https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/taking-a-4-week-shopping-hiatus Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Sat, 16 May 2026 14:38:00 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/taking-a-4-week-shopping-hiatus#post-1794942 Wed, 05 Apr 2017 14:08:23 +0000 Penny 1794942@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Ha, thank you, Chris! It took a lot of browsing and was a lucky streak. But with most of the items that worked out that I had ordered online, I did have a strong feeling that the items would work for my style, needs, body type, etc., and didn't hear that little voice saying "well, except . . ." that usually signals an eventual return. Wishing you all the best in finding those items after you wrap up your shopping hiatus! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/taking-a-4-week-shopping-hiatus#post-1794910 Wed, 05 Apr 2017 12:35:58 +0000 Chris987 1794910@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Bonnie, what terrific advice! The whole journey really is fun and I just needed a break to remember that. </p> <p>Ok Penny, I want what you have.&nbsp;(Remember that line from When Harry Met Sally?) Well, I already have the revolving door thing down pat. What I want is the "&nbsp;really good, high-quality items that have rounded out my wardrobe" </p> <p>Lisa, so true. I've been doing some serious outfit creation work from my closet and it's been most revealing. </p> <p></p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/taking-a-4-week-shopping-hiatus#post-1794673 Tue, 04 Apr 2017 16:41:01 +0000 Lisa 1794673@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>A great plan! &nbsp;For myself, when I try to take a break from shopping, I focus on creating new outfit combinations with what I already own so I'm still able to think about clothes and fashion, just in a different light. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/taking-a-4-week-shopping-hiatus#post-1794501 Tue, 04 Apr 2017 04:01:39 +0000 Penny 1794501@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>This makes sense to me, Chris. &nbsp;</p> <p>Sometimes it feels like I'm browsing - even if there's nothing specific that I want or need - and buying things online that might work, even though I have some sense that they're not <i>quite</i> right and will likely need to be returned, so it's just a revolving door of receiving and returning most purchases. &nbsp;I think that I've gotten better about this lately, but it's definitely a process. &nbsp;</p> <p>Especially because I recently found a lot of really good, high-quality items that have rounded out my wardrobe, I'm with you in wanting to take a shopping hiatus to enjoy what I have, and will be reading with interest any posts about your experience. &nbsp;</p> <p>Please let us know how it goes - I know that I've enjoyed reading all the reflections on your post!</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/taking-a-4-week-shopping-hiatus#post-1794466 Tue, 04 Apr 2017 01:57:17 +0000 Bonnie 1794466@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>We joined YLF about the same time and I think we are still exploring and learning about our style and what we need for our life. I think we need to appreciate that it takes time and a lot of experimentation to learn these lessons. The random purchases we make are giving us valuable information. Just make sure they're returnable and enjoy the journey. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/taking-a-4-week-shopping-hiatus#post-1794359 Mon, 03 Apr 2017 21:29:51 +0000 Chris987 1794359@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Turmeric, thanks! Love your comment about forming different pathways in the brain...it's so fascinating how that work, isn't it! ! I am spending some of my non-shopping time doing some wardrobe and shopping pattern analysis, and I have a bunch of other stuff I want to do that has taken a bit of a back seat to shopping </p> <p>Cindysmith, I need to retrain myself to do what you are describing. I really need to stop the random purchases...as you say they create churn. For me they also&nbsp;do not create joy while they are with me.&nbsp; hmmm....that's an AHA moment....</p> <p>Suz, I like your logic...but if I buy it and then take it back and use that an excuse to buy more...it IS shopping Just not productive shopping. You are right that I felt a similar way last year...I seem to be a big follower of the two steps forward one step back approach to life. Hmm...the arrival of spring certainly is a big reawakening for all kinds of reasons in our climate with it's long cold winters. Your rant is so real and so funny. Yup. I think you are not doing a lot of shopping because your wardrobe is where you want it to be. You've worked hard to get it that way and now you can revel in success. Nothing wrong with that! </p> <p>Staysfit, what a great plan! Lots of things on your list would work for me too! Mindfulness is something I really want to get to. I am doing too much mindless shopping and that's the biggest change I need to make. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/taking-a-4-week-shopping-hiatus#post-1793797 Sun, 02 Apr 2017 13:44:58 +0000 Staysfit 1793797@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Good luck with your shopping hiatus. I started my year with a plan to cut my shopping down by a large amount, I think it was an 80% cut. I set up some fairly strict parameters to help and they have worked well. I knew that I could easily refrain from shopping, but my problem was with moderation. My plan involved multiple steps but no break in shopping because I wanted to exercise my ability to moderate myself. I call my plan Minfulness and Moderation, and it provides the structure I need for success.</p> <p>Here are my strategies which may or may not be useful to you:<br /> 1. I set a strict budget, and will not stray from it.<br /> 2. I set up a separate bank/debit account where the money for my clothes is put each month. Once the money is gone, no more shopping....if that happens.<br /> 3. I have a defined color palette.<br /> 4. I have a well defined sense of my style and I know what works for me.<br /> 5. I included room in my budget for replacement of items that get ruined.<br /> 6. Gear, coats, basics, essentials and shoes do not count in my budget because these items have a low CPW in my closet. I keep them a long time and generally wear them out. (Although since I injured my foot, I have found my feet have changed and I need a different type of shoe for comfort.). This may seem like a large chunk of money not included in my budget, but all these items generally make up a small proportion of my budget. DH and I did some serious number crunching when I put this together.<br /> 7. I set higher priority goals for myself for the money I am saving by cutting my clothing budget. These serve as strong motivators and I keep these goals very visible.<br /> 8. Before I make any purchase I check my closet to be sure I don't have something there that can serve the same purpose.<br /> 9. I only allow myself to browse online for limited periods of time and on limited days of the week.<br /> 10. I am choosing only a few items from the current trends to add a fresh edge to my wardrobe each season. I do not need everything to be the most current and trendy. </p> <p>At first, with this plan, I still had a strong tendency towards my previous habits, and I made more purchases than I wanted to, but I stuck with it and returned items when they didn't fit my well defined rules. I have come to a point where I truly feel like I have achieved some "mindfulness and moderation" which were my goals. My last purchase was in early March, a pair of Ecco Soft 7 sneakers. I don't recall making any clothing purchases in March. </p> <p>I'm thinking about switching over to the French 5 item wardrobe idea for my summer refresh. I love the concept of picking only a few very nice items to round out what I already have. I am planning to work out some summer capsules to see what items I might want to purchase and think it through in advance. This will be a very new strategy for me because I have always been a "see it, like it, buy it" person. I think my new plan calls for more thoughtfulness. This means I would add a capsule evaluation and development component to the process. It's a work in progress. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/taking-a-4-week-shopping-hiatus#post-1793771 Sun, 02 Apr 2017 06:20:37 +0000 Suz 1793771@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I agree with Donna and those who say you've changed because you are returning the "not so great" stuff. That's a huge difference. In fact, it doesn't really count as shopping if you take it back!&nbsp;</p> <p>That aside, it's a good idea to take a break if you feel you need one.&nbsp;</p> <p>And...if my memory serves me correctly, you were feeling something similar last year (and maybe not returning all the less-than-greats). So maybe it is something peculiar to spring? Or more evident or prominent in spring? I wonder if it does not have something to do with how long spring actually takes to arrive in our part of the world. We are craving freshness, colour, <b>something</b>!!! Anything!!! So, well, this nice bright pink t-shirt might just do it. What? You say I don't need another t-shirt, that I vowed I wasn't going to buy any more t-shirts, &nbsp;that this t-shirt doesn't even fit so well or go with anything I have, and besides, I almost never wear t-shirts? SO WHAT? IT IS PRETTY and nothing else in the world is!!!&nbsp;</p> <p>Rant over.&nbsp;</p> <p>I don't go on purposive shopping breaks these days because now that my basic wardrobe of essentials is pretty much in place, I don't seem to feel such a need to fill illusory holes. But I do take "natural" breaks (natural for me) at times when I just don't feel like shopping. I haven't bought any clothing or accessories now for 3 months. I just focus on other things and it's not difficult at all. I don't browse shopping websites, I don't look at the Finds much, I don't go into the stores, I don't even think about clothes beyond what to wear. And then when the season changes, I re-read Angie's blog posts and start plotting and planning...and shopping. :)&nbsp;</p> <p>It seems to work out fine. I think if you just focus elsewhere for a while, it will go well.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/taking-a-4-week-shopping-hiatus#post-1793741 Sun, 02 Apr 2017 01:30:01 +0000 cindysmith 1793741@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I have had to avoid the stores to stick to my plan for the year. I want to add just a few key pieces that I will wear to death instead of just a bunch of random stuff that I purge from my wardrobe soon after adding them. So I am avoiding stores, and avoiding all but the most serious (and therefore priciest) web sites. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/taking-a-4-week-shopping-hiatus#post-1793482 Fri, 31 Mar 2017 20:12:29 +0000 Turmeric 1793482@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Hi Chris! I think a month is a great<br /> length, and now is a good time since you aren't missing end-of-season<br /> sales if that's your thing. It's a good exercise to open up different<br /> pathways in the brain. I'm taking a short intentional break now too.<br /> I'm not buying and not even browsing. I make notes of things I want<br /> to look for later, but am not trying to locate them. When I pass by<br /> shop windows, I do look, but with detachment.</p> <p> </p> <p>Have you planned what you'll do to fill<br /> the void in the meantime? An exciting book, or game, or another<br /> hobby? I think it helps to have something to turn to in moments of<br /> weakness. Preferably something fun.</p> <p> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/taking-a-4-week-shopping-hiatus#post-1793347 Fri, 31 Mar 2017 15:01:17 +0000 Chris987 1793347@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Karen it sounds like we should compare notes a LOT! I too am petite and share&nbsp;all the challenges you describe. I was hoping maybe you lived near me but I checked and it's not to be, although my father had ancestors&nbsp;in&nbsp;your area but I&nbsp; have never visited it.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;I will share my thoughts as I move through this and would love to hear yours too. &nbsp;</p> <p>zoechic, sounds like you are a similar wavelength </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/taking-a-4-week-shopping-hiatus#post-1793343 Fri, 31 Mar 2017 14:40:22 +0000 Anonymous 1793343@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I think it does help to take a break from shopping from time to time. I did that during Jan and Feb. That helped me to know how I wanted to refresh my wardrobe for spring. I have added some items during March, so now I'm going to try to take April and May off and see how that feels. This is a new approach for me this year. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/taking-a-4-week-shopping-hiatus#post-1793339 Fri, 31 Mar 2017 14:26:57 +0000 karen13 1793339@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I am doing this same thing a bit too, so I am interested in everyone's ideas. I have to replace a lot of things due to size change and season change, and I need a more cohesive plan. I need to focus on specific wardrobe holes and building outfits, rather than seeing something (all those tempting Finds!) and buying it without a plan, or coordinating with things I already own.</p> <p>I've been doing a lot of online shopping as I am also in petite sizes (and I have wide feet) and can't find much selection in the local stores. That is necessitating lots of returns as I'm still figuring out fit for different brands. I was emboldened by the folks on the forum to do more of this, and return the rejects rather than sometimes keeping them out of guilt. But I still need to improve in that direction.</p> <p>And finally, I need to take off the sales goggles. I need to start asking myself if I would buy the same thing at full price. I find I "settle" a lot for things if they are inexpensive.</p> <p>Good luck Chris, and tell us about what works.&nbsp;</p> <p> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/taking-a-4-week-shopping-hiatus#post-1793290 Fri, 31 Mar 2017 11:10:24 +0000 Chris987 1793290@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thanks Angie, you are so supportive as always! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/taking-a-4-week-shopping-hiatus#post-1793226 Fri, 31 Mar 2017 01:55:48 +0000 Angie 1793226@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Always a good idea to take a break from shopping. Enjoy your hiatus and get back into the game when you feel like it, Chris.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/taking-a-4-week-shopping-hiatus#post-1793211 Fri, 31 Mar 2017 01:00:21 +0000 Chris987 1793211@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Elizabeth P, thanks, I'm pretty good at identifying behavior I want to change but not always so good at actually making the change </p> <p>DonnaF, I've been pretty good about returning stuff for a while, I just need to get better at making the choices to begin with. I give myself a break for online orders since it's not easy to figure out what fabric will feel like and how something will fit until you actually get it into your hands,&nbsp;but I keep making poor choices in stores. I think I'm doing some sort of settling for just ok and that's what I want to take a break from. Hah - unrepentant returner and serial ordererer...that's me too! I am not getting the results I want so I'm trying to break the pattern. </p> <p>Jenni NZ good for you, sounds like you managed to break the pattern of not being picky enough. I'll definitely check back on your earlier posting on this, thanks! </p> <p>Jaileen I agree there is nothing wrong with taking something home to evaluate it, but I see myself giving a thumbs down at home too often and I want to try to get my return rate down, at least for stuff I get in a store. Hah..interesting that Sierra Trading Post fired you. TJMaxx is the one that would fire me if they were into that. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/taking-a-4-week-shopping-hiatus#post-1793204 Fri, 31 Mar 2017 00:37:49 +0000 JAileen 1793204@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Donna makes a very good point. There's no harm in taking something home, evaluating it, and returning it if it's not perfect. I did that so much that Sierra Trading Post fired me as a customer (60 percent return rate!). And guess what? I don't miss them one iota. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/taking-a-4-week-shopping-hiatus#post-1793130 Thu, 30 Mar 2017 20:23:36 +0000 Jenni NZ 1793130@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Hi Chris, well I did it for 3.5 months. Since I started shopping again I bought 2 pairs sandals, 4 pairs trousers ( of which have worn 3 already and been very happy). The trousers took about 4 HOURS of shopping in 2 different areas on holiday before I hit the jackpot in one shop which seemed to have brands that just "got" my style and which fit well and were a reasonable price. The first 2.5 hours of trying in one location and coming away with nothing was really not fun at all, but I think my long fast had made me determined not to get what is wrong for me. I'm sure I still will make mistakes but think it has helped make me more picky. On return from holiday a week ago my friend had booked us both into a fashion "style workshop" at the mall and we shopped around for a bit afterwards - I bought nothing and felt quite able to look at cute things and think hmm, that neckline, or that length, or that shape wouldn't work on me... so feel I'm learning well. Have written a post in the past about the fast if you want to check back. Good luck ! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/taking-a-4-week-shopping-hiatus#post-1793128 Thu, 30 Mar 2017 20:17:57 +0000 DonnaF 1793128@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Chris, IIRC, I thought you used to buy stuff that maybe wasn't so great and then KEEP it.&nbsp; Now, you are RETURNING those things.&nbsp; I consider that tremendous progress!&nbsp; Sometimes, stuff looks great in the store; maybe it's the mirrors?&nbsp; Then, when we get home and see it in natural light or try it with what we thought would be *perfect*, the color is off or the proportions aren't right.&nbsp; Same with buying online, and that has the additional challenge of fit.</p> <p>Ummm, maybe you can tell I'm an unrepentant returner and serial orderer?</p> <p>I've found that if I have a list and then find something on it, I may inadvertently *settle* because I am so happy to check that item off and may not realize that it's not *perfect*.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/taking-a-4-week-shopping-hiatus#post-1793116 Thu, 30 Mar 2017 18:37:41 +0000 Elizabeth P 1793116@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Smart idea Chris... I admire your ability to recognize behaviour that needs changing and then doing something about it.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/taking-a-4-week-shopping-hiatus#post-1793113 Thu, 30 Mar 2017 17:28:31 +0000 Chris987 1793113@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Great idea Sterling!!!&nbsp; I started to read those postings but never really dug into them and will definitely do it now...thanks! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/taking-a-4-week-shopping-hiatus#post-1793112 Thu, 30 Mar 2017 17:22:46 +0000 Anonymous 1793112@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Congratulations on your decision.&nbsp; I will support you every single way I can.&nbsp; Go back and read some of my posts related to my purchasing fast.&nbsp; there was a lot of really <u>valuable suggestions </u>from Forum Members compiled in those posts.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/taking-a-4-week-shopping-hiatus#post-1793111 Thu, 30 Mar 2017 17:17:25 +0000 Chris987 1793111@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>As March draws to a close, I’ve noticed&nbsp;that I’m reverting to some old and not so great shopping patterns. I have bought some good things in January and February, and I do have a list of things I want, but lately I’m doing too much impulse buying of things I later realize I do not want.&nbsp;I return them, rinse and&nbsp;repeat. &nbsp;It’s some sort of magpie thing,&nbsp;an inability to leave a store empty handed or something. I do this mostly with tops,&nbsp;sweaters, and toppers.&nbsp;I’m much better about choosing good<br /> quality with shoes, bags, and pants. Also, I’ve been ordering things online&nbsp;that are better quality and meet specific wants and wardrobe holes, &nbsp;but am finding very little that fits or is&nbsp;what I want. </p> <p>So, I’m going to finish some&nbsp;returns next week and otherwise take a hiatus from shopping for one month. I tend to shop year round so this&nbsp;I'm expecting this to be a bit of a challenge. &nbsp;I’m&nbsp;hoping that posting it here will give me some accountability! </p> <p>I would love to hear from&nbsp;anyone else who has experienced this, and how you work yourself out of it. &nbsp;I know changing habits is not easy but I seem to be having a really hard time with this and it seems it should be easier. </p>