Monday 4 July 2016

The Buyer's Archive: June


Since February last year I've been keeping a record of all my clothing purchases in an effort to track what works and what doesn't and - in theory - cut down on my spending.

In June 2015 I spent a grand total of £39.98 on three things: a pair of sunglasses (worn constantly), a pair of chunky wooden-soled sandals (LOVE them but haven't worn them yet this summer) and a pair of polka dot shorts, which ended up in a charity bag unworn. What did June 2016 have in store (no pun intended) for me? I'll tell you one thing, I bought a lot more than just three items.

Cat t-shirt, H&M £7.99 (not online)
LOOK at this t-shirt. It's amazing, right? The sad little cat looks so much like our new cat that I can't bear it. Unfortunately Missy had a huge freak-out when she saw this hanging on the wardrobe door, so I'm not sure whether I'll ever be able to wear it!

Polka dot skirt, C&A 7
It's a jersey skater skirt with polka dots, and it cost about £6. Of course I needed to buy it when we were in Nijmegen. Also, I love that C&A still exists in the Netherlands.

Fjallraven Kanken backpack, via eBay £40  
Because apparently I'm a total hipster cliche. I've had my eye on the Kanken bag for a while so when I saw this one going for a steal on eBay, I jumped into the auction at the last moment and nabbed it. Of course, the moment I did so I decided I'd rather have the yellow one. Typical.

Striped t-shirt, H&M £5 (not online)
I'd tried this on and rejected it when it was full price, but at £5 in the sale I can forgive its imperfections (mostly to do with weird shoulders).

Pleated skirt, Sue Ryder Vintage £9
I bought this on what feels like the last sunny day we had, when I popped up to Nottingham to meet Becky and Laura. Turquoise is my favourite summer colour and, if we ever get some nice weather again, I'll team it with a black t-shirt and the wooden sandals I bought last June.


Polka dot high-waist bikini bottoms, Yours £12
The matching bikini top to fit terribly - both too big and too small at the same time, which I wouldn't have thought possible until I put it on. But I adored these bikini bottoms, which I knew would make up half of the fatkini of my dreams, so I began a search for a plain black bikini top...

Black bikini top, Debenhams £26.50
Not willing to pay the ridiculous amounts charged for Bravissimo bikini tops, I took a punt on one from Debenhams. They only go up to a G cup, which is quite a few sizes smaller than my own bra size, but in a bikini that matters a lot less and this, from their own-brand range, fits perfectly well for its purpose; lounging by the pool with a book in one hand and a drink in the other.

T-bar shoes (not pictured), ASOS £14 with 30% discount code & Organic cotton striped top (not pictured), La Redoute £10.50
I forgot about both of these when taking pictures - oops. The shoes are exactly what I've been looking for (wish they did them in black, too, though) and the top... well, it's yet another long sleeved stripey top. You've seen plenty of them in Buyer's Archives!

All of which comes to a total of £131.99 for nine items. Not terrible, but not great either. However, with the exception of the pleated skirt (which so far has proven far too summery for our shitty June weather), they're all items I know I will get a ton of wear out of.

Check out the #buyersarchive hashtag on Twitter/Instagram to see posts from everyone taking part, which usually includes Elise (of course), HazelKezzieDonnaLucy and Charlotte.

23 comments:

  1. Lots of lovely things! Love the fatkini, I need those bottoms! And those t-bar shoes are awfully nice, must keep an eye on sale codes! :-)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Now we just need some sun so I can actually wear the fatkini!

      Delete
  2. I love that kitty cat top, shame your kitty cat has taken against it!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I know, poor cat :( It would have been comical, except she was SO scared of it she hid all afternoon! We couldn't figure out what was wrong, it was only when I got down to her level and realised I could see it hanging on the wardrobe door that she came out of hiding!

      Delete
  3. I love everything in the first picture so much. I think it makes a very cute outfit (for a weekend away where you wont scare Missy)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It was only when I photographed it that I realised how well they'd all go together - add a pair of Converse and I'm good to go!

      Delete
  4. Lots of lovely things! I have trouble with finding bikini separates too. I got some bottoms from Next (in my size) and they didn't even cover my backside! Tops are the worst though. It's worse than buying jeans!
    What a shame your cat tad was so terrifying :(

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh god, bikinis really are the worst. I can only buy the tops that come in proper cup sizes, with plenty of support, and even then 9 times out of 10 they don't fit nicely.

      Delete
  5. I looove the tshirts! I found a great bikini on the m&s website and of course my sizes were sold out. I like the ones that come as bra sizes too and they're impossible to find...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yeah, I can only wear the bra size ones and they are always SO expensive! Oh to be able to swan into H&M and buy a £3.99 bikini top!

      Delete
  6. Im in love with that cat tshirt, it's so cute and the t bars are perfection, they look super comfy.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. They are SO comfortable, I'm really pleased with them.

      Delete
  7. The cat tee I think may be modelled off my girl cat. Thats the look she gives me whenever I try to get any affection from her. Luckily my boy cats love me! I love the pleated skirt too!

    I havent kept up with my buyers archive posts but I promise a July one on the new blog :) xx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I look forward to reading it, I love a nosy at what people are buying!

      Delete
  8. Ahrgh, I also didn't keep track!!! oops. You did well, I love the cat tee, so nice!!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I can see that a LOT of bloggers are going to end up with this cat tee.

      Delete
  9. I love all of your buys! A black Kanken is a definite investment piece, the yellow just gets mucky so quickly. I haven't put my archive up- I've bought way too much to document. Oops!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That is genuinely useful to know; now I won't lust after the yellow ones so much!

      Delete
  10. Love the cat tee, funny that your cat reacted to it. I hope you get to wear the turquoise skirt, it is stunning.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Finally got the weather to wear it last week - yay!

      Delete
  11. Ooh I love the vintage skirt and the spotty bikini, and of course the cat tee! :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Cat tees for the win - I had to restrain myself from buying another one in Mango today. Apparently being a crazy cat lady is very 'in' this season?!

      Delete