This year I have not been feeling much urge to shop for my wardrobe, and decided to consciously make it a low-shopping year. Other projects are keeping me busy and mostly making it easy to stay away from clothes shopping.

In January and February, I did buy a new long puffer, which became an instant workhorse, a lightweight light grey sweatshirt (more like a soft tee but cut like a sweatshirt) that spans the seasons nicely and is great with just about everything, from toning down a dressy pair of pants to popping under a blazer with jeans.

I also kept a new swim cover up after a couple of beach trips in which it became apparent that the coverup part of my swim capsule had become less than ideal. The piece was on a great sale so, score!

A week or so ago, I ventured into my favorite local boutique, armed with a gift certificate from my husband from Christmas. I came home with three new pieces, doubling my purchases for the year so far. But again, I was careful to choose items that I love and will find easy to integrate into my wardrobe.

First is a black jersey tee, but with the nice tie detail at the waist. A lot of those kinds of tops are a bit fussy on me, or the waist hits at the wrong spot, but this one works. It’s simple but flattering — a good basic with a twist. It will be great with my printed skirts for summer.

Next is a pair of washed-black silk cargo joggers. I’ve been wearing the heck out of a pair of cargo joggers I got over a year ago, so these will pick up the use as the old ones get more worn out. I like the more elevated details of the belt loops, which help them look less casual than a lot of joggers.

Last is a dress that I am slightly nervous about, but it was on a good sale, and I do like it a lot. I guess I’m nervous because it’s one of those things without any waist definition that can make me feel it’s less than flattering, but I think it looks good on. I would not wear it with the self belt, or any belt at all. It looks nice with a denim jacket too. Very light and breezy for summer.

I’m documenting here mainly to keep myself honest. For the next month I’ll be camping anyway, so definitely shopping my closet and wearing mostly gear until mid-April!

I’m still very slowly editing my closet too. Just a piece here and there, when I have a realization I don’t enjoy wearing something, but it’s all progress. Mostly just making an effort to wear all my stuff, even the pieces that seem a little dressy for my post-pandemic life.