https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/team-wear-less-orphans Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Mon, 06 Apr 2026 02:52:42 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/team-wear-less-orphans/page/2#post-1158098 Wed, 05 Feb 2014 01:59:12 +0000 Mo 1158098@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I think I used to consider the purchase the end of the line and I was now the proud owner of whatever item. &nbsp;It's only recently that returns are part of my life (mostly the online scenario). &nbsp;<br />I can't say that I've bought something and left it alone for almost a year to then come to love it later. &nbsp;But I'm sure our personalities play into it. &nbsp;Treading lightly into trends might fall under this umbrella. &nbsp;I have a somewhat tight budget so I'm not sure I've bought a trend I'm on the fence about to save for later. &nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/team-wear-less-orphans/page/2#post-1158070 Wed, 05 Feb 2014 01:32:50 +0000 E 1158070@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Yes! My Goodwill recently changed its exchange window from 14 days to 7, so now I expect to wear my items even more quickly (weather permitting of course) or back to the store they go. I've started planning my thrifting days for right before laundry day too so that I can get that wear in within the 7 day window. It's definitely cut down on orphans for me.</p> <p>If the weather is different, I at least put on a 'pretend' outfit to make sure it works with my wardrobe. Since I don't store any seasonal clothes, it's pretty easy. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/team-wear-less-orphans#post-1158067 Wed, 05 Feb 2014 01:30:25 +0000 Windchime 1158067@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Joy, you said it exactly! It took time for me to picture my chic new jacket on ME. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/team-wear-less-orphans#post-1158061 Wed, 05 Feb 2014 01:26:36 +0000 krishnidoux 1158061@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Mo, you're onto something here! So true for me too!</p> <p>Weather considerations aside. Because yes, I do save some items due to weather, but when comes the time I wear them.</p> <p>What I am noticing now: I am "rediscovering" items that were not orphans, but close: items I almost never wore last year, worrying they could have been mistakes, but this year I am wearing the heck out of them.&nbsp;</p> <p>Did this ever happen to you? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/team-wear-less-orphans#post-1158055 Wed, 05 Feb 2014 01:23:13 +0000 Anonymous 1158055@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Windchime you have made an excellent point. I have bought things that I love and look flattering but need to build up the courage to wear for some reason. Once my eye has adjusted and others have gotten used to it, the piece may become a favorite. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/team-wear-less-orphans#post-1158044 Wed, 05 Feb 2014 01:07:50 +0000 Windchime 1158044@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I totally get wearing (most) new items right away. I did have an interesting experience with a black mixed media jacket I bought in September. It hung in the closet all fall, unworn, and I thought it might become the dreaded closet orphan. I loved it on the hanger, but it was a new style for me and it took me a while to figure out how it could work for me. I finally started wearing it in January and now it's one of my favorite items. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/team-wear-less-orphans#post-1158005 Wed, 05 Feb 2014 00:41:39 +0000 Anonymous 1158005@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I think I'm more like Deb in this regard. I can let something sit for months (or sometimes even years), and then randomly start wearing it all the time for a while. This even goes in cycles. I can wear things regularly for a while, have them go on the back burner, then start grabbing them all the time again.</p> <p>Sometimes, though,&nbsp;hesitating to wear something when it's new <i>is</i> a sign that it was a mistake to buy. I kinda&nbsp;wish it were easier to&nbsp;tell those from the things that just need to marinate in my closet for a while.</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/team-wear-less-orphans#post-1157978 Wed, 05 Feb 2014 00:26:01 +0000 JAileen 1157978@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Wearing something the next day - yes! That is a sign I'll be wearing it a lot. I've already worn my thrifted leather bomber jacket three or four times. It just feels right to me. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/team-wear-less-orphans#post-1157672 Tue, 04 Feb 2014 18:31:28 +0000 Sarah A 1157672@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Yes so true. You have articulated this perfectly... I actually returned something last week since i bought it Jan 7th and hadnt worn it yet. Even though it was a lightweight sweater and it's been cold, if i loved it i would have found a way to layer it so I obviously didnt love it since i hadnt worn.... Back it goes is a huge lesson :)&nbsp; (our TJMaxx has a 30 day window so thats a great number for me) </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/team-wear-less-orphans#post-1157615 Tue, 04 Feb 2014 18:03:42 +0000 Stuti 1157615@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>True for me. I never buy things that can't be returned. And keep tags on and return if new piece excitement wears off. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/team-wear-less-orphans#post-1157566 Tue, 04 Feb 2014 17:42:38 +0000 Gigi 1157566@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Joy, I really like your idea of leaving the item if you don't want to wear it out of the store (again, leaving weather concerns aside). I have bought items off season, but even then, I drool while looking at the item in my closet, impatient for warmer weather so I can take it for a spin. So yes, Mo, I would say that I am the same way. It's like you just know intuitively that there's something not quite right about the item, so you don't wear it. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/team-wear-less-orphans#post-1157553 Tue, 04 Feb 2014 17:33:06 +0000 AnnieMouse 1157553@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Omigosh. I've never articulated it before, but thank you! That's precisely it - if I can't get to it soon, I won't ever.&nbsp;</p> <p>Wow. That's an epiphany! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/team-wear-less-orphans#post-1157550 Tue, 04 Feb 2014 17:31:19 +0000 rae 1157550@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Definitely! And thank goodness Nordies has an open return window, because sometimes I'll think X will be great for fall and then it doesn't work out. It can sometimes take a month or two for me to see an error. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/team-wear-less-orphans#post-1157549 Tue, 04 Feb 2014 17:31:01 +0000 Aziraphale 1157549@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>So true! I totally agree. There are a few exceptions, like dressy high heels that I knew would not&nbsp;get a lot of wear when I bought them (but I&nbsp;bought anyway because on those odd dressy occasions where I need high heels, I want to feel fabulous). &nbsp;;-)</p> <p>If I wear an item the next day, it's a good sign. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/team-wear-less-orphans#post-1157545 Tue, 04 Feb 2014 17:25:57 +0000 merwoman 1157545@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Yes! In addition to what others have said, I find it helpful to 'think outside the seasonal box" - wear those white pants in winter, add layers to 3/4 sleeve sweaters so their season can be extended etc. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/team-wear-less-orphans#post-1157532 Tue, 04 Feb 2014 17:18:36 +0000 Diana 1157532@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I definitely find this to be true.&nbsp; For one thing, if I don't wear an item right away I run the risk of actually forgetting I bought it.&nbsp; Once I've cut the tags and worn it, that's when I hang it up along with all my other clothes and I see it in my closet.&nbsp; I never cut my tags until I actually wear the item, but conversely I tend to keep new items in their bags (hence the forgetting about them part) until the first wear too.</p> <p>This is why I don't shop much at NAS aside from HEWIs or basics.&nbsp; I'm not really interested in pre-season stuff because it's generally a couple of months at least before I can wear it. </p> <p> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/team-wear-less-orphans#post-1157513 Tue, 04 Feb 2014 16:56:40 +0000 Catnip 1157513@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Yes.&nbsp; I recently bought a Lands' End puffer coat on sale.&nbsp; It fit well and would have been useful when my older puffer wears out, but I couldn't bring myself to wear it.&nbsp; I finally realized there was nothing special about it and sent it back.&nbsp; I sure hope my old puffer makes it through the awful winter we're having. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/team-wear-less-orphans#post-1157510 Tue, 04 Feb 2014 16:53:22 +0000 deb 1157510@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I actually do not do this and I have been sitting here trying to figure out why. Something new can sit in my closet for months and then, boom, I wear it all of the time. It isn't even a seasonal thing. I think I am just weird.&nbsp;&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/team-wear-less-orphans#post-1157506 Tue, 04 Feb 2014 16:47:48 +0000 unfrumped 1157506@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Great post, Mo, and yes and yes.<br />All what you said.<br />a) Need to buy items I can't wait to wear<br />b) Don't cut tags until the home mirror test and figure out several ways to wear<br />c) Team Wear Now so don't forget how&nbsp;I wanted to wear it<br />d) If I wear now and it doesn't work as well as I thought, then ok, it may have not been so wise, but I've learned something and am less likely to buy a dupe or similar item and go deeper into the hole.<br />e) Don't try to wait for just the perfect weather/season for something because sometimes it'll fly by before you know it or you'll find it is warmer/cooler than you thought. Stretch the seasons a bit to work in something new, even if work it in only a few times now and use more later.&nbsp;<br />f) I still will likely buy a few things off season if I think they're really great and hope will still be so in&nbsp; a few months. So there would be some extreme seasonal things that I could not "wear now" when purchased. But I'm learning that other things that are potentially wearable--say layered under or over--should be worn as soon as possible for the reasons in c, d, e. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/team-wear-less-orphans#post-1157473 Tue, 04 Feb 2014 16:22:16 +0000 carter 1157473@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>True for me as well. I always leave the tags on until I'm walking the door wearing the item. Unfortunately,I sometimes miss the return window. I really need to set a phone alert or something a week before the return period is over. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/team-wear-less-orphans#post-1157469 Tue, 04 Feb 2014 16:17:20 +0000 Suz 1157469@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Yup. Absolutely true for me, and I have learned to leave the tags on. The only exceptions, as Angie says, are the weather dependent ones. There were lots of things I bought at NAS I couldn't tell about for months. But I ended up wearing almost all of them, and returned those I knew I would not (thank you, Nordie's generous return policies!) &nbsp;Oh - and there is some special occasion type stuff that I have bought and not worn until the occasion arose. But it isn't a true orphan if it gets wear for its proper time, I guess - however infrequent that is.&nbsp;</p> <p>For me, buying (mostly) in season is pretty much the cure. And asking myself that question Joy posed: Do I really&nbsp;<b>WANT</b> to wear it right now??? If I want to wear it, I will wear it (even if weather prevents me at this specific moment). If I don't really want to wear it right away, I probably won't want to later on, either.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/team-wear-less-orphans#post-1157461 Tue, 04 Feb 2014 16:09:46 +0000 Emily 1157461@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Yup. &nbsp;Totally true. &nbsp;I've been leaving the tags on until I wear something for the first time, and if I am not&nbsp;<i></i>pumped enough about an item to find a way to wear it within a week or so, back it goes.&nbsp;</p> <p>Recent examples, worn: the sleeveless tops I bought for summer, zara blazer (the one you have in white)&nbsp;I almost returned but decided to keep&nbsp;</p> <p>Recent examples, unworn: The white denim jacket I posted a k/r of with the zara blazer. &nbsp;I haven't had any occasion to wear it, so back it goes. &nbsp;I know it is out of season, but&nbsp;If I miss it I can repurchase. &nbsp;Otherwise I am afraid it will hang unworn forever! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/team-wear-less-orphans#post-1157434 Tue, 04 Feb 2014 15:51:24 +0000 Elizabeth P 1157434@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I also do better if I wear it right away.&nbsp; I think otherwise, the "excitement" wears off, and it's just another thing in the (stuffed) closet.&nbsp; I have two pairs of silk track pants I got at great discount at the end of last summer, one still unworn.&nbsp; It's the temperature, not my interest.&nbsp; I sure hope I still like them next summer! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/team-wear-less-orphans#post-1157421 Tue, 04 Feb 2014 15:41:16 +0000 Mo 1157421@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Angie, yes weather does play a role for sure! &nbsp;That's why I mentioned weather permitting. &nbsp;Heck, I have not yet worn my Spiegel leather jacket because I bought it the week before moving to FL! &nbsp;But I'm convinced it will NOT be an orphan. &nbsp;It's soooo my style &nbsp;<br />Janet, I'm slowly learning, too &nbsp;First step was to stop buying non returnable items unless I was sure they were going to fit. &nbsp;Most of my mistake dresses were eBay 'steals' that add up to no steal at all when they just hang there. &nbsp;I have them set aside to take to consignment and still haven't, months later. &nbsp;Something about them still having tags on gives me some weird inner feeling that their worth is more. &nbsp;I know, silly. &nbsp;I should just move on. &nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/team-wear-less-orphans#post-1157417 Tue, 04 Feb 2014 15:39:05 +0000 catgirl 1157417@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>This is completely true for me. Because of my climate I hardly ever buy anything that couldn't be worn right away. I've learned not to cut the tags if I feel that nagging sense that I may not love wearing an item as much as I love having that item in my hands. In fact, I'm making a huge return to Nordies today of stuff I didn't wear to Sundance... </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/team-wear-less-orphans#post-1157412 Tue, 04 Feb 2014 15:32:22 +0000 Susie 1157412@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I mentioned on Angie's blog post today that I sometimes will sort of plan out the first few wearings of something new. So if I have some event coming up, I might 'save' the new item for that before putting it into regular rotation. And I do buy things ahead of the season- almost never&nbsp;after it ends-&nbsp;and the good purchases are the ones that I can't wait to wear. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/team-wear-less-orphans#post-1157407 Tue, 04 Feb 2014 15:28:56 +0000 Janet 1157407@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Yes, this is definitely the case for me. I'm getting better about leaving tags on and returning because of it. I'm learning... </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/team-wear-less-orphans#post-1157400 Tue, 04 Feb 2014 15:23:26 +0000 Angie 1157400@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I bat for Team Wear too. But waiting to wear certain items - sometimes months -&nbsp;does not result in orphans. It's a weather thing. And when I buy items that are STILL to flimsy and cold to wear in Seattle.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/team-wear-less-orphans#post-1157399 Tue, 04 Feb 2014 15:23:16 +0000 ramya 1157399@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Just as I was reading thid my brain went "AHA!!!!". It is true in my case. Items I start saving will always be saved. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/team-wear-less-orphans#post-1157397 Tue, 04 Feb 2014 15:22:46 +0000 Thistle 1157397@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p><b>YES</b>!!&nbsp; I totally find this to be true. Now, I am on team wear, and while I understand the concept of buying in the correct <i>retail </i>season versus <i>actual </i>season, I seldom do. Why? Because I want to wear what I just bought. I just can't get excited about spring dresses when it is -14F outside. </p> <p>(Which is why I will have to <b><i>force </i></b>myself to buy a bathing suit in February this year).</p> <p>If I am not super excited to wear it when I buy it, I almost never will be. And, in the excitement, I usually figure out two or three ways I want to wear it that will translate to the guly morning hours when I am getting ready.</p> <p>I know some YLFers love playing in their closet. I don't. And in my free time, I would rather play with DD or hang out with DH.&nbsp; As such, if I don;t get great ideas when I first get a piece, I probably never will. </p>