Thoughts on the Success of My First Seasonal Shop - YouLookFab Forum

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Thoughts on the Success of My First Seasonal Shop

Anonymous

I tried a new shopping strategy this year. Specifically, I implemented a major shopping spree at the start of the season. To evaluate the success of this new shopping strategy, I developed a list of questions.

I realize this is an opportune time for evaluation.

Did I continue to spend at the same rate throughout the remainder of the season?

This was one of the most important questions I could ask myself because if I continued to spend at the same rate, I would blow through my clothing budget in the blink of an eye. This question also forced me to evaluate whether I really changed shopping strategies or if I tricked myself into condoning a major shopping spree?

For the first few weeks after my seasonal shop, I stopped shopping all together. I felt unbelievably satisfied and I thoroughly enjoyed wearing everything I bought. It was all new and very exciting. I did lament the fact that I was wearing the new clothes almost exclusively, but Forum Members pointed out that I would start wearing the older clothes once the novelty wore off. Thank fully, they were correct.

Everything seemed "calm" in my life. YAY me.

Then I decided to participate in a 30 x 30 challenge. What could be the harm? I might even learn something about myself. What I learned is that I began to think about my wardrobe nearly constantly. I talked about it on the Forum, at work, and with my friends and BF.

I had this constant yearn for something new and interesting. I had three open slots, specifically set aside for the purpose of adding something new and interesting to complete my 30 x 30 capsule. I mistakenly assumed that those new and interesting pieces would come from my existing wardrobe!!! Instead I started shopping for new items. Brand new items to coordinate with my 30 x 30 capsule.

I could say I was under a lot of stress and shopping was a stress release, but the truth was that I was shopping, shopping, shopping to complete to my 30 x 30 capsule. I had to fill those three slots!!!!

I bought four new tops (only thee slots) and three new bottoms (only three slots). Can you see how the math doesn't work here? I plan on incorporating only a portion of the new purchases into my 30 x 30 capsule. I can wait two weeks to wear the remainder of the items. At least, I think I can.

Despite this shopping spree, I still feel the new shopping strategy is successful. I see the power of seasonal shops. This was my first one and there was bound to be some glitches.

Shopping

22 replies

Latest reply was from

Sal

Veteran

I can see that the 30x30 is a bit like a diet - which more me makes me think about food constantly!!

I think being honest with yourself is the main thing - what worked well, what did not work, and what can I do better...

But we all make shopping mistakes even with the best intentions in the world. I certainly do

Emily K

(website)

Veteran

That's very curious about the rebound shopping! I'm thinking about my own behavior to see if something similar has occurred...hmmmm. I do notice added pressure to make better outfits. I wouldn't be at all worried to wear the same or similar outfit day in and day out, but the fact that I'd have to demonstrate that, publicly, has given me incentive to try for more variety. And in the back of my mind, I know that some forum members probably think I'm doing a great job working within a 30 item capsule without realizing that this represents most of my working wardrobe anyway. So, I'm thinking about the boring repetition (not to me, mind you, but in the eyes of others) being a real-life condition and not limited to the duration of the project.

I have been shopping a bit to procure items to upgrade some existing items in my wardrobe. I'm looking forward to receiving those items so I can incorporate at least one of them into the 30X30. I do think that participation has put pressure on me to up my wardrobe game and did probably cause additional shopping. Something to think about...

cindysmith

Veteran

I'm so proud of you for trying something new, and for the rigorous honesty with which you've examined how the new way went.

I'm hoping that my mini shopping spree for hot-weather clothes + the mini spree I've been on for a wedding outfit stops me shopping for a while. Between the mini shopping spree, the wedding outfit, and trying to build our house? So much money is being spent and it's making me a bit anxious.

Anonymous

I read this with interest because I tend to shop in spurts...feast or famine. I think that you were smart to keep some slots open because wardrobe holes appear. One needs to really know their wardrobe and needs to shop, especially ahead of season. I'm not there yet, maybe not an early enough adapter to current trends. It is wonderful that you feel your early season shopping was a success and have the benefit of enjoying your new things all season.

minimalist

Veteran

In the big picture, this sounds like a very big success and a small glitch indeed.

I hadn't thought of it as a new tactic, really, but did a lot of very early summer shopping this year because of project geography as it was planned last year. As it turned out, I didn't have to join the project that would have had me in consistently hot weather for 3 months, so before my summer even started I was already returning and donating unworn clothing. That felt like shopping all over again, so the joy of the hunt is truly depleted for a while.

The 30x30 has me wearing white, which is a lovely mood booster for me, all thanks to you.

Ledonna N.

Veteran

Reading your thought process is really impressive. I tend to also shop in spurts. Tbe 30×30 challenge brought some things to light.

Carla

Veteran

Sterling, I've come back to this thread half a dozen times, to read and re-read your post in order to try and understand your delima. If I understand correctly: 1-you were happy with your clothes from your seasonal shop and were wearing them a lot, later 2-you started to rotate them with older items, and that was working and you were happy. Then the 30x30 and 3-you started to yarn for somethin 'new'*

*you thought the 'new' items would come from your existing wardrobe, but they didn't and you started to shop (and picked up 7 new items.

Questions: Are the new items variations on what you already have or are they different/more trend driven? Did they fill a wardrobe hole? What is it that is 'new' about them and why could they not come from your existing clothing?

IF they fill a wardrobe hole, are a repeat of something you love (prevent laundry gridlock), or are that trend driven item that makes you feel current - then you've got your answer. Otherwise it could be a behavioural thing, like wanting something all the more because you are denying yourself a pleasure - another answer.

I'm going to wait until the end of the challenge to post observations, but starting with a core of 12 items and shopping my closet weekly to bring the numbers up to 3O creates a sense of having something 'new' at regular intervals. It also allows some flexibility to adapt to changing weather conditions, which minimizes frustration or feeling restricted by your choices.

LaPed

Veteran

This is a great post. It makes perfect sense to me that a small capsule would highlight wardrobe holes. I haven't bought anything since starting my 30x30, but I do think it will lead to several purchases. Even while choosing my 30 items, I was pretty aware of several items I wished I had. Outfit creation the past couple weeks has reinforced my need/want for these particular items.

anchie

Veteran

Sterling, I so hear you. It seems to me that we are in the the same boat struggling with same issues. I also did early seasonal shop this year. I mostly bought items for my business casual wardrobe and completely neglected hot summer casual items. I was happy with my wardrobe when I was back home, spending 5 days per week in AC office. During the weekends weather was mild and I would combine my office clothes with few casual items that I own. But this 30x30 hot summer casual travel capsule emphasized all my wardrobe holes. I have decided to shop for 4 more items - 2 tops, bottom and a dress, all for hot summer casual. I am having hard time filling this holes - because it is only 4 - they have to be perfect and I don't want to settle just to fill them in.
I have a feeling that you made the same mistake with your early shopping- that you did not account for all the things that you may need during this whole long spring summer season. I am now thinking to shop 4 times per year instead of 2.

Anonymous

I have been pondering this, as I also shopped seasonally this year. I feel good about much of my wardrobe because of it, and adding non denim bottoms this year was super helpful. My linen crop pants are very useful. I can see this category would be a missing piece for you. One item I was not successful in finding were a pair of non denim shorts (I know they're out there, but I prefer a longer inseam, and they were scarce at bricks and mortar when I looked).

One thing I will say - it's tough to shop for extreme heat when it isn't extremely hot, making it harder to anticipate future needs. I also started with wearing mostly new, and then added back old stand bys.

Do you think it was a case of focusing on one area of future need (work) to the exclusion of casual/sumner? Is an area underrepresented in your closet, not just your 30x30 choices? What was common about the new pieces you shopped for?

karen13

Veteran

I have followed this part of your style/shopping journey with great interest. Thanks for the thoughtful, analytical posts detailing it. I have turned over almost everything in my closet in the past 18 months due to a big size change after 20+years of weight stability. I found YFL after purchasing a bunch of random items that I could not work with.

I just bought a lot of "summery" things for an upcoming tropical vacation, so sort of like a seasonal shop, but I now need to analyze what worked and what didn't. You posts are giving me much to think about.

Emily K

(website)

Veteran

In theory, at least, I was very impressed with the organization yielded by shopping once. The thing that struck me as being a problem is that stores do not release the items all at once--I think they used to, though, right?--instead, featuring a new marketing push and a few new items every couple of weeks. So now I had a lot of uncertainty. For example, I knew that I wanted a good linen shirt. I looked at every one that was available and tried to make the best decision. In the back of my mind, though, I felt like I had to make a quick decision before the items went on clearance or became otherwise unavailable. So I chose from what was available at the time and new merchandise that I would have wanted to consider just kept dribbling out into the marketplace. If your parameters are less rigorous, like "summer shirts" instead of "white linen button-up", it's going to be harder to freeze the process at a certain point and feel like you got the best of what was available this season. For me, I can see that the seasonal shop would be most useful for checking all the boxes to make a working/minimal wardrobe--maybe replenishing basics--and then, throughout the season, I'd probably want to keep buying the things that caught me eye or that I saw/liked on others.

Laura G

Veteran

I just did my own first-ever big seasonal shop, and like you, I see the power. For one thing, there's only a limited palette available each season, and the things I bought mostly worked together, no matter where I bought them. I felt like I was watching my capsule practically assemble itself. I also found that buying so much at once made my focus *much* more on what I really wanted. What colors, what shapes, how do I really want to look each day? Are there enough tops for each bottom and vice versa? So different from, "Oh this is cute..."

And I came up against the same glitch. I don't have the 30x30 to blame, just my own obsessive nature. It was the most successful shopping I'd ever done, and I didn't want it to end! I was still thinking about clothes around the clock, still scanning the online stores daily. So I moved the party to the thrift store. I've always loved thrift stores for the variety--Forever 21 to top designers, Frederick's of Hollywood to matronly, all on the same rack. Sometimes I find something that I love, but would never have seen because I've never been in the store that sells it. Sometimes that store isn't even in my country. I bought a skirt this week with a label in Chinese. It's 20% wool and 80% something I can't read. Looks like mohair, but who knows?

But as much fun as the occasional jackpot is, the real function of thrifting now is to keep me occupied without too much damage to the budget, until this obsession is replaced by the next one.

Anonymous

Hi RunCarla -- as Sal said, the 30 x 30 is a little bit like a diet. Once you start on the diet or the wardrobe challenge, you can't seem to think of anything else. That sometimes leads to overeating or over shopping.

Are the new items variations on what you already have or are they different/more trend driven? The new items are mostly variations on things that I have found were successful for me in the past.

Did they fill a wardrobe hole? Mostly yes. I found that I lacked hot weather clothes for casual wear. I really needed to beef up that category of my wardrobe. The 30 x 30 challenge pointed to that as a glaring hole. Anchie explains this well in her comment. Her solution of shopping four times a years as opposed to my original two times a year resonates with me.

What is it that is 'new' about them and why could they not come from your existing clothing? That I can't answer. I was certain everything would come from my existing wardrobe. Perhaps I discovered my existing wardrobe wasn't "deep" enough to meet my casual dressing needs.

Anonymous

Laura G -- I tip my glass to replacing one obsession with another. But kidding aside, I was thrilled to read that your experience was similar to mine. There is power in seasonal shops.

Anchie -- You exactly nailed the issue. It is nice that the 30 x 30 challenge has so ruthlessly exposed our mis-calculation. I'm with you. Four smaller seasonal shops per year going forward.

amiable

Veteran

Interesting thread, and a great read. Thanks for the tips and thoughts!

I just returned from camping (for a month!) where circumstances forced me into a 30x30x30 type scenario. Now that it's done, I want to burn everything that I wore. But I think it was useful, and I think I'll try out a 30x30x30 for July and see if I can predict what I want to wear in July and wear a lot of it.

Lisa

Veteran

A great observation here. I used to always add items throughout the season, this way I was always felt like I was freshening up my look. Only recently have I bought a lot at one time, but that's been because I've seen "my colors" in the stores, and I've learned that sometimes the colors I like are "here today and gone tomorrow." But my preference is to add a few pieces at a time because when I add a lot at once it's overload for me.

Liz

Veteran

Rather than deciding right off that it's four seasonal shops from here forward, I'd encourage a modified decision: Decide to match your seasonal shops to YOUR climate.

From what I understand in your posts, you don't really have much of a winter and you tend to over-buy for cold weather. Planning a seasonal shop for fall and one for winter could leave you with way too many warm-weather clothes.

And then there's the problem that clothes that are sold for high summer tend to be more flimsy and skimpy -- more appropriate for the beach and music festivals than for work.

So, deciding to shop for your climate might mean you do 3 shops instead of 4. You might need to plan only one "cooler weather" shop sometime in the fall, and then do two "warm / hot weather" shops that are actually in the spring, in order to take advantage of lighter clothes that are still work appropriate.

Question: this hole that you discovered this year... what did you wear last summer for those activities, and is there a reason you aren't wearing those clothes this year?

anchie

Veteran

Just wanted to add that this 4 seasonal shoppings do not have to take the same percentage of the budget. For my climate it could be that fall is 40% winter 20% spring 30% and summer only 10%. Fall/winter clothes are always more expensive with all the coats, boots, wool blazers and cashmere sweaters. But if you live in different climate your figures will probably also be very different,

Anonymous

Good advice, Liz an Anchie.

What did you wear last summer for those activities, and is there a reason you aren't wearing those clothes this year? Mostly, I wore less suitable clothing items (ponte knits, jeans, and khakis) last year. I got away with this because I was working in an air conditioned office five days a week. I had fewer needs. When I wasn't wearing items from my work capsule, I was dressed somewhat shabbily. I can't remember specifics, but I know I was never pleased or proud of my casual capsule. It still needs work.

Kate

Veteran

I think I shop in spurts. My major purchases are always fall and winter clothes, which I love. I've even purchased them in summer.

I loathe our super hot and humid summer weather, and have no desire to shop for summer wear, which I find unappealing at best. Literally, I could just wear a towel and stay inside in the AC. Since I work from a home office, that's totally do-able. However, I do have to wear clothes to garden in and for going out. My summer wear is me hacking off old jeans into shorts. My recent purchases are a pair of sequined flip flops and a purse. If only I could get by with those! I'm currently doing a big closet purge coupled with a reorganization of all categories of clothing. I got a good glimpse of how woeful my summer wear is. And how large my winter wardrobe is. I even found things that I bought and loved and never wore—probably because they were buried under other stuff.

I think going forward I need to spend more thought on buying smartly for summer, whatever that will look like, and spend less on winter clothes. Or maybe move somewhere cooler. But then I'd need to think about beefing up a cool spring mini capsule. Arg, it's too hard.

Anonymous

Kate -- you express my exact feelings perfectly. I hope you don't mind that I found your post extremely humorous. You express yourself so well.