Shopping challenge: August - YouLookFab Forum

Since falling off the wagon last month, I debated whether or not to post an update. But, I did commit to the year and ultimately think it will help to reference in the future.

In August I added 4 pieces. I duped a pair of my favorite slip-on sneakers in a warmer color (I have them in taupe; I bought them in coconut). I also bought a pair of black ankle pants to fill a hole in my dressy capsule. I previously purged all of my dress pants and, with holidays coming up, I don't want to feel like my only dressy option is a bare-legged one. I had a difficult time choosing between navy (to make a suit with my blazer) or black. All the navy pants I tried were much brighter than my existing blazer, and the blazer is too dark to wear with black pants (when worn together it looks like I got dressed in the dark). I decided black went better with my earthone tops, outerwear, and shoes, so black it is. DH picked up a vest and jacket for me, but I still want to count them in my yearly total.

For the year, I am embarrassingly at 39 items and have removed 42.

Nordstrom Rack

Dr. Scholl's Wander Up Slip-On Sneaker

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Top Pick

Zara

Pants With Elastic Waistband

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Top Pick

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5 years ago

Cardiff girl

Veteran

That’s the reason I m not counting!Dont feel too bad at least it’s not all accumulating ,you have space for three more!

nemosmom

GADS! No more! It's sobering (and embarrassing) to see the numbers.

Stagiaire Fash

You're down for the year. Sounds like a win, albeit not a resounding crushing of the opponent, to me.

Helena

Ack, I had written a wonderful reply earlier if I do say so myself, and I realize I must not have posted it properly!!

Anyways, the net of it is - PLEASE don't be too hard on yourself. Look at the quality of these purchases. First off, two of them you didn't even make, which speaks to your integrity in being super-honest about your acquisitions. Second of all, the two you did make were to fill a legitimate identified wardrobe need, and to replicate a piece that you know for sure you will use and enjoy. That's smart, mindful shopping! You're succeeding, even if the numbers are precisely what you wish.

Jenn

(website)

I’m glad you posted. Honestly, I think the mindfulness of the exercise is way more important than the target.

Style Fan

I am also glad you posted. Jenn said it very well.

Angie

Fashion Stylist

Good job. The black pants are going to be great with the navy blazer AND the sneaks. Sorted!

Sal

I agree with what Jenn said. It is about making good choices and we all have times where we need a little more.

I am wanting some new work pants and am leaning towards staying with black for similar but different reasons (my new handbag is black and camel, my dressiest heels are black, I have existing black tops and my other dressy tops go with black). And I do like black pants!! I like your ones very much.

Bonnie

I also agree with what Jenn said. Shopping mindfully is the goal and I think that participating in this challenge is helping me make better decisions. I'm going over my self imposed limits but I don't regret anything I purchased, well maybe the black dress I really didn't need. Your purchases look perfect for you.

Runcarla

Have you been keeping track of $ spent as well as # of items purchased? Since you thrift, your expenditures might be modest despite the number of items purchased. Don't beat yourself up. Imagine what you might have come home with if you weren't accountable in some way, and use the information you glean from 2019 to make better projections for 2020.

FWIW, I think you can pair your black bottoms with your navy jacket, even if the blue is 'bright'. A column of black under (black top, black pants) or black pants, coloured top (rust?), navy jacket, and shoes that match jacket or top, and purse that matches what the shoes don't match (ex: navy shoes, rust bag)

PS: I overthought my wide black trousers and got caught up in some other angst that was going on on the forum, and returned both bottoms. stylistically I'm not ahead, though my budget is intact.

Is shopping mindfully the goal? I thought it was using fewer resources and not supporting certain hiring practices.

Jenni NZ

For me the goal is:
1. Environmental. Wear all the pieces at least 30 times to “use them up”, and thus put less pressure on the environment to make them all.
2. Ethical. Try to buy from ethical brands, paying fair wages etc, don’t wreck the earth while using the fabrics.
3. Mindful. Think harder about each piece for the 2 reasons above.
But 12 seemed crazy hard!

Helena - your replies are always wonderful! I DO feel like I am making progress and shopping smarter. Thank you for helping me see the upside

Jenn and SF - thank you! I am seeing the importance of the mindful side of it for sure.

Sal - I have been off of black for so so many years that it was really a difficult choice. But, I've (slowly) figured out that I need to relax my self-imposed rules a bit if I want to make other pieces work the way I want them to. I like these pants a lot - they fit like a cigarette pant: tapered leg, and a bit longer than ankle length. The elastic waist on the back was a plus, too.

Angie - my navy blazer is the same Theory one you have - a dark ink/midnight blue. Do you think it would it look ok with black pants?

Bonnie - thanks! I am also not regretting any of the purchases and most have already been worn many times - except for the boots I bought last month, and the vest and jacket.

Runcarla - Yes! I am surprisingly on budget for the year. Several of the pieces I bought were secondhand or thrifted, and most of my new denim and shoes were bought at Rack. I am bummed to hear you returned your black pants! The right ones will find their way to you. Thank you for the outfit ideas; I won't write off wearing them together just yet...

Fashintern - my reason for joining the challenge was to reduce consumption and spend while formulating a strategy to accommodate my new climate and lifestyle. My budget is on target and my wardrobe hasn't grown; still, I thought committing to a max of 12 pieces for the year sounded reasonable in January...

JenniNZ- yeah 12 was not doable.

Here are the navy blazer and black pants next to each other. The navy is really dark

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YES! Gorgeous.

Thanks NM. It's important to know what your own goals are. We each have our own. I agree with TG that you carefully filled wardrobe holes that the move created, which is different from willy-nilly purchasing.

On the black/navy mix, I have pinstriped black/navy tights that I wear when I'm afraid it looks like I don't know I'm mixing solid pieces in those hues otherwise. Obviously tights won't work with the pants, but maybe a scarf or patterned belt?

I wear black and navy. I do have to think about it and usually try to have two navy items to make it look intentional.

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