Do you ever try on something you know you will not buy? - YouLookFab Forum

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Do you ever try on something you know you will not buy?

pastrygirl

(website)

Veteran

Specifically, something way, WAY out of your price range? I've only just started trying on items in the $200 range because there's a very very slight chance I might be able to buy it. But I'm talking about items that have no chance of going home with you.

I'm dying to try on a Herve Leger dress. I've heard that they are sometimes available at NR, and if I found one there I'd try it on in a heartbeat. But I've always shied away from trying it on at Nordstrom. I just really want to know how it would look on me.

I finally tried on a DVF silk wrap dress this fall and am moving up, LOL.

Thoughts? Am I being too scrupulous?

Shopping

44 replies

Latest reply was from K. Period.

Mo

(website)

Veteran

I can say that I wished I had when I finally decided to splurge and buy myself a DVF wrap dress this year for my birthday. Since I had never tried one on, just to see, I had no idea what size would fit when it came time to order one. I lucked out and the one I got fit great, but not without some serious trepidation first.
I did try on a Theory shirt last month when I saw it hanging at the consignment shop. Boy was it small! Good information to file away

kkards

Veteran

i always try on the display shoes....regardless of the price or style.

there is nothing wrong with trying on something that you can not afford. the best way to tell if something is well made is to feel it and try it. i say go for it!

catgirl

Veteran

All. The. Time.

Burberry, for starters.

RunswithDolphins

Plus if it goes on sale online you'll know exactly what size you need and can snap it up before it's gone.

deb

Veteran

Yes. because if I can find the piece at a more reasonable price I want to know 1 - if it looks good on me, and 2 - if it is something I will really wear.

ETA - I also try things on to see if I like the style. newer styles usually start at a higher price range before they hit the lower end of the scale. By trying both I can make a judgment on fit and fabrication between the two prices.

pastrygirl

(website)

Veteran

Well, that was my thinking with DVF -- I wanted to know my size since those dresses do sometimes go on sale at a pricepoint I can handle. Plus, they sometimes have DVF at my local TJ Maxx so it's easy to try out without feeling like someone is watching me. I find the expensive side of Nordstrom a bit intimidating. But a Herve Leger dress is almost 2K if not more… no chance it will ever go on sale enough for me!

Jules

Veteran

No - truth be told I'm a bit intimidated by 'those' stores/brands, plus I'm afraid I might fall in love with it.

Caro in Oz

Veteran

All the time - it is the way i understand fit & cut & colour. The downside is 90% of clothing out there doesn't appeal anymore.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

What Deb said. Increasingly I try to do it. I admit it's sometimes difficult, but how else can we find out about fit and cut? And if you're online shopping it is really the only way.

Shirley

Yes. Thanks to reading this blog. It really helps to open your eyes to different styles and know your self better. I am still staying within my comfort zone but keeping a more open mind now.

lyn*

(website)

Veteran

All the time here. Burberry. Spent an hour in the store in HK.

Mia

Veteran

You mean people don't? Just kidding, I often try something even if it is more than I want to spend. Nothing wrong with "research" in my book.

ATLynn

Veteran

Wow, interesting question. I don't think I have ever done that. I don't do a lot of B&M shopping anymore, and when I do, I target things for my real life and ignore the fantasy. But seeing these responses, I feel like I'm missing out on a great style adventure opportunity.

Aziraphale

Veteran

Um, expensive coats. Expensive shoes. Yes. More than once.

pastrygirl

(website)

Veteran

I am surprised (and relieved!) to see all these replies. I really thought I was going to be bombarded with how unethical my suggestion even was! I'm heading to Nordstrom this week and they have the exact dress I'd like to try. Um, I may or may not post pics.

Sharon

Veteran

I'm a bit scared that if I try on something I know I will never be able to afford, and it looks amazing on me that I will pine for it forevermore and it will undermine my satisfaction with the things I CAN afford. Has anyone experienced this? I'm not sure if it is even a realistic fear.

Mo

(website)

Veteran

to your point, Sharon, I don't think I would try on something astronomically out of my price range. Maybe double (perhaps even triple) what I normally pay, but not 10 times my normal budget for instance.
I know sales can and do happen and maybe that triple price item will fall more in line with my budget, but the 10X one not so much.

Aquamarine

Veteran

Hardly ever...I am usually in such a rush when I shop that I am determined and efficient in the dressing room.

ironkurtin

Veteran

Sure. Just like my husband likes to go look at cars he won't be buying, either.

Diana

Veteran

Yes, sometimes I try things like Burberrys "for research purposes." You know, just in case the perfect one pops up on ebay or something.

I actually do have a deal with myself that I can buy a Burberry when I reach a certain milestone in my professional life, so it's not entirely a fantasy item.

Gaylene

Veteran

If the item appealed to me, why not? As for falling in love with something out of my price range, that's OK, too. I suppose if I couldn't bear not to own it, I'd have a powerful incentive to save up until I could afford it.

This thread reminded me of the Paul Gallico novel Miss 'Arris Goes to Paris about a impoverished, middle-aged London charwomen who is enchanted by a Dior gown she sees in her employer's closet. She saves her money to go to Paris to purchase a Dior gown of her own, even though she has absolutely no intention of ever being able to wear such a gown in public. She is just entranced by the thought of owning something so utterly beautiful.The book is a fun read and the film adaptation, starring Angela Landsbury and Omar Sharif, isn't half bad either.

It's a sweet, comic little story, but I've always remembered it because I think it speaks to wanting something so badly that you'd be willing to scrimp and save to own it because its loveliness feeds your spirit and soul.

donnat

Veteran

Absolutly! How else would you know about style and fit. I love trying gorgeous expensive stuff on.

citygirldc

(website)

Veteran

No. Why try on something you can't really afford.

JAileen

Veteran

We were in Las Vegas and I had to see if the Judith Leiber polar bear evening bag worked for me - and it did! Well, except for the price ($$$$$$$).

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Laura (rhubarbgirl)

(website)

Veteran

I usually haven't, not because I object but because I'm nervous that I'll spill something on it or accidentally damage it while I'm trying it on and then I'll have to buy it! I do like to inspect things - I have no shame about pulling a hanger out and looking at how something is made or peering at the inside of the seams for a second.

I frequently try on things in colors that don't suit me or in brands I've never tried before, just to get an idea of how brands fit so I can snap them up when I see them available on sale or secondhand.

karymk

Veteran

smart smart smart to try on stuff you can't afford! Think of it as an education in couture! This will help you determine if the cheaper stuff is worth leaning on for knock offs, or if the real deal is worth the cost due to better construction, cut, fabrics and details.

Marley

Veteran

Oh yes - all the time - just for fun, I mean, err, for "research purposes."

Lyn D.

Veteran

Yes, I do like to try on things that I would not normally wear just for fun

Janet

(website)

Veteran

I never used to when I was younger, but yeah, I do now. That's how I ended up with a pair of Rockstuds.

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