Unplanned shopping haul - help me figure this out please?

Yesterday a friend of mine wanted to go shopping and I was happy to tag along as I haven't gotten a chance to hit the mall lately. I was there to help her pick out a few things and had NO intentions of spending as much as I did since I had decided to myself the other day that I was pretty much done shopping for spring. But we all know what happens to the best laid plans

I ended up with a 3/4 sleeve chambray shirt dress from NY&Co, the famous animal print wrap dress, cheetah print silk top and a navy sequin tank from Ann Taylor and a Spense trench dress(similar to this on the top, olive colour, not double breasted and full & flared on the bottom) from Ross.Sorry I can't link to any of these are they aren't available online anymore.

I know, talk about falling off the wagon.

Now, the thing is, none of these items was on my Spring/Summer or perennial want lists. I love them, I presume they would easily rate 8-10 and they fit great. But they aren't really filling any gaping wardrobe holes. Except the Spense trench dress which could count as a fit and flare dress. And unfortunately, I have a budget to keep in mind and a whole house to decorate mostly from scratch.

I am not posting pictures on purpose because I need your help making this keep or return decision on more subjective grounds

Help me, please!

15 years ago

Queen Mum

Veteran

this is tough.
The responsible thing to do would be to return it all since you already felt that your spring wardrobe was complete. And honestly, whatever you keep is going to displace something else that you already bought and love.
If you could only keep 1 of the 5 items you bought which would you keep?

Vani

Kim, If you could see my now, you would see me vigorously nodding right now I've been going over this a lot since yesterday - if I could keep only one item what would it be. I'm pretty sure it has boiled down to the silk AT top and the Spense trench dress. And I think if YLF rates the Spense dress a 9/10, that is what will end up staying.

Wow, that was easy, thanks SO much Kim!
Now, I can continue to stalk that red blazer on ASOS, guilt-free....

LOL...
it is so hard to find the balance between shopping responsibly and letting ourselves splurge every now and then.
I constantly have to remind myself that not everything that I love has to come home with me. SO HARD!!!! When I have been shopping for spring/summer I also have to ask myself... "do I love this so much that I'm going to be happy that I made this choice in a couple months when something else catches my eye?"

rute

When that happens to me I keep the items at home for a few days! I think better and sometimes after a few days, I see I don't like them as much as at first!
Sometimes we get two excited at a store and when we go with a friend she sometimes says that we should bought this or that and it's easier to make mistakes!

yes Rute... you are so right. This is why I dont' shop with friends. It is hard to make responsible decisions.

Velma

I almost always shop alone, for exactly this reason! It's not that I'm antisocial, but I find that I am surprisingly susceptible to well-meaning peer pressure.

I would say to keep 1-2 favorite items (ones that meet a need and don't duplicate things already in your closet) and return the rest. Then you can get back to work on your list with a clear conscience!

I am totally with all of you, I almost always shop alone. I find it easier to walk away from things, make reasonable and rational decisions. It's hard to do that with someone ooh-ing and aah-ing and telling you you should absolutely take it home because it looks fabulous on you.

Kim, I know it will KILL me to return the AT dress but then I would like a clear conscience better

Velma, I will be posting pictures of the Spense trench dress soon.

I knew I could count on all of you fantastic women. Thank you, thank you!

rae

(website)

I think you have had great advice already, but I just wanted to chime in that it's good you brought them home to decide. As we get pickier, it's harder to find items that fit perfectly, so they are worth a little extra consideration.

Aida

Looks like you're sorted out (and I'm looking forward to seeing the trench dress!), but I wanted to chime in that I also prefer shopping alone and this is what I do if I'm going shopping with a friend and want to avoid purchases: I make sure to put on an outfit that's a TOTAL pain to take on/off so I'm less tempted

Rae, you are 100% correct and that almost always works out well for both my wardrobe and my wallet as I end up deliberating and keeping something that turns out to be an asset or a workhorse. This time around, unfortunately (it is so ironic I have to say that) every single item was met with hearty approval by DH and my mirror ego

Aida, LOL, I promise you that is exactly what I will be doing the next time around - which I have a feeling will be soon. Thanks for the idea!

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