Shopping Musings - December Confessions

Gryffin got me thinking with the "What are your splurges this year" thread! These are my confessions.

I never seem to splurge on one item. I am not a very brand conscious person and I just buy what I think I like that falls in my budget. I am always on the look out for sales and deals. And I am quite a cheapo o_O! So, my budget this month was 350$ for boots. I wanted 2 pairs from zara that I had set my eyes on. On the way to zara I stopped at the mango sale and picked up a few things (pic 1-5). I was miserably short on my budget for boots and had almost decided to forego them this month. But then I stepped into forever 21. And I found these (pic 6-8). Although not real leather or suede they are comfy and I will reserve saying more until after I road test the shoes. It kind of worked in my favor. I didn't blow my budget. I buy on impulse a lot and sometimes regret it. Hopefully these purchases are unlike them ..... Only time will tell. For now I am one happy birdie.

ETA: Please feel free to share your confessions! I will take solace in the fact that I am not the only one

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10 years ago

Karie

(website)

Veteran

I love those plaid pants in #1! I just bought a similar pair tonight at F21 but mine are in a red/pink plaid. You made some nice purchases, glad you didn't blow your budget!

Joy

Neel, as long as you are having fun with fashion, staying on budget, and enjoying your purchases, I see nothing wrong with your shopping style. You got many lovely things to play with. I especially like the plaid pants.

minimalist

Great topic, Neel!

My confession: for my lounge/homewear capsules, I bought a number of pieces (leggings, yoga pants, long underwear, t-shirts, camisoles, cardigans) that conflict with my ideals about ethical sourcing or at least awareness of what exactly the shortcomings are. I can't justify this; every purchase we make is part of a pattern of impact.

Oh ...was this an everybody's-confessions thread, or about your unexpected shopping adjustments? Sorry about that!

How do you feel about boots, now?

Sometimes, multiple smaller purchases make a very positive difference. That's true for my duplicate leggings etc. Perhaps also for your Mango/F21 finds?

Neel

Tee hee Amy K! I would love reading everyone's insights on this topic. So please feel free! I am definitely happy but I feel like I cheated with my YLF principles of going for quality over quantity

Thank you Joy and Karie for chiming in. I think this shopping style helps me with my love for novelty. I get bored easily and when I chuck something out of my current wardrobe I don't feel bad. Because all of them have got enough wear for the money I spent on them. It gives me emotional freedom. And I think I like that over the constant feeling of guilt if ever I toss something that I paid through my nose and ended up not liking at a later stage.

Susie

Your method works well for you, Neel, so there is nothing wrong with it! It allows you to try trend pieces and to add variety to your wardrobe. I think you made some great choices!

My confession is that I have added A LOT of pieces for fall and winter. But I have never been happier with my wardrobe than I am now. My only concern is that I have too many pieces to get a good number of wearings of each. But that hasn't stopped me from adding more

Just chiming back in...I strive for quality over quantity for only a portion of my wardrobe. There are many things to take into consideration with that. For me, this year I am teaching 2nd graders in a 100+ year old school building. A couple of months ago I wore an $80 skirt for the second time and snagged it on an old wooden chair. I would have felt much better about that if it had been one of my $20 skirts. I've been sneezed on, spilled on, you name it it's happened, so I need to make my purchases accordingly.
I also like to be trendy, and knowing that I might look at my plaid pants next fall and go, "What the heck was I thinking?" I don't feel bad about paying $22 for them!
But no matter if I'm looking for a quality item or a good bargain to wear to work, I never compromise on fit!
So long story even longer, if you are happy with your purchases and will wear them, I say it's all goodie

As for my shopping confessions, well - I started out with a specific list last fall...now where did I put that list....I was going to stick to those purchases only....now I know it's around here somewhere....

Susie - I do that too! I am ashamed to actually count the number of pieces I own! Its very hard to justify my purchases especially since I am a SAHM. But I like the variety my wardrobe offers me

Karie - I am so sorry about your skirt were you able to fix it? I understand exactly where you are coming from. With two under 5s in tow I know spills are just inevitable! I can't imagine what it would be like with a classroom full of little ones :-o. When I wear something precious (to me). I am forever yelling at the kids to stop climbing all over me. Lol! White jeans are the scariest!

Sveta

OMG, I WANT those cobalt plaid pants!!! I would blow my budget for them for sure!
I was going to have a shopping ban for the fall but then I caved in and bought:
- Danier long wool coat;
- GAP cobalt moto jacket;
- silver pumps;
- JCrew ink blue merino sweater;
- Vanelli cognac booties;
- Banana Republic cream jeans.
Ouch - does not feel like the shopping ban, right?
In my defence I have to say that I love every single item, they were all well thought through and fill a wardrobe hole. I also followed with "one in - one out" rule (for the clothes anyway except for the coat)...does it redeem me a bit?

Angela K

Oops. Duplicate. Sorry!

Neel the shoes and boots are awesome. No matter what you paid for them. I've purchased inexpensive shoes that have really been workhorses in my wardrobe. I end up wearing them frequently because 1)I really like them. 2) I'm not afraid of ruining them. The only downside is that when I wear them out I'm sad because I know I won't be able to replace them. So enjoy your purchases, let them inspire you. Wear them fearlessly!

ps. Ok. Now you've got me checking out the boots at Forever 21. Hmmm. Could be trouble.....

LACeleste

Oh Neel,

I have so much to confess! Gryffin's thread only covered January 2013. The style quest was in full swing the rest of the year. Like you, I am always looking for sales and deals and do not usually buy high ticket items except for suits for work. I am not working at the moment and do not think I will return to consulting. No more suits! Bring on the ponchos!

After this year of excess, I was considering a ban during 2014. It was a very brief thought.

May I confess?

-White baby bootcuts and trousers (Kut from the K) and white skinnies (Jag)
-Elliot Lucca python print purse
-Pointy calfskin animal print flats
-Gold Aldo boots (They are so comfy)
-2 wrap dresses
-2 cashmere V necks
-Black surplice jumpsuit
-Tapestry coat

There is more but I am feeling excessive. I have learned so much from YLF and I am so grateful. All of my purchases make me very happy! I feel like I might figure out LA casual style in my lifetime!

Gigi

Neel, if you like variety and enjoy constantly changing up your wardrobe, then I would sure say to continue buying the cheaper-end stuff! I wish that I could find more stuff that fits in the low-end stores, but I am a hard-to-fit size and have to always pay more for clothes that fit. So enjoy the lower-priced items since you can! :^) I also think you should give yourself a pat on the back for not blowing your budget.

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