Starting SYC (with a few exceptions) - YouLookFab Forum

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Starting SYC (with a few exceptions)

Astrid

Veteran

I feel completely crazy saying I'm going to do SYC when I feel like I have nothing to wear. However, I'm sure I'll manage. Somehow. The thing is that I want to buy a new camera before our Scotland holiday and that means no shopping for clothes. The lens of my DSLR has given up on me, so I looked for options. The camera I have is quite old already, so I was hesitating to buy a new expensive lens for it. I've now decided to buy a new compact camera instead, but of course I've become quite a camera snob. Which means none of the cheap point and shoot cameras are going to do it. Which means no new clothes.

My list of exceptions is as follows:

- rain jacket
- trekking pants
- sneakers
- underwear

I give myself some leeway for inexpensive tops or something like that, if I come across the perfect one. But nothing too expensive.

Now I have to go and cry a bit sitting before my closet...

Shopping

32 replies

Latest reply was from jackiec

fieldmouse

Have you considered a hybrid/mirrorless camera? Most camera makers seem to have their own line of these nowadays, so lots of choice, and some can be had for pretty good prices, especially the slightly older models.

Good luck with the SYC!

Thistle

Veteran

Good luck with SYC! I always seem to do a bad job when I try to SYC, so I have no pointers to give

Jules

Veteran

Good luck! I am not on strict SYC but find I have many great items already and need to concentrate on filling small gaps and items that are 10s, as well as enjoying what I have properly (which means planning outfits, ironing and laundering!). So I was quite proud of myself for walking away from a bunch of crap at Old Navy today (no offense to ON shoppers, I am one myself but I. need. to. stop. buying stuff I don't need).

Astrid

Veteran

Thanks Fieldmouse! I have set my sight on a compact one geared towards the more ambitious photographers out there. So that you have the options to change things manually too. The one I thought of is an older model so on significant mark down already. I still have some time to keep looking, but I really liked it when I tried it out in the store.

Thanks Thistle! Normally I'm the same with SYC, but I hope now with a proper reason it will work out better.

Jules, wearing the nice clothes you already have is the best reason for quasi SYC! I'm sure I have enough too, I just have to work out some nice combinations and then stick to what I know works. It should be doable with frequent laundry.

rachylou

Veteran

That's cool. Limits can spur creativity too; so who knows on the fashion front? On the camera front, do you have your eye on a particular camera model?

Mo

(website)

Veteran

Good luck! And I hope you get a fabulous camera in time for your trip.
I'm SYB this year and pretty set for the next warm weather months. I'll be on a wear the heck out of your closet streak with very few new items added.

Beth Ann

Veteran

I hear you! I'm living with no A/C in my car (a big deal in the Midwest), a broken dishwasher (hey, I have two kids) and 17 year old carpets (hey, I have two kids and a DOG). None of this is getting fixed until we go out West (Yellowstone, Grand Teton, Rushmore) at the end of the summer. Clothing purchases are strictly limited, too.

It's a summer for making terrific memories -- for both of us!
P.S. I'm also shopping for hiking shoes and trekking pants!

Astrid

Veteran

Thanks Rachylou! I thought of the Olympus XZ-2. But I haven't decided anything yet. If there are any photographers on here, suggest away! Although maybe that would be too off topic.

Thanks Mo! That sounds good. I'm thinking of doing a wardrobe sorting (maybe next week), put the good stuff up front and try some combinations. We'll see if I find the time.

Beth Ann, I'm just glad my old hiking boots are still usable! What will probably be a big expense is the rain jacket. But I want something that works and fits so I'm prepared to spend a bit more on that end. The trekking pants should be inexpensive, if at all possible. Your summer sounds fantastic btw.

rachylou

Veteran

I quite like the sound of the camera. I have an old Olympus digital that I took into the Gobi desert and filled with sand. A really great camera. Good lens. It's all about the lens (not the pixels).

Astrid

Veteran

Yes! Totally agree about the pixels/lens thing. 12MP is plenty enough, my old DSLR has 10MP. But the average folk doesn't know that more pixels isn't automatically equivalent with better picture quality. Love the fast lens on this.

annagybe

(website)

Veteran

I really like my Panasonic Lumix four-thirds camera.
Best of luck.

Astrid

Veteran

Thanks Anna.

Aida

Veteran

Oh my, best of luck with your SYC Astrid! Shopping for compact cameras frustrates me. I like my old Canon Powershot S95: a little point-and-shoot with full manual and shoots in both raw+jpg, but a little on the slow side with limited optical zoom (only 3.8x) and the built in flash is in a stupid place (and of course not very good, as with most compact flashes). It's worth checking what sensors are in any of the cameras you're considering, and try to get one that's got a larger sensor than standard for smaller cameras. It can make a noticeable difference for sure.

lyn*

(website)

Veteran

I have amirrorless fujifilm camera that looks a bit like a vintage Lycia. I love it - I have travelled all over with it and it's quality is comparable to my Nikon D60.

Good luck with your SYC!

ManidipaM

Veteran

Good luck with camera and SYC both. I know where you are coming from but I promise it is doable if not cutting edge of fashion... And you will still be stylish.

Is there a way to add haircut to the list. I know a good one will make up for SYC a bit. It makes such a difference even when the shirt and pants are not matching just right.

fieldmouse

I quite like the sound of that Olympus! I have a micro 4/3 camera from Olympus that I love. The XZ-2 looks to be great for travel, but do you think you might want more lens options at some point?

Irene

Veteran

Just chiming in to say:

- I'm on SYC too, except for basic stuff, nothing fashion-forward

- Get an evil camera. Great sensor, small size, alright lenses (depending on what you pay). I have a very, very simple Sony (320 euros with the lenses) and I am super happy with my choice. If you can afford it I would go for something better, but mine is alright. It's the Nex 3N, you can see some photos on my blog. All the photos from the last two months (and before then, too) were taken with the evil camera, what with my old computer not reading my even older Compact Flash card from my DSLR (which is a Canon)
http://littledalloway.blogspot.com.es/

Astrid

Veteran

Thanks Aida! I was actually looking at the Canon S110 too, especially because I already have a Canon and it was familiar. The 120 is too expensive, but the older model is still available online and gets recommend often. But, it definitely is compact, way more than the Olympus above for example.

Thanks Lyn! I also looked at the mirrorless cameras in the store, Fuji too. But at retail price they're all over the budget. And I don't want to buy second hand.

Thanks Manidipa! I never went unclothed in the past either, so it's probable less dramatic than I fear. And I do have some options (even more if I can manage to finally get comfortable in these red skinnies). The haircut is definitely not part of SYC for me, but I wanted to let them grow a bit before I go in again (see the whole haircut post).

Thanks Fieldmouse! That's the question, isn't it? I'm not sure. I didn't change lenses often with the DSLR either, that's why I thought a compact might be good enough if I'm alright with the picture quality. And the cameras where you have the option of changing are definitely more expensive! I was wondering if I might not be fine with something like this for the next two or three years and get something better (with the option to change lenses) once I finally earn some real money. And a smaller camera to just take with you in everyday life sounds nice too. I've been living in Berlin for five years but I don't have many pictures of everyday stuff because I never wanted to lug the big camera around.

ETA

Thanks Irene! I don't have time to look in depth right now, but your pictures look fantastic at first glance. Bookmarking for later... It's a good recommendation, but it would mean spending a bit more than I wanted. The Olympus is down to 270€ and that still is a lot. But I might be able to go up with the budget, depending on how much the rain jacket is going to cost (and that one is non-negotiable).

ramya

Veteran

You can do it Astrid. DH uses a compact one too. I think his is Nikon P500though.

Anonymous

I hear your pain on going SYC. Your list is good and realistic too.

BTW I got this camera for my recent birthday : http://www.amazon.co.uk/Panaso.....ics&i

You don't change lenses at all. Loads of built in picture effects and you can either shoot using auto or use your own settings. I paid £284 on eBay for mine. Just getting to grips with learning it, but so far so good. 12mp and 24x zoom.

Astrid

Veteran

Thanks Ramya!

Thanks Diane. Yes, I remember you posted some lovely pictures in Off Topic! I could also do with some practice, there's definitely a lot of room for improvement.

Ledonna N.

Veteran

I'm just here to say I support you in your SYC effort. I know nothing about cameras but I know how hard it is to put yourself on a budget.

chadya

Veteran

After thoroughly cleaning out my closet, I am on kick this summer to try to mix/match everything that was left and not buy anything new or that I didn't need. I put all clothes with the hangers backwards so I will know what is being worn and what is not at the end of the the season.

I found some good challenges on Igram for May #marvelousmaystyle
I did buy a pair of capri jeans at Marshalls but they will work when it gets warmer.

My Amex bill was defientley smaller this month, shows what "mindless" buying adds up to. Saying NO to the things that we know are just 1time wears is a hard change to make.

Astrid

Veteran

Thanks Ladywone! It really is difficult. Especially because I have the tempation (read stores) in front of me everyday. I got used to just having a look around when I'm on the go, you know? I definitely have to stop that.

Thanks Chadya! Good look with your summer project. I don't think I have 'one time wear' stuff in my wardrobe. It's just too small for that. And a lot of things are quite worn out or don't fit right because of some weight change. It will be interesting to see how much there really is when I sort through it.

chadya

Veteran

Astrid
I got rid of stuff that didn't look right, fit right because at my age I realize that they never will. Takes up room in the closet and enerygy to put away at the end of the season. I don't need to be schlepping stuff I'm not wearing down to the cedar closet.

Anonymous

Astrid -- I commend you for shopping your closet, but it very much concerned me that you felt you had nothing to wear. May I suggest the following link to assess why you don't feel you have things you want to wear:

http://into-mind.com/2014/02/0.....g-to-wear/

Good luck going forward.

fieldmouse

The smallest mirrorless cameras are around the same weight and size as the XZ-2. That was the reason I got my Olympus PEN, I knew I didn't want to lug around a big heavy DSLR. In fact, mine is actually a very tiny bit smaller than the XZ-2
http://camerasize.com/compare/#386,158

Astrid

Veteran

Sounds sensible, Chadya! I only have the one wardrobe, but it would be nice to have less in it so it's a bit more orderly.

Thanks Sterling! I did the flow chart and went as follows: more than 70%, not very likely (I don't have that many things I trule love), definitely, yes I'm bored. Which results in "Your wardrobe no longer matches your style". I'm sceptical if thinking up a new style concept would be of help when I can't buy anything anyway.

Fieldmouse, those do look good, I agree. But still, definitely more expensive. And that's a great website, I didn't know that one!

Alassë

Veteran

I hope a great camera comes your way for not too much. Good luck!

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