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Too Picky?

chewyspaghetti

Veteran

Is there such a thing? We're heading into warmer weather, and pretty much every top that I have is baggy now. I went shopping with my dd at one of the outlet malls today. She did great- shorts, clams, two tops and a ton of earrings. Me? Not so much. I tried on a bazillion things and nothing came home with me. The woven tops were either polyester (which I can't wear in the warm weather), had unflattering sleeve lengths, I was between sizes, or they were absolutely sheer (and it doesn't make sense to have a summer top that I have to layer under).
These tops from Old Navy were almost perfect:
http://oldnavy.gap.com/browse/.....=809508022
http://oldnavy.gap.com/browse/.....pid=809599
http://oldnavy.gap.com/browse/.....=809596002
were just about perfect, but I can't stand to buy anything at Old Navy without it being on sale or having a coupon.
I'm not looking for suggestions of tops, just some commiseration from fellow perfectionists. Is it possible to be too picky?

Shopping

20 replies

Latest reply was from julijuli

bella

(website)

Veteran

Here is an Old navy coupon:
http://akimages.crossmediaserv.....04_cpn.pdf
If they were truly perfect, then don't wait. Everything at Old NAvy goes on sale eventually, but certain sizes/patterns sell out quickly.

Isabel

Veteran

I once read that if you are going to really commit yourself to looking good, then you should never settle. My answer is no. I think that you did the right thing.

I think that there is a HUGE difference between being a perfectionist and being discerning, non ?

Kate

Veteran

Nope, being selective is good!

I'm having a hard time with tops right now too. I returned one to Anthro today, and looked around, but only found dresses. Two of them were perfect, but not on sale, I just can't drop $230 on two dresses right now, no matter how perfect they are. So I'll keep my fingers crossed for a sale and see how lucky I am.

It also helps to remind myself that usually when I buy an item that is almost perfect, I end up finding a better option soon afterward, and regretting the original purchase. And often when I buy something full price, it ends up going on sale soon after I buy it. Waiting is worth it.

sinead

I'm calling this the YLF effect- now that we know what doesn't work, what our closets need and what looks good, it makes shopping a challenge! But I love, love the feeling of finding exactly what I was looking for- no more walking into Macy's and thinking 'I have to buy something for summer' and feeling completely overwhelmed. I know EXACTLY what I need. Love this.

And I'm with you about the sheer summer tops that have to be layered- I don't get it. If it's hot enough for a light top, it's too hot to wear two layers. Tons of these in stores right now, and they make no sense to me.

tarzy

Veteran

God, I'm dreading the warm weather. Sheer tops, tops with deep v-necks that need a cami - why? Why? For those of us with busts, who can't just throw on a tank top and be done - warm weather, when you can't layer, is such a challenge.

Kim

Veteran

I am running into the same problem with being selective. I am looking for summer tops and tried one on today that was exactly what I've been looking for. Right colors, fabric, etc. It did however have a smocked waistband type thing, and since I'm a bit long waisted that band hit me in the wrong place and made me feel uncomfortable...

I *hated* to put it back on the rack as it was *nearly* perfect, but it wouldn't be "effortless" as I'd be pulling the waistband down all the time to be comfortable, so I moved on...

Summer is still far away so hopefully I have time to find the elusive items! LOL

rae

(website)

Veteran

It's a good thing! Think of all the not-perfect items you have had to toss in a closet purge... picky saves money.

That said, I hope you get the tops you *do* like with Bella's coupon - you can always return if you find something better, but ON does always seem to run out of sizes!

lyn*

(website)

Veteran

Ugh, I have had no luck with summery clothes either, but like rae said, a little bit of pain now sure beats the pain of having to purge items from your closet that still have a price tag on them because they don't work at a later date :S

Renee

I'm extremely picky lately. I think that comes naturally when you have more a vision of what your wardrobe and personal style should be and are more in tune with what you really want.

I'm also trying to lose weight right now which makes me picky for other reasons. First of all I obviously don't want to spend money on things that might not fit me in a month. This is rather frustrating. While I believe in dressing the body you have now I have so far been successful at losing weight which makes me hesitant to buy certain things. Also since I have lost some weight recently and am fitting in mostly a size 14 or large tops I find that I can fit into more clothing more places and am surprised at the things that will fit me and look good. This makes me realize how willing I was to settle before when I found something that fit me decently but wasn't really amazing.

I went shopping at many stores last week and only came home with a few things. there are some that I am considering returning for, especially since most are from H&M and I know they will sell out quickly, especially in my size (maybe even before I get back there Monday). I think if you really liked the ON items you tried on and still find yourself thinking about them you should go ahead and get them before it is too late. That is what I generally try to do. I actually tried on the second dress you linked and it looked horrible on me but I really liked it because it stood out amongst their normal style of dresses. I did buy two full price tops there last week. I hate buying things there full price as well, but the one I had to have and I knew it was already sold out online.

Anonymous

Kudos for holding out. Being selective (picky) is a good thing. I've often regretted buying something that was almost perfect when the perfect piece came along later or because I just didn't feel fab wearing it. It's money wasted. It's still early. By the time you are really needing those summer tops you may need a different size.

Lisa

Veteran

As far as I'm concerned it's all about the fun of the hunt. I remember last year I must've tried on close to 20 white jeans before I found ONE pair that worked for me. And then I wore them ALL the time last summer. So no such thing as too picky to me. Just smarter shopping.

puffenstuff

(website)

Veteran

Yep you're not alone Khris. I find that some of the places I used to find heaps of stuff in now I would be lucky to be even minorly tempted by anything. I think you're doing yourself a favour by not committing to anything that is not perfect. I dont know if you're shops are the same but ours are sometimes always a bit light on with choices at the very start of a season, once it gets going a bit more you might have more luck in finding the right pieces.

Cilleena

Veteran

I think it's defintely the YLF effect! I'm having the same problem lately. Lots of things I probably would have settled with before are going back now. I've never done so much returning before in my life. For me, the pickiness is also because I'm looking for more interesting things. I used to just have to find a nice fitting tee, buy a bunch of colors and bam, I was done for the season. But, that got me stuck in a boring rut.

Oh and I'm the same way with not wanting to buy things full priced at ON. I KNOW they are going to do a sale soon, they always do. However, sizes will be sold out in the more popular pieces, so you might want to go ahead and get your favorites.

Polly (thunalata)

Veteran

Yes, I agree too. I've always been a bit like that because I've not been good at buying clothes in the past so could easily decide it just wasn't right. Difference now is I'm more likely to know the details of why I don't like it.

I still find it hard to spot the one that *is* perfect, though, and do envy those of you who seem to find that easier! My default setting seems to be 'don't buy' most of the time.

Mo

(website)

Veteran

My thoughts on waiting for a sale at ON is that, even full priced, things aren't very expensive there. If you find it on sale that's great, but waiting specifically for a sale could leave you empty handed. So I would say being picky on fit and flattery is a great idea, but being picky on not wanting to pay full price is debatable. And I'm super guilty of the bargain hunter mentality and just now coming around to this idea. I'm not suggesting always plunking down big money but that if you always look for the deal, you could miss out on something you truly love.

chewyspaghetti

Veteran

I think that's the thing Mo- the items that are meeting my criteria (woven, natural fiber, good fit, lightweight fabric, 3/4 sleeves or sleeveless and good color) are just not exciting or things that I love. But so they have to be? The one perfect spring top that I still have (and has gotten too big on me) was one that I didn't really love when I bought it- but now I do. I am concerned about time- these are spring tops for me, not summer. It's already well into the 70's this week, and once it starts it can heat up quickly. Of course, I still have my summer dresses and some tunics that can be layered for spring. It just kind of freaks me out not to have tops.

MsMary

Veteran

I'm Team Go Ahead and Pay Full Price at Old Navy. A coupon would only save you a few bucks, and the way I do the math, it's worth that money to have the use of the garment for the time before it goes on sale, plus I'm paying to avoid the risk it'll be sold out.

Apart from that, I'm Team Picky.

Kristine

Veteran

It's possible to be too picky, but in your case I think you're just being discerning. I'm the same way these days. It's ridiculous. My husband and I went shopping yesterday, he found two shirts and I didn't buy anything. I didn't even spend all of my clothing budget last month.

I agree with Mary, if you like the Old Navy tops and can afford it, just get them! $19 isn't bad at all for a linen top. Once they sell out of a size it'll be hard to track them down again.

Heather

Veteran

Khris, it is so frustrating to have a hole to fill and nothing seems like the perfect solution. I, too, am looking for a few spring blouses and nothing has shouted my name.

I think the pieces from Old Navy are all terrific and great prices (which colors are you considering?). By the time summer hits, you will need even smaller sizes =D, and these few inexpensive, but lovely pieces will help you bridge the gap from a brief spring to a hot summer.

Also, I think you should revisit some of your JCP recommendations. You really found some treasures in last week's lot (that denim dress!!! among others).

julijuli

I agree that you're not being too picky - just discerning. I do feel it's the YLF effect - you want to make sure you'll love what you purchase. But - it is very frustrating when you have a hole that needs to be filled and can't find the right item.