Noting that your coat is JG Hook! I have a dress by them and it’s superb quality. The wash on the 2nd pair of jeans is so cool. I’m enjoying reading about your low-buy, even though I’m not participating.💕 Thanks, Gillian!
The quality of their clothing is top-notch! I had a similar coat by them in the past but in an above-the-knee length and it was also the best quality. I must go and look at their dresses on Ebay now!
Dear Gillian, I allow myself to comment even though I haven't been on a no-buy or low-buy period. Probably I should actually write a post of my own what my approach to the consumption of fashion really is ;) but with less than 150 items in my closet, incl. shoes, belts and bags for all season, I actually think I'm doing quite well.
Anyhow, I just wanted to say that I nodded to this:
"I think that my current fixation on the clutter in the storage room is because dealing with my clutter is something that I can control when everything else feels so turbulent in the world. Anyone else do this?"
And actually I did clean my and hubby's closet just yesterday, before even reading your post. I love, LOVE the idea of a clean closet. And yes, one of the things that I can still 'control'.
I love hearing your thoughts, Ewelina, even if not doing a low/no buy. And yes, I agree that you are doing quite well! It's interesting to hear that you are doing similar things for a sense of control!
What I find quite difficult is when I'm searching for items I truly need I keep stumpling across other items that would make a great addition to my wardrobe, that I probably would wear a lot, but aren't as urgently needed as some replacement items. It's so hard to skip the item that feels like it's a perfect fit, but you just need other things more at the moment. I'm trying hard to focus on what's on my wishlist right now and not thinking too much ahead about what I would need in two months. The fear of it selling out is hitting me hard. Furthermore when I'm already shopping it's sooo easy to feel more shoppey (that's not even a word, but hope it makes sense).
I'm also glad you went with the 100% cotton jeans - from a longevity perspective, they will age so much better! My low-buy year so far has been not been as low as I thought it would be but I have noticed that my desire to shop waxes and wanes so I'm not too worried. I bought one useful thing (a secondhand backpack), one beautiful thing (vintage corduroy trousers), and one cool "had to have" thing (a rain coat) so I guess it's an even mix of emotions behind them all!
Thanks, Lin, I think so too! I really admire your relaxed approach to the low buy - I can be quite prescriptive about things (à la my 2 items/month restriction) which is something I'd like to address at some point but for now, it seems to keep me in check. Those all sound like great purchases that you will enjoy for a long time - I loved how intentional you were in your search for a backpack and the one that you ended up choosing - I hope that school is going well!
My low buy as such has not worked so well for me as I have had a bit of a blip lately but I definitely have been using intention much better. I plan to get back on the horse now and slow down a lot. I have a couple of things on my wishlist for the season changes which I will sit on and contemplate until a sale happens and I will just get on with my knitting. I like your book recommendations, I have just started 'The Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning' by Margareta Magnusson which has come to me highly recommended.
I have a motto that I try to live by as a recovering perfectionist - "progress over perfection" - life happens and sometimes things don't go as planned but realizing that and making the adjustments we need is an accomplishment in an of itself! It sound like you have a great plan looking forward - what are you currently knitting? I'd like to read that book - I did watch the series of the same name (on Peacock) and it was really good!
Yes, you are so right. I am now learning from my past shopping habits and definitely making progress. I am working on a red cardigan, I bought the wool about this time last year but have only just started it now. In my recent splurges, I have also bought wool to make a chocolate brown cardigan so I really need to get going on completing the red one if I have any hope of getting the brown one finished with time to wear this Winter. Hopefully if I stop spending my time buying stuff I will get more knitting done!
My monthly trip to my favorite thrift store was a bust this time. I took a quick peek through one here in town and found two dresses. One I think I’ll wear a lot this summer, and the other is an option to wear to a class reunion in June.
This month I made two new purchases in addition to the second hand stuff I’ve been buying since January. But I also looked at my overall spending on clothes and realized I was already buying WAY more individual pieces and spending WAY more overall than seemed reasonable or sustainable! Helped me return new shoes that I really did like but ultimately did not need. The two items I kept were replacing really worn out basics so they feel worth it. But quite a reality check of a month!
Awesome job, Caro 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 I think it shows a lot of intentionality to be able to recognize when you're overspending and to reverse course! What is your plan for April?
Noting that your coat is JG Hook! I have a dress by them and it’s superb quality. The wash on the 2nd pair of jeans is so cool. I’m enjoying reading about your low-buy, even though I’m not participating.💕 Thanks, Gillian!
The quality of their clothing is top-notch! I had a similar coat by them in the past but in an above-the-knee length and it was also the best quality. I must go and look at their dresses on Ebay now!
Dear Gillian, I allow myself to comment even though I haven't been on a no-buy or low-buy period. Probably I should actually write a post of my own what my approach to the consumption of fashion really is ;) but with less than 150 items in my closet, incl. shoes, belts and bags for all season, I actually think I'm doing quite well.
Anyhow, I just wanted to say that I nodded to this:
"I think that my current fixation on the clutter in the storage room is because dealing with my clutter is something that I can control when everything else feels so turbulent in the world. Anyone else do this?"
And actually I did clean my and hubby's closet just yesterday, before even reading your post. I love, LOVE the idea of a clean closet. And yes, one of the things that I can still 'control'.
I love hearing your thoughts, Ewelina, even if not doing a low/no buy. And yes, I agree that you are doing quite well! It's interesting to hear that you are doing similar things for a sense of control!
What I find quite difficult is when I'm searching for items I truly need I keep stumpling across other items that would make a great addition to my wardrobe, that I probably would wear a lot, but aren't as urgently needed as some replacement items. It's so hard to skip the item that feels like it's a perfect fit, but you just need other things more at the moment. I'm trying hard to focus on what's on my wishlist right now and not thinking too much ahead about what I would need in two months. The fear of it selling out is hitting me hard. Furthermore when I'm already shopping it's sooo easy to feel more shoppey (that's not even a word, but hope it makes sense).
I'm also glad you went with the 100% cotton jeans - from a longevity perspective, they will age so much better! My low-buy year so far has been not been as low as I thought it would be but I have noticed that my desire to shop waxes and wanes so I'm not too worried. I bought one useful thing (a secondhand backpack), one beautiful thing (vintage corduroy trousers), and one cool "had to have" thing (a rain coat) so I guess it's an even mix of emotions behind them all!
Thanks, Lin, I think so too! I really admire your relaxed approach to the low buy - I can be quite prescriptive about things (à la my 2 items/month restriction) which is something I'd like to address at some point but for now, it seems to keep me in check. Those all sound like great purchases that you will enjoy for a long time - I loved how intentional you were in your search for a backpack and the one that you ended up choosing - I hope that school is going well!
My low buy as such has not worked so well for me as I have had a bit of a blip lately but I definitely have been using intention much better. I plan to get back on the horse now and slow down a lot. I have a couple of things on my wishlist for the season changes which I will sit on and contemplate until a sale happens and I will just get on with my knitting. I like your book recommendations, I have just started 'The Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning' by Margareta Magnusson which has come to me highly recommended.
I have a motto that I try to live by as a recovering perfectionist - "progress over perfection" - life happens and sometimes things don't go as planned but realizing that and making the adjustments we need is an accomplishment in an of itself! It sound like you have a great plan looking forward - what are you currently knitting? I'd like to read that book - I did watch the series of the same name (on Peacock) and it was really good!
Yes, you are so right. I am now learning from my past shopping habits and definitely making progress. I am working on a red cardigan, I bought the wool about this time last year but have only just started it now. In my recent splurges, I have also bought wool to make a chocolate brown cardigan so I really need to get going on completing the red one if I have any hope of getting the brown one finished with time to wear this Winter. Hopefully if I stop spending my time buying stuff I will get more knitting done!
Oh these sounds like such great projects!! I'd love to hear how they turn out!
My monthly trip to my favorite thrift store was a bust this time. I took a quick peek through one here in town and found two dresses. One I think I’ll wear a lot this summer, and the other is an option to wear to a class reunion in June.
Thrift shopping can be full of ups and downs, can't it?!? 😅 But, it's fun to visit new places and it sounds like it all worked out in the end!
Very hit or miss! I combine the thrifting with a quick buzz through Sephora and a coffee so I still win.
Sounds like it was a lovely way to spend a few hours!
This month I made two new purchases in addition to the second hand stuff I’ve been buying since January. But I also looked at my overall spending on clothes and realized I was already buying WAY more individual pieces and spending WAY more overall than seemed reasonable or sustainable! Helped me return new shoes that I really did like but ultimately did not need. The two items I kept were replacing really worn out basics so they feel worth it. But quite a reality check of a month!
Awesome job, Caro 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 I think it shows a lot of intentionality to be able to recognize when you're overspending and to reverse course! What is your plan for April?