Oh and I adore those skirt looks!

That sounds very sensible, Jules -- both the baking and the no-buy list! Glad you found the skirt looks inspiring too.

Beautiful cakes! High five! Hasn't it been an amazing year for stone fruit? Every time I've bought peaches or nectarines this summer they've been absolutely delicious. Not a single bland or mealy one so far.

Your point about novel wants feeling more urgent is so astute! Could it be that we just get so burned out shopping for the same old essentials and chasing impossible HEWIs that bumping those newer wants to the top of the list gives us the little jolt of excitement we're craving when we shop?

The nice thing about the lens of "want" -- for me -- is that I can justify buying the thing I actually want, rather than settling or making do with something just to fill a hole. This is the crux of every "which color should I buy?" thread I've started on YLF, like the fleece hoodie I was hemming and hawing over a couple weeks ago. Obviously I still struggle. But if you're going to buy something just because you want it, you better get the version you actually want. I suspect I buy less when I ask myself, "Do I want this?" rather than "Do I need this?" because it prevents me from purchasing those practical/back-up/completer items that are easy to justify but then languish in the back of the closet, e.g., the boring black pants on the clearance rack which, in theory, go with every top you own but which, in practice, you will never wear...

I think Angie is a great role model because she proves that you can have a wardrobe that is full of pieces that are high impact (visually and emotionally) and is still cohesive. You can achieve a harmonious whole without being bland and basic. To push it even further, are good harmonies *ever* bland and basic?

LaPed, I agree. Thinking I should get a thing is deadly.

SarahD8, SNACKING CAKES. Oh my word. There are few things more joyful than snacking on cake with a hot cuppa! That’s AWESOME. Bought the book! Thanks! (I’m making Eaton Mess on Saturday. Do you like Mess?).

And wonder if these are of interest:

Angie, that shoe is awesome! Makes me want to figure out ways to use it, lol

Stag, it's a Miz Mooz shoe. Nice quality. Comfy. Good brand. Nice company. Visited and interviewed the manufacturer and owner in NYC 12 years ago.

I find their shoes short - so size up, maybe.

Darn! Miz Mooz’s work in occupied land is not something I can support. If I decide I do indeed want similar shoes, I’ll have to look for other makers.

LaPed, yes, hip hip hooray for stone fruit this year! I just had a very plum plum with lunch. And I hear you on the usefulness of "want" vs. "need." For me, I think embracing that honesty about want vs. need is somehow helping me to view style/textiles as a legitimate hobby, which (without turning our discussion here into an Entire Women's Studies Course) has some interesting and useful consequences. Very good point about the best harmonies being a little offbeat. Or, the best rhymes being slant!

Angie well now MY toes are tickled! I am so happy that you bought the book and I hope you enjoy it as much as I have! I don't think I've ever had mess but I do love fool which I think is in the same genre.

Absolutely YES to fair isle socks with my ankle boots (I think that pic you posted is even in my pinterest somewhere, haha!). Fair isle socks have become a wardrobe basic that is signature to my style -- I do wear through them quickly and should probably replenish my stock a bit before the cold weather hits.

Re: those gray ankle boots -- I was also thinking about putting ribbon laces in them, I'll post an inspo pic below.

Ah, burgundy as "my black" for footwear! I like that formulation, a very keen insight. 

Also I appreciate your defense of the "novel want." Point very much taken!

As for particular boots -- I do like that Miz Mooz style and was noticing that it comes in burgundy as well.
I *think* I want the cream ones to be more edgy/stompy. I have been looking at these that come in both cream and burgundy (sorry I can't Finds):
https://www.nordstrom.com/s/ca.....K&

And on your tan boot suggestion, these (in Bourbon) crossed my path today and I like the clog boot vibe:
https://www.portlandleathergoo.....5277251666

For tall boots: I had never heard of this company, Jones Bootmaker, but I am intrigued esp bc they appear to have narrow calf fits:
https://us.jonesbootmaker.com/.....ant=345198

@Sarah that collarless long cardigan (or is it a coat?) you posted in your skirt inspo comment is wonderful - just the sort of thing I've been looking for to inject some 'polished drama' too! I get annoyed with collared toppers because I like to wear a scarf in cooler weather so I don't want the neckline to interfere with it. (PS - I think that 'polished drama' is what you're getting at by wanting the 'moors' look but not quite the Kiera photos that @runcarla posted, right? E.g. more fitted toppers rather than dropped shoulders, snug boot shafts instead of the slightly 'flowerpot' look to your wellies, etc?)

As for the grey boots, have you considered elastic laces instead (for easy on & off)? You could then clip a bow to it (one of those shoe clips) if you wanted the effect of ribbon but without the hassle

Am jealous of your boot collection - oh to have the need for that much rainy day/ cold footwear again! I can see what you mean about the grey buckled boots though - it definitely was a popular look in the noughties, so depends whether you wish to revisit that era.

Jones Bootmaker is a UK brand I believe (at least they have a shop in my hometown lol) - from what I remember of my browsing, the do indeed run a little narrow (both in calf & foot). I like their styles but sadly they usually don't fit me Comfort can be a bit hit & miss too, much like Clarks these days - sometimes their leather soles can be a bit stiff (some people prefer that in a shoe though).

SarahD8, fool is yummy too. I’m excited to get the cake book! I’ll let you know what I bake first. But back to your style….

Zaeobi, thank you for the Jones Bootmaker info! Very helpful. Also I really like the idea of elastic laces! I would love to get more wear out of those gray boots. I can totally see you in some kind of duster cardi/topper too! "Polished drama" -- yes to careful and sleek fit in strategic places. I have a feeling that polished drama would mean something different to a different person (could turn very Cruella De Vil!)...I need to keep things a little windswept too.

Angie, yay! Keep me posted about the baking! Thank you for the boot finds. I do like these options and am adding them to the hopper. Will likely ponder a bit and see where my emotions take me. Re: ribbon laces, I think something low-contrast, so it is just a subtle detail rather than the focus of the outfit. Although I am very much liking Zaeobi's idea of elastic laces (and maybe clip-on bow) now too. Lots to ponder while I stock up on socks....

Big yes to the cream and the burgundy tall boots! They go well with the flowy heavier fabric skirts, and keep legs warm too. Yes to elastic laces too. I put them on my trainers and they definitely make things easier.

Glad to have another upvote for the elastic laces! I cannot believe I have let these boots with their way-too-long laces boss me around for so long, but I'm looking forward to bringing that era to a close.

Just an idea ( I know these particular shoes are not right for you) about laces/ribbons: when I bought these shoes years ago they had the ugliest plain laces, so I went and bought some cream and black ribbons to match them and was so happy how it turned out.

Omg! Girl on the moors! Yes! That is a great descriptor for your style! I love it. Have to come back and read this thread more carefully --my brain is done right now. Just had to share my light bulb moment!

JenniNZ those are fab shoes! And I love the laces — great to see an example of ribbon laces in a real life closet. Super cool with the doubled color!

Kellygirl, ahhh, thanks! Glad to know that descriptor resonates to someone who is, you know, outside my head haha!