It’s been awhile since I’ve written a shopping diary. I just haven’t bought that much this year. When I set out with the goal of a low-buy year for 2020 back in December, little did I know that all this (gestures all around) would be happening. With the exception of a shopping burst in April and using up my store credit at Everlane, it’s been quiet here on the shopping front, especially compared to prior years. The COVID-19 pandemic has definitely impacted my spending. For the most part, I’m not in the mood to shop.
Also, I feel cautious because while my partner and I are both working now, we don’t know what things might look like a few months down the line. The pandemic, and then the wildfires here in California (accompanied by freakish weather), are strong reminders that things are not in our control. Disaster strikes unexpectedly. With everything going on, I’d rather save my money than treat myself to something. (Anything I’d buy wardrobe-wise would be a treat, because I don’t need anything, really.) My birthday was over the summer and I didn’t even get myself something like I usually would.
In August, though, I did treat myself to perhaps the most impractical shelter-in-place wardrobe item: a pair of leopard print flats. It’s not like anyone is going to see these on Zoom.
In August, though, I did treat myself to perhaps the most impractical shelter-in-place wardrobe item: a pair of leopard print flats. It’s not like anyone is going to see these on Zoom. Also, we don’t wear shoes in the home anyway. We’re still sheltering in place and don’t leave our neighborhood that often. I could wear them for fun when buying groceries or picking up take-out, but that’s about the extent of my outside excursions.
The shoes were an impulse purchase, too. One thing I’ve been working on to slow down my shopping is to resist the urge to buy something right away. I try, instead, to think the purchase over some time (sometimes for many months). Yet, I bought these shoes within a few days of learning about the brand, dr. Liza. And where did I learn about it? Someone else’s Instagram post.
Yup, I was influenced.
A confluence of details got me excited about the shoes: designed by a chiropractor and includes orthotics, ethically-made, Black-owned. Oh, and they were on sale at the time, which brought them down to a reasonable $80 USD before shipping.
Leopard-print flats were actually on my wardrobe wish list. I donated a pair of leopard print shoes I used to own because they were uncomfortable, but also because they were Ivanka. (I bought them before her father ran for president, but now I really don’t want anything associated with that family in my home.) Even though those shoes were wrong for me on several fronts, I learned that I love a leopard print shoe. The print is surprisingly versatile and I treat it like a neutral. So, I just went for this purchase even though my cautious nature worried it’d be a mistake. dr. Liza is Canadian too, and any return or exchange would incur a shipping fee to send them back across the border.
As regular readers may know, I have a hard time with shoes. A lot of what gets purged from my wardrobe is footwear (as evidenced by the number of shoes in my Poshmark store). You never really know if a pair of shoes will work til you’ve worn them a while. As it turns out, a lot of shoes are just not comfortable for me and my wide feet. So, this purchase felt risky.
I’ll write a detailed review after I’ve had the chance to wear them more. So far, I’ve only worn them to the post office to buy Ruth Asawa stamps. But they seem promising! (UPDATE: here is my review of the dr. Liza flats.)
Have you made any purchases lately? How has the pandemic affected your shopping habits?
Welcome Objects 20 in 2020 Wardrobe Count To Date
Additions: 10
Number of Additions That Are Secondhand: 1 (10%) (Not doing good here at my goal of making it half!)
Subtractions: 6
I think you’re doing great! The shoes were on your list anyway, and I don’t think purchases now need to be practical or something people will immediately see. Sometimes you buy things just for you to appreciate, you know?
I didn’t shop at all at the beginning of the pandemic. But then July sales happened and I went shopping in person, and so my restrained habits went to hell…
I think the pandemic has made me more thoughtful about who I want to support. Certain brands I realized I don’t care much about, and other brands I’m more willing to pay full price.
I haven’t stepped in a retail store (except for Target to buy supplies) since early March (or maybe even end of February). That has certainly made it easier to not buy things, because I’m not tempted by something in person. Your last point resonates with me. When I do spend money these days, I want to spend it at a business whose values align with mine and who treat their workers right during this time. Even with groceries. While I do still buy a fair amount at the chain grocery store, I’m also trying to get some items from smaller local shops. It means I have to go to more places to get everything, but I don’t mind.
I’m definitely feeling similarly to you about the economy: Our household hasn’t had disruptions to our job security due to COVID, but 2020 is a huge lesson that we can’t predict anything. I really thought I knew what would happen in the biglaw side of the legal market if there was a huge national economic disruption like COVID, but my predictions were completely wrong. (The industry as a whole is actually doing fantastic – I suppose that’s consistent with the stock market still being strong – but the “recession-proof” practice area I work with is… not so great. So I feel much less secure personally.)
And things feel scary climate change-wise and politically with the wildfires up and down the west coast :(. I grew up in the Bay Area and I remember that fires somewhere out there in parts of norcal and socal were a thing that was happening every summer, but nowhere near to the extent of the last year or two.
I definitely consider leopard-print a neutral, particularly when used on an accent item like a belt, shoes, or a handbag! I love leopard print though it’s been a while since I last had some in my closet – I can never quite find the right pair of shoes or small handbag with the right “look” of leopard print.
I can’t wait to buy the leopard flats
Love them
I will continue to wear skinny jeans
They are the best
Thank you