we had third child in particular) I have been very good at “tightening the belt” as it were.<br /> And Bijou thank you for the compliments. I also am trying to remember that the most sustainable items are already in my wardrobe. I found I am reading the small number of fashion magazines I still have more in that way, as in what do I have similar to this, if I like a vibe. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/10-years-of-clothes-warning-long/page/2#post-2189988 Mon, 26 Apr 2021 08:50:11 +0000 Jenni NZ 2189988@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>That’s so funny about the organza tie bag Zaeobi! A fairly serious thread so a laugh is good. I don’t think cheap is necessarily best, but I do think there is overcharging too, so a discounted price on a better quality item is something I do hope for. I did once talk to the owner of my favourite shoe shop about that, I sort of apologised because I said I usually bought the shoes on sale. And he said look it’s OK, we need customers like you too, we do need to clear the stock. Which was sweet of him I thought ! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/10-years-of-clothes-warning-long#post-2189986 Mon, 26 Apr 2021 08:22:43 +0000 Zaeobi 2189986@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Happy 10th(+) Budgeting Anniversary, @Jenni NZ! </p> <p>I've actually been keeping a spreadsheet of all my expenditure since 2016 (not long after I got to HK &amp; realised that NOT doing so was going to burn a huge hole in my wallet Much more fast-paced than my previous 'small UK town' lifestyle!). So whilst I don't track my clothing budget in particular, I do track my budget as a whole &amp; am wondering if I should track my wears that way too (it takes just a few seconds to enter the item into my Google Drive as soon as I've bought something, but for some reason I've been reluctant to add a 'wears' column to that sheet. Maybe a separate spreadsheet is in order?) </p> <p>I came from a very frugal family who, despite having the means, often wouldn't spend money on us or clothes (the bulk of my parents' income went either to general things for all of us (like the house) or to all our extended family back home in PK). The idea of spending the amount of money that I do now on each individual clothing piece was absurd to my parents, since we come from a world where labour is cheap (I can get a top made for about £8 there, including the fabric &amp; tailoring costs). On the flipside though, my mother would only ever buy things for us on sale, which would amount in a lot of waste because she would almost 'force' me to buy things in the Christmas sales just because they were so cheap. Most deeply discounted items are discounted for a reason, so the 'cheap' items added up over time - sure, we found a few gems too that way, but for most of my childhood I never had clothes that properly fit (even if they had been tailor-made from scratch in PK, they often still wouldn't fit right if they were Western style clothing). </p> <p>So whilst I do miss this thrifty attitude ('car boot sales' don't exist here, &amp; most secondhand shops are either marketed as 'vintage' (read: marked up) or frowned upon by the local culture (I have to hide it from my mother-in-law when I buy something that isn't brand new, so buying secondhand furniture (for example) is out of the question entirely lol), it's taken me a long time to come to terms with the idea that cheaper isn't necessarily better. I've become more discerning about what I want to buy as I reconcile this with the realisation that I just won't wear items that aren't quite right - this might mean having to pay more for a specific item in a specific size &amp; specific timeframe (rather than buying something that's similar but not quite right, just because it's cheap or the only 'close enough' option that's available secondhand). </p> <p>I think both YLF &amp; also having my colours 'diagnosed' in 2019 has helped to guide my discernment immensely. I think I've always had an innate sense of something not looking 'quite right' on me but haven't necessarily been able to articulate why. Plus I often get distracted by ALL the colours (unlike most people I meet, I actually enjoy having a rainbow closet - owning too many silhouettes, patterns &amp; textures, on the other hand, it what overwhelms me lol). I'm learning that being sustainable can mean different things to different people, &amp; that it's ok to follow what feels right to me - I don't have to justify it to others. For example, I often see internet articles about how cotton is bad because of how much water it wastes. But then I also see how polyester is bad because it releases more plastic into the ocean I come from one of the largest cotton exporters in the world, so I'm going to continue to wear cotton &amp; support tailors there because I've seen firsthand the work they can do with minimal tools. It may not be perfect the first time around, but I've also learnt to be assertive in getting what I want (when shopping with family, I'd often feel pressured to accept a subpar tailored job in order to save face etc). </p> <p>Overall, 'Slow &amp; steady' is my motto - looking back at YLF posts &amp; finds has made me realise my style has stayed fairly constant over the years (I'm STILL searching for an orange pussybow blouse tunic to replace my old one, for example).</p> <p>PS - I keep my receipts in an organza ribbon tie bag too, just like yours! Lol great minds think alike </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/10-years-of-clothes-warning-long#post-2189981 Mon, 26 Apr 2021 07:26:32 +0000 Bijou 2189981@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Jenni - I always admire your tracking of wears and very considered and thoughtful purchases. I have found the times that I have spent the most on clothing is when I have had changes in my lifestyle or changed jobs.&nbsp;At the moment, I am transitioning to a more casual lifestyle due to mainly working from home but trying not to let that be an excuse to buy more, but wear what I have in different ways.</p> <p>YLF has made me more sustainable - I try to buy items locally or second hand, although Sal's comment - 'the most sustainable wardrobe is wearing the clothing you already have' really resonated with me and I am trying to focus on wearing what I have as being the most sustainable choice for me. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/10-years-of-clothes-warning-long#post-2189977 Mon, 26 Apr 2021 06:48:10 +0000 Jenni NZ 2189977@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I am also not sure whether we on YLF are representative of female clothing consumers. I was horrified pre-pandemic by some article, possibly from our local digital newspaper, about mainly young women in ( I think) the UK, and how they didn’t want to appear in the same outfit on social media twice, so they were just buying new clothes EVERY week. I never ever purchased like that. For one thing I was a poor university student for 6 years! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/10-years-of-clothes-warning-long#post-2189974 Mon, 26 Apr 2021 06:24:40 +0000 Jenni NZ 2189974@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Well Shevia I understand that it is a hobby for you and self-funded, I think that is great. I don’t think you’re doing the planet harm, unless you’re doing masses of shipping I suppose. But when I think about shipping, most clothing here in NZ has had shipping involved even if made here, because we don’t have many fabric mills. Otherwise it has been imported. Which is most of it. I am quite keen on made in Australia as well as made in NZ for that reason. It’s closer than anywhere else! I do still buy some Chinese made though. So much of what’s available is!<br /> Like Sally further up thread I am interested in trying thrifting more and as my numbers continue to go down I may have more “room” ( figuratively) for a few wild cards from thrifting. It doesn’t usually seem that successful if I want something specific. Like last year looking for “silver” pants, I looked in 6 different thrift stores with no luck. In the end there were some on sale in the back room of my favourite boutique, it’s no wonder I keep looking there.<br /> I was brought up Puritan enough that I don’t want to lean in that direction at all I agree.<br /> And I agree with both cat2 and you. Yes, the fashion powers try to get women’s (and men’s also) discretionary money, but lots and lots of men’s money is spent on other items at least as wastefully. I know one man with about 50 guitars and one with about 50 bicycles. I bet their hobbies cost more than yours! Cheers. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/10-years-of-clothes-warning-long#post-2189968 Mon, 26 Apr 2021 04:39:39 +0000 Stagiaire Fash 2189968@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Shevia, saying that one seeks to avoid being targeted because of a trait is not the same as “picking on” others who share that trait. Come on. Let’s discuss with each other, not seek out ways to quarrel. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/10-years-of-clothes-warning-long#post-2189947 Mon, 26 Apr 2021 03:01:07 +0000 Jaime 2189947@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Jenni your thread has pulled me in so many different directions I hope I remember what I want to say.<br />Kudos to you for tracking, self recognition and self reflection most of all. I think you in a very good place where you feel comfortable with your spending and your style!<br />I am not a record keeper when it comes to my wardrobe, and my budget is a bit fluid depending on how much I bring in from sales (I see it as a self-funding hobby). Since I primarily shop second hand, and have for many years, I tend to forgive my other wardrobe excesses, which are many. Maybe I shouldn't, but as thrifting is both hobby and therapy for me, I would prefer to worry about other things.<br />Although I do agree that all of marketing is about creating needs and wants we can live without, I am bothered that it is the "female" (not true, many men are into fashion and grooming and it is growing) arenas that get picked on as frivolous. There are many notorious "male" hobbies that are plenty expensive and wasteful if you want to be Puritan about it. I do not.&nbsp;<br />I will refrain from getting into the meaning of live right now, but a very thought provoking thread ! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/10-years-of-clothes-warning-long#post-2189945 Mon, 26 Apr 2021 02:39:50 +0000 cat2 2189945@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Yes, we live in a capitalist culture, but the fashion industry places a massive pink tax on those purchasing clothing and toiletries designed for women. I also buy my husband’s wardrobe and what he has to spend to meet societal expectations is so much less. It’s ok if his entire holiday spend is a new cummerbund. While I did conduct updates to get rid of 80s shoulders and low rise 90s pants, I only had to update once a decade, not every couple of years. He also was able to keep the same set of shirts that we had made for him about 15 years ago, and all of the non-trendy pieces. So I stand by my comments about stepping back from the notion of women’s shopping as harmless entertainment. I have never tracked CPW, but I do know that I bought the top I will be wearing tomorrow 7 years ago, and rotated it in and out of use depending on trends and the other pieces I had on hand; I view that as a teeny win against the system! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/10-years-of-clothes-warning-long#post-2189927 Mon, 26 Apr 2021 00:38:10 +0000 Sloper 2189927@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Jenni,</p> <p>Yes, I track quantity and cost.&nbsp; Big Excel nerd, and I do the family finances, so everything is in a spreadsheet of some kind!</p> <p>I have tracked wears in the past, and found it useful when I was working, to see how much wearable value I got out of my nicer work things.&nbsp; But haven't tracked for several years now.</p> <p>I'm recently on YLF, so can't say it's made me a more sustainable shopper, in fact I'm trying to rein in a spring splurge!&nbsp; Just seeing everyone talking about new or proposed purchases, and Angie's blog posts and picks!! ;-)</p> <p>Not all YLF's fault of course!!! Of course a lot of it is from seeing a bit of a teeny light at the end of the COVID tunnel, and me making some progress with chronic health issues.</p> <p>Also I agree with <b>Janet's </b>response to <b>Cat2 </b>regarding the fashion industry.&nbsp;&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/10-years-of-clothes-warning-long#post-2189924 Mon, 26 Apr 2021 00:21:33 +0000 Jenni NZ 2189924@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Rachylou I feel price may have outpaced value as well but am not sure. And yes, on some items I have spent more if I was really, really sure I loved it. One example was the Veronica Maine top I bought this past summer which I posted. That was probably as much as I have ever spent on a top. I felt “free” to get it due to having worn my previous tops a lot, over 30 wears, already having 3 bottoms at least that would be good with it, already having several shoes that would go, etc etc. It is still polyester though which is irritating! “Recycled polyester”, “fabric from Italy” notwithstanding. I do like polyester still, it often lasts better with lots of washing.<br /> Joy, are the “guppy friend” bags a particular sort of mesh bag? I have some mesh bags to protect certain items in the wash but they may have too big a mesh.<br /> In NZ and Australia we can sometimes pay huge prices for clothing, much more than items that I see many of you in North America buy. Which is why I haunt the little back sale room of my favourite boutique! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/10-years-of-clothes-warning-long#post-2189913 Sun, 25 Apr 2021 23:30:59 +0000 Sally 2189913@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I don't keep a record but I'm going to now.&nbsp; not just this post but a realisation that I should make a budget and be more premeditative with my shopping.&nbsp; I"m hoping that when my size settles down I can be responsible with my purchases, and buy more good quality rather than emergency because I have an event or not enough to wear.&nbsp; &nbsp;You can probably advise me on the best quality locally rather than going to chain stores as I would like to support more locally made.&nbsp; I"m happy that I can thrift (or op shop) sometimes as well because that can be fun, but takes time.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/10-years-of-clothes-warning-long#post-2189885 Sun, 25 Apr 2021 20:54:59 +0000 Jenni NZ 2189885@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Lots of interesting thoughts from Fabbers, thank you! My parents were older parents ( 40 and 38 when I was born) Janet so they also lived through the Depression, but it’s true that Mum did love clothes also and carefully budgeted during our childhoods ( that’s myself and my sister) to buy us pretty outfits. Perhaps I picked up her emphasis on taking care with the spend.<br /> Helena, I think you seem to be more sure lately of what your style is and have less churn, similar to me, and so we are both making progress!<br /> Will be back to reply to others. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/10-years-of-clothes-warning-long#post-2189879 Sun, 25 Apr 2021 20:30:36 +0000 Sal 2189879@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Great read Jenni and to others who have chimed in. Jenni - love your attitude to style and wearing your clothes. You manage to look great, have fun and be responsible with your purchasing. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/10-years-of-clothes-warning-long#post-2189873 Sun, 25 Apr 2021 19:55:34 +0000 bj1111 2189873@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>@Jenni how wonderful to spend a bit of your inheritance that way. My dad was a clothes horse with champagne tastes. My greatest pleasure as a grown up was being able to buy things that he wouldn’t for himself. When he died, i purposefully bought an expensive designer purse that will remind me of him and his “vices”—I think he would have approved. Thanks for the opportunity to reminisce about my papa. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/10-years-of-clothes-warning-long#post-2189824 Sun, 25 Apr 2021 17:55:53 +0000 Stagiaire Fash 2189824@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Warning: even longer than original post. </p> <p>JenniNZ, I’m not sure if I’ve heard you say exactly that you had a clothing addiction before, but it rings true with other things you’ve said about your wardrobe and shopping habits. What a nice feeling to be in control now!</p> <p>I’ve been on YLF since just before my nephew’s wedding in July 2017. I don’t have clear records, but I know that for a year or two in Tampa—probably the unhappiest years of my life—I was spending 2-3 hundred $$ per month on clothes, most of it at The Rack, but also at sales on websites like Patagonia, Soft Surroundings, and others. I basically agree with what Cat2 wrote. All that shopping was a poor substitute for recreation &amp; did not make me happy. (But an aside to Cat2–finding quality knits is notoriously difficult. Angie has blogged about the lack of correlation between price and quality, and if you check out the recent thread on “would I buy it again” you’ll see mentions of difficulty predicting quality of knitwear). </p> <p>On August 1, 2018 we moved from Tampa to Berlin. From July 2018-end of 2019, I spent just over 800€ on 16 things, including red boots and puffer that I’ve worn over 100 times each, 5 pairs of pants, blazers &amp; pumps that y’all tried to warn me I might not need, and loungewear.</p> <p>In 2020 I spent nearly 330€ on 13 items, mostly dresses and jumpsuits, but also a cardi and my cape. The most expensive item was a dress on sale from Desigual for just over 50€. </p> <p>So far this year I’ve spent 350€ on 16 things, including 2 Esprit swimsuits, workout clothes, lingerie/basics, 3 prs of shoes (Ecco, S Oliver, and Reiker) and a purse. </p> <p>I have all my clothes where I live now, but have stored most of them in the cellar. The 75 items I have in my closet (including workout clothes but not socks/undies, shoes, or accessories) should be plenty to let me dress as I like, in lots of layers, throughout the summer; there are a few warm things for days like today as well.</p> <p>I’d like to take another 2” off my waist; if I do (&amp; assuming it stays off!), I’ll need to get more clothes, particularly bottoms. Changes in employment status might also necessitate sartorial changes, but otherwise I’m not buying much. Right now I do not enjoy shopping for clothes, and I really have no need. When those changes finally take place, I have a list of about 20 things I’d like to get, ranging from shoes &amp; tights to pants and a white “fisherman” sweater. I plan to shop for some of them at second hand stores and others at stores that make their merchandise locally, or at least on the same continent. </p> <p>When the current lockdown ends, I plan to sell 2 bags of used clothing at a second hand shop (or sell the one with my things and donate the other, which has a lot of Hollister items my son outgrew too fast to wear out). There will be more if I lose the inches, probably everything made for above a 28” waist (which is where I am now). </p> <p>The quality of things I’m buying has stayed the same. I’m a little nervous about my ability to pick out quality pieces as I move to a new shopping strategy. </p> <p>I also can’t predict the financial outcome of my new purchasing style—second hand should be less expensive, but I assume EU-made will cost more. I don’t have a clear budget for clothes. Right now I’m tightening my belt literally and figuratively. When I’m more lean and my bank account less so, I don’t plan to go back to what I was spending a few years ago. But the fact that I spent so much more in 2018-19 than I have since doesn’t bother me either; I think I needed the clothes to adapt to our new surroundings. If I need a bunch of new stuff again, I’ll spend money to get it. Otherwise, I won’t. </p> <p>A quick direct reply to the question—YLF helps me think through outfits logically. If I know, for example, that I’m looking for a wider top, I can put together an outfit much more easily. That might keep me from buying a different piece to fit that need, but honestly, I don’t think I’ve ever gone out to buy a partner for closet orphans very much. I def appreciate the practical support for secondhand shopping here, and am happy to see posts on mending/reworking things from Angie and others. I’ve gone on far too long—sorry! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/10-years-of-clothes-warning-long#post-2189805 Sun, 25 Apr 2021 17:18:58 +0000 Cardiff girl 2189805@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>This is very impressive Jenni.lm not big on comparing spends or numbers either but l have also found that,personally ,tracking things like wears has really helped in being more mindful about using what l already have and what l use the most. This helps decide what l do or don’t buy.l have never had a specific budget allocated to clothing but recently l have started to toy with this idea as l quite enjoy budgeting.Is that weird?And again l think it helps to make me consider what and why l purchase which is all good.l use style app but l also have a notebook for the contemplation of spending! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/10-years-of-clothes-warning-long#post-2189800 Sun, 25 Apr 2021 17:03:33 +0000 Bonnie 2189800@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Interesting read and I see a lot of my own experience with my wardrobe and shopping has been really similar to yours.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/10-years-of-clothes-warning-long#post-2189797 Sun, 25 Apr 2021 16:49:58 +0000 LaPed 2189797@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Oh, wow, Jenn, the # of items per day is interesting. It's lunch time and I've already changed clothes twice (lounge &gt; gear &gt; errands/casual); I'm at 10 items not counting socks/underwear.&nbsp;</p> <p>Jenni -- I'm in awe of your decade's worth of data. It's really cool to have a consistent record like that!&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/10-years-of-clothes-warning-long#post-2189796 Sun, 25 Apr 2021 16:47:39 +0000 Janet 2189796@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Cat2, I don't think we are so far apart based on what you just wrote. Perhaps you are just referring to the fact that I enjoy shopping and maybe you don't? I also love remixing old things from my closet, and my wardrobe is definitely a mix of carefully chosen quality pieces and inexpensive things from lesser known brands.&nbsp;</p> <p>Is the fashion industry based on getting women to part with their disposable income? Well of course. So do car manufacturers, home goods makers, and all kinds of other business. Business is profit, we live in a capitalist world. Why should the fashion world be any different? It is our responsibility as consumers to be wise about our own individual choices, based on our own individual priorities.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/10-years-of-clothes-warning-long#post-2189789 Sun, 25 Apr 2021 16:24:08 +0000 Jenn 2189789@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>How fabulous to have numbers that far back! Looking at my collections here on YLF, I know numbers for these years:<br />2016 - 28 items<br />2017 - 14 items (not sure if this is correct or if I'm missing some Finds)<br />2019 - 24 items<br />2020 - 15 items</p> <p>I don't have a clothing budget either, but I added up numbers for the last few years and mine is just about the same as yours, when you account for currency adjustments. I have definitely moved towards "fewer but better" in more recent years.</p> <p>I saw a good blog post recently with various CPW formulas, and I liked their suggestion for target CPW, because it takes into account how much you're willing to spend, which is different for all of us:<br />Your target CPW=Your Monthly Budget/(Average # items worn in a day*30)<br />or, alternatively:<br />Your Annual Budget/(Average # items worn in a day*365)</p> <p>Here's the full article, if you're interested:<br /><a rel="nofollow" href="https://theprettyplaneteer.com/cost-per-wear-the-true-cost-of-your-clothes/">https://theprettyplaneteer.com.....r-clothes/</a></p> <p>They have a table, but it assumes wearing a minimum of 5 pieces/day, and looking over my logs, my average is more like 3.5/day.That's probably a climate thing, and because I wear a lot of dresses.</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/10-years-of-clothes-warning-long#post-2189786 Sun, 25 Apr 2021 15:58:41 +0000 cat2 2189786@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Janet — I don’t think we could be further apart on shopping! I view the fashion industry as a massive effort to get women to part with far too much of their disposable income. Accordingly, I view it as a win when I can find an alternative to shopping for something new by shopping my closet. When I do shop, I look to keep the spend down by buying quality pieces at sales and by mixing in less expensive but still good quality pieces from under the fashion radar brands. </p>