For years I bought just to have new outfits on the blog. I knew if I had new, readers would purchase it. If I had new, the photos would do great on Instagram. I justified the cost and the overloaded closet on my job. I needed it all to be successful, right? RIGHT?
Wrong. Since going full-time as an influencer I've focused on featuring the same items over and over. Not only is it how I truly dress every day, but it's making myself an example of what I preach - quality not quantity. You don't need a big closet to achieve big style. When you slow down, shop thinking of your current closet, your current life, and your current body you find that you can do more with less. Quality doesn't have to be an Hermès scarf or Gucci bag; quality can be found at any pricepoint. Quality is about buying that which can withstand more than one season and more than one way of styling. And I've found from a business standpoint, not only do I sleep better at night featuring clothing that can be worn over and over I have found my affiliate revenue has increased (read this post on how blogs make money to understand what I'm talking about).
Right now, before the weather gets biting cold, I am loving this wool coat. The longer length keeps more of me warm and the style elevates even jeans and a t-shirt. For those upset that this coat was sold out in this color, I looked at the Talbots site this weekend and it's back in stock along with pink, gray, and black. I think it's such a beautiful shape; with large arms and shoulders and a large bust many coats can make me look like a linebacker. This one looks lovely, even when buttoned up (you can see it buttoned up in this post). I realize I never featured the scarf in a post, just mentioned it in a few posts.
This cashmere sweater from Everlane is a favorite, especially with high-rise jeans since it's a shorter length. I am just starting to get pilling under the arms; not bad for how often I wear it. And it's not the kind of pilling that leaves bare spots; I just need to hit it with my sweater shaver or a sweater stone and it will look like new. The jeans are super comfy and this is day 3 and they're not all saggy and baggy.
The boots were acquired in 2014. I didn't wear them for a bit because I felt knee-high boots were out of style. The thing is, sometimes we latch onto a trend. It's practical or it's accessible to a variety of body types. We wear the HECK out of that trend. Every retailer sees dollar signs and recreates it in a kazillion ways. And you end up despising it or else looking like a clone (or Han Solo). I said knee-high boots were over because in 2017 they were. But I never said throw your knee-high boots away but not buy any more and if you owned them, find ways to modernize them. Well, knee-high boots are back but they are being styled differently from how we all wore them in 2015. I pulled mine off the highest shelf in my closet where I stored them with rolled magazines in the shafts to keep them from creasing and I'm finding I'm wearing these brown ones almost weekly. And this bag? Same. I think the last time it was regularly on the blog was 2014. I stored it in the back of my closet and this season it just felt right to wear again.
I need to rave about this ring. I wear it ALL. THE. TIME. And each time I do someone comments on it. It's hard to find high-quality rings in larger sizes; this one is available up to size 11 and in four different metal tones. It's big but I don't feel it when I'm wearing it. And I like a bigger ring on my fingers, which are neither slim nor long. It has become part of my signature style and I believe will be something I'll wear for years.
When you shop carefully, it's a lot easier to know what to keep and what to donate each season. How often was it worn? Did you wear it or did it wear you? Did you feel comfortable, both physically and emotionally in it? Is it good enough quality that it will still look awesome this time next year? And when the trend ends, do you love it enough to use precious storage space to hold it until you want to wear it again?
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