Don’t buy it if you don’t love it. And love it only if it flatters you.

It doesn’t matter what big name is on the label. It doesn’t matter how low the price. Does the piece make you look good? Does it make you feel good? That’s what’s important. The lesson here: Buy less, buy better, be picky. If you can walk away without getting a pang, do yourself a favor and walk away. You don’t need another piece of clothing in your closet taking up valuable real estate.  And take it from someone who knows and has started shopping in my own closet!  And I sell clothes!

One of my favorite movies is The Blind Side…and a favorite quote, “One thing I know, if you don’t love it in the store, you won’t love it at home”. How true that is. I cannot tell you how many items of clothing and shoes I have in my closet, still with the tags on them.  And I fancy myself a savvy shopper. (Yeah, and based on the lambasting I received from my savvy packing blog, let the lynching begin!)    I’ve begun “shopping in my own closet” because, quite frankly, I have a lot of clothes.  And I have a lot of items I haven’t worn.  And many aren’t shopping regrets, but I have regretted buying so many clothes!

Some of my biggest shopping regrets (and some that have nothing to do with Fashion)

1.  Clip on Pony Tail.  No need to elaborate.  Though in my own defense (I guess I’m elaborating), I did get it to wear to a Prom-themed fundraiser.

2.  The many, many , many pairs of shoes that I bought, and they haven’t felt fabulous, so I never wear them.   And more specifically the pair of shoes that I insisted my mother buy me in 3rd grade, that basically mangled my toes… Truly.  I regret that purchase.

(these were not a pair of shoes I regretted buying.  I would not buy these shoes.  Just thought they were snappy, and wanted to share them)

3.  Denim-look workout suit.  Again, no need to elaborate.   The only good news here is I never wore it.

4.  Balloon skirt – which made me look like a balloon.  Not the look I was going for.

5.  Light Pink Leather jacket I bought on eBay.  I turned around and sold it on eBay for about 25% of what I paid for it.   Word to the wise, it’s very difficult to buy an item of clothing or shoes on eBay, unless you are buying a brand you truly know.  Handbags and sunglasses are easier purchases!  And I often test that theory!

6.  Cowboy boots, which I bought to wear to a Blazing Saddle fundraiser.  I realized I wasn’t going to spend $200 on a pair of boots I wouldn’t wear again.  Plus I’d rather give that money to the charity.  Actually, CP , told me that, and I pirated that from her!   And I still returned them. 🙂

(Above cowboy boots are fine,  just not for me…and no cowboy boots will work for me.  Darn shame really)

6.  Pink Sunglasses.  And I actually wore them to a golf outing.   They matched the pink polo.  (you may roll your eyes here).

7.  Skinny jeans.  Did not make me look skinny.

8.  Porsche Cayenne…while the car is great in the snow, in the past 2 years, I’ve had to put over $4300 into it.  Maintenance, Tires, Brakes.  My last 3 cars were BMW’s, and they were maintenance free.   Wish Rudy at Motorwerks had shared that if you own a Porsche, you should be prepared to spend lots of cash on maintenance.   I was not.  And am not moving forward.    BMW’s are 5-years maintenance-free.  That…is a good thing.   And, I am not complaining that I drive a Porsche, it’s just a purchase I regretted.  Plus, this car was  less than my last car, so I was downsizing and saving $$$.  Plus, several people have indicated that the car is “not me”.  I mean, what car am I anyway?  A red Volkswagon Beetle convertible with white leather interior?  Actually, that would be fun.     Note to file.  When buying a big purchase, do not take 12-year old son and allow him to make the decision. 😉

9.  Light Suede couches for Great Room.  Yeah, they lasted all of 3 years, before they looked 38 years old and had to be replaced.

10.  Vintage jewelry I bought at a flea market, and I was so excited with my purchase…until I realized each piece was missing “valuable gems”… basically couldn’t wear them, and if I had to , could only sell them for parts.  They are still in the box in which I bought them…and never did sell them or use them for parts.

There is a lesson to be learned here…Don’t buy it if you don’t love it.  Don’t make impulse buys.  Try on shoes before you purchase them, unless you are certain about the size, and can return them.   And for gosh darned sake, don’t buy a denim-look workout suit. 😉

My work here for this week is done.

Disclaimer – these are purchases I regretted for Myself…I am not saying these are bad items (‘cept that denim workout outfit).  They just didn’t work for Me.  As you can see I am trying to limit as much backlash as possible…I just know that Cinda won’t be able to help herself…and for that,  I love her. 🙂

xoxo,

T.

Dress for the Life you Want, not the Life you Have!