https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/2019-shopping-challengegoals Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Mon, 20 Apr 2026 15:50:43 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/2019-shopping-challengegoals#post-2005418 Sat, 23 Feb 2019 23:12:21 +0000 Bonnie 2005418@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I admire your goals. I've been working on no settling myself and have been returning a lot of purchases which brings up other ethical concerns. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/2019-shopping-challengegoals#post-2005397 Sat, 23 Feb 2019 22:06:18 +0000 Stagiaire Fash 2005397@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Suntiger, "a closet of mostly dancewear, renfaire costumes, beachwear, and silk dresses" can be your retirement wardrobe! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/2019-shopping-challengegoals#post-2005392 Sat, 23 Feb 2019 21:51:19 +0000 Nomad 2005392@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p><b>shevia </b>and <b>Angie</b>, "preferences" is a great way to think of them. This isn't an exercise in suffering. :)&nbsp; But I'm lucky that my wardrobe is in a good place (following YLF for a few years has really helped!), so my current needs are few. I'm hoping these preferences will help remind me to slow down... for myself, my wallet, and the environment.</p> <p> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/2019-shopping-challengegoals#post-2004533 Thu, 21 Feb 2019 15:13:43 +0000 Angie 2004533@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I enjoyed reading through your shopping goals, and like <b>Shevia's</b> idea of thinking of them as preferences rather than rules.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/2019-shopping-challengegoals#post-2004431 Thu, 21 Feb 2019 01:18:41 +0000 Jaime 2004431@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I like your guidelines. I have similar ideas, and treat them as preferences rather than strict rules. So for example I don't shop in retail much, but I recently found a leftover Zara gift certificate in a bag I hadn't used and may have come home with a Zebra scarf and earrings. . I love second hand shopping so that makes it easier for me. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/2019-shopping-challengegoals#post-2004258 Wed, 20 Feb 2019 16:15:57 +0000 Nomad 2004258@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p><b>La Pedestrienne</b>, it's definitely easier to slow down and figure out a set of higher standards once the wardrobe-building phase is past. I'm there, too... I have everything I really need, so it's just tweaks and slow evolution going forward. I like your guidelines, and I've been really impressed with Amour Vert, too. I have the Ines dress and a Deadwood leather jacket. The dress is amazingly flattering and has washed up well. I feel a little like I'm in biker chick costume in the leather jacket, but I love it... made from re-cycled leather bits that are all super buttery soft.</p> <p><div><b>Sal</b>, definitely agree on secondhand being time consuming (and Kondo being a potential boon... as long as people are donating their good stuff!). I don't have the patience to truly thrift-store hunt, but there's one that's on my regular routes that I've had some luck at. Proceeds from that shop benefit a local hospital (where I've had surgery, and where a friend is a doctor), so that's a bonus. I also buy leather shoes... more comfortable and longer lasting, and both of those things are important, too. Good luck in your thrift hunts, and with the item count goal!</div><div><br /></div><div><b>suntiger</b>... what's wrong with a closet full of dancewear? ;)&nbsp; (I have that issue, too...)&nbsp; Good point on those sources generally being better for statements than essentials (Amour Vert and Everlane seem to be strong on essentials... I'm just not sure if they're *my* essentials yet). Right now I'm in a good place on those, so we'll see if stuff wears out this year.<br /></div><br /><b>Runcarla</b>, have you come up with style avatars for yourself yet? I'd love to hear them!&nbsp; I LOVE your idea to let the vendor know that their sourcing impacted your decision... feedback is so important, and it's easy to forget to give it for good things. Good luck with the reno, and awesome that you're keeping that local, too!</p> <p> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/2019-shopping-challengegoals#post-2004222 Wed, 20 Feb 2019 14:41:06 +0000 Carla 2004222@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Nomad, you have a decent set of goals that seem balanced and achievable. I've been following the thread on style theme/avatar and like the idea as well. I have some goals for 2019 - most formulated over 2018.</p> <p>-keep my small collection at around 65 items through one-in/one-out (note: my retired lifestyle does not require a large collection of items)</p> <p>-make an effort to source beautiful fabrics, fabrication, and fit (quality) </p> <p>-shop second hand and local independents</p> <p>-pay attention to where garments are sourced and have this factor into purchase (Canada if possible) and when making such a purchase LET THE VENDOR KNOW that it impacted my purchase decision. </p> <p>-adhere to budget (5% of after deduction income) </p> <p>*I'm doing a lot of looking, but haven't purchased anything in 2019. I'm distracted by a home reno in progress - local labour, and furniture made within 150 miles of where I live! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/2019-shopping-challengegoals#post-2004205 Wed, 20 Feb 2019 13:31:31 +0000 Anonymous 2004205@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Good goals! I like to support small shops and artisan made too, when possible, but its easy to end up with a lot of statement items and few essentials. Those are much more fun to buy after all! Same with thrifting, with the added issue of non-returnability (aside from re-consigning) if it doesn't work out. Right now I'm just sticking to my item limit, and making sure anything I buy works with my themes and needs. Otherwise I'd end up with a closet of mostly dancewear, renfaire costumes, beachwear, and silk dresses </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/2019-shopping-challengegoals#post-2004081 Tue, 19 Feb 2019 22:46:19 +0000 Sal 2004081@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Great goals Nomad.&nbsp; It sounds achievable - and fun!!&nbsp; Second hand is good fun but time consuming at times.&nbsp; But with everyone kondo-ing their closets the choice is huge (here many second hand shops are turning down new stock because of so many clear outs)</p> <p>I am trying to add less than 30 items of clothing (excluding underwear, socks) for the year, with a focus on increasing my thrifting/second hand.&nbsp; I have added four this year - two thrifted, one pair shoes (Eileen Fisher so imported) and one pair running shoes.</p> <p>Shoes are tricky - I think buying ones that will last is my strategy - and maintaining what I do have.&nbsp; I do buy leather.</p> <p> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/2019-shopping-challengegoals#post-2004076 Tue, 19 Feb 2019 22:12:40 +0000 LaPed 2004076@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I do try to focus my shopping on companies whose missions I support, although I also try not to sweat it too much and have certain budget thresholds I'm not willing to cross. I've found Everlane and Amour Vert both to be really great value. Reasonable prices for the quality. I haven't tried AV's silk yet, but I'm really happy with my knit pieces. I do a fair amount of secondhand shopping as well. I have especially good luck with vintage jeans and vintage knitwear (fisherman's sweaters and such). I've had good luck with Etsy for both secondhand and handmade clothes. For gear, I always check Patagonia first, and prioritize other companies that put a significant chunk of their profits into conservation efforts, source recycled fabrics, and are transparent about manufacturing. As long as fit and function is there, of course.&nbsp;</p> <p>That said, I also end up with quite a bit of stuff from Uniqlo, Madewell and Boden, but I'm trying to be pickier this year. I'm no longer in a wardrobe-building phase. Body, climate, and lifestyle shifts all seem to have wrapped up for now (knock wood!). This means I don't really need placeholders and shouldn't settle. I've tried on a few items at Madewell and Uniqlo but nothing came home with me. I placed a Boden order but decided not to keep anything.&nbsp;</p> <p>I agree that shoes are probably the most difficult. Most ethically made shoes are still leather, which is not a sustainable product. Vegan shoes are usually made with petroleum products, or they're made of canvas and only good for summer wear. Add fit issues on top of that, and it's practically impossible. I'm just trying not to buy superfluous shoes at all, and opting for resole-able shoes and boots when possible.&nbsp;&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/2019-shopping-challengegoals#post-2004072 Tue, 19 Feb 2019 21:34:43 +0000 Nomad 2004072@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p><div>Some of the recent posts, and the Blue Collar Red Lipstick blog, have gotten me thinking. As many posts have covered, the idea of "ethical" shopping is problematic, because what's "good" on one scale may cause issues on another, etc. etc. But with that in mind, I want to at least try, on my terms. And I like a challenge. So... for the rest of the year, I'm setting the following clothes-shopping rules for myself. I don't think they'll be too onerous, but they will make me think a little harder for each purchase, which is never a bad thing.</div><div><br /></div><div>Purchases must match at least one of the following criteria:</div><div><br /></div><div>1) Secondhand: Thrift store, Poshmark, TheRealReal, and eBay are all fair game.</div><div><br /></div><div>2) From a brand or seller that's making a serious attempt at transparency and sustainability: Not limited to this very short list, but the ones that immediately come to mind are Amour Vert and Everlane.</div><div><br /></div><div>3) Produced in the US: This is potentially a rabbithole, since I don't know where the fabric or raw materials came from, but it's a guideline for myself. For example, my local dance community is friendly with a lovely designer up in NY who does a lot of our costuming, and all her products are sewn in NY (though her goods would also fit into category 4 below...).<br /></div><div><br /></div><div>4) Bought directly from the artisan(s): Etsy and potentially local designers count.</div><div><br /></div><div>5) Bought with a gift certificate that was given to me: My mom usually gives me Express gift cards around my birthday and Christmas. If someone gives me a gift, I can use it. It's okay if I go a little above the gift card amount; for example, I ordered four pairs of Express pants recently in the hopes of finding one or two great pairs and returning the rest, and I went $11 over the gift card amount... no biggie.<br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>I'm making the following exceptions where I don't necessarily have to abide by the above rules (but awesome if I can). It's hard enough to find the right versions of these things, so I'm not holding myself to the same standard for these categories.<br /></div><div><br /></div><div>1) Underwear</div><div><br /></div><div>2) workout gear<br /></div><div><br /></div><div>3) Shoes</div><div><br /></div><div>4) The Perfect Suit, should I happen to encounter it</div><div><br /></div><div>In addition to the rules above, anything I buy also has to be a slam dunk for my style, and be a great fit (or easily tailored to be a great fit)... no settling. I have my style moniker, and I've been playing with the idea of themes/style avatars that go well with the moniker and help give it concrete shapes that I can easily picture, so that should help guide purchases.</div><div><br /></div><div>We'll see if I can sustain this for a year... if so, I'll see how it went and decide if this is an ongoing thing or too dang hard. So far so good... I bought nothing in January, and in February have only spent that $11 over my Express gift cards, and ordered a new sports bra and leggings from Athleta (gear exception).<br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Does anyone else have rules for how they shop?<br /></div> </p>