How accurate can you buy clothes you come to use?

[Knurt]

Over the few years I have been following this forum, I have noticed I am not the only one who tends to buy more clothes than I end up using. I am now entering a fourth stage in my buying life: I started buying clothes I needed, on a student budget, yet something like half the clothes I bought I hardly used. When I earned a salary and needed a bigger wardrobe with the occasional suit, sportcoat, trousers, a number of shirts etc., I think I managed a bit better. But, still, I was not accurate. When I due to weight loss some four years ago had to renew most of my wardrobe and was desparate for value buys, I disovered eBay and the insightful Internet communities that discuss clothing. I have done well, I think, maybe even equalling my prior track record in obtaining something like a 60 % success rate when it comes to clothes I use. I think I have been very careful about measurements, style and cut because these items cannot be tried before buying. Now that I have a full closet eBay does not throw up the same number of interesting buys, and I have to live with a newly found menswear interest that needs satisfaction. I need not fill empty holes in my wardrobe, I rather want to find very nice items that fit within the wardrobe I got. I realise this means buying less on sales, less on eBay, more based on material inspection. But even guys doing bespoke end up unhappy with the results at times. How accurate can I be? Are there wisdoms to be shared?

 

[FlyingHorker]

@UrbanComposition I think said he doesn't know how much he'll use something until he actually buys it. His wardrobe is also massive.

"Buy it for life" is not really a thing IMO, it's a lie.

Keeping a "needs" (lol), vs. a "want" list is what keeps me in check.

Ex: No, I don't need another Balmacaan, but I do need more long sleeve polos. Yes, one is more exciting and shiny, but the list keeps me in check.

 

[Knurt]

I sometimes find I like something, but when I try it on at home it distorts my image of «me».

 

[Phileas Fogg]

I think once you’ve developed a pretty well evolved sense of your own style, you’ll notice that you’ll be less tempted. It also helps if you try some self restraint. Walk away and wait a few days. Then decide.

 

[jack webb]

Relatedly, some pundit once recommended stocking up on items you particularly like, given they may no longer be available at some point in the future. I think this is bad advice. Your tastes, wardrobe budget, and even physique will change over time. Those shirts you thought were all the rage two years ago may strike you as meh now. This is a mistake I've made more than once.

 

[7_rocket]

You lost weight and I gained some muscle. So maybe I could give some insight.

Literally, 99% of my clothes does not fit anymore. My approach is buy out of necessity. Buy according to your lifestyle, where you frequent outside of work. What is the dress code at your workplace? Do you wfh etc?

Context is the most important thing. Reading forums and websites sometimes is a double edge sword. Do you need a bespoke suit? Or can you buy off the rack? Why do you even want bespoke?

My advice is take it one day at a time. If you're the type to wear jeans and sneakers on weekends, then buy that. If you wear suits to work then buy a suit. But buy with intent. Don't be buying **** for the sake of buying **** because it looks cool on Instagram or on this forum.

 

[dieworkwear]

@UrbanComposition I think said he doesn't know how much he'll use something until he actually buys it.

I'm the same way.

I still buy things that I'm not 100% sure about, but I like to experiment and see where things go. If something doesn't work out, I just sell or donate the item and move on.

I think it helps to consume a lot of images and media, so you develop an eye for what you like. Sometimes consuming media is a cheaper way of consuming physical objects since it's (mostly) free. But ultimately, you also just gotta try stuff to see what you like.

 

[TheShetlandSweater]

Over the few years I have been following this forum, I have noticed I am not the only one who tends to buy more clothes than I end up using. I am now entering a fourth stage in my buying life: I started buying clothes I needed, on a student budget, yet something like half the clothes I bought I hardly used. When I earned a salary and needed a bigger wardrobe with the occasional suit, sportcoat, trousers, a number of shirts etc., I think I managed a bit better. But, still, I was not accurate. When I due to weight loss some four years ago had to renew most of my wardrobe and was desparate for value buys, I disovered eBay and the insightful Internet communities that discuss clothing. I have done well, I think, maybe even equalling my prior track record in obtaining something like a 60 % success rate when it comes to clothes I use. I think I have been very careful about measurements, style and cut because these items cannot be tried before buying. Now that I have a full closet eBay does not throw up the same number of interesting buys, and I have to live with a newly found menswear interest that needs satisfaction. I need not fill empty holes in my wardrobe, I rather want to find very nice items that fit within the wardrobe I got. I realise this means buying less on sales, less on eBay, more based on material inspection. But even guys doing bespoke end up unhappy with the results at times. How accurate can I be? Are there wisdoms to be shared?

I think I'm like 90+%. I think there are several keys. 1) Developing taste so you know what sort of things you do and don't like or might like if you tried out. 2) Understanding how you like things to fit. 3) Understanding color and thinking through possible combinations before buying. 4) Waiting before you buy. Often, temptations will reside after a week or two and this will prevent mistakes. 5) Not being too uptight about things. Not every purchase will be perfect but many will still be good. Try to wear things quite a bit at first. Get used to wearing whatever you buy.

As for bespoke customers, I get the impression that the bespoke process can often have problems. I also get the impression that many bespoke clients don't think through the cloth they choose for long enough. Some also listen too much to the tailor about cloth selections and often tailors don't have such good tastes about certain things. Some do, but many don't.

 

[Encathol Epistemia]

I always buy something with an idea of its purpose in mind. Sometimes this is quite narrow (E.g. A very special Leon Drexler Venetian finish dress homburg for very special ocassions that I've worn five times since 2016), but I always have a purpose in mind. I find that I want to wear these things I have, so sometimes regardless of purpose. I can always think of a new 'purpose', but it's often really because an idea or a cloth captured my imagination.

I often nurture ideas for months or years before having it made reality. I'll throw caution to the wind and just be a lunatic buying groceries in a three-piece suit. Sure that drunk asshole will call me a leprauchaun or what-have-you, but most people either don't care or they get a kick out of it. I've been the local weirdo since I was a kid and nobody would be made happier if I were to quit now.

 

[TexasToast]

Being new to classic menswear and SF Ive been trying to find my identity I luckily havent wasted too much money on clothing. Shoes are another story I've blown a several hundreds of dollars on shoes that I'll never wear but I do plan on donating them to the local high school.

I don't think I've dialed in the look that Im looking 100% but I'm pretty close to it. SF has defiantly helped me find what Im looking for and Im glad that I found SF of who knows how much money I would have wasted on stuff I never plan to wear.

I can honestly say that Im better off now than I was several months ago when it comes to picking out clothing because I know what I like and have a much more refined sense of style.

If I were to offer someone that was a newbie to classic menswear would be to take your time be open to suggestions and enjoy the journey.

 

[FlyingHorker]

I'm the same way.

I still buy things that I'm not 100% sure about, but I like to experiment and see where things go. If something doesn't work out, I just sell or donate the item and move on.

I think it helps to consume a lot of images and media, so you develop an eye for what you like. Sometimes consuming media is a cheaper way of consuming physical objects since it's (mostly) free. But ultimately, you also just gotta try stuff to see what you like.

I also enjoy experimenting, it keeps life fun. Still struggling with the bolded and figuring out when to let go though.

I'll keep that image and media consumption in mind, especially for following certain IG accounts.

 

[ZRH1]

one thing that worked for me is not to be tempted by the current SF fad. Whilst I appreciate the various topics treated here, I realised that I much prefer a well fitted small traditional wardrobe and not dwelve into exotic things like madras shirts, huge herringbone patters, funky ties, navy shoes, etc. My conclusion in a sentence: I think bespoke is already very expensive, more so if said items are not worn. Am I wrong?

 

[dieworkwear]

My conclusion in a sentence: I think bespoke is already very expensive, more so if said items are not worn. Am I wrong?

Yes, bespoke is expensive, and moreso if the item goes wrong and/ or ends up not being worn.

I feel there are upsides to using bespoke tailors, trying new things, experimenting with styles, etc. But if the risk of wasting money really bothers someone and outweighs these potential upsides, certainly it becomes a net negative. This feels like a very subjective calculation.

I suppose it's like any purchase. If you go to an expensive restaurant, are you willing to try a new dish? If you buy a book, are you willing to purchase something that may end up going unread on your bookshelf? Etc.

 

[Knurt]

Many good responses emphasing different aspects: necessity, experience, sure taste, fit preference, colour, and then the volatile element, experimentation. The problem, or the allure, is the want of renwal, the will to divert from the narrow road of necessity, experimenration and colour. I think there is contradiction here: it is impossible to be very analytical about developing your own narrow path and not feel constrained by your own preferences. You need to broaden your own horizon if you are a thinker.

That said, upon reflecting about this I think I am a much more savvy consumer when it comes to formal and semi formal clothes. This casual turn is much more difficult to do well for myself. How to dress with a conservative flair without being boring? I see much more flamoyant execution here in Styleforum than I am comfortable with myself, yet this also represents a «world of possibility» that is quite wide and interesting and illustrate the difficulty of finding my own style. Maybe mastering this is a matter of experience, I am not so sure.

 

[taxgenius]

I found that my most expensive items end up being the most used, not because they were expensive, but because I bought them at full price, at a reputable store to fill an important need. Conversely, stuff that I bought because they were on sale end up being poor investments.