Although my recent splurge pales in comparison to this

http://gawker.com/5892478/mari.....ch-weekend

Since Christmas I have bought:
1 woven tank £9.99 (sale) for a wedding reception
1 maxi skirt £24.99 (sale) for the same wedding reception
1 Pair of shoes (in the post) for you know what.
1 tie form eBay (for a treat)

I think I am almost anally in control of the spending!

ETA Is anally a you look fab approved word!

I am being pretty good about doing a lot of "planning" and pinning on Pinterest. The pinning is so much fun that it is helping to keep spending under control and of course I AM doing the SYC and only trying to fill in holes or make some orphans integrate better. I always am refusing to shop without a list now. I do love orange and yellow....I'm so glad they are popular again.

I feel that way, cuz of all the 'trying' I do, but am hardly ever really happy with anything, even a week later...sigh My DH is definitely NOT happy..."but, honey, it's mostly being returned" I'd have to say Im truly happy with maybe 20% of what I have, which is really sad

I am always a little out of control. I always buy too many clothes. But I have no debt, so I justify it that way (pay cash/debit for everything). I like being on top of trends, so I almost always find things I love.

Trends I am obsessed with right now:
tuxedo stripes (micro trend)
scuba dressing (micro trend)
bright pants and jeans (macro)
pattern mixing (going macro)

I find it is difficult to find neutrals to go with all of this bright stuff right now.

Alaskagirl - these are only personal preferences so they won't be much help...but here's my analysis I do reserve the right to change my mind later in the season!

I like stripes/checks, but am not excited about other patterns. They feel too busy on me. So I'm sitting out the floral, polkadot, and pattern mixing trends.

My urban/preppy style feels more urban and less preppy when I keep it mostly neutral, tonal, and low contrast. Because of this I am staying away from most of spring's brights and color blocking.

My petite height makes the midi trend a challenge!

I have and always will prefer chunky and heeled footwear over refined heels or flats, including oxfords and loafers.

I prefer structured clothing, so I'm not excited about soft blouses and pants.

I can't wait for structured clothing, textured solid fabrics, creative layers, and fall styles to return! I will be stocking up when they do.

Una, like you I am GIDDY for the brights and patterns that I have felt starved of for many seasons. I have to really watch that I don't buy it all this Spring - especially because our warm weather season is so short lived.

Angie, so am I right in my feeling that these have not been around for a while? I'm wondering if I've just missed them because of where I live. I feel like I've gone to pattern and color heaven! How could there be no color in clothing? I hope it sticks around forever now... like skinnies and oxfords.

Yes! We have gone to colour and pattern heaven, Una! They have not been on trend for a while. FINALLY

Jewel tones, which I don't wear, have ruled the roost, along with beige, blush, black and grey. It's our turn to buy up tomato red, citron, orange and emerald.

Uh, you should see the product of the afternoon I just spent. In the trunk of my car right now, as I sit in a restaurant eating dinner.

I will probably return a couple of items at least, but I definitely bought some new-to-me styles. I'll post some for review later.

And then there is the Emerald. Green. Leather. Jacket. That is coming home with me and getting worn ASAP.

Nooooo, I'm perfectly under control!

as long as you're in budget, know yourself out!

I do love colbalt and hot pink. I have bought 2 cobalt things and 1 hot pink ( though the latter was a mistake for other reasons). I don't really think I am overspending.

I do however, feel a bit out of control because I have decided that my pretty low clothing budget for the year was not realistic and needs to be higher - but I haven't yet decided how high! So I am limbo!

Ah, that explains it - every last thing that Angie has said ruled the roost for many seasons are my fave colors on me. No wonder I'm happily under control and not shopping the spring colored, pattern mixing trends

Una, with you... Almost feel like wilting at the thought of another all black and grey outfit... Oh for the days when I wore and loved emerald, cobalt and red suits ALWAYS and mixed up with wild patterns. This season is too lovely!

I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed with everything I WANT, and I hate feeling that way. I'm forcing myself to take a little shopping break after buying 2 pairs shorts, one short sleeved sweater, a dress, a maxi, and some accessories last week. I really do enjoy shopping and can easily go overboard when I like the styles.I've been well under control since joining YLF but there's just so much eye candy out now. I would love to get some red-orange crops but am holding back for a couple of weeks at least.

This spring has the happiest, most optimistic colors and prints I've seen and I do not blame anyone for going a bit overboard. Plus, I congratulate the fashion industry on getting it right this season! For once, fashion is completely lifting my mood. Heaven knows with all the economic gloom of the past few years, we could use a dose of color and happy patterns.

In fact, I've been wondering if this trend is something that also happened after the Great Depression of the 1930s. Clearly I have too much time on my hands if I am pondering something like that. But I wonder if someone here knows? Was Christian Dior's New Look in response to the Depression?

Una, in 5 words, no, you are not alone.
I'm trying to make myself feel bad about it but still haven't got there.
I guess as everyone been saying, we were in need of color and more playful silhouettes.

Laura I thought the New Look was more in contrast to wartime austerity measures, which restricted by law the amount of clothes you could buy and how much fabric could be used. - his full long skirts were a conscious rebellion against this. Also wartime fashion had a sort of military emphasis on the shoulder while dior went for a soft shoulder line. Not sure about the colour side of things.