Twin Time: Shopping with the City Slicker - YouLookFab Forum

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Twin Time: Shopping with the City Slicker

Mainelady

Veteran

I am so excited! My sister and I have just worked out 4 and a 1/2 days of Twin Time. We have not had this opportunity for 3 years. I will be traveling to her and her husband is prepared to see us at breakfast and perhaps dinner time. He is also preparing himself for the inevitable Surround Sound that is a natural occurrence whenever we are together.
Twinny and I will be shopping for much of out time together. We always have so much fun! We will have options from discount stores, premium outlets, high end malls and boutiques.
A trip like this takes careful planning. Packing will be easy. My capsule will be very small because I can borrow clothing, outerwear, shoes and accessories from my sister.....shopping her closet is fun for both of us!
I have learned a lot about fashion, style, trends, color and what works for me from being a member of Angie’s blog and forum. Knowledge is power and I am very carefully considering which specific items to put on my wish list.
It is important for me to stay focused during this trip. With so many store options and a variety of price points I am sure to be tempted to purchase things I don’t really need, just because they are available and I can try everything on. I need to think about spring and summer needs and wants and also be aware of any fall needs. I need to do a closet review over the next couple of weekends.
The one rule I am going to have my sister hold me to is to only purchase items I will actually be able to wear when I get home. I have found that when shopping with my super stylish sister, in her environment and trying on clothes in well lighted dressing rooms I tend to purchase lovely items that spend way too much time in my closet just waiting for an opportunity to be worn. PROCEED WITH CAUTION!
My current wish list (subject to change):
Shoes - specifically lighter colored footwear to bookend with my hair, low heeled slingbacks, flats
A handbag to also work with my hair. I have several gorgeous dark bags, a bright blue and a tomato red, but nothing in beige, light gray or blush.
Crop pants for work.
Two special event outfits:
1) a school musical that a colleague and I have written and are directing and producing for grades K-4. It will be performed on stage in a historic Art Deco theater. I will only be onstage at the beginning and end of the show, but still want something special to mark the event.
2) an early fall wedding

Ok, friends, what suggestions, tips and strategies do you have for me? Thank you for taking the time to read the length of this and to share comments if you wish.

Shopping

22 replies

Latest reply was from Mainelady

Anonymous

Wonderful post. Self aware.

Your decision to stay super focused with well defined goals added to the knowledge that discipline has to rule during this trip is a lesson for all of us. I so look forward to hearing how your shopping excursion goes and how much fun you have with your sister.

jussie

Veteran

Aww that sounds so fantastic. Have a great time . No advice from me!

Staysfit

Veteran

What special treat! You are so very fortunate to have a sister with whom you can have this sort of relationship. I hope you have a wonderful time. It sounds like you have already done the work to keep yourself on track. I would carry that list into every store and before you make any purchase, pull it out and look at it. Make sure you are staying true to your lifestyle. I tend to put lists like this right in my wallet, taped to my credit card. I am not at all shy, so if I need to tell a SA I have changed my mind, I do it right there at the check out counter. I have to live with my mistake not the sales clerk.

cindysmith

Veteran

Nothing constructive to add. Just a bit of jealousy because I would love to have a vacation like that with my baby sister

Bijou

Veteran

I hope you add some jewellery to your collection, because then when you wear it, it will remind you of the fun trip you had with your sister. I always love to see the jewellery that you wear with your outfits, you have a great collection.

I do like Staysfit's suggestion of keeping a list with your credit card - genius!

Anonymous

I am thrilled you are getting twin time (and jealous as I am the middle of a brother sandwich with no sisters).
Definitely pack small- I think one of the many upside to this visit is you get access to a whole “new “ wardrobe for the length of visit. Gives you a chance to try before you buy ( and maybe if she curates- you may score!) I think you are correct in keeping a list of needs and wants and try to stick with it unless you see something better than fantastic of course,
Most of all- treasure the time together. Super!

Cardiff girl

Veteran

Oh what fun this sounds ,my only advice is to enjoy yourself oh and show us everything you bought when you get back please.

Katerina

Veteran

That is wonderful Mainelady! Sounds like you are going to have a great time. And you have a solid plan. Enjoy yourself and, as Cardiff girl Is saying, please show us your new finds when you are back!

kkards

Veteran

sounds like alot of fun....there is no one i like shopping with more than my sister, with a simple look we can speak soooo much about an item....and its great to have someone fetch another size/color, zip and unzip etc....

Barbara Diane

Veteran

Have fun! Looking forward to hearing about your success.

Mainelady

Veteran

Thank you all. I am so looking forward to my sister time!

Sterling, a strong focus is important. With all the stores and options that are not available where I live, it would be so easy to go off the rails and buy lots of pretty things that end up decorating my closet.

Stasyfit....great suggestion! I will keep my list with me and share it with my sister. Once we establish rules, our other half becomes the enforcer.

Cindysmith someday soon, I hope you get your vacation with your sister.

Bijou, jewelry is a possibility. When we shop together my sister and I always purchase something that matches.....throw back to the days when our parents dressed us alike. Sometimes our matching pieces have been jewelry.

Efbgen, I could probably go with just the clothes on my back. My sister often has items or outfits already selected for me. Whoo hoo my own personal stylist for a few days! Yes, sometimes she decides to pass on some items to me and those are automatic happiness factors.

Cardiff Girl and Katerina, I will share my sister time shopping successes when I get back.

Thank you Jussie and Barbara Diane.

Kkards, so true! My sister and I have so much fun together. We often both try on items to see how they look on each other.......better than a mirror. We take turns being the runner to switch sizes. Our joy seems to be evident and contagious. Very often people comment that we look like we are having so much fun or that our excitement has made them smile. That is nice to hear. Of course it is possible that some shoppers have quietly slid away from us and the effervescent energy we generate. Oops!

ChrisM

Veteran

I laughed out loud at “surround sound!” I have three sisters, and when we’re together that’s what we call it! We live far apart (4 sisters, 4 states) so it can be a little obnoxious when we go someplace together.

We watch out for each other’s preferences - all of us are 5’9” or taller - so larger shoes, long inseams, you get the picture.

Have fun, ML!!

Mainelady

Veteran

ChrisM it is good to know that we are not alone with our sisterly enthusiasm! You and your siblings are on Team Tall. It is great that you keep an eye out for the best options.

Windchime

Veteran

Your planned time with your sister sounds SO fun, Mainelady! Do you think you’ll be able to limit yourself to your list in the heat of the shopping? I find I can be swayed by others’ opinions when I shop with friends/family.

Have a fabulous time; looking forward to reading about it here!

JAileen

Veteran

That sounds like fun! I don’t even have a sister, only brothers, so I’m a little envious.

SarahD8

Veteran

What fun! I expect a FULL and DETAILED report upon your return!!!

On the school musical outfit, I wanted to share that I recently went to a book launch for an acquaintance and noticed that she was wearing an item of clothing that matched or evoked the theme/geography of the book. So maybe look for something that has a color, print, or style that something to do with the musical? I think that would be an instant happiness factor when wearing the piece or outfit later!

Mainelady

Veteran

Windchime, thank you. My list is my focus and my starting place. Any purchases I do make I want to be well thought out. I might add to my list after I finish my closet review. I think in reality I may give myself a little wiggle room for a wild card, or two. With all the options available I want to be careful about my purchases and make sure they will love my lifestyle, but I don’t want to carry home regret because I made a list and rigidly adhered to it. Hahaha.....I have been swayed when shopping with my sister before. She has so much style and always looks amazing. As her twin, when I try on similar clothing I think I look pretty darn good, too. I have to remind myself that her style is more City Slicker and mine Country Bumpkin.

Carla

Veteran

Staysfit has provided wise advice regarding staying in track, but you needn't put limits on the fun you will have with your sister!

Mainelady

Veteran

Thank you JAileen. I am very fortunate to have my twin.

Ahaha SarahD. I am sure I will have an update to share. I really like your suggestion for an outfit for the musical. All the songs are an educational celebration of Acadia National Park, Island Life and Maine. The characters are named after wildflowers that grow in the park and we have quotes about nature woven throughout the skit. It would be very easy to do a Maine or ANP theme. Our area is a tourist destination and themed apparel is a hot commodity. I don’t want to look like a tourist on vacation, so I may try to find something in a floral or with a bird print (two of our songs are about birds). I’ll give this some thought and keep my eyes open for possibilities.
Very true Runcarla! My sister and I will fill our time with fun and make many new memories.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I’m excited about your fun twin time together. Please keep us in the loop and have a ball. These are the moments in life that count.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

This sounds wonderful! Your list is sensible and smart but you're also leaving room for emotion. What could be better? Have a fantastic time and let us know how it goes.

Mainelady

Veteran

Angie, yes! These are the moments in life that count. We will cherish every moment we spend together.

Thanks, Suz. Leaving room for emotion......that is key.