Wishing you all luck. I must say, shopping ban - never again. It's like dieting. As soon as I decide I'm on a diet, all I can think about is my next meal. Works the same with shopping

I should join you Mary, but honestly the rare times I am getting out to shop lately, if something perfect presents itself and is moderately priced then I am buying it.

Go Mary and all the rest of you ladies who will be joining! I'm not going to be SYC because a large chunk of my clothing still doesn't fit me, but I really SHOULD start committing to getting some of those items altered as a better solution to replacement. Hmm.... A(lter)Y(our)C(loset)?

I admire your discipline, honestly, I do. I think the only way I could manage is the way Claudia is doing it, with a reward at the end for a goal reached. 5 pounds, shopping reward! Another 5 pounds, shopping reward. Or should I make it 2 pounds?

Oh... does SYC not include alterations?! I was hoping to finally get perfect a few dresses, skirts, and shoes - things like tailoring, hemming, reducing heel height!

Surely it's SYC if you are sticking to the items there?

Laura, I'm so there with you on an all out ban not working for me. The 2 times I tried I failed at some point, but . . . it makes me really think harder about the purchases and I tend to make much better choices when I'm attempting to SYC. And the funny part is, I end up within my original SYB guidelines when it's all said and done anyway lol.

Having said all that, moving soon and being temporarily (hopefully!) jobless will necessitate a strict SYC. All we'll be buying is food to eat, really. So my last acquisition will be the skinny cords and then I'm up on that wagon, like it or not!

Ironkurtin, I'm sure it does but I can't quite limit myself to no new items + alterations just yet. My wardrobe isn't cohesive or complete enough for that (still quite a few holes), and additionally not all of those too-big items can be salvaged by altering.

I'm still hoping to acquire black boots, 2 dresses (may be taken care of.. stay tuned) a casual knit top or 2, a jacket, and a handbag. Those will be the only items I will be purchasing until spring.

I'm in. October through December is a good time for me to SYC anyway because I want to save my money towards Christmas presents for others, plus both my birthday and Christmas are in late December - and it looks like I may have one or two vacations in the next couple months that I'd like to use money for too. I have a lot of new, fun pieces and it's time for me to spend some time playing and putting them together with items I haven't thought about yet.
However, I *may* allow myself some alternatives, as I'm realizing that some pieces of my hosiery and underwear collection are getting pretty shabby.

I definitely allow myself alterations! I have a few things that could definitely use a nip/tuck!

ironkurtin, here's one idea that might make SYC more fun - a virtual swap (which may work better if we open it up to the whole forum.) This is just a rough idea:

We could maybe have a swapping pool for those of us that are trying to weed out the unused items from our wardrobes. We could have a thread where each person who wants to participate posts a comment pictures of the items they're willing to contribute to the "swap pool".
Then, each participant gets to pick one item from the pool that they would like (first come, first served), and the person donating the item removes the picture to signal that the item is no longer available. The donor sends a PM to the person who claimed the item to make arrangements to send it off.
Once all the participants on the swap have had a chance to select one item, we could then open it up so that participants can claim additional items.

The reason I think this would be fun, especially as we're nearing the end of SYC, is that it would give us a chance to have some "new" clothes without spending money, and it might be a fun way to connect with each other.

I'm cheering you on MaryK! Although it should be easy...you have a fantastic wardrobe to work with.

I've been thinking of doing SYC from Oct - Dec, with a few exceptions...see, I'm in cheating mode already! And one of my favorite boutiques will be having an anniversary sale in Oct. Darn!

WTG MaryK!

Hang in there, girlfriend!

LOL Laura! You're so right about the shopping - dieting equation! I will probably never declare a SYC for the same reason, but I know when I need to back away from the mall.

Mary, I hear you loud and clear. I've been shopping up a storm lately, but as I posted in another thread, I have radically trimmed down my closet since joining YLF. A lot of this shopping has been replacement. I'm actually quite thankful my discovery of this community coincided with my weight loss, as I feel like I'm making better choices in what I'm buying now than I would have otherwise.

I, too, had to do a search for SYC and found a forum post by Nicola, a month ago, where she asked and someone shared the meaning of the acronym. Now, I'm in and I'm supporting you Mary K. We all get to that point and we have to scale back at times. I'm sure your closet is just waiting to be explored! Have fun with SYC.

I've been SYC since July 1st, and plan to be through the end of the year. I started with a couple of items on my exceptions list, and have now swapped them out for a couple new exceptions. This month I purchased my one and only dark brown waist belt (Coach, on etsy for $12.50 shipped!!!!) and cognac dansko sandals that will be worn all summer long next year. I also realized that one pair of fully functional jeans was not enough, so I'm making an exception for a second pair of jeans. But otherwise, I'm still SYC through the end of the year! It's wonderful knowing I'm in such good company!

NOOOOOOOO! Not October!!!
http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....la-weekend

Rats, I knew I was going to miss important stuff from being too busy to check in everyday! : (

Janet!

I ditto everything you've said!

And my clue to refrain from the mall -- namely, Nordstroms, is when I catch myself sneaking packages into the house while hubby is home.
Now someone please grab the computer from my hands so on-line shopping won't tempt!

I've learned tremendous fashion tips since joining barely a month ago!
First thing I did was clean out my closet. Donated those poor closet orphans this week to a loving charity home. It was hard to let go.

But I think I'm making better decisions with purchases now, because, quite frankly, I'm scared to death to buy any clothes! I've wasted good money in the past on a wardrobe that never worked, but have repented and want to do better.

The purchases I've made for fall are several scarves and some fashion jewelry, to spiff up the remains of my wardrobe! One of Angie's posts informed me that the accessories counter is the first place she visits when another season is here. So I tried that.

Next time I go shopping for clothes, it will be with a plan in hand, and not just wandering the store for something that catches my eye!

I will be rooting for you, MaryK! You certainly do appear to have enough clothes to be able to mix and match for many months :).

AJ, I'll be there at your October Fashion Fest whether or not I'm actually shopping! Big fun!!

I manfully restrained myself from entering the Nordstrom Rack next to the Container Store where I was returning things. Pleased!

Wait... you have a NR next to a Container Store too?! I think Nordstrom has a strategy here because I have seen a NR next to a CS more than a few times.

I think that's Mall America for you. Unless you have a Whole Foods next to yours as well, and live in Austin...

Just clicked the button on my last purchase(s) for skinny cords. And the army green boots arrived on the doorstep. So I AM IN! [nervously trembles]

NO. WAY. There's a Whole Foods next to mine too! Now if you tell me there is a Borders in the same complex that just closed, it is going to get Twilight Zone up in here.

H'm. No, the closest dead Borders is in the next mall over. Whew! Near miss!

Good for you and good luck! I share your feelings. I will also start in Oct and hope to continue for the whole fall semester. ( I'm not including accessories and a blazer and boots- I need this stuff ) We'll be joining in the fun game of shopping from a closely curated shop : The Wardrobe!

*waving hand* I'd like to join in, am I too late? I am going to start with one month, October. I am mostly home bound recovering from foot surgery anyway, so my usual jaunts to the mall are out. But SYC would be good for me as I am spending far too much time sitting on the computer surfing clothing websites. No online ordering!

It's never too late!

I hope your foot surgery was not too painful and that your recovery is smooth!!