YouLookFab Forum » Topic: How high are your standards across the board?

YouLookFab Forum » Topic: How high are your standards across the board? https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-high-are-your-standards-across-the-board Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Tue, 05 May 2026 05:45:47 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 <![CDATA[Search]]> q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php catherine on "How high are your standards across the board?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-high-are-your-standards-across-the-board#post-816454 Sat, 12 Jan 2013 18:34:17 +0000 catherine 816454@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Another great class taught by the YLF professors. Thank you all. I am getting (fashion and style) smarter every day. Scarlet on "How high are your standards across the board?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-high-are-your-standards-across-the-board#post-816271 Sat, 12 Jan 2013 15:49:36 +0000 Scarlet 816271@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ When I was my "normal" shape my standards were true love, aka high. During pregnancy and now I am more concerned about saving money because I think what I buy is for a practical purpose but not a long term investment, so my standard is embarrassing or not embarrassing. Should I be embarrassed by that? ha ha. Angie on "How high are your standards across the board?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-high-are-your-standards-across-the-board#post-816264 Sat, 12 Jan 2013 15:46:44 +0000 Angie 816264@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ High. Do not compromise. Karie on "How high are your standards across the board?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-high-are-your-standards-across-the-board#post-816263 Sat, 12 Jan 2013 15:45:03 +0000 Karie 816263@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I am also very picky about quality, regardless of price. There are some retailers whose lower priced clothing shows shoddy workmanship; I've learned not to shop there. There are also some lower / reasonably priced retailers whose workmanship is usually very good, and I shop there a lot. I inspect every seam before I make a purchase. In fact, my best friend inspects parachutes for a living - we often go shopping together, and I put her trained eye to work! Deborah on "How high are your standards across the board?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-high-are-your-standards-across-the-board#post-816168 Sat, 12 Jan 2013 07:46:42 +0000 Deborah 816168@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I'm picky irrespective of price. I do feel however that I have the luxury of well curated wardrobe and don't really "need" anything, which means I don't have to settle to fulfill a need. No matter the price I want an item to be an 8+ in my eyes to be worthy of entering my closet. IMO 20.00 spent on an item I never wear is is more easily absorbed by my budget than say 200.00 but it's still a waste and a disappointment. ManidipaM on "How high are your standards across the board?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-high-are-your-standards-across-the-board#post-816164 Sat, 12 Jan 2013 07:39:10 +0000 ManidipaM 816164@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I know I'm pickier at higher price points, yes, but I'm not necessarily aiming for 10s across the board anyway. Don't find it practical on my budget, especially given the number of needy holes to fill. It often happens that I've seen or tried on a 10 --- then had to leave it behind and buy the 8 I could afford or find in the right size. THEN, though, I'm way pickier about the 'at least 8' than if I hadn't see the 10 (in which case I might have settled for a 6 or 7, say, out of need to feel the hole fast). Just having the 10 as a behind-the-scenes benchmark ups the ante and sharpens the antennae. Necessity is a B****, but it can also be extra motivation past shopping paralysis. Another odd thing about 'picky' is related to Dana's point: Sometimes something *feels* so right or so 'me' that I will abandon worries of figure flattery, style statement, environmental appropriateness, wear & tear (to Vildy's point: I often do that 'yeah, it's wrinkled and scuffed and busted but it's leather/wool so soft/muslin so light and feels divine' thing too), colour flattery, construction quality or perfect fit even! I see it as part of the happiness factor and exchanging one sort of pickiness for another (not a stylish sort but a comfort & joy sort). Still conflicted about this tendency --- whether to try and overcome it or embrace it --- given sometimes comfort/self-expression and style goals fight each other. Day Vies on "How high are your standards across the board?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-high-are-your-standards-across-the-board#post-816107 Sat, 12 Jan 2013 05:18:22 +0000 Day Vies 816107@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I'm picky about quality regardless of the price point. I expect what ever it is to be well made with excellent craftsmanship. carolbee on "How high are your standards across the board?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-high-are-your-standards-across-the-board#post-816098 Sat, 12 Jan 2013 05:08:32 +0000 carolbee 816098@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Great question. I'm with Caro. Trying to buy at 8s minimum whatever the price point. Also as Donna said I am trying to up the ante and not save new/"good" clothes - what am I saving them for? And heaven forbid I should actually wear something out or ruin it, even my high price point is not that high and at this stage of my life I can easily afford to replace something if need be. Anonymous on "How high are your standards across the board?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-high-are-your-standards-across-the-board#post-816076 Sat, 12 Jan 2013 04:35:00 +0000 Anonymous 816076@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ umm... I was assuming that at this point most of the "regulars" are more than sorted so the emergencies are very few and far in between. However, I agree, you can't be that picky if in need of something ASAP. rae on "How high are your standards across the board?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-high-are-your-standards-across-the-board#post-816061 Sat, 12 Jan 2013 04:17:20 +0000 rae 816061@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Same here - if everything I bought were as perfect as the Gidigios, I'd have probably 2-3 full outfits all told. However, I'm trying to get as close as I can get (for stuff that I need asap) and then upgrade when possible. For example, I just resold my Frye Vera engineer boots and replaced them with a black version of my Rockports, because the comfort was not 100% with the former. For things that are not an emergency, i feel like I have more patience than I used to. ironkurtin on "How high are your standards across the board?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-high-are-your-standards-across-the-board#post-816057 Sat, 12 Jan 2013 04:04:45 +0000 ironkurtin 816057@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ JPW! Yes! catgirl on "How high are your standards across the board?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-high-are-your-standards-across-the-board#post-816024 Sat, 12 Jan 2013 03:14:17 +0000 catgirl 816024@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Caro, you raise a GREAT point. The Gidigio boots have really made a difference, in the sense that I still look at black boots but always come away happy that I don't need to buy because I already have the perfect pair for me. Sort of like marrying the right person, I guess - it's fun to check out the other goods knowing you have the right one! In that sense, the elimination of endless searching for the right black boots has also been a hidden benefit. Love Henley's idea of "joy per wear"! My galaxy pants won't be seen that much, but the JPW is off the charts! Caro in Oz on "How high are your standards across the board?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-high-are-your-standards-across-the-board#post-816012 Sat, 12 Jan 2013 03:05:02 +0000 Caro in Oz 816012@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Great question it really got me thinking. For me it has something to do with a disappointment factor, which covers so many things. I could be disappointed in the quality or the style or the fit or just the vibe of the piece. So if something cost me $20 it is easier to let it go & learn from it than it would be if the item cost $200. The other part has to do with fitting with my wardrobe - if I bought a coat that I loved but didn't work with my winter clothes then I would feel as though I'd wasted my money. I think for me anyway, the way to having the sort of wardrobe I love means being really picky about everything I buy so I am sure I have enough to spend on the really sensational pieces. At any price point there are things that make me feel great when I wear them these I guess are my 8 & above pieces. These are the only pieces I want in my wardrobe now. Another random thought - I don't know if you remember but I bought a citrus oversized casual jacket at the beginning of summer. I'd been looking for one for two years. I haven't worn it yet but every time I go past casual jackets I have a look at them & come away thinking they are not as good as mine (for me) it is a really great feeling. Suz on "How high are your standards across the board?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-high-are-your-standards-across-the-board#post-816002 Sat, 12 Jan 2013 02:58:09 +0000 Suz 816002@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Gaylene raises a good point. If it's a necessity then I might indeed settle. In fact, I did a fair bit of that last year, just trying to get enough clothes to wear after having cleared out the entire closet post weight-loss. I couldn't really afford even a small wardrobe of complete 10s. So I definitely took on things that weren't ideal but got the job done. Over time I am trying to weed them out. Then there is the issue that Donna adverts to. Things you THINK are great, until you've worn them once and realize all their #*&$&@* flaws. Gaylene on "How high are your standards across the board?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-high-are-your-standards-across-the-board#post-815998 Sat, 12 Jan 2013 02:52:18 +0000 Gaylene 815998@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Are we talking about settling for something that isn't quite as good because of necessity? Because that makes sense. If you need a coat because winter is coming and you have nothing to wear, of course settling makes sense. But, if you have a coat that functions perfectly well, why do you want another that isn't quite as good? Settling for less than perfect--however you choose to define "perfect"--can be a legitimate option under some circumstances, but I'm not sure that a fear of not ever being able to buy something again is one of them. Mia on "How high are your standards across the board?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-high-are-your-standards-across-the-board#post-815982 Sat, 12 Jan 2013 02:30:53 +0000 Mia 815982@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Is it just me or is quality declining at every price point? I keep a "dress up box" of some of my more glam pieces for my niece. I was amazed when I went through it a while ago to see how great the quality was on some pieces that were kind of "mid market" stuff in the 80's and 90's. I once read that one should go up as high as you need to which can be really helpful. Usually I have to go quite high on the scale for bags and shoes but not so much for summer cottons. Aziraphale on "How high are your standards across the board?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-high-are-your-standards-across-the-board#post-815967 Sat, 12 Jan 2013 02:07:02 +0000 Aziraphale 815967@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Hm, well, I guess I'm pretty picky too. Not so much about simple things like long sleeve tee shirts, which are boring but useful for my lifestyle. So often when I leave the house, especially in winter, I'm going somewhere where I will not be taking off my coat. I only need to have something unfussy and comfortable that can go under the coat, and nobody's going to see it anyway, what with the collar and scarf. (That's why I keep harping on about coats and boots...for me, they're mostly all that matters. Well, that and my hair -- or hat, if it's a bad hair day!). So I don't worry too much about the tee shirts, as long as they have a nice neckline and fit properly. I go through them fast. I am picky about everything else, though. Stuff has to fit properly, or I don't buy it. Or if I love it, I might buy it and have it tailored. I have to really, really like some aspect of the garment to want to buy it. Price is not as important as a good fit and nice material, but I do find that you tend to pay a bit more for those things, in general. DonnaF on "How high are your standards across the board?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-high-are-your-standards-across-the-board#post-815953 Sat, 12 Jan 2013 01:43:00 +0000 DonnaF 815953@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ My goal is *10*s across the board. But I know that IRL, my standards tend to escalate in parallel with price point. My goal of 12X12 (not counting basics) for 2013 is making me more discerning; I have gotten pretty good at returning stuff less than perfect. My greatest area of frustration is footwear that is very comfortable around the house but turns out to be way less so on the street after a few blocks. Gr-r-r-r. I have super fussy feet. If the comfort is not at least a 10 at home, they will never work IRL. I am finding that some items that I didn't wear in the first year of ownership see a lot more wear in the second year. Sometimes, the weather wasn't quite right. I am also getting out of the bad habit of *saving* new clothes. For what? My funeral? Well, I plan to be cremated so I won't even have a funeral so I better wear the stuff now!!! milehighstyle (Linda) on "How high are your standards across the board?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-high-are-your-standards-across-the-board#post-815952 Sat, 12 Jan 2013 01:40:59 +0000 milehighstyle (Linda) 815952@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Exactly what Ironkurtin said. I've learned from bags and bags of donated clothing that it's not worth settling for less than greatness. That doesn't always mean spending a lot of money, but even if something is cheap, I won't buy it if it looks or feels cheap. If the fit is off more than a simple tweak at the tailor's, no deal. If I don't say "yes!" the second I get it on my body, it's not the one. Anonymous on "How high are your standards across the board?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-high-are-your-standards-across-the-board#post-815927 Sat, 12 Jan 2013 00:42:55 +0000 Anonymous 815927@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ No, that's how I get paralyzed in shopping. If I only bought 10s, I'd have to work from home in my pajamas. Like Mo and Thistle, I shoot for an 8 which is great considering my past of 4s and 5s. I do expect more from the more expensive pieces if only in the amount of joy I get in wearing them. Joy per wear...is that a thing? But a cheap item that brings repeated joy? priceless. :-p Vildy on "How high are your standards across the board?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-high-are-your-standards-across-the-board#post-815922 Sat, 12 Jan 2013 00:31:51 +0000 Vildy 815922@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ (whispers) I think I'm fabulous and that I impart that to anything I'm clad in. (shrug) I do, though, love color, texture. So in the past I have bought things (for a dollar or so at a favorite church thrift) that allow me to continually experiment with looks that catch my fancy. But since, remember, I love color and texture, I will feel mighty disappointed that favorites (and anything that doesn't end up purged is a favorite ) not made of natural materials will not age gracefully. So I am looking to pass up attractive options in favor of courting wabi sabi. If my booties that are not leather start to peel, I have to throw them out but if they were leather and just got gashed - I'm rough on my shoes - how charming! Suz on "How high are your standards across the board?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-high-are-your-standards-across-the-board#post-815912 Sat, 12 Jan 2013 00:24:17 +0000 Suz 815912@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Not the SAME standard. But a high standard. If an item is less expensive and it's a way for me to try a particular trend, colour, or cut -- it does not have to be perfect. In fact, in the case of a new trend, I might not even know what "perfect" consists in, when I buy it. I just do my best to make sure the fit is right and that it feels "possible" for me, somehow. But if it is expensive -- or even if it is INexpesive, and it is or could/ should be a wardrobe essential -- then it needs to be pretty much perfect. And the pricier it is, the pickier I am. It's all relative, of course. What's pricey for me might be peanuts to somebody else, and what seems affordable to me might be a king's ransom to another person. Thistle on "How high are your standards across the board?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-high-are-your-standards-across-the-board#post-815897 Sat, 12 Jan 2013 00:14:41 +0000 Thistle 815897@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I echo Mo. I try not to buy anything not an 8+ as I know if an item is only okay, i will probably not wear it much. That said, I am not adverse to a few fun pieces that may not be perfect, but that is not where I would spend a large portion of my budget. With the UGGs, they sounded more like an investment level purchase and something you wanted in your rotation very often. In that case, I think they should be a perfect 10 like the Gidiglos. I believe you wear them as often as you do, and they always add that extra something, because they are perfect. That makes them worth the investment you made. ironkurtin on "How high are your standards across the board?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-high-are-your-standards-across-the-board#post-815886 Sat, 12 Jan 2013 00:05:38 +0000 ironkurtin 815886@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I'm a total snob. But not about price - feel, function, fit, and fabulousness (as in, how fabulous I feel when I try it on)! Anonymous on "How high are your standards across the board?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-high-are-your-standards-across-the-board#post-815875 Fri, 11 Jan 2013 23:54:18 +0000 Anonymous 815875@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I'm very picky if I'm buying something new (retail). I need to be that picky with thrift store stuff as well, but we've already had *that* conversation! I might be pickier with something I'm going to wear on a daily basis too. It really has to excel for me to want to wear it over and over and over. Gear and sleepwear falls into this category. And jeans! Mo on "How high are your standards across the board?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-high-are-your-standards-across-the-board#post-815871 Fri, 11 Jan 2013 23:48:30 +0000 Mo 815871@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I found over this last year that, no matter the price, items that I rated less than an 8 did not get worn. And yes, as price increases, so do my standards. I am aiming to but only 8's and above from now on, no matter the price. Tina on "How high are your standards across the board?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-high-are-your-standards-across-the-board#post-815862 Fri, 11 Jan 2013 23:42:23 +0000 Tina 815862@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I absolutely agree with you. There are a number of factors that influence purchases. For me, what do I plan to use it for and how long do I expect to wear an item plus, like you said, not every item will meet that absolute 'perfection' standard. Your Gidigios not only met your fit standards, they also met your style and closet needs to a high degree. Not every purchase will be this way. Anonymous on "How high are your standards across the board?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-high-are-your-standards-across-the-board#post-815858 Fri, 11 Jan 2013 23:37:30 +0000 Anonymous 815858@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Honestly yes, I am very, very picky and I seldom compromise on my own stuff. I get even pickier once I go to the higher price points. ETA: In all fairness I really have no excuse not to be picky, I have every store here, you know? Everything is pretty accessible. Perhaps that is why! K. Period. on "How high are your standards across the board?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-high-are-your-standards-across-the-board#post-815857 Fri, 11 Jan 2013 23:36:25 +0000 K. Period. 815857@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ For me, pickiness and price escalate in direct relation. I'm not particularly picky (although becoming more so) with low cost items. With expensive ones, I'll agonize and they have to be just right. catgirl on "How high are your standards across the board?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-high-are-your-standards-across-the-board#post-815847 Fri, 11 Jan 2013 23:29:14 +0000 catgirl 815847@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ On my UGG threads, a few people commented that these boots were not worthy compared to the Gidigios. I'm assuming that was partly because the prices were comparable. But otherwise, do all items have to meet the same standard of perfection for you personally when shopping? I can't think of many items that will be as absolutely perfect (for me, anyway) as the Gidigio boots, and have not made them the standard-bearer for all other boots. Same with the Burberry coat. Otherwise I would never buy anything. Thoughts?