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Using Pinterest to Help With Shopping

texstyle

(website)

Veteran

I recently ordered a pair of dusty lilac and a pair of mustard
jeans. They won't arrive for a while yet but I *wish* I had done my
pinterest homework first. What I learned after the fact was that maybe
the dusty lilac was a total waste of my time. I wanted to at least try
something aside form the usual blue, gray, white denim. And I have
black pants. And olive. Alas, I couldn't find one outfit I liked
featuring dusty lilac jeans. I found plenty of deep mustard tones in
great combos. But those are on backorder so it will be quite a while.

I think I'm going to try and make a habit of doing pinterest searches
before I click the buy button from now on. I think it just might save
me some time and returns.

Do you use any method like this when you are going to be ordering online?

Shopping

22 replies

Latest reply was from Sveta

Suz

(website)

Veteran

I have never done this, but I think it is a superb idea!

Inge

(website)

Oh I do love the sound of those lilac jeans, Texstyle!! Maybe we can still make them work?-)
E.g. when I'm thinking of buying something a little different (like jeans in a more unusual colour for me), I too do a Pinterest search:
- first I look for pins of people wearing jeans (or trousers) in the same colour (and adjacent shades).
- then I also look for pins in which people are wearing a lilac skirt. That also gives me ideas for colour combos, different styles of tops and silhouettes.
- and last, I then search for pins of people wearing lilac tops with all kinds of different bottoms: even if I'm not liking much of what came up in the first two searches, this often gives me extra ideas about colour combos I could try with the new jeans, jackets to pair them with etc.

Do keep us posted on both pairs of jeans? (the mustard sounds fab too)

Angela

Dear Texstyle,
Don't give up! I always do a google image search for styling difficult clothes! I thought it was just me...
I've just done a 'styling lilac jeans' image search and it turned up lots of hits!
Hope this helps

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texstyle

(website)

Veteran

Suz - yes, I'm going to really try to make a habit of it.
Great ideas Inge - thank you! I'm going to go back and search some more. The lilac might have hope yet (they seemed, in my head at least, like they would be similar to gray jeans in versatility).

deb

Veteran

The only way I use Pinterest to help with shopping is I put all my wish list items onto one board so I do not have to look in each stores individual wish lists. It is also easier for me to compare items that might be similar. If I purchase something I move it to 'my closet' board. If an item is no longer available, I delete it.

I like your idea of looking for ideas prior to purchasing, though. I may try that.

texstyle

(website)

Veteran

Angela, thank you for sharing some pics/ideas. I'm kind of a neutral fan so I'm not sure I could go as bright as image 1. The jeans I ordered look like they will be a grayish-lilac so maybe they won't be as hard to style as I'm second guessing them to be. I'm hoping they will go with at least the basics like deep charcoal, black, white and navy.

annagybe

(website)

Veteran

I wore my lilac jeans with dove grey and white.

http://noscrubs.lookfab.com/po.....and-silver

Caro in Oz

Veteran

ag beat me to it - I was going to suggest dove grey & white for a more tonal look

Krista

Veteran

I try to check my Pinterest boards and my inventory of my wardrobe (which is on an Excel spreadsheet- I'm so anal...) before I shop to give myself some direction. I have really tried to challenge myself to purchase items I've pinned several times because I figure if I'm pinning it, I must really want it! I have to be honest - most times when I purchase an item that fits the description of what I've pinned, my happiness factor is much higher than f I just purchased whatever struck my fancy. It's a good routine that works for me right now!

I hope the mustard jeans don't take too long to get to you!

TraceyLiz65

(website)

Veteran

I have never looked at Pinterst before buying an item, but do so a lot after ordering and waiting for their arrival... I automatically think of three ways I can wear any item with things I already own before purchasing. I do like this idea and think it would be a better way to go. I especially think this is effective when adding a new color, especially colored bottoms...

jayne

Veteran

Yes, I too have started using pinterest as a way to check that I have at least one or two ways to wear something before I buy. I read somewhere that Olivia Palmero runs through her closet in her head before buying to make sure she can wear an item 2-3 ways. My brain won't hold my closet, age?, and I don't seem to have the imagination. But pinterest and polyvore are both great for finding the item or a similar one and showing many ways it can be worn. I copy out the pics I like and then do some thinking about whether I have the supporting items, or if I would have to buy more to make the new item work. It has really helped me turn away from items that require either too much extra shopping or lack inspiration for my style. I am with you on this!

Ingunn

(website)

Veteran

Tex, I'm sure the dusty lilac will look great with your leopard blouse and a black jacket, or also one in denim. What do you think? From what I remember, you really do have several tops that will look great with that color. But, if it doesn't fall into place when you get it, just return it and no harm is done.

Lantana

Veteran

I've recently started using Pinterest to plan purchases. I pin what takes my fancy, no holds barred, and leave the pins on my boards for a while. I have my wish list board and my "what I actually own" board so I can check how the former can fit into the latter. Eventually I delete items that are not 10/10.
I'm happy that this strategy is stopping me from making rash purchases. in fact, I've bought only one shirt since I set up my boards. I have pinned a couple of my own capsules on my board and that ishelping me SYC too.

I use Google images a lot for colour schemes. Thinking of your lilac jeans reminds me of a beautiful palette of navy, taupe and lilac that I stumbled across online.

Have fun with your styling, Penny.

Jean Gray

I love the colors that Annagybe wore. Very pretty. I'm a neutral gal too.
Also like Krista's goal to purchase items on her Pinterest board. I look at my Pinterest boards often, but making a goal of actually purchasing is maybe the extra step I need to really start building some momentum in my wardrobe.

ETA: Just saw this pin and wondering if a chambray shirt would work? She's not wearing lilac but it's similar. Maybe someone has already suggested it.

http://www.pinterest.com/pin/240309330089281053/

texstyle

(website)

Veteran

So many great suggestions - you guys are the best!
Anna, I forgot that outfit of yours - great inspiration, so pretty!
caro, yes a tonal look would be nice I think.
Krista, you sound very organized with your system.
Jayne, it just took me a while to figure this out.
Ingunn, I will try the leopard blouse - may be a bit bold for me but maybe not - esp. for a nice fall/winter look. Thanks for the idea.
Jean, chambray might work and I def. have a couple of options in my closet.
Lantana, I like the idea of taupe, dusty lilac and navy - I'll see what I have

Thanks everyone else for your input on how you use pinterest and polyvore and others. This has been very helpful to me.

Wendi1984

Can I ask where you found the lilac jeans?

Cindy

I like the idea of pairing the lilac jeans with the olive drab jackets and vests I keep seeing on Pinterest!
I haven't used Pinterest and inspiration for wearing items I am considering purchasing but that is a brilliant idea. I have two Pinterest fashion boards- one filled with outfits I can duplicate with things I already have and one for outfits that catch my eye but include things I don't already own. If I find myself pinning a particular look quite often then I'll buy the piece I need to duplicate it.

texstyle

(website)

Veteran

Wendi, I found the jeans at garnethill.
Cindy, yes, olive drab would be nice. My current olive utility jacket may be too 'green' rather than olive drab. I'll have to try it out.

rachylou

Veteran

I do have a Pinterest board for things I'm seriously considering buying. I collect pics of all versions I can find, than compare and so forth.

Inge

(website)

Lots of wonderful suggestions here, texstyle.
Colours I think will work with lilac (sorry if some have already been mentioned): cream, white, light grey, icy greys, chambray and denim blues, plums, pink, raspberry reds, hot pink and fuchsia, teal, lots of different shades of blue actually, from very light pastel over mid-blues to ink (gorgeous, especially if you throw some white or cream into the mix).

Here's a colour chart that might give you even more ideas, I think you could try most of these colours with lilac.
http://www.pinterest.com/pin/554576141584007722/

I know this clutch is more mauve than lilac, but I think it illustrates perfectly how chic ink blue + cream/white could look with lilac too:
http://www.pinterest.com/pin/246642517063171860/

texstyle

(website)

Veteran

Oh Inge those colors are beautiful together - thank you so much! I think the jeans may be a dusty color which is great as I'd prefer that to a true pastel lilac shade.

Sveta

(website)

Veteran

Yes! My blush slouchy khakis! I was interested to try them but had no idea how to wear them so I scoured Pinterest and created a board. After I did it went ahead and ordered them because I liked what I saw!