What's your shopping strategy for Spring? - YouLookFab Forum

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What's your shopping strategy for Spring?

nancylee

Veteran

Now that we've turned the corner on the new year, I'm starting to think about spring and how to plan my purchases. For me, spring/summer is a difficult season to buy for--it's SO hard to find flattering fashionable options that keep you cool in the extreme heat--so I start to panic ahead of time! I really, really need a better, more workable, and cohesive warm weather wardrobe, but I'm not sure how to approach it.

Part of me wants to immediately buy anything I see that might work for the next season. Another part thinks it's better to wait until all the options are out there.

Any advice or successful strategies for shopping the new season?

Shopping

22 replies

Latest reply was from texstyle

kimlee

Veteran

Nancylee, like you my first instinct is hit the mall and snatch up everything that I see. But this year, I have decided to take a different approach. Right now, I am compling an "inspiration" folder - looks for spring that I would like copy. Then I am going thru my spring wardrobe to see what I have to make the look and what I am missing. The missing items are going on a list, then I devote some time each day to "shopping" at my favorite retailers (via internet) to see if I can find the items. Then I note that on my list. Then comes the waiting to see if the items go on sale....or if I can find a better price, etc.

It's hard but I think this stragety will work for me this year.

chewyspaghetti

Veteran

Since most of my summer items no longer fit and summer is my predominant season; I am trying every loose woven sleeveless dress in a natural fabric that I come across this spring. Our winter has been so mild that temps in the 90's by March wouldn't surprise me at all.

Jonesy

Veteran

Fall and winter are my dominant seasons, and in the summer I tend to dress very casually, so my strategy is to buy stuff that is versatile and that works with my very casual summer lifestyle (i.e., no fancy spring dresses that are so cute but that become orphans!). I am loving all of the trends right now, so I hope to get on that bandwagon (hello, patterned pants!).

Mo

(website)

Veteran

I have a list mocked up already. It started with abstracts as I planned out how to keep an updated wardrobe without having to do a major overhaul every 5 or so years.
So I figured 8 tops a year, 2 pants, 2 dresses, 4 shoes, etc. Broke that down into S/S and F/W seasons. Then I got specific. 2 dresses became a long sleeve flowy print tunic dress and a jersery active day dress. 2 shorts became specifically 4" active water sports shorts and black bermudas. 2 shoes went from sandal/heel and flats to nude pumps and MoHop sandals.
Anyway, you get the idea. I am also going to do my best to keep the one in one out principle. The hitch is that I am now SYC until I get a job, which I am hoping will be one of my previous ones at a golf course starting around April or at least by my birthday in May. The mountain weather will still be cool then anyway. So no hurry for my purchases. Summer wear isn't necessary until late May at the very soonest.

modgrl

(website)

Veteran

Availability and selection in my size is very limited. I have to BBQ or it is gone. Seriously, I am already looking at summer clothes right now. It is so hard to get motivated to buy for 6 months from now when it is zero degrees outside but that is what I have to do.

modgrl

(website)

Veteran

Oh yeah, and now that I dropped serious money on my wardrobe overhaul last year, I want to do some other things this year like save for a summer vacation, new drapes, redecorate my living room... I have to decide how I am going to allocate my budget this year.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

My strategy, such as it is, is to listen to Angie!

I'm also going to take a long hard look at what I have and analyze what's missing. I find it difficult to look like "me" without my third piece (usually a jacket) but in summer I can't wear them very often. So I'm not sure how to deal with that dilemma. Great accessories may be key, including footwear.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

*chuckle*

Suz, you are a sweetheart.

I have to be very careful from now till July and not fall into the trap of buying things that are just too cold to wear. It takes a long time to warm up in Seattle, and it's never very hot. I have to inject Spring newness in a warm way.

ironkurtin

Veteran

I live where it is very hot 75% of the year and I buy mostly linen and sheer cotton and layer. Almost all of my tops are white linen, either jersey or woven. I wear white tanks with a bra in under, and then layer linen vests or sweaters over. All of my pants for summer are very lightweight cotton or linen. I find you can dress this formula up or down and be crisp or flowy as desired. However, note that I do not mind wrinkles in linen at all, because I love texture. Linen jersey does not wrinkle, if wrinkles *do* bother you.

So I guess my strategy is to keep on looking for linen...

Lisa

Veteran

I found last year that dresses kept me cooler in hotter days than separate pieces. Less cling! I am on the lookout for dresses that are machine washable and can be layered with cardigans or blazers for the office and also casual enough for weekends.

One thing I learned from tracking my clothes last year, I live in 4 seasons and versatility is key. I am keeping in mind that new wardrobe items have to be versatile. If I purchase too many items that only work for 1 season they will sit unworn for the other 3. This has to include prints and colors not just the fabrics.

Since my wardrobe has been overhauled entirely in the past two years I am only looking for a handful of new items for spring and summer. I'm keeping the number to one hand counting, 5 for spring and 5 for summer. I already started the slow process of pairing up my clothes into outfit combinations for spring to identify wardrobe holes. I'm giving myself 4 wardrobe hole items and 1 impulse item for my shopping. I plan to do the same for my summer wardrobe.

fauxpas

I love hearing everyone's strategy and think they are all so smart! I know, for me, I can easily get ahead of myself so I do try to note the 'top 10" items I should have (from a trusted, worthy source like Angie) so that I have a guide. Because I know if I buy them I will want to wear them, I do look for things that have some wear NOW and later. This helps me determine if the price is right---think "cost per wear". Maybe it's the "list maker" in me but I like to have a list of what I need---it makes the "hunt" so much more fun and the "kill" even sweeter!

Aziraphale

Veteran

We don't get extreme heat in Vancouver, so my spring/summer shopping is not fraught. The handful of times I've been anywhere truly hot, I thought I was going to die. How do you hot-climate gals DO it? Look stylish in the heat, I mean? I quickly because a sweaty, sticky mess.

My strategy for this spring is to acquire a pair of shorts. I have zero pairs of shorts at the moment (not sure how that happened) but I like them, and they're useful. Other than that, I'm trying not to buy much. I'm pretty happy with my spring/summer wardrobe, so unless I fall madly in love with something, I think I'm OK for now.

Anonymous

Sigh. Life has thrust a Draconian budget upon me this spring. Until things change, I will shop vicariously through all of you.

So don't let me down, girls! spend spend spend!

qfbrenda

Veteran

I'm set for skirts since I bought a few last year. I also got a decent pair of sandles that I love. But because I was desperate for anything that would work, a couple of the cheap tops I grabbed last summer could use replacing.

My main issues with summer are 1) it's very short and not that hot, and 2) summer colors aren't generally MY colors.

So my goals are:

nude pumps/heels
2-3 summer tops in my best colors: navy, black, red, maroon, white, purple
cropped denim jacket for over dresses
2 summer dresses

Kappy

Veteran

Hmmm, well it's 62F here now so maybe spring has already started, LOL. I'm just trying to wear my boots as much as possible before warm weather hits. We don't have much of a "spring" because it heats up so quickly. Warm weather dressing is my "dominant" season, but I don't like it at all. Maybe if I develop some sort of "strategy" I wouldn't crinkle my nose up at it so much. I would like to find better looking/fitting shorts than I used last year. I like them right at my knee and slim-fitting (and I'm tall and plus-sized) so it's impossible to find them. I may try buying some too short jeans/pants and have them shortened.

ButterflyLady

(website)

Veteran

Oooh, I actually have a strategy this year. I was shopping today (just cosmetic/skincare type items) and I noticed that some spring stock is available. I did have a little browse, but I'm not buying until most stores have their stock in.

Unless I see a summer dress I like - I tried all last summer to find a dress in a print I liked and a shape that suited me, and didn't find one. If I try one I like, even if it's in February, I'm buying!

I live in the UK - last year, 'summer' was in April, with temps in the 80s (that's hot for us!). I run warm anyway, so I need a small-ish collection of hot weather clothes - which will also be summer holiday clothes - this year we will probably be at Disney in Orlando again, so it will be hot. The rest of the time, spring clothes are fine for our climate - lighter, fresher colours, and only light layers. I am thinking about what wardrobe holes I have, and when I get a chance I will sort through my spring/summer clothes and work out what I need - sometimes I find it helps to see other people wearing (posting?!) their warm weather outfits, to inspire me.

goldenpig

(website)

Veteran

Ditto what Angie said, SF is like Seattle, pretty much fall-like weather year round. I don't have much in my wardrobe that would be considered only "spring" or "summer" pieces but I can wear the stuff I have year-round. So I'll be interested in seeing how to make my warmer pieces more spring-like, maybe try brighter colors, white, etc.

sarah

Veteran

I feel like I finally became comfortable with summer dressing last year, so I've identified some important holes to fill. I will start with:

white clams (the ones I have bag in the butt)
white skinnies (the ones I have don't fit well in the waist)
short-sleeve blouses (so I don't beat myself up about not looking good in tees)
fun colored oxfords! (per Angie's list this morning)

After that, I'll wait and see how the trends shake out.

rae

(website)

Veteran

I don't have too much left to buy for hot weather, so my strategy is just to see if any of the Spring offerings speak to me as UWP officewear.

Tha patterned pants Angie mentioned a while ago are on my mind - I hope to see them popping up soon!

My strategies for looking like "me" when it's too hot to layer (this is what drove me to start becoming active on YLF!);
- statement belts
- colorful bags
- "me" sandals
- a couple airy dresses
- sun hats
- sunglasses

nancylee

Veteran

Thanks everyone. It's fun to hear everyone's different strategies. This is helping me focus!

Suz, I hear you on the difficulty of dressing without that "third piece" in the summer. I miss my jackets and scarves when it's hot!

elisabeth....the answer to "how do we hot-weather girls look stylish in the heat?" is that many of us don't! But I'm hoping to turn that around this year.

It's so interesting to hear from those of you who have short or coolish summer. I am so envious. GP, I want to move to San Francisco. Fall temps year-round sounds like heaven to me.

Jjsloane

Veteran

I am team Wear Now so while I enjoy seeing the new things out and about I am not tempted by much if I can't wear it for months. Although I did keep more of my "summer" tops in my closet this year instead of packing them away so I can layer and I'm hoping it reminds me that I have quite a lot of good items and I only need a few refreshers. I know I tossed some beloved shoes at the end of last summer so will need to find replacements, I need a summer suit for work, but the rest I'll make my list once it's closer to wearing time. And of course listen to Angie and see what everyone else here buys/tries and likes.

texstyle

(website)

Veteran

We have summer for about half the year. It's going to be 80 today. So...buying for spring/summer is really a year round endeavor, even though it will freeze again this month and next I'm sure - it's on/off again.

My spring/summer plan has already started. I wanted a light weight white jacket to layer when I step into the cold AC so I'm trying a white jean style jacket from AE and maybe a linen blend blazer from Nordstrom. I ordered a short sleeve white sort of peasant style blouse from the Gap, and a very light weight navy on white thin striped tee from AE. And I'm looking for summer loafers (something that breathes, not heavy leather). Sleeveless tops in breathable fabric are always on my list but often hard to find. Who wears all that polyester anyway?

I'd also like a few more necklaces and maybe a fun summer handbag in a bright color. Maybe orange! And the perfect summer dress would be nice.