Frugal Follow-up

[FrugalFashionista]

We've hopelessly lost the old thread. How are you doing ladies?

I need to reawaken the thread as I need to get back on the wagon. I decided to temporarily suspend my shopping ban - it's summery here and I've started wearing summer clothes and I decided to make some purchases now so that I can wear them all season long (in low 20s it's still a bit too cool for my routine sleeveless dress/bare legs summer look). Most of my old summer clothes are in great shape but this is what I needed to update them -

1. white jeans (have lots of denim shirts and blue tops) - straight-leg, non see-through
   
2. colorful printed cigarette pants (my wardrobe is mostly solid colors - I want to wear prints but not near my face) - found a pair in my favorite colors from MSMG
   
3. sandals (bored of ballet flats and Havaianas) - black cage wedges, low-rent child-friendly version of the Altuzarra look
   
4. slingbacks (found a lovely two-tone white/taupe pair on sale)
   
5. a few bracelets to liven things up
   

I'm still looking for a couple of high-quality white or cream tops, scoop neck if possible. They seem to be the hardest item to find, but my refound Zara poly-viscose top is surprisingly versatile. Still thinking about a long and narrow snakeprint silk scarf in my best blues and also need to make a decision regarding nude/taupe courts (to go with my summer cocktail dresses).

Spring lasted for 3-4 weeks here and coincided with my 1-month shopping ban. By thinking a bit harder and digging a bit deeper I was able to find all spring outfits I ever needed without any spending! Summer will be around until the end of October so I hope that I will get quite a lot of wear out of my mix of old and new. But I think I'm almost done with wardrobe updates and might go back to tight-fist mode very soon

[FrugalFashionista]

(sorry, fingers slipped on the touch screen) - have a grecian dress too, worn exactly once! I go to dressy parties every now and then but really don't need more outfits like that!

[teta]

I also have a grecian dress in pure silk!This is so weird.Mine has just gone to the dress agency where they put a a £25 price tag on it.I have never worn it so there was absolutely no point in keeping it.But resale prices are really low.

[FrugalFashionista]

Teta one of my main reasons of becoming more frugal is that clothes are such a poor investment in general! (Cars are a horrible investment but clothes even worse.) You buy something for £££ but it's resale value is £ or ££ and also a lot of faff! For this reason I'm trying to learn to purchase items that I really need and will wear to death/need to have forever!

[OnTheNingNangNong]

Glad to see a revival of this thread as I fell right off the wagon

I dyed a skirt and dress last weekend to a navy blue which is really nice, feels like new clothes but for the price of Dylon.

I have spent a bit of money on some indigo jeans, and a later dress but had £25 off so it wasn't too bad. I've also spent on navy vests, belts and summery deck shoes.

I'm losing weight at the moment so most of the stuff I had is bagging wildly and I look hideous.

I need a lightweight jacket and a whole wardrobe for summer. I think I need to try a personal shopper in JL and resist temptation I have no idea what suits me still!

The weather is beautiful here, I'm wearing my dyed skater mini dress, black jeggings (yeauch) and I'll have my deck shoes when I do the school run later.

[AphraBehn]

I'm so glad to see this thread back. I was just getting carried away with buying new clothes!

Like most of you, I have bought a few things in the last couple of weeks. A navy striped t shirt, a navy jersey maxi skirt, navy jean type things, a couple of other plain t shirts, tan wedges, a stone jersey blazer and two necklaces. I'm hoping that these plainer bits will prove more versatile than the pretty printed tops I seem to buy every year.

The only gap I can see is something to wear on those rare hot days when I have an smartish occasion to go to. The last couple of years I have felt really out of place at wedding receptions, christenings, parties, evening events because I've dressed for cooler weather and am not comfortable in what I'm wearing. Everyone else is looking summery and glam and I'm sweating in a dark dress or jeans and a blouse. I don't like strappy or sleeveless so my options are narrowed down quite a bit!

I'm watching a dress on ebay that would fit the bill, but haven't bought on ebay before so don't know what to do! It's up for a fixed price and has no bids. Do I bid the price now or wait until closer to the end of the auction?

[AphraBehn]

I'm also fascinated by the talk of colours. I have no idea what my colour analysis would be although I do wear colour a lot. I thought I was some kind of spring/autumn hybrid but can never work it out properly from any of the websites.

[DigWeedSow]

Forgive me ladies for I have sinned I decided to bite the bullet this morning and plug the gaps in my wardrobe so have ordered from JL
Navy fitted slub cotton t shirt
Ivory lace t shirt
Taupe metallic sleeveless top
Nude coloured undies

Along with some straight leg jeans from Gap, that is it, my summer wardrobe is now complete, I've been very careful this season in making sure that everything works together. I'm hoping that I shouldn't have to buy anything now until the Autumn.

Just back from yoga so sporting black yoga pants and a grey t shirt at the moment

Frugal Thanks for the link to Le Catch, going to make a coffee and have a good read now.

[QueenCadbury]

I went on a shopping spree yesterday and spent far too much but never intended on keeping it all. Since trying everything on at home with the rest of my wardrobe I'm keeping very little. Having my wallet of colour swatches works really well for me as I like the prescriptiveness (is that even a word or did I make it up ) of it but also it really makes you consider your purchases more. Instead of thinking 'oh, that'll do', if it doesn't match the colour swatch then it goes back! Amazing how different colours can be in the light of the shop and the light at home.

I've just had a sort out and put my jumpers away and got my summer stuff out. I've been fairly ruthless with anything that doesn't work on me but also I've hard to get rid of a couple of things as they're years old and faded. What I can dye to restore colour I will but some patterned things will be in the recycling (I can't even see how people would want to buy them 2nd hand).

So I have less clothes but what I do have suits me and more importantly goes together. My next purchases will be accessories such as belts and jewellery as I've realised how a bit of colour can really help lift outfits.

[OneLittleLady]

I know my spending ban doesn't start til May but there's NOTHING in the shops I want to buy right now. Everything is either too short ( a 30 year old with a big butt in booty shorts? I think not!) or in a hideous pastel colour and will make me look like death warmed up. I don't even want much but there's nothing pulling on my purse strings right now. Seems like the shops have decided my spending ban starts now!

[Fluffycloudland77]

I'm going to look for an online guide to colours, I can't afford to get my colours done.

I resisted the skinny whit jeans in tk maxx, they had gold metal work. Yucky or what?

[DigWeedSow]

Fluffy try this site for an online colours test. Also lots of information here

[Fluffycloudland77]

I have just bookmarked that for later! After an abortive google search that just bought up Pantone colours.

[Fluffycloudland77]

I'm a clear winter. Which is why mum put me in navy as a baby, everyone asked if I was ill if she put me in pink.

[OneLittleLady]

That's what I think I am too fluffy shame there seems to be no colours suitable in the shops at the minute

[Fluffycloudland77]

We always fall back on black though. Oddly the colours we are meant to have ie fuschia and purple I already have in my wardrobe.

I'm a cool winter, its all very confusing isn't it? I wonder if those colour swatches are on ebay?.

[OneLittleLady]

I have all the right kinds of colours already, I have always bought those colours, them being the same colours my mum used to dress me in. Seems my goth leanings have paid off for me

[FrugalFashionista]

Ladies shhh - I like to shop with discounters (Yoox and Outnet and others)
because they seem to have a bit of every color season.

Sorry about not giving everyone personal feedback - I just finished working perhaps 15 min ago Nevertheless it's fantastic to have this great peer network of like-minded people - thanks for your updates ladies, I'm enjoying every single one!

QC very happy that you are experiencing the same thing with colors that I have - isn't it really worth it! Also sending you good returns vibes - have recently returned truly bargainous Prada and Valentino shoes because they were not exactly right

Dig and Aphra your purchases sound quite useful but do stop while you are still ahead of the game! I feel that I slightly overdid my summer purchases. Not many items but still probably more than I really need.

Aphra if it's a 'Buy it now' fixed price auction you will just buy it whenever - no need to wait until the end of auction.

What I have really loved about these threads is the collective creativity and organizing --- looking at the back of wardrobe, discovering something old and resurrecting it and starting to love it again. Am looking forward to doing a bit more of that - restyling, revamping, relaunching - when my crazy work pressures subside a little.

Good luck with color self-diagnosis! Some seasons are super easy to diagnose but I could never decide on my own whether I was a Summer or a Spring. According to the very experienced color analyst, I'm a Light Summer - somewhere between Summer and Spring. My eyes are warmish olive green tinged with brown golden flecks - hair ashy blonde but also pale gold, skin neutral/ cool (true pale beige - neither pink nor yellowish). I mostly identify with Summer colors but seem to get the most compliments when I'm wearing Spring-toned lipstick or tops - coral and terracotta for example. My color analyst made me a personalized palette that has both Summer and Spring colors and yes I do love my watermelon red

[CeeceeBloomingdale]

Good to see so many of us are still aiming for frugal. Just a reminder of our swap board - if it's not your colour why not swap it for something that is?
pinterest.com/mnswapboard/mn-swapboard/

[OneLittleLady]

I picked up a truly baraginous lipstick today for a pound in a really bright deep pink. I was slightly worried that it was too bright for me, me being super super pale but after trying it out at home, it's just right and really livens my face up. I might go back for the still bright but slightly paler version tomorrow as that looked ok under shop light and for a pound, I think it's worth trying at home. I've decided that if I can't find clothes, I'll freshen up my make up bag as that seems to be an area I'm very behind in. I am so, so bad for keeping things way past their best and then having nothing to use when I actually need it.

[teta]

I've self diagnosed myself as a soft summer.I suit pastels and most blues and warm pinks and soft whites.I do suit beige foundation but have naturally rosy cheeks and grey blue eyes that change colour with different eye make up and fair hair.I am pale in winter but am olive skinned in summer.Presciptives used to diagnose me as a summer-but my contrast colours were corals/apricots.I tend to use Clinique chunky lip pencils in the coral and red colours for a quick lift during the day.I really do think for me it would be a waste of time to have a colour analysis as even with my wrong colours i will wear an appropriate colour scarf next to my face.

[DigWeedSow]

Good morning, DS has just gone to school so a quick catch up with this thread before I start work!

After yesterday's splurge I felt the need to redeem myself so have altered a jacket. It's navy in a lovely drapey fabric but it looked too boxy on me, every time I have worn it it just hasn't felt right. So by adding a press stud fastening, rather than leaving it to hang open it now has a bit more shape and will suit my shape (slim hourglass) far better. I also rescued a much liked t shirt from the throwing out pile. It had had a run in with some tomato sauce but after a bit of perseverance with the vanish it looks as good as new

[Fluffycloudland77]

I've been cursing myself, I threw a lovely black and white top in the bin because the colours ran and the white bits looked awful

I could have just used colour run remover on it

[BillStickersIsInnocent]

All this colour talk is fascinating, and great news on diagnosis Queens C and W. I'm on Pinterest (Bellerama) and keep seeing the most beautiful colours fly past from your boards - peacock blue, cobalt, emerald etc.
I love the intensity of winter colours.

I will get my colours done one day for sure.

Yesterday I wore a cream silk shell top I bought a while ago in an outlet village. It's languished at the back of my wardrobe for ages as seemed a bit too formal for my work and silk is an obvious no no with toddlers. Forced myself to wear it somehow this week so paired it with dark beige slim trousers rolled up, tan pointy flats and a simple black edge to edge jacket. Felt perfect for a sunny spring day.

Have just finished 'Overdressed' and it has certainly strengthened my resolve to be more frugal. The most shocking thing for me was learning about the amount of clothes donated to charity shops that end up in landfill in the end anyway as they remain unsold, and developing countries are becoming more particular about the style of donations shipped to their shores.

The book also made me think far more about textile processes - leather tanning creates toxic by products (look for vegetable tans if you're concerned) and although we think clothes can be recycled back into their constituent components, current technology does not enable separation of natural and man-made fibres, so a silk-viscose top is ultimately destined for landfill unless worn to rags.

A real eye opener for me, thanks Frugal for recommending.

Have a lovely day all!

[daimbardiva]

I'm also pleased to see this thread back - I've been bad too! Fell for one of Boden's gift voucher offers and ordered two dresses and a bag. The bag is definitely going back as it's a clutch for a wedding and it is neither the colour I expected or a formal enough style. Haven't had the chance to try the dresses yet, but will only keep one, or perhaps neither...

I also had to order a load of new bras to try as none of mine fit now the baby weight is finally going...and somehow managed to order another TWO pairs of M&S jeggings - I already have 5!!! How can I break this addiction?! Have also ordered a pair of slim fit trousers in the hope of smartneing up a bit for work, without going the whole hog towards "workwear" iyswim.

Still feel absolutely in a rut tbh, and not sure how to break out of it...I was totally inspired by your saying you wear your party dresses during the day Frugal with ballet flats, and thought hmmm, maybe I could too...but then realised that you live in Italy and I live in rural Scotland....!

[FrugalFashionista]

Loving your posts! Finished a big project well before deadline and as a treat am getting the rest of the day off...

Dig well done rescuing two items - sounds fab!
For anyone battling with tomato stains, some hours or days in direct sunlight (I know, I know) will miraculously completely eliminate the stain (I learned this somewhere very hot where people tend to wear really sparkling whites - they explained that they did this back in the day in the interior when there were no washing powders - but they loved Vanish too )

Bill you are currently wearing my dream summer top - cream shell. That's exactly what I'm looking for!

Daimbar I actually spend several months per year in the very far north. Jeans and skirts are much more practical when it rains but I actually started my 'dressing up for everyday' routine while living up North (starting from gorgeous jeans and jackets and good knits worn with pretty shoes indoors, moving on to bright coats and good boots outdoors). Am going there next week for a few days and will definitely wear a dress for you (weather forecast: "60% chance of frozen mix").

OneLittleLady I love lipstick and haven't probably spent a day in the past 25 years without it would look dead

Teta my DD1 is clearly morphing from a Light Summer into a Soft Summer. She tans very easily too, has dark blonde/light brown hair and I just noticed that her skin tone and hair color are ultra close to each other these days (= Sarah Jessica Parker type colors for her). I'm a Light summer but coral is one of my very best colors - I guess because my personal coloring is a mix of cool and warm (cool/neutral skin, warm multicolored eyes, hair that is pale gold color at its summer best).

In fact wearing right now
A coral V-neck cashmere sweater (debobbled, several years old)
White straight-leg jeans (new, delicious with coral!)
Multicolored chunky ikat cuff, gold inside (new)
White slip-on shoes (about 5 years old)

With freshly blow-dried hair, the outfit feels low-key luxurious, a bit like resort wear (Palm Beach anyone?)

Day 3 of my shopping ban progressing well - might make it to Day 7 or even beyond this time...