Drop shoulder shirts or jackets. They make me look like my clothes don’t fit, like I’m slouchy or wrinkled.

My fail safes are tank tops, sweaters, and jeans. Which seems odd since I normally would rather wear skirts than jeans. I feel like I have three distinct capsule styles; one casual, one elevated, and one playful. I am trying to figure out how to combine them.

I accidentally bought a Kate Spade bag in 1997 at a second hand shop for $10. I bought it because I loved the zebra print. It was only later when another woman who knew fashion and luxury items told me it was valuable. That was a serendipitous purchase and I will keep it forever but it’s because I love the purse for it’s beauty not because I could sell it for profit.

Excellent episode ❤

I spent Black Friday in London alone and went to Portobello Rd Market. On this trip I was thinking I wanted something British like a thrifted Burberry trench but they are way overpriced. Perhaps 5 years ago I would have gotten a good deal. Anyway another item on my list was rain boots and I was thinking hunter or la Chameau but I SCORED! I found a plaid topped Burberry rain boot in my perfect size. They were a good price with a little haggling and I now have my forever rain boots. I’m 63 near retirement and I live in Seattle so they will be used. I love plaid and these boots are so me. YAY

I really appreciate your content and tips on shopping your closet. It has taught me to use what I already own and create new looks. I shop the brands I like a few days before black friday and still get great deals and figure if they dont have something it was not meant for me to have it. Have learned to be content with less.

I am a fairly focused shopper, but I can get distracted by Black Friday sales for brands I like. I have learned that even if I don't end up buying anything, the time and energy I spend scrolling through their websites is draining. And as I get older, it seems more and more ungrateful of me to spend holiday time looking for something else to want, rather than use the time to truly offer thanks for the people and the things I have in my life and be more present with them. This year, I followed Hautemess Tom's example and am doing a five-day no buy to cover this Thanksgiving week, and I am also abstaining from shopping behaviors--looking at websites, researching gifts, etc. And the MINUTE I redirected my attention away from online shopping, I saw so clearly how my mind likes to come up with something I "need" and start looking for it. I think Christina mentioned this in one of her previous videos--that our minds create a "problem" that they can then "solve" (by finding and buying the thing) and then feel satisfied. But it's a made-up problem, and goodness knows there are enough *real* problems in the world and in our communities. So this has been a good time to re-set my priorities and make sure that I am spending my time in ways that align with my deepest values. Thank you all so much--I would not have gotten here without your wisdom and guidance. 💖

Thanks so much for this! I don’t have a budget for anything from Black Friday sales this year, because I found two items from my wishlist (plaid wool skirt and wool winter coat) at significantly reduced prices about a month ago. While I am thrilled with what I bought, and have worn both this week, I was still feeling a bit like I “should” be taking advantage of the sales if I need something! Thanks for helping me reinforce that I really don’t need anything, and appreciate what I have.

Excellent podcast Everything you are saying is still even more relevant in November 2024. You are all so smart and caring. I appreciate each of your unique knowledge and perspectives ❤

You should buy the air fryer!! It’s definitely a MUST! I got mine in 2020 and we use it daily!!! Best buy ever!❤️🙌🏼

I work at a factory 5 days a week and then as a server 1 day a week so it feels like I never get to wear my pretty clothes. So I definitely feel yall on that one.

We bought an air fryer for my Christmas present a few years ago. I don't use it, but my husband uses it about once a week or more. He eats lots of frozen food. What he likes is that it's faster than the oven. What I like about it is that it doesn't heat up the house in the summer time like turning on the oven. My husband likes cooking gadgets. The rice cooker is used several times a week. These items get him to cook for himself which I love so it is worth the loss of counter space to me.

About the small businesses....that's the Saturday after the black Friday: small business day....some people prefer to wait to Saturday to spend money in small local businesses

Don't nobody do that Black Friday stuff no more that's a myth is what that is it might be a little crowded but that is all people don't need to waste their money trying to up their fashion or buy every new gadget that's out new phone no not anymore

I am really lucky because Black Friday in my country sucks.

23:57 they say it’s the biggest deal of the century no being alive is the deal of the century 🎉 great quote I’ll do this for my no buy December

My motto is: If I want or need something, I’ll find you when I’m ready. That means, I will buy what I planned to buy during the sales, or I’ll stock up on regular “stuff” like skin care or buy makeup replacements. I just bought a long wished for item at full price, because these items sell fast, and I don’t want to miss it. So, I will stock up on staples or grab a special item if it’s available during a big sale. I do love that we now have Small Business Saturday the day after Black Friday, and that focuses on supporting local businesses rather than getting a deal, which is much more community-minded and not self-focused. Great advice here! Thank you, ladies 😃

In the US there's also Small Business Saturday, the day after Black Friday, where people are encouraged to do their shopping at small or locally owned businesses. In a community near us they have a lovely downtown area with locally owned shops, and they do a special event with treats at the shops, etc on Small Business Saturday as a holiday kick-off. It's a nice way to support local businesses while having time with friends and getting some Christmas shopping done

Black Friday's modern origins were ONE day of REALLY good sales. Deep discounts, limited quantities, limited time. If you could stomach the crowds, you got a good deal. Now it's like, three drawn-out weeks of really average sales. 15% off. Or 20% off, but you have to spend $250+. Brands are just hoping we're prepared to be feeling spendy and won't notice we're actually not getting a great sale.

I bought a new pair of boxing gloves on an early black Friday sale. Not intentionally, the timing just worked out that way but I won't complain about saving a few bucks. I do not shop sales or seek out sales but that doesn't mean I won't buy something on sale. Generally, I would rather buy an item at full price than be constantly monitoring sales and feeling pressured to buy quickly or buy more so I don't "miss out" on a deal. I've been sitting out black Friday shopping for a couple of years now and it makes this time of year much less stressful and stuff focused.

I have NEVER gone into my closet and thinking I have nothing to wear. It is more like, what shall I wear today?!

Make your wishlist several months ahead of time and think what you want to add to your wardrobe. Be very specific, brand, color etc. Then don’t browse the websites for more. Also unsubscribe from email from companies you never buy from so they don’t tempt you. These tips helped me this year!

I do not think we need to buy more! Especially Americans 😂

I am in Florida right now and they have had black weeks since we came two weeks ago! Horrible! It feels like they just try to push things in your face! I went to my favourit two shops non of them had a sale yet but bought the things I planned. Don’t care if it will be on sale later or whatever. Loove the things I bought and that was missing in my wardrobe. Will loove them for years to come!

Not tempted, so not interested in Black Friday sales whatsoever. I have an airfryer that I use to death. I cook such a variety of things in it, but that's just me. I did my research and checked all of the reviews for particular brands. I have no complaints. I would never buy a rice cooker, though, as it just would never get enough usage to justify the purchase in my household. Thank you ❤

I plan ahead and use Black Friday to my advantage. I know the price of the things I use so I know if I’m getting a deal or not. I have my list. I put the needed/wanted items in my cart on the various sites and then wait for the discounts and gift with purchase things to start. I only buy things like skincare, makeup, personal care or clothing and household items that need replacing. If I don’t think the “sale” is good enough I pass and wait until a later date. I’m not a big shopper anyway so I tend not to be excessive anyway which is helpful at this time of year. ❤

I hope you do this podcast topic EVERY year. Because the trends do change. This year something good happened: The sales started earlier, last a bit longer but still have the best discounts of the year. I have prepared my shopping list, and pared down the newsletters, so I am only going for the Black Friday sales of the brands I love. I have carefully curated my shopping card to be exactly what I want it to be, and then sat for several days to make sure its the right thing. We never used to be able to do that for Black Friday. But we can now. Something to experiment with and talk about for next year.

Its so cute you all didn't really understand the origins of Black Friday. Thanksgiving is always the last Thursday of November. It is a HUGE holiday in the US. Black Friday started b/c so many people get the next day off and want to kick-start their holiday shopping.

Love you guys! Ive lost all my ‘status’ at the retailers i used to frequent like Sephora, Starbucks etc…feels so much better!!

I never cared for black Fridays. I'm don't like someone telling me when to shop 😅

We were at a thrift store today and scored 4 beautiful vintage wool sweaters, it was like winning the lottery! We will keep 2 because they were on our wish list and the other 2 will be sold on a secondhand platform, so we’ll actually make money 😂 We don’t normally buy to flip but sometimes the opportunity arises. I should preface this to say we were at the mall and found nothing at the Black Friday sales 😁

11-26-24: new Netflix documentary Buy Now was so eye opening about consumption and waste and recycling - fits right in with your intentional philosophies - Thank you for all of your work - love you ladies!!

One of the best episodes of so many great thought provoking discussions

We don't need anything

Black Friday Hype. Have found the deals are not always that good. Have been stalking a handheld clothes steamer for about a year and a half. An item and brand that is not often well discounted. Last week, it came on sale at a reasonable price. Yes I bought it. Black Friday Sales are now being promoted and no sign of this item. Beware the Black Friday Hype or any hype for that matter.

Quite honestly, I plan some of my shopping around Black Friday 😮 Last year I saved a $100 on a Sous Vide- it gets used weekly for my meal prep and I’ve gotten take out about once a month. This year I saved $75 on a food processor and I just ordered some bras to replace ones that are getting close to end of life. I also need a belt with silver hardware that I’ve been searching for- found a bunch I like for 30% off. I also do most of my Christmas shopping during this time period. I feel like all my shopping is somewhat held for the end of year.

I unsubscribed from many brands in recent years. Now I'm suddenly receiving emails from many of those brands. That confuses me as to what its purpose is and how unsubscribing works. And even if I don't click on the emails but happen to look at the website, I receive more emails from that brand. A sustainable jewelry brand. For me, this pushing does not fit in with the whole sustainability mentality. And no, I don't want to spin the wheel to win a piece that I don't need and don't want. 🙂

Honestly Black Friday has never been my thing. Here in the Czech republic it's also an import. I know some people are always looking for the best deal, but for me whatever I have not been eyeing for some time, it's not worth the purchase.

My sister-in-law and I like to go to thrift stores on Black Friday, because everybody else is at the big box stores. I also thought about taking some stuff to a consignment store, to make some money, instead of spending it.

An idea that has stuck with me is to stop equating sales with savings. Eg, if there’s a $100 sweatshirt/kettle/whatever advertised as 30% off, im actually spending 70$. So I reframed this as “if i want to actually save, I need to take that discount and move that $30 into an actual savings account.” (Into a sinking fund or long term investment etc) This behaviour change and reset has become a habit so whenever I consider a sale purchase, i now think “do I have enough money to save right now?”

Well I got 2 pairs of shoes 50% off and felt it was a real deal at an outlet I peruse regularly. I knew the regular price had seen them styled and was not tempted by anything else. I hate Boxing Day sales as they are pandemonium and after Christmas in Australia it’s holiday beach time.And the irony of this particular podcast is that the ads were all about Black Friday.

I so needed to hear this, thank you!!!

❤

I used to dress up every day and really enjoy creating different outfits before the pandemic, but since the lockdown and WFH I literally wear pyjamas 90% of the time and I don't have the habit/skill/routine of getting dressed anymore. It's sad but I really don't have anywhere to go to dress for it.

I keep a running list of things I want to buy on my iPhone and wait for sales. In that time I often delete the item. When sale seasons come I check the list. I have a savings account for things like clothes and irregular expenses that aren’t in the monthly budget. If I need it I will pay full price but if I can wait I do. I do Project 333 which helps me stay focused on actual needs in my closet. I have limits to the amount of clothes I want to own. Minimalism helps in the other areas - 1 in 1 out forces me to see what has to go if I buy something new.

I totally second what Christina says about January sales - if you have something in mind, it's worth waiting those 1.5-2 months!

Raclette is actually a type of cheese that melts very nicely. It's very popular over here in France. The older "appareils à raclette" used to only grill the cheese in the mini pans you mentioned. The newer ones sometimes have a grill or something equivalent on top as well to put whatever you're having with the raclette cheese 😊 I appreciated that Alyssa's rebellious side came out and that she mentioned not wanting to feel pushed into buying something "now" but that she wants to do it in her own time 😎 It's actually something I've been feeling these last couple of days. Over the weekend I discovered a completely new to me French sustainable brand. They mainly make t-shirts and jumpers and a few accessories (socks etc.) using only sustainably sourced natural materials (cotton, Merino wool, French linen etc.). Everything apart from the cotton is locally sourced (there is no cotton available locally). I really like the whole concept, it looks like great quality etc. plus they have slightly larger sizes which is a great plus, so I subscribed to their newsletter on Sunday. Monday morning I got an e-mail with a discount code (5 € discount) valid for 48 hours for me as a new customer. The subject of the e-mail felt slightly aggressive to me as it was "We MUST convince you" and the e-mail explained how much better their items of clothing are compared to non sustainably made clothes. Today Tuesday I got another e-mail, which felt more personal with a friendly reminder that my discount code would only be valid until this evening. I appreciate that they offer a small discount to potential new customers, 48 hours feels a little short however, in particular for someone like me who needs time to think and feel whether an item would be right for me or not and considering that I don't really know the brand and potentially want to do some more research. The rebel in me also strongly dislikes feeling pushed to do something or rushed into making decisions. Shopping has never been a hobby for me, in particular when it come to clothes as I have always struggled to find clothes that fit my criteria: if I'm lucky I will find something in a size that fits (I almost always have to do some form of alteration when it comes to trousers - usually at the waist), in a fabric that my sensitive skin won't find itchy (no synthetics, no elasthane in my tops and t-shirts, I often even have to avoid linen even though it looks gorgeous), in a style as close as possible to what I'm looking for and in a colour that is as right as possible. The advantage is that I can easily stay away from Black Friday, French Days which we now have over here, private sales, yearly sales etc. in particular as I have found that, when it comes to clothes, they often have the smallest sizes left. For us curvier girls there is not much to choose from. That is actually something I would love for you 3 style and fashion girls to talk about in your podcast (and/or individually on your channels): the lack of options for us slightly curvier girlies (mid to plus size). Most of what I find is unfortunately fast fashion and/or a lot of synthetics (including in more expensive brands). I'm all for body positivity and I actually believe that if you feel good in your body it's easier to lose weight if that is something you're hoping to do. But it's so difficult to feel positive on a daily basis when you struggle to find clothes. It's all great to have your style figured out (maybe even have your 3 styling words worked out), know what your best colours are etc. but when there's nothing to match that in the shops... 😔 I believe that Signe can somewhat understand what we, or at least I, can often feel when looking for clothes: I think she has mentioned that she felt there were not that many options for her in the maternity clothes section these past few months when she has been pregnant (yet she has looked gorgeous as always all the way through!). The frustration she possibly felt is something I experience every time I'm shopping for clothes. I have never fallen into the category of "not needing more clothes" and being able to "shop my closet" because I have such few options to work with. Anyway, thanks for another great episode and sorry for this long comment. There were things I needed to get of my chest 😌🌺

I can't think of anything that would ruin a long weekend more than shopping The only thing on my list is a dog. That can't be rushed

I agree that Black Friday purchases should be things you were already considering. A few years ago I purchased my husband a Ninja Foodi on a Black Friday special because he had been wanting one. We didn’t really use it for the first 6 months, but it was so large and took up so much room. I was like we need to figure out how to use this thing if it is staying. Now we use it 3-4 times a week. It’s an air fryer, a pressure cooker, a slow cooker, and a rice cooker. It was a fail that turned into a win! I think that is a key to success with any purchase…how multi-functional is it?

I work in a retail environment for a product that would be considered a “first world luxury”. There has been a huge volume of ANGRY shoppers this year. They feel entitled to the item at a deep discount. It’s soured the entire experience for me and I have no desire to put my dollars behind anything related to Black Friday this time. Also, I think it’s entirely ridiculous that something which previously occupied one day is now expected to run all month/week long.