It's always been easy for me to preach (bossy boots or control feak?) but to actually practice what I tell readers and people I assist of all ages with style advice, has been a different story. I've read so many blogs lately where women feel as though they have nothing to wear after doing their summer to winter wardrobe changeover and now after a few purchases made with the funds of my ebay sales, I finally (and it has taken many years) feel as though I am getting somewhere. No longer do I stand in front of the mirror throwing clothes on the floor and having a tantrum (yes it's happened). I've made a list (yes another one) and I'm sticking to it. Don't you just love it when a plan comes together?
I actually feel really happy when I open my wardrobe lately and so far I am not regretting anything I have sold (give it time). It just goes to prove that once the basics are in place, the new season purchases make a whole load of difference.
My first post in my "must try harder" series focused on outwear. I had so many coats and jackets and some hadn't been worn for years, so I got rid and stuck to the plan. Being as I had money in my paypal account I have for the first time ever, been looking on ebay to fill my wardrobe gaps. I'm not really a second hand girl and prefer ebay as a selling rather than a buying tool, but I see so many bloggers pick up some great
bargains I thought it must be worth a look, so had a browse for printed jackets.
I featured one I really liked in my outerwear post but when I had a look I came across the Camilla Jacket I had seen on both fashionmumof40 and Millie Mackintosh (if it's good enough for them, then it's good enough for me) and there was no doubt my wardrobe was crying out for a printed jacket that would take jeans and a t-shirt to another level.
This jacket has been around a while, I've seen it on another blog around June time but I can't remember who's it was now, but I really liked it and low and behold there was one on ebay brand new with tags, my size with a few days to go - who would have thought it? I was beyond excited and watched it a few times a day as it gradually crept up from £16 to £23 with minutes to go.
I realise in life some of us are very lucky and some, not so much. In the final minute of the auction I was poised like a big cat in the jungle ready to pounce, kill and claim my prize. I put my bid in,, I was prepared to pay half price, after all, that was still a bargain and knowing Monsoon, it wouldn't go down by 50% anyway. Then what happened you ask? Well with ten seconds to go as I pressed my "place bid" button, I lost internet connection. It sold for £24. OMG, you'd have thought I'd just lost a limb, talk about distraught. I was talking about it for days, to anyone that would listen. Talk about shallow and then of course, I wanted that particular one even more, as you do.
The Monsoon mid season sale started and the Camilla was reduced by just £20. Tightwads. I have a friend who owns a boutique, I used to help out years ago, I know the mark up is 2.5 on what you pay for an item wholesale and profit is far more if you manufacture yourself. Yes guys retailers still make something even when they go 70% off, it's the reason I get annoyed with 20% and 30% reductions.
You would have thought they would have reduced it more with it being summer stock. Anyway if like me you feel you need to add a printed jacket to your outerwear collection you can buy the Camilla jacket here and if out of stock in your size, they do some similar printed jackets here (on sale) and here (full price).
Moving on, so in the outerwear department I still want/need/can't live without a black puffa with hood (my old one needs replacing) and a peacoat but with the addidition of a much wanted Parka to my collection, both can wait a while.
Two new tops have been purchased which makes a total of three this season (5 with items I have been lucky enough to review). The Mint Velvet one I have blogged about previously along with yet another Breton, thanks to the Boden sale. The MV top is so lovely, I can't believe I moaned about the cost when it was full price, the quality and fabric make it worth every penny, it's lined and looks stunning on, such a great fit with a flattering boat neck, and the way those tulip sleeves hang is just divine, all made a whole lot better because it was on sale at just £35 here.
I recently sold a couple of stripe tops I have never worn and used the money to get something different, with the reverse colour way to all the ones I own, a navy background with ivory stripe in the Boden sale for £17.40 here. I already have one from this brand so knew the quality was good and that they wash well, although the cut is slightly smaller on the winter weight one compared to my long sleeve summer weight one. If you don't want it tight, you might want to size up.
Although I long for a pink jumper and some of my old grey ones need replacing, lets face it, classic cashmere jumpers aren't going anywhere, so they can wait if necessary or until I sell off more old stuff. So along with the Boden spot button back jumper (which is now reduced to £34.50 here - I'm feeling gutted again, damn these mid season sales!) which was my first winter purchase and an item that has been worn on a weekly basis ever since, I honestly don't know how I lived without it!
For someone with a zero clothes budget at the moment (so much going on) it has felt good to make some money from unwanted stuff, although the hassle of ebay is a complete pain (a courier lost a parcel I sent and I thought Royal Mail were bad), it had to be done, it's pointless keeping hold of stuff you've had for years or that no longer fits!
Are you finally making headway with your wardrobe? Getting all the things you want to make it all work, slowly but surely?