James Perse fleece skirt | size 2, got it on eBay (here’s one, and here’s the army green version)
James Perse u-neck boxy top | several years old
Melissa sandals | many years old, but one of my favorite pairs of sandals
Jas M.B. bag | mine is quilted, older
I really hope I tell you guys this enough, but I appreciate you. I am truly grateful that you choose to read what I have to say every day, and then take the time to comment on it; you honor me.
Thank you.
I’m actually wearing this outfit for the second day in a row, I love it so much. You may remember, this James Perse heavy fleece skirt is the “newer” version (and better IMO) of a similar long James Perse skirt I wore TO DEATH from many many years ago, and finally had to part with. I didn’t buy this one when it came out earlier in the summer because it was too hot to wear it, and then I passed it up again during the July sale, but finally decided to try and get it on eBay, and I did…for $60!
And I’m so glad I did. This skirt is even better than my first one, and so comfortable & cozy, I’d be happy staying in it all the time. It is narrow, which takes a little getting used to (in terms of walking), BUT it stretches with wear, and softens up so that I have no problems at all. I do have super-short legs though…so if you have a longer stride it might be an issue for you.
Moving on again…I got my Shopbop order yesterday, and am pretty pleased with everything I got except the BLK DNM sweatshirt; the sleeves were WAY too long, not easy to push up, and the kangaroo pocket was much too bulky in the front. So back it goes.
I LOVE the Inhabit cardigan. It’s darker than it appeared on Shopbop, which I like, and it’s nice and cozy. It is a very strange shape, which is why I got it – sort of a square? – and quite warm, which I NEED. It’s long on me, and not especially flattering, but I wanted something long and interesting, that I can treat almost like a cozy blanket. Done. The only problem is that I want to WEAR IT! And I think it will be too warm for Atlanta next week.
Of course I love the T by Alexander Wang top – it will be great for wearing with leggings since it’s long enough to cover my ass! I will NOT shrink it this time…
And the Vince shoes are awesome, of course, but definitely do not fit the same as my haircalf Blair shoes I got last year. Even in a 7.5 (that’s down a 1/2 size from my regular size) those are still quite big on me if I don’t wear no-show socks, and the new ones seem a little snug. Again, yesterday it was in the low 90’s here, so my feet were swollen a little when I first tried them on. I’ve worn them around the house a bit to get used to them, and they’re still a teeny bit snug. What gives? This is my third pair of Vince sneakers and I’ve taken a 7.5 in all of them…I don’t get it.
I do love that they’re more narrow and less bulky than my haircalf Blairs though, so if I do decide to send them back, I’ll definitely get them again in my regular size. But now I’ve missed F&F, so I’ll either have to wait for black Friday/cyber Monday, or pay full price. Hmmm.
Overall, I’m sort of pleased with my reaction to my recent purchases, and this order specifically. I’ve become much more thoughtful with regard to what I am adding to my closet, and very picky. As I try on new things, I also try on older things, and try to decide if the new thing is worth adding, and possibly getting rid of something older for. Sometimes the old wins out!
Wait, is that a metaphor?
Have a great weekend!! As you know, I’ll be in Atlanta next week, but I will try and get posts up if I can. Depending on how things are going, of course!
I love that shade of blue you’re wearing – it’s beautiful on you!
The outfit looks great on you! I meant to comment yesterday that it was good to see that I am not the only one who has an off day : )
I feel kind of silly here as I started reading your blog after the WSJ piece on ‘minimalism’ – and then I’m reading today’s post and realized that I never even considered looking on eBay for clothes and then came up for air 20 minutes later after seeing some neat James Perse items. I’ve only become familiar with James Perse from your blog and saw a few pieces in person just recently and love the fabrics. How does so much NWT clothing win up on eBay though? I suppose that many people buy something and realize they don’t wear it and then sell it? I’ll have to look some more later – thank you (as always).
There are a lot of online James Perse sample sales that are non-returnable, so I think a lot of people buy things and if they get them and they don’t fit, they resell them. At least I do.
I’ve had an interesting reaction to my new things as well. One order I placed got ‘lost’ in the system and never went through. It was final sale, and I am relieved it didn’t go through! Now I wonder why I felt I needed it in the first place. Another order arrived from the Shopbop sale, the OAK dress that looks so freaking good on you. It made me look like I was a slightly deranged old lady running around in my nightgown. Now I wonder why I needed to try that dress when I have never been able to pull off long and flowy things!
When the dress look so terrible on me, I launched into a frantic search for a ‘real’ handbag. What’s up with that? I’ve spent a silly amount of time…and I can’t afford a new handbag. And, none of the ones I like were included in the sales anyway. I am trying to observe my obsession, and see if I can figure out why I think a beautiful handbag will make me feel like it is the missing piece of the wardrobe puzzle.
My goal this weekend is to enjoy some of the fall pieces I do have, and appreciate them fully instead of keeping them tucked away for something special. SO, when you are in Atlanta, if you see someone wearing a lovely JP cashmere sweater from the summer sale, wave frantically. It will probably be me.
Darn it! Now I really want that skirt. But I could truly use it. I’m finding I love maxis for when we go out (I hate to shave my legs…I figure at 5’10”, my legs are longer so it means more work!), and I feel comfortable in them. Good enough reason, right?!?
Plus, I have this TERRIBLE, HORRIBLE, NO GOOD, VERY BAD black poly maxi that I bought from QVC in a week moment, and it’s so long that I almost tripped and fell down the stairs in the dumb thing. So it’s gotta go! 🙂
Thanks Jen – that makes alot of sense. I’m a little bit of a perfume head and sometimes people have bad experiences with fakes on eBay, but I should realize that perfume is different than tshirts, etc. : )
thank you sandy!
i’d never purchased anything on ebay, until the JP skirt. i’d looked, but was always very nervous to actually buy. and i’m picky 😉 I’ve sold over the years, but never bought. it’s a good resource for getting pieces you might have missed. and jen was right about so many NWT things on ebay, i think a lot of it is because of the sample sales (final sale items), but probably also wholesale buyers, or people who buy in bulk just to resell…
man…i’m sorry the oak dress didn’t work out for you, but i love your description of it 🙂 although I’m pretty positive that is NOT what you looked like!!
i used to have a HUGE handbag “thing” – I kind of still do…but not as bad as before, i was ALWAYS searching for the perfect bag. and i really feel like a bag can sometimes make or break a look – a lot of pressure !!! now, i’m happy with the bags I have, and just try to rotate them more. i hope you figure it out…
i would love so much to meet up when i’m in atlanta, but things are always so up in the air, and i never have much “free” time 🙁 someday….
NEVER? I thought you were a seasoned e-bay pro, both selling AND buying! I’m your opposite. I’ve purchased a LOT! And only sold a couple of times. But I’m planning on changing that since my partial closet “burp” (it’s not a full purge). Just nervous about scammers.
i think the skirt would be great for you, and maybe you could even wear it during more of the year than i can! it’s a pretty heavy fleece, but that’s what makes it so wonderful…
i do the same thing re: shaving my legs. i HATE IT.
Hi Grechen,
Your outfit looks great! Love the skirt especially. Looks like a wardrobe staple. What size would you recommend for me? I wear 1 in JP tops, but do not own any bottoms. For reference, I wear 27 in AG and my hips measure 36,5″. Thank you!
So I ordered some flats that all the reviews and even the description said ran large and to order 1/2 a size down but when they came yesterday (after the sale expired of course), they were unfortunately too snug. I called Shopbop about an exchange (because I only saw return instructions online) and they said that they don’t normally “exchange” (since they have free shipping and returns) but if it’s just a matter of size (not color or style), they’d honor the sales price and processed my order over the phone. So just FYI for the Vince shoes. 🙂 Your welcome.
I wear a 2 and I’m generally a size 29 with wider hips. You could do a size 1 for sure or even smaller if you want it to be more fitted. But I think the size 1 would work for you!
I’ve been on eBay for over ten years, both buying and selling. Fortunately, I’ve encountered very few scammers. In answer to Sandy’s question, sometimes sellers will buy items for the sole purpose of selling. That’s why they’re new with attached tags.
I’ve sold perfume oils only once on eBay, and it ended up costing me money. It was my first time selling them, and I didn’t pack the box carefully enough. So it cost me the sale (a few bottles were broken), and I had to refund the buyer. I learned my lesson, though, and now go overboard with bubble wrap and plenty of padding!
hi! do you know where i could find a pair of the melissa sandals like you have?
On the Vince sneaks, I had the same issue with fit a while back. I ended up returning bc after ordering 4 different pairs in reg and 1/2 size down and NONE of them fit right! I have the suede burgundy Blairs and the oyster Blair 2s (?) and they fit like a dream so it’s got to be a size issue with the perforated only. I really, really wanted black perforated darn it.
Love the fleece skirt on you! You reminded me that I still have mine with tags on bc not sure about it. Maybe sell? It’s size 2 in case anyone is interested.
this pair is sort of similar: http://shopmelissa.com/sale/pollen-special – but other than sirenboutique.com that i linked to in the outfit post, i don’t know where you can find them currently online. maybe ebay? mine are 4-5 years old i guess…they seem to have been a very popular style, so maybe she’ll bring them back eventually.
Hi Grechen, I somehow navigated to your site and then went over to the Minimal Closet section and read the summary from WSJ–I am in the exact same boat as you!!! And currently going through a purge as well! It’s kind of what started my own blog. But anyway, just wanted to let you know I dig the series.
Also, great comfy outfit.. Ive been living in something similar myself, though I could never pull off the long skirt look! I stick to sweats/jeans 🙂
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thanks so much joanna! i love your “cost per wear under $1” posts so much…what a great idea !!
i’m looking forward to interacting more.