OK, you may remember that I featured this dress in no less than 3 posts last summer (in a more or less identical outfit, too, first with an orange linen shirt, then with a pale blue linen shirt, and finally with a jacket…)…
Yes, I tend to repeat myself quite a bit… So, here it is again: the orange dress, this time with a pale pink linen shirt, tied at the waist…
I’ve been thinking about the way we buy clothes a lot recently. Or rather how we consume clothes: the endless cycle of buying ‘something new’, only to be tossed when we tire of it.
Yes, I’m guilty of this, too. There are way too many cheap, throwaway clothes in my wardrobe. You know what I’m talking about: those poor quality, trendy items that take up too much space and cost too much money given that they add very little value to my wardrobe or my life. And I think it’s time to rethink my shopping habits.
I’m not saying that I will stop buying fast fashion altogether. A trendy item every once in a while is OK, but I think I’ve reached the point where I can safely say that instead of buying yet another cheap t-shirt I should probably save my money for something more substantial. Or something of better quality. Sort of ‘buy less but buy better’ approach to shopping, that’s the idea.
Actually, I haven’t bought anything for the past 4 weeks or so. But this has less to do with my new, so far untested ‘shopping strategy’ and everything to do with the fact that I never find anything I like in the sales… And besides, it’s been way too hot to go shopping. So, deciding to wait until the new season collections hit the stores was a no-brainer, really. The real test will be he quality (and quantity) of what I buy when I get my shopping groove back…
But, in order to strengthen my resolve, I’ve been featuring all this ‘old stuff’ to show you, and to myself, how to get more wear out of whatever I already have in my wardrobe. Yes, I’m afraid you can expect more of the same: clothes you’ve already seen once, twice, maybe even three times…
But, to give you a sense that you’ve seen at least something ‘new’, here’s the same old dress without the ubiquitous linen shirt. It’s and empire-line dress, not the most flattering cut for an hourglass figure, but very comfortable and practical on a hot day.
Outfit details:
dress: Boden (old) / linen shirt: Marks and Spencer / sandals: Clarks /
bag: Tous / sunglasses: Marc Jacobs
What’s you shopping strategy?
Quality over quantity? Or vice versa?
Tiina
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I bought nothing for 6 weeks! Also because I hate the sale, and I really had enough in my closet! But there is nothing wrong with repeating ourselves! Have a great Sunday!
6 weeks! Wow, that's good. I usually skip the sales, there's nothing I want anyway (or I would have bought it already, when they had it in my size…). But I am sort of looking forward to getting something new for the autumn.
I actually really like an empire waist even on an hour glass figure. The dress looks wonderful.bisousSuzanne
Thanks, Suzanne. I guess I just prefer dresses that are fitted at the waist. But this is definitely very comfortable on a hot day.
It's a lovely dress and I really like it without the shirt too. Empire line is a flattering shape for most figures and your really suits it I think.I tend to shop mainly from charity shopping for all sorts of reasons – it's more eco-friendly, cheaper and most importantly you tend to find quite original pieces compared to the high street. I do a bit of trend shopping through TK Maxx and that for me keeps my wardrobe in line with fashion at a great price.Anna x
Thanks, Anna. Maybe I should give charity shops a try. I have this ridiculous idea that I can't wear second-hand clothing. I should just get over it, lots of bloggers seem to find fabulous clothes in charity shops.
My own shopping strategy is quality over quantity every time, I need my clothes to go the distance. My core wardrobe is on high rotation. I have never been a fan of supposed fast fashion , the quality is just rubbish, no wonder it ends up as landfill. Enough of my rant, I really like your dress , with or without the shirt, it is very flattering. I really like that you repeat on your blog , after all that is real life.
That seems a very sensible strategy. I used to be more quality over quantity obsessed myself, but recently I have been buying more fast fashion. Not happy about that at all, and I need to get back on track.
I love the colour scheme you're working with here, and add my tuppence to say that I, too, think the empire line is very flattering on you. Almost all my clothes are second hand; though it's true that one can't request a different size if something doesn't fit, I find that downside is made up for by the fact that one can find really high quality items for far, far below their retail price, meaning that wearing 2nd hand enables me to have much better quality than I could otherwise afford. Additionally, it takes the guilt out of those occasional "fast fashion" purchases – at least I did not buy them new, nor contribute to the cycle of supply and demand – but am merely adding a few (or many) wears to the lifecycle of the item in question… If searching through a jumble puts you off too much, how about starting with well-considered consignment or vintage shops? Sometimes vintage fairs can be good, too. The prices will obviously be higher than in a charity shop, but it can be a good way to start getting in to 2nd hand in the most tasteful way possible. Charity shops in upscale neighbourhoods are also more likely to be clean, organised, and have really high quality donations (of course, their prices are also correspondingly higher, too). Good luck!
Thank you. I guess I should try buying second-hand, I'm just so incredibly picky sometimes… I've bought costume jewellery and scarves in vintage and consignment shops before, and I found the prices to be quite high for, well, something second-hand. But the idea of finding something really nice is tempting…
it's a lovely dress and you've created a fab color combo, adding some interesting accessories (I love your bag!). And I like to see the same old dress many times in many different outfits than something new every few seconds, as I think it's more Real Life and more inspiring for me. I have not a bottomless wardrobe, so some ideas about how to remix a dress are welcome!. I love your layering!besos
Thanks. I love the bag, too. I'm a real bag lady (no pun intended); bags are my weakness, and I can't resist a nice tote…
This look is so interesting. I love the unexpected color combination. Thanks for linking up to Top of the the World Style
Thanks, Nicole. Orange and pink is my favourite-of-the-moment colour combo.
Love your colors here Tiina! Pink so suits you and your complexion, its a lovely look. I have been thinking about Fall and will do an inventory soon to see what I want to add. I do go for quality pieces with some trends, and only want to add pieces that will stand the test of time… Its great that you are wearing something you love, over again!Thanks for linking!jess xxwww.elegantlydressedandstylish.com
Thanks, Jessica. Pink seems to be one of my best colours, I see it every time on photos. And to think I never wore pink as a little girl!
The dress is lovely and you look great in it! I'm guilty of buying fast fashion too but I'm trying to be a bit more thoughtful about what I buy. Old habits are hard to break!Emma xxxwww.style-splash.com