Left behind

"I love Tokyo" t-shirt
plaid flannel button down
green cotton military parka
hanging ceramic plant pot
homemade painting, badly mounted


oh, recession. you leave me with regrets.

taking a break

i have to reconsider what i want to do on this blog.

Buying clothes lacks the pure pleasure of a few years ago. The recession comes into play, of course, but only in indirect ways. My personal income is the same, and I don't fear losing my job any more than at any other time, but it feels unseemly to carry on in the same blithe way.

The real loss of pleasure comes more from an awareness of why I buy things--to fill a void. It's not a tremendous revelation, but only so when applied personally.

The more things I have, the more aware I am of the emptiness that all these things cannot stem.

Still, I buy far less often now but with a great deal more care and thought. And that is where the pleasure derives, these days. Now when I acquire something, there's greater knowledge of myself involved, that I know what I like and don't like.

Labor Day sale

I went to the Value Village on Labor Day, during their 50% off sale. After much trawling for goods, I came up with a tailored grey wool blazer (found miscategorized in the boy's section), Bass Weejuns loafers with tassels, and a striped scarf (very very outsized...I plan to pile it around my ears come this winter).

Fall list

black capsleeve sweater
pencil skirt
sweater(s)
wooly cardigan in a dark neutral, like grey or mushroom
wooly cardigan in a nordic knit
clarks wallabees
wooly tights

wants

desk
sofa
filson backpack
travel/camping supplies

Since the A.P.C. sale

I have seriously curtailed my clothing acquisitions. I placed a big order during the summer sale (I anticipate this sale for months ahead of time), some of which I plan to decide upon and return once they arrive. So now I think I am mostly finished with summer stuff. It never gets that warm here, anyway.

I also have to reserve my funds for other purchases, like camping gear.

college style

been thinking about how i used to dress in college. i was more in tune with my personal style then, and less in style. didn't follow trends.

instead, my small wardrobe--which fit into a cardboard box whenever it was time to move--consisted of:

tee shirts
one pair of jeans
a few skirts
overalls
flower print dress (which I still have)
one pr of oxford shoes with lug soles
one pr of birkenstock


my look, such as it was, was kinda crunchy granola.

at some point, i decided that i liked the "coltish" look and so acquired a few skirts and some chunky shoes (see above) and wore that much of the time.

overalls

i've found the perfect pair. oshkosh b'gosh, kid size 12. it's sturdier than any pair i've ever had, but not stiff. there is a green taping ribbon reinforcing the bottom. the sides are low, with only two buttons (much cuter than any tapered overalls). and the length is perfect! no overall puddle at my feet.

simple

part of my inspiration to go cheap is from noting the style that i admire in the blogosphere.


just a simple vintage nightie worn with a slip. i think the belt pulls the outfit together beautifully.


another example of her repetition of a theme. in the earlier shot, the caramel color of her accessories. here, the ruffles in the top and bottom.


nothing extraordinary in the pieces. since i've noticed how important belts are to finishing an outfit, especially one based around skirts or dresses, i acquired another one today. a large woven leather belt handmade in turkey.


just the sort of simple vintage silk dress that you always hope to find in your thrift store circuits. it's the will o' the wisp of the thrift world: the piece elusive but much sought after, that keeps you going when all you keep finding are duds.

money

i've come to the decision that money isn't that necessary for a good wardrobe, and in fact can be detrimental to personal style.

a little bit of money is good. it's elevated the quality of my clothes, and i'm less likely to see someone walking by in my outfit. i like being able to afford clothes in anthropologie, my favorite clothing store. i couldn't find a similar style in the gap, for example.

but beyond the occasional $50 item, and the quality leather goods like shoes and handbags, i don't see the need to spend a lot for clothing. i've returned to thrifting, and i'm finding again unique pieces that speak more to my personal style.

so my new spending goal? thrift. spend less on stuff. less impulsive buys. really love what i get. and only splurge on a.p.c. basics and (sometimes) the stuff i couldn't find in f21 or other store.

i regret the wastefulness of the past few years, but i guess i was figuring things out. i have a big pile of things to take to the used clothing shops this week.

Apple pendant watch

I originally wanted the cherry version, but this is pretty cute too. A little pop of red, a little dose of metaphor (the teacher's apple), a little bit of time.

Practical gaps in my wardrobe

hoodie
hanes white tees for jogging
fleece zip up
wool underlayer
another pair of hiking socks

Orla Kiely

I preordered this handbag. Originally offered on the Anthropologie website, soon after spotted on the streets of Seattle, and located long after the fact for jacked-up prices on eBay and then on Revolve for less than Anthropologie prices.

favorite brands

clothes:
a.p.c.
anthropologie
american apparel
forever 21
(wishlist: see by chloe & marc by marc jacobs)

shoes:
clarks
converse
repetto
a.p.c.
worishofer
sven
(wishlist: chie mihara)

handbags:
marc by marc jacobs
miu miu

jewelry:
forever 21
tiffany's

favorites

in heavy rotation. at the moment.

faded denim cropped overalls (jordache, thrifted)
3/4 layering tees in white and yellow (j.crew and c&c california)
suede desert trek shoes (clarks originals)

short hair

i like this haircut on michelle williams.

cute little bob. flips at the end.

running

going to start running as an exercise regimen. picked up a pair of addidas running shoes, 25% off at macy's. later this week, i'll get a pair of interlock running shorts from american apparel, in grass green, and some athletic socks.

more madness

anthropologie
high-waisted denim skirt with tie ... kind of a casual french feel
canvas tulip skirt ... perfect for work, nice with my clarks
brown jersey top ... earthy

forever 21 during a speed shopping jaunt
stiff denim puffy mini ... it's gotta be a knockoff of something

urban outfitters
white tee with girl's face on it ... i got it simply for the pink in her hair
studded belt ... subtly beaded, another one that needs hole punching

anthropologie online
wide leather belt ... to cinch the waist over skirts and dresses
green striped top ... i saw this full price months ago

insomniac order

Getting to a uniform

I want to have a uniform. so that i can minimalize my closet, streamline getting ready in the morning, have everything coordinate with everything else, and reduce the number of wrong purchases i make. if i know what i really love to wear and how i love to wear it, it will also make shopping easier, and i'll feel less guilty about buying big-ticket items.

Rachel Comey Gimlet Wedge in Black

Rachel Comey Gimlet Wedge in Black, originally uploaded by Impulse Seattle.

this grew on me.

it's so odd but lovely. the carved wedge heel is the best part. i won't put in on my wishlist, but i wish for it.

Bonus

So I may be coming into some unexpected cash soon.

possible wishlist??

-trip. NYC. or else. out to the country and the islands!
-marc by marc jacobs sunglasses. i wanted a pair last year and was dissuaded. still want.
-wait for the a.p.c. summer sale.
-transmission fluid change for the car.
-nikon d40
-sex and the city dvd set.
-motorcycle jacket...a real one for the scooter.
-open face helmet
-goggles.


hmmm...it's like christmas, trying to remember all the things i wanted that i tried to forget, since i had no moola to get them.

trying very hard not to buy any spring or summer things. just not practical in this cold and wet climate. besides, i still have all the summery things i hauled up from texas.

Regrets

I wish that I had gotten the Isabel Marant short wool skirt this winter. It went on Thanksgiving sale for 30% off, but I was hoping for more. As it is, I see that the choicest offerings from Isabel Marant rarely goes on deep sale.

So now I know. Add that skirt to the list of waited-too-longs. Included would be the APC smock dress that I was hoping would come around again this summer, but it looks like no.

Oh well. That only encourages me to sharpen my thinking when it comes to clothes. I have to be able to discern when to strike, and when to wait.

This summer, I don't want to buy anything spendy at all. It's a waste for summer clothing. But I do want to invest in some good quality heels, either vintage or in the better end range. Have to save my pennies for that.

Wanted

thick wooly ribbed grey or lighter tights

...

to wear with my new nerd-chic shoes

Yay APC

I absolutely adore everything about this outfit.

- dove grey, muted color
- soft corduroy
- short skirt
- overalls
- trench coat
- kinder-block necklace

I love A.P.C. They provide the cornerstones to my wardrobe expansion.