Still shopping my closet!




Hello and here we are in February! How are you doing in Lockdown3? Are you coping okay? I'm so pleased to notice the difference in the daylight hours as the evenings start to stretch out day by day. Just that little bit of light adds a ray of hope to our days, don't you think?

It was a year ago since I was last on the mainland and a year ago that I ventured into a (charity) shop.  By March last year I'd bought my last piece of clothing online (see it here) and that was to be the final item I would buy for the next 12 months. The most influential read to spur me on to taking a break from retail therapy came in the form of The Year of Less by Cait Flanders. I'd been feeling overdone clothes-wise for some time prior to that: knowing that I had too much to wear despite it being pre-loved and therefore less of a financial drain, it still bugged me that I just couldn't fit anymore into my wardrobe. But not just that; the minute I dropped clothes into the recycling centre, I was driven to replace them with more. This had to stop.




So here I am almost at the 12 month finish line and I'm amazed at not only how easy this has been, but also I have to admit that I'm still finding pieces of clothing with the shop labels attached that I've not yet worn. My shopping ban couldn't have been more timely as unemployment figures soared with families having to prioritise their spending, leaving clothing at the bottom of the list. Reuse, re-style and recycle and buy less, wear more are the kind of hashtags trending on social media, helping me to feel more in step. As we eventually emerge back into normal life again I fancy that we may all find our buying habits and choices have changed forever due to the impact the pandemic has made on the High Street.




Anyway, enjoying our clothes be they new or recycled is what I'm all about and today's look is gathered from the past few years. The jacket is three years old and was a boutique find in St Andrews (the brand is FDJ). The culottes and boots are both from Zara, again about three years ago and the blouse is from H&M. The retro sunglasses are from Topshop.




The rings are pre-loved and the necklace is from Topshop.




The jacket is a fake suede but isn't lined. I've not worn it often and yet looking at the back view of it, I do wonder why. This is often the story with so many of my clothes. It's only when I see them on the blog that I remember what attracted me to them in the first instance.




These bronze boots look as if they have fishnets over the top of them - I do get that remark often. The colours make them very wearable with lots of outfits.






And finally, I've managed to start on my long term sewing project again. I can't remember how long ago it was (maybe six years ago) that I decided I'd like to recover my old sofa. In the meantime, I've collected some fabulous velvets and other sumptuous fabrics together to add to my initial cache and have a renewed enthusiasm for the task. Today I finished one cushion cover and hope to keep the momentum up over the week ahead. 




The other side of the cushion looks like this. I'm so pleased to get back sewing again - it's a joy to be creative and to improve our surroundings at the same time. 




None of this would get me into the Great Sewing Bee, but it's great to have an indoor hobby at this time of year.


                                                                                       Anna x


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17 comments

  1. Fabulous outfit, love the pants especially! Lise

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  2. As I'm reading this Anna I'm thinking what it would be like to go through your wardrobe! I bet it's a real Aladdin's cave of colour. It will be interesting to see how shopping is going to be when all this is over. Have a good week xx

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    1. I think the same about your dressing room Laurie - your shoe collection looks beautiful! The death of the high street is how the pandemic will be remembered retail wise, I fear. x

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  3. I think that is a pretty good achievement! I don't think I could do that! My closet could though, lol. Those boots are so amazing, you have a lot of amazing boots!

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    1. Thanks so much Nancy. We do have similar taste in boots don't we x

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  4. Oh, I lovely the richness of this outfit Anna. The textures are great too. I adore those culottes which go beautifully with your jacket (love the deep pockets) and lacy top. Fantastic choice of boots.. I have them too.

    Great job on the cushions. Would love to see the finished product. X

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    1. I do love mixing up textures and fabrics to give a rich look Phyllis. Snap with our boots eh? I just love sock boots for comfort and style together.

      The upholstery project will be an ongoing for quite a while now I suspect...

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  5. Good for you. Also, what a life lesson. We(who love fashion) all buy too many clothes and as you say, are surprised when a long-ago purchase suddenly pops up and you realize you liked it then but left it alone. I cleared out my closet a few years ago when I moved, so I don't have nearly as much stuff as you, and yet! BTW, I also am in the process of taking up sewing again--clothing in my case, since I can't find what I want and do have some lovely fabrics I bought years ago (a different closet...) I wonder if both of these habits will continue "Afterwards".

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    1. As I emerge from this 12 ban I think I'll probably have a big clothes clear out too so that I can clear the decks.

      I'm loving having the time to do some sewing and this project is long overdue. It's great to see how this is transforming the look of my sofa.

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  6. Oh my gosh, those are amazing velvets on that cushion, Anna! Well done!

    I love your outfit and kudos to you for really digging and getting down to the bottom of the pile! Those boots are fantastic. The consignment stores here are full, as people divest themselves of unworn clothes (it's been a boon for me!). I'm still being very picky about what gets to stay and what has to go in my closet - I've limited room, so if I don't love it, off it goes.

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  7. I was given a lot of old velvet curtains recently which is what has spurred me on to get sewing again. The colours are fab aren't they!

    Goodness knows when I'll next be able to get to a charity shop, but that's what I want to do when life gets back to normal. Recycled clothing always seems more interesting as your shopping shows x

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  8. I love the jacket and the cushion cover.I have an enormous fabric stash, it's amazing how often it comes in useful.I sometimes wonder what Patrick would say about my efforts!

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    1. My sewing efforts wouldn't bear close inspection as I'm very much self-taught but I just cobble things together if they come up short. I do enjoy being creative and it's lovely to sit back and enjoy looking at what I've achieved.

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  9. Looking fabulously elegant, and so cool, in your matchy outfit!. Love the way these different textures work together and love particularly that your sunníes match!
    besos

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  10. Lovely textures and matchy colours, and so beautiful jacket!, and love the way your sunnies match!, your accessorizing is Brilliant!
    besos

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    1. This was a new kind of styling for me to use such toning colours, but I was pleased with the results.

      Cheers,
      Anna x

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