SYC: the honeymoon phase - YouLookFab Forum

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SYC: the honeymoon phase

Mo

(website)

Veteran

Okay, I know it's WAY early in this endeavor but some of us *unnamed* are already off the wagon. For me, I have to admit the combo of cold weather and goodies still on the way in the mail have me in a bit of a false honeymoon type phase, because in essence I am still wearing new things. The last 4 days I've either worn things that have been in my closet waiting for sub 60 weather, or getting use out of high CPW items. Ideallly, this was what SYC was supposed to do for me, so I'm happy about that. But . . . I sense that when nothing is 'new' anymore is when I am going to struggle a bit. For now, I'm thrilled with digging into the purchases that have been socked away. And I get a bright purple cardi and replacement green sweaterdress by the weekend to further inject excitement into my closet. Wheee. How are you doing? Finding new treasures? Mixing things up? Caving to the lure lol?

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22 replies

Latest reply was from Kari

rae

(website)

Veteran

All is pretty dreamy here in Casual SYC Land. Possibly because of this new "trick" I learned called overlapping your business and casual capsules. Amazing. I have new spat booties that go to work, but I've already worn them out to play, too.

In all seriousness, though, my casual closet is pretty darn tricked out, if I do say so myself. Plenty that I love. My handful of signature combos in enough colors to mix things up. Getting dressed is easier than it's ever been, and I feel a bit like I'm on a honeymoon, too. Let's see how long this lasts!

Lisa

Veteran

I picked up a few gems right before starting SYC. So I'm still wearing new items right now. I think I will feel SYC more in a couple weeks once the new clothes are no longer new to me. Then we will see how well I hold up.

Vicki

(website)

Veteran

How did you know? Did you hear me on the phone or the click of me typing in my credit card #? You're psychic, Mo! Really, I have been rather good at the SYC method, but I did lust after MaryK's Oroblu microfishnets and bought them in two colors. Then, there was the Parisian Chic pull and I bought an Izod black polo, which I consider a "basic" or that could be my rational mind talking!

Jenava

(website)

Veteran

I was smart; I gave myself a shopping list (albeit, it's already very short, having crossed nearly everything off already) before I decided to SYC. At least it gives me a little something to look forward to.

My past strategy has been to shop for a new lipstick whenver I needed something new and exciting...I've ended up with QUITE the lipstick collection...LOL!

cheryl

Veteran

I'm not committed to SYC but I haven't bought anything since December 10. I did receive some gifts for my birthday and Christmas, but have worn all of them already. Honestly the only thing i actually need is a belt and that is the last thing that interests me, lol. So i'm on board with all of you until something catches my eye, haha.

jayne

Veteran

Is SYC, guessing shop your closet, something you commit to for a period of time, kinda like fasting? What are the rules?

goldenpig

(website)

Veteran

Ha Mo, you caught me shopping! I ordered a bunch of things last week to beat the Jan 1 deadline so I am still receiving packages of new stuff! Mostly casual shoes, and some random stuff (cardigans, a dress, orange pants, some tops) from Anthro & J Crew sales. I think at least half or more is going back (as is typical for me)--I'll be posting some keep or returns soon, especially for the cardigans (I have a hard time judging correct fit on those). But I did find some nice things that I'm really excited about, like some Stuart Weitzmann Giveable ballet flats and two pairs of Converse All Stars (in red and mustard yellow), both Angie's picks. But for now, it doesn't really feel like I'm truly on SYC yet. It will be interesting to see what happens when I start drooling over Angie's outfit posts and picks in the coming months!

Jayne, there aren't any specific rules for Shop Your Closet--everyone is doing it for various amounts of time, from a couple months till spring clothes come out, to six months to a year for others. I think I will try to make it till April 1 if I can! And some people make exceptions as well. For me, I think I would make an exception for replacing some of my worn-out loungewear and for anything that gets damaged (like I have a pair of tights that got a hole so I would buy a replacement pair) and for exchanging things that I already ordered (see above) if it doesn't fit right. Some people allow themselves to buy one item per month or a certain amount per month (Shop Your Budget). I haven't done SYC before since I joined, so maybe it's better if other experts can chime in how it works for them!

Transcona Shannon

Veteran

Well so far, so good - but I am lusting after a pair of leopard print Sam Edelman loafers that are now on sale and I'm still dreaming of the shorter blue/black version of the Bailey 44 dress...so far I've kept myself from clicking the "buy" button...trying to keep my eye on the prize, which will be new spring purchases but gosh darned, it's HARD!

chewyspaghetti

Veteran

I'm waiting for my Lands End tunics to arrive today, and trying to decide what I want for my birthday (that antique needlepoint rose picture that I saw, slipper loafers, new jeans, another Lands End order....?) Of course, I won't actually know what my budget is until the end of the month, s I can't even say that I am SYB right now!

HeleenH

Veteran

I am not in the SYC challenge, but this morning before I went to market (located at our local mall), I wondered if I needed anything from the sales (up to 70% at one of my preferred shops). And I decided my winter capsule is just perfect at the moment. Earlier in the sale I bought a beautiful red merino cardigan and a black cardigan with a very special weave to it, but otherwise no purchases. I will wait to see what the new spring and summer collections look like and what I need and/or wish at that time. But first I want to see some frost and snow

nancylee

Veteran

As someone who lasted a measly 6 weeks on my own SYC last fall, I wish you all good luck. It is very useful to give SYC a try, I found--at least to take a little break to assess what you have and what you might still need--but going cold turkey just isn't possible for me.

If you start to weaken, try giving yourself a little leeway...like allowing one purchase per month. (I think QueenMum is doing this in 2012.) That way you don't fall off the wagon big time and binge!

goldenpig

(website)

Veteran

Ack! Fossil bags are taking me down! I was helping out a fellow Fossil fan but I could not resist (after all, Angie crowned me Queen Fossil) and I have a couple satchels and matching wallets on the way (similar to my floral bag but different patterns). On the other hand, they are accessories and not clothes (my handbag and jewelry selection are fairly limited so that was going to be my next phase of wardrobe building). And I am returning a bunch of stuff I recently ordered that should pretty much cover the cost of them so I think I'll still be even!

Queen Mum

Veteran

I think I've found my one purchase for the month. I do get the shakes and a twitch when I think of going the whole year with just one purchase per month (sports wear and undergarments not included.) But then I remind myself that over 80% of my closet is less than a year old and those are all great clothes that need to be worn regularly. It would be foolish of me to make a ton or purchases this year so I tell myself that I need to be a grown up and act responsibly

Mo

(website)

Veteran

Kim, I am right along side you there! Realistically, 3/4 of my wardrobe is pretty new, too. I still have items as yet unworn. I also try and think back to when we were kids and got new school clothes in fall and that was that. I had no trouble loving the items for the whole year back then
My one concession is after spying the oversize safety pin on Nicole's thread, I had to have one I used some of my PayPal balance from my animal print dress sale, which I am perfectly okay with. For me, this is as much about finances this time, since we will be leaving the BF's job behind soon for unknown work possibilities. If I can sell one item to acquire another, and no money is spent, it's all good!

ironkurtin

Veteran

I have so many lovely things but I am so bad at SYC. I have no discipline at all! That's one reason why I want to SMC, because I am a grownup and should be able to say no even to the most delightful item. So far, however, I have been dreadfully weak!

Lisa

Veteran

Queen Mum-I really like your plan. I started a CPW tracking sheet and realized I've completely rebuilt my wardrobe in the past two years. And probably gone over what I need in size of it too. My plan for spring and summer is to purchase only 5 new items for each season and this counts my footwear which is my real wardrobe hole after foot surgery. I'm already planning outfit combinations to create a list of my wardrobe holes for more focused shopping. If I said no new items at all, I'd surely crack. Having a looser restriction is a superb idea, thanks!

goldenpig

(website)

Veteran

Confessional...I have to give up the charade of SYC. I have been ordering things to replace stuff I bought in late December but didn't work out (darker orange pants to replace bright orange pants, cardigans to replace the J Crew ones that are too big, etc. etc). So in my mind, that was "OK" because I was just swapping stuff I had bought before the deadline. Well, as I mentioned I caved and bought some Fossil bags. And oh yes, some Fossil pumps. And I had a $20 gift card that was expiring at White House Black Market (back from when I bought hubby's pick white jacket)...well I fell for the new ink blue collection and ended up buying more stuff for which I am going to post some K/R's. But I didn't want you to think I'm still pretending to be good. I do really think this is it for a while. But I'm not going to make any more promises about SYC--I think I'm going to have to retreat and fall back to SYB. However I will continue to be really picky about what ends up staying in my closet so that will be my method of trying to control the influx. Sorry Mo, I crumbled...but I'll keep cheering you on from the sidelines!

rae

(website)

Veteran

Oh, Natalie! Well, you don't have that many bags, and as a member of Team Bag, I can't object to the Fossil stuff. And of course you can't let a perfectly good GC expire - they still do that?

As long as you're not over budget or space capacity, then no worries. SYC is for YOU, not for us.

goldenpig

(website)

Veteran

Rae, so far, still good on the budget and space so no worries. I'm just embarrassed I didn't even make it on SYC more than a week or two! When I bought the jacket, I had a $20 off coupon and they also gave me an additional $20 "VIP card" good on a future purchase. It was $20 off a $100 purchase and expired if you didn't use it by this weekend. Evil! But it worked on me so I guess you could say it's marketing genius. Who wants to throw away $20? But then I got sucked into the store (they have a lot of cute stuff there, actually) and ended up buying more than $100 (they had a 25-50% off jewelry sale and I ended up buying some really nice necklaces for less than $20 each as my jewelry collection is relatively sparse too). H&M does this too...once I got a $5 gift card good on a future visit and I made a special trip there to use it before it expired. And bought more than $5, obviously. I need to resist these sorts of marketing tricks!

lyn*

(website)

Veteran

I am sorry, Natalie! I think I contributed to that.

goldenpig

(website)

Veteran

Aw, Lyn, no worries! I am so excited I can hardly wait for the big reveal!!!

Kari

Veteran

Mo - I don't know whether this will work for you or not, but when I was doing SYC last year for 3 months, re-creating the "new, exciting" vibe with my existing clothes was tough - and one thing that helped was to actually limit what I was able to wear for short periods of time. I started doing challenges where I would pick a capsule wardrobe to work with for a week, a limited quantity of items, and try to dream up new combinations to try. (I suppose I could have also performed the same exercise without forcing myself to wear the outfits for a week - I could have also written down my ideas for future use.) Participating in YLF challenges was also really helpful and inspirational. I also challenged myself to find "near-orphan" items in my closet that really hadn't been worn for a while and see if I could get myself to fall in love with them again.