STYLETHREAD -- LET'S TALK SHOP!

bloomie · Marc Jacobs

how do you make purchases?

Escrime · Kate Spade

Yes, and I do it with shoes, too. I usually do it with something that isn't outrageously priced (and if it's from F21, I'm thinking it's not), so I don't feel bad if I never end up incorporating it in my wardrobe. I have better luck dressing around shoes, though.

AllieGurl · Marc Jacobs

ok , I have to chime in here. I LOVE that top and tried it on last week. I am thinking about going back and buying it this weekend. For $19, that price cant be beat!

I was thinking about wearing it with tons of long necklaces layered over a solid color dress I have.

Also was thinking about wearing it with skinny jeans, boots over jeans and a bright colored long tank layered underneath.

HTH!

Kitty · Hermes

OK, I think I have to buy that top after I read all AllieGirls suggestions!

bloomie · Marc Jacobs

Kitty wrote:

OK, I think I have to buy that top after I read all AllieGirls suggestions!

Have I started a frenzy? biggrin

Those are some great suggestions, Alliegurl. I see it with a purple top.

-- Edited by bloomie at 20:37, 2007-09-08

-- Edited by bloomie at 20:37, 2007-09-08

Kitty · Hermes

As for your original question, I don't usually plan outfits or match specific things to the items I buy. I just buy what i like and it usually works out that I can incorporate stuff easily into my wardrobe. I also have a ton of clothes, so I can always find SOMETHING to go w/ new additions.

atlgirl · Gucci

bloomie wrote:
Do you ever just buy a piece and hang it in your closet and wait for inspiration?

I don't. IMO that's how people end up with clothes in their closet that never get worn. If I love something but I'm not sure how to wear it, I'll take it home and try it with other items in my closet, and if it doesn't look right, it goes back.

If I am sure it *will* work, but I have to find the right things to wear it with, I will keep it. But if it's just not "quite right" with anything I already own, and I am not sure what it will ever be right with, then likely I'll never wear it.

Suasoria · Chanel

Do you ever just buy a piece and hang it in your closet and wait for inspiration?

I'm not usually drawn to things that are outside my "comfort zone," so this is rarely an issue for me. Shoes, maybe, but I'm so cheap that even this rarely happens.

jj · Kate Spade

Rarely - because I too would just let it hang there, whithering away.

But I love posting things here and getting other people's ideas, like AllieGurl's. Usually my problem is that I don't think enough outside of the box, so I like hearing fresh perspectives!

NCshopper · Hermes

I don't buy things for inspiration. I frankly just can't afford to have clothes in my closet that aren't doing anything. I like to get a good Cost-Per-Wear out of my clothes, so that means that I have to get "double duty" out of most everything I buy, meaning I can wear it for work and not-work. So most of my clothing purchases are thought out and planned.

As far as that top goes, it's really cute and I love AllieGurl's styling suggestion! Wearing it with a cream colored cami and cream pencil skirt would also look really pretty.

Lilykind · Hermes

I have a couple of things like that, but I bought them years ago. I got both items because I just about died when I saw them. Now they've hung in my closet for the better part of 2-3 years.

1. Cigana dress I LOVE but just can't figure out how to style for real life. Or really what occasion I could wear this dress to without looking too out of place. However, I loved the fairty-tale like look of the dress.

DSCN0176.jpg picture by lilykind

2. a wintage ivory coat with white mink trimmed collar and cuffs. I keep hoping that there will be a day that I will be able to rock that coat with justice. I just sit there staring at it , hoping that maybe I'll be a classy dresser when I wear it or something.

I learned my lesson after those...I really have to own wearable things that *can* be dressed down. Now, if I can't figure out how to wear something at least 4-5 ways, an item will not make it into my closet.

lynnie · Chanel

No. I don't buy anything that will just hang there. And I'm not an impulse shopper, at all. I try to buy things i feel like I am always wanting for styling purposes, but don't own. For example, I want a nice set of gold bangles and something hunter green for fall. And I don't have a good slouchy button down blouse. Or enough cardigans. I usually hold out until I find the perfect piece. Space is a premium in NYC! Plus, IMHO it's wasteful to own too many things you don't really use.
That said, I think you could easily rock that shirt!

Kelly · Hermes

I will buy "out of place" things, but I'll be willing to take them back. Still, I feel like most tops are going to be able to be paired with jeans if nothing else, and most bottoms are going to be able to be paired with a white oxford, if nothing else. And I own a ton of single-color basics that will go with almost anything I buy. After I gained weight a couple years ago, I had to rebuild my wardrobe and found that basics were the best things to buy at first, because you could create a zillion outfits out of just a few pieces. Then it was hard to get out of that "basics only" mindset...so I have more than my fair share :) But in the end I'm glad I have so many basic pieces, because almost anything I want to buy can find a home with me

zeitgeist4 · Gucci

bloomie wrote:
Do you ever just buy a piece and hang it in your closet and wait for inspiration?

No, not anymore. I used to do this sometimes, but I found I would never wear the item. If I can figure out at least 3 different ways to wear something I will get it. When I can only wear an item 1 way I get tired of it, because I feel like I'm repeating outfits constantly.

TheLovelyLady71 · Hermes

I'm like Kitty, I usually don't plan outfits or match specific things (maybe in my mind! LOL) to the items I buy. I buy what I like, and it usually works out with MOST of the things I already have in my closet. I have a ton of/too many clothes, so finding SOMETHING to go along w/the new additions wouldn't be a problem. Here lately, I've been buying dresses like crazy! Not sure what's going on, but I LOVE my dresses, I think now more so than skirts! LOL

BargainQueen · Marc Jacobs

I used to just buy what I like when I had an unlimited amt of cash flow (aka I was single). Now...I try to shop only when I'm on the lookout for something specific and build pieces from there. Even now I buy things that later just sit in my closet and I wonder what I could ever wear it with. Now...shopping for my 3 yr old is another story...there's way too many cute kids clothes to resist!