The Do Not Buy List - YouLookFab Forum

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The Do Not Buy List

Sal

Veteran

What is on your do not buy list? I know a few of us have them...

Here is mine:

Chunky knit sweaters
summer scarves
more heels
tops that cannot be layered over
black outerwear
black casual wear
high summer dresses

I have things of course that I don't buy because I am not tempted (eg boxy tees) but the above list are either things I currently am well stocked with (heels and high summer dresses for example) or things that I am drawn to but tend to be mistakes in my closet.

I do put things off the list and back on the okay list again

sandals
sneakers

Over to you, what do you have to remind yourself not to buy?

Shopping

52 replies

Latest reply was from Cee

Karie

(website)

Veteran

Dressy clothes for work. I am planning on retiring in two years, and I have enough dresses, skirts, blazers, etc. to last way beyond that. Any clothing purchases will be for casual clothes and active wear.

Gigi

Veteran

Crew-neck tees
More heels
More scarves
More jeans in the same wash (most of my jeans are the same shade of blue)

Dianna

Veteran

Bretón tops (i have about 7-8). I do wear them but they are more than enough.
White t-shirts (see above, same story)
Warm Sweaters (climate issue)
Sandals (love them but don't wear them much since I moved to Guadalajara)

trying...

Drape-y tops (I fuss with them too much, even if they aren't actually fussy shirts)
Ruffles (I like them in theory but never actually wear them)
Knee high boots (My calves are too thick. Even if a pair might be *the ones* they most likely won't be and the return will be demoralizing. I am still traumatized by the time the zipper on a pair of knee high boots busted on me while I was out and I had to awkwardly hide them under my (thankfully) bootcut jeans, all the while the top of the boots flapping around my ankles).

Sal

Veteran

Trying - I feel the same about ruffles and drape often too!! I like them in theory but not much in reality.

Dianna - I understand, Bretons are such useful tops but I agree that probably 7-8 is enough!!

Gigi - heels are just not being worn as much any more are they (it makes me a bit sad in some ways). I plan to keep wearing what I own but update very sparingly. And it is easy to keep buying the same wash of denim.

Karie - great plan. How is your sewing coming along - I know you had a year (or so) with only adding clothes you sewed yourself!! But yes a great idea to phase out the work clothes and bring in more casual pieces.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

So interesting. Right now, my answer would have to be "even marginally dressy footwear" -- i.e. booties with low heels. (I love low heeled booties, but have plenty for my current needs -- especially given the COVID situation). I also do not need heeled sandals. I just won't wear them unless I have somewhere to go. And the booties that felt casual enough on urban sidewalks in the event I went for an urban walk are not casual enough for my mixed trails, rough roads without sidewalks.

But this is purely situational. Last year, pre-Covid, the number of booties I owned did not feel excessive.

I also need to warn myself against more jeans purchases. I really love my jeans and wear them to death, but even so, a person can only wear so many pair...

Jessikams

(website)

Veteran

Honestly right now I feel like I have way too much of everything. My new apartment has less storage space, plus I hardly ever feel like getting “dressed”! Maybe now is the time for a 6-month or one year no-buy.

Sal

Veteran

Suz - I agree - heels are just not feeling quite right at the moment. It will be interesting to see if and how they do start to feel right again..

Jessi - could be a fun challenge! I have only ever managed almost three months.

Minaminu

Veteran

This year, I banned any purchases for breton tops. Tempting as they may be, I have 4 and it is enough for my needs and lifestyle!

Anonymous

I'm with Jessikams-with the possible exception of cold weather gear (pants and walking shoes).

Just brought out my cold weather stuff (only in 2020 would it be down to 45 at night in September...), and I have a metric c-ton of clothes.
Specifically no:
Winter tops- I have about 20
Anything in bright colors that is not gear for early am exercize
Jewelry, scarves- not wearing them
Pants/skirts that are not pull on, even when my body returns to normal
Cosmetics besides mascara, liner
Skin/hair care unless things run out
Perfume- not wearing it

In addition:
Hobby supplies, aside from maybe some more arrows. I'm going to try to go a year without adding new hobbies...
Housewares, with the exception of a lamp, another sheet, or if something breaks/gets ruined
Pet toys- there are probably 100 under furniture
Books or other physical media, that's what phones are for...
Most tools/hardware/gardening supplies- with the exception of an axe, cordless drill, and branch clippers.

Sisi

Veteran

High heels - love them , but I want to walk comfortably

Jackets - love them but difficult to fit on my body type and not very useful in my weather

Chunky knits - warm but make me look large.

These are already "default" since long time.

Recently: black and blue items. I realized that dark colours do not make me happy. Unfortunately there are a ton in retail.

Sisi

Veteran

aw, also shirts! Elegant but cold, stiff, and I cannot stand the feeling of a collar on my neck.

rachylou

Veteran

No more block-heeled ankle boots! No more block-heeled pumps! I’ve got them in what seems like every colour. Need to stop!

Brooklyn

Veteran

No more midi skirts. No more asymmetrical skirts. I’ve got them in what seems like every colour. Need to stop!

Brooklyn

Veteran

Rachy, you said “colour” not “color”!

RobinF

Veteran

Haha, Rachy and Brooklyn!

I have recently discovered that prints that have too many colors just don't look good on me - didn't realize until going down the color rabbit holes and now makes sense but I am still drawn to them.

Also, blazers (want to wear but don't), tops with tees that can't layer (Michigan always needs layers), button down shirts (just don't work for me). I'm sure there are more.

always trying

Veteran

will not buy any more skinnies-prefer straight or wider legs. will wear the ones I have through this winter but not buy any more.
No footwear except replacement sneakers--too many pairs of flats and booties that do not get worn.
nothing black-tired of it...

nemosmom

Veteran

Oh, I definitely have a `do not buy` list!

Things I am definitely drawn to, but know full-well that I won't wear:

- skirts

- plaid shirts

- blouses

- blazers

- summer-only tops (peasant style, etc)

- holiday-ish items (especially sequins or velvet)

Things I have WAY too much of, that I tend to buy out of habit:

- jeans

- booties

- graphic tees

- scarves

- transitional jackets (especially field jackets!)

Honestly, the only thing that feels lacking is knitwear. I will do a separate post on that soon!

Roberta

Veteran

I also am planning to retire next year - so in general nothing I would not cheerfully wear at home or out to dinner.

No boots
No scarves (they're just so pretty and inexpensive and make me happy . . .)
Underwear or socks, got a dresser full
Jewelry and watches, ditto. Especially because I didn't wear a watch all through the shutdown.
Coats unless I find a GREAT price on eBay or Poshmark (and get rid of one I do not wear)

It might be a case of what I am allowed to buy!
*Dresses, if they don't duplicate something I own. I love dresses winter and summer, and find them so comfy with leggings at home.
*Cute workout gear - I need the inspiration and they're not expensive.

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Joy

Veteran

My Do Not Buy list is pretty long because I have no more closet space.:
Heels of any sort, including wedges.
Sandals
Summer dresses unless year-round wearable.
Coats except a navy pea coat
Socks except in fall tones like mustard and olive.
Navy anything that does not go with navy I have.
Jeans unless pull on.
Leggings (I don’t wear them)
Flannel shirts
Corduroy anything.
Polyester, especially fleece
Nothing black.
No cropped shoulder styles

unfrumped

Veteran

No.cashmere( or any wool).sweaters.

No out-and-about “ city” clothes, no smart casual- like what Suz said. Not in pandemic.

I have a short list of active/ hike wear that overlaps with any near future casual travel ( by car) such as shorts and pants with zipper pockets in just the right fits and fabrics.

I am focusing more on outfit creation from SYC as a creative outlet for both real current life and “ fantasy “ ( including post- pandemic, not complete wacky fantasy life).
So I am reading more blogs about the- mixing and using inspiration pics for a general direction even if not exact - I like some of Alyssa Beltempo’s posts on that.

ChristelJ

Veteran

Such a good mental exercise, thanks Sal! I've never done this list before, self-discipline not being one of my strong traits.

No heels or footwear other than walking shoes or at-home shoes.
No warm sweaters. Not much of a winter here.
No black. Looks terrible on me.
No summer clothes of any kind. I've overdone that category.
No jackets. That is my favorite garment but there's little need for them in my climate.
No scarves.
No jewelry. Masks and hand washing get in the way.
No bags. Not going anywhere much.

There are few things on my "buy" list. Sneakers, long sleeved tees, masks. Not much fun! Might need to turn to re-working my existing items into new combos in order to satisfy the craving for something new.

Helena

Veteran

Great list Sal and great question! Currently, I basically don't need anything, so everything is on the do not buy list (with the possible exception of a black and white printed skirt to wear in fall/winter, if I spot a good one).

Generally speaking, I make the same mistakes though and have been working with ways to be uber-mindful. Size and fit is a big one, colours that are not really "my palette" and repeats of the same item in different colours (usually I stick to the one, maybe two favourites, and any others get passed by).

anchie

Veteran

Looks like everything is on my do not buy list, because I am currently so uninspired and nothing seems appealing.

Jules

Veteran

Pretty much everything except for leggings and PJs! I'm anticipating a long winter at home this year. But the only thing I'm really even tempted by currently is transitional footwear, which I already had too much of for my climate pre COVID.

Kyle

Veteran

Dress clothes, heels, and colors that don’t flatter.

Runcarla

Veteran

I need reminders on a few things that are ‘easy’ to buy, but which I shouldn’t ATM - for one reason or another.

Men’s style crew neck T-shirts - not a flattering look for broad shoulders/modest bust - V neck or boat neck is the way to go

Cropped pants - I have enough
Black - doesn’t make me happy
Bags - I don’t need any more wardrobe pets!

*Note to self at every shopping trip - try the size down! I tend to get things too big.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Sal, it is SUCH a good idea to do this!

I have a list VERY similar to yours. I am NOT allowed to buy:

Chunky knitwear
Summer scarves
Dressy heels/boots
Tops that cannot be layered over with a jacket or coat
Blouses and shirts
Faded jeans
Loungewear
Undies
Blazers

Liesbeth

Veteran

Hah, I have a mental one too. Top of my mind, I'd say:
- blazers: don't wear often enough to justify adding more
- sweaters (pullover, not cardigans)
- transitional jackets (weak spot)
- dresses (weak spot)
- architectural tops that can't be layered over: love the style, impractical for temperature sensitive me

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