Am I overbuying or stocking up? - YouLookFab Forum

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Am I overbuying or stocking up?

Peri

Veteran

I'm still loving the longer, looser tops trend, even though most often I don't wear them with the standard skinnies/leggings and boots they were made for. Lately in stores I've noticed shorter sweaters making quite a comeback, with the shorter lengths being almost more plentiful than the longer ones. I know that is due to boot cuts and flares also coming back...contrary as usual, I wear my boot cuts with the longer tops. I just feel happier with lengths that cover the tushie...maybe I need a good shrink instead of a shopping spree.

Anyway, after not seeing anything I wanted to buy for a few months, lately I've been hunting for...and finding...some long sweaters I do like. I've bought 3 and ordered several more. I am so picky I'm unlikely keep all I've ordered, but I could well end up with 5 or 6 new sweaters.

I have the budget and the closet room since I'm low moderate in terms of closet numbers. I do remember Angie saying in a few posts that when "your" colors are available or when styles are hitting your happiness zone, that you should stock up while you can. My concern is wondering whether the long tops are going to start looking dated very soon now that shorter lengths are showing up more? Are there a few more years of life in the long top look or should I stop buying and start looking for that therapist?!

General

20 replies

Latest reply was from Glory

Bonnie

Veteran

I hope long tops will be around for a long time because I love them, too.

CocoLion

(website)

Veteran

I think the short tops coincide with higher rises. Whether worn with skinnies or flares. But -- another major trend is leggings and longer tops are required for those. So I wouldn't fear longer tops going out of style for a while. However, Angie would be the ultimate judge of this.

Anonymous

If you need a therapist, sign me up too. I too often sit behind women whose pants stick to their rear and BC when they stand up after sitting. I have been buying longer tops to cover the area. I suppose woven tops can be shortened but sweaters may be more difficult. Thank you for posing the question.

Gaylene

Veteran

I hear you because I've wrestled with the same dilemma. After having regretted not stocking up AND over buying, I've realized my best recourse is to use cold, hard logic:

How much of my clothing budget do I CHOOSE to allocate to this clothing category at this time?

How many ____ do I NEED in my closet at any one time? Do I WANT to allocate more closet space to ______ at this time? Will it bother me to see items I can't regularly wear hanging in my closet?

If I put duplicates in storage, how long will I hoard this items until they see the light of day? Is hoarding a reasonable, rational way to handle this situation?

Based on past experience, am I likely to want to tweak my style in a year or two? Will all of my "stockpiled" pieces be equal in their potential to making it through a revised style filter?

Finally, how stable is my lifestyle and needs? If my circumstances change or evolve, will I need to adapt my style to fit my new situation. In my case, retirement, downsizing, and a move to a different ciiy and climate meant an almost total wardrobe overhaul in the space of a few years.

Figuring out my answers to these questions really helped me sort through my own "duplication" issues. I now duplicate, or stock up, in only very specific situations.

Elizabeth P

Veteran

Nobody could top what Gaylene said about figuring out your numbers...

Re the longer sweater thing, I think that if a silhouette suits your body type, then it will always be the right thing for you to wear, regardless of trends. Cuz it'll look good. So I wouldn't worry about that. I'm in the same boat - longer sweaters are more flattering on me, so I intend to keep wearing them regardless.

Given we seem to like the same sweaters, I'd love for you to post what you've found!

(And the leggings haven't arrived yet, I haven't forgotten about you)

catgirl

Veteran

Heh. Your post about finding tunics sent me into a tailspin/panic! Sometimes I will be shopping for an item and realize I'm wearing something almost identical... Then I wonder should I branch out or just keep repeating? This tends to be the case with tunic sweaters and skinnies or shift/sack dresses and black booties.

Are you feeling at all tired of anything you have and want to duplicate, or does it truly feel like your signature style? If so, then keep it up. Especially with hard to find colors, I grab when I can!

krishnidoux

Veteran

I understand your enthusiasm. You'll certainly cool off a little when you get your purchases, and decide which ones you return. However, I do think like Cocolion that long tops are here to stay. They are always fashionable with a skinny leg and a huge scarf.

Volume on volume is another interesting, trendy use for long knit tops. Worn over (flowing) Palazzos and a heel, or over a midi length bohemian skirt and boots/booties, over gauchos or culottes, they can create an attractive, timeless silhouette.

Below a few images to illustrate what I mean.

This post has 10 photos. Photos uploaded by this member are only visible to other logged in members.

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kerlyn

Veteran

I sure hope they're here to stay. I bought several long sweaters and tunics this fall, and I'm really loving throwing them on with skinnies, leggings, or even bootcuts.

Joyce B

Veteran

Your post and the replies are very interesting. I hope long tops stay but I think short ones are coming back. The only thing that can save the situation is that nowadays you can pretty much wear what you like and it's all good.
I see what you say about duplication, even if you love the look, how many of the same item does one really need.

Firecracker (Sharan)

Veteran

I'm for buying what you love when it's available, but not buying more than you can wear now. (Personally, buying something and setting it aside for when my current ones wear out just doesn't work; I don't wear out clothes fast enough to do that.) But I wonder if you might not also try some shorter sweaters over your long tunics. That's a look I really like, and so I'm on the lookout for cropped sweaters as well as long tunics.

Sal

Veteran

I have got it wrong both ways!! I have overpurchased and fallen out of love with a trend - and I have under-purchased and been left a little short.

I think longer tops can be worn in such a variety of ways that it should be okay. And I know you have had a "lean" buying patch and been unable to find items that you do like.

My biggest mistakes have been going along with a trend in the wrong way - for example I bought two or three boxy tunics about 5 years ago (to wear with leggings). None of them suited me, neither did the ballet flats that I wore with the look. At the time I loved the looks on my friends and I was a lemming.

Alassë

Veteran

I second Elizabeth P's 2nd paragraph. Great thread!

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Buying up your colours when they are fashionable is one thing - but overdosing on the same silhouette in those colours is quite another. I vote don't overdose and be very careful when adding the duplications. Who knows what you will feel like wearing next year.

Peri

Veteran

Thanks for all the replies, and Angie for chiming in!

What I should clarify is I don't mean duplicating. I'm not buying two of anything. I'm talking through a concern about what Angie said...overdosing on a silhouette. And I guess the line that crosses into that is different for everyone. How many sweaters is too many? For cold(ish) weather I currently have 9. Our cold season is usually about 4 months, although tell that to the current heat wave. I don't have an office job, so I don't see the same people everyday and can get away with more outfit repeats than most people can. I don't aspire to minimalism for any philosophical, budget or space reasons, I'm just usually not much of a shopper so I don't have an overflowing closet. If I love everything I've ordered that will put me at 15 sweaters, all on the long side. Some cashmere, but what I've ordered is to address a need for less cold days. I doubt I love everything I've ordered...that would be a first!

I do think I need to look for a few shorter ones. I tried putting my longer ones with skirts last week and just can't get that right. I've seen it look good on others, but something was off for me. Subject of another post when I have picture taking time!

So, okay! There may be some K/Rs posts coming to keep me on track and make sure I keep only the best. But if I find some 10s I think I am safe to add to my 9. I like what Elizabeth and Alaskagirl say...for now long tops feel like my signature style and comfort zone and I don't feel antsy for any change. But I will definitely take the advice not to go too far.

anne

Veteran

Peri, for you - an underbuyer, who hasn't bought much for a while, and is "unlikely to keep all of them" - I wouldn't worry too much!

I love the coziness and warmth of the long sweater, and I reckon even if I stopped wearing them out for fashion reasons that I'd keep using them at home, so would keep using them. So long you had the budget to buy some other stuff if you want to change track, that is.

gryffin

Veteran

Peri - I have a very consistent style that requires tunics/tunic sweaters. So I totally get this. I also don't want to ration my tunics and the only way I can be sure I have enough is duplication and as much variety as I can get. If you know you love a style, it is rarely available, you find a veritable feast, you really love the pieces and you know your style is consistent, they I would stock up to where you feel comfortable. Where that is, only you can know. Take this from Princess Duplication who specializes in building redundancy into the system. Have I rarely donated things I have not used, yes, but having them allowed me peace and to totally enjoy and use what I had. No regrets although I try for that sweet spot of being ready for a change when all are worn out!

Karie

(website)

Veteran

I only buy what I'm going to wear right now, but I will duplicate an item I already own if I totally love it and am positive I'm going to wear it again next time the season rolls around.

I just purchased a few long tunics too, and I hope they'll be in style for awhile!

Maneera

(website)

Veteran

Even though I love a lot of variety in silhouettes, I grab all tunic style tops/sweaters that I like & fit me well. Like others say before me - tunics will always look current with leggings and skinny jeans. If your style is pretty consistent, I see no harm in buying a few extra so that you don't have to worry about sourcing them when your favourites are worn out (and the frustration when you find out most stores no longer carry the style).

And if you find yourself desiring shorter tops in the near future, you can always get the tops hemmed to the right length. Long tops can become shorter.....so go ahead and buy those tunics.

Beth Ann

Veteran

I second Anne -- from what I've seen of your purchasing, you try more items than you keep. It sounds like you have enough sweaters in your closet, but not too many, if that makes sense. You also seem to be fairly focused on just what works for you, in color, silhouette and fit.

I bet your gut will tell you whether to keep them or not when you try them with current wardrobe items.

Glory

Veteran

Once they arrive keep what you really love. Likely it will balance out in the long run.