Three things you are buying more and less of over the last three years? - YouLookFab Forum

Category

Dressing

Welcome! Read about what to wear and how to wear it on the YLF Blog. Join the YLF Forum to ask specific questions or just chat about fashion and personal style. Or check out the curated list of things we love in YLF Finds.

Outfits Ensembles Trends Advice

Three things you are buying more and less of over the last three years?

Sal

Veteran

What are three things you are buying more of?

For me, casual - I mean non- gear - sneakers (used to have one pair, now have four), bags ( used to have one or two and now have six) and woven camisoles. The camisoles are great under blazers and solo in the heat of summer. I own three and would consider one or two more.

What have I cut back on or stopped buying?

Short sleeve tees ( down to one aside from gear tees worn for exercise), chunky knits (none) and jewelry (I still own lots but I seem to have stopped adding it).

The tees and chunky knits don’t make me feel elegant any more. I love them on others but have moved on for myself. And the jewelry - I think it is that I don’t get much wear from it and so much is poor quality. I like gold and artisan pieces are expensive….. I may go back to adding more jewelry in the future.

I need to pause on the bags now…. I might add one more pair of casual sneakers if I find the right pair featuring green - to match my bag!! And there are two in my collection showing some wear…

How about you - anything you used to buy regularly that you have stopped adding - or what are you adding more of? I suspect casual sneakers will feature strongly!!

View Info

Dressing

58 replies

Latest reply was from Sal

kellygirl

Veteran

Interesting question! I’m with you on the sneakers! I have black, blush, cream, white and blue in rotation. Ive also added to the dress/skirt collection! As far as waning interest—seems like I’ve dialed back in boots/booties, scarves and jackets. I still wear boots/booties but I have my favorites and plan to wear them into the ground. I pared down my scarf collection last winter because I found that I just don’t wear very many of them—too fussy or something. And jackets—I’ve accepted that as much as I love them, I don’t wear them unless they’re indoor weight. Once I’m in the office, I don’t need a topper for warmth and on weekends, I just wear hoodies at home.

rachylou

Veteran

I’m buying more sneakers and ‘elevated’ sweatshirts and my fake jeans. I’m buying less sweaters and short puffies… oh and winter scarves. The winter scarf has become entirely unnecessary in my life, I don’t know why.

Diana

Veteran

More:
—sneakers (feet are so fussy these days… sigh)
—loungewear (this is mostly because of the pandemic and wfh)
—bralettes (I’ve almost completely given up wired bras these days and don’t see myself ever going back honestly)

Less:
—blazers (they just feel too formal and also too restrictive these days)
—jeans (because of the current preponderance of high waisted styles which I don’t do, I do still WEAR them all the time)
—handbags (I just have enough and always use the same few ones anyway)

JAileen

Veteran

I’ve bought more sweatshirts/hoodies. They became part of my stay at home uniform during the pandemic.

I’ve bought fewer scarves. I just haven’t been wearing any.

Sloper

Veteran

More:
- Sweats (mostly in early 2020) and I wore them thoroughly
- Casual tops: long and short sleeve tees. Some Gap, some nicer quality James Perse
- Gear (a first for me): Started PT for back issues in early 2019 and needed form-fitting tops & bottoms.
- Non-gear/non-comfy clothes: Just this year. Had taken a break from "nicer" stuff since 2018 but now I'm over the sweats. Have added some bottoms and tops to wear outside the house so I don't feel too schlumpy.
- Dresses: VERY recently - so many pretty summer dresses I had to try a couple.

Less:
- Handbags: I have enough.
- Sweaters: I have more than enough.

Sally

Veteran

Like Diana I’ve given up underwire bras and buy stretchy tshirt bras.
Tshirts. I wear singlets in summer and in yoga class. I prefer shirts/blouses for everyday wear or a knit top.
Recently I have stopped buying leggings as everyday wear. Only have my bamboo/cotton pants for yoga. My jeans are soft and comfortable and have replaced leggings. Likewise not buying long tunics. I think that is a style shift that has come about from a body change.
I noticed I’ve been buying more tshirt dresses…black and striped they are easy to accessorise with and change up.
More feminine blouses instead of men’s style.
More scarves as I see the purpose in adding colour to my column of black.

Runcarla

Veteran

Cut back/stopped: I retired 3 years ago so office wear is no longer a thing. (1) dresses, skirts, dress pants purchases are way down as are (2) any footwear with heels. Then there is (3) gym kit. The lack of additions to fitness wear is due to no access to a gym since March 2020. I’m good for when I go back (maybe in a couple months?) But since I’m not wearing it, it’s not getting ‘worn out.’ I’m swimming more and did replace bathing suits and swim caps due to increasing the frequency of pool workouts - one facility that has been somewhat dependable and safe during the pandemic.

Increased/buying more: (1) jeans - the #1 bottoms for my casual lifestyle. (2) hats - I’m spending much more time out-of-doors, so need sun protection in summer, and extra warmth in cold weather. (3) hoodies - maybe my one concession to the leisurewear trend, I’ve acquired 3 hoodies over the past 3 years. One is for the gym (but I’ve worn it around the house on a few occasions) and two are a little more ‘dressy’. I can’t recall ever actually owning a hoodie until these ones!

Garment-Dyed French Terry Henley Hoodie for Women

View Info

Top Pick

7

Jenn

(website)

Veteran

I think mine are mostly due to climate considerations.

Fewer:
Scarves
Sweaters
Jackets/blazers

More:
Linen
Dresses
Sandals

I actually really miss buying scarves. It’s such a fun and easy way to add beautiful textiles to your wardrobe, but I just rarely have occasions where they feel right and comfortable anymore.

Sal

Veteran

Interesting Kelly- you have been wearing some wonderful skirts and dresses. And I get that re the jackets.

Rachy - I haven’t added any scarves for two years either. But still wearing my existing ones. Surprised re the puffies - all long now?

Diana - the pandemic has made those comfort, work from home options the reality. I think rises are coming firm again so you might be in luck..

JAileen - do you the scarves is being home more or mask related - or something else?

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

It’s been three years since we moved from Florida to Berlin, so more boots & warm underthings, and maybe more long pants. Less of everything else; most of my life I’ve bought good quality clothing that lasts and lasts. During the years in Florida I bought more low-cost clothing than I ever have. That has stopped.

Sloper, I’ve had a feeling that you were in schlumpy clothes far more than you cared to be. Sounds like the change in apparel is rooted in changes in your body being more fit and, as you mentioned elsewhere, being able to move better/more surely, so hooray for the workout tops and pretty dresses.

Bijou

Veteran

Mine relate to working from home where jeans and a nice top seem to be my favourite way of dressing in winter and dresses and sandals in summer. I prefer to rug up rather than use artificial heating

More:
- Blouses
- Scarves
- Casual footwear (boots, sneakers and sandals)

Less:
- t-shirts
- Jackets and blazers
- Pumps
- Sheath dresses

Kate

Veteran

More sneakers and comfort footwear
More hoodies and yoga wear
Purchased cardigans (cropped cotton and linen) for home wear
Purchased several skorts as alternative to shorts
Less of everything else, since I'm well supplied with tees, casual skirts and dresses (summer), jeans and pants, sweaters, bags and scarves

Kate

Veteran

More sneakers and comfort footwear
More hoodies and yoga wear
Purchased cardigans (cropped cotton and linen) for home wear
Purchased several skorts as alternative to shorts
Less of everything else, since I'm well supplied with tees, casual skirts and dresses (summer), jeans and pants, sweaters, bags and scarves

Minaminu

Veteran

The main change is that I have been focusing on lighter colours, I am shifting from a dark wardrobe to a more balanced one. It's a slow process but very enjoyable.

Overall, I would say that I am buying

More:
— flat shoes, comfort wins!!!
— gear, particularly for hiking and yoga
— knitwear (I am always running cold)

Less:
— jeans, they seems to last longer these dats
— tops, I have the right amount and I am trying to fill in other parts.
—handbags, my lifestyle has changed and I haven't figured out yet if I am all covered or if I should try to add something more casual.

Joy

Veteran

I am buying more :

pull-on bottoms

white ( my color for the year)

coral (for summer.,)

some boho summer tops for a new summer direction

Less or none at all:

Jeans

Button- down shirts

Knits in general

nuancedream

Veteran

I am purchasing more sneakers, loafers, and lug soled shoes. Heels over 2" no longer suit my lifestyle or where I currently am on my style journey. I am also not purchasing jackets or blazers, but I am buying more elevated sweatshirts, like rachylou. Finally, I am buying more pants and jeans with interesting details like paperbag waists. Fewer knee length or slightly above knee length skirts and dresses. Midi length FTW.

slim cat

Veteran

More skirts ( midi ), moto jackets for different seasons.
Less jeans, casual plaid shirts.
The main reason is not shutdown/WFH but the need to dress in a more interesting way, with more structure and certain harmony overall.
The coronavirus didn't affect my dressing style much - it'd been very casual-practical before. In a way I feel that it's the rest of the world finally starting to to catch up .

Preppy Pear

Veteran

I moved from the Midwest to Texas almost 4 years ago so mine are mainly climate related:
More lightweight summer dresses
More summer skirts
More casual sneakers

Less:
Fewer winter coats (though I still wear them, just for a much shorter amount of time)
Fewer heavy sweaters
Fewer socks!

Stylewise, I’m looking forward to continuing to add a little more polish and more dressy items to my fairly casual uniform.

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

Definitely have stopped buying shoes with anything more than a 1 inch heel (actually probably more like a 1/4 inch heel) - no matter how tempting. I would say bags, but I have so many bags it would be disingenuous.
No more polyester! Generally will not buy synthetics unless a vintage piece. I am sure there are exceptions.
On the other hand, I seem to be more attracted to boho style tops.

Anonymous

This year and last year are very different from 2019!

More of: neutrals, especially beige/tan. This includes quiet classics and nude to me underwear. Flat and low heeled shoes (up to 2 inch). I'm usually not wearing higher heels anymore. Gear and sleep/lounge, cause that's all I wore last year. Masks (last year)!

Less of: scarves and jewelry. Even with things going back to normal I'm rarely wearing them. Loosy goosy stuff- tunics and long cardis. Patterns and brighter colors, just anything super statementy in general.

April

Veteran

More:
-- dresses, for the one-and-done simplicity
-- higher-quality pieces, to minimize my participation in "fast fashion"
-- crossbody bags

Less:
-- satchel-style handbags
-- black anything
-- sheath dresses (like sleeveless tops, this category is down to "none")

Brooklyn

Veteran

My biggest change is more casual (everyday) wear that’s suited for lots of walking, and less office wear

That equates to:
More flats, fewer heels
More midi skirts, jeans, tanks and tees, fewer pencil skirts and blouses
More casual knits, fewer jackets
More crossbody bags, fewer satchels.

I’m also not attracted to chunky knits anymore but I still love jewellery

Irina

Veteran

Like for many others, my changes are due to WFH. I haven’t bought dress pants and summer scarves (used to wear in the office during summer) in 2 years.
I bought more casual clothes like t-shirts, linen sweaters and even 2 sweatshirts. Last time I wore a sweatshirt probably a decade ago.

The Cat

Veteran

More:
• Comfortable, versatile midi dresses
• Fashion sneakers
• Birk style sandals

Less: Since March 2020, when the pandemic became evident here, I have been shopping very little.

LaPed

Veteran

What a great question!

More:

Swimsuits (This sounds ridiculous, but I realized how much I enjoy having some variety and not wearing the same one every day so I allowed myself to build a capsule. I have five (!!) now, some of which mix and match with each other. I swim almost daily late May though late September, and weekly in the winter assuming pools remain open this year, so I figured my swim capsule can be about the same number of pieces as my daily running capsule.)
Cotton knits, especially chunky ones (Slowly phasing out animal fibers due to skin sensitivity It's hard for me to let go of high quality merino and cashmere, but having high quality cotton knits as an alternative helps.)
Linen (Lightbulb moment that higher-quality, heavier linen is good for at least half the year (Apr - Oct) and not just summer, doesn't need to be ironed, and makes a good foundation for my warm-weather wardrobe because the colours, textures, and looser silhouettes are in line with my style.)

Fewer:

Scarves (none in 2019, one in 2020, none this year)
Bags (last bag purchases were 2019)
Jewelry (last jewelry purchase was 2018)

Clearly not much of an accessories person, and pandemic life seems to have reinforced my disinterest!

I considered putting gear and loungewear on my "more" list, but looking at the numbers, my purchasing habits haven't really changed. I always buy and wear a lot of gear, pandemic or not, and loungewear is pretty much just direct replacements.

kkards

Veteran

More
~gear: pre pandemic i had started a 2-3 times a week Pilates practice & than not going anywhere for the last 16(ish) months, moved my weekend wear more into leggings and true athletic sneakers
~outerwear and accessories -related to above. Needed more outerwear that would give me function as well as fashion. So a merino wool jacket for walking the neighborhood and another longer puffer jacket. Not to mention a alpaca hat that covers my ears, as well as a lined and an unlined rain hat, so that i can walk in the rain
~socks- yes plain old socks. WFH meant that i was wearing sneakers 12 months of the year and at home in the winter i wanted/needed socks.

Less
~blazers …even before with my office now 100% casual i was trying to slow this down, but 16 months of WFH as generally killed this category for me
~jeans - ok i still bought them as they are still my favorite item, but WFH meant that i wore my basic 5 pocket styles on repeat, as most of my “fashion” pairs just felt like they needed a footwear to complete them

Anonymous

Great question and super interesting answers!

Fewer short sleeve t shirts, chunky knits, woven tops

More handbags/wallets, hats, and surprisingly, jeans which I haven't worn in many years

Janet

(website)

Veteran

More:

- bags — I’ve been transitioning to more crossbody and backpack styles
- sportier footwear with low heels or flat or platform soles

Fewer:

- jeans — I stick with classic silhouettes that suit my body rather than trend pieces, and the domination of high rises in recent years has left me buying very few new jeans. My collection is probably the smallest it’s been since before YLF.
- “dressier” footwear — no heels to speak of. I’ve gotten rid of most over 3” except for a couple of pairs of dressy booties.

cat2

Veteran

I am a few years into a shift to casual clothing. This year I wore out a lot of tailored pants I bought for work and replaced them with non-tailored pieces.

12