My challenge: Replenishment - YouLookFab Forum

Well, I'm a little frustrated with myself. After years on YLF, and making great strides in my wardrobe, I've suddenly recognized that many of my workhorses are flat out worn out. Out to pasture they go. And I've come to realize I have a real problem with keeping up with my clothes and shoes. I mean, how can I not see that something has gotten worn out?? It's almost like I don't SEE my clothes after the initial purchase.

So, here today I vow to toss the pilled sweaters, the faded pants and the 'it'll- do' handbags and shoes. I am going to shop until I finally have a decent amount of bus.casual and casual clothes. Angie has mentioned the fallacy of the 'one handbag for all occasions'- I am guilty of that, but also the 'one pair of boots for all occasions', 'one pair of black shoes'.... budget issues definitely had an impact on some of this, but that is easing a bit (tiny bit) and I also feel like at some point you have to invest in yourself!
I know there are people who struggle with shopping too much- does anyone else struggle with not shopping enough? If you don't have a lot of time, how do you handle the constant replenishment a good wardrobe needs?

14 years ago

lyn*

(website)

Veteran

I think I have a similar struggle to you - if I find something perfect, I forget about it, until it's falling apart!

I am very guilty of using one handbag for all occasions; but recently, I've splurged on a bigger bag as well, so I like using both ... I have been using my black booties for everything recently - their CPW is down to approximately $1. I don't want to buy another pair they are soooooo fab, but they're wearing out! GAH.

sinead

Active Member

Lyn, I think you've hit the nail on the head. I feel so excited to find the item, that I wear it to death, never noticing that I have actually worn it to death.

And- do you mind telling me what brand your black booties are? One of the priorities on my list is booties and I'm making of list of recommendations.

Belladogga

I think sometimes when you're regularly wearing items that you really like it's difficult to notice that they are becoming worn. I tend to keep seeing things as they were when I first fell in love with them. I recently returned to work after about a year off and when I checked my old work capsule (my new post YLF vocabulary) I was appalled at the condition of some items that had been in regular rotation when I stopped working... and these were mostly the shirts and pants that I loved the most. I had gone on a major shopping binge when I last moved and started a new job but after that, not much shopping for work clothes.

I think if that tends to be a problem perhaps you need to make a conscious effort to check for wear every now and then - perhaps at the start or end of a season- and replenish as needed... really just to replenish on a regular schedule (as far as budget allows). For me, it's easier to be aware of needing to replace shoes because they get less comfortable as insole padding or heels wear out. If I really love a shirt I don't seem to notice that the collar is faded or the cuffs are frayed. And yes, budget factors do affect how often you can repace items.

I've since replenished my work stuff. Shopping in brick and mortar stores is very stressful for me plus there are no stores where I live now so I now do all my shopping online. That's made the whole process much easier for me. I know some people feel differently. Even the hassle of returns (or sometimes just swallowing a loss) is worth it. I know my size in some brands and I mostly stick to those though I have branched out to try stuff I've seen mentioned or recommended on YLF. And as you said - it's an investment in yourself. Clothes do matter in the workplace and with better clothes you're better prepared to face the demands of your job.

The hard part for me had been tossing the old stuff. Some of it is not good enough to donate but I have all these perfectly good dark suits I just can't seem to throw out. I figure part of that has to do with letting go and moving from one stage of life to another... I had bought all these suits as an investment in a law career that I'm currently taking a (perhaps permanent) break from... Oh well, I'm hoping the clutter and the need for closet space will soon be too much to bear and I'll be able to let them go.

My little black booties that have been worn to death are from Aldo

Meredith1953

I truly wear things to death also. I better start replacing some of them. *Sigh*...
Lyn,
Thanks for revealing where you got your booties. I love them!

taylor

Could it be your eye is getting more discerning and you are noticing these things that were once acceptable are now not...sort of a YLF quality control eye:)

Sarah A

I am with you on the shopping, I fairly despise it. I don't do it often so when I do I always feel pressure to get what I need (or the item I decided to go get that day, maybe not a true need, but you know what I am saying) that day and am often frustrated by the offerings. Also 2 hours absolute max before I am totally frazzled and need to leave and call it a day. Online I'll do for brands I know, like some things I'll try on in a B&M store early season then pick up on clearance online later in the season. Not much help maybe, but there is at least one other non-shopper on here!

shoppingisfun

I only have this problem when it comes to shoes. And it's not so much that I don't notice they're wearing out...it's more like it just takes forever to find replacements. With few exceptions (tee shirts, pajamas, underwear, socks), I can't stand to wear my clothes once they get damaged. Sometimes I DO continue to wear them after I shouldn't, though, if I haven't found a suitable replacement.

anne

Sinead, I am with you! I have been on YLF for nearly 4 years now, and a lot of stuff I bought in the first year or so is wearing out and so this year is for me too a year of replenishment.
I did a big wardrobe purge recently http://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wardrobe-pic
and had to leave a number of things in that will go out if they are replaced.

I am not that keen on shopping either and feel similar to Sarah A. - much of my shopping is done on twice yearly shopping sessions when I go to the city and the pressure is on to get SOMETHING. I treat myself a little with morning breaks at a cafe and lunch out (going to a foodhall is a bit of a luxury in itself for me!) and that helps me get through that feeling that 2 hours is enough.

Anonymous

When I find wardrobe items that see lots of action, I watch for replacements on end-of-season sale, especially if I can upgrade knowing that it 'll get lots of wear. This would be things like straight dark denim jeans, jean skirt, black or white buttondown shirts, etc. I plan to replace knit layering tanks (or any other layering knit) at least every year, usually with inexpensive Target pieces that fit well and are long enough for pants. In general it seems like white gets dingy and black and other dark colors fade some during a seasons wear.
Angie sometimes has found some great pieces like Express knit turtlenecks last year. These look like they will last me yet another year (3 seasons). Follow Angie's picks and shopping gets so much easier!

ManidipaM

I confess to having the same problem, with not much of a solution in sight. I find it so hard to let my favourites go, and harder still to find replacements. Definitely guilty of wearing things to death and noticing late, or hoping no one else will notice!

Shopping gets very stressful --- hard to find sizes, most shops store styles and fabrications my lifestyle is not on talking terms with, the rest seem not to match my personal style or budget... it does get frustrating, and so I conversely don't spend ENOUGH time at the shop, trying things out. Trying to match a previously loved garment is the hardest match of all, it would seem!

Supportive sales staff are also a rarity here --- underpaid young people who're bored and taking their irritation with their current life stage out on customers, LOUD piped music the norm in Indian stores... I actually wish there was more choice, more accuracy in online stores, and that more of the international brands actually HAD online stores here. I might even be tempted to deal with the hassle of paid returns.

Ideally, I'd shop to 'top up'/replace each season; but the budget has other ideas, and has done for years.

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