Comments on: A one year ban on shopping http://www.youlookfab.com/2008/05/23/a-one-year-ban-on-shopping/ Free advice from a fashion pro Thu, 04 Dec 2008 00:43:07 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.2.2 By: funny1 http://www.youlookfab.com/2008/05/23/a-one-year-ban-on-shopping/#comment-34116 funny1 Fri, 17 Oct 2008 20:41:19 +0000 http://www.youlookfab.com/2008/05/23/a-one-year-ban-on-shopping/#comment-34116 This is actually easier than most people would think. I can't say I don't shop AT ALL but I almost never buy any NEW items. Just ones that are new to me. I can safely say that I know every thrift store in a 60 mile radius and I know where I'll find things I like and where I will be wasting my time. It takes time to learn this. I am in my early 30's and have been doing this since I was 15. The thing that I really love is when I find a really great buy that looks great on me. If you know your thrift stores you will know where people with money to burn donate their stuff. When I was in highschool it started out of necessity. I mean really what highschool kid has a ton of money to spend on clothes (well not this one)? I found that I could find great jeans easily and then I could justify splurging on a really great top. Besides it is fun to buy $200 jeans for less than $10 (I love 7 for all mankind!). Here is what really sealed the deal for me on this way of shopping...when I started college I took an economics class where we learned about utility. This is the amount of satisfaction you get from an item versus what you paid for it. So basically if you pay $100 for shoes that you love but only wear 4 times (maybe because they hurt your feet?)...you have paid $25 per wearing...how do you feel about that? I personally would be sick. If you buy a pair of shoes that you love at a thrift store for $6 and wear them 4 times it has only cost you $1.50 per wearing...much more palatable. Now take those same shoes and wear them 20 times...$5 per for the expensive shoes, and 30 cents per for the thrift store shoes. Ok so maybe in a way I am cheap...And I admit that I probably am. Now that I have a son and daycare to pay this is once again a necessity. I really will not pay store prices for anything except socks underwear and bras. And those things I try to buy on sale. But it really streches my budget and if I find something that I really can't live without, usually a great accessory, I can justify buying it. I am sort of in the same place as Jayne right now. I too have "cleaned house". I spent the last year with the great majority of my belongings (clothes, household, everything) in storage due to a housing adventure. I discovered that there were about 4 items that I really missed and wished I could wear. Anything I didn't remember I had I sent to a thrift store I don't shop at. I agree it is great to look in the closet and know that I wear EVERYTHING in there. I am very proud of the fact that I have downsized from 70+ pairs of shoes to less than 30. I know it is still alot but hey that is a HUGE step! Maybe you can't do it for a year but try it for a month. Maybe you will learn some things about your shopping habits and in this time of economic crisis learning to cut corners may not be such a bad thing. This is actually easier than most people would think. I can’t say I don’t shop AT ALL but I almost never buy any NEW items. Just ones that are new to me. I can safely say that I know every thrift store in a 60 mile radius and I know where I’ll find things I like and where I will be wasting my time. It takes time to learn this. I am in my early 30’s and have been doing this since I was 15. The thing that I really love is when I find a really great buy that looks great on me. If you know your thrift stores you will know where people with money to burn donate their stuff. When I was in highschool it started out of necessity. I mean really what highschool kid has a ton of money to spend on clothes (well not this one)? I found that I could find great jeans easily and then I could justify splurging on a really great top. Besides it is fun to buy $200 jeans for less than $10 (I love 7 for all mankind!). Here is what really sealed the deal for me on this way of shopping…when I started college I took an economics class where we learned about utility. This is the amount of satisfaction you get from an item versus what you paid for it. So basically if you pay $100 for shoes that you love but only wear 4 times (maybe because they hurt your feet?)…you have paid $25 per wearing…how do you feel about that? I personally would be sick. If you buy a pair of shoes that you love at a thrift store for $6 and wear them 4 times it has only cost you $1.50 per wearing…much more palatable. Now take those same shoes and wear them 20 times…$5 per for the expensive shoes, and 30 cents per for the thrift store shoes. Ok so maybe in a way I am cheap…And I admit that I probably am. Now that I have a son and daycare to pay this is once again a necessity. I really will not pay store prices for anything except socks underwear and bras. And those things I try to buy on sale. But it really streches my budget and if I find something that I really can’t live without, usually a great accessory, I can justify buying it. I am sort of in the same place as Jayne right now. I too have “cleaned house”. I spent the last year with the great majority of my belongings (clothes, household, everything) in storage due to a housing adventure. I discovered that there were about 4 items that I really missed and wished I could wear. Anything I didn’t remember I had I sent to a thrift store I don’t shop at. I agree it is great to look in the closet and know that I wear EVERYTHING in there. I am very proud of the fact that I have downsized from 70+ pairs of shoes to less than 30. I know it is still alot but hey that is a HUGE step! Maybe you can’t do it for a year but try it for a month. Maybe you will learn some things about your shopping habits and in this time of economic crisis learning to cut corners may not be such a bad thing.

]]> By: Jayne http://www.youlookfab.com/2008/05/23/a-one-year-ban-on-shopping/#comment-25671 Jayne Mon, 30 Jun 2008 06:33:41 +0000 http://www.youlookfab.com/2008/05/23/a-one-year-ban-on-shopping/#comment-25671 I used to be a bit of a hoarder (maybe I can wear it for a fancy dress party! If I lose 15lb!), but I got really aggressive last year and donated at least half a dozen heavy-duty trash bags' worth of stuff I didn't need. At the moment my daytime wardrobe is 4 black dresses, 4 colored dresses, a couple of cardigans and scarves, 2 handbags, a pair of ballet flats, a coat, 4 knee-length skirts (2 jersey, 2 silk) and 2 plain t-shirts (plus a cocktail dress and evening bag). I put on a bit of weight recently (stressful job, no time to eat healthy food) so really, only about half of it fits me! But it is nice to look into my wardrobe and know that everything is classic and stylish and matches. I only need to shop if something wears out (I go through black cardigans all the time - they always pill on one side because of the way I hold by handbag! And I learnt the hard way not to buy expensive shoes because I walk EVERYWHERE and wear them out in a month or two) and hopefully, now that I'm working from home and eating better, I'll be able to fit into everything soon! I love looking at fashion magazines and shop windows, but realistically I know most of the stuff (anoraks/shapeless tunics/leggings) do nothing for my figure and should be left to 15-year-olds with gazelle legs. I love your practical tips on wardrobe organization! It is so true that a well-edited collection of timeless clothes makes life much less stressful. I used to be a bit of a hoarder (maybe I can wear it for a fancy dress party! If I lose 15lb!), but I got really aggressive last year and donated at least half a dozen heavy-duty trash bags’ worth of stuff I didn’t need. At the moment my daytime wardrobe is 4 black dresses, 4 colored dresses, a couple of cardigans and scarves, 2 handbags, a pair of ballet flats, a coat, 4 knee-length skirts (2 jersey, 2 silk) and 2 plain t-shirts (plus a cocktail dress and evening bag). I put on a bit of weight recently (stressful job, no time to eat healthy food) so really, only about half of it fits me! But it is nice to look into my wardrobe and know that everything is classic and stylish and matches. I only need to shop if something wears out (I go through black cardigans all the time - they always pill on one side because of the way I hold by handbag! And I learnt the hard way not to buy expensive shoes because I walk EVERYWHERE and wear them out in a month or two) and hopefully, now that I’m working from home and eating better, I’ll be able to fit into everything soon! I love looking at fashion magazines and shop windows, but realistically I know most of the stuff (anoraks/shapeless tunics/leggings) do nothing for my figure and should be left to 15-year-olds with gazelle legs. I love your practical tips on wardrobe organization! It is so true that a well-edited collection of timeless clothes makes life much less stressful.

]]> By: Adiel http://www.youlookfab.com/2008/05/23/a-one-year-ban-on-shopping/#comment-24506 Adiel Wed, 28 May 2008 22:09:13 +0000 http://www.youlookfab.com/2008/05/23/a-one-year-ban-on-shopping/#comment-24506 Funny, I just kind of challenged myself not to shop all summer. Clothing swaps and trips to the seamstress are great ideas that I hadn't thought of. They just might help me reach my goal. Funny, I just kind of challenged myself not to shop all summer. Clothing swaps and trips to the seamstress are great ideas that I hadn’t thought of. They just might help me reach my goal.

]]> By: joelle http://www.youlookfab.com/2008/05/23/a-one-year-ban-on-shopping/#comment-24489 joelle Wed, 28 May 2008 16:41:14 +0000 http://www.youlookfab.com/2008/05/23/a-one-year-ban-on-shopping/#comment-24489 With the exception of undies, I probably could go for a year without buying any new clothes at all. I'm on a diet and exercise regimen right now to lose some weight, but even if my figure changes significantly most of my things will still fit because I wear a lot of knits with some stretch in them. And I'm pretty handy with needle and thread so I can alter or repair the items that need it. With the exception of undies, I probably could go for a year without buying any new clothes at all. I’m on a diet and exercise regimen right now to lose some weight, but even if my figure changes significantly most of my things will still fit because I wear a lot of knits with some stretch in them. And I’m pretty handy with needle and thread so I can alter or repair the items that need it.

]]> By: Cedar http://www.youlookfab.com/2008/05/23/a-one-year-ban-on-shopping/#comment-24449 Cedar Tue, 27 May 2008 17:26:13 +0000 http://www.youlookfab.com/2008/05/23/a-one-year-ban-on-shopping/#comment-24449 You know, if we're keeping by the author's rules, I could easily do it, as I do most of my shopping at used clothing stores. But if it was no new clothing purchases, period, I couldn't do it right now. I've recently lost some weight, and I'm slowly rebuilding some of my basics--I only have one pair of pants that really fit me. Maybe in a month or two, I'll set a shorter deadline for myself, and see if I can pull it off. You know, if we’re keeping by the author’s rules, I could easily do it, as I do most of my shopping at used clothing stores. But if it was no new clothing purchases, period, I couldn’t do it right now. I’ve recently lost some weight, and I’m slowly rebuilding some of my basics–I only have one pair of pants that really fit me. Maybe in a month or two, I’ll set a shorter deadline for myself, and see if I can pull it off.

]]> By: Joy http://www.youlookfab.com/2008/05/23/a-one-year-ban-on-shopping/#comment-24407 Joy Mon, 26 May 2008 21:55:25 +0000 http://www.youlookfab.com/2008/05/23/a-one-year-ban-on-shopping/#comment-24407 If you need to pick up something new (to you) for your wardrobe and lack the funds, I highly recommend trying the thrift stores. In my area the Goodwill stores tend to keep what is donated at that store, so it pays to go to the Goodwill shops in more wealthy neighborhoods for many of the brands I see on this site. This weekend I bought several Ann Taylor items, including a velvet skirt for 99 cents with its matching top. Often things haven't been worn at all. I bought two new pairs of summer wedge sandals for $3.59 and last summer's Eileen Fisher linen duster for $4.99. If you want vintage, go to the thrift shops near where more older people live. It takes lots of looking, but that's the fun of the hunt. Just make sure there are no holes, stains, etc. At most places there are fitting rooms to try things on. Goodwill lets you make returns with receipt for a week. They take credit cards. I have gone a year purposefully not buying anything new. I like the idea of allowing purchase of used clothing. Wearing the same brown dress everyday sounds really hard. Wearing black pants everyday might be an interesting challenge. If you need to pick up something new (to you) for your wardrobe and lack the funds, I highly recommend trying the thrift stores. In my area the Goodwill stores tend to keep what is donated at that store, so it pays to go to the Goodwill shops in more wealthy neighborhoods for many of the brands I see on this site. This weekend I bought several Ann Taylor items, including a velvet skirt for 99 cents with its matching top. Often things haven’t been worn at all. I bought two new pairs of summer wedge sandals for $3.59 and last summer’s Eileen Fisher linen duster for $4.99.
If you want vintage, go to the thrift shops near where more older people live.
It takes lots of looking, but that’s the fun of the hunt. Just make sure there are no holes, stains, etc. At most places there are fitting rooms to try things on. Goodwill lets you make returns with receipt for a week. They take credit cards.
I have gone a year purposefully not buying anything new. I like the idea of allowing purchase of used clothing. Wearing the same brown dress everyday sounds really hard. Wearing black pants everyday might be an interesting challenge.

]]> By: Fendi bag lady? « Sabbatical http://www.youlookfab.com/2008/05/23/a-one-year-ban-on-shopping/#comment-24393 Fendi bag lady? « Sabbatical Mon, 26 May 2008 13:22:16 +0000 http://www.youlookfab.com/2008/05/23/a-one-year-ban-on-shopping/#comment-24393 [...] I read this entry on You Look Fab! about Anna Shepherd of British Vogue who imposed a one year shopping ban for [...] […] I read this entry on You Look Fab! about Anna Shepherd of British Vogue who imposed a one year shopping ban for […]

]]> By: jasmine http://www.youlookfab.com/2008/05/23/a-one-year-ban-on-shopping/#comment-24379 jasmine Sun, 25 May 2008 23:42:21 +0000 http://www.youlookfab.com/2008/05/23/a-one-year-ban-on-shopping/#comment-24379 I'm thinking about it esp since I"ve been shopping a lot lately. But I'm graduating in about a year and will be interviewing throughout this academic year so the idea of not buying anything at all will be hard. Also, I KNOW I will need a new pair of workout shoes (soon!) sigh. but maybe I should try? I’m thinking about it esp since I”ve been shopping a lot lately. But I’m graduating in about a year and will be interviewing throughout this academic year so the idea of not buying anything at all will be hard. Also, I KNOW I will need a new pair of workout shoes (soon!) sigh. but maybe I should try?

]]> By: biscuitx http://www.youlookfab.com/2008/05/23/a-one-year-ban-on-shopping/#comment-24378 biscuitx Sun, 25 May 2008 23:26:40 +0000 http://www.youlookfab.com/2008/05/23/a-one-year-ban-on-shopping/#comment-24378 Renee, Best wishes to you and I think you've earned a pass on this challenge. Go buy yourself some pretty things, you deserve it! Glad you are still with us! no you dont know me but I wanted to send you some support! Go shine on your fabulous self. peace and love, biscuitx Renee,

Best wishes to you and I think you’ve earned a pass on this challenge. Go buy yourself some pretty things, you deserve it! Glad you are still with us!

no you dont know me but I wanted to send you some support! Go shine on your fabulous self.

peace and love, biscuitx

]]> By: Yvonne http://www.youlookfab.com/2008/05/23/a-one-year-ban-on-shopping/#comment-24370 Yvonne Sun, 25 May 2008 11:20:14 +0000 http://www.youlookfab.com/2008/05/23/a-one-year-ban-on-shopping/#comment-24370 I have to agree with Nicole. I have done more shopping lately trying to revamp my worn out closet than I have done in years. Certain items I hate to shop for since I find it hard to fit. (Shoes, bras, jeans, coats). So, I am finding it fun to shop now but it is getting costly to do it all at once. Love your tips Angie! I have to agree with Nicole. I have done more shopping lately trying to revamp my worn out closet than I have done in years. Certain items I hate to shop for since I find it hard to fit. (Shoes, bras, jeans, coats). So, I am finding it fun to shop now but it is getting costly to do it all at once. Love your tips Angie!

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