Checklist of "possible questions to ask before you buy": compiled! - YouLookFab Forum

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Checklist of "possible questions to ask before you buy": compiled!

catgirl

Veteran

This is a follow-up from a prior thread which my computer is not letting me link at the moment, in which I asked people what rules or factors they consider before buying. Several people asked if I would do a comprehensive list of all the suggestions that were given, so this is it.

In no particular order, other than I put "factors" first and questions to ask at the end - please feel free to add or do what you'd like with this list! I've added a couple more that I thought of as I was typing, like "Why I am buying this?" What an education. I am going to copy this into my phone, as I said in the other thread. Talk about PPP!

Factors:

Color

Fit

Shrinking/stretching issues

Material: itch,
maintenance, quality

Cost/CPW

Overall quality: seams, lining, etc.

Comfort: itch, restrictiveness

Fuss factor

Ethical/environmental considerations

Durability

Brand

Fun factor

Resell value

Questions:

Why am I buying this item? (Am I desperate, sad, frustrated, inspired, or bored?)

Do I have closet space for it?

Is this a groundless impulse purchase?

Is it returnable in a reasonable time frame?

How much is postage?

Can I live without it?

Is it a duplicate of something I have?

Is it replacing a worn-out item?

Is it a fantasy item?

Does it need ironing?

Does it fit my style moniker? I think this is a whole separate list of your own personal criteria - RATE/polished, classic, trendy, retro, blah blah

Is it a past mistake?

Is it current?

Or a fleeting trend?

Does it follow “one in, one out”?

Can it be styled three ways?

Can/would I make it?

Is it wearable for my climate?

Is it wearable for my lifestyle?

Does it need work-arounds?

Does it play well with others?

Is it a perfect fit?

If not, is it easy to make it perfect?

Does it require additional purchases to make it work?

Does it make me feel more body confident?

Is it a 10?

Do I love it and does it bring me joy?

Do I need it?

Will it stand up to pets?

Does it add value?

Does it hinder my style?

Does it move my style forward?

Does it fit PPP?

Do I want to wear it RIGHT NOW?

Shopping

29 replies

Latest reply was from approprio

Carole

Veteran

Thanks, Una, for summarizing the list for us! Need to copy and paste it into my phone...i can see how helpful this will be as my memory is short when shopping and I'm living in the moment;)

catgirl

Veteran

Oh, Carole - I'm adding "living in the moment" as a criteria.

Carole

Veteran

Lol!

Maneera

(website)

Veteran

Very interesting, Una. I live in a climate that technically has 3 seasons - summer, monsoon and winter; but it's really only just summer & winter.

I also don't think SO much before shopping. Recently, I've started sticking to a list, but not always.

So the questions I ask myself are:

Is it a good colour for me?

Am I comfortable in this? Or would I only wear this to go out - which means it's only comfortable to wear for 2-4 hours? ( most heels, blazers, woven dresses and delicate sweaters fall in this list)

Will it add value to my existing wardrobe?

Is the fit great?

Can I find a better piece if I am patient? (I do have a fairly good idea of what my favourite brands offer every season)

Could I wait and buy this on sale? Or must I have this now or suffer from FoMO?

How much do I love it? Will this piece haunt my dreams if I don't buy it now?

How often would I wear it! (This is very very important, as I don't wear fancy things often enough. And I do have quite a few fancy pieces; so often do I end up wearing a particular one is important).

Anonymous

This list is good. It should stop me from buying anything ever again.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

LOL Lisa!

Fantastic list. I am saving it to my phone. Thank you, Una.

I'll add one that helps me when I'm buying something a little more experimental for me:

Is this returnable, and within a realistic time window for me to evaluate it at home?

Stephanie

Thanks for taking the time to group these all together for us! And now we will all be smarter shoppers for it.

Elizabeth P

Veteran

Wow! who knew pulling out a credit card had so much thought behind it?

Oh, wait....

catgirl

Veteran

Am adding suggestions as they come in! And Janet, yes - also how much is shipping, a big factor for me!

Lisa, exactly. Nothing could possibly pass through this filter...

goldenpig

(website)

Veteran

My question lately is, "Does this make me look pregnant?" I just ordered this sweater but it's going back because it looks like a maternity shirt on me. This is really killing my ability to shop!

Joie 'Tambrel' Asymmetrical Sweater Tunic

$298.00 $119.20

Sale

View Info

Top Pick

4

catgirl

Veteran

Natalie! Did you try the XS? It runs big... I have two of that sweater and wear them all the time - preggo-looking or not. It looks like they made the sleeves full length this year. They are meant to be swingy so don't let that deter you - post here if you need feedback, as you may not be objective at the moment.

K. Period.

Veteran

Love the list, Una! I was thinking about the original list, and kind of lost in the huge outpouring of responses. I'm so glad you distilled it down for us! I thought of one that isn't in there:

Will it still be flattering if it stretches?

I've bought many things counting on a little relaxing as the fabric warms up. (You should see me buying jeans--it is like an aerobics class!) And ribbed knit items, I always consider it. But some items, like a great Club Monaco cable sweater I bought, I didn't count on it. The sweater bags at the bottom cable, resulting in double pooches at the bottom of my belly. It definitely cuts into the joy factor for me. So now that is on my list too.

catgirl

Veteran

You are right, and I'd add "or if it shrinks"! Because I don't gain weight; my clothes just get smaller!

celia

Veteran

Great list. I don't think I follow most of the items in it though.

approprio

(website)

Veteran

Brilliant Una! I'd get this as a tattoo if I thought my arms were long enough.

catgirl

Veteran

Maybe you need to print it on an avant-garde tee and market it as a wearable shopping tool?

Anonymous

That long list would talk me out of almost anything, lol.

catgirl

Veteran

Celia has already used the list - see her recent post!

Obviously, all of these factors won't be important to everyone. I just wanted to put them all in one place so you can tweak for yourself as needed. I see this really helping me hone and narrow depending on what I'm prioritizing. For example, if I'm trying a new trend, lower cost may be at the top of the list.

JAileen

Veteran

I should probably ask myself all of these questions. It's definitely a great list. My memory isn't good enough to remember them though!

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Ha, I am with Lisa! I would never buy anything again!

Una, thank you for compiling this -- the collective wisdom is amazing. It does make you wonder how any of us manages to buy anything, though, don't you think?

Gail

Veteran

Thank you for this list even if I remember half of them I will be way ahead of the game lol !

Isabel

Veteran

OMG , this is SO awesome Una. Thank you !

I love the "is it a past mistake ? ".

catgirl

Veteran

It occurs to me this is also a good list to use for closet purging... Hmm.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I hope you're not expecting an item to satisfy EVERY factor and question here - because if you are Una - I don't think anything will make the cut!

It's good to think about WHY you are purchasing something - but don't be too extreme either.

catgirl

Veteran

Angie, I'm not sure how much you followed the discussion. This is a list of everything from my prior thread, where members contributed regarding their personal purchasing rules, which people asked me to compile into one list. It's just so everyone can see all the different criteria people use, all in one place.

Frankly, I personally should be using everything on this list.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Una, thanks for explaining.

The title of the thread gives the wrong impression - as if you should ask ALL these questions before you purchase something, whereas it's just a summary of everyone's questions and not meant as a rigid checklist (a link to the older thread will help).

catgirl

Veteran

Got it and fixed as best I can at the moment. Hopefully no one around here is taking directions from me, though!

L'Abeille

Veteran

Here's one I haven't seen, but am trying to put into practice:
If I bring this item home, which item is going to leave the house in its place?
(Although I admit, it has sort of been used to explain to hubby why yes, this pair of shoes needs to come home with me!)

approprio

(website)

Veteran

hahahaha yeah, printed back to front so you can read it in the dressing room mirror