https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/syc-shop-your-closet-or-spend-your-cash-or-the-perils-of-girl-math Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Mon, 20 Apr 2026 06:22:24 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/syc-shop-your-closet-or-spend-your-cash-or-the-perils-of-girl-math#post-741582 Sun, 07 Oct 2012 04:25:37 +0000 Diana 741582@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Hmm, if I order 10 wedding dresses online to try, then return 9 of them, think how many pairs of boots I can buy!!!! *rubs hands together gleefully* Suddenly wedding dress shopping has become much more fun!</p> <p>On a more serious note, I don't SYC for the same reason I don't diet. If you tell me I can't have even a little bit of something, then I want it and I want MORE of it. Moderation works better. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/syc-shop-your-closet-or-spend-your-cash-or-the-perils-of-girl-math#post-741054 Sat, 06 Oct 2012 15:10:34 +0000 MNsara 741054@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Well, I'm enjoying everyone's girl math calculations ;-)</p> <p>I can be my own worst enemy and rebel against my very own ________ (fill in the blank with plans, schedules, budgets, to-do lists, etc.) and if I have a few extra $$ in my head, I seem to spend them a few times over IRL.</p> <p>And my own casual SYC? Why that didn't even cross my mind when out shopping and it wasn't until I got home and on YLF that someone's SYC thread made me remeber my own intentions. . . . how lame is that?</p> <p>I've even considered going to *gasp* cash in an envelope as a reminder to myself about whatever I've decided. (then move it from one envelope to the another for the bill. Real cash never - I need them to be able to look up receipts!) </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/syc-shop-your-closet-or-spend-your-cash-or-the-perils-of-girl-math#post-741025 Sat, 06 Oct 2012 14:06:32 +0000 Janet 741025@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Suz, I think we can have amazing willpower in one aspect of our lives and very little in another. My mom was religiously disciplined about what she ate, but she could never resist shopping! But she never ever spent money she didn't have. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/syc-shop-your-closet-or-spend-your-cash-or-the-perils-of-girl-math#post-741023 Sat, 06 Oct 2012 14:04:53 +0000 Janet 741023@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>LOL bj1111, me too. I was in a loose SYC mindframe and I walked into Nordstrom. A pair of blue oxfords, a striped jacket, a long burgundy sweater, and a stripey tee later, I finally walked out. Huh. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/syc-shop-your-closet-or-spend-your-cash-or-the-perils-of-girl-math#post-740855 Sat, 06 Oct 2012 03:44:17 +0000 Suz 740855@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I think everybody's right. Especially Scarlet! &lt;grin&gt;</p> <p>Actually, Thistle's right about the studies showing that willpower is a limited (if not finite) resource. It's pretty common sensical, if you reflect on it. It explains why, after a stressful day, where you've had to restrain yourself a lot, you might give in to that dessert (or whatever your weakness is....maybe shopping.) Whereas on a less stressful day you will be able to control yourself better. </p> <p>That doesn't mean that willpower is not ALSO heritable and stable within individuals to some degree over a lifetime. That could be equally true. </p> <p>However, just like most traits it can be strengthened or weakened depending on one's habits and environment. </p> <p>And Jonesy's also right; a person whose identity is based partly around her perception of her will or ability to resist temptation will very likely develop stronger willpower. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/syc-shop-your-closet-or-spend-your-cash-or-the-perils-of-girl-math#post-740850 Sat, 06 Oct 2012 03:26:06 +0000 Scarlet 740850@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I think the key to not shopping is not looking. If I don't know what is out there that I want, it's easy to say no. You, my friend, have been doing a lot of looking </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/syc-shop-your-closet-or-spend-your-cash-or-the-perils-of-girl-math#post-740826 Sat, 06 Oct 2012 02:20:23 +0000 catgirl 740826@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Jonesy, I could read and discuss this type of thing forever. Maybe we need to move OT! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/syc-shop-your-closet-or-spend-your-cash-or-the-perils-of-girl-math#post-740790 Sat, 06 Oct 2012 01:33:55 +0000 Jonesy 740790@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Re. the willpower studies: I tentatively agree with Echo about the study cited in the Atlantic. To me a plausible alternative explanation for the findings is that strong negative emotions (like anger or feeling mislead or manipulated) can interfere with focusing on a task. I certainly haven't read the mountain of studies they mention, but I did click on one that was linked to, about shopping when brokenhearted, and it didn't seem to support the notion that willpower is finite and can be depleted. Instead, it seemed to indicate that strong negative emotions (like romantic hurt or loss) can drive shopping behavior/impulsivity, etc. But in order to reach any definitive conclusions about the body of work I would have to read up on it more :). </p> <p>One thing about lab-based studies: They can easily be critiqued for their lack of "external validity," meaning that in the lab, the researchers control for all sorts of other variables, but in the real world, there are many, many factors at play simultaneously, influencing our behaviors, thoughts, etc. so that lab findings cannot readily be generalized to the real world without oversimplifying things dramatically.</p> <p>I do tend to think that impulsivity is partly temperamental, that is, in-born, but also heavily influenced by nurture. So, the tendency to wait for the two marshmallows is the result of the interaction of nature and nurture, like everything else. Also in the mix here, I think (in the mix of the discussion on willpower) is the concept of self-efficacy (from Bandura), which is defined as perceived self competence. If someone has high self-efficacy re. "resisting temptation" or whatever, each time they resist, their sense of competence grows and they will take on even greater challenges, which only increase their sense of competence, and so on. Self-efficacy can be applied to any sort of skill, behavior, etc. The opposite also happens: A person feels they aren't competent at something, maybe experiences a little failure, and their sense of competence diminishes, they take on fewer challenges, it diminishes further, etc. </p> <p>If I believe I'm a person with a strong will (and having a strong will is a key feature of my identity), and each time I exert my will I am able to resist whatever it is, then that will encourage me to take on greater and greater challenges of will, or so the theory goes.</p> <p>Okay, I will stop professorizing now :). Sometimes I can't resist! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/syc-shop-your-closet-or-spend-your-cash-or-the-perils-of-girl-math#post-740769 Sat, 06 Oct 2012 01:11:51 +0000 Echo 740769@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Oh, and FWIW about the boots, you are MUCH better off putting the bag towards the boots! ; - ) Personally, I think the boots would go smashingly with the Burberry. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/syc-shop-your-closet-or-spend-your-cash-or-the-perils-of-girl-math#post-740766 Sat, 06 Oct 2012 01:06:39 +0000 catgirl 740766@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I do remember the marshmallow study, and I tried it with my kid just for fun (what are kids for?). He was able to wait, and he's always been that kind of kid - never cried in the toy store when I told him to wait till his birthday, plans ahead for a pet lizard, and so on. He clearly didn't get it from me. </p> <p>Good thoughts, Echo. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/syc-shop-your-closet-or-spend-your-cash-or-the-perils-of-girl-math#post-740760 Sat, 06 Oct 2012 01:03:38 +0000 Echo 740760@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Actually, there is another conflicting opinion regarding "willpower" or at least delayed gratification. Anyone remember the Mashmallow Study? You've probably seen it in television programs numerous times. Basically, a researcher offered a child one marshmallow, or - if the child could wait until the researcher came back before eating it - two marshmallows. Some children ate the one marshmallow right away, some waited.</p> <p>Well, they have revisited the study participants and done other studies in the meantime, and it appears willpower or delayed gratification is more something a person is born with and that stays relatively constant throughout life. Children who could wait for the marshmallows were better at getting through school, and working and waiting for things they deemed worthwhile all through their lives, even as adults. </p> <p>I wonder in the study Thistle referenced if it was actually willpower that was tested or whether the effects were due instead to disappointment or sadness over eating radishes instead of yummies. The article itself says it was an "unfulfilled promise", which leads me to believe that they were promised one thing and given another. That isn't using willpower; it is being deliberately mislead and disappointed. For example, a person is more likely to exhibit poor "willpower" after they have lost a game or after they have done poorly on an exam, but that has nothing to do with depletion of willpower. It is due to the disappointment over not having achieved what one wanted to achieve. </p> <p>Anyway, I am certainly no psychologist, either. I am not claiming to know one way or the other. I just see the radish study a little differently from actual willpower. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/syc-shop-your-closet-or-spend-your-cash-or-the-perils-of-girl-math#post-740737 Sat, 06 Oct 2012 00:45:33 +0000 Transcona Shannon 740737@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I have failed every time I've tried SYC - I definitely begin to dream of items as soon as I tell myself I can't have them. It just plain doesn't work for me. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/syc-shop-your-closet-or-spend-your-cash-or-the-perils-of-girl-math#post-740714 Sat, 06 Oct 2012 00:20:18 +0000 rae 740714@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>That is a pretty cool study, Thistle! Hm, this could explain why I tend to *switch* vices instead of eradicating them one by one - if I'm on SYC, I may indulge more in food or pick at my pores more, for example. I can never seem to get rid of all my little tics at once. </p> <p>I suppose it makes sense, since the evolutionary environment shaped us to want to indulge in fat, sugar, and other rare luxuries when they were available - because who knew when it would come around next? It stands to reason that tamping down nature would be *tough*. We are fighting evolution here, people! </p> <p>Kinda makes me think that those subliminal message tapes might be a good thing after all... make me believe the radish is a cookie, and the problem is solved. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/syc-shop-your-closet-or-spend-your-cash-or-the-perils-of-girl-math#post-740695 Sat, 06 Oct 2012 00:03:34 +0000 Thistle 740695@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p><a href="http://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2012/04/the-chocolate-and-radish-experiment-that-birthed-the-modern-conception-of-willpower/255544/" rel="nofollow">http://www.theatlantic.com/hea.....er/255544/</a></p> <p>Here is one of the studies </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/syc-shop-your-closet-or-spend-your-cash-or-the-perils-of-girl-math#post-740690 Fri, 05 Oct 2012 23:57:50 +0000 catgirl 740690@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Wow, Thistle, that is FASCINATING. And goes against everything you'd think. With everything else, the more you practice or exercise it, the stronger it gets, right? Like with climbing, the more I climb, the stronger resistance I have to my own fears.</p> <p>Trying to think of how I exercise willpower during the day. I have lots of will that I use to force myself to exercise, eat healthy, be patient with my family, be responsible, deal with clients, not curse out opposing counsel, etc. So that leaves nothing left to resist the pull of BOOTS?</p> <p>Maybe the more I give in the stronger my willlpower will be!</p> <p>I have to look this up. I'm totally curious now! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/syc-shop-your-closet-or-spend-your-cash-or-the-perils-of-girl-math#post-740682 Fri, 05 Oct 2012 23:53:42 +0000 Thistle 740682@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Will power is something humans have in finite quantities. There have been numerous studies done on this (I am on my phone, or I'd link them).</p> <p>The gist of the studies is, the more often you have to exercise will power, the less you will have. This is why dietitians say to simply keep trigger foods out of your house. Each time you see them depletes some of the will power reserve.</p> <p>I am not a psychologist, but it sounds to me each time you are "shopping your closet" and telling yourself you can have no more, you are using willpower, depleting it. When you see something you want, you have less available.</p> <p>Perhaps you should try the one in one out rule: what will you give up to get something new. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/syc-shop-your-closet-or-spend-your-cash-or-the-perils-of-girl-math#post-740569 Fri, 05 Oct 2012 22:21:38 +0000 catgirl 740569@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Oh, definitely, Rae. I did just get $200 from the consignment store, which I knew I had coming, but of course that's already been spent, girl-math-style, on the Burberry!</p> <p>I tried them on yesterday. They are the perfect height, and adjust with the buckes. They worked on bare legs but the SA said they could easily go over skinnies.</p> <p>:) I am staying away from them until after the CA trip, so I can see what damage occurs there.</p> <p>Is it too early to start whining about a Christmas present? </p> <p>And does anyone else feel they are more desperate on a deliberately imposed SYC than when they just exercise some self-control? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/syc-shop-your-closet-or-spend-your-cash-or-the-perils-of-girl-math#post-740567 Fri, 05 Oct 2012 22:20:58 +0000 rae 740567@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Oops just saw the link...yeah that's a spendy boot, even at 30% off. Have you tried them on? it says they have a 15" calf circumference.</p> <p>If it is a draw between the coat and boots, I'd say you probably need the coat more all in all. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/syc-shop-your-closet-or-spend-your-cash-or-the-perils-of-girl-math#post-740563 Fri, 05 Oct 2012 22:17:56 +0000 rae 740563@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Well, you'd be making more money than if you consigned the bag - definite plus. Does that still put the price of the boots in the way-more-than-you'd-usually-pay category? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/syc-shop-your-closet-or-spend-your-cash-or-the-perils-of-girl-math#post-740558 Fri, 05 Oct 2012 22:15:25 +0000 Jem 740558@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Wow! Those are great boots!! (and they'd look great with your Burberry jacket... </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/syc-shop-your-closet-or-spend-your-cash-or-the-perils-of-girl-math#post-740556 Fri, 05 Oct 2012 22:12:58 +0000 catgirl 740556@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Wow, Parsley, you found them! </p> <p><a href="http://www.shophorseshoe.com/Easy_Rider_Boots_by_Gidigio_p/38377.htm" rel="nofollow">http://www.shophorseshoe.com/E...../38377.htm</a></p> <p>Maybe If the Burberry gets voted down, I could do the boots (and make money that way, right?). Except I love the Burberry, so the CA girls really have to convince me if it's not right.</p> <p>Drat you, store across the street! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/syc-shop-your-closet-or-spend-your-cash-or-the-perils-of-girl-math#post-740553 Fri, 05 Oct 2012 22:11:30 +0000 cciele 740553@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Oy, girl math! </p> <p>But in all seriousness -- I think you need to decide what SYC means to you -- why do it? Do you have financial issues? Is it an interesting exercise? Is it necessary (either interpretation).</p> <p>That being said, those boots are gorgeous </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/syc-shop-your-closet-or-spend-your-cash-or-the-perils-of-girl-math#post-740545 Fri, 05 Oct 2012 22:08:08 +0000 MsMary 740545@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Except if you consign the bag, you have X dollars In your hand when it sells. Whereas if you donate the bag and buy the boots, you have negative more-than 2X in your wallet in the end.</p> <p>On the other hand, if you know you will end up buying the boots regardless, it makes sense to get the discount. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/syc-shop-your-closet-or-spend-your-cash-or-the-perils-of-girl-math#post-740543 Fri, 05 Oct 2012 22:06:56 +0000 Parsley 740543@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Una, they're there- I saw them, but I can't begin to tell you how to find them on that screwy site.</p> <p>Also here:<br /> <a href="http://horseshoeseattle.blogspot.com/2012/08/autumn-is-shoe-in.html" rel="nofollow">http://horseshoeseattle.blogsp.....oe-in.html</a> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/syc-shop-your-closet-or-spend-your-cash-or-the-perils-of-girl-math#post-740540 Fri, 05 Oct 2012 22:06:12 +0000 Jem 740540@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>It seems like I've been doing girl math every time I return something. I keep finding something else I "need"... </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/syc-shop-your-closet-or-spend-your-cash-or-the-perils-of-girl-math#post-740539 Fri, 05 Oct 2012 22:05:20 +0000 bj1111 740539@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>hmmm, if i take una's gidigio boot, add mo's jewelry tree thingy, subtract out pi, can i afford more shoes????</p> <p>srly, this was me today. don't judge. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/syc-shop-your-closet-or-spend-your-cash-or-the-perils-of-girl-math#post-740532 Fri, 05 Oct 2012 22:01:02 +0000 catgirl 740532@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>High five, Mo! Or is that ten? Or seven.... Yeah, girl math!</p> <p>Parsley, aren't they amazing?! Though the site confuses me with those floating arrows. The boots I am coveting are from some "Collection" that I haven't found online yet! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/syc-shop-your-closet-or-spend-your-cash-or-the-perils-of-girl-math#post-740527 Fri, 05 Oct 2012 21:57:48 +0000 Mo 740527@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Ha ha ha ha. I am doing girl math today, too! I returned the white blazer . . . and walked out with a green ombre long sleeved knit top for the coming fall/winter back home <a href="http://www.jcpenney.com/dotcom/brands/arizona/juniors/arizona-long-sleeve-v-neck-tee/prod.jump?ppId=pp5001570766&#038;N=4294965755&#038;searchTerm=Arizona+green+ombre&#038;topDim=Product+Type&#038;topDimvalue=shirts+%2B+tops&#038;dimCombo=Product+Type%7C&#038;dimComboVal=shirts+%2B+tops%7C&#038;currentDim=Product+Type&#038;currentDimVal=shirts+%2B+tops&#038;catId=SearchResults" rel="nofollow">http://www.jcpenney.com/dotcom.....rchResults</a> , along with a simple felt jewelry tree thingy (I've been hanging stuff on a bent wire hanger :/). Net -$3 still . . . so I did NO SHOPPING today, right??? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/syc-shop-your-closet-or-spend-your-cash-or-the-perils-of-girl-math#post-740521 Fri, 05 Oct 2012 21:55:02 +0000 Parsley 740521@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Haha! Now I know what kind of SYC I've been on!</p> <p>Those boots ARE amazingly gorgeous, though. I'd never hear of that brand before, but I was drooling over their website last night.</p> <p><a href="http://www.gidigio.com/" rel="nofollow">http://www.gidigio.com/</a> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/syc-shop-your-closet-or-spend-your-cash-or-the-perils-of-girl-math#post-740512 Fri, 05 Oct 2012 21:50:28 +0000 catgirl 740512@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I'm starting to wonder! As April pointed out in another thread, I am doing worse on SYC than I do when not on SYC! I think it's reverse psychology... as soon as I "can't" do something, I immediately want to do it. Maybe I have Self-Oppositional Defiance Disorder (SODD)? </p> <p>So the Gidigio boots across the street (Mochi, I think you subliminally planted them in my head with your earlier post about the brand) or anything else in the store are 30% off if I donate a designer bag to a YWCA auction this month. And it just so happens that I had such a bag about to be consigned, but 30% off the boots is far more than I'd net from consigning the bag.</p> <p>Do you see the nefarious ways of girl math? I need to be chained and cuffed to a wall or something.... </p>