<p>I am like you in that regard, alh. I just got back from a 2.5 week business trip with only a carry-on (though my business was such that I needed business casual a few days and nice casual the rest of the time). I love to leave old clothing, shoes, pajamas behind when I travel. This trip, I left 2 pairs of shoes that were past their prime, and I bring scrubs to sleep in and toss them. I did snare a Dries Van Noten cape for $200 in Amsterdam in a vintage shop though! </p>
<p>I would say two thirds of my wardrobe was bought at Goodwill. Same for DH. I like to shop and can do it to my heart’s content at GW. We have two GW’s nearby. I go at least once every couple of weeks. I’ve found so many fabulous things at GW that I don’t even like shopping at the mall. Most of the “new” things I get I find online. </p>
<p>I used to love GW and Nordstrom’s Last Chance but there came a time when I was spending too much time shopping and then only finding “finds”…but not “what I came in for.” </p>
<p>I have a LOT of clothes. Too much, and should be pruning, but am too lazy and overwhelmed. I have things from 30 years ago and more, my mother’s things she no longer wants and hand me downs from just about everyone I know. Everyone gave me clothes for a while. I’ve bought from Goodwill, Nordstrom’s, specialty shop’s rummage sales, but not much of what have is from my own purchases. I don’t like to shop much, but can always find something when wandering through a store, so I don’t do that often. </p>
<p>So I shop my closets first for putting together clothes and when I need something, and only buy accents if something I don’t have seems to fit the bill. I try to put together a look each season. Did well this winter, but am struggling for the spring. Want comfort, what looks good on me , uses what I have, some ensembles that work and at least a bit in style. Not clicking yet. </p>
<p>It was a cold winter so the layered look worked well with me and a few tube skirts with leggings or tights under a sweater or some tunics made for some easy outfits. Personally, I’d just as soon join the Muslim woman and throw on one of their robes and veils for every day at this point. </p>
<p>I haven’t TOTALLY given up on how I look. But, yes, I spend less time on it. I like to think I might be doing a better job of picking classic flattering stuff. But I could be kidding myself. HA.</p>
<p>I build my wardrobe around classics - so if I find a great deal say on a cashmere turtleneck in a color I love I’ll buy it and replace one that is getting worn…or simply add to my staples. Seasonally I’ll do alittle shopping to add a trendy accessory or a trendy shoe/sandal or something to bring my classic pieces current. e.g. a few years ago when long scarfs worn around the neck came into style I bought one or two. So yes, I guess I have built a wardrobe and mostly I replace and add some seasonal trendy bling.</p>
<p>I subscribe to the PG plan when traveling to certain spots. When we went to Rwanda to visit DD, I brought almost NONE of the clothes from that trip home with me. Most were all cotton or linen, and very loose fitting. Not really my style. So I left it all in the Peace Corps Hostel, where my DD said it was gobbled up in minutes.</p>
<p>Shopping…I’m always looking for the perfect bargain. When I have an event, I shop my closet first. Then, if needed, I go to the stores, starting with my favorite resale shops. I’m going to a fancy schmancy dinner on Saturday. I driving to the town where it’s being held. I am actually taking three different dresses with me, and four pairs of shoes. The dress I really thought I was going to wear was perfect, until I saw a $1 dress that is even MORE perfect! We’ll see which one wins on Saturday.</p>
<p>For very special events, I go to “real” stores. So for graduations, I went real shopping. If either of my kids ever gets married, I won’t even look at the price tags when I shop for clothes!</p>
<p>I shop sales at the mall, and buy a fair amount on-line, but only if there’s an actual store I can return to. I simply don’t make it to the post office to do returns. My go to places are Lord and Taylor, Nordstrom, Macys, talbots, and Chicos these days. I’ve also just discovered J Crew has great sales, after steering clear of that store for years. </p>
<p>I have a top-heavy figure that makes it hard for me to find clothing that fits.</p>
<p>So I go into a store – usually a department store, or maybe a specialty store that caters to the older crowd, like Chico’s – try on a couple of dozen things, get disgusted with myself, finally find one item that more-or-less fits, and buy it in several different colors so that I won’t have to keep shopping. Sometimes, I’ll even buy multiple copies of a garment in the SAME color, just to have enough clothes to get through the week. </p>
<p>Right now, for example, I have the same short-sleeved shirt in four colors, the same V-neck sweater in four colors, the same vest in black and gray, the same cardigan in purple and teal, another cardigan in black and camel, and six pairs of the same style of pants in various neutral colors. Two of the pants are black and 100% identical. I also have two pair of identical jeans which identically don’t fit me properly.</p>
<p>I do not recommend this approach. But at least I don’t have to go to work naked. </p>
<p>FYI - J Crew had 40% off their reduced stuff last weekend. Ditto Madewell - I walked out with a dress for which I paid $17, tax included.</p>
<p>Once in a while I buy full price merchandise. I have developed a pretty good intuition whether something will sell out before the season’s end, and if this is something that complements my wardrobe well and will be used over and over again, I buy it without waiting for that coveted discount that may not materialize. I also complete suits from pieces bought at different stores - my beautiful navy Theory suit was assembled from the jacket bought at Nordstrom (70% off) and the skirt from Nordstrom Rack (80% off?), in perfectly matching color. </p>
<p>I’m so glad to meet kindred spirits. There is nothing I hate more than a day of shopping. I’d never go to a store if I wasn’t on a mission. I have a few go to stores that carry clothes I know fit me well. For work I dress pretty classic - black, grey, pinstripe, etc pants, then I can update with new tops or accessories. It seems like if I’m home I’m dressed like a total slob, in yoga pants, sweats or pj’s. If I’m out casually I now have embraced the leggings and dresses - what is springs answer to leggings? </p>
<p>I shop for events at the time. I also do a lot of online shopping and I just return what I don’t like or doesn’t fit well.</p>
<p>My weakness is shoes. I just feel like classic, well fitted pants and fabulous shoes really make a blech outfit memorable. </p>
<p>Black, navy, brown, grey, teal, etc slacks and any and every top I can find that is appropriate and feels nice…for work, business casual w/ lab coat.
Jeans…and casual tops/jackets to go with.
Capris and summer tops for summer.
I enjoy buying necklaces, bracelets, scarves to accessorize.
I have the classic black sheath that can be topped w/ numerous jackets or sweaters for different occasions.
Very, very basic. I do not enjoy shopping for clothes. And I HATE to have an occasion to shop for because that is the kiss of death of finding something!</p>
<p>I don’t enjoy shopping unless it’s quick. My sister has great buys from GW. I need help. Nordstrom anniversary sale with a personal shopper usually sets me up for the year. I spend a coupe hours and am set for the year. They help with what I already have and it ends up cheaper in the long run. I used to spend more on great deals that didn’t go with what I had. I do love shoes and can spend up to an hour browsing/buying. </p>
<p>Thanks to everyone for responding. Do you want to keep playing?</p>
<p>1) How many colors in your closet?</p>
<p>2) How many items hanging in your closet? closets?</p>
<p>Me:<br>
- two (with one exception)
- 46 (includes coats)</p>
<p>What about shoes? I am culling.</p>
<p>eta: Do you hang pants and jeans? Maybe they go in a drawer. I didn’t take that into account. : )</p>
<p>I find it’s key to check out stores when the seasons change because if you want one new thing for fall or spring, the selection is so much better in August and January than later on. Whenever I wait til say May to get spring/summer things, they’re all picked over and nothing’s in my size.</p>
<p>Hardest thing for me to find is pants especially since I lost weight. I’m not sure whether to take them all in or hope I regain a few pounds (I’m kind of below my normal weight – lots of stress this year). I wish I could find one brand that always fit then I’d order them online. I recently pulled on a pair of jeans D had given me and they fit great, but I feel like I need some teen attitude to go with the jeans :)</p>
<p>All my occasions are kind of the same – work, casual, a few dressy events – so if I see a dress I like that fits, I buy it and I usually have need for it.</p>
<p>A trip to Goodwill is not shopping. It’s a treasure hunt! </p>
<p>My best GW treasure ever was buying a Banana Republic canvas summer purse. The purse was nothing special but the quarter carat diamond stud earrings inside the zipper pocket sure were! And yes, I took them to a jeweler who ascertained that they were indeed real diamonds, Nice $3 find.</p>
<p>A Madewell dress for $17?! Sooo jealous!!!</p>
<p>Colors in my closet?? Wow, lots. I love color. I hang tops according to color families: blacks/greys/, whites/beige, reds/pinks/oranges, blues/greens. I don’t do brown at all. 
</p>
<p>No item how many items. I put away some seasonal clothes.</p>
<p>I don’t hang pants jeans. I kind of tri fold and stack them on a shelf in the closet. . I don’t do trouser type pants. All my pants are of the jean/colored jean/cordoroy/cotton variety. </p>
<p>Yup, Goodwill is a treasure hunt:</p>
<p><a href=“THRIFT SHOP (G rated Radio Edit Clean version) - MACKLEMORE & RYAN LEWIS FEAT. WANZ on Vimeo”>http://vimeo.com/m/56256943</a></p>
<p>:)</p>
<p>1) Colors: the entire Pantone collection.
2) Items: too many to count! Mr B and I share a large walk in closet, and I do hang pants and shorts (but not jeans).</p>
<p>I stick to black/gray/blue tones in the winter, but in summer, I wear white/navy/coral/pale blue/tan plus lots of multicolored dresses. Almost no black in the summer, other than perhaps a graphic black/white print (I love those). I probably have at least thirty warm weather dresses that fit me well and are fresh and current. I hang my dressy pants and fold jeans and casual pants. I don’t wear shorts!</p>