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June Shopping Challenge

Anonymous

This post is early, but not premature.

As some of you may recall, Suntiger presented an interesting challenge.

https://youlookfab.com/welookf.....val-gazing

Because I love a challenge, I committed to 36 items. Everything will be counted except underwear and hose. I will count bras, sleepwear, gear, lounge wear.

This is an ambitious challenge for me, especially since I am currently rebuilding my wardrobe as a result of a massive wardrobe purge in 2018.

Total purchases at the end of May were 27 items.

I wasn't worried because those 27 items were well thought out and carefully selected. All 27 items were put into immediate rotation.

I ordered two bras from Thirdlove this past weekend. I expect the bras to be delivered late next week. This brings the total to 29 items.

The math says that I have seven purchases remaining at the end of June (half way through the year). Sigh. Does that mean only one new item each month for the rest of the year? Possibly. It certainly means that all I can buy during NAS is underwear. But the truth is I need underwear. Restricting my NAS shopping to underwear won't be the worse thing in the world. I've been especially interested in trying the underwear that Jaileen mentioned in her post about packing for travel to Alaska. I think someone said they were on sale during last year's NAS. I made a note to look for them this year.

Sure would love to look at bags though.

Shopping

47 replies

Latest reply was from

Runcarla

Veteran

I've picked up 17* items so far, however my goal is not a specific number of items, but rather to stick with a budget of X $s. So far so good! The biggest test to me (and probably all of us) is to love our clothing choices, get them into rotation, and avoid duds. So far I'm good with everything I've picked up - though I have yet to wear my thrifted white dress in the real world! Now that we are officially into summer, and hopefully warmer temps, I'm hoping to get my chance!

* running shoes, olive sneakers, boho sandals, running tights, 2 gym tops, olive chinos, tan chinos, white dress, red sundress, 2 sun hats, 1 scarf, black blazer jacket, olive utility jacket, bra, t-shirt

Sterling, have you picked up anything 'exciting'? I know you are re-building, but have you picked up any wildcard/trendy item(s) that inform your style?

Bijou

Veteran

I think bras and gear should not count, as I know I would inappropriately not update those less fun things but which are essential to have right.

Liz

Veteran

I remember that not too long ago you posted about how many bags were too many, or something like that -- you were itching to look at bags.

Why not treat your bags differently from clothes, since they are your happy place? If you need guidelines for keeping your collection in check, you could base it on budget, or on amount of storage or on purchases, for year, or whatever other criteria you want. So, maybe you get to buy 2 bags a year, and you set aside $X to do so. And you have to get rid of 1, so you don't end up with a million bags. Or you figure out that you can add 2 or 3 or however many a year without getting rid of any bags. And that means that in 6 years, you'll have X number of bags and that's all you have space to store, and that's going to be a firm stop for you.

Anyway, bottom line, you're the one setting the rules, so make sure they work for you. If you want to keep your spending and shopping and wardrobe size in check, it's perfectly OK to revise HOW you're doing that, in a way that works for how you live, your income, and what makes you happy.

Anonymous

Thank you, Liz. Infinite wisdom.

If I didn't count gear, my entire wardrobe would be gear! Bijou.

I added some pink and light blue back into my wardrobe in May, RunCarla. The pink and light blue make all the difference in the world. I am just now starting to look for clothing items that "spark joy." Previously, it was all about building a base so that I could show up at work and other places appropriately attired.

taylor

Veteran

Liz, infinite wisdom indeed !

Shopping for clothes that “spark joy” ...now that should be fun for you !

Bonnie

Veteran

You do have an ambitious challenge, rebuilding a wardrobe is a challenge all by itself without adding a restriction on the number of items. I've combined a number of items (36) with a budget limit so I'm adding expensive items slowly. I've been able to shop some great sales this year so that has helped. This month I have to choose between jeans and white sandals because they are both wanted. I really don't need either but the ones I'm wearing are well worn. I'm actually finding having a limit challenging in a fun way.

JAileen

Veteran

I had a meetup recently with Karen13. She wisely said gear does NOT count. Therefore, I’ve bought practically nothing this past year that counts.

bj1111

Veteran

It might help remembering why you took on the challenge in the first place. You have been really thoughtful about your additions that I don’t see why a purse can’t be bought outside the limit or be one of the 7 remaining items or reset the rules to give yourself another 36 for the rest of the year.

I do wonder why you included bras in the count but not pants since together they would be “underwear.”

Runcarla

Veteran

Agreeing with Bijou. Though I AM listing gear and u-wear, I almost feel like not counting it. If I'm having trouble with my budget, I may shift the costs of running shoes and gym kit to the sports budget (where I am WAY under budget this year).

Agreeing with Bonnie, too! Having some limits, and working from a list, plus sticking to some style goals is proving to be a 'FUN challenge'.

Style Fan

Veteran

I think you are doing well considering you are rebuilding your wardrobe. I assume you need to look presentable for work so there is that to think about too.
I have made zero purchases in the month of June. But it is not over.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I don’t think Basics should count:

Wardrobe Basics are: knickers, bras, camisoles, socks, sleepwear, loungewear, workout wear

Jenni NZ

Veteran

I have never ever counted underwear in any totals in the 3 years I have been tracking my wardrobe. It’s not like I’m a crazy underwear buyer, I have quite a small number. One drawer for undies and bras, one for socks, one for tights and thermals, one for sleepwear.
I suggest changing your challenge at this stage of the year to leave at least the bras and sleepwear out, since you are leaving knickers out already? And maybe follow Angie’s idea about all basics.
Liz’s idea about the bags is good too. You could still set limits around the bags.
None of us would think at all badly of you if you modify the rules at this point. With your tiny wardrobe I think you set the hardest challenge of anyone in the whole forum!

SarahD8

Veteran

Sterling, your discipline is truly inspirational. Part of me wants to add to the chorus here and say that especially given your wardrobe rebuilding situation, you would be totally justified in loosening up your rules for the challenge. But part of me also thinks that disciplined shopping brings you joy. I wonder if you could set up shopping for bags or other items that are really calling to you as rewards for meeting certain goals (whether those are health, work, or even shopping related). Then you could have your discipline and your heart's desire too.

Sal

Veteran

I am pleased you have added pieces that make you happy! That is great. And new bras are always worthwhile!

We have added a similar no of items - I am not including lingerie hosiery or sleepwear. And if you are now stocked with these basics seven pieces for the rest of the year is achievable. I am sure you will be clad!!

I have 9 spots left and will have to be cautious and real about my gaps. But I am not rebuilding, only tweaking and replacing due to wear.

I do think you could leave out bras and hose and sleepwear and not feel bad about it. I do see gear as a bit different as it is worn publicly and can be part of an outfit or worn all day. My pjs are not!!

But what do you think?

Anonymous

SarahDB gets me!!!! I cannot easily change the challenge parameters without some degree of angst, but I can designate "rewards" for having achieved defined successes! That reward could easily be a clothing item which would fall into a different budget category!

Just so you all know, I have had a tough April, May, and June. I have managed to rise to each challenge (not always gracefully) and overcome. I could easily reward myself for so many things in May and June. EASILY.

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

Hooray for rising to meet those challenges, in whatever fashion!

I agree that undies shouldn't count, unless you go on a spree and suddenly have a different lingerie set for every day of the month, all the expensive stuff. I don't see that happening.

Had to smile at Bj111's comment, because I think "pants" can have different meanings, depending on where you are.

kkards

Veteran

Sterling---i applaud your relentless tracking and striving to hit achieve your goal....one of the things that we do at work midway thru the year is not only check in on our progress towards our goals, but almost as importantly we check in on the goal itself... is still relevant, does it need to be tweaked or changed slightly, or maybe the goal is still relevant but we need to change how we are measuring it...things change and our goals need to change with them or they become a hinderance and not something that moves us forward or towards something better....all this is a long way of saying, if you need bra's and panties, buy bra's and panties, and buy as many as you need so that aren't feeling stressed about laundry or wearing an uncomfortable/ill fitting pair...

Anonymous

Totally agree that basics don't count!
I'm personally including gear (except socks and sports bras) in my challenge, to ensure I'm valuing it equally to my "regular clothes", but not hosery/ socks/bras/knickers/sleepwear.

Agreeing with kkards to reevaluate too as needed. The main point of it was to be sure the right and needed things, and the things that spark joy, are coming in. The "fillers", the impulse buys, the meh become much less a temptation when it's a choice between that and the thing we really wanted.

Brooklyn

Veteran

Sterling, well done!

I don’t see the harm in allowing yourself an occasional, well thought out, non-utilitarian purchase, especially if you are going through a tough time. Could you reset the challenge with some “joyful” reward points along the way. Allow yourself say one purchase every couple of months that is “extra” and not to be spent on basics (assuming your overall goals are met)? I think it’s important to have markers that you look forward to achieving and to celebrate achieving them.

Jenn

(website)

Veteran

Like you, I'm counting gear and lounge as part of my challenge, so I totally get wanting to stick to the parameters you set. I am with SarahD8, though. Allowing yourself to go over your limit only as a reward makes it a true reward! (I'm also with those who say that, at the very least, bras should count as underwear, too.)

We are all very good at finding loopholes, aren't we?

Anonymous

Thank you, Kkards. You are very wise and always benefit from that wisdom.

I sometimes get so close to the trees that I literally fail to see the forest. Your suggestion to not only check in on my progress towards my goals but also to check on the relevancy of the goal itself was excellent. I thought long and hard about what you wrote and I modified my challenge to exclude “foundation” items such as socks, bras, and underwear. I added in a reward component to celebrate small successes through the rest of year.

Suntiger — You hit upon why I am including gear and loungewear as part of my challenge. It forces me to consider and value those items as much as my “day” clothes. I spend a lot of time in lounge clothes. I want them to be as carefully thought out as my work wardrobe. This challenge forces me to think about them just as carefully.

Brooklyn — Resetting the challenge to include joyful rewards is a wonderful idea. I have been working exceptionally hard this year. Based on comments on this thread, I decided to mark some of those small victories with a substantive reward. That reward will not come out of my "wardrobe" budget and will not count against my 36 items. It will be something that makes me feel good about myself and my achievements.

Thanks, Jenn. I am going to continue to count gear and lounge wear. I am not going to count foundation items such as underwear, bras, or socks. That means I can subtract four items (two pair of socks in January, two new bras in June). My new total is 25. (And yes, we are brilliant at rationalization).

Waves at Fashintern. It has been much too long. I hope all is well with you and your son.

It is good to know that you and I are in much the same place, Sal. I am in good company. I decided not to count foundation items such as underwear, bras, or socks. That brings me to a new total of 25 items. That leaves me with 11 items for the remainder of the year. I feel this is very doable …. even in the wardrobe rebuild phase.

Thank you, Jenni. I never doubted that the Forum would support me if I suddenly changed my challenge parameters (but it is nice of you to say so). The truth is I wanted to cut back on the shopping/returning treadmill. I thought this type of challenge would really force me to think carefully before I purchase. And it has!!! I am incredibly proud of the wardrobe additions I made in 2019. Everything is cohesive! I have developed several microcapsules that make me really proud. The joy of getting dressed is returning. And the best thing is that I am literally wearing my entire wardrobe. For too long in my history I always "saved" my best for "good." Today I am wearing my entire wardrobe. For. The. First. Time. Ever.

Thank you, Angie. I think I made this challenge purposely hard because I wanted to use the challenge to force me to think about all my purchases and how they go come together as a whole. I have seen you do this in many different aspects of your life and admired that trait from afar. This challenge has made me do something very similar. It takes work and commitment to stay on a path. This challenge is helping make that commitment.

Hi Style Fan. Congratulations on not buying anything in June!!! YAY You. I do get dressed every single day for work! People tell me I look good so something is working for me! In fact, now that I have added in some pink and light blue, people are raving about how good I look. Perhaps I had veered a bit too dark earlier this year. Much better aligned now.

Liz — You are completely right. I am the one setting the rules. This challenge has allowed me the opportunity to stop shopping as a hobby. It has forced me to develop a set of buying guidelines or rules that have worked really well for 2019. I have literally moved off the shopping/returning treadmill and I am far better for this decision. I don’t think my wardrobe is suffering because it is has been very carefully chosen. As I mention above, I am literally wearing my entire wardrobe (rather than saving it for good) for the first time in my life. It has been somewhat life changing.

Bijou — I am no longer going to count bras or socks. I will continue to count gear and loungewear. That brings the new total to 25 (with 11 available purchases for the rest of the year). I will also allow myself "reward" purchases to celebrate small victories in life.

Yes, Taylor, I have finally reached the stage that I can shop for wardrobe items that spark joy. YAY.

Bonnie — I admire the fact you added in a budget component. Well done. I considered it only briefly. I was willing to go into 2019 with a upper buying limit but not a budget limit. I wasn't sure what I would be needing and I didn't want the additional stress of worrying about budget. I haven't had been constrained by a wardrobe budget since 2018 when I started to lose weight. Dangerous, I know.

Jenn

(website)

Veteran

"For too long in my history I always "saved" my best for "good." Today I am wearing my entire wardrobe. For. The. First. Time. Ever."

This made me so happy!

Sal

Veteran

Yay - this sounds perfect Sterling!! I am pleased you are wearing everything in your closet and feeling good about it - this is a sign of success. And I think your slightly revised goals will allow to you to continue to achieve that. And rewards are important - something I could build in as well.

Anonymous

RunCarla -- You are right. I do think that one of the biggest challenges is to love our wardrobe choices and get them Into rotation. This last part was something that always eluded me. With the small size of my wardrobe, I have been forced to wear everything I own. For the first time ever I can enjoy wearing the clothing I bought and love. I am really proud of this and hope it continues for the rest of my life.

Jaileen -- You made me laugh. For one brief second, I considered excluding gear and loungewear! My purchases could probably be counted on one hand then!

BJ1111 -- Once you pointed out the discrepancy between counting bras and not counting underwear, it did seem strange. I decided to omit all foundation items (socks, bras, and underwear). That makes the challenge a lot easier. It makes more sense too.

SarahD8 -- You get me. Disciplined shopping brings me joy! For too long I was on a shopping/returning treadmill. It got exhausting for me. It drained the joy out of shopping and made me dread going to the mall. That has changed. I have a new freedom that I have never had before. I can buy to my heart's delight, but those purchases have to be carefully chosen and fit within a defined plan. I think in the past I bought indiscriminately because I always knew I could return the purchases. I did a lot of sales shopping that resulted in really bad decisions. Yet, they were on sale! How could that be bad? It was bad because it led to a bloated wardrobe and despite the sheer volume of clothing I owned I couldn't get dressed in the morning. That was a major red light for me. That is what ultimately led me to YLF and the Forum.

Anonymous

Glad you adjusted your rules
I could've wrote all that about shopping as a hobby/justifying cause it was on sale, etc too! To me a number limit is much better at slowing the inflow than a $ budget. Last year I spent a lot (to me), and bought a lot, and most was on sale. The item limit reins in the spending naturally, especially if you have an amount you're comfortable spending per type of item.

Anonymous

I agree wholeheartedly, Suntiger.

Brooklyn

Veteran

Yay Sterling! I am glad you are adjusting your rules a little. Small victories in life are important. Congratulations on doing so well.

nemosmom

Veteran

I am late to comment, but wanted to pop in to say WELL DONE! You have been extremely disciplined so far, but it's good that you are allowing yourself a wee bit of wiggle room. You are off the crazy shop/return cycle, your whole wardrobe is not only cohesive, but it's working AND you are wearing it!!!!! I am taking notes!

Anonymous

Nice to see you, Nemosmom! I hope all is well with you and your Family.

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