https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/item-budget-shopping-challengelong-and-naval-gazing Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Tue, 21 Apr 2026 07:03:24 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/item-budget-shopping-challengelong-and-naval-gazing/page/2#post-1992593 Wed, 16 Jan 2019 12:52:05 +0000 Eva 1992593@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I'm a bit late, but I would like to join as well. I don't need much at the moment. </p> <p>Last year, I bought some pre-owned (non-returnable) items on ebay, with mixed results. I like to thrift, but there aren't really any good thrift stores around here, which made me turn to ebay. Some of the items turned out to be great, while others were disappointing, so as a consequence, I want to limit my ebay purchases. </p> <p>I also have a favourite clothing brand and browse their website a lot, and therefore, find a lot of tempting items there. I should either reduce my browsing, or be stricter about what I can buy. </p> <p>I wanted to participate in the No shopping in November challenge, but then didn't commit, and bought a few things, so this time I want to hold myself accountable. </p> <p>My rules will be to buy a maximum of 2 items per month. I already ordered and returned a few things, and now have four items that I am undecided about, so two of them will need to be returned! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/item-budget-shopping-challengelong-and-naval-gazing/page/2#post-1991775 Sun, 13 Jan 2019 19:44:38 +0000 SarahD8 1991775@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p><b>Jenn</b>, exactly! I'm so glad this makes sense to at least one person outside my own head, lol. You're so right about seasonal nuances. When I think about June for example, what will I be wearing then? Not summer clothes! June ("Junuary") is "transitional" weather in Seattle. Hopefully it will be a good reminder to shop for those nuances of my actual climate.</p> <p>And, if you have one particular season where your wardrobe is weaker than others, you don't have to split the purchases up evenly by month (if you need to build your summer wardrobe you could assign 4 to the July and August buckets, and fewer to other months). </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/item-budget-shopping-challengelong-and-naval-gazing/page/2#post-1991764 Sun, 13 Jan 2019 19:17:46 +0000 Jenn 1991764@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>SarahD8, I love your idea of the monthly purchases! I sort of do that with my French 5, which gives me five big statement purchases for each season, but last year I just combined all ten items into one big pot. </p> <p>What I like about the monthly “bucket” system is that it works for any climate. When I move to LA, it won’t make sense of me to buy half “fall/winter” items, but I’ll still have seasonal nuances to dress for. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/item-budget-shopping-challengelong-and-naval-gazing/page/2#post-1991759 Sun, 13 Jan 2019 19:02:43 +0000 Sal 1991759@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I am in - this is about my 2018 purchases which I want to reduce on so<br /> I will include gear. I won’t include lingerie, socks, camisoles but I will<br /> footwear, clothing, outerwear, bags, belts etc</p> <p>I am well set up for most things aside from 2-3 big ticket items, some essentials for winter. My beach, gym and occasionwear capsules are in good shape. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/item-budget-shopping-challengelong-and-naval-gazing/page/2#post-1991758 Sun, 13 Jan 2019 18:42:27 +0000 SarahD8 1991758@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p><b>suntiger</b> it sounds like you share my shopping-out-of-season conundrums. How interesting that warm-weather shopping is connected to energy levels for you. I wanted to pop back in because this thread prompted a brainstorm for me yesterday. </p> <p>It occurred to me that I could assign purchases to the month when I expect to wear them, regardless of when they are bought. So I might buy something in January that I would expect to wear in summer, so I would put it on my "July" purchases list. At some level this is a little bit arbitrary -- I'll be wearing similar items in July as I will in August. But I don't think that matters much. If you wanted to buy no more than 36 items for the year, you could have 3 slots for July and 3 for August. So after you'd made 3 summer purchases and filled in July you could then fill in the August slots. (Adjust as necessary based on your goals.) It's just a way to help give me a heads-up if I'm over-shopping for a coming season.</p> <p>I'm also trying to make a list of what I think the best, most useful purchases would be for each month (for July, a navy/white Breton tank, for example). So then, if I'm tempted to purchase something I can say to myself: Ok, is this as useful or more useful to my wardrobe as X thing I identified as a priority?&nbsp;</p> <p>IDK if that makes sense to anyone but me. It is probably too much analysis/tracking for some. But I love that sort of thing, so... going to give it a go. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/item-budget-shopping-challengelong-and-naval-gazing/page/2#post-1991738 Sun, 13 Jan 2019 17:10:50 +0000 Anonymous 1991738@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I also need to avoid shopping too much earlier than the wearing season. I tend to buy more during mild weather, as my energy levels are so high, and the things I buy are not whats needed for cold weather. Thin pants, elbow length sleeve blouses, open work sweaters Im looking at you! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/item-budget-shopping-challengelong-and-naval-gazing/page/2#post-1991713 Sun, 13 Jan 2019 16:17:28 +0000 Bonnie 1991713@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>This sounds like the perfect challenge for me. Last year I added 35 items to my wardrobe, which was much less than the previous three years that I've been tracking my purchases, and I'd like to stay with the same number this year. I have about 150 items in my wardrobe and for me that seems like the perfect size. Thirty five items will allow me to refresh and update. The new items will mean starting a strict one in one out, so that will be the real challenge for me.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/item-budget-shopping-challengelong-and-naval-gazing/page/2#post-1991555 Sun, 13 Jan 2019 01:03:38 +0000 kerry 1991555@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Sure. I’ll give it a go. Thanks for suggesting it and organizing. </p> <p>My 2018 review revealed I purchased 65 wardrobe items. That includes everything. In our fall closet edit, I donated 62 items so my closet stayed relatively stable. In 2018 I refreshed my jeans capsule and pj pants.</p> <p>I’ve been seeing a physiotherapist since November for right hip mobility and lower back pain so I’ve added some new footwear in early 2019 - 2 pairs. We’ve also started keeping our house colder (love to sleep in colder temps!) so my loungewear needs have changed slightly. I added sweatpants and a hoodie this month. So far I’m 4 new items for 2019. I’d like to try 36 items but not sure if that’s too draconian. I had set a limit of 48 items (25% less than last year) which seemed easier to achieve. Since I’m 4 items for the month already, I think I’ll stick to that benchmark and hope I come in under! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/item-budget-shopping-challengelong-and-naval-gazing/page/2#post-1991551 Sun, 13 Jan 2019 00:12:09 +0000 SarahD8 1991551@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I'd like to join in, although I'm not sure about what numbers or rules to put on it. Maybe that will become clear after a few months of information gathering.</p> <p>I actually want to pay MORE attention to underpinnings/ sleepwear/ loungewear this year so I don't want to set up a rubric that says they "don't count" because that just encourages me to ignore them if you know what I mean.</p> <p>One conundrum I'm currently wrestling with is the tension between wanting to focus on immediate needs and what would most improve my style right this minute (basically the buy-the-damn-trainers issue), while being open to buying out of season since I do a lot of secondhand shopping. I'm not sure how to resolve that.</p> <p>I would also like to pay more attention to what leaves my closet this year (and why), not just what enters it.</p> <p>The idea of a monthly check-in is extremely appealing to me, so I will definitely plan to join in that part of the challenge. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/item-budget-shopping-challengelong-and-naval-gazing/page/2#post-1991541 Sat, 12 Jan 2019 23:05:14 +0000 Fern 1991541@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thanks for starting this challenge! I am most definitely in. My bullet journal has 38 lines but I’ve already bought 5 items. I’m counting anything that enters my closet in 2019 with the exception of underwear, sleepwear and socks. I’m hoping this will help me to be more mindful of my purchases. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/item-budget-shopping-challengelong-and-naval-gazing#post-1991317 Sat, 12 Jan 2019 04:53:16 +0000 Anonymous 1991317@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I am in. Last year I tried to keep it to 2 a month. This year I need to do a bunch of replacing so I will say a generous 36 or three a month.<br /> So far in 2019 I have bought white booties and a pair of earrings. The boots are be.ow but I need to make a find for the earrings </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/item-budget-shopping-challengelong-and-naval-gazing#post-1991297 Sat, 12 Jan 2019 04:04:11 +0000 anne 1991297@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I am in, barring massive size or circumstances change.<br /> But it is an easy in, since I already on a limited plan. For a few years now I have been keeping to a 12-20 item per year purchase plan, including voucher purchases and that level seems sustainable. I do get more handed down items than most on Ylf, but they often don't fill specific wardrobe holes </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/item-budget-shopping-challengelong-and-naval-gazing#post-1991275 Sat, 12 Jan 2019 02:26:46 +0000 Gretchen 1991275@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Cheering from the sidelines! My goal for the year is to shrink my wardrobe, (and hopefully myself, now that the Christmas cookies are gone). But I still plan to buy higher quality items that make me happy. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/item-budget-shopping-challengelong-and-naval-gazing#post-1991271 Sat, 12 Jan 2019 02:07:13 +0000 karen13 1991271@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I'm in! This will be a great way to be pickier. I too made too many mistakes in the past year (although fewer, with the forum's help). I ahve been thinking a lot about the emotions shopping engenders - positive and less so, the holes it fills and the the way I spend my time. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/item-budget-shopping-challengelong-and-naval-gazing#post-1991269 Sat, 12 Jan 2019 01:56:00 +0000 Roberta 1991269@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Sure, I'll try. My goals this year are $2,000 and 36 items. But the REAL governor will be my plan to buy only patterns (except for shoes). I counted, and my closet is 90% solid colors, and not very interesting textures, either. </p> <p>Also, my jewelry box gave up the ghost over Christmas, and the best (reasonably priced) replacement I could find does not quite hold everything. So accessories are off the table. I have undercrackers and socks and leggings in every color, so those are unneeded too.</p> <p>Given those limits, 36 items seems like a gracious plenty. But then I've already purchased these five things in January. The sales were so good, y'all! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/item-budget-shopping-challengelong-and-naval-gazing#post-1991243 Fri, 11 Jan 2019 23:31:58 +0000 Anonymous 1991243@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Im guessing its like the aerial silks lady does at Faire, where shes flipping round them in different ways. But maybe they use regular aerial yoga hammock and do more inversions. Im fully expecting to be c^%¿ at it, but must try it anyway :)<br /> Whats doms? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/item-budget-shopping-challengelong-and-naval-gazing#post-1991191 Fri, 11 Jan 2019 21:34:15 +0000 Stagiaire Fash 1991191@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I've done aerial yoga, in a swing (my son came with me, then complained of a tummy ache for 2 days, which turned out to be DOMS in his abs, lol), but aerial acro? What is that? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/item-budget-shopping-challengelong-and-naval-gazing#post-1991186 Fri, 11 Jan 2019 21:23:42 +0000 Stagiaire Fash 1991186@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p> <div>Hmm, my purchases last year were</div><div>Metallic brocade boots</div><div>J. Crew shorts</div><div>J. Crew cord skirt</div><div>_________________________<br /></div><div>white skinnies</div><div>pink skinnies</div><div>Muji jeans</div><div>black pants</div><div>green pants</div><div>blue sweater dress</div><div>red boots</div><div>blue pumps</div><div>blue tweedish cardi</div><div>white T-neck</div><div>red puffer jacket</div><div>Pikolinos sandals</div><div>Green floral blazer</div><div><br /></div><div>That's 16. The line is when I started keeping track, in July. Even if I'm not remembering everything from the first half of the year (and the shorts and skirt might well have been from a year before), looking at the second half the year (when I feel like I bought a lot), I'd still be on track for 28 for the year. I do think I'm accurate on the first half of the year--I slowed way down, because I knew we would be moving overseas. Then I sped way up once we were here. The funny thing is, I think of things as "new" for a long time. I thought I'd bought my colorful loafers last year, but this week FB brought up a "memory" from Oct 2017 in which I'm wearing them. <br /></div><div><br /></div><div>So I don't *think* I'll be participating, unless I feel I'm getting out of control. In that case I'll come crash your party. I wrote my style goals with the aim of setting limits, but now I want to buy every berry-colored thing I see, which was emphatically NOT the point. I've ordered a dozen things, expect to keep less than half, and then be done until spring.<br /></div> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/item-budget-shopping-challengelong-and-naval-gazing#post-1991184 Fri, 11 Jan 2019 21:14:53 +0000 Barbara Diane 1991184@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Not doing the challenge but may track my purchases.</p> <p>Anchie, oh my goodness, those rings!!!<br /> It never occurred to me that Skagen made anything besides watches. Like my much beloved watch. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/item-budget-shopping-challengelong-and-naval-gazing#post-1991183 Fri, 11 Jan 2019 21:13:50 +0000 Anonymous 1991183@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>aerial acro yoga is now available&nbsp; (sounds like a lot of fun. Please don't get injured!)</p> <p>The rules: no more than 1 bullet journal page of clothing/shoe/accessory/ jewelry purchases- there are 36 lines (last year 3...)&nbsp; -&gt; Also fun (more like crossword puzzles fun tho ;-))</p> <p>I don't like to commit to challenges that involve a lot of self-restraint because I'm actually pretty good in this arena, if I do say so myself!</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/item-budget-shopping-challengelong-and-naval-gazing#post-1991178 Fri, 11 Jan 2019 21:05:09 +0000 Canada 1991178@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I'm reading these timely posts and nodding my head but..wait..look at that ring in Archie's finds!!! I'm hopeless. No limits for me, even in the first days of a new year. But I never give up hope and I will definitely be cheering from the sidelines. And bras and underwear NEVER count </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/item-budget-shopping-challengelong-and-naval-gazing#post-1991176 Fri, 11 Jan 2019 20:57:56 +0000 Janet 1991176@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I’ll clarify something: I will not count gear, pajama/loungewear, underwear or hosiery, or jewelry. Handbags, outerwear, footwear and scarves will be part of my count. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/item-budget-shopping-challengelong-and-naval-gazing#post-1991174 Fri, 11 Jan 2019 20:52:20 +0000 Style Fan 1991174@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Have fun lovely fabbers!&nbsp; I will cheer from the sidelines with Angie. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/item-budget-shopping-challengelong-and-naval-gazing#post-1991166 Fri, 11 Jan 2019 20:40:13 +0000 Anonymous 1991166@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Such happy finds Anchie!<br /> And Angie, you empower us by pointing us to the good stuff Better choices-less duds!<br /> I don't think any of us are going on a complete shopping freeze anytime soon </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/item-budget-shopping-challengelong-and-naval-gazing#post-1991165 Fri, 11 Jan 2019 20:36:37 +0000 Anonymous 1991165@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I cannot say <i>no</i> to a Challenge. &nbsp;I want in!!!!</p> <p>How do I define "1 bullet journal page?" &nbsp;Everything in my life is electronic. &nbsp;I assume I could list items electroncially indefinitely. &nbsp;</p> <p>I'm going to use your number of <b>36</b> as my "1 bullet journal page." &nbsp;That feels reasonable to me. &nbsp;</p> <p>I will count everything <i><u>except underwear and hose</u></i>. &nbsp;I will count bras, sleepwear, gear, lounge wear. &nbsp;</p> <p>The BR sweaters are <u>not</u> counted against the 36 items. &nbsp;Although both sweaters were shipped to the House in January, they were charged to my credit card in December. &nbsp;</p> <p>The WHBM pants were purchased on January 6. &nbsp;They are the first wardrobe item purchased in 2019. &nbsp;</p> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/item-budget-shopping-challengelong-and-naval-gazing#post-1991158 Fri, 11 Jan 2019 20:28:19 +0000 Angie 1991158@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Nice,<b> Suntiger</b>. Thanks for starting a good challenge. I'll be cheering from the sidelines.</p> <p><i><u>A gentle reminder to all:</u><br /></i><br />It's natural to feel like you don't want to shop much this year in January when many are recovering from an abundant holiday season, or year. So keep the challenge and your needs and wants flexible.&nbsp;</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/item-budget-shopping-challengelong-and-naval-gazing#post-1991155 Fri, 11 Jan 2019 20:23:46 +0000 anchie 1991155@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Ok, I was thinking about this some more and decided to be more accountable and include things that arrived in January too. Don’t want to start this with cheating;) Embarrassed to confess that it is already 8 items, 2 of those I may still return but not very likely. That means January shopping is over for me. And probably even February. Still trying to decide on numbers, maybe 4 per month as maximum but will aim for less. Will not count basics - underwear, bras, pajamas, socks and hosiery. Probably will not count gear and swimwear too, but those are not big categories for me anyway and I shop for those only if forced by imminent need.<br /> I bought all of this on sale and had a great deal on all (this green BR cashmere sweater costed only about 30Euros for example), but still it is a lot things. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/item-budget-shopping-challengelong-and-naval-gazing#post-1991153 Fri, 11 Jan 2019 20:21:14 +0000 Anonymous 1991153@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I'll be sure to post about it Magpie fitness! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/item-budget-shopping-challengelong-and-naval-gazing#post-1991143 Fri, 11 Jan 2019 19:58:16 +0000 nemosmom 1991143@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>OK, I am insanely jealous of your acro-yoga classes... And, I laughed so hard at your trainers story! That was me last year... (the trainers story, not the acro-yoga...) and I am nodding along with <b>torontogirl</b> on her reasons for joining. Count me in!</p> <p> <div><b>My rules</b>:</div><div>- <u>One</u> item per month; sandbagging/rollover allowed<br /></div><div>- <u>DO NOT BUY</u>: t-shirts, long sleeve pullover sweaters, skirts, or anything grey.<br />- Not included: undies. Everything else counts, even denim.<br /></div><div><br /></div><div>I started a 2019 Finds collection. Three items were ordered in December but arrived in January, so those won't count in my annual total.<br /></div> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/item-budget-shopping-challengelong-and-naval-gazing#post-1991140 Fri, 11 Jan 2019 19:53:29 +0000 Anonymous 1991140@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Yay Glad to inspire some mindful shopping!<br /> @Sterling- it could be a number to increase your wardrobe too, it doesnt have to be a decrease! Or in a specific category. </p>