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Outfits Ensembles Trends Advice

Do you shop in outfits or pieces?

Elly

Veteran

I was reading something that got me thinking about how I shop and wonder whether it is the best strategy.

Generally when I shop (although it has been a few years since I did some serious shopping) I spent a day maybe a couple of times (1-3) a major season (f/w and s/s) and head to my nearest shopping destination. Unless I am looking for something specific as the reason for the trip (i.e. a special occasion dress, new black slacks that I will be going to work naked without, ect) I just tend to head to the outlets, places like ross/TJMaxx, and places I have had occasional luck in the past with. I tend to do a lot of discount shopping and then at Ross prices I will purchase whatever fits (I am hard to fit). I take budget and lifestyle considerations into the decision (weather, yes--- jeans and t lifestyle?-- only sometimes). However, I rarely think about whether I have anything to wear with the piece. Then I will come home and struggle to find something to wear with it.

Obviously, it is a side-effect of not having good basics and bargain shopping-- and I have always ended up with orphans.

So, I wanted to ask others on the board if they fall into this trap too. Do you go shopping only looking for specific items and accept "happy accidents" that fall into your wardrobe well? Do you do what I do? Or do you shop and once you find a piece immediately try to find a match in your closet or on your shopping trip before buying or keeping it? Do you think about accessories and shoes right away, or are they an afterthought for you?

I have a friend that insists the key to her looking good is shopping in outfits-- not necessarily being matchy-matchy or never breaking an ensemble up-- but making sure she has completed an outfit before she moves on to something else.

What do you ladies think of this strategy? What is your own? I would love to hear about how you shop and if it differs now with a more established wardrobe or how you would shop if you had to start largely from scratch.

Shopping

25 replies

Latest reply was from Kelly

lyn*

(website)

Veteran

I used to have the same shopping strategy as you; but I also cannot pass on a bargain. I carry a list (but now my iPad application) full of the items of clothing I already own. When I find something that is a bargain, I mentally (or on my app) make at least 4 outfits with it to see if it will integrate well with the pieces I already have. If it will, then I buy. If it won't, it goes back.

If I had to limit myself to finishing outfits, I'd go bonkers! or broke!

Alecia

Veteran

I tend to shop for pieces but always I always do it with an eye toward what I already have in my closet. I usually have identified what I'd like to add when I head out. I may consider great finds that aren't on the list.

Kate

Veteran

When I was in elementary school, my mom bought me clothes in outfits. The result was that unless I was wearing jeans on the bottom, I had to stick with the outfits for anything to work right. I couldn't mix and match.

In high school I abandoned outfits. I wore jeans, t-shirts, and sweatshirts/hoodies/fleeces. The jeans worked with everything, but I strove for diversity in my tops, and the result was that I had tops that didn't layer well. If the hoodie was zipped up it didn't matter what was underneath, but I couldn't wear any layers open. It was all or nothing. I still had a wardrobe that didn't mix and match.

Now I'm somewhere in between. I don't buy outfits, but I'll try an item on with different outfits before I decide if it's worth keeping. I have a colorful wardrobe, but I stick to a palette that allows me to layer and mix up my combinations. I spend a lot of time shopping and considering items when I get them so that I don't have to think about them as much once I own them. Things tend to just work once they're in my closet because I already put them through the tests when determining whether to buy and keep them.

Something that helps with this is having a uniform. When it's cold it's jeans with boots or booties. When it's warm it's high waisted skirts with sandals. And year round I wear dresses and cardigans. If an item doesn't work with my uniforms, I don't get it. If it works with my uniform, there are infinite outfit options!

Fruitful

Veteran

I like Kate's idea of having a uniform and unconsciously do this at times.

I LOVE that Lyn has her wardrobe listed on her phone. I've been meaning to make a list but haven't yet.

I've been reading style blogs, newsletters and books for a few years now, and some of the first things that stood out to me were about intentional shopping. Taking inventory of your wardrobe first; keeping a "shopping list" that focused on basics first; only buying things if they could be mixed at least 3 ways with what you already have.

I felt much happier with my wardrobe when I tried these things but I like to have room for serendipity too. If you are going to thrift/ebay/shop sales, you do find things you weren't expecting.

I noticed that one of my fave bloggers, Lilli from http://frocksandfroufrou.com/ says she just picks up things as they take her fancy, and she has a great wardrobe. I'm pretty sure Angie posted about no longer pressuring herself to wear things multiple ways, and I really felt that was a timely post for me; it's okay for me to own an item that only goes in one outfit if I love it.

So what I am saying is the rules are incredibly useful but once you have a functioning wardrobe it is fine to ignore those rules to an extent.

(I've been ignoring them a bit much lately actually - and my wardrobe is developing some "basics" holes again. Another thing I need to remind myself when finding treasures, is "Somebody else could love this item and get a lot of joy out of it - let's leave it for them to find!" ^_^)

Kristine

Veteran

I wish I could shop in outfits, it seems so organized. Unfortunately find two or three pieces that work together and all work on me rarely happens in one day. So I shop for separates. I usually have a short list so I don't get overwhelmed (white dress pants, short sweater for sheath dresses). I sometimes buy on impulse but it has to work with my wardrobe and I try to avoid ever duplicating. My wardrobe is fairly small and I'd like to keep it that way, but improve it. So even impulses generally fall into categories. For example, I'm always looking for jackets.

Sveta

(website)

Veteran

I always shop for pieces but I usually go through what I already have in my mind to see if i have what to wear it with. When I come home I play in my closet and if this item does not play well with my existing wardrobe it goes back. However if I like it well enough I can keep it and then look for the partners specifically.

mustard

After purging my closet of ill fitting clothes and a big collection of cropped pants, I am shopping in outfits. I don't go to the stores often and since I have so many holes to fill I find it easier to buy the whole outfit.

Before this board I would shop as needed for events and then it would be my uniform of : jeans/causual pants & Tshirts. Once I found something that fit, I would buy it in several colors.

I am sure the way I shop will slowly evolve as my closet gets more items that are a 10.

Queen Mum

Veteran

Team pieces here. I think when I used to shop for "outfits," I would end up with things that didn't mix and match and actually ended up with MORE orphans as a result. Now that I shop for pieces (keeping in mind what I already have) I have a much more mix and match and functional wardrobe. Often I will think of a piece that will add to/complete outfits I already have and add that to my mental list.

I will add though, that my collection of bottoms consists of jeans in different cuts, and I stick to dresses rather than skirts. I'd be hard pressed to find a top that didn't work with one of my jeans, and so the only thing that I may have to search out specifically would be the right shoes on occasion.

Lavinia

I think I shop in pieces. When I like an item I try to visualize a few combinations with other items from my closet. Luckily, I am drawn to colors that somehow match so color isn't the issue. The real issue is that the outfits I made up in my head don't translate that well in reality and I have to figure out new combinations.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

This is a great thread for me because I am really just learning to shop again after many, many years of not shopping at all, essentially. Or shopping only in the way you describe - going to the outlet and hoping, hoping that I might find something. Sometimes I did, and that was grand, but more often than not I came home with nothing, or else with something that didn't work all that well.

I've recently made a huge purge due to weight loss. Then I bought some very inexpensive thrifted and bargain pieces and had some alterations on old stuff done, just so I would have something to wear. But I want to build a closet of 10s and that is my mission, so it will help to hear how smart shoppers manage that! Thank you!

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I think it's a great strategy to shop for pieces, but you need to keep an outfit or two in mind when you add them into your style life.

One of the worst shopping strategies around is "giving into a bargain". Ironically, it becomes a big waste of money. I clean out closets for a living and see it all. Much of what's on the pass-on pile is stuff that was on sale that people hoped would work for their body type and wardrobe. Sadly, it seldom does.

Mo

(website)

Veteran

I shop for pieces, but with outfits in mind. For instance, a light layering sweater or jacket to go over dress A, shirt B, and pair with skirt C. I don't turn my back on happy accidents, though - they often end up being surprise workhorses just because they make me smile just to put it on and so I'll wear it more!
I don't think I've ever shopped in outfits and don't really know what that means, to be honest. You mean head to toe, shoes, bracelets, everything all at the same time meant to be worn together? If so, I never have and surely never will. I don't have that much discretionary income to spend all at the same time, ever. It's always $100 this month and $200 that month kind of spending for me.

geetha

I shop for pieces. shopping for an entire outfit is too much work and pressure. I think it makes logical sense that overall, your pieces will fit, because you're buying them all with only one person in mind-you. every single piece may not go with every other piece, but a sufficient number will.

chewyspaghetti

Veteran

I shop in pieces, but I have a small wardrobe so I keep in mind what I already have at home that could be worn with it. If I can't imagine an outfit from my existing wardrobe, then I probably won't buy it.

MsMary

Veteran

Team Pieces, but I don't buy anything that won't make an outfit with other pieces I already have (or that I'm not willing to build a new outfit around).

Honestly, though, I am much less likely to buy something that doesn't go with anything else, than I am to bring home a piece that is nearly identical to something I already own!

Polly (thunalata)

Veteran

I shop in pieces.

In the past I shopped on a budget, so I would find the best eg top at that price and be perfectly happy with it. I still don't see that at that stage there was any point in me doing anything else. If I was going to buy a non-killer piece anyway, it might as well be a cheaper one...

Now I am getting pickier about the pieces I shop for. I have 'enough' clothes to get me by, so really from now on I only want to be getting 10s. At the same time, though, I am also starting to think in outfits for the first time; I see something and start to put it together mentally with other things I own. Progress!

Anonymous

I shop in pieces from a list. My list is wardrobe holes of items that will mix and match with what I already have. Most of my wardrobe is becoming very planned and organized since I dress in a uniform. And my wardrobe is very mix and match...rather than outfits. If an item cannot be worn several ways then it rarely comes home with me.

Although I am keeping an open mind on pieces that are not on my list. One of my favorite items this summer was an accidental find....a linen ikat print jacket in all my favorite summer colors. Wasn't on my list but works really well with lots of stuff.

Aziraphale

Veteran

Elly, that's an interesting question, and I had to think for a bit to figure out my answer. I certainly don't shop in outfits (I'd have to be waaaaay more organized than I am!), but I do make sure that I do a mental check before I head to the cash register with an item: do I have at least two things I can wear this with? Then, when I get home, I try the new item on with the things I thought it would go with. Usually I'm right, and I keep it. Sometimes I'm mistaken, and then I have two choices: I can either return it, or I can buy another thing that does go with it. Usually I end up with going with the latter.

lyn*

(website)

Veteran

I often "give in to the bargain" as Angie says .... then bring it back to the store to return because I don't like it :p

So hang onto your reciepts!

devon7

(website)

It seems like everyone here shops for pieces. Add me to that list... I have always shopped for pieces, but I do better when I do the following:

1) Shop with a list or for a specific item which fills a gap in my wardrobe.

2) When I find something I do like that isn't on my list, think of when I would wear it and what I would wear it with.

3) After I buy something, go home and try it on with items in my wardrobe to create outfits. If I don't have good outfits which include the item, return it.

Since I have a large wardrobe already, it doesn't really make sense to shop for outfits. However, it also doesn't make sense to keep something which I can't easily incorporate into outfits using what I already have. When I shopped NAS with a friend, I tried on a long Nic and Moe (I think that's the brand) cardigan with one button. I loved the way it looked, but my friend was saying I would need to wear it with skinny jeans or leggings. I don't have skinny jeans or leggings (I'm self-conscious about my hips and thighs, even though other people tell me I'm nuts), so I left the cardigan at the store. I didn't want a "project"; I wanted an item to add to my wardrobe and which would work well with what I already had.

A big pitfall I've had in shopping is that I shop for a lifestyle I want or someone else's lifestyle instead of my own. I like to dress up, for example, but I live in a casual town and don't go out to clubs or fancy restaurants all that often. Consequently, I need very few dressy items in my wardrobe. Since I've put a moratorium on buying dressy items and started shopping for my actual lifestyle and for things I will wear right away, I've fared much better. I still make mistakes, but if I apply my "return if not worn within 1 month" rule, I usually don't go wrong in the long run.

Louise

Veteran

Pieces, though I am desperately trying to shop with 'what else an item will go with' in mind. Generally I just get attracted to a piece buy it and then it's more luck than judgement that it goes with anything else in my wardrobe x

Elly

Veteran

Thanks ladies-- almost every one of you has some little spark in their post that I am definitely going to have to ponder. I hope everyone else enjoyed hearing how all of the fab ladies on the forum have worked it out for themselves, because I certainly did.

I think where I differ from alot of the ladies is situational. I often have to travel to shop b&m, so I can't return it if it doesn't play nice with my closet without lots of hassles. Online is different for me. Also, I don't have an established/functioning wardrobe. Currently I don't have any work wear or even anything smart-casual barring a couple of orphans that are questionable, so I am not concerned if my new slacks work wit h what is already in the closet!

I am trying out a modified version of my friend's method with my "interview capsule." I currently have a pair of good slacks on order-- if I am happy with them, I will start ordering blouses until I find something the fits and works with the slacks. Then I will find some shoes that are right for the look.

I guess I do need to keep in mind things that I may be able to wear again outside of the interview context and how color/ect. plays into that!

Freckles

Veteran

I do both.

If there is a big hole in my wardrobe I do outfits. Go buy the three piece suit plus a blouse and then continue to shop for pieces to go with it (jewellery, another skirt, pair of pants, blouse).

Now that I'm retired I shop in pieces although I prefer to shop in outfits. I pick up the blouse and want to get lets say a white skirt and white pants to go with it but no real need for it in lifestyle so keep it in mind for the sales.

When I spot a piece I love I don't mind shopping in pieces afterwards for more things to go with it.

Kari

Veteran

What Alecia said resonates with me. I don't usually buy whole outfits at a time, but I've learned (after making many impulse/sale mistakes, which Angie mentioned) to shop with an eye to what I already have in my closet that will go with what I'm buying - or what holes I might have, too. For example: my current button-down vests don't fit, and I've missed wearing them, and have had so many outfits recently where a button-down vest would have been just the ticket, so that's something that I'm hoping to find (especially after the inspiration picture that I just posted on another thread.) Or: a midi skirt with vertical stripes struck my eye on ASOS and I seriously thought about trying it out. However, I've been keeping Angie's cautions about ending up with "orphan skirts" in mind, and given the unusual and bold pattern of the skirt, I could only think of very few tops in my wardrobe that I knew that I could wear with it. I decided that the cost per wear just wouldn't be worth ordering it.

Kelly

(website)

I do both of these things. I have rarely bought an entire outfit at one time, but if I do buy an entire outfit at one time, I make sure the pieces work with other things in my wardrobe. When I buy individual pieces, I [now] make sure they work with something I already have. That wasn't the case previously, though. I used to just buy pieces because they were on sale/clearance and it was such a great deal...yeah...great deal but I didn't wear them! I have gotten much, much pickier about my clothes over the last two years.