How much does YLF influence your purchases? - YouLookFab Forum

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How much does YLF influence your purchases?

catgirl

Veteran

Do you think about posting outfits here before you buy? See things you want here that you wouldn't have wanted otherwise? Spend more now? Or less? Just curious! I have been spending less but thinking more about my wardrobe than ever before. However, I'm hoping that will be cured when I get done with the purging and patching of wardrobe holes, and then I can happily dabble in outfit-making with the rest of you!

Shopping

16 replies

Latest reply was from Sarah

Beth

Veteran

I spend much more, I'm afraid. I still know what I like, but YLF has opened my eyes to so many things that it's not helping my budget!

taylor

Veteran

I agree Beth:)
I fear you all would flip if you knew how much I really shop.:) waving to DebbieK, a shopping lady after my own heart:)
I never think about posting my photo's when I purchase something, but I always think of Angie when I purchase, she just tags along with me in my head wherever I go:)

Elly

Veteran

I spend the same amount. I have a limited income, so my clothing budget is my clothing budget. I would like to think that money is being spent smarter now, with thoughts to pieces that will get the most use. I shopped discount every time I was in a big city before, and I ended up with a lot of orphans or pieces that weren't well thought out. There are some things here that I might not have been interested in purchasing without the influence of YLF. I also don't have too much of a problem having to restrain myself. I am an odd enough size and have enough fit issues that I can rarely find even a fraction of the pieces I would like to own. For example, as much as I would like to have multiple pairs of flats or boots, the likelihood of me finding more than one or two comfortable pairs of shoes a season is pretty narrow. However, my insistence on better fit and not settling for whatever is available in our crummy stores locally is costing me a pretty penny in shipping!

Mo

(website)

Veteran

I have only been coming around a couple weeks and only a week more regularly. One thing that became apparent to me was that a lot of my shopping was trying to find things to 'save' orphan pieces. Also, whatever was a total steal on the sale rack got rationalized whether it fit me or my wardrobe well. I've been trying to keep from a sale influencing me and thinking more in terms of quality than quantity. I also just recently got a few basics most people have had for years - shirtdress, pencil skirt, white button down. I've been wearing uniforms to work for almost 20 years, so that's a big part of why I didn't have these items. My clothes have always been for 'play' or going out, not for workwear (unless you count jeans and khakis lol). So, YLF has influenced me in trying to rework what I already have and weed out what doesn't work. In all, I'm spending less, with my eye on a few key pieces I now feel I need to fill holes - ballet flats, the 'right' moto inspired jacket, brown low slung belt. I am a hunter by nature and will track down the right item if it takes months lol.

Mamapicklejuice

Veteran

Hm, I am probably spending a touch more now, because some pieces are investment pieces (boots, for example)...but I have purged so much crap (discounted shirts that were too short to start with and just got shorter in the dryer), that it's hard to say.

I will say that YLF-ers probably think I am a shopaholic, but I am actually very strict about what I actually keep in the end. For example, I think I ordered...6 items from Boden? Probably posted pix of 4 of them, and am only keeping two (I'm sending one of the tunics back due to fit issues). Same thing with boots - I posted a picture of 5 "potential" boots that were currently in my wardrobe, and have just returned two (still unworn) because I had to admit the fit wasn't what I wanted it to be.

I do post pix of what I ordered before I de-tag it (for the most part) - I'm still at that stage of style development. I wouldn't expect a pro like Taylor to post for YLF-approval!

Queen Mum

Veteran

I don't keep anything without YLF approval. And anytime I see someone sporting something fab I want to run right out and buy it. If it weren't for SYC, I'd have run right out to grab the LOFT sweater yesterday, and that button down Sarah posted....

but in my defense, after fumbling through outfitting myself for 44 years and sometimes failing miserably, YLF has been the best thing that has ever happened to my wardrobe... and I still have LONG way to go!

Tanya

Veteran

YLF has influenced me a lot in my shopping habits. I have been here for almost 3 years and in the meantime my wardrobe has been overhauled almost completely. I spend a bit more than I used to before, but in a much smarter way. I post most of my new purchases here for approval, as well as regular weekly WIWs. Thanks to YLF I am not shopping at all now as a participant in the SYC.

Lisa

Veteran

YLF has influenced me a lot. I try styles I never would have before (skinnies, long cardigans, flowy tops, leans). Sometimes it's a hit, sometimes it's a miss. I have learned a lot from YLF feedback and often the feedback sends me to the store looking for whatever item kept coming up as a suggestion. I've also found Angie's posts on items that caught her eye for others quite helpful (such as the AT Loft sweaters, or the boot shapers a while back). I also finally wear a proper fitting bra and understand why prior bras never worked for me. I spend a lot more than I used to on clothes but I think the quality has gone up as well. And I would like to say I am making less "miss" purchases, slowly learning to buy what I love. (which is hard as an impulse shopper)

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

*waving to Taylor*

*happy to be on your shoulders when you think about purchasing pants at the right length*

*but most happy to inspire fun with your wardrobes*

Marley

Veteran

Since becoming a YLF member a month ago, there has been a huge change in my spending habits in that I have barely spent anything at all on my wardrobe. I am in the process of purging/editing my wardrobe and so at this point I know that it would just not be wise for me to buy more - more - more. That has always been my MO in the past - regardless of my needs - it didn't matter, if I liked it, I bought it (within reason) without any thought about how it would fit into my wardrobe. Now, I am taking a long, serious look at not only my wardrobe, but also my spending habits - it is what I need to do right now, and YLF is helping me with that! Yeah YLF!

Refugee

Veteran

I haven't been here all that long (a few months) and have just recently figured out how to post photos. I don't really think about posting outfits before I buy. I do think a lot about all of the fabulous things I have learned here and am often (really, it's more like always) inspired by things I see others wearing in their posts when I am shopping. I spend more on clothes (my daughter thanks you. she is glad I am no longer sporting the crazyhomelessgymteacher look) but am spending much smarter. For me, YLF is having best shopping girlfriends from the 4 corners of the globe. How lucky am I?!?!?!?

shana

Veteran

Well, I'd like to say that YLF has helped me shop smarter (it has) but in all honestly, I probably shop and spend way more! Seeing pictures of how great certain items look on people, hearing about great sales, getting recommendations from Angie all contribute to a bit of shopoholism on my part. There are fewer orphans and I am definitely expanding my horizons (by no means an early adopter of trends but no longer at the tail end!). I usually feel pretty good too!

AJ

Veteran

No, I don't think of posting outfits before I buy, but while I shop I think, "Now what would my fellow YLF'ers think of this?"

I do enjoy seeing what items others get excited over, but I don't think that I want to buy most of what I see. I already have plenty, so I'm not feeling too tempted.

I buy less but spend more with each item. (Although I don't mind stalking an item until it goes on sale.) YLF has opened my eyes to quality stores and labels. I think I buy with more thought to fit and quality. I'm also trying to spend more towards my dominant season (Summer) and lifestyle (MOTG). Before I was drawn to spending more on Fall/Winter and dressier items.

Currently I"m taking my time to spruce up my shoe wardrobe with both comfort and looks in mind. I used to buy cheap and trendy. Well my feet have finally had it with uncomfortable shoes and are literally aching for a better solution. : )

Finally, YLF has broaden my style horizon and made getting dressed fun. I now look for a touch of edgy in my accessories, I like my messy curls and I never would have thought to wear clams with boots!

The blog is a wealth of information...still can't believe it's all for free...and the ladies on this forum just can't be beat! It's a world wide, non-stop, shopping party here at YLF!

Louise

Veteran

I spend more now but have more wearable things whereas before I didn't spend so much but didn't have much that was right either. I'm MUCH more daring now all of my wardrobe is things I wouldn't have had the courage or the know how to wear pre YLF and nearly all of my purchases still have to be YLF approved before I take the tags off!! x

Kristen

(website)

Veteran

I am a unrepetant shopaholic (I am sure Taylor and I would do some serious damage together), and YLF influences many of my purchases. Sometimes it's a specific item a forum member plugs (like the Talbots bag April was pimping -- unfortunately it came last night and I hate the orange-red so back it goes), sometimes it's a look or silhouette that Angie encourages us to try (FINALLY on the tunic-skinnies bandwagon after 2 years!), and sometimes it's a combo of the two (just got the Calvin Klein silky tunic from Nordies last night).

But I also do a lot of damage on my own. I am more willing to try new things (of course, thanks to YLF in concept) and I find myself going in other directions from what may be the more popular looks on the forum. I've really been enjoying the bootcut resurgance, for example, and I opted out of the OTK and ankle boot hunt to look for tall boots instead. I skipped most of the cascading cardigan look (it's just too much material at my widest part, I've realized) but I have been collecting boyfriend cardigans for a year plus now.

Bascially, I buy a lot of clothes, and the ideas for them come from a lot of places. But YLF is a big source of inspiration!

Sarah

(website)

Veteran

YLF certainly does influence my purchases. For yeeeears, I'd buy outfits that I saw in catalogs or on somebody else, and I'd buy for specific events. IE: Thanksgiving at the in laws, or dinner with friends.
I had TONS of clothes that were not functional or versatile enough.
I joined YLF at the start of my weight loss, so it's been tricky just trying to stay afloat with a small wardrobe that fits. But as I'm nearing the end, I'm able to participate more and branch out a bit with new looks.
I spend about the same, but now it's more directed and purposeful. I find myself putting things back a lot more, too. I also try on more things.
If it's a new look or something I'm not sure about, I will absolutely post photos for advice. If it's something I love without a shadow of a doubt, I'll post the photos in my WIW posts.