SYCers- Check In - YouLookFab Forum

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SYCers- Check In

chewyspaghetti

Veteran

Since Kari is starting a new SYC challenge, I though it would be a good idea to check in here. What are your guidelines and objectives, and where is your focus right now?

My guideline is just to shop within my budget, but it's so tiny that it really means SYC. I'm doing it to get my new budget on track, and build up our savings. This weekend, we moved all of the furniture around and so I am going through all of our 'stuff' and purging. We're going through paperwork, books, linens, etc- and hoping to have a yard sale to get some extra cash. I'm trying to decide what I want for my birthday, and how much I am willing to spend. I've spent that birthday money a million times over already!
How is everyone else doing?

General

18 replies

Latest reply was from Kari

catgirl

Veteran

I posted a little about this yesterday, so thanks for starting a real thread!

My goal is to exercise some self-control and judgment about what I really need. I am so easily sucked into thinking I NEED items I see here, or in catalogs or magazines. Right now I need to focus on finding where any remaining holes in my wardrobe exist, and on using what I already have in a more creative way, and on purging/editing what I don't need. And I want to save some money!

To that end, I am not buying anything new until my birthday in April, with the following caveats:

If a workhorse gives out, I might replace it. Same with repairs.
I can use the $ I make from consignment to thrift, buy from consignment or get a new item with YLF approval.
If the Halogen seamed skirt comes out, I'm buying it.

Fortunately, I have no current burning desires, since I went so crazy the last couple of months. Since yesterday, I have been successful!

Debbie

Veteran

I don't know if this qualifies for SYC or not. I have set a clothing budget and will stay within it. I need to remix the wonderful things I do have and wear everything in my closet.
I have several things that I bought recently that I haven't worn. I turned the hangers around last night and they either get worn or they go back or to the swap. Allowing myself a set amount to spend will help me think twice I hope.
I also made a deal with my husband no new bags for at least three months.For a girl that had very few I've up that quota my quite a bit this last year.

Mo

(website)

Veteran

I am also on a self imposed shopping budget. I have used about 1/3 of my 2 month allotment already! (I decided using a 2 month system works better to be able to allow me a higher end purchase if the right thing should come along). I am waiting on some tees with interesting details to arrive and a black casual skirt. They were bought last year, though
This year I have ordered a t shirt bra and some boyfriend jean shorts. Both are to replace worn out versions I tossed from last year. And if they don't fit *perfectly* they are going back!! I think I will be okay budget-wise for this month and have room left for a replacement white tee and replacement undies.

celia

Veteran

Thank you for starting the thread Khris
As I commented on AG post yesterday I will follow her lead and hold on until April to see what I need for the new season.Until them I think I'm ok with what I have and with some things that need alterations.
Having made 2 great buys (for me)on the boxing week made me realize that is more fulfilling(again for me) to finally find something that I really love than to be on the look out for every new thing that comes along.
Probably I will need to replace my bootcut jeans and yoga wear but surely not on January.
Until now(with the help of a cold that made me stay home for 2 days ) I'm doing great in 2011.

Isabel

Veteran

I am with AG on this. I went for 5 months with just buying a much needed backpack and a camisole, that was it. Then I went nuts for a few weeks prior to Christmas. I hadn't realized how much those 5 month opened my eyes to what I wanted and to what I could really add to my wardrobe. So now, I have to really focus on "holes" - which I really thought that I didn't have. I am going to create a list and carry it with me. So if I happen to be in a store and see a great pair of black pumps or black ankle boots, I am going for it. I am now fully stocked for all the seasons ( and a few unexpected, fun extras ) except for the aforementioned items.

So hold me accountable ladies !!!!!!!!!!

tarzy

Veteran

I'm not doing SYC, but I am trying to be a much more discriminating shopper.

This morning I almost ordered some boots I've been eying, because they went on sale. But I made myself really think first. They're boots I would only wear with skinnies, but what I really need - and have needed for a while now - are ankle boots to wear with bootcuts. So even though they were on sale, I did not order them. I will save the extra $ I need to order the ankle boots I want.

And now I'm sulking and feeling deprived.

But I'm sure it will pass.

crwilson

Veteran

I ordered a few pieces December 31 that I'm still waiting for, and I'm hoping that I like them and that then I can be in for at least 1 month. I'd like to be in for longer.

My biggest goal is to enjoy what I have and be content with what's in my closet. The biggest challenge is fluctuating weight right now which is making a good deal of my already limited wardrobe unwearable. So I'm not 100% committed, I guess, but I would like to try it and at the very least make purchases more conscientiously.

cciele

Veteran

I'm definitely committed to SYC until at least April. Moneywise, things are going to be verrrryyyy lean this year, so I am trying to go cold turkey--no new clothing purchases at all (unless I have to replace underwear ).

I also ordered some stuff at the end of December that has yet arrive; hopefully that will tide me over for awhile.

Jenava

(website)

Veteran

My goal is to not buy any fashion items; I need gear. My goal this month is to loose 8-10 pounds so I can fit back into the items in my closet that don't fit. That will be like having a whole new closet! And, I'll look that much better in my other items. I have like 10 pair of denim and only 2 fit right now. Not to mention several skirts, dresses, etc. )-: I don't need more clothes, and I especially don't want to invest in items at my current weight - I'm at my heaviest ever.

One think I love to do is look through blogs and catalogs and create my own versions of outfit using what I already own. I actually keep a list on my blog and look at it each morning, and add to it any time I get inspired. I helps me appreciate what I have, and makes getting dressed in the morning a bit more fun.

Tara

(website)

Veteran

I am in! First time SYCer over here...

My main goal is budgeting. I want to buy a car in the near future so I'm gonna have to pull my horns in.

Add to that the fact my closet it overflowing with great items, some of which are as yet unworn and haven't even been styled into different combos yet!

I have a $200 Myer gift card to buy work related clothes so that is my last shopping for awhile.

I am allowing myself a small op shop budget, with the condition that I really consider the item carefully to see where it will fit in my wardrobe, and actually exercise my "No" muscle if I don't really need it!

That's it for me!

Lisa

Veteran

My SYC plan is to complete 3 months. However, I need smaller goals so I am breaking that down to 1 month at a time. I am currently in winter weather and my winter wardrobe is overflowing, so there is no need for me to run to the stores and shop the sales right now. I did squeeze in some last purchases to tide me over til the next season shows up dominantly in stores.

For this month I am trying to: wear all my clothes, anything not worn this month would be up for donation or a swap. If I haven't worn my winter items between Dec and end of Jan, then I must not like them anymore.

Ideally I will streamline my winter wardobe during the 3 month SYC period. However, I live in a 4 season climate and work in a chilly office in the summer months. I already know from last year, waiting until summer clothes are in stores means missing a chance to purchase cardigans or 3/4 sleeves for the office in the summer. So depending on when those items are in bulk in the stores depends on when I may break SYC to pick up a couple of needed pieces. But I may be ok since I don't recall those items being in stores until closer to April anyway.

I'm not even through the first week of SYC and I have already worn a pair of trousers that have sat brand new in my closet since September. I've also worn one outfit twice (washed in between of course) because I like it so much. I can't believe I have all these options and I am already repeating outfits!

Anonymous

I would like to join in this commitment as well. My goals are less financial than organizational. I purchased many new items this fall to accommodate post menopausal body changes. Now that I own a sufficient amount of clothing that actually fits, it's time for me to start learning to how to put the pieces together in creative way, and choosing silhouettes that flatter my slightly different body shape.

Since spring comes early where I live, and I have few warm weather items that flatter. and fit, I will probably start buying again in March, but in the meantime I'm committing to take a break from more purchases, except perhaps accessories (scarves, jewelry, etc.) to complement clothing I already own. I've never picked up the knack of accessorizing, and That is probably the main thing I am here to learn.

Kate

Veteran

So far so good! I've unsubscribed from all of the promotional emails, haven't gone to any malls, and have stayed away from online shopping. And I'm not at all enticed by the new flared jeans looks. I think SYC will be hardest for me in March, when more spring merchandise is out and will start going on sale.

Marley

Veteran

My guideline is to just not shop. It takes up way too much of my time that I could be using for writing or other creative passions. I'm also committed to dealing with the emotional issues that come up for me, rather than using "retail therapy" as a way to cope! I also hope to enjoy my wardrobe as is - wear the items that I love - and use this time to edit and organize what is already hanging in my closet. I am feeling very triumphant that it is January 5th and I haven't even had a slight urge to shop just yet - I'm sure that it won't be easy for me, but so far, just the decision to SYC has really given me peace of mind! And so the SYC journey begins . . . !

Tanya

Veteran

I am actually continuing SYC from the fall one, basically from Sept 1st. The only break I did was half an hour on Christmas during which I ordered some Angie approved Express knitwear and a floaty cream silk blouse, both using GCs, so I technically haven't spent any money.

I am in the completely same financial boat as Khris. I am trying to save for a trip home, hopefully in April, so I am planning not to buy anything unless it is extremely inexpensive or I used a GC. After that I hope to continue with a milder version of SYC, allowing for some trendy spring items.

Evie

This probably doesn't qualify as SYC, but I want to not buy any leisure/free time clothing or shoes for 3 months.
I recently got a job offer to work at a bank, where I will be expected to wear a uniform - vest, plain button down, and pants/skirt. I will need to buy those items (vest provided) + one pair of flat shoes to wear with skirts (8 hour standing shifts).
I do have 2 items I have wanted for a while: blue leather gloves and polka dot or diamond hose, which I may buy as well.

So I guess it's not a full-fledged real SYC, and I will get my psychological fix for shopping by shopping for work clothes, but my SYC goal is not to torture myself, but to discover/develop my style/needs.

Main goals:
*Purging closet (did most of winter/fall yesterday)
*Wearing what I have
*Discovering/remembering(LOL) my style from the pieces I have
*Learning to mix-and-match better
*Realizing how painful it is to not be able to utilize pieces I paid a lot of money for because a)they don't fit; b)they're not my style; c)they don't go together with anything else; d)I have no occasions to wear them.
*Learning from the bullet above, hopefully preparing to only buy perfect items, while knowing and enjoying my own style.

Good luck everyone!

LeahJanes

I am SYC until the end of February.

I don't want to be overly strict because I do have wardrobe holes, but I have to save lots of money for travelling and for shipping my dog to the US from Australia. That's more important to me than shoes!

Kari

Veteran

Oh Khris, I was planning to start a thread on January 1, got busy, and never did it. Thanks for getting the ball rolling!

As you know, I am doing a full SYC until April 1 and potentially beyond. I have a lot of clothes that don't fit my body and/or my style anymore laying around at my parents' house - they didn't make the move with me to my apartment for a reason - so between now and the January YLF swap, my goal is to wade through my discards and decide what to do with them. (Bring it to the swap? Sell on Ebay? Donate?) I also need to search through for a few items that I *am* missing, such as my blue seamed felt hat, which I really wish I had with me during this chilly winter.

My other goals are to do a better job of organizing my clothes, get maintenance done (re-tipping soles, condition my leather boots, get the tailoring done that I've been meaning to, and also learn how to do my own minor repairs so I don't have to run home to my mom every time I need to re-baste a hem.)

I also want to think ahead about purchases I'll make later in the year. This may or may not be impacted by my concurrent "healthy habits" resolution, as I discovered that I need to lose more weight than I thought. I actually don't *want* to size out of most of my current clothes - and given past experience, I'd have to lose a significant amount of weight before dresses and skirts are too big - but I am anxious to have many of my jeans fit better than they currently are. So there may or may not be alterations and future purchases in store by the time SYC is over with, depending on where I'm at.