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Outfits Ensembles Trends Advice

Need to buy up a storm

ramya

Veteran

I don't know what is up in my head but I am now in a state of wanting to buy up an entire wardrobe.
My logical part tells me what I have is good enough for me. But it's this nagging part of my brain that says "Oh but a plaid pant would look so great!"
Or "You would look so stylish in that shoes"
I don't need more clothes. Period. As I already proved to myself in YLF challenge I can come up with fab pairings even when pressed for time .
Do tell me oh wise ones , how do you cope with this fashion cravings.

16 replies

Latest reply was from

Linda

Sooooo with you. Okay, let's breathe, slowly and deeply. We can get through this!!

My DH and I were feeling we will probably be snowed and iced in for a few days starting Monday, and we figured we'd go and get out of the house, in a sort of anticipation of cabin fever. (I am totally well-stocked with food, and we've got snow shovels and candles and flashlights and all the stuff we could possibly need, plus, as long as internet stays up, we've got the 'net, and we have a few movies we haven't watched if the 'net goes out).

We drove over to the nearby Westfield mall -- haven't gone mall shopping together in some time. I managed to mostly avoid actually shopping for some window-shopping. But I did grab a couple of fun things (accessories, a pair of bermudas, and a black l/s blouse) at H&M. I have this problem with H&M.

I'm not a wise one, I'm afraid. But I DID try and remind myself over and over, that I have a LOT of terrific items at home, I haven't even worn some yet. I tried to only focus on truly great deals, mostly accessories that I don't have (a set of slim silver tone rings; the shorts will be cool and are a dark green I don't have anything remotely like).

It is really very hard with the Internet, as lots of folks on YLF have said. I tell myself to BROWSE, but if you browse, on the 'net, the chances are soooo good that you will find something amazing. Better not to go there.

I chat around here on YLF, look at what others have styled. I also enjoy playing flash games. Or I go and sit and read a good book (yeah, I'm a bit of a book fiend, TOO!).

Be brave. We have the outfits!!

shedev

Veteran

I feel this occasionally too. I just wait it out, it passes.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

I feel your pain.

I do two things. Either I get out and do something completely unrelated to fashion -- exercise, visit with a friend, do some volunteer work.

Or I "pretend shop." That is, I go online and put a ton of stuff in shopping carts but never hit the "buy" button. I just wait for a week. If the item is still calling me (and the store offers returns) I might buy it to try it out. Most of the time I am over my desire for it.

Gaylene

Veteran

Ah, cravings, whether for chocolate (my personal nemesis) or a fashion update, don't come from need, but from wanting. Obviously, the right answer is to avoid putting yourself in a position where temptation exists, or, failing that, using will power to avoid capitulating and feeling guilty afterwards.

Neither of those two strategies have ever worked long term for me. What has worked is to set aside a specific amount (cash or calories) that I can use to indulge my cravings. That makes me more cautious of "wasting" my hoard on something less than stellar. The chocolate has to be really good and the shoes unforgettable before I indulge and satisfy my want.

Gigi

Veteran

I do what Suz does--shop online but don't hit the "buy" button. That way I have time to think it over. By the time I get around to checking the shopping cart, I too am usually over the craving. Occasionally I am not, at which point I may order...and sometimes those items turn out to be stellar! In fact, I always try to wait a few days before hitting "buy" because it really helps separate out the not-so-good choices from the excellent ones.

When I get the cravings you describe, I also ask myself if the purchase in question is going to be furthering my fashion persona. For example, I am in the midst of trying to figure out my exact persona, so sometimes I get the craving for something that's quite different from what I usually wear. This type of purchase would take priority over something in a style that I already have a lot of. So I don't purchase something during these "craving" periods unless I really think it will help me discover my style.

During these periods, I also do not allow myself to purchase something that doesn't look like it will be EXACTLY perfect. If the color is not quite right, or if I'm ordering a size that probably won't work because my size is sold out, or I love the item except for this or that, I won't buy it. It has to jump through all the hoops.

By the time I fulfill all these criteria (must wait a few days before hitting "buy," must further my fashion persona discovery, must be the perfect item as far as I can tell), the craving is usually gone and my pocketbook remains intact!

unfrumped

Veteran

I also try to remember to do wardrobe maintenance. Polish boots, do hand washables, check hosiery for runs and pills, and some seasonal item rotation.
That focuses me on outfit creation and keep/ toss rather than adding. We are still having crazy up and down temps but I've washed and stores a few cashmere & wool pullovers in more " wintery" colors so I'll wear the springy ones instead. That also reminds me I have enough items in this category unless I do 1- in/1- out.also definitely plan more outings to wear what you have. Recently going to theater, symphony, ladies' night out keeps it in perspective-- I want the clothes as a means to have easy, confident and fun dressing for different occasions, to look good, be trying a few new looks but repeating so as to have the efficiency for getting ready quickly, be
the right warmth level(always in my mind as a cold- natured person).

rabbit

Veteran

I was going to add wardrobe maintenance too. Just going through my closet and considering each thing and how it can be spiffed up or incorporated more if I like it but it's a little bit of an orphan helps direct the clothes energy elsewhere.

Today I found out that cat brushes do great double duty. (I cleaned and ran them through the washer first). The thin wire comb got all pills out of super fuzzy sweaters. A bristle brush refreshed the nap on another sweater that wasn't pilling but was looking 'bunchy'. A fauxwool coat, now has a smooth camel-hair like appearance rather than looking a bit like old fleece in places like it did before.

Also sometimes I just want to get out of the house/home office. I've learned doing store returns are dangerous, I ALWAYS want to buy something else, so I try to be extra focused/conscious when doing this, and give myself time limits or someone to meet up with so I don't get sucked into browsing.

Joy

Veteran

I totally understand the urge to shop. After having to replace nearly everything after weight loss, I was in the buying habit and it isn't easy to slow down when one has enough. My best solution is to pull out items from my closet to form capsules with the idea do identifying what I might need to shop for. Like now, in the middle of yet another snow storm I might work on a MOTG capsule for early (cold/cool) spring built around a color and 3-5 bottoms. I include accessories, footwear, toppers..everything. It takes time to try everything with everything else and taking photos, but pays off big time later when you can dress quickly and confidently and know where your shopping budget will do the most good.
I try to follow this blog post of Angie's: http://youlookfab.com/2013/08/.....-for-fall/
Note the variety of tops. I think this is a secret weapon in fighting boredom with one's wardrobe.

Suja

Veteran

One thing that has worked well for me is being disciplined about the one in, one out rule. If you have to let go of one thing every time you buy something new, it makes you really evaluate your purchases to ensure you are taking your wardrobe up a notch with each purchase. Often times, I remember I already have something in the color I'm coveting or the new item just isn't worth getting rid of a quality item I already have. I have been very disciplined about the one in, one out rule this year and it has had a positive effect on my wardrobe and shopping habits.

catgirl

Veteran

Pinterest has helped me a lot. I pin something then feel it is bookmarked. Often by the time I return it is either gone or I don't want it anymore.

Anonymous

Lots of good suggestions made already Ramya. So perhaps now is a good time (as mentioned by Una) to go through your wardrobe and make lists or take photos of outfit combos that feel as fab as your challenge combos and see how many you come up with and you will spot wardrobe holes. Hold fire on any spending for now and try some of the other tips already mentioned on this thread too, then by the end of the month see if you still crave a new purchase and if you do and it will fit with a lot of pieces in your wardrobe, then perhaps 'treat' yourself to just one purchase and no more. I'm a great believer in moderation in all things and if you deny yourself something you want it even more, that's where the end of month treat comes in.

ramya

Veteran

I donot shop online at all. But staying downtown now has meant I have access to unlimited shopping options. Or as unlimited as living in a small city can be.
I am bookmarking on pinterest things I can recreate but it is a double edged sword. It also helps me think "Ah!!! If only I had a colored blazer."
Currently I am not at all doing a good job of separating my need from want. So now might be a good time not to buy anything.
But the white skinnies are still calling my name!!! Ack!! this is hard!!

unfrumped

Veteran

Triple echoing Suja's 1-in/ out comment.
Im getting closer and closer to this specifically in my actions and the way I think about purchases. I had been keeping an in- out column book but I can fudge by tossing socks and adding shoes, or whatever. Now I'm trying to ask the question item by item: what are you replacing, upgrading? If it's a style shift, what other style am I going to stop wearing in order to have opportunities to wear the new? There's some room for the holding zone for trend ups and downs in fits or current " faves" , but I realize there's really no reason to expand wardrobe, but only to evolve.

MRL

Veteran

Well, I plan to spend part of this snow day weeding out my closet. I have a list of items that I am looking for. The items fall into catagories such as basics that need to be replaced and new items to freshen up my look. I try to stick to my list so I don't get carried away.

Joy

Veteran

Oh yes, the one in, one out rule. That is an excellent deterrent to buying more than needed.

Anonymous

I think the one in one out rule is all well and good if you have a lot of stuff in your wardrobe in the first place. If I'd done this over the last year I'd be practically walking around nekkid!