https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/buying-seasonally--more-aha-and-happiness Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Wed, 22 Apr 2026 19:29:12 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/buying-seasonally--more-aha-and-happiness#post-847874 Wed, 13 Feb 2013 16:28:32 +0000 unfrumped 847874@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Great to hear more versions of this experience!</p> <p>To me it's all about becoming a smarter shopper in various ways. If I browse more but can buy less, I am "prepared" (the whole shopping is "research" thing--I love that!) and have a sense of what will sell out and what will still be available, and what things are "the one" when I come across them and no point in waiting.</p> <p>Some items that are basics and that I have some flexibility in, I'll try to buy only on sale. For example there's a particular type of layering tank top I like--J Jill of all places, but I can wear them frontwards or backwards, depending on how much coverage I want. Different colors come in and out of fashion there, but as Angie has said, some colors are your always-colors. So if I'm a bit patient I can get them at half price or less as I know I will use them for several years and it's an item that it's okay to "collect". </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/buying-seasonally--more-aha-and-happiness#post-847862 Wed, 13 Feb 2013 16:19:30 +0000 Charmian 847862@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Well said! I love how krishnidoux built upon your post, too, to say that we're all worth a full-priced item occasionally.</p> <p>For me, there's an extra level of thinking that comes with buying full-priced items, and that has been nothing but good for my wardrobe as a collection.</p> <p>Lastly, although I may buy it at full price the first time around, if I'm doing an exact replacement of a wardrobe essential (eg, Gap curvy jeans in a dark wash) I'll wait for a sale. It's already been vetted thoroughly, so I might as well use those funds elsewhere. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/buying-seasonally--more-aha-and-happiness#post-847773 Wed, 13 Feb 2013 15:25:47 +0000 texstyle 847773@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Love this post and the insight! Who would have thought we'd all be cheering "buying full price" - but it's SO true and so much better shopping this way. I sometimes take advantage of a special promo on a new item of course but it's not the determining factor anymore. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/buying-seasonally--more-aha-and-happiness#post-847726 Wed, 13 Feb 2013 14:49:12 +0000 Lisa 847726@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Great insight here. For myself, it's not how expensive the item was at time of purchase, it's how low and how fast, I can reduce the items cost per wear that determine if it was a good purchase to me. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/buying-seasonally--more-aha-and-happiness#post-847648 Wed, 13 Feb 2013 13:09:14 +0000 krishnidoux 847648@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Great analysis! It resonated with me too. And what a realization that you are worth more than only end-of-season left overs. I don't mean this in a tacky way: I mean, if we only shop sales and end of season, as you say, we are left having to pick out from a very limited selection of things that have been rejected by others. Imagine the message we are sending to ourselves. It is mentally very healthy, once in awhile, to buy a full-price item that serves an immediate purpose. </p> <p>Spring is coming and it means rain. Last year I bought a new bright blue London fog raincoat, just the type I wanted, full price. It wasn't a huge price, actually, but this coat has been so useful, and made me so happy! Every time I use it, I remember I bought it just for me, full price, and thank myself having done so. </p> <p>In the end, the feeling is not guilt but happiness. </p> <p>Thank you for sharing this. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/buying-seasonally--more-aha-and-happiness#post-847644 Wed, 13 Feb 2013 12:48:14 +0000 carolbee 847644@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Love this post, much food for thought. I have certainly done more shopping at the start of the season, need to work on the shopping list idea. Sales aren't a huge temptation for me as they rarely have my size, another reason of course to shop at the start of the season. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/buying-seasonally--more-aha-and-happiness#post-847594 Wed, 13 Feb 2013 10:40:14 +0000 jenanded 847594@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Fantastic post, and timely since I was feeling a bit of guilt because I have found so many things on my last at the beginning of the season. But i am carefully making up and wearing outfits from the beginning of the season. Thank you! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/buying-seasonally--more-aha-and-happiness#post-847527 Wed, 13 Feb 2013 06:24:08 +0000 Gaylene 847527@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I loved this post; you've put into words exactly what I started to realize last year when I took a long, hard look at my closet. Team Seasonal Shopping, Team Clothes Ought to Feel Happy and Team Wear Now are my teams. And I'm also trying to get off the Team If-I-Buy-It-On-Sale-This-Year-I-Will-Be-Ready-For-Next-Year. Black, straight-legged pants may be a fashion classic for me, but FOUR almost identical pairs??? That's not fashion, that's hoarding! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/buying-seasonally--more-aha-and-happiness#post-847522 Wed, 13 Feb 2013 06:10:18 +0000 lyn* 847522@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Totally. And when my new favorite item sells out, I definitely feel vindicated! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/buying-seasonally--more-aha-and-happiness#post-847315 Wed, 13 Feb 2013 02:05:51 +0000 Sarah A 847315@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>This is a fantastic post. I grew up as a sale rack girl and it is hard to get out of the mindset, certainly. The idea of creating a buying plan at the beginning of the season is a totally new concept for me and so valuable. I really appreciate your musings I read here somewhere, although I cant credit the writer "There will always be another X on sale" it has help me to pass up the sale racks on many an occasion. I also find being a stickler for higher quality fabrics and great fit make all the leftover sale rack merchandise less attractive, although i do occasionally succumb to the temptation... </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/buying-seasonally--more-aha-and-happiness#post-847291 Wed, 13 Feb 2013 01:47:48 +0000 Caro in Oz 847291@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Fantastic post - I've always paid full price for my needs items but shopped the sales for the extras. </p> <p>Since YLF I've stopped myself doing this because I fall easily into temptation. I do allow myself mad-money but I am much more likely to buy make up or a dvd with it now. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/buying-seasonally--more-aha-and-happiness#post-847283 Wed, 13 Feb 2013 01:38:40 +0000 Aziraphale 847283@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>This post resonated with me. I've always been a full-price, beginning-of-season buyer, mainly because I always used to assume that "if it's on sale, there must be something wrong with it". Since joining YLF, I've come to understand that that is not necessarily the case, but old habits die hard. I pay full price. I sort of enjoy it. Or, rather, I don't seem to get the thrill that others do out of buying items on sale!</p> <p>This means that I own fewer things, of course. I still have to shop within my budget. But what can you do? My size sells out quickly. Also, if I buy things at the beginning of the season, I get to wear them right away. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/buying-seasonally--more-aha-and-happiness#post-847275 Wed, 13 Feb 2013 01:24:04 +0000 Loves Tea 847275@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Great post. I also have trouble buying things at full price at the beginning of the season. I never really thought about why I could never find anything I wanted on the sales rack, but I'm pretty sure you all are right, that the "good stuff" sells out early. Now I just have to get to a store and keep everything you said in mind. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/buying-seasonally--more-aha-and-happiness#post-847273 Wed, 13 Feb 2013 01:18:27 +0000 Spiffy 847273@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Your post rang so true for me! This is the first season I've focused on what I want/need at the beginning of the season. I'm amazed at how it helps me focus on zero in on what really works for me rather than 'seeing what I can find' at the end of the season sales. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/buying-seasonally--more-aha-and-happiness#post-847272 Wed, 13 Feb 2013 01:17:28 +0000 Tanya 847272@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Awesome post - this completely resonates with me too! YLF has helped me realize it is much better to have 5 beautiful full-priced items than one loves and wears all the time than 20 so-so "scores from the sale racks that are close, but never quite exactly what one needs. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/buying-seasonally--more-aha-and-happiness#post-847268 Wed, 13 Feb 2013 01:09:39 +0000 Suz 847268@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Yay!! This is such a happy post and represents the fruit of such good thought. I agree completely with what you say and agree also with Claire. Until YLF I don't think I even knew you COULD have a shopping plan; still less did I have one. I just wandered aimlessly hoping to see something I might like but not having a clue, even, what I might need. </p> <p>I'm still not the most organized and I still find it hard to walk away from a sales rack without at least giving it a peek, but I am much, much more likely to walk away from that rack empty handed. And I certainly won't buy something just *because* it is on sale. No way. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/buying-seasonally--more-aha-and-happiness#post-847267 Wed, 13 Feb 2013 01:08:29 +0000 Carole 847267@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>This resonates with me as well. I owe my reform to the excellent training received from Angie and YLF! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/buying-seasonally--more-aha-and-happiness#post-847265 Wed, 13 Feb 2013 01:03:31 +0000 Anonymous 847265@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Unfrumped...I was smiling and nodding throughout your whole post. I was conditioned the same way. To shop for sales and never even glance at a rack if it wasn't discounted. But, like you, I realize that I missed out on a lot waiting for sales. I still love my sales and coupons, but I try not to let that be THE determining factor in what I buy. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/buying-seasonally--more-aha-and-happiness#post-847247 Wed, 13 Feb 2013 00:34:01 +0000 rae 847247@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>yea! I love this and have finally started doing it myself. You are so right but the percentage of does no good when your size is sold out! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/buying-seasonally--more-aha-and-happiness#post-847233 Wed, 13 Feb 2013 00:16:50 +0000 Tina.b 847233@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I think this is an excellent shopping strategy and I've definitely tried to employ it in the last couple years. I do think the really exceptional pieces sell out at full price. I like to add a few of these to my wardrobe each season. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/buying-seasonally--more-aha-and-happiness#post-847209 Tue, 12 Feb 2013 23:59:17 +0000 Anonymous 847209@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Yes! Now that I really know what I want, I'm more confident to buy at the beginning of the season and to pay full price for it. I went to the mall over the weekend to look for sandals, specs frames, a striped top, and a summer dress. I didn't look at a single sales rack. I found a pair of "just in" sandals (I will be wearing them in a matter of weeks) and paid full price for them on the spot. It was so nice not to be digging through the leftovers for once. </p> <p>This kind of "targeted" shopping is new for me. I used to wander around stores to see what was there and most of my purchases were impulse buys, which I would bring home and try to make work. Or worse, I'd have to save them for 6-9 months at which point I'd realize that they *didn't* work. I'm really trying to have a different mindset in regards to shopping now, not that I'll never buy something that I didn't plan on, but just that that won't comprise 90% of my purchases. </p> <p>I'm joining your overlapping teams Unfrumped! And hopefully having fewer better clothes won't end up costing more over the long run. That's what I'm counting on anyway! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/buying-seasonally--more-aha-and-happiness#post-847198 Tue, 12 Feb 2013 23:53:44 +0000 unfrumped 847198@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Yes, exactly! </p> <p>I don't mean to say I need lots more temptation, but I wasn't even getting near some styles that would really have worked for me instead of the "leftovers". </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/buying-seasonally--more-aha-and-happiness#post-847192 Tue, 12 Feb 2013 23:45:26 +0000 K. Period. 847192@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Love this post! Another thing that I noticed when I started buying in-season was that I could pick up the really phenomenal pieces that fly out of the stores right away. Those pieces never make it anywhere near the sale racks. That was a real surprise to me when I started opening myself up to full-price items. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/buying-seasonally--more-aha-and-happiness#post-847180 Tue, 12 Feb 2013 23:40:04 +0000 unfrumped 847180@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I am finally starting to buy more (or buy more of what I buy, I mean) at the beginning of the season, and I think this will be a good move for me. Angie has written about this several times. </p> <p>I have no idea why it has taken me most of my life to do this. Perhaps because my dear Mom and I always shopped end-of-season sales. Also because I had the daft idea that things are classic and you can buy anything any time and use it next year or whenever. So I often bought items that I would not put into immediate use. Also as Gaylene described, I was a bit of a hoarder--not in terms of huge volume, but saving something so it would be there next year or later, as though I'd never come across something that I would like better, and never thinking I might tire of it before I'd even worn it much.</p> <p>It's not that I never bought in-season at all, it's more that a) I never actually made a plan for hmm, summer coming up, what items would be FUN and serve a specific wardrobe purpose and if I see it I'll buy it, and b) I did think that most of my stuff should come from the sale racks, so I didn't usually "window shop" critically at all the new items a store might have to offer, and so with sizes selling out and colors and so forth, was just limiting, but I bought from what was left anyway. </p> <p>Last year I bought my Tahari blazer right off the bat at full price and started wearing it immediately and got a huge happiness from it. In the fall I paid full price for a BR tweed blazer that is not super-fine quality but I recognized it was really "wearable" for how I dress, so again, I started wearing it immediately and in doing began putting together outfits that were more creative and fun than usual for me.</p> <p>The point is not how smart it is to "pay full price"--though neither of these items were really expensive, IMO (though probably over-priced--not the same thing!). The point is that I got my size and fit at a time when I could really use the items and felt they fit into my plan right then, and by putting it into use I already started getting a return on my investment. Or if the item does NOT work as well as thought, then again, I get immediate feedback. So it's not just, no sales, either, as of course you can buy things in season that are on sale. I often did not do that, either, because I was kind of used to being off-cycle. </p> <p>I still like to use coupons and still look at sales. I just feel that now I have more options. The 30% off coupon that arrives next month does not help me when my size is sold out or I settle for the wrong color.</p> <p>So this is a combination of Team Seasonal Shopping, Team Clothes Ought to Feel Happy and Team Wear Now--for me they overlap. </p> <p>These are all old saws, and probably nobody is as slow to figure this out, but I'm learning! But thank Angie and YLF posters for repeating the lessons in so many different ways, from such varied viewpoints, because that helps me. </p>