https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/new-challenge--no-discards-year Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Tue, 12 May 2026 15:38:15 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/new-challenge--no-discards-year#post-2094954 Sat, 25 Jan 2020 05:41:05 +0000 Kari 2094954@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Gaylene:</p> <p>“Finally—and this is a very personal decision—I’m now considering any online purchase to be automatically classified as part of my wardrobe. Soooo, that means NO RETURNS. Once an item is in my possession, I’m going to force myself to take responsibility for its ecological footprint because I’m increasingly dubious about how vendors are handling the issue of returns. I’m positive others will have different thoughts about this, but, for me, I can’t find a way to reconcile my reading about the environmental and ethical impact of online fashion shopping with my own willful ignorance of my part. And, again, hopefully, by the end of 2020, the payoff will be I’ll be a much more cautious and intelligent user of online shopping as a resource, not a playground.”</p> <p>I like that. I do the same, I rarely return and I usually think for a very long time (at least a week, sometimes months) as I’m mulling over an item, researching what’s available, reading reviews, waiting for sales. A lot of slow window-shopping online and in person. It’s still fun for me to shop without buying, and sometimes I get ideas about how to use things I already own.<br /> When I do return it’s because it truly isn’t what I expected in terms of fit and sizing (that’s become more common as I’m finding it’s harder than it was a couple years ago to find my size stocked in stores even if they carry some plus sizes.)<br /> I don’t order things online unless I plan to keep them, and I only return them if there’s something unexpected that doesn’t make it work for me. Ditto in stores - on the spot purchases without having tried something or seen it online first are pretty rare for me. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/new-challenge--no-discards-year#post-2094953 Sat, 25 Jan 2020 05:36:13 +0000 Kari 2094953@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I won’t be joining you because I have the opposite problem - not discarding/rehoming/donating/recycling things early enough, and bringing too much in that I don’t need, so I’m focusing on my hangup: my wardrobe is in a great place, I’m not going to buy until late summer unless something truly needs to be replaced, and I’m aiming to move things out of my holding zone more quickly. I’ve found an eager group of neighbors on Buy Nothing that love to take on donated clothes, and I’ve seen it is rare for plus size clothes to be donated, so when I do there are usually quite a few folks who are interested. </p> <p>I’ll be cheering you on with your project on the opposite end of the cycle hoping it helps us both love and use what we have more. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/new-challenge--no-discards-year#post-2094582 Thu, 23 Jan 2020 15:44:46 +0000 Anonymous 2094582@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I only return in store too, with PC as the only exception- since the gas and parking (and city stress) would negate the shipping cost. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/new-challenge--no-discards-year#post-2094564 Thu, 23 Jan 2020 14:44:58 +0000 Janet 2094564@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I’ll cheer you all on from the sidelines. </p> <p>I can’t get behind a no-discards rule for myself. If I’m well and truly done with something, it needs to be out of my space. I donate and give away thoughtfully, and I do like passing things along to people I know, while they’re still in good enough condition to be desirable/usable. Even my old running shoes, which lose support and are not good for the punishment of running, get a second life with the wonderful lady who cleans our house every other week. </p> <p>I can’t imagine committing to no returns either. What good is an item sitting in my wardrobe that I can’t or won’t wear? I am, however committed to ordering from retailers where I can make returns in-store (for me, the really obvious ones are Nordstrom and Anthro, but also Gap, Athleta, etc). My preference is to buy local but it’s not always feasible. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/new-challenge--no-discards-year#post-2094561 Thu, 23 Jan 2020 14:26:00 +0000 Anonymous 2094561@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Discards to me means donations, consignment- not into actual trash! And this is just for my own things- not family as I'm helping my mom and inlaws pare back.<br /> Not doing returns would be hard for me, since I just can't afford to buy anything I don't use. But-I really should measure the clothes that fit well, instead of just assuming. That would lead to less returns! I do prefer to buy in person though, which minimizes returns, but my convenient options are very limited.<br /> Yes to exception for things that are painful- which includes scratchy...though not opposed to sequin pillow idea! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/new-challenge--no-discards-year#post-2094555 Thu, 23 Jan 2020 13:45:09 +0000 Stagiaire Fash 2094555@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Suntiger, good for you for starting where/when we are now, instead of waiting for the arbitrary date Jan 1 to roll around!<br /> It’s interesting how we all have our own personal systems for shopping. When we first moved here and I didn’t have much clothing, I needed to buy a few things, but then I launched into a whole ‘nother area where I hoped nerds would be coming up. I think a big part of that was that I missed the comfort of back-up clothes in the closet. I think your resolution (which took me a bit to wrap my head around, honestly) takes advantage of exactly that, so you’ll have things in your closet to shop before you head out to look for new. Pretty clever, really. I’m looking forward to how it goes. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/new-challenge--no-discards-year#post-2094544 Thu, 23 Jan 2020 12:03:13 +0000 Joyce B 2094544@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I don’t tend to discard much unless it is totally worn out or is something I can donate. Due to this I have to take care of things that are no longer useful so I have the opposite challenge while trying to be ecologically sound.</p> <p>@Angie and all who recycle, other than cotton garments that make good rags, how do you recycle? Can you please elaborate on that? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/new-challenge--no-discards-year#post-2094515 Thu, 23 Jan 2020 03:46:11 +0000 Jaime 2094515@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>This is interesting. My discards are typically sold or re-donated so I won't be participating, but I do think Gaylene's no return policy is worth considering when possible. I do not know if the environmental impact of shipping has been compared to the impact of travelling to a store and also the management of large amounts of inventory to many stores all over the place as opposed to it all being stored in one central location for shipping directly to the consumer. Nonetheless, the dumping of returns is horrible. Returns policy should be crystal clear for all companies that claim to be ethical and suspect for any that won't discuss it. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/new-challenge--no-discards-year#post-2094489 Wed, 22 Jan 2020 23:00:53 +0000 shiny 2094489@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>A sequined pillow would be awesome! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/new-challenge--no-discards-year#post-2094477 Wed, 22 Jan 2020 21:18:55 +0000 rachylou 2094477@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I like your provisions, Gaylene. Esp with regard to returns. It does bother me, the fuel use, the packaging waste, the dumping. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/new-challenge--no-discards-year#post-2094471 Wed, 22 Jan 2020 20:16:02 +0000 Gaylene 2094471@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Sure, I’ll join you—with the following provisions:</p> <p>First, I can hand over items in a way that respects the “no discard” theme. For example, handing an almost unworn pair of shoes over to a reliable third party (friend, relative, DFS, or other appropriate agent) &nbsp;because said shoe creates a painful pressure sore on my foot is legit. At 70, I can’t afford to mis-treat my body, but health needs alone can’t absolve me of the responsibility of finding an suitable party who shares my concern with what happens to discarded clothing. Appropriate end destinations need to be identified for all items handled this way so I’m swearing off the convenience of bulk bags of re-cycling being dropped off at a convenient depot for 2020.&nbsp;<div><br /></div><div>Second, I can’t use a holding zone as an “out-of-sight, out-of-mind” refuge for my poor decision-making. Items in the holding zone must have a reasonably high probability of being restored to my wardrobe in the future—or be items I’m holding temporarily while I’m ACTIVELY searching for a better home or new use. Since I have very limited space in our condo, my holding zone will be one medium-size container which fits on a closet shelf.&nbsp;</div><div><br /></div><div>Third, unless an item is truly unwearable, it must be mended, remodeled, or re-purposed, NOT discarded. Being a fashion devotee does not give me license to throw away items just because of my fashion whims and shifts. I’m actually hoping that taking responsibility for my fashion mistakes and impulsive purchases will lead me towards making better decisions in the future. If I’m forced to find a creative solution for a scratchy, droopy, sequined top, it will be a good reminder to not get sucked into the latest hype.&nbsp;</div><div><br /></div><div>Finally—and this is a very personal decision—I’m now considering any online purchase to be automatically classified as part of my wardrobe. Soooo, that means NO RETURNS. Once an item is in my possession, I’m going to force myself to take responsibility for its ecological footprint because I’m increasingly dubious about how vendors are handling the issue of returns. I’m positive others will have different thoughts about this, but, for me, I can’t find a way to reconcile my reading about the environmental and ethical impact of online fashion shopping with my own willful ignorance of my part. And, again, hopefully, &nbsp;by the end of 2020, the payoff will be I’ll be a much more cautious and intelligent user of online shopping as a resource, not a playground.&nbsp;</div><div><br /></div><div>So, Suntiger, If you’ll let me join, I promise to report back next January on how I did with my promises. Right now, I’m off to contemplate if said sequined top might be re-purposed as a pillow in my art studio? &nbsp;Or as an evening bag for the theatre...</p> <p>&nbsp;</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/new-challenge--no-discards-year#post-2094466 Wed, 22 Jan 2020 19:13:30 +0000 Anonymous 2094466@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Stuff already donated this year doesn't count, nor stuff that's in too poor condition to wear. I just don't want to make donating an excuse to shop! With a small wardrobe it's very easy to end up with too little. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/new-challenge--no-discards-year#post-2094464 Wed, 22 Jan 2020 18:46:56 +0000 Stagiaire Fash 2094464@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I think you know already that this is very similar to how I do things. If something is a size I have a chance of seeing again, I set it aside when it doesn’t fit, but don’t get rid of things very often. I tend to like what I like, without a lot of variation from year to year, so it works for me. </p> <p>Atm I’m wearing jeans I bought when we moved to Tampa 10 years ago that only fit for a couple of months in between, and a sweater I bought a couple years before that. Didn’t wear it in Tampa much either, because it was too warm. But my socks are new &amp; the base layer shirt only about 3 years old. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/new-challenge--no-discards-year#post-2094460 Wed, 22 Jan 2020 18:16:28 +0000 JAileen 2094460@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I guess not. &nbsp;I’m just starting my no shop year (no purchases all year!!) so I have nothing coming in since the first, but I have thinned out some things. &nbsp;I donated several jackets, a hoodie, and some tops to the homeless this past weekend. &nbsp;They need things, and the items weren’t working for me for various reasons. &nbsp;The Kuhl jacket, for example, was very nice overall, and warm, but my phone didn’t fit in the pocket. &nbsp;So I wasn’t wearing it as much as I might have. &nbsp;I hope it works for someone else. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/new-challenge--no-discards-year#post-2094458 Wed, 22 Jan 2020 17:58:04 +0000 kkards 2094458@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>i'm actually trying to do the opposite, get rid of things i don't wear for what ever reason, in the belief that the more current it is when i pass it on the more likely someone else will want to wear it, thus extending the useful life.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/new-challenge--no-discards-year#post-2094446 Wed, 22 Jan 2020 16:03:23 +0000 Anonymous 2094446@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I’ve already donated clothing that doesn’t fit me or was worn, but I always try to keep my clothing as long as possible, never changing for style i keep clothing as long as it fits. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/new-challenge--no-discards-year#post-2094431 Wed, 22 Jan 2020 15:31:56 +0000 Anonymous 2094431@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Rachy, be careful of overhauling things with multiple issues. I've spent a c'ton of money at the tailor to fix one thing, but still didn't wear the item that much due to some other issue. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/new-challenge--no-discards-year#post-2094430 Wed, 22 Jan 2020 15:27:41 +0000 nemosmom 2094430@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I have already donated a handful of pieces this month due to fit, and recycled others due to wearing out, so I will have to cheer you from the sidelines.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/new-challenge--no-discards-year#post-2094429 Wed, 22 Jan 2020 15:26:24 +0000 Anonymous 2094429@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I normally do that April. I lose and gain Very easily, and just a few pounds means a new size #, so I'm constantly replacing things. There's actually just 1 box of things that doesn't work, and given my history, it's likely they will again within the year.<br /> As far as style churn, I go back and forth between silouettes, so want to keep my options open instead of going all or nothing as I tend to do. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/new-challenge--no-discards-year#post-2094425 Wed, 22 Jan 2020 15:01:37 +0000 rachylou 2094425@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I must say that I loved what Joy said on the second-hand % thread, about how her peeps reused, extended, upcycled. I probably do need to do some giveaways this year, as I sorta did not do much last year and have a lot of things collecting dust... but I will join you by trying to give more things new life! And not just by donating them. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/new-challenge--no-discards-year#post-2094416 Wed, 22 Jan 2020 14:42:06 +0000 Angie 2094416@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Interesting :)</p> <p>I'll cheer from the sidelines hoping you keep and <u>love</u> items that get to post ten years of age! That is true and satisfying sustainability to me.&nbsp;</p> <p>My own churn is very much appreciated by those who enjoy their second life. DFS Seattle and friends get my items in excellent condition, which means I cannot wear items though (apart for shoes). The rest is recycled. So none of my own items end up in a landfill, which is very important to me.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/new-challenge--no-discards-year#post-2094415 Wed, 22 Jan 2020 14:39:28 +0000 April 2094415@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Interesting.&nbsp; I would have trouble with this, less because I'm particularly subject to churn than that I have held onto too many things whose fit doesn't please me, and I'm currently giving away a bunch of things to force myself to replace them with a different size or style.</p> <p>I guess I'm also wondering the following: you mentioned not letting things go for fit, but if something doesn't fit well, why *not* let it go to a new home?</p> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/new-challenge--no-discards-year#post-2094413 Wed, 22 Jan 2020 14:31:05 +0000 Anonymous 2094413@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>In the interest of churn reduction, I've decided my challenge for 2020, aside from the strictly seasonal shops, is to make this a (almost) no discards year. The exception being for unwearable-unrepairable condition. I will not pass things on for fit or change of style, as all these pieces were worn last year. These will go into the holding zone for the year.<br /> Anyone want to join me? </p>