How do you use Pinterest? - YouLookFab Forum

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How do you use Pinterest?

catgirl

Veteran

I have been searching for inspiration for Sundance and pinning outfits of interest. Then I went through my regular inspiration board and realized how much was already there and how little I actually use anything once pinned. It's almost like once I pin something I forget it. I seem to be using Pinterest as a dumping ground for my brain...

How do you use your pins? Do you go back and look? Pick what you want to copy for a week? Eye candy? A wish list?

39 replies

Latest reply was from rae

Aleta

I will be watching the answers to this post with interest. I am definitely guilty of using Pinterest just as you describe, I enthusiastically pinned when I first signed up, but it has had no influence on anything that I have done IRL!

qfbrenda

Veteran

I don't go back and look as often as I should, but I do review my boards occasionally. When I edit my fashion boards, it almost feels like I'm editing my closet! I keep my pins to outfits I would actually wear, so I need my boards to change as my closet changes.

You've inspired me to look through my boards again.

Parsley

Veteran

I use Pinterest to help clarify what I like and to keep track of it. I go through my boards and look at them from time to time to see if I've actually implemented any of the ideas, and ask myself why not if I haven't.

Before Pinterest I did something similar by clipping pictures from magazines, but Pinterest is so much easier.

It's amazing how well it can work, really. If I just pin a bunch of looks that I like without much thought, when I look at them later some themes will emerge. For a while it seemed like everything I pinned was a "man coat". So finally I searched for one and found one I love, and I'm thrilled!

Chunky turtlenecks were another thing that kept cropping up in my pins, but yet I didn't own one. So I have found a couple now, and they feel just right for me.

Now I'm really noticing footwear, and realizing how edgy footwear can make an outfit special. So when I go shoe shopping, I'll try to incorporate that, and not end up with the same boring pieces that I've had in the past.

And of course Pinterest looks can be great copycat inspiration. MaryK is so good at that! I need to do it more.

I do the same thing with decorating ideas. Sometimes I can't put my finger on what I want, but after looking at my pins it becomes clear.

For stuff like recipes Pinterest is just a handy repository so that I don't forget some of the good things I've seen.

I'm curious to hear how others use Pinterest!

Isabel

Veteran

Hi AG, I have 4 boards. One is for just "dumping". One is a wish list and I edit that one about every two weeks. One is "wardrobe ideas" . Then I have one is that simply outfits that I could duplicate with things that I already own. This gives me ideas of how to use what I already have. I write in the comment box what my items are specifically. For example , Gap shirt, Boden ponte navy pants, etc. I do like to look once a week. Sometimes, after I look, I will hang the pieces together for the next couple of days.

Thistle

Veteran

I honestly really don't use it. I started to, and then I realized that it took a lot of time and attention, but that I don't go back to it.

MsMary

Veteran

Uh.... to excess?

I actually go back and look at my boards quite a bit when I am in need of inspiration, which is more often than I care to admit.

I also have home decor boards that are just waiting for me to have a house again...

Classically Casual

Veteran

I've used it differently at different times. I like it because it's absolutely no risk and sometimes saves me from printing on paper.

Sometimes when I'm trying not to buy things, having a good pinning session scratches that itch. Increasingly I use the search function. The feature that I'm currently enjoying the most is what I think of as my "feed". I'm following people/entities whom I enjoying seeing what they've pinned each day. It's all sort of mindless & relaxing, and I use my IPad while watching TV or whatever.

lyn*

(website)

Veteran

A bunch of different ways ... I do have a To Try board for things I have or things I can easily replicate for when I am bored. They are less exciting than my dream outfit boards.

I tend to avoid pins of really expensive things that I will never buy.

I also like to pin floral arrangements and travel pictures just because they're pretty. And cute puppies.

Elizabeth P

Veteran

I use it in several ways. I have a board on "how to wear" where I'll pin looks for how to wear booties with x, or skinny jeans with boots, or whatever, so that when I get/want to change up something I own, I'll have some styling ideas handy. I have a board for general inspiriation, that I try to get themes from, much like Parsley. From this I quickly realized I needed a black and white tee, for example. Lately I've been seeing a lot of pleather leggings appear... :). it definitely gives me a feel for looks I'm drawn to. And of course I have my capsule obsession board.

I'd like to start using it for specific inspiration, that I can actually copy. So far it's been more about style in general.

Is there anywhere on YLF that fabbers have their boards posted? If not, could people maybe add them into this thread? I'd love to find more people to follow, or grab indeas from... esp those whose style I know already. (that okay to suggest Una? it's your thread after all...)

Alexandra

(website)

Veteran

I don't use it at all because I find the site annoying with how they take up half of the screen with an invitation to join/login. I figure if they're that bad before you join, what do they do to you once they have their claws on you?

Von

Veteran

I have one large clothing board called "wearable" and that's where I put things I would actually wear, not things that just look good on other people. I go back periodically to look at the ideas and see if it's something I can pull together or not. Sometimes, looks are pinned, but I have to be in the mood for them. Other pins are color combos, or shoes etc. I usually search for specifics, so when they are pinned, I recall what I had in mind when I pinned it. For instance "tall boots work outfits" would be a search, so anything I pinned would be work appropriate outfits for my boots.

Other boards I use as long term shopping lists, but unless I'm specifically on the prowl for an item, I won't create a board just for it. I do have one giant board for bags though, and camera equipment because those are two weaknesses that I need to manage and stay on task with the spending. I shop from the boards so that when I have the funds, I shop with a purpose (and I add notes in with bags + lenses or equipment to remind me why I pinned).

rachylou

Veteran

I started this clothes pinboard and then pinned so much, I can't get to the pics I want to look at. Isn't that sad? I've started some smaller boards and edit those. I still pin to the giant clothes board tho. I sort of process while I pin to that board - I don't go back and look at it much.

Mo

(website)

Veteran

I think I tend to dump and forget, too. I use it when window shopping online mostly. It is fun to go back to my board after a few months and see the similarities in what caught my eye. Reinforces that I have a certain look I'm going for.
I just recently put the oh so covetable but way too expensive for me leather pants in dumping land.

MsMary

Veteran

It helps to have multiple boards. In fact, I just started new boards for 2014 because my "fashion inspiration" and "outfits I have copied" boards were getting too big.

Debra

Veteran

I like pinterest . I have a number of boards and collect pictures that I like, that somehow make me look at them twice.
It might be a complete outfit or it might be a shade of colour or the shape of a skirt or jacket or just the way it is put together or worn with panache.
I like collecting ideas I guess ........ I haven't bought a magazine in ages so saves me money too and I do go back and look through on a regular basis.

Anonymous

I have several "Outfits" boards, each with a different piece as the focus. When I admire an outfit, I identify what it is I like about it (colors? shoes? dress?) and pin it in the corresponding board. It helps when I'm stumped on what to wear, as I usually have a general idea ("It's cold outside and I need wear pants"), but lack creative direction.
http://www.pinterest.com/cindymcguire/

AviaMariah

Veteran

I like your term "dumping ground for my brain" because that's how I mostly use it. I do go back and look at some boards for inspiration later but I find editing and organizing the boards to be tedious and time consuming. I call myself a pinterest hoarder. It's the only area in my life where I hoard.

Ingunn

(website)

Veteran

I think using it as a dumping ground is just fine. That's how I took notes in school/uni, and it made me learn better. I hardly ever reread the notes. I do look at my pins again, however. I've created boards with various focal points, and I often consult my "Shopping my wardrobe" board for inspiration, or the color combination board. I also look at seasonal inspiration boards when I plan how to update my wardrobe for a new season. And then, I also pin a lot that I never reassess. I still think I get lots of inspiration by the pics.

deb

Veteran

I have multiple boards for fashion, home, garden, and others. Some boards are 'want' boards and others are idea boards. I did start new boards and titled them 2014. I also went back and added 2013 to my old boards. I want to see how my wants and ideas change between the years. I also have a board that has my purchases pinned. I call this my closet board. When I purge something, I remove the pin of the item. I found I use this board much like a closet ap and it is much easier for me..

Caro in Oz

Veteran

It is a dumping ground for me too but I do go back & clean it up I use it in various ways.

For themes like Parsley - it's amazing the subtleties I've noticed around my likes & dislikes.
For inspiration as in - I have that I could wear it with this. Or I love this (new to me) proportion.
&
Most importantly for me direction. As an Elegant Eclectic I can be all over the place. Pinning helps me to leave things to percolate for a while.

annagybe

(website)

Veteran

I have a shoe board, of course. Lust objects. And outfit inspirations. For outfit inspirations I actually pretty selective. Most it is stuff I can wear or do a variation.
I do gather some strange followers though.

Beth Ann

Veteran

I've been learning to go back and skim my boards at least once a week. It helps me see trends in my interests.

Currently, I've been focusing on salad recipes --- choosing one or two to try each week. It's kale tonight at my house!

I think breaking up boards is helpful, too. I have a "fantasy fashion" board for looks that inspire me but aren't for my real life.

Caro in Oz

Veteran

Count me in Anna's strange followers list Love her shoe board.

karymk

Veteran

I print out pages ffrom Pinterest so I have hard copies of my faves. Then I look at them while I am in the bath at night and plan my outfits for the next day.

lyn*

(website)

Veteran

I have a secret wedding board. Shhhhhh.

Vildy

Veteran

I don't create any boards - too much of a nuisance. I use it as a variety of Google Image search. I decide what kind of thing I want to look at for inspiration and search that. If I see a photo I really like, I click on it and add it to a style pix folder on my desktop. I go through that fairly regularly and track my interests. What doesn't interest me any more, I delete. I don't keep hundreds or thousands of images in that folder, anyway. I keep editing so as to distill my current taste. Like a mood board.

ETA: the other thing I do is that when someone on here refers to a pinterest board of theirs, if it speaks to me, I bookmark it. I'll go back and study it now and then and when I've made up my mind about whatever it is, I delete the bookmark.

carter

Veteran

Lyn*, is that twice in 2 days you've mentioned a wedding? Something you should be telling us??

I use Pinterest like a filing cabinet. Basically, I evaluate what I like about something when I pin it, but if I ever need to clarify, I know where it is.

rae

(website)

Veteran

I like MaryK's answer!

Yeah, I'd say my answer is all of the above. I dump. I go back and check certain things to copy. I have a board that helps me remember what I own. I have one I reference at the salon. If I go back to a certain item I can't stop thinking about, I'm glad I have it pinned, but most of the time I don't...

I guess overall Pinning is an exercise for me. I don't really sit there and look at my pins, but the act of pinning helps me organize my thoughts. Kind of like taking notes in class... never used the dang notes, but writing things down helped me remember.

lyn*

(website)

Veteran

Nope ... nothing worth saying, unfortunately

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