I started a "Wish List".
Was it a mistake?
It’s a Monday evening. I just finished going down a “Parisian Vibe” rabbit-hole (a channel on YouTube). I feel something inside me click, or maybe it’s an awakening, like a flower that’s been dormant all winter, pushing it’s way to the surface - I’m feeling inspired - something that I haven’t felt in a while, honestly.
I decide that I want to regain some semblance of style again.
As I sit there in my black leggings and black hoodie that I’ve worn far too much this winter, I look up the white poplin shirt that the girl in the video is wearing for one of her outfits. I’ve been wanting a white poplin shirt for a while. I like this one: ethically made, it has a nice “boyfriend fit” about it and I really like the high-low hem. I decide to make a “Wish List” folder on my computer, to which I add The Shirt.
As I create the folder, I know this might be a slippery slope. I tell myself that it’s for sewing inspiration. I recognize that I’m trying to justify something which means I probably shouldn’t be doing it.
I do it anyways.
It’s Tuesday morning. I sit down to write this week’s newsletter. I haven’t thought of the shirt since last night, at least not until this exact moment, but the inspiration from last night has stayed with me. So much so that I got dressed today, even though I have nowhere that I have to go.
The Outfit
I chose a pair of grey vintage pants which I topped with a grey silk slip dress (I thrifted it for $10 years ago and I think it was originally a slip under another dress). I tried a few crewneck sweaters and cardigans before settling on a long denim dress/jacket that I layered over the dress. My silver snakeskin boots felt like the icing on the outfit cake.
It feels chic and basic, but not in a nondescript way: the dress is wrinkled which adds a textural aspect to the look and the denim jacket has an interesting belt detail that feels edgy. The shininess of the boots peek out from beneath the cuffed hem of the pants which are a tad to long, but also, not too long.
The great thing about these pieces is that the pants are pleated and are maybe a size too big and the slip dress is silk, so the material of the dress and the fit of the pants means that the dress tucks nicely into the pants for a whole other silhouette:
I see both working in different situations: the dress over the pants is great for casual outings, like running errands, but the dress tucked in would be great when a dressier outfit is required.
So, was the “Wish List” a mistake?
It might be too soon to say, but right now, I don’t think it was. Even though I added the shirt to the folder, I wasn’t tempted to purchase it. And for a few reasons:
I don’t want to give up on the no buy challenge. I feel like I’m learning so much about myself and my shopping habits/triggers. Not buying has also opened up the time to examine other areas in my life that I am making improvements in and I want to keep the focus there and not on buying clothes.
If I really want a shirt in white cotton poplin, I know I can make it. This Jenna Shirt pattern from Closet Core Patterns looks perfect!
We’re heading into warm weather and I know that I have a white linen shirt in my maybe box. I think I’ll take it out, get the yellow out of it, change the buttons and try wearing that one.
It provided me with some much needed inspiration to start dressing myself well again. I realized as I was writing this that I think I found the first downside of the no buy challenge for me…
In an attempt to not shop or desire new clothes, I seem to have suppressed my desire for clothes and style altogether. Maybe there were other elements involved in my complete inability to dress well this winter…the cold, winter blues…but I think that removing the influx of new clothes also removed my desire to be creative with the clothes that I do own. It’s almost like I tried to forget about clothes entirely, maybe as a subconscious way to get through the year quicker.
So, the wish list will stay for now. But only as long as it’s inspiring me to get dressed using the items that I already have. If I start to think about any items, and especially if I start to entertain the idea of buying one of them, I will delete the folder and spend a lot of time with my journal :)
How do you find inspiration to get dressed in a way that reflects your style when you feel anything but inspired?
This is a great outfit!
I had a similar thing this week with suddenly finding myself obsessing over addidas spezials in red and pink. I think a few people in my feed were wearing them and for ages I’ve thought, no, I know red accessories are ‘in’ but I’m not going there. Then suddenly I think I need them, that they will make sense of everything else I own, that I’ll feel better and more confident and fun and friendly if I own them and then I’m searching for them. On finding them ‘sold out everywhere’ my need deepens and I’m frantically considering buying from the resellers who have doubled the price. I take a breath and put down my phone.
Today I went to town and found some other adidas trainers, tried them on and was so seriously underwhelmed by the flimsy quality that I had no problem putting them back. And deleting myself from the ‘wait lists’ I’m on. In that moment the whole ridiculous influencer charade became really clear. Sometimes it is just that wait time needed for my brain to remember what matters most.
I came home and found fabric to make pomona pants instead.
I like the idea of a wait list because it really will make you think over a longer period about what is needed. I love how you thought about changing what you have to suit.
Reading this post felt so sensual and artistic. The description of the outfit so erotic with texture, color, and detail thought through, and savored. The photos like contemporary portraits. I especially love the unique denim jacket. I couldn't decide on which outfit I liked more. Walking this edge between the desire to buy and yet holding yourself back is exciting. To be in a space of longing. Perhaps this is an "upside" to a no buy year.
Personally, finding inspiration from a designer I have a fashion crush on.
P.S. Definitely like the pattern of the white shirt better than the online one.