https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/reflections-on-shopping-this-year Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Sat, 11 Apr 2026 16:27:18 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/reflections-on-shopping-this-year/page/2#post-2197498 Mon, 24 May 2021 18:28:32 +0000 Anonymous 2197498@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I am with rachylou - spring is a trap! So tempting after slogging through winter, especially through a pandemic winter, yet I never get good use from spring items in our climate. I’m either still chilly or I’m too hot. I think your spending seems totally reasonable especially given the traumatic 12+ months we’re all having. As far as cardigans, maybe they will be way more useful to you in the fall and winter when you replenish your sweaters? Some folks just prefer to wear a cardigan closed like a sweater, with a layer underneath if needed. I think that would look great on you! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/reflections-on-shopping-this-year/page/2#post-2196846 Fri, 21 May 2021 21:19:29 +0000 Jenni NZ 2196846@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I agree with Nemosmom’s last sentence 100%. The only “tatty bits” I like hanging around in are when I am literally painting the fence or covered in dirt planting things. Otherwise I prefer to look at least a bit polished. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/reflections-on-shopping-this-year/page/2#post-2196804 Fri, 21 May 2021 18:57:31 +0000 nemosmom 2196804@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p> <div>I know you are probably beating yourself up, but really you have approached your edits and additions so very thoughtfully (as usual!)!</div><div><br /></div><div>If athleisure makes you feel comfortable and happy in the gloomy end of winter (why does January feel like it's 78 days long?), then by-golly, your athleisure should be nothing short of plentiful <u>and</u> fabulous!!</div><div><br /></div><div>Plentiful to avoid laundry bottlenecks and early demise, and fabulous because you SHOULD feel fabulous when the weather is just rotten.&nbsp; <br /></div><div><br /></div><div>No need to slum around in tatty bits if you already have the winter blahs, ya know?</div></p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/reflections-on-shopping-this-year/page/2#post-2196620 Thu, 20 May 2021 21:41:57 +0000 bj1111 2196620@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Hooray for identifying that the essentials will be work horses. How great is that realization. The number doesn’t seem as important as the spirit of discovery and experimentation. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/reflections-on-shopping-this-year/page/2#post-2196608 Thu, 20 May 2021 20:04:51 +0000 Minaminu 2196608@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I like that you track essential and experiment wear, it can be useful to gauge if an item can easily fit in the wardrobe. Having said that, some of the experimental items can help extend or cary the use of an essential item so they are a worthy investment too. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/reflections-on-shopping-this-year/page/2#post-2196556 Thu, 20 May 2021 15:50:55 +0000 Irina 2196556@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>We all want our purchases to become workhorses right away. But it doesn’t always happen for a number of reasons. We had a weird spring here, in Toronto. I went from a wool motto to a long sleeve t-shirt almost overnight and had only one day so far with an appropriate weather to wear a cardigan. Plus a lockdown, with nowhere to go.<br />Like you, I mostly buy essentials for my wardrobe, items. But we all need to inject a bit of excitement once a while.<br />I’m sure you will find your cardigans useful still in S/S months.<br />As for the ## and $$, only you can know if it’s OK for your wardrobe/lifestyle/budget. I would be happy if my number of the new things was close to yours. It’s not, I indulged in shopping therapy way too much and need to correct it. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/reflections-on-shopping-this-year/page/2#post-2196552 Thu, 20 May 2021 15:43:23 +0000 Liesbeth 2196552@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I love Bijou's comment. Sometimes I push myself to wear a certain outfit, then allow myself to repeat wear (if I like the outfit) and there you go, the numbers are up ;). And it's true, not everything needs to be a foundational piece you can't live without. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/reflections-on-shopping-this-year/page/2#post-2196541 Thu, 20 May 2021 14:59:06 +0000 Sisi 2196541@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>If I had spent 500 dollars for 18 items (makes an average of approx. 28 dollars per item) the majority of which seems to have great workhorse potential, I would be very happy and would consider this a shopping success!&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/reflections-on-shopping-this-year/page/2#post-2196540 Thu, 20 May 2021 14:36:41 +0000 Janet 2196540@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I think you’re doing great. Not everything we buy will be a hit, despite our best efforts! I have given up on cardigans, personally, but I can see them working well for your classic style once you figure out the styling strategy. What you’ve done in terms of shopping this year sounds very reasonable to me. </p> <p>I just counted up and realized I have bought 35 non-gear wardrobe items this year so far. (Not counting some new running capris that were needed to replace some that slide down — I don’t count gear that doesn’t get worn in real outfits.) Plus I bought some pieces that were pricey (and some that were definite bargains!). Definitely more than I purchased last year, but I also realized I edited far more than 35 pieces OUT of my closet, so overall I’m trending in the right direction to tighten up my wardrobe with things I love. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/reflections-on-shopping-this-year#post-2196497 Thu, 20 May 2021 07:48:25 +0000 Sally 2196497@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I probably spent that in the 2 weeks I went about replacing my clothes that were too big for me, despite getting a lot second hand.&nbsp; I always find there is the odd thing that doesn't work out as expected but then there are other pieces that turn out to be absolute workhorses and make up for the ones that didn't live up to expectation.&nbsp; Swings and roundabouts in the end.&nbsp;&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/reflections-on-shopping-this-year#post-2196465 Thu, 20 May 2021 03:49:56 +0000 Bijou 2196465@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Helena, sometimes I have to deliberately force myself to wear certain items and I enjoy the challenge to use those wildcard and experiment items. I may pick a day (for example a Saturday) and just say to myself on Saturday I am going to wear (item x) and then pull together an outfit around the item. Usually once I am in the habit of wearing something, especially if it is comfortable, I then reach for it. I am a creature of habit, so if I don't start wearing something, I am likely to leave it languishing in my wardrobe. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/reflections-on-shopping-this-year#post-2196462 Thu, 20 May 2021 03:37:59 +0000 SarahD8 2196462@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Helena, You remind me of my kid who was grumbling the other day about having failed a biology test and, it turned out, had gotten a C. I make this comparison with great affection for both of you, and in fact I think you’re doing much better than average.</p> <p>I’m thinking about your comment that statements and fun pieces lose their shine quickly. I feel like in the recent past you’ve arrived at a strategy of keeping those pieces around for those occasional times when you crave something different. But maybe instead you would be happier choosing just one or two new fun things each season, and making a conscious effort to wear them frequently, like on a weekly basis even. Then, by the time the bloom is off the rose you’ll have actually gotten a substantial number of wears out of them.</p> <p>I agree with notsaf that some things not working out the way we’d hoped is the price of doing business — or at least, the price of enjoying and evolving our style over time. After all, our current staples were experiments at one point. And, those not quite right pieces help us hone what to buy in the future...sometimes a crewneck’s purpose is to teach us that crewnecks aren’t for us. (This is a total Marie Kondo-ism, and I always thought it was just a way of letting oneself off the hook for waste, but now I think that applied mindfully maybe there’s something to it.) </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/reflections-on-shopping-this-year#post-2196458 Thu, 20 May 2021 03:04:26 +0000 notsaf 2196458@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>It always feels&nbsp; bit crummy to purchase things that you don't end up wearing in the way that you'd hoped, no matter your budget, but I have also come to think that's inevitable, and just the cost of doing business, exploring new things, and - well - just getting dressed! Don't beat yourself up and do celebrate your successes! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/reflections-on-shopping-this-year#post-2196445 Thu, 20 May 2021 01:36:40 +0000 Jaime 2196445@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Helena you are incredibly responsible from what I have gleaned about your personality. So your very small indulgence in an extra cardigan or two, during a global pandemic when you were shut in for a year+, is very understandable but not something to waste energy rueing (is that a thing?). I think your guilt is your natural reaction to a sense of immoderation and helps you keep in balance, so I think you should appreciate that about yourself and then let it go.&nbsp;<br />Yes, feel free to offer your 5 cents about me anytime in return . </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/reflections-on-shopping-this-year#post-2196436 Thu, 20 May 2021 00:02:39 +0000 LaPed 2196436@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I think your numbers sound very reasonable. We’re nearly halfway through the year! Also, it’s such a strange time and it feels like life will be somehow different at the other end of the pandemic tunnel. I totally understand the desire to experiment a little right now, while we all wait for things to open back up. And I hear you on loving spring clothes but having limited opportunities to wear them. This seems to be a recurring YLF theme! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/reflections-on-shopping-this-year#post-2196432 Wed, 19 May 2021 23:22:09 +0000 Helena 2196432@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thank you so much everyone! I feel better and appreciate all your feedback!! Yes to the cardi wisdom (I know we've chatted about this before!) and I do think they will get (slow) wear in time ... I think when I looked at the numbers my heart palpitated a bit but you've given my some calm perspective so I'm. It feeling so dramatic about it now </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/reflections-on-shopping-this-year#post-2196415 Wed, 19 May 2021 21:37:02 +0000 cat2 2196415@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Hey Helena, what about putting a Spring colored winter weight sweater on next year’s list? Something cheery for you to turn to without freezing? Someone posted a lilac cashmere or wool sweater and a pretty silk scarf as their Spring outfit. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/reflections-on-shopping-this-year#post-2196410 Wed, 19 May 2021 21:17:19 +0000 Angie 2196410@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Great reflections and lessons learned. Nice to see essentials get some love! You are Queen Wardrobe Essentials :)</p> <p><b>Helena</b>, I suspect the problem with cardigans is in the layering, and how to satisfy that part with your climate. You have to wear them on their own as a topper, and be good with that. OR layer them under a puffer in cold weather.</p> <p>Chunky cardigans ARE your topper.&nbsp;</p> <p>Very lightweight cardigans are sun protection.&nbsp;</p> <p>Or wear them at home only. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/reflections-on-shopping-this-year#post-2196406 Wed, 19 May 2021 21:05:22 +0000 RobinF 2196406@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Interesting thoughts on essentials versus statements, makes so much sense. I get so much use out of essentials and wear them for a long time.</p> <p>Funny regarding cardigans - I wear one almost every day. I dress casually for work but my cardi is my jacket or third piece and makes me feel more "dressed" but still comfortable. I also wear them in the summer against cold AC. I do prefer thinner ones for summer and thicker for winter but I have some that overlap the seasons.</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/reflections-on-shopping-this-year#post-2196402 Wed, 19 May 2021 20:59:35 +0000 Anonymous 2196402@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I don’t think you do or need to, justify anything!<br /> It’s ok to try new things, shop a little more and spend a little extra if it’s not a hardship.<br /> I think your buys sound great and hope the boxy cardigan works out, even if it’s more standard silhouettes that spark more long term joy.<br /> You’re a super responsible person (I think) and it’s nice sometimes for whatever reason, to treat yourself to a little extra. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/reflections-on-shopping-this-year#post-2196401 Wed, 19 May 2021 20:55:31 +0000 Sal 2196401@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I think it is good to reflect, and see what is working and what isn't.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <p>I have now made 21 purchases for the year - and sadly spent a lot more than you.&nbsp; Levis here can be $170-$180 for example whereas Firecracker talked about her Levis being $55.&nbsp; I have added five things that were impulse buys of which one I will put to the forum as a potential donate, three have not been worn, and one was a great buy.&nbsp; These were all second hand or sale purchases.&nbsp; My planned full price purchases (or planned and on sale) are all proving fantastic!!</p> <p>I also think that some of the more statement/fun pieces will come into their own next spring or even fall.&nbsp; Once you are back out of lockdown and there is more opportunity. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/reflections-on-shopping-this-year#post-2196399 Wed, 19 May 2021 20:51:06 +0000 Carla 2196399@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p> <div>I’m not sure&nbsp;<i>what&nbsp;</i>spring is! &nbsp;I count light weight puffers, merino sweaters, and a water resistant coat as spring items! &nbsp;Once temps slip over 20degC (like this week) it’s ‘summer’! &nbsp;Between garden dirt, sweat, and sunscreen I’m going through two sets of tops+bottoms a day this week! &nbsp;</div><div><br /></div>Last year was a ‘low buy’ year for me, and I came in well under budget. This year my numbers are similar to yours - 18 new items, &nbsp;but easily twice the $$. &nbsp;However, I’m going into summer better prepared than in many a &nbsp;year past. &nbsp;<div><br /></div><div>What I’ve bought so far this year:&nbsp;<a rel="nofollow" href="https://youlookfab.com/finds/collections/?collection=9521">https://youlookfab.com/finds/c.....ction=9521</a><div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div><br /> </div> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/reflections-on-shopping-this-year#post-2196396 Wed, 19 May 2021 20:24:37 +0000 chewyspaghetti 2196396@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>rachylou- I think I have the opposite problem. I should probably concmy purchases on spring items, since I can wear them most of the year, but I often don't like what is available because of the colors or styles.<br /> I like more fall colors, so when I find spring weight styles in earth tones I need to jump on them and stock up. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/reflections-on-shopping-this-year#post-2196394 Wed, 19 May 2021 20:13:49 +0000 Helena 2196394@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Jenni, thx and yes I think we are definitely spoiled on prices in NA compared to elsewhere ...</p> <p>Rachy I NEED TO DO THIS!!! That's exactly what I do. Like, in March I go all, new year new me, and then by May I'm like, nope still the old me. Will you be my accountability buddy next year?!?!? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/reflections-on-shopping-this-year#post-2196393 Wed, 19 May 2021 20:06:12 +0000 Jenni NZ 2196393@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I’ll just mention the budget/spend here. My spend averaged just under $2000 per year ( $1964 to be precise) for the past 10 years until this year. So $500 by May doesn’t seem a lot to me. I am amazed at the excellent prices some Fabbers can get- $40 or similar on things that would be over $100 here.<br /> I mean if you are going to have stuff that doesn’t look worn out, some will just have to be replaced.<br /> I don’t know what to say about the cardigans. Find excuses to wear them? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/reflections-on-shopping-this-year#post-2196373 Wed, 19 May 2021 18:47:31 +0000 rachylou 2196373@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I think spring is a trap! I have banned the spring shop for myself because I feel<br /> I made the worst purchases in spring - coats not warm enough, colours that I really didn’t want in the end, etc. Ok, I have bought some things... but no big shop and no contemplation of ‘new and different’ if you know what I mean... </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/reflections-on-shopping-this-year#post-2196370 Wed, 19 May 2021 18:44:17 +0000 Helena 2196370@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>thanks so much everyone!</p> <p>Suntiger &amp; Liesbeth &amp; cat2, that's the thing with cardis - for me, they are transitional season items, as I tend to wear them more as outerwear - but we barely have a transition here! It's either full on jackets, or t-shirts and shorts - I think we've had maybe 8 days of weather that I would consider cardigan-weather :D</p> <p>Jenn, yes exactly it .. and I'm glad I said it and you highlighted it, as I really need to keep it front and centre!</p> <p>Zaeobi, glad to know I am not alone in this process, and thanks for the tip re the Uniqlo cardis for summer!</p> <p>Suz, definitely I won't be hasty ... especially with the cardi, it might be something that is just right for late summer/early fall when the evenings get colder but we are still sitting outside a lot. If it only serves a small window, that's ok - now that I have it! Although I need to bear it in mind before future similar purchases :)</p> <p> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/reflections-on-shopping-this-year#post-2196366 Wed, 19 May 2021 18:35:08 +0000 Anonymous 2196366@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I'm with you and Jenn- it's the essentials that end up being the most worthwhile purchases in the long run!<br /> As far as the heavier cardigans, would you wear them in winter? They're easier to layer under coats than jackets. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/reflections-on-shopping-this-year#post-2196365 Wed, 19 May 2021 18:17:57 +0000 Jenn 2196365@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I've easily outspent more you so far this year on only 7 pieces -- 4 essentials, 2 statements, and 1 piece of gear. I do think the past year has left a lot of us feeling like we deserve something fresh and new to commemorate what really feels like a new beginning, so I totally get that impulse.</p> <p>I also SO agree with this assessment:&nbsp;<i>Ultimately, it's my </i><b><i>essential pieces </i></b><i>that I truly enjoy in the long run. Statements and "fun" pieces lose their shine very quickly.<br /></i><br />A thousand times yes! I don't know that I've ever regretted spending on an essential, but I have to be careful with statements, unless they're really and truly something special.<i></i> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/reflections-on-shopping-this-year#post-2196364 Wed, 19 May 2021 18:11:47 +0000 Liesbeth 2196364@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Haha neither your item count nor your budget seem excessive to me :). But of course it has to feel right for you. I'm shopping a bit more than I need to too, it's sometimes truly 'blowing off steam' (thank god for free returns). I'm now taking the view that I'll wait and see if it blows over once we're sort of back to normal. (I'm taking the same ostrich approach to stress eating so maybe you shouldn't follow my lead :p).<br /> Anyhow, you seem to have learnt your lessons. I am surprised though that you're not getting enough wear out of your cardigans, if I remember correctly they were versatile and very stylish items and for me, a cardigan is essential in the transitional season and on many colder summer days. Eg, I had not worn my cardigans all winter in favor of sweaters, but now I can't do without. It's cold cold cold until the sun hits the windows and then I overheat indoors ;). </p>