There are too many great thoughts and answers to this thread for me to take in at once, but I've tried to answer to some of it:
Susie:
You did wear navy items
You like more modern/sophisticated patterns?
You do well with selecting more casual footwear and accessories like belts and bags....I think you've already mentioned that you don't wear dressier pieces, like the sandals
If I go to someplace like Old Navy where the prices are really low, I'll simply buy too many pieces and even duplicates. Like if I like this in white, why not get gray and blue too? Or I get in too much of a hurry to fill a need- this spring it was casual cotton tops- and I settle for things that are just ok.
You are definitely pointing at several aspects to my habits that I haven’t thought through thoroughly yet. My preferred neutral right now is navy, that is definitely true. I like gray, but I don’t have much of it, and I don’t wear it a lot. I’m drawn to a simpler, more urban style right now, so that might be part of why I’m purging this way. I’m also guilty of not being patient enough, and like you say, settling for things that are just ok. I think my shoe collection is heading in the right addition. After I started focusing on better and more booties and boots, plus sneakers, I like it a lot more.
Joy:
I do best going with those first instincts when looking in the mirror. If I have to think too much about it, it should probably stay in the store
Thanks a lot for the link, Joy! It was really helpful. I agree that it is very important to listen to your instincts. For instance my new black booties: I tried them on months ago, and it was instant love, but they were out of my budget. I finally got the opportunity to buy them, and from the minute I put them on, I just knew. There was never any doubt, and I’m sure I will wear them all the time when the holidays are over.
E:
I think the key to successful but minimal secondhand shopping is to make a list of criteria and items beforehand, then stick very closely to it.
You are so right, E. I’ve tried this, but I get sidetracked too easily, I guess. I will make the list again - if and when I go thrifting.
Sarah:
1) invest more in classic timeless pieces that could be paired with a variety of styles. When I say invest I mean something a little more quality and cost than what I have been spending on my boring t shirts and jeans uniform. My thinking is that these would be the work horses or foundation of my wardrobe.
2) Try new items but don't spend a lot on them. If they end up being something I love than replace with higher quality.
3) start to think in outfits and capsules instead of pieces. I just started playing around with polyvore with one outfit and already know what I have to look for on my next shopping trip.
4) stay educated in trends, styles, likes and dislikes by following fashion blogs, YLF, and pin to Pinterest.
Sarah:
I did in fact buy a white basic t-shirt that was about three times as expensive as the ones I normally get. It has held up great in wear and wash, and I haven’t regretted it for a second. I have mixed experience with trying new items, but that’s the name f the game, isn’t it? We need to experiment a little, too. Outfits and capsules: I’ve been doing this for a while, and I love to play with capsules. They are great for getting more wear out of what we already have. I pin a lot, too.
Ummilla:
Most of my wardrobe mistakes have been made not so much in the designer Final Sale situation as they have in a scenario like: Oh look, a high end yet affordable navy pencil skirt. Everyone needs a skirt like that. It will go with so many things. It fits well. I have 2 jackets that it would match. But in reality, said pencil skirt is still in the closet, because it's kind of boring.
Me too! I’ve done this! It’s too easy when the label is attractive in itself.
Rabbit:
1) Like E says, only go looking for that one item you are in search of, and know exactly the fit, material and cut you want.
2) If you think you have found it have it held for an hour or two, and check at the mall (if they are close by) for similar items to check both the price and the design details/fit. For example I found white Kut from the Kloth knee length jean shorts at thrift, but at the mall discovered by trying on a size up that I actually preferred the larger fit of the same item.
3) Go to a thrift shop with no or a very restrictive return policy, this makes me only buy what I'm absolutely committed to. I walk away if I'm not sure. I can check back later in the week if it's still haunting me, and if it's gone, c'est la vie.
You are so right. I need to become a lot more picky and patient to get my purge quota down. I like the idea of looking for a HEWI instead of just shopping.
Suz:
You and I can keep each other on the straight and narrow about shoes and booties, okay? I think our needs are very, very similar both in terms of climate and lifestyle.
But maybe it's okay to allow ourselves a middle place here? I am beginning to think that it might be okay to build in the expectation of a certain amount of "churn." Perhaps, for example, "allowing" up to 5 purchases a season in the full knowledge that they might be edited out by the end of that season -- as with my Zara kimono or a few of your seasonal thrifted items.
Suz, we can! I agree, our climates and lifestyles seem to be very similar. Not that much need for dressy sandals, no? I completely agree that a churn of a few pieces is okay, and it is part of the fun in this. I don’t mind that, either.
Gaylene:
But you've raised a good point: if most of us are experiencing only a 1 in 2 success rate with our purchases that means we are literally throwing away away 50% of our wardrobe budget.
That would be terrible! Luckily, I didn’t purge as much as 50% of what I bought. Some of the less worn pieces are necessary for me, and will be staying of a long time. I’ve also crunched my numbers and I think I’ve spent about 15% of my total budget on the purged pieces. That is too much, but it is not 50%.
Kari:
Can you think about the pieces you bought but haven't worn much, and assess why they haven't got much use? Are they too different/hard to pair with the rest of your wardrobe? Is there something slightly off about the fit or comfort factor that causes you to avoid them?
These are great questions and I will examine a few of my pieces with those in mind. I will definitely get some answers. (Cream silk blouse, I’m looking at you).
Sylvie:
Often the expensive items work out because due to their expense, we've spent extensive time thinking about how we'd wear them and scrutinizing the fit. We hold less expensive items to lower standards. We can find PPP clothes at any budget, but it takes time and experience to recognize them.
Yes! This is so true. I generally love my more expensive pieces, probably because I never impulse shop for those.
Claire:
I like Suz's idea of expecting to build some but also to churn some. I can't limit the churn to a number though, I would have to purge the things that are wrong, even if I went over some arbitrary number I may have set.
I couldn’t agree more. Sticking to a fixed number doesn’t work well for me, but I could definitely try to limit myself more. There is a middle road, isn’t there?
Mona:
I would suggest, taking a break from shopping (not only thrifting) for a season and really step back and ponder. Think about how some pieces are so much more loved than others. How much variety do you want in your closet? How easily can you mix and match existing pieces? etc. Also, you have learnt from thrifting that all this buying and purging does not make you happy so I would say that all the experimentation helped you develop this insight about yourself. You will not make this shopping mistake again.
I will definitely reconsider my thrifting and stop, or cut back a lot on it. I’m not quite sure if I need to go on a complete SYC, but I agree, it could clarify things for me. Thank you for pointing me in this direction.
Texstyle:
Mostly it's something too bright (in color or pattern) for me to enjoy on a regular basis - or it doesn't end up being truly comfortable in some way - too hot, too stiff, or sometimes too thin. But I do like to try new things so I won't completely stop buying those wildcards once in a while. I also have a tendency to hold on to things I've had for years and wore a lot at one time but now only wear once in a while.
I have many times sensed that we have more than a few preferences in common in regards of fabrics, textures, fit. The color might be slightly off (yellow mohair sweater, I’m staring at you), the garment is a little too tight, or it moves in the wrong way. Still the wildcard are great fun, too, but I think I need fewer of them.
Mo:
I can't help but wonder if amassing too quickly (whether it's thrift or retail) is the contributing factor. I know that, for myself, I've never had the opportunity to grab a dozen or more items at a time or shop for a season's worth of clothing.
You have a point. I could slow down more. This is why it is great to step out of the shopping/wearing/purging cycle once in a while. I’ve actually not been shopping a lot lately, and it has been really good.
Lisa:
It took me a while to figure out my style and while I did I purchased and purged many items, very quickly. Also poor fit and getting distracted by impulse purchases meant a high turnover rate for my wardrobe. Zeroing in on my style, core colors and ideal fit of items, it helping me to control my shopping.
I guess many of us follow this path after joining YLF. It is very stimulating to get to learn so much about fashion and style, and it is also stimulating to see what the other fabbers are wearing. I think I know my style a lot better now than in the beginning, and I hope it will start showing in my shopping soon, too. Your project has been very stimulating and I've learned so much from following you.
Thank you, everyone. I knew I wasn't brave when showing you this - you are true friends.
