https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/shopping-one-at-a-time-or-comparison Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Thu, 16 Apr 2026 04:46:25 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/shopping-one-at-a-time-or-comparison#post-1375080 Mon, 13 Oct 2014 16:34:21 +0000 unfrumped 1375080@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Oh, this is a problemo for me. <br />I agreethat &nbsp;sizing issues and style issues are different. I really like to try multiple sizes at once. You'd think I'd have the "internal compass" for what size, but style of fit is so...well... <i>fluid</i> now that I find myself all over the map as to how I want a particular garment to fit--tops mostly. Bottoms have different fits as well but usually they sort themselves out&nbsp; as right or wrong, more so than tops.</p> <p>What's difficult is to identify what brand or maker's garment of what type I should get, and how much effort to spend looking, how many to try. As in, here's a nice chunky knit pullover for skirts, but will the next one I find be better? This isn't as hard if I'm trying to decide between 2 pairs of gray pants by the same maker --I'm okay with ordering both--but if you start thinking about all the retail options and how not everyone brings out all seasonal items at the same time--it gets mind-boggling. Usually you can't accumulate 10 sweaters,, tags still on, &nbsp;over 3 months and then decide. And then there'd still be next month's.</p> <p>I recently read the WSJ article on how people make decisions--maximizers or satisficers--a spinoff of Barry Schwartz. Not sure it helped me.</p> <p>What has helped me is all of the things that may have helped focus my ideas about what fits, what flatters, what silhouettes and colors&nbsp;I want. That makes it&nbsp; more likely that I will "recognize" an item <i>by itself </i>and not just by comparison. </p> <p>Then of course you have to also be a grown-up and dance with the one you bought. New chance next year, or whatever.</p> <p>Along with that, I have found it helpful to try on a lot of different things when I'm in a store.&nbsp;This has helped also with honing in on&nbsp; a target look. This has helped me NOT order some things online, or&nbsp;vice versa.&nbsp;This has been especially helpful for "trends' that others are wearing. I can test them out in stores. For example, a lot of tops that work great for "apples" are not good for me. I got a silky-front sweatshirt this year and while I liked it some, I began to see it just wasn't my direction. Same with a lot of banded bottom tops and cardigans. So I began to try on a larger&nbsp;range of items in-store just for retail research to keep hitting myself over the head with, "remember, you don't like how that looks on you" and not get sucked in by the lovely colors and prints.</p> <p>From all of that I&nbsp;think I &nbsp;am trying to develop a<u> flexible </u>list-if I'm&nbsp; focused on "must have," I am likely to settle. If I identify 2-3 options in&nbsp;various &nbsp;categories, I can try to stick to PPP and happiness factor for the item.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/shopping-one-at-a-time-or-comparison#post-1375057 Mon, 13 Oct 2014 16:09:30 +0000 Astrid 1375057@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I prefer one at a time. Budget aside, I just think it's easier to judge a piece on its own without comparison - at least for me. I think if I would order two or more I would be tempted to keep the best, even if it would have gone back if I had ordered it on its own. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/shopping-one-at-a-time-or-comparison#post-1375004 Mon, 13 Oct 2014 15:06:47 +0000 Elly 1375004@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I like to have mulitple versions, but I agree that it is expensive. Usually mulitple sizes is the better bet for me, but still that means a big expense and then lots of time waiting for credits before I can try the next version. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/shopping-one-at-a-time-or-comparison#post-1374979 Mon, 13 Oct 2014 14:40:17 +0000 Anonymous 1374979@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Well if it's second hand, you only get the luxury of trying items one at a time (unless you count taking an armload of jeans into the fitting room). For retail, I try on as many as possible (and in several sizes)&nbsp;at one location and then move to another store. If there were two close contenders, I might buy them both and take them home to compare. I don't have good luck with ordering things online.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/shopping-one-at-a-time-or-comparison#post-1374977 Mon, 13 Oct 2014 14:38:59 +0000 Anonymous 1374977@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Truthfully, I shop both ways. &nbsp;I lost count of the slacks I bought and tried during NAS. &nbsp;All ended up going back for one reason or another, but I certainly gave it the college try. &nbsp;</p> <p>Knowing that I still need this item in my wardrobe, I have been shopping for them ever since. &nbsp;So after NAS I started buying one or two at a time and trying them on. &nbsp;I finally found&nbsp;what I was looking for this past week. &nbsp;</p> <p>I realize that many people would not want to shop this way, but it seems to work for me and I don't mind having to return items to the store. &nbsp;</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/shopping-one-at-a-time-or-comparison#post-1374963 Mon, 13 Oct 2014 14:30:45 +0000 texstyle 1374963@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I usually have to compare to be sure - which means I waste a percentage of my budget on cost of returns and I sometimes have 3 jeans or 3 flannel shirts from 3 vendors in my "to be returned" stack. It's challenging and sometimes I get frustrated. But I used to always feel overwhelmed in bigger department stores so it's not way out of my comfort zone. I tend to stick with a few known companies - jcrew, gap, madewell, or those that offer easy returns like zappos, amazon etc. and then Nordstrom since being on YLF, but a lot of those items end up going back so I'm losing faith in my ability to shop there successfully. And I've noticed that many companies are taking a very long time now to credit returns so I feel like I have to keep checking and that's tedious. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/shopping-one-at-a-time-or-comparison#post-1374813 Mon, 13 Oct 2014 04:21:49 +0000 catgirl 1374813@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Sharan, you were another one I thought of with this thread. I feel your pain, not to mention my husband if he saw that many boxes at once! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/shopping-one-at-a-time-or-comparison#post-1374806 Mon, 13 Oct 2014 04:05:48 +0000 Firecracker (Sharan) 1374806@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Argh! This is why I really don't like online shopping. I like to try options at the same time, to compare. When I was looking for my oxfords, I was really getting tired of ordering and returning, ordering and returning. But I really couldn't stomach having thousands of dollars charged while I tried on all the options at home. So I tried a few at a time. I get really frustrated with Nordstrom, too, because they have such a limited selection of items, especially at my local store, which is tiny (the closest one to me is <i>not</i> the flagship store downtown Seattle). They rely heavily on searching other stores and shipping--and that option is really not the most convenient for the customer. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/shopping-one-at-a-time-or-comparison#post-1374804 Mon, 13 Oct 2014 03:59:03 +0000 Sveta 1374804@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I find it useful - especially with footwear (enter my power shoe shopping!. Primarily because of the comfort issue - it is easy to settle for "comphy enough" when you try one pair only but when you can compare it becomes very clear.&nbsp;<br />Another aspect is quality - I clearly saw it last year when I had a chance to compare Zara and Danier coats. Zara was nice on its own but &nbsp;paled compared to&nbsp;Danier quality.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/shopping-one-at-a-time-or-comparison#post-1374802 Mon, 13 Oct 2014 03:58:04 +0000 DonnaF 1374802@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Mostly multiples, but it depends:</p> <p>A Dansko 37 or other shoe in that type of sizing and no 1/2 sizes or other widths will either fit or not.&nbsp; Only reason to order a multiple would be for color.</p> <p>In other footwear that comes in widths, I pray for consistent reviews and often order in multiple sizes.&nbsp; I think I will try to find a Munro Lexie bootie in the store because it would be a lot of capital to tie up if I order in multiple sizes.&nbsp; The WW is on backorder, however, which is a saving grace.&nbsp; But I tend to think I am a 7W in Munro if I am to get a fit at all.</p> <p>If I order in a Misses size, usually it's the XS or 0/2 because the next size up would be too big.</p> <p>In Petite sizes, a PS jacket or dress will either fit or not.&nbsp; I generally order two sizes in shirts/blouses, T-shirts, and skirts, and always two or three sizes in jeans/pants.&nbsp; The one time when I ordered only one size in a T, it was too small.</p> <p>I mostly order from Nordstrom and I mostly order stuff that has been marked down.&nbsp; Thus, it makes sense to order multiple sizes so that *my* size isn't sold out by the time I realize what I really need.</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/shopping-one-at-a-time-or-comparison#post-1374801 Mon, 13 Oct 2014 03:56:12 +0000 AJ 1374801@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I don't like to order online because returns are a pain. Usually when I shop in stores, I don't have a plan and just try on what catches my eye.</p> <p>This past spring, I decided to go to the mall and only look for and try on white jeans. I did find a pair that I liked and I actually appreciated that shopping experience. </p> <p>I'm going to try more shopping trips like that. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/shopping-one-at-a-time-or-comparison#post-1374800 Mon, 13 Oct 2014 03:53:57 +0000 DonnaF 1374800@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Mostly multiples, but it depends:</p> <p>A Dansko 37 or other shoe in that type of sizing and no 1/2 sizes or other widths will either fit or not.&nbsp; Only reason to order a multiple would be for color.</p> <p>In other footwear that comes in widths, I pray for consistent reviews and often order in multiple sizes.&nbsp; I think I will try to find a Munro Lexie bootie in the store because it would be a lot of capital to tie up if I order in multiple sizes.&nbsp; The WW is on backorder, however, which is a saving grace.&nbsp; But I tend to think I am a 7W in Munro if I am to get a fit at all.</p> <p>If I order in a Misses size, usually it's the XS or 0/2 because the next size up would be too big.</p> <p>In Petite sizes, a PS jacket or dress will either fit or not.&nbsp; I generally order two sizes in shirts/blouses, T-shirts, and skirts, and always two or three sizes in jeans/pants.&nbsp; The one time when I ordered only one size in a T, it was too small.</p> <p>I mostly order from Nordstrom and I mostly order stuff that has been marked down.&nbsp; Thus, it makes sense to order multiple sizes so that *my* size isn't sold out by the time I realize what I really need.</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/shopping-one-at-a-time-or-comparison#post-1374777 Mon, 13 Oct 2014 03:28:33 +0000 Jaime 1374777@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>If I had free shipping and free returns I am pretty sure I would have a wild period of ordering multiples and multiple sizes. As it is, I mostly buy in second hand stores or Zara in store so it isn't relevant. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/shopping-one-at-a-time-or-comparison#post-1374692 Mon, 13 Oct 2014 01:38:09 +0000 bj1111 1374692@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>all at once. &nbsp;i'm all about efficiency. &nbsp;i just received 6 pairs of black heeled closed toe booties from zappos. &nbsp;none worked out for this cinderella. &nbsp;all are going back. &nbsp;now i don't have to look at zappos for a while. &nbsp;am moving on to nordies. &nbsp;a bit more pricey, but honestly just so much easier psychically. &nbsp;also, sometimes, just being surrounded by so much puts me off the item and makes me think about whether i really really want/need it. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/shopping-one-at-a-time-or-comparison#post-1374661 Mon, 13 Oct 2014 00:57:51 +0000 Suz 1374661@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I prefer one at a time. If I like it, I like it. If I am unsure, it goes back (or out). And then I figure out what I didn't like, and look for a version that does not have that problem.&nbsp;</p> <p>I'm sure online shopping has something to do with this.&nbsp;</p> <p>And refining my own style preferences.&nbsp;</p> <p>I do try multiple sizes of the same prospective item, but that's a bit different.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/shopping-one-at-a-time-or-comparison#post-1374644 Mon, 13 Oct 2014 00:38:27 +0000 Gigi 1374644@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I do whatever option is available. If I can afford to buy multiple Xs at once, I will do that, but if I can't afford it, I will do it one by one. Also, I often can't find multiple Xs at the same time (I'm thinking HEWIs here), which means I have to do it one by one.</p> <p>I do think it is valuable to be able to try on everything at once, however. When I was looking for a pair of black booties, I ordered four different pairs from four different places. The first pair I received seemed pretty good, and I was pretty sure I'd like to keep it. But then I received the second pair, and it felt much more comfy. I remember spending quite a bit of time comparing the feel of the four pairs, and as a result, I am confident that I chose the right pair. That is maybe one of the benefits of shopping by having multiples at once: when you pick the winner, you are less likely to second-guess yourself. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/shopping-one-at-a-time-or-comparison#post-1374622 Mon, 13 Oct 2014 00:02:42 +0000 Deborah 1374622@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I am a one at a timer!&nbsp; As I become more and more specific about my style wants I somehow generally manage to narrow things down and try only one item at a time.&nbsp; For example I would love to buy a shirt dress from Spring but the Wite one that Lyn D and I had been watching didn't even get a try on from me and the more I looked at it on line the more I saw whey that one wouldn't work.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; I have no others on the horizon </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/shopping-one-at-a-time-or-comparison#post-1374620 Sun, 12 Oct 2014 23:59:29 +0000 frannieb 1374620@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Well today - I got to the mall and for the first time ever I left no stone unturned as YLF say and went to multiple stores tried on crazy numbers of blazers and every time I went into the fitting room I took multiple size. 3 hours later I found a fab black jacket. &nbsp;I did this because I got tired of ordering moto jackets one at a time and kept returning.&nbsp;<br />So I have been swayed to the side of buying multiples. I didn't used to be that way but I'm learning what perfect fit means.</p> <p> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/shopping-one-at-a-time-or-comparison#post-1374619 Sun, 12 Oct 2014 23:57:51 +0000 Peri 1374619@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I think I need to compare. Right now I'm comparing two cardigans and may have to order both. You just can't tell online. And if I was in a store I'd be trying on several types of the same thing...and then knowing me, leaving to go to other stores to see what they have first. </p> <p>Often I compare too much. Analysis paralysis. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/shopping-one-at-a-time-or-comparison#post-1374613 Sun, 12 Oct 2014 23:49:16 +0000 Laura (rhubarbgirl) 1374613@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>A couple times this year I've had to tell my husband not to panic when he looks at the credit card bill because I've got several hundred dollars of stuff that's been returned between the time that the bill was printed and the current day. "No, really, honey, it's fine..."</p> <p>I never used to order multiples as much as I do now but I got sick of things selling out or missing out on discount offers. And I do a lot more buying, taking home, and then returning, from B&amp;M stores than I did pre YLF. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/shopping-one-at-a-time-or-comparison#post-1374611 Sun, 12 Oct 2014 23:46:13 +0000 Windchime 1374611@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Good question! When I'm shopping b &amp; m stores, I'll definitely gather up armfuls of whatever I'm after and try them on. The comparing really helps clarify my decision. </p> <p>But I think you're asking more about mail ordering. I can't afford to mail order several of the same item all at the same time, and I've noticed that when I mail order one item at a time, I might be more tempted to keep something that isn't quite right. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/shopping-one-at-a-time-or-comparison#post-1374606 Sun, 12 Oct 2014 23:43:13 +0000 trix 1374606@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I'm usually in the "order multiples" camp with some limits (I'll generally order just two sizes, not three), and I do this in particular for shoes, where fit is so variable but so crucial. It often helps me meet thresholds for free shipping, it's useful when you're buying items on sale and are worried they'll sell out, and it provides more immediate gratification. I might order just one at a time from a retailer with high shipping and return costs, but this has also come back to bite me -- like the time when I ordered something from a retailer that was shipping from England and had to do an exchange, and I think it took more than a month before I had the right one in my hands.</p> <p>But of course as you mentioned, there are budget issues. If I were ordering really expensive items, I don't think I would do this as cavalierly. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/shopping-one-at-a-time-or-comparison#post-1374603 Sun, 12 Oct 2014 23:41:42 +0000 Mo 1374603@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Ha! &nbsp;I am a case study lol. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/shopping-one-at-a-time-or-comparison#post-1374601 Sun, 12 Oct 2014 23:39:49 +0000 catgirl 1374601@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Mo, you are what made me think about this! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/shopping-one-at-a-time-or-comparison#post-1374597 Sun, 12 Oct 2014 23:36:29 +0000 Laura (rhubarbgirl) 1374597@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I order multiple sizes or colors of an item when I'm not sure which will work best. But I don't really order, say, multiple styles of blue cardigan to try at the exact same time. If I'm looking for something in particular I might take multiple styles into the dressing room, if they're available, but I don't really do that when I'm ordering online. I don't know if that's because I have a pretty particular idea of what I'm looking for most of the time, or because I do a lot of shopping at one-brand stores like Ann Taylor, that usually only have one option of combination of color and style at any one given time, compared to a department store. Or with thrifting and secondhand stuff, what you see is what you have to choose from. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/shopping-one-at-a-time-or-comparison#post-1374594 Sun, 12 Oct 2014 23:33:23 +0000 Mo 1374594@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I have done one at a time, historically, but it can be painstaking and costly with returns. &nbsp;My white jeans search last year comes to mind. &nbsp;I am trying to do better and do comparison, but it can be cost prohibitive, as you mentioned. &nbsp;Interestingly, just now I put 3 open knit sweaters in my Amazon cart to try. &nbsp;Yes, they are all very reasonable (the total is what I would have allowed for one 'right' sweater) but I like the idea of compare and contrast all at once. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/shopping-one-at-a-time-or-comparison#post-1374593 Sun, 12 Oct 2014 23:33:10 +0000 Meredith 1374593@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>It depends on the price of the item in question. I go one at a time with pricier pieces, but am more willing to do duplicates with items under $75. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/shopping-one-at-a-time-or-comparison#post-1374592 Sun, 12 Oct 2014 23:32:45 +0000 rabbit 1374592@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>That's a tough one. &nbsp;If it's a question of a different size of the same item, I pretty much prefer to try them on at the same time otherwise I get too confused and can't remember fit details. &nbsp; &nbsp;Once or twice&nbsp;I've done the order several different brands, try them all on at once&nbsp;thing for something essential and omnipresent&nbsp;like a black bootie. </p> <p>&nbsp;Most of the time the way I shop (thrift and off price) doesn't really make that possible. &nbsp;In that case I really have to audition one thing at a time, and if it's not a 10 return it. &nbsp; In some ways having price limitations helps me because it narrows the field of what is available, so I'm not swimming in options. &nbsp;Folks with fit limitations might have similar experiences to that silver lining in the cloud of reduced options. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/shopping-one-at-a-time-or-comparison#post-1374589 Sun, 12 Oct 2014 23:29:08 +0000 Thistle 1374589@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I like having multiple options at once, or at least within a very short period of time. And like you, I do most of my shopping on line.</p> <p>My only exception to this is if I come across something I truly love. This happens very, very rarely for me. But when I do find a piece I actually, truly have an emotional reaction to. . . . Well, then I know I have found The One. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/shopping-one-at-a-time-or-comparison#post-1374583 Sun, 12 Oct 2014 23:16:52 +0000 catgirl 1374583@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I've been noticing recently how much more helpful it is to have several of an item to compare rather than going one by one. But it isn't easy budget wise even if everything goes back, since I do most of my shopping by mail.</p> <p>Do you prefer to try a whole bunch of different versions of X all at once, or do you go one by one until you find the right X for you? </p>