they came home with me, july edition
January
- Margaret Howell shirt
March
- Orla Kiely for Uniqlo scarf
- Seafolly bikini
May/June
- Uniqlo linen shirt
- Massimo Dutti linen knit henley
- MHL by Margaret Howell cotton-linen sailor top
July
- Filippa K navy cotton twill shirtdress
- COS cream chunky cotton knit tank
- Pointer cream canvas sneakers
- Massimo Dutti low-heeled t-strap pumps
10 items for the year already! I felt like I was doing so well on my one item a month plan until I got to Berlin and then I went a little out of control.
I bought this MHL top in the NAP sale before I left for my holiday. I loved it the minute I saw it but had a feeling it would keep to the sales, and it did!
These Massimo Dutti heels are meant to go with my bridesmaids' dress, which looks horrible with flats, no matter which flats I try it with. Happy to have found these at a markdown as I hadn't wanted to spend too much. My first-ever pair of heels... everything else I've ever worn were borrowed or hand-me-downs from my sisters.
Around the time I started putting together this post, I came across this excellent post by Maja where she gives a candid take on the quest for a perfect wardrobe - a timely read as I sat down to evaluate my buys and my buying habits.
It made me realise one crucial thing - while she doesn't see clothing as a hobby, I do. (I feel like I should point out I have other hobbies too.) This blog is part of that hobby.
I get too much pleasure out of this to think I can realistically eliminate wants. Instead, I hope to master the art of appreciating things from a distance, instead of feeling the need to own it. I'm only sometimes successful.
I also try to appreciate my things more, and this is where my blog comes in handy. I can ramble on about a particular item of clothing, and lately I think outfit posts are part of that as well - a visual record of what I enjoy to inspire myself. (As narcissistic that sounds!)
In any case, I don't think the perfect wardrobe is a static thing. Lifestyle changes, new ideas, these things all affect how we dress. We derive over time certain constants but we also adopt new things. I guess the goal is to reconcile that with my desire to be less wasteful.
Comments
I agree in being less wasteful as the ultimate goal behind curating the wardrobe. Waste not, want not!
I agree with you that the perfect wardrobe is not a static thing. I am still tweaking what I have and learning what works and what doesn't. Thankfully there is ebay to give these items a new lease of life. I am less impulsive these days and I am happy to see personal growth. Thanks for inspiring, Lin!
Please keep inspiring me...
I completely see what you mean about the evolving wardrobe. It's a hobby for me too. In earlier months I put a lot of energy into culling, today I am a little more relaxed about it. It happens easily enough, organically. And I really enjoy wearing the same things over and over. Lists are also terribly useful because I have realised what a "uniform" person I am, buying multiples, or buying (and wearing) different versions of the same thing, i.e. statement necklaces.
I just did some quick math in my head, and came to the conclusion that I have bought at least three items of clothing/accessories every month this year. That is a lot, way more than I'm comfortable with. Most of them were very good items, but it is still too much. We'll have to practice that whole "not wanting" thing together I suppose :)
Oh and I love your shirt dress. I'd wear it to death.
the Dutti heels are nice - they remind me of a kitten heel that Chanel would do.
learning to admire rather than own is such an apt way to put it. i've done okay this past year, given a few allowances i made for living abroad, but upon returning home, my impulse is to do some more editing...
My one-item-a-month plan went out of the window in May, sort of. I might be okay if I don't buy anything for the rest of the year, but I don't know if that's going to happen. So far, so good.
I feel the same way about clothing as a hobby. I like clothes too much to be a total minimalist. I like to have some variation. I guess the challenge is to keep things under control and not go completely crazy like I have done in the past. :)
MHL products should definitely be seen in person, their proportions can be a bit difficult to predict so I kind of went out on a limb on this one by ordering it online. Thank goodness it worked out!
Eileen: I loved that Steven Alan top and felt like I shouldn't have hesitated...it became unavailable before I made up my mind. Was really quite happy when I saw this top because it felt like a "second chance"!
Pret a Porter P: Your soul-stirrers always remind me not to settle for novelties. Ptactical things are my soul-stirrers, so that's very convenient for me haha.
Sue: Thanks! I actually haven't culled things in a while, at least a year, I love what I have for one reason or other, and I'm not bothered by the idea that I don't wear some of them any more. They're important to me and somehow I'm confident I haven't seen the end of them yet.
helin: I'm that way about shoes too! I've learnt that I don't like having too many shoes lying around that serve the same aesthetic and function.
Ammu: The top is so good for hot weather - just sits away from your body and is somehow sturdy and airy at the same time.
I don't really stress out about clothes (except for my compulsion to spend haha) and I enjoy that little routine of picking out my outfit and deciding what the day needs, and putting on something I love, and I love checking out what people are wearing. It's definitely a hobby!
Maja H: No problem! I really liked your post and how you just tackled the topic in a straightforward way without romanticising the whole idea of a perfect wardrobe.
It's surprising isn't it, how things add up. I totalled my spending for six months a few years ago and realised I could have gone on a fantastic vacation. That kind of sobered me up and put into perspective exactly how much of my income should go into clothes.
miss sophie: I was really thrilled it made it to the NAP sale.
I was a bit hesitant about the kitten heel because I never really liked them, but once they were on it seemed to work.
Do share about that editing process, if it happens!
The Waves: I had a figure I was aspiring to as well, would be interesting to see what happens by the end of the year.
I think more about longevity of each piece as well as my lifestyle before I succumb to a purchase. I haven't bought anything for the summer as it's so cold here all the time.
Most of my clothes, except for my jeans, average about 3 years old, which isn't very long at all. I do have a few things that are 7, 8 years old, but not much. So much change happened when I started work, and figuring what works for my lifestyle and what image I wanted to project took time I guess. Makes me realise it's quite difficult to predict what will work 10 years down the road!
I expect to slow down in the shopping in the coming months when all the fall stocks start moving in...too heavy for Singapore!
Interesting concept: clothing as a hobby, also.
Myself...I am still learning, evolving, so to speak, especially with regards to what actually suits me, what feels much more like an extension of my personality, as opposed to what I merely love or admire. Which brings me to MHL! Oh dear, I definitely must see her garments in person, for I fear they're just not cut for 'me' at all. However, for the meantime I am content to own one or two accessories. On pins to see her AW12/13 knitwear offerings though!