Monday 28 November 2016

A Buyer's Archive: October & November

Since February last year, 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.

I've combine two months' worth of Buyer's Archive because I did so late year, and it made it easier to compare. So, last autumn I spent quite a lot (£169.33 to be precise) on eight items, three of which have been sold on or donated and one of which (the lace dress) was returned to the shop. Only the cocoon coat - my favourite coat ever - the statement necklace and the jeans have had any regular wear, while the green cardigan is something I often put on and then change my mind about at the last minute, for some reason. Overall, then, not the most successful month: did I do any better this October/November?
Tan loafers, Dorothy Perkins £10 (50% off)
At the start of October I bought some tan leather loafers from New Look, but they were far too big and I sold them on Instagram before buying these Dorothy Perkins ones in a smaller size (the New Look ones being sold out). I've already worn them - and got blisters from them - with skinny jeans and a Breton top, and I reckon that if I can defeat the blisters, they'll become wardrobe staples before the winter is out.

Brass necklace by Trade, Mustard £18
I've been eyeing this necklace up online since first seeing it in Sheffield earlier this year. So when I stumbled across it in a local boutique, Mustard, I decided to treat myself. Call it an early Christmas present. To me.
Black polka dot jumper, Mango £35.99
I never go into Mango - nothing fits me so there's no point - but I randomly decided to take a peek while shopping in town and lo and behold! This polka dot beauty was my reward. £36 is more than I'd usually spend on a jumper but my office is freezing so I need as many jumpers as I can get. So far I've already worn this a few times and I'm really happy with the fit, so I reckon it will turn out to be a good purchase.

Tan ballet pumps, New Look £4.00 (not pictured)
I wear New Look's ballet pumps constantly, so when I spotted them in the sale when I was in Glasgow for just, I grabbed them while I could. Worryingly, I now can't see them online so I have a horrid feeling they've discontinued them.

Book print skirt, Joanie Clothing £21

"But Janet," I hear you say, "you bought a book print skirt from Cath Kidston in September." And yes, yes I did but.... I wanted another one? I have been good and sold the CK one - unworn as it was really too small for me - before I bought this from Joanie. And now I haven't worn this as it's slightly too big for me!

Black denim pinafore dress, Dorothy Perkins £17 (not online anymore)

I suspect that a 38 year old woman in a pinafore dress breaks all kinds of fashion rules but since when did I care about fashion rules?
Finally, a couple of eBay bargains. This dress - combing my beloved polka dots with a crochet collar (originally New Look but via eBay £6.00) - is so very much Janet that it was a must-purchase. Luckily it fits really well and I've already worn it a few times.

Meanwhile, becoming embroiled in a bidding war for this chunky mustard cardigan (originally New Look but via eBay £14) means it wasn't such a bargain after all. However I was desperate to get my hands on it having recently seen a girl wearing the same cardigan in Asda and becoming obsessed with the notion of having it in my life. And I love it, so I'm glad I pushed my bid to the limit and nabbed it.



All of which gives me a two-month total of £125.99 for eight items, however - using my usual creative accounting - I also sold £47-worth of stuff on Instagram, so my total after that is a more palatable £81.99. I am determined to keep my spending down in December, but we shall see...

15 comments:

  1. I feel like I need the mustard jumper in my life! I havent really been doing the buyers archive (Its not for lack of stuff being bought haha) but I am going to restart it in January! Love everything you bought this month.

    Charlotte

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    1. I hope you do re-start, I LOVE having a nose at what people have bought.

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  2. Ooo that mustard cardi! I love your pinafore dress (we're allowed to wear a pinafore dress over our work blouses, a look I've tried out, but sadly come to the conclusion I look like I'm wearing school uniform!) and book skirt too! x

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    1. Yeah I struggled to find a pinafore dress that didn't make me a) look like I was wearing school uniform, b) fit over my boobs ok without looking ridiculous, and c) was short enough for my tiny legs.

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  3. I love the pinafore and the cardi! I really fancy a pinafore - it's just occurred to me that they would be perfect for work since I need ALL THE POCKETS but I'm sick of wearing jeans. Maybe I'll comb the sales for a tall version...

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    1. The cardigan is very 'you' actually. And yay! Glad you found a tall pinafore yesterday - pockets rule!

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  4. I think pinafore dresses are acceptable at any point in life, I'm currently looking out for one (I'm always up for a comfy dress!) and I LOVE the colour of that Ebay cardigan!

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    1. Isn't the colour perfect?! It's so cuddly and cosy too.

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  5. Pinafores are acceptable ALWAYS!! I love this pretty one!!!x
    I am still waiting for the Cath Kidston book dress to enter my life at Christmas! The Joanie one is super cute!!x

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    1. I'm glad that the consensus is that pinafores are still acceptable, I was worried about being mutton-y!

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  6. The mustard cardi was worth bidding high for, love it!

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  7. I have been going back and forth on some DP corduroy dungarees for the same age related reason but I can't stop thinking about them. That mustard cardigan was worth the bidding war - very Kurt Cobain! And I prefer the darker colours of the (new) book print skirt for winter, it looks lovely beside the black things. I never shop in Mango either, but that jumper is lovely! :-)

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  8. It's just dawned on me that next year I can talk about this year's purchases! It worrying how excited by that I currently am!
    I'm 41 and wore dungarees for the first time in years - age appropriate be damned, if you like it, wear it - your pinafore looks lovely.

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  9. The pinafore dress is dreamy! And I love the necklace too.You always find lovely things at discounted prices!

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