Damage report: recent shopping

Just being cheeky with the title.

As some of you know, I now live outside the USA, but still prefer to do my shopping when I'm back for work.

My last trip was in June where I picked up only a handful of items.

This trip my budget was somewhat tight, but I maximized the value by buying low this time around. I decided that I'm sick and tired of my closet because I've really not refreshed much in over a year. Also I scaled way down about 2-3 years ago, so my quantities are smaller to begin with.

True to myself, I got online before going and drove myself nuts wondering what I should do and get and then I realized, just go with what works. Don't reinvent the wheel! So I stuck with my own definition of classics that work for me, my lifesyle and my body. I was lacking plenty of basic type items, no need to go on a wild goose chase for a one-off items that might be closet orphans.

Anyway, here are the things I got this time around:
1 pair dark wash skinny jeans - Target
1 pair grey distressed skinny jeans - Target
1 pair black ponte leggings - Target
1 stripe/floral mix top - boutique
6 (confession time) solid color tunic tops - Amazon (more on these later)
1 b&w striped tunic - Amazon
1 navy 3/4 sleeve jersey dress - Amazon
1 stripe/floral sweatshirt - Amazon
2 sports bras - Amazon
1 black ponte blazer - City Chic
1 floral dress - City Chic
1 bright blue top - City Chic
1 wine color top - City Chic
1 plaid blanket scarf - Amazon
Various pairs of leather earrings handmade by a friend
1 pair Sam Edelman Petty animal print booties - Amazon
1 pair Havianas flip flops to replace broken ones - Amazon
1 pair Aquatalia boots to replace some that were lost by a friend - eBay

For those that are visually inclined, they're all on my Pinterest board.
https://www.pinterest.com/ange.....fulfilled/
I did a couple screenshots attached below.

Thoughts:
Right now, I am LOVING the new Amazon tunics. They are not a direct replacement for Eileen Fisher tunics I've grown to love, because the fabric is much thinner, but these Amazon ones are a fraction of the price, thinner fabric works fine for me as I run hot and can layer, and they lend themselves to FORMULA DRESSING. Skinny bottom plus a tunic, add accessories and I'm out the door. It works for my life!

TO mix up the dare I say boring-ness of the skinny bottom + tunic formula, I got a couple pattern tops, and a couple pattern mix tops. I know these are trendy, I don't mind, and I like the ability to choose something different now and again.

Someone asked me to follow up about the Aquatalia boots once I get them (from a prior thread). They are great! Love the gray suede, wore them all week last week bc the weather was rainy where I was. Super! So glad I found the direct replacement for the ones my friend lost. Gonna be workhorses this season.

The Petty boots are going to be fun to add to the formula dressing, to mix things up a bit. They were a splurge, but given that I saved a lot by going low with a lot of the rest, I don't feel too bad. They're fun and trendy, but also have longevity in my wardrobe bc I am a modern classic dresser and I don't see these going out of MY style for a long time.

The jersey dress is a low cost alternative for the one I've literally been watching for over 2 years at Garnet Hill by Eileen Fisher, just haven't pulled the trigger bc it costs $178. This was $20, it will let me try the concept and decide if I should splurge later. Love that idea!

I was pleasantly surprised with the City Chic items. I haven't shopped that brand before. The dress is lovely!! A splurge at $71, but I justified it by saying I'll wear it a few times to different events this fall and winter. It has pretty gold hardware and the cut is great on my body. The two City Chic tops really fill a wardrobe hole - tops that can be dressed up for evenings out. I'll add some gold jewelry and heeled booties and bam, they're instantly chic.

The handmade leather earrings can be found here: https://www.pinterest.com/angelabcarlton/earrings/
If anyone wants to be added to my friend's group to buy some just let me know. My first jewelry purchase in years and I was happy to support a friend.

Conclusion:
I feel like I've kind of settled into myself with my closet. I know what I like and what flatters me. I am not into the 80s/90s revisited, it doesn't work for my style and I'm ok with that (good for you if it does! No judgement here!). I don't need to be a trend follower, I'll just pick up the ones that speak to me (like animal print!). My life is very casual and my closet needs to reflect that.

Thanks for reading, any input is appreciated!

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5 years ago

Tina

Veteran

This sounds very thought out and thorough. You have your foundation covered and the earrings will add fun to your outfits.
Did you buy all the earrings in the photo now? All made by your friend? They are so interesting!
Have fun dressing out of your new closet! It looks like you did really well! I guess time will tell if ‘going low’ will give you the longevity you are hoping for. Even with lower expectations, a person still wants a reasonable amount of wear out of each piece.
I’m impressed with how you articulate exactly what each piece will do in your wardrobe!!

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Going with what you know works and makes you feel fab - GOOD IDEA. Why the heck not!

I see tried and tested classics with a good dose of colour, on trend pattern mixing and animal print, quirky earrings, and a whole lot of confidence. Rock on, abc.

abc

Tina, yeah... I got all those earrings. I went a little nuts but I’ve worn several pair so far and they’re an easy way to elevate my basic formula outfits. Also I agree, we’ll see how well these low items wash and wear. I just wanted more quantity this time around since I don’t make it back as often. Thanks for your feedback!

Angie, thanks for your words of wisdom! I was thrilled with what you said thank you again!

Jessikams

I also tend to stock up when I’m back in the USA, maybe once or twice a year. It’s just easier with the big box stores and the US sizing and the brands I know. Looks like you got some very smart and functional pieces.

Cardiff girl

That all looks very nice and what a fab collection of earrings.

Sara L.

What a well-thought out shopping trip! The earrings are fab and I bet they're light since they're leather. I buy tunics off Amazon too - they work fine for me.

Jessikams, a kindred spirit! You are so right, it's just so much easier to shop when back in the US. Plus so much cheaper. I'm glad you relate!

Cardiff girl, thank you, I must admit, I have been really excited about the earrings. A very simple way to spruce up ordinary outfits. Plus, long story, but I hadn't had my jewelry out and accessible in years, so I got a $10 display from Amazon and now they're all out looking pretty for me to choose from every day. Brings a little joy to see them all lined up looking so pretty in my bathroom

Sara L, I'm glad those tunics work for you, too! I hesitated, but the price was so right! And the cut, 3/4 sleeves, v neck, seriously, they are my holy grail. I could NOT go home with just one or two! And yes, the earrings are super light, sometimes I forget I am wearing them! Thanks for your feedback.

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rachylou

Serious haul! I can see everything work real nice together.

I have btw that tan plaid blanket scarf. I love it. So cozy!

RL, it got cold here and I wore the scarf with the red tunic and black leggings and aquatalia boots yesterday. It was very warm and cozy!!

kkards

i feel like Target's apparel selection has been really good this year...the new brands have really stepped up their game...

haven't tried any of the amazon house brands...good to know they are working for you

Of course, sweet abc. FUN EARRINGS COLLECTION. A signature look.

RobinF

It sounds like you have filled out the wardrobe holes nicely! And enough to prevent boredom. I have looked at some of the Amazon stuff but I am hard to fit so I hesitate, but then again usually the returns are quite easy.

Katerina

Wonderful shopping!
More love for the leather earrings. The red and the mustard knots are SUPER!

kkards, I have luck with their universal thread jeans, and some of their A New Day line. The rest is too junior-cut for me.

Angie, I hadn't thought of it as that, but you're right. These statement earrings are now becoming a signature look for me! Fun!

RobinF, I ordered various things on Amazon. I just had to guess at my size. I ended up returning a handful of items, but I was thrilled the tunic tops worked for me. The returns were easy, it was my first clothing purchase on Amazon and it was super easy to do. No printing required, just showed a code to the UPS store and they printed the label. Easy peasy.
Katerina, thanks! Glad you love the knot earrings They are some of my favorites as well.

Suz

This looks like a fabulous and fun haul. These items will work for your lifestyle and keep you happy. I love the booties and the fun patterns and colours on the tunics and earrings.

Thanks for chiming in, Suz. It's funny bc I look at your outfits as inspiration and somehow I seem so far off. But this works for me. I'm going to try one of the tunics with a leather jacket over the top today, I'm hoping the layers will also add interest. Thanks again for your feedback!

Eliza

Great haul with a deliberate strategy for the win. I'm very partial to Aquatalia booties and hope you find them as attractive and long-wearing as they have been here. They tend to look new for years, despite a challenging climate.

Eilza, thanks for your reply! THe Aquatalias are a replacement for the same pair I had before (only in patent black) that a friend lost. I posted about it before, but was thrilled to find this pair on eBay. They do look and feel like new, and I know they'll last a long time, especially in my mild climate. So happy I got them, I love the gray even more than my originals!

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