Delayed gratification: Be a smarter shopper

[spinster]

I'm on a mission to be a more responsible consumer. I drive an evironmentally-friendly car, I recycle and compost, I try not to generate too much waste. Now, comes the hardest part: not buying so many clothes/shoes.

Of the people in my life, the ones with the best style shop the least. They work with what they have and they usually come out looking really great. Perhaps it's because they radiate more contentedness because they're not in debt! But I know it's also because they're forced to be more creative.

I've read articles that teach you to buy less by buying quality pieces that will last longer and, since they're more "special" will stand the test of time better than cheaper, trendier pieces.

I'm thinking of scaling back on buying retail and, instead, attend sample sales, outlet stores, and, of course, flea markets. But I'm afraid I will trick myself into thinking that since I'm saving money, I can buy more, which totally defeats the purpose!

Do you have any success stories about being a better/smarter shopper? How have you resisted the temptation to shop til you drop?

 

[andrew]

I only buy things on sale. Also, I never impulse buy: I always go into a store (online or otherwise) with a particular garment in mind (like a brown casual jacket or a shiny black pair of pants) and look for something that fits my ideal.

 

[Diorling]

Im doing the same, really scaling back, concentrating on one-of-a-kind collectors pieces rather than the mainstream.

My first purchase to kick off this venture is the Burberry sequin cardigan, I have to try it on but Im def interested in it. I could wear it forever...I hope...

I rarely impulse shop, when I feel the impulse I step back and think about it. I love Century 21, so many amazing pieces...Ugh, way too much, Im definately going to more sample sales. Im getting all giddy with the idea of my new wardrobe.

 

[fashionista-ta]

I can tell you what I do, but I have to admit that since I started shopping this way, I have started spending more On the bright side, I have a much better wardrobe than before and never feel I have "nothing to wear"

So what I do is I have a plan each season. I have a color scheme, I have a key piece to kick the whole thing off, and I acquire the following:

• 2-3 pairs of shoes
• 1 new bag if needed (this season I'm carrying the bag I bought last spring)
• A new outfit (which may incorporate an item I already owned), including key piece
• 1 pair jeans
• One item to facilitate outfits from items in my existing wardrobe--this season it was a 3/4 sleeve ivory sweater
• A new watch or watch band or repair a watch I already own
• A new piece of jewelry (earrings, necklace, ring)
• Any new lingerie and/or PJs I need
• In the fall, new hosiery (bare legs in the summer)
• New haircut
• New makeup (a few things to go with the color scheme--a lipgloss, lipstick, blush, eyeshadow, as needed)
• Any necessary repairs/alterations to things I already own. I look at what I have that works with my planned seasonal "capsule" wardrobe, and as necessary drop things off at the tailor, shoe repair, watch repair, etc.

I have a notebook where I keep my shopping list, and each month I identify what I'm going to buy the next month. Sometimes I make an "impulse" buy, but even so it generally fits into the framework of my plan. I also keep a big manila envelope for each season (spring and fall) and I write down every purchase (or freebie) related to that season and pop the tags and receipts inside. Very handy for returns or when the dry cleaner ruins something I don't include "maintenance" items, just the items on the list above. Like for example, mascara doesn't count unless I bought some special mascara specifically to help create the look I'm going for.

I also keep an inspiration board--some stuff I actually intend to buy, some stuff that's just meant to represent color or an idea. I take almost every American fashion magazine ... they're a source of ideas and sometimes I see specific items that I then hunt for and buy.

What all this prevents is buying the same thing over and over. This approach ensures you're doing something new and different. Oh, I also look at all the runway pix, and some of these end up on my board. I generally pick some themes from the season to incorporate, like for fall I'll be doing red, patent, knit dressing, probably layering, probably some leggings (which no one here is wearing yet) ...

Hope this helps

(Also check out minimalist wardrobe and French wardrobe threads)

 

[allegra]

I'm trying to be careful about buying something just because it's on sale. In the past, I've bought things that I ended up never wearing because I felt like it was too good a deal to pass up.

 

[punkie]

God, I could learn a lot from this thread. I don`t have the greatest pieces. Infact, I gave away tons of summer shirts/blouses and kept the basics just recently. I have become such a bad shopper that the things I buy I don`t end up wearing often because I am not shopping SMART. I have been an impulse buyer from the start. Now, I want to hear what everyone does to buy the right pieces.

 

[fashionista-ta]

I know what you mean, allegra ... I've done that a couple times but it makes me so mad I stopped

I think the keys to bringing home the right pieces are patience (including willingness to go home with nothing if you didn't find the right piece), and developing your eye, so you're sure it's the right piece when you see it.

 

[dsq]

I only buy things i like, whether it's on sale or not. Since there are not a lot of things that pick up my interest; I usually don't end up buying a lot of things anyways.

 

[salomelovesjohn]

Wow, great tips Fashionista-ta!

I keep a running list of items to buy myself, some are basics, i.e. new pair of black lined dress pants, some are more open, i.e. a printed shirt w/black and brown for work.

Shopping only at sales is what I'm used to but I find that I have to be very careful not to just buy things because they are cheap - so I've been looking at non-sale items too lately.

I try to pull out new looks for work and going out and come up with any missing gaps - i.e. things I'm not wearing because they need something else. Similarly, I look for items that work within my existing wardrobe or that I can incorporate assuming I buy only 1-2 other things as well. I also look for things with punch that liven up what I already have.

I've recently become obsessed with fit - and am focused on finding clothes that fit great or a tailor to take them too.

 

[fashionista-ta]

I only buy things i like, whether it's on sale or not. Since there are not a lot of things that pick up my interest; I usually don't end up buying a lot of things anyways.

That's true ... it really "helps" to be picky

And thanks, salome

 

[thesiren]

i just impulse bought a pair of shoes on ebay. =/

this thread came too late.

that said, i have been getting better at not buying crap, but not insanely good. i'll wander into anthropolgie and buy $300 worth of stuff that i wouldn't have bought/wanted had i not walked in. it's really sick. a few of those trips add up to a great bag, which really breaks my heart. i'm also TERRIBLE when going on trips. i almost ALways buy all new pj's, underwear, and at least a few seperates and a pair of shoes. that's really not needed.

right now on my list of things are:
-two pairs of jeans (need them for fall anyway since i live in three pairs, two of which i don't particularly care for the washes)
-bras (because once you switch to better bras, there's no going back and old ones feel like garbage!)
-perfect v-neck t-shirts (hanes just aren't cutting it...too rough and icky!)

i'm leaving on a trip in a week and i'm DETERMINED to ONLY buy the above for my trip.

 

[allegra]

Keep your receipts. Many stores will allow you to return things for at least a couple of months, sometimes as long as 6. Keep tags on new things until you wear them, in case you change your mind.

And if something doesn't hold up at all (it's happened to me a few times, mainly with things from J Crew), if you keep your receipt you should be able to get a full refund. Without it, you'll probably get the current price, and it may have been marked down a lot.

 

[travis_nw8]

. I also keep a big manila envelope for each season (spring and fall) and I write down every purchase (or freebie) related to that season and pop the tags and receipts inside. Very handy for returns or when the dry cleaner ruins something

i thought i was the only one with envelopes full of receipts and tags...

 

[anitalilac]

me too, I have an envelope full of reciepts, I only take out the labels and price tag until I am sure it looks good on what I currently have and about to wear it. I don't have a lot of times in the dressing rooms to think and try that many stuff.I don't have anybody to take care of my daughters, so when I go shopping, it is with my 2 yrs old (the 6 and 4 is at school) and she really loves running....Once I get it at home , then I would think about it and try it on with my other current items.
But before that I write a list of stuff to buy and take it from there.

 

[softgrey]

spinster!!
great thread...
great ideas...
i'll try to think of some and come back!

 

[i_<3_chanel]

alot my wardrobe was bought 'on sale'
why pay full price?
almost all the items were retailing for full price abt a fortnight before.
a little bit of patience pays off. ;]
& it gives you time to test whether you really want the piece . . .
can you wait . . or was it just an impulse?

 

[JATE]

I the title of this thread! Its so true

 

[LoveMyBoots]

alot my wardrobe was bought 'on sale'
why pay full price?
almost all the items were retailing for full price abt a fortnight before.
a little bit of patience pays off. ;]
& it gives you time to test whether you really want the piece . . .
can you wait . . or was it just an impulse?

I absolutely agree. I don't see how a person would pay $60-$100 for Levi's or even GAP jeans, when a season later you can pay $15. huh:

fashionista-ta - I think you must be the smartest shopper around. I've tried to follow some of those guidelines (esp. that inspiration board) you've set for yourself, and just forget in a month or so. I'm going to, at least, try to follow some of them.
And you're probably spending more money because you're buying items you know will last and never tire of.

 

[fashionista-ta]

I absolutely agree. I don't see how a person would pay $60-$100 for Levi's or even GAP jeans, when a season later you can pay $15. huh:

fashionista-ta - I think you must be the smartest shopper around. I've tried to follow some of those guidelines (esp. that inspiration board) you've set for yourself, and just forget in a month or so. I'm going to, at least, try to follow some of them.
And you're probably spending more money because you're buying items you know will last and never tire of.

Aw, thank you

One thing I forgot to mention ... I also have a big flat file box (I get white paperboard ones from Container Store) that all the manila envelopes go in. Also, I keep my three inspiration boards in my bedroom ... someplace I'm sure to visit on a regular basis Besides having one for the current season and the upcoming season, I also have one for my whole life. It's more abstract ... represents all the things that are important to me.

What I'd really like to do is have a whole wall of my bedroom made into a ribbon board. Perhaps one day I'll get my house, life, wardrobe, and whatnot exactly the way I want it

So anyway, try sticking your inspiration board right by where you sleep or eat--someplace it won't go unnoticed. I work on mine intermittently, whenever I find something I like ...

I once heard an interior designer speak, and she recommended always having a physical symbol in your house of where you want to go next. I think that is really good advice.

 

[spinster]

fashionista-ta, maybe someday you can provide us a photo of your inspiration boards? They sound great!

I love everyone's shopping tips. For me, being a better shopper starts with changing my attitude about being a consumer in general. During the latest heatwave with all the power outages and people dying because they can't afford air conditioning, I kept thinking, what the hell are we doing to our environment? We really need to stop bleeding the earth dry. If I guilt myself into thinking about the consequences of what I do/buy, I'll be less likely to consume so much.

Sorry if that sounds like the rantings of self-important liberal, but it works for me. :-)

Another thing I do is tally up all the money I could have spent and imagine what I could do with that money: travel, treat friends to dinner, add to my nest egg so I can live it up when I'm retired!