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Pandemic rebound shopping

Roxanna

Veteran

Is anyone else falling victim to Pandemic rebound buying? After 6 months at home in lounging clothes, I find myself drawn to some dressy options (the dressy items I’ve bought won’t be worn now, but they were HEWIs or wild cards too good to pass up.) As for the more cozy items I’ve bought, I’ve found myself drawn to color in a way I haven’t been in years (still sticking with the earth tunes and pastels I grew to love last year.)

What are you rebound buying/browsing during the pandemic?

Rag & Bone Dani Single-Button Wool Coat

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Patch Pocket Knit Jacket

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Patch Pocket Knit Jacket

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Oversized cashmere wrap

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Oversized cashmere wrap

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Front-pocket cropped sweater-blazer

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Parke blazer in purple herringbone English wool

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Front-pocket cropped sweater-blazer

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High-rise tapered pant in purple herringbone wool

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Shopping

34 replies

Latest reply was from Angie

Bijou

Veteran

I can related to buying a wildcard item after a year of practical and boring purchases. I bought these boots, mine have a lower heel, which is my 2020 wildcard purchase.

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notsaf

Veteran

Bijou, oh my!

You have some lovely pieces here, Roxana -- as usual -- but they don't scream dressy to me at all.

I've been collected fall/winter pieces over the last few weeks, including WFH wear, activewear, and outwear. I feel like a squirrel laying away my nuts for the long dark season (and for the impending renewal of restrictions that are on the horizon).

Enjoy! That purple suit is fab.

Joy

Veteran

I want to treat myself to some warm pants and sweaters, preferably in colors, but, at least on line, all the colors this season run much too blue for me. The ones that don’t are usually neutrals or something I have.
I like your finds but not for me.

Roxanna

Veteran

WOW Bijou! Those are incredible!

Notsaf - I’d love to see your purchases!
I think the lilac suit and the Rag and Bone topcoat are pretty dressy for my pandemic style - as are a couple of other blazers I thrifted. But they’ll be great when I’m back in the office

Runcarla

Veteran

Not shopping for clothes at all! My last purchases were a scarf and shirt thrifted in early September. I just did a closet audit/edit and I’m trying to figure out what I need/want going forward. I’d like to get some ‘trendy’ items, but I haven’t identified any specific thing(s). I’m sorely tempted by Chris’ bronze puffer - https://youlookfab.com/welookf.....fer-jacket

@Roxana - I’m digging a palette similar to yours and have mustard, olive, and lavender in heavy rotation.

@Bijou - that’s some piece of art!

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

I am dying to go thrifting but stores have been closed for 6 or so weeks. I am definitely in a more blazer than sweater mood too. Although the J crew sweater blazer looks very interesting! But I want to see all of this on you! A little outfit prep for later?

slim cat

Veteran

Sneakers in metallic colors - waiting on ECCO Flexure runner in Fig Metallic. Fingers crossed - they would fit my high arch.
@Roxana - love your purple suit - such a great color!
@Bijou - awesome boots!

rachylou

Veteran

Sheer, overlay dresses. The sort of thing you’d only wear if you were starring in a perfume commercial. I have not yet bought, but...

anchie

Veteran

Really nice collection that can go distance.

I am finding myself in opposite position. I am shopping for boring essentials. I let my wardrobe go out of balance because I was attracted to all the colorful goods and now have a problem with making outfits that are not completely crazy

I am working in office so my shopping is not actually affected by pandemic so far. But considering situation that may change

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

That warm cardi in a warm rose color looks so nice.

My first thought was that I haven’t done this, because I haven’t been shopping for clothes at all. Then I remembered that my response to holes in my underwear has been to pour over websites of fancy lingerie makers, and I’ve even started going to shops to look at the stuff. Last time I looked at any of this I was pregnant, so 18 years ago. Your “rebound” theory is as good a explanation of why I’m interested in it now as any.

Liesbeth

Veteran

My 'pandemic fashion' curve so far is different than yours, but I find it very interesting to read everyone's experiences. I fully expect rebound shopping when it is really over but that's sadly many months away.
I'm actually proud of myself for shopping quite reasonably during these times even when fantasy shopping and overbuying is a very tempting diversion (and I'm very prone to that). I have added mainly practical fashion purchases and have moved back towards dressing 'in real clothes' pretty early. While I made maximal use of my casual wardrobe in the spring and summer, I'm even wearing some of my actual workwear again by now (like trousers and dresses). Apart from the shoes below I've worn all of my new purchases - some less than I expect to wear them when I go back into the office, but still worn!
Not to gloat at all, but for me it works to keep a tight budget and wardrobe during times when I just cannot deal with excessive laundry and overflowing closets. Just dressing nicely without much fuss makes me happy at the moment!

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Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

Liesbeth, that shoe looks like it’d be a workhorse for me. If I can’t figure out slip-ons for me, I might try those.

Anonymous

Not at all. I have so much nicer stuff I'm not wearing as much as I used to, and can't justify more. Especially if I get laid off and (hopefully) switch careers. Nearly everything I've bought has been basics and gear this year. If I buy anything more it'll be cold weather gear or essentials like ponte pants.

nemosmom

Veteran

Your new pieces are great and don't look too dressy IMO. I can see all of them working beautifully with your palette, too!

It's funny, since the pandemic forced everyone to stay home (some longer than others), it seems like retailers have started offering more elevated(?) lounge pieces, and I have been taking full advantage of that. My at-home capsule has always been more of an afterthought - or, where old tees go to die, so it feels good to acquire pieces with more intention.

I edited out several tatty sweaters and unworn toppers at the beginning of the season; I picked up some secondhand replacements in fun colors like kermit green and teal.

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always trying

Veteran

love the cropped jackets. I too am craving some real shopping. Pther than my skimmer shorts in the summer I havn't bought anything. Love cropped cardis, but still holding off buying. My 2 pairs of PJ's are coming tomorrow.

cindysmith

Veteran

I need warm things for my bottom half. I've bought lots of warm things for my top half, and I've bought some fun wildcard pieces for my top half. I need to stop buying those things and start being more practical. I did buy some delightful soft, squishy, warm pajamas to help me get through winter whilst living in an RV. Now I need some warm leggings or flannel lined jeans or something for keeping my legs warm at work. It's full-on firewood season and I'm going to have lots of days like yesterday: wet, rainy, cold, gross, grey, long. I've got good footwear for winter, but nothing for my legs beyond jeans and joggers. I need base layers, and I need them ASAP.

Anonymous

Not really rebound shopping as much as rebound dressing. I've got enough clothes to last a lifetime now. I'm craving dressier looks and have ramped up my game at work of late. I love how you've duplicated quite a few of your new pieces! Those Zara sweaters look great - and I must investigate. I'm stuck at home for at least a few days getting and awaiting a Covid test result, so some on-line browsing is in order

bella

(website)

Veteran

I've been itching to buy some stuff but I think it is more out of pandemic ennui than actual need. So I am adding stuff to my virtual shopping bag but trying to stop myself from pulling the trigger. I should really do a closet edit first and play dress-up in my closet before adding anything new.

LaPed

Veteran

Still not tempted by anything dressy or formal these days. My only October purchases were a couple layering tops to refresh my T-shirt drawer, since I culled quite a few tees over the summer. I’m planning to add one or two pairs of boots in November, and want one great piece of knitwear to help ward off winter blues. But that’s about it.

Love the look of those fuzzy cardigans!

Kathie

Veteran

Gorgeous pieces! Love the pine green cashmere wrap. I'm not buying much, and only focused on my actual lifestyle right now, so I've been browsing lined/cold weather joggers for outdoor exercise, and a new pair of jeans. I have a bunch of blazers on my Nordstrom's wish list, but can't seem to get excited about adding to my work wardrobe without having plans for where to wear the items.

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

Cindy smith, I’m wearing and loving my new Uniqlo airism leggings again today. They are wonderful and amazing. You must get some.

Lisa, sending you good wishes for the Covid test! Things here are shutting down for the virus again.

viva

Veteran

Like Lisa, I'm also rebound dressing, but I will admit to a low level of shopping these past few months.

I love your recent purchases, Roxanna! The color scheme is so beautiful and luxurious (which seems on brand for you!). Can you tell me more about the Zara sweater? What's the itch factor?

kkards

Veteran

Interesting... the longer this goes on the more thoughtful I’ve become on my purchases, it if won’t work for me today I’m not interested.
re rebound dressing, after the first 2 days of WFH, I’ve been getting dressed in “real” clothing every work day, i will admit to missing my dressier shoes, but not feeling that i want to wear them around the house.

cat2

Veteran

When we started WFH I had some noticeable gaps in my casual gear, which I filled in along the way. Now I am buying real clothing again if it’s in a style or color I am worried won’t be around much longer, which meant a couple of heavy knit short welted sweaters bought on massive sale and some teal pieces: a couple of jackets that will be my holiday gear this year, and both summer and winter weight sweaters.

Sal

Veteran

Really nice additions Roxanna - you have a terrific eye and I love your colour palette.

I have had a good shopping year! Ironic but true. Lots of really well worn pieces and only one piece that has had little wear ( the hat below). Colours and shapes are mostly suiting me.

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Sal

Veteran

Oh and Bijou - the boots are glorious! Wow!!!!

Brooklyn

Veteran

Everything in this thread was a blur after Bijou’s boots. Wow!

...Now that I’ve recovered. I have been shopping but I’m being more practical than usual. I’m after flat, walkable shoes and tops in organic fibres for everyday wear. I also recently bought a lovely silk skirt (my not so practical weakness).

Your additions are gorgeous Roxanna.

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Staysfit

Veteran

Wow, you have some lovely new items! Your new coat is very elegant, and I like the soft color palette you are using. I have slowly gravitated towards solid neutrals while working from home. I love color, but feel it’s distracting when I wear it on camera.

My big pandemic purchase was a discounted Tumi rolling briefcase. It will spare my arthritic spine when I go back to my workplace. Otherwise, I have made very few clothing purchases compared with previous years. Since NAS, I have purchased two Blazers, a pink one from Boden, and a teal/turquoise one from Veronica Beard. I also purchased a fun colorful knit hat to accessorize my cold weather gear. The rest of my purchases have been basics like bras, and exercise gear. Instead of purchasing, I find that I am editing, eliminating items I rarely wear and enjoying what I already own and like.

Roberta

Veteran

I really love seeing everyone's beautiful, silky, shiny, glittery, luxe choices!

Your question points out how deeply ingrained a habit shopping is for me. I don't need anything, my closet is packed and everything in it fits and flatters, yet every night I sit down with my tablet for an hour of browsing. I see an outfit I love on someone (maybe one of you!) and go looking for the slim navy pants that I don't own, or the tweed hacking jacket I crave like I was Princess Margaret. And too often this year I have bought and returned, bought and returned. That makes me feel bad.

I have hit the end, and a bit, of my 2020 budget, so I have to stop.
-giggles hysterically-

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