I'm not sorry, are you? - YouLookFab Forum

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I'm not sorry, are you?

ironkurtin

Veteran

If you've been reading my other posts, you know that I
1) hate the hot weather where I live (Austin, TX)
2) was supposed to move to Portland, OR this spring, but it was delayed
3) was so excited to move to Portland I gave away all my summer stuff

What I didn't tell you (yet) was that I spent some serious cash on clothes for Portland. Two vintage Helmut Lang trenches. Long cashmere sweater coats. More boots. Etc. These items are gorgeous and hanging in my closet. I will not get to wear them here.

But I love them. I'm not sorry. Most of them are classics that will not date and I will thrilled when I can take them out of hibernation when we FINALLY AS WE MUST OR I WILL COMMIT MURDER move.

What do you have that makes you happy, even though you don't use it? What are you NOT sorry to own?

Shopping

30 replies

Latest reply was from christieanne

Thistle

Veteran

II have a long black dress coat with fox fur collar and cuffs. I was dirt poor when I first got out of college, and I had to wear suits every day. When I moved to Wisconsin, I needed a suit coat.

I ended up buying my coat off a clearance rack at a clearance store for 80% off and it was still $300 in 1990s money. Most I had ever spent, but I loved it. I got so many compliments on it. The next year, the firm moved to business casual. *sigh*

I still have the coat. It maybe gets worn once a year, if that. I still love it.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I'm pleased you posted this. I love positive threads.

(Come over to Seattle and showcase your new stuff).

I have a wall of white pearl necklaces in my closet that I never wear because I don't wear jewellry anymore. And if I do, I prefer it not to be costume jewellry. But I LOVE my wall of pearls. It makes me happy because pearls are part of my style soul. I will never pass them on. And probably never wear them again either.

ironkurtin

Veteran

@Angie and Thistle, it's like a painting you love, isn't it? Just looking at it makes you happy. (My husband does not understand how owning the perfect boots = art, but hey, at least they're not Hummel figurines that have to be dusted.) I love my Helmut Lang coats. Love love love.

Nicole D

Veteran

"Non, je ne regrette rien..." as sung by Edith Piaf.

Anonymous

I think this is what you need to cope with staying in TX. I wouldn't be sorry either!

Mo

(website)

Veteran

My leather jackets hanging in the CA closet. Allsaints shearling lined one that Rae procured for me last winter and the Spiegel. I've only gotten one wearing of the Allsaints and the Spiegel is still a virgin. But I know I'll love and wear them both for many years to come once we get back to my regularly scheduled program, er, life. ha! I will be on the same murder spree if these moves don't stop!!

Janet

(website)

Veteran

It's good that you're not sorry! You will get to wear them, just a little later than you planned.

The good thing about living in a 4+ season climate is that I do in theory eventually get to wear everything I buy. I do however own a few special event pieces (still have my dress from the 2008 inaugural ball) that will likely not get worn again, but somehow I hang onto them. Well, you never know.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

I am glad you don't regret those purchases. Neither would I. Those are keeping you sane. Just stroking them now and then will give you pleasure.

I have one:

My asymmetrical pleated bronze taffeta skirt from Comrags. I wear it possibly once a year (if that) and at time of purchase, it was the most expensive single wardrobe item I'd ever bought (and still ranks really high). But I wore it for my Montreal book launch and felt chic and happy, so I will always love it and never regret the $$ spent.

My Equipment silk kitty print shirt. An expensive splurge for me, even on sale, but oh, so perfect.

Actually, that's probably a theme with most of my "don't regret it" purchases. Higher quality, higher price tag but quality I adore.

texstyle

(website)

Veteran

No reason to be sorry, but it's only 32F in Austin right now and we've had a pretty cold weather for Texas so why not wear them now?

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Exactly, IK. I have a pearl work of art in my wardrobe that makes me happy. You have a Wall of Helmut Lang that makes you happy.

rae

(website)

Veteran

I think you did a good thing- it gives you something to look forward to whenever you see it.

I have only worn my olive Burberry once and felt it was too long, but I am still glad I have it and will definitely shorten it eventually!

Emily

Veteran

Great thread! I submit to the discussion the red patent pointy stilettos I bought in Dec and have not had an occasion to wear. No regrets!

E

Veteran

Fun!

I don't regret having a big wardrobe. I'm somewhere around 180 pieces, after 3-4 years of regular secondhand shopping, I wear them all (though not very frequently obviously), and I *love* having a piece to reflect every mood and so many colour & texture options.

I also don't regret my wool sweaters & skirts, which I started thrifting even before a move north was a possibility. They make me happy to look at and run my fingers along, and I'm always well prepared for a cold snap.

And I definitely don't regret spending money on high quality shoes last year; it was the first time I was in a position to do so, and I spending $150 and $180 on a couple of pairs felt a little crazy, but they make me and my feet very happy. Saving up for a high quality burgundy pair this year!

Diana

Veteran

I don't regret buying the wool Allsaints bubble skirt at all, even though it's difficult to style and too fussy for everyday wear. But every time I DO wear it, it makes me happy and gets tons of compliments. It's just such a unique, interesting, and well-made piece.

ironkurtin

Veteran

Bumping again - share!

Joy

Veteran

I have a black wool skirt with a colorful beaded all-over floral design that doesn't get out that much. It was expensive for me even on consignment, but it is perfect for the holidays and always gets compliments.

Aubergine

Veteran

For me, it's the Diane Von Furstenburg dress I bought for my wedding shower. A sleeveless mock-wrap style in an abstract tropical flower print with black, white, turquoise, and a little navy. Full-price and by far the most expensive piece of clothing I'd bought at the time (I think it still is), but totally worth it to feel really stylish and pulled-together in front of every single female relative and family friend I've ever known. I've worn it a few times since then, but it would be worth it even if I hadn't.

LoveSarahDub

(website)

I love this post so much! It really made me smile!

I'll admit, there's more than a few things I'm just not sorry for! But my favorite is my Prada sunglasses, which my mother surprised me with last Christmas and have a permenant place in my handbag and heart. They are cool, mod, statement making, and so large and outrageous that I coveted them for years and rock them like I'm famous!

Such a great example you used mentioning 'that painting you love'! Certain things just make your soul happy!

Peri

Veteran

I don't regret my Joie sweater even though it is pilling and fuzzing faster than it should for the quality I would expect for that price. I pictured returning it and complaining, which would make sense, and a little light and joy went out of my closet. It is the most unique and special thing I bought this year and I just really want to have it, even if it turned out to not be perfect. I will just try to treat the pilling. We forgive the ones we love.

I also don't regret purple big bird, even though it accents my IT shape and eschews traditional figure flattery. It is a beautiful color and fuzzy and fun...who cares if it is flattering?!

Those are my non-regrets!

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

My prizes are things I bought second hand for ridiculous prices: Dries van Noten skirts, Marni sweatshirt, dress and skirts, Miu Miu sweater and shorts etc. I wear them all but some only very occasionally. I seem to have some sort of hunter mentality when it comes to clothes and see my closet as a trophy cabinet.

deb

Veteran

It sounds like you need a vacation to wear them.

rachylou

Veteran

A fancy little blue, green, and gold satiny cocktail dress. I know those days are over, but I am so happy being prepared...

rute

Veteran

you are funny! You will move, so you will wear thos pieces.
I couln't buy things I won't use or won't use much, I'm a practical person and I'm on team wear.

Anonymous

I have some really lovely teal green suede knee-high boots that have only been worn twice. I didn't actually pay much for them. The original price was £140 and I got them for £30! There was a mistake on the website, they should have been about £80 in the sale, but the price was honoured I adore the colour, but they just don't go with much at the moment. I will not part with them ever though! Maybe I will purchase something just to go with them.

gryffin

Veteran

IK - what a great post!! So far it's my wardrobe art is my Kate Spade Emma clutch. I did not buy it initially for all the right reasons. It's pink, it's small, it does not have a shoulder strap. But it's Jane Austen and all my dogs are named for her characters. And there is my Emma so adorable - need it, just really want it because Mr. Knightley (no not you darling fur baby) is just the greatest hero - he's the guy you marry. Darcy, yes fab, but to semiquote Mr. Knightley, I love a man with an open temperament. So here i have it and love it but it has yet to see an outting. I will try and give it some outtings but if it doesn't get many that's okay too!!

Madlovemom

Angie, show us a picture of your wall of pearls! That would be cool to see.

goldenpig

(website)

Veteran

My Tory Burch Imogene ink blue calf hair & gold dragonfly heel pumps. The 4 inch heels are so unpractical and everyone here told me not to keep them. And they were full price. But I couldn't pass them up! They are gorgeous and a work of art. A lot of head swiveling and neck craning when I do wear them! I even kept the matching necklace!

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Eliza

Veteran

IK- glad you are happy with your purchases. It all makes sense to me. With a big move, new climate and a passion for fashion, you have taken all the right steps to go forward. It's great to read how people enjoy various pieces and collections, even if they are not worn. They are truly part of our history and aesthetic .

I spent months this fall searching for THE pair of black leather booties (wanted a Chelsea/Beatles style) to replace my tired ones. With YLF's help, I searched locally and spent 2 solid days walking NYC for a pair that was comfortable and suited my style goals. No luck. No compromise.

On a trip to Italy in November, I found a small shoemaker's shop and tried on 2 possibilities. The exact sleek style I wanted didn't fit quite right, a pair with a bit of subtle detail (black on black stitching) did. Though shoes are a huge priority for me, they were still a splurge. The shopkeeper suggested minimizing salt exposure and this winter has been wet, snowy and icy. Therefore, I have worn these comfortable treasures only on dry days. No regrets; I live in a climate where booties are an option for half the year. I figure I'll just enjoy them longer if I spread out their wear more.

Fun post, IK.

Helena

Veteran

Thanks for asking this! I am not a big spender, but I have a million scarves in different colors, lots of costume jewellery (Stella & Dot caliber at the high end!) and a million nail polishes as well as a drawer-full of lipsticks that I never wear. But I love them all, they are fun and every once in a while when I need a pick-me-up, there they are waiting for me!

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