OT: Fashion diet vs ( The Laura experiment ) - YouLookFab Forum

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OT: Fashion diet vs ( The Laura experiment )

Isabel

Veteran

I thought you would might be interested in this article :

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/07.....IXERS.html

I could never do that. I also find it hard to believe that no one noticed...my husband, son, daughter, and mother would have been all over it !

I signed onto the Laura challenge.

Now my dilemna : I only own two pairs of shorts. I am not a shorts person and recently gained some weight due to medication. I bought the two pairs mentioned above and have really been enjoying wearing them. Though now that the meds are tapering off, the shorts are a bit big.....I took them to the tailor, she will be closing for a month for vacation !!

Do I buy another pair and already break the project......my husbands says to just wear skirts........is this really a need ? Or can I make do for the rest of August ?

General

30 replies

Latest reply was from Isabel

Michelle

(website)

Veteran

Isabel, not sure if I'm missing something, but I don't see a link to the article.

chewyspaghetti

Veteran

If you have summer skirts and dresses, I bet you can just make due. You don't live somewhere that has a really long summer do you?

Isabel

Veteran

Hi Michelle, sorry about that, it is on now.

Hey Chewy, no. I am in MA - it will start getting chilly in Sept. and I have sport shorts ( 1 pair ) for hiking or biking or canoeing. ( I also have two 'skorts' for those purposes ).

I guess I need some moral support...how silly....it shows me how instant gratification I am !!!

Kate

Veteran

Is there a different tailor you could go to?

Mellllls

Veteran

I think if you replace the too big ones with the exact same ones (or as smiliar as possible if the exact ones are not available) it shouldnt count. You can't predict size changes.

Anonymous

It might be fun to see how long you can actually shop your closet without buying new shorts. You might be surprised. I'd encourage you to try for the fun of it.

taylor

Veteran

Ditto Joy's wise words...I vote for skirts if you have enough!!

Laura

(website)

Veteran

Yes, first of all, try to find another tailor. Second I think to stay true to the challenge, you can't buy another pair. But weight shifts significant enough to change your clothing size will make this a pretty tough challenge. I was thinking that myself ... can't gain any weight because I need to be able to wear all my clothes!

bj1111

Veteran

isabel and laura hit on why my closet is so schizophrenic. weight fluctuations are difficult on everyone.

isabel, i'm sure you have something in your closet that may not be as appealing as the shorts you have now because you haven't worn them in a while and your eye may not be as used to the new non-shorts silhouette. perhaps after a few outings, you realize that you really love the skirts you have and won't miss the shorts too much.

Debora

Veteran

What a dilemma! I think I would hold off if possible since the weather will be turning cooler for you in another month.

Kristine

Veteran

I would challenge yourself and hold off. Or find another tailor or figure out how to alter them yourself if you think you can. But stick to no shopping if that's what you decided to do. It's only a challenge if it's challenging! I bet you'll figure something out!

RoseandJoan

Veteran

In light of the challenge I think you should try to wear your skirts and maybe find a different tailor. However it is SO easy as a non participant to say this.

Mac

Veteran

What an interesting idea! Here's the link to the website mentioned in the article, by the way, in case anyone's intereste: http://www.thegreatamericanappareldiet.com/

Laura

(website)

Veteran

Yes Mac, I've been reading those blogs and find it interesting. Although a whole year of not buying any apparel is a lot different than 5 months. It is kinda random because anyone who wants to blog can, and some people post regularly and some only once, so it's hard to know who you're hearing from. But a lot of people cheated, and usually on something small - everytime I read one of those guilt-ridden posts, I thought, well if you're going to cheat, let it be on something spectacular like Taylor's LV bag, NOT a pair of yoga pants on clearance!

Kristen

(website)

Veteran

I can't help but be reminded of that classic Seinfeld episode, "The Bet", where they all bet to see who can hold out from being 'the master of their domain' (the polite euphemism LOL) the longest. Kramer joins in, and then not five minutes later comes rushing back into the apartment, slaps his money down, and says, "I'm out."

Somebody is going to be the Kramer, who will it be?

Laura

(website)

Veteran

LOL! Loved that episode! I can't remember, who won?

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

George won that bet I think. Another killer Seinfeld episode.

Mamapicklejuice

Veteran

George later admitted he had cheated!

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Yes, MPJ! You've jogged my memory.

Mamapicklejuice

Veteran

Ahhh, such a classic episode.

Isabel - you've admitted in your first post that you are not a "shorts" person...what were you wearing pre-med-weightgain? I would find another tailor or go (back?) to skirts & dresses (whatever you were wearing.

You can do this! It's easy for me to say this because I'm not part of the challenge, but it seems like discovering and solving challenges are the fun and creative part of this project...you can look back and see how you really worked your wardrobe...I can almost guarantee that you will feel a strong sense of satisfaction from sticking to the challenge.

judy

Veteran

Stay strong, Isabel...and I say try something else in your closet, like skirts or a dress?

I'm on a personal shopping ban til November 4th....does it sound like I am counting the days?...that started July 27. (and yes, I did buy something July 26th!).

I'm finding it kind of a relief that I can't buy things. So really, it's not a "shopping ban" because I have looked at things online. But I haven't been to stores in person. It's a purchasing ban. Interestingly, because I know I can't buy them any way, I've found the items I'm looking at to be much more expensive! Go figure. Perhaps it's like a fantasy thing.

Yes, you CAN do this! Just think, we do it all the time on trips, right? We only take a certain amount of stuff, and we have to make it work. And there IS a satisfaction in coming up with something unexpected.

judy

Veteran

Stay strong, Isabel...and I say try something else in your closet, like skirts or a dress?

I'm on a personal shopping ban til November 4th....does it sound like I am counting the days?...that started July 27. (and yes, I did buy something July 26th!).

I'm finding it kind of a relief that I can't buy things. So really, it's not a "shopping ban" because I have looked at things online. But I haven't been to stores in person. It's a purchasing ban. Interestingly, because I know I can't buy them any way, I've found the items I'm looking at to be much more expensive! Go figure. Perhaps it's like a fantasy thing.

Yes, you CAN do this! Just think, we do it all the time on trips, right? We only take a certain amount of stuff, and we have to make it work. And there IS a satisfaction in coming up with something unexpected.

judy

Veteran

oops. double post...not sure how to fix it! sorry.

Isabel

Veteran

Thank you all for your support !!! I checked this thread before I left the house today...so that I would not be tempted. Then I rummaged through my closet ( really an amoire - I don't have tons of clothing ) and thought, " Why is this panicking me. This is the first summer in years that I have worn shorts ? " Then it dawned on me that I bought a pair of clamdiggers for one of the MOTG outfits last Fall. AND if I roll them up, they look like my walking shorts !!! How FABULOUS ! All was well with the world again....thanks to all you ladies !

Judy, I was only on day 3 and panicking - all of you are going to have to support me ALOT !! : )
Kristen - I am already crackin' Don't have to wait much longer.

MPJ - I have always worn skirts and dresses, but this year, because of YLF I bought some walking shorts - which I really started to like. Then my doc switched my meds and I gained 15 pounds. So I bought two more shorts to fit, but now it is evening out and I am in between sizes, thus the tailor.

Isabel

Veteran

Mac - just went to that link you posted. OMG - I need to not complain for the next 5 months. ( I hope this is beginner's fright and that I will get over it "with" time . )

medusa

Veteran

Isabel - we had a discussion about that article last week. Here's the thread:
http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....-few-items

And stick with it. You'll be ok!

Mellllls

Veteran

Isabel, my experience when I lived in Mass. was that July was always warmer than August. You are at the tail end of summer so I don't think walk shorts are going to be crucial for you, especially if you aren't wearing during the work week (not sure whether you do or not)

Isabel

Veteran

Medusa - what a great thread ! Thanks for pointing it out. This concept has so many layers to it. It fascinates me....from a hyperconsumption standpoint to an environmental one.

Laura

(website)

Veteran

Isabel, I feel the same way. There are so many levels to this! So far I have found myself doing crafty projects and decluttering my house like there's no tomorrow and I've been blogging about it all.

I was at a hyperconsumptive scene yesterday that almost made me leave the place screaming. It had to do with someone who's building a new house. I am a little concerned about blogging about it because I don't want to hurt anyone's feelings but I might try.

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