Sterling, I'm sort of the same now, because I realize I finally mostly internalized the list of what I've learned to steer clear of and am no longer tempted by, thank goodness!!

Things I used to be tempted by but learned to avoid include:

• heels above 2.5" (heels are much steeper on my size 5.5 - 6 foot and my toes aren't designed to be stabilizing)
• narrow heels and kitten heels
• most navy items (super boring on me)
• outrageous items that are so much fun but are unwearable in a real outfit
• anything also super fun but too costumey in practice
• items or combinations that are problematic in the midst of a busty and short-waisted bod

Easily avoided now but didn't in the past because I was brought up to dress classic (left that behind!!):

• turtlenecks of any flavor
• fitted button fronts (can you say "gaping and pulling"?? :P)
• shirts with traditional collars

• tops or bottoms that read as mainly white (patterns that include it can work, but it's FAR better if it's a good deal less than 50% white. Ivory is a hint better, but it still has to remain very limited)

• almost anything that would be worn to work in an office

One thing that probably should be on my Do Not Even Try On list:

• true wrap tops and dresses

No matter how much they are recommended for people built like me, they are just too fussy and never stay where I want them. Faux wraps though are often fab.

This last item isn't really a DNB but just a Keep In Mind: as a petite, I find the sleeves on regular tops, dresses, and coats too long! It has become more of a dealbreaker over time and I just don't have the patience to MESS with them. So I am always ready to walk away from items like that and scrutinize online photos to stop myself from even going there if I see that I may be walking into yet another too-long sleeve trap!

Well, OK, maybe one more. Jewelry other than what fills "jewelry wardrobe holes" where I keep wishing I had X, Y, or Z but just don't. I've become pretty good about temptations though and walk by most of it now without even looking.

Hmm...there are a couple of things that have actually changed from DNB to Do Buy (Within Reason of Course Lest They Become Items on the Do Not Buy List!). But that is a different conversation.

I love seeing everyone's do not buy lists! I think we all have those "I know better but look at those things anyway" lists too

Donna's post - absolutely!!

It’s interesting, I think there are two types of “do not buy” lists being discussed here: “I reject this” vs “I like this rather too much”

Though one place they overlap is the idea of “I like this, but I know it doesn’t suit me so I must steel myself to resist.”

Annnnnnywho, I’m writing something that requires me to place things into categories just now and the impulse seems to be leaking out into my leisure time.

My current “do not buy bc fully stocked” list is
-solid black items (exception for the perfect tunic-length scoopneck jersey)
- solid navy items (DO buy printed items with a navy background)
- neutral cardigans (exception for the perfect longer length winter white Aran cardi)
- neutrals in general (my wardrobe needs more color)
-ballet flats (I like them, but the pupy value seems to be rather small)
-summer footwear (sob! Second only to cardigans as my kryptonite, but Seattle summers are short, I just bought a pair of sandals, and have another pair of sandals and a pair of tennies on the way, so a line must be drawn.)

I’m with Sterling. Don’t have one. Some is internalised, but probably should have one! I am realising with Sal’s challenge that I actually have more clothes than I can really wear- wearing the warm merino tops there are probably only 30 days or fewer that are suitable for them and I have 5 of them, so can’t do more than 6 wears a year each. Thus: need to put merino tops on a do not buy list.

So SarahD8, my merino tops are probably on the “I like this rather too much” list?! And definitely summer sandals are on that list

Tops without natural fibers and with too much scoop in the neckline, and heels are off the table.

Mine are in 4 categories
Things that don't suit me but I still own (like high contrast prints)
Things I don't need more of due to climate/life (transitional jackets, shoes)
Things where I want more variety (colored instead of black footwear)
And things that are easy to buy when I should be spending the effort, $ on the harder things (accessories)

"Obvious" things aren't on the list
Some things are not on the list because I don't own any and are not interested-like button up tops and itchy sweaters.

Some things are not on the list because I don't own or need any, and though I love, know better. Formal wear goes into that category.

Donna, you are hilarious!!

I am going to add

Chunky knit sweaters to my list after trying and failing to take a decent WIW picture in mine........

Just because you looked good in something in 1992 does not mean it will suit you today.

I love the concept of a “no” list. So helpful to avoid shopping pitfalls!

I’m trying to get away from navy as a default. It’s not that flattering, I find it kind of flat and depressing, and it really shows cat hair. Because I wear denim often, it can all end up too monochrome. I have a lot of it, but am slowly weeding it out.

Also trying to get away from silver and instead add gold. In terms of metallic clothing or accents, not metal/jewelry per se. It seems like tech has gotten so good at making things shiny, and the magpie loves all this “foil” stuff—— but gold is better for my complexion and my existing wardrobe palette.

As for shoes, I just need to clarify my thinking about what /why I buy them. When faced with shoes I freak out and love them all- but I need to figure out precisely which capsule they will fit into.

I"m down to 2 rules on the do not buy list:
- If it needs "futzing" - tucks, cuffs, anything that can't be fixed by a tailor, it can't come in my house
- If I don't feel immediately in love with it, it can't come home. I've purchased too many "almost right" clothes and then returned or recycled. If it's not an automatic yes, it doesn't make it into the closet!

Anything that feels like a compromise unless there isn't any other option.

My list should be longer, but this is the one category I normally love to buy and love to wear. Recently, I found several and I have MORE than I could possibly wear out in a reasonable number of years:

- leather/suede jackets or coats of any kind, no matter how interesting the colour, how luxurious, how great the price would be etc. etc.

Exception: black leather blazer, if it is gorgeous, fits perfectly, good price and is a HEWI...
Exception 2: if I find one in a charity shop.....

And here I go. Need to be consequent and disciplined. Exception 2 does not apply.

Otherwise, I am fairly decisive and consequent re the items I am forbidden to buy and not much tempted.
And then there are scarves - a whole other story

I don't really have a forbidden list. There are things that I never buy but I don't consider that forbidden. I try not to buy too much black but that is about it.

The only thing I AM in need of is full length jeans. EVERYTHING else is on my “Do Not Buy” list!

My never again list:
high heels or shoes that are in any way uncomfortable

My "buy only if it's one-out before one-in" list:
Dresses
Sandals
Jeans
Winter Coats
White Shirts
Handbags

Hmm maybe need to start a one in one out thread!

Has to be more like 1 in 2 out for me Suntiger. Doing OK. Off to a consignment store- first ever visit to it. Wish me luck that they will take at least 5 of my items! ( That is apparently their minimum).

They took 5 out of the 8. One was beautiful shoes from 2014 that I had only worn twice, having been seduced by the fact that they were $100 instead of $350. I *think* I have now learned this lesson