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My 2023 Shopping List

Jenn

(website)

Veteran

I keep an ongoing shopping list, but I like to revisit it at the start of a new year/season as I'm updating my planner.

In 2022, I was lucky enough to find several great statement pieces, so I expect 2023 to be more about shoring up my essentials and creating a travel capsule. I'm totally open to falling in love with and purchasing a statement piece (or three), but my list is more sedate:

wideleg black pants (lightweight for travel)
black slip-on flats (maybe another pair of the Birdies Herons)
packable puffer
gum-sole sneakers (replacement for my Cariumas, which have developed holes in the lining)
trolley-sleeve travel bag
textured tights
wideleg jeans (Find is my current pair. I'm anticipating a replacement here, but it may or may not be necessary this year)
a few black layering/sleep tanks
short sleeve black tee
leather crossbody bag (mine, shown, is starting to look ragged)

I've also already ordered the yellow sweater in Finds. It was a...let's call it "instinctual"...purchase on sale, as it's quite similar to a Jenni Kayne sweater I fell in love with last season that, unfortunately, didn't come in my size.

Do you have a 2023 list?

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Fossil Emma East West Leather Crossbody

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24 replies

Latest reply was from rachylou

Anonymous

I hope gum sole sneakers are a thing again. Not that I wear them unless necessary, but white soles get dirty so easily and are just so conspicuous.

Jenn

(website)

Veteran

suntiger, agreed. And black soles make me feel like I'm working the fast food job I had in high school.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Haha, I hear you about the black soles!! I would feel the same. I'm lucky that white soles work for me but I think the other sole colours should also be more available because I can see how that tone would work so much better for some on every level.

This looks like a practical and sensible list, Jenn. Maybe the statement pieces will come on your travels, along with the "be more impulsive" injunction. It's nice to bring a clothing or jewellery item or scarf home from a trip.

I am still formulating my goals for the year and don't yet have a list.

cat2

Veteran

Hmm, I need to do a big pants and skirts try-on to see what currently fits and then I can make a list. For the past couple of years I have been sort of stuck on my way down from one size to another between two sizes so I have just been making do, but it may be time to gamble and do a round of alterations to make more pieces fit. I do know I don’t have any grey or black jeans, so in the meantime I will hunt for those.

LJP

Veteran

I keep a similar list in my head . I’m thinking ahead to spring at this point and mulling over what I might actually want to wear . Thick knit black and white tees and tanks , Birks in a cream or taupe shade , loose fit denim or chino shorts and replacement walking sneakers . I could be talked into a new swimsuit too . Right now I’m open to a pair of boots but only if they are exactly right . I’m not seeing what I want and am running out of interest in searching . If I see them , great . If not , I’ll survive .

I like those EF pants and the sweater too .

Sal

Veteran

Looks like a practical list esp with your travels this year.

I have only a few replacements on my list - three essentials are really tired. Birkenstocks, black joggers and my puffer. I have added one other essential replacement already - denim shorts.

I haven’t really started thinking about the fall winter here and won’t for a while. Our summer has been very strange weather to date.

We have a trip planned in June and I have that in mind too - most of it will be very casual (camping) but I will encounter a range of weather and dressiness needs.

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

These all sound like good essentials. How do you shop for your statement pieces? I wonder if you’ll ever be into something like black on black pattern (I’m too tired from loading the truck to remember the word) for your pants.

I’m not sure what the bag is. If it fits under the seat and has a sleeve to fit on top of a bag for the overhead bin, my son lives the 4- wheeled one he just got from Samsonite, and I’ve heard good things about the 2-wheeled one from TravelPro.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

(I'll wear white soles for you, Suntiger and Jenn )

Looks like a good dose of essentials to complement the statements you bought last you. NICELY done.

Great list! LOVING the impulsive mustard sweater that is now gracing the rest of your fab wardrobe.

Go Team Wide Cropped Jeans! I'm with you, and those are fab jeans.

I made my list. You'll hear it on the blog this week.....

Runcarla

Veteran

Thumbs up to the yellow sweater. The tempering of your black basics with yellow, rust, and prints that include these colours is resulting in handsome outfits.

My list has some carryovers from 2022:

-Dressy boots - either tall boots, or booties with taller shafts. (I’m leaning towards the latter) Black or light tan/camel colour
-low heeled dress shoes (1 pair)
-dressier sneakers (Stan Smiths?)
-black leather belt

add ons for resort/summer 2023

-a couple pair of shorts (not heavy cotton or jean, but rather lightweight performance material)
-a couple shirtwaist dresses, preferably sleeveless. The kind you just ‘throw on’ on a hot summer day.

Tempted…

-the Uniqlo soft fabric cross body bag
-a gym clothes refresh

Other

-party dress for a wedding I’ll be attending

*I’m anticipating 2023 will be the last year for a few things - like my skinny jeans, and at least 1 pair of Converse sneakers if not both.*

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Jenn

(website)

Veteran

Suz, it'd be great if something fashion-y came home with me from the trip (we're going to Paris, after all!), but if not, a few statements will surely show up. They always do.

cat2, it's really frustrating to be between sizes! Maybe it's time to explore some new brands where the sizes are graded differently?

LJP, back to that attitude of "we have clothes," so there's no need to force something. I was surprised how many of the pieces I bought last year had actually been on my list for some time without my really thinking about them much. Just in the back of my mind.

Sal, I'm honestly probably overplanning for my trip capsule, but it's been so long I've almost forgotten how to do it!

Stagiaire Fash, that's exactly the sort of bag I'm talking about, although I'd prefer one without wheels for weight reasons. I have my eye on the one below as a possibility but still haven't done a lot of looking.

How do I shop for statements? I don't really go out looking for them specifically. I think I usually stumble on them in-store, in a catalog, or someplace like Pinterest or Instagram. Are you talking about a brocade sort of thing for pants?

Angie, the mustard sweater should arrive Monday or Tuesday. I'm hoping it's a tonal match for my crinkle dress. Fingers crossed.And I love my wide cropped jeans, but I'd also be open to a full-length pair.

Runcarla, that crossbody is fab! A few of my items are holdovers from last year, as well. I'm willing to wait for the right ones to show up, and I know you are, too.

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cat2

Veteran

Jenn, I accidentally just implemented your suggestion! I went through the larger size pieces I have tucked away from brands that in my view run a bit small, and enough of them fit that I don’t need to add pants or skirts to my 2023 list. So I tucked away the rest of the pieces in that size that run TTS and now don’t really fit. Now I will just keep an eye out for pieces in what I find to be highly elusive colors.

Helena

Veteran

Fab list that feels very essential!

No list for me yet; working on it

LaPed

Veteran

Great list! Concise, practical, and totally in keeping with your style. FWIW, I quite like the Pata Nanopuff line for basic everyday/travel jackets and think you'll be very happy with one. They are moderately warm, moderately packable, and don't read as overly technical. They are great for transitional weather or as an extra layer in very cold weather (that said, I run cold and IIRC you're the opposite, so your wearing window will probably be different from mine). You could also consider the Patagonia Down Sweater, which is slightly warmer and slightly more packable.

My own shopping list is pretty minimal. Like LJP, I'm hanging out in "we have clothes" town this year. I was about ten purchases below par last year (25 vs my usual ~36), and suspect this year will be similar. I want to bulk up my long sleeve layering top options. This is a perennial need for me, because long sleeve season is so long, and I absolutely cannot wear my warm wool midlayers without long sleeves to go underneath. I ordered a few on-sale Madewell tops, duplicates of a black one I picked up last year. Hoping the fit and fabric haven't changed! I also want to move away from short sleeves/tanks for summer hiking and running so I'm going to keep growing my collection of ultra-lightweight long sleeve synthetic tops. Otherwise, I'm really keen to try a pair of sheepskin mittens this winter, to see if there's anything to be done for my never-warm hands. Sheepskin boots/insoles are the only thing that works to keep my feet from freezing, so fingers crossed (hah) my hands are the same. I wouldn't mind adding some fun knitwear pieces, but that's definitely more a want than a need.

In contrast, my don't-buy list is pretty long: jeans, button-front shirts, high summer pieces (shorts, tees, sandals, swimwear), scarves, bags, any shoes that aren't boots, dressy stuff. I'd like to audit scarves, bags, and button-front shirts this year. Those categories are feeling a bit oversaturated right now.

Madewell Fine Ribbed Crewneck Long Sleeve Tee

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The Cashmere Beanie

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ALEX MILL Francis Cardigan Vest in Donegal

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Irina

Veteran

Looks like a solid plan, hope you will find all of these items.

If I could find linen pieces that I have had on my list forever, I’d be very happy.

Anonymous

Lovin‘ the Vans! I have an ongoing list and keep an eye on the sales. Hoping to replace some worn-out essentials and add some unique pieces for interest too

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

Very inspiring! I have never been a list shopper (although usually do have a sense of things I would like to find). I want to formalize it a bit this year to stop me from buying place holders. Goodness knows I don't need anything though. Hope the sweater works out!

chewyspaghetti

Veteran

Jenn- Girlfriend Collective has packable puffers.

Jenn

(website)

Veteran

cat2, awesome that you could do that from your holding zone!

Helena, can't wait to see what you come up with.

LaPed, good info about the down sweaters and nanopuffs. I will look at both! I'm guessing that cardigan vest is on your "would be fun" list? It looks very you.

I should probably make a "do not buy" list too. It served me well last year. Most important is probably graphic tees. My drawer space for them is full up.

Irina, good luck with the linen!

Nikki, I want to at least try on Vans, since I have no idea if they'll work for me or not. I thought Cariumas would be my similar-but-sustainable solution, but I'm not thrilled with how my last pair ended up wearing.

Jaime, no you are definitely a more opportunistic shopper, but it's resulted in a fabulous and eclectic wardrobe for you!

chewyspaghetti, I always forget about them. I will check it out. Also want to look at Pact for things like the tees and tanks--you've had good luck there, haven't you?

CarolS

Veteran

Great list, Jenn -- it's always fun to plan with travel in mind!

I just cobbled my list together here.

slim cat

Veteran

Nice list and clear intend to keep things practical with some fun elements . I'm more "Just in the back of my mind" - still trying to put things in writing and reading everyone' lists helps.
I'm too in need of essentials - however black/navy graphic tees would be my essentials versus solid ones that usually considered "essentials" . I hope to find couple statement pieces as well if I see something that just 'calls" me. Hope to have more success in 2023!

Joy

Veteran

I also keep an on-going list in my head to stay focused, but this thread has convinced me to look at it and update. Color is extra hard to find. Everything in my size seems to be black or grey or maybe a color that looks horrible on me.

My list includes a navy pencil or tube skirt, The navy skirt needs to blend with navy I have or have a matching jacket to make a suit, red or orange pull on pants, full length preferred, Lots of colored shoes as replacements, especially booties or loafers, slip-on or zip preferred.
A pull on, longer than knees, denim skirt. Coral socks, orange accessories for orange coats.

Roberta

Veteran

I have a running list, but I find when I purchase something off the list, something else always takes its place! Not so helpful when I'm trying to thin my closet a bit.

However, I would like to find:

Snake print pants in a boot or straight leg silhouette. I have skinny snake jeans and wore them a LOT, but I'm tired of the skinny leg.
Dark green pants in corduroy or velvet. I have three pairs of olive pants and I'm not sure quite how that happened.
Sport sandals for the beach and the trail. I bought a pair of Eccos last year and the strap broke almost immediately. Boo.
Orange or pink boots. I wear these colors often and would like to see them on my feet. And how cute would they be with denim, blue or white!

Timberland Women's Waterproof 6" Premium Lug Sole Boots

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Ara Waterproof Lace-Up Boot

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Teva Women's Tirra Sandal

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Cutie

Member

Love love LOVE those tights!

rachylou

Veteran

A tight list!

I should probably make long-sleeve tops my project this year. I need a variety of weights for different weather conditions. Mine are pretty dead/insufficient.