Was it worth it?
08: A tailored vest, FLORE FLORE tank, reasonably-priced jeans and more.
When I spend money—whether it’s on clothes, food, experiences, or something else—I like to feel good about it.
As much as possible, I try to be mindful of what I buy. I love finding a good deal, but I also don’t mind spending a little extra from time to time if it means better quality. I read a lot of reviews, pay attention to recommendations and try to base my purchases on their perceived value. I’m always asking myself, was it worth it?
Here are some thoughts on what I bought recently. What was money well spent, and what gave me buyer’s remorse?
Wilfred Regal Linen Vest
I’m a lot less impulsive when it comes to trends. I know this because of how long it took me to finally get a tailored vest. The upside of waiting out on a trend is that you can see if it’s just passing or if it evolves, and if so, you have more choice for what iteration you want to buy into.
We’ve seen tailored vests stick around for various seasons now and in varying silhouettes, and it wasn’t until seeing the longer styles with higher necklines that I really started to want one. I became obsessed with the Attersee Sculpted Vest after seeing this photo and loved everything about it—except for the price.
I ended up finding a similar silhouette in Aritzia’s Wilfred Regal Linen Vest and bought it during their Clientele sale for a little over $100. While I contemplated between fabrics, I decided on linen because it was more casual and fitting for my lifestyle. (If I still worked in an office, I probably would’ve chosen crepe.)
As soon as I tried on the vest, I instantly loved it. It combines the effortlessness of linen with a sharp and sophisticated silhouette. Considering the price, I think it’s a really beautiful vest overall, but there are several things I’ve noticed after a few wears that aren’t necessarily deal-breakers for me but can be for others.
For instance, I sized up in the vest for a little more room but it’s still quite fitted and can feel a bit restricting in the chest area when I’m moving around or sitting (a potential problem for those with bigger chests.) And while the vest’s princess seams give a nice shape at the waist, the cutaway starts above the belly button so it can show a hint of skin unless you’re wearing very high-waisted bottoms.
If you’re a little shy about showing some skin, Aritzia actually has a few other options in similar silhouettes, minus the high cutaway. I like this and this.
Babaton Slip Linen Maxi Skirt
There weren’t too many gaps I needed to fill in my summer wardrobe. One of the only things I had my eye on was a linen maxi skirt and I was excited to come across this bias-cut option from Babaton on sale.
In my last send, I wrote about how I’ve been wearing this skirt on repeat (definitely worth it) and the reason is simply because of how comfortable it is. The skirt is lined but feels lightweight and is easy to move in. There’s some stretch in the waistband, too, making it ideal for brunch/lunch/dinner/any plans involving food. As with all things black, the skirt is easy to style, and as you can probably tell, I keep it pretty classic and minimal. I’m hoping to transition the skirt to fall, swapping out sandals for ballet flats or sneakers and adding layers, like knits and a trench.
Arlo Hi-Rise Straight Jean
If you’re ever looking for reasonably-priced denim, may I suggest Aritzia’s Denim Forum line? I actually have a few pairs I’ve collected over the years because they seem to hit the sweet spot between quality and price.
These Arlos were an unplanned purchase after we had to unexpectedly stay at my parents’ place one weekend for my son’s hockey tournament and I had nothing packed. I took a quick trip to the mall and purchased these jeans (again, on sale) so that I could have something else to wear for the weekend.
While I normally order jeans online, this was a good lesson in why trying things on in person is sometimes better. I would’ve never picked these jeans in a regular length, 28 inseam, assuming they’d be too long for my 5’2” height (I’ve only ever bought cropped denim with a 26 inseam and they always hit right at my ankles.) This pair turned out to be the perfect full-length, straight leg-style I’ve been looking for without having to bother getting them hemmed.
FLORE FLORE Esmé tank
I’ve already done a full review of the Esmé tank for
’ One Star Reviews but wanted to quickly mention it here, too, because it’s definitely worth it, in my opinion. If you read the review, you’d know that I’ve never splurged on basics before because I didn’t think there would be enough of a difference in quality to justify spending more money. But after ordering this tank, and seeing how it stands out against my Zara ones, I definitely see the value in investing in a good basic every now and then.The Esmé tank is made out of 100% organic cotton, and right off the bat, you can feel the higher quality in its fabric. Aside from this, there’s just no comparing its fit. While I tried to seek out (less pricey) alternatives, I kept coming back to the FLORE FLORE version, because like one reader commented, their fitted cut is a distinguishable feature that is surprisingly hard to replicate. I can spot an Esmé tank out of a sea of similar styles in an instant, which I think says a lot.
The top feels very 90’s minimalist chic, and I like to lean into its simplicity by styling it with linen pants, straight-leg jeans or a satin slip skirt with very few accessories.
Mineral’s tasting menu
We had a late celebration for my older brother’s birthday at Mineral Toronto, which serves elevated Filipino-inspired dishes. The tasting menu was 10/10 and my favourites were the ensaymada with truffle butter (+ duck prosciutto), crispy broccolini, ibérico pork collar, beef short rib caldereta and the most delicious Ube leche flan.
While tasting menus can get quite expensive, we thought this one was reasonably priced ($95/pp) considering all the food you get. Every dish was so creative and well thought-out. You could tell a lot of attention to detail went into putting a spin on traditional Filipino cuisine and creating a memorable experience.
At the end of your meal, they leave you with a postcard, which has a picture of the head chef as a kid in the flooded streets of Manila on the front and a recipe for his chicken adobo on the back. I loved this kind of personal touch, showing us his connection with the food and how much of himself and his upbringing he pours into what he does. Made me so sentimental! My parents didn’t end up joining us that night, but we got them a gift card so they could experience the restaurant, too.
*This post contains some affiliate links, and I may receive a small percentage from anything you purchase through a link, at no extra cost to you. Including affiliate links helps support the work that goes into these newsletters, and I carefully select recommendations based on what I love and would wear, regardless of a commission. As always, thanks for your trust and support! x
The vest looks so lovely on you! I’m also going to have to checkout the skirt once I’m ready for a satin one.
Love flore flore but haven’t been able to take the plunge yet! This post gave me the little nudge I needed! What size did you take?