https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/shopping-strategy Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Fri, 22 May 2026 12:57:43 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/shopping-strategy#post-21151 Wed, 20 Aug 2008 16:07:11 +0000 shiny 21151@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Cyan45 wrote: "be honest and consider what i'd REALLY wear given my lifestyle"</p> <p>That is such a KEY point and something I still struggle with, though I'm getting far better. For example, I passed up a sweater dress recently because the reality is that for my lifestyle jeans are what I wear 98% of the time! ONE sweater dress is enough in my closet... and I already have the perfect one from last fall. </p> <p>Sihaya wrote: "take off jewellery I'm wearing when I try on new stuff" .... this is a great point too, although I'm chuckling because on my last trip I wore my long pearls (what I call my "Carrie Bradshaw pearls") and wow did they work with that Theory shirt that unfortunately didn't quite fit perfectly enough. But it's a look I want now, and will be actively pursuing.... </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/shopping-strategy#post-21109 Wed, 20 Aug 2008 12:17:50 +0000 Sihaya 21109@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I have many similar strategies to Nicole and Cyan. I inventory my closet on a regular basis, especially at the launch of each season and have a running list in my head. This helps focus my shopping. I also hit the stores that I regularly have good luck with when I'm at the mall. I don't always have a lot of time but if I can sneak in at least 20 - 30 mins in between meetings or while the kids are eating at the food court, I know I can do at least one store. </p> <p>I always have water to drink with me. </p> <p>I always try to have a cami on and take off jewellery I'm wearing when I try on new stuff unless the jewellery is a perfect fit wtih what I'm wearing. Otherwise, it distracts me from assessing the piece I'm trying on. And it is extremely rare that I will buy something without first wearing it. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/shopping-strategy#post-21108 Wed, 20 Aug 2008 08:08:11 +0000 cyan45 21108@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>wow, you guys are pros!</p> <p>for online: </p> <p>1) cruise sites for inspiration and get an idea what looks good for my body shape/skin tone.<br /> 2) be honest and consider what i'd REALLY wear given my lifestyle, and what other stuff may work with it.</p> <p>for hitting the shops:</p> <p>1) wear shapewear, a good bra/undies, comfy cute shoes and keep a mental list of what i have, what i can mix/match, and what i need to expand an area of my seasonal wardrobe.<br /> 2) repeat body shape/skin tone mantra.<br /> 3) bring water/snacks in my tote, so i don't succumb to the food court ;-)</p> <p>although i naturally gravitate towards colorful animated prints--geometric, stripes, dots, paisley, florals, animal print, everything!--i want to increase versatility. hence, more solid colors from now on *sniff sniff* time to work the rainbow of possibilities! </p> <p>as with marlene, i agree that tossing out the so-so stuff and keeping the versatile gems is liberating indeed! as a guide, YLF works. the daily posts amongst the ladies are informative as well!</p> <p>oops, this morphed into a sales pitch, lol. sorry...good luck, and please show us what you like too! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/shopping-strategy#post-21103 Wed, 20 Aug 2008 05:25:39 +0000 Angie 21103@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Lovely Marlene! An official Seattle welcome </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/shopping-strategy#post-21101 Wed, 20 Aug 2008 05:16:41 +0000 Anonymous 21101@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Oh I am so glad that someone posted this question! I am currently unpacking from our big move and the new house has a gigantic closet. I am able to hang EVERYTHING at once. First time in my life, things are not stashed in boxes or closets all over the place. So now I can really SEE what I have.</p> <p>I am looking at everything with my new YLF Goggles. Tonight I started with my pants/jeans and tried each pair on. If they did not look or feel fab, out they went! There were a couple I almost kept because I "may need them" some day. But they did not pass the YLF muster and out out they went. I am puzzled how some pants were both too big and too small at the same time! And there were plenty that made my butt look HUGE. Buh-bye! So now I am down to half my previous pants inventory. My butt is looking smaller, my legs longer. Pants magic.</p> <p>So now I need to do this same thing with all the other clothing categories. Once that is done I can do some mixing and matching with what I already have. And then I can compile my list of items to fill in holes. </p> <p>With my new YLF Goggles, As I shop, I will select only the cherries. And each new cherry will work with at least 3 other cherries already in my closet. That is my promise to myself. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/shopping-strategy#post-21099 Wed, 20 Aug 2008 04:34:59 +0000 Angie 21099@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>yooohooo, I'm here!</p> <p>Such great shopping strategies ladies. I love your tactics. And you MUST be picky about your purchases. We only settle for cherries. Basics can be cherries too. </p> <p>You are 100% wrt your accessory scale theory, Shiny. I’m impressed. I have plenty of petite clients that wear chunky jewelry well. It also depends on the accessory. Choose one and make a statement with it. </p> <p>Jewelry and accessories can be oversized and fine at the same time (I know that sounds counter intuitive). For example, I’m 5 ft 6, but dainty in stature. I can sport an oversized bag as long as it’s not bulky. But my 5ft 2 client, who is sturdier in stature can sport a much bulkier bag than I can with style. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/shopping-strategy#post-21022 Tue, 19 Aug 2008 22:03:42 +0000 shiny 21022@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Becs - great question - and I hope Angie weighs in on this one too - maybe even good fodder for a blog post! I think it's a question us petite girls ask all the time, because the standard advice is that we should wear less accessories, and they should all be delicate and dainty like our stature. I have come to disagree!</p> <p>In my opinion, the most critical factor isn't less - it's that accessories simply need to be scaled right. </p> <p>For example, I love the oversized bag look.... but I have to be careful because at 5'0" most oversized bags are wayyyy to oversized for me!! But if you are a persistent shopper, you can find bags that give that oversized look. It's all about scale. </p> <p>Necklaces are particularly difficult for me because my neck is short and the distance between shoulder and bra band is the shortest part of my frame. For the longest time, I wouldn't even bother. Long necklaces would hit my belt line (eek -exactly at my trouble zone! who wants that??) and shorter ones would hit below my shirt line, making no sense. </p> <p>However, necklaces can be taken to a jeweler and shortened. I am simply too lazy to do this!! I have been known to simply tie a knot in the necklace in the back, to shorten it up so it hits the right place. Or if it has links, link it and tuck the extra length under back of my shirt so nobody notices. Angie has tipped me off to Ann Taylor - their necklaces are highly adjustable whether you are short or tall. I have great luck there. </p> <p>Statement necklaces - like oversized pearls - can definetly work, again, it's all about scale. </p> <p>Right now I'm on a necklace jag - so I wear a statement necklace and stick to simple understated studs or tiny hoops for the earrings. But before that I was big into earrings. </p> <p>Again, scale is really important: I can't wear certain earrings because they will be so long, they will actually sweep my shoulder and look completely silly. But persistence pays off, and you can get that long dangly earring look - just has to be the right scale. </p> <p>Even though I don't wear them myself, I think oversized watches work on everyone - and work esp well if you are dainty with dainty wrists! But you need to try them on, may need to remove links etc or poke extra holes to get them to fit. </p> <p>Belts are a lot of fun (and I can't believe I'm saying that, because for decades I passed them up). You'd be surprised what you can get away with, even if you have a small frame. You need not stick to thin belts (although those are fun too). </p> <p>Scarves are trickiest for me and again it's about scale. A pashmina is too enormous and too much fabric for me to pull off. I've tried and tried... and given up. But I'm finding that something in silk/cotton that is rectangular shaped - that can be wrapped around the neck a few times - works well. </p> <p>I have a bracelet collection too, but have been so into necklaces lately, they haven't seen as much wear. I do have chunky bracelets - not just dainty ones. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/shopping-strategy#post-21010 Tue, 19 Aug 2008 21:23:10 +0000 becs 21010@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Shiny:</p> <p>I really like that idea and I think I may have actually started to do the "jeans + blouse + cardi/jacket" formula already without even noticing it. I think I will do more of what you suggest because I am a grad student and most days are going to be jeans (with the occasional twill pant/skirt/dress thrown in for fun). </p> <p>I have also noticed that I love Me Too flats, a brand which I noticed that you and many other members enjoy as well. I am noticing that I am kind of starting a pattern of being more picky about purchases and how well they would work with things I already own, which I think is a step in the right direction. I never used to think about how new purchases would work in my wardrobe, which I think left me with way too many orphans! </p> <p>I actually have an accessorizing question for you: do you prefer less accessories because you are petite? (I am a fellow petite) I have recently been hearing that accessories should match the stature of the person. What is your opinion on that?</p> <p>And thanks for the great feedback! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/shopping-strategy#post-21009 Tue, 19 Aug 2008 21:06:13 +0000 shiny 21009@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Shopping strategies evolve, I think, depending where you are and what shape your wardrobe is in. I definetly think having a strategy is better than not!</p> <p>Awhile back, after purchasing my first premium jeans (after decades of NEVER wearing jeans and complaining that jeans didn't fit me), and after first discovering YLF and Angie's smart-casual formula, I shopped with an outfit-based strategy. I'd wear the jeans and then I'd:</p> <p>1) Check out websites to do some "pre-shopping" and develop a list of potentials.</p> <p>2) Visit a store in person while wearing the jeans. I find it also helps to have a cami on too. </p> <p>3) Grab several tops, blouses, cardis and jackets. </p> <p>4) Spend lots of time in the dressing room mixing and matching the items to see how many different looks I could make out of them. </p> <p>Tip: try mixing items you wouldn't think would work. Maybe they will surprise you. Or maybe it's not quite right, but you suddenly discover a certain cut blouse looks fab layered under a certain type jacket or cardi (just need a different pattern/color). Experiment!!</p> <p>5) Only buying the items that worked together. </p> <p>6) Hitting up the jewelry selection before the cash register. Esp at Ann Taylor and ATL - they have awesome jewelry, and it is usually geared to coordinate with their clothes. </p> <p>That worked particularly well for me. Now I have a good base wardrobe, so my strategy is more about filling in what I'm missing (like boots to wear with skinnies, cream fall coat - which I now have - scarves, etc), and going for quality investment pieces that have WOW factor: blazers, blouses are big on that list. </p> <p>I'm still very much prone to impulsive buys though. It really helps to hold on to the receipts ... and don't hesitate to return something if you get home and it doesn't work out. </p> <p>It's also good to have a "NOPE - I don't really need another" list in mind. Black pants are in that category for me. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/shopping-strategy#post-20941 Tue, 19 Aug 2008 12:24:51 +0000 Alecia 20941@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>What a great question! I don't know that my shopping strategy is very good and I think it will change some with the introduction to YLF into my life. But I have always made lists of the big items I want for my wardobe. That has really seemed to help me keep those things in check. Where I have problems are shirts and layering pieces. Those rarely make my list so I find I buy them willy nilly and that they don't always fold into my closet well. The other challenge that I face is that while I want to look good, I really don't like shopping that much and I have (make?) very little time for it. So I tend not to spend a lot of time hunting and pick up stuff when I manage to go out, which can sometimes lead to ill-concieved choices. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/shopping-strategy#post-20939 Tue, 19 Aug 2008 07:24:27 +0000 Anonymous 20939@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I think I do a little bit of everything.<br /> When there is a very apparent gap in my wardrobe, I will be on the lookout for it when I shop. I will usually try to estimate the cost and keep that money aside so when I find it, I won't have to worry about budgeting it in.<br /> With that said, I am also a very impulsive shopper. But not really in a bad way. If I see something I absolutely love and it fits great, I will get it unless I have something similar in my closet. (The three outfit idea is great - I will definitely try it). I do also make sure that I can envision it with other pieces in my wardrobe. However, I am pretty picky and I have a somewhat difficult body to fit, especially on top (slim inverted triangle with a large bust), so it's even more incentive to buy something that actually fits perfectly, even if it isn't something I am specifically look for.<br /> I also do a lot of browsing online so I am always comparing when I go shopping. I can also go into a store knowing exactly what I want to try on because I saw it online. This helps tremendously in being more efficient when I shop. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/shopping-strategy#post-20784 Mon, 18 Aug 2008 13:32:27 +0000 Anonymous 20784@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Strategy: Probably somewhere on this forum was the advice to think of three ways you can wear a piece before considering buying it. That has been good advice for me to avoid closet orphans and develop a working wardrobe, as well as avoiding impulse buying. At home I try it on with everything. I've been surprised that something like a simple black top that I thought would be versatile in reality didn't work so well as I'd thought it would. Things like length, fabric, texture play a part as well as fit.</p> <p>I also read somewhere to start building from the bottom up and think this is good advice. You need to start with comfortable shoes, then find the bottoms in the right length and fit to go with them.<br /> If you are rebuilding, you might also consider how many seasons you can wear an item. I'm willing to spend more on pieces in year-round fabrics. </p> <p>After following YFL for a few months I find I don't shop for an outfit, but am aware of how I can build layered outfits using various pieces. Then you might notice that a yellow cardigan or a string of red beads would be a good addition to what you already have and hunt for that item. The exception would be skirts that might be orphans if you don't find the right color and length tops at the same time you buy it. </p> <p>You will have a blast hunting for just the right pieces, so take your time and be picky. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/shopping-strategy#post-20780 Mon, 18 Aug 2008 12:36:46 +0000 becs 20780@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Nicole: I have been doing the same "buy and return" thing lately, which is a little frustrating to me sometimes, but now I am kind of getting used to it. I am starting to think that the clothes really do look different sometimes when you bring them home as opposed to trying them on in the stores. In the past I have bought so many things that are not "perfect" for my body or that don't go with what I own and the items just sit in my closet. In the process of redoing my closet I am really trying to ONLY buy things the 100% work for me! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/shopping-strategy#post-20773 Mon, 18 Aug 2008 12:11:24 +0000 Nicole 20773@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Well since YLF, I shop with a purpose. I rarely go shopping to browse, because I need too many pieces to fill out my wardrobe. I keep a mental list of items I'd like to add to my closet, and I look for those items while shopping. I do make an effort to try on things that I wouldn't normally try on, because I feel like I'm still learning what looks good on me. I often will buy something, and then return it after I photograph myself in it at home. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/shopping-strategy#post-20772 Mon, 18 Aug 2008 12:00:15 +0000 becs 20772@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Hi everyone! I was just wondering, when you go shopping, do you normally buy items in outfits, do you look at what's in your closet before a shopping trip to assess what you need to make complete outfits, or do you just buy what catches you eye and looks good on you?</p> <p>I am still having a little trouble when I shop because I am not always sure what will work for me, both on my body and in my closet. Any tips for how to make shopping more efficient in this way and thus more enjoyable? </p>