"shopping my closet"
instead of running out and buying new clothes,
wearing the basics that I already own
adding a scarf or some jewelry to create a bit of interest
so that I do not get bored.
I purchased this scarf before I went to Paris last Spring.
I had planned to take it with me but found that it was too bulky.
It is perfect for the Fall and Winter weather here.
I love the colours in this scarf as they mesh and meld with all my black and grey staples.
The texture is soft and feels a bit like it has been "felted."
I picked this up at our local Pharmasave store in Oak Bay for about $25.00
I've worn in with this striped Lands' End tunic top and black leggings and ankle boots.
When we were in Vancouver recently
I popped into Eileen Fisher shop on South Granville.
I love Eileen Fishers designs
she sells such great basics
in the tones that I love to wear
and
the fabrics and textures of her garments are splendid.
However
I consider her prices to be a wee bit expensive now that I am retired.
But wait...
I spied a lovely viscose charcoal top on the sale rack
in my size
the last one!
I had a $25.00 off coupon too so the price was even better.
I snapped a quick shot of the top in our hotel room.
The wool is cozy and warm and the fabric itself is soft.
The hem dips down at either side on the bottom.
The neck is a U shape so I can showcase some of my necklaces when I am not wearing a scarf.
It will get LOTS of wear...that is how I am justifying this "one new thing."
Have you been shopping your closet
Or
shopping the shops?
30 comments:
I've been doing a bit of both, but a lot less shopping than I used to do. I have enjoyed shopping my closet lately, mixing up my usual combinations. By doing this, I realized that I didn't have much to wear for an evening out. With the holidays coming, I decided to add a flowy, sheer (not too sheer) gold top from Chico's and a white silk blouson blouse with a keyhole back. Both will mix nicely with my best black pants and neither broke the bank.
I have been trying to shop my closet as much as possible but I did buy a cashmere tunic (a similar colour and style to yours) at a local shop. I wear grey jeans or leggings a lot so it is a good look with my silver infinity scarf. I have been tempted by the EF discount and advertising that arrive regularly but I have made an effort to resist. I would really like to visit Ireland next year so the "frugality" is worth it.
I was taking a visiting GF shopping at her request, and tried on a navy sweater I loved- almost bought, but thought I should check my closet first. Turns out I have four navy sweaters (did know I had one or two...but FOUR!) and a navy sweater coat. So many times shopping is done to fill another need; I think I was just having fun watching her shop and wanted to join in.
Love that top on you, getting quite boho and it suits you!
Still enjoying the variety in my closet after seven weeks out of the carry-on, and until I step into J Crew or Holt's or the new Nordstrom, I think I can hold the line. But I'm not sure how I'll do once the Christmas shopping begins. . . I've booked a trip in the New Year, though, to visit my granddaughter, and I have to balance the budget. . . .
Hi Leslie- greetings from your astral twin! I have to say that in retirement I have become much more particular about what I buy- ie, it must be better than what I currently have in the closet and so that mantra weeds out many silly purchases that I would be sure to regret later.
The top looks great on you! I was digging around on Nordstrom.com and saw an Eileen Fisher top that looks like the same style, but not wool (I think a viscose blend) and sadly, not on sale.
I love scarves too and got two new ones this fall. Both plaid
I've been doing a bit of both but I'm trying very hard not to buy more at the moment .... unless it's a well thought out "classic" piece that I feel I'll wear a lot. I can be such an impulse shopper! Buying something because it's beautiful then realising that as much as I love it, that I don't actually wear it very often! For example beautiful winter jumpers!! ... when I come to wear them I always find them too hot ... but somehow I'm still tempted! :)
I've a grey cashmere tunic like yours that I do wear a lot!! Always feel stylish, works for lots of occasions and whilst warm and cosy is not hot and uncomfortable!
A good buy hostess ...it looks lovely with your scarf.
Have a good weekend,
Rosie
Thank you for this comment ...I just checked the tag and see that it is viscose! I have amended my post.
Plaid is a great print for Fall and winter scarves....
I have seen quite a few tempting ones in the shops!
I empathize with you about the heat with wearing wool sweaters. I think that is why I like cashmere...it is thinner than many wools but keeps me cozy and warm but not boiling hot!
If you find something beautiful and you love it you don not have to save it for a special occasion? Wear it and embrace the feeling of beauty!
Elizabeth...I completely agree with you!
I try to keep "silly purchases" only for accessories, that way I can add whimsy and not break my budget!
I suppose that hem contributes to a BoHo vibe...
I was thinking of it as a classic but with a twist!
Good that you realized early on that your evening wear was lacking...there is nothing worse than last minute panic shopping! Your two new tops sound really pretty.
Ireland is where my ancestors came from...a trip is so much more fun than a few new garments! The memories will last a lifetime....clothes do not.
Your closet must be larger than mine...I can see all my in season clothes at one glance!
(out of season and dressy clothes take up half of our guest room closet)
It is not surprising that you are drawn to what you love. I find that we tend to buy similar colours and styles over and over again...have you worn those navy sweaters since rediscovering their hiding place?
I love the idea of "one new thing" that makes a difference in our wardrobes. Finding the perfect EF piece at a good price is great! I wear EF also. I popped into our local Dallas EF store yesterday. The wonderful sale associates (and I know all of them now) told me that there will be a big 20% sale on this coming Wednesday/ I saw (and tried on) a great sweater. I'm now contemplating whether or not if is distinct enough from my other EF pieces to warrant buying it. Such a first world conundrum!
A bit of both for me as well. I managed to find a soft grey sweater in French Connection after seeing the one in one of your earlier posts. Love it! And have discovered the delights of Mint Velvet but only one purchase. Winter has properly arrived today here in the North of England so the cosy sweaters will come out of storage. Retirement means I can snuggle down in them and forget the office attire. Bliss!
A bit of both for me as well. I managed to find a soft grey sweater in French Connection after seeing the one in one of your earlier posts. Love it! And have discovered the delights of Mint Velvet but only one purchase. Winter has properly arrived today here in the North of England so the cosy sweaters will come out of storage. Retirement means I can snuggle down in them and forget the office attire. Bliss!
Even before I retired I started to question what I was buying. It seemed to me I was filling too many bags for the charity shop with things I hardly wore or things I never wore. I wasn't enjoying working and wanted to retire so reducing my spending seemed to be the answer. The other thing I noticed I seemed to wear the same things all the time. Instead of utilizing the variety in my wardrobe. I now wear a variety of things. I've upgraded my around the house clothing and bought good comfortable shoe's. I'm going to make a dress for Xmas day and I was thinking of buy new shoes after looking around I had to ask myself do I really need them .The answer is no, so will see. One small thing can make a big difference my girlfriend gave me a gorgeous necklace for my birthday love it and it works with so many things. I'm not a shopper so I'm not tempt and I need to plan before I go out and buy..
What a good buy your top is, just the sort of item that I like - it would have been foolish to resist! I'm over my usual weight by 10lbs or so and therefore NOT BUYING ANYTHING until I return to normal, hopefully sometime in the New Year when the sales are on! I've been looking for a very fine white cotton polo or funnel neck to wear under existing clothes without any success. It is my only current 'need'.
Great looking top and a terrific price. I do hound EF sales as well as go to their outlet. I see you getting a lot if wear out of this beauty. Other than replacing a few worn out things, I'm shopping my closet. We are getting too close to retirement to do otherwise. Plus I like what I have and really dislike trends.
If that sweater is meant to be...it will be yours.
Its is so lovely to dress for our retirement and not for our jobs!!
I am doing that happy dance...I dress "up" for bridge, Mah Jongg, and to run my errands. Funny thing is that I rarely stay in my robe any more...when I worked I hung out in it much more.
ooh I feel some excitement reading your comment.
Girlfriends are the BEST!
Trends are for the very young...we have honed our styles and know ourselves.
Retirement does not mean lowering the "bar" I think it is "raising it for our personal pleasure."
I have put together a spread sheet of my clothes. An inventory. This makes it so easy to see what I have. I have coloured coded the clothes using paint chips from a major paint manufacture and I have them sorted the spread sheet on that. I have grouped the clothes according to function - singlets, short skirts, long skirts. The spread sheet is a real aid to shopping my wardrobe. I assume that other have computer skills as well as me. Happy Shopping however you do it. Carol S
Oh I am impressed by your organizational skills!
Janice author of the blog Vivienne Files has a similar approach to planning and maintaining a wardrobe. I find having a tiny closet keeps me from purchasing too many items.
Lately I've really pared down my wardrobe and have been having a lot more peace knowing that everything fits, looks good and can be combined to make different looks. I guess that I fall into the own closet rather than stores category. Actually, I hate shopping retail and rarely do. I hate the thought of yet more stuff in my life, making room for yet more products to hit shelves, be thrown out into the environment, hate the toxic fire retardants and sizing new clothes are drenched with, and hate paying retail prices! I'm not a very good shopper...lol.
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