Makes me nervous to even say it (SYC) - YouLookFab Forum

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Makes me nervous to even say it (SYC)

Mo

(website)

Veteran

but . . . I am going to be SYC starting Jan. 1. I've tried at least twice before and failed at some point, but always with a lesson or some very well thought through purchases, at the very least.
This time around, it will be the move back to CA, and uncertain job situation, that necessitates severely reigning in our budget. The BF got his suits last week, and I have spent all year methodically plugging wardrobe holes. We should by all accounts, be set for the year. After all, I have boots from Feb. that have yet to be worn! So some of my stuff will feel brand new once I'm in the climate to be able to finally enjoy wearing it.
Rationally, I don't need anything else. Emotionally, I am a little anxious at the thought of NO new anything for months and months. I will officially be SYC from January until I start work again (likely my old golf course bar cart job in spring). Wish me luck and hey, if anyone wants to join, I could use the commisseration!

Shopping

18 replies

Latest reply was from Mo

Kappy

Veteran

Good luck! I don't know if I need to be "SYC" but I do need to review my wardrobe in the new year and be more methodical about what I have, buy and still need. My close is *packed* with things but not all of them are perfect pieces.

rae

(website)

Veteran

I wish I could join you, but I have so many things to tweak for the work wardrobe... Though maybe I should be on SYCC (the extra C for "casual), and force myself to really pay attention to the work capsule.

I've been enjoying watching you tenaciously focus on your shopping list these past months, and I really think your wardrobe can take whatever CA throws at it. Plus, the novelty of dressing for less than 80 degrees will hopefully carry you through a bit of time as well.

modgrl

(website)

Veteran

The last time I tried and failed miserably at SYC, I was still in the deep throws of a major wardrobe overhaul.... I have lots of capsules that I wear daily and major seasonal variations, so I had a lot of wardrobe holes to fill after basically not shopping for 10 years and going through a major size and lifestyle change. Now that I've spent the last year building a working wardrobe, I really feel much calmer. I'm not even officially on SYC but I don't feel tempted by every new sale or trend either. It's quite a nice feeling to have after a year of strong and stress shopping. I think you can do this!!

Mo

(website)

Veteran

Thanks gals! Yes, Rita, I was still overhauling when I tried before. I didn't realize it though ha ha. I figured since I had a full closet it was complete - WRONG. Now I feel much better prepared. I do still have one last hoorah at a red cardigan or a sweaterdress with some Christmas money before the ban begins . . . so I will savor this last purchase

velvetychocolate

Veteran

I won't be doing SYC, but will be attempting something along the lines of SWC "Shop with Consideration" instead of randomly buying stuff.

That said, Mo - it does sound like you've been working through your closet, editing things out, adding in some really good pieces, so even though it might feel a bit scary to SYC, you're in a much better position to do so - hopefully having filled some of the holes and added some things that you really love.

I wonder if maybe some time in the New Year, someone will start one of those "re-mix" type of challenges? I think this is an excellent way to feel good about being on SYC, spending (time) creating lots of new possibilities with the things already in your closet. In a weird way, it's still an investment of energy - you might not spend money on new items, but you'll spend energy and time creating all kinds of 'new' outfits.

Good luck, and best wishes on the move.

rute

Veteran

I'm with you! I'm at SYC until 1st of June! The motive is that, racionally, I have my wardrobe complete!
Good luck!

Queen Mum

Veteran

I'm breaking out in a cold sweat for you Mo. But I am going to be on a one item per month for the year shopping plan, so I'm kindof in with you.

CocoLion

(website)

Veteran

Post lots of WIWs as therapy! I will be cheering you on.

Anonymous

Mo, I'm commiserating. I have one more semester to finish my master thesis, and working part time or not at all. I'm SYC -ing for 3 months ( I have an exception for footwear, but I only applied it once) . I tricked my brain into submission though. I need new blue jeans, but I don't have energy enough to shop. I just wear my skirts and dresses and black or white jeans. Maybe one doesn't need so many things after all.
Also I'm having fun re-mixing and altering. This week, I added some straps and a waist embellishment on my old red dress I wore last new year. I plan to re-wear it!

Transcona Shannon

Veteran

I'm rooting for ya Mo - you can DO THIS!!!

Anonymous

You can do it Mo! I think you have a pretty good wardrobe now. I hope you'll channel your energy into creating and doccumenting outfits and posting lots of WIW's! You'll just need to shift direction a bit.

rosee

Veteran

I'll be joining you by default as I will not be working for the next couple of months to concentrate on health goals. My edited 1-year-SYC was to restart in January anyway and go until hopefully July.
It sounds scary and there will definitely be some habits to adjust, but realistically I have done no-shopping for several months at a time before without the official SYC banner, so it will be doable. You too can do it Malina /Mo!!!

annagybe

(website)

Veteran

If my leopard moto boots work out I might be joining you for at least a few months.

Mo

(website)

Veteran

Ah, I see several will be white knuckling it along with me Marley, I am actually hitching onto your wagon here. You've been doing so well for so long. Several of you gals have been. Hope I hang in there as strongly as you!
Kim, you are almost SYC with your dozen items - I will be at about the same level in the long run. If I'm working by spring I have about 8 items on a list ready to be filled for spring/summer season.
And thank you everyone for the votes of confidence and cheering me on! It will come down to a mental thing for me I'm sure. I like the idea of putting the energy towards remixes and WIW posts

goldenpig

(website)

Veteran

Hey Mo! Cheering you on! You have a fab wardrobe for both climates as far as I can tell from your WIW's I've seen, so I think you will be just fine! Focus on wardrobe remixing and WIW's to take your mind off the SYC aspect. And you're right, having a chance to wear your fall/winter stuff will make everything seem new. (I feel like those clothes are always more fun anyways!) Good luck with the job situation and hope you find something soon.

BTW I could almost verbatim copy Rita's post! After 10 years of pretty much no new clothes, I went on a super fast wardrobe building phase and I think I'm pretty much done! I don't think any more clothes will fit in my reorganized closet, without having to start purging my new purchases (which I don't want to do, obviously!). So I think I'm going to be on SYC starting Jan 1 as well. Or at least some sort of SYB/very limited purchases. I still am kind of lacking in the loungewear/casual MOTG T shirts department so I may make an exception for that (I'm the opposite of Rae--I'm all set for work clothes but not so much with casual stuff). But having been on a super shopping phase for the last half year, it will be interesting to see if I can resist temptation at least until spring/summer comes around. You're right it is scary to contemplate, isn't it! The good thing is because of our climate here with mild winters and foggy summers, I can pretty much wear this fall/winter wardrobe all year long. So I may not need much else for summer--I don't rotate my wardrobe for the seasons and I still wear long pants in the summer. I'm hoping my new wardrobe will last nearly as long as my old one did!

Mander

(website)

Veteran

I keep saying I'm going to do this, and then I realize that most of my clothes don't actually work for me. I have been purging for a few months now, but perhaps not ruthlessly enough. And despite picking up several new things I still don't quite have a week's worth of stay-at-home-writer outfits that are nicer than my scruffy old sweater and holey jeans.

So perhaps "SWC" is better for me at the moment. I need to really figure out what I want before I do any more shopping, though.

Beth

Veteran

Mo, you've inspired me to try it, too. I've never SYC'd simply because I know how hard it's going to be. As Oscar Wilde said, "I can resist anything but temptation." Arrgh!

But after an autumn with one expensive house issue after another (think events of Biblical proportions), I REALLY need to be good.

And if we can all hold strong together, my DH will be so proud! Count me with you and behind you.

Mo

(website)

Veteran

Oh, good, strength in numbers as they say! Sorry to hear of the reasons why, Beth. We had some stuff go wrong upon a move home 4 years ago. We got all excited to be back only find the roof leaking, kitchen sink leaking, water heater broken (in late December trying to shower after the 55 hr straight drive across country!) and just wanted to cry with anguish. Here's hoping this return will involve no more than getting the TV, internet, and cable hooked up again. And I hope no one else has house, car, and other costly repairs sidelining their budgets either!!

I am starting on Jan. 1, whether I've gotten that red cardigan found or not. Otherwise, I will have the slippery slope of that Christmas money to spend, and I want to be black and white about it. I think this will be a good gauge of whether I've gotten my wardrobe working better or am still buying pieces with good intentions but not great results. Stay tuned