SYC and Thrifting Thoughts (long)

I've done a lot of thinking about my shopping habits, past purchases and future goals after reading all of the insightful responses in my thread about buying style (http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....-buy-style) - by the way, thank you everyone for your incredible thoughts and comments!

I've come to realize a few things - yes, I thrift out of necessity but also out of habit (it's how I was raised) and in some respects, out of preference. I can often find high-end items that i would not be able to afford new, as well as unique items that I hope set me apart somewhat. I don't see this changing, even if I were to win the lottery! I think thrifting is just in my blood and that's ok.

As my hubby and I chaperoned our 16-year-old son last night and his friends who were over to celebrate New Year's Eve, I went through my closet with a fine tooth comb (what can I say...hubby was playing video games with the boys - a girl's gotta entertain herself somehow!) and realized I'm pretty darned happy with my current wardrobe. Over the last two months, I have purged 4 large garbage bags of clothing that no longer fit/didn't flatter/didn't work with my style/have come to hate, etc. (BTW - I donated all 4 bags to a local battered women's shelter as many of these women have to leave their homes with nothing and then try and enter the workforce unable to afford office appropriate clothing). Then in those same last two months I have managed to thrift/buy from my favourite consignment store/purchase from clearance racks several items I'm thrilled with. I've also purchased two Angie recommended items new (the Aldo polka dot cross-body bag and the Fish Bow pumps), as well as the blue suede Aerosole Playlist booties (waiting for them to arrive - got them at 50% off). Several of these thrifted items haven't been worn yet as I was getting sleeves shortened, etc. but rest assured, I will be wearing these babies in my upcoming WIW posts!

This all leaves me in a pretty good spot for the rest of winter so I am SYC until the end of March. I have decided I will use the time between now and then to develop as many combinations as I can with my current items while continuing to hone in on my style and how I want to present myself. Come April, I am hoping i will have a better understanding and then will have saved a few coins to purchase a couple of higher quality pieces (navy v-neck cashmere sweater, white trousers, red leather pumps, something orange, white button down shirt).

Does this make any sense?

14 years ago

(website)

Veteran

Makes perfect sense. For me, sometimes the wardrobe building is more an 'idea' of what you need/ will work. Not until you actually get in there and start pairing it up and putting things together do you fully realize what does work and what is needed to make it work in actuality. Good luck! Happy SYC!

Mellllls

sounds like a great plan for 2012!

Angie

Fashion Stylist

A very stylish start to 2012

modgrl

What a great place to be! Enjoy your closet until the season changes and you can assess what else you might need or want.

Anonymous

Sounds smart to me, Shannon!

Suz

This sounds perfect, Shannon! You're in a great place to begin the year and I can't wait to see your outfits!

MNsara

Well thought out! I especially like the:

"develop as many combinations as I can with my current items while continuing to hone in on my style and how I want to present myself. "

I think you'll be doing yourself a great service to regroup

One thing I did wonder about though is that this winter's cashmere could all be clearanced away by April. But maybe that's not an issue because thrifting cashmere is year-round, and there is always a new batch come fall. . .

Stephanie

I admire your resolve, Shannon. I always end up thrifting for fun and then I see something that I can't refuse and... soon I have an overcrowded closet all over again. Let me know if you find any strategies that work for you. I think I just love the thrill of the hunt a little too much

Transcona Shannon

I hear ya Stephanie - the hunt is exciting isn't it? As for strategy - it's simple: I'm just not going to go into the stores. Period. If I go, I'll find something.

Amy

Shannon, it sounds like you're in a really good place right now! Your strategy seems like a very smart, well-thought out one, with enough wiggle room for fun, later on.

I think it's great that you donate your cast-offs to the women's shelters. That's very thoughtful.

Lisa

Sounds like a great plan! I have found, everytime I've tried SYC it's been a real eye opener. Giving myself a break from shopping forces me to: come up with more creative outfit combinations if I want variety in my wardrobe, identify how much variety I need to be happy with my clothes, see which colors I like and wear as well as which colors or items I have too many of, make a list of wardrobe holes to fill once SYC was over. Best of luck with SYC!

soobee

It sounds like a very good plan to me. I look forward to being in the same spot as you are right now. I must say that I love your style, you always look so chic, polished and up to date. I would never have guessed, if you hadn't said, that you're a "thrifter". I've found it very handy to go op shopping (thrifting) whilst I'm trying to figure out what my style is. I'm sure I'll keep going even after that - I love the thrill of the chase too! I'm really looking forward to more of your WIWs Oh - and I know what you mean by a girl having to go through her closet while the guys are playing x box - why else would a girl *have* a closet, lol.

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