How do you decide to buy your clothes?

Lady_Aga

How do you decide to buy your clothes?

1. Do you look around George/Primark/M&S/Debenhams etc every week and if you see something you like do you buy it?
2. Do do you go shopping specifically with the intention of getting a particular thing?
3. How much of your clothes shopping is done online?
4. What is your best value item? Not necessarily the cheapest costing item, but the item that you wear most often that is still going strong, therefore is the cheapest per wear.
5. How much does the item's fashionability/must have come into your decision making?

Hermia

Lady_Aga wrote: »

How do you decide to buy your clothes?

1. Do you look around George/Primark/M&S/Debenhams etc every week and if you see something you like do you buy it?
2. Do do you go shopping specifically with the intention of getting a particular thing?
3. How much of your clothes shopping is done online?
4. What is your best value item? Not necessarily the cheapest costing item, but the item that you wear most often that is still going strong, therefore is the cheapest per wear.
5. How much does the item's fashionability/must have come into your decision making?

1) I rarely go clothes shopping. I think it's a waste of money (and boring) to just go around the shops all the time and you end up buying something that doesn't go with anything.

2) I only shop when I need something or if a favourite store is having a sale I will go and have a look.

3) None, as I am a petite hourglass. I can rarely find anything to fit me in the shops so won't even bother with online shopping. I'd be sending stuff back all the time!

4) Probably, boots. I never buy cheap boots as I like my feet to be comfortable and dry in winter. I have a lot of boots that have lasted a long time and still look good.

5) I'm not really bothered about fashion, although I find it interesting. I don't have a conventional figure so not much of the stuff in the shops suits me. If I particularly like an element of a current fashion I will see if there is any small piece I can buy, but I wouldn't buy loads. I think it's awful when you see everyone wearing the same thing, especially as it inevitably suits some people more than others. I am always seeing groups of women wandering around the town looking like clones - yawn!

Amanita_2

Lady_Aga wrote: »

How do you decide to buy your clothes?

1. Do you look around George/Primark/M&S/Debenhams etc every week and if you see something you like do you buy it?
2. Do do you go shopping specifically with the intention of getting a particular thing?
3. How much of your clothes shopping is done online?
4. What is your best value item? Not necessarily the cheapest costing item, but the item that you wear most often that is still going strong, therefore is the cheapest per wear.
5. How much does the item's fashionability/must have come into your decision making?

1. No rarely go clothes shopping. Maybe once or twice a year. Will buy acesssories more often if I spot something I like.

2. Generally I have in mind what I want or need

3. Clothes none, shoes/handbags maybe 10%

4. My Mulberry Roxanne handbag. Used daily for work for last 5 or so years and still looks like new.

5. Want to look current and up to date but avoid high fashion. I'm too old for a lot of the cutting edge trends. I will spend a lot on classic basics and accessorise with cheap fashion to update.

Bronnie

Lady_Aga wrote: »

How do you decide to buy your clothes?

1. Do you look around George/Primark/M&S/Debenhams etc every week and if you see something you like do you buy it? I usually pop in and have a quick look somewhere when I'm in town, at least once a week, but usually only one or two shops, I lose interest fairly quickly!
2. Do do you go shopping specifically with the intention of getting a particular thing? I'm usually clothes shopping because I'm going somewhere and need/want something new.
3. How much of your clothes shopping is done online? I will browse online first. www.shopstyle.co.uk is very useful for searching for specific items. I buy very little as I have easy access to city centre shops, so prefer to see and try on.
4. What is your best value item? Not necessarily the cheapest costing item, but the item that you wear most often that is still going strong, therefore is the cheapest per wear. I got a knitted dress/tunic from Mint Velvet, concession in House of Fraser, for my birthday last winter. It was around £70, but it washes beautifully, is original-looking in design, fits me perfectly, is so comfortable, flattering and wearable that I practically lived in last winter and have worn it a lot already this season.
5. How much does the item's fashionability/must have come into your decision making? I like to look contemporary, but am older and very careful what I buy and how I'm going to style it. Personally, I find as a rule, it's harder to get away with very cheap clothes now I'm older, although did get away with it in the summer with a couple of bargainous jersey maxi dresses from Primark :T

Interesting to read people's replies! I do also buy in charity shops, but very selectively, branded good quality items in excellent condition.

ariba10

Never do.

Just leave it to DW.

We have been married long enough and she knows that if it were left to me I would probably go around in a Boiler suit.

(I wonder how many of you know what a boiler suit is?)

Lady_Aga

It is interesting to read other people's replies. I am trying to 'buy less but better' as well as trying to buy UK-made clothes.
I work in a city centre and see lots of people with giant full Primark bags every day. I kind of got the idea that some people might be buying loads of clothes every week because they were cheap.
Although, talking to my friends, they buy nearer to 'one or two things a month'.

My Barbour jacket is still going strong after 5 years. Worn almost every day for about 7 months of the year. I cannot imagine a time when I would stop wearing it. That £170 cost was a lot at the time, but seems like a bargain now.

**Juice**

1. Do you look around George/Primark/M&S/Debenhams etc every week and if you see something you like do you buy it?
2. Do do you go shopping specifically with the intention of getting a particular thing?
3. How much of your clothes shopping is done online?
4. What is your best value item? Not necessarily the cheapest costing item, but the item that you wear most often that is still going strong, therefore is the cheapest per wear.
5. How much does the item's fashionability/must have come into your decision making?

1. I probably visit the high street every couple of months and spend a few hours browsing, trying on and thinking long and hard about whether I want/can afford/will wear something. Sometimes I'll wander off and have a think before coming back to buy. It means I spend more time, but usually less money. I shop online probably once a month but probably send about 75% of the stuff I buy back.
2. Sometimes if I need something or have seen something I want online but it's cheaper to buy in store/not available online etc then I will make a special trip.
3. I'd say about 60% of the stuff I buy (and keep) is bought online
4. Best value item is a pair of black jeans from Dorothy Perkins that I bought in the sale with student discount too, they cost about £13, fit like a glove and are long enough for me to wear with heels, I've had them for years and never found a pair that fit as well.
5. Things being fashionable is something I think about and I probably am influenced to some extent but I'm more bothered about things I like and that suit me. If I'm going for something that will literally be in fashion for a matter of months, I'll buy cheap from Primark etc.

adelight

1) Not really. I get email newsletters from my favourite shops and a few sale sites that stock brands I like at prices I like. If there are sales on that might be useful to what I want/need then I check them out. I do check my local h&m every few weeks, usually pick up a new top/pants(i get lots of basics there).
2) Yes. For a big thing like handbag or jeans I check online then go to the shops with stuff I want a closer look at. I usually try to do it on my way home from work so it's not too time consuming.
3) Half? The rest is often found online before going to the shop.
4) Nothing stands out.
5) I have a style and like to nod towards trends so that items fit with the rest of my wardrobe. I would never buy a bag of tat from primark, I prefer to buy something in a style that suits me with a fashionable print, or a fashionable cut in a colour I suit. I prefer to buy better quality clothes so I want them to last more than one season, so I do tend to avoid big crazes.

Jojo_the_Tightfisted

1. Do they do it in my size?

2. Does it make me look like a fat t*art?

3. Does it make me look like I'm about 50 trying to pull a drunken 28 year old?

4. Does it make me look like I'm about 68 and trying out for spinster of the year?

5. Would the overall look be completed by the moulted fur of about 40 cats, a distinct scent of animal urine and a slightly crazed expression?

6. If none of the above, try it on.

7. When they inevitably don't fit right (too long, nasty cut, assumption that a size 22 has to have huge breasts and a flat stomach, etc), chuck it back on the hanger and go home.

wit40iwtwan

Lady_Aga wrote: »

It is interesting to read other people's replies. I am trying to 'buy less but better' as well as trying to buy UK-made clothes.
I work in a city centre and see lots of people with giant full Primark bags every day. I kind of got the idea that some people might be buying loads of clothes every week because they were cheap.
Although, talking to my friends, they buy nearer to 'one or two things a month'.

My Barbour jacket is still going strong after 5 years. Worn almost every day for about 7 months of the year. I cannot imagine a time when I would stop wearing it. That £170 cost was a lot at the time, but seems like a bargain now.

Hi there - I have almost stopped buying clothing - at least at full price. I am lucky that I work in retail and am a sample size so I have access to cheap samples BUT saying that I did find my wardrobe was exploding with things I bought simply because they were cheap. Now I stick to key items and quality. I only by natural fabrics as synthetics still make me wonder about breathability. The only exception is around sports wear... I hand wash quite a lot and take care of my clothing - particularly smalls - these last longer if hand washed. Like you I find if I can work out the cost per wear then the more expensive items (Cashmere, Silks,etc) actually work out pretty inexpensive.

I have a friend who took pictures of all her clothing and made outfits to identify which clothes could be given away. There is now an iPhone app (Netrobe) that does something similar. The thought of being this organised is that you will never wonder what to wear as you will have a catalogue of outfits.

Quality beats quantity all the time.

Another tip is to see what you want (be that online or in person) and wait. If after a week you still want it then make sure you can wear it with 3 other things before committing...

Clothing... its subjective and will matter to each person in a different way - it depends how you feel about your clothes, body and the environment... I love my clothes and I'm happy with my body but I really worry about the environment and the amount of waste we create. Conspicuous Consumption is a western issue which could do with people realising that price is not always an indication of quality - get to know your fabrics and your body shape and then take it from there....

what should have been a quick reply has turned into a bit of an essay.... may have to investigate further in a blog post! Great questions Lady Aga!:A

glowgirl_2

Lady_Aga wrote: »

How do you decide to buy your clothes?

1. Do you look around George/Primark/M&S/Debenhams etc every week and if you see something you like do you buy it?
2. Do do you go shopping specifically with the intention of getting a particular thing?
3. How much of your clothes shopping is done online?
4. What is your best value item? Not necessarily the cheapest costing item, but the item that you wear most often that is still going strong, therefore is the cheapest per wear.
5. How much does the item's fashionability/must have come into your decision making?

1. No they bore me but I do visit occasionally.

2. Not anymore but I used to when dd was young and for myself I might have something in mind but I'd get to it when I get to it.

3. 80% plus, I don't live near any shops I like without the internet I'd have no new clothes.

4. Many many answers to this one, I buy loads of designer stuff from markets, car boots etc so all of those fall in to this category, Uggs are a staple and so are my many handbags, I do spend money but I very rarely waste it.

5. I like high fashion styling for grown ups and don't do classics at all except for accessories, I never wear low cut tops and I subscribe (for free of course) to fashion updates from a stylist I really like.