https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-rough-shopping-day Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Fri, 22 May 2026 00:10:13 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-rough-shopping-day#post-59061 Mon, 06 Apr 2009 05:01:46 +0000 Angie 59061@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>It sounds like you ended up having a great shopping day today, Kristen. You went down two whole sizes! Amazing! I can’t wait to see you in the polka dot dress again and perhaps the Semantics label. I can see you sport that type of look with panache. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-rough-shopping-day#post-59005 Sun, 05 Apr 2009 22:20:55 +0000 Kristen 59005@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Inge: I do yoga at home. I got a Wii Fit for my birthday a few weeks ago, and I've been "playing" every day on it ever since. I'd always wanted to try yoga, but I was too self-conscious to go to a class, and I don't like exercise tapes. With the Wii I finally had the right elements in place to give it a try -- and I am hooked! I do the strength and balance exercises too, but the yoga has definitely improved my core stability, and very quickly. I love it! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-rough-shopping-day#post-59004 Sun, 05 Apr 2009 22:18:00 +0000 Kristen 59004@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Aww, thanks everyone for your kind words! Today was much, MUCH better; I ended up spending most of my trip at AT Loft, first returning my two beloved dresses (sob, the cute polka-dot that I had all those cardis for!) and then trying on some other ones.</p> <p>Turns out, I didn't go down one size, I went down TWO. That's right, I re-bought the polka-dot and a lovely fitted black knit in size 10s. They're a little snug right now (nothing that a pair of Spanx wouldn't fix) but there's also clearly enough room to shrink so I can hopefully wear them through the spring/early summer. And I got them at a better discount than the original purchase! </p> <p>I also wandered through Nordstroms but didn't try anything on. I did pick up some DKNY nude and black microfishnets, hurrah. I think I'm going to like shopping at Nordstroms, which is something I've never done; the shoe and makeup departments used to be the only place where I could find things that fit! But I really like the Halogen and the Semantiks lines. Looking forward to trying them on soon! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-rough-shopping-day#post-59002 Sun, 05 Apr 2009 22:04:25 +0000 sinead 59002@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Kristen, I'm sorry you had a rough day and it does sound like you packed in a lot for one day. But for the things you did end up with- I would actually consider that a successful shopping adventure. I shop a lot and buy so little, that I'm over the moon when I have more than one item. </p> <p>Hope today is better for you- and congratulations on your disciplined yoga practice. Exercise is one of those things I keep meaning to do.... </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-rough-shopping-day#post-58982 Sun, 05 Apr 2009 20:28:32 +0000 anne 58982@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I paid full price for my denim skirt and it was worth it!</p> <p>Kristen, sorry you had such a frustrating day. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-rough-shopping-day#post-58954 Sun, 05 Apr 2009 19:33:45 +0000 Inge 58954@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I'm sorry you had such a rough day Kristen. It happens to all of us, but isn't it great we can vent here on YLF where everybody understands?-)</p> <p>It is really frustrating to be in between two sizes, isn't it. But at the speed you are losing weight, you'll be sporting the smaller size pretty soon.</p> <p>I'm with the other ladies: I think you are doing tremendously well. Returning items isn't much fun, but I think you're right to keep only what's perfect. And those spectactor pumps sound lovely!!</p> <p>(I was wondering: do you do yoga at home with a dvd or do you attend classes?) </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-rough-shopping-day#post-58945 Sun, 05 Apr 2009 19:24:07 +0000 crwilson 58945@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Kristen - I'm sorry you had such a rough time. Shopping can be so frustrating. It's actually harder now that I'm more conscious about things and picky, but that means that we will all eventually have a wonderful working wardrobe. Congratulations on your weight loss - that's hard work too! </p> <p>The advice to make the final decision at home is great, especially since I'm very prone to emotionally influenced buying in the store. Making returns frequently is frustrating though. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-rough-shopping-day#post-58905 Sun, 05 Apr 2009 16:19:59 +0000 Louise 58905@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Sizing is crazy i frequently take in the size i think i am and the 1 above and below. I bought a size 12 skirt and in the same shop on the same day a pair of size 14 trousers were too tight!<br /> I'm loving the focus on fit mentality and if i'm not happy about the size on the label i cut it out when i get home </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-rough-shopping-day#post-58881 Sun, 05 Apr 2009 15:14:00 +0000 Tanya 58881@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Kristen, I am so sorry you had a bad day, but please don't be discouraged. As JG mentioned, there are many positives. I mean, you are melting away! And you know if things are not right and you are returning them, so you are not ending up with orphans.</p> <p>As about taking two sizes in the dressing, well, my size is fairly consistent, and I have to do that many times too, especially for bottoms. It depends on the cut, fit, material, brand... so my 'real size' is just a starting point now. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-rough-shopping-day#post-58862 Sun, 05 Apr 2009 13:57:55 +0000 jd00 58862@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Just a note on your "focus on fit, not size" comment. I was at Marshall's yesterday, wearing size 6 gap jeans that were baggy (I'm 5 feet tall). Ended up buying 2 pairs of petite jeans - a white Michael Kors pair in a size 8P ($40 too!) and another pair (don't remember brand) in a size 10P ($16). Both fit perfectly. So in one day I fit into 3 sizes of jeans! Goes to show you that size is really, really arbitrary.</p> <p>I'm new here, but great work on your weight loss! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-rough-shopping-day#post-58859 Sun, 05 Apr 2009 13:22:33 +0000 Kristen 58859@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Awww, thanks for cheering me up! I do know I had a number of successes yesterday, and what doesn't fit right now probably will by the end of the month. So it's a temporary frustration, at best -- which is a very good thing!</p> <p>What really bothered me is that I pretty much broke all of Angie's shopping strategies, and I knew I was doing it as I did! Let's compare her suggestions to what I did:</p> <p>1. Make the final decision at home: Okay, this one I didn't break. I will be returning everything. Which is normally fine for me, I'm just annoyed I have to do it in the first place; I knew I shouldn't have bought them, but I didn't listen to my inner voice.</p> <p>2. Focus on fit, not size: the new denim skirt is a 10. A 10!!! I lost my head with glee and bought it at full price. It ifts and it's adorable, but full-price from an outlet store? No, that was just being silly.</p> <p>3. Don’t be swayed by low prices: this would explain the Target purchases, which are ALSO going back.</p> <p>4. Spend money on bras, shoes, handbags, watches and spectacles: Did I mention I got the cheapest fabric summer bag at Target because it was a cute blue and only $9? And in hindsight I think it looks more like a knitting bag than a purse? Sigh.</p> <p>5. Find better bargains online where sales are more frequent: This one doesn't quite apply, but I was enticed to go to the other outlet stores because I had really good coupons for them. And I had stuff in my hands to buy from them when I realized none of it was worth standing in line for, and even with the coupons the price wasn't that great. </p> <p>I basically was a walking example of what NOT to do out shopping. I'm not normally like that, which is what is so disappointing to me. But today will be better! (I hope. LOL!) </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-rough-shopping-day#post-58854 Sun, 05 Apr 2009 13:03:29 +0000 JewelryGirl 58854@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Kristen - Actually, I think days like that help us to realize how much more intentional we are becoming. Be proud of yourself, you probably just went through some growth in your shopping habits right there. The positives are; </p> <p>~ "ALL too big already" - success you are losing, correct??!! :)<br /> ~ "yay, I have rainboots" - another success, assuming you were looking for! :)<br /> ~ "adorable mid-heel tan-and-black spectator pumps for $11 at the Naturalizer outlet" - success again, correct?! :)<br /> ~ "lots of desperately needed new underwear at the Jockey outlet" - proper fitting undergarments that are much needed (always a success)!! :)<br /> ~ "a cute denim skirt at AT Factory" - possible success!</p> <p>I think I had a similar stint yesterday. I was looking for pattern tops with olive green in them. Although I don't need anymore animal prints - I was in TJMaxx &#38; I couldn't resist this fitted, olive green leopard shorter cardi (only $16.99)!! I had to get it, so excited right? Got in the car, natural lighting - hmmm looks more khaki brown that olive/army green. Got it home, LOVE the fit!! However, the color is NOT right &#38; I don't need more animal print. Almost kept it for the price. However, I realize it needs to go back as that's not a good enough reason if it doesn't work for the purpose I intended to buy it for. So, it's going back. I think I'm also returning a turq cowl neck I bought last weekend - it doesn't go with anything in my closet &#38; I don't need any more closet orphans. I may still try the dark grey one as that might work with some things for me. My point is, you're not alone. I think it's a growing process for all of us. </p> <p>Celebrate your successes yesterday &#38; realize it's a process and you are more intentional now. Your end results will be much better, I think it just takes us longer to get there. Good Luck today! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-rough-shopping-day#post-58852 Sun, 05 Apr 2009 12:34:47 +0000 Kristen 58852@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Ugh, yesterday was one of those painful shopping days, the kind that make you wonder if it's even worth it! I started off by trying on all my new dresses again (none of which have been officially worn yet) and finally accepting they were ALL too big already. So I packed them up with their receipts for return/exchange. I also reconsidered a pair of hot-hot-hot red patent wedge sandals; they're 4-inch platforms and the style was not right at all with the style of the dresses -- and without having the dresses, there was no reason to keep them. </p> <p>So I hit the malls. Several malls, in fact. First was Target, where I returned a pair of too-big rainboots (kept the smaller ones, yay, I have rainboots), and impulse picked up a sweater and a top. Stopped in to see my girlfriend at Coach (boy, all their bags are ug-LY this season), tried on a ton of stuff at AT. Next was the Container Store where I got two storage boxes for the living room -- different styles because I couldn't decide and wanted DH's opinion. Then I went up to the outlet mall and returned one dress at my beloved AT Factory. I also had mega-coupons for the Banana Republic and Gap Outlets. </p> <p>I think it was the outlet mall that was my mistake. It was crowded and crazy and nothing really quite fit right. Turns out that I am in that between-size zone; the 14s are either fitting perfectly or are turning too big, but the 12s are too small still. And the sales weren't good enough to justify picking up the 12s now so I'll be ready when they fit in a few weeks.</p> <p>To make matters worse, I completely ignored all of Angie's shopping advice from this week's post and bought some things anyway. And I had buyer's remorse the whole drive home. I tried everything on again when I got home, and sure enough, almost everything is back in its bag for the next return. </p> <p>And today DH and I are going to our local mall, where I have more returns to do at AT Loft and Nordstrom. It is just about the last thing I want to do! I'm so tired of things not fitting right, of having weird combos of clothes in my closet, and nothing but black pants. And with 20 more pounds left to go, and especially because my body is undergoing some rapid shape changes now that I'm doing daily yoga and other exercises, I cannot justify buying anything that isn't on deep, deep discount. Online shopping, which has always been such a pleasure for me, is impossible right now. I honestly have no idea what size I am, or what size I will be by the time the clothes arrive. I have to take two of everything into the dressing room with me. (Which did not help my frustration yesterday. Had to try on twice as much, and neither was quite right!) </p> <p>On the plus side, I did get a pair of adorable mid-heel tan-and-black spectator pumps for $11 at the Naturalizer outlet, lots of desperately needed new underwear at the Jockey outlet, and a cute denim skirt at AT Factory. (Which might go back too until I can buy it for the summer at my final size, and hopefully on sale.) </p> <p>Anyway. It was very annoying. And I knew you guys would understand my need to vent. Glad I got it off my chest, because I have to do it all over again today! Sheesh. </p>