Avoiding “This would be useful” purchases - YouLookFab Forum

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Avoiding “This would be useful” purchases

delurked

Veteran

A note to self as I’m about to return a couple things this week. Whenever I buy something saying “this would be useful” to myself, I should amend the statement to “something in this style would be useful, but I will wait until I find something I feel amazing in”.

Of course, that takes a lot of discipline, patience, and searching. Sometimes more searching than I want to commit to. In which case, I need to live without instead of having too many “useful” items.

Shopping

29 replies

Latest reply was from Helena

Bijou

Veteran

Yes, I fall into this trap too. One friend once said to me, “but do you love it? Because you have lots of clothes, you should only buy for love”. This has really helped me not buy things that were close but not quite whatI was looking for.

Cardiff girl

Veteran

It s amazing isn’t it how easy it is to do this.oh for some self discipline!

Anonymous

GREAT post. I too am in a phase where I am trying hard to practice "disciplined" and patient shopping. It is so hard.

texstyle

(website)

Veteran

Nodding along. I think it might be the desire for something new more than something useful for me though.

Joyce B

Veteran

Yes but it depends on where you are with your wardrobe. Sometimes you need the useful item just because it fills a purpose and you don’t have anything else for that outfit or category.

Barbara Diane

Veteran

It sounds like the right guideline for you. But I’d be naked! It also depends on how hard to please you are. Some of my best purchases I was unsure of. My standard for love/amazing is very high. Some jewelry, 2 watches, a few dresses, a few outfits. In my adult life.

Barbara Diane

Veteran

My standard is more do I feel like me? Is it flattering? Is it useful? Will it make something else work? Will I pick it or is there something else in my wardrobe that I will pick instead?

delurked

Veteran

Bijou - yes, I have a fairly large wardrobe. It’s just a few categories I’m lacking in (which means I’ve got too much in other categories).

Cardiff girl, Texstyle - maybe it’s because we expect a payoff for our shopping effort. And agree the desire for something new.

Sterling - it sounds like you’re being very patient. I think I get more impatient on warm weather items because earlier in the season is when the more covered summer options come. If I look in the actual summer it’s past when the majority of things fit my criteria.

delurked

Veteran

Joyce - yes, others may need that qualifier. But I really don’t, even if I try to convince myself otherwise.

BD - you make some good points. There have been things I’ve been unsure of that have become favorites. And my loves aren’t huge either, but definitely more than your quantity. Not everything can stand out in our memory. But maybe it’s what I immediately reach for. If I bring it home and don’t want to wear it right away, it’s a big sign I shouldn’t ignore.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Yes! This so much. I try some things on and think, oh, it looks decent on and could be useful, but is that good enough when I have plenty of “useful” clothes? My standard for new purchases needs to be higher than that.

kkards

Veteran

i've tried the "do you love it" method....my problem is I often confuse love with lust...and then when the infatuation wears off, I get mad at myself for being fooled again

delurked

Veteran

Kkards - I’m someone who often needs to try it on at home and assess with my shoes, different clothes I own, etc. Sometimes in a dressing room I miss something I don’t overlook at home.

Janet - this is a recurring theme for me. I do like newness and shopping, so need to be practical while still finding what adds enjoyment when I get dressed.

Ginkgo

Veteran

I've typically fall for this trap in Marshalls or TJ Maxx because "it's my color" (subset of useful), then I don't wear those items which is why I rarely go into those stores now.

Susie

Veteran

Great reminder! I've gotten better about not buying things 'just because' but I still make mistakes. Just yesterday I took a top back to anthro because while it met the need for 'a short sleeved top that isn't plain,' when I tried it on again at home I realized that I didn't love it. So at least I didn't keep it but I shouldn't have bought it in the first place.

delurked

Veteran

Ginkgo - I’m pretty good at passing on my colors If I don’t like the fit. It may be more - I’ve got a list of things I’d like to add, and when it fits the category I settle a bit too much for ok. I try to remind myself I have enough ok in my closet, but sometimes I don’t quite get it right.

delurked

Veteran

Susie - yes to this. That’s what I’m doing with my returns too. Much better than wearing something and then figuring it out (ahem, I do that too)

Anonymous

KKards made me laugh. What she wrote is all too often true for me.

Anonymous

Oh this is such a good one.
Been there. Done that. Bought the tee shirt.
WHY DID I BUY THAT SHIRT?

Katerina

Veteran

I recognize this too! I do it too, especially when the price is reduced ... good reminder!

Kkards, you crack me up

Gigi

Veteran

Yes, I recognize the "This could be useful" mantra as a trap! When I start saying that to myself, it is usually the time to take a good hard look at the item and be honest with myself as to whether I really need it. Most of the time, the answer is no.

Toban

Veteran

Right now it is “no more solid navy tops”. Somehow I picked up 4 solid navy tops covering 3 silhouettes recently. Need to add more print or other colors. Yet when I go to the store I try on yet another navy top.

rachylou

Veteran

Sadly, as I’m still in the dilemma of which season to put in storage, I am fully cognisant that I need nothing. Nothing new would be useful. Lol!

... except socks. My mind can always convince me I need new and different socks...

Brooklyn

Veteran

I am probably the opposite as I tend to buy too many statement (oooh, I love this!) pieces and not enough “useful” (but not very exciting) pieces to hold things together. So I am actually trying to train myself to shop more for useful. Snooze...

cindysmith

Veteran

I found that all that useful stuff wasn't useful for me. I'm a bit weird, yes, with my dystopian sensibilities, so there is that LOL

delurked

Veteran

Efbgen - I am a planner, yet can be impulsive. I like to consider it being open to my options

Katerina - I do like a good deal, but am quite good about not letting price cause me to make a purchase.

Gigi - if I have to think too hard, that should cause me to pause.

Toban - I like navy too, but it sounds like you’re fully covered now.

Rachylou- I don’t change out my closet or store clothing elsewhere. But it is organized. And I remember your prior comments about socks. I was awed (or was it scared?).

Brooklyn - you have a lot of standout pieces. You are talented at finding them.

Cindy - those lists of essentials are kind of funny to me. I don’t need a trench, a white button down, a pointy toe black heel, a cashmere sweater, a wrap dress, a denim jacket etc.

jussie

Veteran

My best test is this:
After trying something on in the dressing room, I then put my normal clothes back on and look in the mirror. If what I tried on isn’t as good as or better than what I was already wearing then I walk away.

rachylou

Veteran

Yes. Be afraid. I went to Grocery Market Bargain Outlet today and got slowed down by a display of ankle socks... And this truth is only dawning on me now...

anne

Veteran

This sounds very sensible for you and most of YLF - for me - my life could probably do with a bit more of "this could be useful" purchasing! I tend to have tunnel vision and not consider other things I see in a shop if if I didn't set out to purchase them. This is the woman who hasn't managed to purchase 2 needed t shirts in 2 years, and whose clothing budget was underspent by about 1/3 last year.

I do hate it though, in a different sphere, when perishable food is bought because it could "come in handy" but then no plan is made for when it is going to be eaten, or what to do with the planned food whose consumption has been substituted and then having to throw food out because it has gone off! (I'm a meal planner, so this doesn't happen that much when I shop, but I'm not immune to it)

Helena

Veteran

Wise words!