Influence for specific purchases

Sal

I have been thinking about what causes us to buy specific items. How do we choose, what factors contribute to our decisions?

Taking a step back....it's a combination for me - a mix of Angie's blogs, roundups and forecasts and ideas from here as well as forum members WIW and discussions, what I see on social media (youtube or instagram or tiktok), shop windows and displays, television shows or movies, and what I see in the wild with my friends and street style.

Two weeks ago I went to see Dolly Alderton live - a British author/columnist touring in NZ. The crowd was mostly millenials and very well dressed and fashionable. I enjoyed seeing one thousand well dressed women and their going out looks (there were two men in the room by my count). Lots of flared jeans, retro sneakers and beautiful midi and midaxi dresses. There was one particular style of denim flares that I saw several people wearing - and I considered buying them. I still may do so as I have a fondness for 70s denim with patch pockets on the front.

This got me thinking - what have you purchased in the last 12 months (or so) that was directly influenced by a blog, or friend, or advertising or social media etc. I am not talking about wanting a red sweater because red is trending, more that I saw "X Brand" red sweater and bought this exact sweater.

For me, the only two things are:

1) My black Gregory dress - I saw an instagram advertisement and went to the shop to try it on - and purchased it.
2) These Athleta Brooklyn pants - Janet (and probably others) have had these pants in the past and I had always admired them. When in the USA in 2023 I went to Athleta to try them on, and bought them.

These have both been a success- the Brooklyn pants fill a gap that I needed and have had 30 wears in 13 months. I love the dress and feel wonderful in it.

Aside from that I have either shopped in person or online with a broad idea of what I am looking for (white sneakers, work pants) or been inspired buy what I have found or added a wildcard.

If I was based in the USA I know I would purchase more of Angie's round ups but it is more challenging with shipping and returns from NZ.

How about you - what purchases have you deliberately made?

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2 days ago

Shopping

26 replies

Latest reply was from Sal

Lisa

Veteran

My belt collection has improved greatly thanks to our lovely Angie's recommendations! Each Boden belt I put in the finds has been an excellent addition to my wardrobe for a finishing touch for my outfits.

Boden

Interest Buckle Belt

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Boden

Classic Leather Belt

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Boden

Webbing DRing Belt

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Boden

Whipstitch Classic Belt

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2 days ago

Jenni NZ

Veteran

For me it’s probably where do I look when I either need something or hanker after something. I am much keener on looking at brands that have worked for me in the past.
I usually look online first by putting, for example, olive cardigan NZ into Google. I did that this year when I wanted to get a more cropped olive cardigan. The issue with that now is sadly that Temu comes up first. I ignore the Temu results. But doing that this year, I saw a few but the best looking was at Max. Since Max has come through at least twice in recent years that made me want to try. I have a store at my local small mall so I went there wearing the rest of the outfit I was planning. And success. Worn 15 times already since mid-year.
With the hankering after a bright summer top with pinks in, that was a Google search also, and of several results a local boutique came up with the brand Blackstone that I own a number of pieces of. Again in the local small mall. I tried several sizes and ordered one that was only in their Christchurch branch. Not such a success yet as still sorting the length issue but believe it will be.
I don’t do Facebook or Instagram. Angie’s posts do steer me certain directions like I bought ballet flats last year because of one.
I liked your Athleta pants when you wore them on our walk!

2 days ago

Jenni NZ

Veteran

I suppose only the ballet flats fit your specific criteria.

2 days ago

slim cat

Veteran

Watching Taemin performing on You Tube and wearing loose fitting baggy jeans - inspired me to try some jeans that would have similar "cool" look ( less traditional flattery but more unusual wash/color/shape ) - lol. Got 2 pairs from my fav place Urban Outfitters ( low/mid rise for a straight body type and in my budget ).
Loose fitting , oversized toppers that my much younger co-workers were wearing with ease influenced me to try similar ones and go up in size on some of them.
More accessorizing when in the mood - after looking at some the fun outfits from fellow fabbers on our forum.

2 days ago

Joy

Veteran

To answer your question, I have purchased mostly second hand clothes the last three years. I have only pushed new and seldom when I can’t find an item used or for under ware. Even then, most of my shoes are used. I have trouble finding the small sizes I need in colors now. Last winter I cold not find pants in full length and try ons possible in regular stores. What motives me is free try-0ns and finding what I want.

2 days ago

Suz

(website)

Veteran

I buy or try a lot of Angie picks. I'd wager about 3/4 to 4/5 of my wardrobe, in the past few years, especially!

I'm off social media now, and don't follow any other blogs/ youtube, etc, with much regularity, though occasionally I will watch Trinny or follow links posted here to others, just to see what they are saying. I do look at runway shows and street style and trend reports in the magazines, but to my recollection I have never gone out and purchased the exact thing I see in those venues -- I'm looking more at silhouettes, colours, and styling ideas when I look at those. (Well, no kidding -- I cannot afford designer prices!)

Below are items purchased in the last 12 months. All of these were Angie picks or else I saw them on forum members (or both). The Eddie Bauer shorts I saw on Runcarla many times.

Ann Taylor

Floral Crew Neck Sweater

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Everlane

The Cocoon Crew in Alpaca

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J.Crew

Featherweight cashmere-blend long-sleeve polo shirt

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Anthropologie

Maeve | Anthropologie The Colette Cropped Wide-Leg Pants by Maeve: Faux Leather Edition

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Anthropologie

The Hadley Relaxed Buttondown Shirt by Pilcro: Velvet Edition

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Nordstrom

AllSaints Tia Long Sleeve Mesh Top

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Everlane

The Way-High Curve Jean

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Custom Find

by Suz

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Nordstrom

Ecco Sculpted LX 35 Patent Bootie (Women)

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Anthropologie

By Anthropologie Flocked Menswear Pants

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Effie Sparkle Stripe Sweater

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Nordstrom

SAVE THE DUCK Elvira Water Resistant Hooded Puffer Jacket

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J.Crew

Classic mariner boatneck T-shirt in stripe

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J.Crew

Garçon shirt in plaid cotton poplin

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Nordstrom

Ecco Sculpted LX 35 Bootie (Women)

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J.Crew

Garçon cotton poplin shirt in stripe

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2 days ago

Irina

Veteran

I certainly get influenced - mostly by YouTube and street styles here. I get influenced in my choices but not in a type of things I want. I’ll try to explain.

I have a general idea of what I want - a replacement denim shirt, a summer skirt, a crew neck cardigan, so I look for those things.

I saw one influencer wearing a COS wool jacket and thought it might work for me, too. Another was giving a glowing review to Uniqlo’s merino cardigans and sweaters. I checked and sweaters didn’t work for me but cardigans did.

I bought all black Adidas Sambas, the retro Adidas are literally everywhere in our city. Mine is all black and soft, very comfortable as my everyday shoes. I went to COS and Uniqlo to see if their items will work for me but a short wool jacket and a cardigan were on my list before I saw influencers reviews. And I was trying different low profile sneakers because I like them than chunky ones.

My other choices are influenced by brands. I wanted a Bao Bao backpack. I fount it and waited for sale. I bought my other Bao Bao bags when they became available at the reduced price. Another brand I love is Marimekko. I paid full price for my Marimekko quilted jacket once I saw it on a website.

Outside of my list, I might get seduced by a particular item but rarely by the exactly the same item I’ve seen on social media. Most of what I see there is either too expensive for me or will not work for my body type. I look for styling inspiration there.

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2 days ago

Brooklyn

Veteran

I rarely use Angie’s picks because they are out of season for me and relate to the US retail market. Free People is the only US retailer I have bought a few items from this year (chiefly: my excellent sling bag), but they don’t seem to be a popular brand here. I sometimes look at Anthro, but I rarely buy from them. I also like to look at Peruvian Connection, but their delivery charges are prohibitive, so I never buy. Most other US retailers I don’t bother to look at.

I really don’t like the whole influencer thing, so I never copy them. I kind of hate it when retailers do editorials like “at home with (influencer) Jane Doe”. It’s such a turn off. (Note: I don’t put Angie in this category because she is not trying to persuade us to copy her. She is trying to inspire us to find our own style, which is much harder.)

I shop with a general idea of what I’m looking for and some degree of openness to ideas from left field. I am rarely looking for a specific item that I’ve seen advertised/promoted.

One recent exception: over the weekend I saw a pair of sandals featured in a fashion editorial in the local paper. The editorial was about brown being THE colour for summer (apparently). I’ve been in search of a toe ring sandal since my last pair wore out. And I liked these because the cross straps at the ankle will fill in the gap between my foot and the hem of my skirt. I ordered them! They haven’t arrived yet so I have no idea if they will actually work out.

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2 days ago

Kate

Veteran

I have an idea of things I need for a particular season, and look for those items at the stores that work for me, COS, Uniqlo, and more recently, Everlane for jeans.

I don’t read other fashion blogs or follow any influencers. I do enjoy Angie’s picks, and have picked up a couple of pairs of much loved boots from her picks over the years.

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