2021 Purchases - Failures and Lessons - YouLookFab Forum

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2021 Purchases - Failures and Lessons

Irina

Veteran

The year is almost done and also my shopping. I will post about what I consider “successful “ 2021 purchases separately. This one is about my mistakes. I’m not getting rid of the items I will review below. They are staying and I will wear them. They are just not living up to my expectations. I hope as always to learn from failures. And maybe some of you will find it useful or at least entertaining.
1. Zara white jeans. I initially ordered my size but they were too tight. I sized up and got it tailored. They fit fine for a day and then stretch out for a half a size. For someone who likes to wear jeans loose, it’s not a big deal. But I like “hugging “, tighter fit. These are the only jeans I put in a dryer. Lesson: no sizing up in jeans.
2&3. Club Monaco linen mix sweaters. The neck line was wider than my favorite crew neck style. I saw it but I desperately searched for nice casual linen sweaters and ignored this flaw. It stretched even more now and became slightly scooped neck. Lesson: must be patient and picky.
4. BR cardigan. Nice color, not bad fit but… It is not me. I struggle to style it, feels too “cottage “ and bulky. Not showed here is another item from this category - Aritzia cream Sherpa liner jacket. I wore it once and sold it. Lesson: Think before jumping on a trend wagon.
5. JCrew cotton striped sweater. I wanted a cotton sweater for fall and really like this knit. Stripes are beige not cream and black is true black. But I got completely confused with JCrew sizing. I ordered a striped cotton t-shirt in S and it was oversized. Not my intention with that t-shirt but OK. So based on that, I ordered this sweater in S. It fits but I wanted more of an oversized look. Exchanging it for a bigger size (who knows how it would fit) was not feasible due to shipping costs. Lesson: sometimes I just need to let go of something that is so close to perfect.
So, here are my failures for the year. I would be interested to read if someone else decided to shape their success and failure stories.

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Shopping

23 replies

Latest reply was from Bijou

Anonymous

This was an interesting read. I nodded my head in agreement with every word you wrote about the chunky BR cardigan (find below) I jumped on that trend too, and really regret spending the money I did on that sweater (not sure if we have the same piece, but close) . Cottagey is a perfect descriptor, and that's not my look nor my lifestyle. I rarely wore it, and never felt good while doing so. Other than that, my summer clothes are long since packed away and I have no idea what I own now- out of sight, out of mind etc. Oh - the cropped flare jeans from Massimo Dutti (find below) were a bust too. Ordered what seemed like the correct size, but they stretch-out out so badly, I couldn't wear them. They did accept them for return, but I declined a smaller size. I don't want clothes to be so unpredictable.

Cropped flare fit jeans - Women - Massimo Dutti

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Banana Republic

Organic Cotton Cardigan Sweater

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Irina

Veteran

Yes, Lisa, this is the same cardigan from BR, I think.

Anonymous

Ok - thought so. I paid full price for that thing - and it kills me to this day. Grr.

CarolS

Veteran

Very interesting read, Irina. I'm particularly sorry the CM sweaters stretched out so badly at the neck, because they're both lovely!

I don't know yet how many of this year's purchases were mistakes as most things were barely tested or were bound to be transitional anyway. But I have a loong list of mistakes behind me -- including my yellow Docs, which are really TOO big. I'm wearing them as much as I can anyway, but I feel like Frankenstein's monster when I walk in them!

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Sweet, Irina. Despite these less than 100% pieces, you were still thoughtful about your purchases. WELL DONE! Sometimes, no matter how informed our decisions are at the time, wardrobe items fail on us after we road test and launder them over time. It's simply rotten luck

Jeans can be so blasted tricky with the bagging-out factor! Wearing your white jeans for one day with tumble drying is a good solution.

I have one purchase failure so far this year - and you guessed it - shoes. See Find. These were pricey too. They fit sooo well at first! Very comfy! Gorgeous! But when I walked around in them to run errands - they starting rubbing the tips of my toes because they are a smidge too short for my long toes. I can't do anything about it, but keep them for short walking distances......or pass them on to a good home

I try so darned hard with shoes, and it's a crapshoot no matter how discerning my decision. I do make fewer mistakes than I used to though. There is some improvement. Onward!

Cole Haan Women's Zerogrand Wing Oxford Closed Hole Ii

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Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

Most of these are very close to white. I wonder if there’s snything to that. We’re you pushing to add light neutrals, instead of letting yourself be pulled?

My biggest mistake was ordering from a place in the UK. DHL collects customs when they drop off the package, and I can’t find that receipt to get the money back when I return the things that didn’t fit.

I’m also having issues with shoes. One pair seemed fine when I got them, but hurt my back when I walked a couple miles. I’m in the middle of deciding about the other. Seemed fine but then started bugging my back first time I wore them. Added insoles which changed my foot position so I got blisters on my heels. Idk if I need different insoles or different white boots.

Anonymous

Also highly annoyed with these pants from prAna - supposedly a high quality brand (these were $89 or something) . They look awful after a summer of light lounge wear- washed and dried according to instructions. I'm not an idiot with laundry. They are pilled, saggy and shapeless. I'm not going back to the retailer because I have a great relationship there and don't want to be a complainer, but I think I may contact the company itself. I wouldn't be caught outside the house in these and it's not what I expected for that price. Grrr. Mine are a heathered olive green.

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Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

LisaP, absolutely you should go back to Prana with those. They’ll want to make it right.

Runcarla

Veteran

I’m in the same boat as you regarding my fails of 2021. Pants and tops that fit at the time of purchase, but ‘grew’ with wear time and body heat. I don’t want to be washing (mostly) cotton pants or tops after only one wear, or spending half the day hiking them up because they slip! So, so disappointing My biggest faux pas was shrinking a thrifted red merino sweater in the wash. Almost a year later I’m kicking myself, and haven’t found a replacement.

Jenn

(website)

Veteran

That whole process of "searching and searching for something and then buying something pretty close because it seems like it's the best you're going to do" is a trap. I'm starting to think it's better to just let go of the image in your head completely than to try and match it with an "almost."

I'm looking forward to seeing what did work!

lozz_oz

Veteran

Interesting observations and lessons learned. I’ve had the same issues with jeans that grow - annoying. Also the linen blend sweaters and t shirts - I avoid them altogether. They loose shape and look sloppy so fast, so I know how you feel.

Synne

Veteran

Great read, thank you! Can't wait to read about the winners!

Sal

Veteran

Interesting and I can identify with these mistakes. It’s frustrating - and good to remind ourselves.

These are my less than stellar choices. Two were planned purchases and one wasn’t. The skirt has been donated ( I bought second hand) but I am persevering with the blouse and bag.

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Jenni NZ

Veteran

I agree with Angie that your purchases are still very considered, and the fact you are willing to keep and wear them is also to be admired.
I have made 15 purchases so far this year and may not make more in 2021-I am waiting for the smaller size in the sunset coral T-shirt to see which to keep. One pair shorts has become too big over the year but that is a function of my weight loss. The cream mock-neck was not worn as much under the cream jumper as I thought because I wore the old black one under it more. And the $7 thrifted cobalt leggings are not quite right, but I have worn twice. Even if I wear them very little at $7 it is no big less either financially or environmentally!

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Irina

Veteran

Thank you all for understanding and your support.
Jenni NZ, no, I’m keeping it all and hope to make even mistakes useful. Today we had an unusually warm day and I wore my new puffer vest over a black striped sweater from JCrew. Looked OK, so I found one more way to style it.

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

Very interesting (and entertaining!) read. I find it extremely difficult to tell how something will wear when it is brand new. I just avoid jeans with stretch as much as possible because they are so unpredictable. Shoes are also an unknown until I have gone for a long walk in them. I re-sell the obvious failures, but I have a big closet and almost nothing is a true need.

cat2

Veteran

I am not sure my mistakes were actually mistakes: I tried three new green brands made in CA and one made in the Midwest. Two didn’t have the garment longevity I expected. I also bought what felt too many shoes, at end of season sales, but then the next wave of designs was very 90s and I felt justified stocking up, as I can roll through a couple of years of designs I don’t like without having wardrobe holes. I also went long at the sales on the colors in my palette, which is also now seeming like a great idea after two seasons of colors that don’t work.

Mary Beth (formerly LBD)

(website)

Veteran

Your post really resonated with me. 2021 was a “fresh start” overhaul year for me - removing a lot of dark clothing and adding color. I made a few mental notes here and there about my failures, but I hadn’t thought of a collective analysis until I read yours. Your list is pretty much my list: #2/3 is exactly what I fall for - my inner dialogue would have said, “it’s a wider neck, and it will highlight the clavicle” or some such nonsense, because I am so excellent at talking myself into the not-quite-perfect items. I’ve made it an art-form. So yes to Patient and Picky!

#4-5. Yup. Did these too, but via thrift and resale sites, so it wasn’t as big of a financial hit. Most everything was in very good shape, so I was happy to launder and donate my mistakes back. It’s been a year for experimenting and now I know some things just aren’t for me.

One lesson I’ve learned is that when a brand consistently has quality issues, say goodbye. J Crew has repeatedly been a consignment/thrift failure. Even though everything I bought looked brand new (some still had tags) and very current, nearly everything shrank, changed shape, or developed holes.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Irina, that is frustrating about the stretching out or ill fitting clothes. i understand, though -- it happens! Linen knits are notoriously stretchy and that neckline is tricky for me, too. Frustrating about the jeans as well.

I have three categories: the things that just don't work and I've decided to let go, the things that, like you, I am keeping and will try to work with, and finally, the things I'm keeping and wearing but feel are a bit disappointing in terms of quality.

In the first category -- the balloon jeans from M&S. They fit, look really good, and are a nice fabric. And....I don't wear them! It's partly the colour. I thought it would be fun to go out on a slight tangent from my usual palette and I do have coordinating tops. But.. I just don't reach for them. I think, as well, the waist is unforgiving. It fits, but feels too snug for my preferences when I am sitting down. Onwards!

Pink shirt from Gap. I bought it on sale when I bought the identical white one (a workhorse). I love the shape and the fabric. Again, I thought I would expand my colour palette a little bit. The colour is very flattering. But nope! I just don't like it. I wore it anyway this year, especially in the garden -- but I am passing it on.

Faux wrap top from BR -- tags still on. Again, I got the identical navy one and wore it quite often. But the cream is too "dirty" a cream for me and I just don't reach for it.

LESSONS: Be careful with colour experiments, Suz. You know your preferred palette. Stick to it. Experiment with silhouette or different stylings instead. Or try a new colour in an accessory or scarf or as part of a pattern instead of in a solid.

Also, don't buy two of the same thing just because they are on sale!! That's what we call "sales goggles" here at YLF!! (Face palm.)

In the "keep and work with it" category: BR crop straight jeans. These are the wrong length, they catch on my boots, and they are too short to roll, plus, now that I've worn them a bit more I don't like the whiskering. I may try them in the summer with sneakers or make them into shorts and see how that goes.

LESSONS: Don't settle because you've been looking so long and are desperate. This was a case of being fed up with the search and being in need of jeans, genuine need. Sigh....

In the not thrilled with the quality department: Ecco boots. To my surprise (because Ecco quality is usually so great.) The issue is not the soles -- these are as durable as you can imagine and I'm thrilled with that aspect. They are also truly waterproof, a big plus in my climate. BUT...the shaft and midfoot of the sole are stretching out in weird ways. It seems that very -difficult-to-get-into Blundstone design has some merit. The elastics on these have begun to feel downright "sloppy," and even with my Superfeet insoles, my feet are beginning to feel some strain because of the shifting around when I walk. I'll continue to wear these and will keep them next year as well because they are so practical. In truth, I've already worn them enough that the CPW is quite low despite the initial outlay, so I can't exactly call them a "mistake." But I'm on the lookout for something that will be just as practical and a little more comfortable.

LESSONS: There is no lesson here. You can't predict with footwear. This is a favoured brand that has served me well more times than I can count. The quality is typically very high (and even here, it is high). I usually get a good fit in this brand. They were perfect on purchase. There was no way of knowing.

Marks and Spencer

M&S Collection High Waisted Balloon Jeans

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Gauze Button-Front Shirt

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Banana Republic

Wrap-Effect Top

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Banana Republic

High-Rise Straight Organic Jean

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Ecco Women's Modtray Chelsea Boot

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Anonymous

Suz -had to smile at the BR wrap top story . I did the very same thing . Bought black and cream , but realized when I got them home and into daylight that the cream is indeed “ dirty” looking AND that it’s a different knit altogether . I never wear it . Sales goggles indeed.

Irina

Veteran

Mary Beth, I’m so with you on being excellent with excuses. I guess it comes from many years of struggles with the fit of the clothes and letting myself be OK with less than perfect items.

Suz & Lisa P, I do have as goal for this year “do not buy multiple same items in different colors”. And yet, just bought two shirts, one is white and one in navy and can’t let one of them go. I now think that sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn’t. Mostly it works when both colors are the main colors in my wardrobe.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Lisa, well, I am sorry you fell for the same thing, but at least I don't feel so alone! Gah.

Irina, that is true for me, too -- and I thought the cream would work because I wear two other sleeveless off-white tops a lot in summer and always need a white or off-white, as much as I need a navy. But apparently, it has to be the right off-white. Sigh...

Bijou

Veteran

Irina - thanks for starting this thread and sharing your lessons. Often it is only when others remark on these things, it makes me realise why that item is still sitting in my closet barely worn...

One of the biggest issues for me has been overbuying on patterns. I need to add more solid colours, because it makes for an easier to combine wardrobe. Not one particular item springs to mind as being 'the one' to edit - but just to be mindful of what I currently own and so whether something is a want rather than a need.