12 for 12: Halfway done in Jan!

Yeah, I'm shocked too, as doubtless are you. But I'm done with half my year's shopping already.

I went shopping for the baby, and came home with seven end-of-season purchases for myself.

It sounds outrageously impractical in theory. Will have to sit on my hands now! Won't this lot be outdated and boring by year's end?! And with a rapidly changing body, am I sure any of it will work for long??

In my defence, I think it wasn't *too* bad a strategy. For one, I kept to the plan (partial 12 x 12 list, with room for impulse a la Angie's four categories, has helped). For another, I looked at need, practicality and style integrity over price --- which is one of my aims this year, to stop buying the 'best bargain' and buy the best item for my style and lifestyle. This time, I've spent a little more on each item than I'd have thought
'acceptable' in the last several years. For a third, all of what I bought fits fine right now, on my current body, and I hope that the colours and silhouettes will also work with my non-maternity wardrobe later in the year.

Here's what was on my list of 8 (four items were planned as 'decide later' or 'sudden love') and what I actually got:
(1) slip-on oxfords --- I switched to lace-ups, the Clarks Hamble Oaks, because I rather fell in love with them; already worn several times and still loving 'em...
(2) lightweight transitional cardigan in grey or black (or maybe red or teal) --- got a 'denim'-blue waterfall version, which I like with my jeans and hope will work with tunics and red skinnies too
These two were worn here: http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....-out-of-12
(3) warm cardigan, preferably on the longer side --- found a black all-wool version tipped with dark grey, something I've been missing for a LONG while now. It's a boyfriend style, so butt-warming and belly-forgiving. This, with colours reversed: http://www.marksandspencer.com.....B003RM3GUY
(4) lined tights or warm leggings in grey or black --- got cable-knit dark grey leggings
That's half my specific list DONE!

In the 'sudden love'/impulse category, two surprises that I believe will be versatile:
(1) dark teal lambswool pullover in a fine gauge --- it's this shape and colour, different fabrication: http://www.marksandspencer.com.....B007OZJY4C and good for layering under and over. I haven't had a warm sweater that allows this in... um, ever! Pure-wool garments at a good price tend to be in limited supply here, and are typically chunky.
(2) Ikat-ish printed tunic top: http://www.marksandspencer.com.....B008A323OK --- hoping to wear with both skirts and pants, tucked and untucked
(3) Fair Isle angora-blend tunic-length pullover: http://www.marksandspencer.com.....B008A33FLK -- hoping it will work with skinnies and straight-leg grey trousers as well as the leggings above (it's pretty long on me, being mid-thigh now and should be more once the bump is gone)

So yeah, all three 'impulses' are cool-weather clothes, which is odd for someone with a dominant summer/monsoon. But I realized I'd been severely neglecting this season in the last few years. This end of the closet was full of wardrobe holes. Am betting --- per Angie's reminder that trends don't die too easy these days --- that they'll be handy for next winter too.

This still leaves me room for rain-ready boots, a denim/chambray shirt, a cross-body bag or satchel in tan/camel and/or a bright waterproof travel tote. But I'll have to go slow on the hunt for a bit now --- busy days ahead and the budget needs to breathe and recover too!

Sorry not to have actual outfit photos of me in said garments. But it's busy-busy-busy month around here and I just don't know when I'll get around to it. So thought I'd fess up while I had the chance anyway.

13 years ago

Anonymous

Had a look at them all and they look great purchases. I've already seen the first cardi in your other post (like how you styled it) and I think the boyfriend one will be a good addition too. I'm loving the patterns in the print top and the angora blend tunic. Looking forward to seeing them styled. Good luck with your other planned purchases.

Raisin

Veteran

Sounds like you got things that were on your list, and at great prices too. I'd like to see pics of them on you!

I'm very impressed with your purchases. Like you, I find it difficult to open up the old wallet, but in the long run, these items will serve you well. I love the bold and modern turn I see your style taking with these purchases. It was probably a good idea to do half of your year's shopping before having the baby. You might have other things on your mind in a month or two and it will be nice to be able to reach for your fab new clothes without thinking! Brava!

Suz

(website)

I'm really impressed with the care you took and the thoughtfulness of these purchases. Many of them will work with bump or without, and most are transitional in more ways than one. The shoes are going to be fabulous for you. Great purchases!

Sara L.

These all sound like great purchases since they fill specific wardrobe holes that you had already identified. Sometimes you have to buy stuff when you find it because it won't be around in 3 or 4 months when the timing might be better.

Sounds like you got great, thought out buys. Here's to hoping you can last the year now
I was afraid I'd be way ahead of schedule on my 12 for 12, but so far I'm in 2 pieces.

ManidipaM

Thanks for holding my hand through this, ladies. I was quite worried for a bit and second-guessing myself: sale goggles? impulsive buying in disguise? will I really be able to stick with just 4-5 more items for the rest of the year? not enough PPP discrimination? too low standards?

I'm feeling a little less iffy now that I've had a week almost to contemplate my buys in the cold hard light of next day, and the day after that, and the day after. I put together a few outfits on paper to reassure myself too. And I'm thinking it's worthwhile going on a binge this once, if I don't have to scramble as much playing 'stay warm or stay stylish' next winter. The only ways this will have been a bad idea is if I either find these feel dated by next season or I exceed my limit of a round dozen this year.

Mo, thanks especially for the reminder to last the year. I'll need to be strong!

Mona

This looks like a great shopping list, Mani. I am sure the oxfords, cardigans and the legginngs will be wardrobe workhorses. As for other impulse purchases, I think it is very important to look put together and stylish in your non-dominant season. Too many of us including myself ignore the non-dominant season and end up struggling with style.
The lamb wool pullover is just lovely.

Lisa

Sounds like great purchases and now you have time for the next few months to do other things instead of shop for the one perfect item a month. Congrats!

nancylee

Nicely done! You are an inspiration to me, ManidipaM. Someday (some year) I'm going to try 12 for 12.

I like that you planned...but also made room for "sudden love" purchases. I also love that you call them "sudden love" purchases. What a great name.

Thanks again, ladies!

Nancylee, may you be showered with 'sudden love' too this year --- in judicious doses!

Lisa, that is a VERY good way of looking at it. Not as a temptation to avoid, but a job done and dusted, with time left over to relax and enjoy. Particularly handy for me, as I still find shopping a wee bit stressful --- though I'm getting better at this. NEAT perspective! Thank you!

Mona, I hear you! Oh, how I hear you! Been there, doing exactly that for too many years --- and feeling decidedly un-fab and icicle-d. Darling, do not even compare yourself to *that* horror!

Claire, missed replying before, but rather kicked by your assessment of a bold, modern style direction. Now this I hadn't thought out! I only told myself I *must* try to emphasize simpler pieces to play with other items --- basic shapes for fuss-free layering, texture that is not too architectural, colours that are neutral or already present in my closet, less pattern and more plains. Need to look at my purchases through fresh eyes. I've been staring at my Pinterest board of late and wondering what feels different... something's shifted, ever so slightly, but I wondered if it was just my hormones, lol!

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