https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/aha-moment-logic-has-no-place-in-my-fitting-room Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Sat, 04 Apr 2026 11:33:21 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/aha-moment-logic-has-no-place-in-my-fitting-room/page/2#post-1191594 Tue, 11 Mar 2014 14:51:44 +0000 Neel 1191594@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I am an emotional shopper in recovery. The kind of emotional shopper who bought clothes for someone else's life and body! Really .... Where the hell should I wear the 5 backless dresses that I bought because I loved them madly? I am in the middle east for god's sake! I still love them ... And I admire them languishing in my closet o_O. I crazy love knee high boots, the killer leather jackets in all the colors of the rainbow, the beautiful dramatic coats and all kinds of patterned hose. But ..... Its impractical and although I would wear the heck out of them during my 4 months of mild winter, there are only so many jackets and coats and boots I would need! (Killer yellow zara coat, I am talking to you.... I can't buy you. Boo)</p> <p>I now plan what I want for my practical lifestyle .... Then go mad searching for it, buy it and enjoy :). I realize this is so much better than the reckless purchases I used to do. I am on team both! Practicality comes first now in my shopping agenda. :). Although I do understand how emotional shopping can benefit when you have your head on your shoulders! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/aha-moment-logic-has-no-place-in-my-fitting-room/page/2#post-1191577 Tue, 11 Mar 2014 14:21:48 +0000 Susie 1191577@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Although I'm pretty nerdy in how much I like&nbsp;keeping a spreadsheet of the number of wearings, tracking WIW and keeping a running list of purchases, when I actually use&nbsp;those tools for&nbsp;analysis, I see that my best purchases are buying the things that I LOVE. </p> <p>I frequently wear black pants, jeans and white jeans. So almost any top I might fall for can probably be paired with one of those things. And most of my clothes are a similar level of dressiness. If I love a piece, it rarely becomes an orphan. When I get something that I think might be good to have but there's no wow factor, I don't reach for it. </p> <p>So I guess I use logic to justify my emotional choices!</p> <p> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/aha-moment-logic-has-no-place-in-my-fitting-room/page/2#post-1191486 Tue, 11 Mar 2014 12:24:09 +0000 Janet 1191486@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Rae, I totally understand! I'm an emotional shopper, and considering my purchases of late, I would definitely say that my best buys were quite often impulse purchases that were not *needs." However,&nbsp;as Angie mentioned, I also have a good staple of basics at home -- plenty of jeans, layering tees and tops, etc., so new fun pieces have an anchor already in my closet.&nbsp;</p> <p>I'm still trying to get better about limiting my impulse purchases because some are not the most brilliant moves. Sometimes it seems I just need to have an item in my closet before I know for sure whether I love it. Hence my dedication to stores with good return policies!&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/aha-moment-logic-has-no-place-in-my-fitting-room/page/2#post-1191484 Tue, 11 Mar 2014 12:18:12 +0000 pastrygirl 1191484@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>This is really interesting! I used to be a 100% emotional shopper and ended up with an overflowing closet of meh things (that were on SALE!). I've been working on changing that for over a year and got to a point where I only bought something if I absolutely LOVED IT. I didn't worry about need; it just had to be total love. That actually worked pretty well for me.</p> <p>I need a new wardrobe for spring/summer (seasons nowhere in sight...). I have some tops but no bottoms other than two VC tube skirts. I haven't decided if I want crops, shorts, or skirts, or a mix and what kind of mix. I'm going to let emotional shopping lead me, with a purpose. Or as Vicki said above, I'm going to try to be clear-headed about it, knowing that I need some of those particular items. I think it will be fun because it's pretty open-ended, compared to needing new linen tees (not that there's anything wrong with that!). But I will only buy something that is OMG awesome, and that might make it more work and less fun. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/aha-moment-logic-has-no-place-in-my-fitting-room/page/2#post-1191402 Tue, 11 Mar 2014 05:15:53 +0000 rabbit 1191402@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I really relate to <b>Shevia'</b>s approach, and my closet is fairly cohesive now, although not honed to a minimal capsule&nbsp;and definitely&nbsp;not all&nbsp;10's (I'm at the beginning of the style journey/process), so when something calls to me I'm always immediately thinking about what in my closet I could wear it with. &nbsp;</p> <p>I also agree with <b>Rae</b> that it doesn't work for me to buy a basic like a white button down - It would become an orphan even if in theory it could be worn. &nbsp;Instead I think about supporting pieces that are usually tights, or tanks, a color of belt,&nbsp;&nbsp;or a plain skirt of a certain length that work with the clothes I already have and love.</p> <p>I think the other two things that partly hold me back from expensive mistakes or a closet of orphans are&nbsp;a) the fact that I'm temporarily&nbsp;immersing myself in&nbsp;shopping and&nbsp;clothes which&nbsp;makes less things 'shine' as Rae says. &nbsp;I get more choosey and I remember everything I have so I don't duplicate. &nbsp;I also have a sense of what is available out at the stores, so don't jump unless something really stands out, or is discounted below my baseline prices without a quality drop. &nbsp; </p> <p>b) I have very, very low baseline prices which I'm willing to pay. &nbsp;Also I'm very unwilling to buy anything if it's not discounted significantly - i.e. it still has to be&nbsp;decent quality.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/aha-moment-logic-has-no-place-in-my-fitting-room/page/2#post-1191323 Tue, 11 Mar 2014 03:08:42 +0000 Jaime 1191323@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I understand this completely Rae. For me the fun of shopping is to find a needle in the haystack. But if the haystack is made up of thrift store goods what are the chances the needle will be on my short list? Not big. So I sort of prime my mind with ideas of what to look for, what I want to try, what I am missing and so on and hope my subconscious will take over from there. Plus I have a well stocked closet with which&nbsp;to play mix and match. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/aha-moment-logic-has-no-place-in-my-fitting-room/page/2#post-1191320 Tue, 11 Mar 2014 03:05:48 +0000 Vicki 1191320@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I like the way you think, and if you're an emotional shopper, you're really clear-headed about it. &nbsp;I think I go in spurts, getting focused and then stagnate and I'm not quite sure how to figure in the momentum of it all.</p> <p>I love reading the list you assembled, Rae. &nbsp;That tells me you know what you're doing, logic or no logic. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/aha-moment-logic-has-no-place-in-my-fitting-room/page/2#post-1191313 Tue, 11 Mar 2014 02:59:11 +0000 Gigi 1191313@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I haven't read all the replies, but a lot of what you said I can relate to, Rae. I think that a person can go in two directions: start with the practical side first, or start with the emotional side first. I used to start with the practical side first, but if I was able to "check off" all my boxes related to what I wanted an item to do, I bought the item even if I didn't have great love for it. As a result, the item is just kind of "there" in my wardrobe. I will wear it, but it's not something I get excited about. But beginning this year, I have tried to start with the emotional piece and THEN move on to the practical piece. That seems to be working for me much better. I can still easily nix an item if I have too many of that style of item in my wardrobe, or if the price is more than I'm willing to pay. But I actually buy a lot less this way, because I find I don't have big emotional reactions most of the time. So I often don't get past the first step. I'm also learning a lot more about myself this way. What do I *really* want? So I guess I would say I am a combination shopper. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/aha-moment-logic-has-no-place-in-my-fitting-room/page/2#post-1191277 Tue, 11 Mar 2014 02:28:56 +0000 Anonymous 1191277@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I think I'm somehow Team Analytical Yet Unorganized, which seems like the worst of both worlds. I don't really have master lists or anything beyond a vague awareness of holes or things it would be nice to have, but I still shop more for items that check a bunch of boxes rather than starting with OMG-love, then working from there. What I tend to do is either realize there's something I could really use, then do an intense short-term search until I find the best option, or just randomly go shopping, but run everything through a bunch of&nbsp;filters before thinking about taking it home or even trying it on.</p> <p>I'm discovering that some of my favorite purchases lately, though, have been things I love enough that I'll try and talk myself&nbsp;past my initial "Seriously?!? You think <i>that</i> makes sense?"&nbsp;reaction. I'm thinking of my drapy Anthro cardigan, for example. </p> <p>For another example, I&nbsp;couldn't stop thinking about&nbsp;a cream bag for spring/summer despite knowing that it would be&nbsp;kind of risky&nbsp;for someone like me who doesn't have a great track record for keeping things pristine. So my logical side helpfully kicked in to tell&nbsp;me cream is the one shade that would go with all my clothes while also lightening things up enough to feel like I'm not just wearing the same fall/winter outfits all year long, which is kind of an issue with my default color palette. And then I happened to notice J. Crew had a&nbsp;really pretty cream bag that looks like&nbsp;a&nbsp;good size for me, with a nice, sensible&nbsp;cross body strap and enough inner pockets to keep track of keys/phone/etc. It also turns out&nbsp;it was&nbsp;on sale, plus there was a coupon code, meaning the price is just low&nbsp;enough that I won't feel too frustrated&nbsp;once it inevitably starts&nbsp;looking grungy. Long story short, that bag is now on its way to me! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/aha-moment-logic-has-no-place-in-my-fitting-room/page/2#post-1191260 Tue, 11 Mar 2014 02:18:49 +0000 Echo 1191260@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>^ Exactly, and this is why I find the lists so many people write or subscribe to not to work for me. I would never wear a white button down shirt, and I have little use for a pencil skirt, yet they are always tops on the list of basics everyone should own. Basics are important; they just need to be the basics that work for you and your lifestyle. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/aha-moment-logic-has-no-place-in-my-fitting-room/page/2#post-1191212 Tue, 11 Mar 2014 01:44:28 +0000 rae 1191212@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>About the basics, like I said up top, the beloved items help me to know <i>which</i> basics to get. It seems like less things get wasted when they go with something I love. Whereas, when I see that I don't have a crisp white button down and get it because it's a basic... I don't use it very often. Now this is just me. I didn't intend for my post to sound didactic. I was just curious how many of us might lean one way or another.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/aha-moment-logic-has-no-place-in-my-fitting-room#post-1191204 Tue, 11 Mar 2014 01:35:17 +0000 unfrumped 1191204@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>What Una said, and what Angie said.<br /> I don't have to have all parts of an outfit to make a " love" purchase work out in the end, but I need to see a pathway to that in my real life. Footwear may be the best example- I wouldn't necessarily have to have the right shoes already -- but I would have to want to wear/ be able to wear the kind of shoes the item seems to require. </p> <p>Love Angie's phrases! After falling for a Tracy Reese pencil skirt at a local boutique, I returned regularly for what I was calling planned emotional shopping, open to pure fab appeal in items that would fit into my lifestyle but have a wow factor missing from the old reliable basics stores. 3 more items later.... So that speaks to Angie's pint about having a base to branch out from. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/aha-moment-logic-has-no-place-in-my-fitting-room#post-1191148 Tue, 11 Mar 2014 00:43:28 +0000 gryffin 1191148@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Rae - I really like your thoughts.&nbsp; I do think the OMG purchases are so important.&nbsp; But Angie is right, that you really need the support act too.&nbsp; I do think having a list of things you "need" is key but with room for the unexpected.&nbsp; I like you list of 6 rules. I think that is a great way to evaluate any purchase.&nbsp; So I'm off to bookmark your thread so I can come back to this.&nbsp; I think I also need to be aware that when I see something so great on someone else I really have to filter it through would I wear it in the real world.&nbsp; Case in point - I finally found the perfect chambray shirt.&nbsp; It's great, but I really don't like button downs&nbsp;- I OD's on them in high school.&nbsp; I could make a lot of outfits with them but I dont' want to.&nbsp; I thought intellectually it would be great and in theory it is, but it never had the OMG love factor.&nbsp; So I really relate to your thoughts.&nbsp;OTOH&nbsp;my JC booties were a total lust and those babies have done hard labor and make over outfit cooler.&nbsp; I just wish I was&nbsp;wiser but I guess it's a process and we&nbsp;all keep trying to do better!!&nbsp; Great list, big help to me so I appreciate you sharing!!&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/aha-moment-logic-has-no-place-in-my-fitting-room#post-1191147 Tue, 11 Mar 2014 00:43:14 +0000 Transcona Shannon 1191147@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I work with a list in order to keep my closet orphans to a minimum and make sure I have things that work together but I always allow myself an unplanned love item here and there. It's gotta be fun too right? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/aha-moment-logic-has-no-place-in-my-fitting-room#post-1191134 Tue, 11 Mar 2014 00:24:47 +0000 Echo 1191134@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Rae, what you say makes so much sense to me, but Angie's caveats make complete sense, too. For a long time I didn't have the basics in place, and so I would buy lust pieces and never wear them because I didn't really have anything that went with anything. Lately, I've been working on more basics AND buying lust pieces. And coming home and playing with a new item in the wardrobe is crucial, too, because sometimes what I see in my head as working together doesn't actually work IRL.&nbsp;</p> <p>Oh, and I agree with Natalie, too; I wear ratty clothes at home because I am so short on the basics and on loungewear, but I LOVE the statement pieces I have! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/aha-moment-logic-has-no-place-in-my-fitting-room#post-1191120 Tue, 11 Mar 2014 00:11:43 +0000 abc 1191120@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I loved this post. So much that I want to open Vizio and draw a little flow chart. HAhahahaha </p> <p>I like Angie's names for what we are describing and I like her analysis in Rae's specific situation. I don't think I'm quite there as far as maturity (for lack of a better word) goes but seeing others' analysis always helps. </p> <p>Thx for sharing, Rae! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/aha-moment-logic-has-no-place-in-my-fitting-room#post-1191116 Tue, 11 Mar 2014 00:02:53 +0000 Angie 1191116@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thanks for popping that on the record, Rae. My heart is happier now. xo </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/aha-moment-logic-has-no-place-in-my-fitting-room#post-1191109 Mon, 10 Mar 2014 23:57:40 +0000 rae 1191109@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Angie, yes, it makes complete sense! Especially the fact that a focused look makes everything easier.</p> <p>And everyone, just for the record, I am not advocating that we all throw our brains out the window and shop willy nilly. For myself&nbsp;there is a difference between, "I don't have any black tees. This one works." and "I <i>love</i> this black&nbsp;tee! Have I been reaching for one like it?"</p> <p>Natalie, we must shop together one day!!</p> <p>Cathy, that's good to know about returns. I should be more ruthless about that!</p> <p> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/aha-moment-logic-has-no-place-in-my-fitting-room#post-1191076 Mon, 10 Mar 2014 23:37:55 +0000 Sarah A 1191076@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>This is great! And so needed as I am going through some mail orders that have arrived recently and working on K/R decisions. Going to page up and go read it again. Fantastic, I dont think I have very much "OMG love" in my closet... I means it is all nice enough and works but.... Brilliant "Aha"! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/aha-moment-logic-has-no-place-in-my-fitting-room#post-1191071 Mon, 10 Mar 2014 23:35:39 +0000 Angie 1191071@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>High five, Gaylene.&nbsp;</p> <p>Mo, that sounds about right.&nbsp;</p> <p>IK. YES. Greg loves black boots. And he rocks his white and light grey jeans.&nbsp;In fact, ink is what he wears when he wants to wear colour. He is your style twin for sure. He has a brilliant assortment of hip&nbsp;blazers that remix well into both casual and biz casual looks. He is very casual though. I am his dressy accessory.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/aha-moment-logic-has-no-place-in-my-fitting-room#post-1191066 Mon, 10 Mar 2014 23:31:33 +0000 fuzzylogic 1191066@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Bwahahaha, rae! I love a woman with a plan and the 'freak out and lust' plan is the best one I've read for quite a while! </p> <p>Your outfits are always so visually exciting to look at without being chaotic- and you wear the clothes (rather than the other way around). So, I say freak out and lust away! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/aha-moment-logic-has-no-place-in-my-fitting-room#post-1191065 Mon, 10 Mar 2014 23:31:30 +0000 cciele 1191065@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Yeah, totally with you Rae. Logic doesn't enter my shopping approach. I don't plan any purchases (unless there's a specific event I need to buy for). I think I'm in a good place now with my supporting acts, so it's just a matter of zeroing in on the OMG LOVE pieces that work with what I have. And I'm pretty ruthless about quickly returning things that don't work. There's no sitting on a piece and deciding whether it should stay. I either love it and it fits me and my wardrobe, or it goes. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/aha-moment-logic-has-no-place-in-my-fitting-room#post-1191059 Mon, 10 Mar 2014 23:26:04 +0000 ironkurtin 1191059@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>It is so funny that of all the people on YLF, Greg is my style twin.&nbsp; Does he like black boots, too?</p> <p>Angie, I have tried several times to incorporate more formal dressing into my wardrobe, and it simply goes unworn.&nbsp; I have no situations for it!&nbsp; Weird, but true. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/aha-moment-logic-has-no-place-in-my-fitting-room#post-1191056 Mon, 10 Mar 2014 23:23:01 +0000 Gaylene 1191056@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p><b><i>Focused Emotional Shopping</i></b>--I like the sound of that! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/aha-moment-logic-has-no-place-in-my-fitting-room#post-1191046 Mon, 10 Mar 2014 23:11:18 +0000 Angie 1191046@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>IK, it's easy for virtually&nbsp;your entire wardrobe to function like one big capsule because of thee things:</p> <ul> <li>One colour palette: black, grey, white and ink</li> <li>One dress code: casual and sometimes smart casual&nbsp;</li> <li>Your primary bottom is denim</li> </ul> <p>Greg's wardrobe operates in the same way.&nbsp;</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/aha-moment-logic-has-no-place-in-my-fitting-room#post-1191040 Mon, 10 Mar 2014 23:06:46 +0000 Angie 1191040@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Rae, here is my professional 2 cents:</p> <ul> <li>I think the fact that your spontaneous purchases are instantly working is&nbsp;because you <i>have the support act back at home.&nbsp;</i>This is not the case with many &nbsp;people, which is why I err on the side of caution when it comes to emotional purchases.&nbsp;</li> </ul> <ul> <li>I also think you are at the stage where you can do the process more intuitively. You work in fashion - and currently - this leg of your style journey is very focused. So you can think about the additions of trends more loosely and take it as it comes. Most of the ones you love are covered. You are cherry picking, and waiting for the next piece that changes up the landscape of your wardrobe. For me - it was my new green specs.&nbsp;</li> </ul> <p>Hope that makes sense.&nbsp;</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/aha-moment-logic-has-no-place-in-my-fitting-room#post-1191028 Mon, 10 Mar 2014 23:00:17 +0000 Deborah 1191028@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Rae, so interesting.&nbsp; I was thinking about this same thing last night and was going to post also:)</p> <p>I was musing over how some of my spontaneous purchases have become beloved workhorses and things I carefully planned for are barely worn.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Some of&nbsp;the spontaneous purchases even came home with me wondering hmmm is this a good choice?</p> <p>I try to balance the emotional with the planning and I think I am getting better,&nbsp; but it is a constant challenge. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/aha-moment-logic-has-no-place-in-my-fitting-room#post-1191027 Mon, 10 Mar 2014 22:59:59 +0000 Mo 1191027@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I find this interesting. &nbsp;I do some of both, but as we all know, I'm much on the analytical side. &nbsp;That said, I do choose 'ooh, ooh, ooh!' items in the categories I've designated much of the time. &nbsp;Having both a happiness factor and a hole filling designation is the best outcome for me. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/aha-moment-logic-has-no-place-in-my-fitting-room#post-1191026 Mon, 10 Mar 2014 22:59:39 +0000 goldenpig 1191026@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Rae, make room on Team Emotional Shopper and Statement Purchases&nbsp;for me! Do I need a orange slice purse or&nbsp;typewriter bag or dragonfly pumps? No, but they make me smile every time I wear them! Meanwhile I live in ratty T's and pajamas at home because I can't bring myself to shop for basics.</p> <p>Sounds like we have the same M.O. Rae!&nbsp;If I wasn't trying to cut down on new purchases I would love to shop with you more! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/aha-moment-logic-has-no-place-in-my-fitting-room#post-1191025 Mon, 10 Mar 2014 22:58:29 +0000 ironkurtin 1191025@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Angie, that is a good point.&nbsp; I try to make my closet one big capsule (as has been discussed).&nbsp; And I've found that my ZOMG LOVE items must fit into the capsule, or they don't get worn.&nbsp; So in some ways it is good to know exactly what I like, because often taking bigger risks is a big goose egg. </p>