https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/second-guessing-purchases Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Wed, 15 Apr 2026 22:04:33 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/second-guessing-purchases#post-908001 Mon, 15 Apr 2013 01:26:35 +0000 Beth Ann 908001@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I return between 1/3 and 1/2 of my purchases.&nbsp; Out of respect for the retailers I frequent, I try not to keep items for a long time.&nbsp; Generally, I come home with the item, play with it in my closet for a few days to a week, and return promptly when I feel it's not PPP.<br /><br />I feel like I'm just now starting to get better at planning and creating an intentional wardrobe with a few unexpected but fab items, rather than a grab bag of "the best I could find."&nbsp; I'm also try to play with the closet "in my head" while I'm in the store or the dressing room -- to visualize this item with my existing pieces.&nbsp; I hope this will get me to the place Suz mentions in her post!<br /> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/second-guessing-purchases#post-907972 Mon, 15 Apr 2013 00:34:59 +0000 Sveta 907972@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Me too, me too! I find nothing is like my own bedroom mirror and trying the new things with everything in my closet to make the right decision. I don't feel guilty about this in the least!<br /> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/second-guessing-purchases#post-907410 Sun, 14 Apr 2013 12:19:35 +0000 Janet 907410@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I make a lot more returns now than I did pre-YLF! I have a couple of return items in the trunk of my car as we speak, including a pair of cropped jeans from Anthro that have been taunting me from my closet. I finally took a couple of pics in them the other day, and was disappointed enough by what I saw that I didn't been bother to post them for feedback. </p> <p>Trying things on at home makes a huge difference to me. It does provide the opportunity for second guessing, but that can be good. It just means that I need to pay close attention to return policies in the places where I shop. I have a couple of items with tags that passed the deadline that I am wracked with guilt about letting go. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/second-guessing-purchases#post-907408 Sun, 14 Apr 2013 12:16:31 +0000 Suz 907408@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Agreeing with missvee, too -- it can really make a difference to try it out in a potential outfit. A few potential outfits. See how it feels like that. Walk around, sit, move.&nbsp; https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/second-guessing-purchases#post-907400 Sun, 14 Apr 2013 11:56:45 +0000 missvee 907400@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>You are not alone. I wouldn't call myself indecisive, but I do return at least a third of what I buy and I'm ok with that. I want to try things out at home and make sure that they really work for me before cutting the tags. Try to put together at least one outfit that you really like and take note of why it pleases you - is it colour, style, cut, etc. Then you will have a benchmark of sorts that you can use for some future purchases. The other posters are right when they say that it takes time to build a decent wardrobe. Try not to lose heart! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/second-guessing-purchases#post-907295 Sun, 14 Apr 2013 03:37:05 +0000 Suz 907295@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ It's absolutely good to be PPP. And it's also really good to return things if they are not right.&nbsp;<br /><br />On the other hand, you can also get caught up in what Angie calls "analysis paralysis." This path leads to unhappiness,&nbsp;not to mention an empty closet with nothing to wear.&nbsp;<br /><br />My hubs is a pretty high anxiety person. He has things much more under control now, but he used to obsess endlessly on his clothing purchases. And then end up wearing the same five things. The same five <b>OLD </b>things.&nbsp;<br /><br />It is absolutely true -- you cannot build a happy wardrobe in a day, a week, a month, or even a year if you are starting from scratch. It takes time, practice, experience, and yes, even some <b>mistakes</b> to get a functional and happy closet. It is by making a few mistakes that we truly learn what works and does not work for us. Painful, but true -- at least in my experience.&nbsp;<br /><br />I'm coming up to my 2 year anniversary on YLF and only now do I feel that things are finally starting to fall into place. I'm more confident in most of&nbsp;my purchases and have a stronger sense of how a new item will fit into my existing wardrobe. But as you can see, I still post some K/R threads to get feedback from others.&nbsp;<br /><br />In the beginning, to minimize the expense of possible mistakes, I shopped a lot at thrift stores, consignment, and cheaper outlets like Winners, etc. As I have gained a better handle on my own style direction (oh, and got a better paying job!) I have begun to add in more expensive items (and in some cases to purge the older ones). I won't lie -- despite my efforts to keep costs down, I wouldn't really want to think about what I've spent in total. And yet...I had to wear something. And I did wear the things I bought. And even if I only wore them a few times and learned something, I then re-consigned or donated, and that is of benefit to someone else. So all was not lost.&nbsp;<br /><br />Plus -- wardrobes are not set in stone. They are fluid. They're always fluid. You'll always be adding things in and taking things out. So if you buy a blue bag this year and it turns out that after using it for a few months you realize that&nbsp;you'd really rather have a red bag -- well, get one next year or the year after (whenever you can afford it.)&nbsp;<br /><br />Maybe if you remind yourself that it will take some time to build your wardrobe, <b>and</b> that it is really <b>okay</b> to make a few mistakes, that will help?&nbsp;<br /><br />Also, it can be really useful to have a clear sense of your style persona. Again, this can take some time to develop. Often you have to try things on for size before you know for sure.&nbsp;<br /><br />Oh - and show us!! We want to help!!&nbsp;<br /><br />And hang in there, Glory.&nbsp;<br /><br />ETA: I also still try on&nbsp;a ton of stuff and either leave it in the store, or&nbsp;return it, by the way. This is part of shopping (where we have that luxury). Time consuming, but not bad in itself.&nbsp;<br /><br /><br /> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/second-guessing-purchases#post-907274 Sun, 14 Apr 2013 03:21:46 +0000 Anonymous 907274@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>You are not alone. I brought home 5 pieces on my last shopping trip and will return at least 3 with a " what was I thinking!?" For another I plan to post a K/R on a silk tee I picked up as I'm not sure it's fitting the way it's supposed to. The piece I'm keeping is an inexpensive cotton tank in nude to replace one that's worn out. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/second-guessing-purchases#post-907241 Sun, 14 Apr 2013 02:38:51 +0000 Parsley 907241@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Much better to return a lot of things than to keep stuff and never wear it (which I've been guilty of, sadly). https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/second-guessing-purchases#post-907233 Sun, 14 Apr 2013 02:27:40 +0000 Liz A. 907233@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I'm right where you ladies are! &nbsp;I have always been indecisive, but now even more so because I purged a lot, so I somehow feel that these purchases need to be much better. &nbsp;I keep the tags on for at least 2 weeks while continuing to browse online. &nbsp;The upside is I sometimes return and rebuy things on sale! https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/second-guessing-purchases#post-907232 Sun, 14 Apr 2013 02:20:36 +0000 DonnaF 907232@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Stay the course and continue to be particular!&nbsp; You're worth it.&nbsp; And you know that many stores use *thin* mirrors, don't you?&nbsp; Even when I shop at a B&amp;M, I find that when I get home the item may not play with the rest of my stuff as well as I thought it would.&nbsp; Sometimes I know immediately if something should go back.&nbsp; Other times it takes awhile.&nbsp; I am starting to think, however, that I should trust my instincts and that if I don't want to wear something IMMEDIATELY that it should go back.<br /><br />Next week, I am returning a mesh sweater that I've been ruminating on for several weeks (not the Gap one that everyone bought but a Michael Kors that has a mesh body and costs more).&nbsp; When the weather or occasion to wear something doesn't pop up immediately or the style/cut is new for us, I think the decision is harder.&nbsp; <br /><br />My return to purchase ratio is very high.&nbsp; I think DH is used to this by now.&nbsp; Otherwise, he would have a heart attack seeing how many times the UPS guy stops at our place!&nbsp; [And yes, I've told him about the UPS guy's GF &amp; son, trip to TX visiting family, friend who committed suicide, and vacation w/GF in Cabo.&nbsp; Yes, that's how often my guy delivers!]<br /> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/second-guessing-purchases#post-907223 Sun, 14 Apr 2013 01:55:30 +0000 Peri 907223@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>No, my shopping twin, you are not alone! </p> <p>A lot of what I buy goes back and I know exactly what you mean about continuing to shop. Those NYDJs? I have already bought a WHBM brand pair that are 9 out of 10 in satisfaction...yet I have tried on 4 other brands while they hang in my closet with the tags still on. Decision made though...they are going for hemming Monday.</p> <p>Lets put a positive spin on this. We are both learning. We've purged the worst things but we are still trying to figure out what is better. We are being PPP as Angie suggests. And someone told me when I asked for shopping help that it takes years to build a solid wardrobe. I started feeling better when I realized I don't have to finish this month!</p> <p>Hang in there! We are going to be soooo gorgeous before too long! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/second-guessing-purchases#post-907194 Sun, 14 Apr 2013 01:15:34 +0000 Glory 907194@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I find that I am doing this all the time. &nbsp;I purchase almost everything from B&amp;M, try it on, like it and then still return 90%. And, when I do think I will keep something I keep shopping for the same item in case I might see something better.&nbsp;I have body image issues and I am trying hard to work on that. But, I also do it with accessories and shoes. I don't think I trust my judgement - just realizing this as I type this...<br />Am I alone in this? Does anyone have any solutions for me?&nbsp;