8 July 2009, originally uploaded by academichic.Sources:
All remixed except new skirt and new shoes!
- Teal Tank – BR Outlet
- Grey Skirt – Old Navy
- Wedges – Kenneth Cole, via DSW
- Cardigan – J Crew Outlet
- Necklace- Hawaii
- Bracelet – Gift from S.
Endnotes:
When I wear a new article of clothing, A2 calls it a “premier.” I love this term! It makes wearing my new item all the more exciting. I think I have E. premiering her new clothes now too. Today I premiered the skirt and the shoes!
New Shoes!, originally uploaded by academichic.I purchased this grey chino pencil skirt last week at Old Navy to alternate with my go-to denim pencil skirt. I never have any buyer’s guilt over practical items like this. It’s a neutral, it’s three season, it’s a shape I know I love, and it was cheap. The shoes felt like a bit more of a splurge! I bought them while on vacation this weekend so I immediately questioned my purchase upon arriving home and unpacking them. They were a great deal (marked down to $25), they are a neutral, and are, as it turns out, extremely comfortable! But still the tinge of consumer remorse remains. Do you suffer from buyer’s guilt? Do you feel the need to keep the tags on new items for a few days? Do you need someone to convince you your purchases where good ones?
8 July 2009, originally uploaded by academichic.
If it’s an amazing deal for something beautiful, I feel guilty for leaving it, but I also feel guilty when I buy it. So both ways I’m screwed… But the shoes are pretty AND practical so you shouldn’t feel guilty.
Have no remorse! You look fabulous, from head to toes (skirt to shoes, maybe?). I frequently have buyer’s remorse, which is why I usually only shop when I need something — unless I’m thrifting, then I loosen up a bit. Cute ensemble. I really dig your shoes.
Love the shoes! I have buyer’s remorse sometimes, but not often. I love getting deals at DSW and Old Navy too–two of my favorite places to shop ever.
I know what you mean! I wanted this pretty dress at the beach recently but was afraid of buyers remorse so I didn’t get it! And I ALWAYS get a second opinion on stuff I buy. But those shoes are fabulous, no remorse necessary! I bet they’re great walking shoes for campus too :)
Buyer’s remorse? All too often. But it crops up at weird times – often 12 months later when I look at something I have worn once and think why? why? Or if I buy alot of clothing in one big trip……for some silly reason I seem to cope better if I get things in small batches……
But now you have (sort of) raised the topic, I am wondering if I might ask about the purchasing habits of academic chic (a tutorial??) You all seem to have a healthy mix or new seasonal updates and re-mixed clothes featured over the posts, so I am wondering – do you have clothing budgets? or a systematic approach to buying (eg this winter I need new boots and a new winter coat, plus a few tops. I have enough of everything else) or is it just random – what you see and like, you buy?
Conversely – do you have a systematic approach to editing your wardrobes and throwing away items? I’m curious – I think the academic chic cupboards would be a treasure trove of great items and accessories!
I return almost everything I buy. It’s almost sick, but I love that I get extra time to think about whether I actually like what I bought, if it can fit into my wardrobe, if it’s worth the money I spent, etc. I love browsing and trying things outside my comfort zone, and my pro-returns attitude makes this shopping hobby easy, fun, and low-pressure.
I like your outfit very much today!
I am the definition of remorse buyer!usually i do a huge walk in the shops finding items i like, then a second stroll to try out the ones i liked , then i sit for a coffee trying to decide if i need them and if the price is ok and in the end when I finally pay for sth , i have remorse until someone agrees with me that this item is “perfect on you”!!:-D
I second Juliana’s request for information on the purchasing habits of academic chic. I am currently in the process of overhauling my wardrobe, but being a grad student without much money, I am finding it difficult to know what to buy (and even how much I should spend). There are plenty of books available on building a wardrobe, but most seem to assume that (i) we all work in the corporate world and (ii) we have the budgets of those working in the corporate world!
Words of wisdom would be much appreciated!
This outfit looks great! I love the two different shades of blue and I think the shoes are great. Once you realize how much you wear them I bet all the remorse is gone.
As for me, I always leave the tags on my items until I am about to walk out of the house in it. Too many times I took it off onlly to not end up wanting to keep it and by then the tags were gone. I definitely feel my share of remorse over items but it’s less now that I’m older and have a much better idea of what I like, what looks right and what I’ll wear no matter how much I like it.
Oh, I used to get buyer’s remorse a lot — but having my sense of style develop and settle down has helped a lot (those magazine subscriptions have paid off!). Now I think before I buy, and I have to answer three questions — “Will I be able to teach in it?”, “Can I coordinate it with things I already own?”, and “Can I see myself still wearing this in three years?” These three questions have cut a lot of impulse purchases out — no more sparkly red one-shoulder tops just because they were 75% off!
Buyer’s remorse … it comes and goes. Usually harder to fight it down if an item has only very specific uses.
Love BOTH new purchases, lady!
LOVE those shoes!
What a great skirt, and I love the color combination you’ve premiered it with!
I almost always feel some form of buyer’s remorse, but I also am determined to always deal with any decisions I’ve made and not regret anything (this philosophy obviously extends far beyond shopping). So I always take the tags off right away and figure out how to make the most of a purchase I might be questioning. If it turns out to be a REAL no-go, I try to give the item to someone instead of return it. Karma, baby!
I tend to have buyer’s remorse mainly when the item is an impulse buy. If it was a planned purchase and I really needed something then no remorse afterwards.
Another trigger for remorse is if the fit is not perfect and the item will require further alterations, or if I decide that it draws attention to some aspect of my figure that I am self-conscious about. For the last instance, once I have decided against the item, no amount of reassurance will stop me from returning it or if its too late, from donating it or gifting it to someone else.
I usually don’t feel guilty for buying something unless it doesn’t leave me enough money to buy groceries. In general, if I like how something looks on me, and the price isn’t exorbitant, I get it.
The only things I really feel remorse about buying later on are items that are of really poor quality, because they end up wearing out so quickly.
These colors look great on you!! Love the new staples! As for buyer’s remorse – I seldom have it. Wish I did more often so I didn’t keep all of the stuff that I buy! Ha!
I get buyer’s remorse all the time! Usually because I know I have heaps of clothes at home. Or because it’s something different that I’m trying out and i’m not sure if it will work, or if i will still like it in a month.
which brings me to my issue. There seems to be a few of us on here who are around mid to late twenties, am i right? I am 28, married with no kids. I am having an identity crisis! I feel like I’m now too old to look like a fashion victim, but too young to dress too old, if you get what i mean!
is anyone else having this age-related drama? As I’m married I also feel I should dress a bit more maturely, or is that me being silly and caring too much what others think? I also have a young looking face and i know that will serve me well in 10 years time, but currently I am being mistakened for being around 22 years old!!
love to know how everyone else is feeling?
I absolutely adore those shoes. Any chance you could post the model name or number? I looked online at DSW and Zappos and didn’t see them.
I do sometimes have buyer’s remorse – I have a tote to return to Macy’s right now that I loved but then decided was too expensive for what I got. Usually my remorse is about the cost, not the item itself, as I’ve gotten pretty good at choosing things that suit me and that I’ll wear.
[...] wore a very similar outfit to this just about a week and a half ago. I loved the color pairing of teal with my new grey [...]