Tuesday 7 February 2017

The Buyer's Archive: January

Since February 2015, inspired by Elise's Buyer's Archive project, 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. Check out the #buyersarchive hashtag on Twitter/Instagram to see posts from everyone taking part.

In January last year I spent £70.50 on four items - new jeans (which cost half of the total, amount and which I wore to death), a Sugarhill Boutique jumper in the sale, which still gets worn regularly, and a dress and top, both of which have been donated to charity already. January 2017 ended up being a mixture of deeply frivolous purchases and cosy basics.
Blush tulle skirt, Boohoo via ASOS £14 in sale
Starting with the frivolous. I've wanted a tulle skirt for ages and ages and never found one that sat well on me. This Boohoo Petite version is the perfect length and although I know I won't wear it regularly (if I dare to wear it at all), it makes me happy to twirl around the house in so for £14 I think it's worth it.

Vintage duffle coat, £35
This was one of those panic buys that sometimes happen in vintage shops. I've been looking for a navy blue hooded duffle for ages, since my last one died. However, eagle-eyed readers will spot that this is very definitely not navy blue, but it fit me and wasn't too expensive and so I bought it on a whim and am already regretting not holding out for a blue one. Silly Janet.
Black Peter Pan collar t-shirt, La Redoute £14.50 in sale
I can hear you saying, "Really Janet? Another collared top?!" but I genuinely do need a new one. The black collared top I bought in September 2015 washed very badly and I ended up having to send it back after a couple of wears. Then  the Primark polka dot collared top I bought this time last year never sat right - the collar was too high and the top itself too short. Hence this new purchase, which is much better quality than my previous La Redoute one and fits perfectly. Have I convinced you yet? I've convinced myself at least!

Denim skirt, Primark £3 in the sale
The black denim skirt from Primark was one of my top buys in 2016 but has already started stretching out and generally looking a bit shit. Finding this version of the skirt for £3 in the sale was therefore a massive win, and I subsequently also nabbed the black version on eBay for £4 (not pictured).

La Redoute cardigan via charity shop, £3.95
A lesson in never just going by the size tag, this one. It says it's 6-8 but I yanked it off the rack because I thought the relaxed fit might mean I'd squeeze in, and I was right: it fits me so perfectly that I suspect it must be mislabelled. Burgundy is colour I wear a lot of, and really warm and cosy: this has the potential to be my top buy of 2017 and it's only January.

Chunky navy blue cardigan, Primark £8 (not pictured)
I needed a new warm cardi to wear around the house over my Fat Face pj bottoms and a t-shirt, and this one is perfect.

So, not the most successful month if I'm to achieve my target of only spending £600 this year. But everything, bar the tulle skirt (no regrets), genuinely filled a wardrobe gap so I'm pretty satisfied overall.

Total for January: £82.45

Total so far for 2017: £82.45

Total this time last year: £70.50

Look out for the #buyersarchive hashtag on Twitter and Instagram to see the other bloggers taking part.

18 comments:

  1. I really love the tulle skirt! It's something I really want to g this year but I am waiting out for the perfect one!

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    1. I hadn't ever found one that didn't make me look ridiculous, short and thick-waisted - this one probably still makes me look ridiculous but I v much recommend it for not making me look like a midget.

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  2. That cardigan's lovely. And so is the tulle skirt - definitely a good decision.

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    1. The cardigan was SUCH a good find! So pleased with it.

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    1. Mmm, I suspect I will end up selling it as it just doesn't feel 'right'

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  4. I love tulle skirts too, there should be a national day for them really. Love everything you purchased, the grey duffle is lovely, and anything that replaces an old item or fills a hole can only be a good purchase.
    Burgundy isn't a colour I have in my wardrobe, might need to remedy that.

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    1. I never wore burgundy until a couple of years ago, and now it's a staple colour in winter. I find it's especially good with black and grey, which make up a large proportion of my wardrobe.

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    2. Mine too, I like it with khaki as well.

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  5. That tulle skirt is amazing! I keep debating getting one, I just need a special occasion to justify the purchase!

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    1. I have a vague idea that I might wear it for my hen do, I can't see when else I'll have the chance to rock something so ridiculous!

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  6. I get you over the multiple collar tops! I own about 12 white blouses with various patterns or collars (possibly more) and I always panic that they will wear out!!!!
    The size 6-8 thing I totally get.Like the fact I always buy size 14-16 pjs as I HATE tight pjs and those sizes fit me well but comfily AND always cashmere 3 sizes too big!!!

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  7. Well I think the duffle is lovely, and if you come across a navy one then you can have two! Not excessive. The cardi looks so cosy too but I stopped buying burgundy a while ago - I'm not someone who thinks they know what colours suit them but I never feel good in burgundy - postbox red all the way for me!

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  8. Ooh so much pretty! I'd snatch that coat off you in a second if I had any space whatsoever for it.

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  9. That skirt is so pretty I can totally see why you got it!

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  10. I love the collared top, you definitely convinced me too!

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  11. I also have that Primark denim skirt, in a black rinse. Primark is a shop I rarely visit, but I grabbed it off the rail when I saw it was £3. I have a size 14, it's a little roomy but I'm hoping that can only be a good thing. I bought very little in January! A Seasalt coat and a pair of Clarks boots, all very boring and sensible. I always love to see your finds, keep them coming. P.S. One should never have to justify collared tops <3

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  12. I've bought and returned two winter coats this year, I still need a dress coat but feel I've left it late/have that same desperation! I also bought a bargain denim skirt (but it's black) and a (square) b&w dotty cardigan in La Redoute sale. That tulle skirt is fab!!! I am almost tempted to try Boohoo again now that they are on ASOS, I had terrible customer service from their own site in the past though so I'm still kinda bitter ;-0. I relate so much to your repurchasing similiar items because the previous ones weren't quite right/washed terribly. I need to chuck all of my shrunken H&M striped tees and start fresh I think! :-)I will keep an eye on your duffel coat situation, gray is kind of a kryptonite colour for me!

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