Do you allow yourself some indulgence? - YouLookFab Forum

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Do you allow yourself some indulgence?

RoseandJoan

Veteran

As a modern women, like many others on the forum, I feel as though I am juggling many roles; mum, office worker, wife, carer, runner, Zumba-er and my wardrobe reflects these roles quite nicely. However, occasionally an item just speaks to me, not as a mum or part time worker but rather to the person beneath the layers.

I used to view the purchase of these items as indulgent because they don't necessarily slot into a capsule or fill a definite need but I have come to realise these purchases for me are essential in order the keep the fashion fires burning.

I do not buy for a fantasy life I occasionally buy for me on the rare days I have little responsibility and I am free to be and dress as I please. Do you do the same and what was your last purchase which was simply bought to please?

General

24 replies

Latest reply was from Cindy

Caro in Oz

Veteran

Ah yes the serendipitous purchase that somehow reflects who I am & what it is I want to express. It is different in kind from buying for a fantasy life imo.

This winter it has been my silver chelsea booties - I went out to buy black booties & worried that I'd made a big mistake when I came home with them - they work with everything & I feel great every time I wear them

RoseandJoan

Veteran

How fantaistic Caro that an indulgent purchase has become a workhorse. Silver chelsea boots sound very rock and roll!

Lantana

Veteran

I need well fitting underwear but adorably pretty matching underwear is my indulgence.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Interesting question, Julie. I am fortunate in that while I juggle many roles, I don't feel they require me to disguise myself, for the most part. So everything I buy, pretty much, is something I like. For its purpose, granted -- I don't love the idea of wearing my gear clothes to a night out or even to market -- but I aim for stuff that satisfies me in some way, at least. In that sense, all my clothes feel like indulgence! Perhaps because for years, I barely shopped at all, or shopped only at the discounts outlets or thrift -- so now that I can afford to do it a bit more, shopping for myself still feels like a luxury whatever I buy, whether it's basic underwear or a fun and frivolous trend item.

But I think you're talking about something different -- those items that call to your soul. They might be inexpensive or they might be quite expensive indeed, but they're not "needs" in any real sense. And these are the uniquely satisfying purchases.

I think the last item like that was my Stuart Weitzman chelsea boots. They are, as it happens, eminently practical for me and fit many of my roles. But they were pricey, and they weren't an absolute need in the moment I bought them.

Nova

Like Suz, after being here at YLF I tend to buy things that express me and fit in my life as the norm now. However, I recently bought a necklace that I fell in love with and was just me. I didn't need it, but it was perfect and worth it.

Scarlet

Veteran

I hear where you are coming from.
For me it's my tasseled wedge boots I asked about awhile ago. Except I am wearing them today to work since the days of just being me-on-the-go are too few and far between for now. They are a bit too high (8.5 cm) to be strictly practical, but for days where I do a lot of desk work they are fine.

http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....yay-or-nay

Besides that, probably the red clutch I bought awhile back. She only comes out for me time.

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

Since I really only dress to please myself in my anything goes environment, almost everything I own is a sort of indulgence of sorts.

Debra

Veteran

My indulgence is not so much purchases but time for me
I was fortunate to have the opportunity to "look after" a friend's penthouse apartment on the Gold Coast last weekend
Wow... Just me and a good book and some wine, walks on the beach and a couple of movies I've been trying to watch...
I could get used to this life style....a very good weekend

Raisin

Veteran

Yah, I do the Indulgent purchases once in a while. Unfortunately these often become orphans for me. I recently purchased the rag and bone Harrow booties. Now they are gorgeous and definitely and indulgence! I just home they don't become orphans. They fit well and are comfy but hey have a high heel. Which is part of the reason I bought them, since I have no heels and I want to wear them once in a while. So I must make sure this indulgence doesn't turn into another orphan!

RoseandJoan

Veteran

Raisin and Scarlet, yes, there is a high degree of risk when purchasing these items for sure.

I also notice boots are a very popular 'indulgent' purchase, my last indulgence are a pair of cream suede heeled Paul & Joe Sister boots, there use will be limited to dry(ish) child free days but I don't think they will become orphans (or at least I hope they won't).

Debra, that does sound like an amazing place to find yourself.

Suz, those boots represent your style in a nutshell, they are amazing.

Anonymous

Hmmm.. no I haven't bought anything lately that 'spoke to my soul' as Suz succinctly put it. I suspect if I were to buy something now it would probably be footwear as well.
I do believe it is possible that such purchases could end up being orphans if I'm not careful though, as Raisin said.
I have a cream faux fur jacket that I bought some years back and it was sheer indulgence at the time. Sadly it's only been worn about 3 times and was bought for my fantasy life where I go out to fancy places each week. It's going on Ebay soon.

Transcona Shannon

Veteran

Absolutely! I'm not the kind of person who can always be practical, stick to my list, only buy needs, etc. I'm an emotional person and I feel things strongly. I think this is why I love so many vintage items - it's like they have a history of their own and I feel privileged to have entered their lives and carry on their existence.

My last "indulgent" purchase is probably tied between my quilted cobalt/cream handbag and my Fluevog pointy toed animal print oxfords (that are waiting for fall to come out and play). Were either of these a need? No. Did my heart go pitter-patter when I saw them. Yep.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Perhaps you can share one of these items with us, Jules?

I 100% support this type of emotional shopping. Why not.

Debbie

Veteran

Yes absolutely! Sometimes it is necessary in order to own a tiny piece of yourself when life is overwhelming.

lyn*

(website)

Veteran

I buy myself things to celebrate my Awesomeness all the time - I think it's fabulous. If you don't treat yourself, who will?

Dawn

(website)

I haven't bought myself clothes or shoes recently as an indulgence and was struggling to think of what I have bought as a treat recently until I remembered lipstick. My go-to treat in the last year has been a bright pop of colour on my lips, and I will indulge that impulse as often as I can.

Aziraphale

Veteran

Yes, I do this from time to time. I don't want to break the bank, so I try not to overdo it, but very occasionally I will buy a pair of fairly expensive shoes that I know will not get much wear given my lifestyle. You know the type: dressy, high, high heels. Hahaha. It's not that I don't wear them at all, but they certainly don't have a low cost-per-wear.

Nothing wrong with a little bit of self-indulgence now and then!

Elly

Veteran

I think we all try to carve out little bits of our lives for ourselves, especially when for many ladies it feels like so much of our lives are dedicated to the service of others.

My indulgences tend to be beauty products or hobby supplies, although I will occasionally by a piece of clothing or something practical that I don't truly need just because I find it particularly beautiful and makes me smile. I'm actually wearing one of my pieces today, a watercolor print skirt that reminds me of one of my favorite artists even though I rarely have an opportunity to wear it.

Of course, on my budget I often feel guilt about buying things that I absolutely don't need, no matter how little of that type of stuff I own. This thread is a good reminder not to sweat it, instead to enjoy those beautiful things and to search out things I DO need that are going to make me happy.

rachylou

Veteran

That's an interesting question. I feel I'm very moody fashionwise, so that every purchase is an indulgence and none I would say embodies me exactly. On the other hand, I'm looking at a studded, black tunic tank... and that doesn't exactly qualify for any particular activity and I do have this lifelong flirtation with punk...

Anonymous

This is an interesting question. I try for all my purchases to be pleasing to me. A couple of indulgences that come to mind are
1. The first kimono-esque top I ever bought. The silk, the pattern and colors really spoke to me. I even paid full price for it, something I rarely do. I feel great when I wear it and have worn it often with everything from faded jeans to a LBD in the 4 years or so I've had it.
2. The bright citron colored jeans I bought last spring...not a need or even age appropriate, but they make me smile.

Mo

(website)

Veteran

Not usually. For some reason, I have this mental block on spending big money on myself. I was aghast when the BF was watching me window shop for a sterling silver collar necklace in New Orleans on my birthday trip and said, let's buy it. It was $135 and I didn't 'need' it. Silly, right?
I did once throw caution to the wind when I got my blush moto jacket by MuuBaa. It was half price by then, though, so I guess I didn't immediately get it when I first wanted it the year before.
Yeah, I guess I need to work on this a bit still LOL.

Kristin L

Veteran

I think my last indulgent purchase was my goldtone Kate Spade necklace. I'm not sure what it says about my style for when I'm at work, but there as something about it when I tried it on that just felt "right."

Debra

Veteran

Lyn has it all worked out I think

Cindy

My most recent indulgence was a pair of Ultramarine Converse. Not anything I needed but purchased just for the fun of it.:) (Ultramarine was actually my second choice since Wonder Woman Cons are no longer available in my size.)