Do you think shorter term for Spring and Summer? - YouLookFab Forum

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Do you think shorter term for Spring and Summer?

Peri

Veteran

I have a hard time thinking of wardrobe building for Spring and especially for Summer months. Fabrics are of course much more thin, and combine that with the frequent washing needed I just find things wearing out so much faster. Even so called quality doesn't look so good past one or two seasons.

That makes me more reluctant to spend a lot on one item or think in terms of investing in my wardrobe because things just don't last. I know I'm supposed to think quality and investment, but come hot weather I tend to think more fast fashion and throw away. Am I missing something or is this just common sense?

General

25 replies

Latest reply was from Lisa

LACeleste

Veteran

Absolutely YES! The only problem is that warm weather in LA lasts from March-October!

All of my investment pieces have been for the colder months. I'll be reading the replies with interest!

Mo

(website)

Veteran

I do spend less overall on hot weather items. And they do get more wear and tear, but I don't think of them as throwaway really. I have shorts from 4 seasons ago. Worn a LOT in FL. And they're white. Still going strong. They only cost me $5, which is a lot less than the white jeans I also hope to have for 4 seasons. But they aren't any more disposable to me than the jeans are.
I think the one category this rings true for is tees and knits especially in lighter colors, that can develop armpit stains. Makes sense to only expect a season from them (although, again I have white tees from 2 and 3 years ago still. But I am actively looking for a replacement.)

Anonymous

I do think shorter term. Summer clothes get much heavier wear and sweat than winter clothes. Plus in our climate, the window to wear them is often much shorter (-30C in March, I am looking at you!).

So I will refresh white t-shirts each season because of sweat stains etc.

shedev

Veteran

I spend less on spring and summer but tees in general cost less than sweaters. I wash all my clothes after 1 wear so that is not an issue for me. I'm ready for something new after a couple years. Last year I never even considered blush as a choice, but I have one in a wish list right now. I have to see something in the context of my existing wardrobe and blush fits in much better than it did last year. I might hate it next year.

unfrumped

Veteran

Yes, but I'm trying to see if I can get that narrowed down to Summer and use better -quality transitional items that can work in spring or fall --neutral skirts and pants, and change color and vibe of the tops; a few better-quality knits or wovens for tops or neutral colors and wear summery vs. fall-ish necklaces.

Air-conditioned work keeps me from having to keep a large number of hot-summer items, but if you factor in the hot car moments, I still have a number of days where an easily-washable outfit is a must.

This is the first year I'm being more intentional about how much I really need. My two opposing strategies are one, find some good tailored neutral items and just repeat more, so better quality but fewer of those; two, accept that summer knits may wear and pill AND might trend in or out more quickly, and so have enough for fun and variety and wash-days, but don't "save" them for future summers--try to find some good deals, Wear Now and replace with next summer's fits and styles.

viva

Veteran

It's mixed. On the one hand, I think shorter term because the warm seasons are very short in Maine, and I spend less because knots and cashmere and boots are so much more costly. But precisely because the warmth is precious, I may be more impulsive when it comes to spending - it's so fun to wear a cute tee or fun shoe, and such a rarity! In a way I think that perhaps I think VERY short term with warm weather purchases, invest less, and have more fun because there is less commitment. Of course that also means I throw some money away, I guess. It will be interesting to see if this year is different for me now that I am on YLF. I'm guessing yes, as I have already been way more thoughtful in several purchases.

LoriFLA

I live in Florida and still think short-term with spring and summer clothes. Fall and Winter clothes, even inexpensive things picked up at Target or some such stick around a lot longer because I wear them less. Warm weather clothes get recycled quickly (especially jersey tees) because they are laundered more frequently, become worn, or I am tired of them and want something new. Shorts and pants seem to last longer in any season.

I would like to be more deliberate in choosing my wardrobe for Spring and Summer. I would like to buy less "disposable" items and concentrate on investing in some good basics and increasing variety.

kerry

Veteran

Definitely! Right now I've been buying for summer as I'm off to Mexico next week. Woohoo! I don't like to spend a lot because the season is short here (Toronto) and really hot! T-shirts are the toughest. I don't want to spend a lot because I think they are mostly throw away (certainly white and lighter colours) but I often wear them without a topper because it's so hot so I need my tee to do a lot for me. So do I spend a lot for a fabulously draping tee or go cheap and know that it doesn't look as fab?

unfrumped

Veteran

viva, I hear that!
I think what's important is to really like the item and wear it. So I'd be okay with paying more for a great summer dress if I found one that I loved, but then would say, hey, yep, it's me in my same summer dress again.

rachylou

Veteran

Heh, I want to say I think short term, but I don't think the evidence is bearing out. But I do think in small numbers, in terms of clothing for spring and hot temps. Spring... well, I suspect we're going straight from winter to summer this year. It's like that; spring is a blink of an eye. Hot temps - I have a battery of sun dresses, fine cotton tops and skirts, etc. Very classic, well made, hard wearing. Give me a few more years and I'll be able to say I've had them for decades...

biscuitsmom

Veteran

I love dressing for summer, even though it is way too short here We have cold weather 8-9 months a yr, but 90% of my favorite items are sleeveless tops, summer skirts, etc. I think I tend to keep favs longer than I should, but I have a wider variety I wear in the fleeting warmth, so they don't get too worn out from use. I think a lot of women tend to use flimsier (in quality)things in summer, rather than in the colder months

Suz

(website)

Veteran

I definitely think shorter term for summer tops, for all the reasons mentioned already. In my climate, even with the short summer season, I probably get 3 years from those, at most. That's because I don't have air conditioning, so perspiration is pretty much a given. And they're washed more often so there is fading and wear. As far as toppers go, I tend to use those as my fun "trend" items in summer. They don't get a lot of wear, so don't really wear out -- but I don't want to spend much precisely because I won't wear them all that often.

I think this is truly climate dependant. If I lived in a temperate climate I would have far more cross-seasonal clothes and fewer items like this.

Caro in Oz

Veteran

We have long summers & I tried buying cheaper & more & wondered why I never felt as good in my summer clothes as I do in my winter ones - duh!!! So now I'm working on my minimum numbers & building capsules so I have some variety.

unfrumped

Veteran

caro, I like that approach. I don't want to have some drastic shift in style or quality from winter to summer or feel like I need 20 summer tops. But still I want to mark the shift in season with a lightening and brightening of colors and fabrics.

deb

Veteran

S/S and F/W are the same for me because I wash tops after every wear. Some pants now more because the newer versions stretch out. I try to stay away from polyester in the warm months and now am doing the same for the cold months. Sand washed tanks have always been one of my faves and I have some from 4 years ago that look as good as new. I use spray and wash for the pits with every wash.

Meli

(website)

I have no problem spending money on sleeveless blouses with nice details, fabric, and/or print. They trasition from the coldest days (layers!) to the hottest excepting spending a lot of time outdoors in very hot weather.

Peri

Veteran

Thanks, for all the replies. I see I'm not the only one thinking of this dilemma. And it was tops/T shirts I had in mind...I do have some pants I expect to be fine this year. I'm just sort of starting from scratch because the big purge hit summer pretty hard.

Caro reminded me of something I needed to hear...I'm not going to be happy with a large number of cheap things I don't like. I need to keep my head on straight and think small in numbers like I usually do, but go ahead and get what I like.

And a lot of you reminded me that it is just the nature of this type of clothing to not last, and to not feel too bad about it.

Thanks.

Dee

Veteran

I've only recently started investing in quality pieces in general, but I can definitely see more of a long-term payoff when buying (for example) cashmere sweaters and not as much on summer pieces. Maybe a couple of nice silk dresses or blouses, but so many of my tees/tanks are thin and only last a handful of seasons before they do look worn. Probably because I wear them in the summer and layered in the colder months, so they see year-round wear in a way sweaters don't.

Anonymous

Summer is probably our dominant and longest season. Tops are much more likely to be one-season wonders, so I'm more careful choosing pieces that can be worn in a variety of ways and in a variety of shapes, colors, fabrics, etc. Otherwise half through the season I get bored. My strategy is to stick to basic bottoms in neutral colors that can be paired with many tops.
Lately I've been trying to find more woven things in natural fabrics like silk rather than knits. These are more expensive but so far are lasting more than a season.

E

Veteran

I live in south Texas, where the temps can easily pass 100 every day for over 3 months, and that's just the most dramatic part of summer. And I go for a daily walk; even going at the 'cooler' times of the day, it's in the high 70s/80s/low 90s w a lot of bright sunshine. However, I don't consider my hot weather clothing disposable. I buy woven tops & dresses rather than knit (I do not want *anything* touching me when I'm hot) in fine cottons or cotton/silk blends or silk (I have a couple linen/linen blends too that are fabulous & I'd like to add more). At the end of the day, I turn the top/dress inside out and hang it from a hook over night. In the morning, if it smells at all, I put it in the laundry hamper, but you'd be surprised at how frequently there are no smells! The key for me is to make sure the armscye isn't too fitted: as long as the fabric isn't squished up in my armpit, I don't usually have a problem with sweat stains or odours (and I tend to sweat a lot in that region in all temps, unfortunately). And, at the risk of further TMI, I've noticed that the 'cool off' sweating I do in summer on say my back or belly doesn't smell/discolour the way armpit sweat does. 100% silk can be problematic: it seems more prone to armpit problems. So I usually stick to blends in the hottest months or sleeveless tops that are nowhere near the 'danger zone'.

My shorts & lightweight trousers are as sturdy as their cooler weather counterparts. I also wear a lot of cardigans in the summer & these don't seem to wear out much quickly than my fall/winter ones. But I have an extensive wardrobe, so I might only wear each cardigan once a week, which is of course going to be a factor. I have a lot of summer weight blouses too, so ditto as far as them not seeing terribly frequent wear. I've travelled with some of the blouses, when they form part of a tiny capsule & get very frequent wearings, without seeing a problem.

I guess what I'm saying is that there's hope for you to buy some quality tops that will last for a decent amount of wearings, as long as you look for wovens instead of knits & looser cuts. Although of course you mileage may vary!

Laura (rhubarbgirl)

(website)

Veteran

I don't, but maybe that's a reflection of the weather in the SF Bay Area where I am. We always have a few really hot days, but they are spread throughout the summer and are not as frequent as many other locations. So the "high summer" capsule doesn't get a super amount of wear. And then the rest of the days require layering at the beginning and end of the day so things like cardigans and long pants still get worn. And then the reverse is also true - our winters aren't super-cold so a lot of items are wearable through a large portion of the year.

texstyle

(website)

Veteran

To those who mentioned sweat stains on tees and tops (esp white). I never have this problem anymore since I wear a natural deodorant without anti-perspirant and I use Borax in the washer with my laundry soap. When I used more main stream products it was an issue all the time.

I invest pretty much the same all seasons as I have at least 6-8 months of hot weather here.

Aziraphale

Veteran

I find myself investing less in summer wear because of my lifestyle, not the weather. I live a very, very casual life in the summer, so mostly I wear casual skirts or cutoff jeans and lightweight tops. Also, it doesn't get all that hot here -- much like Seattle -- and I don't really have problems with sweat stains anymore because I use Certain Dri and also because most of my summer tops are breezy and loose, or else sleeveless. I have skirts and tops that have lasted for seasons. I usually buy a new thing or two in the spring, and lately I've been choosing loose linen blends a lot because of the breathability. I don't go cheap, but light little tops are generally less expensive than sturdier winter wear anyway.

Also, my cutoff jeans are often many seasons old, because they started life as regular jeans and are now getting a second round as clamdiggers or shorts!

Anonymous

Yes Peri, I have in the past, but I'm trying to shift my thinking (even as I'm shopping now for my S/S wardrobe). I'm looking for woven tops especially, and I've stopped wearing T-shirts. The silk and silk blend sweaters I've had for a couple of years are holding up pretty well. I stay away from anything sheer, transparent, chiffon, tissue-knits, open-work crochet (with lots of opportunities for snags) and burn out styles for the reason that they are so delicate that I don't expect them to last more than one season. This encompasses a lot of trends, though, so I find myself hard pressed to find things I want to buy!

Lisa

Veteran

Yes, I do think shorter term for spring/summer clothing. I am much harder on these clothes (particularly tops which are items that are washed often) and I am less willing to invest in pieces that are not going to handle the extra wear and tear. I also use this time of year to wear bolder colors and prints, which I tire of rather fast, so I don't mind a higher turnover in this area. I will invest in two areas for these seasons: footwear and white jeans. My premium white denim jeans are 4 years old and still going strong. And my sandals/flip flops (Taos gift) are 3 years old and again still going strong.