I’m not a planner. Or a list-maker. I don’t make to-do lists and check off “done.”
I’m not great with rules, or arbitrary boundaries. But I know when it’s time to make changes, and am good at doing what I need to do to make those.
In 2018 I need to do one thing, well two things, really, but mostly one thing: pay off credit card debt. I also need to start saving, but if there’s one thing I do remember from listening to SO MUCH DAVE RAMSEY it is that if you have debt, what’s the point in savings?
Last year, I spent way too much money on clothing, shoes & bags. And used credit cards for a lot of it.
For decades I had zero credit card debt. I worked my out of the debt I built up in college and my early working career, paid off my student loans, etc., and had ZERO debt, even while quitting my job to work on Grechen’s Closet. But last year while building Slowre, I had to start taking on some debt, and because I am hopeless when I have a credit card, it snowballed to a point where I’m rather uncomfortable with it.
I’ve been beating myself up about it lately, but now am finished with that and am doing something about it. Namely, throwing EVERY. SINGLE. PENNY. at debt to get it paid down ASAP. I will have a strict monthly budget for personal spending, which has to cover skincare products, hair, lunches/dinner with friends, AND clothing. So I’ll be pretty lucky to have maybe $500 to spend this year on clothes, which to be honest, is about what I spent most months last year. Ugh.
Late last year, while I was watching a video of Liz from Elizabeth Suzann model the signature 4 pieces she ordered, I realized that I truly love everything she makes, and would be happy adding only more ES pieces to my wardrobe. After I received my silk florence pants and clyde culottes, I became even more determined to build up my ES wardrobe. (I am also incredibly lucky to have worked directly with Elizabeth Suzann to review things for you – they have sent me some pieces at no charge – but I don’t ever take that for granted)
And there is literally nothing else I really want. Well, almost. haha.
I am super-happy with what I have right now (see my wardrobe audit here – updated this year), even more so when I play around in my closet and re-discover things I don’t wear very often. But I know myself, and I am constantly finding inspiration and ideas wherever I look, and I LOVE to try new things, so I know better than to say that I’m not going to buy any new clothes/shoes/bags this year. Who am I kidding??
I do also earn $20 each time someone signs up for Garmentory and makes their first purchase via my referral link (the person who signs up gets a $20 account credit too), which usually provides me with $100 or so a month credit there. And I earn a nice amount/month in Shopbop credit for displaying their widget in my sidebar. So, it’s not like I don’t have the ability to buy things I might want to try, or things I need. I am absolutely grateful to have those resources, which I have worked hard for and built up to over the last 14 years doing Grechen’s Closet.
Onward. Here are the things I think I would like to add to my wardrobe this year.
I would like to replace my current linen pants with a pair of linen Florence pants. I have a pair of organic linen pants from Eileen Fisher, and I like them, but they’re very thin and “flimsy”, and last summer I relegated them to home/pajama wear. I am the world’s biggest fan of Elizabeth Suzann’s linen (it’s my favorite, I tested out several brands’), and I also prefer the waistband on the Florence pants to my Eileen Fisher pants. **if I only end up with one new thing this year, let it be a pair of linen florence pants. Black. I will be happy with just that. Or nothing at all.
I would like a long linen dress with short sleeves. I have a great Eileen Fisher linen dress, but it is knee-length. I have a Sunja Link long linen dress, but it’s sort of tough to sit and walk in (have toyed with getting some alterations). I have a raw silk dress by ES. But no long linen dress. So, I think I’d like a Georgia midi in linen, but two problems: my Marlena midi is too short; I’d like it to be an inch or two longer so it’s a maxi length, so I worry the Georgia midi would be the same. Also, the Georgia sleeves (see below). Maybe the harper linen dress? Does anyone have that? To be honest, I’d love a Georgia midi in silk – the rust color – but that is only an extra…
Linen, cropped tops – basically all the linen. Was thinking mostly of the Georgia top, but the sleeves bother me; I don’t like how they seem to stick out. Maybe the Linn tee is a better option?
I also thought/think I want these 6397 Shorty jeans in grey to replace the Chimala jeans I had to sell because they’re just way too big on me. I loved the color though, and I love my 100% cotton shorty jeans, so these seem like an excellent replacement. Hopefully they’ll still be available in my size when they have a coupon code, or they go on sale…or maybe they’ll stock them at Shopbop?
Shoes:
FEIT handsewn mules in rust – I’ve wanted to try a pair of FEIT shoes for a while, and love this rust color (a good way to “wear” red/rust I think!), so I’m saving up the Garmentory credit I earn from my referral link. If I get those, and even if not, I may decide to sell my mules from Elizabeth Suzann; I love them, but don’t wear them very much. The sneaker mule/slide is much more my style…
Robert Clergerie slides – ugh. because I can’t resist Robert Clergerie…and I’ve also wanted a pair of metallic shoes for a while…
Belted jacket/sweater – this is something that’s always on my wishlist and I’m sort of constantly looking for. It should be able to be worn belted or not, and look just as good open and flowy as belted. It should have pockets, and be made from cotton, silk, or linen. I’ve had jackets, etc., and have thought about the Clyde trench or jacket from Elizabeth Suzann, but I really want something that can be tied at the waist (I love this look with wide leg pants) and that’s not so BIG. Problem is, when I have had something like that, many years ago, I always prefer to wear it open. This is just something that I might get if the right piece comes along at the right price, but I’m not actively looking for it.
There you have it. I do not need anything at all, but those are the things I would like to have, if I can afford it this year.
What’s on your 2018 wishlist? What do you need to add to your wardrobe this year? What do you WANT to add to your wardrobe this year??
I hear you, Grechen, and I can empathize completely. I really appreciate that you are addressing this important issue. I do love your selections, above, nevertheless. All of them are beautiful and workable. What to do, what to do??? 😉
Ahh I am also trying to cut back spending this year. I made a commitment to buy “better” and buy “less,” and I did both, but not “less” enough. So, more less this year! For me shopping (online) leads to buying, so I am trying to cut back on the former.
But, I also came down here to say that I have those linen ES pants and really love them. Of course, seeing the silk version on you made me fall all the more in love with those too! All in good time, though. One good thing about ES is that you know items will stick around, or if they are going out of production you will have fair warning.
I love your honesty in talking about debt and spending on clothes — but also in knowing you have most of what you need. When you know what you have, you can see what you do need. I am really rooting for you to do the ES pieces only this year! I want to be more intentional with my buying this year, thinking long term and holistically with my entire wardrobe in mind for each purchase.
The fear of credit card debt loomed so large my whole life I never even got a card until my mid-twenties, and I pay it off religiously. Once you delay something once, it’s so easy to keep it sliding… I hope you are able to get everything under control.
I had a short list of things I was looking for this year, and actually found one of the things on Poshmark last night — Nisolo chelsea boots in black/natural, size 9.5. Bought for $100 off retail, they’ve been worn just a few times, and with the credit I had on there from selling I only spent about $35. I hope I pull off more stunts like this this year, but this might have been my one lucky chance, haha.
I FEEL YOU on the credit card thing. I really just cannot have one. My cycle is usually: 1) I spend cash on something I shouldn’t have bought / didn’t really budget for 2) Use the credit card to pay for things that I should have used the cash for. Despite what Dave Ramsey says, I also feel like having some savings helps me from ending up in MORE credit card debt–if I have an emergency then I have buffer. So I am trying to balance them out–pay down debt but also don’t put myself in a situation where I don’t have savings and build more debt.
I also need to just accept what kind of wardrobe I really need:
1) I basically work at home. Even when I go into an office, it’s casual. I don’t work at Teen Vogue or ManRepeller and have a bunch of colleagues to talk about clothes with and have an audience for my wardrobe.
2) Small capsule wardrobe of more “formal” work clothes for when I need to travel and present. I have 80% of what I need here and just need to add a couple of things.
So I need to work on wardrobe planning for this year that gives me some places to have fun, but need to reel it in.
After just saying I didn’t understand the Ace & Jig thing I bought an A&J blanket coat (sale plus discount code). I was toying with the idea of the short Clyde coat for spring but this could be worn inside as a cardigan or outside as a coat, has pockets, is super soft, and is a neutral color. Other than that I’m after another pair of linen Florence pants in flax. I’m also thinking that rather than ES for tops I’m going to have a few of my favorite style not perfect linen tanks custom made into a cropped length for me this year. They’ve added a short sleeved tee to their collection and I may try that as well. ES linen is my favorite but npl is a close second, they have beautiful colors and it’s less of an investment. Their linen washes and dries beautifully and is a great warm weather weight. I would also like to try a pair of Mohop sandals as a non leather alternative to my Birks.
Oh! Speaking of npl, you might want to check out the Rotterdam style which is a short, belted, linen wrap coat with pockets.
I’ve definitely been feeling similarly. There are so many pieces I love and designers I want to support and own, but when it comes time to spend money, which I don’t have a lot of, I mostly just want to spend it on ES. I, too, love everything she does! It makes me feel like myself–I can’t go wrong. There are several items I wish I had in multiple colors. I currently have black canvas Florence pants on order right now, and I think my next purchase may be a Clyde vest, Clyde jacket in black canvas or linen, and maybe something in rust. I don’t have much silk in my wardrobe so maybe something I can dress up too. LOL I just want it all! I highly recommend the Linn tee, it has such a good shape and the sleeves are better than the Georgia, if you ask me. Also you would look SO lovely in the Harper dress. There is a new style dress coming out this year that you may like too.
Those FEIT shoes are amazing, thanks for introducing me to them, though I’ll never be able to afford them ?
And good luck with paying down your debt!
Money… My husband and I have spent the last few weeks sorting out our retirement and investment accounts. It feels good to have slogged through all that and be on the same page. I will be cheering on your debt elimination!
I love your planning (ES all the way) and the resources you have (credits for all the rest). Here are my wardrobe thoughts for the year.
Immediate wants are a new sweater (I’ve gotten rid of two) and long-sleeved top. These are wants, I can live without them. I’d also like to replace my winter hat and scarf but haven’t found anything I love yet.
I need no more dresses (but I love them!) or pants. I may have to replace a pair of jeans this year but will do so when necessary.
I only have one skirt and I’m not thrilled with it. I’d like to replace it and add a second.
I need no more shoes but might need to replace my Tevas this year.
I could have written the intro/debt stuff. In June 2015, I had no credit card debt and $1000 in savings. Now I have no savings and enough credit card debt that I’m making my sole 2018 focus paying it off by my 40th birthday this summer. No matter how much I strive to use up and love what’s in my closet, the impact of two pregnancies and three babies in 2.5 years rocked my energy, commitment, and sense/image of self.
Here’s to a hard reset. x
Keep your eyes peeled and more deals are possible! I think so many people buy what’s in and trendy (Birks, Everlane, etc), and it just doesn’t always work.
A lot of people also only wear once or twice and resell. I am not sure if they’ve heard Le Tote, but it seems the better way to go!
Also: I started using You Need A Budget this fall and LOVE it. You assign every dollar a job. I’ve paid down some debt, but I’ve also REALLY been able to see where I’m spending and be more intentional, which also helps.
YES. for both of us. and end of 2018, let’s see how far we’ve come!! 🙂
My lifestyle has changed completely in the past year and I also suffered a severe injury (but 90% recovered now). I am trying to do more 2nd hand, wear what’s in my closet, and accept that I don’t need to dress up that much.
The big advantage (and disadvantage) of moving out of the city is that I can wear ANY of my shoes ALL of the time because I don’t walk miles every day. I do, however, have to replace the broken Birks that I’ve had for years and wear constantly. Maybe they can be repaired? It’s just a strap. So unless/untill something changes drastically, I’m going to try to be happy with what I have.
If you go onto the Birkenstock website you can find a repair provider in your area. I had mine repaired and resoled last year.
thank you!!
aren’t the FEIT shoes cool? I love that each pair is made by one person. and the look is so clean.
i have seen some of their shoes end up on sale, not the “classic” black pairs, but the white, etc. keep your eyes out for them…
i want all the ES too, but like alice said, the good thing about ES is that most styles stick around for a while, so you can save up for them and make a plan to add things through the year(s). like, nothing is going to “sell out”…
and literally, i am DYING TO SEE the whole photoshoot you did with ES. DYING. i look forward to your instagrams and stories every day 🙂
i need to do this RIGHT NOW. before i want to start wearing them again.
i had an amazing place in Atlanta when we lived there, and had two pairs basically remade for me once. that is the most wonderful thing !!!
haha!! there are some ace & jig pieces i really like. my only saving grace is that i just KNOW i would get tired of the pattern/color after a while. that’s just what i do…
i like not perfect linen – and have had quite a few pieces come through slowre. i like the quality of the linen, and simple designs, so i’ll keep them in mind. i do like this venice wrap kimono top VERY MUCH, but it’s like any jacket for me, i WANT to wear one, but i never end up doing it…
YES!!! that is what i do too (the cash/credit cycle…). why do we do that??
it’s interesting what you say about having an “audience for your wardrobe” – and I totally relate to that. theoretically, we should be our own audience, and dress for ourselves exclusively, and so wearing whatever crazy or interesting thing we want to, whether or not we will ever interact with anyone who could, or would “appreciate” it. but seriously. if i wasn’t a weirdo who takes pictures of her outfits and posts on the internet, i wouldn’t wear/own half the things i do…
so, my idea is that you start posting outfit pictures !! 🙂
whoa, good buy!!
i wish i’d had such a fear of credit card debt early on. i did after i paid it all off, and vowed never to get one again, but it’s very hard to start a business without a credit card, so i had to use one for a little while. and since i’m so bad at using credit – it’s embarrassing – i am in debt again. sigh.
i can’t wait to see how far i’ve come at the end of the year though!
haha!! i did that too. bought better, but not less!
and good point on ES, i love that i can wait on things that i might now really want soon, or “need” and know they’ll still be around. or like you said, would have notice if they won’t be…
the silk florence pants are SO AMAZING. SO GOOD. which is why i’d love another pair or two. after my debt is paid off 😉 first, linen 🙂
one step at a time!
one ES piece at a time LOL
I think it helped that I have pretty specific items on my list. But when you see it you gotta swoop!
I feel like this is a support group. “Hello, my name is Ruthie and last year I too went bananas and purchased entirely too much clothing. ” This is the year of more intentional purchases. Let’s hope….
That being said, I have a pair of linen Florence pants that I adore! At first I wasn’t sure about them, the waistband seemed too tight on my belly, but the more I wore them the more I didn’t want to take them off. I received a pair of Cecelia pants for Christmas and they went back to be exchanged for a silk pair of Florence pants in the rust color. I almost added the Harper dress but…. intentional…..I already own close to half a million dresses ( or so it seems) so how often would the Harper dress really make an appearance. I’m not saying it won’t happen but for now, I shall be contented without.
you all are definitely MY support group 🙂 there’s no reason why we can’t be each other’s!!
Welcome Ruthie LOL
i want to hear about your rust florence pants as soon as you get them!! i love that rust color …
I spent too much on clothing in 2017 also as my lifestyle drastically changed. I also gained weight. I can relate to the struggles with credit card debt – I’m always in and out. Being back in debt can make you feel crappy but it is important to not beat yourself up too much as feeling crappy doesn’t help with the urge to acquire. Ditto on YNAB! I’m using it too and it really changes the mindset when you are considering purchasing an item, much more than with other systems.
I feel like I have more than enough clothes and accessories now so no wishlist items for now. The reality is there is no additional closet space and so many of my items are still very new and perfectly suited for my life now. Although I have been toying with purchasing something new for every 10 lbs I lose. But maybe I need to get out of that way of thinking and instead reward myself with a non wardrobe purchase (like a spa day or an experience).
I love this post!
“My name is Holly and I, too, have shamelessly overbought this past season and on top of that, ate WAAAYY too much over the past two months.” :/
Grechen, I hope you take this the right way, since it sounds absolutely horrible (because I know you’ve been through a terrible experience and I truly feel for you), but I wish I’d had MY jaw wired shut.
My most immediate goal is to work off that extra 7 solid pounds so at least all the things that I shouldn’t have bought in the first place will fit me again, lol.
Until that happens, all purchases are on hold, but having said that, the first thing I’d like to get is a pair of simple, sandy-colored suede short boots with no more than a 1.5″ heel.
xoxox
oh my gosh you DO NOT WANT YOUR JAW WIRED SHUT!!! …i get what you’re saying though 😉
but i think you could achieve some weight loss without having your jaw wired shut LOL – maybe try two “liquid” meals a day and a big lunch? i did that years ago when I lost weight and was very successful. you have to be very disciplined though. the good thing about having your jaw wired shut (if there’s a good thing) is that there’s no discipline involved. you have no choice….
I’ve noticed that NPL ships from Europe- do you end up paying customs fees and how much roughly do they end up being? I’ve browsed NPL before but I’ve always been scared to order bc of that issue.
I’ve never planned for a wardrobe. I’m more of a bird in that I don’t really think about clothes too much until I see stuff I like and then I’m: Oh! Shiny! Pretty! Must have! Only I get that way with black clothes that aren’t shiny at all. In all honesty there’s nothing that I really want/need right now. I’m sure there will be plenty to turn my head and my inner bird will want, but for now I’m good. It is always fun to “window shop” (online) for stuff though.
I’m in the same boat as everyone else about saving more, buying less, buying better, etc… I have pretty good self control (mostly) so I’m doing a sort of experiment with myself to see how much I can save this year. We’ll see how long that lasts and how well my bird tendency holds up against my will power. 🙂
Things in general, and clothes in particular, are just too darn expensive nowadays. You really shouldn’t beat yourself up about credit card debt, considering you are a style blogger and more or less are required to wear some good quality pieces. I mean I work in a lab, wear no make up and hair product, nothing designer, and my daily wardrobe is just variations of tee shirts with long sleeves and crew necklines, jeans, and sneakers, yet every month I spend about $500 on clothes as well? I am in my 40s and I just can’t throw on any old drugstore moisturizer or graphic tee from Old Navy and feel good in my skin anymore. But my holy grail James Perse tees last maybe 4 months with regular wear (once a week), Eileen Fisher silk tees, even less. Each one of those tees can easily cost $150 each. I have to replace something in my wardrobe almost every month, sneakers, underwear, socks, etc. Also good skin products for aging skin is about $150-200 a container as well!
i am the same way!! except not really, because i’m thinking about clothes all the time LOL – but i do get distracted by pretty, shiny things – or in our case lovely black things 🙂
I definitely need to do some wardrobe planning this year! I’ve been buying too much and changing my style. I haven’t found a look I’m comfortable with. I really enjoy the look of Eileen Fisher – but somehow I look as if I’m drowning. When I catch myself in the mirror, the image I see doesn’t match the image I have in my mind. I love the idea of ES clothing – minimal styles with excellent material. I am just nervous about sizing . I want some Florence pants in navy silk!
ah, those 6397 shorty jeans…. I bought them bc of your love for them but they run so large. I know that’s how the designer meant for them to look… and I even bought a size down from my regular denim size but the waist is still too big. I could pull them off while buttoned and I have to constantly pull them up during the day otherwise I get that really saggy butt look especially since the pockets are larger. also, I noticed some minor uneven stitching which none of my premium denim brands have ever had. The denim does feel comfortable and soft for being 100% cotton but also doesn’t really feel durable. Lastly, this is probably my fault for using regular non-bleach Tide to wash them, but my previously light cream colored jeans were white after one wash. Btw, I’ve put white spots on cream colored linen from spot cleaning with non-bleach tide so now I’ve learned my lesson (lol); but I just thought the denim might hold color better than linen.
No, I just pay their standard shipping fee to the US , and if I’m not mistaken it’s less than ten dollars.
Your list sounds so sensible! It’s great to be able to separate the wants from the needs, to really be honest with yourself over which is which.
I think probably your email got autopopulated into the name field… to be safe, don’t enter your email address in at all.. if you just put your website, should be fine. wordpress doesn’t allow me to alter any comment info so i just deleted it and reposted sans email.
Anyway, excited to see what you add with a more limited budget.. whatever it is, it’s gonna be good!! I wouldnt get bored if all you posted was ES stuff, lol. I just got my Harper in the mail btw!
I make a list at the beginning of each year of items I need to purchase to fill wardrobe holes or expect to replace that year. It’s usually a category (ankle boots) rather than a specific item (brand x ankle boots). I’ve been doing this ever since finishing grad school when I literally needed to replace my entire wardrobe, but couldn’t afford to do it all at once. The list making helped me to identify priorities that I could remind myself of throughout the year when I get distracted by all the things I didn’t contemplate. That doesn’t mean I never buy off list, but it does help keep me focused. Off list purchases have to be a love at first sight, feel perfect on kind of thing.
Last year I set a hard budget for annual expenditures on clothes, after feeling like I spent too much in 2016 (no debt, but still felt shameful about spending waaaayyy more on clothes than charity). I had an accountability buddy I had to justify all of my purchases as I was making them. She was pretty hard nosed about always reminding me that my budget needed to last all year. I totally spent it all by Thanksgiving and then spent more to take advantage of holiday sales. But I was only buying stuff off my list at that point, and I was getting it at a very good price. And even though I went over, I spent 1/3rd less than the year before (which I realize as I write this, that’s the same amount that I increased my charitable giving this year!).
Anyways, this is just a long winded way of saying that I’m willing to bet that just making this list, and being public about your goals will be superhelpful in helping you meet your financial goals.
I am a planner. I love lists. You should see my “clothing” worksheet on my computer. I track all clothing purchases I make for the family, trying to keep us to a budget. I went over budget last year, but I still spent about half as much as I did in 2016, when I did not track the purchases. I found it very helpful.
On the clothing worksheet is also a page for purchase planning by month, item, and cost. There’s also a page for “ES sample sale wishlist” as I intend to go to a sample sale this year and I have items I hope to find (for example, silk Florence pants). I have purged my closet down to a small amount of clothes that I wear regularly and love. I do have a worksheet where I’ve written in my clothes by category, as a way to find holes in my wardrobe. It’s helped focus my shopping. Last year I was down to one pair of pants for work. It took a while to get some more pants (several Elizabeth Suzann returns) but now I have two pairs of ES linen pants (Clyde in navy and Florence in black) and two pairs of Everlane black boyfriend jeans. So, I’m in a much better place for pants now! It was a focus for 2017, for sure.
Here’s my wishlist for 2018: with a focus on wish, as I ES doesn’t even sell what’s on my list.
ES midweight linen Harper dress, ES Clyde culotte in midweight linen, ES Clyde pant in wool, and a pair of Allbirds loungers. Honestly, these are all wants and not needs. I managed for months with only one pair of pants, so I know these are all just to add some variety to my wardrobe. I’d be fine without them.
Good luck getting rid of the debt! Several years ago, my husband and I had a year of focus for getting rid of credit card debt. I had quit my job to go to graduate school full time and we really couldn’t afford it without using credit cards to help us through. Once I started working again, it was time to take care of the debt. It felt so good at the end of the year to pay it off! I certainly had very little spending money that year, but it was worth the effort. I’m interested to follow your journey this year.
I a fortunate to be able to use my AMEX exclusively for clothing etc purchases and thus HAVE to pay it fully every month. I do not want to carry credit card debt. If I got layed off from my job, I would just have to stop spending on unneeded items.
I wish you a successful journey in 2018 in getting rid of debt.
I spent more than usual in 2017 because I discovered ES and replaced a large portion of my wardrobe with her items. But now my needs are few in 2017. My shoe wardrobe is set. My list now includes a Clyde Trench in flax linen, and a pair of Florence pants in black linen. Last year I bought 2 pairs of EF (kind of) wide crops in their (heavy weight) linen on sale. They are simply too big and I don’t enjoy wearing them. Many of her pants are too small in a medium for me and too big in a large. I should have returned them. I soldiered through and wore the black ones more than the white, so a single pair of Florence in black should do the trick.
I bought two elbow length sleeve Tees off the James Perse sale you told us about, and that should make my spring/summer needs for Tees complete.
I got my Transcience Tote in Olive yesterday (looked for an olive tote for a year) and it’s perfect. A true olive color, the two inside side pockets are the perfect size. My Hydroflask tall skinny bottle fits perfectly in one pocket, and my umbrella if needed fits in the other one. Love how lightweight it is as my tote can get really heavy when I load it up with all of my work items. I have never had a bag in neoprene so I am hopeful that it is durable. Thanks so much for showing this tote to me!!
I just wrote my “what might I want this year” post and the answer turned out to be “almost nothing.” This isn’t a self-imposed shopping curfew, it’s a real state of mind. Although I love your choices BTW, especially those shoes!