October was a stressful month for me, which led to a lot of online browsing as a way to unwind. While I intended to read books at the end of each day, that often didn’t happen. My tired brain didn’t want to deal with words. Instead, it wanted to take in pretty pictures of clothes. I ordered a bunch of things, justifying the purchases as, “Things are hard and I deserve it.” While I didn’t end up keeping most of it, I felt like I was slipping into bad habits again, the same way I felt in February.
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Things I Added to my Wardrobe
The most exciting purchase was an Amour Vert silk blouse I found on Poshmark after searching for several months. I had tried on the shirt (in another print) in my fitting room review of the brand. As I mentioned in that post, most of Amour Vert’s prints don’t appeal to me. But I liked the cut of the blouse and would look every once in a while on resale sites to see what discontinued prints were out there. That’s how I found this marigold print in navy.
Amour Vert Blouse [in other prints] // Everlane Jeans [review] // Everlane shoes [review] (And yes, I only wore these shoes for this photo. I’m confined to ugly sneakers recently due to a foot injury. See how this blouse looks with ugly sneakers in this styling post.)
I had actually tried to buy the shirt a while back from another seller. When my offer was denied, I told myself it wasn’t meant to be and forgot about it. But then, a new one popped up on Poshmark and I realized I still liked it.
When it comes to online secondhand purchases, I don’t like to take risks. I tend to look for things I already own, but in a different color. Based on the blouse I’d tried in store, I had a pretty good idea of how this blouse would fit. However, though I liked the print, I wasn’t sure that I would like it on me. It’s not typical of my style and louder than what I’m used to wearing. Poshmark doesn’t allow returns, so if it didn’t work out, I’d have to resell it.
Happily, though, I love it! And it was new with tags — though it smelled strongly of perfume. (Hmmm, was it worn before?) By the way, the tag on the Amy Silk Blouse says, “Dry Clean Only” but I nervously ignored that. I hand washed it with Soakwash, squeezed it gently in a towel, and hung it up to dry. It turned out fine. (For other laundry tips, check out this post I wrote about caring for your clothes.)
I also made three separate Everlane orders in October, though I’m only keeping one item: the Soft Cotton V-neck. I feel this was a reasonable purchase since sweaters figure heavily on the wardrobe gap list I made back in February.
Things I bought but am returning include the Cashmere Lantern Sweater (review here), the Luxe Cotton Crop Tee (review), and the Soft Cotton Boatneck sweater, which was part of the Choose What You Pay sale. Regular readers of my blog will know that the Soft Cotton Boatneck is my favorite Everlane sweater, but it was sold out in the size I prefer (XXS). I ordered the XS, but it’s just not the same as it’s wider by about 2″. Everlane had not been replenishing stock for a while, so perhaps it’s being discontinued. 🙁
Things I Decluttered
Wore this outfit for the Gram over a year ago.
This month in wardrobe reconsiderations, I finally admitted to myself that a cotton skirt I loved had to go. I adore the skirt’s palm print; it’s from a Carine Roitfeld collaboration with Uniqlo. I even have the matching silk shirt. While the shirt is in rotation, I’ve never worn the skirt out — only posed in it for Instagram photos. I bought it when I was skinner and now it doesn’t fit. Even when I can squeeze into it, it’s not that comfortable. It’s just been hanging in my closet with the tags on for more than three years. (The heels I decided to let go of in September and am passing along to a friend. I definitely can’t wear them anymore with my foot problems.)
I also purged a few workwear items. Though I’ve already gotten rid of most of my office-y clothes — I work from home these days — I had held on to a few favorites. “Just in case I have a meeting,” I reasoned. Guess what? I’ve not worn these things once to meetings or anywhere else. I used to wear sheath dresses on the regular at the office or at work functions. But I can’t see myself doing that anymore. So, thank you for your service, ombré sheath dress. I’m basically down to one sheath dress now — a basic, black sleeveless one. (Similar to this, but all black.) But I’m even questioning if I should keep that one.
Welcome Objects 2019 Wardrobe Count To Date
Additions: 2 this month = 15 items total for the year
Subtractions: 3 items this month = 38 items removed from my closet so far this year
What I Read
Elaine wrote about what it’s like to live in California during fire season. (I’ve been very lucky that the PG&E blackouts haven’t affected me, but I know many people who went without power and one friend was on standby to evacuate. Luckily, she didn’t have to.) Being at the ready to evacuate made Elaine consider all that she owns, what she would take, and the cycle of buying and purging stuff. The urgency of the fires really puts things into perspective.
I also read a story in the LA Times about a home renovation by the owners of the design store Poketo. They live in a sparsely decorated home, somewhat of a surprise since they’re known for selling housewares, stationery, and well, lots of stuff. I’m sure they cleaned up before the photoshoot, but I was really struck by how little they own. As to their wardrobe: “We don’t have much stuff. We share a closet.” OMG, this couple shares a closet?! I think I love clothes too much to ever share a closet. But both these stories inspired me to pare down even more and keep striving for minimalism.
I like the print on that Amour Vert top! I’m pretty comfortable now with handwashing silk items, though I still don’t know how to get stains out without possibly damaging the fabric. (Definitely don’t rub on the stain with extra soap or detergent the way one can do with more sturdy fabrics, as I know from experience.) And it’s pretty nice to get a second chance at buying a used/secondhand item that got away the first time!
Anytime I’ve kept an item “just in case” the occasion for it would come up again, that occasion has never actually come around again after I made that decision. Funny how that happens! Though I still let go of those many “just in case” items very slowly. At present, I have a lot of pencil skirts (ones for wearing as separates, rather than as part of a suit) that I don’t think I’ll want to wear again, just hanging out in my closet…
K and I share a single closet, though in our case it’s not as dramatic as it sounds. Our clothes closet is twice the size of many closets in NYC apartments, so it was meant to accommodate two!
I once had a “just in case” gown for the Oscars or other fancy event in my closet for a few years until I finally came to my senses. 🙂
I love the print on your blouse. It’s so pretty. I’m terrible for buying things that I’ve seen influencers wear only to discover that they don’t make sense in my closet. I’m currently trying to sell a few items from Brass Clothing and Vetta on Poshmark here in Canada but not having much luck.
I’ve definitely been guilty of that too! I’m trying to be much more careful about shopping, but sometimes something just looks so good on someone else. Have you tried some of the Instagram accounts for reselling slow fashion? They would reach a more targeted audience than Poshmark.