March budget blown sky high! - YouLookFab Forum

The results are in: I have spent three times my postulated monthly clothing budget and then some.
For that I got:
2 pair jeans- white, light blue engneer stripe
3 cardigans - white, navy, floral
3 dresses - black slip dress, navy day dress, cream and gray day dress
1 pair boots - Jeffrey Campbell perforated Everly's
1 pair sandals - Earth shoes
1 pair of sling back shoes - metallic laser cut flats
2 outerwear spring jackets - military with leather sleeves, anorak with leather sleeves (too many leather sleeves!)
3 pullover sweaters - cream, mint, bright yellow
1 designer handbag - Rebecca Minkoff cupid satchel in almond brown
4 camisoles - black, white, mint and blue
1 white t-shirt for layering
1 white denim jacket
1 white denim vest
1 graphic black and white drapey vest
1 3/4 sleeve black top
Total $3220.40
(Some of that white denim may be returned, just ordered them on a BR weekend savings code)

So far, I have worn the yellow sweater,the cream and gray dress, the military jacket (quite a few times), the floral cardi.
I am very ashamed of having gone so far over budget. But I am strengthened by Anna's ability to SYC, so I hereby vow to SYC for all of April. Maybe May too, but let's not get crazy.

So I will be on this forum a lot more for ideas of how to mix and match the brilliant pieces I already have!

Thanks for reading - and I am counting on all of you to watch me and not let me slip!

13 years ago

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Wow! That is a lot of shopping, Nicole. But it sounds as if you got some great pieces.

Now let's see you wear them!

Question: will you follow a one-in-one-out policy, i.e. getting rid of things that may already be in your closet in favour of these new items -- or not? (There is no right or wrong answer; I am just curious.)

Caro in Oz

I think buying things together, like you have, works really well. Sounds like a great capsule.

Day Vies

These seem like basics. I think as long as you have not jeopardized the financial stability of the family, you're fine. I can't wait to see your combinations.

DonnaF

Sounds like quite a haul! And I thought I was bad, going hundreds of dollars over budget. Girl math says those camisoles and layering T shouldn't *count*.

Sveta

That is quite a haul, Nicole. I need to take a drive to Waterloo to see the loot!
I recall from your other post that you are close to my height and my size - which white jeans did you get? I have been looking for them forever!

Nadya

I'm so intrigued by the "metallic laser cut flats." Could you post a link?

It looks like you found some great items that fit your life and closet. I hope you'll post some outfits! Enjoy.

Gaylene

Ah, Nicole, I think we are shopping sisters. That's exactly the way I do my shopping--all at once, mixing and matching so I have everything right at hand to create all the outfits I want for the upcoming season.

The total always sounds a bit horrendous, but, actually, when I track my clothing expenditures in my spreadsheet, my yearly total often is less than the total amount I had budgeted for clothing on a monthly basis. It's a way of shopping that works for me because I don't see clothes shopping as a recreational activity and I don't live in a particularly shopping-friendly location. So, when I'm in the mood and/or the right location, I'm more a "get it done and over" kind of person. I also seem to end up with fewer orphans when I shop like this.

It sounds like your shopping was successful; enjoy those new outfits and don't feel the least bit guilty--it's just a different approach to wardrobe building. Now, if you shopped like that every month, that might be a different story--unless you just won a lottery!

Glory

What a wonderful list of items! I have to ask where you got the boots and the handbag. Were they local or online shopping? I agree with girl math on this - the basics shouldn't count. Hope to see some pics soon.

Jules

Thanks for posting this. I've also spent way more than usual, way earlier in the season, than I am used to. But I think all my stuff is well-thought out and will work together as a capsule. My budget is a fraction of yours but I honestly find it helpful/refreshing to see a total and breakdown like this, because I sometimes wonder how people here "pull off" their purchases while also realizing it's not my business! But you've helped me put it all in perspective.

Thistle

Terrific list of items, all of which sound like they will get a lot of wear. Now, to spend the time creating capsules etc. so you can wear all of these beautiful new pieces.

as part of SYC, perhaps don't make a new purchase until you have worn each of these purchases at least twice?

Nicole D

Thanks all. This was the first time I have tracked all my expenses for the month and it was a very useful exercise. Next steps are:
Wardrobe Inventory
Closet Cull
To respond to specific questions:

Nadya: here is a photo of my shoes. They are by Roberto Capucci, I got them from a boutique in my neighbourhood, not sure who else carries them.

Sveta: the jeans are Old Navy Diva skinnies tall size, one size up from my usual ON pants size (so a 14T in my case). I liked the way the blue denim ones fit as sort of a tapered BF, so I just ordered the white ones, will let you know if they work - stay tuned! The inseam is about 34 inches. We should have a Southern Ontario meet up sometime - maybe at Yorkdale! (But not til June - SYC!)

Glory: the boots were purchased at revolveclothing.com. But are also available on Nordstrom's website. I looked all over town for perforated booties with no luck!
The bag is from a site called The Peacock Parade. Prefect for an Urban Romantic Peacock like myself. It is similar to Gilt, but Canadian so no duties. They have amazing customer service.

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