STYLETHREAD -- LET'S TALK SHOP!

Lilykind · Hermes

on verge of having a fashion breakdown...

Kelly · Hermes

I don't know, if you get rid of all these beautiful things it may backfire and you'll go on a run of splurges. I would...

Maybe just get rid of some of it... like 15%? 20%? Don't revert to hoodies and jeans if you don't really like it, but maybe go on a shopping ban instead so you don't spend even more money

exsupahero · Kate Spade

I think that if it's worth it, I'd do it. Definitely ebay it if you don't wear it alot. As much as I love clothes and fashion, buying a home I want is more important. You can still be fashionable without spending alot of $$$, and this will force you to be even more creative with your closet. A French gal only owns a couple of basics, and look how chic they look!

Good luck if you decide to buy a condo! You'll find out it may be worth it!

-- Edited by exsupahero at 02:43, 2007-06-21

Deuce · Dooney & Bourke

I would ebay what you dont wear but not too much. You can start on a shopping reduction/ban from here on out and save. IMO you will not get close to what you paid for those items on ebay and the number that you came up with will not be offset too much by doing the ebay purge. I also think that when you do something drastic like that you usually end up having to replace items as events come up that you need outfits for. From what I have seen of your wardrobe you have a broad spectum of items to keep you covered for any event that may come your way in the near future. I think it is a good feeling knowing that you have a well rounded (maybe very well) wardrobe and you dont have to run to the mall each time you are invited to an event.

halleybird · Hermes

I have rarely regretted huge closet purges, except when I got rid of things I LOVED for some extraneous reason (i.e., this isn't in fashion anymore). I haven't ever had a problem getting rid of things I simply "liked" but didn't wear.

NCshopper · Hermes

Get rid of the clothes you never wear. Keep everything else. Knowing your love of fashion, I think you'd really regret getting rid of half of your closet. You've built a killer collection of clothes and a lot of that was purchased with the idea that you'd have it forever, right? So keep those pieces. Ebay the stuff that you don't wear, things that are no longer your style, and the things that just don't fit right. And then just cut back big-time on purchasing new clothes.

erin · Chanel

i go through major purges every so often, and i have yet to regret what i've sold. most of the stuff i've purged is vintage, and i think it's extra hard for me to get rid of that because i'll probably never find it again, but once i see how much more worthwhile the $$$ is rather than the clothes sitting in my closet unworn, i am happy! (in the past year i've gotten rid of about 60 or 70 things)

littlebean · Kate Spade

I think I might know how you feel. Sometimes I'll be wearing an outfit in which everything is really expensive and I think about what it would be like to have that much more money in my savings account... and how that spending could add up to a house one day or a new car or a whole bunch of amazing vacations with my boyfriend. And that makes me sad! I haven't been able to do a real purge, but I have been able to drastically alter my spending habits and try to sell things when I can. Most importantly, I try to limit my spending to fewer pieces. I read personal finance books and blogs to stay on track. Unless you sell things that you absolutely love love love (and I don't think you should do that), I don't think you'll regret it for a second, as Erin said.

HeatherLynn · Gucci

I would only get rid of things you don't currently wear. I would go through your closet and see when the last time you honestly wore the piece was. If it has been awhile (with the exception of season changes) then I would ebay it. Good luck!

cc · Marc Jacobs

Speaking as someone who just bought her first apartment this week!!! I think you should consider some radical money-saving methods. It feels so good to own your own home but it's such an expensive undertaking.
I came really close to selling a ton of my clothes on Ebay or at Buffalo Exchange (to make money, to get rid of stuff before moving and because like you I also started feeling disgusted by my shopping habit). In the end I wound up not selling that much because I had to get out of my rental in a hurry...and had to move in with my parents for 2-3 months.

Whatever you get from selling clothes may seem like a drop in the bucket in terms of contributing towards your downpayment, but maybe it will enough enough for your closing costs or just the bank fees or something. I really hated having to live with my parents for a few months but it feels so good to have closed on my apartment - and to still have money in the bank to pay for movers and redecorating.

Maybe you should go through your entire wardrobe and pick out things you don't love and things you don't wear and put those on Ebay, donating anything that won't sell so you can at least get a tax deduction. Then start picking out things that you're on the fence about and consider selling some of those. Or pick a goal number (like lawyer's fees or title search) and try to sell enough to make that amount of money.

-- Edited by cc at 09:52, 2007-06-21

Shello · Kenneth Cole

I think it might be a good idea to start by ebaying maybe 10-15% and then just waiting awhile to see if you do miss anything. You might feel great right after, or you might be really regretful because you do have quite an awesome wardrobe. If you only start with a few things, hopefully you'll be able to tell what's right for you without giving up anything too major.

ViViDogWear · Kate Spade

Lilykind - I know it's really difficult to buy in L.A. And I understand you adoration of clothing. I agree it may make your stomach hurt just to think how much your things are worth (in what you spent) but I really think ebaying it (50%) is not the answer.
1) As some of the girls mentioned, you won't get even close to what you paid for on ebay.
2) You will regret it and/or have an occasion you need something for.
ITA with some of the other girls, start slowly purging your closet of things you won't wear again and ebay or donate those. Keep the items you've collected and be more mindful of wearing those instead of wanting new things.

I went through a tough phase last year where I couldn't afford to buy much, I just kept pulling out old things (good but old) that I had. And good style doesn't go out of fashion - I stillget compliments on my old clothes all the time.

Your wardrobe is stocked with super cute things you that are great quality. Hang on to what you like (and let the rest of us know what you're parting with! ;) we might want 1st dibs!)

Good luck with the house hunt!