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Ask Angie: How Does One Do A Seasonal Shop

Anonymous

Hi Angie and Others;

I committed to changing my buying habits in 2017. My goal was to stop shopping throughout the year and commit to two large seasonal shops.

I started my first seasonal shop on March 27th with the intent of shopping the entire month of April. Having never tried this approach, this felt right. I did a lot of prep work. I was honest about what was needed and, most importantly, what suited my lifestyle and climate. I even planned for special events so that I did not find myself panicked and rushing to the store to buy whatever was available. I did not buy one single thing that did not seamlessly work with my existing wardrobe. I bought new fresh colors to liven things up.

My shop included bottoms for special occasion, work, casual, and vacation; tops for work, casual, and vacation; and assorted gearish items for an upcoming vacation.

Tops are my achilles heel and I found a lot of tops in retail this year that suited me. "Sartorial favorites" were duplicated. I found bottoms for work and special occasions. Finding the right bottoms for dressy casual is a challenge for me. I may have to define in actual words what dressy casual means to me and what parameters meet those objectives. I do know I want to be comfortable and yet look like I tried.

I have no blueprint for this type of shopping. Although I've read about this approach many, many times, I myself have never attempted it. I am concerned that I over-shopped in response to (1) permission to shop all of April, and (2) to compensate for what I perceived as a shopping draught during the Summer months. I am inclined to believe that this approach is better than my previous shopping strategy, but I am still curious if you have any guidance.

Shopping

23 replies

Latest reply was from

Anonymous

Are you sticking to a budget? If so, I see no problem with your shopping strategy. I find having a budget helps me to shop when I need to, and stop when I need to.

However, without a strict budget, I could see things getting out of hand (at least for myself). Without the budget "leash" I could see myself continue to shop all summer for things that I'd convinced myself I needed.

RobinF

Veteran

Interesting post. It is so hard for me to figure out ahead of time what I might want during a season. You haven't gotten overwhelmed trying to make these decisions? I agree with Smittie that a budget makes sense to keep things in line and I would definitely have the issue of continuing to shop for things I think I still need.

Anonymous

Good question, Smittie. To be honest, I did not set a budget. I am buying at either full price (which was rare in 2016) or on sale (40 percent off at Banana Republic).

When this month was over, I was planning on comparing what I spent in 2017 to this same timeframe in 2016. The money spent in 2017 will obviously exceed what I spent in 2016 because I am buying upfront with the intention of not continuing to buy after April.

You are right though. That is a missing component of my new strategy. Going to review and compare expenses.

Anonymous

RobinF -- I don't feel overwhelmed by trying to foresee into the future fashion cycle. I do feel overwhelmed by so much newness in my wardrobe. This has never happened to me before and that might be part of my unease. There is a plethora of choice now.

As part of advance planning, I listed the activities I needed to buy for. I was brutally honest in self analysis. I drafted copious lists and didn't buy without first considering my existing wardrobe and how new items would fit in. It was a whole new mind set for me.

RobinF

Veteran

I like the idea of planning it out. How did you decide how much of each item you needed?

Anonymous

That was the problem, RobinF. I have not seen tops I like in retail stores for a few years. When I finally started to see them again, I easily rationalized duplication. Then Angie posted about duplicating "sartorial favorites" and that was all the justification I needed. I think I will ok though. I am very comfortable wearing the same item on repeat.

When all my packages finally arrive and I am better able to determine actual numbers, I will post separately.

Meredith

Veteran

I think you will really like seasonal shopping. You strike me as very particular about what you want (meaning you don't compromise), so early shopping will give you the most options. I think it's normal to feel like you are buying a lot when you shop this way (you are) but you won't know if it was too much until the season progresses. I do try to shop seasonally. I make a list and buy as many of the critical items as I can. But there are always things I can't manage to find that I either buy later or make due without. And then there are refreshers and HEWI. I think of this shopping strategy as feast and snacking not feast and fasting. Just for reference, I spend 45% of budget buying for Sep-Nov, 10% for Dec-Feb 35% for March-May 10% June-July. I front-load the seasonal purchases (do most buying for Fall in Sep/October, Spring in March/April).

Basically make a list, make a budget, allow for flexibility.

Anonymous

To Smittie's question regarding budgets. I did not go into April with a budget in mind (definitely a big mistake and one I won't repeat). What was I thinking?

I compared 2017 clothing expenses to 2016 clothing expenses for the period 1/1/16 - 6/30/16. My 2017 expenditures exceeded the 2016 expenditures by a mere $9. That was pure luck.

Thanks for weighing in Meredith. I think I am going to like this strategy as well. It has been really fun shopping in April. No guilt. No real apprehension. What I bought is more cohesive.

The sensibility of feast and then snack is good for me to remember. Your budget breakdown is extremely helpful for me since I obviously have not considered it before today.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

You're doing great. It's just different from your usual pattern. More of the spending comes in chunks. If you've done the analysis of your needs and know what you will truly wear and add a wild card or statement item or two, you're in great shape. Assuming you're within your rough budget.

Also, you will find that it comes more easily over time. Once your wardrobe essentials are truly in place, you can recognize where and how to upgrade/ adapt to evolving trends. You'll see what needs replacing due to wear (good information for the future), what needs "perking up."

If you track wears, and understand your own need for variety or sameness, you will eventually (after a few seasons) get a sense of the wardrobe size that feels best to you. I started with a tiny (almost nonexistent) wardrobe and bought like a maniac for a couple of years. Eventually, my wardrobe grew to about 120 items (including coats but not gear or undies) for my 4 season climate. Add shoes and we area at around 140; add bags, and we are at around 150 (give or take a few items or so within each broad category). This is what Angie calls a moderate wardrobe, especially considering my 4 season climate and my multiple roles and varied needs for the different roles.

Anyway, my point is -- once you're really clear on how many items, approximately, you need to function reasonably well, the buying will slow down and become more considered each season -- depending of course on how worn out your essentials are becoming and how much the basic silhouettes are changing. Some years require heavier buying than others, either because your clothes are becoming worn and tired or because there's been a big fashion evolution and you want to stay current.

Ideally, though, you'll achieve "currency" without chucking everything each year! I edit out (and add in) about one third of my wardrobe each year, which makes sense if you consider an average life of about 3 years for items. Of course I have many items that last much longer, but also a few items that are done within one year. I do think the "30 wears" marker is great for all essentials and even some statement/ dressy items (though not all of those).

Suz

(website)

Veteran

ETA, meant to add -- I do all this culling and buying very intuitively. I think about my needs, obviously, but I don't slavishly replace a top with a top...I just buy what fits my budget, my lifestyle, and what sings to me..and then if there are any wardrobe holes, I fill them. The overall numbers still stay roughly the same...not sure how that magic happens, but it seems to.

Anonymous

Oh I'm so glad you didn't exceed your 2016 figures! Phew!
You said too, that you were going to increase your budget to account for buying full price, so it sounds like you've still got some budget left for the fall season.

I know that buying in a big chunk feels a bit extravagant, but it's not. You can tell by the budget numbers.

I love Meredith's "feast or snack" phrase.

Anonymous

Also wanted to say: This is the first time you're buying in bulk, so mistakes will happen, and I wouldn't be too self-critical about not staying on budget.

Anonymous

Thank you for the pep talk, Smittie. I agree mistakes will happen and I have made peace with that as well. Oh, and I increased by clothing budget by 50 percent in 2016 when it became clear to me that I hadn't increased this spending category since I graduated from college. I was certainly due for an increase.

Thank you for taking the time to post, Suz. You were one of the individuals that I looked to when I implemented this new shopping strategy. I have long admired your wardrobe and your process. Your words are reassuring.

Vix

Veteran

Hi Sterling --

A major upside to a bigger, seasonal shopping plan is that one can create a capsule of mostly new (or "new to you"/EUC) outfits. So there's a top to go with a bottom and shoes that go with both etc etc.

And then of course the new items should work with some-to-all of what's already owned.

Based on what you've said in other posts your new items deliver on both counts...I think?

Anonymous

They do, Vix. I did not undertake this shopping strategy without a well formed plan in hand. ALL of my newly purchased items coordinate perfectly with themselves and with my existing wardrobe. And as LisaP pointed out in another thread. I feel really happy with all the new possibilities. I have that enthusiasm that Angie always expresses when talking about her wardrobe.

Every single order should arrive by Thursday (Friday at the very latest). I plan re-evaluate each piece a second time in the context of what I bought and what I already own. Whatever I deem unnecessary or excess will be returned to the stores on Saturday. Then I will integrate everything into my working wardrobe.

As a side note, I had to buy several items for an upcoming vacation. These items got included in my clothing budget because they are "clothing." They are specialized and might not be worn much beyond my vacation, but I couldn't not buy them.

It just occurred to me that Angie is on vacation. Where has my brain been recently? My to-do list is endless!! Yet I start things and don't finish them. I keep forgetting things.

unfrumped

Veteran

Good discussion!

I have random observations and experiences re: that.
YLF has helped me place more value on " seasonal " defined as buying things for the season of time block of wear NOW- fits now, like it now, have stuff to go with it now. Not hoarding for some future time, except things like very special- occasion wear.
Also buying when sizes are available. But, I do nite that stores keep on bringing out " seasonal" items over s long time- new " collections"-- which can make me feel like, no fair, this is better than that, of now you've got it in my favorite color. Of course being focused and picky can help with buyer's remorse, but still-- sometimes I think a seasonal shop needs to be a month earlier and keep all unworn/ tags on until ready, set, go.
I have trouble getting any group of things that go together all in one shop. That is still my dream, to walk in a store and find an entire capsule and just walk out with it- cha- Ching!
But I am more likely to get a random item that I then try on and see that it goes with all the things I'd like it to. Plus I've learned I get overwhelmed if I add too many new things at once- same deal, they don't necessarily all go with each OTHER but make new outfits with existing items. It takes work, it seems, to integrate them and keep track. Still I don't always pay attention to that problem.
I think one time I tried to write about " dance with the one who brung you" (!)
about, if I get some things, I need to commit, make peace and stop looking for that season, because there will always be something new showing up that I might wish I'd got instead. Even so, replacing might not be so bad ( within budget) if I were a ruthless culler, but I tend to keep the older item AND the new maybe- better one- not a good solution.

Anonymous

This is basically an echo of what others have said, but.....

This is an experiment, right? So it's really too soon to tell if the seasonal shopping plan is right for you. You made a plan, you executed well, and over the next 3 or 4 months you will actually wear the pieces and be able to figure out if this works for you.

If there is room in your budget to have a mid-summer "snack" (love that concept, Meredith), then go for it. You'll likely identify some holes you'd like to fill - maybe some accessories that would finish off the new looks you've come up with? - and you can formulate a plan that allows the purchase of some of those. If the budget is used, enjoy your wonderful new purchases and know that next spring you'll have the bandwidth again to fill those holes.

Joy

Veteran

My family used to shop this way so I started out buying everything at the beginning of the season. I think it usually works out as you get item that you really like and they usually work together because you see that as you are buying. You buy thinking of outfits rather than items. Buy limiting purchases to this time, it may actually save you money and time. What I forgot were upcoming special events or casual weekend things. I usually identified a few main colors and neutrals for this type of shopping, depending on what was available that I liked. Then wore them to death but really enjoyed them.

Anonymous

Unfrumped, you bring up some very good points. There is always that concern the once I settle on my summer wardrobe, the stores will continue to bring out new items that pique my interest. Once I settle on my final wardrobe selection, I might impose a ban on continued shopping. There is no point in continuing to tempt and second guess myself. I want this to be a successful adventure because I am starting to see the wisdom on this shopping strategy. I hope to continue to fine tune my process as Suz suggested.

I bought across a wide swath of stores. There is no single retailer that could possibly accommodate all my needs. But I do shop a small selection of stores so that limits the amount of work I have to do. This has been fun though. I can see how this results in a very wearable wardrobe. But upfront planning is required or I would have come home with a mesh mash.

In all honesty, I was feeling overwhelmed at the sheer number of items I added in a single month. I worried that I overindulged. I worried about all the duplicates I bought (another post in the future).

There was no culling of older items in this process. Normally, there would be. It is possible that my summer wardrobe needed the most attention and I built out from what I had. No need to cull.

HI Ryce -- You are right. This is an experiment. Any time you try something new you anticipate there are going to hiccups. It really is too soon to tell if this will be a success or not. I am quite hopeful though. Once I started the process, I realized that it really is a very powerful wardrobe building tool (not because I got to add in all sorts of new clothing, but because it was a massive wardrobe planning event that required a great deal of personal reflection).

Did you see Meredith's breakdown of expenditures. That breakdown allowed for two major seasonal purchases and minor snacking the rest of the time. I'm going to do some budgetary calculations this weekend to accommodate that type of spending. I admit to shock that I hadn't considered budget before I undertook this process. If you only knew how uncharacteristic this is.

Joy -- I may enjoy my wardrobe this year more than any other previous year. Everything is new and fresh (even the older clothing because they have new coordinating pieces). A lot of colors were added. New color combinations will become my signature this summer after wearing black and grey all winter long. You listed some GREAT color combinations that I copied/saved and will try. Red and Fuchsia!!!! Yay for me.

Anonymous

Some things won't be bought. I read with interest every single post about cropped wide legged pants. I collected every single pin with the intent of trying each of them. Unless I buy in the store, time is running out for me in terms of receiving packages before my vacation.

To make peace with the fact I might not find cropped wide legged pants this summer, I looked around me. I can't say I have seen anyone wearing them in real life (yet). I am too shy/self conscious to be the first to wear a new trend.

Wide-leg crop high rise chinos

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Banana Republic

Linen-Blend Wide-Leg Crop

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8

Liverpool Liverpool Womens Layla Wide Leg Crop with Released Hem on Silky Soft Denim in Havasu Deep Blue

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3

High rise wide-leg crop jeans

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High rise wide-leg crop jeans

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Christina F.

Veteran

I feel like I've done this all April, considering how much I've bought. But I know things will catch my eye in the next few months, plus I have yet to fully evaluate my summer clothes, half of which are still in storage. (I have too many of them so I really shouldn't need more than new tank tops, but my tastes are changing.) I'd never have the discipline to stick to this plan, but I'm very curious to know how you feel about it in a month or two, and whether you find yourself yearning to buy a few items to fill holes in your wardrobe, etc.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

What Meredith describes (2 major seasonal shops with "snacking" in between) is a great description of my process.

I usually do my major fall update/ upgrade with the NAS in July/ August (which I know is a big danger area for those of you in warmer climates!)

I do my spring update/ upgrade a bit later than Angie recommends. Usually in late April, beginning of May. I agree with her that it's easier to find good things for the season earlier in the season. But my "spring" lasts a grand total of about 3 weeks, if I am lucky. Which means I need very few true "spring" items. What I really need are more summery things (shorts, sleeveless tops, sandals) and they don't start showing up until around April/ May.

My "snacking periods" almost always fall into the following time frames....

September -- this is usually a shoe snack, as I upgrade/update/ replace autumn footwear. I also sometimes will refresh with a top or two at this time.

January -- if my knits or snow boots need refreshing or replacing, I look at the sales for knits. Since my winter is so darn long, I know I will get 3 more months of wear from these.

June -- this is when I may add a few more sleeveless summer tops and when I buy any necessary travel stuff. Sometimes I do some sleepwear summer purchases then also.

I also "snack" on accessories purchases at times. Especially if travelling, I might buy a new bag or pair of earrings, etc.

This works for me with my climate, but I'd change it up a bit if I lived in yours. Less attention to NAS, more attention to my spring/ summer wardrobe (and more money there) as well as to the sales of summer items at end of season, or designer summer items.

Anonymous

Christina F -- I think one of the fun things about fashion is that my tastes to evolve. I really like the idea that my wardrobe reflects who I am today (not who I was a decade ago).

I hope I have the discipline to stick to this shopping plan. Time will tell. I am taking notes and will post after the end of the season. I'll evaluate how I did and what worked for me and what failed for me. My post-evaluation will help fine tune my Winter Shopping spree. I should continue to improve.

Suz -- I am not going to shop NAS this year except for very specific items I know I will use (athletic wear). More often than not, NAS failed me because I was not buying for a climate I live in.

There is one thing I want that I have not been able to order. I really, really want an Eileen Fisher sleeveless silk mock turtleneck. I may have to buy this when I return from my trip.