9.02.2009

Fall Shopping

via madewell, I love this entire look for fall...

I was pretty diligent about sticking to my August "mini shopping ban", and I'm planning to continue it with a small tweak through the end of the year. The girl's birthday and Christmas gifts notwithstanding, my plan is to pay for anything new I buy (whether for the house or clothing, etc...) by selling something old. Needless to say, I'm planning another huge ebay purge.

Currently, I'm ruthlessly going through my closet, taking out anything I've worn only a couple of times in the past year and moving it to Millie's closet. If I go an entire month without thinking about a particular item, I'm putting it on ebay. I think this strategy will weed out all those things I tend to hang onto "just in case", helping me edit my closet down to only the items I truly love and wear... I really believe this makes getting dressed each day infinitely easier, as I'm not distracted by a closet full of clothes I generally feel meh about.

My goal is to own less but love it all.

So what's currently on my Fall wish list? Well there aren't a lot of clothes save those stellar jcrew skinny cords I'm jonesin to wear under short dresses. I also want (notice I didn't say "need") a pair of chunky black boots to wear with skirts + tights and to tuck jeans and said cords into. (I have a pair of caramel boots I wore a ton last year and would love some black ones too.)



cozy anthro cardigan

Besides the cords, boots and a cardigan or two (I'm partial to the one above layered over a tank in early fall and a long sleeve t-shirt when the weather gets cooler), I'm mostly wishing for a few new accessories, specifically a big cozy scarf, a groovy necklace and a fall bag (I still love the Clare Vivier’s nubuck messenger tote, but the jcrew number below is pretty swoon worthy too...) to make my old stuff feel different.

tory burch necklace...

tolani scarf

bag via jcrew


So... what's your shopping strategy for Fall?

22 comments:

Anonymous said...

I like your simplifying strategy. My fall strategy is finding fun cheaper accessories to dress up my basic staples. Also finding different ways to wear one item.

The Depressed Yogi said...

Oh Fall... Fall is the BEST season for clothes, n'est ce pas? In years past I'd go crazy in the shops as soon as the fall clothes arrived (aka when it was still 90 degrees outside). My strategy this year? Not buying anything until it gets chilly, and as you know being a Dallas-ite, that won't be until late October, early November!

Simply Mel {Reverie} said...

You know what they say...one's waste is another's treasure! So...I'll be looking forward to your Ebay sales - ha! :)

My Fall wish list: a great pair of boots, several cozy black/grey/ivory sweaters, and a great pair of new black skinny jeans.

Color Me Green said...

my shopping goals for fall are to find black flats and comfy thick tights to wear under skirts (all the tights i have are so uncomfortable, hence i end up wearing the same pair of spandex way too often).

Johanna said...

This is a great idea! I think I'm going to try to sell some clothing and see what happens. Thank you for the inspiration. Also, I love the cords and the sweater.

Jessica said...

I'm ahead of the game, having already picked up my new brown boots, cute red jacket, basic long sleeve tees, and fresh denim jacket. But I am definitely jonesing for some cords. And I just realized the genius of wearing the cropped ones with boots. I hate the pants pile-up that can occur around the ankles!

Cassie said...

I too love that idea of simplifying my closet. I did a little purge just a week ago that left me feeling pretty good. I've had that "move it to a different place and see if I miss it" strategy going for a little while and I love the way it works. I find myself not really missing what I've moved.

In terms of fall shopping strategies, I'm trying out the upcycling end of things for a bit. I would love a new cardigan or two, but other than that, I'm all for scouring second hand this year. (We've got a couple of really nice resale stores in the city not too far away that I intend to fully use in terms of selling my stuff and buying new.)

Unknown said...

I have my eye on that exact same J.Crew tote. You, my dear, have truly fabulous taste.

Cheers.

P.S. We're throwing a giveaway today!

Jenni said...

sigh...love love love the blue tank in the top photo layed with the card and the BEAUTIFUL J. Crew bag!

Kim in the Cove said...

I am wanting this one particulr pair of chunky low black boots reeeally badly -- and sort of also wanting an as yet unidentified new big giant black bag.

Accessories are the make-it-or-break-it factor to any outfit. The actual clothes are secondary IMHO... at least that's my excuse for my mix-and-match black with black wardrobe. :)

Amanda Nicole said...

Those cords are exactly what I have in mind for fall. I can't wear jeans at my new job, so I need some new cute, fitted trousers. I'll definitely stock up on cardis and cute blouses. Oh, I also need a new pair of boots that are actually comfortable.

style-for-style said...

...to sew more, and repurpose thriftstore finds...

Anonymous said...

A lot of beautiful things on your wishlist for fall! I love that brown bag!

Anonymous said...

A lot of beautiful things on your wishlist for fall! I love that brown bag!

Callie Grayson said...

I love those BOOTS!! rocking my world!

Anonymous said...

-purple and gray cardigans
-new black boots
-cropped gray blazer
-new skinny jeans

That is my fall plan. So far. And it's totally subject to change, since we have had 68 days over 100. I can only think summer.

oh, hello friend. said...

lots of SCARVES! i love scarves. and cardigans :) im so excited for fall! extra accessorizing!

xo. danni

Taylor said...

fabulous post!

I too, have wanted to shed all the stuff that distracts me from the things I truly love and purchase only items I truly love from now on. here is my list for the fall/winter and what I've picked up so far:

1 pair chocolate or tan boots..probably from JCrew.

1 huge & fabulous purse: (just got this last night) the front knot tote in seafoam from Urban Outfitters.

1 new cardigan since I have too many to count but it will be similar to my ruffle front one from Anthropologie- I lived in that last fall.

Several long sleeve basic tissue t's from JCrew

1 pair skinny jeans in the darkest wash I can find.

1 cropped wool jacket in ivory: got this AND a trench from www.tulle4us.com for less than $70 and they are to-die-for.

One thing that has helped me in this whole saving money/ getting rid of waste/ buying what I love deal is a budget. I figured out what I used to spend on clothes, cut that in half and then broke 50

Taylor said...

sorry my comp freaked out- I cut that in half and then broke the amount up into quarterly allotments. I have to really consider what I purchase now but at the same time I am learning more about what I need and dont!

jessica | destined to design said...

i like your thinking. it's a very smart way to operate. it's true that you really only "love" maybe half of your wardrobe, and when you put the other half on, you don't really feel great anyway. best of luck with your sales!

i adore those uo boots and the j.crew bag. nice (and timeless) selections.

Mrs.French said...

basics and layers...most of all diving into what I have...your choices are perfect...xo t

Melissa de la Fuente said...

I adore all of these picks hun and am completely madly in love( I mean, head over heels) with the navy, shoulder bag version of that j.crew bag) *sigh* Lovely picks and gorgeous taste..as always!
xo
Melis