All the things I didn't buy
How waiting, and rediscovering old favorites, has helped curb the FOMO of buying the sale (or anything new so far)
A while ago I separated my wishlist from my craving list, and it made a huge difference in how I approach shopping. Also, with the fervor I kept shopping I thought there is nothing missing in my wardrobe, but I was wrong. While creating looks to decide whether I should keep these trousers or not, I realized I am missing navy summer tops. I am sure there are other things I need to bridge some gaps, but I haven’t discovered them yet.
Over the long weekend, many of the stores I shop at had an abundance of sales. How to keep from going berserk? Play in my wardrobe would be one idea, but while doing this I was thinking “I could style the new shoes with this and that item”. I had to get out of the house.
I gave myself three days to think about what I wanted to purchase (I don’t usually do this, as my thing is “if you have to think about it then the answer is ‘no’”), and some of the things I wanted had sold out. Sometimes this “sold out” thing was frustrating me, but it turns out that after my three day wait, I felt absolutely nothing about the items being gone. On to the next, you know? And as such, I have a list of all the things I wanted (some I still want) to buy, but didn't.
Friends working in retail keep sending me amazing deals or give me tips and codes and so far I have politely declined everything, even new season items at a discount. Just no. Not yet. It’s how I shopped for a long time, buying things I didn’t need, or things I thought I wanted because it was a “hot” item or a “hot” brand. Now what?
Now, I am thinking, just wait. It’s not my forte, to be fair. I don’t like to wait. So because of this, and because of the situation I put myself in (all the shopping I didn’t need) I have decided that this is just the thing to do. Wait. I don’t like it, so that’s precisely why I should do it. Wait for the sales to end. Wait for the rush to stop. Wait for this FOMO to subside. Just wait. And in the process, much like almost everyone I know or read here, play with what I have. All this time I have underestimated the joy that comes with playing with my own clothes, and just the play factor, in general.
I have come to believe that the joy is not in adding more things, but in actually using what I already have. Otherwise, is the joy that once came with purchasing my clothes just gone? Was it just a fleeting moment?
Remembering the rush that once came with “I must have that!”, I decided to bring forth some of these purchases and wear them again. So this week, this is what I’ve done. I bought zero things, and I have a long list of what I almost purchased, but decided against it.
Outfit #1. The “rush” item was the glitter CELINE ballerinas I bought last year and wore exactly zero times. Yup. I couldn’t wear them to work, and I was usually working weekends so voilà - no time to enjoy them. Until a few days ago.
Outfit #2. The item I purchased during sale and also never wore - these knot slides.
Outfit #3. The Bottega sandals. Remember them? Everyone I know wanted them, and ended up buying a pair or two in some cases. Not sure how many of my friends still have them, but for me, even though an impulse purchase, I still love them. It’s the flat version I have, I preferred them to the heel version.
Outfit #4. This Miu Miu sweater with bowties on the back. I remember my friend back in Vienna buying hers, and I had to have it also. I wanted the navy as well, but by the time I decided to get it, it had sold out. I am still thinking about it..
Outfit #5. The Row red loafers. Chased Bergdorf’s new arrivals until I found a pair, wore them a few times, and then the rest of my shoes had to be worn also. I forgot about these for a while, but with this exercise, this is what I am in today. Cosy for a work from home Friday, but also put together for all my video meetings and a coffee break at the Starbucks across the street.
Happy Friday!
Dea xx
Your outfits are great. But everything looks so new!!! Are you sure you aren’t shopping?😜
I love your looks — every single one — and I love being part of your learning experience as a reader ♥️