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A New Challenge for Me - anyone care to join?

Transcona Shannon

Veteran

Una's latest style epiphany about purging and hoarding has prompted me to make a commitment to myself that I've been thinking about for a few weeks now (thanks Una!).

I continue to make wardrobe mistakes when I thrift. I get caught up in the "that's good enough" mentality and choose things that don't quite fit right, aren't quite the right colour, etc. And I end up buying things I don't even need.

This is becoming more and more obvious to me as I begin to purchase better quality items and strangely enough it was my purchase of my Danier Leather black leather blazer that got me thinking about this. I love that jacket and it was expensive. Wearing it makes me feel great and I want to wear it ALL THE TIME. I now see that putting off all the crappy little purchases will allow me to buy one or two better and more expensive pieces in a year that I will love to death. I am going to start approaching my wardrobe this way - buying a couple of better items per season and wearing them more frequently. There seems to be a few of us on the forum thinking this way lately.

I'm not thinking of it as a minimal wardrobe per se but more of a smarter purchasing strategy. Seriously...if you added up the dollars that I've spent on thrifting this, that and the other thing, I probably could purchase the Diane Von Furstenburg handbag that's currently sitting in my wish list!

I'm also going through my closet today to really purge the last few items that I bought (even recently bought) that I've worn once, or not at all, and know I'm not going to wear again. I want a closet full of things that I WANT to wear, not that I feel I have to wear because I feel guilty in having purchased it in the first place.

BTW - I also put clearance sales into the same category as thrifting for me.

So my challenge to myself is to NOT go into a thrift store or consignment store (unless selling there) for the remainder of the winter season (I'm thinking until March). I want to see how this feels for me - if I get "twitchy" not going to peruse the aisles. It's like an addiction I need to quit cold turkey.

Shopping

50 replies

Latest reply was from Suz

Anonymous

I am in on this challenge. I usually shop after the Holiday season, but I can commit to not shopping for the remainder of the winter season. March 1st.

Just making this commitment is causing me to break out in a cold sweat though. I wonder what that says about me?

bj1111

Veteran

sat out the black fri/cyber monday sales. planning to sit out nordies 10 point days.

saving pennies for a helmut lang lbd and, of course, some shoes.

Transcona Shannon

Veteran

Just to be clear - I'm not saying I won't shop until March. This isn't a SYC. Just that I'm not going to shop in thrift stores. If I truly want or need something (like replacing my old ponte knit sheath dress) I will still buy it, just not at a thrift store.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Shannon, I know exactly what you are talking about!

For me, it's not thrift stores so much. It's the Marshall's-TJMaxx-discount danger zone. I buy a fun item for $15, wear it once or twice and meh, I'm over it. That's not such a bad thing for someone with disposable income who likes to try new things in fashion, but add it all up, and it does make me think twice.

I've gotten better about this. I was running errands the other day and popped into one of my discount danger zones. I tried on three things, all of which were "fine" -- they fit and looked acceptable. But they didn't excite me or fill any wardrobe holes, so I left them behind. A few years ago I may not have done that so easily.

But that crazy expensive Iro blue leather moto jacket? I wore that yesterday and the darn thing makes me feel like a million bucks. It was an unplanned purchase, but I did a lot of soul-searching before I pulled the trigger on that one. The more expensive something is, the more careful I am, especially if it's being purchased somewhere other than Nordstrom where I know I can easily return any mistakes!

Anonymous

Shannon -- one way I have avoided shopping is to go to web sites and put as many items as I desire into the cart. I can shop all night long and fill my cart with wonderful, wonderful pieces that I truly salivate over. After about a week, I return and review my cart. I find that most of the pieces in my cart no longer interest me in the least. The one or two pieces that I still want I tend to purchase. This has helped my shopping addiction a lot. I still shop but I seem to make better choices.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Cold turkey. WOW.

I have stuff to drop off at consignment soon....I don't know if I can prevent myself from at minimum peeking....

I have actually tried to go about this the opposite way. By which I mean, instead of telling myself not to buy anything from thrift or consignment....I instructed myself to make several pricier, higher quality purchases.

Even THOSE I had to buy on sale, mind you....old habits die hard.

BUT...I made them. I bought:

A navy turtleneck by Theory
A pair of moto pants by Theory
My slouchy trousers
My Brooks Brothers shirt
An AT stretch silk shirt
Striped cashmere sweater

(Those I know I am keeping)

A wool dress by Theory (not sure if it will work as it has not arrived)
Brocade jeans (ditto)

Even having done this, and even being a regular purger, I STILL have items that I am sorry to have bought, that just don't work. Like a cheaper sweater I couldn't resist when I bought some of the aforementioned expensive items. I loved it for its shape and colour and in the store it SEEMED good. But it is not. It bagged out on first wearing and I hate it.

I guess there are always going to be some purchasing mistakes like that; you can't always tell in advance.

MNsara

Veteran

Go Shannon!

I always think of purging as liberating, and purging things that are sort of annoying or not quite right should be extra liberating. It's not as if you're clearing out so much that you're in danger of 'nothing to wear'.

I used to be able to tell myself that if I avoided adding more clothes (that will beg or guilt me to be worn), that I'd get to wear what I already know I like more often. I need to remind myself of that.

I've been letting go of a lot of shoes/boots/purses/jackets/etc. on Ebay and finding I'm saying 'worn once' or 'worn twice'. Because in that one or two wearings it was clear to me that they had something that didn't work right for me (heel height, shoe width, color, snugness,. . .)

So, your two pronged attack of purging and staying away from the slippery slope of 'great deals' will be interesting to follow

Anonymous

I understand Shannon. We'll make better, smarter purchases.

bj1111

Veteran

i know exactly what you are talking about. my response is basically yours, i can't be tempted to get the imperfect if i'm not out ther "looking" and i don't get "shopped out" and grab the good-enough because i'm tired of looking and have to have something for my effort.

Mo

(website)

Veteran

Cheering you on! I am more the discount junkie, like Janet, but because of having no car, that hasn't been an issue this last few months. EBay is my closest danger zone and I will steer clear along with you!
I am heading into my 12 for 12 anyway. The Dansko shoes were sort of gear, really; needed for my work uniform. I am looking ahead to my True Religion BF jeans, so no veering off course if I'm going to afford those babies!

EDIT: and I've been a purging machine this year

Astrid

Veteran

Yes, I understand you completely! We don't have great consignement stores here, but I'm always tempted by sales to buy things just because they are marked down, especially because I have a tight budget. I'm always hesitating with pricier things because those really need to be workhorses for me and I'm afraid to buy the wrong thing. I'm not quite sure what to do about this, because just stopping isn't really a solution for me.

lynne

Veteran

I'm in. I'm tired of things that just sit there, but were "great bargains". Its not so great if you don't wear them.

Krys

There is a Goodwill down the street from me and I know the danger. I also know that it is possible to buy something fabulous for full price after careful consideration and still find it's not what it was cracked up to be. Fashion is so mutable these days that things that are still "in" end up in thrift stores. I like to "test drive" a style in a cheap version from GW to see if I like it before I invest in a better quality version. Good luck Shannon!!

Anonymous

I'm ready to do this too, realizing just today that the pieces I love and want to wear the most are those that I fell in love with and bought full price or nearly so. Most are several years old now, rewards for weight loss, but still feel just as fab.
Those "bargains" add up quickly and I'm ready to save for better things. Like Suz, I've decided to go ahead and get some of the great things I know I'll use, like the SE pyton booties. They keep me from spending on the impulse buys because I've already spent.

JR

Veteran

I sympathize, but I won't be joining you just yet. I still need to do too much shopping to be able to pay full price, especially when I'm not quite sure what shape body I will end up with. So it's cheapies for me for a while yet.

Except, of course, for a leather jacket I am thinking of buying myself as a reward. Hubby hasn't heard about that one yet though... LOL! (Heck, even then, I will probably try to get a killer deal.)

catgirl

Veteran

Great challenge, Shannon. I have not had time to thrift recently! I am humbled to have inspired a challenge, although what I've really been doing is spending a lot more. My version of this challenge is going to be the 12 x 12 version - no more than one item a month from January on. I have filled my closet with many wonderful items, and now I need to put hem to the test. Because of I'm equally fickle with pricey perfect stuff, then I need to come up with a better strategy or use my money for a therapist! Xoxo

ManidipaM

Veteran

Shannon, this is a very interesting challenge --- good luck! I'll be watching with interest, particularly because I know that despite mistakes, you've also had some awesome good luck with thrifting and the retro element of your style makes it an especially suitable avenue for you. AND you've said before that SYC is hard for you, so this does require flexing some of the same muscles... making it a real 'Challenge'.

I've been doing something similar, for myself---but it has been enjoined by necessity more than will-power. I used to stock up on a few things at the seasonal sales a couple of times a year, often buying for *next* season and risking an out-dated purchase by the time I got to wearing it... But this year, since I have no way to predict how much my body and my lifestyle will change in the months ahead, I've pretty much sat on my hands over many a temptation.

The hardest part has been avoiding the SHOE sales, which I fear I might just have justified shopping, because that's the least changeable body part at the moment---but really, it is *not* ideal to shop for shoes and bags now either, because said accessories will need to work with new clothing and perhaps new style requirements entirely. So far, so good...! Wish me luck too.

Jenava

(website)

Veteran

Ooh, GREAT challenge! I am at the point where I won't need to buy anything until next season - all the items on my wish/need list are crossed off (the last item - a tweed jacket - I purchased just yesterday at the Seattle meet-up). And, next year we want to invest in some nice long trips, so I need to save money for that! I've pulled my clothing budget down to $250 per month, which is very tiny for me, and I should manage it. The idea of just saving up and buying one very beautiful, cherished items appeals to me, because I feel like that's how I'll make the most of my smaller budget - I don't want to waste it on multiple cheaper items!

Transcona Shannon

Veteran

Love the support here ladies - thank you!

Janet - good for you for leaving the "not so great" items at the store. And I totally get the more expensive an item is, the more careful you are. That's exactly what my black leather jacket was. It was $400 and I thought about it for over a month before I pulled the trigger - and I don't regret it one darned bit!

Suz - yep, there will always be purchasing mistakes. I just want to limit mine.

MNSara - I made my first eBay purchase a couple of weeks ago and was thrilled with the item. I will definitely have to stay away from there as well - thanks for the reminder!

Mary - exactly...better, smarter purchases. That's what I'm looking for.

bj111 - that's precisely it - if i stay away from the thrift stores, I won't be bringing home something I don't really need.

Mo - I totally admire your will power and resolve to stick with your plans and budget. You are one who inspires me with this.

lynne - "it's not so great if you don't wear them". Amen!

Krys - I have definitely purchased test items at thrift stores as well, until I'm sure the trend is something I'll wear. I'm not really sure how I'm going to approach this issue yet - any ideas?

Joy - excellent point. If we've already spent on the items we really wanted, there's nothing left in the budget for thrift items is there? I like that way of thinking. And so glad you ordered the python booties - you are going to love them!

Una - I suspect by the end of the year, I will have spent more too because of this exercise. But I will have spent more wisely, on things I truly love, that fit well, that work with my wardrobe and that I wear over and over. So in the end, it's smarter don't you think? I'm not looking at this challenge so much as a cost saving measure but more as a "wastage saving measure", you know?

Thanks Astrid, JR, Manidipa and Jenava! I've enjoyed reading your thoughts on this.

annagybe

(website)

Veteran

I think I'm the opposite. I need to realize that I don't need the very expensive, of the moment, original designer item. If I wait a little bit there will be a down market or fast fashion version for much, much less. And sometimes if I wait long enough I can get the original on sale, eg my fireworks moto. Although sometimes I'll miss out on items too. I don't need to get everything that catches my fancy.

lyn*

(website)

Veteran

You go, Shannon! I'm not sure if I can join you, because I really really really like a deal and need to be cut off cold-turkey too! I wonder if I really like most of the things I buy

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Shannon, maybe you could make an exception strictly for items or styles that you are hoping to test drive?

But that might be too risky, putting you in temptation's way.

Another way of test-driving, of course, is simply to try stuff on and show us here...and then take it back. You know...if a style appeals but you are not sure you want to spend real money on it. That is essentially what I did with my slouchy trousers. True, I also scoured Winners to buy them there vs. paying full price, but you know, they were a lot pricier than others I saw at Zara, even on the sale rack. But I made sure I could return them if I didn't like them, and waited to try them for you all here.

Caro in Oz

Veteran

I'm so with you on this. I've stopped buying consignment, thrifting & sales because like you I had a tendency to settle. When I spend $$ I'm much more picky.

Anonymous

Suz makes another good point. Thrifting and clearance sales are often my way of testing the waters with something new to my style. Example: black leather pants I just posted. I'm definitely not confident with myself in black leather pants to buy at full price.

Raisin

Veteran

Good idea Shannon. This is the sort of thing I've been doing for a while. I really try to eliminate the OK purchases in favor of getting something I really, really want.

Ingunn

(website)

Veteran

How interesting, Shannon! I'm pondering on this, too, and I'm very tempted to try a year of 12x12. I do have holes in my wardrobe, still, but I also make mistakes with my "bargains". Maybe trying to buy less, but better will help?

Thank you for starting this thread, I'll follow the development in the challenge with interest!

Transcona Shannon

Veteran

Suz - you do indeed bring up a good point. And I guess my recent consignment purchase of the floral jeans is a good example of this type of "test" shopping. I wanted to try the floral jeans trend but not pay big bucks in case I found it wasn't really for me. I'm thrilled with the ones I found (although next wearing will NOT be with the Cookie Monster sweater - lol!).

Oh shoot - I just thought of another one - my chunky fisherman knit sweater was a Value Village find....oh dear....now what???

Suz

(website)

Veteran

See...that's the thing.

I have pieces just like that....trends I wanted to try but not spend a lot on. Sometimes not even "trends" per se. Maybe items that I just wouldn't have shelled out real money for but really enjoy having....for example, the suede pencil skirt I got for $7 and had altered for another $10....I only wear it about 5 or 6 times per year, but wow, do I enjoy having it. Would I have paid $300 for it new? No way. Just can't justify the cost.

Ditto on my denim military style jacket. I would never have bought it at full price, even if full price were only $40. And because its season is short where I live, I will probably only wear it about 10 times a year. But it has already WELL justified the $6 I spent on it.

In particular, you've scored BRILLIANTLY on accessories at thrift shops and consignment.

My thought is this: Did you not at one time have a sort of "mad money" thrifting/ consignment budget, set aside especially for those shops? $20 a month, correct?

Well....what if you allow yourself to keep that thrifting budget. But here is the wrinkle. You go into the stores....maybe you buy something FANTASTIC and wear it constantly. Great! Or maybe you buy something that is a sort of "test" and you find it doesn't work out so well....you wear it once or twice and decide it is not up to your standard. No biggie. Let it go.

On the other hand, maybe you ALSO go into the stores with the knowledge that if you don't spend that month's money, you will put it into a special account. Whatever is leftover at the end of the year allows you to buy (or put money towards) a special item you would like new, at full price.

Does that make sense?

Transcona Shannon

Veteran

Suz - YOU ARE BRILLIANT!!! I need to hire you as my therapist AND my financial advisor! That makes perfect sense. And I think you're right. I have scored many great items (just thought of another one...my Calvin Klein skinny black cigarette trousers) at Value Village.

So I will stick with my $20 per month for thrifting PLUS my thrifting items MUST be perfect fitting and work well for me - they can't be just "ok". Do you think that will work? It will require more willpower on my part I think.

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