YouLookFab Forum » Topic: Purchasing Fast Day 64

YouLookFab Forum » Topic: Purchasing Fast Day 64 https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/purchasing-fast-day-64 Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Thu, 16 Apr 2026 16:21:06 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 <![CDATA[Search]]> q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php Anonymous on "Purchasing Fast Day 64" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/purchasing-fast-day-64#post-1785648 Thu, 09 Mar 2017 16:47:43 +0000 Anonymous 1785648@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ How did I miss this thread?  Sterling, you are and inspiration and a mentor.  Your musings helped me determine that a fast would help me "break the cycle" of sometimes mindless shopping.  I'm only about 15 days in, but so far, so good. I was pretty clueless about how to shop when I was younger, too.  I guess because my mom wore a uniform to her work in a hospital setting, and only bought clothing for around-the-house and her social life, I just didn't have a good example of how it was supposed to be done. Anyway, I really like the goals that you have settled on after your period of contemplation.  It makes a lot of sense to me to build a work capsule based on pants first.  For most of us bottoms are the hardest to fit, and once that is sorted out the universe of tops and shoes that will work with the silhouette and color of the pants will immediately be narrowed. You must be getting so excited about your trip - I'm excited just reading about it.  I hope the backpack you ordered works out for you.  I'm guessing at your height it should not be too difficult to find one that fits properly and is comfortable.   I did think of you when I tried on a pair of Trekkie joggers at Athleta (research for when I am purchasing again!).  They had roomy zippered front pockets, though the back pockets have neither zipper or flap, and they also come in full length pants.  I'm sure you'll find something that meets your requirements at REI (they have an amazing selection, at least at my local store).  But I decided to mention these just in case you need another option. Anonymous on "Purchasing Fast Day 64" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/purchasing-fast-day-64#post-1785498 Thu, 09 Mar 2017 09:18:37 +0000 Anonymous 1785498@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ So I made my decision regarding how I am going to account for the items I buy for my vacation.   We started making reservations yesterday evening.  All of the reservations are accounted for as a "vacation" line item in my budget.  So that I know how much this trip costs me overall I have decided to group all purchases made for the trip under the category of "vacation" (even if it is clothing).  As Elizabeth P pointed out, I am shopping for very specific clothing items.  There is no impulse, randomness, or sales goggles involved.   I feel relief having made this decision.   Shout out to Karie.  GOOD WORK.   Penny on "Purchasing Fast Day 64" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/purchasing-fast-day-64#post-1785439 Thu, 09 Mar 2017 03:52:36 +0000 Penny 1785439@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Ha, that takes me back! I wore so many black blazer / black pants or skirt combinations to approximate suits during my law-school internships and so many ill-fitting suits purchased from Ross, etc. during my year clerking for a federal judge - almost a decade ago, before I dramatically pared down my wardrobe to items that were a much better fit for my style and body. Love your thoughtful analysis and future direction. Karie on "Purchasing Fast Day 64" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/purchasing-fast-day-64#post-1785308 Wed, 08 Mar 2017 21:01:49 +0000 Karie 1785308@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Great analysis, and yay for investing in an IRA! It sounds like your fast has helped you get things all sorted out, and now you have a clear direction for the future of your wardrobe.  As for me, I'm still sticking to my budget. There are no wardrobe holes at the moment and I don't feel the need for any refreshers, so I haven't bought anything, but I'd consider it to be OK if I did, as long as I stay within my budget. Elizabeth P on "Purchasing Fast Day 64" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/purchasing-fast-day-64#post-1785291 Wed, 08 Mar 2017 19:46:17 +0000 Elizabeth P 1785291@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Sterling, even if technically what you are buying are clothes, you aren't buying them for any of your old reasons.  You NEED these for your trip.  There is no impulse, randomness, sales goggles, etc.  Don't beat yourself up over whether or not it breaks your fast.  Buy them, and continue the fast.  You're in more danger of slipping long term if you think you've broken your rules than if you choose to accept it's okay to purchase them for this specific need. IMHO. Anonymous on "Purchasing Fast Day 64" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/purchasing-fast-day-64#post-1785268 Wed, 08 Mar 2017 18:11:35 +0000 Anonymous 1785268@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ That is an excellent question, Lynettte.  I just don't know.  I need a lot of stuff from hiking bottoms to backpacks to a pad to sleep on at the campsite.  I was thinking the bottoms and backpack should come out of my clothing budget so by definition I broke the no clothing purchases.  But some of my friends say all of this stuff should be considered as vacation expenses and therefore my purchasing fast remains intact.  I don't know though.  If it looks like clothing, and feels like clothing, it probably is clothing.  I haven't bought anything yet but I have been making lists and shopping up a storm.  I gotta say one more time.  I am so impressed with you.  Just the idea of wearing a capsule wardrobe that fits into a single suitcase for an entire year inspires awe.  How far along in your year are you?  Is your wardrobe meeting every challenge?  Do seasonal changes impact your travel plans and wardrobe?    Lynette on "Purchasing Fast Day 64" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/purchasing-fast-day-64#post-1785052 Wed, 08 Mar 2017 00:25:40 +0000 Lynette 1785052@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Ha ha, no goddess here! It took me six months to create my travel capsule and even longer for DH to convince me to take a sabbatical gap year! But thanks to all I have learned from YLF I now have a small but workable wardrobe contained in a carry-on suitcase. I am wondering if you consider your purchasing fast over? Or are you making an exception buying items you need for an upcoming trip? Please let us know what you end up with. Anonymous on "Purchasing Fast Day 64" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/purchasing-fast-day-64#post-1784539 Mon, 06 Mar 2017 12:52:27 +0000 Anonymous 1784539@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Thank you Lynette and La Pedestrienne.  I ordered a backpack from REI yesterday evening.  The backpack will be delivered to their store for in-store pickup.  I'll be shopping for hiking pants when I pick up the backpack. Can't begin to tell you how excited I am right now.  Oh, and Lynette, traveling for an entire year with one carry-on suitcase and a messenger bag, you are somewhat kind of travel Goddess!!  I can't begin to tell you how impressed I am.    Lynette on "Purchasing Fast Day 64" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/purchasing-fast-day-64#post-1784521 Mon, 06 Mar 2017 11:13:50 +0000 Lynette 1784521@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Hi sterling, I have loved reading about your journey. It has been very insightful. I happen to be traveling for a year with one carry-on sized suitcase and a messenger bag. I tried on tons of hiking pants to get just the right pair as I could only bring one along. They had to be at least a little stylish because I need to wear them for more than just hikes. I ended up with a pair by Royal Robbins and they have not disappointed! They have a narrower width than most. If I want to wear them to walk around in the city I fold them up a couple of times and they can pass for ankle pants. They wash and dry well and dry super quick. There are many styles and colors to choose from. I went with black. I got them from REI online. I also like REI's own brand for hiking gear. Good luck! LaPed on "Purchasing Fast Day 64" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/purchasing-fast-day-64#post-1784391 Sun, 05 Mar 2017 22:28:42 +0000 LaPed 1784391@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Loved reading your reflections, and second Rambling Ann's suggestion to look at Ex Officio for hiking pants/shorts. Anonymous on "Purchasing Fast Day 64" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/purchasing-fast-day-64#post-1784387 Sun, 05 Mar 2017 22:18:14 +0000 Anonymous 1784387@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Hi Joy -- Congratulations on your purchasing fast success. Yay for you.   Giving up shopping for Lent is a great idea and I admire that you do that every single year.   Few people realize how challenging it is to pull together a cohesive wardrobe.  This website saved me and I am eternally grateful.   Anonymous on "Purchasing Fast Day 64" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/purchasing-fast-day-64#post-1784378 Sun, 05 Mar 2017 21:10:31 +0000 Anonymous 1784378@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Sterling, my fashion story is much like yours. I went to college with hand-me-downs from an aunt. My first roommate laughed at my horrible clothes and insisted I wear her clothes if we went anywhere together. I had no clue about fit but if I could roll it up and it stayed on my body I wore it. Student teaching, I learned that nothing I had worked. My clothing was all from my aunt's " brown period" and I was told that I needed to wear something so I would not blend into the black board. To make matters worse I had some of the shortest mini skirts ever and women were not yet allowed to wear trousers. My purchases were much like yours, clueless and from sale racks. Eventually I started depending on SAs to dress me, but had no money. I also lived in a 4 climate area and did not even know how to dress for the weather. It sounds like you have things under control. With YLF wisdom and help you will go forward with a good plan. My shopping fast savings are going to organizations supporting refugees and a relative who needs financial help. Having a goal for the savings helps resist buying. Thank you for starting this fast. I have, except for a couple of HEWIs and needs for a winter trip, restrained myself during January and February. Now it is Lent, an annual shopping fast for me anyway. So I will continue it until at least mid April. The perfect tomato red summer shoes are still on my list as an exception. I hope, by mid April to know what refreshers I need for summer, but I hear that we can still be having freezing temperatures and snow through mid May. Rambling Ann on "Purchasing Fast Day 64" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/purchasing-fast-day-64#post-1784358 Sun, 05 Mar 2017 19:24:52 +0000 Rambling Ann 1784358@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Forgot to say that I usually find stuff like hiking pants at REI, not a department store. If you have a Patagonia outlet nearby, that's a good one to check. Or Sierra Trading Post on-line Anonymous on "Purchasing Fast Day 64" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/purchasing-fast-day-64#post-1784357 Sun, 05 Mar 2017 19:23:52 +0000 Anonymous 1784357@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Thank you, Rambling Ann.  Going to check them out right now.   Rambling Ann on "Purchasing Fast Day 64" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/purchasing-fast-day-64#post-1784355 Sun, 05 Mar 2017 19:20:38 +0000 Rambling Ann 1784355@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Ex Officio's pants have been bullet-proof. I've worn them rafting and a lot in the summer doing farm and orchard chores. I have one pair that could be almost 20 years old. They come both in convertible to shorts and regular, almost everything has a zippered cargo pocket. I personally hate sitting in the zip-off styles but they are useful for packing light or on the trail when it gets really hot. Some fabrics are softer than others though. Anonymous on "Purchasing Fast Day 64" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/purchasing-fast-day-64#post-1784318 Sun, 05 Mar 2017 17:00:54 +0000 Anonymous 1784318@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Kkards -- You are so insightful.  The minute I read you post, I realized you are exactly correct.  The truth is I do know exactly what I need for hiking.  All I have to do is find it.   Workwear is so much more challenging for me.  I have vague ideas of what I think I need.  I know I need summer bottoms.  I want them to be a solid color and coordinate with my existing shoe collection.  I want them to breezy because I get overheated.  I am thinking these would suit me. Black.  Croppish.  Silk.  Slouchy.   I don't think you are projecting.  In the back of my mind I fear exactly what you suggest.  I will either walk away with nothing or end up buying something just because it fit.   My plan is to resume shopping really slowly with a list.  I am going to start with one pair of summer slacks for work ... possibly the ones below.  I will use pinterest to develop an idea of two or even three tops that will coordinate with the summer slacks and then start shopping for that silhouette.  I will not veer from my list.  I admit that sounds really regimented, but I understand my shopping tendencies better than when I started.  I now recognize some of my pitfalls and can plan to not repeat them going forward.  I need to be more mindful than other people when shopping.   Thank you for the pointing out a huge problem that could be just around the bend for me.   Anonymous on "Purchasing Fast Day 64" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/purchasing-fast-day-64#post-1784315 Sun, 05 Mar 2017 16:46:37 +0000 Anonymous 1784315@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ JAileen -- those are exactly the hiking pants I am searching for.  They have to be really light weight and dry overnight when I wash them (and I will wash them).  I recognize and accept that these will be a very special category of gear for me and if I don't wear them in my every day life, I have made peace with that.  I looked at some army surplus stores, but their product is so heavy and thick.  I just don't see them meeting my needs.   Thank you, Staysfit and Bonnie.  Your support has really helped me in my challenge.   Suz -- it helps when I hear I am not the only one that suffered poverty in my early days  Combine getting out of school, going through a divorce and paying court costs, lawyer fees, and counseling fees.  I truly did feel very, very poor in my 20's.  Unfrumped -- Congratulations on finding your HEWI.  That is a huge accomplishment and bears out the fact that you waited until you found just what you wanted/needed and did not settle.  This is the example I want to live my life by.   Finally, to those Forum Members that are struggling to understand their own shopping habits, I found my most powerful tool was to pin or collect every single clothing or makeup item that appealed to me.  After a week or two, I came back and evaluated those pins/finds.  I rarely had any desire for them after a week or two and would uncollect them.   kkards on "Purchasing Fast Day 64" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/purchasing-fast-day-64#post-1784312 Sun, 05 Mar 2017 16:43:38 +0000 kkards 1784312@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ sterling...what interests me in all of your posts is how well defined your wants on for gear....and how your workwear needs are not.... in this post..... what you said about hiking pants.... I know exactly what I want/need for hiking, but haven't found them yet and yet this is what you have said about work pants....  (1) summer slacks for work, Once I find the summer slacks for work, I will develop a buying list for tops to coordinate with those slacks (micro-capsule). i like that you are taking a break from buying,  but i wonder if you are spending time thinking about what you want for your  workwear capsule. otherwise i fear that you when you do start buying again, you will either get overwhelmed and walk away with nothing, or end up buying something just because it fit.  (or maybe i'm projecting and you can ignore everything i've said) JAileen on "Purchasing Fast Day 64" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/purchasing-fast-day-64#post-1784305 Sun, 05 Mar 2017 16:12:38 +0000 JAileen 1784305@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Congrats on your continued success! I had a similar problem when I graduated from college. Luckily, expectations were lower, and whatever I wore seemed okay. Later, I studied accounting and became a CPA and what we wore was definied very narrowly: skirt suits, blouses with bows, pumps, etc. Plus, we were on the Texas Gulf Coast, so everything was too hot. Re hiking pants: I have an older version of these hiking pants. They look like they've redesigned them. In the description it says, "Zip secure thigh pocket". They're quick drying nylon. They definitely look like hiking pants. I took them when we went to Turkey to cut down on weight and space in my luggage. My son was aghast when he saw them! <a href="http://www.scheels.com/shop/scheels-catalog/-women/-activities/casual-pants/white-sierra-women%1As-seirra-point-convertible-pant-1898-x9505w-y3" rel="nofollow">http://www.scheels.com/shop/sc.....-x9505w-y3</a> Staysfit on "Purchasing Fast Day 64" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/purchasing-fast-day-64#post-1784301 Sun, 05 Mar 2017 14:59:51 +0000 Staysfit 1784301@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Very insightful and fruitful progress Sterling! Bonnie on "Purchasing Fast Day 64" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/purchasing-fast-day-64#post-1784284 Sun, 05 Mar 2017 14:03:24 +0000 Bonnie 1784284@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ It sounds like your purchasing fast has helped you by giving you thinking time. You are now ready to go forward with a new plan. Having a well thought out list for purchases seems key to making wise decisions. I have enjoyed following your journey.  Suz on "Purchasing Fast Day 64" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/purchasing-fast-day-64#post-1784282 Sun, 05 Mar 2017 13:56:41 +0000 Suz 1784282@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ This is such a heartening and instructive tale, and as you know, I identify with some of what you have written. My many years of poverty combined with poor money management meant I wasn't able to create a cohesive and workable wardrobe until joining YLF. (It helped, too, that I had a bit more disposable income at the time!)  You have done so well and congratulations on buying the IRA!!  Your upcoming purchases sound eminently sane to me. Do keep us posted on the hiking shoe saga! I am curious to know what you get.  unfrumped on "Purchasing Fast Day 64" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/purchasing-fast-day-64#post-1784278 Sun, 05 Mar 2017 13:48:40 +0000 unfrumped 1784278@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Good analysis! You will hear/ read often, "Buy less, but buy better" for evolving wardrobe journeys. I would reiterate that, but also encourage that it does not mean you have to buy very expensive things or designer labels. It is more about just what you are doing-- finding out what you need to make outfits work, or to fit your occasions/ roles, and not spending your clothing budget on something else meanwhile, then being able to RECOGNIZE that item when it turns up, being PPP, as Angie says, and then having the flexibility to pay full price if needed to get it in season orvin time for your needs, or choosing to stalk on sale if that works. In my work wardrobe, I have a need for some less formal jackets for everyday wear to and from work, as long as I have a few real blazers or jackets for some more formal business events. Some types of field or safari jackets work well for this. A gray jacket has been a HEWI. Just recently I found the perfect such jacket at TJMaxx even though usually that store can be my nemesis. But I have gotten much better about NOT buying random things but only checking for things on my list. Anonymous on "Purchasing Fast Day 64" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/purchasing-fast-day-64#post-1784272 Sun, 05 Mar 2017 13:23:43 +0000 Anonymous 1784272@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ To keep myself accurate, I have to include the math:  31 days in January + 28 days in February + 5 days in March = 64 days.  This could the be longest I have gone without making a clothing purchase since graduating from college.  When I graduated from college, I found that my wardrobe was completely wrong for a professional job setting.  My college wardrobe was small and more than 80 percent second hand.  So when I found my first professional job I was desperate to dress the part.  Unfortunately I didn't really know how to dress the part and my finances were slim.   Of course, panic set in.  I searched desperately for ideas for how to dress in a professional setting.  There was not a lot of information out there.  There was Dress for Success by John T. Molloy.   This became a sort of Bible for me as I transitioned to the workplace.   Overnight I had to buy an entirely new wardrobe on a tight budget without real knowledge or any self awareness.  Key emotions included desperation, panic, cluelessness.  Of course, I shopped sales and if it looked like what might pass as professional I bought it.  I bought it without a plan believing that everything would fit together seamlessly.   You can guess I developed a wardrobe of misfits that did not play well together.  But I didn't clue into the underlying problem and I double downed and bought still more (still on sale).   The size of my wardrobe exploded yet I never had anything to wear.  When I joined YLF, still desperate, I had a very large wardrobe and yet always felt like I was either underdressed or had nothing to wear at all.  If an event (wedding, funeral, office party, theater) occurred, there was more frantic shopping because I couldn't rely on my wardrobe to dress  me.  (I am so embarrassed to admit this, but it is true and part of my style journey).   I never realized just how much those early years of shopping shaped my present shopping habits.  It was clear that my personal shopping habits did not serve me well.  They were too emotional and resulted in hugely impulsive purchases that were almost always bought on sale at the end of the season.  It is no wonder that my wardrobe was characterized by a lack of cohesion.   I think the worse part was feeling like I always had to buy on sale.  I never quite got over that feeling of always being on a tight budget.  I set my clothing budget when I graduated and never thought to change or revise it as my financial conditions changed through time.   This Purchasing Fast was a way to put the brakes on that type of shopping.  It was meant to serve as a "breather" for myself to think about my habits.  This breather is supposed to help me deal with impulsivity; identify wardrobe holes; and develop a future buying plan.   I have had great success with dealing with the impulsivity.  I worried that my impulsive purchases would transition from clothing to other things such as makeup, skin care, hair products, etc.  That has not been the case.  Instead I used that money that would have been spent on clothing to invest in an IRA.  Yay for me.   I have slowly started to identify wardrobe holes:  (1) summer slacks for work, (2) bottoms for hiking out west while on vacation, (3) good trail shoes; and (4) backpack.   These items come out of my "clothing budget" so they will be designated as clothing purchases.   I am currently shopping for the summer slacks and the hiking bottoms. Once I find the summer slacks for work, I will develop a buying list for tops to coordinate with those slacks (micro-capsule).   I know exactly what I want/need for hiking, but haven't found them yet.  What keeps hanging me up is zippered pockets.  I want fast drying and zippered pockets.  Zippered pockets are a deal breaker.   Over to you.