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Spring Purchases - in novel form

Anonymous

Summer is my long season, and where it makes sense to focus my shopping attention. I wanted to shop early in the season, and the below categories show my purchases YTD.

Shopping

22 replies

Latest reply was from

Vix

Veteran

Hi Delurked --

Sounds like you put some time and thought into all your shopping -- hope it serves you well!

[Why is it so tempting to keep those items that are great except for those not-so-little things? Right there with you on that. Glad you freed up your budget by sending back the wildflower tunic.]

Sounds like you found some gorgeous shades along with the the neutrals. I'm sure your next post on this topic will have at least some hanger shots to show off your variety of colors!

Jenni NZ

Veteran

I guess yes, it looked like a lot. 22 items if I counted correctly. I bought 35 items during 2015 and 33 during 2016. But then if you say summer is your dominant season and also I remember a post mentioning your body/style was changing, they may all be needed and going to get plenty of wear. I don't see an issue with the number if they all share the love. Only problem could be splitting wears too much if you get too much I guess. They all sound really well thought through

Suz

(website)

Veteran

This is terrific. You've put so much thought and planning into your summer wardrobe and have learned so much about your needs and preferences going forward. It's really great when you find a brand (like CK) that tends to fit you -- it can help in those moments when you need to find something quickly for an unexpected purpose or when something gets damaged and you need to replace fast.

Your emphasis on linen pants makes a huge amount of sense in your climate.

Anonymous

Oh! I am so excited to read this. I'll have to come back after work to give it the attention it deserves.

unfrumped

Veteran

Very organized! Good job of identifying what you really wear.

Author Linda

Veteran

So fun, and informative, to read about how you went about building your summer wardrobe. I've been doing a bit of that myself, so enjoyed your analysis!

anchie

Veteran

Great strategy, and very well thought out. I would like to see the pictures of the items to see how well it all plays together. And don't worry about the numbers, I bought similar amount during my spring refresh.

Anonymous

Vix - It was very hard for me to return the FP top, but sitting it in the closet when I knew it wouldn't get the wear I needed it to helped my resolve.

Jenni - the pants I got are feeling just right. That's what I'd like from all categories of my wardrobe.

Suz - I was reminding myself of Angie's mantra to make peace with the crease. I did find my analysis helpful for going forward.

Thanks unfrumped. I'm trying hard to buy for my life right now.

AL - I always like seeing your posts. Thank you.

Anchie - glad to know I'm not the only one with these numbers. I recognize this is more than most though.

Sterling - will circle back later.

texstyle

(website)

Veteran

delurked - thanks for the shout out, always happy to share something that seems like a good buy. I can't remember which thread now but I shared some "math" about how I figured out approx. how many summer tops I needed. In the heat of summer I often change 3 times in one day! I don't like to do laundry every day and I don't like to repeat too many times in a week so I decided that 3 tops x 7 days = 21 tops required at min. for my late spring/summer. That doesn't count more special tops, just the everyday casual stuff. That helped me feel like I had a goal in mind when I start second guessing purchases. At this point I probably get rid of at least one top a month due to so much wear and tear (mostly tees that start getting holes after a while, sometimes something just didn't end up being "right" or it shrinks or something).

JAileen

Veteran

Great analysis, Delurked. Warm weather is so difficult to deal with. Will you be showing us some outfits?

Jenn

(website)

Veteran

Thanks so much for posting this, delurked! I enjoyed seeing what your seasonal refresh looked like, and will do the same for mine when it's finished in another week or two.

I think you were right to return the FP tunic, as good as it looked. Little fit problems like that are my most common mistake right now. They usually don't keep me from wearing pieces, but they annoy me when I do.

As for the number, I think some years/seasons are just bigger buying years than others. Changes in taste or lifestyle, or just having a lot of clothes wear out at the same time, can easily turn a refresh into a larger update. During my shopping this year, I realized that I barely bought anything around this time last year, because my mom had just passed away and I wasn't feeling it. No wonder I needed more than usual.

Lisa

Veteran

I adore posts like this, sometimes having to think it through makes all the difference with successful shopping in the future. I have also been reviewing my spring capsule wardrobe over at my blog both here (what works and didn't) and here (what's in the capsule). Congrats on organizing your thoughts and thanks for the read!

Anonymous

Texstyle - the turnover of my summer tops is also higher than other categories. It feels like I'm endlessly searching for them.

JAileen - I'll see what I can do about outfits or pics.

Jenn - I will look forward to seeing your update when it's ready.

Lisa - I'm off to check out your posts.

Anonymous

WOW. You've completed your shopping for the entire year (except for a few remaining wants should you find them). I can only say congratulations to you and bow before you. I'm done shopping for the season (not year). Like you, I am not calling it a fast, but there should be little I need going into Summer. I want to actually wear my clothing and enjoy them.

I admire your presentation. Stating the goal, identifying the items purchased to meet that goal, and then presenting a verdict.

I don't have a feel for how much is too much. I felt I bought a lot of new items in one month's time. It made me a bit uncomfortable, but if this new system works for us, I think we will both find it to be advantageous in the long run. I already can see a certain efficiency that appeals to me. And knowing that I am done shopping for the season (not a fast, but light snacking) seems to relax me. I can enjoy fashion without any pressure.

You did GREAT on the bottoms. I lusted after every single one you listed. Buying interesting tops is really, really challenging. I can understand why you might feel you "settled for tops more than any other category, and still feel lacking in ones you love." I think you did well because you used the wisdom of the Forum and you really analyzed each and every purchase.

Being specific about your future wants is a great idea too. I find a nebulous or unformed idea hard to shop. I come home with garbage because I didn't really know what I wanted in the first place.

YAY for you.

Anonymous

I am writing another post because I have now read all the comments. I don't think 22 items is a lot for a full year. Remember Jenni NZ mentioned that she bought 35 items during 2015 and 33 during 2016. Even if you bought a few extras during 2017, you will come in under Jenni's numbers. I went back and counted my Spring/Summer purchases. Exactly 22 items (same as you). I bought bottoms/tops/accessories. I will be shopping for Fall/Summer so my annual total will be greater than yours.

You and I just bought a lot in a single month whereas others might spread it out through the year. I was glad that Anchie chimed in on this subject too. It helps to hear from others that shop seasonally.

Texstyle's post was really helpful too. I must have missed her post about the number of tops she wears during the summer months. And Jenn is right. Some years we just buy more than other years.

I think this seasonal shopping thing is fun!! I believe we both put together workable wardrobes that meet your climate and life style needs. If you post WIWs, I'll watch for them.

Off to read Lisa's blog about her spring capsule wardrobe. Lisa! Nice blog. I thought I was going to be directed to a post on the Forum. I was very pleasantly surprised. I'll be bookmarking your blog.

Summer

Veteran

I'm very impressed! I hope we will get to see your new purchases in action very soon.

Anonymous

Thanks Sterling. I'm only about done because I really don't need any fall/winter items. I like my winter wardrobe, and I don't wear it as much for most of it to wear out. I have enough.

It was useful for me to break down by category, as well as stay accountable to my stated needs.

I'm a little nervous if I will be able to abstain that long. I think the more I like what I have, the more I can resist feeling the need to replace or supplement. Plus, I'm tired of looking and trying and the online buying and return process, and ready to concentrate my time elsewhere.

Summer - I'll work on some pics when I get a chance to gather them.

Anonymous

That was part of my decision to try seasonal shopping. I too grew very tired to continuous, never-ending shopping (at least for me). I was literally always on the hunt for the next great purchase. Since my attention was focused outward, away from my existing wardrobe, I never had the opportunity to just enjoy what I had.

Then there was the constant merry-go round of buy/tracking/trying on/returning. That process was both mentally and physically exhausting. I just never felt "done."

Although seasonal shopping is new to me in 2017. I believe I am going to be an enthusiastic adapter. There will be some errors along the way, but fewer errors than my previous method of continuous sales shopping.

My goal will be to relax into not shopping the rest of the season. This is not a fast, but a "reward" for all the hard work I did in April.

Mary Beth (formerly LBD)

(website)

Veteran

I am looking forward to sitting down and reading through this later! But your words jumped at me:

"Summer is my long season, and where it makes sense to focus my shopping attention."

Wow. A-ha! moment for me. This is my long season as well, and I always want to focus all my attention and $$$ on fall and winter. Mind=blown, kind of.

Going to ponder this and return later to finish reading this post.

Anonymous

Sterling - your perspective is a good one. Instead of feeling deprived at not shopping for months, I can feel relief at not feeling the need to constantly search. Very helpful reframing. I'm excited to see if our experiment works for us.

LBD - honestly, there's little more fun than shopping for fall and winter clothing. The layers, the fabrics, the colors. But I must be practical. My past impractical side has led to having enough for this next year for the fall season.

Mary Beth (formerly LBD)

(website)

Veteran

I finally had a chance to sit down and read this! So it looks like about 20 pieces, give or take, for you extended season? I think that's very good!

Reading your write up made me realize that I, too, have mixed luck with tops. For some reason, they're like many shoes for me... I try them on, think, 'this is pretty good', then realize after several hours of wear, that a top is fussy or uncomfortable or somehow driving me nuts.

Anonymous

Hey, delurked - you and I are on the same wavelength this year - I am trying a similar emphasis on warm weather clothes and an early in the season shopping plan.

It sounds like you have planned and executed well. It doesn't look like "too much" to me. That is such an individual thing, and if the quantity feels right to you, and is within your budget, then that is all that matters

When I finally forced myself to go through and try on my existing summer wear, I discovered that my biggest holes were lightweight pants, footwear and accessories. I generally have the pants sorted, have most of the shoes purchased or at least identified, and now need to focus on accessories. To start, I've ordered a few interesting watchbands for my smartwatch. It is so large and prominent I figured I had better just go ahead and embrace its possibilities.

We've had an unusually cool spring - which I am not complaining about! - so I haven't started wearing my new outfits. I really feel I'll have a better feel about accessories once I am out in about in some of the combos. So I fully expect to continue shopping through the summer, but not for clothing - just jewelry and bags and possibly shoes if I discover a specific need.

Anyway - congrats and well done!