Open discussion time…I like doing these once a week, do you? And it gives me a place to put my completely random thoughts together instead of all dispersed within outfit posts. I might still do that anyway, but this is fun too 🙂
1
Does anyone have an Everlane seed stitch sweater? They launched some new styles/colors today and I’m intrigued. Mainly in the new u-neck in Taupe (I really like their taupe pieces. Obviously!). It looks like a great lightweight sweater to wear with everything. Something that I – astonishingly – don’t have right now. I do have quite a few Inhabit cotton cardigans and a couple of cotton sweaters, but they are quite fitted, not always a look I want.
2
Speaking of Inhabit, they added some new things to the sale section + $20 off, including this Donegal outdoor sweater I’ve been DYING for. Check out the post on Grechen’s Codes if you haven’t already (or don’t normally read over there).
3
I’m thinking about spring/summer shopping and wardrobe planning already. Of course. I mean…I always think about shopping…but I’m wondering if I can set a budget for myself, say $1,000/quarter (which is too much, but I’m just being simple here), and spend it all at once at the beginning of the quarter. Like, I wonder if I gave myself $1,000 to spend on April 1st and had to spend it all at once, how that would work out. Then I couldn’t spend any more money the rest of the quarter.
In one way, I think I would feel free, in that I wouldn’t have to worry about buying anything for three months, but of course, I would also feel stifled by having no more budget to spend if I’m out and see something I want/need.
It would be silly to put that sort of requirement on my shopping budget (that I’d have to spend it all at once), but I sometimes think I do better when I have strict limits or rules for things in my life. Like food/eating and exercise. So, maybe I would “feel” better if I had to make a list, and plan very well each quarter/season for what I wanted/needed and just bought it all at once. Then, when I shop, I just shop for fun, without buying.
An interesting question I think. Could you do that? how do you plan and spend your clothes/accessory/shoe budget?
My problem is that I don’t HAVE a budget. Don’t misconstrue that to mean that I can spend whatever I want — far from it — but I don’t really have a good handle on how much I spend, or even what’s a reasonable amount based on our finances. My current method is basically try to be good, buy something if I need it (which can be actual need or just omg I have to have that), and hope that my husband doesn’t tell me that I’m spending too much.
this is my situation too. i do know that i probably spend too much, and usually buy what i don’t need…
i think it would be a worthwhile exercise though, to really look at what i spend and see how much is reasonable. i really do need to be more aware, and create/stick to a budget. i’ve always put it off though, just taking care of bills/expenses/etc., first, then spending what’s left over – probably not the best approach to being an adult LOL
I’m not great with budgeting…especially because I feel like I typically find things when I’m not really looking for them. My way of dealing with this is similar to the idea of “being good”. Lol. Basically I try to stick to buying pieces that are good basics, will last a long time, and that I know I’ll wear a lot. Same idea if I need something, like a particular piece or something to wear to an event. I just try to keep myself in check. I’ve gottne much better at it over the years!
A bad example of keeping myself in check is your info regarding the Inhabit sale. I haven’t even been thinking about Inhabit! The prices are tempting though. Love the Donegal Outdoor Crew as well. Have you tried it on? Wondering what it would look like…
What is this “being an adult” that you speak of? 😉
Gretchen,
I have the Everlane seed stitch sweater for when they were first released last year. I have the grey in the raglan fit. I love it so much. It is roomy enough to layer with a collared shirt or long-sleeve, but the seed stitch is really breakable so ideas able to wear it in the early fall when temperatures in the Northeast are mild (60s to low 70s). I have found the quality on it to be really good in comparison to the criticism I have seen on some of the sweatshirts.
Hope that helps!
I struggle with the idea of budgeting. With the exception of needing a couple of pairs of shorts and a casual summer dress or two, I don’t need to buy anything else for spring / summer (and not for winter either). I do want to try experimenting with a budget so that I can plan to spend my money on exactly the thing I want to get, rather than impulse buying something I like because it’s on a great sale, or something that’s “almost” what I want.
Re: the Everlane seed stitch sweater, I had bought and returned them when they first came out. That said, the original Everlane sweatshirts don’t flatter me either. However, I love my U-neck tee from Everlane, so might check out the new U-neck sweater.
In terms of hazardous shopping, I just discovered that Amazon has a good selection of Steven Alan closeouts. Including the leather jacket that I bought directly from Steven Alan (on final sale) and would have liked to have the option to return. On the subject of buying exactly what you want, I should have bought the (now sold out) leather jacket I tried on last fall at Nordstrom’s and loved, rather than buying something without trying it on.
http://www.amazon.com/Steven-Alan/b/ref=dp_apparel_byline_ety?ie=UTF8&node=7086734011&field-lbr_brands_browse-bin=Steven+Alan
Haha. No idea 😉
I should add that whenever items are “final sale” online, I find that it just means trouble for me. Unless I have seen and tried on the item, I’ve learned to resist temptation. Even pieces that I am sure will be perfect, can end up having a strange cut, not look right, etc. It’s frustrating, as clearly the best way to get the best deals is through these kind of sales. The Inhabit sales are like this for me…I like Inhabit a lot, but I have tried on styles that just didn’t work…you just never know.
I’ve attempted to have a rule to only buy final sale if I have tried it on, or it has to be under $50…but as I mentioned above, I have trouble sticking to that rule.
I ordered the U-neck in Birch (not my typical color but I really like how it looks in pictures). Last time I got their Raglan in size Small, and it was way too wide and boxy, so I returned it. I guess the U-neck is a whole inch longer than the Raglan. I like the Taupe color, too. I also found it a bit itchy but I’m super sensitive to anything but cotton.
oh..itchy’s not good. but i’ve been less sensitive to that lately I think. love the birch color also; that would be a perfect spring color. to brighten things up a bit, but not too bright 😉 maybe i’ll try that one! please report back when you get yours.
good rule! i generally do stick with that rule, but honestly, i don’t buy much on final sale, unless it’s james perse or inhabit. that’s only because of experience though – i always love to death any piece i’ve bought from either brand…and i wish i could say it was all for under $50. around $100 is my “limit” i guess 😉
oh! i always forget about amazon for shopping clothes…they do have great selections/designers though.
i definitely don’t NEED to buy anything either, but i can NEVER put myself on a ban, that just ends up in a binge after only a couple of weeks! it’s crazy.
i haven’t tried it on – i just covet it from afar 😉
i ALWAYS find things when i’m not looking for them!!! but of course i’m looking for/at things all the time – i mean, shopping IS my job, right? 😉
i deal with it the same way you do – just trying to buy pieces that are basic, but interesting, and that will fit seamlessly into my wardrobe. pieces that i can/will wear for many years. so far i’ve done a great job with that, but even though i know i have everything i need, something else ALWAYS comes along that i need to add.
thanks for your input melanie! i think i’ll get one…now just to decide once and for all on a style/color. it’s getting harder every time i look at them!
I’m bad at budgeting, especially, on eBay. I know, what a shocker. I love taupe, but don’t own any Everlane yet. Well, it looks like my shopping list is longer. Thanks, ladies!
I started using mint.com to define a baseline budget and I think it is a great way to focus on buying quality vs quantity. In the last two years I have shifted to a simpler wardrobe of pieces I love like Everlane silk shirts and letting go of things I wished worked but did not (too fitted, too small dress shirts for work). I am finding that the focus on quality of quantity has limited my supply sources to sometimes J. Crew, always Patagonia, sometimes LL. Bean, Polo. I want timeless and quality and I am excited about defining and sticking to a budget in 2014 hopefully.
Yes–totally agree that when you know at least the designer well, it’s safe enough to do final sale. There’s always eBay as a place to offload things…I’ve actually sold a few Inhabit sale pieces that way and made my money back. I also really appreciate the “return protection” policy that American Express has. You can return items to AmEx that stores/sites won’t take back or are final sale, for up to 90 days from date of purchase. Item has to be new, you have to have receipt, etc. It’s a bit of a pain (you have to file the claim, fax your receipt, and then sometimes ship the item), but it’s worth it to me if there is something “final sale” that I feel like I must at least try. AmEx will refund up to $300 per item, but to $1000 per calendar year. Pretty good deal.
The sweater looks great and I’ve been googling different pictures of it to get a better idea of how it fits. I love the dark grey donegal knit, but am not sure what I think of the high side slits. Hmm.
I’m with you…it’s easy to always find things we *need*. 🙂
I’m tempted by several things from Everlane, but I’m wondering if anyone can report back on how well they hold up. I need to replace several nice tops that have developed small holes in the front, but are otherwise in fine shape. Very frustrating!
i have been pretty impressed with the quality of the things i have, which is:
several ryan tanks
ryan tee
three cashmere pieces
one silk blouse
indigo shirt
several t-shirts
two sweatshirts
short-sleeve sweatshirt
i don’t wear my silk blouse very much – at all really – so i can’t speak to how well it holds up, but everything else is faring well. i did get a hole quickly in my first gen. ryan tee and when i wrote to them about it, they admitted there was a quality problem and refunded me immediately for my tee. i’ve had VERY good experience with their CS whenever anything goes wrong, so i highly recommend trying them out at least!
Grechen,
How does Everlane fit compare to James Perse or Splendid sweatshirts?
Farha
everlane is cut larger than james perse i think, and maybe the same as splendid? i feel like overall, everlane is generous in fit.
I think Splendid is a bit roomier than James Perse. I am really curious to try Everlane. Thanks for this post!
Got the seed-stitch today. It’s very thin, and I really like the U-neck style but the Birch color is way too pale for my complexion. I think Taupe would be lovely. I got a Small. It’s more form-fitting. Sending it back cuz of color but might get Taupe later.
Also wanted to add it’s a shame they don’t make their sleeves wide enough for us non-skinny armed people. Granted I’m preggo now, but still my arms would look pretty tight in this sweater.
man…i hate that, because i have relatively larger upper arms, so a lot of things are tight on me. i guess generally they stretch over time, but it is annoying.
thanks for your review though, i think i’ll stick with the taupe color!