How To Buy Stuff That Always Looks Good!

[twilight fairy]

I have a problem..
I tend to concentrate too much on the now 'it' trends, and in like 3 months, all the stuff i bought looks kinda...old. outdated.
then i have a few clothes that ALWAYS look good..no matter what season really..of course its obvious they're not the newest fashion but they don't look weird.

what would you advise? im just supposed to be on a budget so i wanna shop 'smartly' without spending lots of money on trends that usually come and go..

thanks all

 

[softgrey]

that is a common problem...

stop being a victim of all the media hype...advertisers are supposed to get you to want their items...that's what their clients are paying them to do...it is your job...as a consumer...to see beyond the hype and THINK FOR YOURSELF...you are the one with the cash, so you are the one with ALL THE POWER...

also, just because you see a bunch of celebs with stuff, doesn't mean it's cool and you have to have it too...and remember that they are getting it for FREE anyway...so if they get tired of it in a couple of months...it doesn't really matter...not the same when you have to spend hard cash...

the way to get an excellent wardrobe is to buy stuff that you absolutely love and fits you really well...pick your favorite colours...the ones that look best with your hair and skin complexion... and try to stick with those...that way you'll have more mix and match outfits...never buy anything that doesn't go with at least two things you already have in your closet...i have stuff from high school that i still wear...and not because the eighties are back, but because it never went out of style and i still love it...

if you consistently follow this...you'll never have the 'i have nothing to wear' problem...it will be more like ..."which one of my favorite things should i wear today?"...and you'll have a closet full of personal treasures...

 

[twilight fairy]

thanks so much softgrey!
you're right..as much as i love fashion i kinda fall into the whole 'media hype' thing and freak out..
your advices were real useful though

 

[vintage_princess]

I agree...i like buying "it" items but i definitely would carry on wearing them if i liked it even if they werent it fashion anymore.
Stick to buying classic wardrobe pieces that can be mixed with loads of other things like...a denim jacket..a black dress..things that can be dressed up or down whatever the occasion.

 

[Sephora_Socialite]

Its perfectly fine to buy some trends, but the key to never looking outdated is to have key classic items to mix in with the trendy things...

These are my "key classics"
+ white top that you absolutely love...it can go with anything
+ A black jacket/coat/blazer to throw over with jeans or skirts.
+ Pearls
+ A classic plain clutch that can go with anything...black and or white.
+ Classic accessories that can be thrown onto things...plain necklces/pendants, charm bracelets,etc.
+A good pair of pumps
+ Comfy "walking" sandals..(I wear flip flops)
+ a button up cardigan/sweater.

 

[eloes]

I definitely agree with Sephora about the black jacket thing--I always want something that I can throw over whatever I'm wearing, and I think 'I only I had a black jacket...' I think it's great to have jackets because you can add them to so many different outfits, but black is really useful. Softgrey, you're so right about the color scheme thing. It's so easy to make up outfits that way and it keeps you from falling into colors that are in but don't suit you.

You might also want to read some of the threads about look books. Basically, keeping a book full of cutouts of things that appeal to you for whatever reason (a lookbook) helps you to see patterns in what appeals to you so that you can kind of focus on what you like when shopping. I don't know, it's just an idea, but it may be an okay way to start.

Does anyone have any other lists like Sephora's? Do you have anything to add? I find it most interesting.

 

[Dark Princess]

Don't buy the trendy thing!!! Buy something similar, maybe vintage or in a different color or cut, that way your stuff won't date as fast but you can still be trendy if you want to.

 

[rayncloudx]

to add:
the perfect pair of trousers/jeans.. great cut and fit in a neutral color

 

[highheels]

and if you are in a trendy mood buy the less expensive trending accssories instead of trendy clothes. That way you dont feel like you wasted your money after the trend is gone.

 

[tealady]

Have a clothing plan! In your purse, you should always have a list of things you are looking for to fill gaps in your wardrobe (white t shirt, black heels to go with pinstripe suit, replace mascara, etc.) and DO NOT BUY ANYTHING UNTIL YOU HAVE PURCHASED WHAT IS ON YOUR LIST. Once your planned wardrobe has no gaps you can follow a fad if you like and your budget allows it. Stick to the plan and the plan will stick to you. You and your closet will be very happy!

 

[Harvz88]

My mom told me, "if you leave a store and can't stop thinking about an item, you should go back and buy it, because it's something you'll always love wearing."

Also, I recently got "The Lucky Shopping Manual" as a gift and i LOVE it!
It has really great shopping advice.

 

[vintage_princess]

Originally posted by eloes@May 1st, 2004 - 8:44 pm


Does anyone have any other lists like Sephora's? Do you have anything to add? I find it most interesting.

.....i started that list thing where she picked up from me

 

[PrinceOfCats]

THINK about why an item is in the sale...

 

[eloes]

Actually, I went vintage shopping yesterday and I thought I might suggest that to you as a method of inspiration. If you go to vintage or thrift stores, you rarely see any new trends, of course, unless a certain era is making a comeback of sorts. The things that you see there that appeal to you now are generally things that appeal to your taste, not just what the most recent trends are. You don't get sucked into marketing ploys, instead focusing on finding that one fabulous thing that is utterly you. You experience the thrill of the hunt without working to get away from current hot items, and it can be quite inspiring. If items appeal to you even though they aren't the trend of the moment, then they probably have certain timelessly stylish qualities to them. Plus, they can inspire you to change other apects of your clothing or to create new and unique outfits. I'm going off on a tangent as usual...but try it! Even if you're the sort that hates to actually wear vintage...perhaps it could be inspiring.

 

[slinky_vagabond]

If I see an item I love but seems kind of trendy, I don't buy it right away, but I remember where I saw it. If a few days later I'm still thinking "Poop! I should have bought that!" I go back and get it.

It's worked pretty well; I love everything in my closet.

 

[tealady]

Originally posted by slinky_vagabond@May 2nd, 2004 - 1:25 pm
It's worked pretty well; I love everything in my closet.

That's what's important! Good for you, Moscow!

 

[dramatique]

About trends, I try getting something trendy but only in one aspect. For instance, Since green is so "in" right now. Get a classic piece in a green. A polo top for instance. I try not to get something like the jelly tote in fuschia pink as appealing as that might be. I agree with tealady. I have a list in my wallet about the things I am looking for. Helps to keep me focus.

 

[vintage_princess]

Originally posted by dramatique@May 2nd, 2004 - 3:10 pm
About trends, I try getting something trendy but only in one aspect. For instance, Since green is so "in" right now. Get a classic piece in a green. A polo top for instance. I try not to get something like the jelly tote in fuschia pink as appealing as that might be. I agree with tealady. I have a list in my wallet about the things I am looking for. Helps to keep me focus.

I have a green glossy clutch bag thats vintage. Its one of my favourite bags...because green is "in" now i can use it now but i'll still use it after green is out of "fashion".

 

[dramatique]

Did you post that one up in the vintage clutches? I saw that one. It's cute!

 

[enrichi]

I do the list, but I think my biggest thing is that if I try something on, and I don't fall in love, I don't buy it. Because that means that somewhere there's something wrong. I might not be able to pick it out right there, but sooner or later I will. Maybe it's something in the cut, or the texture of the fabric. Maybe it's something subtle, like a tiny detail. But if it doesn't scream to you "WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR? TAKE ME HOME AND LOVE ME FOREVER!" then it just wasn't mean to be. I'm sorry.