STYLETHREAD -- LET'S TALK SHOP!

theotherjess · Chanel

Do you have a shopping strategy?

TheLovelyLady71 · Hermes

Ha! I only WISH I had a shopping strategy everytime I go shopping, and NOT buy stuff just because. But here lately, I pretty much go into a store, look at a FEW things, get what I want, then leave, maybe 20 mins. tops. LOL And that's not how I use to be, I'd look at EVERYTHING, and BUY everything! LOL I have a girls night out this Saturday, and my mission is to find a new, sexy shirt.

Metric · Gucci

nope, I'm a fly-by-the-seat-of-my-pants shopper. Its really bad b/c I never buy outfits, only peices and then scramble trying to make things work. I am trying to do better this year and shop with more of a plan. (...so far its not really working. I suck

)

CarrieS · Marc Jacobs

I always have an ongoing list, but a lot of times when I get bored, I go wander the mall and buy something that might not necessarily be on that list.

I guess I do both then

Ally S · Kate Spade

I don't do pictures but I'll go somewhere with some particular thoughts in mind like I need new camisoles for layering or basic tee shirts.

I really hate malls, so the less time I spend in them the happier I am.

shopgirl82 · Chanel

i have a super dorky spreadsheet. i'll add items when i'm browsing online, but RARELY impulse purchases do happen in stores, and more frequently on ebay. i have been super good lately about making sure that i have an outift to go with the item.

my aha moment the other day was since i have been working a lot more, i have to realize that i only have so many opportunities to wear all my clothes, so i have been better about not buying as much, and saving more for vacations/vacation homes/ and major purchases. of course when i do have the opportunity to wear an outfit other than scrubs or gym clothes, you better believe i want it to look fantastic!

SELFstyled · Nine West

I have a list of wants/needs but if I don't find what I'm looking for then anything goes! ;)

lynnie · Chanel

i rarely impulse. I tend to look at magazines as a catalog- i usually find one or two pieces I really like in a magazine and if its mid range price (i often don't let myself fall in love with a $2000 dress for example- i am somewhat practical), i'll try to find it and buy it. I dont ever shop really- i am around fashion all the time at work and i dont really feel like going shopping after or on weekends. I also have a habit of shopping off of well dressed people in nyc- if i see a girl with a piece i love- i suck up my pride and ask where its from. I dont do this often- maybe once or twice a month. I bought my awesome leather jacket off of someone I followed her for a block in the subway! I also draw little pictures of things i like and see if i can find something. And I get wholesale prices at the showroom methinks- so i'm already plotting fall 2006 (doo.ri, cacharel, phillip lim, among others).

atlgirl · Gucci

Usually I'm shopping I'm shopping because I'm looking for specific things (my always-evolving wishlist), but if something catches my eye, I'll see where it leads me. I like to wander and browse, because you never know where you'll find something and fall in love with it.

Bastet · Kate Spade

I keep a categorized list w/ pics in a word document that I take with me. I make the list after trying to figure out what I actually need (usually clothes for work) and what I want. Depending on the size of the list, sometimes I prioritize stuff within the need and want categories.

Most of the time, the majority of the stuff I have on my list doesn't fit or I decide I don't like. Having a list actually helps me spend less money, I think. Especially dividing it up into need vs. want. (Though I'm sure my husband would argue that everything should go in the "want" category!)

Chloegirl · BCBG

I'm in the middle of changing my tendencies right now. Up until this year, I've been an impulse shopper and ended up with many things that I never wore because I didn't have the other pieces to complete the outfit. This year I'm trying to change that. I've been stocking up on the basic layering pieces and then taking note of pieces I like in magazines and on other people. I have a list that I keep in my purse of the kinds of things I'm looking for and try to stick to that now, crossing off an item when I buy it. I was proud of myself yesterday. I had to take back a sweater that didn't fit and with the refund I bought just the black tights, faux pearl necklace, and short sleeved blazer that were on my wishlist. In the past I would have come out with a bunch of things I didn't really need and wasn't sure that would match anything in my closet.

honey · Gucci

i guess my strategy is to fixate on certain things, and then work on acquiring. i usually have a running list of things i want, and i scour around until i get them. right now i want to add a pleated pencil skirt to my wardrobe, and i'm desperately trying to find these specific shoes.

jj · Kate Spade

I have a general idea of what I want. I actually posted my list in a style poll to help me stick to it! Then I go shopping and look for things that fit what I need. If I get too specific before I shop, I risk being disappointed because the shirt didn't fit, wasn't cute IRL, etc...

Every once in a while something grabs me and I'll buy it or come back and buy it. But I always make sure I can return it, in case it doesn't fit into my wardrobe.

Christine · Coach

For me, it's about 50-50 --- about half the time, I know exactly what I am going shopping for and will try to stick to that when looking around (this usually fails and I end up buying plenty of things that aren't what I had planned!). The other half of the time, I just feel like going shopping in general, so I'll wander around stores waiting for things to catch my eye.

NCshopper · Hermes

shopgirl82 wrote:

i have a super dorky spreadsheet. i'll add items when i'm browsing online, but RARELY impulse purchases do happen in stores

Yeah, I'm a spreadsheet girl too. It's helped me curb a lot of impulse shopping and has allowed me to focus on getting one or two great pieces at a higher price point instead of buying a bunch of mediocre pieces at lower price points.

My list is so long and I don't think it'll ever end.

laken1 · Hermes

I fly by the seat of my pants. I tried a list & i ended up buying more because I got what was on my list AND impulse shopped. I'm awful.

Christine · Coach

NCshopper wrote:

My list is so long and I don't think it'll ever end.

I feel this way too. I don't ever take the list with me - it's just saved on my computer - but everytime I can cross one thing off, 2 things take its place......

flknight24 · Dooney & Bourke

CarrieS wrote:

I always have an ongoing list, but a lot of times when I get bored, I go wander the mall and buy something that might not necessarily be on that list. I guess I do both then

This is pretty much what I do as well. Most of my "big" purchases are totally thought out but every once in a while I buy something (or things) that aren't on my list. One thing that's really helped me is that I don't buy anything that I can't picture wearing, as in, I have to be able to picture and outfit I would wear the piece with and also think of where I would wear it. If I can't come up with anything then I don't get it.

luckylily · Gucci

I'm really budget conscious right now, which requires me to be pretty strategic.

I rarely impulse buy and I never go to the stores or mall to browse. Browsing in stores is just too much temptation for me, so I avoid it. I do a lot of online browsing. If something is really sticking in my head I'll usually then try to find out what B&M store in my area carries the line or item and go try it on.

Like Lynnie, I kind of use magazines as catalogs. I note things I like and try to find the item or something similar and cheaper.

The past year or so, I've only been making an effort to buy things that already work in my wardrobe. I used to be in the habit of buying stuff I liked then having to buy other stuff to wear with it. Now I try to think about outfits and make sure that I have three or so ways to wear the item.

Drew · Gucci

Err, is this a strategy: buy whatever I like, then just return what doesn't work out with my other clothes? I usually shop online so I just buy at will, then try everything on home with other stuff in my closet, and return whatever I don't like. I probably return or exchange 40%-50% of what I purchase.