Are your best finds premeditated or just plain lucky? - YouLookFab Forum

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Are your best finds premeditated or just plain lucky?

catgirl

Veteran

Although I've recently been much more careful about my purchases, all of my recent killer finds have been randomly stumbled upon - the Joe's Jeans, the new striped BCBG jacket (which I am madly in love with right now), the Nik & Zoe blazer, the orange j. crew jacket that Jonesy suggested. I'm not sure what that means, though, other than I've gotten better at figuring out what I love in the heat of the moment.

You?

Shopping

30 replies

Latest reply was from Kari

yankeebelle

Lately I seem to stumble upon the items that have become my favorite pieces lately. Although I would say that YLF as helped me have a more open mind when I am shopping!

Diana

Veteran

Definitely lucky. Although I agree that YLF has certainly broadened my horizons and gives me a lot of inspiration to try things on. One of my favorite pieces this summer is a pair of slouchy black silk cropped pants that I found one pair of, in a perfectly fitting size, on deep discount at Anthropologie earlier this summer. But I would never have tried them on had it not been for YLF and all of Angie's fab outfits with her silky harem pants.

Ornella

(website)

Veteran

Lucky, by about 60-70%. But.

My shopping is more focused, I am eliminating quickly and deciding even quicker. I think because I don't waste time and energy on the endless options, I can actually focus and be more receptive to what's lurking from the racks and insisting on following me home

Nadya

Veteran

For me, it's a combination of both filling in needs and serendipity. E.g. knowing that a pair of black boots would improve a lot of outfits I found a stylish pair last year and they worked out great. But, because I can easily fall into a "uniform" rut I also try on things just because they catch my eye. I bought this great Tahari dress because it just caught my eye literally as I was two feet away from going into the dressing room with things on my need list. It's one of the most flattering things I own and I got a lot of compliments when I wore it.

http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/ta.....sultback=0

rae

(website)

Veteran

Almost always lucky. Whenever I make a plan, it seems to take years to find exactly what I want.

Irene

(website)

Predicted. Sometimes I wonder - what if I had something special (blue skirt, 60's pants, orange ballet flats, etc.), how could I wear it? I write about it in my diary, post some photo with similar item, tell everybody how I want it. And after some time (usually it takes two weeks to four months) I see it at the store. Beautiful. As I wanted it. Usually on sale.

Charmian

Veteran

@AG, perhaps part of the reason you're finding killer pieces serendipitously is because you're developing a more discerning eye for what will look good on you? I've certainly found that to be the case for me: clothes that I would formerly walk right by are suddenly calling me because I know they'll flatter my body the way I want it to be flattered, and clothes that might formerly make me excited are passed up ("I'm never going to make that mistake with boatnecks again!").

As for me, I'm still trying to figure out what looks killer on me ... but the pieces I love are a mixture. I'm wearing a statement necklace right now that was stumbled upon, but I stalked my boots for almost 8 months.

Aziraphale

Veteran

My best finds are definitely stumbled-upon. Except for shoes. Shoes are usually premeditated -- well, except those neat-o thong wedge sandals my mom just bought me for my birthday.

Mo

(website)

Veteran

Ha - I read this as best FRIENDS lol!! I was trying to think how you could premeditate a true friendship
I have been searching actively. The LBD, the 'wedding attendee' dress, etc. I don't really have brick and mortar browsing opportunities, though. I might have a higher percentage of just lucking out if I were out randomly browsing . . .

Lisa

Veteran

Lucky. And it's a 50/50 chance a spur of the moment purchase becomes a favorite item or not. Although my impulses have gotten better since YLF, I want to believe my phase of LOTS of purchasing and returning is winding down as I hone in on my style and likes and dislikes.

sarah

Veteran

Definitely premeditated, but only since finding YLF. I've become much more deliberate about what I "need" to fill particular wardrobe holes. For example, much of last winter I spent looking at boots on various websites trying to find the perfect combination of short shaft and wide calf. Finally I found two pairs of boots that fit me perfectly, and I love them. There was NO luck involved. I got advice from the Forum, and spent literally hours on the web. Another example is my white bootcut jeans. I looked and looked for the perfect jeans, and ordered and returned numerous pairs. Finally I found 'the ones' and they've become a definite fave.

Beth

Veteran

Both. I find if I premeditate too much I get overly rigid in my thinking and overlook options I should consider. So many of my finds fall under the influence of YLF, though. Things I'd have flipped right past on the rack in an earlier time:)

Aida

Veteran

Luck. When I have a list that is too specific I often settle just to tick it off the list, or just resort to buying a plain basic. I'm improving on that now, but it's still a shopping concern.

EDIT: Of course, that said I'm looking at MORE options than I would have pre-YLF not less so that's not a big help in terms of time nor lists

rosee

Veteran

Both working together actually. I have an idea in my head of what I need to fill a wardrobe hole, then I start looking around to find something that fits the bill. It can take a short time (Tulle jean jacket or Etsy jewelry) or considerably longer (some things have been on my list for a long time and still are).

Ex.1: Tulle jean jacket -- I decided I finally wanted to get one to wear with "girly" dresses but it had to be different from the typical western looking ones you see. I happened upon Fashion for Nerds blog and that day Audi posted the Tulle jean jacket I had to have. Searched on ebay and bought it that evening.
http://cgi.ebay.ca/ws/eBayISAP.....K:MEWNX:IT

Ex.2: cowboy boots -- have been on my "list" for years now, but they are expensive for how much I wear them. In my city, the majority has cowboy boots in their closets due to the annual Stampede Rodeo and Exhibition. I happened on a pair (dark navy ropers) that fit perfectly in a thrift store the other day -- my size, right before the Stampede -- very rare here!

Ex.3: Etsy jewelry -- did a search on Etsy for ruby jewelry to go with a dress I am wearing to a wedding in August. I like vintage styles for dress up but I don't really wear jewelry in everyday life. I was willing to settle for something not exactly my taste just to get something. I found IMO the perfect necklace and earrings set.
http://www.etsy.com/listing/74.....brass-bead

I have been influenced by YLF too, so I think I am more open to things that previously I wouldn't consider.
I do a lot of thrift shopping so most of those buys are "lucky" but I still have a preconceived notion of what I am after, even if only a slight idea.

Marley

Veteran

My best finds are ALWAYS impulse or lucky buys. The past 6 months I have tried to be more premeditated and all I can say is - yuck, I can't believe some of the things that I have bought that I really don't like all that much - and/or just don't look good on me. Today was a good example - I wore the Loft ruffled sleeveless polka dot top (something that I bought at the end of last summer when I "planned" to buy a polka dot top!) I reallly hate the way it looks on me - in fact it is going to the next So CAL swap. So Lucky/Impulse is the only way to go for me (I think!)

AJ

Veteran

Definitely lucky. I'm much more discerning though and really think about whether I need the item. Also, if the item is not a basic or filling a wardrobe hole, then I have to be doing a happy dance in the dressing room in order to buy it. : )

rute

Veteran

Lucky! It's difficult to plan a find! I was planning to find a leather caramel moto jacket but I just cant find my number!
I'm very lucky with dresses! Sometimes I go to shop for my mother or my daughter and only find dresses in my number eh eh!

Jonesy

Veteran

Mine are a mix, I'd say. Sometimes I search and search and find something perfect; other times I stumble onto something fab. Just depends :).

Scarlet

Veteran

Like any great love, you cannot see it coming.

crazyone

Veteran

for shoes, they're premeditated. For clothes, mostly luck.

lyn*

(website)

Veteran

100% luck. Usually persistence too. They're the pieces people around me will think look ugly and I insist on buying anyway :p

Girl X

(website)

Veteran

For me they're almost always a surprise find, made while searching for something specific - that I wind up finding much later when I'm looking for something else.

Di

(website)

Veteran

Every time I glance at this thread, I think it says, "Are your best FRIENDS premeditated, or just plain lucky?"

Tee hee.

But, to answer your actual question, I have a running mental list of things I think would be awesome, and so it's kind of both. I can't go out on a given day looking for a perfect white sweater, but in the back of my mind, I'm ALWAYS looking for the perfect white sweater.

MsMary

Veteran

I'm like Di in that I have a running list. And certainly, I love my navy blazer (for example) and wear it a lot. But...

My truest loves are the unexpected, the serendipitous. The pink patent Kate Spade pumps with the rainbow heels. The teal skinny jeans from Goodwill. The multicolored goes-with-everything scarf from Target.

nicoleb

(website)

Veteran

Luck. Anytime i set out with a goal i fail miserably. Or i end up with 5 extra things in an attempt to force the perfect piece.

Astrid

Veteran

For me it's both. I have some idea what I need or what I'm looking for, but I learned that it's not good for me to limit myself too much from the first. Most of the time I just go and have a look around and if something catches my eye I try it on. But like Ornela I'm faster now in deciding if something could work for me, so I don't feel as lost in the stores anymore. Although I plan more when I search for things that I personally find hard to shop for (like jeans or shoes).

Polly (thunalata)

Veteran

I'm so impressed with all of you that have 'lucky' finds (I think it means you are tuned into what is stylish and suits you).

I am still hopelessly premeditated. When I enter a shop, my eyes still start to glaze as I look at the racks and racks of options. I find it easy to find reasons that things won't suit me and much harder to stay openminded enough to identify things that might/will flatter me.

I'm a serial returner, so even when I buy and get things home I always find it easier to justify returning things than keeping them. It takes me ages to decide on something I want to buy and then find a successful version. My spontaneous buys are have so far been mostly less successful and often returned.

I aspire to joining the 'just plain lucky' brigade one day!

Barbara

Veteran

Great question, Una!

My best finds have been 100% lucky: The italian kid leather knee-high boots, the teal suede Palladium flats, THE leopard coat.

I rarely shop for something specific!

Ornella

(website)

Veteran

I've been thinking about this question a bit more over the last few days and I'd like to add to my previous my answer.

My finds are luck, but within the premeditated list.

E.g. leather moto jacket. It was on the wish/need list, but I haven't even dreamed I'd find it when I actually did. But because I know what it is I am after generally, it's easier to "recognize" it if luck brings it on my path.

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