BEDKNOBS & BAUBLES

August Wardrobe Update

by

Budget-August2015

OBSERVATIONS
For me, summer is all about loose, gauzy dresses. They’re pieces you can skimp on because the fit is so forgiving, but that usually leads to sartorial gluttony. I mean, when you can stay on budget and have a closet full of new dresses, why not?! Now that I’m starting to transition to fall purchases, I noticed a significant shift in the way I select items. I’m paying closer attention to construction, fabric, and fit. That comes with a higher price tag, leading to fewer new items. On one hand, I thought I’d be bummed about this. Having fresh pieces to wear is a lot of fun! But, truth be told, that much accumulation is overwhelming. I’m eager to make more mindful purchases this season of quality basics and worthwhile statement pieces. I’m also turning to my closet to create a list of “missing links” I’d like to find. Normally, I get distracted by a retailer’s new arrivals and start adding items to my wish list without much thought. Doing so leads me to neglect the items I need to make the rest of my wardrobe functional. Next month, I’d like to find a wool (or heavy crepe) black a-line shift that falls a couple of inches above my knees. I’d like it to be sleeveless with a crew neck so I can layer shirts underneath. I want it to look great with flats or ankle boots and be a canvas for a large pendant necklace. That can’t be too hard to find, right? I also had “statement outerwear” on my fall wish list this year. I ordered the J.Crew wool cape earlier this week. Fingers crossed that it fulfills that wardrobe hole. I already have a bright coat in emerald green and a black peacoat, so I should be set for outwear this year if this indulgent piece works out.

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PURCHASED

  • JCOS Studios messenger bag with lock in mud ($165): Be prepared for a long wait for the arrival of this bag. I ordered it on July 29, it shipped on Aug. 21, and arrived on Aug. 25. I was afraid I’d fall out of love with it by the time it came, but I was pleasantly surprised by the quality of the bag. The stitching is even and the hardware feels sturdy. I’m planning to write a full review  after I’ve had a chance to use it for a few weeks. Just let me know if you have any questions in the meantime, though.
  • J.Crew merino wool pullover sweater in heather graphite ($64): You already know how much I love this. I went with my regular J.Crew sweater size. The sleeves in an XS fit best, but I preferred the drape of the size small.

Wardrobe-Update-Aug2015-Gifted

GIFTED
As always, I want to be transparent about what I’ve received from companies for review or as part of a collaboration. I’m selective about the pieces I accept and will only work with companies I feel good about recommending.

  • BB Dakota “Bronwen” dress c/o Shopbop: I’m crazy about this dress and I’m antsy for the weather to improve so I can actually wear it! I originally ordered it in a medium and large. The large was huge, which I kind of expected. The medium fit well on top, but had a stain on the front. It was worth the wait for an unscathed version to arrive a few days later! It’s fully lined, looks great against sun-kissed skin, and will only run you $50.
  • Julie  Nolan astrological cuff c/o UncommonGoods: I like the idea of astrological jewelry, but it can get tacky awfully fast. Julie Nolan’s bracelet has subtle cutouts of your sign’s constellation for an understated piece of personalized jewelry. You can see it on me here.

DIDN’T WORK OUT
Of course, with every successful shopping month, there are some misses:

  • Parker “Juliet” fit and flare dress (also available at Amazon, Shopbop, and Neiman Marcus): This is darling and the fabric is thick. It just runs awfully small.
  • Topshop embroidered off the shoulder dress: Ignore the guideline to order the size in parentheses for best fit and go down even furter. This thing is huge. I hated that it wasn’t lined and was partially sheer in the sunlight. It also made me look like a rectangle.
  • LOFT mini dot shirred dress: I ordered this in my regular size 8 and a 10. Confusingly, the waist fit the same in both sizes and the bodice was too loose in each as well. The zipper extends down past the waist and flips out a bit, so it looked like I had a duck tail hiding under the skirt. All in all, I loved the idea of this, just not the execution — and I’m not paying money to alter polyester. Back it went.
  • Lou & Grey skinny leather belt: Terrible quality. The one I received had kinks all over it and looked like it had been worn by someone else for months.

See all of the year’s wardrobe additions here.

 

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linking with Fran

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Budget Update: June 2017

Budget Update: April 2016

Budget Update: May 2017

Wardrobe Update: November 2017

Comments

  1. I’m feeling the same way as you regarding fall purchases. I really need to be more mindful. Thankfully, I realized I already have a really great fall/winter wardrobe going, so I’m only planning on adding a few things to spice it up a bit. Can’t wait to see what else you end up buying for your wardrobe! (I always look forward to your update posts, honestly, haha.) I actually have a couple of poly items getting altered right now. I hardly ever get things altered (and really would not alter poly, or rather, not buy something poly that needed altering), but I realized I would wear one of the items ALL the time if it was altered slightly. (The other item needed it… The skirt shrunk and lining didn’t–boo!)

  4. I loved reading this round up of closet additions! I think it’s smart to shop for pieces that meet strict criteria, that way you end up with pieces you really love and wear the heck out of rather than a bunch of stuff that doesn’t have staying power. (Not that we don’t all need some frivolous things sometimes too!) LOVE that J.Crew sweater and good luck finding your perfect black dress!

  5. Love the bag, such a great color!! And yep, I’m already planning for Fall too. I finally found a pair of brown heels that I need for my brown dresses (Actually 2 pairs, I ordered both but am returning one – hopefully the more expensive pair.) I also need navy heels because I have a lot of navy in my closet now, ha ha.
    http://www.closet-fashionista.com/

    • Haha. Yeah, it totally is. I went back and forth on how I felt about that ethically. When it was all said and done, I figured I was fine with it since I could never afford the real version and this one isn’t pretending to be a real Chloe with some misspelled brand name or an accent on a different letter. 😉

      I wouldn’t be surprised if they get sued eventually, though. They also have knockoffs of other designers.

      On an unrelated note, I’m loving your Europe Snapchats! It looks like you’re having a ball!

  10. That bag = complete purse porn. I get that it’s their take on Chloe’s Drew, but there are enough unique features that make it a worthy purchase. Looking forward to your review. Grey sweaters are where it’s at, I also go one this month. Best of luck with your fall shopping strategy, it’s well planned and I can’t wait to see the results.

    http://www.citronetlimon.wordpress.com

  12. That cape will definitely be a statement piece! Where did you get your emerald green coat? I’ve been looking for exactly that, but I haven’t seen that colour pop up in any of the retailers yet. I’m assuming it was from a previous season?

  13. Ooh, thanks for reviewing the mini dot dress! It’s been on my wishlist, but, even with Loft’s awesome sales, it sounds like it’s not worth the price.

    That J.Crew sweater looks so soft!

    xo nicole
    writeslikeagirlblog.com

  15. That JCOS bag is really cute, though as you say in the discussion here, it is so similar to the Chloe Drew that it could give one pause! (No judgment from this corner, as I might or might not be contemplating a similar purchase of a logo-less obvious knockoff of a bag that I could never afford or bring myself to buy for real. Thus, I’m in the same position of thinking through the ethics of it too. My source is probably even more dubious than JCOS too, as mine would be an Aliexpress wholesaler… which might mean that I have to say no to the purchase.)

  16. I love the bag … I remember that you had blogged about it before and I even visited the website.
    I hope its as good quality as it looks.

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