https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/shop-your-closet-challenge-week-one Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Thu, 23 Apr 2026 01:32:16 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/shop-your-closet-challenge-week-one/page/2#post-1971865 Sun, 04 Nov 2018 21:41:02 +0000 Stagiaire Fash 1971865@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Lynn, if they fit equally well, and the less expensive isn’t cheaply made, why should you get the more expensive? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/shop-your-closet-challenge-week-one/page/2#post-1971863 Sun, 04 Nov 2018 21:35:42 +0000 Lynn 1971863@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>My worst shopping habit is not being willing to spend money on better quality items as they have the same fit issues as the less expensive items so I settle for the inexpensive because I don't want to spend the money on something that doesn't fit. &nbsp;</p> <p>My other bad habit is not buying something I really want because I think "I can make that" and it will fit better then I never get around to doing so. That is less of an issue now that I have more time to sew.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/shop-your-closet-challenge-week-one/page/2#post-1971858 Sun, 04 Nov 2018 21:14:48 +0000 Anonymous 1971858@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I just unsubscribed from tons of retail email because I’d either compulsively browse to entertain myself or I would shop due to boredom, chronic illness issues, avoiding social media, like you, La Ped ... etc ... blah, blah ...<br /> Or, like Cindy, I sometimes would get a mini obsession with certain items. If one is fun, four must be super fun.<br /> It all ends up making me less productive, less likely to enjoy what I have and more stressed about having too much.<br /> So, I am definitely in on the November challenge! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/shop-your-closet-challenge-week-one/page/2#post-1971856 Sun, 04 Nov 2018 20:59:20 +0000 K.M. 1971856@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p><div>The "Add to Cart" is also satisfying in and of itself, so it takes care of that aspect of shopping that is about personal gratification and not about a particular clothing item. You know how when you eat, if you eat slowly you can sort of stop and realize you're full (even if you still want to feel that delicious taste), or you can keep feeling the delicious taste until you overeat? To me the "Add to Cart" is a bit like eating slowly <br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Of course, it's happened many times that an item I wanted ended up selling out. Or that I missed a good promotion. Now if there's an item I've fallen in love with, I'm more likely to jump the gun especially if I can tell it will sell out (not always possible, but with some brands and types of things you can have an inkling). <br /></div> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/shop-your-closet-challenge-week-one/page/2#post-1971790 Sun, 04 Nov 2018 16:17:05 +0000 Stagiaire Fash 1971790@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>La Ped, if it helps her analyze, eliminate, and pare down her purchase, I think KM’s strategy of parking the cart for a while before taking it to the register is more a solution than a bad habit. But the trick now is to use those spreadsheets in evaluating contents of the cart. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/shop-your-closet-challenge-week-one/page/2#post-1971770 Sun, 04 Nov 2018 14:32:49 +0000 LaPed 1971770@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p><b>celia</b>, for me, if the things I buy get lots of wear, then it's not a bad habit. It's when I start adding things that languish, or cause old favorites to languish, then I feel I have too much and it's time to re-evaluate.&nbsp;</p> <p><b>KM</b>,<b>&nbsp;</b>I have the same "add to cart" habit. Like you, I let things set there for weeks or months before I'm able to make a decision. I'm such a slow shopper, which is part of why it feels like such a time consuming habit! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/shop-your-closet-challenge-week-one/page/2#post-1971754 Sun, 04 Nov 2018 13:34:10 +0000 K.M. 1971754@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p> <div>Joining the challenge and this thread somewhat late... <br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b>On shopping habits</b>: I tend to browse online retailers, "add things to cart" quite often, and follow Angie's blog as ways to think about style and to keep up with trends, but most of the time I don't click on that little "purchase" button. Then after a looooong time of thinking, deliberating, and agonizing, I prioritize, pare down my cart and go for the items I truly want. I also enjoy going to stores and trying on things without necessarily buying them, but have less and less time to do it.<br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b>On what I want to change:</b> I wish I could do more planning for both BUDGET and NEEDS. I.e. have more of a sense of what I have, of the holes in my wardrobe, then rank those holes, then set a seasonal budget and stick to it. I go more with the flow of instinct and habit, and while it all seems to work out, I am sure I could save time, money, and space if I planned better. <br /></div><div><br /></div><div>I need spreadsheets! <br /></div> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/shop-your-closet-challenge-week-one/page/2#post-1971504 Sat, 03 Nov 2018 03:07:46 +0000 celia 1971504@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>This is a very interesting challenge and thought provoking. I follow the October de-clutter one and actually did a huge purge of my closet which allowed me to understand better my current preferences and my also current bad habits.<br />What I am trying to understand now is the difference between bad habits and what is just my preferences. For example, I love blazers and tend to buy and wear them no matter my life style and will wear them for years no matter what is the current cut because I will choose blazers that flatter me. So if I buy another blazer is that a bad habit or just part of my style identity?(Same goes for coats BTW)<br />I tend to buy way too many dress pants(that is, pants for work) because pants are not an easy fit for me and I have the illusive goal of finding perfect fitting pants.Same goes for skirts.<br />Meanwhile I buy too many blouses but seem to always be missing a casual cardigan or a sweater(not that I don't have them they just didn't seem to fit my needs.<br />One thing that I notice though , is that I feel attracted to the items when I see them in stock photos and decided to use Finds to keep my love for the items I currently have and to create ensembles. This seems to be working really well. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/shop-your-closet-challenge-week-one/page/2#post-1971451 Fri, 02 Nov 2018 23:10:33 +0000 Stagiaire Fash 1971451@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Oh, those emails! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/shop-your-closet-challenge-week-one/page/2#post-1971443 Fri, 02 Nov 2018 22:27:07 +0000 LaPed 1971443@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>FI, that's a great question. I just closed all the shopping tabs on my laptop. Instead I have three Google Docs to work on. I'm also organizing and editing photos from the past few months (want to get it done in time to get some printed as holiday gifts). So basically, finding screen-based things to do that are more productive than browsing. Online is definitely the issue for me, not brick-and-mortar. I might also unsubscribe from a bunch of retailer mailing lists. And if I ever have time (won't be before election day), I'll do some closet sessions where I try to remix older, less-worn things. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/shop-your-closet-challenge-week-one/page/2#post-1971436 Fri, 02 Nov 2018 21:57:15 +0000 Stagiaire Fash 1971436@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>What replacement behaviors are people trying to institute? I have literally hundreds of tabs open on my phone, most of them from before I realized I needed glasses, just thought (repeatedly) that my mind was too foggy at the moment to be able to handle reading whatever it was. That led to me thinking I was losing my mental capacities, and then I discovered it was only my eyes that are declining (at that rapid pace). I got readers and now I am trying to work through that backlog every time I pull the phone out to browse while I wait for a subway, or my son or whatever.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/shop-your-closet-challenge-week-one/page/2#post-1971397 Fri, 02 Nov 2018 19:39:19 +0000 Greenjeans 1971397@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thanks for your thoughts on duplication, <b>Sterling</b>. &nbsp;It sounds like you've landed on some ideas that work.&nbsp;</p> <p>I like duplicating basics and hard to fit items like pants but haven't duplicated enough yet to see where the weaknesses are. &nbsp;I hear you re: color . . . some colors in styles I've duplicated have become beloved and others are just confusing. &nbsp;It's been an informative process! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/shop-your-closet-challenge-week-one/page/2#post-1971368 Fri, 02 Nov 2018 16:39:20 +0000 Anonymous 1971368@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Bras and fun are absolutely different categories FashIntern-quite far apart on the spectrum:)<br /> Re capsule shopping, ill get round to writing a proper post about it, but 4 of my most successful purchases this year were bought together. Pants +2 blouses + cardigan that go together.<br /> What i dont want to do anymore is to buy orphans without buying them a partner at the same time. Just because something looks like it should go doesn't mean it will. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/shop-your-closet-challenge-week-one/page/2#post-1971360 Fri, 02 Nov 2018 15:55:08 +0000 Bijou 1971360@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Shopping habits to break:<br /><b>Rewarding myself shopping </b>- just like Brooklyn said - I often buy lipstick in this situation. How many red lipsticks does one person need - probably not over 10! Note to self: shopping fast also includes buying lipstick, nail polish and eyeshadow fast.</p> <p><b>Buying what I don't need</b> - I can make do with what I have in my closet. It may not be the latest and greatest, but I can get dressed appropriately. I do not NEED to buy something new for a special occasion. Enjoy the occasion and enjoy what I currently own. I am attending a work conference in November and this is the sort of thing that previously I would buy a new outfit or capsule for, but not this month. I will shop my closet for this 4 day trip.</p> <p>La Ped, I think this is going to be a good challenge for me! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/shop-your-closet-challenge-week-one#post-1971354 Fri, 02 Nov 2018 15:18:34 +0000 LaPed 1971354@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>My own answers: <p>The habit I'm most focused on kicking right now is probably endless online browsing. I tend to let myself browse in order to stay off social media, and it does mostly work, but subbing one addictive behavior for another isn’t ideal. One of my meta-goals this month is to reduce my overall screen time, and for sure not being caught in a buy-return-exchange cycle will help with that. I am casually NaNoWriMo’ing this month, which means I should be spending most of my free time writing (another reason why I thought Nov would be an ideal time for this challenge!). Playing in my existing closet and a mantra of "I have enough" is helping.&nbsp;</p> <b><br /> </b> <p>A lot of my older bad habits I’ve managed to shake off thanks to YLF: “just in case” duplication; buying the cheapest version rather than the best-for-me version (I was especially bad about buying whichever colour was marked down the farthest, rather than figuring out which colour would actually go with my existing clothes).&nbsp;</p> <b><br /> </b> <p>Re: “fantasy life” shopping, I feel like I have actually reached a point where I need to do a little bit of this, because I am plenty set with practical real-life clothes. Left to my own devices, my closet would consist entirely or casual and gear pieces. Even though it’s not always what I want to project, gear and casual stuff is the most fun for me to shop for (kicking the compulsive graphic/band tee shopping habit was HARD for me! but really I have a lifetime supply), and it always feels like money well spent because I know whatever I add will get worn into the ground. I really have to figure out how to buy “fancy” once in a while -- not formal or professional, not expensive or over the top, just fun-but-polished.</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/shop-your-closet-challenge-week-one#post-1971300 Fri, 02 Nov 2018 11:07:11 +0000 Helena 1971300@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Great discussion!! I think I have a few mistakes I make, but they all have their genesis in this falsehood: "If I just add the perfect (color, piece, lippie, etc.), then I will feel (confident, complete, up to par)." I hate to admit it, as I rationally know better, but there it is! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/shop-your-closet-challenge-week-one#post-1971298 Fri, 02 Nov 2018 10:54:56 +0000 Stagiaire Fash 1971298@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>On emotional vs pragmatic shopping, you can tell your New England ancestors that if you get something that’s ok because it’ll do, then leave it in the drawer forever (or shift it to that pjs drawer), then the money was not we’ll spent and the purchase was not pragmatic at all. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/shop-your-closet-challenge-week-one#post-1971249 Fri, 02 Nov 2018 04:06:18 +0000 Jenn 1971249@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>This time of year always feels like a minefield because, once holiday markets start, I have some extra cash, and, for some reason, I think I need sparkly holiday outfits. This year, there’s no company holiday party to attend, so I definitely don’t need those things, no matter how loudly the sequins and velvet are calling. Also, I have some pricey car repairs to pay off, so I’d rather put my money towards that. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/shop-your-closet-challenge-week-one#post-1971229 Fri, 02 Nov 2018 03:23:26 +0000 cindysmith 1971229@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>My bad shopping habit is random obsessions. I'll get it in my head that I want more purple in my wardrobe, and I'll try all the purple things until i find a new random obsession like scrapbooking or binge-watching the Wipeout channel on the TVPlus app on my smart TV.</p> <p>Shopping my closet is already proving to be.... interesting. There is a major disconnect between the temperature outside and the temperature in my closet. Our home is very, very well insulated and air-tight, so when I try to dress for the cool weather outside I wind up feeling like I'm suffocating in my warm clothes inside my house. I'm figuring it out though, because I have lots of options for layering. Which I wouldn't have thought of before a shop-my-closet challenge; instread, I'd have started trying to find the perfect thing to wear when its chilly outside and toasty warm inside (hint hint, cindy, it doesn't exist LOL) </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/shop-your-closet-challenge-week-one#post-1971218 Fri, 02 Nov 2018 01:18:25 +0000 LaPed 1971218@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p><b>Bridgie</b>, yay! I think shop-your-closet dovetails really nicely with a thorough edit, as long as you come out of the edit with a functional wardrobe and not a million holes to fill.<br /><b><br />Sterling</b>,<b>&nbsp;</b>yes, the browsing! This is my number one issue too. Like <b>nemosmom</b>, I use fashion browsing as a substitute for social media, when what I really need to do is turn off the screen entirely. But sometimes, as <b>FashIntern</b> notes, the screen is on in order to get work done...&nbsp;</p> <p><b>Suntiger</b>, it has taken me several years of studious YLF participation to wrap my mind around the idea of capsule shopping/"French Five"/etc. I'm getting there. It definitely is satisfying to go into the season with new things that really go together!</p> <p><b>Runcarla</b>, discount shopping has always tripped me up too. At least in person you can get a sense of quality; my worst mistakes have been online purchases from discount sites like Sierra Trading Post. Sale goggles, indeed -- and usually places like that don't have the most generous returns policies.&nbsp;</p> <p><b>JAileen</b>, I get it. Sometimes with those really special HEWIs, you have to earmark the item in a budget and tell yourself you're allowed to buy it whenever you find it, no matter what.</p> <p>Interesting that both <b>Style Fan</b> and <b>nemosmom&nbsp;</b>mention shopping for fantasy lives. I think this is common, but I don't do much of it. Instead, I tend to have tunnel vision and buy the same things over and over again: casual, RATE, cozy, cute. Jeans and flannel. I should probably do a smidge more fantasy-life shopping, or "contingency shopping" just to have a couple more polished options for when the rare formal occasion does come along! :D</p> <p><b>Rachylou</b>, the internet is just one more retail stone that shouldn't be left unturned! It takes a lot of effort poking through it all, but once you start gaming the search terms... When I lived in a metro area, I definitely did more on-the-ground shopping, but like Mainelady, I just don't have that option where I am now. I'm not complaining; I like my home in the sticks. :)</p> <p><b>Sal</b>, you are a paragon of moderation. Your wardrobe additions (and subtractions) always seem so sensible and well-thought out to me. I know what you mean about ten great tops and only one pair of jeans...</p> <p><b>Mainelady</b>, I'm nodding along with everything you've said, especially that feeling like any clothing purchase, especially a full-price one, is a splurge. And "Many a top has ended up in my pajama drawer" -- too true! I'd love to be able to break the reject-top cycle.</p> <p><b>Delurked</b>, it sounds like you need to channel the "emotional" half of Angie's organized-emotional shopping strategy. I'm not great at it either. I was always taught to be very pragmatic and am so good at telling myself, "Eh, it'll do." Have gotten much stricter about not just keeping the first/cheapest thing I find, and waiting for the version that makes me happy.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/shop-your-closet-challenge-week-one#post-1971210 Fri, 02 Nov 2018 00:57:33 +0000 Brooklyn 1971210@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I am prone to self pity shopping or cheer myself up shopping. It generally leads me to buying something pretty and inexpensive that I really didn’t need. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/shop-your-closet-challenge-week-one#post-1971198 Thu, 01 Nov 2018 23:19:45 +0000 delurked 1971198@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Mainelady wrote:<br /> “finding an item that “will do” and usually is not expensive. ... I end up with clothing that there is nothing really wrong with, but because is ok, instead of great, I find I don’t pull out the OK pieces very often. No matter how inexpensive, if the clothing just takes up space it was not a good use of my money. </p> <p>THIS. Sometimes things aren’t even just inexpensive. But a thought of - I need something like this, I think this will work. Instead of - I love how this looks on me and I can’t wait to wear it tomorrow. </p> <p>Not really in or out on this challenge, as I’m kind of out by default this month, but just reading along and taking it in. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/shop-your-closet-challenge-week-one#post-1971191 Thu, 01 Nov 2018 22:15:18 +0000 rachylou 1971191@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Ok. I should go pull out everything ‘western’ in my closet. That’s my third bad habit... imagining and not really looking.</p> <p>Mainelady, have to admit I go to Ross a lot because there’s one by the pet store and one by the Walgreens, lol. The real mall is an Outing for me too. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/shop-your-closet-challenge-week-one#post-1971189 Thu, 01 Nov 2018 22:04:42 +0000 Mainelady 1971189@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>This is a very good question. I think I have some habits I could improve. Both are related to not having many retail options locally. The nearest mall is an hour away and several of the stores have closed.<br /> Issue 1: shopping locally, finding an item that “will do” and usually is not expensive. TJMaxx is the most frequent stop and shop place for me. I end up with clothing that there is nothing really wrong with, but because is ok, instead of great, I find I don’t pull out the OK pieces very often. No matter how inexpensive, if the clothing just takes up space it was not a good use of my money. Many a top has ended up in my pajama drawer.<br /> Issue 2: when I find a shop with lots of great pieces, I will purchase several items. This isn’t really a problem, other than that I still struggle with purchasing pricier, or multiple items. I think it comes from many years of really needing to budget and stretch a dollar. Sometimes it still makes me feel uncomfortable to “treat myself”. I still have work to do in that area. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/shop-your-closet-challenge-week-one#post-1971188 Thu, 01 Nov 2018 21:54:59 +0000 Stagiaire Fash 1971188@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I bet you already have one anyway. Lots of fancy dress-up belts have some kinds of studs or stitching or jewels. All of that works with western. I bet these would read as “western” when worn together. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/shop-your-closet-challenge-week-one#post-1971187 Thu, 01 Nov 2018 21:49:24 +0000 rachylou 1971187@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I was looking at belts too. I’m not sure how much use I’d get out of a belt. I rarely wear them... that said, I almost got one. I had a look in Ross and saw a western belt and was tempted to get it just because it’s the only one I’ve seen. It had a ton of bright blue fake turquoise beads tho; it was pretty much awful, so I didn’t. </p> <p>Suz’s cool belt was also sold out when I looked online :p </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/shop-your-closet-challenge-week-one#post-1971186 Thu, 01 Nov 2018 21:42:25 +0000 Stagiaire Fash 1971186@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>RL, what about belts? What kind of wide ones do you have? Any studs or fancy buckles? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/shop-your-closet-challenge-week-one#post-1971185 Thu, 01 Nov 2018 21:40:02 +0000 rachylou 1971185@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>FashIntern - No, you’re right. Who said gingham was western? I think they’re right and gingham is my favourite colour already! I do have some stuff... some turquoise jewelry, a shirt or two like your examples.</p> <p>But I also wouldn’t mind adding something a little more loudly Wild West than what I’ve got. I saw some boots Monday, but the store didn’t have my size! Argh. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/shop-your-closet-challenge-week-one#post-1971182 Thu, 01 Nov 2018 21:26:06 +0000 Stagiaire Fash 1971182@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p> <div>RL, does it have to be really wild west, or can it just have a western vibe? I think a lot of tops could fit the latter category: small overall floral print, tuxedo shirts, pretty much any kind of plaid (including gingham)... Wear it with denim bottoms, a big wide belt, and footwear with the right kind of heel and bingo, cowgirl! <br /></div><div><br /></div><div>NB: these are examples of what you are shopping your closet for, not invites to purchase. ;)<br /></div></p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/shop-your-closet-challenge-week-one#post-1971178 Thu, 01 Nov 2018 21:05:26 +0000 Sal 1971178@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I am shopping my closet for accessories - jewelry and scarves...I want to be wearing the lovely and fun pieces that I own.</p> <p>I am okay with my shopping habits although I am a bit of an overbuyer for party clothes....I could spend less money here.&nbsp; However what I buy has longevity and I keep and wear it often for several/many years.</p> <p>I have been working on being a more deliberate shopper - rather than ad hoc.&nbsp; It is mostly working - I have a more balanced wardrobe rather than 10 gorgeous tops that work with one pair of jeans!!</p> <p> </p>