Mid-Year Check-In - YouLookFab Forum

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Shopping

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Mid-Year Check-In

Star

Veteran

Hi Everyone

Further to Angie's blog post today I was mulling my mid-year situation. I did not set formal written goals, but I did have ideas floating in my head about the way forward. I have been on a Low Buy mission for quite a few years now. I have an extensive wardrobe which I want to reduce but not by culling too much. I have been tracking wears for a few years and practicing 1 in 2 out. So from all this data analysis I came to realize I want a wardrobe of more neutral colours and also less pattern (excluding stripes - I love stripes). Apparently I wear these more, who knew - not me. Below are the items I have added since January. I seem to be on track! The only colorful item is a summer dress, which is exactly the only place I want bright color - summer dresses and tops.

Light Grey Cowl Neck Top
White T-Shirt with Cola Graphic
Charcoal Grey Long Knit
Black/White Gingham pencil skirt
White Cotton Pencil Skirt
Fuchsia Midi Summer Dress
Brown Utility Linen Pants
Navy Athleisure 1/2 Joggers
Black Cargo Skirt
Black/White Vertical Striped B/Down

All of these items are thrifted from 2nd hand stores (the white T and navy joggers were BNWTs). When thrifting in person shopping is not that targeted so I am quite surprised that I managed to align with my goals. I am 100% happy with all of the purchases. I managed to edit 19 pieces. My shopping is really so much more focused since being a YLF forum member. Thanks Angie and Everyone else!

I did also purchase quite a few pairs of shoes (new), a belt and other accessories but do not include those in my inventory tracking list. Mostly they were winners but shoes are always tricky for me.

Thanks for reading! Anyone else better off for being a YLF Forum member?

Shopping

33 replies

Latest reply was from Roberta

Helena

Veteran

Great job being focused and find so much at thrift!

Definitely better off for being a YLF forum member over here

SarahD8

Veteran

Wow! Well done for hewing so closely to your goals. Yes, I know what you mean about the difficulty of targeted thrifting (the wide variety of styles available always brings out my inner magpie -- I can be tempted by things that are cool or intriguing in some way but are not "me") so I'm really impressed that you have been so focused.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

That's a fabulous record indeed, particularly considering 2nd hand shopping is partly about the serendipity and you can't always depend on what you might find.

I'm definitely a more focused shopper since joining YLF and have a wardrobe as opposed to a pile of pieces that don't necessarily work together and the feeling of "what do I wear?" It doesn't mean I don't make mistakes, but I make far fewer and most are not, strictly speaking, my mistakes, but more about the item not living up to expectations in terms of quality.

Dee

Veteran

I too never realized until joining this forum and doing WIWs that I have a strong affinity for stripes as well. I find them so easy to add a bit of pattern to an otherwise simple outfit. It’s also through this forum that I learned how to create a mix and match wardrobe that I’m now pretty satisfied with.

Well done with all your thrifted acquisitions, sounds like you have a good handle on your wardrobe.

Joy

Veteran

I am one who is better off for being a YLF member. I feel like my wardrobe is in a good place but continually needs tweaking. I also did not set written goals this year but have a list in my head. I hope to add a bit of winter color and replace ill fitting footwear.

LJP

Veteran

I think it’s admirable that you’ve found workable items by thrifting - and that you’ve stuck to your slow downsizing plan . I know it’s not easy to do ! I’ve been on the forum for many years and do credit it for making me a better shopper although I’m still too unfocused to consider myself really good at wardrobe management .

Star

Veteran

Dee I actually knew I love stripes, I did not know I love neutrals - can you believe ha-ha! My preferences had changed and I had not realized it. I do feel like I am finally getting a handle on my wardrobe! I loved your striped WIWs. My dream wardrobe is going to be 100 pieces max and mix and match, and be predominantly neutrals. All good quality pieces I love with interesting details.

SarahD8 and Helena and LJP in my home country thrift stores are not really a big thing, so when I moved here in 2015 I was blown away by the number of stores here and the quality of the items. Over 50% of the stock here is Italian made and I had really never seen quality like this before at such unbelievable prices and I went a little crazy, like a magpie, buying so many pieces that caught my eye. When I shopped this year it was not hard to find these perfect for me pieces because I have realized I don't want the bright patterned items that I loved years ago anymore. I just did not know that I did not want them anymore until I started tracking IYKWIM.

Star

Veteran

Suz - a pile of pieces that don't necessarily work together. Yes that is what I had for a long time. I finally feel like I am making headway.

Star

Veteran

Joy I feel like I am mostly done shopping for this year. Maybe some winter pants if I can find the right pair. Last year I had the most amazing luck and sorted out my winter jacket/coat conundrum. I was lucky enough to thrift a fabulously stylish short navy Sisley puffer jacket and a long dark brown puffer (a Polish brand - nice and warm - like a duvet). Together with my 8 year old Eggplant long puffer and black short hooded puffer I am set with regards to winter jackets for quite some time. I love the new additions and am no longer looking at jackets/coats. Unless of course a fabulous long wool coat presents itself...

Minaminu

Veteran

I am on the same page as you for wanting more neutrals, less patterns but keep the stripes. There is always space for stripes!

Very well done on your thrifting success! It takes time but it must be very rewarding!

SarahD8

Veteran

Star the thrifting where you are sounds super fun! Is it wrong that I want to visit your country with an extra empty suitcase?

(We are on vacation now and I made sure to hit up a local thrift store. Scored a cool piece of vintage locally made pottery!)

Star

Veteran

Thanks Minaminu! Actually did not take too much time. Now that I know what I am really looking for they kinda jumped out at me.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Well done, Star! WOOOHOOO! You stuck to your guns, followed your effective goals, and it's working

Fun to find out things about ourselves - and still be surprised. I'd have bet my life on the fact I would not wear chocolate brown again. Jokes on me! Keeps it interesting.

You might like neutrals more now because of changing hair colour. It's all connected. Follow your feelings! Please carry on.

BTW, thrifting, consignment, purchasing secondhand, and renting wardrobe items is a lot more prevalent in South Africa now. Especially online with IG. My goddaughter who lives in Johannesburg and goes to varsity at Wits keeps me up to date with that

Anonymous

Happy to be a forum member too
Glad you had successful thrift scores! It's easy to get derailed and buy some random fun thing if the needed things aren't there.

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

I am infinitely better off because of the YLF forum, although perhaps not so much in terms of shopping . Delighted to read about successful thrifting finds, and would be happy to see some pictures - especially of the fuschia dress!

Star

Veteran

Jaime I actually wore the fuchsia dress last night - it is super hot here! It was our Town's annual celebration, lots of music, fireworks and too many people I don't have a means to take decent photos unfortunately but when I do I will catch up, promise.

Star

Veteran

Angie that is interesting about SA. Yes, I do think it has a lot to do with my hair colour, just like your hair colour is working with brown! I am really having fun with my existing wardrobe now.

Star

Veteran

SarahD8 How cool - vintage pottery! Yes, bring an empty suitcase

Star

Veteran

Suntiger I have hardly ever gone with a list of things I need to thrift, probably because I really do not need much! However the one time I did, it was white jeans, I was thinking 'no way am I going to find white jeans in pristine condition' and I came home with two amazing pairs, one Hugo Boss and one Calvin Klein. I think the Thrifting Gods like me

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Great job! You have terrific discipline in your shopping and I applaud (and admire) that. I’m in awe of those of you who can successfully thrift shop for these great items — whenever I look, I seem to find weird or boring items in less than ideal condition, or interesting stuff that is nowhere near my size. LOL

I have definitely benefited from YLF in the dozen years I have been a member. I do need to practice more consistent discipline and analysis — sometimes I’m better at that than other times!

Star

Veteran

Thanks Janet! There is lots of weird, icky stuff too where I shop. However I always manage to find a few gems. Maybe the difference is the thrift items here are from all over Europe whereas maybe for you guys it is just local. I am guessing, I don't know anything about thrifting in the US TBH.

Sal

Veteran

Great work Star! Sounds like a focussed and cost effective shopping strategy.

Good job recognising what you like as well. Funnily enough I have now no stripes in my closet - first time in a long time!!

Bijou

Veteran

You have been very disciplined and it is great that you have these results. I have greatly benefited from the YLF Forum in not shopping for my fantasy life and embracing change and reflecting upon how my wardrobe needs to respond to that change with intention and purpose.

Star

Veteran

Sal Thanks! Stripes can be very versatile but I guess one needs to be in the mood for them. I love them but I don't wear them that often. Also I favour some over others. I have noticed I prefer a wider stripe and also I have a black/white stripe that I don't really like. It seems the width of the stripe and the colour puts me off. I have the same in blue/white and wear that one much more. I think in future I only want classic navy/white stripes as those get the most wear. I am talking about Ts. B/downs are a different story as I like some vertical striped b/downs. Actually just realising I don't think we can love all striped items. They can all be so different!
Bijou Thank you! Yes to not shopping for a fantasy life, I never do that any more. I really have learned a lot.

Brooklyn

Veteran

Well done! I am in awe of your thrift shopping. I have found a few things that way that are real gems. But mostly I come up empty. Lately I’m enjoying flea market shopping for second hand clothing. I think because in that case someone else has done the hard work for me sifting through thrift stores.

And I’ve definitely become more thoughtful about my style and wardrobe management since joining YLF.

Sal

Veteran

I agree Star re stripes. In general I have always been a big fan so I am surprised I don’t own any. That may change if I find the right piece. Such a useful way to mix colours in an outfit.

quietloud

I’m really impressed with your thrifting skills! It’s something I used to do a lot myself, but I feel like it’s so much harder to find good pieces now than it used to be, or maybe I am just more impatient? Anyway, it’s something I want to focus more on going forward, but it will probably be mostly online via apps.

I’m also with you on the stripes! I tend to avoid patterns, but will always make an exception for stripes

And yes, definitely better off for being a YLF member! I am learning so much about my own style by reading others’ thoughts about their own, and from all the fantastic discussions

Jenni NZ

Veteran

Fantastic work Star! I love how you have been reducing slowly and thoughtfully without totally denying yourself new-to-you items. I have bought a similar number of items to you this year- 10 clothing ( only one of them thrifted) and 1 pair shoes. Unfortunately I have only edited out 3 completely but some have gone to holding zone or dress-ups. Numbers have trickled up to 154.
I am so much better off in my wardrobe for being a part of the forum.
I find I don’t interact as much in my winter as I am more bored with what I am wearing.

Star

Veteran

Thanks Jenni! My winter clothes are very boring, trousers and turtlenecks and puffer coat. And it is a looong winter. I have to dress like that from October to March.

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