Shopping for Outfits vs. Individual Pieces - YouLookFab Forum

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Shopping for Outfits vs. Individual Pieces

liss

I am currently working on streamlining my wardrobe in order to make my day-to-day dressing as easy as possible. I have tried to create a list that I can shop from that tracks what needs to be replaced, filled in, etc.

One question that has come to mind while doing this is which is a better approach to shopping: shopping for outfits or shopping for a variety of pieces that can be mixed and matched. I lean toward shopping for outfits because then I know I have everything to complete a look. However, I wonder if this is not the most cost-effective way to update and fill out my smaller, streamlined wardrobe. Any thoughts?

Shopping

15 replies

Latest reply was from MsMary

carrie

(website)

I usually shop for outfits for the same reason you do - that way I know I'll have something to complete the look when I get home. I'm not very skilled in mixing and matching so if I don't buy in outfits I get too many closet orphans. I agree it's probably not the most cost effective method, but closet orphans aren't cost effective either so I figure it's the lesser of two evils!

taylor

Veteran

Well, I love that you are streamlining!
Honestly I am not big on buying one item and then trying to wear it 15 different ways...I think you can get 1 killer and 14... eh... outfits. I am more about the killer. Not that I don't mix up jackets coats, blazers, trenches and thing like shoes and handbags, and white button downs, but the outfit idea appeals more to me...then if you feel the need to break that set up, at least you know~ those~ pieces will always look killer fab together:)

Sally

Veteran

I do both. I recently bought a whole outfit from a catologue but actually haven't worn all pieces together yet. I often thrift shop so that way I can't do whole outfits. I think if you buy whole outfits, you do have to think about how you can mix and match with other pieces. Have you read the lucky guide to building a wardrobe piece by piece? I found that really useful and fun when planning.

Kate

Veteran

I never buy outfits. I can't afford to wear an item just one way. Honestly, you probably have a lot more remixing potential than you realize. I recommend spending some time experimenting and see what works together. I personally stick to a limited color palette, which has made it MUCH easier to mix and match items. I also try making outfits out of my new purchases if I'm not sure how versatile they will be, and if I can't wear them in as many ways as I want, I return them. I wear a lot of skirts and dresses, so I try to make sure my cardigans aren't too long to work with a skirt/dress.

If you post pictures of outfits or items that you're not sure how to remix, I'm sure we can give you tons of ideas!

lyn*

(website)

Veteran

To be completely honest, I do both. The items that only work in one outfit usually end up getting purged.

The items that are true workhorses are the ones I keep in my closet. I spend non-premium time (aka not the 5 min before I have to leave the house) deciding what goes with what and ask my camera, mirror, and YLF. The outfits that work, I print out a picture and stick them next to my mirror. That way I always know I have many fab "outfits" to pick from and take next to no time to "assemble" in the morning!

Marley

Veteran

I generally buy individual pieces, rather than entire outfits because when I shop, I usually cannot afford the entire outfit! I am pretty familiar with my wardrobe and so I usually know before I buy something if it is going to be able to do multiple duty in my wardrobe! I prefer things that are going to do multiple duty - but sometimes I find something that I absolutely LOVE and then it really doesn't matter to me if it goes with anything or not! I just buy it and wear it with satisfaction!

Anonymous

I rarely buy clothing as outfits. As long as I have great basic bottoms like jeans in inidgo, black, white and maybe a light wash; black and denim (indigo and white) pencil skirts, white and blue denim clams, and a pair of black ponte pants; and tops like buttondown shirts or blouses in black, denim and white, an assortment of cami/tanks to layer, some turtle necks, I'm able to pick up tops and jackets in prints, colors or more neutrals and be able to wear them with what's in my closet. I forgot to mention a black sheath dress as another of the necessary basics. I've loved learning how to dress these basics up and down by reading YLF.

Alecia

Veteran

I also rarely buy clothes as an outfit. I tend to do what Kate does (or I did before the baby. Will get back to this place at some point), which is bring a purchase home and try it on with different things in my closet. If I can get a few outfits out of it, it's a keeper.

Lisa

Veteran

I do both, if I know I need something for a specific event, I will shop for the outfit. If I am filling a wardroble hole, then it's one item shopping. I find in general an item doesn't need to mix a million ways but I need to get at least two looks out of it (unless it's a dress, sometimes a dress is only worn one way). I do find I am picky about prints, since they are harder to remix.

chewyspaghetti

Veteran

I don't buy outfits, but I wear a lot of dresses/tunics and "basic" bottoms (jeans or ponte knit pants and clamdiggers or bermuda shorts).

Lynne

Veteran

Liss, I vote buying one or two outfits to start with. Then, as Taylor said, you know you've got those to start with, and you can break them up and mix and match. If the outfit is a 10, chances are the pieces are going to comingle happily with your other items to create alternate looks, and you will see more clearly the individual pieces you can add to expand your options.

Cilleena

Veteran

I rarely, rarely shop for whole outfits...unless it's a dress I suppose. Whenever I try to buy whole outfits, I end up with one outfit that doesn't mix well with the rest of my wardrobe...then, I get tired of the outfit quickly and feel like I have nothing to wear. I shop like Joy does...with getting a good selection of neutral bottoms that are real workhorses, jeans in various lengths/styles in dark wash, maybe a light wash, a denim skirt and some clams for summer in dark denim and a few other neutral shades. Then, I'll add tops and jackets that will mix and match.

liss

Thank you all so much! The advice on both sides is very, very good and I feel much better about moving forward with my shopping. I love the idea of building my neutral bottoms first--Joy, your list is great! I am a fan of layering because our days in Colorado can be wonderfully mild then cold by the end of the day so layering is ideal. I am also home with my kids so the top layer comes off when the spaghetti flies! Thank you all!

Ornella

(website)

Veteran

I am definitely Team Individual Pieces. Being here just helped me be a bit more selective during the shopping itself, I think of the various combinations to wear something at the store rather than buying it and checking at home what it might work with. That saves me a lot of time actually.

ETA: I think it's here that I've read that if you can think of 5 different ways of wearing one piece of clothing, it's a good choice (at least that's how I interpreted it).

MsMary

Veteran

Okay, I just got home from a two-day shopping binge, and I think I am definitely a member of Team Individual Pieces. BUT... I know my wardrobe and I always shop with an eye to how new acquisitions go with what's in the closet. If a piece won't make an outfit with something I already own, then I will buy something to go with it so it won't be an orphan.

Does that make me Team Both?