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Wrapping up 2020 and 2021 shopping list!

Minaminu

Veteran

I know that we still have few weeks to end 2020... but I am so looking forward the end of this year! 2020 has been a challenging year for everyone! I am extremely fortunate that my family and loved ones are all in good health and that I was able to take a long break from work, hopefully 2021 will bring some positive changes on that front.

I went a bit overboard with the budget, still I am pleased that I got all items in my shopping list and replaced or repaired many others. This year, I learnt that I need light neutrals in my wardrobe and I am learning to dress for my real lifestyle, and I am enjoying searching for specific items for mini capsule wardrobe. I have noticed that I enjoy more the search for the right item than the actual purchase! There is (a lot of) room for improvement but overall, I am happy with most of my 2020 purchases

I will continue to replace damaged or ill-fitting pieces and, when possible, I will aim to substitute black with navy or a lighter neutral - I allocated half of my budget for this. Generally, I am planning to buy as many preloved items as possible for environmental reasons but also because who knows what will be of Brexit…

For 2021, I have set myself 2 challenges: firstly, to add more neutrals in ecru, taupe, cream, lavender and pink to lighten up my wardrobe and to address some weak areas of my wardrobe (heatwave, sportswear, loungewear). My office-wear is fine and might only need to replace as and when needed.

This is my shopping list for a hopefully brighter 2021!

Scarves in different sizes
Cold weather: wool trousers and short sleeves jumper
Warm weather: trousers suit*, chino and light neutral sandals
Heatwave: co-ordinated top and skirt* and dress
Loungewear: kimono and pj
*to use separately as well as together

Sportswear will be tracked in my heath budget for the first time. I have a small capsule for yoga and Pilates, I need to build up my capsule for hiking and maybe swimming.

How about you, have you got already a shopping list for 2021? Do you already know how you will develop your wardrobe for 2021?

I appreciate that it may be too early for some, but 2020 has been such a difficult year and I cannot wait for a better 2021!

23 replies

Latest reply was from Minaminu

Anonymous

Sounds like a good plan to me! I'm definitely ready for 2021, but a long year end wrap up post will have to wait til I have time off work!

LaPed

Veteran

I'm having some fun analyzing this year's numbers, and am definitely already in planning mode. It's hard to know what 2021 will hold, so my list is pretty bare-bones right now. I love your plan to add lighter neutrals; and it's smart to identify your climate needs. Looking well-dressed in a heatwave is a challenge!

cat2

Veteran

I did a lot of shopping in 2020, to add more washable WFH pieces and a lot more athletic gear. I also freshened up our scarves, hats and gloves. I also did some bankruptcy shopping of brands going under as well as my usual off season stock up on basics. So we will be just wearing we already have until we find gaps in what I did!

Helena

Veteran

Yay for the new year and yay to some fun planning for 2021 shopping!

Joy

Veteran

You have an excellent plan. I need to do a sweeping closet edit for spring/ summer and have some things fixed, but I have too many clothes for my space and need to wear some of them out.
I also plan to mostly shop for used items to help the environment and support the resale shops. I may need more items for cool weather since it or transitional weather are dominate where I live now rather than very hoy weather. I would like to add more pale blue and greens, but must be careful that they are not too cool a color. I want to add some camel to wear with white and light and bright colors. I think I may need more pull on bottoms for cold weather but so far I have only bought and kept one.
I was hoping to redo my holiday capsule but have not seen anything I wanted. Colors have been too much on the cool side this winter. If a color like tomato red or some browns become available, I want to stock up.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

A very focused, and great plan! Remember that you can change it any time if you need to, and do throw in the odd wild card

Go Team Light Neutrals!

My own plans are just the same. A few wardrobe categories need a boost like Summer tops, jackets, loafers and trendy jeans. I might even get a new yoga outfit too.....

Jenni NZ

Veteran

My 2020 plan was to buy under 30 items which I more than achieved- so far 10 items and unlikely to add many more in next 2 weeks. Maybe a couple.
Next year I will try to add only a small number again but add interesting items. Your plans sound well thought out.

Sal

Veteran

Your plans sound sensible and fun!! I have enjoyed your posts this year Minaminu and I like your attitude to repairing and thrifting when you can.

In a heatwave definitely a light dress or matching separates help you feel put together even when you aren't!!

Here is hoping for an easier 2021, I know the UK has a double whammy with Brexit and Covid in the mix.....

Anonymous

Applauding your work on your plan . I’m not great at sticking to a plan , which comes as no surprise to any reader , but I still like doing it . I’ve been especially motivated by and interested in Jenni’s wardrobe management this past year . If she can cut back on buying clothes , then so can I! That said , I really have no feel at all for what 2021 will look like . Will we be back to work ? Will we be able to resume a social life ? Until I see what that all looks like I’m not planning ahead .

Minaminu

Veteran

Suntiger, thanks! looking forward reading your end wrap post!

La Pedestrienne, analysing the budget and reviewing the purchases has been eye-opening. I was surprised by the amount of dark clothes that I purchased on the first half of 2020!

Cat2, it was very wise of you to buy some last pieces of the brands that you liked before they went under! It is so difficult to find a good brand nowadays!

Torontogirl, indeed! Hear hear for a brighter 2021!

Joy, thanks for the kind comment. I think you would look stunning with the colours that you would like to add! Looking forward seeing your 2021 outfits with those colours!

Angie, of course! I may not buy the entire shopping list and may fall in love with an item that was not on the list, particularly if it is well made and of good quality Big thanks to you and the rest of the people in this forum as you helped me a lot this year and I avoided some mistakes!

Jennie NZ, I like your plan! Interesting items can elevate an outift, so I am looking forward your 2021 outfits!

Sal, thank you for the kind comment! I enjoyed reading your posts as well and I've learnt a lot from you The scarves in different sizes are in the shopping list as I liked how well you use yours!

Lisa p, thanks! I am not great at following a plan, but I enjoy having a guideline. Jenn has been very inspirational this year and I enjoyed reading her posts too, particularly her analyses! I share your concerns on 2021. In my case, I am trying to keep a positive attitude as I really hope it won't get worse than 2020!

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

My plan is to buy some of the stuff I’ve had on my “shopping list” for a year or two, ha! I just bought a batch of base layers/essentials which were not on the list. I think they were needed, even though they were a bit of an impulse buy.

Runcarla

Veteran

My project this year was to ‘count wears’ - so 2 more weeks left before I do my analysis on that. I’m thinking about the lack of white/ light tops in my closet too, after Angie commented when I wore a tonal outfit that read as light (silver top and plaid pants - looked light grey). Why so few light tops? Should I add more? I do want to grow my brown capsule (2 items atm). ‘Yes’ to thrift. Also, I have some sewing projects to work on this winter. I’m planning on sticking close to home through most of 2021, but maybe some family visits in the fall? And using an air travel credit from a cancelled trip, for a vacation in early 2022?

Brooklyn

Veteran

Sounds like a good plan. I could use some more light neutrals but I’m always drawn to the dark side

I haven’t thought that much about 2021. I want to wear what I have more (hopefully I’ll be going out more!), thrift more and maybe do some sewing. My wardrobe is in pretty good shape.

kkards

Veteran

Well thought out plan.
I haven’t thought at all about 2021, at least I haven’t thought about it on a fashion level. at this point, as much as i want to get 2020 over with, 2021 feels so far away and so much of a wild card...

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

Btw, once you get going on dresses for summer, I bet you’ll have so much fun it’ll be hard to stop—lots of swingy trapeze dresses out there, or you could do a swingy top over a matching skirt.

rachylou

Veteran

I need to get rid of things in 2021...

Barbara Diane

Veteran

2020 purchases-5 items. 2 pre-Covid, 2 NAS, 1 other, a duplicate except 1 size down.
2021 purchases will depend on Covid, when we get the vaccine, and if need to make purchases due to clothes wearing out and/or size change. I have purged some too big items, set aside some items for minimal alterations, and keep debating removing and replacing some pants.
Even with all the items removed I still have enough clothing for now, except maybe for pants down a size. This past summer I wore lots of sleeveless tops and dresses from when I was younger; they will need to be replaced with sleeved items if life returns to a semblance of normalcy. Oh, and I need some swimwear.
2021 will be interesting.

nemosmom

Veteran

You have a great plan! And YES to being ready for this year to be OVER. I too have been craving light neutrals. My pattern has been to dream of winter white, buy pieces in it, then purge it all in the spring because I look ghastly in it. I am still working on a 2021 plan. I apparently had another wardrobe building year - or maybe pandemic stress triggered retail therapy - anyway, I had lots of churn for the second year in a row... I am hoping to be strategic next year.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Oh yes, please be over, 2020! Ugh.

Your plan sounds well-considered and suited to where you see yourself going! Onwards to a better wardrobe and a better year in other ways!

Minaminu

Veteran

RunCarla, counting purchases has helped me recognise a pattern... Few years ago, I was buying for a dream lifestyle and not my actual needs. My winterwear is very dark and next year I want to test if few lighter pieces can help my mood during the winter months!

Brooklyn, looking at the pictures that you posted this year, you have a fab wardrobe! I'd love to improve my sewing skills (I may look for a course once the pandemic is over!) and would love to see what you will create!

Kkards, I get that 2021 is difficult to imagine at this time! Everything keeps on changing... I hope it will be a better year...

Fashintern, indeed! It will be interesting to look at different shapes!

Rachylou, you go girl! A good declutter is so much fun!!!!

Barbara Diane, size changes is something that I am working as well. I went down a size this year and hope to loose the extra weight and reach a healthy BMI next year. I am lucky that I have a good taylor, it is cheaper to resize a loved item that to search and buy a new one!

Nemosmom, great plan! There is something soothing in wearing white in the winter!

Suz, I've already started the countdown! So happy to see the end of this year!

Janet

(website)

Veteran

What a great thought-out plan! Being realistic about lifestyle and needs is something I made improvement on this year, and oddly enough I may have the pandemic to thank for that. Well, it’s one of at least a handful of good things to come out of an otherwise crappy year.

I do think that some light neutrals are really helpful, even as someone who wears a LOT of dark colors and black. I’ve learned to buy light colored items in fabrications that can be easily cleaned because I am forever getting coffee or sauce spatters or dirt smudges on my light items. I do not have Angie’s pristine powers, LOL. That should be a fun search for you.

Here’s to 2021 being brighter!

Jenn

(website)

Veteran

I love your plans and shopping lists, and am looking forward to seeing your thoughtful strategy in action next year.

I'm planning to take a page from your book next year and do some advance planning of purchases, as well. Mine will be on a quarterly basis instead of looking at the whole twelve months at once, though. 2021 is for sure going to be a play-it-by-ear year.

Minaminu

Veteran

Janet, indeed! Sometimes the search is more fun than the actual purchase! Good point regarding the material, I can be quite clumsy!

Jenn, thank you for the kind comment! It's an interesting idea to plan in a quarterly basis, especially as we don't know how 2021 will unfold!