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Things I haven’t bought in over 2 years, and patterns of acquisition.

Runcarla

Veteran

In recent years (like the past 4) I’ve acquired about 20-24 new items per year from a range of categories. It is almost the midpoint of the year, and I’m assessing what I might need going forward, but also reviewing my shopping patterns. 2021 and 2022 have been big for replenishing footwear (9/12 pairs are less than 2 yo) as well as pants (only 1/8 was bought before 2021).

What I have not bought are:

-skirts
-bags
-scarves
-bathing suits
-belts

I would almost add dresses, except I bought one last summer (I have 3 - one from each year - 2017, 2019, and 2021). A surprise - I picked up 5 hats in 2021 and 2022, bringing the total to 9!

Some items, like the bags and scarves are not on my shopping list because after finding ‘the perfect for me’ items, I stopped looking, and I feel like I have ‘enough’ in that category. For others it is the want of an occasion - skirts, bathing suit, and possibly more dresses. Yet for others (like the belt) it may be life style or simply ‘style’ and I may no longer participate in that ‘trend’.

What I do have on my shopping list have become HEWI’s, because they have been there a while and I’m being very, very picky, and haven’t found the ‘perfect’ item yet.

- a cloth (wool) dress coat (carried over from last year)
- a coloured cross body bag (non neutral)
- a vacation bikini/bathing suit

Are there things you haven’t bought in a while? Is there any one thing you are acquiring in bulk recently? What are your HEWI’s?

*HEWI - highly elusive wanted item

New in 2022 https://youlookfab.com/finds/c.....tion=10783

General

22 replies

Latest reply was from Peri

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

My wish list is a HEWI list: a long, richly patterned cardi/duster, a big, organic cotton white fisherman’s sweater, black top & topper.

I noted in my 2021 write-up that it had been a year of underpinnings/foundations, both the kind on my feet (8 pairs of shoes) and the kind underneath my clothes—undies & swim suits.

This year, I seem most interested in workout gear. A good, floaty summer dress would be nice too.

cat2

Veteran

I am pretty well sorted. I have a couple of dresses on order to update my dinner out togs but otherwise am set for the season.

Sal

Veteran

Interesting Carla - shopping can go in bursts sometimes, and I think with pandemic life bags and swimsuits will have had less wear. And with higher rises belts are not worn as much? I had a few years with only one skirt in my closet but I have now added five more and am wearing them regularly.

I built up my work capsule deliberately in 2020 and it has only had moderate use since. Conferences, off site meetings etc just aren't really happening much which is when I need the dressier pieces.

My focus in 2021 was active wear and I made sure I had more options for hiking and for cycling and for yoga. Now it is back to one in, one out.

2022 has been a bit more haphazard as I mentioned on another thread - I was adding 25-35 and I really need to be closer to the 25 for my wardrobe to stay the same size.

On my radar for now
- swimsuits x 2 - one for the pool, one for the beach ( I have options but they are both wearing out)
- jacket or coat, probably fun but casual - needs to really speak to me, HEWI, not for the coldest weather.
- replacement for a sweater or two, and potentially my breton tee all pieces that are getting a bit tired.
- a new slip for wearing under my lace dress
- updated sandals for summer

rachylou

Veteran

Now that you mention it, I haven’t bought a pair of proper trousers or a blouse in a long while. I don’t have much use for them…

Lana

(website)

Veteran

Ive been buying shoes lately, now that I’ve found platforms with sneaker like soles!

I can only think about the upcoming season, so my HEWI list for summer so far is:
1. A colorful but versatile luxurious kimono duster. Needs to be fluidly tailored, not shapeless and humongous.

2. A light color, possibly white, lightweight breathable summer third piece
3. Neutral light color linen blend trousers for summer that are not white — so pale grey or a subtle stripe.

4. Patterns with light backgrounds that I like (watercolor florals or pen and ink style nature based drawings like old block prints, Japanese motifs, patterns with lots of white)
5. a great fitting one piece swimsuit in sea green

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Carla, I'm with you on not buying belts, scarves and bathing suits for ages! I'll include socks, yoga wear, and pantyhose.

I have lots of nice-to-have HEWIs on my list - but nothing urgent at all. They will find me eventually:

Pale pink coat
Pale blue coat
Citron trench coat (need to replace my 12 year old one)
White Summer dress
Dressy tall cream flat boots
Navy or cream tuxedo pants suit
Bright patterned pants suit
Big dressy skirt (not tulle)

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

Oh you guys are so thoughtful and specific! I am...not. The one thing I have been changing up a lot is shoes. My feet have become fussy in new ways - I never tolerated heels well, but now the problem has moved to a need for more shock absorption and some other tweaks. I have not bought a swim suit in ages and am rethinking the whole concept but that is another story. I never seek out bags, but sometimes they just come to me. Same with dresses, jackets and coats. I have been focusing on patterned tops in thin cotton and am always on the look out for interesting long shorts. And so on!

Peri

Veteran

Not much new has entered my closet in the past year. The only thing I can think of is I recently duplicated a pair of favorite pants...had them in navy and added a pair in black. That was not much of a gamble. I've ordered a few other things but not been pleased enough to keep them.

A HEWI for me is a dress. I just don't seem to have any success finding one I think I look okay in. I feel like I need one on hand just in case, but in reality I don't think that's really true because I haven't worn one in two years.

I'd also like to find a medium to small sized purse with the exact features I want in green or purple. Total HEWI...apparently what I think are the exact right features aren't what the market thinks are the exact right features.

Sloper

Veteran

2019 and 2020 were low purchase years for me, then went a bit overboard in 2021. In fact, bought things I usually never ever buy - skirts & dresses. Not dressy things - I wear them with sneakers. Maybe because I’m usually at home in tees, leggings or sweats - I need to feel a fashion uplift when out of the house. Shoes other than sneakers are the things I haven’t purchased. I’m replacing some of the worn-out home gear recently.

My HEWI would be a summer hat - I see many I like, but really wouldn’t wear it enough.

Anonymous

The main thing I haven't bought is scarves, cause I'm off them. Probably not cardigans either, and very little gear cause I stocked up in 2020.
No HEWIs at the moment, for the first time ever!

Suz

(website)

Veteran

So interesting, Carla. It makes sense that you would not be buying belts (what with higher waists) and swimsuits (no need, alas!!) and dressier items (ditto).

My buying patterns changed a lot in the pandemic. 2020 was my year of gear -- that's essentially all I bought, though I did add a summer skirt and maybe a shirt or two (would have to look).

2021 saw me buying less as well, but more broadly across categories. What I did NOT buy was a jacket (always a temptation to me) or any dressy piece except the tulle skirt. I've also not bought scarves, swimsuits, or any remotely dressy outerwear. (I did buy gear or gear-ish coats and jackets). Nor did I buy any dressy footwear. Sneakers, yes. Clomping around boots. Hiking gear. Yes. But no pumps, dressy shoes of any kind, dressy booties. No need. The bags I bought were nylon backpack style. Nothing else.

A HEWI for me is a dressier backpack for my work in a colour I like -- one that works as gear but also looks less gear-ish. I have seen many "almosts" but no perfects and I guess I am picky on this.

Aquamarine

Veteran

My biggest spending category was outdoor jackets, mostly gear or rainwear, but also one wool short jacket. I’ve embraced the outdoors in all kinds of weather the last two years. I also focused on footwear for exercising/hiking outdoors. Dressy short or tall boots got almost no wear, sadly.

A weight gain in 2020, then a slow weight loss in 2021-2022 meant I avoided buying many pants/jeans, the body area that changes the most for me.

The Cat

Veteran

There are many things I haven't bought for two years. Among them are:
- dresses
- skirts
- pants
- jeans
- woven shirts and blouses
- all kinds of jackets
- belts

I make do with what I have. But I am presently on the lookout for a couple of breezy woven summer blouses.

What I HAVE bought, has mainly been:
- underwear
- hosiery
- simple tees and tank tops
- nicer shortsleeved knit tops
- sandals
- shopping bags and totes
PLUS two items that had been HEWIs for several years:
- a MIDI trenchcoat in a NON-DARK colour that flatters me (This coat is a rare and lovely saturated COOL beige)
- KNEE-HiGH NICE NEUTRAL rainboots (These are navy and in a "quilted" look á la Chanel bags)
Very pleased that I finally found these HEWIs.

BlueJay

Veteran

So interesting, Carla! Your "not" bought, are my "boughts" particularly bathing suits, but WFH has allowed us to pop across the street to swim at the pool more! I haven't bought any dresses lately. One skirt. Lots of shorts as you saw in my post.

If you're up to coming in to downtown T.O., try Lorne's for a wool coat: https://lornescoats.com/

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Things I haven’t bought in the last couple of years:

- swimsuits (still getting good use of my old Tyr suits, and the bikinis and prettier suits are going unworn for the moment)
- hats (other than a sun hat with ponytail hole for hiking) — I have enough and don’t wear them as often as I used to
- underwear other than bras — I stocked up at the beginning of the pandemic on my favorite OnGossamer style, and am considering a little refresh since some of the oldest pairs (which have to be 5 years old) are starting to get stretched out. For a mesh panty, they sure last!
- shoes that are not sneakers, boots, or sandals. I barely wear the oxfords and loafers I have, so no more.

HEWIs:

- casual summer dress in a good solid color for me, and maybe a white dress. I’ve been on a low-key search for years and no luck
- a new bra style that works for my post-menopausal body. My size is not super common, and styles in small band-large cup sizes with any semblance of support tend to be matronly or give me a weird shape. Is it too much to ask to get something in a pretty color or with a bit of sex appeal for everyday wear? No scratchy lace, no seam bumps. And why do bra makers think that a woman with a F or G cup wants padding? I hate hate hate bra shopping and I need to do it online these days since my size is not easy to find in stores. Awaiting a sizable order from Bravissimo now. $400 to see if I can find one good keeper, sigh.

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

Janet, next time you’re in Germany, go bra shopping. I’m serious. I won’t try to describe body types, but believe you can easily find the small band/larger cup combo you’re looking for (but caveat—at 36b, my ability to guesstimate small bands or large cups is hazy—I just note many women here are built quite differently than me in both those ways).

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Thanks for the recommendation, Stag. Not sure when we will be there again (Christmas trips have been pushed off for a few years now), but it’s good to know. Bra shopping feels like such a chore I’m not sure I’d choose to do it on vacation, but certainly worth considering.

nemosmom

Veteran

I feel like I've added something from every category over the past two years. I have been stocking up on button up shirts and knitwear as though they were early-pandemic toilet paper (it's like borderline hoarding at this point), and I also added several hats.

I feel like I have been more disciplined this year. Other than replacing essential tees, socks, and undies, the majority of my 2022 purchases have been for my summer capsule. I have a better sense of what I like and what works for me, and have become more confident at simply enjoying a piece or look on someone without feeling like I must replicate it.

I was fortunate to mark several HEWIs off of my list last year. I really would love to find one or two pairs of pants - not jeans - so I have some dressier element to offset a casual upper half. I know in my mind what I want; I am just not finding it.

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

Berlin has lingerie shops tdf! Do the drudgery shopping on your own, then have your husband join you to pick out some extra fun pieces. Körpernah, near Ku’damm, has a dressing room with a chair for him, and will bring you champagne. Now there’s a type of shopping I’m overdue for!

Cardiff girl

Veteran

SF,that sounds like my kind of shopping!
l have bought gear,fleeces.boots,thermal underwear as am spending more time socialising outside since the pandemic.This sort of shopping doesn’t fill me with joy,it’s more practical than pretty.
on my Hewi list are a pair of tan strappy sandals,a slouchy neutral cross body bag,a camel boyfriend cardigan,an elegant black dress.
l might have found the sandals,just waiting for another size to decide but no joy on anything else but l just roll them over each year.l had enough clothes that l do not need to settle.
l need to give up buying skirts as l hardly ever wear them and l have more than enough evening clothes especially as l never go out in the evening these days and if l do it’s outside ,not some glam indoor do and my husband is very fond of parking absolutely miles away from a restaurant so we generally have to hike through the weather to get there so no strappy evening sandals or evening coats for me!

Style Fan

Veteran

I decided in 2021 to add pieces to my lounge and dog walking capsule. These were the clothes I wore the most. Half my purchases in 2021 were for my lounge/dog walking capsule.
In the last two years, I have not bought Yoga clothes, coats or dressy clothes. I might buy some Yoga clothes now that I am going to a Yoga studio again (Yeah!!!).
This year I have bought three pairs of shoes/sandals, and I may need to buy another pair.

Peri

Veteran

Hah, Janet! I'm always with you on the bra rants. I forgot about that...highly illusive indeed. I make an effort, give up, make an effort, give up, repeat repeat!

Can't wait to hear if you have any success with your order. I recently ordered around $400 worth from Third Love and returned every one of them! They will probably never let me shop there again, but that's okay since I've already rejected just about every bra they make!