https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/my-4-week-shopping-hiatus-end-of-week-1 Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Wed, 13 May 2026 01:34:43 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/my-4-week-shopping-hiatus-end-of-week-1#post-1797651 Thu, 13 Apr 2017 10:34:21 +0000 viva 1797651@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I have recently joined the cognac team and I really love this color as a foundational neutral too. I love it because it's seasonal, and I'm hoping for a pair of everyday cognac sandals this year.&nbsp;</p> <p>What I loved most about this post was reading both about your successes not purchasing during a return action (I always feel very successful when I accomplish that too!) and about your very thoughtful decision to purchase the perfect shoe when it came up. It feels like your hiatus is somewhat organic and thus very very smart -- not unnecessarily rigid, but one that is likely to create better lifelong habits. (Sort of like deciding to eat less meat, as opposed to going on a completely restrictive diet.)</p> <p>I'm going to take some lessons from you, Chris. As I've returned to YLF this last couple of months I have also ramped my buying way up. Although I do feel I have purchased smartly, for financial reasons (if nothing else), I need to step back for the next 4-6 weeks. I'd love to follow your lead on this. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/my-4-week-shopping-hiatus-end-of-week-1#post-1797636 Thu, 13 Apr 2017 08:29:46 +0000 Jenni NZ 1797636@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Maybe Angie should do a Team Shoes or Team Bags blog post?! Or benched... </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/my-4-week-shopping-hiatus-end-of-week-1#post-1797464 Wed, 12 Apr 2017 21:23:26 +0000 LaPed 1797464@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I'm very close to a one-bag person. I like the idea of bags, but the practical element -- having to switch things from one to another on a regular basis -- will probably always keep me from accruing a large rotation. I can understand a winter bag and a summer bag -- that's what my grandmothers always did. And I can understand a small bag and a large bag -- like a crossbody that holds all the essentials, and then can be stashed inside a larger bag on days that demand extra capacity. But beyond that inspires a bit of awe in me. How do you ever know where your keys and cash and phone and lip balm are if they migrate from bag to bag??</p> <p>(Sorry if we're de-railing your thread, Chris!) </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/my-4-week-shopping-hiatus-end-of-week-1#post-1797449 Wed, 12 Apr 2017 20:44:07 +0000 shedev 1797449@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>It's great that the shopping fast is already giving you valuable insights. <br />I'm all about the footwear. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/my-4-week-shopping-hiatus-end-of-week-1#post-1797440 Wed, 12 Apr 2017 20:31:38 +0000 Suz 1797440@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I have enjoyed this thread. <b>Sterling</b>, you are funny! :)</p> <p>Before I joined YLF I was definitely a one-bag woman. I barely thought about bags at all. I was also (almost) a one shoe per season person, but that was only due to poverty. I always had a "thing" for pretty shoes, even as a kid.&nbsp;</p> <p>Thank YLF for making me an equal-opportunity-shoe-and-bag buyer!&nbsp;</p> <p>:)&nbsp;</p> <p>Actually, I'm still more into shoes, but ever since I bought that Minkoff hobo I am coming around to the bag thing. It took a really good bag to help me make a switch.&nbsp;</p> <p> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/my-4-week-shopping-hiatus-end-of-week-1#post-1797410 Wed, 12 Apr 2017 19:31:24 +0000 The Cat 1797410@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Chris987, congratulations with finding your "goes with cognac" guideline! I am sure it can be of great help. For several years, I have had a similar guideline, namely "goes with clear grey".<br /> Sterling, it is absolutely possible to own only one purse. I guess there are millions of women in this world who own only one purse or bag. Even so, many of them may actually look fab, perhaps to other people's surprise. I admire your well balanced and patient coworker who repeatedly tried to explain her choice of having one (gorgeous!) tote. And yes, your comment DOES say something about you ... People have different needs, wants, styles and economies. This deserves respect. And though others' choices, styles and manners can be very different from our own, it may be worth reflecting on whether we could learn something from them. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/my-4-week-shopping-hiatus-end-of-week-1#post-1797396 Wed, 12 Apr 2017 18:28:34 +0000 Anonymous 1797396@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Hi Chris.&nbsp; Hope you are continuing to do well with your shopping hiatus.&nbsp; I continue to look for updates from you.&nbsp; YAY for you&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/my-4-week-shopping-hiatus-end-of-week-1#post-1797391 Wed, 12 Apr 2017 18:25:17 +0000 Chris987 1797391@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Very interesting comments about bags vs shoes, love/pets vs utilitarian. I have more shoes than bags because I think shoes change the look of an outfit more than bags do. Just my view... </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/my-4-week-shopping-hiatus-end-of-week-1#post-1796580 Mon, 10 Apr 2017 10:01:06 +0000 Jenni NZ 1796580@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>It's just falling in love with the shoes. I don't do that with the bags. I do get excited about the shoes, I imagine how they will look and I will wear them. And quite often an outfit is built on the shoes: " I feel like the gold brogues today". I don't do that with the bags, they are more of a tool to carry things. You and Angie are the opposite to me with regards to the bags x </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/my-4-week-shopping-hiatus-end-of-week-1#post-1796574 Mon, 10 Apr 2017 09:47:06 +0000 Anonymous 1796574@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p><b>So that explains it!!!</b> &nbsp;I have never considered shoes to be anything more than a <u>necessity</u> that one <u>has</u> to wear to leave the house. &nbsp;I never learned to love them the way others do. &nbsp;</p> <p>In fact, I seriously wondered what I was missing when it came to shoes. &nbsp;My conclusion was that other Forum Members have so many more options than me: &nbsp;boots, booties, heels. &nbsp;So they naturally get excited about the possibilities. &nbsp;Is that it? &nbsp;</p> <p>Sigh. &nbsp;I don't like socks either. &nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/my-4-week-shopping-hiatus-end-of-week-1#post-1796570 Mon, 10 Apr 2017 09:33:47 +0000 Jenni NZ 1796570@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Well, if you are spending the hiatus analysing your wardrobe, it will take a lot of time but you should learn heaps, worked for me.<br /> I'm amused about the bags. I just gave a non-leather one with straw on the front away since the strap is flaking, as they do. That leaves me with 3- I use one most of the time with only an occasional swap out for colour. I do have a number of clutches for evening or dress-up eg 1920s. But 3 is not much more than one... My wardrobe pets are my shoes! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/my-4-week-shopping-hiatus-end-of-week-1#post-1795770 Fri, 07 Apr 2017 11:54:26 +0000 Chris987 1795770@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Jaileen, I think you are right about black vs. light colors, although I still do like a lot of dark-ish colors. I also tend to prefer darker in winter and lighter in summer. </p> <p>Jenn, at least 3 times in the past 6 months I have seen one of Angie's top pic that I loved but waited to order and found it to be sold out. I don't wait any more at least to get them&nbsp;into my hands to evaluate. </p> <p>Sterling that is a great story. I agree with you, how can you have only one purse??? Although I actually do get it, I bet my SIL is in that camp as a minimalist, a scientist, and one who has not one whit of interest in clothing. </p> <p>Thanks Emily K, such kind words! </p> <p>Penny thanks, and I completely agree. </p> <p>Thanks Julie! the booties are one Angie's top pics. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/my-4-week-shopping-hiatus-end-of-week-1#post-1795649 Fri, 07 Apr 2017 03:30:57 +0000 Julie 1795649@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I also just spent the last year purging my closet and rebuilding. I'd never given much thought to my wardrobe as a whole before, and its been fun! But, i think like you I'm ready to move to refresh mode. Thanks for the reminder. also i really like those silver booties. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/my-4-week-shopping-hiatus-end-of-week-1#post-1795635 Fri, 07 Apr 2017 02:48:12 +0000 Penny 1795635@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Two insights - the refresh approach and the cognac test - show that the hiatus has already yielded impressive results that should be a good guide to future purchases. Well done! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/my-4-week-shopping-hiatus-end-of-week-1#post-1795518 Thu, 06 Apr 2017 21:04:40 +0000 Emily K 1795518@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p><b>Chris987</b>--Great epiphany about the cognac. &nbsp;Gosh, it makes shopping so much easier when one is able to drill down and find the "rule" amidst all the other noise. &nbsp;You've worked hard and been really thoughtful about your wardrobe and it shows! &nbsp;I will try to follow your lead... </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/my-4-week-shopping-hiatus-end-of-week-1#post-1795516 Thu, 06 Apr 2017 20:56:55 +0000 Emily K 1795516@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Sterling!!!!!!! &nbsp;Hahahahah! &nbsp;You so funny! &nbsp;:-) &nbsp;I'm not in one-purse-camp, but...almost.</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/my-4-week-shopping-hiatus-end-of-week-1#post-1795462 Thu, 06 Apr 2017 17:41:03 +0000 Anonymous 1795462@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>So <b>Chris987 </b>-- I walked out of the building yesterday with a co-worker. &nbsp;She was carrying a gorgeous tote in rich black leather. &nbsp;Of course, I complemented her on it! &nbsp;Then she told me she only owned the one purse. &nbsp;One purse!! &nbsp;I could make no sense of the words. &nbsp;What was she saying? &nbsp;What did she mean? &nbsp;</p> <p>She went on to explain she buys a purse or bag or tote and then uses it until it falls apart and has to be thrown away. &nbsp;</p> <p>One purse? &nbsp;Just the one? &nbsp;What do you mean you just own one purse? Is that even possible? &nbsp;</p> <p>She patiently explained it to me a second time. &nbsp;I could only stare at her ... speechless. &nbsp;I felt so many emotions, I could not form words. &nbsp;I still don't exactly understand what she was trying to say. &nbsp;</p> <p>Is that even possible? &nbsp;How can a person own one single bag? &nbsp;One. &nbsp;</p> <p>Does this say anything about me? &nbsp;I thought of all my bags sitting at home in pristine condition. &nbsp;I could never part with them. &nbsp;I doubt I have ever thrown a purse away. &nbsp;EVER. &nbsp;They may fall in and out of favor, but they are never discarded! &nbsp;And I don't consider them "tools." &nbsp;My God. &nbsp;"Tool." &nbsp;</p> <p>And she seemed like such a nice, well balanced person .... before ....</p> <p>Tool? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/my-4-week-shopping-hiatus-end-of-week-1#post-1795451 Thu, 06 Apr 2017 17:21:46 +0000 Jenn 1795451@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I'm seeing a really cohesive palette developing here, Chris! &nbsp;"Goes with cognac" sounds like it will be a useful gauge for you.</p> <p>However...I'm going to gently suggest that ordering two pairs of shoes in the first week of your hiatus isn't true to the spirit of the exercise. You know best what you want/need to get out of this endeavor, but I thought I would at least nudge you to give it some thought. I don't see any indication that the blue sandals won't still be around in a few weeks. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/my-4-week-shopping-hiatus-end-of-week-1#post-1795450 Thu, 06 Apr 2017 17:20:15 +0000 JAileen 1795450@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Interesting about the cognac. What a great tool, though. I love your new shoes. I'm glad nothing is black. I'm guessing it was your fallback color in your work life, but light colors work better with your coloring, IMO. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/my-4-week-shopping-hiatus-end-of-week-1#post-1795449 Thu, 06 Apr 2017 17:20:06 +0000 Chris987 1795449@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thanks Sterling! Purses make me happy too. Wardrobe pets, as Angie calls them. I have to resist the urge to buy too many.</p> <p>RobinF your story about adding colors is pretty interesting. Hmm..two pieces being the key....There are a number of YLF ensembles that include blush, tomato red, burgundy....if you haven't checked them out lately you might want to look at them for ideas. </p> <p>Thanks Karen13!</p> <p>Thanks Lisap. Cognac seems to work for me as an "anchor" neutral. Just about every other color I like goes with it. I hadn't seen in so clearly until recently. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/my-4-week-shopping-hiatus-end-of-week-1#post-1795445 Thu, 06 Apr 2017 17:10:00 +0000 Anonymous 1795445@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I am a big fan of Angie's ensembles too. I have many of them saved to a pinterest file, and do go back to them now and then. &nbsp;When she does a capsule - it's even better !!! &nbsp;I see blush like you do : more cool than warm, and I find the trick to making it look good (on me, anyways) is to get my makeup right - adjusting warmth or coolness of eye makeup and &nbsp;lipstick accordingly. I like your idea of weighing everything against cognac - that is smart. &nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/my-4-week-shopping-hiatus-end-of-week-1#post-1795370 Thu, 06 Apr 2017 14:02:36 +0000 karen13 1795370@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Great job Chris! Excellent insight as to the need to move from rebuild to refresh. I need to think about this too, as I hit that point for different seasons/situations. You have progressed much farther along the style/fashion continue than I have, so I really appreciate your thoughtful post as guidance. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/my-4-week-shopping-hiatus-end-of-week-1#post-1795368 Thu, 06 Apr 2017 13:59:37 +0000 RobinF 1795368@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Some great insights here. I reread Angie's column that you linked on adding a color, with interest because I did that with red and blush and have had a hard time fully incorporating them. It is making me rethink my neutrals to make sure they are well rounded enough. When I added burgundy oxfords last fall I got a watch with a burgundy band at the same time and that has made a difference. In fact, I am wearing them both today with a black and white outfit. Having two pieces makes it seem deliberate to me, instead of like I accidentally put on shoes that don't match! &nbsp;Oops sorry, I sort of changed the discussion!</p> <p>Anyway, love the blue shoes, hope they work out for you! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/my-4-week-shopping-hiatus-end-of-week-1#post-1795363 Thu, 06 Apr 2017 13:48:44 +0000 Anonymous 1795363@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>You are doing MARVELOUSLY!!!!!!!!!!!&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; I think week 1 is possibly the hardest and it becomes easier each subsequent week.&nbsp; YAY for you.&nbsp; </p> <p>On a side note, I love your purses. Purses just make me so darn happy.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/my-4-week-shopping-hiatus-end-of-week-1#post-1795360 Thu, 06 Apr 2017 13:43:12 +0000 Chris987 1795360@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thanks Suz, great comments about warm vs. cool colors. People do perceive colors differently, and you are right that the undertones&nbsp;are as important as the main tones.&nbsp;We could talk about colors forever h ere on YLF...and we do! . </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/my-4-week-shopping-hiatus-end-of-week-1#post-1795356 Thu, 06 Apr 2017 13:33:43 +0000 Suz 1795356@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Those blue sandals look perfect for you, Chris. Fabulous choice! I hope the comfort is good.&nbsp;</p> <p>And the "goes with cognac" is such an interesting benchmark test for your palette. Great idea!&nbsp;</p> <p>Interesting that you refer to blush as a cool. I see it as on a range (like pink) -- some blushes are cool but most, to my eye, are on the neutral to warm side. Many are too "peachy" for me to wear well. But a few are JFE with my very cool toned skin, especially when mixed with white or navy.&nbsp;</p> <p>Bright pink can also be warm (hot pink) or cool (fuchsia). Depends on the undertone. Citron brights are usually on the warm side.&nbsp;</p> <p>I could not agree more about Angie's ensembles. They reward repeated study. Sometimes when I'm at a loss I will look at one, even from years back. They hold up, with slight adjustments for silhouette, etc.&nbsp;</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/my-4-week-shopping-hiatus-end-of-week-1#post-1795351 Thu, 06 Apr 2017 13:22:51 +0000 Chris987 1795351@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>It’s been one week since I started my 4 week shopping&nbsp;hiatus. It’s been a great ride so far. I have been in “wardrobe rebuild” mode for a little more than a year and had not&nbsp;realized it was&nbsp;time to shift gears to “seasonal refresh” mode.&nbsp;Not&nbsp;realizing this&nbsp;was probably&nbsp;the biggest cause of my&nbsp;dissatisfaction. So, problem solved! I'm&nbsp;now becoming &nbsp;re-acquainted with my spring wardrobe. I’ve&nbsp;been doing&nbsp;outfit creation and taking photos etc. I’ve also been reviewing YLF ensembles, stuff I’ve saved on Pinterest, and my log of outfits worn&nbsp;since last June. I've also started reading through the various forum postings on shopping fasts. &nbsp;I’ve made great progress but want to do more outfit creation before I finish&nbsp;this phase.</p> <p>I also did one set&nbsp;of necessary returns to some B&amp;M stores&nbsp;and bought NOTHING! That was a big accomplishment for&nbsp;me, to not buy anything :-)&nbsp; </p> <p>Discoveries so far:&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <p>Angie's YLF ensembles are THE BEST.&nbsp;I just love looking at them. I’ve<br /> been going through the archives and even the older ones have a lot of<br /> great ideas. They are better than any other types of ensembles I’ve found&nbsp;anywhere on the Internet. Angie you are a ROCK STAR at putting these&nbsp;together!&nbsp;&nbsp;...or DESIGN QUEEN…or ENSEMBLE GODDESS...or whatever &nbsp;</p> <p>I&nbsp;had&nbsp;a goal of&nbsp;wearing blush more this spring. I do have a few pieces, but I need to push myself&nbsp;to wear them. I’m going to wait before adding&nbsp;any more pieces and see how&nbsp;it goes with what I have. I re-read Angie’s posting on how to add a new color&nbsp;to your wardrobe and am going to follow the advice about using a capsule&nbsp;approach. <a rel="nofollow" href="https://youlookfab.com/2016/01/04/how-to-add-a-new-colour-to-your-wardrobe/">https://youlookfab.com/2016/01.....-wardrobe/</a><br /> . </p> <p>This led me to rethinking my&nbsp;color palette preferences.&nbsp;I tend to prefer warmer colors, but I also like some cools. My&nbsp;aha moment was realizing that the cooler colors I like are ones that I would pair with cognac or nude, like pale blue, pale grey, celery green, and pale blush.&nbsp;Cool colors that I would not pair with cognac, like bright pink and citron brights,&nbsp;are ones I don’t like as much. So the “goes with cognac” guideline really<br /> works for me. Makes sense given my skin tone, warm blonde hair and blue eyes. Sorted! </p> <p>That led me to rethink the ED blush sneakers I bought&nbsp;recently but have not worn (Find 1). They are super pretty, comfy, and well made&nbsp;and I was looking forward to wearing them. However, I want to be more careful about&nbsp;footwear purchases because mistakes are expensive. I’m not so sure I want to wear&nbsp;a lot of blush so I decided to return them in favor of a similar item in a different color. The blush sneakers would not be so much a&nbsp;mistake as not the most versatile&nbsp;choice to add to my shoe wardrobe right now. I ordered&nbsp;the Josef Seibel Caspian&nbsp;(Find 2). I love these for fit, comfort&nbsp;etc, but disliked them in black when I tried them a few weeks ago.&nbsp;I’m loving my sliver metallic booties (Find 3) so sneakers in a similar color seem like a better idea than the blush ones. These also fit my need for a pair of comfy all-day walking shoes that are not black.&nbsp;</p> <p>Last but not least,&nbsp;I found one pair of shoes that I absolutely must have.<br /> (Find 4). I noticed these even before they appeared in Angie’s blog posting today.&nbsp;The “must have” thing doesn’t happen to me very often, and I’ve learned to jump&nbsp;when it does. I love the style, color, and brand, block heel light colored sandals are&nbsp;on my list for spring, and Nordstrom returns are super easy. They will also&nbsp;work with several bags I already have (Finds 5,6,7,8). AND they fit my cool&nbsp;color palette! &nbsp; That’s enough check boxes to override my hiatus,&nbsp;so I just ordered them in a couple of sizes. </p> <p>&nbsp;</p>