The Shopping Dilemma

Each time I cull and edit my wardrobe, it occur to me that I still need to fill in a few necessary gaps in my wardrobe, namely basics such as a pair of black ankle boots, waterproof parka etc. I've been buying and returning as they either don't fit well or looked utterly unflattering when I tried it on at home. After a few emails back and forth with my shopping other half, Laura, I'm beyond relieved to know that I'm not alone. Here's Laura's dilemma.

The PIECE 

And forsaking all most others to obtain it?

Every year around the A/W fashion week(s) something happens to me. I watch replays of the shows. I comb the hallows of the Barneys or Matches or Nordstrom websites. I cyber-stalk Garance Dore’ and blog after blog and I see it. No, IT. IT could very well be that perfect Balenciaga Military wool coat or Burberry treasure that I’d reach for again and again for something close to forever. IT could be a stunning sweater with a beautiful detail. Or a sublime Phillip Lim jacket or Stella M. navy blazer. It could also be a shoe or a boot. Or a....

Yeah, you get it. But every year, I start looking at price tags and I give up. Since I don’t have the last name Hilton or Ecclestone or the shopping budget that comes with it, 

I usually move on. But I don’t forget!

This year, something called the Chloe Susanna boot hit me square in the jaw.

Chloe Susanna (Global here)

Although it was re-released more than a few months ago, this is the current IT. This is the PIECE.

It possesses game-changing super powers, a low (Laura friendly) heel, a leg lengthening fit but..... also a price tag FAR above what I’d normally spend on a shoe. It sits there in my mind, waiting to be filed away like all of the other previous PIECES. But then I realized something. 

 I’m gonna get real and show you what less than 2 months of shopping trips have yielded and some things I was ready and willing to pounce on:

A pair of black Pedro Garcia Kitten heel sandals

A Marc By Marc Jacobs navy shift dress

Sam Edelman nude wedges

A black and white ALC cardigan      returned

A pair of Paige gray jeans  - returned (I have enough jeans already and the fit wasn’t perfect)

The navy Kenzo snow leopard sweater I’m about/was about to buy

The Isabel Marant Noah sweatshirt I pick up and put back every time I walk past it. But keep picking up!

The probably 3-4 J Crew pieces like button-down shirts or cute cardigans or various things with stripes I’d normally buy

Stuff on SALE. This or that from Hautelook or Rue-LA LA  emails, random trendy statement “stuff” from Zara and H&M that satisfy temporary cravings but don’t have any real staying power in my closet.

And so on.

Sam Edelman Serena Wedges

When I added all of this up, it’s well above the price of the PIECE. I’m keeping the Marc dress and Sam Edelman shoes because they fill a real need. But, I realized that if I took back the cute Pedro sandals (that I sort of, cough cough, have something similar to already in my closet) and quit impulse buying and collecting and re-buying multiple upon multiple versions of things I already own, I could swing the boots. 

Dare I say, easily?

Even though I’m pretty careful about purchases, I could be more careful. I could be smarter. I could stay out of Nordstrom for awhile! And I could wait and save and save a a little more and come home with the Chloe boots that only require the simple wardrobe accompaniments I already own six times over!

I could also make this more of a habit and actually purchase that gorgeous investment coat for next fall that I say I’m always going to buy. 

Am I crazy here? Can I really do this? Can I really pare down and stick to the things that  I really need or that really stir my heart? 

What do you guys think? Have you ever given it all, or most of it up for the sake of one piece? If so, I’d love to hear about it!

Meanwhile, I’ll be in the return line.

by LAURA