Have you ever bought the same thing as replacement? - YouLookFab Forum

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Have you ever bought the same thing as replacement?

Astrid

Veteran

My burgundy sneakers are still wearable, no holes or anything. They have held up really well - I bought them three years ago because I wanted some nice comfortable shoes for our holiday in Majorca. And they are my only pair of sneakers so they've been worn a lot. But they do look a bit worse for wear. I'm thinking of buying a new pair in burgundy to replace them. They are really the most comfortable sneakers ever - lightweight, soft but robust, good for my wide feet and at the same time not wide looking. I did have a look at the other colors available, but I really like the burgundy best. Is it crazy to buy the same shoes after three years of wearing them?

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40 replies

Latest reply was from Lisa

lyn67

Veteran

I don't think it's crazy-just safe:-).
I did this a few times, already, and totally made sense for me. I duplicate hard to fit items that proove to work great(for ex. my knee high black suede riding boots, and my this seasons black slim fit ankle pants, not so long ago) or some other realy no brains basics/essentials/workhorses. I generally wear one pair in the ground for weekdasy/casuals and keep the other one for dressier occasions-when all needs to look crisp!

Astrid

Veteran

Thanks Lyn! I agree it makes sense to do this with perfect items that are hard to find... The sneakers are a brand staple and they produce them in a few different colors each year. The two other colors that I could also see working well with my wardrobe are a navy and a taupe/grey.

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Anonymous

Oh yes!!! If I love something and it is an important wardrobe item, I am happy to repeat as needed. This just makes good sense.

MuseumGal

Veteran

Not crazy at all. Comfy shoes that you love are like unicorns in my world - prized and possibly mythical.

Joyce B

Veteran

Get them! It's not easy to find a good pair and if you love them and they have worked for you they are totally worth it.
What brand are they? Maybe I'll keep an eye on them, too as I could also use a good pair of sneakers.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Does doubling up on a style so that you have a spare, count?

kkards

Veteran

i'm totally on board with duplicating exact items, especially with items that cross over towards gear. i had a pair of black winter gloves that i loved, so the next year i bought another pair, just in case….and if i had a pair of sneakers that i loved, i'd buy a 2nd pair.

Diana

Veteran

Yep, I do it all the time. Both to replace a worn out favorite and to double up to split wears.

Astrid

Veteran

Thanks Sterling! Good to hear I'm not crazy...

MuseumGal - too funny. Shoes are hard to find for me too.

Thanks Joyce - they're called Tanaro and are mady by Legero (a brand from Austria).

Angie, I wouldn't really be doubling up, more replacing them. Maybe I'd keep the old ones for things like painting, they are looking quite worn. I dress casual and wouldn't say I'm polished, but I don't like my things to look too worn out either.

Thanks kkards - they aren't sold as gear, but they are definitely practical like gear. They aren't really waterproof either but I have never ever had wet feet in them. Not comparable to something like Converse...

Thanks Diana - I've never done it to split wears, but I can see that being sensible in some cases...

Elly

Veteran

I frequently replace a worn out favorite (especially shoes) with an identical pair. I think the question would be "do these still fit your style and lifestyle?" if so, why not? My favorite burgundy sneakers are limping along (hidden holes and all) because the manufacturer stopped making them and sold out everywhere--- this is my second pair and I wish I had a third! because nothing else so far has fit the comfortable/practical hole they left as well.

Karie

(website)

Veteran

I have done this in the past, and more than once. You won't regret it! What you will regret, though, is if you don't get them, then try to get them later and they are no longer available. You already know you'll wear them, so there's nothing crazy about it!

Peri

Veteran

Absolutely....especially shoes. For perfect shoes I would probably buy in triplicates!

Astrid

Veteran

Thanks Elly, Karie and Peri! I just placed the order. And there weren't that many pairs left in my size, so you're right that the burgundy might not be available for much longer. The newer red they have is much brighter and not my thing at all. And I definitely think they still work well for my style and my life.

ETA

Elly, I hope you find a good replacement!

Joyce B

Veteran

Thanks, Astrid. I will keep them on my looking for list.

Bonnie

Veteran

My skinny jeans are all the same brand, just different colors. I have two pairs of the same Keen low hikers bought a year apart. I bought my new tunic in the two different colors it came in. I feel wise, not crazy, for buying what works.

Nebraskim

Veteran

Chiming in to say yes, but perhaps it's only we repeaters who are posting. I have serially replaced my Sanita clogs and I have two identical white Gap denim jackets, one in an XL and one in L, because I wear them so much and the size difference allows for more layering. I have a definite style and I repeat and replace items frequently. Probably not a great trend, but especially for shoes, I know what works. In this case, I would most definitely repeat those sneakers because you know the fit and that they integrate into your wardrobe.

Firecracker (Sharan)

Veteran

I haven't done it, but it makes sense to me.

gryffin

Veteran

I have an entire shelf of duplicates: first I wear merrel breeze/merrel ice clogs as summer/winter slipper/house shoes. I have two pair of each. My ariat heritage II lacer paddock boots. Best boots ever and I have two pairs on hold. Aquatalia undy - best waterproof boot ever bought a spare, ariat r toe cowboy boots - dinged toe of original and it's holding up with repair but i have a spare just in case, gentle soul bay unique - best ballerina flat ever in black leather and suede - got back ups. There could be more. I have a very consistent style, each shoe is essential to my style. Kicking myself that I did not duplicate my keen hiking boots. All are supremely comfortable. Very happy to do this it works well for me!!

Alassë

Veteran

No, not crazy. It sounds smart to me.

kerlyn

Veteran

I say go for it! I wish I had bought a spare pair of my favorite running shoes last year. They were the prettiest gray and fuchsia combo. This year the colors weren't so pretty and some were absolutely obnoxious bright color combos!

unfrumped

Veteran

Sounds fine to me. I think also it makes a lot of sense for gear as noted above, because you will want the known comfort-performance, and maybe there's not quite the style turnover there is for other clothing (not being in the front wave of fashionable athleticwear!).

That said, I've tried to be careful about getting stuck in a rut on some things--though often I can't find the exact replacement, so that takes care of that !--and instead analyze what I liked about someting so I could list the characteristics that seemed to work well. In your case you might have noted, "burgundy leather low-cut lace up sneaker" and if yours were sold out, you could search for similar.

I know I also need to branch out even more, but noting items that proved to be workhorses and trying to see what were the defining features--was it color, length, fabrication? --like "boxy 3-season sweater (s) in camel and/or gray " has helped me "strike" when something turns up.

Astrid

Veteran

Thanks everyone! I did order them, I definitely still love them and would be sad if I wouldn't be able to wear them anymore. Seems like this is more common than I thought.

Gigi

Veteran

Interesting thread. I will be a bit of a spanner, though! I like what Lyn said, that it is not crazy but safe. I have often tried to find an exact replacement when something starts wearing out but often cannot find one. But in hindsight, I am glad that I had to buy something different. I think it forces me to reevaluate my style and try new things; it keeps me from getting in a rut. That being said, most of my dressing is not for superpractical purposes--I work at home, so most of my clothes are just what tickles my fancy. If you have a very pressing practical need for a particular style of shoe (and this sounds like it might be the situation here), then it might be worth it to duplicate. I would probably look around at other options too, though, in case I might be able to find something that I like just as well or even better.

Elizabeth P

Veteran

I duplicated my black patent Josef Seibel sneakers... I realized I was almost "saving" them as I felt they were so me, I didn't want to wear them out or ruin them. Yet they are exactly the type of shoe you shouldn't' worry about. By having the back up pair, I can now wear the originals at will, so I am actually enjoying them more. So yes, totally get it for this type of shoe. I probably wouldn't for something that may change a bit with trends. Glad you ordered them!

anne

Veteran

Yes, why not. I have hardly ever done it, but there are items I would have duplicated if I could (cos it takes a while to work out that they're a workhorse and then you can't find them any more). Plus for me, there are budgetary constraints.

I think Gigi makes some good precautionary points, but for someone on your small, considered wardrobe plan, I think if you really find them so useful then it will be fine.

Colette

Veteran

Not crazy at all. I think it makes good sense. Especially for workhorse comfy shoes! Glad you ordered them.

Joy

Veteran

I've done it, especially with shoes. I'm now on my fourth pair of pewter ballet flats, all exactly alike. They are so comfortable and cute and can be worn with almost anything. However, I'm beginning to reach more for my pointy toed silver flats these days.

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Astrid

Veteran

Thanks Gigi - I agree with you, to a certain degree. I think it depends a bit on what kind of item we're talking about and how often you replace things with the exact same item. It also depends on the way you wear the items. I think there are items I could replace one to one down the road, but I would pair them with different things over time. And even though the shoes were a constant over the last three years my clothes changed a lot. Mostly because of weight loss, but I guess it would have been similar even without it.

Thanks Elizabeth! Good for you that you duplicated your Josef Seibels. I tried them too three years ago because Angie recommended them so strongly, but they didn't work as well for me. But I think they probably have a similar function for you as my burgundy sneakers...

Thanks Anne -it's true, often items aren't available anymore. I guess it works best with shoes or similar products, when you have classic styles that are relaunched regularly.

Thanks Colette!

Joy, those look versatile! But I can understand finding new favourites now and then...

LaPed

Veteran

Oh, goodness, I've owned duplicates in just about every category. Skirts, dresses, jeans, tops, shoes/boots/sandals. With shoes especially I'm always worried that the company will tweak the design or move production overseas (I'm looking at you, Doc Martens, Blundstones, and Chacos...), so I don't mind having an overlapping backup pair.

I'v never duplicated a coat, though I had one jacket that I got rid of years ago which I wouldn't mind finding an identical replacement for... but I'm pretty sure it's a lost cause.

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