Shopping for Fall Clothes, Organizing
BBstx thread to find a top for her skiirt led me to try on fall clothes to see what fits, what is too old, or dated, and what I actually need to plug holes in my fall wardrobe. Aside from being delighted to fit into everything (a happy surprise!) I realized I have lots of multiples of staples. None was so evident than hoisery :( I updated my trouser sock supply before going through what I had and putting them away was good reason to organize. Minus many pairs of outworn sociks and tights, this is what I have now
I used shoe boxes from shoes going to Goodwill to corral them Marie Kondo style.
So far in addition to five pairs of sociks I clearly did not need I have bought a cotton knit jacket, a charcoal cashmere sweater with 3/4 sleeves and a pair of dark green suede driving shoes. (Since my Achilles tendon injury I actually find these easier to drive in and keep a pair in the car.)
What have you bought for fall, or are you thinking of it yet? Any organizing to share? I recently watched a youtube called “You’re Doing Home Organizing Wrong” that had some good tips. she exhorted people to use shoe boxes instead of buying containers, and I took the advice with good results.
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Kswl
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Funkyart
last yearThanks, Kswl-- I think it is a style that works pretty universally but definitely works for me!
Has anyone received the JCrew ribbed pink cashmere sweater posted above yet? It says the length is 22" which is way too short for me.. but before I order my second choice, I wanted to hear how it worked for others.
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Clothes shopping size frustrations (Rant alert!)
Comments (9)Have had the same experience with purchasing clothes all within the same manufacturer and size, being completely differently sized than the tag. However, if you take the time to read the Made In " " tag, our clothes are now sol made in China and Indonesia, or most anywhere but the US. These US designer/companies send the work out to labor intensive sweat shops that pay their workers pennies. There are kids working full time in some countries. They aren't given the opportunity to go to school even if their village may happen to have one. The families need everyone to work to keep a home that many on the decorating forum would not feel fit to camp in, let alone live. Cheap labor begets crappy quality control. I don't think complaining will do much, now if we were to boycott enmasse, then it may be noticed, but how difficult would that be to organize? I absolutely hate to shop and do most of it online. I've noticed my need to return for size being my number one reason for doing so. I've always stuck with the stores that I can confidently order a size 8 and that size 8 will fit. No more. That size 8 may fit like a 10, 12 or 6, totally frustrating. Last bit of rant. I haven't notice the designers lowering the cost of their clothing as it was being assembled in countries where the workers are paid next to nothing. Anyone else notice deep discounts because of not being made in the USA?...See MoreFall Shoe Shopping
Comments (33)Hi Marlene! So glad you made out so well-- and that you came back to share. I have to travel to find better shoes here but I did receive the Sam Edelman Morillo suede boots and they fit a little snug but since they are suede I know they will stretch. I don't love them but they'll do for now. Which did you get? Also got a pair of cole haan smoking style loafers that will be great for the transition to fall. They are striped black, natural and cream so they won't carry into winter but they are fine for now. I am told that coach boot is at the outlet so I am stalling until I can hit the store later this week. Coach doesn't always fit me well so I prefer to try them on. I am looking at a few others-- but in the price ranges I have been pushed to, I prefer to plan a trip to philly to actually try them on. I am notorious for not returning things I buy online. Tonight I am loving this shoe from Donald Pliner... it's pretty masculine but in my head it will be adorable with skinny black pants. Unfortunately that would be true of a cute skinny model.. me? not so much....See MoreOrganizing clothes shopping
Comments (15)clink: this is good: "Never buy anything -- unless you can wear it with 3 other things in your wardrobe -- RIGHT NOW! Not later when you buy that pink shirt or the lime capris. "And learn your personality style for clothing." A few other things that have helped me: 1. Know what colors look best on you and don't even bother looking at clothes that aren't in those colors (the "Color Me Beautiful" philosophy). It saves me a lot of time when I'm shopping. This also makes it more likely that new clothes will go with clothes I already have. It's really true that if you wear colors that flatter, you don't need a lot of makeup or other enhancements, so that saves time and hassle as well. 2. If you find a basic item that fits well, if possible buy at least two of the same style. Especially pants, because they are so hard to find. 3. Don't bother shopping in stores that never seem to have what you want or need. I wear a size 18, so I've come to realize I'm happier going to stores that always carry the newest things in my size and where I don't have to search through every rack to find anything. So plus-size stores and places like Target get most of my business. Department stores are usually horrible. If I have a few hours available to shop and I go to one or two of the places where I have had success in the past and use the coupons they send me, I can usually come home with a few new outfits for less than $150. I probably do this 4 or 5 times a year. I'm also very good at returning things if, after I get them home, I realize I don't like them. I don't bother with thrift stores because they rarely have large sizes, and it's just not worth the effort. What really trips me up (ha) is finding shoes. I wear a size 12 now and tend to have problems unless I wear comfort-type shoes when I have to walk more than a little bit. I'm in a bit of a panic right now because I haven't found any good walking sandals for this summer yet. I have to spend at least $100 for a pair of shoes if they aren't on sale. I organize my closet by type from left to right: sleeveless tops, short-sleeved tops, long-sleeved tops, pants, skirts, and evening wear (I need this last category because I play in concerts regularly). Sweaters that need to be folded go on a shelf over the hanging rack. Shorts, T-shirts, nightwear, and such go in dresser drawers. DH and I share a pretty small walk-in closet that has a simple organizing system (left by the POs), and we seem to have room for all our clothes....See MoreOrganizing Barbies
Comments (16)my point about Barbies is this: Even though *I* never bought her another Barbie after the end of her 4th year, and even though I tried to gently discourage other people from doing so, she now, at age 10, has more than 25 Barbies, and 8 Kens. Where did they come from? Other people. You can TELL people not to get her any more, but they still will. By telling people not to, you will only "keep it down to a dull roar." You will not be ABLE to prevent any more from coming in. Someone will either ignore your request, forget it, never hear it, or override it bcs the present is just TOO perfect. So you won't be depriving her for life of new Barbies. You *will* be slowing the tide. Bcs, you see, she's just starting. Barbies today are differnent than when I was a kid (OK, I'm 44, so that was a LONG time ago). When I was a kid, Barbies were expensive. Kids who had 4 were RICH! I thought I was really being indulged when I was given a Skipper. Now, Barbies are $5 to $7. Some are more, but a lot are not. They're an easy gift to buy for b-day parties, etc. And maybe you live w/ a bunch of Grinches, but you don't sound like the sort of person who does--you sound generous and indulgent, and I bet you learned that from the folks around you. That means, all the folks around you are gonna buy indulgent presents for your kid. And a $7 Barbie, or $14 packs of clothes, or $29 cars, are gonna be in your future at every gift-giving occasion. And, the MOMENT aunts, uncles, friends of all ages, etc., realize that she likes Barbies, they are gonna go overboard, right along with YOU. And she's only THREE. Leave some room for "future expansion," and try to establish "controlled growth," is what I'm saying. Then, when he best friend at age 4 insists on getting her a Sleeping Beauty Barbie, bcs she KNOWS (rightly) that your DD will love it, or your future DS wants to get her a Barbie car (bcs he loves cars, and she loves Barbies, he argues--how can you fight that?) you can welcome it enthusiastically into your daughter's room, and not cringe at the idea of trying to shoe-horn it in among all the OTHER stuff that didn't come w/ such love behind it. Drop me a line when she's 10, and tell me whether I was right....See MoreKswl
last yeari haven’t received my pink BR sweater but I id receive the green ribbed cashmere cardigan from Garnet Hill. It’s lovely and soft and matches my new shoes. IRL both greens are mossy and deeper in color.
It runs large though so I am exchanging it for a smaller size..Kswl
last yearlast modified: last yearFunkyart
last yearI received the lavender surplice jersey top but it is too big. I really haven't sized down much in tops since I lost weight-- but in this top I need to. Unfortunately, it's sold out at Macys so I will need to just return it instead of exchanging.
Also got this top which is more transitional than fall but I do like it quite a bit
and LOVE this top and it fits well -- but I would prefer it to fit a bit more loosely. Gotta focus on exercise this month!
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last yearI love this Garnet Hill dress and like the gold color for fall. I would wear it with an oatmeal colored sweater and possibly a scarf tucked in along the neckline. Scarves seem a bit superfluous these days but I have some nice Hermes and RL ones that would look great with that dress with brown tights and flats (and a tweed purse I bought at a fair!). From the fabric description it sounds like a great dress for travel.
Funkyart
last yearI ordered this EF organic cotton boucle sweater during the labor day sale-- I really like it. It's a great weight for the transition to fall/winter. Love cotton sweaters .. and i love the color which is a little more interesting than pale pink (which I also love).
It's a boxy fit.. but it hangs nicely and I still have a "shape" in it.
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last yearFunkyart
last yearYes, I thought it was slimming for sure. There are no dark threads but the boucle texture does add some depth to the color.
When I went back to snag the photo, i decided that I loved the pants they paired with it in the video. I just ordered these boiled wool jersey pleated lantern pants. It's a style i used to love in the 80s when I had a tiny waist. It's perhaps a stretch for me -- I am prepared for them not to work but both the fabric and style intrigue me.
Love the finishing on the pocket.
Kswl thanked FunkyartKswl
last yearFunkyart
last yearSo the bone EF baggy pants did come back into stock last week so I ordered them. They should arrive today or tomorrow. They are still iffy but i love the throwback to 1980s Limited style pants.
I also picked up a pair of boots-- wasn't planned but I took my niece to get a new pair of sneakers and these were on a super clearance. I think they look much nicer on my foot.. in fact everyone in the store commented on how cute they looked with my skinny jeans.I was thrilled to find a wedge (low as it is) that work with my vision issues/vertigo and i love the green. $200 reduced to $120 and then I had a VIP coupon for 50% off clearance. Out the door for $60.
and my latest purchase.. i fell in love with this scarf. I don't normally like or wear any variation of red but I really like the unexpected gold, lavender and hot pink.
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Sueb20
last yearI got my GH cardigan as requested for my bday and I looove it.
I also got the Bloomingdales earrings I had posted about on one of my MOG dress threads. I’ll be returning them. Smaller and less blue IRL, plus one of the clasp thingies is not operating quite right. Oh well. Now I’ll have a ”credit” with the Bank Of DH.I can’t find the pic of the earrings now but here’s the matching necklace. The blue color IRL is barely blue at all.
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last yearKswl
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Bunny