https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/rules-for-deciding-what-to-buy Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Tue, 19 May 2026 03:47:20 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/rules-for-deciding-what-to-buy#post-265650 Mon, 13 Dec 2010 18:18:26 +0000 Barbara 265650@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>My rules: Do I LOVE it? Is it ME? Is it a PERFECT fit?</p> <p>Of course I always consider price, maintenance and the trendiness factor. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/rules-for-deciding-what-to-buy#post-265632 Mon, 13 Dec 2010 18:01:38 +0000 krishnidoux 265632@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>PS: I really like the "Tuesday afternoon" idea! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/rules-for-deciding-what-to-buy#post-265631 Mon, 13 Dec 2010 18:00:43 +0000 krishnidoux 265631@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>May I add: maintenance... How to care for it and how to wash it? Also along the same lines as the quality criteria: how might it look after the first wash? I visualize it hanging sheepishly form my dry line... screaming for ironing... will it fuzz, is it likely to shrink? How many little stray threads will poke out? Will it retain its color and would I still like if the color faded a little? I try to imagine trips to the dry cleaners... Sometimes these mind visualizations are useful to help me refrain from overspending. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/rules-for-deciding-what-to-buy#post-265625 Mon, 13 Dec 2010 17:39:18 +0000 Mo 265625@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Ah, Lynne, good point. For me, it is, 'does it stick?'. As in, static electricity from slick polyester fabrications and my hair. Bad combo. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/rules-for-deciding-what-to-buy#post-265614 Mon, 13 Dec 2010 17:25:55 +0000 lynne 265614@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>All of the above are part of my rule repertoire with the addition of "Does it itch?" For years and years I'd buy cute things that I loved the look of but hardly ever wore due to the wool content. After finally accepting that I just can't wear wool I've made far fewer shopping mistakes. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/rules-for-deciding-what-to-buy#post-265258 Sun, 12 Dec 2010 23:52:54 +0000 mamaKate 265258@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thanks, everyone! Very interesting so far! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/rules-for-deciding-what-to-buy#post-265236 Sun, 12 Dec 2010 23:09:21 +0000 MsMary 265236@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Until recently I was quite overweight, and honestly my main criteria were "does it fit and is it reasonably presentable?" If I found something that fit and actually looked good on me, that would be a red-letter day and I would definitely buy it -- whatever it was.</p> <p>These days most things fit, and a lot of them look pretty good on me, and as a result I think I've been buying too much. I think I need to stay out of the stored for a while, while I figure out some better criteria! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/rules-for-deciding-what-to-buy#post-265232 Sun, 12 Dec 2010 23:03:44 +0000 crwilson 265232@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I need to print these rules off and carry them with me whenever I shop. My rules seem to be, If I don't hate it, and I need something like it, then I guess I'll buy it. This is probably why I don't like that much that's in my closet. I hate shopping though, and I hardly ever have time, so I don't go until I'm desperate. Having these questions in mind would save me money in the long run. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/rules-for-deciding-what-to-buy#post-265141 Sun, 12 Dec 2010 18:32:42 +0000 Mo 265141@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Kari, along the lines of 'can I wait' is the 'if I don't get it now and it's gone will I forever regret not getting it?'. I have had this happen a number of times, even just this year! That also goes hand in hand with 'do I love it' I suppose. I need a balance of logical and emotional in my shopping. I can't just buy according to what I love, but I also can't just buy what I need to fill holes as workhorses. Last week I got a lot of 'need's but no 'love's. I'm ready for a to-die-for-can't-do-without piece! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/rules-for-deciding-what-to-buy#post-265139 Sun, 12 Dec 2010 18:25:20 +0000 Kari 265139@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I use similar criteria to you, Kate, but I also add a couple of other tests:</p> <p>* Does it fill an existing hole in my wardrobe, or do I have other items nearly exactly like it at home? (My mom and I noticed that both of us tend to buy tops we like, then when we bring them home we realize we have a nearly identical top already in our closet. Now I mentally scan my wardrobe before I bring an item to the cash register.)</p> <p>* Can it wait? (Will I regret the loss of this item if I don't buy it now, and it goes out of stock later? Is it likely to go on sale? Is there some other item that I need more immediately - like a bra or a rain jacket - and is more essential to my wardrobe?) </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/rules-for-deciding-what-to-buy#post-265136 Sun, 12 Dec 2010 18:20:46 +0000 Kim 265136@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I read one of my best rules in Lucky Magazine last month (or so)...</p> <p>Advice from personal stylists as I recall. (paraphrased by me)</p> <p>Most of the clothing you buy should work for you on a Tuesday afternoon. Most of us don't live "Saturday night" lives.</p> <p>I'm guilty of this! LOL I have more "smart business casual" than I will ever need because I simply love the look. However it's not how I dress on Tuesday afternoon...LOL I don't work in an office, I work at home with small kids. My life is loud, and messy and fun, but a of gorgeous black cashmere sweater is not going to cut it for me five days a week! </p> <p>Now when I shop, (unless I'm buying for a specific event) I keep this rule in mind. It's helped me immensely with my "Saturday Night" cravings... </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/rules-for-deciding-what-to-buy#post-265099 Sun, 12 Dec 2010 16:27:27 +0000 Angie 265099@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I like your criteria, Kate. Mine are very similar. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/rules-for-deciding-what-to-buy#post-264978 Sun, 12 Dec 2010 03:50:59 +0000 Anonymous 264978@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>My criteria have changed some this past year after building up a basic wardrobe. I also have been shopping less unless it's to fill a wardrobe hole or to try a new-to-me look that Angie may have blogged about and I can see fitting well with my wardrobe needs. (Examples: oxfords; a denim shirt; biker jacket styling). It needs to be well made and of a beautiful fabric or leather to touch and look at. The fit must be perfect or easily altered to be perfect, and I must feel fabulous wearing it. Cost per wear figures into how much I'm willing to pay. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/rules-for-deciding-what-to-buy#post-264952 Sun, 12 Dec 2010 02:12:38 +0000 Lisa 264952@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Flattering, is it me, do I love it, are 3 very good criteria to go by for purchases. I do not have a set system for purchasing items. Sometimes I go with a list in mind, and only hunt down items on the list. Other times I am shopping for amusement and anything that catches my eye and makes me happy comes home with me. Material is something I try to focus on, I'm tired of purchasing items that do not last long. I do tend to favor softer fabrics and anything itchy or rough, gets passed on. Footwear is the one area I am very strict, I have poor feet and shoes that are not comfy in the store, do not come home with me. Also I only purchase footwear at the end of the day if it is a brand I am not familiar with. I get a far better feel if the brand will work when my feet have swelled up. I am trying to keep in mind these two questions when I shop lately "does this fit into my lifestyle?" and "does it match anything else I have?" I'm trying to prevent wardrobe orphans this way. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/rules-for-deciding-what-to-buy#post-264902 Sun, 12 Dec 2010 00:33:09 +0000 Isabel 264902@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I also think of the things that Kris does, additionally, is it useful ? No matter how great that ball gown is, I have no use for one, sadly. I also check to see if it something that I can have tailored if need be. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/rules-for-deciding-what-to-buy#post-264894 Sun, 12 Dec 2010 00:27:53 +0000 Kristine 264894@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I think those are good things to think through. I also think of:</p> <p>Is it well made/good quality? It doesn't have to be expensive but I don't like to spend money on cheap clothes either. So I look at the fabric content and the construction to decide if it'll last.</p> <p>What will I wear it with? I buy separates for the most part, so I try to think of at least a handful of outfits I can put together with the new item. </p> <p>Does it fill a hole or is it similar to something I already own? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/rules-for-deciding-what-to-buy#post-264885 Sun, 12 Dec 2010 00:22:37 +0000 Bianca 264885@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>How many things can I pair it with? Unless I can wear an item with 3 other things, usually its not worth it to me. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/rules-for-deciding-what-to-buy#post-264832 Sat, 11 Dec 2010 23:18:05 +0000 mamaKate 264832@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>What are your criteria when deciding whether to buy an item?</p> <p>When I am out shopping, and it comes to that critical moment of having to decide whether to buy an item or not, I follow three absolute rules. If any one of these three criteria is not met, the item stays at the store.</p> <p>1. Is it flattering?<br /> This can include a whole host of issues, including fit, color, style/cut relative to body type, etc. My philosophy is that clothes and accessories are meant to bring attention to me (the wearer), not to themselves. There is one exception to this rule, which is if the item is perfect in every other way but can be altered in order to make it fully flattering, then I give myself a green light.</p> <p>2. Is it me?<br /> Basically, this is a question of self-introspection, and whether the piece will fit into the rest of my wardrobe and my personal style. For example, my own style just doesn't work with open-toed or platform heels, so regardless of whether such a shoe meets my other two criteria, it gets passed over. Of course, there can always be exceptions; many times with style, it is the exception that makes the rule.</p> <p>3. Do I LOVE it?<br /> This, I find, is the hardest question to answer. Most of the things that I want to buy when out shopping are, upon reflection, things I only "really like." Only a handful are items I really cannot live without. My most recent example of finding something I can't live without is a pair of camel-colored flat ankle boots that I found at the local second-hand shop. They were a perfect fit, a flattering style, very "me," but what really sealed the deal is that they were hand-made. Being someone who likes to make my own clothes, the fact that these boots were once someone's "project," made me absolutely fall in love.</p> <p>What are your criteria? </p>