Shop Your Closet / Budget - final week!

And I failed!!! LOL. This month I managed to purchase 3 items - yikes. But they were all on my list, and 2 were bought with a credit on a Visa card, while the 3rd was part Paypal balance. The total damage out of pocket - $25.
I held strong for so long . . . but I guess I gave out at the end. The good news is, I have my nude pumps, a blue daydress, and a crop white denim jacket. That's half my spring/summer list already found!
I still believe slowing down the buying process to a crawl helped me to see my wardrobe differently. I discovered, for instance, that I have no blouses to speak of (barring sleeveless tanks)! Had I been in the whirlwind of acquisition, this may not have occurred to me. I also realized I had at least 4 pair of pants/jeans I was hanging on to that did not fit well, or were starting to look dated. I purged them and went to wearing my jeans and pants that flatter and fit. So what if it's less? It's BETTER! I was worried of getting rid of stuff with a shopping ban in effect but dead weight is dead weight.
I think I will continue trying to shop a list and a budget, and purging as the seasons unfold. Ideally, I will be using the 1 in 1 out principle, buying roughly one item per month, and spending in a $1000 yearly budget. Wish me luck!!

And over to you - how is/did your SYC/SYB experience unfold? Did you glean any benefits even if you didn't stick with it? Is the idea hopeless for your habits and just a set up to failure?

14 years ago

Anonymous

I admire your determination Mo. I have become a very disciplined shopper as well and I refuse to keep anything unfab in my closet also, so high five

I am looking for a white blazer or jean jacket too. I have not found the right one yet, so I'm glad your broke SYC for a good reason. It is hard to find the right one!

I miss your thread on the blue dress. I know you had been looking for one for a while. it is great news that you found one! I'm off to look:)

ironkurtin

Veteran

I suck at SYB and I MUST DO IT STARTING APRIL. This means being EXTRA scrutinizing of my wardrobe, budget, and needs, no more buying because "it is so me!" or "I love it!"

I am relying on you, ladies!

ManidipaM

I'm just contemplating moving ever-so-slowly from SYC to SYB next month, next year (I regard my birthday as the beginning of my 'year', and it is actually close enough to the traditional new year's day of my community).

Did I succeed with SYC? Not entirely!
(1) I bought a bag in desperation when my last workhorse gave up its ghost --- but I did make do for many months, rather than 'settle' and buy a less than practical 'budget' bargain. I still bought withing a very tight budget and was happy with my buy, so good thing I waited.
(2) I bought a pair of shirts for about $2 each on sale, while out window shopping. One was a good deal, the other a dud.
(3) I got a pair of bright-coloured fleece-lined tights, after being near-frozen on a recent trip with doubled-up tights; no idea when I'll be wearing them! (but I feel better for having them)
(4) Stole of many colours. Cheap, pretty, hopefully versatile and useful. Has a certain cultural significance which led me to believe I wouldn't be seeing it around again, so not feeling too guilty.
(5) Best bargain ever: 3 camisoles on sale at half price! Instant rescue for half a dozen wardrobe orphans, no regrets for breaking SYC as it actually *helped* me SYC that much better!
Total about $50, which I guess is not bad for about a year and a half on trying to SYC. Which was really getting me down until I discovered YLF and a couple of other blogs through it, and started remixing in earnest.

That was the biggest benefit. Others include renewed confidence that lack of disposable income needn't mean I'll be walking around in naught but my skin; many a penny saved; greater appreciation of what I already have and that being quite a LOT! (even if potholed); a better understanding of personal style comfort/discomfort zones; and a determination to enjoy what I have much more than I have in the recent past.

The biggest benefit I hope to have from SYB is not spending too much on repeats and more duds, while filling real gaps rather than perceived ones for a fantasy life.

(website)

Zap, I haven't shown the dress yet . . . the quick pics I snapped are bad. But what the heck. I'll get a thread going.

Whaaaa??? Are you holding out on us????? Heresy!
LOL
Please, we need to see pics!

Lisa

Nope I am a failure. I was doing really well in March. And then I fell in love with a new wardrobe pet in the rose color which ultimately followed me home along with a clutch wallet because I try to match my bags to my wallet (it's a quirk of mine). The only good thing is, I have not purchased a new handbag in over a year. And I'm doing one in one out so one bag is promptly going into the donate pile. In the past I would have purchased easily one or two new bags a season and have not donated any existing bags.

Meredith1953

I have been doing a SYC/SYB sort of simultaneously. Like Mo I have an account on ClosetCouture and this week (spring break) I am snapping photos and uploading to my closet. I already know where I have holes (shirts, blouses and one or two day dresses or skirts) so I am definitely on the hunt for them. I am also purging as I snap photos. I am pretty good about purging on a fairly regular basis. Now BUDGET wise I have spent some cash. I bought 4 pairs of jeans I needed and the red rain coat and that new pair of lace up boots so I definitely spent some money but all this has really helped me try to be restrained and selective in my buying. I am waiting for a package from Nordies (I ordered an patterned top, two tone flats, a denim skirt, and a denim jacket, and a dress) so that is hopefully going to help fill some of those holes I identified.

Category