STYLETHREAD -- LET'S TALK SHOP!

Meow · Coach

your shopping rules

Maddie · Coach

1. No pink or red.

2. No sparkles.

3. There are many brands and stores I refuse to shop at. To name a few: Forever 21, Michael Stars, American Eagle, Brass Plum, Seven, Juicy, Abercrombie, etc. The only reason is I just don't like them.

4. No mini skirts.

5. Nothing too trendy.

6. If it's over $100-$150 I usually need to think about it first.

lynnie · Chanel

1) Sweaters may only be made from wool, silk, cotton, or cashmere- some blends are ok, some are not. No 100% acrylic, though my mom has some from germany in the 70's that look awesome, but she says american companies use sh*tty acrylic.

2) no more tight tops. I don't have enough drapey loose clothing.

3) no more "trendy" things- i never ever like something that is trendy after a month or two.

4) no typical mall stores except for basics like tees, button downs, etc. i never go to the mall so this works out well. J Crew is a notable exception.

5) no more light jackets- not practical and have too many.

6) Need jeans, look for jeans, lynnie, keep your eye on the prize.

7) nothing that doesn't fit really well.

8) nothing that i can't wear in a few different ways.

9) i will only impulse buy amazing items that either won't be there the next day (vintage) or will sell out quickly- everything else is waited on for weeks sometimes.

10) don't buy more than 5-6 items a month- at most, sell on ebay to make space for new items (i have a small closet)

11) only buy comfortable shoes - i live in the city now, so i can't wear my uncomfortable shoes =(

12) concentrate on clothing that has subtle and unique details, but is still plain enough to let accessories stand out.

13) pay extra for something that i know i will wear and love forever. The designer i work for has a very cute vintage gucci wallet and awesome riding boots from her grandmother! I like the idea of not cluttering the planet and wasting my $$ on throwaway clothing. My friends think i'm CRAZY for spending so much money on one item, but i buy soo much less than them and feel like i have more to show for my money. Plus, i have a weakness for designer

atlgirl · Gucci

1. do I LOVE it? If not, it should stay in the store. This applies to higher-priced merchandise; lower end stuff, like basics, I just have to like and be comfortable in, but I don't have to love those.

2. Is it "me"? I have a certain style and I won't buy anything that is too far away from that. I don't do overtly sexy very often, so don't buy a lot of slinky, clubby-type clothes. I prefer certain things - better quality leather, a certain shape of handbag, etc. and I feel most comfortable when dressed as "me", so I don't deviate from that very much.

3. What will it do for me? Is it a sweater that actually hugs my curves, rather than fitting the chest / shoulders but fitting like a tent at the waist? Is it an embellished tank or a flirty skirt that makes me feel pretty? Is it shoes that I looooove to wear, every chance I get? If I can't figure out what an item will do for me, then it stays in the store.

4. Referencing # 3, how does it fit? Meaning, will I have to take it to the tailor, and do I want to pay what it will likely cost to have it altered? I have boobs and a butt, so many things have to be altered for a better fit, and sometimes I just don't want to bother, either time- or money-wise.

5. Will this work with what I already own? If it requires a new purse, new shoes, new type of cami underneath, etc - in most cases, I won't buy it. I try to bring home things that work with what's already in the closet.

jen · Kate Spade

nothing plain

nothing too many people are wearing

no teeny bopper stores

nothing cropped, I hate my hips

nothing that resembles anything I already own

happydaisy69 · BCBG

nothing to clingy

nothing EVERYBODY AND THEIR MOMMA has

nothing thats too young for me-I should know better

nothing too plain

and I absolutely have to adore it,espically if its expensive.If I cant decide about it,I leave it,and if I cant quit thinking about it,I know its ment for me!!!

TheLovelyLady71 · Hermes

I'm kind of like you, Maddie, but not quite:

1. No sparkles

2. No mini skirts

3. If it's over $100.00 - I'll have to REALLY think about it.

4. No BAG clothes; fitted is good, but not SKIN TIGHT, that makes me UNcomfortable

5. I 'rarely' do trends

6. It has to SPEAK to me. LOL

Maddie wrote:

1. No pink or red. 2. No sparkles. 3. There are many brands and stores I refuse to shop at. To name a few: Forever 21, Michael Stars, American Eagle, Brass Plum, Seven, Juicy, Abercrombie, etc. The only reason is I just don't like them. 4. No mini skirts. 5. Nothing too trendy. 6. If it's over $100-$150 I usually need to think about it first.

Elle · Hermes

Good poll! I'm thinking about printing my list of 'Rules' and carrying it in my purse - nothing that doesn't pass the test comes home !

No mini-skirts
No turtle necks
No full skirts
No skirts longer than knee length
No very skinny/very wide pants
Must fit really, really well
No shoes with a heel over 3.5 inches, 'cause I just won't end up wearing them
No tunics/very long shirts
Must be a something that I could see wearing in the relatively near future, situation-practical
(almost) Never pay full price
Must be decent quality, even if it's cheap
Nothing that can't be machine- or hand-washed. I will NOT take it to the dry cleaners!
Nothing 'fussy'

ETA: Thought of some more

-- Edited by LMonet at 11:05, 2005-11-16

TheLovelyLady71 · Hermes

WOW - I like yours too!

LMonet wrote:

Good poll! I'm thinking about printing my list of 'Rules' and carrying it in my purse - nothing that doesn't pass the test comes home ! No mini-skirts No turtle necks No full skirts No skirts longer than knee length No very skinny/very wide pants Must fit really, really well No shoes with a heel over 3.5 inches, 'cause I just won't end up wearing them No tunics/very long shirts Must be a something that I could see wearing in the relatively near future, situation-practical (almost) Never pay full price Must be decent quality, even if it's cheap

Cortney1982 · Chanel

Nothing with acrylic in it, especially sweaters! I have been going by this rule for many years, and I don't have crappy looking sweaters hanging around my closet anymore.

No sequins, glitter, etc.

Tell myself when, where, and how many times, I may actually wear the item (and what I can wear it with) if it is clothing or accessories. This rule helped me not buy a fun and cute but ridiculous beaded necklace even though it was only $10. Those small purchases do add up. Do it ten times and it's $100!

fafa · Nine West

1. Has to fit really good and make me lookk great no matter if its from Neimans or Old Navy.

2. I have to be able to think of a place/occasion I will wear it too,

3. No teeny-bopper clothes

4. Also I plan to start tryinging for another baby in the next few weeks! So no buying clothes! Because within a few months they won't fit! Focus on shoes, jewelry ect.

tina242 · Kate Spade

I just buy if I can afford, and I guess I subconsciously follow these rules:

Can be trendy, but not too of-the-moment/will be over tomorrow
Must be my style
Decent quality
I agree with LMonet, and maybe my main thing: "Nothing that can't be machine- or hand-washed. I will NOT take it to the dry cleaners!"

-- Edited by tina242 at 14:23, 2005-11-16

zeitgeist4 · Gucci

1. Must be machine-washable. I'm too lazy to hand wash or dry clean.

2. Try it on before it goes on sale. That way once is does go on sale and some sizes are gone, you won't buy the wrong size just because "it was on sale."

3. Always keep your receipts. It makes returns and price adjustments easier.

4. Hold out for "the perfect one" rather than buying cheaper substitutes. When you do find the one, you can spend more money on it then!