Kari, not Una, but 12x12 is a shopping plan of one item a month, for 12 months.

Angie, I have WAY too much fun shopping the way you do, but lack the self-control. So I figure this is a good way to balance those factors. I do not, like Mo, have an item per month list. though - she is definitely the most organized so far!

So glad to see how many are chiming in with a list or a similar goal!

I'm not planning 12x12, but mostly because I haven't thought of 12 things I need. I had closed toe summer shoes on the list, as well as a fun midi, but I'm putting the midi at least on hold since I am still dealing with the work situation.

Oh, thanks! That makes sense. Thank you.

I'm not doing 12x12, but I do have a mental list of investment pieces to watch for:

boots (want a pair of brown, and one of black, and maybe a congnac too -- all tall)
moto jacket
long-ish leather jacket

I'm watching a moto on ebay that I like - can't decide whether to bite or not.

I'm doing kind of a combination of 12 x 12/SYC/SYB. I have set my budget for the year (expressed as a monthly amount), and have also decided to limit my purchases to one per month. BUT any money not spent in a month rolls over to the next month, and if I don't buy an item in any given month, then that item rolls over. My best-case scenario is that I get to Manhattan in September with a boatload of money and permission from myself to buy 9 items!!

That said, I don't really have a list, other than the perfect cognac or tan leather jacket that's been on my list for more than a year. And an awesome cognac or tan bag. Other than that, my wardrobe is pretty complete so I am taking a wait and see attitude.

I don't think a shopping plan that is so disciplined would work for me but I am attempting to plan a bit better and understand my style/closet needs (balanced with just plain old desire).
My list right now:

Wool coat. Two months too late as we have just had a cold snap but I think I can still find a dark grey pea coat and maybe get a bargain. Or red. If not, I have a black and navy that are working for now.

Emerald green bag. Last year I was all over cobalt and never found the right one. This year I want green (I have a large green tote though) or teal.

Booties. Taupe or grey. Low heel. Not suede.

New black Delman flats.

Ponte or similar blazer - blue/cobalt or navy. Or red. Or both.

The 12 items/year that I did a a while back was more or less the same as MaryK's with the only difference being I didn't set a hard and fast budget. My reason for doing 12x12 was to force myself to make good decisions instead of being lured in by sales or a clever marketing strategy (hello, the wall of rainbow coloured T-shirts!). It actually worked out that I spent less because the cashmere sweater was more than balanced by the flea-market, man's watch.

Having a list intrigues me, but I don't know if I could ever be that systematic about wardrobe "needs", except for the most basic of items--for example, a pair of boots to wear in the snow. My wardrobe "wants" seem to be an ever-changing target. I'm totally the type of buyer who buys on impulse if I fall in love when I put something on my body. It's gaining control over my impulses that motivates me to a 12x12.

BTW, I'm coming back to say that 12 x 12 is already working for me! I was at J Crew last night with CocoLion and they had these super cute striped tops on sale for less than $20, final sale. They were cute and I'm sucker for a striped top, and they fit and looked perfectly fine on me. I would have bought at least one, and probably two, had I not decided they were absolutely not fab enough to waste my January 12 x 12 slot on!

I consider that a big win.

MaryK, that is really a fantastic example regarding the Ts.

I have to say that I work a lot like MaryK . I also have a set budget for the year and break it down by a monthly average. If it doesn't get spent, it rolls into next month. If I spend 3 times what the average monthly allowance is, then I don't buy for 3 months or cut back back a certain percentage across each budget item ( except my husband's lunch money, haha ). But no kidding, we will cut back on electricity useage, driving, whatever....

I want to pull off a really nice, cool ring this year. My weight gain didn't just affect my clothes, it affected my wonderful ring collection. Actually, it affected my chubby little fingers ! So I need to size some rings and buy a couple ( yes, I said NEED ). Last year I really had to concentrate on clothes. But this year I want a nice big chunky ring !!!

Isabel, you can get your rings re-sized, you know!

MaryK , hahaaaa, I JUST edited to add that ! Yes I am going to budget for re-sizing too. I am going to have my wedding band re-sized and a couple of much loved rings that I have gotten over a few mother's days.

I'm glad your framework works for you, Malina. That is what it's all about - along as you also have fun along the way

Okay, Una. You need to curb some of your fun! I get that too. As I said, I like wardrobe discipline and I'm glad you are acquiring some. In fact I like discipline full stop. I would have been a good candidate for the army if you minus the athletic part.

Angie, in another life you could have given Mary Poppins a run for her money!

Mary Poppins Sergeant Major Cox.

Exactly!!

Well I played Michael Banks, Mary Poppins naughty charge, in the play so it all makes sense!

LOL @ Una and Angie playing Sergeant Mary Poppins and Michael Banks together!

@ Mo --- I am floored by your planning, organization and discipline. It's like watching Robin Hood at target practise!

@ Fern --- both those sweaters looking perfect for the job you have in mind! Tough choice, Princess!

For myself, this promises to be the Year of the Expensive, Ever-growing Baby Gear as well as the Year of the Fluctuating Physical Form! For those reasons, despite only recently (last year) having come out of SYC and stepped into SYB, despite having a long way ahead to wardrobe and style renewal, I'm going to be extra-cautious with purchases this year and buy fewer things. Hence the appeal of 12 x 12.

Another reason: My ongoing struggle with sale/budget shopping (what Gaylene said, but also that I will often gravitate to the cheapest of several choices simply *because* it is cheapest and not because it works the best). I realized last year that I am so accustomed to tightening the belt on my budget that I find it really hard to give myself permission to shop in a way where budget is *not* first priority, suitability is. Also, I had gotten so accustomed to being unsure of/lacking confidence in my style and shopping skills that I felt I had to hedge my bets against expensive mistakes. With 12 x 12 rather than a straight SYB (I used a monthly budget format last year), I hope to push myself to finding the *right* item, with price as only secondary consideration.

With that backstory plus the caveats that my 12 x 12 is not necessarily going to be a per-month purchase and may include replacing basics like undies, socks and cheap summer/layering T-shirts, here's what I have so far on my tentative list:
-- slip-on oxfords ::waving to Una!::
-- waterproof (like seriously deluge- and puddle-friendly) boots
-- lightweight denim or chambray shirt to double up as a summer topper
-- (nursing-friendly) quick-dry wrap dress
-- lightweight grey or black (or MAYbe red or dark teal) cardigan for transitional seasons, air-conditioned spaces & travel
-- warm cardigan, preferably one on the longer side, belted or cascading (for years, I have just had ONE cardigan and NO sweaters that actually fit or work well: unbelievable! TOO much dominant-season shopping at the expense of winter...)
-- thermal tops and lined tights/leggings in grey or black (being cold is getting old with each passing winter...)
-- cross-body leather bag/satchel in tan/camel OR a rainproof pleather travelling tote in a bright colour (yellow, green, cobalt blue)

I might still get some of these on sale or otherwise at a 'discounted' price. But I'll also look to avoid full-price phobia and treating 20-odd dollars as some sort of universal cut-off, irrespective of the item (yes, I've done that in the past!).

If I can't find a satisfactory option for some (being Picky) or another longtime want turns up in an attractive avatar at a good price, I might substitute. Only the warm garments are severe NEEDs at this point. The rest... I can make do, even if not very stylishly or satisfactorily. (Must remember the Patience part of Angie's PPP.)