https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/of-wears-and-quality-over-quantity Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Thu, 23 Apr 2026 03:45:59 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/of-wears-and-quality-over-quantity/page/2#post-1839679 Fri, 25 Aug 2017 20:06:53 +0000 Tammyb 1839679@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Laura G sorry I didn't respond before- I was on a business trip. I haven't worn it yet because I only dress casually 2 x/week and I have too many clothes! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/of-wears-and-quality-over-quantity/page/2#post-1837036 Thu, 17 Aug 2017 04:52:05 +0000 Laura G 1837036@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p><b>Tammyb</b> -- so if you don't mind my asking about the red sleeveless blouse: why not?&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/of-wears-and-quality-over-quantity/page/2#post-1836935 Wed, 16 Aug 2017 21:46:41 +0000 Stagiaire Fash 1836935@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>This is such an interesting thread. Minimalist's idea of "style happy" expresses, I think, what I expected would happen with my buying once I came up with a coherent style. That must not be as "automatic" as I thought. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/of-wears-and-quality-over-quantity/page/2#post-1836852 Wed, 16 Aug 2017 17:10:56 +0000 texstyle 1836852@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Since I don't have the lifestyle of a corporate workplace and live in a very casual lake area, I find that I usually do have too many clothes for my needs, but not too many for my likes. I like options. That said, I don't like having too many unworn items. Often the most unworn items in my closet feel like they require either a special bra, a particular bottom with a top (too limiting for my tastes) or a different handbag/shoe combo than I'm willing to wear that day (sometimes I just don't want to switch it up).</p> <p>Overall, I've found the best thing to ask myself is one of Joy's questions:&nbsp; <br /> "Do I already have something that functions as this would?" This stops me from making purchases more often than most other questions. Another question though I have more recently asked myself is "Is this <i>really </i>my style or do I just like the color, idea of it, or something else?"</p> <p>Plus, my hair is greying faster with each year and I don't really want to color it, so I have to also consider if items will "go" with my new hair color as I like to keep quality clothing for many ears. That puts an additional spin on things.</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/of-wears-and-quality-over-quantity/page/2#post-1836850 Wed, 16 Aug 2017 16:59:21 +0000 Laura G 1836850@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p><b>Mainelady</b> -- truly a lot of wisdom, now including your father's. I've favorited this thread and I think I'll re-read it periodically long after there are no new posts.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/of-wears-and-quality-over-quantity/page/2#post-1836768 Wed, 16 Aug 2017 10:05:56 +0000 Mainelady 1836768@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>This is a very thought provoking thread. A vast amount of wisdom is being shared. I appreciate and benefit from that .<br /> Once upon a time, I was caught up the the Thrill of a Good Bargain Syndrome and when I found something I liked, I had to get it. How could I ignore the savings? I had a closet full of good bargains. My friends thought I was the ultimate guide to discount finds. Of course, there was a down side. Many of my items were not being worn very often.<br /> I remember my Aha moment well. I was excitedly showing my parents a bag full of my great bargains. I had saved so much money! My father smiled at me and gently asked, "How often will you wear them and how much would you have saved if you hadn't bought them?" My dad was a very kind and wise man. From that day on, whenever I find a great bargain (of something that is not on my list), I hear my dad's words. More times than not, I save 100%, because I leave the bargain for someone<br /> else to find. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/of-wears-and-quality-over-quantity/page/2#post-1836671 Tue, 15 Aug 2017 23:03:06 +0000 Tammyb 1836671@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Laura G- good question! I wouldn't call them all winners...they were a range of "what was I thinking" to "huh, I thought that would be a workhorse". Right now I am looking at a red sleeveless cotton blouse that I predicted would be a workhorse. It's fairly new, but I haven't worn it yet....</p> <p># of wears and CPW...I'm still working on... </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/of-wears-and-quality-over-quantity/page/2#post-1836556 Tue, 15 Aug 2017 16:31:04 +0000 Laura G 1836556@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p><b>Tammyb -&nbsp;</b>My response was about things that were never being worn, and not going to be because they were mistakes. But I wonder if that's what you're looking at in your closet. Maybe your items are all winners but you just have too many of them to get in a reasonable number of wears? What's your goal for number of wears and how many years do you allow to get there? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/of-wears-and-quality-over-quantity/page/2#post-1836547 Tue, 15 Aug 2017 16:07:11 +0000 Lisa 1836547@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>There's a fine line between figuring out how much to spend, how often to wear something, and when the item needs to be moved on to a new home. &nbsp;It's a personal choice and something that took me years to figure out (I even ended up writing a <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.amazon.com/Shopping-Brake-Proven-shopping-wardrobe/dp/1973947366/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1502813198&amp;sr=8-1&amp;keywords=shopping+brake">book</a> about it). &nbsp;At the end of the day, one thing I had to realize was that it's ok to spend a lot on something and not wear it often. &nbsp;In fact, often this is the case with special occasion wear. &nbsp;Making sure my clothes go to an organization or a friend who I know will give it new life makes the letting go process easier for me. &nbsp;I wish you best of luck with learning what quality vs quantity will work best for you. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/of-wears-and-quality-over-quantity/page/2#post-1836327 Tue, 15 Aug 2017 01:11:21 +0000 minimalist 1836327@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I approach Nordstrom Rack a bit differently than it sounds like many do: I don't make decisions in the store. Often, I don't even try things on there. At home, I "shop" the items I've found, trying them on for fit and for playing well with pieces I already own and love. I'm a rigorous returner, and knowing that I'm doing a return run makes me *extra* selective about what I do keep. </p> <p>This churn isn't ideal for NR's staff, I suppose. </p> <p>Extreme discount luck at NR has destroyed nearly all available sales goggles. Occasionally, I'll hold onto a 95% discounted piece for longer than usual, then return it because it simply doesn't have a place in my lifestyle. (DvF silk b/w graphic backless jumpsuit, I'm remembering looking at you.) Items that ring up at 1c, and don't have a place in my wardrobe, I give to a friend or donate. Can't bring myself to consign them, for whatever reason.</p> <p>Some key items in my wardrobe were from sources that are always full price, and I'm happy I paid it. </p> <p>Your mileage may vary. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/of-wears-and-quality-over-quantity/page/2#post-1836184 Mon, 14 Aug 2017 16:00:47 +0000 unfrumped 1836184@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>What Laura G said- not that I bought s new wardrobe , but he'd comment relates to ggd value of " retail research " by looking st a lot of different brands and styles. Often I would buy something- yes, usually on sale- bdcuae I could not IMAGINE there might be something better. Not even necessarily more expensive, but WAITING to run into the "better "- better color, fit, fabric, style. Setting the bar higher. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/of-wears-and-quality-over-quantity/page/2#post-1836092 Mon, 14 Aug 2017 11:10:08 +0000 Tammyb 1836092@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Jenni NZ- not at all a thread hijack! This has been a great conversation. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/of-wears-and-quality-over-quantity/page/2#post-1836042 Mon, 14 Aug 2017 07:44:38 +0000 Jenni NZ 1836042@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>That's really interesting Laura. I think that's why, even though I'm still on a over 3-month shopping fast, I am still buying one magazine per season and glancing through my catalogues and having a quick look in shops. I would like to keep abreast of what's current, partly so I can have fun seeing if I can create looks from what I already own. And I am learning from the forum by posting items I am considering culling. Hope this is not a thread hijack Tammyb! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/of-wears-and-quality-over-quantity/page/2#post-1836012 Mon, 14 Aug 2017 05:01:12 +0000 Laura G 1836012@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p><b>Jaileen -&nbsp;</b>I bought almost a whole new wardrobe this spring. Paid retail and everything! I needed it. When I went thrifting again after that, it was a whole different experience. Having immersed myself in what's current and what's in the high end stores, I found I was much pickier at the thrift store. I wasn't after the thrill of the bargain anymore, I was after the thrill of the perfect item.</p> <p>When I *only* thrifted and shopped the sales, I just didn't have enough information to properly judge the things I was seeing.&nbsp;</p> <p> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/of-wears-and-quality-over-quantity/page/2#post-1836001 Mon, 14 Aug 2017 04:21:51 +0000 Deborah 1836001@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I found that I would repeat buy the same/similar items and it wasn't really necessary to do so. &nbsp;Over the past two years I would say I have challenged myself to a greater level of discipline, asking my self certain questions before I buy. &nbsp;Things like <ul> <li>Would I buy it if it wasn't on sale</li> <li>What other items do I have to wear it with</li> <li>Do I already have something that functions as this would</li> <li>Is the quality up to the standard I now want&nbsp;</li> </ul> I also now have a habit of walking away:) &nbsp;Often the items if quickly forgotten but if it's not I revisit the idea of purchasing. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/of-wears-and-quality-over-quantity/page/2#post-1835997 Mon, 14 Aug 2017 03:54:41 +0000 JAileen 1835997@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Laura G, I did the same thing a couple years ago. I donated seven garbage bags full of clothes. Almost all were things I had thrifted. I had the same issue. I was willing to overlook problems because the items were so cheap. I was very picky with retail items, but not with thrifted items. I don't thrift much anymore, and have a more wearable wardrobe. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/of-wears-and-quality-over-quantity/page/2#post-1835901 Sun, 13 Aug 2017 20:21:47 +0000 Traci 1835901@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I strongly recommend playing with a capsule. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/of-wears-and-quality-over-quantity#post-1835879 Sun, 13 Aug 2017 19:10:52 +0000 lyn67 1835879@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Nothing nore clever to add, but added this thread to my faves, as lots of winsdom here, thanks post bringig this up (again and again) &nbsp;we &nbsp;need these kinds of posts &nbsp;from time to time here:-)). </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/of-wears-and-quality-over-quantity#post-1835869 Sun, 13 Aug 2017 18:42:00 +0000 Anonymous 1835869@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Count me as another one who could have written this post! &nbsp;Well, except for the keeping track of wears in a notebook - I'm not that organized! :-)</p> <p>So I have no wisdom to offer, just thanks for raising this topic. &nbsp;I'm going back now to read the advice offered by others. &nbsp;Even though we all have to work out a individual optimal solution, it is helpful to hear how others attack the issue! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/of-wears-and-quality-over-quantity#post-1835868 Sun, 13 Aug 2017 18:27:55 +0000 kerry 1835868@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Laura G, thank you! I've got think about what Is my it's so cheap threshold. Thanks! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/of-wears-and-quality-over-quantity#post-1835860 Sun, 13 Aug 2017 17:31:18 +0000 Laura G 1835860@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>When I found myself not so long ago with a huge volume of clothing and effectively nothing to wear, I actually did the Marie Kondo purge. I got rid of literally 2/3 of my clothes.</p> <p>The interesting part to me is what made up those 2/3: it was almost exclusively thrifted and sale items. I thought I was saving money by only thrifting or buying on sale, but the problem with that is a) you buy things that aren't quite right because "it's so cheap!" and b) you buy a lot *more* things. </p> <p>If you're looking at a $100 purchase in a store, you really consider that garment, your needs, what else you could do with the money. But below your "it's so cheap!" threshold, there's no considering. It's an automatic yes. So you consider the $100 item and pass on it because it's not right, but spend $20 over and over and over, and *most* of it is not right! In fact we end up spending more when we shop with sale goggles because we're not satisfied. We get the dopamine hit from the "bargain", but deep inside we know we still don't have the clothes--perfectly fitting, consistent with our style, flattering--that we need for our actual lives. So we keep shopping.</p> <p>(And when I say "you" and "we" here, I mean me.)</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/of-wears-and-quality-over-quantity#post-1835784 Sun, 13 Aug 2017 08:03:12 +0000 Sal 1835784@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I think you have had great advice so far....it is hard to change behaviour - I know!! &nbsp;I don't overshop but I procrastinate and at times eat unhealthily despite knowing it makes me feel bag. &nbsp;Both things I am trying to change....</p> <p>For me some guidelines work, firm, but not too firm. &nbsp;I do not go well with strict rules - I just want to break them. &nbsp;</p> <p>I think shopping your closet for a couple of months could be fun...note down a list of pieces during this time that you need to make the right outfits or that you want. &nbsp;Then at the end of the period give yourself permission to add two or three of them. &nbsp;Do the same for the next season.... &nbsp;Even with a large closet there are times we need a new pair of winter boots or an updated tee. &nbsp;Essentially when I did the 30x30 this is what I did and I found a couple of clear gaps, &nbsp;I have filled two of them, and have two or three more to fill. &nbsp;Also at the end of the challenge I looked at the pieces I was not wearing - and some of them I still did not want to wear - it was easy to pass them on. &nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/of-wears-and-quality-over-quantity#post-1835683 Sat, 12 Aug 2017 21:34:27 +0000 jill58 1835683@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p><b>Tammyb</b> -- I could practically have written your post. I too have a Nordstrom Rack within 5 minutes of my house. Like you I have found myself buying Eileen Fisher (for $100.00!) and other unplanned purchases because it was "a great price." On one hand I'm trying to add fewer items to my wardrobe while increasing the quality of the items purchased, but one of my reasons for participating in YLF is to develop a more coherent sense of what I'm doing. Many members have a very cohesive wardrobe with a workable number of pieces that work well together. That is my goal--a small cohesive wardrobe of good quality clothes that work well together. Still I have often questioned my purchases. I really have to think about the vastly discounted Eileen Fisher sweater--the Paul Green shoes. Do I really need them? How much are "sale goggles" affecting my decision? It definitely takes me awhile to cut the tags on new purchases. I frequently return items that were purchased on &nbsp;impulse.<br />As to the issue of unworn clothing. Often I find myself saving clothing--for what, who knows. I almost have to force myself to put new clothes into rotation. You might try just that. Make a decision to wear, every day, an item that has been sitting unworn in your closet. I find that by doing that, I feel much more confidence in the purchasing decisions I've made. And if something still doesn't get worn, it needs to be returned (if it's new) or donated (if it's older).</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/of-wears-and-quality-over-quantity#post-1835680 Sat, 12 Aug 2017 21:27:42 +0000 Jenni NZ 1835680@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>You describe me perfectly Tammyb. So, I have just done my second 3- month shopping fast in a year, this one from 10th May onwards and today is 13th August here, I still haven't bought anything. How did I stop the cravings? I looked hard at my lists of wears, I tried to wear less worn things and possibly in new ways and I rediscovered love for some of those. Some of them I am not liking as much and may do a post on two I may now wish to cull ( need forum help!) . I read the forum to replace my shopping interest and I also made a fantasy wish list on my favourite shoe website. I'm not tempted to buy the shoes on it as I still have 49 pairs and again would need to cull first. I was horrified with myself a few years back when I got to 40 pairs but could not seem to stop and got as high as 52 pairs earlier this year, have managed to cull slowly down by 3. Have bought 3 between Feb and May so must have got rid of 6. This is difficult for me but our house was getting overwhelmed. I have 145 clothing items and 49 pairs of shoes. It feels too much but culling is hard! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/of-wears-and-quality-over-quantity#post-1835654 Sat, 12 Aug 2017 19:00:04 +0000 Tammyb 1835654@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>This is all so, so helpful! FOMO on a sale and sale goggles. That is so me. Discovering a Nordstrom Rack so close to my regular shopping has been terrible for me! </p> <p>One thing I just realized- today!- is that 4 years ago I passed up a very beautiful tailored shirt dress for $350. I just felt like it was too expensive! I usually spend $150 on a work dress. At the time I thought I would find it on sale o a similar one somewhere else. It's never happened! It's become a HEWI and I e bought lesser versions many time since then, but they don't give me the happy feeling that wearing that dress in the fitting room gave me. Now, maybe that would have sat in my closet. (But it was at Nordstrom so I should have just got and the. Returned it if I didn't wear it!)</p> <p>So dealing with the why from recent past and ancient history (I wore handme downs until I got a high school job and bought my own clothes) is going to help me with this. Plus the very practical advice on # of wears needed. I just did a whole calculation based on staysfit and Kerry's posts. A huge eye opener. I have to dress fairly formal for work-- not suits but jackets or tailored dresses most days. I always think I need more because "I'll wear it all the time...". But the numbers don't lie! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/of-wears-and-quality-over-quantity#post-1835646 Sat, 12 Aug 2017 18:33:46 +0000 Barbara Diane 1835646@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p><b>Minimalist,</b> smiling at your dressy loungewear comment. Sounds like a very worthwhile investment. &nbsp;:)</p> <p>I loved the shopping fast I did several years back. I was shocked to see how much time I spent thinking about purchases, shopping online and in person, etc. I would open every email from certain retailers, even though I had just paged through the offerings a few days before. I think it is important to look at patterns and triggers, and see what works and what doesn't.</p> <p>It turned out I had plenty of clothing to wear, and I was much more successful shopping my closet than finding new clothes as I am a bit of a challenge to fit, and quite picky also.&nbsp;<br />I don't think I bought anything, but I wouldn't necessarily ban myself, but I would set parameters.</p> <p>A few of my less worn items are my EF sale purchases, but I am planning on wearing them more this winter. Mine tend to skew dressier, and I haven't had that many dressy events lately.</p> <p>One thing I started doing was putting my less worn clothes front and center in my closet, so that I saw them first. If I constantly pass them by, it's worth considering whether I need to play stylist with them, or pass them on.&nbsp;</p> <p>Items do sometimes go in and out and back in favor for me, so I keep that in mind before I purge.</p> <p>There are many ways to evaluate wardrobe needs, and you don't have to stick with what you pick for the rest of your life.&nbsp;</p> <p>Enjoy the process, whether you make changes or not.</p> <p> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/of-wears-and-quality-over-quantity#post-1835642 Sat, 12 Aug 2017 18:06:08 +0000 Vix 1835642@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Hi Tammyb --</p> <p>So many great ideas upthread!</p> <p>I do have a wardrobe on the smaller side but love love love clothing I find beautiful so have done most of the things mentioned at various times to keep things in check. What's the saying..."it works if you work it"? So tedious yet so true.</p> <p>Re the emotional/psychological side -- I'm fortunate to have grown up with all basic needs accounted for. However, budget/money discussions were part of my life from a very young age (as in, "no, because..."). </p> <p>This is not a bad thing, but in terms of clothing choices there was a very strong bias toward durable, practical, basic, on sale (again, understandable!) -- and I was and am a person who gravitates toward form over function!</p> <p>So while I will always love and seek out a good sale, I permit myself to have <u>some</u> items in my life that are at least one of the following: </p> <ul> <li>full-price</li> <li>not standard-definition "practical" because they're attention-getters and can't really be worn over and over</li> <li>more beautiful than the boring basics I'm bored of (knowing I will then have to suck it up and keep wearing the boring basics instead of buying a less-boring one)</li> </ul> <p>These behaviors help curb shopping cravings because they're tailored to address my specific emotional needs. I <u>can</u> have what I want (choice/power), I just have to decide if the trade-offs are worth it.&nbsp; </p> <p>So if you can ID your particular "deprivation" trigger and figure out which strategies work for you, I bet you'll have more success. Good luck!</p> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/of-wears-and-quality-over-quantity#post-1835629 Sat, 12 Aug 2017 17:26:52 +0000 Suzanne (ambergreen) 1835629@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Following this convo with interest. </p> <p>Wanted to make a note that the flow of most catalogs can be stopped through an account at <a rel="nofollow" href="http://catalogchoice.org">catalogchoice.org</a>. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/of-wears-and-quality-over-quantity#post-1835606 Sat, 12 Aug 2017 16:23:22 +0000 Laura (rhubarbgirl) 1835606@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>One other approach, instead of a complete shopping ban, would be shopping only from a list. Sit down way before you start shopping and make a list of items you need to replace, items that would fill in gaps, and maybe a trend or two you want to try. Then when you actually go shopping, you're only allowed to buy items that are on your list. I find this can help a lot to avoid over duplication and sales goggles. Plus the thought process itself helps you be mindful of what you need and what you have plenty of. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/of-wears-and-quality-over-quantity#post-1835597 Sat, 12 Aug 2017 15:34:51 +0000 Jenn 1835597@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>So many people speaking my thoughts in this thread! I count wears exactly the same way&nbsp;<b>minimalist</b>&nbsp;<b></b>does. "Functional wear" is a great term, because it means trying something on in an outfit creation session doesn't count, but an hour at the gym absolutely does. I also don't track lounge/sleepwear (they're the same for me), and I just started tracking gear this year.</p> <p><b>unfrumped&nbsp;</b>also has some great advice with the idea of a "looking fast." &nbsp;I have shopped using the <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.sartreuse.com/style/how-to-build-the-perfec-five-piece-french-wardrobe/">"five piece French"</a>&nbsp;method for the past several seasons and, once I'm satisfied with my seasonal wardrobe, I try to avoid the things that trigger me to buy. (I'm looking at you, Nordstrom Rack.) I also unsubscribe from email lists and, hard as it is, recycle catalogs without flipping through them.<br /><b></b> </p>