My fashion purchases 2020
When is last time you bought clothes?
Do you remember? Was it last week, last month or a year ago?
Do you even remember what you bought last year?
For some of us, shopping for clothes can be quite daunting. Either we come back home with too much stuff ( some that we will probably hardly wear), or sometimes, the decision making process is a nightmare and we come home empty handed .
Personally, I used to really enjoy clothes shopping ( especially a good bargain), but over the years, it ended up filling my wardrobe with clothes that I only wore once or twice, so it was not really sustainable, and I started to think of a way to improve how I shop.
So I worked out the best for me was to shop in June-July period when I was going back to France for the items I established I needed, and during the rest of the year in South Africa, I would look for vintage or local designers that I love.
All of that avoiding as much as I could to buy online as I love touching and feeling fabrics.
Then Covid hit in March 2020, and the world changed overnight. My trip to France was not going to happen and my main income from Interior design was nearly inexistant.
But I am a woman, and I do like to find new outfits and I consider shopping for clothes a treat that I give to myself. So I made a point of carrying on treating myself in 2020, probably to keep my sanity as well.
When 2020 ended, I thought that it could be an interesting to go over my purchases for the year and get some insights on why I bought them and possibly learn some lessons.
I am not here to judge the way I shop or your way of shopping, but merely to have a conscious review of what came in my wardrobe in 2020.
For each of the 13 items of clothes I bought I will be going through the reason of the purchase and the lesson I learnt from it.
#1 Wide legged white pants
I have always be attracted to white pants, they are classy and bring an element of chic to any outfits, but for some odd reason I always thought that they look better on other people, so I never owned one.
I came across this pair when I was in jeffrey’s Bay (over my short December holiday) at one of the surfer’s shop, and I really liked the cut ( 7/8 length. Flat front, wide legs) and the fabric ( 100 % linen).
It was a a reduced price so another reason to take the jump!
I love to wear it with tekkies and a colourful top tucked in or with a few boxy and flowy tops that I layer.
I just make sure that the tops don’t sit at the widest hip point.
Lesson Learnt:
A white trouser is an essential piece of your wardrobe, but you still have to think about what you are going to wear it with before purchasing it.
#2 White long sleeve shirt
I have to say that the very rare times that I went out clothes shopping last year , was in a mall nearby and the choice was not really extensive, so my main go to was H&M, which I normally try to avoid as much as I can, because of the Fast- fashion label attached to it.
I found this shirt there and was attracted to the classic cut and the versatility of the piece.
Easy to dress down with jeans, easy to dress up with navy blazer and colourful trousers.
Lesson learnt:
If you shop in Fast fashion shops, please look at the tags and where it is made, make sure the quality is the best you can find there, and promise yourself to wear it more than 2 seasons.
#3 Wide legged jeans
For quite some time, I have been tempted to try out this cut, as I am getting sick and tired of skinny or straight legged jeans,
We all have to many of the same jeans in our wardrobe !
And this one had a very flattering flat front..
I fell for it, but I couldn’t quite imagine what to wear with at the time without having to buy more clothes to pair it with.
I took a chance and I bought it
Lesson learnt:
This cut is not easy to wear and it is especially difficult to keep the original unconventional style to it.
Make sure you know what to wear with it to keep its quirky style before you buy it.
#4 Grey slack pants
In my classic creative style personality, I am always attracted to classic, timeless piece.
I was seduced by the simple cut of these trousers and the comfortable elastic waist at the back.
Perfect for in between seasons and also nice to have a pair of slack pants for meetings.
I normally don’t overdo patterns on the bottom piece as it is not the best for my Triangle Body Shape ( more on the body shape in another blog.), but I really like the thin checkers line of this pair of trousers.
Lesson learnt:
When you buy an item of clothing that is more office/work like, make sure that you can also wear it in a casual way.
#5 Green vintage coat
It was a winter day in cape town, and we were still in a hard lockdown, but I happened to have a meeting in town with a client.
After me meeting and before heading back home, I stopped at a vintage shop en route and found this coat.
This beautiful emerald green coat caught my eye and it was love at first sight.
Certainly boxy and oversized but I was determined to make it work.
Lesson learnt:
Allow yourself to try colours for big pieces like coats, blazers… It is so worth it.
#6 Pink workers jacket
Years back, I put my hands on a dark blue workers jacket ( Mao’s jacket), very traditional in heavy cotton that I wore a lot with jeans, so when I saw this pink colour, I also fell in love.
More colours in my wardrobe, Yeah!
Again this style is quite boxy and not really feminine, but as it sits above the widest part of my hips, it doesn’t really add bulk to my silhouette.
I love wearing this jacket with dresses to bring a little contrast.
The colour is really feminine,and is in my colour palette too!
Lesson learnt:
Same as #5, you have to try colour for bigger piece, not only for nail polish and earrings !
#7 Dungaree
I am a Dungaree lover but the problem I have with Dungarees is that their traditional cut makes me appear bulkier than I am .
There is no waist definition around the waist and my body appears as wide as my hips.
This one really caught my eyes, as it had a clear waist line with a thing elastic band and a tie at the back.
I loved the texture in the stripes and the light weight of the fabric.
Ideal summer wear with or without T-shirt underneath.
Lesson learnt:
When looking for a dungaree, make sure it suits your body shape, If your hips are wider than your shoulder, check that it is cut at the waist, so it defines your silhouette in a flattering way.
#8 Silk shirt
I absolutely love the feeling of silk on my skin and on top of the fact that it is light, it also keeps you warm.
Together with cashmere, silk is my other favorite fabric, and yes, they are luxury items but they last forever.
I still have silk tops and cashmere jumpers that I bought decades ago.
And trust me , If you have a daughter, she will borrow them from you!!
Lesson learnt:
When buying luxury fabrics, wait for “sale” season and look after then well so the cost- per-wear becomes reasonable.
#9 Vintage yellow dress
On another one of my meetings days in town, where I was sourcing antiques for a client (yes, I am also an interior designer) , I came across this beautiful yellow dress, handmade probably in the 70’s.
It really didn’t take long for me to adopt it.
Although it was not in the most suitable shade of yellow for me, it had my name on it!
Lesson learnt:
Sometimes, you have to follow your instinct. Some pieces just have your name on it.
#10 Gypsy skirt / crochet shawl
Another one of my vintage finds as I wanted to get out of my house on a bleak Covid afternoon.
On the shelf of that tiny charity shop, together with old blankets and tired bed sheets, I saw a gold crochet shawl.
I pulled it out and instantly started to think about the ways to upcycle it so that it could be part of my wardrobe.
After 5 minutes in the shop, I had a plan and the lady looked at me with a big smile ( probably a big relief as I presume that this shawl has been sitting on this shelf for way too long).
Back home, I added 2 buttons along the long side of the shawl for the waist and I cut a petty coat skirt to follow the slanted side of the shawl.
It became my new year’s eve outfit!
I will probably not wear it often, but I love the way I feel when I wear it.
Lesson learnt:
Look for a piece that you can upcycle in an easy way, it is fun and so rewarding.
#11 orange jersey.
As I got stuck for winter in South africa in 2020 ( I usually go back to France for 6/7 weeks to visit my family in their European summer), my jerseys collection was a bit limited and as I spent most of my days in my cold office on online meetings, I really needed warm but colourful tops.
I found this jersey at H&M, and was seduced by the tag that said 100% recycled material. I normally wouldn’t buy acrylic but as it was recycled I gave it a try.
I wore it often with big bold red earrings for a bright pop of colour but unfortunately, the quality is very poor and it won’t be seeing another season in my wardrobe.
Lesson learnt:
Stick to natural fibers (even better if they are recycled), and the materials you normally love.
I say NO for good to acrylic.
#12 White T-shirt
being stuck at home for so long in Lock down, I spent a lot of my time on social media, and sourcing new brands and local designers That I could recommend to my clients when we do the Mindful shopping plan ( check my services for more info).
One day, I came across this young designer @myexboyfriendtshirt whose concept was to embroider on a plain white Tee-shirt ( hence the ex boy friend T -shirt).
I was seduced by her craftmanship and the quote on this particular t-shirt.
Lesson learnt:
Support more the small local businesses.
Your purchase will make a difference in their lives
#13 Pink jersey
This last item was also purchased in my never ending quest for warmth and colour in winter.
This time, I would not repeat the same mistake, and I was delighted to find this 100% wool sweater.
I loved the deep V neckline that is very feminine if you don’t wear anything underneath.
This colour works like a bomb with all my blues ( jeans, navy trousers , scarves.)
Lesson learnt:
Again those 100% wool are not cheap, so wait for the sale. And if you buy them at full price, don’t settle for a “safe” colour like black, grey, beige or navy!
You will thank me next winter when you wear your pink jersey!
The rest of my purchases were 2 pairs of leather shoes ( brogues and flats), 2 colourful leather belts to wear on my dresses and a wool scarf.
Although It didn’t seem like a lot of purchases throughout the year, writing about it made me realize how I actually shop and I truly believe it is a good exercise for you to try as well.
Do it in a non judgemental way, take what comes from it, and learn from it ( if there is any lesson to be learnt).
I hope you have enjoyed this article, and If you need a little guidance with your wardrobe,
I will gladly assist you in creating new outfits with what you have
or designing a mindful shopping plan according to your unique Style.
Yours in style,
HM xx