What's on My Spring/Summer Wishlist?

Bringing in a little "light and bright".

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In last week’s post about wardrobe staples, I asked if you wanted to see what my wishlist items were and the results were a unanimous yes, so I thought that I would share those with you this week.

The majority of these items are ones that I have identified as “missing” from my current wardrobe that I think would really add some interest and depth, as well as some lightness. There are also a few items that I’d just like to have because I think they’re pretty!

I don’t have a sophisticated way of keeping track of these items. My process goes a little like this:

1. Identify something that I’d like to have for my wardrobe. This usually comes to me as I’m getting dressed (for example, I’ve identified that I’d like to have a white tank top to wear with jeans/shorts or to layer under a striped shirt).

2. Search The Real Real for the general item - for example, “red cotton sweater”. If I find anything that I like, I add it to my favorites within the app.

3. Search eBay for the general item.

4. For new items, I visit brand sites that I think might have what I’m looking for.

5. I’ll also do a google search for the general item if I’m looking for a new item.

6. When I find something that I like, I add it to a folder in my browser’s favorite bar called “wishlist” which has subfolders for the items that I’m looking for.

7. I will periodically go through everything in the wishlist by visiting the item and seeing if I still like it, and if I feel “meh” about it, I delete it from the list. As I was writing this post, I decided to delete this Rita Row sweater as it’s very similar to the one that I bought in February.

8. If I come across something that I just think is pretty and it doesn’t go into a specific category, I just add it to the general favorites folder and they compile underneath all of the other folders.

9. While I compile items on my wishlist, I also keep an eye out for them in local shops.

Items that are on my current wishlist:

I also keep folders for things that I’d like for the house and fabric that I’d like for sewing as well, but I won’t get into them in this post. Most of the house wishlist was detailed in this post.

I have looked at a lot of items in each of the following categories and through the process that I’ve outlined above, I’ve narrowed my choices down to my favorite 2 items/category - there is typically a more expensive item and a more affordable option.

The items that follow will likely guide the purchases that I make during the warmer months of my low buy year, although I won’t necessarily purchase these items if I can find a similar one locally or in the secondhand market.

If you have any ride-or-dies in any of these categories, or if you own or have owned any of the following items, I would LOVE IT if you’d share in the comments. I’m trying to make the most informed decision that I can so every little bit of information helps!

Red Sweater

I’ve technically been on the hunt for a red sweater since the fall of 2023 when red was THE COLOR of the season and all over my IG feed! I definitely had FOMO and I thought that a red sweater would be a good addition. My plan was to thrift it, but if you thrift, you know that sometimes (ok, a lot of the time) you don’t find the specific thing that you’re looking for. Which is exactly what happened.

Instead, I found a red leather jacket - THE red leather jacket that kickstarted my no buy year in October of 2023. Anyways, I wore that jacket a few times but it never felt right to me. I think it was too much of a statement piece and I felt like I was wearing a huge “look at me” sign.

So, I decluttered it and I’m going with my gut this time around and sticking with a red sweater.

As the weather is warming up, I’d like to have a cotton one, which I also think will be fine in the winter with a warmer layer underneath. Here are 2 that I really like:

L: Babaà Jumper no 64 (€295); R: Everlane The Boxy Sweater ($98)

I really like the shape of the one from Everlane and it’s more affordable but there’s something about the Babaà one that keeps it at the forefront of my mind. And while I don’t typically like v necks, this one is high and would add a different shape to my (mostly crew neck) sweater collection.

White tank top

I have a black tank top that I wear all the time! I’ve had it for years and I bought it at a consignment shop. It’s starting to stretch out and show it’s age so I’m on the lookout to replace it. However, it will be fine until next fall/winter. But, I do really want a white tank top so I can wear it with jeans this summer, à la Kate Hudson in “How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days” - I love the fashion in that movie!

I’m wanting to add more “light and bright” items into my warm weather wardrobe and I also think that a white tank top will be a good layering item in the winter. I’m working towards having a mostly year round capsule wardrobe so pieces that work for all seasons is something that I’m focusing on in this list.

L: AYR The Flex Tank Top ($68); R: Kotn Racer Tank ($38 CAD)

Both of these seem very similar - the AYR one might be a little thicker but I think the Kotn one is higher on the neck.

White crew neck tee

Similarly to the white tank top, I would love to have a white crew neck tee that I can wear with jeans. I have a white tee that I thrifted after the end of my no buy year and it’s fine, but the neck is a little too loose for my liking and I wish the sleeves were a little longer.

The options for a white crew neck tee are plentiful, but these 2 are my top contenders at the moment:

L: AYR The Practice Tee ($78); R: Everlane The Box-Cut Tee ($30)

I’m leaning more towards the AYR one because I prefer the sleeve length, but I’m not sure about spending that much on a tee, which makes the Everlane one more appealing!

Blue jeans

I currently have three pairs of jeans, two black pairs and a two-toned blue pair that I made that are too baggy in the waist and hip area (and not in a good way!). And for a while, that was fine as I didn’t really wear jeans that often.

Also, I have a really hard time finding jeans that fit the way I them to and so I have tended to avoid buying them in the past. But I reached for my jeans a lot over the winter and I’d like to add a pair of lighter blue ones into the mix for spring/summer!

The brands that I currently have are Agolde and Citizens of Humanity, both of which I thrifted. I have also had Levi’s in the past so I know my size in those as well. After some trial and error, I know what I want when it comes to jeans:

1. 100% cotton (I tried on a pair of Levi’s at a local department store and they were 79% cotton, 21% lyocell and while they were comfortable and lightweight, I’m not sure that I’d like the material. Although they could be better for hot summers.)

2. Mid-rise (or a baggier high rise)

3. Straight leg or slightly wide leg

L: Agolde Ren Jeans ($238); R: Levi's '90s Ankle Jeans ($98)

I’ve actually ordered the Levi’s 90s jeans on the right. I really liked the ones that I tried on at the department store, so I decided to go ahead and order the 100% cotton ones. I got the same size that I tried on but I do worry as the material is different - I hope they’re not too tight! The Agolde ones are an option if the Levi’s don’t work out.

Car coat

I’m not a big fan of trench coats as I find them too fussy, but I love the look of a car coat. I’ve been trying to find a vintage one but have had no luck.

My absolute dream one is the Holin Coat from Studio Nicholson, but it’s out of my price range and beyond our individual gifting budget. Maybe if I could save a little of my fun money each month that I could add onto the gifting budget for my birthday, I could make it work!

I also really like this dark taupe one from Ali Golden which is labeled as a trench but I think it looks more like a car coat. I really like the color.

L: Studio Nicholson Holin Coat (£650); R: Ali Golden New Trench ($297)

If I do get a car coat, I would eventually like to get a long quilted liner to go underneath it so that I could use the combo in the winter.

Ballet flats

I haven’t had ballet flats in years! I’ve definitely gone through a heavier soled phase for a few years now and while I’m not giving any of my current shoes up, I’d like to add in a pair of dressier flats for warmer weather and I’m really into the idea of having a cream or white pair. And of all the ballet flats that I’ve looked at, I really like the look of a square toe.

I love the shape of the vamp on the A. Emery flats - it seems like a very flattering shape. And I really enjoy the tie detail and cutouts of the Alohas flats - it feels like a fun take on a Mary Jane!

My only fear with ordering online is that they won’t be comfortable. So, It might be that I buy a similar pair locally that I can try on.

L: A. Emery The Brie Flat ($230); R: Alohas Sway Ballet Flats (€200)

I also like this pair from Alohas.

Bucket bag

Similarly to the ballet flats, I’d really like to have a lighter colored handbag, particularly a bucket bag.

I thrifted a cream bucket bag back in 2019-ish and I’ve worn it every summer, but it’s a little too big and I had decided to declutter it earlier this year. I’ve actually decided to keep it for now until I actually get a replacement, as it would create a hole that I would have to fill quicker than I may plan to.

L: Cuyana Mini Linea Bucket Bag ($298); R: Songmont Mini Bucket Bag ($239)

I’m leaning more towards the Songmont one - I think I prefer the slightly lighter color to the Cuyana one and it goes very nicely with the ballet flats I’ve presented for a little matchy-matchy moment!

Just Because I Think They’re Pretty

L: Etnodim Asymmetric vest ($114); R: Etnodim White linen shirt ($186)

I learned of Etnodim through Danielle and they have the most ridiculously beautiful clothing I’ve ever seen. If you are a fan of embroidery, you need to check them out ASAP!

I definitely think the vest on the left is more of a fantasy self item so I don’t know that I would ever buy it but I could see the white linen shirt with the beautiful embroidery fitting seamlessly into my wardrobe, becoming softer and more loved with every wear.

L: Studio Kelsey Colorblock Vest ($285); R: The Horse Clementine Bag ($240)

I love the idea of wearing a colorful knitted vest as a standalone item in the summer and this one is so unique with the blue/cream on the front and the green/yellow on the back - maybe you can even wear it backwards which would make it even more versatile!

I learned of this handbag brand in the community chat when somebody shared about it. I went back through the chat but I couldn’t find the original reply, so if this was you, thank you for sharing about this brand, and please take credit in the comments! I mentioned in last week’s wardrobe staples newsletter that I have come to realize that I prefer smaller handbags and this one would be perfect. I also really like the color!

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I hope that you enjoyed this peek into how I plan out my wishlist and what items I’ve got my eye on for spring/summer.

I’d love to hear how you create your wishlists and what you’ve added for the warmer months!

As always, thanks for reading!

x Gillian