Finally starting to practice the P's - YouLookFab Forum

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Finally starting to practice the P's

Mo

(website)

Veteran

Picky, patient, and perfect that is. My exchanged Athleta shorts arrived. And the 4's are too big. But the 2's are too small. For a moment I was going to keep them and just tie the drawstring a little tighter to hold them up. But then the tab waist slides open. (by the way, who ever heard of metal tab waists on water/board shorts?!? Trousers, yes) Anyway, I came to my senses and realized, gift $$ or not, I'm not spending $50 on near miss shorts just because I need to fill that wardrobe hole. So, back they go, even though it means $6 in shipping down the drain. Better to cut my losses.
I will make do with my BF denim shorts for now I guess. I realize for a thrift, swap, or eBay item in the $10 or $15 range I will make concessions but there is no reason to spend full retail $$$ on an item that isn't quite right!
That leaves me WAY ahead of the game now in May Madness, by the way!

Shopping

22 replies

Latest reply was from cheryl

catgirl

Veteran

Good job. I've just sent back all the boots and shoes I tried, sobbing over the Ejects. It is tough but when you know something is not right, it's hard to pretend you're okay with it.

Mo

(website)

Veteran

Oh, I bet sending the Ejects back was HARD. Sobbing with you.
But the bright side is, if we only let in great items, we don't have to fight with the substandard issues down the road - bad fit, off color, yada yada yada.

cheryle (Dianthus)

(website)

Veteran

Good for you. It is a hard lesson to learn and very easy to forget. Stick with it.

velvetychocolate

Veteran

Good for you Mo - you're right, $50 for a pair of shorts that aren't perfect isn't worth it, imo.

I like your 'picky, patient and perfect' idea I'm going to add a couple more items back into their return bags.

Mo

(website)

Veteran

Thanks, VC, but I believe Angie blogged about these attributes a few months back and we picked up on it from there. Maybe practical was in there, too, as I recall . . .
At any rate, wise shopping words!

annagybe

(website)

Veteran

Good for you. I need to learn patience, big time.

rae

(website)

Veteran

Awesome, Mo! I think I need to paste the Ps up next to my computer. o_0

Anonymous

Hope you can stick to it. I find it really hard- especially the patient thing.

Transcona Shannon

Veteran

High five Mo!

DonnaF

Veteran

Congratulations! It is so hard when a return will not result in a zero sum, but in being in the hole. I have to keep reminding myself that free shipping and return places like Zappos and Nordstroms make their money elsewhere like charging more to begin with and having me buy more than I would otherwise.

Another thought: If you find those size 4 Athletas for $10 or $15 via thrift or eBay, you will have the $$$ left over to pay for an alteration if you so desire.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

YES!! This is so inspirational. I am learning...SLOWLY. I still make some mistakes. Especially when I get near a sale. I will say....oh, the price is right, etc. But it only leads to closet orphans. So I'm getting much better at putting things back on the rack. I'll try to channel some of your attitude here!

bj1111

Veteran

good for you. really admire your successful syc and now this great kesson learned. how do you do it?

christieanne

Veteran

Smart lady! Is it only one style of shorts you were looking for?

Mo

(website)

Veteran

Thanks gals, I'm happy with my decision and realization. SO often I talk myself into why I can settle with xyz and somehow make it work.
BJ1111 - joblessness really helps you keep things in perspective lol!!

bj1111

Veteran

lol...i hear you on the shrunken pocket book.

Jewell

Veteran

Another high five, Mo! It takes discipline to do what you did.

I can totally relate to the pain of the lost S/H charges. I recently gave a cute shirt dress that I spotted in an Avon book a shot. It was risky since I knew nothing about the quality of their clothes. Well the fit was awful and the color almost as bad. And as much as I hated paying over ten bucks to ship it back, it didn't pass muster and there was no getting around it.

Jonesy

Veteran

I know what you mean about settling and talking yourself into something. I am trying really hard to stop doing that myself, and usually succeeding, but it can be so tempting! While I am waiting for something to arrive, I will develop this whole narrative about whatever it is, and insert it into my wardrobe. Then when it arrives, I have to confront the limitations of the actual piece :).

bj1111

Veteran

jonesy, i'm so guilty of inventing stories for my stuff. including comments about where/how i got the item if anyone notices.

i think is is why men have an easier time. for them, it's just a pair of pants!

Jonesy

Veteran

I guess our imaginations are just too active :)!

ManidipaM

Veteran

You go, Mo!

I personally am completely on board with Angie's philosophy there --- in theory! In practice, I actually find it incredibly hard to break the habit when tempted with a nearly-there garment (or shoe!). I guess I'm still suffering the remnants of a oh-no-what-if-there's-no-more-ever-again-tomorrow attitude?

One of the small pitfalls of SYC for me: I know there's stuff that's seen so much wear, it *may* just fall apart one of these days, leaving me with a new hole. And I sometimes feel like I should fill up frantically for fear of ending up as hole-y as Swiss cheese!

Mellllls

Veteran

good for you!

cheryl

Veteran

Way to go Mo. Those perfect board shorts will find you soon!