YouLookFab Forum » Topic: more diversions from shopping

YouLookFab Forum » Topic: more diversions from shopping - counting! https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/more-diversions-from-shopping---counting Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Tue, 28 Apr 2026 18:29:08 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 <![CDATA[Search]]> q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php anne on "more diversions from shopping - counting!" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/more-diversions-from-shopping---counting#post-1302842 Mon, 14 Jul 2014 14:02:19 +0000 anne 1302842@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Mo, just wanted to say that I always enjoy these analytical threads of yours!! Thanks to you and all the contributors! Lisa on "more diversions from shopping - counting!" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/more-diversions-from-shopping---counting#post-1302828 Mon, 14 Jul 2014 13:56:30 +0000 Lisa 1302828@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Interesting analysis, I've tracked CPW for a while now, but never though about giving items a set dollar limit.  Something new to think about.  In general  do notice that I tend to spend and feel more comfortable spending more on my high use items that people see (jeans, blazers, jumpers) and I prefer to spend less on my workhorse items that no one sees (layering top and t-shirts).  Apparently the more often I wash it, the less I want to spend on it, go figure. Mo on "more diversions from shopping - counting!" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/more-diversions-from-shopping---counting#post-1302149 Sun, 13 Jul 2014 18:03:28 +0000 Mo 1302149@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Sterling, that's funny!  I am pen and paper with all this, ironically.   Shannon, I'm not sure if I find the higher priced ones always better quality or happiness, but usually.  I do LOVE some of my lower priced items.   Again, the thing for me is to not let price alone scare me away from something, not necessarily that I'm looking to go spending more.  ;) Anonymous on "more diversions from shopping - counting!" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/more-diversions-from-shopping---counting#post-1302131 Sun, 13 Jul 2014 17:48:57 +0000 Anonymous 1302131@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ So even if I wasn't in love with numbers in and of themselves, these puzzles you bring up in the forum encourage me to enhance my spreadsheet skills.  My goals are always to understand what you are saying and then to try to solve the puzzle using my personal spreadsheet in the smallest number of steps possible.  I'm learning a lot just by following you down the rabbit hole.  Thanks.   shedev on "more diversions from shopping - counting!" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/more-diversions-from-shopping---counting#post-1301597 Sun, 13 Jul 2014 00:22:47 +0000 shedev 1301597@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I started the 2 item a month plan in October, and did really well until April. Hedev kept telling me to treat myself, and the all the stuff in my Nordies watch list went on sale at the same time. Decisions were made. While I was buying fewer, I was so rarely buying better. Even after the buyathon of the last couple months, I ended up $500 under my money budget for 2014. My numbers 34 items total $5 and under- 1 $5-10- 3 $10-15- 8 $25-50- 8 $50- 100- 7 $100-150- 4 above $150- 3 The items under $10 were consignment, The items over $150 were sale. It doesn't surprise me that I'm basically a midrange shopper. Or that I did buy most of this stuff at a discount. It's not that I don't believe I'm worth full price, its that to me cotton has a limit to its worth in dollars. Even if it says Helmut in the label. I don't really apply fewer, better to just mean buy higher end. To me better means better for my style. ironically, I seem to be attracted to things that look tough but are actually sort of fragile in construction. Thinner tees with the right kind of drape, or net. I've traded longevity of items for happy factor. reconciling  that CPW may not be what I want is a struggle for my budget conscious self. Fewer means that I have limited opportunity to wear things. I want the wardrobe size that allows variety, but I have limited time to wear my things. In my workout category, everything is being worn but I don't have to worry about doing a load of laundry just so I can work out. There's something  satisfying about that to me. I want that for the rest of my wardrobe. I'm still working on it. I think that part of why I went off the 2 a month was because my summer  wardrobe skewed really basic and casual. I gave myself permission to buy stuff as long as it wasn't more of the same of what I had. I bought a skirt, a wrap top that can go a little dressy, some looser pants for the hot days, a couple tops that fit my persona, and filled a sandal hole. I have a better summer wardrobe and no regrets. My winter wardrobe better reflects my needs so I feel I can reign myself in a bit for the second half. I bought about 110 things last year so I'm making progress. I want to retry the 2 a month plan next year. Transcona Shannon on "more diversions from shopping - counting!" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/more-diversions-from-shopping---counting#post-1301583 Sat, 12 Jul 2014 23:59:20 +0000 Transcona Shannon 1301583@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I'll be honest here - I normally find the number type threads boring and usually don't read them. I don't really have an analytical mind so this kind of thought process is lost on me. But this post has kind of hit me between the eyes Mo. Seeing clearly how many of the lower priced items you are purchasing compared to the higher priced is very interesting. I would be interested to have a look at my wardrobe in this way myself. Do you find the higher priced items to be of better quality and higher happiness factor? And I do suspect your biking transportation had some influence in your selections. Not just in making sure they are comfortable and "flexible" enough for the job, but also not wearing something that you would be devastated over ruining should something happen. Caro in Oz on "more diversions from shopping - counting!" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/more-diversions-from-shopping---counting#post-1301568 Sat, 12 Jul 2014 23:18:15 +0000 Caro in Oz 1301568@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I think it is okay to have a few things that we aren't worried about ruining but if that's all we are buying & wearing then there is probably something else going on. I'm trying to get to a place where the "good" stuff gets worn & then becomes the "it doesn't matter stuff". Either when the CPW is low enough or it's time for something new. Maybe tracking your happiness with the item every time you wear it may help? If you wear a $15 top 3 times & it starts to look ordinary it isn't as good a deal as a $50 top that you wear once a week for two seasons. It's a journey imo & you are doing really well :) Anonymous on "more diversions from shopping - counting!" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/more-diversions-from-shopping---counting#post-1301524 Sat, 12 Jul 2014 21:30:15 +0000 Anonymous 1301524@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I never thought of breaking costs down this way.  I find it fascinating.  I especially like adding in the love factor.  I'll start my own analysis later this weekend.   shedev on "more diversions from shopping - counting!" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/more-diversions-from-shopping---counting#post-1301511 Sat, 12 Jul 2014 21:20:20 +0000 shedev 1301511@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ This is a great thread Mo. I'm off to the gym but I'll be back with some thoughts later. Laura (rhubarbgirl) on "more diversions from shopping - counting!" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/more-diversions-from-shopping---counting#post-1301510 Sat, 12 Jul 2014 21:05:11 +0000 Laura (rhubarbgirl) 1301510@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Part of the budget thing for me is to try to be responsible with my portion of the household money, for sure. And I enjoy finding deals, whether they're secondhand/thrifted, or just with sales or coupons. It's also the fact that clothes are only clothes, at the end of the day. None of them will make me smarter or happier, except insomuch that they change my attitude and make me more confident. If I had to choose between stylish clothes and, say, never traveling again or not being able to afford books, I would give up the clothes. Everyone has different priorities, and for me clothes are a lot of fun and enjoyable, but they're not the most important thing. We've talked about this before but cost doesn't correlate with quality, unfortunately. If it did, I could happily become a minimalist who only buys a few investment pieces each season. But some of the most inexpensive (and not secondhand inexpensive) pieces I've bought have been some of my workhorses and make me the most happy, and some of the most expensive pieces have ended up having problems or not lasting that long. rabbit on "more diversions from shopping - counting!" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/more-diversions-from-shopping---counting#post-1301507 Sat, 12 Jul 2014 20:53:26 +0000 rabbit 1301507@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I share the same first concern as you in my house, and the second goal is a good one.  It's hard finding the line between habit and ingrained cautiousness with spending and learning when it's more 'rational' given your larger goals to spend more.   Mo on "more diversions from shopping - counting!" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/more-diversions-from-shopping---counting#post-1301488 Sat, 12 Jul 2014 20:29:34 +0000 Mo 1301488@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ It probably has as much to do with sharing finances as it does wardrobe management itself. I feel like I need to be spending 'our' money 'responsibly'.  Again, this may be more my own personal issue.  Beyond that, though, I do want a manageable wardrobe of nicer things.  Buying less, better items is the mantra, but I'm not there yet.  Closer.  rabbit on "more diversions from shopping - counting!" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/more-diversions-from-shopping---counting#post-1301479 Sat, 12 Jul 2014 20:17:23 +0000 rabbit 1301479@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Ah, I see.  Is the mental block connected somewhat to the overall budget? Or the number of items restriction?   Like an uncertainty with whether buying fewer items will really work better or lead to it's own stresses, or a desire to continue having the experience of shopping?    For me the experience of shopping is often as fun as the buying.  I like looking at the items and the other shoppers, and trying things on, and getting out of the house and studio.    But I worry about the overall budget, and I worry about the overall size of the closet, and that leads to my block on spending more for item when I know I could spend less for it given enough time.   I'll sometimes order or buy these 'perfect' more expensive items, take them home, try them on numerous times, and eventually return them, because even given time I don't get over the leeriness about the cost and sometimes I recognize that their other qualities won't really balance out over time.  They usually aren't as perfect for me or as unique as I initially thought.  (If they are, and are a necessity, I join team wear right away.) Mo on "more diversions from shopping - counting!" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/more-diversions-from-shopping---counting#post-1301449 Sat, 12 Jul 2014 19:34:52 +0000 Mo 1301449@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Yes, Carter, exactly.  Right off I saw the $200 and $100's as being a coat and boots or jeans, the $75's as shoes and jackets, etc, etc.   I need to continue reading Rabbit's response, but this jumped at me immediately. And, again, for me the not spending more, or feeling somehow guilty or that it's being naughty, is an internal battle I have.  All of this is to get me to come around with being okay buying a $50 pair of shorts or a $150 jacket if it's exactly what I want.  I also have no trouble traveling or having a nice meal out, but when it comes to clothing I have this block.  This may be just my personal issue.  rabbit on "more diversions from shopping - counting!" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/more-diversions-from-shopping---counting#post-1301444 Sat, 12 Jul 2014 19:08:13 +0000 rabbit 1301444@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <div>Just reading the replies and thinking about this some more, since I'm also very much a 'numbers' person I think, although I haven't totally pinned down a happy wardrobe size yet. Personally I don't think 'I'm not worth it' is the reason I'm buying discounted things.  I spend plenty of money (judiciously, and with a fair amount of bargain hunting) on great food, lodging, travel, concert tickets, all things that bring happiness and make me aware of how very privileged I am to be able to experience them.  I personally think 'you are worth it' applied to paying more for a consumer good is an advertising message, no more, no less.  Of course we are worth it, we are worth love, and time, and meaningful roles to play in the world, and a home, and adventure/growth. </div><div> </div><div>Also what Laura says ' I think of something that I got for 10 bucks at Target on sale as different than something I got for 10 bucks at the consignment store which was probably originally over $50. That's a little weird, I suppose.'  How is that weird?  It's common sense to me.  Given that there are of course outliers, looked at in aggregate a higher original retail price can often translate to more interesting design, more appealing materials, and sometimes better craftsmanship and durability.</div><div> </div><div>What carter says makes perfect sense to me.  It's why I was comfortable paying over 100$ for a leather jacket, but wouldn't be for a blouse or skirt.</div> rabbit on "more diversions from shopping - counting!" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/more-diversions-from-shopping---counting#post-1301428 Sat, 12 Jul 2014 18:46:06 +0000 rabbit 1301428@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ This is a good question.  I'm buying a lot more things this year as it was my wardrobe overhaul moment (and see a winnowing happening sometime in the next year, especially with legacy clothes) but I think I'm roughly tracking the same overall budget as you, maybe slightly less or more by the end of the year, dunno yet. I'm also trying to give each item a 5 star rating, and revisiting this every so often.    I think I'm a too easy grader though, almost everything bought this year is a 5 or 4 to my eyes (maybe I need to do a 10 point scale?).   Some things have moved down in happiness factor just because I haven't worn them as much (not quite as versatile) and some have moved up because they have turned out to be a workhorse.  A pair of legacy jeans were 2's, but when cut-off into shorts became 5's, for example.  I think I also might need to rate long-term comfort higher (but since I have a car, it's not usually that much of an issue, and if I can walk around for four or five hours in something happily, I call it fine at this point). Price doesn't seem to factor into happiness that often unless it's a clear quality issue (leather vs. faux-leather shoes, natural materials vs. poly, etc.).  I have a hot orange vinyl bag bought for 7$ at thrift that I like as much as a pale pearl gray bag that retailed in the high 200$ range. I will say that what I paid out of pocket impacts my happiness though.  The taupe gray and brown leather booties that aren't getting worn as much would make me happier if I paid slightly less out of pocket for them.  (Still their CPW will be fine, I just feel the need to incorporate them in more outfits, which at times is a slight hassle). The pale gray leather bag picks up dye and dirt from the environment all the time, it would have stressed me out if I paid anything close to retail price.  At 17$ though, I just clean it with an unscented baby wipe, it looks fine, and I carry on wearing the heck out of it.    So for me happiness = how I feel in it, how I look in it, it's intrinsic visual interest, what it adds to an outfit, and my internal perception of the value of those two compared to the OOP price paid, regardless of the original retail price. carter on "more diversions from shopping - counting!" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/more-diversions-from-shopping---counting#post-1301426 Sat, 12 Jul 2014 18:42:19 +0000 carter 1301426@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Very interesting exercise. Can you take it a step further? For each of the actual dollar categories, list the items that fell in that category. Which items truly belong there? For instance, if all 10 items in the lowest category are summer tees, tanks and kickin' around shorts that may only last the year no matter what price they were, then that may be perfect. But if 4-5 of the items were intended for dressing up a bit more, and you find you're just not loving them for one reason or another, then something went wrong. The next step is for planning purposes for the next 6 months, 12 months, or 2015...however you want to do it. Thinking through the list of items you want to add/replace for the next time cycle, which category of your intended cost sheet should they fall in? Maybe a new coat for Tahoe is the $200 item. Maybe a new pair of boots and a leather moto are the $100 items. The $75 items could be a new pair of jeans, a dress, shoes, and a pair of slacks. Maybe the $50 items are 2 skirts, 2 summer pants, 2 summer tops, 2 sweaters. Whatever your items may be. You get the idea, right? In my mind, the idea is to plan to spend the items where it should be spent, and plan to not spend much on the items that don't warrant it. Then shop the sales to get even better items for the cost per item you budgeted. I'm a sale shopper, but I stick to my dollar amounts per item knowing that I'll be getting even more for my money. If I spend $50 on a sweater, it's ok if it retails for $50, but I'll do my best to find something better that may retail for $75 or $100. I do know that quality comes in all pricepoints, so there are certainly exceptions to the rule. I know you do a detailed per item budget each year, but for this exercise, start with your planned dollar categories first, then attach your list items to them. It helps me so much to not buy lesser items if I know that my target pricepoint for a sweater is $50. That keeps me from buying a less well thought out (and potentially lesser quality) sweater that retails for $30. lyn* on "more diversions from shopping - counting!" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/more-diversions-from-shopping---counting#post-1301422 Sat, 12 Jul 2014 18:35:57 +0000 lyn* 1301422@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Hmm, I guess it only changes things if some things were full price and some things were not - I find I tend to love things that were not on such steep % off; but I guess that's usually part of the reason why I acquired them in the first place!!! Mo on "more diversions from shopping - counting!" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/more-diversions-from-shopping---counting#post-1301419 Sat, 12 Jul 2014 18:31:05 +0000 Mo 1301419@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Not sure lyn, I admit that 90% of what I buy is on sale to some degree so I think it all adjusts down across the board.  For instance, the $320 pants were $1440 retail, the $121 swimsuit was $200 retail, the $17 Gap python pants were $50 MSRP, etc, etc, etc.   lyn* on "more diversions from shopping - counting!" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/more-diversions-from-shopping---counting#post-1301416 Sat, 12 Jul 2014 18:28:05 +0000 lyn* 1301416@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Does the love/use factor change when you consider the original price of some items? Laura (rhubarbgirl) on "more diversions from shopping - counting!" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/more-diversions-from-shopping---counting#post-1301400 Sat, 12 Jul 2014 18:02:32 +0000 Laura (rhubarbgirl) 1301400@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I find that I mentally calculate 'original' costs if something is thrifted or secondhand, too. In other words, I think of something that I got for 10 bucks at Target on sale as different than something I got for 10 bucks at the consignment store which was probably originally over $50. That's a little weird, I suppose. My 'hearts' are probably equally spread, although I don't do as good a job as Mo does in tracking this sort of thing. Especially if you just go by price I paid rather than original price, I've got plenty of hearts in the cheaper categories and the rest spread out. Anything that costs over $100 better either be a coat or boots, or the most spectacular item ever, or I will feel guilty about having spent that much money even if I like the item and wear it. I bought a couple of pairs of >$100 jeans last year and although I like them, I'm not sure that I like them twice as much as my other jeans, and so I feel like I wasted my money. Mo on "more diversions from shopping - counting!" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/more-diversions-from-shopping---counting#post-1301396 Sat, 12 Jul 2014 17:59:12 +0000 Mo 1301396@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Not weird, I can relate.  It comes back to what we think is 'worth it'.  And by association, that we're worth it.  That's the nut I'm trying to crack.  I think a $100 dress bought for $15 is awesome.  But should we NOT buy it at $100?  And why should we wear it any more or less if we do?  Shouldn't it just be that we wear it because we like it or it flatters and not worry we're going to ruin an item that we maybe secretly think is too good for our every day lives?  Does it being discounted make it less quality?  No, but somehow it gives us the 'okay' to risk ruining it.   cloud9 on "more diversions from shopping - counting!" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/more-diversions-from-shopping---counting#post-1301390 Sat, 12 Jul 2014 17:52:45 +0000 cloud9 1301390@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Mo, I have the same goals as you. Not doing as well as you though. I find that I don't shop as much frequency wise, but that' didn't reduce my wardrobe counts. I still have a mental block of $20 cap. I got a few items that's $50 range but honestly I don't love them more, and don't get worn more either. So I just don't let the price itself deter/encourage me. If the item looks good quality wise and style wise, and I like it, and (somewhat) needed, then I get it. I just scored a Tahari and Anne Klein dress for about $15 each, puts them in the lower bracket, but I don't feel I'm afraid to wear them out or for special occasion. I just saw a $200+ bag I like and almost got it. Then I decided I won't use it daily. As I abuse my bags, food, water bottles, sometimes lunch, shoes, kids snacks. I just won't spend on a $200 bag if I can't justify the cpw. If the same bag got deeply discounted then I won't have a problem putting it thru daily abuse. Weird huh? Mo on "more diversions from shopping - counting!" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/more-diversions-from-shopping---counting#post-1301378 Sat, 12 Jul 2014 17:26:33 +0000 Mo 1301378@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Interesting point Peri!  I think my hearts would be pretty evenly divided between low and high.  Looking quickly, it's the $25 - 50 items not really getting put through their paces.  Is it that I view $10 items as okay for daily wear and the $100+ as 'special' ones to adore on occasion, and the rest fall in a nether land of maybe too nice for day to day but not nice enough for special times??  Hmmmmm  EDIT: it occurs to me this might be unduly influenced by my bicycle/on foot transportation this last year.  I envision along with having a car again, wearing less 'durable' things for everyday will naturally follow.   Peri on "more diversions from shopping - counting!" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/more-diversions-from-shopping---counting#post-1301377 Sat, 12 Jul 2014 17:21:59 +0000 Peri 1301377@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I'd be very interested to see how the love factor fits in. If you were to look at your list and draw a heart by the things you flat out love, what group would end up with the most hearts? If the budget items rate as many hearts as the pricey ones, that would tell you something. If the hearts are predominantly grouped with the higher end items, that would tell you something else. If the lower end things get a lot of hearts, maybe you don't actually need to change at all. If the hearts are all with the pricier things, then yes, keep trying to change because we all deserve lots of love! Mo on "more diversions from shopping - counting!" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/more-diversions-from-shopping---counting#post-1301372 Sat, 12 Jul 2014 17:14:47 +0000 Mo 1301372@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Yes, UP to the middle for us!!   LOL LACeleste on "more diversions from shopping - counting!" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/more-diversions-from-shopping---counting#post-1301370 Sat, 12 Jul 2014 17:12:31 +0000 LACeleste 1301370@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I appreciate your analysis.  You are worth it.   I have the same goal so I'm right there with you. Onward and upward---to the middle ground! :) Mo on "more diversions from shopping - counting!" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/more-diversions-from-shopping---counting#post-1301365 Sat, 12 Jul 2014 17:07:31 +0000 Mo 1301365@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Yes, I'm still playing at my wardrobe numbers  This is budget related, not item amount, so a little different lol.  I had been trying (unsuccessfully) for the last 2 calendar years to get my shopping down to 2 items a month.  This was supposed to both slow the growth of my closet size, and, more importantly, to allow me to spend more per item.  Trying to change my bargain hunting ways hasn't proven as easy as I thought.  Now, I'm not saying a deal is bad, or that spending more means you're shopping smarter, just that, for me, scrimping is something I need to keep an eye on.  I thought I was doing better.  And then I looked at this year's numbers so far.  For the 30 items I've bought (no gear or underwear included) here is how it breaks down: <ul> <li>$5-12:  10 items</li> <li>$12-27:  11 items</li> <li>$27-58:  5 items</li> <li>$100-120:  3 items</li> <li>$320: 1 item</li> </ul> It's worth noting that two of the three $100 items were birthday gift money purchases and the $300 item was a delayed x-mas gift of sorts (when I couldn't find the DVF wrap dress intended, I declared these fancy pants as my substitute gift!).  So, I clearly still have some issue spending more per item and feeling okay, or justified, with it.  I admit I still feel a bit uneasy about the $120 bathing suit and have only worn it on my birthday so far, truth be told.   The reason I counted these numbers was that I had an idea in my mind of how I could break down my budget to get down to roughly 24 items a year comfortably.  My idea of how I bought (or want to buy I guess) in contrast, was this:  <ul> <li>five $10 items = $50</li> <li>six $25 items = $150</li> <li>eight $50 items = $400</li> <li>four $75 items = $300</li> <li>two $100 items = $200</li> <li>one $200 item = $200</li> </ul> For a total of $1300 for the year and average mean of $50 per item.  I thought I was allowing enough for my small purchases but the reality of how I shop shows that I'm spending a lot more time in the lowest $$ brackets instead of more time and money in the middle ground, where I'd like to be.  This may bore some of you to tears, and I get that.  For me, it's helping me not shop and also opening my eyes to my true habits vs what I think I'm doing out there with my dollars.  I keep telling myself to buy less, buy better but it's slow going actually getting there.  I do consider my few $100 purchases progress, because although I fretted and hemmed and hawed, I did it in the end.  I am worth it.  Less.  Better.