What if... (shopping plan) - YouLookFab Forum

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What if... (shopping plan)

Rosie

Veteran

What if you could only buy one or two fantastic items per month and that was it. What would you do? Would you love it since you would have a real strong focus, or hate it? Would you plan out what items to get over the year or see what you are in the mood for buying that month?

General

33 replies

Latest reply was from londonkiwi (now back in NZ)

Kate

Veteran

I would have to plan like crazy. And also find the most durable knit tees ever - I don't go through bottoms very quickly, but tops are a different story and I just don't need/wear a lot of woven tops. I would also probably become a lot more paranoid about taking good care of the clothes I have; changing into lounge wear at home and not letting the kitties (and their claws!) climb all over me.

What would probably be good for me is getting one great woven item per month since they are the more durable, long term, and investment pieces in my wardrobe. I don't spend much on knits and go through a lot of them. I would probably use the 12 months to get 2 pants, 3 skirts, 3 jackets, 3 dresses, and 1 more skirt, jacket, or dress depending on what I found.

Sihaya

Veteran

I don't buy 2 items most month. My appraoch is to go long periods without buying anything - as I have very little time to go shopping and rarely like to shop online. And when I do go shopping, I buy a whole bunch. So if I were restricted to say a total of 24 items in the year vs. 2 a month, I would have to create a clearer strategy up front of what is missing from my wardrobe that year or what needs renweing. And i would have to hold some items slots in reserve for those things that I instantly fall in love with and must have

Rosie

Veteran

OK, let's make it that you can also shop in seasons or one big yearly haul. Basically, you are just really limited.

Kate's point about knits is a good one. Cheap t's and layering pieces not included in this because they do not last.

Edit: Also, let's assume that your size will remain consistent.

shell

I've sort of had to do this for the last year or so. I was never much of a shopaholic to begin with, so it wasn't such a drastic change. It did teach me how to shop my closet, though, and only buy things I really loved.

I'm a big "like it...but don't love it" gal. This has become my new shopping mantra...and apparently my latest catchphrase, according to the hubby.

I also found that I shopped more out of necessity than want. So, for example, I'd only buy a new pair of jeans to replace the ones with a hole in them rather than buying yet another dress just because it's super cute.

elpgal

Veteran

Rosie, If my size did not change for say 2 years, that would open up a world of possibilities for me. My dominant 'season' is work clothes and if I budgeted for impulse purchases of a coat, 1-2 summer dresses and a pair of sandals, I would not hesitate to plan an entire year of high-quality clothes.

Traci

Veteran

If I think about it rationally, it doesn't seem like it should be that hard. I have a feeling that if I tried to put it into practice, I would be shocked at how hard it would be.

You're talking 6 new items per season. With the overlap of fall/winter and spring/summer, you get some versatility.

I commented on Angie's blog post about investment pieces that I really struggle with investing in pieces because I find that I am not a good judge of whether an item will work for me in a multitude of ways and last forever, until I've had it for a while. Several times I've bought a cheap item, just because it was on sale, not sure how I would wear it, only to find that I reach for it over and over. On the other hand, I've fallen madly in love with items, coughed up the money, and thought I would love them forever, only to wear them once and feel not so fab.

When it comes down to it, I think I only add about 2 items per month that go into heavy rotation in my wardrobe. For some reason, I can't prejudge which two those will be. I think I need to hone this skill.

chewyspaghetti

Veteran

I would really like to get to this point. I'm sick of frantically trying to fill in gaps all the time, so I am working toward this.

Kristine

Veteran

I'd like to shop more this way too. I don't think I could plan for a year ahead because things change, but I could probably plan for a few months in advance. This is sort of how I shop now (short wish list that I work on), only not as focused.

Maya

Veteran

I dunno, perhaps my mom is right and I *am* a shopping addict, but I actually enjoy shopping. It's not just about filling in gaps. I have fun doing it. I would have a very hard and sad time if I couldn't.

Tanya

Veteran

In theory I like the idea very much. But I love shopping and there are constantly new thing coming out that I covet, so I do not think I would be able to do it.

April

Veteran

Ooh, great question. Follow-up question -- does the "two fabulous items per month" refer to clothing only, or are you including shoes, handbags, and jewelry as well, Rosie?

I would say that this would have been impossible for me until very recently. Not because I was always such a shopper, but because I wasn't. I had a horrible wardrobe as a SAHM and grad student, and when I started working full time, I tended to buy clearance-rack statement pieces with no sense of how to fit them into my existing wardrobe. It has taken me nearly two years of YLF advice and input to build a decent, basic wardrobe. But, I have done that. So at this point I say that two fabulous pieces per month would be great.

Of course, since YLF I have become much more of a shopper, so now I might find it harder to stop...

marianne

Interesting question. I think I've been doing something like this for the past 6 months. I don't think I would be able to plan for a whole year, but I have a short list and prioritize every month. It helps that I haven't had much time for shopping lately
Occasionally I would go to a place like H&M and get a couple of fun items - I find that it keeps things from getting too boring.
To Kate's point, I actually am pretty careful with my clothes and wear them for a long time, so it makes sense to have fewer pieces.

Jenava

(website)

Veteran

I prefer to buy higher-quality items and that means I can't buy a lot (although, I DO buy quite a bit! I'm holding back...really!). I like to obsess about an item and think about how fabulous and unique it is, and imagine all the outfits I could make with it before I buy it...otherwise it seems not so special...

Scarlet

Veteran

This is how I shop, and it includes make-up and hair purchases as well. The fear of making a mistake is very stressful. I make plans, but I find I have to remain flexible because when I get set on something very specific I just can't find exactly what I want. For example last winter I decided wool shift dresses and boots with chunky rubber soles would be my uniform but couldn't score either one. I do a lot of browsing to see what's available. I also enjoy checking out other shoppers in the posh or trendy neighborhoods to see what the "street" fashion is up to.

Rosie

Veteran

I love all these responses. I love thinking about shopping this way - I think it would be much better for my budget. I am SUCH an impulse buyer but am getting better. I think I would just have to turn my shopping trips into real quests for the right thing, instead of the just ok thing.

April, ack...I would never survive the two item limit if it included shoes and accessories.

How many pairs of shoes do you all think is reasonable per season? (Assuming that you have some from previous years, too.)

chewyspaghetti

Veteran

I think that if you have a functioning shoe wardrobe, then 1-2 pair per season is reasonable if they are nicer shoes.
This is the first time in a long time that I have any existing clothing/shoes from last year's season that will still fit this year. It's really nice to know that I actually do have some fall/winter boots that I will be able to wear- and can concentrate on one or two more pair that I love.

Rosie

Veteran

Khris, that is great! Congrats.

Flexibility is certainly key. I am sure we have all experienced an intense desire for a specific item only to not be able to find exactly what we are looking for...then you find it when you aren't looking!

Within the plan you'd definitely have to build in some fun, inexpensive items, I think. Sometimes, though, I feel like that is where I waste a lot of my $$.

I would think that an important part of all of this is a really good closet cleanout and assessment.

chewyspaghetti

Veteran

Yep- I just finished with a closet clean out, although i think there will be another big one at the end of summer. I know that I am going to have a hard time this fall. The military look that I love is huge, and means that many items are available in my favorite olive green shade. I do think that I need to pick these up while they are available. But ditsy florals and floaty pieces are also popular, and I feel the same need to hoard those. Luckily, my budget really limits me. I don't use credit cards, so if I can't squeeze the money out of my household budget- it just isn't there.

Rosie

Veteran

I need to not use credit cards...am getting there.

Khris, what about choosing a couple military and ditsy floral pieces that can work together as well as with other stuff? It would be a really cool contrast.

chewyspaghetti

Veteran

Rosie-that's of my plan for my fall wardrobe- to pair the military look with ditsy florals or floaty pieces in muted colors. I found a really adorable floral print tank the other day, and it will look great under my chambray shirt.

Rosie

Veteran

Yay! can't wait to see it.

bj1111

Veteran

Rosie, I know what you mean about impulse shopping. I traveled for vacation preceded by a one day meeting and took only tank tops and jeans! i spent $300 running around about 15 minutes before closing being swayed by the sales associate. Everything is going back! (I'm struggling with my conscience about returning the jacket that i did wear once--but kept the tags on. LOL.)

re OP, if i bunched all my yearlong allowed buys into one trip (24 items), i think i'm into next year's allotment after NAS.

greenglove

(website)

Veteran

Sounds great in theory but from my experience- you have to buy things when you see them. I am not that planned but I do not always buy when I shop- often I just look and get an education. Shopping is very fun for me-I love seeing all the possibilities. There may be months when I do not buy anything but always have an idea of the gaps in my wardrobe or what kind of things I am looking for. I am aiming to buy quality items less often but will always pick up thrifted buys.

Mellllls

Veteran

If I don't buy inexpensive items then I am limited to one or two item a month

Shoes though are different. Esp. if you are a commuter, shoes wear out and I am especially hard on shoes. So they get replaced very often. I haven't found that in terms of durability the more expensive the better. (although Cole Haan air Nike pumps are AMAZING)

londonkiwi (now back in NZ)

Veteran

I know I could do this - it is what I did in New Zealand. Clothes are expensive and there aren't any really cheap but cheerful shops like H&M.

I only shop as much as I do in London because I can go to shops like H&M or Uniqlo and buy pieces of a reasonable quality for bargin prices.

I think that your shoe needs depend on how much commuting you do on foot. If you commute daily (ie don't have access to a car), you go through shoes a lot quicker. Having said that, I have never bought as many shoes in a season as I have this summer and my total is 4:

- black flats
- metallic flat sandals
- pink/coral flat sandals
- blue/grey wedges

This autumn, my black boots will get re-soled and heeled as will my black short boots. I want to add one pair of brown boots - a flat pair and I need a new pair of converse. I have also just bought a pair of red suede Bally shoes on Ebay. I have loved Bally since I was a young teen...

So, if I could only buy two items a month from now, until the end of winter, my list would probably read something like:

August
- New converse
- One set of underwear

September
- A pair of black skinny trousers
- Blazer or new chanel-esque jacket

October
- Brown flat boots
- New fishnets

November
- Jeans - skinnies or kick flares
- Handbag

December
- Coat
- cardigan

January
- Whichever of the Blazer or jacket I didn't get in September
- Another new set of underwear

February
- White or Black shirt
- Light weight scarf

It is much harder if you had to include underware, stockings and socks in the equation.

Lisa

Veteran

I would not be able to go with only one or two items a month. I love the idea of buying only one or two fab pieces that are high quality. But I get bored too easily for that to work. Plus I'm in the middle of both cleaning out the closet and revamping the style at the same time, so I would be miserable plugging along at a slow pace with more things I don't want than do want because I can't revamp as fast. Maybe in the future I will be able to do this better.

RoseandJoan

Veteran

I have a very limited budget so 1 or 2 items a month is the norm for me. Once the money is gone, it's gone so I shop the outlets and sales trying to find the best possible quality. Investment pieces such as boots or coats are nearly always birthday or Christmas presents.

My shopping strategy is partly driven by what my wardrobe needs and partly by what is available. If I do have an unexpected windfall I go to town shopping and go wild.

Polly (thunalata)

Veteran

Fi - wow that's a great list! Hope you get it all!

Mellllls

Veteran

Londonkiwi, that is impressive planning! Do you find resoleing your boots worthwhile. I always get the heels fixed but when the soles go I toss.

I do think the one or two things a month is toatlly doable IF your size is constant and your wardrobe is already complete. If you are in the middle of revamping or something then this wouldn't work. But eventually you will get there.

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