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Best "sale goggles" countermeasures

3style

Veteran

This year I did some shopping at TheRealReal. The temptation for buying with sales goggles is very high on that site, because everything is good quality and significantly discounted. The trick I learned was to mentally add $100 to the list price and ask myself if I would still be so eager to purchase something if it was offered at $160 instead of $60. And if I wouldn't buy it at $160, would I be willing to stalk it online for a couple of months to see if the price went down? If not, then it obviously isn't important to buy it.

Alternatively, for items on TheRealReal like $30-40 designer cotton t-shirts, I asked myself if I really liked it 3 or 4 times as much as $10 shirt from Target, Talbots etc... I bought a number of great items online at that site that were "final sale/not returnable" by means of careful thinking about all this.

Additionally, I assessed my existing closet for personal trend-proofing. I
and discovered that I don't get tired of crisp patterns, whereas I do get tired of more blended and soft muted colored prints. Alternatively, I do get tired of contrast piping/stitching and prefer basics to not have a second color detail on trim for a belt, blazer, handbag etc.... Another pitfall for me, discerned in retrospective closet analysis, is buying something because I like the color and the color isn't readily available elsewhere for a given retail season. For example, a few years back, I was keen to buy a cobalt blouse and by the time I found one I ignored the fact that I don't like the oversized style for myself.

And lastly, yesterday I wrote out a detailed shopping checklist for 2018. I usually just have an annual budget and a vague mental list. But there is a difference between thinking: "I need to leave room in the budget for a few pairs of shoes" and thinking through to decide to prioritize refreshing specific sandals, flats and athletic shoes for a total of seven pairs. The latter realization I am certain will more successfully curb the spending impulse when I think: "this is such a great versatile dress at a great price. " I am more conscious of the fact that I have sufficient day and party dresses, whereas my shoes are starting to get too flimsy which is bad for my feet, knees, hips etc... To clarify further: I feel like a complete shopping list also helps me to think in capsule-budget blocks. For example, this fall I decided that it was more important to get a longer spring/fall coat and two warm woolen blazers than to refresh my sweater capsule. I'm spending more time shaving pills off of sweaters than I would normally like to do, but it helps me to see that this is a good tradeoff for winter 2017-2018.

Shopping

17 replies

Latest reply was from Zaeobi

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Really good insights. I agree with list-making! I don't track via spreadsheet or anything like that but I am an inveterate list keeper and maker.

At first, when I wasn't really sure of my style and had a LOT of holes in the closet, lists had to be a bit open ended. I needed everything, couldn't afford it all in one year, and had trouble figuring out how to prioritize at times. But now that I'm more familiar with what I like and actually wear and what give me a feeling of fun in the closet, it is much easier to devise a list that will guide my shopping in a productive way.

I do the same thing you do with footwear, for instance. I look at what I have that still works, and consider what I will need to replace. I know I want at least one sandal that bookends my silver hair. I know I need one with a low enough heel to be really walkable yet it still can look "dressy" if I style it right. Ideally, I like at least one bright coloured sandal and one light one (either white or maybe nude-for-me or very light grey, all of which are also somewhat bookending to my light hair.) And so on.

Sometimes it takes several years to find the right piece. I haven't found "my" bright or white sandals after 3 plus years of searching, for instance.

But in the meantime, I satisfy myself with bookending sandals that also work in the outfits.

Besides list making, one of my favourite "sales goggles" countermeasures is to ask myself if I will get 30 wears from this item. For some items it is not relevant (i.e. a fancy cocktail dress needed for an occasion, perhaps, or a few cute, cheap, and cheerful summer tops that will last one season.) But for most items, if I really can't imagine myself wearing it 30 times, it probably isn't worth adding, whatever the price.

Anonymous

3style, I think this is a great analysis.
Yes, if you like to stick to a budget, then you need to prioritize, and really think hard about specific items you need.
There are trade offs and tough calls, because you can’t get everything you want/need all at once.

I found Polyvore an excellent app to visualize outfits, and to discount things that I thought I loved but didn’t quite work for the look I was going for.

As well, I think it is easiest to think of budget in terms of quarters or seasons. I’ve discovered, thanks to Angie, that I shouldn’t think too far ahead because my tastes do change, and there might be a better version of the thing I want available later, when in-season.

Anonymous

What an insightful post. I have yet to shop the RealReal, but I suspect it is in my future. Your suggestions to avoid sales goggles are helpful.

I also liked your analysis regarding personal trend proofing.

Anonymous

Agreeing with Suz that once you have enough “pretty good things” and no glaring holes, then there is less prioritization effort and fewer trade offs.

It has taken me 5 years of steady wardrobe building to get to the point where all my wardrobe holes are filled with “pretty good things”. I have been building up from basically three pairs of pants and three sweaters.

I remember going through a lot of phases trying to figure out what I wanted to wear. One of the phases was my “lululemon phase” where I tried out a hoodie look. I bought an oversized one, a fitted one and a couple of regular ones. I discovered that this was too dressed down for me, despite the fact that hoodies on other people look so cute! Why do hoodies look cute on other people and not me? The only thing I can think of is that those other people have a different look about them (and it is not just youth! A lot of older women look great in this look too!)

Anyway, the only way to know is to try.

Why am I talking about this? I guess because people make mistakes, even with a really good plan and budget, and not to worry too much about it.

3style

Veteran

Suz, thanks for lots of good clarification and amendments to my post.

The one comment I have concerns the "30 wears" concept. I have to learn to relax about the 30 wears if the weather is not cooperative. It's not useful to chastise myself for not getting 30 wearings out of a breezy dress when we had a cold summer in 2017, or a fleece-lined turtleneck when last winter was unusually mild.

Likewise, sometimes new personal preferences become important. I used to not have a preference between woolen and synthetic blazers, but subsequently have found that I prefer wool because I don't get hot or cold as easily in it. I have a very good quality and versatile styling synthetic blazer that is at about 15 wears. And I have made my peace that it will take me several more years to reach my 30. I prefer to only wear it when it is the correct weight for the weather than to keep to a very strict total number of closet items, like project 333 originating from a mild weather part of California, if I'm remembering correctly.

3style

Veteran

Smittie, my personal goal in writing this post and commentary is to cement things in my own mind so that I don't repeat my mistakes.

Interesting as far as lululemon and athleisure style. I think that could be a topic of your own new thread if you want more information about how other people make that kind of sporty styling work for them.

Jenn

(website)

Veteran

When I talk about 30 wears, that’s over the lifetime of an item. I aim for (at minimum) ten wears a year over three years, especially for seasonal items.

Some of my other strategies are:

Delete the emails. Unsubscribe. Whatever I need to do. If I’m not in “shopping mode,” then I don’t need the constant temptation.

Wear my favorite things shopping. That gives me a high bar for comparison.

Don’t look at the price tags before trying on. Like the previous tip, this works better for brick and mortar than online, but I find making a decision based on the item and not the price is helpful. If the price turns out to be too high after I’ve fallen in love, that’s my cue to stalk or save up.

Plan to return. I always assume I’ll be returning online orders and budget that cost (if there is one) into my shopping budget. I’m too hard to fit to attempt non-returnable purchases, and I never consider an item mine until I’ve made a conscious decision to keep it. Until then, online orders are just hangers on a dressing room rack.

Anonymous

Eck! I have to look at the price tag before trying on! WHO knows what would happen to my budget if I didn't start with that single strategy.

Anonymous

Ok. Sorry for going off on a tangent
It sounds like you have your thoughts well in order. Good luck on the realreal!

ladypainter

3style I like all of your tips--especially now that the post-Christmas sales are in full swing.
Jenn--those emails are really a form of harassment, aren't they, lol! I've set up a gmail account just for shopping, and am either unsubscribing or sending everything over there.
Online shopping is so hit-or-miss, especially if you're between sizes. I find that the TrueFit app now on many sites is sadly inaccurate. The best bet is to see if the site lists garment measurements for items in different sizes, or if the site's customer service hotline can find that info for you. At least that way, you can compare it to something you already have.

SarahD8

Veteran

Garment measurements are my top tip for avoiding sales goggles on sites like Poshmark and eBay. $15 cashmere sweater is a $15 waste if the measurements aren't what I know what will work for me.

(As an aside, I don't know why more regular retailers don't provide garment measurements. It seems like it would save a huge amount of returns -- I routinely order two sizes of a given item with a plan to return at least one. Would save a huge amount of shipping and labor costs for the retailer if I didn't have to do that. Not to mention the carbon emissions! /soapbox)

3style, I love the idea of "personal trend proofing." You raise a great point that I hadn't considered before. I'll have to think about whether I can identify any such items in my closet.

LaPed

Veteran

I wholeheartedly agree with the idea of a detailed list, as specific as you can make it. It's so easy to get derailed. But if you have written down "black jeans" and the ones are sale are light-wash, maybe you can steer yourself away from them and find what you really need.

I also second the recommendation to set up a separate email account for "commerce" -- I have a gmail account specifically for coupons and mailing lists, etc. I stay logged out of it, so I have to type the password to get into it. I consider it a resource. When I need something from a specific online retailer, I check that account to see if the retailer has sent me any promotions recently. This way I still have access to the sales, but they're not driving my shopping or writing my list for me.

"Secondhand goggles" is a really tricky one. I put an absolute moratorium on Final Sale items this year. It doesn't matter how good the price is if the item doesn't fit. In the past, I've rationalized by reselling these things myself, through eBay or consignment, but when I factor in the cost of my time, I'm really losing out. I might make an exception for an item I can try on in-store, but really it's a risky business. I've discovered that I'm willing to pay a bit extra for the insurance factor of a guaranteed return. It's good to know you've had good luck with TheRealReal. I've tried ThredUp and Poshmark, and been disappointed with the quality of the items I received (undisclosed stains, tears, etc). Luckily I was able to return for full refund.

3style

Veteran

Smittie, I was not in any way offended or frustrated by your post. I generally speaking like to think about why something style-wise works for one person and not another. I like to contemplate this for myself and for others. I've definitely bought things which I eventually felt like were too loud or impractical and I think that anyone who gets beyond t-shirt and jeans is going to have some flops.

As far as the athleisure trend, I actually have kind of the opposite problem. A lot of pants made with some spandex from places like Chicos and jjill tend to look like gear on me, even though they are intended to be dressier than that. I think that it is because I nearly always wear sturdy shoes, even if they don't look anything like sneakers. I think that dainty shoes help those stretchy pants look dressier. Alternatively, I do better if the stretchy pants can be worn with tall boots over them, but even then it gives my outfits an equestrian (sports) vibe. I've pretty much decided spandex in pants equals sporty for me.

3style

Veteran

For folks who might be interested in the TheRealReal, one of the interesting things that they do is put everything sized medium to large (traditional designer 6-10) on the same sized mannequin. I don't know if they use the same mannequins for (a) extra small and small or (b) large to XL. If they only have one mannequin size, then I think that it would be much more difficult to guess how those items fit for small or large sizes. Reminds me about the article from the recent link love about fit models being real people and brands usually sizing up or down mathematically from the model rather than from actual population measurement sampling.

Anyway, I have learned that their mannequins have super short arms. The one dimension they often don't list is sleeve length, and I have learned that the sleeves have to look very long on the mannequin to look right on me. I have average length arms and don't have trouble with typical sleeves, so I find this peculiar.

I have also learned that they will always err on the side of listing measurements as maybe a little bit smaller than the actual garment, so there is really no chance of the item being too small, now that I have observed the sleeve issue and accounted for that.

The other quirky thing about the mannequins is that they are stark white, and I found it difficult to discern the details of a white garments. And descriptions are somewhat minimal. I bought a white shirt which I didn't realize had shoulder cutouts because I didn't see them. That one was returnable, but it turns out that I liked the way that it was done. It was unusual in that it didn't risk cold shoulders in actuality nor sunburn nor bra strap exposure: my pet peeves with most cold shoulder tops. Nonetheless, they really should have some gray mannequins too.

cindysmith

Veteran

I wish I could be this introspective and wise about my wardrobe.

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

Thanks for this thoughtful post and prompt to think through the process in this way. I have already learned a lot about shaping a wardrobe from YLF.

My main need is to weed, but there are a few areas I can build up, as long as I’m careful to do so in ways that work in both hot and temperate climates.

I didn’t think my style had changed much over the years, but am now realizing that there are some things I used to wear that are now to me what hoodies are to Smittie—cute on others, but not something I enjoy wearing. When I get around to the “buying” part of shaping my wardrobe, probably next fall, I will have to make sure not to buy too much of anything before I’m sure I will actually wear it.

Neither of those restraints on buying feels particularly difficult to me. I have, however, developed an online shopping binge tendency. Oddly enough, it is completely separate from the careful, well-reasoned wardrobe shaping I’m learning to do here. It’s more an odd state of mind that i get in when I wind up buying 1 or 2 hundred dollars worth of sale items that I wind up driving over to the brick/morter store to return. Getting that under control, I think, is more about the depression/hating my life and where I live than it is about wardrobe. I’m trying to learn to identify it and steer myself towards other activities that I can do with just a small portion of my brain. Now that the weather is nicer, I can also just go for a walk.

I didn’t see that article, but it has recently occurred to me, after years of accepting what others say about the need for “real” women as models, instead of women who fit a very narrow set of requirements, that it would actually be much harder to buy clothes online that way. If I think an item makes it look like the wearer has a slight tummy “pooch” or a flat butt, I know to fault the garment. If the models were lots of different sizes and body types, I wouldn’t be sure if the woman had a gut, or if the clothing article made it look that way.

CindySmith, there are some people who keep very detailed food journals to ensure their bodies get just the mix of calories, fat, and carbohydrates they need. Other people eat instinctively and wind up with that same balance of nutrients. They can just feel what their body needs. I think you are the same way with clothes. You don’t have all the charts and records, but you showed with your shoe collection that you have tightly defined uses that you need your shoes to fill, and seem to have the right number lined up for each of those “slots” just by feel instinctively. That’s awesome!

Zaeobi

(website)

Veteran

A big thing for me is that it's more important to feel good in a garment than anything else (including the price tag). So when you're trying on your items, keep your back to the mirror at first.

It sounds counterintuitive but, when you're focusing more on how the fit feels on your body (rather than focusing on how your body is in the clothes), the focus shifts back to you.

When you find an item that fits your body best (instead of looking in the mirror and worrying about how those jeans make your butt 'look' - 'too big' for who exactly anyway, lol?), THEN you should turn around to look in the mirror. 9 times out of 10, the item will actually fit beautifully BECAUSE of your body (not in spite of it), because your perception of the fit won't have been clouded by how it looks in the mirror (& in comparison to impossible ideals) first. Good tip to remember at this time of year, when we all might have eaten a few more pies or drunk a little more beer than we usually do, lol!

PS - I picked up this trick from Sal from AlreadyPretty Great resource for body love in fashion!