Delayed gratification: Be a smarter shopper

[Bluestar07]

That is absolutely what I would do if I didn't have a plan ... that and the occasional statement piece that catches my eye. I wear way less black than I used to now ... and no more questions from people about my mental state This one woman at work used to ask me, Are you OK?? You're always wearing black ...

That has happened to me too!

Your list on the first page is a fabulous one. Karma!

I "weed" out my closet once a year and give everything I've not worn for more than than a year away ... okay, okay I do keep a couple of pieces, I'll admit.
I'm not the sort of person that goes shopping every weekend but when I shop I really do shop. I buy clothes probably like 3 to 5 times a year. My problem when I do go shopping is that due to my bad memory I can never recall what's in my closet. So sometimes I end up with a piece that I pair with nothing else in my closet.

 

[fashionista-ta]

bump

 

[gius]

i just try to buy simple clothes with not too much 'bells and whistles' already added in the design... that way i can mix them with other things really easily just by the colours and cuts
i make a 'new' outfit just by layering or wearing odd accessories with it...

 

[ilaughead]

i just try to buy simple clothes with not too much 'bells and whistles' already added in the design... that way i can mix them with other things really easily just by the colours and cuts
i make a 'new' outfit just by layering or wearing odd accessories with it...

So do I. It's frustrating sometimes when a piece is absolutely perfect except for one little detail that dates them. (Like exposed seams or extra buttons or something)

 

[laika]

Shopping Strategies

*Inspired by some talk in the personal must-haves thread....

I am wondering how (and whether) people plan out their shopping for the season?

Given the fact that some items sell out before they ever hit the sales floor (like a certain red bag by Y's mandarina ); while others are left over in heaps at the ends of the season (too painful to mention ), how do you decide what to buy and when?

Do you buy certain items at full price because you are afraid they will be gone before the end of the season? Or maybe you know from experience what will never make it to sale?

Missing out on an item that you desperately wanted can be haunting, as someone mentioned earlier in this thread....but finding something for which you payed fulled price, marked down 50%, can be equally exasperating.

Does anyone have suggestions on how to avoid all this regret?

 

[luckyme]

buy what you truly love [and know that you will wear] and in the long run it if it brings you joy who should put a price on that.

 

[baRose]

i had one of those and it REALLY HAUNTED me...
it was in college and i STILL am haunted by the one that got away....!



*that is why sometimes i think it is necessary to pay retail...
it may not save you money at the moment...but it saves you grief later on...

I feel that way about shoes. Because around here, it seems like everyone and her sister wears a (US) 10. About 80% of the time, I could NEVER find a size 10 no matter where a go or what type of store it is. If I buy shoes only on sale, I would limit myself to <1 pair per year though I did manage to find a few really good deals in my size - but its rare.

 

[fashionista-ta]

^ Well, laika, as you know I have a whole thread about how I plan my shopping But in general I pay retail ... the stuff I want is typically never left to go on sale. I did just get a basic sweater on sale ... second color of one I paid full price for. But that item either way was less than $50.

The shoes I just bought (thanks for your sweet comments btw ) were in very short supply--there was not a pair in the city, had to be ordered ... in black there were 4 pairs in the city in my size. And when I was considering going up a half size, there were 2 pairs in my color in that size left in the country (unconfirmed--so possibly none). So I knew I couldn't play

I generally like few enough things that it's very worth it to me to pay full price. Sometimes I get something on sale, usually because that's when I've realized I need something, and when that happens I just consider it a lovely bonus

 

[tomato8]

i totally agree. lately ive noticed that i dont impulsively buy cheap things just because i want something. its b etter to save and spend a little more on something you love.

 

[thras]

i totally agree. lately ive noticed that i dont impulsively buy cheap things just because i want something. its b etter to save and spend a little more on something you love.

My thoughts exactly! In fact, I almost feel bad about wasting money on cheaper items I know I won't keep or wear for long.