What Are Your Shopping Habits for Workwear? Moratoriums, Spreadsheets, and Crop Rotation
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2020 Update: We still love this discussion on shopping habits for workwear — you may also want to check out our most recent discussion on whether you should buy duplicates of your favorite clothes.
Silly question, right — how do you shop? But if I've learned one thing while doing this blog, everyone has their own methods — and while we've talked about clothing budgets, we haven't talked about shopping habits for workwear. For example:
- Some people only shop the sales (generally buying last season's clothes)
- Some people only shop to fill holes in their wardrobe with trendy, of-the-moment pieces (generally paying full price for this-season clothes)
- Some people like to shop for one item at a time (such as blazers) (I remember a reader once likening this to “crop rotation“)
- Some people only buy outfits (they won't buy a piece without buying something that definitely matches it)
- Some people keep shopping spreadsheets (I know Jean at ExtraPetite has definitely talked about this)
- Some people have a set budget (for a month, for a year) and when the budget is used, they're done
- Some people do the “big shopping trip” method (also seen in “What Not to Wear”) where you take you annual clothes budget, go to the closest big city, and spend spend spend (within your budget, of course).
- Some people set shopping bans to try to control their spending
So I'm curious — how do you guys shop? For my $.02:
– I will buy almost anything if it fits and is on a steep enough discount (generally 40% or higher, usually 60%), but it either a) has a place to be worn (I'll wear it to work! to the gym! to a blog event!) OR b) has to NOT be duplicative of something else that I wear very rarely (I don't need multiple floor-length fancy skirts, for example).
{related: how to stop shopping}
– If I put a shopping moratorium on myself it'll generally be in the vein of “I have way too many gray pinstriped pants right now” or “I have way too many hot pink long-sleeved t-shirts” (pictured above).
– I buy so much online right now that I do tend to keep a shopping spreadsheet of brands/size/style #/ style name/size/notes (particularly for shoes and bras)
– I always thought the great thing about my shopping habits was that I was a “lucky” shopper and could let serendipity be my shopping guide — the fastest way to be disappointed is to go to the store looking for the perfect pair of blue jeans, or the perfect white blouse, or whatnot. BUT nowadays I do find myself getting into “hunts” more and more — first it was for boots (I must have ordered $3K worth of boots and returned all but a few pairs — sometimes known as “shopping bulimia” — like I've mentioned before I keep track of what to return/what money to expect back via Remember the Milk); then for blue jeans, now I'm in a dress phase.
All right, readers — those are my peculiar little habits. What are your shopping habits for workwear?
I tend to stick to the same few designers that fit me well.
I don’t buy anything unless I can think of several different ways to wear it/existing pieces to pare it with.
I stick to the same few capsule colors that work for me.
Quality over quantity. Every time. I don’t own many clothes, but I love what I own. If I don’t love it, I get ride of it fast.
I don’t have a spreadsheet. See quality over quantity.
This is ME also. My dad HOUND’s me alot about my shoppeing, so often I do NOT buy stuff b/c he knows right away b/c he check’s my credit card’s 2-3x week. FOOEY!
I hope when I get MARRIED that my husband will be a littel MORE forgiveing of my clotheing allowance and NOT hit the ceeling when I spend alot. Dad does NOT realize that I need to look good for work, and especialy when I go into court. There I think I win more motion’s b/c of the clotheing then anything else. YAY!!!!!
OMG apparently Ellen and I have the same shopping philosophy. This is either TERRYFEIYING or the best THING everr.
Ellen should tell her dad to put up and shut up. Put up the money because he is, after all, her dad and if he has the money, he should be happy to pay for her work clothes. He should shut up because Ellen is able to hold a decent job in a tight economy and she deserves some credit for that, even if she isn’t the best speller.
Very similar.
I only shop when I plan to buy. I don’t window shop.
I primarily only shop when I need to replace something. I typically recognize the need to replace coming, so I may shop around for a long time before buying unless it’s a brand’s standard item.
Sometimes I shop to fill a new or expanded need and there are rare times when I update my style. That shopping is conscientious and preceded by much consideration. I don’t do it for one season – or even one year – trends.
I do occasionally buy something unexpectedly (a “splurge” regardless of price), but maybe once a year? I have to really love it.
Since I buy quality items that I know I’ll wear, price isn’t much of a consideration and I’ll buy on sale or full price. I watch for sales, but only consider them in purchases if the item I want is far more than I’m willing to pay or is at a store that price for frequent, steep discounts.
I shop throughout the year for myself and my shopping rate is erratic. But I shop only once in fall and spring for my growing children who need a new (but predictable) wardrobe every year.
I don’t track or periodically freeze my spending. I buy few items each year and am not easily parted with my money, so I really don’t need to.
I’m a big shopping trip person. I usually shop a) after christmas/new years and use all the gift cards I got combined with sales to stock up on winter clothes for the rest of winter and next fall and b) beginning of summer to buy new summer clothes and c) after labor day to get summer clothes on sale. This is because I have a pretty strict budget so I can’t be shopping all the time. In general I only buy stuff that is on sale. I also am more of a “hunt” person, shopping for something specific like black flats or brown riding boots. I don’t buy a lot of trendy pieces so this works for me!
I’m so into this topic it’s not even funny.
I’ve tried to become a more “aware” shopper. I used to just randomly buy and ended up with a ton of clothes I don’t wear. I’m just starting to use Orangerie’s wardrobe spreadsheet to see what I’m wearing and how often. It’s rocking my world. I already knew that I own way too many skirts for someone who doesn’t wear skirts, but I’m interested to see what it’ll show me about the rest of my clothes. Ideally I’ll pare down the wardrobe and end up with perfect-fitting items I love and look great in.
I generally try to buy on sale, but there’s no magic number. Occasionally I just want to spend $100 on stuff from a sale at Old Navy or Target, but I’m weaning myself off that- save the money for better quality items. When I buy shoes I always check 6pm, but I’ve definitely been moving to a quality>quality mindset over the last few years. Handbags are the same way – it’s okay if it’s $200 as long as I’m going to carry it every day for a couple years (at least seasonally).
I’m in the same boat, trying to be more aware and have more of a plan. Good at mixing & matching to get max outfits for travel but now trying to apply that skill to my wardrobe in general. Too much stuff at a time stresses me out and can’t find anything. Actually went through my closet last weekend and have tons of stuff I’m donating. I can now see more clearly what’s “missing” from my wardrobe so am buying a few things.
FYI: The recent In Style has a whole article on wardrobe clean-out and shopping to refresh and such.
“I’m so into this topic it’s not even funny”. +1,000
Sounds like Orangerie’s is something I need to get familiar with ASAP. I also buy only on sale, and I feel like I have a somewhat strategic way of shopping, but not of tracking specific purchases or purging my closet.
I also tend to be the kind of shopper that when I find a “magic item” I buy multiples, which results in me then getting bored with my wardrobe, and shopping more…and not systematically purging my closet. AHHH!
Can you link the spreadsheet that you were talking about? It sounds awesome but a quick google search didn’t come up with anything. Alternatively, you can email it to me at evellia34 at yahoo
Thanks!
I don’t have a website, but feel free to email me at orangerie09 at gmail (that’s a zero before the 9) and I’ll send you a copy when I get home this evening.
If you don’t mind sending me a copy too, I’d really appreciate it! I just emailed you and e subject is clothing spreadsheet. Thanks!
The subject. Can you tell it’s end of the day?
Oh I would love a copy as well! I just emailed you.
Thanks in advance
I’m trying to hard to move toward the quality over quantity idea for my wardrobe, but I’m having a tough time- sometimes I just want variety and ALL the clothes, even though there are probably only 8-12 outfits that I actually wear regularly.
For those of you that have transitioned to the quality method, tips? I just get so overwhelmed at the price tag sometimes, even if I know “oh, I’m only buying this one thing for the next 2 months”, the sticker shock really gets to me.
I feel this way as well. Even if I saved my money to buy fewer items of a higher quality (and therefore higher price), I can’t get over paying double (or more!) for an item which I know has equally acceptable substitutes for less.
Paying more for clothes also does nothing to make me ruin them less. Sometimes creamy/greasy/red pasta sauce just jumps onto your blouse, and there’s nothing you can do about it.
I have been trying to do this and I realized my biggest block is not avoiding buying cheaper items but hitting Purchase on the more expensive items. I had no problem staying away from ON, H&M etc but hesitated a lot to buy a nice brand suit which was on sale for just $250, even though I had not done any shopping for 4 months at that point. I work in a biz casual office so one good suit will last me for a long time. Now that I have realized this, I make a note of all the cheapo items that I successfully resist buying, add up the total amount I “saved,” and then make a high-quality purchase. I also don’t make every purchase a high end purchase. I bought $20 tops to go with the expensive (for me at least) suit
I used to be like this. And then I realized I was gravitating towards a few “splurge” pieces in my wardrobe and avoiding everything else. I used to be really cheap about work blouses and then realized I only felt put together in my nicer silk blouses. So I started buying those and feel much better about my wardrobe. Yes I have the same blouse in 5 different colours/patterns but I put it on with a pencil skirt and feel instantly put together, without adding accessories so in my mind it’s worth it.
I think it’s a gradual transition. You start to realize what works well for your body type/life style and get an idea of fit and fabric and go from there. Plus, now that I mostly have a complete wardrobe, I’m more filling in tiny gaps than trying to assemble an entire professional wardrobe so it’s a little easier to justify buying one perfect pencil skirt which is a little pricey, rather than starting from scratch.
+1 to this being a gradual transition. It’s not like I know exactly which high quality pieces work for my body type and lifestyle. You gradually start figuring out your signature look and then the next time you shop you buy a high end versions of pieces in your look (sheath dresses, black pants, blazers etc)
Honestly, not what you are looking for- I splurge on items I KNOW I will wear over and over (Suits, work blouses, shoes). But for casual, everyday styles I just can’t justify the hefty price tags. If there is the rare occasion I see something that I absolutely love and know won’t be around for long…. I’ll try to find coupons for the store and buy it. But again, normally I look for a substitute like you, because odds are I WONT be wearing this 2 years from now, anyway.
I will never be a “quality over quantity” person. (The exception is handbags, because I really hate cheap bags for myself). I’ve had expensive pieces that I’ve ended up hating and never wearing (even if the fit and style is correct, there was something not right about it); I’ve had the occasional piece from Target and the Gap that I’ve worn forever. If I really wanted an expensive, quality piece I wouldn’t pay full price; I’d try to find it used on eBay.
I really like variety in my wardrobe, and I don’t think I could afford a lot of variety if I stuck to top quality pieces.
Even if I’m buying from a cheaper manufacturer, I look for decent fabrics and seaming and I would never buy something with a plaid that didn’t line up, for example.
This is interesting! I usually have a vague idea about some gap I need to fill – for example, I know that sometime within the next six months I’d like to replace my black pumps, or I’d really like a tweed sheath dress for work. Then I will regularly browse the websites of a few stores that I shop at regularly (Nordstrom, JCrew, Comptoir des Contonniers) until I find the piece that I’m looking for. But I won’t usually buy it right away — I’ll wait until a few other variations come out at different stores, so I can compare. I pretty much only shop online, because I like being able to compare different styles/prices.
I find that I am willing to spend a lot of money on certain items, like shoes or bags, but I will just not spend money on clothing until I absolutely have to. There is almost no planning involved. When I do buy items I tend to buy what will work at that moment, regardless of price or sale (within reason for my budget). Like if I need sweaters, I will find three sweaters that will work with my existing wardrobe, order them and am done. I occasionally browse store websites, but I very rarely pull the trigger because I don’t want to spend the money. (Which is hilarious because I spend so much money on other things).
“I have worn Item X to death, I need a replacement” – this is generally my primary shopping method.
Supplemented by Retail Therapy, I Saw It On The Internet, I Have A Thing And Nothing To Wear, Lets Just Drop Into The Thrift Shop To Look At Books Who Am I Kidding, Yay Overtime Money, and the all-time favorite Oh Bananas They Changed The Acceptable Work Dress Code AGAIN.
Oh and I also have a rule about matching things – If I don’t have at least 3 items in my existing wardrobe that I can wear the item with, I won’t buy it.
Also – wow I am making a lot of additions here – when I window shop on the internet, it is pretty often along the lines of “That is nice, now which plus size store has a good equivalent?” – being awkwardly shaped and roughly the size of a small hippo means that I am v. limited in where can I find stuff that fits me which I suspect is one reason I am not yet destitute living in a wardrobe a la Bruno.
Amen. The only reason I’m not broke and living out of a box with fabulous clothes is because they don’t make awesome clothes in my size. I’m worried about what will happen to my bank account when I hit my desired weight range; especially since my plan had been to nominate myself for what not to wear and spend their 5k. :(
They don’t make awesome clothes in my size either because I am so short, and even my shoes aren’t sold in places where normal people shop…so my only rule is, if it fits me, and I could wear it to work, buy in every color.
I recently implemented a shopping budget (X per mo) and have incorporated price into a googledocs spreadsheet. The spreadsheet has columns for purchased price, original price, place purchased, brand, whether it was planned or spontaneous, and item type.
Right now I am upgrading my wardrobe to business from business casual but this is a long term project (one year). I keep my ‘wish list’ of items listed on the spreadsheet and add notes as I find possibilities online. So I would say my shopping is intentional/ I keep a birds eye view.
In terms of where to shop – I will shop online at Ann Taylor/Loft/Banana and am on listservs for discounts – will never pay full price. I also like discount stores in NY – Century 21/Loehmanns/Nordstrom Rack. H&M/Forever21 if I want cheap jewelry/trend dresses/sunglasses and 34th st Macy’s if I want to browse a wide selection.
If there’s only one of something, I tend to want it more. So, I try to shop mainly at department stores, rather than in small boutiques or T.J. Maxx, for example, that may have a limited quantity of whatever item I want.
I never noticed it before, but I do tend to shop by the “crop rotation” method (thanks for that analogy!). Recently I realized I need new blazers and white/cream tops (bought 3 blazers online this morning and 2 cream tops over the weekend). Recent history shows I just finished my crop of new pants.
I know my weakness, and keep a Note on my iPhone that reminds me of what I need (blazers) and what I don’t (pink tops/sweaters/cardigans). I cross stuff off as I eliminate the need (black booties) but maybe this is a bad idea and I should just reclassify it instead…
I will only shop online with free shipping and returns (or if I can easily return it to a brick-and-mortar store). When I do shop online, I tend to buy A LOT, since I have every intention of returning at least some of it. This means ordering multiple sizes/colors of each item. My hubby has learned not to freak out at this, and the ensuing charges/refunds on the credit card.
I recently started keeping a spreadsheet of what I’ve bought (red pants, mint blazer, etc.) and cost. Just this morning I decided to count up how many work-appropriate items (including shoes) I’ve purchased. I also look at spending for each half of the year. This has been useful to dissuade me from making unnecessary, boredom-shopping purchases online.
I try not to buy anything that’s full price (even a 10% sale will do). I’m trying to be more picky with fit and comfort, as in, if it’s not comfortable off the rack or I feel the least bit indecisive about it, I leave it behind. It will not get better at home. Both of these habits I got from my momma. My mom also gave me the habit of buying one item in multiple colors if you like it, but I have learned that that just results in a closet full of the same thing, which I get bored of easily. Hence I am on Team Quantity, but I’m trying to change that.
I used to spend money on clothes with basically no plan at all. I’d walk into Anthropologie and leave with 3 or 4 items that I thought I could wear to work or whatever, but that I didn’t really need. Then I started using Mint and realizing how much money I was spending, and around the same time started to look at Project 333 and questioned just how much stuff was in my closet. Shortly after that I moved cities and moved in with SO. So it was kind of a perfect storm of events for me to seriously look at my clothing spending patterns and wardrobe habits.
Since all that, I’ve put myself on a pretty strict monthly budget (I do go over sometimes, but try to correct myself within the following couple of months), and think carefully about my purchases ahead of time. I now keep a list of “allowable shopping items” on Evernote and only go shopping with those items in mind. I try not to buy things online (except for my maternity wardrobe, where I’m SOL in terms of local shopping options). I’m also keeping a better watch on quality vs. quantity, and trying to reduce the size of my wardrobe in general. I’m finding pregnancy to be a very interesting time from this perspective – there are so many items of my wardrobe that I can’t wear for 6 months or more, that it will be interesting to see how I feel about those items when I come out the other side. I’m hoping I can just send a lot of it straight to the charity shop.
Ladies, I just had a rough meeting with my boss. He’s incredibly disorganized and doesn’t give me any direction and just out of the blue told me that I have a billing minimum. This is the first I’ve heard of this and I’ve been here for 6 months. He said that “at least our minimum isn’t like some firms that require over 2000 a year”. He seems to neglect the fact that ATTORNEYS are required to bill 2000 hours a year. I’m a paralegal assistant scrambling to stay organized in the midst of his totally erratic practice.
While I’m not happy about this, I know that I have to adapt and just do it. So does anyone have recommendations for good task management programs or particular methods that have helped you stay organized and on top of everything?
I know this doesn’t respond to your question, but at my previous Big Law firm, paralegals had billable requirements too.
I’m aware of that. I was taken aback by the fact that my boss waited six months to inform me of that, and to make me aware of the billing requirements by threatening to fire me.
But, like I said, whether I like how my boss did it or not, I have to meet the standards, which is why I’m asking for the task management recommendations.
Also, not that it matters, but I’m not in BigLaw.
Oh, my mistake – I interpreted your “neglect the fact” sentence as implying that you thought only attorneys, not paralegals, had hour targets.
Anyway, your boss s*cks and I’m sorry. Not fair to spring that on you after 6 months or in a threatening manner.
Do you support one attorney or multiple attorneys?
I just realized my response sounded really snarky, sorry about that. I’ve had an awful day thus far.
I was hired initially to support one attorney and have since been supporting multiple, but I do literally everything, from basic office support to actual work for clients. If I weren’t applying to law school for next year I’d look for another job now, but I don’t want to start somewhere new only to leave after less than a year.
No apologies needed :)
Internet tone is tough at the best of times. If you are already having a rough day, forget it :)
I recommend a legal pad for each client/file, and one for office support. Jot down notes on the appropriate pad, along with any assigned tasks (highlight those, and then X beside them once completed). Each morning, take 15 minutes to look through all of your assigned tasks and then formulate a game plan for the day.
I used to use a word document for this with an outline format. First bullet was the client, second bullet was the matter, third bullet were the tasks with notes to myself for the task in a 4th bullet. I put critical items in red and high priority items in yellow. I made changes as necessary throughout the week and every Monday morning when I got to work, I resaved it as a new document with that date to have a rough idea of how things shifted from week to week. I checked it and updated it often. For example, if your task is to schedule a deposition, I would list “Schedule deposition for Mr. X” and underneath it I might have bullets saying things like “Partner Y says to schedule for September/October,” “left message with Mr. X’s secretary on 9/9 @ 4:30 pm. She is going to check dates and get back to me. Call again on 9/11 if you have not heard back.”
As for keeping track of your billables, there are a lot of different methods which you can search for in old posts on this site but the number one thing you need to do is to write down ALL of your time. Even if you felt like you took too long on something. Partners are likely to cut it down so don’t cut yourself!
2000 seems very, very high for a paralegal. I know that many paralegals have billing requirements, but 2000 seems high. Can you be candid and ask for specifics? Say, like, “I’m very eager to take on more, can we please set some goals and expectations together?” Or maybe “Can you please be more specific about what you’re looking for?”
I keep almost buying something that fits me well and I know I’d wear and I really adore. And then it hits me: I already own it.
E.g.,
black pencil skirts
black sheath dress
black blazer
black suit
black cashmere sweater / cardi
any of the above, perhaps in camel or icy pale blue or pewter
Have new Eviction Rule: do I love new thing enough to send the old thing to the thrift store?
this is why my entire wardrobe is black and grey with minimal hits of cream. I keep buying it over and over again. it’s a rut, but I’m okay with it!
I’ve never given it a name, but I live by the Eviction Rule! For me, thought, it doesn’t have the exact same item, but rather the same category of item: is this blazer better than one of my blazers at home (in that it’s better quality, more versatile, more flattering, etc.) If so, it can come home and the evicted blazer goes to consignment / charity. Generally, I try to buy good quality on sale (easy to do because I’m regularly on my favorite shopping sites, like Nordstrom), but will be very, very deliberate if something is over $100 (classic bag, sheath dress that I will wear to death, etc.) Since I shop at a lot of consignment shops, I can find some amazing deals for high-quality items . . . but again, they only come home with me if they’re great enough to “upgrade” an existing item.
What did I do bad to make a sool suit shiny if I hold the fabric close up in a well-lit room?
Too much dry-cleaning? Is it past its prime? If it is truly too worn, is it a throw out-able item or something I should donate?
Ironing on too high a setting is usually the culprit.
I agree with AIMS, ask for a steam press instead of ironing at the cleaners.
I bought a garment steamer several weeks ago and doubt I will ever use an iron again.
I bought a garment steamer 10 years ago and only iron every couple of months (I have three items that require ironing).
Interesting question! So I tend to notice holes in my wardrobe and fill them with a few particular styles that are in for the given season that I really like. (Typically along conservation, classic lines) and then shop around for the best buy.
That is: if I see an expensive designer chiffon button down blouse for $150, I’ll look for less expensive versions elsewhere and purchase that ($40). I’d say in a given season, I purchase anywhere between 10 – 15 items. (From watches to scarves to pants, etc). I don’t like paying full price, but when I shop for the less expensive “similar” versions of things I don’t feel so bad. Usually there’s coupons floating around at any given time and I’ll use those… I almost always use coupons and I do 95% of my shopping on line.
I definitely enjoy shopping, but thats because its a game to me to never pay full retail price for an item.
I’ve started hanging my clothes by color and noticed I own an inordinate amount of cream colored tops. I think cream looks better with my skintone than true white but I had no idea of the number of tops until I grouped everything together.
I’m trying to move toward a crop rotation model instead of randomly picking up items I think are cute, bringing them home and realizing they don’t go with anything else I own. I try to mix and match in ways I hadn’t thought of before and that helps me get more mileage out of my clothes. I still need to figure out my accessory style and hone that a little bit but I’m pretty satisfied with my current wardrobe. On my to-buy list are a black statement necklace and some new underwear, in case anyone has suggestions.
I break this down into a few categories:
Seasonal wants/needs: at the end of winter and summer, I make a list of a few things that will update my wardrobe for the coming season (I do cold weather and warm weather, rather than four seasons). Some I’ll find, some stay on the list indefinitely or eventually get removed from the list.
The “always room for more” list: I am a big shoe collector, and I wear jackets and blazers just about every day. So if something in these categories catches my eye, is special and different and the perfect fit, I’ll stalk until it goes on sale (at least 20% off).
The “always looking for” list: some things are difficult to fit for me, or a dream item due to cost (leather clothing, tall boots that fit my calves) – if the perfect one turns up at a price I’m willing to pay, I’ll grab it.
There are some non planned purchases, for sure: something I see in a magazine or on a blog or I click on an e mail link of new arrivals, or am supposed to be shopping for other people at holiday time. I need to get better at this.
I mostly shop online, as it is more convenient with my schedule and being petite there is just more available for me online. Most of my go-to stores have regular sales on current season items, so I rarely pay full price. I do have a budget, but I’ll go over it regularly and make up for it when I get a work bonus or resell some gently used items.
I tend to buy everything I see in shops when it’s within my price range, when it fits me, when I like the style and when I can wear it to work. It’s not always easy to find clothes that look good for my taste, are made of quality fabrics and can be worn to work AND fit me, so once I see an item, I end up buying it, whether online or in store. I often end up traveling to neighbour countries that stock up more clothes in my size and spend big there, knowing there won’t be any shopping trips in the coming months so it doesn’t really “hurt” that much when I see my credit card bill after that splurge trip.
I generally buy a few new things for FALL, plus I shop to fill holes and when things get worn out. I have an ongoing “wish list” with all of the items I want now.
When I do a moratorium, it means no shopping for me AT ALL, not just for specific items.
Shopping bullemia – never heard of it but I definitely have it. I joke with my admin assistant that I am on some serial returner list somewhere and some day the UPS man is just going to quit picking up my packages.
I record my returns in Quicken with the estimated amount of the credit and file the return slip away. When the amount gets credited to my account I toss the return slip.
And, if stores want me to buy in person and quit returning than they should carry talls in their stores. My Banana, AnnTaylor and Eddie Bauer stores carry only from the regular line – no talls in the store.
My aunt was so bad at shopping bulemia that the jewelry GVC channel no longer allows her to purchase from them!
I shop sales and thrift stores. I used to go thrifting frequently – almost every Sunday after yoga, and often on Mondays for 1/2 price day as well. While I don’t go quite that frequently anymore, I tend to shop when the mood strikes.
I tend to buy anything that I like that fits well and has some use in my normal life (i.e., I avoid buying fancy dresses and light coats, even though I enjoy shopping for them, because I just don’t wear such things often, given my lifestyle and climate).
If I notice that there are things in my closet that I’m lacking (light sweaters, button-front shirts, t-shirts that can be worn under suits, etc.), I’ll will look at those sections first while shopping until I have filled that need. I do occasionally shop to fill a certain need (nude sandals, black boots, white blouse) or I’ll plan a purchase ahead of time (e.g. next VS semi-annual sale, I will be stocking up on cotton bikini underwear) but typically I’ll buy anything that I like, that fits, that works for my life and that’s relatively inexpensive.
I have a dual pronged approach.
I use “qualtiy” as a guide for work items – only real leather, no faux leather…..Theory……J Crew…..better brands for work items. I buy almost EVERYTHING from Ebay. What I don’t buy from ebay, I buy from a shop that sells designer samples.
And then I try to go trendy and cheaper for casual items, things I might wear on the weekends or evenings out (think Forever 21 or similar)…
I mix in a few of the trendier items with my qualtiy work wardrobe and wear to work just to keep things fresh.
Okay, am I the only one who read that entire post to the melody of “Some People Laugh Through Their Noses …” from Mary Poppins?!
Because I live in a small town, I end up with one big shopping trip a year, and then random purchases at other stores throughout the year. The big shopping trip I’ll go into with a list of things which I find myself lacking (last year it was nice cocktail dresses, dressy tops that aren’t tshirts or similar long sleeve shirts, jeans, and a good wool coat), but also shop the sales racks or pick up anything which I really like that fits well. I’m reluctant to order online for more of my clothes because it’s so hard to tell if something will fit or be flattering on me.
I’m certainly more willing to buy things from the sales rack, but I will pay full price if I love it and know I’ll wear it a lot (For example, the $80 top which I’ve worn at least once a month for the past 3 years was a much better buy than the $20 top I picked up on sale and never wear).
For work clothes, I just rotate through 10 pairs of Talbots long sleeve button up shirts, and 5 pairs of pants from The Limited. I haven’t had to replace the pants yet, and the shirts I order online when they’re on sale, since I know they’ll fit (I can usually get them for $40 / shirt instead of $70).
I don’t have a set budget for clothes. I also don’t care about wearing what’s “in” this year, and tend to purchase fairly classic, conservative items which I’ll keep until they wear out or get stained beyond repair (at which point they become gardening / barn / painting clothes until I’m not willing to have anybody see me in them, and then rags / fabric scraps / trash).
One thing I’m looking for now – reasonably sturdy blue jeans. Given my recent experiences where jeans with spandex lost their shape or fell apart, I’d like some which are 100% cotton. I just want a basic boot cut, not extremely high or low waist, and under $70 / pair. Apparently nobody makes 100% cotton jeans anymore.
Aside from recreational/boredom shopping, I have four shopping trips a year. Every season I buy the following items: Black and white crew neck shirts, black and white layering camisoles, 2 pencil skirts and either a pair of jeans or a casual skirt (depending on the season.) I retire the last season’s items to weekend wear/gym clothes and send the oldest set to goodwill.
For any other work items, I assess my closet and fill in the gaps. For Fall 2013, I’m retiring two suits (charcoal and navy) due to wear and just noticed that one of my black blazers is staining my oxford shirts. Therefore, I’m allowing myself to buy two non-black replacement suits and five oxford shirts along with my normal quarterly purchases. All other clothes must follow the “eviction method” – if I see black sheath or a berry cardigan, I must love it enough to retire a similar item in my closet.
i generally won’t even LOOK at full priced items in stores.
i get such a thrill out of scoring a fantastic price… and on the flipside, i can’t really enjoy wearing something that i paid full-price for (constantly worrying about spilling on it, will notice similar pieces for less $$ everytime i’m out, etc.).
that said, i’m OK with buying a season behind / ahead in order to score a great deal. i also enjoy thrift shopping for work clothes!
I have shopping-itis. I get overwhelmed in big-box stores such as Macy’s and Nordstrom. If I venture out to shop, I tend toward stores like J.Jill (I wish they had suits) and Black/White to fill in gaps in my wardrobe. I could use a personal shopping assistant who will just bring clothes to me to try on.
I have a monthly budget that rolls over any unspent money each month, so if I don’t shop for a while then I can spend more. I buy everything but shoes, socks, and underwear at thrift stores, so I have managed to luck out pretty well on quality while also having a large wardrobe. My closet has been in transition for a while now–lost 40 pounds while in college, graduated, worked retail and lost another 30 pounds, started my first “professional” job (more or less). The last 15 months or so since starting my current job I’ve had to get work clothes and replace many of my casual ones.
I know that if I go thrift shopping I will probably buy something, so I try to limit my trips to once a month at the very most, usually more like once every few months. I have general ideas of things I’m on the lookout for, but I’ll buy anything I like that looks good on me and is reasonably priced so long as I think I’ll actually wear it.
I have a big chest and fussy feet, so I spend a lot more on my shoes and bras. (They usually cost 10x more than the rest of my outfit put together.) I got a lot pickier about how well these fit in the last few years, so I had to get rid of almost every pair of shoes I owned and all my bras. Replacing them has been slow. Right now my clothing budget is so small that I usually use Christmas/birthday gift money to buy them, and the purchases are planned a long time in advance. I can spend hours online window shopping without being tempted, but when I do buy there’s always a sale and I’m usually confident that I got the best deal I could. I refuse to blow my budget on shipping back something that didn’t fit, so I will only shop from places with free return shipping, unless I’m 100% certain it will fit perfectly. I live in Florida, where summer clothes can be worn most of the year, so I don’t mind buying out of season. I’m also not really into most trends, so if I liked something last year I’ll probably still like it this year!
I had no idea so many people were so organized and methodical to their shopping.
I just buy stuff when I feel like my wardrobe needs something new and I get an email from Ann Taylor, etc advertising 40% off sale or something similar.
If I need something specific, I buy it, but since most of my shopping is done online, in those instances, I tend to look around for other cute items to get to the free shipping minimum.
It’s not that hard.
A recent move led me to review my wardrobe — apparently I do not need to buy any shirts, trousers, t-shirts, sweaters, or jeans for the next two years at least. So embarrassing to see how much I’d accumulated without realizing it. I’m placing myself on a shopping ban — yes, even if it’s the “perfect” buy! Let’s see whether the willpower lasts. On the other hand I need boots rather badly…
This is so me! I so go out and purchase last seasons clothes because they are on sale. I also love finding sales and things on a good deal!
Shopping bulimic. Wow. Never heard it that way. I prefer “auditioning” as in “I’m auditioning this cute skirt and if it doesn’t make the cut, back it goes (…to waits for a woman of less discriminating tastes).”
I audition stuff all the time because sometimes, the dressing room lighting is horrendous. Or you don’t have the shoes you want on. Or you don’t really know how it’ll fit into your closet and make outfits. Or because you thought it was cute, took it home, and realized you already have something similar. Or it was fugly outside of the store when it was no longer surrounded by all the rest of the items available (Pier 1 principle).
I do this with house stuff, too. Especially it seems with lamps.
And when it just clicks, ohhh, it -just- clicks. And it gets to stay.
I have tried (and failed miserably) to be more deliberate with my shopping, especially since I recently lost enough weight that I had to buy all new clothes. You don’t realize how expensive an entire wardrobe is until you have to replace every item in your closet! I finally have enough that I am not desperately searching for something to wear all the time. I am trying to only pick up versatile basics now, since I bought too many fun items that don’t match each other. I do have a monthly budget, but I rarely stick to it.
Cat, I can’t tell you how much I LOVE this blog … especially because of posts like this one!
I can’t seem to get myself to follow the “eviction method” even though I desperately need to! I have accumulated 5 navy blue blazers, 4 of which I’ve never worn. When I shop I graze … I almost never buy what I actually need and end up buying a ton of stuff I don’t and have multiples of already … cardigans, t-shirts, sweaters. I have random moments of feeling completely overwhelmed by my closets (I never have enough space … NYC!!).
I keep a spreadsheet of what clothes I buy and its all casual wear, never anything for work (I work in banking and have to wear a suit every day). If anyone has a strategy on how to get myself motivated to buy work clothes versus “fun” clothes I would REALLY appreciate it (I generally can’t wear my weekend wear to work or vice versa)…
A question so enticing that it prompts a lurker to chime in! I keep a clothing journal. Sometimes I record the outfit I’m wearing. More often I record seasonal observations – notes about when it usually cools off enough for fall clothes, whether I feel that I have enough summer shirts, what shoes work well in the snow. I reflect on clothing combinations – I’m drawn to buy patterned pieces but somehow never wear them, for instance, so I’ve been switching over to buying solids. I also make notes about planned purchases and then come back and note whether they worked out, were returned, etc. Since dressing professionally for our hot, muggy summer is the biggest challenge in the year, I’ve taken to doing a “summer reportback” early every fall – what worked well, what needs to be replaced, what seemed like a good idea at the time but was not.
I also keep a list of brands I’d like to try when next I need something – I don’t need any socks right now, for instance, but I have a well-reviewed sock seller in mind for when I do.
I keep a list of shoes I’d like – not so much particular makers as styles.
After several years of doing this, I have a much better idea about what I actually wear and have been able to steer myself away from some of the pretty things (Striped jackets! How I wanted a striped jacket! And how it would have hung unworn in my closet!) that I admire on others, that look good on me, but that feel wrong and don’t get used.
Twice a year, I pull everything out, assemble it into outfits, and figure out the minimum number of pieces I need to have 15 work looks, and buy just what I need to fill the gaps. Then I just rotate through the outfits until something wears out. I mix in different jewelry, bags and shoes to keep from dying of boredom, but otherwise don’t spend any time during the week worrying about what I am going to wear.
Kat – This was a great post. I love reading everyone’s comments. I’m trying to be more methodical about my shopping but I’ve got a ways to go. I often fall in love with a piece and think it will go with items I already have. Sometimes it does and sometimes it just hangs in my closet. I’m trying to go through my closet a couple of times a year and make a list of items that I need so that I can focus my shopping. I generally shop at Banana, J Crew & Loft because they offer tall sizes online. I will go into the store to try different pant fits and see fits. Then, I will order the tall lengths on line. When I shop on line, I often order multiple sizes and return what doesn’t fit.
I shop ALL THE TIME though I don’t “buy” a lot at any one time.
I do this because it can be very hard to go on a “hunt” for one particular item (as in jeans, or a blazer, or a suit) so basically when I find it and it fits, I buy.
Online shopping, with the exception of shoes, I just can’t do as I really need to try on and find returns to be a bother.