OAK side pleat maxi dress | medium. LOVE.
Rag & Bone Quinn sandals | on sale at Shopbop for $203
Everlane belt | small
Jerome Dreyfuss Florent backpack | purchased with store credit I get in return for advertising
It may seem that I’ve bought a lot recently, and I have*. But I’ve also purged A LOT, and am down to one closet and nothing in boxes. And I plan on keeping it that way. I feel a little bit like I’m moving too fast though re-acquiring new things, given all the sales, so I’m going to take a step back for the rest of the month. But not until I order the grey version of this OAK dress…**
The moment I put this OAK dress on, I knew I needed the grey one. In fact, I toyed with getting the grey one first, and not the black, but I’m glad I got the black. I’m pretty sure I’ll also love the grey version, but if I don’t, I can always send it back. And I don’t have any grey dresses right now, certainly not one like this. This dress is exactly what I wanted the Acne dress to be, but isn’t…and it’s like the caftan I wanted, but better somehow. It’s great belted, or un-belted (you know I’ll wear it sans belt more often than not, but I do like it belted!), has sleeves to keep my shoulders covered, and is long enough to lounge around in comfortably. Win-win-win.
I tried to tell myself that I can wait, order the grey one later after I’m sure I’ll wear it enough to make it worth while, but it already sold out in medium once and has been re-stocked, so I don’t want to take that chance (yes, I’ve been watching). And I still have Shopbop credit available to cover the cost, so why not go ahead?
The last time I did this though – buy another color of something I love – I still haven’t worn it. I got the James Perse slub button-front long sleeve top in white on sale at Shopbop and sought out the black version at Gilt and then didn’t wear either one. I’m sure I will wear both over time (I love them), but it’s frustrating. I also have multiple James Perse casual t-shirts, and the only one I wear very often is the white one…
So. I’m going to take the chance and go ahead and order the grey one. But like I said, I’m holding off on buying any more clothing for the rest of the month. Anyway, I’m saving up my Shopbop credits for this Acne studios sweatshirt to wear constantly when (if) it ever cools off!!
Anyway, I’ve always been an advocate of buying multiples of things you love, but now, I’m not so sure. And of course, as if she’s reading my mind, Debbie posted just yesterday about how style re-definition can make you want to shop more because you get tired or grow out of certain shapes and styles. That’s true, and specifically in my case, I have 4 pairs of Repetto ballet flats that I haven’t worn in a couple of years because I sort of feel “over” them. I will never get rid of them, because I know I’ll wear them again, but it’s something to consider.
Is it worth buying multiples of things you love RIGHT now whether or not you will love them in five years? That’s a question to ask of anything you buy, really. I think the answer is that if you can afford to, and can get rid of them when it suits you, then why not?
What do you say?
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*I’m going to do a budget recap in tomorrow’s Week in Review post 🙂
**I wrote this last night, and as of this morning, I haven’t ordered the grey dress. I’m not sure if I will actually. I think I need to just enjoy the black one for a while…
That dress is so gorgeous on you and I think it’s especially flattering with the belt. It’s been said that the best dressed women wear uniforms, and I think it’s absolutely fine to buy multiples of something you wear often. I have a couple of dresses in different colorways.
I like the question you’ve raised here.
I am so guilty of buying multiples! When I find something that I love, it’s natural for me to want to snatch up the same item in additional colours (if available and flattering). Almost every top I own that I get the most wear out of, I have in more than one colour. And I often buy multiple of the exact same item if I wear them a ton (i.e. jeans – which I wear pretty much 5-7 days/week, tanks and tees).
I think I do this because it makes dressing “easier” for me – if I like a certain outfit, I can just wear it a few more times during my two week dressing period (I try to not wear the same outfit to work more than once every two weeks – is that strange?) without having to think about it. But now I’m starting to wonder if I own the same thing in several colours does it make the individual item less special? And does that even matter?
thank you catherine!! i used to think i had a strict uniform, but it turns out i don’t. i’m kind of all over the place in terms of the styles i like to wear, of course, only in black, white or grey 😉 sometimes i like drapey, sometimes i like fitted, sometimes i like “menswear-inspired,” sometimes I like a t-shirt & jeans…so i start to get concerned when i go overboard on one particular silhouette. like this dress, for example. it’s oversized and drapey, a style in general that i have a lot of in my closet.
thanks for your comment, and no it’s not strange that you don’t want to repeat outfits within a two week period! when i worked outside my home, i tried not to repeat very often. I didn’t have a specific time period, but I didn’t like repeats. I still don’t! which is why traveling with so few items is difficult for me 🙂
that’s a good question about making the individual item less special – and something i definitely think about. i try very hard to buy items that i really love and can work in to my wardrobe seamlessly, but every piece i add means that another piece doesn’t get worn as often. Which makes me sad, really. sometimes i don’t understand why exactly, but i think i just have a very strong belief that every THING/Person/etc., should be appreciated and loved as much as possible, or as fully as possible. Maybe that’s too much to ascribe to my clothing, but i do it anyway. it’s also why i get rid of things quickly if i haven’t worn them in months or years; i want them to go to someone who will actually USE them and appreciate them. i don’t like things sitting around not getting worn or used. it’s a waste IMO
so yes, i suppose that having things in multiple colors does make the individual item less special, but it probably doesn’t matter much in the scheme of things. unless you’re like me, and don’t wear the “other” color you bought because you though you HAD to have it, but turns out you didn’t 😉
not sure if that makes a whole lot of sense, but there it is!! thanks for making me think about it…
Do my eyes deceive me or is that Acne sweatshirt REALLY $300!!!!! REALLY!!!! That’s like my clothing budget for 3-4 months. For an article that I would throw on over leggings to go to Target? Well, at least my bum would be covered 🙂
yes! but it says Acne on it 😉
i can’t help it…i love it. mostly because it’s gray and black and super long and has a mock turtleneck!!! but i won’t pay $300 for it. i think it will go on sale before it even cools off here and then i’ll snatch it up.
SO right, Catherine! That’s what I’m aspiring to, and what I think Grechen is achieving.
Can I just say how much I LOVE this dress on you? Both ways! So versatile…I could see it dressed up with the belt and a different bag (Cooooool bag, BTW…), or down with Birkies and no belt. Incredibly chic and avant garde. (Now I want it! I made a cheap mistake this week, but a mistake, nonetheless 🙁 )
I have to admit, you’ve thrown me a bit with the Acne sweatshirt!
I buy multiples only of ballet flats by J Crew and their Vintage tees in white, black or gray, but only because the v-neck fits me so well and the flats come in a 10.5, which is rare.
I bought multiples of the Everlane silk collared shirt because it is a staple for my workwear and I feel like it’s timeless. The risk of course as I change weight and get bigger and cannot close the buttons (!). I found it absolutely gorgeous and it makes dressing up for work so easy so I have got a few of the same & the different colors.
Grechen, any idea where they might sell the OAK dress in black? I’m searching for a size large, but no luck online so far. Thx!
Hi Grechen,
Thanks for replying! And yes, what you said makes perfect sense!
I like how you said that you think everything that you buy “should be appreciated and loved as much as possible” – it resonated with me, and I will keep that in mind going forward in my own shopping choices. It will really make me think twice before buying something new (or, in the case of multiples, something familiar!). If I’m devoting my resources (money, which I’ve worked hard for), shouldn’t I put it toward something that I will truly use and enjoy?
I really appreciate how, as a fashion blogger, you’re not promoting mindless consumerism, but rather thoughtful, purposeful living, even through the choices of what we do (and don’t) add to our closets. Thanks for this!
Well said, R!