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A year for replicating basics.

anne

Veteran

Looking into the year ahead, I am thinking I will need to replace some of the basics I bought 3 years ago, in my first YLF year. New jeans (straight and bootcut). new denim skirt, a replacement for my brown riding boots). Seems a bit boring. Hopefully something will be left in the budget for a more fashion forward look as well.

Any one else having a year like that?

General

20 replies

Latest reply was from anne

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Yup. Having lost weight, EVERYTHING has to be replaced. Started with underwear (big investment). And have been building from there.

Anne, I have found it helpful to make friends with my consignment and thrift stores. Here is what I'm trying. I'm putting money into the core basic items, such as boots, underwear, etc. I will even spring for premium denim when I find a pair I like, since jeans are such a staple of my wardrobe. In other words, my money is going towards the items I wear several times a week and consider CORE.

In the meantime, I am haunting sales for other good basics (such as a merino turtleneck, layering Ts) and taking advantage when I see low prices.

And to add some fun to the wardrobe, I'm going consignment and thrift. I have managed to stretch my budget considerably that way and buy items that I otherwise would not have been able to afford. Some are perhaps one season items, to be recycled after a year's wear; looks I am trying out, that may not turn out to be "me." Others will actually become real keepers; I've got three great jackets, a pair of boots, and a skirt that I think fall into that category, all at ridiculously low prices. They may not be this season's hottest trend, but they work for me.

Ana

(website)

Veteran

Anne, I just did this recently. I had to buy all new camis and tanks, new jeans (more than one pair this time so hopefully they will last longer), new bras and underwear, new shoes. All things that are not at all fun to buy and that I had been putting off because of it. But it does feel good when I put on these new basics, and know that I will be using them a lot.

rachylou

Veteran

Eh... thinking of the other thread and talking about things getting old... I should maybe get some new jeans, a new black skirt, and some silk *peasant* blouses.

A pair of shiny brown knee boots, with NO buckles, would be eminently useful. I have a pair I love, but they are RATE and just have a ton of buckles, which is prohibitive to wear.

qfbrenda

Veteran

My whole year has been like that since I've been building my wardrobe from scratch since April. I feel for you.

Mo

(website)

Veteran

I'm hoping to slowly replace any of the things as they wear out or I tire of them each and every year; basics, statement pieces, shoes, whatever. I think I'm good for 2012 with my basic layers and underpinnings, etc, though. Do you ever buy doubles of those basics you know you'll want again the coming year?

Anonymous

Yeah, I need new blue jeans. they're starting to feel their age ( 2 years and half) .Only after I put the white or black ones I say "I shall replace them" but as I've been SYC-ing lately I've become picky.

anne

Veteran

Thanks. Of course I am in no way in as dire as a position as Suz and Brenda. Having to replace absolutely everything would tire me out!

My first year on YLF was all about how to live as a MOTG after 5 years of pregnancy/ getting over pregnancy. Prior to having children, my casual wardrobe was tiny in the extreme. So getting basics like jeans, clams and a denim skirt was really helpful and my brown riding boots were a big step in upping the style factor.

Since then I had tried ( on a relatively small budget) to deal with other areas Last year for example I upgraded a 5 year old winter coast; the previous year I bought a puffer. The second year I bought some high heeled black boots and the next my only pair of dress worthy pumps.

This year... looks I might just be back to year one again! (and there are still other areas to mop up - workout gear, more at home wear) plus the things I have to buy every year (jumpers (sweaters), new sandals etc) And Ana's post reminds me I also have to replace camis and bras and knickers.

Suz, I like your strategy of putting the money into the basics. I am a bit scared of doing that, but I think I should try it out! Consignment shops are difficult for me because of where I live, (ie there are none, and the opshop quality isn't high) but for my fancy trendy bits I usually go to cheap youthful shops (for the aussies, I am talking TEMT and valleygirl and the like). I am also thinking of putting money into alterations - I can do simple ones myself but taking in a jacket might be beyond me.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Anne, I should have added that: many of the items I'm buying thrift or consignment (or even in regular stores) I am having altered. I've also altered some clothes that I already owned before I lost weight. Some were impossible to alter (or I didn't want to alter them) but a few could be saved, and I saved them with the help of a clever seamstress.

Sometimes the alteration costs more than the item itself, but is SO worth it. For example, I got a suede pencil skirt for $7. Really nice skirt that basically fit me very well. But to look really great it needed to be taken in about a half inch on each side. That cost me $12. For me, an overall price of less than $20 was still extremely reasonable. I am sure I will wear that skirt more than twenty times, so the cost per wear will be very low.

I'm having some jackets altered, too. The skirt is the type of alteration you might be able to do yourself; I couldn't risk it because I have no sewing machine and fewer skills! But if you can do some yourself and get help for the more complicated ones, you'll have pieces that fit you so well and that alone will make you look better!

Kate

Veteran

I must be on team basics, because this sounds exciting to me! I remember being so daunted in 2010 when I found YLF and started upgrading most of my wardrobe, but for the past year I've been having fun, even when shopping for undies, jeans, etc. It's work, but I enjoy the hunt!

Hopefully you now have the tools and perspective that can make this a far more enjoyable experience than it was when you were buying your new basics three years ago. Just imagine how many great things you're going to do while wearing your new jeans! And how your new boots are going to add a fresh twist to all of your outfits!

anne

Veteran

Kate thanks for the encouragment to see this as exciting. Now I am starting to think of how I want THIS denim skirt to look, how I won't hem the jeans too short etc.

Suz, I am really coming around to alterations. I don't know what costs would be like in Australia (probably high, as labour is expensive here) but I could find out as my sister in law works for an alterations place. And I am beginning to think it is worth it. I was trying in vain to persuade my Mum to consider alterations just last week.

AJ

Veteran

One tip from the Parisian Chic book that I'm hoping to implement is to divide your clothing budget in half. One half to spend on investment pieces that are classic and will last for years (coats, shoes, premium denim, etc.). The other half for the accessories and trends to try. I really like the idea of setting aside money for investment pieces. It seems like whenever I come across an investment piece, that month's clothing budget went to a bunch of accessories and minor basics.

Deborah

Veteran

Anne I would also encourage the alterations road. Through YLF I discovered I have great pieces in my wardrobe however some of them need tweaking to bring them up to a 10. I found a lovely dressmaker who has worlds from home and charges very reasonably. Recently I had two dresses (one new and one old) tapered to create a nice pencil skirt shape and it cost me $40.00. I felt that was pretty reasonable.

anne

Veteran

Interesting AJ. I think I kind of do that as I always think of my clothing budget in yearly terms and what I need to buy for the whole year. I don't really spend a lot on those last for several years items though, as I have a pretty small budget overall. And I am thinking that boots, jeans and a skirt could take up almost the whole winter budget, leaving nothing for current trends. And it is summer now in oz, so have to hold back enough money for next winter. Might have to increase the budget a bit and also see if I can stretch it out with vouchers etc.

Deborah, that sounds reasonable.

Vix

Veteran

Good luck Anne!

I know it's kind of a drag buying basics when it eats into the budget for more fun things (2 neutral wool cardigans vs sparkly holiday things I'm looking at you) but hey, at least we have what we need for everyday and/or the base of potentially more exciting outfits that way, right?

Everyone's shared great strategies for stretching the cash and you are so lucky/smart to be able to do some alterations yourself.

I may be mixing my Aussies up geography-wise...remind me you have more need for warm- or cool-weather clothes?

If the former you may not need too *much* more than what you have planned; if the latter I agree with you that it would be nice to have a bit more in the pot for some more zippy pieces.

anne

Veteran

Vix, the climate where I live has long hot summers and mild rainy winters. No need for snow gear or sub zero warm coats. The jeans, denim skirt and boots are coming out of the winter part of my budget.
I am budgeting for (hopefully augmented) $500 for the year Jul11-Jun12. I have already spent about $150 which, if I allow $300 for winter (say boots. $180, jeans $30 and skirt $30 and $60 for everything else) leaves me only $50 for the rest of summer. And I need new sandals (I bought some, but the heel is too high) which customarily cost me about $70.
So premium denim is almost certainly out of the question, now I have crunched the numbers. and I am thinking the skirt replacement might have to wait another year.

DH isn't cutting his work hours after all, so the budget isn't as tight. I still can't believe that $500 barely seems adequate when for years I got by on $350!

Lisa

Veteran

I think it's great to update basics. They are usually the wardrobe workhorses which means you can be really picky with the quality and fit of the items. When I try to fit my jeans ( a workhorse for me) I really focus on fit and will even get them tailored it needed. If I want something non basic, such as say a on trend top, I'm less inclined to focus on these issues because I want the quick buzz of a new piece. But this also usually means I am willing to spend less on the item and it's often not worn much, which means less cost per wear for me. My basics, they always cost me more but I whittle the cost per wear down a lot and this always makes me feel really good. I really feel I get my money's worth from my basic items.

anne

Veteran

My bootcut jeans cost me about $30 I think. I would have worn them a minimum of once a week for 8 months of the year for 3 years. That is getting to 24c a wearing. Could I really expect better PPW from premium denim?

Mo

(website)

Veteran

Wow, Anne! That's great cost per wear. I think you can find mid range denim that's really great (not $30 but certainly under $100). Most of my jeans are in this price range and I get to $1 or $2 CPW with them. I have not had to toss a pair of jeans due to them ripping or otherwise wearing out in over a decade. The styles move on before the denim wears out.

specific brands: Miss Me by MEK, Lucky, Taverniti, J Brand

some of these could be over $100 retail (J Brand and Taverniti) but I bought on eBay for half price

Anonymous

I'm doing it all too Anne, but it's the first time for me. It can be depressing to replace basics (or just *find* basics for the first time) when you're pining for something with a bit of pizazz. I think you are very wise to spend money on the things you wear the most often, and to get decent work-out wear, since that's a big part of your life. FWIW, I have tried on premium denim and it didn't give me the *premium* feeling I was expecting. Like you, I've been able to find decent jeans that are inexpensive and I don't live in fear of wearing them at home on a normal day. I'm afraid I would *save* any jeans I spent a lot of money on, totally defeating the purpose!

anne

Veteran

Thanks Mo and Claire.