May Madness Wind Up (long) - YouLookFab Forum

It's not officially the end of May yet, but it is the end of week 4 and close enough to the last day to express my thoughts on what I got out of it, if I was successful and what now.

What I got out of it:

- I discovered through working with what I have, an actual wardrobe hole (blouses).
- I realized I have many items that I feel good in and still love.
- I've figured out a few new combinations of existing items and think I'll be able to come up with more yet. This part has been fun.
- I have more than enough clothes to not get bored.

Was I successful?:
- Yes and no.
- I definitely cut back on "unnecessary" shopping and confirmed what I have long suspected: I'm addicted to shopping and often shop for the wrong reasons. I will be continuing to work on this.
- I made a couple of thrifting purchases that did not work (thank you all for your feedback!) and realized that fit really is the most important thing of all, regardless of price.
- Because I discovered my blouse wardrobe hole, I ended up pulling the trigger on two silk blouses. My justification is that they were on sale, carried my petite size and I was not willing to wait until the end of May when my size may no longer be available. This purchase I do not really consider cheating.
- I also purchased a yellow/oatmeal striped sweater to go with my white jeans. This was not a necessary purchase (it was on sale however) so this would be considered a fail.
- I also purchased two dresses that were on 30% discount, plus a coupon. I had expressed earlier on that I wanted to add a dress to my summer wardrobe. I'm not sure if this is considered a fail or not?

Where do I go from here?:

- I've joined Kirti's June SYC. I'm hoping because I've filled the blouse hole (assuming they will fit) and the dress hole (again, assuming they will fit), I really don't need anything more for summer.
- I want to focus on working with the clothes I have. Why have I bought things I love over the past few months if I don't intend on wearing them often? I do not wish to be wasteful.
- I've got summer vacation coming up and family fun is now the financial focus.
- Hubby bought me the KS pumps for an anniversary gift and when I was telling him about NAS in July (it is in July isn't it?) he did say "why don't you pick one thing from there that you really like too so you can extend the anniversary gift into fall".

So that's it for me - now over to you. How did you find May Madness? Worth it? Do it again? What did you learn?

13 years ago

nicoleb

(website)

Veteran

Ok well i didn't make it. I shopped 3 times. B-U-T i was way more selective with my purchases. Two were things i had my eye on for a long time (one since last November) and they happened to go on super sale this month.

I didn't buy the mint jeans i saw at Target for $25. Target jeans usually fit me crappy anyway.

I have a wardrobe hole of a black skirt that is an appropriate length for work. I have my eye on a Vince Camuto one i'm waiting to go on sale.

Total spent this month: $76
Things acquired:
1 dress
1 neon jacket
leather earrings
Vince Camuto Orlas flats

So even though i didn't play by the rules i still feel...kinda cleansed. I did make my closet work harder than i have in awhile. I didn't run out to the nearest mall when i felt the urge for something new. I browsed clothing websites and looked at styling and how i could recreate rather than just looking at price tags.

I'm hoping to follow this through for June. I'm still trying to save up for my big vaca in August and my family is also trying to finish our basement currently. Honestly i think i have quite a lot of summer clothing because for me summer is such an easy season to buy for.

So yeah, that's me!

christieanne

I am pretty proud of myself and made it all the way until Tuesday without spending a dime.
Tuesday I stopped at a new Goodwill grand opening and found a new skirt with tags that Is Not Black @ $4.
Yesterday shopped with mom and found a black and white striped t (I am way behind the trend on that one) for $9 so bought that.
And a cotton tunic for summer wear for $11.
So I come in at $3 over the $20 goal but I have been wanting all three things so feel good.

Didn't shop needlessly, emotionally or out of boredom.
Although I didn't make use of tons of things in closet, I wasn't lacking either. This very casual current lifestyle is easy to dress for.
Interview wear is more than covered and I can do the first few weeks nearly anywhere based on my closet until I figure out what I really want.

Pretty happy with this SYC. Not going to commit to June now but trying to focus on my tiny wishlist and adding only items that fill specific holes.

I think everyone did really well and look forward to their thoughts. Thank you Shannon for inspiring the challenge.

In short, I succeeded. I made some purchases, but returned all that were not perfect - dress pants, a strapless bra, active shorts (twice!). What I did keep was the 'paper bag' dress, which was an impulse of sorts, but I did have surplice woven dress on a list, so I guess it fits the bill. And who can pass up $8 NWT? I bought a casual zip front black dress for $15 which I have not yet worn but have ideas for.
I had an interview capsule to fill that was not originally on my shopping list for the year. I found a snakeskin print black blazer using my paypal balance, and am waiting on Columnist pants with birthday $$$, so no out of pocket expense there.
I started the year with both a budget and a list, and am surprised to have adhered to both at this point. Yay.
I have few things left on my list until fall/winter. Active/water shorts, a red jacket or sweater, and (truly just a want) a convertible cargo jacket/vest.
It's been a brilliant shopping year for me so far!

Transcona Shannon

Congratulations Nicole, Christieanne and Mo - I think you've all done BRILLIANTLY!

Meredith1953

All of you sound like you are all accomplishing the majority of your goals and working your closets to make them more efficient. Shannon, I am impressed with the amount of analysis you given to your own shopping patterns. Kudos to you all!

rae

Congrats, everyone! Shannon, you were so strong holding back from the dotty and floral oxfords. And Mo, I was impressed with how you returned your board shorts. Nicole and Christieanne, you really kept it in check, too, and made wise purchases!

What I got out of it:
- Like Shannon, I noticed right away that I had a summer blouse hole and filled it.
- The blouse is saving a total closet orphan!
- Gained much insight into my own habits, and how sitting back and NOT doing something won't work for me.
- The new blouse also elicited a comment about menswear from Angie that opened up a whole new world of personal style for me.

Success?
- I do count it as one. Without SYC, I would not have been inspired to have some exciting plans for June!

Where to go from here:
- I'm NOT committing to SYC. What I AM committing to for June are a few projects that are just exciting (to me) as shopping. In honor of Fathers' Day, June is going to be "Manspiration Month" at my blog. It'll be a challenge to find and interpret inspirational men's ensembles - between sourcing, styling, and writing, I'll definitely cut down on my online browsing. I also have a few exciting DIYs lined up, and I'm going to aim to only spend on craft projects and swap meet items.

- As I said, no SYC for me. Instead of going into the month with dread and cold sweats, I am going into it with positive energy!

Deborah

Like Shannon, I am very aware I have a bit of an addiction to shopping. I find it incredibly enjoyable and relaxing.

I realized during this time that I have more than enough clothes and I have more wants than legitimate needs.

The one wardrobe hole I have noted is blue denim straight leg jeans, which I will look for in June.

I also noted that I put a lot of pressure on myself to produce a huge variety of outfit combinations and I have now given myself permission to wear favorite combos as often as I want:)

I didn't manage to stick 100% to SYC but I do feel I improved my self discipline and shopped less, and I didn't make emotional purchases, in fact I thought long and hard about the few purchases I did make. For example today I bought a gorgeous navy shirt dress with horses on it. I had been eyeing it for a while and it was on significant sale today for only $20.00...only two left in my size.

It has been a fun excerise and I enjoyed doing it as a part of a group. I am not sure if or when I will do it again, but I'm glad I had a go.

I think everyone did great and any purchases made sound like they were intentional and well considered.

Rae - your June plan sounds outstanding! I'm going to be looking to you for all sorts of inspiration as I kind of feel a hint of menswear brewing in my style. And I completely agree that SYC was a success for you. I think anytime we learn something about ourselves, it's been successful!

Deborah - your comment about putting pressure on yourself to constantly come up with new combinations has hit a chord with me. I do the same thing and yet there are combination I feel good in - so why don't we wear those more often? Good for you!

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