Do you buy for a season / year ahead? - YouLookFab Forum

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Do you buy for a season / year ahead?

Bijou

Veteran

Living in Australia, we are experiencing our summer and the really hot weather has only just started. For the next 3 to 4 months, it will be warm to hot weather and yet here I am placing a Boden order - with a view to buying a few nice sweaters for winter 2019.

I am happy with my choices and also very happy at the prices (being bought on discount), but I have reservations about buying so far ahead. I have yet to seriously think about my fashion goals for 2019 and what colours or style direction I want to take. I am hard on sweaters - they wear out pretty quickly, so a refresh is in order, but, I do wonder if any of these will once winter 2019 comes around just no longer feel right for me. Whilst I often buy early in the season, this is definitely far more early than usual for me.

Do you buy ahead of the season, and has it worked out for you?

I have often thought that NAS is early, well before winter, so that may have a similar impact for those of you in the US and Canada.

Finds are my winter 2019 sweater refreshes:
1 to 3 - Boden sweaters ordered today
4 - My Christmas fair isle sweater (with westies, so likely to be a favourite)
5 - a sweater that I bought at the end of the Australian winter and then decided to save as new for winter 2019 - so this is my new chunky sweater to be worn with skinny jeans.

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Cashmere Crew Sweater

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Cashmere Crew Sweater

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Shopping

50 replies

Latest reply was from unfrumped

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Yes, I do during NAS, and in looking at my purchases from 2018, I’d say my pre-season purchases are often not my wisest. I’ve returned a couple of NAS items and may return one more that still has tags on. (I’m sure Nordstrom doesn’t love that, but it takes me until the actual wearing season to work out whether something is going to be useful to me or not.)

I’ll be much more careful in my pre-season shopping moving forward. Our seasons here are too extreme and our transitional seasons too short.

Anonymous

The sweaters you have chosen are beautiful and classic. It makes sense that you would love them as much in the upcoming season as you do today.

However, like Janet, I can't say that I personally have had much luck buying pre-season. My pre-season purchases are almost always NAS purchases. I get so excited that I buy impulsively with no regard to a wardrobe plan. It is that lack of a wardrobe plan that trips me up. Perhaps if you were to sit down and develop a solid wardrobe plan, you would circumvent that problem?

Joy

Veteran

I have replaced basics like long-sleeved knits in basic neutrals to wear as an under layer and that has worked, but if I get a wild card, it can turn out to be a mistake. Exceptions have been holiday pieces...a red sequinned cotton sweater with matching scarf, jewelry. The weather factor can complicate things. Right now I am reaching for wool trying to keep warm, so am likely to buy too much that is heavy and warm. I would be most interested in fall items that could be worn in spring or now with extra layers.

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

How much does your wardrobe plan/style change from year to year? I haven't followed you long enough to know, but it seems to me that they are fairly stable, and you have no problem pulling out, say, a puffer cape bought a few years ago to go with more recent purchases. I think Bijou style is stronger than trendy style, so you can pick what will work for you, no matter the season.

ETA, several of my favorite things this winter were purchased in advance--my red puffer, metallic ankle boots, pink cardigan, white jeans, pink jeans, black/tan striped shirt, and quite possibly a couple of other things I'm forgetting were purchased because the quality and price were right, and they were so "me". (Except for the jeans--I knew I'd need warmer summer clothes in Berlin, so I listened to Angie and the forum and got some skinnies).

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

YES, at the NAS. And I usually love my NAS stuff.

Apart from the NAS, I am careful not to purchase too far into "off-season".

Snap, I have the Boden stripe and neon pullovers, and love them.

Jenn

(website)

Veteran

I think I’m better off limiting my off-season buying to staples like jeans. I don’t like the feeling of things hanging unworn in my closet for months and I lose some of the excitement of integrating something new when I can’t wear it right away. This is a personality thing, though, and it’s taken me a while to learn it about myself.

Kathie

Veteran

I'd buy items that are either staple colors (for example, in my wardrobe, merino turtlenecks in black and navy) or a classic cut. Your Boden cashmere crew necks seem quite classic, and like you'd wear them next season.. With NAS, I try to focus on the items that are part of a larger plan (fill a hole, replacement items) and limit the wild cards. That said, Nordstrom's makes it easy to return items that don't work. So, if by mid-October, I haven't cut the tags on NAS items I take them back. I learned this the hard way, with a pink jacket that was a wild card.

Vix

Veteran

Hi Bijou --

Echoing lots of the "not really" folks upthread. I do recall walking home in 100 degree heat one summer with a packable down jacket and feeling ridiculous...but no regrets buying that!

A big part of my buying more in-season is that our warmer weather doesn't last long, and I don't want to be preoccupied with buying, trying, and returning winter clothes then. And since I do try on new stuff with old stuff to see how the colors and styles work, it's a PITA to get stuff out of storage and feels blech to boot.

Also -- the summer vs winter light is *extremely* different for me, and that affects how colors look (and "feel") to me.

Plus I dislike having money tied up out of season on stuff I can't wear.

I did NAS in a very limited way (a few pieces) for a couple of years but it really doesn't jive with the above. Probably not surprising that my best NAS purchase was a long-sleeved, stretch silk, collarless print shirtdress that spans the seasons and is great for travel and layering...I baby that thing!

Vix

Veteran

ps I will add NAS stuff to my wishlist and occassionally buy post-hype (aka in-season) when the items are once again 40 -- or even 60%! -- off.

Learned that after seeing some of my NAS stuff with tags on get further discounts....

kkards

Veteran

i have had mixed results doing this...its worked out the best when i fill a hole or buy a replacement at the end of a season and carry that item over as new to the next. it's worked less well for more impulse or fashiony items
for example, i bought this puffer in Feb a couple of years ago and held it as "new" until the next winter because i knew that i was going to need to replace my existing puffer and so got it at a great price.
the espadrilles on the other hand, while i got them at a great price at then end of the season, when the right season came around again, i wasn't feeling quite the same and while i wore them occasionally they never really earned a place in my wardrobe

Marmot Montreal Coat

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Andre Assous André Assous 'Samantha' Sandal (Women)

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Irina

Veteran

I buy any item from my “need it” list regardless of the season. I already bought 3 silk tops and a pair of cargo pants for the summer. I will have to wait for 6 months to wear it. Last summer I discarded a pair of black cotton pants. If I find it now, I will buy it. actually it makes me feel better - prepared for an upcoming season, exited to have something new ready. I re-evaluate in the beginning and through a season to see what else is missing. I made a couple of mistakes mostly due to how an item performs (wash, fading, wrinkles) but it’s unavoidable in any case.

Gretchen

Veteran

I tend to buy at the end of season and hold for the next. Last year I bought cashmere in February knowing that I wouldn't wear it until Fall.

I agree with several others that buying ahead of the season works if you have a plan or are filling holes.

Barbara Diane

Veteran

I occasionally purchase ahead of season, but not anything too expensive as I consider it a bit of a gamble. I am often hopeful but not committed to losing weight so I don’t stock up much. I bought some very casual sleeveless sundresses at the end of summer sales for under $20 that I will probably turn into maxi skirts as I loved the one I bought and wore all last summer but couldn’t find more. They could easily be taken in at the same time if I lose weight.
I like the sweaters.

Anonymous

I do it regularly and it seems to work for me. My core style preferences don’t shift too much & are eclectic. I enjoy finding good deals on unique or quality pieces & putting them up.

I love the sweaters you have ordered/stockpiled. I can’t imagine you not ending up able to enjoy and incorporate them. Your outfits have a brightness, joy & whimsy in touches that I think these sweaters hit on.

Also, your thread tempted me & I wound up ordering three Boden sweaters, too! I wanted the striped but it wasn’t available in my size.

cindysmith

Veteran

I have frequently bought things at end-of-season clearance sales that I plan to wear when the appropriate season rolls back around again. Most of the time, it has worked out well enough for me, with only a few mistakes. I'm getting better at it than I used to be, now that I'm older and wiser (and have been hanging out here, finally honing in on what feels most authentic to ME)

I'm currently stocking up on pieces for next winter, because I don't want to shop after the first of the year (starting my no-buy in earnest). I already stocked up on hot weather pieces, so I should be set when the temps start rising.

anchie

Veteran

I don’t see anything wrong with buying ahead, especially if you can get a good deal, and I don’t think your taste will change that much in next 6 months anyway. I would do it my self more, but I have a problem with weight fluctuations and I am never sure what size I will be in few months. If your size is stable, go for it.

nemosmom

Veteran

I tend to buy/replenish my essentials in the off season (gear, jeans, short sleeve tees). Things like fashion shoes usually don’t make it into circulation by the time the season rolls around for them (boots bought in summer; sandals bought in winter).

Anonymous

Damn. You convinced me to go and buy that pink cashmere sweater.

Cashmere Crew Sweater

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anchie

Veteran

Sterling - good decision, I received this sweater today too, and it is a keeper, I didn’t even had to post K/R.

Anonymous

Thank you, Anchie. I've been eyeing that exact sweater since Angie packed to visit her Father. I can't tell you how many times it has been in my cart. Happy New Year.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

I love your purchases! And I am pretty sure they will stand you in good stead come the fall. They have the femininity and pizzazz you typically look for in your wardrobe items and are in fresh, pretty colours.

I buy selectively during the NAS. I always replace/ upgrade my undies because the sale prices are excellent and those are really for all year. I also look at gear clothing if I need a gear refresh (that doesn't happen every year.) Again, that's for all year, so perhaps not relevant to your question.

My other most successful NAS purchases include footwear. I know my tastes and needs and it is rare for me to make a purchase in that category that doesn't work out.

I've also done well with bags at NAS. And with denim, which again, is a wear-all-year thing. And scarves. These typically become workhorse items.

Dresses and knits are trickier. Dresses because I sometimes get over-excited and forget my real needs. Knits because sometimes the quality turns out to be missing in the ones I buy. Having said that, I've also found some real winners in the sweaters department there.

I also have success with the odd big-ticket statement item. My Rag and Bone gilet falls into that category. I almost never wore it in Ontario but in a couple of months on the west coast I've already worn it more than it got worn in a couple of years back east. And whether I wear it or not, I love it. So there is that.

Examples of my most successful NAS purchases below. These are items that are still in my closet. There are others (mostly footwear and denim) that was equally successful but that I wore into the ground.

Hinge Butterfly Collage Square Silk Scarf

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BP Crushed Velour Tee

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Citizens of Humanity Cara Ankle Cigarette Jeans

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Halogen Long Open Front Cardigan

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Rag & Bone 'Faye' Longline Double Breasted Wool Blend Vest

$575.00 $229.98

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Rag & Bone JEAN 'The Dre' Slim Boyfriend Pants

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Rebecca Minkoff 'Bryn' Double Zip Hobo

$295.00 $117.97

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DKNY 'Soho' Round Watch, 34mm

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Longchamp 'Large Le Pliage' Tote

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Pure Amici Cashmere Hooded Cardigan

$372.00 $185.98

Sale

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Vince Boatneck Tee

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Vince Camuto Midi Tube Skirt (Regular & Petite)

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Jenni NZ

Veteran

Hi Bijou, I do do it, yes. I have just done it on the bronze boots I had been wanting for about 3 months, so as to get them at under $100 with Styletread's recent sale. Only issue is not feeling like doing a big try-on with the winter stuff, since it is so hot. The colour is not quite as bronze as some of the items I wanted to match them with. They are returnable for 30 days so I will bite the bullet of try-ons some time on a cooler day!
Usually it works out for me doing this, but occasionally I don't wear the things as much as I hoped when the season rolls around. So what works is trying to keep the numbers of items quite small otherwise my wardrobe is too bloated and I don't have time to wear the stuff enough times with all the variety.

Anonymous

I did this year, as i knew my expenses would be going up, with mixed results. The biggest issue was i bought pants and coats that are ok for mild weather (when i bought them), but not warm enough for really cold weather-facepalm.

Sal

Veteran

Nice additions Bijou!!

I occasionally do it - and it does seem to work. Usually with sales or thrifted items. I don’t tend to do it with essentials as I am not organised enough. My main issue is that sometimes it does not scratch the shopping urge so I then buy the same amount later in the proper season.

Dianna

Veteran

I do it with essentials, and occasionally with pricier items that I am able to get on sale at the end of the season. Like Anchie, I would do it more if my weight was more stable.

Bijou

Veteran

So interesting to get this feedback and I agree with so many of you that I should proceed with caution.

So fun that so many of us are getting Angie’s pink sweater.

anne

Veteran

Not much - I find it hard to shop for a season when I'm not in it. I have bought the odd summer refresh item in the sales - but you know our summers - even if you buy in late Feb they are usually good for a few months of wear!

I did however buy my Boden Eleanor dress ahead of time this year and was pleased to have it. And if I see a HEWI (and on YLF we do get to see ahead) I'll got for it!

Deb

Veteran

I have bought off season at times. I peruse the more high end websites like My Theresa, Net-a-Porter and Farfetch during the Northern Hemisphere sales and have found some beautiful, well considered pieces which otherwise would be much more expensive, ready for the corresponding Australian season in three or six months time. I’ve had no regrets. For local purchases I wait until the approaching or current season.

rachylou

Veteran

I do with NAS for fall/early winter. I start looking for a long Puffy when the season starts... but have to say, I feel that it usually takes me until January to find anything. Spring/summer I find simply difficult on all fronts.

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