STYLETHREAD -- LET'S TALK SHOP!

Chloegirl · BCBG

fashion confessions

blubirde · Chanel

I've already done this once but it was so long ago and so out-dated that I think I'll confess my new issues:

1. Unlike some of you, I wear the same outfits over and over again. If I like it, I wear it all the time. I try to avoid wearing it around the same groups of people but my bf sees me in the same thing way more than I'd care to admit. It's just that I get it in my head that a certain outfit is the best possible outfit ever and I wear it until I'm sick of it and it's on to something else. I'm the same way with cds and food too. Maybe it's a compulsion or something.

2. I hate going to the mall. I hate the thought of having to try on all the different items of clothing and seeing them on other people at the same time. I hate having to pay $80 for a mall item. It irks me beyond belief. Which leads me too...

3. Target is my shopping mecca. I try and limit my clothing budget (since I have so very many items of clothing), but I can't actually resist buying new clothes and Target is the only thing I can justify without feeling like I've cheated. I wear a lot of other things but you can pretty much guarantee something I'm wearing in a day has come from Target.

4. I'm a binge shopper. I try to keep from spending a lot of money on clothes (again because I have so many!) but when I'm bummed or having a really crappy day, I binge shop. I go crazy and blow my entire 6 month savings on one shopping spree. It's an insane problem that I try and control but the truth is, I love the stuff I buy so much that I look forward to the binges. It's a sickness.

5. I'm a serial returner. I'm constantly buying stuff, taking it home to try it on with other clothes, and deciding I don't like the fit, color, or whatever. My mom told me stores are starting to keep lists of serial returners, so I'm certain I'm on them. I hope she's wrong.

6. The thought of buying quality, basic items bums me out. I'd much rather buy a swing coat that's only going to be "in" for a few months at most. And then I get pissed when I don't have anything classy to wear to occasions where it'd be much more appropriate to be dressed conservatively and with quality pieces.

7. I'm obsessed with coats. And I live in Texas. It's an absurdity I can't explain. If I could, and I wouldn't die of heat stroke, I'd wear a jacket, coat, or blazer over every, single outfit I own. I could be wearing the crummiest jeans and t-shirt but with a nice coat, I feel very pulled together. It makes no sense.

dangergirl · Kate Spade

ttara123 wrote:

5. Sometimes when I'm getting ready to go out, I'll put on an outfit that is totally cute. But at the last minute I'll just change into jeans, tennis shoes, and a sweater because none of my friends are into clothes and they make me feel self-conscious about it.

i do this too, and if i decide not to change in the end someone will inevitably comment that i'm overdressed hmm

Kelly · Hermes

dangergirl wrote:

ttara123 wrote:

5. Sometimes when I'm getting ready to go out, I'll put on an outfit that is totally cute. But at the last minute I'll just change into jeans, tennis shoes, and a sweater because none of my friends are into clothes and they make me feel self-conscious about it.
i do this too, and if i decide not to change in the end someone will inevitably comment that i'm overdressed

The worst part is, both my job and my friends are super-casual. So if I want to wear something pretty, I'll tell the commenters at my job that I dressed up because I'm going out that night, and in the evening I tell my friends who commented that I came straight from work and didn't have time to change.

theotherjess · Chanel

blubirde wrote:

3. Target is my shopping mecca. I try and limit my clothing budget (since I have so very many items of clothing), but I can't actually resist buying new clothes and Target is the only thing I can justify without feeling like I've cheated. I wear a lot of other things but you can pretty much guarantee something I'm wearing in a day has come from Target.

Oh my gosh, me too. Some days, I look down, and everything I'm wearing is Target. Variety=the spice of life?

Suasoria · Chanel

Wow, what a thread. I didnt realize it was old until I was almost through.

Sometimes I get completely dressed in the morning, realize the bra and/or underwear doesnt work for some reason, then get undressed, change undergarments, and then get re-dressed.

I own about 13 black bras, only 3 that arent black, and no white. I try to match my UW to my outfit, so good thing I wear mostly black. I also cannot wear a light-colored bra under a dark top. It feels matronly to me.

I have bought bras and underwear at Pic-n-Save aka Big Lots.

I will only buy thin black socks or thick white socks, and when I buy socks, I buy 6-10 identical pairs. Any other socks I own are gifts from mom, grandma, etc.

90% of my purchases these days are online. However, Ill spend more on something if I buy it in person since impulses are more likely to kick in.

Ive never bought clothing on eBay. I dont even have an account. If I see an item I want, like something for my computer or the house, I email it to my husband and he does my bidding (hee).

I am often too lazy to return things even if they dont fit. It depends on the price. If its less than $10-15 Ill probably not waste my time sending it back.

I sometimes spend an hour or more on a website putting things in a cart and then just close the browser window and say buh-bye. It satisfies a shopping jones without spending any money.

I lie to my husband about shipping charges. I tell him shipping and returns are free over x amount of dollars.

I will tell my female relatives the truth about where I bought something and how much I paid, but if anyone else asks, I usually say "a lady never tells." I dont know why its anyones business and the question makes me uncomfortable.

I dont wear shorts either. I dont see what the big deal is about that.

I still wear those black cotton Chinese Mary Janes with the brown soles. Been wearing that style since junior high, and they would be the only shoes Id ever wear if my lifestyle and the weather cooperated. The funny thing is, whenever I wear them, women stop me on the street to reminisce about them. ("Are they as comfortable as I remember? Do they still get those holes in the toes?" And so on. If you werent punkish as a teen, you wouldnt understand.)

I am prejudiced against many, many stores and wont even walk into J Crew, BR, Gap, ON, Express, and Anthropologie. I will look occasionally at online sales, but rarely buy anything. I consider myself too edgy to shop there, and I object to spending "real money" on mall clothes, tons of which are polyester.

Ive never had a professional manicure or a facial. The only person who has cut my hair other than mom, dad, and myself is a friend of my college roommates who was going to hair school. Wow, Ive cut my own hair for more than 25 years!

I am still using eyeshadows and eye pencils from high schoolin the 1980s. I havent gone blind yet.

atlgirl · Gucci

In early December, I was going from work (where I had to be more casual) to a holiday party, with only a short amount of time to be at home and change (I had to go home first to drop off my work stuff). I was trying to figure out what I'd be wearing, and people at work were asking me, "Is it a dressy party?" and I said, "For me, they always are". I work from home (sweats, or casual clothes most days) so where there's somewhere to go, I'm going to go on the dressed-up side.

I'm amazed at how many of you dress down because of what your friends might think. IMO life's too short to not wear what you want (assuming it is event-appropriate, of course, but so many events can go in any direction). When we first moved, I used to get a lot of "why are you so dressed up?" at places, but after five years, they're all used to me now. And it never bothered me when I got asked that. "Because I want to be" was my standard answer.

I'm the opposite of blubirde; I'd rather have beautiful, quality classics that I love and will always love wearing, instead of a fabulous, trendy swing coat (though I might envy her fabulousness!). I choose my clothes to be (hopefully!) long-wearing items that will work with my wardrobe in many ways.

chloegirl, I can't wear mohair at all - it makes me itch like crazy. But I luuuuuurve cashmere. I think there's a complete difference between the two so if you want to try cashmere, give it a shot. I've never had it make me itch, ever. Even the cheaper cashmere still feels pretty darned good. :)

I'm also amazed at how many people (rudely, IMO!) ask you all how much you paid for something. With close friends (if they ever asked, which they don't), I might share, but not to a casual acquaintance or co-worker. If I have a $1,000 bag, (for example), they can make their own guesses about whether I paid full price or found a deal. :P

pollyjean23 · Marc Jacobs

Another one. I have never purchased a piece of real jewelry for myself.

Kincali · Dooney & Bourke

When I visit my grandmother I always go to this outlet store in town to stock up on my basic underwear. The store sells them for $.25 a piece because they normally come 3 in a package but someone has broken it open. ashamed

If I had one area in my closet that I hated spending money on it would be lingerie.

lynnie · Chanel

I think i posted a while ago, but haven't had time to reread and laugh at myself!

1) i despise shopping, nothing sounds worse than going shopping. I do like fashion and unique pieces though, and love online browsing or looking at fashion blogs and websites.

2) I am kind of a jewelry snob (though I don't really care about diamonds or stones.) I like real gold. I want to learn how to make jewelry. I like the idea of handing something down to your children.

3) There are few things I"ll buy full price. They are: Coats and jackets, jeans, nice sweaters, and boots. Usually things that won't go on sale or will sell out. I don't mind waiting months for something to go on sale, even if it means I can't wear it til next year. I actually prefer to not wear things in the season that its from.

4) I'm addicted to J. Crew. I feel guilty.

5) I used to love Anthropologie and now I can't stand it. Too many flowers and details and ruffles and bells and whistles.

6) I pay attention to what a brand stands for. If I hear a designer is a total diva or treats people like sh*t, i don't bother buying from them (unless they are ridiculously talented, then i'll compromise wink

) I won't wear Juicy Couture because I don't like their branding. And I don't wear many designers that design "LA fashion." Maybe it's a new york snob thing? On the contrary, I will buy something from Nordstrom and pay full price, because I think they treat customers well.

7) Makeup/beauty product snob. I don't wear a lot, and I just prefer nicer makeup. It's not like I'm blowing my budget here, that's how i rationalize.

8) I would always ALWAYS prefer to be overdressed than underdressed. I think I wore a sweatshirt twice in college. I look kind of scruffy usually, and my style is nothing fancy, but I won't leave the house in sweatpants.

9) Sometimes I consider starting a small fashion line. Maybe in a few years. But then I feel guilty about adding to consumer culture. I hate convincing people that they need to buy buy BUY!!

10) I don't really wash my clothes. Haha. Only if it touches my body a lot (undergarments, layering shirts, jeans every 7 or so wears, etc.) I have sweaters I've had for years that I haven't ever washed.

11) I want to lose 10 lbs, simply so my clothes look better on me.

12) I'm sick of models. There are points where I won't even open a magazine because my eyes start to glaze over. It's not even about wishing I looked like that or the message to society. I just get sick of these 17 year old girls being everywhere in the fashion world. They are kids!

jj · Kate Spade

I am a serial returner too! I hope stores don't hate me, but I bet they do. I have to ponder things for a while and test them out with other pieces in my closet. I prefer to call myself thoughtful :)

I am also a serial outfit repeater. I think I have worn the same casual outfit the past 6 Saturdays in a row - jeans, pumas, print tee and jacket. But I keep track of my work outfits on a spreadsheet so I don't repeat those too often. It's so freakishly obsessive!

Lilykind · Hermes

I can't believe this thread is over 3 years old. It's funny to see what I said before and how some things have changed so much but how others haven't really changed at all.

1. I'm becoming an old lady. All of the shoes I wear regularly are flats or sneakers. If they're not flat, they're chunky heels with loads of padding. I walk at least a mile a day, which includes a fair bit of hill walking and running up and down stairs. I just can't master doing all the walking/running I do in heels anymore. My feet ache in Converse and when I tried to wear my Miu Miu mary janes for a day, they were bilstered for a week.

2. I have a strong desire to throw out all of my shoes that *retailed* for less than $100. I usually prefer to acquire nicer shoes on the cheap because all the cheap ones (with a few brand exceptions) hurt me feet. I won't buy any shoes with synthetic materials anymore. Life is too short to wear plastic on the feet.

3. I'm with Lynnie. I'm addicted to J. Crew...it's the only mall store I check regularly. I am a huge fan of their basics and I know that deep down, I am REALLY preppy. I think I would indulge it more if I lived in a more conservative town. But I do buy 90% of my basics from them.

4. Also with Lynnie, I pretty much don't like Anthropologie anymore. My taste leans more towards very graphic bold prints and detailing....Anthro is generally too frilly and delicate. I was there last night and I couldn't stop thinking about how there was so much embellishment everywhere. It's precious, but now it's mostly too precious for me.

5. I have stupid shopping biases. Nordstrom wouldn't accept my credit card application when I was in college and Bloomingdales did, so for that reason I don't frequent Nordies. I also hate buying from boutique websites based in CA (like Revolve) because I have to pay the sales tax.

6. I wish I was skinnier so I could get away with hiding my body underneath all the voluminous items that have been in fashion for the past couple of years. I HATE getting male attention for what I wear, but since I'm curvy, I have the option of wearing form fitting clothing or looking overly bulky in voluminous clothes.

7. I'd buy every coat ever made if I didn't live in Los Angeles and only needed them three days a year. My lone Mackage jacket will have to do.

MissMee · Kate Spade

Mine:
1. I only wear designer clothes. I might own stuff from Target or Old Navy or Gap, but I will only wear them if I'm in the house doing cleaning or painting. I feel embarrassed, like people will know I'm wearing cheap stuff.

2. That said, I only buy my designer clothes on super-sale.

3. When I wear my Manolos, I make sure to take them off so people will see that they're Manolos. I'm a sicko.

4. I am only friends with people who have less money than I do because I don't like it when someone is dressed better than me or has nicer things than me.

5. I will never carry a purse that is not a major logo like LV or Chanel or Gucci. If I'm going to spend the money, I want people to know what it is dammit!

6. I don't think vehicles *technically* count as fashion, but I drive a Lexus LX 470 truck and think that people who bought the smaller versions are cheap. Mine is used and probably cost less than theirs, though.

7. I hate t-shirts and sweatshirts

8. I'm addicted to Salvation Army because some rich lady gives all her kid's Oilily and Cachcach clothes to it. I buy it all so my kids will be the best dressed.

9. I would never let my kids wear Carter's clothes because it's too common.

10. I grew up in a double-wide but never told anyone. I always made my mom buy me Esprit so the kids would think I had money.

11. I think women in Tweety/Taz/Bugs Bunney/Pooh clothes are uber-trashy, illiterate hillbillies.

12. I don't "get" Marc Jacobs. Or Balenciaga, for that matter. Or John Galliano. MJ bags and Balenciaga bags look "old lady" to me.

-- Edited by MissMee at 10:03, 2008-01-16

Suasoria · Chanel

MissMee wrote:

Mine:

11. I think women in Tweety/Taz/Bugs Bunney/Pooh clothes are uber-trashy, illiterate hillbillies.

You mean they aren't??

And can I add Disney characters to that list? Oy, I went to a baby shower this weekend and a woman at least 10 years older than me was wearing a Minnie Mouse t-shirt.

I hate t-shirts and sweatshirts too. The only thing I own that passes for a sweatshirt is a zip-up Hanes hoodie I bought at a drugstore for $10 one night when my husband was in the ER and I was freezing. I do wear it around the house...

There's little on your list that I can relate to, except the ones I relate to, I TOTALLY relate to!

Kelly · Hermes

OMG the tweety t-shirts make me want to gouge my eyes out... I just do NOT understand the compulsion to wear them! With most things, even if I don't like them myself I can find one small part of me that understands the appeal. But these? I am lost on them.

I saw a stand-up comic address this once. He was talking about how women always get mad at their husbands for "letting the romance die," and badgering them for not taking them out to dinner or having a romantic evening at home. And he said something to the effect that maybe he would want to romance her if she didn't wear an oversized Garfield T-shirt to bed!

erin · Chanel

MissMee wrote:
Mine:
1. I only wear designer clothes. I might own stuff from Target or Old Navy or Gap, but I will only wear them if I'm in the house doing cleaning or painting. I feel embarrassed, like people will know I'm wearing cheap stuff.

2. That said, I only buy my designer clothes on super-sale.

3. When I wear my Manolos, I make sure to take them off so people will see that they're Manolos. I'm a sicko.

4. I am only friends with people who have less money than I do because I don't like it when someone is dressed better than me or has nicer things than me.

5. I will never carry a purse that is not a major logo like LV or Chanel or Gucci. If I'm going to spend the money, I want people to know what it is dammit!

6. I don't think vehicles *technically* count as fashion, but I drive a Lexus LX 470 truck and think that people who bought the smaller versions are cheap. Mine is used and probably cost less than theirs, though.

7. I hate t-shirts and sweatshirts

8. I'm addicted to Salvation Army because some rich lady gives all her kid's Oilily and Cachcach clothes to it. I buy it all so my kids will be the best dressed.

9. I would never let my kids wear Carter's clothes because it's too common.

10. I grew up in a double-wide but never told anyone. I always made my mom buy me Esprit so the kids would think I had money.

11. I think women in Tweety/Taz/Bugs Bunney/Pooh clothes are uber-trashy, illiterate hillbillies.

12. I don't "get" Marc Jacobs. Or Balenciaga, for that matter. Or John Galliano. MJ bags and Balenciaga bags look "old lady" to me.

-- Edited by MissMee at 10:03, 2008-01-16

i think you are the "joneses" that we are supposed to keep up with!

littlelatina · BCBG

This is sooo much fun! Ok here goes...

1. I absolutely love on-line shopping, and I have no problem spending endless hours at work finding the perfect leather jacket, boots, etc.

2. I look down on people who can't dress in current trends. I especially hate it when people wear sneakers to work, hi water jeans, and any type of holiday sweater.

3. I obsess over the latest celebrity item, whether it's a madison marcus jacket, or Oprah's favorite Uggs, and will not sleep till I own it.

4. I could own stock at Nine West and have regular conversations with them about things coming out, etc. I know what days the get shipments, I know their highest volume selling stores (for item checks), etc!!! I buy at least 1-2 prs of Nine west shoes per month!

5. I feel good when I buy something, like I'm high! But I feel even better when I return something and I see the money show up in my bank account.

6. I love it when people compliment me on my outfit, and get bothered when they don't!

7. I lie to my husband, friends, and co-workers about items being new, and I always tell them everything costs less.

8. When a complete stranger asks me where I bought something, I usually say E-bay so that they can't own what I have!

9. I feel really good when I buy something fashionable for someone, and they wear it!

10. I rarely buy anything on sale, I feel like if it's on sale, then it must be old, unwanted, or just not desired!!!

11. Finally, I love a fashion challenge! if someone asks me to find them a particular item, I will spend endless hours until I find it, and I challenge myself to find a better one than they originally thought. I might find a better fit, a cheaper price, or a more attractive design!

12. Oh yeah, as fashion conscious as I am, my lingerie is less than to be desired. Everything I own comes from the VS pink collection, and I"m in 30's!

MissMee · Kate Spade

erin wrote:
i think you are the "joneses" that we are supposed to keep up with!

Totally NOT!!!! I think I'm more of a wannabe with money to spend.....

bloomie · Marc Jacobs

Okay, I feel the urge to unload:

1. I have never spent more than $99 on a pair of shoes and that was a pair of
     boots.

2. I love to shop online even though I love going to the mall occasionally.

3. I prefer to shop by myself.

4. I cannot spend more than $55 on a handbag. Even though I would love
     have a LV or a Chanel I simply cannot seem to pull the trigger and buy one.
     I currently have the money to get an LV due to Christmas, but I just think
     of all the other fun cheaper things I could buy. Also, there are so many
     fakes floating around my area, no one would know it was real, and if I
     pay that kind of money people better think it is real!!! smile

5. I am obsessed with high heels and rarely wear flats. I am known for my
     shoes.

6. I am amazed by some of the ugly shoes that my friends wear. I would like
     to take them aside and tell them they are just not working, but I can't
     hurt their feelings.

7. I am a serial returner at JCPenney. If I buy something there I almost
     always return it. I am completely embarrassed when I see the lady at
     the catalog desk because she knows me due to my returns.

8. There is a lady in my church who always wears hats (she is the only hat
     wearer) and they are UGLY, but she thinks she they are fabulous. I just
     mentally shake my head. The one she had on Sunday looked like a goose
     had crash landed on her head. I felt so sorry for her, but at the same time
     I felt very un-Christian like for thinking those bad thoughts about her hat.

9. I have longish hair below my shoulders, but would like to get it cut into a
     bob.  However, I am 37 and am so afraid that if I get it cut, I will never
     be able to wear it long again because my mother told me one time that
     women over 40 should not have long hair. I feel that my "time is short"
     for long hair.  I am afraid that if I get it cut, I will just be another one of
     those women who got their hair cut as they approached 40. I wish I could
     do what I wanted with my hair and not worry about what other people
     think.

gingembre1 · Kate Spade

I don't think I've done this yet....

1. I refuse to buy anything full price - I'm getting into a desperate situation because my thighs are rubbing together and wearing out my jeans, but I refuse to buy new jeans full price. And I can't find any designer jeans I like at a discount right now. I've also gained weight, and I refuse to go up a size.

2. I LOOOOOVE fashion, and I know exactly what looks best on other people, and I constantly comment in my head about peoples' outfits, but 90% of the time I dress in jeans and a boring top.

3. I have some really beautiful tops and dresses, but I don't go out much, and if I do, it's never somewhere fancy, but I can't stop buying the beautiful clothes. So I have a closet full of clothes I don't like much for every day wear, and beautiful pieces for going out that I never get to wear.

4. I love high heels, but because of dancing, I can't wear them anymore. I've been reduced to sneakers and flip flops most days, and it makes me sad.

5. I like jewelry, and would like to own more of it, but I always end up buying clothes instead.

6. I don't coordinate purses with outfits. In fact, I really only use one purse, and it's pink. I don't really love it, but I can't find a purse I LOVE, so I just keep using it.

7. Back to #2, I looooooove fashion, but fashion does not love me. I'm short, curvy (real curvy, not fat curvy), as well as athletic, so most fashion-y things don't work on me.

8. I love shopping by myself. I don't like it when other people see something they think I would like, and I have to pretend it's nice. I also like to shop on my own schedule, and not have to cater to someone else.

9. Shopping is therapeutic for me.

10. I don't like showing my chest because I got an awful sunburn a couple summers ago and my chest has never looked the same.

11. I love finding deals on Ebay, but I hate admitting that's where I got something if someone compliments me on it.