Inspired by the wonderful MaryK and Annagybe, I'm posting my F/W 2013 purchases so far. Because, oh yes, I fear I am not quite done! (I have a full shopping basket at Nordstrom's as I type this...)
So far, I am super happy with all my purchases. Only 3 items are still unworn.
1. Navy David Meister dress. This is a classic that I got on considerable discount and I bought it as my winter LBD. I'm not worried about it -- I'll wear it when the time comes. And even if I don't I am more than glad to own it. You never know when you'll need a simple, elegant dress at a moment's notice.
2. Grey knee high dressy boots. Weather has not called for them yet.
3. Donald Pliner bronze shooties. I knew these were a serious risk when I bought them. I love them, find them quite comfortable, and will certainly wear them over the holiday season. But, as I told Sveta when I bought them, they risk becoming near-orphans in my very casual life. I had to accept that they would be a few-wears-a-season purchase, and buy them anyway. The CPW is always going to be quite high on these -- which is okay with me, because I think it all averages out.
I've bought many more higher quality items this year, and love every one of them. I have also bought a bit of fast fashion at Zara -- and love those items just as much.
My costs have been similar to Mary K's -- well....similar if you don't count the knee high boots, that is! Those obviously added a huge amount. But, since they were a generous gift from my mother, they do not come off my personal budget.
What I've bought:
I also purchased two transition season dresses (Kamalikulture, pics 5 & 14) ) and the striped VC skirt (not pictured) for transitional weather.
Examining these purchases, clear favourites emerge, but other than the three items already mentioned, every single item has seen multiple wears already -- and don't forget, we are very early in the season here -- a season that will extend until the end of March at minimum. (And this is why I think it is okay, even justified, if I decide to add a few more items to my closet. The need for variety in our long winters is pretty obvious.)
Here, my new things are remixed with older items from last year or earlier: VC Elmay leopard pumps (last year); J. Crew boy shirt (spring); MK belt & J Crew jeans (spring); Noir trousers (last fall); Danier bag & jacket (last year); white belt (spring), Pettys (last winter), BR slouchy skinnies (4 years ago); Danier bag (last year, Theory trousers (last fall), SW booties (last winter); Comrags skirt (5 years ago); leopard belt (spring), Long and Leans (2 years ago); Old Navy denim pencil (2 years ago); modal sleeveless turtleneck (3 years ago), Theory moto skinnies (last fall); white Kut from the Kloth jeans (1.5 years ago)...and so on. That's probably too much information but could be useful to those just starting and thinking about how long it takes to build a wardrobe and how you identify your "keepers" over time.
If this seems like a lot of buying (and it does, to me!) keep in mind that although I did not follow a strict one-in-one-out rule (since I'm still building a workable wardrobe) I did purge more than I bought, so I actually have fewer items in my closet now than at the start of the season.
What's great is that the items I have are starting to work well together and for most occasions I feel as if I can put outfits together pretty quickly without a lot of stress. Now and again I still go into a tizzy (especially when travel looms) but I do feel more prepared and happier in my daily activities. Thanks to YLF!
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