YouLookFab Forum » Topic: Planning seasonal purchases

YouLookFab Forum » Topic: Planning seasonal purchases https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/planning-seasonal-purchases Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Fri, 10 Apr 2026 21:58:35 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 <![CDATA[Search]]> q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php Mary Beth (formerly LBD) on "Planning seasonal purchases" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/planning-seasonal-purchases#post-1416142 Mon, 29 Dec 2014 04:21:08 +0000 Mary Beth (formerly LBD) 1416142@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Wow, this thread really gave me pause to stop and consider... Sorry in advance for a long reply! In 2013, I finished a detailed Excel spreadsheet of my wardrobe inventory.   I don't schedule purchases.   Instead, I try to locate wardrobe holes and consider upcoming events, such as weddings, work events, or travel - situations where I might need to search out something very specific that I don't already have in my closet.   The spreadsheet helps me see what I already have, so that I can try and work new items in with my existing wardrobe. My tastes are very stable - there are certain colors, and certain silhouettes, I have loved my entire adult life.  So, like Denise, I am a late-season shopper/out-of-season shopper, and this works very well for me, because if I find something I truly love, I know I will still feel that way six months later. I think it helps that I live in the South, where there are really only two seasons:  Warm-to-Hot (late March to late October), and Cold (anything below 60F).   Most of my wardrobe has overlap between the two seasons. I really only ever have two 'needs' on my list:   footwear, and shorts.     For footwear, my needs in those categories are very specific:   I know I am always going to wear black over-the-knee equestrian-style flat boots in winter, and ballerina flats and low-heel wedge sandals for warmer weather.   I will always wear classic black and nude leather or patent stiletto pumps year-round.   So when I see a current pair of shoes starting to show real wear, I take them to the cobbler, and I start stalking replacements on eBay. To give an example of how I shop late or out of season,  I had a pair of over-the-knee black boots I wore for three winters, but last year, they were pretty worn out.  They went back to the cobbler, but in February, I started stalking new black OTK boots on eBay.  I found my replacements in April - they originally retailed for somewhere around $435 for Fall/Winter 2013.   I paid around $65, including shipping, new in their original box.  I kept them in my closet until temperatures dropped in October.   Since then, they have been workhorses.   Shopping late allowed me to pay about 1/7 of the original retail - and it gave me something to look forward to for six months :) For shorts, I have to try those on in-person, and they have been routinely more difficult to find.   Shorts, for me, have to be neutral-colors (black, navy or white), and cover a range of casual-to-somewhat dressy, so when I try on a pair and love them and I know they will fit my needs, I buy them immediately. For the rest - outwear, dresses, skirts, pants, tops, sweaters - I tend to buy items as I find and fall in love with them.   Sometimes that has been cost-efficient and practical, sometimes not!    I try to sit on purchases for at least two days before I pull the trigger.  "Try" being the operative word. The spreadsheet keeps me pretty honest, because I can refer to it and see whether a new item is a replacement, an enhancement, or a duplicate. unfrumped on "Planning seasonal purchases" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/planning-seasonal-purchases#post-1415998 Sun, 28 Dec 2014 21:27:16 +0000 unfrumped 1415998@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Right! The hobby is fashion, not shopping. So there's always something fun to do. In my gardening hobby, there's always something I can do with what's out there that doesn't require a trip to the garden center. I'm also thinking more in terms of capsule reviews, in cycles. CocoLion on "Planning seasonal purchases" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/planning-seasonal-purchases#post-1415969 Sun, 28 Dec 2014 19:58:13 +0000 CocoLion 1415969@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Great idea Unfrumped! Agrarian season cycle wardrobe management. Laura (rhubarbgirl) on "Planning seasonal purchases" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/planning-seasonal-purchases#post-1415946 Sun, 28 Dec 2014 17:11:03 +0000 Laura (rhubarbgirl) 1415946@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I dig the agrarian metaphor: fallow periods, time to sow, time to harvest... Dimity on "Planning seasonal purchases" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/planning-seasonal-purchases#post-1415887 Sun, 28 Dec 2014 05:12:34 +0000 Dimity 1415887@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Unfrumped, great idea! It would be great to do this agrarian season cycle to take the focus off continual shopping. I know I don't always need more clothes, I just need fresh ideas to put this together, and I can usually find something that needs maintaining that then brings it back into usefulness. unfrumped on "Planning seasonal purchases" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/planning-seasonal-purchases#post-1415886 Sun, 28 Dec 2014 05:01:45 +0000 unfrumped 1415886@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Laura, that's it exactly. I think I have to impose more " no lookee" zones. These occur naturally anyway, with work cycles and being busy with other things, but I'm thinking it's easy to expand the concept in ways that are fun- with- fashion, but less acquisition- oriented: wardrobe review month, maintenance / repair month, grooming, outfit creation. Like an agrarian season cycle! This is really just like various" challenges " folks do for fun. Laura (rhubarbgirl) on "Planning seasonal purchases" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/planning-seasonal-purchases#post-1415881 Sun, 28 Dec 2014 04:22:14 +0000 Laura (rhubarbgirl) 1415881@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Thanks for everyone's continuing thoughts; they're very helpful to read. Unfrumped, I agree with you that things seem to come out more often in retail now. There are items in advance of the season but then there's a continuous stream of new things throughout the season which didn't used to be true in most stores. That in combination with the Internet makes it hard for me to feel 'done' for any particular season. Angie on "Planning seasonal purchases" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/planning-seasonal-purchases#post-1415817 Sat, 27 Dec 2014 23:47:24 +0000 Angie 1415817@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ There is no universal system for all. I vote Organized and Planned Emotional shopping is best. What DOES make sense - universally - is shopping for your dominant season, and shopping at the best part of the season so that you don't settle for less than fabulous. Sounds like you're doing just that, Laura.  My cold weather shopping happens throughout the season - from start to finish  - because it's my dominant  season - although I do the bulk of it earlier in the season because pickings in my size and colours are slim from mid-season onwards (best stuff comes out early, which I have blogged about a few times). Spring shopping I can leave till a bit later (unless the fabrics are weighty), because it does not warm up around here till May/June. But I can't leave it too long because - again - the best stuff comes out early and my size is gone chop-chop. Also, I have to stop shopping for Summer in July because it's cool again by mid Sept.  High five, Suz.  Vicki on "Planning seasonal purchases" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/planning-seasonal-purchases#post-1415815 Sat, 27 Dec 2014 23:43:21 +0000 Vicki 1415815@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ First, I think you should commend yourself, because you've got a great handle on your buying habits and cycles. Your thought to purchase closer to the beginning of the season seems workable with what you've discovered about yourself. Living in Southern California, I tend to shop all year. This doesn't mean that I'm buying all year, but I'm simply open to what inspires me and filling any wardrobe holes. unfrumped on "Planning seasonal purchases" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/planning-seasonal-purchases#post-1415811 Sat, 27 Dec 2014 23:13:28 +0000 unfrumped 1415811@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I used to think of retail as being way ahead of the weather seasons , bug somehow that does not seem true anymore-/ I have felt like stores were continuing to bring out new items every week, which meant I wasn't comparing all at once for the upcoming season. Of course, that's ALWAYS true now with the vast array of stuff. Still it is kind of a reminder to have an internal target and not settle. Dont buy just because hey, it's fall, I usually buy fall stuff. Comparisons are ever- changing so there has to be some inherent fab factor that gives the item a ace in the wardrobe even if Vince or JCrew of someone comes out with something "better" next week. Sales are notorious triggers for making me feel like I ought to get this particular item now rather than wait for something truly inspired. Quoting Suz the Wise, I do think its easier to see that if (a) you have a pretty good wardrobe selection and no giant holes( much harder if you are building a new career wardrobe or post- partum or climate change) and ( b) you've lived through some of these mistakes! K.M. on "Planning seasonal purchases" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/planning-seasonal-purchases#post-1415777 Sat, 27 Dec 2014 21:38:00 +0000 K.M. 1415777@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Laura, I wait for end-of-season sales because my budget is limited, but that means that a) often what I want is sold out and b) I only get to wear some items a couple of times before the season changes, and then the next year when I can wear them again, they don't feel as fresh anymore. (Even if the look is still up-to-date, it doesn't have that "fun-new-item" feel.) I'll only buy early in the season if I need an item (for instance, new snow boots because the old ones died) or for my growing preschooler. Dimity on "Planning seasonal purchases" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/planning-seasonal-purchases#post-1415607 Sat, 27 Dec 2014 04:12:25 +0000 Dimity 1415607@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ When I lived in Canada, I pretty much did what Suz does. I found that a late winter pick me up was definitely in order. Now in Australia, I'm thinking about reversing that because I get really tired of summer before it's over and want something fresh. As I get more discerning on my wardrobe planning journey, I find sales appeal less because it's hard to get the things I have planned that I need in my size or colour. Still love sales for more impromptu items, though. Anonymous on "Planning seasonal purchases" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/planning-seasonal-purchases#post-1415606 Sat, 27 Dec 2014 04:10:00 +0000 Anonymous 1415606@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I usually start the season shopping only my closet to see what I still like and where the holes are. I have enough to start unless there is true need of refreshers. I may add a few things mid season,but feel the most need to refresh in late season summer and late season winter. If I shop too much out of season, I forget what I have and end up with duplicates. When I shop and how often is continually evolving, but I am definitely shopping less often and buying less too. Suz on "Planning seasonal purchases" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/planning-seasonal-purchases#post-1415602 Sat, 27 Dec 2014 03:53:30 +0000 Suz 1415602@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ TWO more months of winter in February? Ha, you jest! We still have FOUR more months of winter when February dawns....or at least that was true last year. Snow in May, anyone?   So, yeah.  What this means for me: I shop differently for the different seasons.  For winter, I shop early, mid-season, AND late. Early at NAS. Mid-season additions once I figure out what I really need. And late if I desperately need a refresh and/ or find a great deal that I know for certain will work the following year.  For spring/ summer, I tend to shop "late" by US standards. I bought a few items in April for spring, but most of my shopping was in late June, which is pretty well when our summer starts.  But I also have to admit, while I'm basically a seasonal shopper, I do browse at other times and will occasionally pick something up.  CocoLion on "Planning seasonal purchases" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/planning-seasonal-purchases#post-1415587 Sat, 27 Dec 2014 02:11:11 +0000 CocoLion 1415587@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I am an unapologetic late season shopper, because I want the highest quality at the lowest price, and for that you need to shop sales.  I feel I've been fairly successful with this because I like to adopt trends a little early.  For example, I purchased Acne silk shantung culottes in July this past summer.  I've started reviewing the resort collections and they're full of culottes, so this was a successful sale purchase on my end.  Of course I make mistakes, but I use eBay to recoup a small percentage of the mistake. Laura I also live in California although I have hotter/colder extremes than you do.  I have a long Spring and Summer.  Fall comes really late, not until November -- so I don't buy for fall until mid-October.  I try not to buy sweaters in the Summer anymore, I wait until October for that.  I feel differently about buying Spring and Summer items early, perhaps because I can actually wear them on a warm day, whereas it's impossible to wear my sweaters until November-December. unfrumped on "Planning seasonal purchases" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/planning-seasonal-purchases#post-1415584 Sat, 27 Dec 2014 01:27:12 +0000 unfrumped 1415584@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Not especially wise here. But, I'm doing much less end/ of- season sale shopping unless it's something " classic" for me, or accessories. Even now, mid- winter, I'm thinking not a good idea to add sweaters and such, or at least, am leery of adding more wintry colors-- Feb is still chilly but brings some signs of spring. Mainly have learned not to buy stuff that will push aside current seasonal items( "splitting wears" too much) or items that I can't wear yet for months to come. Helena on "Planning seasonal purchases" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/planning-seasonal-purchases#post-1415582 Sat, 27 Dec 2014 01:24:03 +0000 Helena 1415582@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ This is a great question, and I don't know the answer except to say I find the seasonal clothes come out so far in advance that it's necessary to get any essentials in particular, early in the season. If I wait to long I'm invariable searching through picked over merchandise ... Laura (rhubarbgirl) on "Planning seasonal purchases" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/planning-seasonal-purchases#post-1415575 Sat, 27 Dec 2014 00:52:51 +0000 Laura (rhubarbgirl) 1415575@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Andrea, I've never been a early shopper, maybe because I'm historically a complete cheapskate, and prefer to wait until things are discounted. But sales aren't as seasonal anymore and Angie's advice to shop a little earlier in the season is starting to sink in for me. Mo, I just read your most recent blog post and apparently we are psychic twins... I think your idea of three bigger shops per year with a few items in between probably will work quite well for both your goals and the climate where you are now. I do think it's really affected by climate. I can imagine many of the Canadians or someone like thistle in Wisconsin really want a mid season refresh in February, because they've got two more months of winter weather to go. All the Bay Area YLFers have different microclimates to deal with but all of us do have spring and fall as our dominant and longest seasons. I could probably do something similar to your Tahoe plan, moving up the spring buy to late March or April, and adding in a time to buy summer stuff in May or early June. Mo on "Planning seasonal purchases" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/planning-seasonal-purchases#post-1415569 Sat, 27 Dec 2014 00:32:48 +0000 Mo 1415569@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Since I'm here today, I'm browsing and found you  I am trying the seasonal thing out myself this year.   I realized that I also seem to gather my intel and list of wants seasonally, but delay and drag out the buying portion.  If I can get my wallet in tune with my start of season want list I should be good to go.   I found myself buying in late Nov. and early Dec. this year.  But, I had just returned from FL in Oct. so some of that could have just been refreshing the cold weather closet in general.  I continue to learn and want to see how the buying patterns work out.  I imagine the start of winter on Dec. 21 to be a good shopping kick off point in the future.  Of course, it's below freezing long before Dec. but it also lasts well into March.  So where we live will really impact our shopping calendar.  This is also why I won't plan spring purchases until May.   Anonymous on "Planning seasonal purchases" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/planning-seasonal-purchases#post-1415527 Fri, 26 Dec 2014 21:53:07 +0000 Anonymous 1415527@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I tend to shop early; in fact, I'm already getting antsy for spring previews. Perhaps too early, though. Our seasons are strong but the timing is unpredictable (sometimes winter lasts a long, long time). On the other hand, I hate for items to sell out by the time the seasonal weather really gets underway, and it's nice to pull new stuff out of the closet instead of running out and updating at the last minute. I'm trying to make a list now of some "needs" and try to stick to that so I don't overbuy. Laura (rhubarbgirl) on "Planning seasonal purchases" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/planning-seasonal-purchases#post-1415510 Fri, 26 Dec 2014 20:51:14 +0000 Laura (rhubarbgirl) 1415510@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I just realized something, when reviewing my clothing budget for 2014 and updating goals for 2015. Since mid-2014 I've been tracking my clothing budget quarterly, and in 2015 one of my goals is to shop less often. So in planning for 2015 I structured my budget by season, aiming for one big shop in mid-season and smaller amounts for impromptu purchases and needed replacements the rest of the time. Yet it's nearly January and I have realized that at least for my climate it makes no sense to buy a lot of winter items in February, which would be midwinter by the calendar. At most, I'll be able to wear them for 6 weeks more. And I don't want to get a lot of spring stuff at that point, because I won't know what I need yet. Similarly, I found that I'd bought a lot of things in November and December, partially because there were a lot of Christmas-related sales, and partially because that's when real fall/early winter weather starts here, and the holes in my wardrobe became evident. I don't know yet whether the same issue will come up with the other seasons - our spring and fall are longer than what the calendar suggests - but I'm thinking that I need to move my seasonal big shop to near the beginning of the season, with perhaps a 'pre-shop' the last month of the previous season. (I.e. it's not winter until Dec 21, but it starts getting cold before that.) For those of you that only shop a few times a year, do you plan the timing ahead of time, or do you just act on impulse?