Confessions of a shopaholic - YouLookFab Forum

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Confessions of a shopaholic

Susie

Veteran

I have posted here before that I have gotten better at not buying stuff 'just because'- because it's on sale, because it might be good to have another ________, because I like an item so why not buy it in multiple colors, etc etc.

So I've gotten pickier (went to LOFT and JCrew yesterday without buying a thing!) and I am trying to be more realistic about how many items I actually need. I've been keeping notes about WIW for at least a year. Since October I've also been tracking how many times I've worn each item.

I will never be happy with a super minimal wardrobe but I do like my closet to be less crowded and to really like everything in there. I've always been good about regular purges but recent ones have been eye opening in helping me realize that I've just had too many pieces.

Several weeks ago I sent about 20 pieces to Twice and got some $ for them. Today I packed (stuffed actually!) another bag of 30 pieces to send to them.

I've also been collecting quite a bit of stuff that will go to Goodwill- brands like Old Navy or Chico's (definitely over Chico's!) that Twice doesn't take. Additionally, I pulled out a large storage bag of stuff that I hadn't been ready to part with and was very ruthless with all of it- none made it back into my closet.

So in addition to the 30 pieces to Twice, I am taking numerous shopping bags full of stuff to Goodwill- like more than 50 pieces! Gosh that's more than a minimalist's entire wardrobe!

I apologize for rambling but I am trying to hold myself accountable to better shopping habits from now on. So I will make myself re-read this post occasionally!

I know that I do not need any more sweaters for spring / summer. Nor do I really need work clothes. What I do need is a FEW casual items- a bathing suit cover up, 1-2 shorts and 2-3 tops and maybe a dress. That's it!

Shopping

34 replies

Latest reply was from deb

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Good for you!

The fact that my wardrobe has been limited over most of the last month or so, due to travel, has gotten me thinking a little more about what I reall enjoy wearing the most. Like you, I know I'll never be a wardrobe minimalist, but I'm getting choosier and want to be more content with remixing what I have and shopping my closet, rather than constantly searching for the new. Stories like yours are inspiring!

Marmee

Veteran

Good for you! I've never heard of Twice, but am off to look them up!

Alexandra

(website)

Veteran

Good for you for realizing what the issue is and putting together a plan!

Golden

Veteran

I am entirely in the same spot but I am finding it difficult to get rid of perfectly fine things. I know if I don't wear them I should purge them but it is so hard!

So kudos to you, and I am going to keep trying!!!!

Mo

(website)

Veteran

Yep! I also know super minimal isn't for me although I do desire a small enough to manage wardrobe. But I like a certain amount of new things each season so I have to decide what buying rate will work for me and still allow me to control the overall amount of clothing in my closet. It's a constant balancing act. Just keeping track is a good start. I seem to be settling in to acquiring around 30 pieces per year as the amount I can deal with and be happy. I'd like it to be less, but so far my desires outweigh my willpower by at least a dozen items per year.

Susie

Veteran

The bags for Goodwill!

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Caro in Oz

Veteran

Sounds like you are making huge progress Susie. It's hard not to feel guilty when so much is going out, I know. I had a really big purge last year & I don't regret it at all now I really learned a lot about what I wore & didn't wear.

I'm now at a point of one in one out for most things. I'm still deciding how many clothes I need, taking in to account weather, laundry (once a week max.) & how often I want to wear something. I basically wear my version of casual, which is fairly dressy, on a daily basis so I'm also reducing all the other categories like evening wear & dressier day stuff too.

MsMary

Veteran

I have made a spreadsheet this year in which I enter every item I buy including the date purchased, where I got it, description, price including tax and shipping, date(s) worn, and price per wear, which is of course a formula that updates every time I wear the item. And at the bottom it totals how much I've spent year to date. I'm also including gifts (like the Magical Traveling Orange Pants from Suz) with a zero cost per wear, just because I'm interested to see how often they're worn.

So far it's not only been super interesting, but it's helped me keep a lid on expenditures so that "year to date" total doesn't go over my year to date budget!

Marmee

Veteran

MaryK, I am impressed with your diligence. I should do this, too. Do you update it daily?

Ledonna N.

Veteran

I really commend you as well. It can be challenging, take it from a thrift-aholic. I turned my addiction into a business and now shop for others who don't like shopping at all. I regularly cull my wardrobe. All it take is one episode of hoarders to reign myself in. It is a constant vigil. I have to ask myself is it emotional, stress, joy or can I just really shop my closet. So congratulations.......

Gigi

Veteran

Good for you, Susie! It's a good feeling when we can get a handle on our shopping and can see the thinking behind our spending habits.

After buying a LOT of stuff last year (I was basically building a wardrobe from scratch), I have cut way down and am being much pickier, just as you describe. So I still shop just as often; I just don't buy nearly as often! In wearing my items from last year, I have discovered that I don't need a lot of clothes—what I need is a manageable amount of very carefully picked items that really push all my happy buttons. Since I have cut back on the spending, I have been much happier, both because I am saving money and also because the few new pieces that I have bought have a very high happiness quotient.

deb

Veteran

Clapping hands!!! Good for you Suzie. MaryK, I created a spreadsheet at the beginning of the year also. I am only tracking new purchases though. Not how many times worn. I am not that diligent. January and March I spent about the same. February was a good month for me and I hope to have more of those as we get towards summer. I need to plan for my F/W spending.

gryffin

Veteran

Susie - totally awesome!! Sounds like you are moving toward the place you want to be. Being a conscious shopper is really difficult. It takes a lot of focus and restraint. Kind of like being in a fabulous pastry shop, having a tiny taste and walking out!! Without experimentation and some major sucesses and crashing and burning we'd never try new things and evolve. Plus, with so many enticing choices, it is really hard to say no. I think even the most disciplined have a hard time with that. I do find keep a list of purchases and needs has been really helpful for me. Also limiting my color palate and really sticking to my likes. Purging out really old clothing that's been in the hold zone for a long time was very helpful too. It's all process but I commend you on all your diligence, discrimation, and restraint!! A pared down but right sized wardrobe will be a thing of beauty and sounds like you are closing in on that!! Kudos!!

MsMary

Veteran

Deb and Marmee, I'm only tracking new-in-2014 purchases. So I update whenever I wear something that was acquired in the current year. So far the hands-down champ has been the Munro white loafers, which have been worn eight times in less than three weeks (partly because I took them on vacation). Also runners up are the Topshop black quilted clutch, at 8 outings, and the Gibson black ponte blazer, at 7.

deb

Veteran

MaryK, do you have the spreadsheet posted in your closet so you can tick off the worn items? Trying to see how I could work something like this out that I would actually stick with..

TraceyLiz65

(website)

Veteran

Congratulations on setting a goal and working hard to achieve it. It really take great discipline to curb that impulse buying tendency. I have not curbed mine as much as I've wanted to, but I think after losing weight and reestablishing a lot through thrifting that I did a great job acquiring classic pieces and I am now more focused on adding more current pieces to complete my new wardrobe. I will really have to begin to take a hard look soon and am already much more purposeful in my shopping.

MsMary

Veteran

I just pull it up on my laptop. And since I take photos every day I can refer to the photos if it's been a few days and my memory isn't perfect.

April

Veteran

CHEERING! I'm such a cheerleader for purging and keeping the closets clear. Congratulations, Susie -- it's great that you've done so much and feel good about it.

unfrumped

Veteran

Good job! I take encouragement from that, too.
I like what golden said, too-/ it's hard to part with" good" stuff so it's not just about focusing on things you love zits being realistic about how many items you need.
I'm trying to duplicate much less, too. It can be better if items are even a little different-- longer, shorter, boxier.
Focusing color palette helps, too. Some colors, like burgundy or dark teal-- function so much like neutrals that I can stop getting some things in a color plus multiple neutrals but instead try to re- mix more.

Susie

Veteran

Thank you all for your encouragement.

I too keep track of all my purchases- mine isn't a spreadsheet because I keep a lot of notes in Evernote but I list the item, price, where I bought it and the month purchased. I have last years list too. Unfortunately there are some things from last year that have already been purged. But I did try to make a note of WHY.

I have to admit that I've been influenced by some of the wonderful Fabbers! Whether it's a lemming purchase- Spiegel jacket, BR cream jeans- or an Angie's pick, or seeing a fab item on someone here, or wanting to try a look I saw here, my shopping has probably increased in the last couple of years.

There have been mistakes as I've tried different things but experiments are ok. I feel like I have a better handle on what is ME and I feel ok about some things I might have questioned- like wearing a lot of black, a limited number of silhouettes, and wanting a variety of shoes

Now I should admit that I probably have not yet earned all of your kudos! I've added a considerable number of items already this year! I do feel a bit guilty about getting rid of things that were perfectly 'fine'. But I feel ok about letting go of the things I just didn't love. And I guess I still feel that the number of purchases has been too many- not from an over budget standpoint but just the numbers.

But I am determined to do better. I now have an exact count of what's in my current closet- 145 pieces- plus an additional 25 in the out of season closet.
Since that doesn't include loungewear, sleepwear, gear, shoes/boots, bags and other accessories it still feels like a lot.

Here's to SSC (shop Susie's closet!) and more thoughtful/less frequent purchases!

Windchime

Veteran

Way to go, Susie-- you've really put thought and effort into this to purge so many items!

Like Golden and Unfrumped, it's really hard for me to let go of "perfectly good" items.

I'm definitely getting more selective about my purchases than I used to be. On my last couple shopping forays, I tried on several things but talked myself out of all of them-- they were very good but not great. When I leave the store feeling relieved that I didn't buy anything, I know I've made a good decision.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Cheering you on, Susie!! It sounds as if you are making huge progress here.

chadya

Veteran

wow, I keep a spreadsheet of nailpolish but clothing is way beyond. I think that would put the brakes on for sure ☺

I have just started taking the "good" stuff to the consignment store while they are still relatively new instead of letting it sit there.

Eliza

Veteran

Go Susie, MaryK and other organized fabbers. I learn so much from each of you as you optimize your wardrobes. I think YLF is very helpful in setting fashion priorities. Good work and great progress, Susie!

Lisa

Veteran

*Clapping* This is wonderful progress! I am a big fan of purging one's closet in an effort to only own items that one truly loves to, and actually does, wear. And wear often! We work too hard for our money, to own clothing that is collecting dust in one's closet.

rachylou

Veteran

Way to go, and a good reminder to myself to be thoughtful and "directional."

Thistle

Veteran

Fabulous progess. And yes, there is a certain mindset we have to overcome. There is a certain joy in snipping the tags and wearing somethign new. But, sometimes new isn't always what you needed.

I love MaryK's idea of a spreadhseet to track purchases. Perhaps I shall start April 1st.

rabbit

Veteran

Good job! And a good reminder for me. MaryK would you be willing to share your (empty) spreadsheet? Maybe by PM or googledocs?

I'm in danger of accumulating too many 'shiny things' right now, and starting to track wearings accurately rather than by vague memories would help me.

One thing I do with donations is make a list of all the items stapled to the receipt I get from dropping them at Goodwill. I enter them into It's Deductible once a year (free with Turbotax) where it assigns prices, it sucks them into the taxes, and all those individual pieces add up. This used to be pretty laborious in the past, and I wasn't always a stickler if I didn't donate many items, but now I think it's worth it.

Anonymous

If anyone wants to try my database it has tracking, CPW, outfit creation etc. all built in. I can have it ready for distribution next week

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