STYLETHREAD -- LET'S TALK SHOP!

bluediamond · Dooney & Bourke

Spin Off Poll: how do you shop?

theotherjess · Chanel

I never buy outfits. I like to mix all of my pieces together.

Ally S · Kate Spade

I rarely buy outfits unless I have an occasion, I just buy pieces and mix them up with what I already have and hope that they will work with something in my closet.

CarrieS · Marc Jacobs

I never buy outfits either; I like a lot of basics though too, so it's not usually an issue with just getting pieces.

If I do like something a little more detailed or whatnot, then I usually try to come up with a few outfits before I'll buy it. Versatility is a big factor in my purchase habits.

zeitgeist4 · Gucci

I never buy outfits. I just buy random things I like and it all ends up going together.

lynnie · Chanel

i'm trying to make my closet more like a "collection" but slightly more eccentric. I want most things to go with other things. so now every piece i buy has to be cool, but also really versatile.

Lilykind · Hermes

I buy pieces as I see them. I have two categories...basic and well...not so basic.

The basic stuff is things like jeans, tanks and t-shirts that are for layering or work to temper the impact of any given outfit. These have to be replaced as they get worn, discolored, or when they no longer fit.

The not-so-basics is where I have fun...I buy random pieces that I love, but they generally have to be versatile or if they're not, they have to be so amusing that it won't matter.

atlgirl · Gucci

I buy what I like. I never buy a full outfit all at one time (unless I buy a dress, of course). But I also know what's in my closet and I think about how many things the item I want to buy will coordinate with. That way I don't have the problem of not being able to put anything together.

Also, last year I started to implement my "don't buy it unless you truly LOVE it" policy, and that's made a huge difference in my shopping. Some basics are excepted from this rule - like beater tanks and stuff; I try to find ones that I think are most flattering to my figure, but I'm never going to probably LOVE beaters like I love a great top or a pair of shoes. But I wear them so much as underlayers that I will still buy them. But for signature items, buying what I love instead of what I merely like (even if I like it a lot) has really changed my wardrobe.

TheLovelyLady71 · Hermes

Same here.

Ally S wrote:

I rarely buy outfits unless I have an occasion, I just buy pieces and mix them up with what I already have and hope that they will work with something in my closet.

Maat · Kenneth Cole

Usually pieces, but if i like something and don't think it would go with anything I have at home, I won't buy it unless I can find something in the store to wear it with. I've bought too many things in the past that just sat in my closet because nothing went well with them.

luckylily · Gucci

I buy single pieces, but I do think about outfits I can make with it using what I already have at home.

honey · Gucci

i hardly buy outfits. i have a solid collection of basics, and since i don't own a lot of prints most things pair well with each other. for spring/summer i'm really trying to acquire some killer statement pieces. since i won't have to comply with a business casual dresscode, i really want to get stuff that's just great and stands alone.

NCshopper · Hermes

I never buy outfits. But I don't usually buy a piece unless I can envision it with at least two things I already own.

JackieO527 · Dooney & Bourke

Up until recently shopping was a really chaotic event for me. I had to have everything that caught my eye that I could afford. This however has led to a closet full of clothes that don't have all neccessary counterparts to make a Great outfit. In light of my recent findings I cleaned out my closet and I am now making a spread sheet of things I own and things I need to make great outfits. When I go shopping I now look for things on my list...of course sometimes I stray but it is working out a little better now.

lilyann · Dooney & Bourke

Like the majority of others I never buy outfits- mainly seperates. I do a lot of viewing online of the stores I frequent, find the things I like, and then go and try them on. Depending on if I have the $ to purchase them at the time, I will buy, or wait until funds are available. Sometimes an item is too expensive, so then I will stalk it online for a sale. I will rarely just buy something cold without trying it on- but sometimes I have to because it is on ebay, or dont have that store near me. I prefer to go shopping alone because I am selfish, dont want to spend the time waiting for someone else in the dressing room, or go to stores that I dont like to go into. I dont shop with a list per say, But I will have a few items in mind when I do shop- and then find items by chance, because not everything in a store is viewable online.