Vent Sesh: Consumption

Totally agree with your post. I recently realized that after I started my blog and began reading other people’s blog PLUS Pinterest and the internet in general, its just so easy to buy things we don’t NEED. That’s the key word. We get tempted b/c things are so cute or on sale but it’s all about control. I gave up shopping for Lent and it was great. It hurt but I realized I had all I really needed. I will try to remember that in the future. I bought the JCrew necklace after reading your post a few weeks back. Perfect example! Didn’t really need it..but oh so cute! Thanks for venting with us. 

I think that’s a very smart outlook to have!

Great post! I realized last year that I was spending too much, so I stopped buying any new clothes. Now, if I “need” something, I’ll make it myself or hit the Goodwill and search for something similar.

I TOTALLY relate to this. I have some serious closet envy for a lot of us bloggers that I read daily. I can’t help it. I just want some new looks. I attribute my serious envy to a lack of things I WANT to wear in my actual wardrobe… I live in a city where people do not get dressed up at all really… So when I go out all decked out I look weird.

I am going to try to do a huge closet purge in the coming weeks and literally start over with a lot of my wardrobe. Utilizing consignment shops, second hand stores, ebay, etc to sell the old and bring in some new. I am trying to follow The Amanda’s policy of don’t bring anything new in unless you’ve taken something old out. It’s tough but I think it will be a good start.Related to that, I recently wrote a Vent Sesh on my own blog about the practicality of clothes. I was sick of hearing people tell me the stuff I wanted to buy wasn’t practical. Who are they to tell ME what’s practical for my own life? It’s linked here: http://bangbylo.tumblr.com/post/23114900123/practical-is-in-the-eye-of-the-beholder

http://goo.gl/Pd8O9

i think that many of us bloggers have struggled with this very thing. how tempting it is to buy something when you have the visual proof of it looking fantastic on someone else! this is the second year in a row ive put myself on a monthlong shopping ban and though i joke about it and talk about how much i want to buy things, its really a way of reminding myself that money does NOT grow on trees and so much of what i buy is not an essential item i need.

its good to know that im not the only one who struggles with this! thanks for the post

I occasionally get that “have to have it” mentality, but I have learned to look at products as inspiration for developing my personal style rather than a need to have that specific product. Now I struggle more with the idea that a lot of my content is product driven, and yet I very rarely buy things. On the one hand, the more I shop (without buying) and share on my blog, the more I develop my personal style and am better able to identify what products are worth purchasing when I actually need them. But on the other hand, it does feel a little wrong to share so many products I never intend to buy (unless money starts falling from the sky, of course), and I sometimes feel like it makes me look like a huge shopaholic when I really am not. I’m still figuring out how to balance that, but I do hope my readers are inspired to develop their personal style in the same way, and I try to keep things budget friendly for those who actually do need what I’m sharing.

Just because it’s on sale doesn’t mean I buy it. And sometimes its funny that I keep items on my wishlist and when they DO go on sale, I still don’t want them. Reading blogs (and writing my own) DOES make me want items I don’t need, but I never run and buy right away. I usually sit on it for a few days (at least) to see if I really do need it. Most of the time, I don’t. Plus, the other thing is I want my blog to be different. Meaning, I’m not going to buy a piece (especially) if it’s all over the blogosphere.

I was nodding my head the whole time I was reading this!  When reading (and writing!) blogs I think it’s totally natural to feel like you “need” something you see on that person’s blog.  But like you said, you have to reassess and see if you really need it and if your pockets can handle it.  I try to go for things that I can wear with what I already have in my closet.  If I’m shopping and a see a piece I think about how many ways I can wear it.  If I come up with at least two and the price is good, it goes home.  If not, it goes back

One of the reasons I truly love reading your blog is BECAUSE you shop at and post items from “real” sources.  Real sources being affordable stores and sites that sell good quality items (AND you can take your kids into the store without dirty looks..and they have on-line coupons…).  I like other blogs too, but it gets old after a while when you keep reading about stores and designers that don’t cater to the working-class (really?  $700 jeans?  they’re JEANS!) and look down at stores that your average person can afford to shop at (what’s everyone’s beef with Ann Taylor/Loft?). 

And!  I agree with you about not buying what you can’t pay off immediately.  It’s a good rule of thumb (especially in this economy and job market).

I may not have a TOTAL handle on my Need List..but I’m getting there slowly.

Last year this issue so consumed me.  I decided to go a whole year and not purchase any clothing or shoes. I discovered quite a few things.  But mostly, I discovered my sense of style.  I am 100% hippy.  I buy other things trying to be what fashion dictates, but found that I NEVER wore them.  Now after actually 1 1/2 years of sabbatical from shopping, I have had to make a couple of purchases but only what I absolutely love and will wear daily! Peace out!

First time at your blog and loved reading your post about consumption. – which is how I got here.  I’ve always been into clothes and started a blog a year ago now in an effort to pay attention to my accumulation of them.  In doing so, I implemented a shopping free plan on all apparel for a year and it’s been absolutely great!  A burst of creativity ensued.  I started wearing clothes I forgot I had and in completely different ways.  I started sewing again, and refashioned what I had to fit better or into something else completely that I really liked.  Eventually I was even able to find fashion blogs that weren’t about how to find or copy the latest celebrity/fashion trends.  It’s been so freeing, and I’ve found a community of women who are expressing their amazing verve, sensibility and creativity via what they put on at any age for any occasion.  Thanks for being real and bringing up the topic of ridiculous consumption.