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planning vs impulse in wardrobe creation

Adelfa

Veteran

I've been thinking about how to balance planning and impulse in my wardrobe purchases and I think I'm more confused than ever:-)

I've been trying to identify my wardrobe holes at the start of each season, and to be on the lookout for likely candidates to fill them. This is new for me. My DD2, the crazy organized one, always asks me "What's on your list for this Fall?" and I never had an answer! With Angie and the Forum I now have at least a couple of items on my list each new season.

The thing is that I don't think I even believe in planning most of my purchases. When I buy things on impulse I find delightful pieces that often become workhorses. For instance, many of Angie's picks are impulse buys for me that work out really well. It's also true that sometimes when I buy things on impulse, I buy instant orphans. Even though I flatter myself that even an impulse purchase is run through a "grid" in my head that takes into account color and figure flattery and lifestyle needs.

Even at the cost of some orphans, I don't want to miss out on impulse buys that are so much more interesting than the kinds of items I tend to plan to buy.

Thinking of my recent impulse purchases, several of them were for a fantasy life. I'm not sure what I'm doing in this fantasy life, but I'm not at work. Problem being that I spend almost all of my life in work clothes, dogwalking clothes, or workout clothes. So these items are not orphans, but I have too many of them, so they aren't getting worn much.

So see, maybe I should plan more after all! Do you value impulse in your clothes buying strategy?

Dressing

29 replies

Latest reply was from Jules

Mo

(website)

Veteran

Sort of? I leave room for them. Last year I grabbed both the Spiegel jacket and VC tube skirt, neither of which were on my list.
I've worn the skirt 3 times, and the jacket I left behind in CA. I think my sudden move uprooted things and shifted clothing priorities, but that's the story of my life, unfortunately. The skirt just isn't distance walking or bike friendly, which I need here where I have no car. Just today, as I was riding my bike in near 3" heeled booties, I was thinking, "these shoes are great for Tahoe." They are completely waterproof and have good grip in the snow. Fashionable for a 'weather' boot. Not that that does me much good here Lol. Hence the search for a lower heeled, walkable bootie.
I'm sure I didn't answer your question very well. I like having the wiggle room for 'ooh that's pretty' items but they don't always translate, whereas the thought out, need driven, items do.

Caro in Oz

Veteran

I always keep part of my budget for impulse buys BUT I make sure they are for my lifestyle & work with enough of my current clothes. I didn't used to do the second part & imo that's why I had lots of clothes & nothing to wear. Since I started making sure they play nicely with my current clothes I now have far fewer clothes & many more outfit options.

MsMaven

Veteran

Although I plan for each season, I usually end up with impulse buys, and like you, they often turn out to be some of the best items I've ever had.

I think now that you are aware you've been buying for the fantasy life, you will be less likely to buy for it. I know it's been hard for me to stop looking for black-tie clothing, but the reality is that it's been years since I needed something for such an occasion. I'm getting pretty good at stopping to consider where and when I would wear an item that calls out "buy me!"

So far in January I planned to buy new undies and I did. I also bought a pair of Munro booties online that will work well for me, although I hadn't considered such an item until I saw it.

Jacky

Veteran

I used to almost always purchase things on impulse and not really plan my wardrobe out. This usually resulted in my having a lot of really cool things, but none of the basics to pull outfits together. I've slowly started to get better at planning out my purchases, but I try to still leave room for things I see that I hadn't planned for but love. What I usually do these days to try to avoid true impulse buys leading to closet orphans is wait a couple days after I see the item in question and only go buy it if I'm still obsessing about it.

Peri

Veteran

I'm half and half. I think I do best when I think of categories of need, and keep in mind my lifestyle and favorite looks. Let's call it educated impulse.

For instance, for summer it will be pretty, flattering, easy care tops in natural fabrics and colors I love. I see one, I will pounce, because I'm down to crisis point on this category after the mega-purge and I need at least 10 of this type item.

But when the list gets too specific...a white top with a loose fit, T-shirtish but not looking like an undershirt, with sleeves but not cap sleeves, cool fabric, absolutely no hint of see-through...well then, good luck finding that one exact item. And then I feel stuck and shopping is even more frustrating than it already is, and I'm so fixed on that one thing I can't see anything else.

The educated impulse works much better for me.

Anonymous

At this point in my wardrobe building I do both ..a list of things that need to be replaced and room for impulse buys which usually come up when Angie posts new seasonal trends and her picks. Last spring I jumped on the boxy woven silk tees, the color blush, and picks like the lace bomber jacket. Oh, and cage bootie sandals. My replacement list was topped by summer dresses and I stocked up. I've been very happy with everything.
I am looking forward to this spring/summer list for what is probably my dominant season.

rachylou

Veteran

I have a tough time with this. That is, I have a tough time staying strictly business. I don't like passing up cool things.

My best luck so far has been making those finds run that grid. Earlier this week I tried on a coat that fit extremely well and had the mixed media thing going, but I managed to escape its grasp. The thing was, it had a very classic and tailored fit. It was edged up a bit with the leather sleeves, but fundamentally not my style.

I've definitely put the filter on my grid that asks, "What major activity area of your life would this or that item fit into?" I also try to imagine myself setting out to do those things and what I'd feel like wearing.

Interesting about the coat - I didn't get this far in the grid process - but I think it wouldn't have made it past this filter either. I basically always want my puffer. If I'm going to wear a wool coat, it has to be capable of much more formality than this one was.

DonnaF

Veteran

For some reason, most of my planned purchases do not get nearly the wear as my impulse buys. Too boring maybe? I also tend to agonize over those *impulse* purchases; maybe I should agonize more over those in the *planned* category?

I am pretty good about not buying closet orphans in that what I buy coordinates with other items. What I struggle with is whether an item is outside my style or just stretches my style and where it fits overall. The most difficult is footwear since my wearable options are limited and growing smaller.

deb

Veteran

I am not good at this at all. Mostly because I shop online, find something on my list then wait to see if something comes up that I like better. I miss out on both the fun stuff and the items on my list. Sorry, I am no help at all.

Laura (rhubarbgirl)

(website)

Veteran

I think it depends on what you mean by 'impulse buy' too. Is another pair of jeans an impulse buy if it wasn't on any official list but you knew you needed another pair of jeans? Do you have to have the style and color of something decided before you look for it, for it not to be an impulse? I'm with Peri, when you make a really detailed list you may end up just frustrating yourself because you can't find exactly what you're looking for.

So far I've managed to strike a balance, where I'm looking for something that serves a particular purpose or will work in certain kinds of outfits - say I need to fill out my formalwear capsule (which I do) so I'm looking for a pair of dressyish trousers, probably in black. It doesn't really matter to me what cut they are, but I want them to have some bling to them - maybe metallic, maybe velvet, maybe brocade - and work with the shoes and tops and jackets I already own for that capsule. So if I found a pair of cropped silver brocade trousers that would be ok, or a pair of velvet widelegs, or maybe something in a color I wasn't planning on, or maybe even a skirt instead.

unfrumped

Veteran

What Peri said.
There's a difference between random impulse vs. something that's not on the list ( how could every possible good item be described on a list? ) but that works great.
This where the home mirror- try- on comes in. The jacket that I thought looked fab in the store just does not make the outfits I thought it would, and it will block me from getting that OR another impulse buy that turns out to be great.
So I'm both filtering more at the store( the list) and at home ( post- impulse).

Plus, my improving lists remind me of items I do think will complete or update outfits and I need to do the legwork. It's always easier for me to come home with something random, like a top or a scarf, than to try 15 pairs of
shoes to find " the one"--and that wasn't working for me. But, I'm open to changing Oxford to loafer or blazer to moto-- that sort of thing.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I love a bit of impulse with the planning. Feels fresh.

Susie

Veteran

Great question!

Today I went shopping with one 'need'- a white cotton long sleeve tee, which I found. I had already tried 2 other stores because while it's a basic, I had specific requirements for it and the others weren't quite right.

I also bought 2 pairs of pants at Ann Taylor. Both were on sale and can be worn almost year round, primarily for the office but they will work for other slightly dressy times. One is black and white and the other pair is cobalt and black, colors that I know work for me.

I bought a pair of black cage sandals. I wear black shoes more than any other color so, again, no doubt that I will wear them. And with a closed toe, I guess they are almost a bootie with cut outs so I could even wear them now, before spring.

Finally, my big impulse buy was an Eileen Fisher heavy knit top. It's black, slouchy, casual, super comfortable and very 'me.' Since I can dress casually for work when I want, it can go to the office but will certainly be a weekend favorite.

Very long story short, I do a combination. What I have learned over the last year, is that if I buy things that I love, in a fairly limited range of colors, I usually wear them. If I pick up a top at Matshalls and buy it because it's inexpensive and I like it ok, I wear it once and lose interest. If I buy the thing I love that feels special, I wear the heck out of it! Like now, I'm wearing my cashmere poncho and it's the 4th time I've worn it in less than a month. It was definitely an impulse purchase!

Thistle

Veteran

Good question.

I am innately a very organized person and yet I have struggled massively with wardrobe planning. Planning a wardrobe is just not something I enjoy, nor something I have a lot of time for. Body changes have forced me to add a lot this year, so that has allowed me to do a bit less planning.

I have not pushed myself to take on this chore as I am trying more to give myself permission to buy what I love. Certain pieces, like my Ollie's, bring me much happiness and were not part of a plan.

Certain things I am always on the lookout for: pants that fit and flatter, fun shoes, comfortable jackets with stretch. . .

Perhaps I should be better. I don't find too many orphans as I am pretty aware of real life versus fantasy. Having a toddler does that to you.

I always love Angie picks. Every single one has worked out for me and most have become workhorses. Not giving those up anytime soon!

Jewell

Veteran

I am a planner, but part of my plan includes leaving room for those unplanned purchases. My lists keep me focused on actual wardrobe holes and things I want to add to my wardrobe. But, I'm careful to leave room on the list/in the budget for things that I come across and instantly love. Like Jacky, I'll often walk away from something (assuming it's not one-of-a-kind or the only one) and come back for it if I can't stop thinking about it.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Jody, this is a great question. And you know what? I think it might depend a bit on where you are in your style journey and how much thought you have already given to fashion.

When I joined the forum I used to feel completely amazed and awed by members like Shannon who could say with certainty in February (still deep winter for us!) what she needed in her spring wardrobe. HUNH??? How the heck did she GET that information?! I had no blinking idea!

I realize now that part of my confusion arose because (at the time) my own wardrobe was so small and unformed that ..well...basically, I needed EVERYTHING. So the idea of a wardrobe hole didn't even make sense. It was more like wardrobe chasm. And almost anything I could buy to fill it would help in one way or another. Either I'd truly love it and wear it to the ground, or I wouldn't, and I'd learn something about my tastes and needs.

So. Now I'm in a different position. For the first time EVER I am actually making a list of spring "needs" that I know has some validity, based on what I used/ wore/ enjoyed last year -- and what I did not -- and where I want to go, style wise.

Having said that...for all my planning, you had better believe I am making room for impulse buys, especially Angie picks. I just love to use her recommendations to jog my style forward. And typically, my impulse purchases, like yours, become true loves and real workhorses.

And that is true whether we're talking about the $20 H&M fuchsia knit shrunken blazer or the $299 leather jacket from Danier. Neither was on any kind of list -- but both were completely wonderful purchases for me. Ditto that VC skirt that Mo mentioned. Unlike her, I wore mine about 20 times in 2 months -- no joke! Obviously got my CPW on that one.

Laurinda

Veteran

There is something to be said for planned impulses. Angie had a thoughtful post on shopping categories just a year ago; rethink impulses as unexpected delights. From her post:

The Four Implicit Categories in Your Shopping List

Wardrobe Holes

New Trends

Replenishment Items

Unexpected Delights: It might seem strange to have unexpected items as a category on your list, but I believe it helps to view them this way. First, it is a reality that these will pop up and consume some of your shopping budget. You may even want to set aside a certain portion of your budget for this. And second, it legitimizes some spontaneity. It is impossible to effectively plan every wardrobe purchase because you don’t know what you’ll run into, or how your style preferences will change. Sometimes it’s these unplanned items that end up becoming your favourite pieces and wardrobe work horses of the future.

E

Veteran

I suspect that for me in the past, sometimes making a list of 'wardrobe holes' led to me obsessively searching for certain items and when I found something that almost-worked triumphantly bringing it home, only to not wear it that often, because it wasn't quite right. So that's the danger of list making.

BUT I've also made lists that have helped me form the 'backbone' of my wardrobe. I have at least one full skirt, pair of slim trousers, cotton cardigan, wool cardigan, wool jumper/pullover, fit-and-flare dress, woven silk blouse, woven cotton blouse, camisole, long sleeve tee, tights, socks, belt, and pair of shoes in both navy blue and grey. Oh, and at least one light outerwear jacket, heavy outerwear coat, wool hat, and scarf too. As these are my preferred neutrals, having all of these pieces means that I always have something to wear with my other, quirkier clothes. I'm currently working on a similar taupe capsule; I expect it will take longer as taupe is a less common colour. (Thinking about it, 3 of my 4 handbags also fit that framework: navy blue, pewter, and taupe. At least I'm consistent! hehe) With a strong backbone of neutrals in my favourite shapes and fabrics (although not all of them are my perfect, dream versions), my wardrobe functions much better. So I'm glad I made that list! (In fact, I'd love to have similar collections in maybe my top 3-4 favourite colours, and then I'd have a dream mix-and-match wardrobe and never need to shop again. )

At the moment, I do have a 'dream wishlist' in my head (I shared it on the forum too), but I've accepted that I'm probably going to have to learn how to sew it ever achieve everything on that list. I enjoy making things, so the prospect sounds quite fun to me. In the mean time, my thrifting is pretty much all 'tempered' impulse, as the only true wardrobe hole I have right now is a pair of dressy trousers, which have been maddeningly elusive. So most of my thrifting budget I'm instead putting towards fabric/yarn for sewing/knitting some of my dream items. And I'm practicing 1 in/1 out, so any potential impulse purchase has to be true love for me to bring it home (and I've banned myself completely from blouses!).

Ugh I wrote all that and just realised your question was about valuing impulse! Sorry. It's been a long day & my brain is clearly already half asleep!

Yes: secondhand shopping in general seems set up to reward the cleverly impulsive shopper, so that's the strategy I've adopted over the past few years. I analysed my body and tastes and past mistakes/orphans to figure out my preferences, and now I have a closet that I love a good 95% of what's in it, while most of those were arguably impulse buys. However, it's also led to an ample wardrobe, so I've had to rein myself in and curb those impulses, because now I have more than enough clothes. With core neutrals to back me up, I know that new items are unlikely to become entirely orphaned, and I just can't plan for what I'm going to come across on any one day. Impulse is fabulous in moderation!

Lisa

Veteran

This is a great question and some great responses here too. I don't think I'll add anything new but I'm going to think and type anyway. For myself, my current wardrobe is rather large, with many items going unworn, so I am careful with what I add into the working closet. It doesn't matter if it is new from a store or new from the holding zone, the new item MUST work with enough of my current things that it does not sit there as an orphan. It also must be worn right away, no shopping for an impulse item that does not work for my current season.

For shopping, I find it easiest to shop to fill holes first, the "must" items. And if you know your closet well, you can fit in the impulse item as you search for those "must" items. The impulse items that I had and did not turn into workhorses, were items that were purchased on a whim, with no consideration to how they would fit into my current wardrobe. I didn't know my closet well enough to see if a new item would fit in. So I would purchase and "figure it out later." Well later would often end up unworn and eventually purged.

My latest impulse item, was a grey poncho as a Christmas gift. I already have a poncho so I didn't need another one. But I enjoy wearing them right now so I knew I would wear it. I also was looking to lighten up my closet and the grey color would do that. So I added it in and it works just fine. On the flip side, I purged a black sweatercoat that was an impulse purchase. This was purchased at the end of the season when I was sporting sweatercoats often that year. By the time the season rolled around again, I'm just tired of them right now. I still like them, but not enough to wear them. And it's black, which doesn't fit into my desire to lighten up my closet. So off it went.

I figure when I do decide to wear sweatercoats again, I'd rather have a new one. The style may change a little and I would want the latest thing. (for example, let's look at cardigans, in recent years they are no longer the traditional style with waist length with buttons, now you have waterfall styles, boyfriend styles, open styles, etc. If I wanted to wear cardigans I'd probably want one of these new styles and not the traditional version anymore.)

Gosh thanks for reading my ramblings!

rae

(website)

Veteran

In a word? YES.

I always think of it as dating - you can make all the lists of requirements you want, but if Mr. Right sweeps you off your feet, whaddayagonnado?

I love being surprised by items I would never have thought of of my own. And even though we are all very self-aware creatures here on YLF, sometimes it's just plain human nature to not know every single thing we need in advance.

Planning is very nice, though. Keeps those holes filled!

annagybe

(website)

Veteran

I guess I'm mostly impulse.

Though I did plan a bit in my opera capsule. It's hard to find dresses with sleeves.

EmilyC15

I've been planning and making wardrobe lists for about a year, and I am finding it rewarding.

The main change is that I'm spending more on specific gap-filler items, but I get a great return-on-investment with how often I wear the items. I stay flexible for thrifting/secondhand shopping.

I do have a couple of wierdo variables that make this work well for me:
- I'm in New Zealand. Clothes here are edgily trendy - they are also cut for very tall people (I'm 5'2"). So for more variety in sizing and colors, I shop online, and I have to pay hefty shipping fees.
- Even so, clothes in NZ are so expensive that I still save money if I shop Northern hemisphere sales and eBay!
- I'm a redhead who likes unfashionable colors - all the hard blacks and black/white/upcoming spring pastels don't do me many favors.

CocoLion

(website)

Veteran

I struggle to shop around a specific list. I am so impressed with people who have really thorough, detailed lists each year (like Mo). Then they shop to that list and budget and fill each hole, although it might take a lot of time and effort (which I believe is enjoyed).

Whenever I have a specific idea of what I want, I am never satisfied. Never. I had 2 HEWIs this year and finally gave up, deciding I'd rather live with what I had than settle for the 5-10 of each item I ordered and returned.

I am much happier with a vague list like: Some new shirts for work, a new coat. No more detail.

I would say at least 80% of what I buy is "impulse" -- if you call finding something and stalking it for 2 months on the internet for the price to go down -- an "impulse" purchase.

I do wish I had the more refined grid in my head though. The one that knew, this won't feel good after a day of wearing, or it won't go with what you have. For 2014 I would like to perfect this aspect of my shopping brain so I would have an alarm that went off when I got near a potential orphan. Hey, maybe someone can create an app for that. Greg?

CocoLion

(website)

Veteran

LOL Lisa:
This is a great question and some great responses here too. I don't think I'll add anything new but I'm going to think and type anyway.

That's what I always do!!!

shedev

Veteran

If I need to fill a hole, I'll plan for a specific item. Otherwise, I use my persona and chosen color palette to guide my impulse shopping. I'm starting to think about what I want for spring right now.

Isabel

Veteran

Impulse buys don't usually work out for me. I am too literal and aspirational end up with something that just doesn't work in my simple life as a SAHM. I also don't really enjoy impulse buying. But that is my personality.

With that said, a budget should be fluid IMO, to meet our needs and life. So I think that a good balance is the way to go. Have an overall budget for clothing. Then make sure you have enough set aside for holes - then the rest would be for "impulse". And if you find an impulse that works, why not shift money over ? And vice versa ? As long as the money is there, who cares ?

MsMary

Veteran

I am trying to get more specific. So far this year my list has been "something in Radiant Orchid," "cognac shoes for work," and "black clutch." I found the first one, have the third on order, and am still looking for the second. And in the meantime I got a couple of other things on sale that I am pretty happy with as well.

Marley

Veteran

Most of my purchases are impulse purchases. And, for the most part I am happy with that method. The minute that I start to make a list, or limit myself to shopping for a specific item - I lose sight of what is going to fit into my wardrobe and/or look good on me and/or have a high happiness factor. For me, planning my purchases takes all of the fun out of it - it feels forced and stilted and represses my intuitive senses of what is going to work for me.

Jules

Veteran

I haven't had too much luck with very specific item lists. The items I expect to be available somehow never are! I've done better with generalities, like sticking to a limited palette for spring/ summer or this past fall, I had the mantra "separates", since I used to buy a lot of dresses that weren't that versatile and wanted a more mix and match wardrobe. Just repeating to myself "separates" when I was
shopping reminded me that I wanted versatile building block pieces that worked together and had me assessing pieces more critically and effectively.
I am more specific about footwear, it's more of an investment and I've learned the hard way that I can't deviate too much in style due to fussy feet/wobbly ankles. Also not as much selection and few sales on footwear here in Canada - so maybe it's not so much making a wish list as deciding my criteria, doing some research and choosing from limited options.