How do you remember what clothes you already have when shopping?

susand

I have really bought a lot of clothes lately - all from thrift, consignment or ebay...but I am really developing quite a diverse wardrobe.

When you are out shopping, and you see a lovely item, such as a skirt, how do you know/recall if you have a top already in your closet that would work with the skirt?

I have thought about taking photos of my items (even if it is a stack of sleeveless shirts) and putting it on my ipod so I can look while out shopping.

Any other suggestions you brilliant ladies use?

Thanks in advance, Susan D

16 years ago

General

10 replies

Latest reply was from Chris

shiny

Veteran

I keep it all in my head, more or less. Which can present a problem because, for example, at this time, I would easily forget what I had the previous spring or summer. I have brought home items only to discover I already have something very similar that I forgot I had. Then it goes back.

I do have all my outfit photos on my hard-drive too, which I'm finding is very very helpful. It reminds me of clothes I wore last year that may still be tucked away in storage. I would really love to have all my clothes out in view, but I am afraid that is never going to be possible since I have such a small closet. However I am getting closer and have made a lot of strides. I have less in storage now than ever. I did just put away my winter jackets (tweed, darker colors, heavier fabrics) and swapped back in my spring/summer jackets. Instead of rotating out 70% of my closet twice a year, I'm hoping to only have to swap in/out 20% or less.... right now I'm probably at about 40% which is better than 70%!!!

Sorry got off-track...

Otherwise, if I have a top that I want to find a skirt to go with, I will wear it to the store. I find this is very, very helpful. I can't tell you how many times, for example, I will end up buying a top just because it looked really cute with the necklace I happened to be wearing that day!

But it sounds like your dilemma is more about having recently acquired clothing that you have yet to wear enough to stick in your memory? If that was the case for me, I'd probably try the iphone method too (if I had an iphone), or go low-tech and print out a list to carry with me to jot my memory.

In my early YLF days, I did indeed take photos of individual items of clothing, then arranged them on a PPT to see what would go with what. I found that exercise very helpful. Not everything would work quite right once I tried them on together, but there was something about this method that opened up the creativity easier than actually pulling things out and trying them on. Don't ask me why!

16 years ago

susand

Active Member

Hi Shiny!

Thanks for the tips - one clarification...I don't have an iphone but a little ipod. HOW I LONG TO HAVE AN IPHONE! But funds do not allow for that luxury!!! It is a remarkable gadget!

So when you used PPT, which I am assuming is powerpoint, was it kind of like what people are able to do now via polyvore but with your own photos, hence your own clothes? That sounds like an excellent idea!

You are correct - most of the clothing I have purchased has yet to be worn. As a result I now have 3 lime green sleeveless tops! Most were probably $2.00 or less, so it isn't a big deal.

I was reading a book (non fiction/novel) recently and the main character had a personal stylist. She always referred to her 3-ring binder with polaroid photos with outfits her stylist had put together for her. I love that idea, but that doesn't help when I only have 1/2 the outfit!!

Thanks Shiny - have a great day! Susan D

16 years ago

shiny

Veteran

Yes, Susan, I used powerpoint and it was kind of like doing a polyvore. One caution - save your photos so they are the small size otherwise you can crash your PPT because the file will get too large.

For example I would use one slide per item of clothing, say - a dress or a jacket. And try to build as many different outfits as possible around that item. It helped me easily see where the gaps where, and what I needed to fill them in. I would also add photos clipped from various web sites of wish-list items to try. I only did this for a few months and don't do it now, but it was helpful. I have to admit - It was also fun!

That's a lot of lime green sleeveless tops! Maybe a better strategy would be creating a list of items you need to pull it all together?

16 years ago

susand

Active Member

I think I get blinded by the great deal I am getting. On Friday, I had the day off and went thrifting all morning. I came home with 2 brown camisoles! One from each store I visited! So...I guess that should tell me how good I am at remembering purchases since they were about 1.5 hours apart! No big deal though because a gal can always have identical camisoles right??

I do have a list of things I want/need and do use that a lot when shopping, but when I see a silk Banana Republic skirt with a peach background and gorgeous reds, oranges and darker peach flowers...and several shades of green leaves... in my size for $4.90, well my mind sort of glazes over about what I have that might match!!! and I put it in my cart immediately!!!

16 years ago

Kristen

(website)

Veteran

I also have trouble remembering what I have already. There are applications for the iTouch/iPhone that you can use to track and photograph your whole wardrobe. I downloaded one called Pocket Closet but I haven't started using it yet. Maybe soon!

Until then, my trick is to stop and think when I see something new that I think I want. I force myself to think about what is already in my closet -- and then I go another step and try to make an outfit for it with what I already own. If I can't, then back on the rack it goes. Even if it's on clearance or being thrifted, if I have to buy another item to make it work, then I'm not really saving anything getting it, you know?

16 years ago

Cosmoblue

(website)

Active Member

I downloaded MyCloset for my G1 Google phone, but I haven't started using it since I am in the middle of a major wardrobe overhaul. Before that I always shopped for entire outfits and rarely ever bought just pieces though none of my outfits ever coordinated with anything else I own. Hence the overhaul.

16 years ago

hanna

(website)

Active Member

i'm thinking i'm the odd one out here - i don't rely on anything to remember what's in my closet, but i seem to be able to anyway. i'm a pretty visual person, and i have a pretty good memory, so when i'm shopping or thrifting i can look at a piece and tell how it will fit with my current assortment of clothing. like kristen, i try to imagine building outfits, but i go a step further and try and build at least 3 ways to wear a new piece with existing pieces in my head before i go ahead and make the purchase.

i love the idea of keeping a polaroid folder (like i said, i'm a visual person, so a spreadsheet wouldn't help me much!), but less for keeping track, more for putting together combinations. i love the idea of shiny's PPT for much the same reason. my own personal polyvore! but i have a lot of clothes - working on paring it down - so that would take far too long. oh well.

16 years ago

chewyspaghetti

Veteran

I've been taking pictures of each item and putting them on my computer. I don't have any way of taking the photos with me (but I guess I could always print them out if I wanted) Granted, I don't have much in my closet right now, but just the act of taking each photo ingrains it in my brain, I think.

16 years ago

Kyle

Veteran

Just as an FYI...iPhone actually has an app specifically for this purpose!

16 years ago

Chris

Active Member

I can remember most things (also pretty visual that way) but what I tend to forget is if I am looking for something to pair with a closet orphan.

So maybe just a list of closet orphans or pics of those items would help.
I also like the idea of keeping a Things I to Look For list (like on Kasmira's blog) so the brain does not just think "Oh cool " when I see another black top.

16 years ago

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