YouLookFab Forum » Topic: A year of shopping

YouLookFab Forum » Topic: A year of shopping - 2013 https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-year-of-shopping---2013 Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Thu, 09 Apr 2026 16:13:57 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 <![CDATA[Search]]> q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php Isabel on "A year of shopping - 2013" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-year-of-shopping---2013/page/2#post-1123905 Sun, 29 Dec 2013 03:52:07 +0000 Isabel 1123905@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ This was a great  thread, thank you everyone ( Mo ! ) I have absolutely no idea how much I bought.  UGH !  My problem isn't clothes...it is accessories. So the clothes ( maybe 10 ) and shoes ( 3 for Spring ) were not a lot but the other stuff probably was. I bought no hand bags.  I have been downsizing and gave away a whole lot of stuff again. I also packed away some jeans, I felt that I had too many.   How do you decide you need or want 40-60 pieces a year  ( outside of wardrobe building ) ?  Do you get bored with your clothes ?  I went overboard the last couple of years because I gained a lot of weight. But now that I am stable and very happy with my clothes, I just don't feel that I want or need that much.   : )  Elly on "A year of shopping - 2013" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-year-of-shopping---2013/page/2#post-1123785 Sun, 29 Dec 2013 00:23:20 +0000 Elly 1123785@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I love watching your posts on these topics. This year I purchased (or received as gifts) 22 items (not including undies and socks, but including gear and big accessories-- bags and shoes). Next year, based on calculations of what I need/hope to buy for 2014, I am aiming for 32 pieces (not including bras, undies, socks, and a couple pieces of loungewear if I have the budget but including the 2 pieces of gear I have on my list). However, since I like to shop seasonally on a minimal scale then add a piece or two throughout the season as I find something or need something it makes more sense to think about that being  3-4 pieces now to get me through winter, 10 pieces in the spring and 3 as summer goes along, 12 in the fall/NAS, and 4 in Nov/Dec for winter-weight sweaters and style refreshers. Next year I expect the number to be slightly lower, I won't be buying as many shoes and toppers but might need to add a second handbag and coat, and refresh gear and staples like jeans, layering tops, button downs, and running gear. Mo on "A year of shopping - 2013" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-year-of-shopping---2013/page/2#post-1123733 Sat, 28 Dec 2013 22:50:31 +0000 Mo 1123733@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ thanks.  I've got mistakes, too.  I tried on the white maxi dress again this evening and compared it to a green halter I've had for 4 or 5 years.  No contest.  The maxi just isn't flattering without work and perfect belt placement.  It's gotta go.  One of my more expensive purchases, even at just $75.  Oh, well.  Maybe I'll get half the value back in resale.  No more non returnable purchases! Onward and upward.  DonnaF on "A year of shopping - 2013" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-year-of-shopping---2013/page/2#post-1123729 Sat, 28 Dec 2013 22:40:47 +0000 DonnaF 1123729@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Thanks, Mo!  I doubt that I will ever be as analytical as you, but you inspired me to keep track of my purchases and their amounts last year.  I also tracked their full price and how much I paid, which averaged 61%.  I spent and bought way more than I intended, especially on items that were not on my *list*.  Interestingly enough, presence on a list was not necessarily correlated with how often I wore an item or was sometimes negatively correlated!  Next year, my purchases will have to go way down since DH plans to retire in January.  :(  At the very least, I need to replace my Dansko Pros and a bra or two.  But of course, I will end up buying much more.  A huge goal is not to make footwear mistakes, but with my fussy feet problem footwear doesn't always make itself known after merely walking around the house. Suz on "A year of shopping - 2013" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-year-of-shopping---2013/page/2#post-1123237 Sat, 28 Dec 2013 03:11:06 +0000 Suz 1123237@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Thanks, Mo!! I also just downloaded something that might work for an app...I'm going to see. This might be a better bet for me in fact. Simpler!  E on "A year of shopping - 2013" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-year-of-shopping---2013/page/2#post-1123228 Sat, 28 Dec 2013 02:55:47 +0000 E 1123228@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ This was a great read, thanks for posting Mo! :) I haven't tracked how many clothing items I bought this year, but I did buy 5 pairs of shoes & received 2 others as gifts, which is a pretty dramatic amount of shoes for me. Especially since 2 were bought retail at $160 and $180! The other 3 were ebay'ed and came to around $75 all together, which gives you a sense of how much I usually spend on shoes. I was definitely in a shoe wardrobe building year, and all of the shoes have seen a lot of use, so I think they were good purchases, although we'll see how well they hold up over the next few years. For most of the year, I visited the thrift store on the way home from the library, which is a weekly event for me. I didn't always find something, but some days I'd find 5 things, so I'm sure I'm at least at the US average! *runs off to closet* Ok, from what I remember, and I tried to err on the side of 'if in doubt include in count,' I'm at 55 clothing items, two of which were gifts. That doesn't include intimates, but I don't think I bought any hosiery or bras (did knit 2 pairs of socks), although I did do an undie refresher in the spring with 7 pairs or accessories, of which I think I bought 1 scarf, 1 summer hat (and knit 2 hats), and maybe 4 belts. At the beginning of the year, I was still in wardrobe rebuilding mode after figuring out my style goals, so it makes sense that the total represents more than a quarter of my wardrobe (and I likely culled almost as many as I brought in), but now I definitely need to switch to refinement/maintenance mode! At my current numbers, my clothes will probably take years to wear out, which feels good to me since I love them all so much, but on the other hand doesn't allow much space for significant style shifts. Mo on "A year of shopping - 2013" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-year-of-shopping---2013/page/2#post-1123070 Fri, 27 Dec 2013 22:12:30 +0000 Mo 1123070@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Oh, Carter, I am not as organized as one would think . . . so that is my CPW threshold, if you will.  Items with over $20 CPW are on my 'hit list'.  When a new item that is kind of $$ for me comes into the closet, I put tally marks next to it to its total value - each tally being $20.  As I wear something, I remove a mark. Once all the tallies are gone, it has gotten below $20 CPW. I started this when I began buying things over $100 and kept doing it last year with any and all items, most of which get worn soon enough to not get on the list.   Suz, I found the dang template!!  It's under MicrosoftWorks Fundraising category. carter on "A year of shopping - 2013" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-year-of-shopping---2013/page/2#post-1123069 Fri, 27 Dec 2013 22:07:34 +0000 carter 1123069@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Mo, would you share your thoughts on the right-hand column, "Cost per Wear <$20". Is $20 your CPW target for the higher priced items? Would love to know your thought process. Mo on "A year of shopping - 2013" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-year-of-shopping---2013/page/2#post-1123062 Fri, 27 Dec 2013 21:59:04 +0000 Mo 1123062@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Suz, I am so app stupid I can't begin to tell you!  This is simply a windows template on my laptop that I doctored up to use.  I'll see if I can't figure out which one I grabbed.  Suz on "A year of shopping - 2013" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-year-of-shopping---2013/page/2#post-1123061 Fri, 27 Dec 2013 21:56:52 +0000 Suz 1123061@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Wow. This is so organized.  Is there an App for this?  :) I need some help to set it all up. But I think it could be so useful.  Mo on "A year of shopping - 2013" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-year-of-shopping---2013/page/2#post-1123049 Fri, 27 Dec 2013 21:37:27 +0000 Mo 1123049@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ For those who might be interested, here are all the gory details.  Since I returned my last 2 white jeans today and am keeping the foil shirt and hoping it just softens with wear I'm calling it a wrap officially for the year.  Return costs are 7.5% of my spending this year.  Sheesh.  Gift money of $100 for B-day and $100 for xmas was included, so all told $1400 budget, but only the planned $1200 out of pocket.  I will call it a success, even if I did buy 36 items rather than the 24, or the lofty 12.     rachylou on "A year of shopping - 2013" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-year-of-shopping---2013#post-1121763 Tue, 24 Dec 2013 21:39:53 +0000 rachylou 1121763@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I love that you track the numbers, Mo. I'm pretty sure I buy an item of clothing every week too on the average. If not more. I think part of my thing is the hunt, keeping up with what's out there and being afraid it won't keep (which it often doesn't). The other is, I have a pretty hard time with imagining the whole year ahead. I can't even shop for groceries on a weekly basis, because what I'll eat on the day of is always a surprise to me. Suz on "A year of shopping - 2013" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-year-of-shopping---2013#post-1121759 Tue, 24 Dec 2013 21:33:18 +0000 Suz 1121759@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Ah! Yeah, I get it. For me it works a bit differently since I tend to buy pricier (which comes with its own set of issues, LOL.)  Mo on "A year of shopping - 2013" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-year-of-shopping---2013#post-1121755 Tue, 24 Dec 2013 21:30:39 +0000 Mo 1121755@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Suz, yes and no on the budget vs amounts.  For some of us, ahem, cough cough, we can stretch that $100 into 8 or 9 things to have more goodies, variety, fun!!  But, yeah, next year they are all worn out and it's time to start over.  And continue to drool over, say, leather pants we could 'never' afford.  See where I'm going?  ;) Suz on "A year of shopping - 2013" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-year-of-shopping---2013#post-1121749 Tue, 24 Dec 2013 21:21:11 +0000 Suz 1121749@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I think a budget is truly a better way to go than counting items.  But now that I am close to a one-in-one-out place in the closet, counting makes a certain amount of sense as well.  Lyn raised a really good point about the purges. I also purged more than I bought. So I have a smaller (but better working) closet despite all that buying. Still, I can't continue to buy at that pace. I had better hope I really love some of the items I have purchased! And that they wear well.  Mo on "A year of shopping - 2013" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-year-of-shopping---2013#post-1121715 Tue, 24 Dec 2013 20:17:53 +0000 Mo 1121715@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Whoops Lyn!  I also have a loose budget in mind and I found myself keeping very much in line with it.  Funny, because my idea this year was to focus on number of items instead of dollars, but it seems I'm hardwired to the dollar amount anyway.  Onwards and upwards for next year!  Right?  :) Alasse, chuckling at Mo-nalysis!  My BF coins Mo terms all the time.  I had to share that with him. Lyn D. on "A year of shopping - 2013" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-year-of-shopping---2013#post-1121714 Tue, 24 Dec 2013 20:14:47 +0000 Lyn D. 1121714@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Hi Mo- I always enjoy your posts! I had a budget rather than number aim for this year, but ended up exceeding by more than 50% :( I did note every purchase and  barely a week went by without one too, although I purged a similar amount, and actually have fewer shoes and jackets than I started with. I am aiming for 6 items per season with this year's budget in 2014. Hopefully we can help to keep each other on track next year Alassë on "A year of shopping - 2013" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-year-of-shopping---2013#post-1121706 Tue, 24 Dec 2013 19:38:40 +0000 Alassë 1121706@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Yes, I've disgusted myself 2 years running with totals in the low 60s, therefore average American/buying every 5 days. Wow. I'm no longer wardrobe upgrading, except for sweaters, but I think I found the reason: half my purchases tend to be likes, whether spur of the moment or long planned, rather than wardrobe essentials/basics. I'm not having any luck cutting down in that area because sometimes these are wardrobe loves. Suggestions, anyone? And thank you for another Mo-nalysis post. I always enjoy. Mo on "A year of shopping - 2013" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-year-of-shopping---2013#post-1121697 Tue, 24 Dec 2013 19:15:59 +0000 Mo 1121697@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Suz, to your point, building a wardrobe is I think a whole different animal, and in no way do I want to imply how much one 'should' be shopping!  I thought I was at a pretty good place where all I was looking for was refreshers, and yet - still a lot of purchases.  Very enlightening!   I expect to buy an item or 2 a month from here to eternity honestly, because I like to have current looks, if not cutting edge trends.  I just don't need to go beyond that, for my lifestyle and wearing patterns, or I just won't get use value out of my clothing.  Period.     Suz on "A year of shopping - 2013" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-year-of-shopping---2013#post-1121684 Tue, 24 Dec 2013 19:01:19 +0000 Suz 1121684@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Ugh. So. I just counted. Not counting underwear, and not counting a few items that I may have worn a few times but passed on, I purchased 65 items this year (unless I have forgotten something.) Of those, I could probably in fairness to myself take a few off the list as they were total misses --  a couple of Loft tees which mysteriously self-destructed after only one wear!   That would put me at your American average. But even so....that is a purchase every 5 or 6 days. Yikes! Granted, I'm wardrobe building still. Many of these purchases are for core wardrobe items like denim and boots, some of which I won't be replacing for the next few years. Others were for special occasion wear that was needed for specific events. And I wore pretty much everything else into the ground. But still.  I'm going to be watching myself more carefully this year thanks to your example. I also think I'm in a better place to do this since the core of both seasonal wardrobes is now in place -- it's a question of upgrading and improving, not of filling the closet with enough items to get me through until wash day or to take me through my various activities.  CocoLion on "A year of shopping - 2013" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-year-of-shopping---2013#post-1121667 Tue, 24 Dec 2013 18:30:00 +0000 CocoLion 1121667@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Good job Mo.  I think you are the model of planning and restraint (at least compared to me), while still looking great. I do think shopping frequency.  I believe I might make as many on line orders as 3 per month, usually with more than one item per box.  So I do think about "when was the last time I hit the buy button" -- that seems to be an internal meter I have to stave off some of the fashion and shopping lust.  My other technique is to purchase a Visa or Am Ex gift card when I have extra cash, and use that for on-line shopping.  When it's gone, it's gone. Then there's B&M shopping, where I use cash but I have far fewer opportunities to get into trouble that way as I only have a handful of days per year when I go to a store. Mo on "A year of shopping - 2013" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-year-of-shopping---2013#post-1121655 Tue, 24 Dec 2013 18:09:57 +0000 Mo 1121655@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Lol - I might squeeze in one more purchase, too!  But I also might return the foil top, so I'd still be at the same number.  I found out my mistakes were dresses.  I bought 4.  The most recent to replace the first one I'd bought earlier in the year online that was a size too big.  I wore it anyway and then purged it upon moving here.  Both red dresses.  Had my heart set on a red dress. The other 2 were a hi low maxi and my DVF wrap.  Wore the wrap on my B-day and haven't worn the maxi yet!  I know I'll keep the DVF for years and it's more special occasion for me, so I don't consider that a mistake, but most of the others I do.  It's not that I don't wear dresses.  It's that I wear much more casual ones, that are wovens and poly and 'toss in the wash' and don't worry about them kind of things.  Live and learn! Catnip on "A year of shopping - 2013" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-year-of-shopping---2013#post-1121638 Tue, 24 Dec 2013 17:26:32 +0000 Catnip 1121638@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Mo, this a terrific analysis! So far this year, I've bought and kept 40 items.  I counted the 10 pairs of socks as one item.  This is a little disappointing because I'm trying to build my wardrobe and have several holes that are causing problems.  I need a lot more clothes! I also looked at each purchase and thought about how much I like it and actually wear it.  It turns out that I really love 37 of the items and wear them all the time.  Well, I love the black socks as much as it is possible to love basic black socks that fit well and stay up.  One of the "mistakes" is a pair of shoes that just aren't as comfortable for long distance walking as I had hoped they would be.  The corduroy jeans haven't been worn that much because it hasn't been cold enough to wear them a lot yet.  One pair of shoes was bought in desperation, which I can now see was a mistake.  They're OK, but a little too boring. Let's not forget the year is not over!  When the things I've ordered online arrive, perhaps I can get the number up to 42. Mo on "A year of shopping - 2013" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-year-of-shopping---2013#post-1121501 Tue, 24 Dec 2013 14:52:42 +0000 Mo 1121501@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I think you did really well, actually!  If it makes you feel better, I thought I would only be refreshing, too.  I had replacements in this year's list I hadn't banked on.  Black cargo skirt that was longer, new white cami when the dryer had eaten the strap on my old favorite, neutral flats once I purged the ones that were not really my style, etc.   One thing I did do for myself was list a separate category of basics that I want to get once a year, to keep a fresh rotation -a bra, a workout outfit, a lounge outfit, and a sleep set.  This way I won't have to buy 4 running shirts when I realize they've all worn out from when I built up my running capsule 4 years ago and then just ignored it, for example.  ManidipaM on "A year of shopping - 2013" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-year-of-shopping---2013#post-1121405 Tue, 24 Dec 2013 10:04:57 +0000 ManidipaM 1121405@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Mo, you know I.love your number posts and this one just froke me out yes it is freaky that we buy clothes that often! I started with a 12 for 12 goal too and was doing okay in the first half of the year. But then I thought I would be back in at least early pregnancy sizes by now. The body and the baby have other ideas. My wardrobe got smaller because nosy little M will go after buttons and ties with a vengeance. Should have known. And because the belly is still postpartum girth. Might have known. Now that wasn't to give myself a free pass because these make long-term investments an even worse idea. All I can say is that boredom and laundry bottlenecks were getting me down. So I went overboard. I got the winter cardigan and two sweaters (3) early this year and the cardi has been a workhorse, the mohair sweater is not very baby-friendly since it Little M wants to practice his pincer grip on the fluff(!) And the other sweater got munched by a mouse while we moved and is awaiting repairs(!). The knit tunic and sweater tights bought at the same time have been golden (2). The boots are great (1). But not waterproof. The oxfords have been fun (1) and were worn a ton. I failed to find the wrap dress and bag on my list (-2) but did get thermals (counting set as 1). I did find and wear my denim shirt/vest plenty (1) and likewise my cotton cardigan (1). But I then bought 3 new tunics to work with existing Indian-style pants (salwars) and leggings, which brings me up to 11. And a fun but not-perfect skirt, so 12. And a couple of summer tops...14. And an extra sleeved peasant blouse...15. And the track pants that failed or it would have been 16. Except it was because I found the HEWI polarised tortoiseshell-ish pointy-framed sunnies. And there was the navy layering tee that proved too short... 17. And I still have holes in my wardrobe, especially the lower half! And now I am scared stiff to plan for next year when I thought I would only need to refresh and not plug holes! jayne on "A year of shopping - 2013" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-year-of-shopping---2013#post-1121400 Tue, 24 Dec 2013 09:13:11 +0000 jayne 1121400@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Good luck...you know I'll eagerly await the updates.  Mo on "A year of shopping - 2013" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-year-of-shopping---2013#post-1121362 Tue, 24 Dec 2013 05:47:37 +0000 Mo 1121362@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Jayne, I do have room for distractions, and do alter the list as the year goes on.  I have a basic plan, though.  For instance, right now my leather panel jeans may become suede skinnies, or snakeskin texture jeans depending on what is available, in my budget, and really makes my heart jump a beat.  But the idea behind the pant is a chic, edgy rocker look.   I like having a list of goodies to look forward to finding.  Sometimes they are off schedule, way ahead or behind when I've thought they'd come around, season-wise, but again, I adjust :) I'm sticking with the same budget, like you, and aiming for reduced amount, resulting in fewer, hopefully better quality, items. Anonymous on "A year of shopping - 2013" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-year-of-shopping---2013#post-1121354 Tue, 24 Dec 2013 05:16:01 +0000 Anonymous 1121354@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ You have inspired me to count my purchases. I never thought about it in terms of buying something every X number of days. jayne on "A year of shopping - 2013" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-year-of-shopping---2013#post-1121101 Mon, 23 Dec 2013 23:33:45 +0000 jayne 1121101@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Great job coming down on number of purchases.  It really is a bit of an addiction, the fashion merry go round.  I purchased way more than you but still got a 20% reduction from the year before in monetary terms, and even 30% in numbers.  Which means, I paid more for each item purchased, and bought less items.  Which was a goal for me.  Buy less crap, buy less in general, but when buying, buy quality and expect to keep it.  I am going to try and reduce another 20% in items this year.  I think that is the better number to focus on, and not mess with the budget.  But  I do think I will focus on two specific purchasing areas.  I have seen that you already have quite a few items picked out for next year.  Does that help you keep numbers down, knowing what you want already? I feel I try that and then get distracted by the new pretty color or fashion...and then end up buying more there.  DO you have room for distractions? minimalist on "A year of shopping - 2013" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-year-of-shopping---2013#post-1121049 Mon, 23 Dec 2013 22:37:11 +0000 minimalist 1121049@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Mo, I'm fascinated by your accounting-style insight. Thanks for sharing it so clearly. Number-wise, I've purchased a lot in a few short months, and I'm still only on lounge capsules.