A year of shopping - 2013 - YouLookFab Forum

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A year of shopping - 2013

Mo

(website)

Veteran

As 2013 comes to a close, I'm eyeing my clothing purchases and comparing to last year. I'm at 34 - 36 items, give or take (not sure to include lounge top or cami, and bras). Last year I had 57 purchases. Most Americans make 60 clothing purchases on average each year, so I've read.
Before I go patting myself on the back, I started with a 12 for 12 goal, with the thought that it would very likely end up 24 for 12. I passed even that by. Sigh.
To put it in perspective, last year I was averaging a purchase about every 5 or 6 days. Wow. This year I've reduced the rate by half. If extrapolated, I am at an item every 10 days or so. That's still pretty frequent.
Hoping the step down in frequency/amount can be continued, I would like next year to come in at 18 - 20 items. 20 days between purchases on average. That sounds like enough to update and replace, but not like I'm still on some crazy merry go round of shopping.

2013's shopping plan was a great template for me, even though it did expand after moving here to FL (which I really did not expect at the start of the year when making this plan). I foresee 2014 being another very good shopping year. I have a plan and some goodies in mind and am excited at the prospect of updating and upgrading my wardrobe in a manageable way.

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40 replies

Latest reply was from Isabel

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Wow, as usual your analysis is so impressive. To break it down by averaging the number of days between purchases is a really interesting way to look at things. Fascinating. I will have to do my own count. I fear my numbers are way, way higher than yours! But then I am still in wardrobe building, I guess. I hope that gives me an excuse.

Mo

(website)

Veteran

What strikes me is the thought that I'm not shopping that much and then realize I'm buying stuff that often, on average.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

I KNOW!! It's freaky, isn't it. So important to acknowledge, too.

deb

Veteran

Do you think the purchase and return system plays games with our heads? We think we are keeping far less than we actually are.

Mo

(website)

Veteran

Good point Deb! I do know my rate of purchasing increases when I come to FL, which makes sense given the extra free time compared to CA.

Lisa

Veteran

A great analysis. The longest I've been able to go without shopping this past year is 30 days. Then I always seem to find something to purchase, even if it's just a new pair of socks. I am hoping next year I do better than this and go longer without shopping. I always admire when I hear of someone who shops only a few times a year, but I just haven't been able to do so yet for myself.

Jewell

Veteran

I love how you analyze your shopping habits on an ongoing basis. You may have overshot the 24 item max by 10 or so items, but you came in 20+ items under last year's total. Is your wardrobe expanding as a result of these purchases, or are you 1N1Oing to maintain the size?

I haven't crunched my numbers yet, but I know that I did much less shopping/purchasing this year. I'm off the merry go round, too since I'm no longer in the wardbrobe building stage. I'd say my current stage is wardrobe refining. Right now, I'm trying to complete my year-end cull, so I can set some shopping and style goals for next year. I realized in 2013 that the 12 for 12 goal is still not a reasonable amount for me. I'm now leaning more toward your suggestion of 24 for 12 with fingers crossed that I come in well under that number.

fern

Veteran

I attempted a similar plan in 2013, with similar results. Planning and tracking my shopping was really interesting. I too feel like I cut down on shopping in 2013 and yet it still added up to several pieces per month.

One thing I really like about having a plan is I get time to digest what I really need from an item. Writing it all down, attempting to keep to my self-imposed limit, helped me prioritize, because the 21st thing I wanted had to knock something off the 20-item plan - in theory - of course, in practice my plan grew a little bit.

Yes, Suz, I like the size of my wardrobe now so I think 20ish annual purchases is my maintenance mode.

Mo

(website)

Veteran

Yes, it's just having a plan that's helpful for me, even though I end up deviating some.
I did do some purging that likely equated to similar clothing numbers, but didn't do a dress for dress, pant for pant, strict 1 in 1 out.
I have to agree that 12 items is just too few for me, but I also realize 30+ is more than I need. Hoping next year finds that very happy balance.

bj1111

Veteran

mo. you are so analytic with your clothing choices and with the end of year reflections. you really are a scientist in a bartender's body.

isn't it weird about one clothing item / 10 days. especially since i tend to more vividly remember the returns than the keepers. i think i've returned everything so i didn't buy that much right?

minimalist

Veteran

Mo, I'm fascinated by your accounting-style insight. Thanks for sharing it so clearly.

Number-wise, I've purchased a lot in a few short months, and I'm still only on lounge capsules.

jayne

Veteran

Great job coming down on number of purchases. It really is a bit of an addiction, the fashion merry go round. I purchased way more than you but still got a 20% reduction from the year before in monetary terms, and even 30% in numbers. Which means, I paid more for each item purchased, and bought less items. Which was a goal for me. Buy less crap, buy less in general, but when buying, buy quality and expect to keep it.

I am going to try and reduce another 20% in items this year. I think that is the better number to focus on, and not mess with the budget. But I do think I will focus on two specific purchasing areas. I have seen that you already have quite a few items picked out for next year. Does that help you keep numbers down, knowing what you want already?

I feel I try that and then get distracted by the new pretty color or fashion...and then end up buying more there. DO you have room for distractions?

Anonymous

You have inspired me to count my purchases. I never thought about it in terms of buying something every X number of days.

Mo

(website)

Veteran

Jayne, I do have room for distractions, and do alter the list as the year goes on. I have a basic plan, though. For instance, right now my leather panel jeans may become suede skinnies, or snakeskin texture jeans depending on what is available, in my budget, and really makes my heart jump a beat. But the idea behind the pant is a chic, edgy rocker look.
I like having a list of goodies to look forward to finding. Sometimes they are off schedule, way ahead or behind when I've thought they'd come around, season-wise, but again, I adjust
I'm sticking with the same budget, like you, and aiming for reduced amount, resulting in fewer, hopefully better quality, items.

jayne

Veteran

Good luck...you know I'll eagerly await the updates.

ManidipaM

Veteran

Mo, you know I.love your number posts and this one just froke me out yes it is freaky that we buy clothes that often!

I started with a 12 for 12 goal too and was doing okay in the first half of the year. But then I thought I would be back in at least early pregnancy sizes by now. The body and the baby have other ideas. My wardrobe got smaller because nosy little M will go after buttons and ties with a vengeance. Should have known. And because the belly is still postpartum girth. Might have known.

Now that wasn't to give myself a free pass because these make long-term investments an even worse idea. All I can say is that boredom and laundry bottlenecks were getting me down. So I went overboard.

I got the winter cardigan and two sweaters (3) early this year and the cardi has been a workhorse, the mohair sweater is not very baby-friendly since it Little M wants to practice his pincer grip on the fluff(!) And the other sweater got munched by a mouse while we moved and is awaiting repairs(!).

The knit tunic and sweater tights bought at the same time have been golden (2).

The boots are great (1). But not waterproof. The oxfords have been fun (1) and were worn a ton.

I failed to find the wrap dress and bag on my list (-2) but did get thermals (counting set as 1). I did find and wear my denim shirt/vest plenty (1) and likewise my cotton cardigan (1).

But I then bought 3 new tunics to work with existing Indian-style pants (salwars) and leggings, which brings me up to 11. And a fun but not-perfect skirt, so 12. And a couple of summer tops...14. And an extra sleeved peasant blouse...15. And the track pants that failed or it would have been 16. Except it was because I found the HEWI polarised tortoiseshell-ish pointy-framed sunnies. And there was the navy layering tee that proved too short... 17. And I still have holes in my wardrobe, especially the lower half!

And now I am scared stiff to plan for next year when I thought I would only need to refresh and not plug holes!

Mo

(website)

Veteran

I think you did really well, actually! If it makes you feel better, I thought I would only be refreshing, too. I had replacements in this year's list I hadn't banked on. Black cargo skirt that was longer, new white cami when the dryer had eaten the strap on my old favorite, neutral flats once I purged the ones that were not really my style, etc.
One thing I did do for myself was list a separate category of basics that I want to get once a year, to keep a fresh rotation -a bra, a workout outfit, a lounge outfit, and a sleep set. This way I won't have to buy 4 running shirts when I realize they've all worn out from when I built up my running capsule 4 years ago and then just ignored it, for example.

Catnip

Veteran

Mo, this a terrific analysis!

So far this year, I've bought and kept 40 items. I counted the 10 pairs of socks as one item. This is a little disappointing because I'm trying to build my wardrobe and have several holes that are causing problems. I need a lot more clothes!

I also looked at each purchase and thought about how much I like it and actually wear it. It turns out that I really love 37 of the items and wear them all the time. Well, I love the black socks as much as it is possible to love basic black socks that fit well and stay up. One of the "mistakes" is a pair of shoes that just aren't as comfortable for long distance walking as I had hoped they would be. The corduroy jeans haven't been worn that much because it hasn't been cold enough to wear them a lot yet. One pair of shoes was bought in desperation, which I can now see was a mistake. They're OK, but a little too boring.

Let's not forget the year is not over! When the things I've ordered online arrive, perhaps I can get the number up to 42.

Mo

(website)

Veteran

Lol - I might squeeze in one more purchase, too! But I also might return the foil top, so I'd still be at the same number.
I found out my mistakes were dresses. I bought 4. The most recent to replace the first one I'd bought earlier in the year online that was a size too big. I wore it anyway and then purged it upon moving here. Both red dresses. Had my heart set on a red dress.
The other 2 were a hi low maxi and my DVF wrap. Wore the wrap on my B-day and haven't worn the maxi yet! I know I'll keep the DVF for years and it's more special occasion for me, so I don't consider that a mistake, but most of the others I do. It's not that I don't wear dresses. It's that I wear much more casual ones, that are wovens and poly and 'toss in the wash' and don't worry about them kind of things. Live and learn!

CocoLion

(website)

Veteran

Good job Mo. I think you are the model of planning and restraint (at least compared to me), while still looking great.

I do think shopping frequency. I believe I might make as many on line orders as 3 per month, usually with more than one item per box. So I do think about "when was the last time I hit the buy button" -- that seems to be an internal meter I have to stave off some of the fashion and shopping lust. My other technique is to purchase a Visa or Am Ex gift card when I have extra cash, and use that for on-line shopping. When it's gone, it's gone.

Then there's B&M shopping, where I use cash but I have far fewer opportunities to get into trouble that way as I only have a handful of days per year when I go to a store.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Ugh. So. I just counted. Not counting underwear, and not counting a few items that I may have worn a few times but passed on, I purchased 65 items this year (unless I have forgotten something.) Of those, I could probably in fairness to myself take a few off the list as they were total misses -- a couple of Loft tees which mysteriously self-destructed after only one wear!

That would put me at your American average. But even so....that is a purchase every 5 or 6 days. Yikes!

Granted, I'm wardrobe building still. Many of these purchases are for core wardrobe items like denim and boots, some of which I won't be replacing for the next few years. Others were for special occasion wear that was needed for specific events. And I wore pretty much everything else into the ground. But still.

I'm going to be watching myself more carefully this year thanks to your example. I also think I'm in a better place to do this since the core of both seasonal wardrobes is now in place -- it's a question of upgrading and improving, not of filling the closet with enough items to get me through until wash day or to take me through my various activities.

Mo

(website)

Veteran

Suz, to your point, building a wardrobe is I think a whole different animal, and in no way do I want to imply how much one 'should' be shopping! I thought I was at a pretty good place where all I was looking for was refreshers, and yet - still a lot of purchases. Very enlightening!
I expect to buy an item or 2 a month from here to eternity honestly, because I like to have current looks, if not cutting edge trends. I just don't need to go beyond that, for my lifestyle and wearing patterns, or I just won't get use value out of my clothing. Period.

Alassë

Veteran

Yes, I've disgusted myself 2 years running with totals in the low 60s, therefore average American/buying every 5 days. Wow. I'm no longer wardrobe upgrading, except for sweaters, but I think I found the reason: half my purchases tend to be likes, whether spur of the moment or long planned, rather than wardrobe essentials/basics. I'm not having any luck cutting down in that area because sometimes these are wardrobe loves. Suggestions, anyone?

And thank you for another Mo-nalysis post. I always enjoy.

Lyn D.

Veteran

Hi Mo- I always enjoy your posts!
I had a budget rather than number aim for this year, but ended up exceeding by more than 50%
I did note every purchase and barely a week went by without one too, although I purged a similar amount, and actually have fewer shoes and jackets than I started with.
I am aiming for 6 items per season with this year's budget in 2014.
Hopefully we can help to keep each other on track next year

Mo

(website)

Veteran

Whoops Lyn! I also have a loose budget in mind and I found myself keeping very much in line with it. Funny, because my idea this year was to focus on number of items instead of dollars, but it seems I'm hardwired to the dollar amount anyway. Onwards and upwards for next year! Right?

Alasse, chuckling at Mo-nalysis! My BF coins Mo terms all the time. I had to share that with him.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

I think a budget is truly a better way to go than counting items.

But now that I am close to a one-in-one-out place in the closet, counting makes a certain amount of sense as well.

Lyn raised a really good point about the purges. I also purged more than I bought. So I have a smaller (but better working) closet despite all that buying. Still, I can't continue to buy at that pace. I had better hope I really love some of the items I have purchased! And that they wear well.

Mo

(website)

Veteran

Suz, yes and no on the budget vs amounts. For some of us, ahem, cough cough, we can stretch that $100 into 8 or 9 things to have more goodies, variety, fun!! But, yeah, next year they are all worn out and it's time to start over. And continue to drool over, say, leather pants we could 'never' afford. See where I'm going?

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Ah! Yeah, I get it. For me it works a bit differently since I tend to buy pricier (which comes with its own set of issues, LOL.)

rachylou

Veteran

I love that you track the numbers, Mo. I'm pretty sure I buy an item of clothing every week too on the average. If not more.

I think part of my thing is the hunt, keeping up with what's out there and being afraid it won't keep (which it often doesn't). The other is, I have a pretty hard time with imagining the whole year ahead. I can't even shop for groceries on a weekly basis, because what I'll eat on the day of is always a surprise to me.

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