I got a pair of whiskey knee-high boots at this year’s Nordstrom Anniversary Sale. I mentioned at the time that I wanted to get a bag to match and complement them, and since then I’ve bought one for a song that’s a beautiful tonal match. Of course, I won’t always wear them together, but now I have the option when I’m in the mood for matching.

It turns out that my old toffee pieces like a thirteen-year-old Burberry scarf, a ten-year-old cashmere wrap, a seventeen-year-old studded belt, an eight-year-old short puffer, and a one-year-old pleather moto jacket work well with the new boots and bag. Most of these items aren’t a perfect colour match, but they create outfit cohesion and look great when worn together nonetheless.

I find it tremendously satisfying when old wardrobe items work well with new ones. It makes it easier to create outfits that look pulled together, and refreshes the way I wear old items. In some cases, it makes me fall back in love with old items that I haven’t worn for a while.

When my items relate to each other in some way, I definitely get better use out of them and have them in my wardrobe for longer.

Here in the US, buying wardrobe items on final sale usually means that you get them at a deep discount, but you can’t return the item if it doesn’t work out. An exchange or store credit is typically not offered either.

Buying items on final sale is particularly risky when you buy them online and haven’t seen them and tried them on. Even more so if you are unfamiliar with the brand’s usual fit and quality. Colours are often misleading in the online pictures. I vote avoid buying items final sale in these instances, unless you’re prepared to resell or pass them on. 

Final sale is a better bet in stores when you’re able to see, feel, and try on the item. You can be quite confident you won’t need to return the item. The same goes for online items when you’re familiar with them and know how the brand works for you. Or have bought the same items in the past.

On a couple of occasions I have neglected to read the fine print when buying a heavily discounted item online, only to find out they were final sale when I tried to return them. I appreciate it when online retailers put in bold red writing that the item is FINAL SALE before you hit the purchase button. Lesson learned. I must be extra careful to read return policies when purchasing heavily discounted items online.

The items were a Jason Wu skirt from The Real Real, and a handbag from Furla’s online store. First prize would have been to return them, since neither was the right fit. Since I didn’t have that option, I had the skirt altered to fit. Not perfect, but greatly improved. The bag is a tad small for my purposes because it can’t accommodate my second pair of specs. I use it when I don’t think I’ll need the second pair, which are progressives that I wear when reading.

On the other hand, I have had many final sale successes. I recently purchased two pretty and versatile cotton pointelle tops on deep discount and final sale from Boden. I know the brand, fit, and quality well, and have a lot of Boden knitwear in my wardrobe. I was very confident they would work. Boden also kindly warned me that the items were on final sale as I added them to my shopping cart. I ordered the green first. It was perfect! I ordered the navy stripe afterwards. Just as fab.

With New York Fashion Week in full swing, I enjoyed re-reading these 3 articles that were published on Fashionista earlier this year:

• How can Fashion Week be more accessible? “Whether it’s several flights of stairs or a lack of wheelchair ramps, runway show logistics often don’t consider those with disabilities.”
• Fashion Week runs on emerging designers, but what support do they get after? “How can young designers with limited resources build on the buzz of a successful show?”
• “It isn’t over once the models do their final walk.” Here’s everything that happens after a fashion show ends.

Fab Links from Our Members

Olive Green says that these are going on her reading glasses.

Sue Burpee of High Heels in the Wilderness opines on the Fall 2023 Vogue issue, Star tends to agree with her.

A few sewing skills — or simply knowing your measurements and keeping them handy — might change the way you buy clothes forever. Suz is not a sewist, but she agrees about knowing measurements (and checking them).

The Ralph Lauren Spring 2024 runway show premiered this week, and Mary Beth thinks the looks are all so beautiful and wearable.

Carol directs us to quick fixes for fashion emergencies; “they’ll never know the difference.”

“Is Zara OK?” Kyle had a chuckle reading this Bored Panda article.

Nuancedream thought this was interesting. She says: “Shein’s greenwashing scholarship collaboration with the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising (FIDM) is not its first attempt to rehab its image by targeting colleges.”

“How to buy a well-made shoe?” Jaime liked the tips in this article.

A new outfit from Susanne Ackstaller of Texterella, whom we introduced to YLF in October 2019.

Susanne pairs delicious shades of sherbet with crisp white in this casual trouser look. She’s wearing a relaxed-fit button-down tunic over cropped wide leg watermelon trousers. Keeping the shirt untucked emphasizes the easy breezy nonchalant Summer vibe. A longer shirt in juicy orange is worn open and functions as a light-weight topper in warmer temps. White platform sneakers pick up the white in the shirt, while the jute soles nod back to our blogger’s playful coral straw hat that ties in perfectly with the rest of the colour palette. The orange part of her “knitted” bag matches the topper. The raspberry part brings a fourth colour into the mix, and makes everything pop even more. Tomato red lippy, a gold ring, dainty dangly earrings, and a classic watch add the polished finishing touches.

* Photos by Martina Klein Fotografie, Berlin