Right??

As cheap careful as I am, sometimes I end up making purchases I regret.  I try not to make impulse purchases and I try to stick to my lists of things I truly need in my wardrobe. But…I’m human (sigh) and sometimes I get it wrong. But hopefully I can take some lessons away from my mistakes…and maybe they can help you, too.

So, this blouse I really loved when I first bought it. But when I finally tried wearing it, it just wasn’t good. I tried it on over all my pants and it’s just too short. My “low” belly shows, my rounded thighs show…and while I’m not ashamed of them, it just looks nicer when something skims over them hiding them from view.

The Lesson: Don’t get so caught up in a color or print or style that you overlook fit.

This next top was an in-person impulse item. The colors and print grabbed me. I liked the bell sleeves. And it was very inexpensive (like $11.99 at Rainbow Shops). So I didn’t pay enough attention to the too-revealing neckline. It’s too much cleavage for work…and the whole top is too frou-frou for going out with friends. So I’ve worn it One Time since I bought it last fall.

fashion schlub bettye rainwater long island plus size fashion blogger 6.7.18 4 resized

Floral top, no longer available. Comparable here in plus size and here in straight size.

The Lesson: Similar to #1, don’t get so caught up on color and print and price that you buy something you really have no place to wear.

I apologize for my wacky white balance here – the middle picture is actually the correct color. I just did the latest Photoshop update and there was a new color option and “vivid color” looked really nice when viewed in Photoshop, but is way too yellow anywhere else.

Here I bought a dress that’s really the same dress as one I already one. I’ve had the light blue Tencel “nightgown” Old Navy dress (far right) for two years and still love it. Last year I bought the Style & Co light blue Tencel dress when I rented it from Gwynnie Bee and I really liked it. But really, they’re the same dress. Light blue, sleeveless, lightweight Tencel dresses. They’re interchangeable. But because I really like the Old Navy dress better, when I feel like wearing a lightweight light blue dress, I always reach for the Old Navy dress. So the Style & Co dress is really underutilized and I’m not getting my money’s worth out of it. Not that it was a lot, I think it was marked down to $15 but that’s not the point. I don’t like having unnecessary clothes hanging in my closet.

blue dress collage

Dresses no longer available. Similar styles here in plus size and here in straight size.

The Lesson: Don’t keep buying the same thing over and over.

This one is not a purchase, it just arrived in today’s mail from Gwynnie Bee. It’s too small, but besides that, it really is not a good style for me. It’s too much. Of everything. I’m already a lot just on my own. To add multiple colors and patterns and crinkle fabric and bell sleeves and lacey ties…it’s too much. It’s cute on other people, but it just feels like too much for me.

fashion schlub bettye rainwater long island plus size fashion blogger 6.7.18 8 resized

Vintage America Blues top, size 3x. Comparable here in plus size and here in straight size.

The Lesson: Remember what works well on your body and don’t buy everything you “like.” You can like things without having to own them. Buy things you feel good in. There’s a difference.

So, I’ll continue to try to be mindful when purchasing. Hope my mistakes can help you make less of your own!

This post contains affiliate links, which means that I may receive a small commission if you click on them and/or buy something as a result of clicking that link.