Impulse Shopper

Shopping used to be a lot harder. I had to make a conscious decision to shop; drive to a store, hunt for my size, try something on, and then decide in that moment if I wanted to make a purchase. It was all very tangible.

Now I open up Instagram and am fed a bombardment of images, both from other bloggers and from targeted ads. Facebook is tracking my every keystroke, and I'm convinced listening in as well. It does not take much to lure me into making a purchase, it's so simple and hypothetical. I can make these purchases and I don't have to commit to them. I will have the small excitement of a package arriving at my door, then I can make my decisions. The money spent seems less real when I'm always rationalizing I'll return things.

I do swear I'm trying to be better. It does not seem like it or feel like it, but the thought process is there, telling me to be more discerning, to make returns, to act as if I'm shopping in a real store instead of a virtual one.

A couple weeks ago I followed a predictable route. I opened Instagram, started scrolling, and was immediately served an ad for Banana Republic. Naturally, I shop there a lot, and the carousel of products typically includes whatever I was last looking at. I should know better than to peruse the images, but I couldn't help myself, and I spotted this skirt, which is normally $128 on a flash sale for $45. My interest was peaked and it wasn't long before the skirt along with two other pieces were in my cart and the order was placed.

The package arrived, I tried everything on, I shared on Instagram, and made the decision to just keep this skirt. I felt pleased when I returned the other items and believed I'd gotten a good deal. However, I was not looking for a green pleated skirt. It was not on my radar nor is it filling a gaping hole in my wardrobe.

Targeted ads: 1
Lydia: 0

 green floral midi skirt, black off the shoulder tee, round rattan bag, white sandals-9.jpg green floral midi skirt, black off the shoulder tee, round rattan bag, white sandals-11.jpg green floral midi skirt, black off the shoulder tee, round rattan bag, white sandals-7.jpg green floral midi skirt, black off the shoulder tee, round rattan bag, white sandals-12.jpg green floral midi skirt, black off the shoulder tee, round rattan bag, white sandals-10.jpg green floral midi skirt, black off the shoulder tee, round rattan bag, white sandals-8.jpg green floral midi skirt, black off the shoulder tee, round rattan bag, white sandals-5.jpg
The Rundown
Floral Pleated Skirt Banana Republic
Off The Shoulder Tee Express similar
White Slides Banana Republic
Round Rattan Bag Etsy similar
Pearl Hoop Earrings Thrifted similar
Gold Bracelets The Cavernous Jewelry Box
Thin Gold Ring Etsy via Ellyn Blue Jewelry
Sunglasses "Meteor" Ray-Ban c/o TJMaxx
Nail Color "Zip Me Up" Essie


30 comments

  1. It's such a cute print though!!!
    I'm getting pretty good at tuning out the targeted ads, but I do find myself glancing at them once in a while, haha
    https://www.closet-fashionista.com/

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  2. I'm loving the print of that skirt! Such a cute piece for Summer!

    https://colorandgrace.com/

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  3. Omg those target ads seriously know how to get me too. I'm glad you kept the skirt. It is really cute!

    www.rdsobsessions.com

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  4. That skirt is absolutely beautiful, and so is your entire outfit!! As for impulse shopping?! Oh my gosh, right there with you!!! It's wayyy too easy, but I'm getting better!! xo

    www.veronikanovotny.com (life + style blog)

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  5. I mean it is a really stunning skirt so maybe falling victim to a targeted ad wasn't a total negative in this case? And good for you for not keeping the other items.

    Courtney ~ Sartorial Sidelines

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  6. This look is everything! You look amazing love <3

    https://lifewithmins.blogspot.com/

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  7. Sometimes impulse shopping doesn't work out, but in your case it did!! You look lovely!

    www.sundaydahlias.com

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  8. OMG I love this skirt it is so amazing!
    xoxo
    http://ysiakova.blogspot.com/

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  9. Okay I get that you weren't looking to spend anything but that skirt! I would have bought it too, it's so pretty! I have a hard time when those ads follow me around "these would look so good on you" "still interested in" and I have to try ignore it.

    Has to be said though any time I have been tempted and stars have aligned and the boys have slept enough to let me browse or shop for things online, I remember our house and area is new and the pain it is to get things delivered....haha! We aren't on all the maps! So I haven't bought much! I have bought a couple things after no buy July but I've sent them to my post office address ;)

    Hope that your week is going well! :)


    Away From Blue

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  10. Haha a light hearted approach for sure but yes social media and IG particular make impulse buying much easier then it was in the past. But that is a good deal on that skirt and it is gorgeous. Kudos to you for returning the other items. I just bought my first item via IG, a name necklace. It is 18k gold and was on sale and %60 off..

    Allie of
    www.allienyc.com

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  11. Online shopping is both good and bad! Everything is more accessible, but that can be a problem too! That skirt was a great deal and looks fabulous though!

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  12. It's such a beautiful skirt, but I know what you mean by being sucked in by those targeted ads, I've definitely had that happen before too.

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  13. Such a chic look on you dear, love how you styled the skirt with the basic black top. Really brings out the color. Also, love the bag too!

    Jessica | notjessfashion.com

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  14. I'm with you on being total convinced that our devices are listening to what we talk about - almost every time I hang out with my best friend, when I get home, all my targeted ads have changed from the clothes I've been googling to products related to what we've just been talking about. Although to be honest, that's kind of a relief, because I am a victim of targeted advertising way too often. I wish the Facebok group didn't have an algorithm to tell me what I want, but the reality is that they do, and it is terrifingly accurate. But sometimes, you really do find that perfect piece you would never otherwise have come across thanks to a targetted ad, and this skirt is proof of that. I admit to having voted for it when you shared it in stories, because it really is such a beautiful piece.
    xox,
    Cee

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  15. This is such a beautiful outfit! That skirt is just so stunning for summer and can easily transition into Fall!! Gorgeous!

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  16. I'm so with you- the knowledge that I can easily return something "I don't love" makes spending the money not as real. SO TRUE.

    I love this skirt on you, though! Those pleats are fun. :)

    -Ashley
    Le Stylo Rouge

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  17. I get the frustration. We are really receiving too much information from brands that "tempt" us according to our tastes.
    I gotta say the skirt is beautiful though, I really like the color, the print and the shape.

    www.lindifique.com

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  18. That skirt is just gorgeous! I love the color and how you styled it. You look gorgeous Lyddie!

    http://www.ruthyannie.com

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  19. Green is such a beautiful and vibrant color on you! I love the style of this skirt.

    Greta

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  20. Girl, I am totally an impulse buyer! This skirt looks great on you AKA it was well worth the impulse :)

    -xo, Azanique | https://www.lotsofsass.com

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  21. I'm a total victim of this too, but I have to admit it does make shopping a lot less stressful. I love getting what I want when I want it, without an exhausting trip to the mall where I often come up empty-handed. Love the skirt!

    District of Chic

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  22. Those targeted ads drive me nuts and I also think Facebook is listening! The print of your skirt is gorgeous!

    Jill - Doused in Pink

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  23. I go through phases where I'm a total impulse shopper. I've been SO good lately!

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  24. This skirt is so pretty! I love the print of it.

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  25. Sometimes I am the worse about shopping on impulse. Luckily, most things I buy, I ended up using over and over again.

    Xx, Nailil
    thirtyminusone.com

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  26. Love those sandals!!! I bet you’ve gotten soooo much use out of them this summer!

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  27. Even if you were not looking for a green pleated skirt it found you and looks fantastic Lydia!
    99% of my purchases are still brick and mortar.
    I saw a documentary about social media on Netflix and now also think that they do listen to us...

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  28. You look always great. Thank you.

    Nahid | https://bestclicknow.com

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