https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/reasons-for-shopping-fast-long Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Sat, 16 May 2026 20:24:07 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/reasons-for-shopping-fast-long#post-1782577 Tue, 28 Feb 2017 14:28:43 +0000 Lisa 1782577@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Congrats on working towards your goal, organizing one's thoughts is one of the key steps to move forward. &nbsp;It's one of many reasons why I started my blog years ago, to help myself work through a shopping addiction and get my wardrobe sorted. Tracking cost per wear and crunching numbers and creating lists are some of my favorite things to do with my wardrobe. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/reasons-for-shopping-fast-long#post-1782559 Tue, 28 Feb 2017 13:40:29 +0000 Sisi 1782559@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Your post is very interesting,&nbsp;not boring at all ! Unfortunately I cannot give you any suggestions about "being more able to cull" (I also have this problem, I am a terrible&nbsp;sentimental hoarder). I can encourage you to continue&nbsp;tracking purchases and wears. This has been very helpful for me and I am sure it will be also for you. Anyway&nbsp;you have already realized which is one of your mistakes (buying clones) and this is a step forward.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/reasons-for-shopping-fast-long#post-1782481 Tue, 28 Feb 2017 04:13:37 +0000 Jaime 1782481@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>What a thoughtful post Jenni. Although I have lots of clothes and churn in my mostly second hand closet, your reasons and feelings make a lot of sense to me and seem like a good choice for you. Keep us posted. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/reasons-for-shopping-fast-long#post-1782477 Tue, 28 Feb 2017 03:59:44 +0000 Beth Ann 1782477@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Awareness is a gift, and you are allowing it to move you into healthy change. &nbsp;It sounds like you're on your way to a better wardrobe, while also letting go of some of the weight of "stuff." &nbsp;</p> <p>I would at that repeating colors, or even outfit formulas, is not altogether bad, as long as it represents your deliberate style choices. &nbsp;12 similar tunics for warm weather is plenty, but I've been working with about 6 blouses in my cold weather capsule and, even with sweaters to fall back on, I find myself repeating a bit more than I like. &nbsp;Of course, I have a craving for variety, which I have to balance with my small budget!</p> <p>Keep us posted! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/reasons-for-shopping-fast-long#post-1782296 Mon, 27 Feb 2017 16:59:56 +0000 Barbara Diane 1782296@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Congratulations on the realization that led to your shopping fast. I did a shopping fast and a closet clean out a few years ago and I had the most fun getting dressed. I could see what I wanted to wear and it was fun challenging myself to make new combinations.&nbsp;</p> <p>I would say numbers are numbers, and each of us has a different closet size that we are happy with. Do whatever serves you.</p> <p>I don't do all the written tracking, but I do look at my closet and figure out what I am wearing and what I haven't been, and I make outfits out of what I haven't been wearing. And I allow some mistakes, because sometimes it takes a mistake to realize that you either don't want to make that change, or that you are ready for a change.</p> <p>I also don't sweat the few items that aren't worn much that I still feel are useful. I feel like my almost overuse of others evens it out. And sometimes an item will be very useful but not a long lasting item.</p> <p>Some of my clothes I've worn at least once a week this fall/winter, and some not as much as expected. I'm trying to learn from the ones I've worn less, and I'm going to make plans to wear some of the less worn items. Although I've greatly reduced it, I do tend to save a bit of my wardrobe for slightly nicer events, which has left one of my favorite items unworn, especially as I've had less nice events this winter.</p> <p>I too, have memory clothes. They make me very happy. Mine are in a closet in my garage, not my main closet. That way they don't distract me when I'm pulling together an outfit.</p> <p> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/reasons-for-shopping-fast-long#post-1782258 Mon, 27 Feb 2017 15:29:24 +0000 Jenn 1782258@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I really identify with your strategy here, Jenni. I track wears and CPW too (using the Closetspace app). </p> <p>I use the<a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.whowhatwear.com/how-to-five-piece-french-wardrobe"> 5-piece French Wardrobe </a>idea to divide my shopping/wardrobe into basics (or essentials) and statements (shedev does this, as well). My basics have to stay under $100, and I aim for $1 CPW on them over two years, though maybe $2 would be more reasonable. For my five statements each season (S/S and F/W), I don't really worry about CPW, though many of them are upgraded (over $100) basics, and do get down there in the end.</p> <p>Even in a small or moderate-sized wardrobe, not everything has to be a workhorse. The trick is limiting those statement purchases to make them special! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/reasons-for-shopping-fast-long#post-1781579 Fri, 24 Feb 2017 22:18:57 +0000 Jenni NZ 1781579@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Wow, 50 wears! I would have great trouble with that. I only started counting past 20 this year 2017. I felt very pleased if I had reached 20. I know that Debbie of Recovering Shopaholic was trying to wear things 8 times in a calendar year. As much of my stuff stays with me for several years then at least 20 wears overall seemed more do-able. The other thing I will try to bear in mind before buying in future, when I break the fast, will be to decide in advance ( except for something like a ball dress) whether I will be able to wear it at least 20 times. I realise that means to have a &lt;$5 CPW would mean the item should not cost more than $100. I think I will probably buy some shoes in future that will be more than that ( shoes are very expensive in NZ, good brands routinely more than $100) but at least I hope I will be really, really sure about them when I break this fast. I am still not sure I have learned enough from the fast yet despite the 3 months so far. As it has been such a weird summer here, many days not had hot as usual, I have a lot of stuff that has been suitable for the weather. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/reasons-for-shopping-fast-long#post-1781568 Fri, 24 Feb 2017 22:03:11 +0000 shedev 1781568@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Your post wasn't too long or boring at all. My wardrobe numbers are pretty close to yours. I've been tracking CPW and # of wears for a few years. For non designer items, I get a $2 CPW on most things if I wear them out. On some sale or thrift, I can get $1 CPW, but trying to get that is likely to get in the way of curating my wardrobe the way I want. I made the leap into designer a couple years ago, and buy a couple more spendy things a season. I will be happy with a&nbsp;$5&nbsp;CPW&nbsp;on them.&nbsp;&nbsp;Fun with fashion trumps CPW, within reason. I do have a budget that I stick to. Anything that I wear out, has likely served me really well, despite CPW. We had a forum member who used 50 wears as the life time of a clothing item so I got used to that number as a benchmark. I have 20+ wears on about a third of my wardrobe, so I think it is doable. I have a rate style and don't mind a bit of wear.&nbsp;I'm looking forward to your sequel posts. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/reasons-for-shopping-fast-long#post-1781533 Fri, 24 Feb 2017 19:56:22 +0000 Jenni NZ 1781533@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thank you all for your thoughts. I guess I haven't been deliberately making the CPW "justify" the societal cost of producing the clothing but that is perhaps what I've been subconsciously doing. For Approprio, I should add that I do own some things like a ball or prom dress which sit there in case needed again- that one is at $ 350 CPW as I bought it at that price for a ball and have only worn it once. But if another invitation to such an event comes, I'm ready!<br /> I'm really doing the 20 wears- an idea I got from reading this forum long before I signed up, I was lurking for months- and the &lt;$5 CPW for my essentially everyday clothing that I wear to work, or in the weekend, out to dinner with friends, etc. I have also found Recovering Shopaholic a very helpful site. As my wardrobe is so big currently I can still have fun with it. Compliments on shoes again yesterday! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/reasons-for-shopping-fast-long#post-1781405 Fri, 24 Feb 2017 14:03:28 +0000 approprio 1781405@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I feel much the same about a lot of this. It's all too easy to feel weighed down with all this Stuff and not find a functioning wardrobe in amongst it all. I think we run into trouble when we're shopping just for the sake of bringing something home.</p> <p>I don't see any harm in duplicating essential pieces, particularly items in heavy rotation.&nbsp;I myself am not a huge fan of CPW though, because I find it more important to be prepared for eventualities. I may only need that special dress, or those rain boots twice a year, but on those two days, I know I'm really going to need them! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/reasons-for-shopping-fast-long#post-1781318 Fri, 24 Feb 2017 03:57:21 +0000 Anonymous 1781318@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p><b>Jenni,</b> I'm so glad you took the time to share your thinking with us. You definitely provided me with a couple of "ah ha!" moments.<br />I identify strongly with the clone shopping problem. &nbsp;In fact, I identify with a lot of what you have written. &nbsp;(I think we may have the same wedding dress, in fact!)<br />I've read about the merits of counting wears and calculating CPW before, and thought it just sounded like too much work. &nbsp;But you really made a compelling case for its value. I never thought about trying to get as many wears as feasible out of an item as a way to somewhat "justify" the societal costs associated with producing that clothing.<br />It's very interesting to read about your journey. &nbsp;Congrats on the progress you have made!</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/reasons-for-shopping-fast-long#post-1781244 Thu, 23 Feb 2017 22:58:18 +0000 Anonymous 1781244@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>OH WAIT. &nbsp;I neglected to say c<i>omplements on the Three Month Shopipng FAST</i>!!! &nbsp;How could I have failed to say that up front? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/reasons-for-shopping-fast-long#post-1781243 Thu, 23 Feb 2017 22:56:05 +0000 Anonymous 1781243@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Hi Jenni NZ -- Interesting post (I read every single word). &nbsp;Thank you for taking the time. &nbsp;I feel that&nbsp;wearing eveything at least 20 times and having a cost-per-wear below $ 5 is a worthy goal. &nbsp;I personally would have thought that wearing my things at least 20 times would have been easy. &nbsp;For reasons I still don't understand, that is an unattainable goal for <u>some</u> garments in my wardrobe. &nbsp;I love them ... yet don't wear them? &nbsp;Do I really love them? &nbsp;There is something wrong there ....</p> <p>Getting my cost per wear to less than $5 for "garment <u>categories</u>" has been easy for me. &nbsp;</p> <p>I so look forward to your future posts. &nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/reasons-for-shopping-fast-long#post-1781234 Thu, 23 Feb 2017 22:10:12 +0000 Anonymous 1781234@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Jenni, I enjoyed reading your thoughts. I need to remember not to buy clones. They usually do not get much wear as I move on. A big weight loss a few years ago forced me to replace everything, even most of my shoes. I got rid of the things that did not fit after trying alterations on some favorites. Big fail! Better to start over. Someone else will need and love your cast offs that no longer fit. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/reasons-for-shopping-fast-long#post-1781229 Thu, 23 Feb 2017 21:34:41 +0000 rachylou 1781229@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Oh no, these are the best kinds of posts. I'm all about the big picture. That was one of the things I came to YLF for. I had a lot of cute outfits but not a whole, cohesive working wardrobe. All the outfits added up to a lot of dead weight, and an incoherent style, one that was continually being dragged down and that I tried to buoy up with a lot of ad hoc purchases. All fits and starts. You get to a point where you just have to stop and take your bearings. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/reasons-for-shopping-fast-long#post-1781226 Thu, 23 Feb 2017 21:19:51 +0000 Jenni NZ 1781226@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>24 Feb happens to mark 3 months of not buying clothes or shoes. I didn't know 24 Nov was the day I would stop in advance, I just went to a favourite outlet store with my best friend that day. I think her purchases shocked me- she bought about 8 summer dresses and I know she has a wardrobe stuffed full of dresses.I bought 3 things- one black cami, one cropped shrug black cardy, and one summer tunic with a print front, different print back, and short navy fringing. My friend commented when I tried that one on, "it just looks like one of your tops!". That gave me pause. Around that time I read an on-line article about how to cull or refresh your wardrobe and the first thing to avoid re-buying was "clone" clothing, or as they said, "different but not really".That really got me thinking.&nbsp;<br />I can count 12 different thin summer-weight tunic-syle tops in my wardrobe.I own others for cooler weather eg one black and one grey shortish merino pinafore. Some are for layering with light tops under, some not. Of my actual summer dresses rather than tunics, the same colours keep cropping up ( turquiose, teal, orange...) It is already hard to find chances to wear them all.&nbsp;<br />The past 8 years of building a wardrobe after being badly shaken by bullying, losing my sense of self, and gaining a lot of weight around the middle after menopause, have left my closet bursting at the seams. I'm also very sentimental about my clothes. If I still like the item a lot, and have enjoyed wearing it, I am loath to clear it out. I still have my 30-y-old wedding dress hanging in the spare bedroom- flouncy, Princess-Diana-like, now many sizes too small and greyed in colour! My 2 daughters hate it- it's so 80s.But I felt like a fairy princess that day, and the dress made me happy, and I still love my husband...<br />I'm also quite OCD which is a family mental illness, my Dad was quite a hoarder and I have had diagnosable anxiety in the past.So keeping track of purchases since 2010 plays into my love of lists, so does tracking wears since May 2016 and then working out cost per wear. I would also like to be more ethical in my purchases if I can. I was just horrified by the Rana Plaza collapse in Bangladesh a few years back, and I've been a donor to development programmes, microenterprsie, a child sponsor and so on for over 25 years. I don't beat myself up for "fails" on the ethical front, I'm just trying to be more mindful without becoming obsessed by my carbon footprint or any workers I may be unwittingly exploiting.<br />I feel my wardrobe of just under 150 clothing items and 50 pairs of shoes is too large. We don't have a walk-in wardrobe, just a custom-designed space in our 16 year old bedroom which we built into the roof in the year 2000. There is storage space behind it( in the roof) where my off-season clothing is stored in bags. My off-season shoes are in boxes in one spare room and my sentimental too-small clothing in a closet in another( that's not counted in the 150 items, that's extra). I would like to clear space, be more able to cull, and wear eveything at least 20 times. Also if possible have a cost-per-wear below $ 5. Those of you who thrift may be able to do the latter easily, but I mainly prefer the feeling of buying new, so need to be more picky about what I actually buy, and <u>wear</u> what I've bought.&nbsp;<br />This post is already too long, so I will save various lessons for a sequel. If you have read this far and not given up from boredom (this post is not much fun), thank you.&nbsp; </p>