Category: Money
Fall Forward
We’re back to my favorite season! A change from the past few years is I’m out and about more (required unfortunately.) But the positive means I get to have fun with dressing again!
In previous posts I separated my wish list from my styling post but I thought I’d combine them this go around. I kept a running list all year and was able to find some things over the Spring & Summer instead of waiting until Fall began. Here’s what I added to my wardrobe this season and some thoughts on why as well.
WISHLIST ITEMS
Camel Pocket Bag Blazer (69) $350
I got this in black last year and LOVE it, especially for travel. The giant pockets hold entire worlds, the denim is great for multiple seasons, and the cut is very wide and comfortable. I wanted to get this additional color for a lighter neutral option which I know will mix and match with so much.
Red Hoodie (Everybody.World) $120
I realized one rainy Summer day I didn’t have a hooded sweatshirt anymore. This is mainly because I don’t really consider them my style and once old ones no longer fit I got rid of them and didn’t replace them. The closest I have is a lounge robe made of stretchy jersey cotton. Well I saw this bright red beauty from a new-to-me brand and added it to the list. 100% cotton, a boxy fit with room in the chest, and my fav color? This will surely last me some years.
Oversized White button ups (Nordstrom) $50 & $46
Found both of these in the anniversary sale. I was looking to replace one I thrifted awhile back that is more fitted and is made of a brushed cotton/flannel fabric. It also only has 1 chest pocket which I have never liked the look of. One of these has no pockets, and the other has two, which are both my preferenceover just one.
Loose Jeans (Re/Done via Nordstrom Rack) $50
These fit amazingly well in my waist, tummy, and legs and I’m still surprised by it. They were also an incredible deal at over 80% off retail at Nordstrom Rack.
Cream Loafers (Alohas) $123, on sale
I’ve wanted some loafers for some years now, but not in the standard black. Looked a bit for a chunky style in this lighter hue and found these. I’ve heard positive reviews about the brand being comfortable, which is a must for any shoes I buy now.
Abstract Shape Tote (Primecut Bags) $348
Fell in love with this as soon as they released it over the summer. I’d been on the lookout for a new work bag and this one is the perfect combo of fun & me.
STILL SAVING FOR
Striped Sweater $236
Check back later to see how I’m styling them!
12 in 21
As the years have progressed, I’ve been steadily tracking my spending on clothing. Though I’d say the overall volume has decreased since my fast fashion/thriftaholic days, the cost has risen because slow fashion is much more expensive. I would like to work on lowering both the amount of apparel I buy as well as how much I spend on it.
Amelia (@ameliaswardrobeedit) proposed the idea of limiting ourselves to just 12 items–1 item per month–for this new year. I’m going to try my very best to stick with this because I honestly have more than enough clothes and so many are really comfy, well made favorites.
#12in21
Some guidelines for myself:
At least half (6) of the items will be from BIPOC owned brands.
*I originally was counting shoes in the 12, but decided to separate them into their own list.
Accessories, underwear/lounge, secondhand, replacements, and self made items won’t count.
Each month I will update this post with the item I went with and details about it.
Clothing purchased so far: 12
Vestige Story kindred sweatshirt (BIPOC owned)
7115 by Szeki black sumo puffer (BIPOC owned)
Tradlands augusta floral dress
Aliya Wanek britt dress (BIPOC owned)
Ichi Antiquités linen gather dress (BIPOC owned)
Sotela gingham top, shorts, & skirt (BIPOC owned)
Eli & Barry grid dress
Nettle Studio smiley button up
Image from nettlestudio.com
STATE punch shirt (on sale)
Intentionally Blank canta dress
Image from intentionallyblank.us
Vacilando Studios red quilt jacket
Image from @vacilandostudios
Ijji Trench (BIPOC owned)
Shoes purchased so far: 6
Camper Pix boots (on sale)
Bryr black norma stack sandal
Beatrice Valenzuela lichen sandalias (BIPOC owned)
Zou Xou quinta woven slide (BIPOC owned)
THEY sneakers (BIPOC owned)
Image from theynewyork.com
Make list
Here are some sewing projects I’m planning to make:
-Face print midi dress (made!)
-Red canvas sun hat (made!)
-Floral print boxy top
-Red canvas clyde trousers
Winter Wishlist
This season I had a handful of replacement coats in mind (larger sizes.) Glad to have started selling items on poshmark to help fund clothing purchases.
-Faces coat (secondhand)
-Camel wool coat (replacement)
-Rorange wool coat (replacement)
-Winter puffy coat (replacement)
-White & black boots (replacement)
-Cream wool beanie (BIPOC owned)
-Flame shelter cardigan
-Red potter jacket
Until next time, stay Sheek!
-Shekinah
Fall Wishlist
This is my favorite season so in the past I have gone a bit overboard. I am glad though that as each season passes, I become even better at resisting impulses and sticking to my wishlist. This time I had a few new items in mind along with replacements.
-Red Socks from Pansy
-Cream Sweatshirt from Aliya Wanek
-Camel Pants from Kordal Studio (replacement)
-Raw Jeans from Detroit Denim (replacement)
-All black Red Wing boots
Until next time, stay Sheek!
-Shekinah
Low Buy
This has been a time hasn’t it? Corona has caused a great deal of suffering and also impacted many of us financially. I know I’m not the only one who was laid off as a result of it, so I hope if you’re reading this it lets you know you’re not alone.
Due to having a limited income (but still having bills to pay) I’ve entered a low buy out of necessity. I’ve tried no buys before, but always failed while obsessing over items I would buy again once it ended. In a low buy, I do still have some funds for fun items, but those items aren’t necessarily apparel. For example, I bought some oil painting supplies because I have more time and painting has always been very therapeutic for me.
Overall I’ve done pretty well with curbing impulse buys. Exceptions to this were the STATE & Dazey LA summer releases back in May (but I was able to use Afterpay for both.) And some jeans that were on sale. Otherwise, everything else clothing-wise has been on my wishlist.
I have bought more hair/skin care though. Some regular products, but others to use with my now silver hair. I’ve thankfully not been a product hoarder for years, but I do like to have backups of my favorites to ensure ease of styling.
Here are some priorities I focus on during a low buy:
1) Savings
My number one goal is to increase savings. I’ve been in very low places before when I didn’t have adequate savings built up and something unexpected happened. I don’t want to be in predicaments like that again if I can help it by saving now.
2) Business
This covers gear, marketing materials, prints, etc. Freelance work is another source of income, albeit inconsistent. Reallocating funds to grow my business is something that will help me in the future.
3) Contentment
Honestly, I have so much. I am thankful I have the privilege to pay more and support small brands, especially fellow BIPOC ones. Taking a look at my overabundant wardrobe helps me really decide if I should be purchasing another clothing item, or if I can put it on my wishlist and use those funds for more important matters.
Until next time, stay Sheek!
-Shekinah
Summer Wishlist
Summer is the shortest season here, so I don’t usually have a lot on my list for it when it rolls around. The main things this time were:
– White sandals (secondhand)
– Negroni Beatrice Valenzuela sandalias (since I enjoy the maasai ones I have so much)
– Chaco sandals for outdoor/active use
– Nettle’s Tale supportive bathing suit top
– Striped bathing suit bottoms
– Patterned/not plain comfortable pants
– Cream midi skirt
Keeping an eye out for fun releases as well, and probably will add in another piece or two as the season rolls on.
Until next time, stay Sheek!
-Shekinah
Spring Wishlist
Fortunately I’ve been able to find a majority of what was on my list over the winter (many on sale and/or secondhand.) Some items have been on my list for a year, others for a couple months. I do seek out all season cotton items year round, it just so happens I’ve had good fortune finding those specific items this year. Here’s what I’ve found so far:
-ES cream cotton canvas clyde jumpsuit (sale)
-STATE cream cotton canvas wrap pants
-Boxy white linen top (secondhand)
-3134u Red cotton dress (sale)
-Red linen pants (secondhand)
-Martiniano red glove flats (sale)
-Red denim duster jacket (secondhand)
-Black loose denim pants
I’m really set with many mix & match pieces. I’m going to keep an eye out for some of the Spring releases happening soon, but I feel better about impulse shopping because I have finally found really comfortable items that I’ve really enjoyed wearing as the weather warms up.
Until next time, stay Sheek!