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When do you replace basics?

Laura (rhubarbgirl)

(website)

Veteran

I''m trying to put together a list of desired purchases for 2014 and tie to them to particular months/seasons of the year, as it occurred to me that certain things are easier to find in certain months, and then some can be found on clearance at certain times. Kinda like Angie's post about refreshing undergarments twice a year. My list isn't very long so far, here's what I've got:
underthings: March, October (no real economic reason , it's just my birthday month and then 6 months out)
jeans: late spring (when everyone's buying for summer and they're on sale?), lead-up to Christmas
coats: early fall for best selection, spring for discounts

Do you have any tips about when things are the best deal, or when it's most convenient to replace a type of item?

Shopping

15 replies

Latest reply was from rute

April

Veteran

Ha -- I wish it were so systematic. Most of my true, everyday basics (underwear, bras, and camis) get replaced when they lose their elasticity.

Well-fitting jeans are such an elusive creature that they must be purchased without question wherever and whenever they are discovered. No waiting for sales, no waiting until you "need" jeans.

The only thing I've truly found a good season for is coats. In January and later, it's possible to get great coats at steep discounts, though you run the risk that your size will be gone.

lyn*

(website)

Veteran

Undies - I replace once every 3 years or so, mostly because I'm cheap.
Jeans - I replace every two years because I hardly get to wear them
Pumps - I replace when the cobbler frowns and tells me to pitch em.
Tights - Annually; I buy the previous year when they are marked down.

Mo

(website)

Veteran

Honestly, I tried the jeans and coats in winter, dresses in spring, etc, last year and it sort of fell apart mid way through. A lot of things are seasonal, but with online and discount shopping you can find out of season deals so it mucks up the order a bit (Spiegel leather jacket in August anyone??)
I have a white racerback tank on order now in January, come to think of it. shrug.
I have put all my basics at the bottom of my shopping list in a separate category (did this last year, too) and replace as I find them.

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Caro in Oz

Veteran

I agree with April. I wouldn't wait to buy any basics on sale. If I need them I make sure they are there & ready to go whether that's jeans or tights or underwear.

DonnaF

Veteran

Generally, Nordstrom's BP camisoles are my favorite, with the more expensive Halogen ones coming in a distant second. I put my favorite colors on my Wish List and wait for a sale. If I really needed a color, I suppose I would buy it at full price as $12 (vs. $8 or whatever) isn't going to break me!

I put other things on Wish Lists, too, and just watch the prices. I had my exercise shoes listed for over a year and finally bit the full price bullet after my old shoes developed a hole. And then the shoes FINALLY went on sale for 40% off. So now I have a back-up pair on the way.

Certain underwear and the lingerie wash goes on sale during NAS. However, you may be able to find better undergarment prices elsewhere, like on Amazon. Last year, I think the lingerie was was discounted 50%.

Mia

Veteran

I do workout wear in the New Year to go with the desire I have to get back to a routine including regular exercise. Usually good stock available.

Most basics I buy at full price when selection comes in so as not to be disappointed later.

Elly

Veteran

Bras I replace each year when we visit SO's family in Arizona (because I get to go to Intimacy! and get fitted) turns out they last me a year with 3 or 4 in rotation.

Undies get replaced every two years on average-- I keep an eye out for raveling lace and loss of their stretch properties. Socks generally get replaced when they sag or are stained/faded or thin.

I usually buy tees twice a year (a few rotating in and out a year) fall for l/s, summer for s/s.

Everything else gets replaced as it gets worn out or I find a special piece or deal.

Isabel

Veteran

I also buy basics as I need them. But I need to get better at reviewing them, as Angie does. She recently wrote about it. To the left of her post is a list of other posts regarding basics and having a strategy. : )

http://youlookfab.com/2014/01/.....sh-basics/

Carla

Veteran

I audit undergarments in February and make purchases accordingly. Nothing else is regimented.

Anonymous

Mostly I replace as needed. Basic knitwear gets replaced once a year...tanks in the spring, turtlenecks and long-sleeved tees in the fall.
I used to replace at end of season sales, but now am trying to wait until the beginning of a season because I may be interested in different colors or silhouettes then.

Laura (rhubarbgirl)

(website)

Veteran

Isabel, thanks for the link - Angie's post must have been the one that got me thinking about this. Of course, it makes sense to replace things right away if they fail, or periodically for things that you may let go too long like bras and underwear.

It occurs to me that aside from seasonal stuff you can pretty much get what you want all the time, now. What changes is of course, slight style shifts, and the sales/clearance cycle.

I've got plenty of clothes right now, so I guess I'm figuring out how to buy more strategically, and less scattershot. I've never really been that good with using a wishlist, for example, and then buying from it - I tend to be an impulsive shopper or driven by deals/bargains.

fern

Veteran

New Year's underwear!
I guess I like the symbolism: In with the new, out with the old... except I throw out the old as I decide it's too stretched out during the year.

Laura (rhubarbgirl)

(website)

Veteran

I like that idea, Fern! I've read advice that if you travel a lot, to keep your nearly worn out undies to take on a trip, planning to discard them as you go. Never done it myself, and the idea of leaving a trail of old undies in the trash in your wake seems a little weird, honestly.

Gigi

Veteran

You are all too good! I don't replenish my basics until they're literally falling apart (underwear, socks) or are so stretched out I'm embarrassed to wear them (bras). Oh well, I guess I am RATE in more ways than one!

rute

Veteran

I'm with April, when I find a good pair of jeans I buy it, it's worth full price!
Coats in January.
knitwear in January (here after Christmas we have the best sales).