Was it worth it?
14: Wide-leg jeans, suede sandals, a butter yellow halter top, 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?
Annina jeans
These Citizens of Humanity jeans have been on my wishlist for years, and I finally tracked them down in the right wash and size… on eBay, of all places (linking the original here but it’s worth checking out resale sites.) Since they fit bigger, I had to size down, and they were usually unavailable at Canadian retailers or sold out online.
One thing I’ve learned from all this? Practicing patience sometimes pays off. The jeans were as described (pre-owned, in very good condition), and I got them for $100, plus paid a little more for shipping, taxes, and getting them hemmed since they were a 33” inseam. When you’re 5’2”, it can be a challenge to find jeans that actually elongate your legs, especially in a wide-leg style, but these do just that.
I love that they fit nice and loose—not so much in a baggy way but more like trousers. It’s a silhouette that feels slightly more polished and easier to style, whether I’m trying to pull off jeans + a “going-out top” or a look that’s a little more laid-back. So far, my only (minor) complaint about them is that they tend to wrinkle—something I can live with.
Another option you can consider—I’m a Denim Forum fan and the Farrah Hi-rise Wide Jean was recommended to me as a similar style.
Leather flip flops
Sometimes I debate a purchase for far too long. Like whether or not I need leather flip flops, which has been on my mind since last summer. I initially had my heart set on getting the A.Emery Kinto sandals but couldn’t go through with purchasing them because the cost of shipping and duties to Canada pretty much doubled the price.
These H&M leather sandals turned out to be a decent alternative (now sold out in black, but they have them in red and snakeskin for something with a little more personality.) While I usually try to hold out for the thing I really want—instead of buying a “filler” piece—in this case, I was fine making the tradeoff. Knowing how much I wear my Havaianas in the summer, I didn’t want to spend that much on another pair of black flip flops if I wasn’t sure how much use I’d get out of them.
The pros: I love the square toe and how sleek they look. The cons: They were a bit stiff at first and heavier than expected. I wouldn’t recommend them for an all-day-walking kind of shoe, but they’re great for elevating an outfit in a way that my regular Havaianas cannot. I actually find myself reaching for them more because of how well they complete a look.
Suede sandals
I had no intention of buying another pair of sandals, but these suede, toe-loop ones from Zara caught my eye and I started thinking of all the ways I could style them with the rest of my wardrobe. Feeling put together in the summer is a struggle for me because there are always fewer layers to work with, so my plan is to rely on footwear to add interest to my outfits, and I figured having another pair to lean on besides black flip flops gives me some variety.
What I find chic about these Zara sandals is that they combine the cool, relaxed vibe of suede with a minimal, almost bare look. I find their warm texture and tone help make them easy to pair with lighter colours in the summer. They also feel sturdy and comfortable, which makes them worth it in my eyes.
A butter yellow halter top
This buy combined two things I’ve been obsessing over lately: butter yellow and halter tops. I have a few summer tank tops I like to rotate between—all pretty basic, so a halter felt like it would add something fresh to the mix. Except I hadn’t worn a halter in years and wasn’t sure if I’d like the style on me, which is why a low-stakes option like this Zara one made the most sense.
It’s 95% cotton and soft and stretchy with a scoop neckline. Considering the price, I wasn’t expecting much in terms of quality, so I wasn’t too disappointed that the fit wasn’t perfect. I’m not crazy about the slightly cropped length or built-in bra that makes it hard to wear a strapless bra without creating an awkward gap in the straps (will try it with an adhesive bra instead to see if that helps). I decided to keep it anyway because I do really like the halter style—it feels fun and flirty for the summer, and it’s unlocked a few new outfits for me using some old pieces.
Milano knitted sweater polo
After writing about this Massimo Dutti sweater in a previous newsletter, I influenced myself and ended up buying it. It was the combination of the red + polo collar + zipper that really got me, and I had imagined that it would fit similarly to the pictures on the site (although this was my original inspo.)
I ordered my regular size and found that it fit way too small—it was tighter and more cropped than I expected. It wasn’t quite as structured as it looked in the photos, and the material was also thinner (but soft). I tried styling it with a few of my pieces, and it looked OK but I didn’t love it enough to keep it. I haven’t given up on it completely and am considering buying it again (waiting for a sale) in a size up to see if that gives a better fit. I really do love the look of it.
Dôme cuff bracelet
When it comes to jewelry, I keep it pretty simple and straightforward. I tend to wear one piece (maybe two) at a time and gravitate towards easy, modern pieces that can naturally adapt to my day-to-day outfits. I’ve been eyeing this sterling silver cuff from Mejuri and finally bought it for 15% off when they were having a sale a few months ago. I debated between it and something chunkier, but thought the slimmer version was more ‘me’.
I have pretty small wrists so I thought anything bigger might be overwhelming, and I’m happy with the size I ended up with—feels timeless and understated. I’m no jewelry expert, so I won’t even pretend to comment on the quality, but so far, I haven’t had any issues with it getting scratched up. As for sizing, I ordered an XS and I’m just able to get my wrist through the opening (FYI, it’s not really adjustable).
Breakfast upgrades
I normally keep our grocery budget pretty tight. We meal plan our dinners for the week based on what’s on sale at the grocery store, and I’m all about using up leftovers for lunches. The one meal I’ve been “splurging” on these days is breakfast, going out of my way to pick up the fancy granola, sourdough waffles, and sourdough bread from our favourite local bakery. When I’m feeling extra indulgent, I’ll use the good jam—strawberry balsamic or vanilla chai blackberry from the Watering Can Flower Market—on the sourdough.
I’m not a morning person, so these little upgrades make a big difference to the start of my day and are totally worth it to me!
*For transparency, gifted items are marked. When I accept a gifting opportunity it’s because it’s a brand I shop at or a piece I’m curious about and want to share with you. All selections and thoughts are my own.
**This post contains affiliate links, which means I may receive a small percentage from anything you purchase through a link, at no extra cost to you. Affiliate links help 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.
Maria; when you publish I get SO excited because I can’t wait to see what you are wearing and styling. This post didn’t disappoint; I’m super impressed with those CoH jeans because I’m only 5’3” and could have sworn they wouldn’t work for me until hearing your height.
I also started buying the nicer granola to upgrade my morning yogurt and it’s such a treat.
Thanks for the gobs of inspo.
The jeans look absolutely divineeee on you!! You are my Pinterest inspo. So so chic!! You know this is one of my favorite series of yours, so I always love catching up with you on what was worth it for you. Also, I love butter yellow on you!!