Shopping Challenge - October made me do it!

My goal was to purchase 30 or less pieces for the year. I included clothing, gear and accessories.

I am now at 34 so have gone over.

October additions
- new ASICS running shoes due to wear
- beach cover/ kaftan
- striped tee
- floral blouse
- sunglasses

And I have a dress on order from my friend too.

The kaftan and running shoes were planned purchases to fill gaps. The tee is a great completer - and with summer approaching will be well worn. The glasses I purchased honestly by mistake but my sisters and I liked them so much I kept them. The floral blouse is an almost wildcard - but very pretty for work - made by my friend. And she is also making me a long midi dress.

So I hope to close the wallet til 2020 now. I am helping at the Dress for Success Sale which may be tempting.

My numbers sit at about 130 including gear, bags, shoes and clothes. My retirements for the year are 28.

Whilst I have missed my target I am happy my purchases are well thought out, useful and fun. The wildcard have mostly been second hand.

Thanks!

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5 years ago

slim cat

Veteran

Looks like there are similar colors at play in both tops: olive, pink, mauve and a bit of black - your favorites? Or just happy coincidence?
Very nice glasses. I see a lot of possibilities for a wild card - blouse - if there is olive or black pants/jeans/skirts. Denim skirt would be fun with striped tee on a casual outing.

CocoLion

(website)

I'm impressed with your approach, well done! And the sunglasses look fab on you.

kellygirl

Love the sunnies. So fun. The print on that floral blouse is gorgeous. I can imagine that will be a versatile addition to your summer wardrobe!

Bijou

All rules are meant to be broken from time to time. The point of the Challenge was to make mindful purchases - which you have definitely achieved. Love the new sunnies - which to my mind are absolutely essential year round with our weather.

Cardiff girl

Fab sunnies,l am intrigued though,how can you buy something by mistake?

notsaf

I was going to ask the same thing!!
Love the sunnies!

nemosmom

Mistake or not, your sunglasses are perfect for you! Didn't you mention sunnies were an essential item for your wardrobe? Your additions are all thoughtful and beautiful additions for the new season. Nicely done!

Bennett

I buy a lot of things by mistake, maybe, too? I'll try that out on my husband just to hear the laughter!

Angie

Fashion Stylist

What a great mistake

I'm glad you went over your target instead of feeling boxed into a number of 30 items. Wardrobe planning is not science or maths. It's art, emotion, forethought, patience, discipline and a bit of luck. You have shown us that in spades.

Sal

I bought the kaftan from a gift boutique at the beach. I only glanced at the price. I went to pay and put my own glasses on the counter. The woman asked if the glasses were mine. I said yes and then paid but didn’t really look hard at the transaction. When I got home to show the kaftan to Jon I found the glasses and checked the receipt. My sisters and I both liked the glasses and they are polarised and were $50 so I kept them! I do have one pair of RayBans but I do like to have a couple of fashion but not so expensive sunglasses as well.

The tee is to wear with the wide leg crops. The floral top I will wear with black pants to work and the terracotta crops. Both might get worn with jeans ( white or blue) or shorts.

And yes - I do agree that wardrobe management is more fun and successful if I don’t be too strict on numbers. Sometimes intuition is important too. However I don’t want to mindlessly keep buying either.... or justify unneeded additions!

Custom Find

by Sal

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Anonymous

Bijou said it much better than I ever could. I second her wise words. Good work, Sal!!!!!!

Brooklyn

Well done Sally. The glasses were meant to be. I am also trying to be more mindful and I had a no browsing no buying October. (I find it easier not to buy if I don’t browse.) I don’t want to be in a cycle of endless shopping. The challenge has worked well for you.

rachylou

Yes, what Bijou said(!)

Thanks Brooklyn, Sterling and Rachy! I have officially stopped browsing too.

Susie

I think your purchases are all good and thoughtful additions to your wardrobe. And the sunnies May have been mistakenly purchased but they look great on you and another practical addition. Overall a success!

JAileen

I don’t think running shoes should count toward your total. The number is arbitrary, anyway. The accidental sunglasses are really cute on you.

Thanks Susie!!

JAileen - I don't tend to overbuy gear and it all gets used so I may have a $ budget for this next year (it is almost one in one out anyway). There is a bit of crossover with life with my gear though which was my reason for including it.

And funny how sometimes you can try on 10 pairs of glasses and they are all awful yet I bought these without trying them on and they are great!!

Great adds! Love the floral blouse especially!

Wore the blouse this week and loved it! Will be a regular work top for me as it ticks all the work boxes (goes with black pants, goes with denim, can be worn under a jacket, great dressiness level).

Style Fan

All great purchases. Everything seems to be working so well in your wardrobe. Love the sunnies story. I will have to remember that one.

Astrid

I love the sunglasses! I now have three different pairs of sunglasses around at home, with three different prescriptions. I'm not really happy with any of them, but I don't want to spend anymore money on it. Somehow I always manage to find nice glasses, but fail at the sunglasses.

I haven't followed your challenge, but it sounds like a great idea. I think I might try that next year. Setting a certain amount of purchases sounds easier to me than limiting spending money.

Cee

Good job

Thanks Cee and Stylefan.

Astrid - it works for me better than a dollar budget (although not so well since I have gone over). I have found that I either get very cheap bargains second hand or more quality designer items. I have less of the in between stuff. Next year I will tweak it a bit - in 2020 I need to invest a bit more in my winter wardrobe with a substantial refresh, and hold off the summer gear. Summer might need to be one in- one out - and winter maybe some growth in numbers back up to 100 or so.

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