https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/first-mall-trip Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Fri, 10 Apr 2026 18:28:36 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/first-mall-trip#post-2206294 Wed, 30 Jun 2021 01:20:38 +0000 Jaime 2206294@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Perfect minimal sandals. I always go for a bit big rather than a bit small so I agree the bigger ones are better on you.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/first-mall-trip#post-2206291 Wed, 30 Jun 2021 01:17:25 +0000 Greyscale 2206291@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Well, boo, I wish I'd thought to ask him to order them. He didn't suggest it so I wasn't sure it was an option. Anyway, it looks like he'll be out at most $5, but I still feel bad. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/first-mall-trip#post-2206142 Tue, 29 Jun 2021 15:58:37 +0000 slim cat 2206142@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Nordstrom does have commission - especially in shoes ( one of the better ones ). The SA could have ordered bigger size for you in the store - he/she would get commission for the order. More importantly - if you'll visit again same store - you can be in this SA' client book and give him/her your future business ( other shoes for different season ). </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/first-mall-trip#post-2206138 Tue, 29 Jun 2021 15:50:20 +0000 Stagiaire Fash 2206138@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>“ does Nordstrom do commission?” Golly, I remember wishing I could tip a certain shoe sales guy when my kid was right in between children’s and adult sizes, and not into the extra shopping in various stores and departments that required! He was freaking wonderful. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/first-mall-trip#post-2206135 Tue, 29 Jun 2021 15:46:34 +0000 Firecracker (Sharan) 2206135@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p> <div>They all look like keepers to me. They are items that speak to you, and to me, it seems all of them do for good reason. <br /></div><div>I love that green color, too! It's not a common color, and it's in denim and a style that has your name on it. Keep.</div><div>The boxy tee: a signature item that you will wear a lot, even if you are limiting your wearing of tees. This one is the quality you appreciate. Keep.<br /></div><div>The sweater tee: a piece you've been wanting to add. Keep.<br /></div><div>The sandals: they match your foot shape perfectly. I love that aspect. They fit your style nicely. And they fit your high instep. As a fellow high-instep, I appreciate the difficulty of finding non-adjustable straps that fit. I would keep whichever size seems to grow on you after a couple of days.</div><div>The urge to buy will, I hope, lessen once shopping in person becomes more normal again. I'm feeling it, too. It seems we have some pent-up desires that have built up over the last year or so. <br /></div><div><br /></div></p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/first-mall-trip#post-2206133 Tue, 29 Jun 2021 15:29:29 +0000 Greyscale 2206133@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Jenni, I think that’s just my foot shape. Boxy but good, like a Volvo! My toes spread out a lot, especially after a year barefoot or in Birkenstocks.</p> <p>I think you’re all correct about the bigger ones. The store only had the smaller, but I had second thoughts after buying them and ordered the size up from Nordstrom online. I wish they’d had them in person so the excellent sales guy would get his commission (does Nordstrom do commission?). </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/first-mall-trip#post-2206122 Tue, 29 Jun 2021 14:11:49 +0000 JAileen 2206122@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Very cute sandals. &nbsp;I like the larger size as well. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/first-mall-trip#post-2206098 Tue, 29 Jun 2021 11:31:02 +0000 Janet 2206098@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I much prefer the look of the sandal in the larger size. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/first-mall-trip#post-2206082 Tue, 29 Jun 2021 09:56:41 +0000 Stagiaire Fash 2206082@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p><div>Cool! "knit tops that aren't tees" is an interesting category. Do we get to start seeing some WY(ou)W in casual dresses now?</div><div><br /> </div> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/first-mall-trip#post-2206054 Tue, 29 Jun 2021 08:11:43 +0000 Jenni NZ 2206054@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Both pairs of sandals look like they pull your big toe on your right foot awkwardly? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/first-mall-trip#post-2206042 Tue, 29 Jun 2021 05:12:29 +0000 slim cat 2206042@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I think the larger size sandals - looks better, plus possible swelling of the feet in the end of the day. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/first-mall-trip#post-2206030 Tue, 29 Jun 2021 02:23:52 +0000 CarolS 2206030@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Great finds. IMO the larger sandal looks like a better fit -- the others almost looks like your toes will scooch over the edges when you walk. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/first-mall-trip#post-2206026 Tue, 29 Jun 2021 02:06:43 +0000 Greyscale 2206026@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Bijou, great point about splitting wears. The dress fills a unique niche (I don't have any short-sleeve dresses aside from a casual t-shirt dress) but then again I've been fine without a short-sleeve dress my whole life so far... The cotton top and the cropped tee are similar to my other tops, but also a category I wear a lot, so they might be more useful. So I guess that doesn't lead me to a decision yet.</p> <p>Last night I cleaned out my closet and bureau to see how many things I might have forgotten about. I created a separate drawer for knit tops that aren't tees. Two ill-fitting knit dresses and a few faded tops went into the donation pile. Also, I found another place to store my Poshmark inventory (a plastic bin instead of hangers) so now my closet is more usable. Very productive evening! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/first-mall-trip#post-2205792 Mon, 28 Jun 2021 09:58:48 +0000 Bijou 2205792@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>All of these items seem very 'you' so there is nothing crazy in this shopping haul. I am sad that the Zara green jeans were not available to come home with you too!</p> <p>I find items like basic black tops always get worn and if they are in a beautiful fabrication or interesting cut, then they are likely to be workhorses. Pull out similar items in your wardrobe and consider what your preference is (old item(s) vs new) and how often you will wear each. Are you splitting wears on something that works very hard or is getting old (so a duplicate is sensible) or have you already got that need well and truly covered?&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/first-mall-trip#post-2205788 Mon, 28 Jun 2021 09:49:36 +0000 Jessikams 2205788@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Yeah, I hear you on want vs need. My household has been split a couple of times because of various family emergencies in the past 3 years- which led to necessary duplication as I found myself in random locations without my closet- needed jeans, needed socks, whatever- and now that everything is all back in one closet, it is overstuffed! But I am still tempted by the pretty new things like that gorgeous GREEN vest. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/first-mall-trip#post-2205759 Mon, 28 Jun 2021 05:46:33 +0000 Greyscale 2205759@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Joy, that's a great plan. Several of my purchases this year were secondhand, though fewer than in the past. I've become more sensitive to fragrance and I had a few unfortunate cases of buying clothes off Poshmark only to realize they'd used a fabric softener that gives me a headache and never comes out. After washing them about five times, I finally gave up and resold them.</p> <p>My best secondhand score this spring was a pair of perfect leather trousers! I hope you had a few great scores, too. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/first-mall-trip#post-2205734 Mon, 28 Jun 2021 00:09:00 +0000 Anonymous 2205734@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>All your new pieces seem perfect for you. I have committed myself to buying real clothes second hand this year. Essentials and footwear and accessories are often new but not always. I am allowing myself to purchase a HEWI if one shows up. I keep thinking of all the money I saved during the pandemic by not going out or shopping, but so far this year I have resisted a treat. Maybe it does not seem real yet. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/first-mall-trip#post-2205589 Sun, 27 Jun 2021 17:40:34 +0000 Greyscale 2205589@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Such wisdom from all of you! It makes sense that shopping right now reflects many things about our lives.</p> <p>I usually wait a few weeks before cutting the tags, so I'll evaluate everything (these plus a few other online purchases) and see what makes sense.</p> <p>FashIntern, that's a great idea about planning out some outfits and capsules. That would be fun.</p> <p>My closet is microscopic, so I have two freestanding racks to add more space, one for jackets/cardigans and one for buttoned shirts and other tops. Jeans, tees, and pullovers are in the bureau. The closet itself is blocked by one of the racks, and it stores less-used things: dresses, skirts, dressy blazers and trousers. I always have a very good mental inventory of what I own in the other categories, but I have a bit of "out of sight, out of mind" problem with the closet because it's hard to access. I should go through my casual dresses and see what the situation is. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/first-mall-trip#post-2205573 Sun, 27 Jun 2021 17:10:36 +0000 Jonesy 2205573@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>These look like great pieces for you! I have been grappling with these sorts of questions a lot this spring, since I have been buying way more than usual, and I'm guessing it's a common thing that's happening. BJ1111 posted something about this a while back (a few weeks? I have lost all track of time and I blame Covid...) and there were some great replies along the lines of "how do you know when your spending is getting out of hand?" </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/first-mall-trip#post-2205554 Sun, 27 Jun 2021 16:46:13 +0000 nemosmom 2205554@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p> <div>These are all really great pieces!&nbsp; Ditto what so many have already said.&nbsp; There is a certain level of optimism and opportunity that feels almost <i>JUST</i> within reach right now... Of course the excitement, giddiness, (and a bit of FOMO) are there, too!!&nbsp; AND - how do you know just WHAT to buy that will work in this new normal - whatever that might end up being???<br /></div><div><br /></div><div>If we didn't love style, fashion, and clothes in some amount, we would probably be on a different forum ;). Enjoy your new pieces!<br /></div></p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/first-mall-trip#post-2205545 Sun, 27 Jun 2021 16:22:42 +0000 slim cat 2205545@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Great new pieces - love the pale denim vest! The feeling that things might sell out is actually justified - happens all the time at my work ( the styles and quantities are limited for most of the things this year ). Anyway - happy shopping and welcome back to regular things in life such as visiting the mall &nbsp;;) . </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/first-mall-trip#post-2205542 Sun, 27 Jun 2021 16:14:12 +0000 rachylou 2205542@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>One sort of has a ‘shopping for the first day of school feeling’… they all look like nice buys! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/first-mall-trip#post-2205540 Sun, 27 Jun 2021 16:11:11 +0000 Jenn 2205540@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Normal life still kind of feels like it might be a fantasy life right now, doesn't it? I do know that feeling of being "swept away," and I think it's magnified right now, because we're out of practice at resisting marketing manipulation. Sit on the new purchases for a few days before you take the tags off, but they do all seems like things that fit into your style/wardrobe. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/first-mall-trip#post-2205523 Sun, 27 Jun 2021 15:10:23 +0000 Carla 2205523@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I hear you loud and clear! &nbsp;I’ve been pondering my price point tolerance, my wardrobe size, and a style shift - while tempering a feeling of giddy delirium as things start to open up after a year and a half of anxiety and fear. &nbsp;Treats are in order!</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/first-mall-trip#post-2205520 Sun, 27 Jun 2021 14:50:24 +0000 cat2 2205520@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I think our closets are bulging a bit more than usual because we have not been wearing things out like we usually do. A month of post vax wear including some travel and a couple of pairs of old shoes and a couple of tops hit the discard pile. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/first-mall-trip#post-2205500 Sun, 27 Jun 2021 12:56:39 +0000 LaPed 2205500@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Love the pale green denim! I’d be tempted to stalk the matching jeans. :)</p> <p>I hear you on buying things that “should be useful” but don’t excite you. I’m trying to avoid those! It’s a weird situation because we’ve all been fantasizing about “real life” for so long, and it’s hard to tell when a purchase is going to be practical and when it’s indulging a fantasy of what we think will be practical. Case in point: I bought a few different long sleeve layering tops last fall and have gotten lots of use out of them, so I bought a couple more over the winter and have barely worn those. They seemed so useful, but apparently I’d already reached my saturation point. Sounds like that nicer-than-a-regular-tee category might be similar for you. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/first-mall-trip#post-2205494 Sun, 27 Jun 2021 11:38:46 +0000 Janet 2205494@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Love the mint green pieces! Yeah, I have trouble with Zara fits too, but when I get a winner from them, it tends to last me years. All the picks seem very you and sound like they will be useful. The sandals are adorable! I wear sandals for nearly five months of the year, almost exclusively, so I think these are justifiable, but I know your climate is different from mine! Nonetheless, it doesn’t sound like a second pair is excessive if you love these, they are comfortable, and you will wear them.</p> <p>I think it’s more than natural and normal to be doing a bit more shopping than normal right now. In fact, at the art opening last night, a friend and I were talking about that — everyone here seems to be feeling a bit of that craving and a slight frenzy to get some new stuff. Not just clothes either — art was selling! And I’m not complaining. Honestly I’ve done more than my share lately, but I’m cutting myself some slack and taking a step back to look at my closet before fall shopping time rolls around, because that is usually my favorite shopping season. As long as you will use and enjoy the new things, you have space for them, and the shopping is not causing financial issues, I say relax and enjoy, and keep it mindful moving forward. That’s what I am trying to do! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/first-mall-trip#post-2205482 Sun, 27 Jun 2021 09:19:12 +0000 Jenni NZ 2205482@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>The “but do I need more clothes?” question is the 64,000 dollar one, isn’t it? I don’t have an answer. I suspect that anyone who likes clothes as much as we on this forum do is going to find it almost impossible not to keep buying at least some, even if secondhand. I have managed to slow my roll. Last year, helped along for sure by a worldwide pandemic, I obtained the smallest number in 10 years. That was 12. This year, so far, I already have 9. And have only edited out 5. So my numbers are going up not down. This is not what I am aiming for. But I am refusing to edit for the sake of it. What went out was broken ( 1), stained(2), too big now but worn 57 times (1) and too worn now for my liking but worn 49 times (1).<br /> What you have bought looks good for your style, but those deeper questions look like they remain in your head, as they do in mine. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/first-mall-trip#post-2205479 Sun, 27 Jun 2021 07:35:18 +0000 Stagiaire Fash 2205479@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>That green is delicious and the dress sounds great, but you sound reticent. Have you tried shopping your closet, or just reorganizing it? It’s an old standby for a reason. I know you know what’s in there, but putting your hands on stuff, or putting it on your body, can have a really different effect. Maybe even plan out capsules for working on site, for professional travel, for fun trips…. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/first-mall-trip#post-2205475 Sun, 27 Jun 2021 07:16:01 +0000 Greyscale 2205475@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Edit: added photos of the tee (photos 5-7) and the knit top (8-10). The tee&nbsp; shows a bit of belly, and both look boxy from the side. Hmmmm. They're both lovely though!</p> <p>***</p> <p>Our local cases are very low and life is starting to feel more normal. So I went to the mall for the first time! (I've been to other shops, just not into the big mall downtown.)</p> <p>And even though I didn't really intend to buy anything, I got swept up in the shopping feeling and came home with a few things that were nowhere on my conceptual shopping list, and an overall sense of urgency like I have to find all the right things right away before they sell out. I've been shopping a lot in anticipation of the return to semi-normal life, but it's more a fantasy life than reality, still... and I still have all my old clothes I haven't worn in a year.</p> <p>I might post photos tomorrow, but for now I'm just navel-gazing to sort out what I really like and what I really have use for.</p> <p>At the mall I bought:</p> <ul> <li>A denim vest in the palest green denim, from Zara's sale. I tried to buy the matching jeans but they didn't have my size. I <b>love</b> this color, so the vest is staying, even though I'm usually disappointed by Zara (fit is never quite right).</li> </ul> <ul> <li>A pair of very minimal sandals from Nordstrom. They jumped out at me because the trendy square toe happens to match my foot shape perfectly. They're all leather, with a heavy leather piece as the sole. Others find the straps too loose, but they're actually perfect for my sky-high instep. They're excellent. And a great price for the quality! Problem is, I already own a pair of sandals, and I don't wear them much...</li> </ul> <ul> <li>An expensive tee. I went to Nordstrom specifically to try this on, and it is so cool. I definitely need to replace some of my nicer tees, but I've cut back how often I wear tees to work (vs shirts or knit tops). The one time I spent $$ on a designer tee, it was so obviously cooler each time I wore it so maybe it's worth it. But it's a lot of money. I've ordered a few boxy tees for comparison from &amp;Other Stories, so I'll decide which to keep once those arrive.</li> </ul> <p>And last week I got a few relatively pricey things from Banana Republic online: a linen-cotton shirt dress that friends describe as "so me" and a cotton sweater-tee (to meet my goal of wearing fewer tees to look more adult). Both are attractive, useful items but do I need more clothes? Especially dresses, which I rarely wear? But with in-person work starting up again, and summer weather, I can definitely imagine this dress getting a lot of use. </p> <p>I don't have much of a shopping list for this season, since I've actually found most of my HEWIs. But I have a vague desire for more light colored tops and a pair of gray jeans that look polished and flattering. And maybe more lightweight blazers that look professional but not too formal. In fact, professional and polished seem to be the words that keep coming to mind now, recovering from 15 months of working from home in my comfiest jeans... maybe no surprise there.</p> <p>Edit: I ordered the sandals one size up to compare. First two photos are the smaller size, last two the larger. Comfort is equal so the question is just aesthetic. (They seem to have a slight quality control issue - the straps are a bit longer on the right sandal. But workable.) </p>