Mindful Shopping Challenge: The List

My challenge for August is to begin shopping mindfully. Truthfully, it will probably take me through autumn and into winter to fill all my cool-season wardrobe holes, especially because I want to focus on longevity and quality, and I'm willing to wait for the perfect items. To repeat what I said in the challenges thread, I will:

1. Try on multiple silhouettes to make sure the list I made is the best fit for my life and style.
2. Only buy pieces with natural fibers and quality construction--this one is going to be hard for me. I'm easily swayed by the look of a piece and sometimes overlook the elements that actually make it wearable.
3. Purchase from my list and color palette to fill actual wardrobe holes rather than incorrectly perceived holes.
4. Continue to photograph daily outfits so I can track wears and see evolution.

Last month, I made a list of basics/essentials I think will help me accomplish my style goals. This list may change as I try on more silhouettes, and I'm okay with it evolving over time, provided it's actually evolution and not just expansion. Here's the list as it stands now:

Shoes: flat or low-heeled oxfords, leopard flats
Tops: light-colored blouse, versatile printed blouse, dark-colored blouse, button-down shirt, chunky sweater, striped sweater
Toppers/Outerwear: denim jacket, leather jacket, trench coat, dressy winter coat

The items in italics are pieces that, if purchased, would count towards my five buys in the 5-Piece French Wardrobe, because I expect them to be over $100 or signature pieces. If I purchased all of those this fall/winter, I'd have one wild-card slot still open.

Thoughts?

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10 years ago

Rambling Ann

(website)

Veteran

If you have a wildcard left, what about a scarf or jewelry in your palette?

Jenn

Good thought, Ann! I vend at a lot of winter craft shows, so I have some amazing handmade scarves and jewelry in my collection, usually bought from fellow vendors. I'm always open to more, but I guess I don't think of them as things to shop for, specifically, because they fall into my life so frequently and providentially!

carter

Your color palette is divine! Am I reading correctly that these are essentials you need to buy, or do you already have some of them? What about essential bottoms?? I hope you'll share your silhouettes as you nail them down this month! Great challenge!

Maneera

I love this list Jenn. I think these pieces will truly refresh your wardrobe, and they are all going to be quite YOU

I'm particularly interested in the 5 special items you list. Those WILL become the stars of a beautifully put together outfit. I hope you find them sooner rather than later!

Carter - These are all essentials I need to buy, although some are replacements for items I currently have that are wearing out or that I don't really love. I didn't list any bottoms because I bought several in July and think I have those covered at this point.

Essentials I already own: ankle-strap pumps, Chuck Taylors, knee-high boots, snow boots, ballet flats, dressy trousers, slouchy chinos, skinny blue jeans, skinny colored jeans, wool A-line skirt, shirt dress, fit and flare dress, flannel shirt, turtleneck sweater, striped tee, dark blazer, colored cardigan.

This isn't my whole wardrobe, but definitely the central core.

Maneeera - This time around, most of my five are essentials that are over the price limit, but I think even one or two really special items can boost a style quotient, so I'm looking forward to finding something fab!

Staysfit

Jenn, I have followed your process and am very impressed with how quickly you have arrived at your list. It looks great. Your color palette looks beautiful. I'm curious how you created it? Your item list sounds both practical and fun.

I think you're wise to stick to quality materials and construction in your purchases. I have noticed that a few items I purchased that were not natural fibers, have begun to show wear more quickly than the others purchased at the same time and worn with similar frequency. I admire your diligence in putting this together and wish you luck.

The 5 piece French Wardrobe concept is giving me much to think about as I consider my shopping plan for Fall/Winter.

Staysfit - Pardon me if I go on at too much length about this, but it's something I really enjoy talking/thinking about. It's quite possible I'll start shopping/trying things on, and this list will fly right out the window, but I'm hoping not. I read a lot of Into Mind and liked both her color palette advice and her proportions catalogue, so that was a good starting point for me in figuring all this out.

Her color palettes have three main colors (the largest bars), which I based on the colors I'm already wearing and liking. I chose the four accent colors down the right side in a similar way, picking colors that go well with my main choices, but that I probably wouldn't want as a major piece. The two colors at the bottom are my main neutrals, even though I incorporated other neutrals and near-neutrals in my accent colors. I should also note that I expect the brown and dark blue in my palette to mostly be represented in denim and leather. I don't really see myself in a brown silk shirt or navy trousers. I think my colors are roughly similar to the deep/dark autumn seasonal color palette and, years ago, when I had my colors done, I was told I was an autumn, but I didn't choose based on that. I really just picked colors I liked and would be happy wearing every day.

With the silhouettes, I went through my Pinterest board and captioned outfits with the pieces/proportions they contained. It really helped me see which elements were repeated over and over again. I made a list of those items (many of which I had some version of in my closet already) and called them my essentials.

Gigi

Good for you for sticking to your list. I did that for my spring purchases, and it really helped prevent me from getting sidetracked. I knew that if I stuck to the list, then what I bought would have the highest chances of making me happy and would also help me complete a lot of outfits. It is tough to stick to it, but it does pay off.

I think it's a great idea to try to get some leopard flats right now. There seem to be a lot of them at the stores, so the selection should be good.

Elizabeth P

Jenn, this is going to be fun to follow. You have a great list, and a great colour palette. Keep us posted!

anne

How about leaving your last item for a "wildcard"?

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