Was it worth it?
10: My pre-Black Friday buys, including a few good sweaters and barrel-leg jeans.
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?
Since I’m still eagerly awaiting the delivery of a few more Black Friday packages, this is going to cover what I bought before the official sale season started. I’ve said before that leaving some time between my purchases and when I write these actually helps me better judge what I bought because I can get a few more wears in.
Be sure to keep an eye out for the next Was it worth it, which will feature a roundup of my Black Friday buys.
Oversized cashmere-blend sweater
In the past, I never spent a lot on sweaters or paid attention to their composition, but after feeling frustrated by how previous sweaters have held up (they didn’t), I was fine with spending a little more this year. I don’t expect them to last forever but more than one season would be nice.
This H&M oversized cashmere-blend sweater was the first “nicer” sweater I bought this year. I secretly hoped they would bring it back after I hesitated on this sweater last year and it kept selling out. The cost may not seem like a lot relative to some other brands, but it still seemed pretty steep to be spending on an H&M sweater, although it is part of their premium line. When I saw it was on sale for 20% off in October, I shared it in the subscriber group chat and I got all the validation I needed to finally pull the trigger.
I also got an additional 25% off member perk for my birthday month, and apparently, you can stack discount codes at H&M (did you know this?), so it actually ended up being almost half-off.
My first impression was that it was so soft. I noticed a difference right away in how it felt compared to previous H&M sweaters I bought that weren’t from the premium line. It fits quite long and oversized on me, which I don’t mind because it adds to the coziness of the sweater. I like to wear it untucked with jeans and with a French tuck with trousers. I think the length would also work perfectly with a pair of leggings (I keep thinking about these, which are 25% off until 12/9).
Arket wool polo jumper
This was the first time I bought anything from Arket, and I nearly choked when I had to pay the duties on my order (it was more than one of the sweaters I bought—lesson learned.) Apart from this, I’ve been happy with this wool polo jumper I bought on sale for 20% off.
I had been looking for the right polo knit for months. Something like this or this that wasn’t too thin and had some structure to it. When I came across this Arket polo jumper, it checked all the boxes and was within my budget. I ended up sizing down after reading numerous reviews on how Arket sweaters fit, but I think I probably could’ve gotten my true size as the bottom ribbing tends to slightly creep up when I’m moving sometimes.
While not incredibly soft like the H&M sweater above, this Arket one, which is 100% wool, has won me over through its style. I like how the collar and neckline are stiff and stay in place, while the sweater itself looks tailored without being tight-fitting. I like wearing a white tee underneath (very original, I know), and for more layers, a blazer on top. The sweater is classic and I could see it easily becoming a staple in my wardrobe.
Grey sweatshirt
On to something a little more casual… I also bought this grey sweatshirt during Arket’s sale. I had a grey sweatshirt on my shopping list for a while, and there’s no shortage of them in every style and price point, but I was being extra particular with what I was looking for. Something that looked relaxed and lounge-y, but less like athleisure. I dismissed any sweatshirt with random stitching details or logos. All I really wanted was something plain and comfortable, and I felt like I found it in this Arket sweatshirt.
Again, I sized down but would’ve probably been fine with my regular size (if anything, the sweater would’ve fit slightly oversized.) It’s the perfect amount of loose and not too boxy—an all-around good, basic sweatshirt for those days I don’t feel like putting a lot of thought into what I’m wearing. It’s too bad Arket isn’t as accessible because I ended up loving both pieces I bought. Like I told a friend, I’d probably only consider ordering again if I could split the cost of shipping, taxes and duties with someone else.
Barrel jeans
It feels like I’ve had a never-ending debate in my head about barrel jeans/pants. Every time, I think I’m over them, I catch a glimpse of someone wearing a pair and get sucked back in. I was so excited to try these Denim Forum barrel-leg jeans when my girlfriend, Justine, told me about them.
I liked the medium wash of the jeans and how subtle the barrel silhouette was in the legs compared to other styles. They could definitely pass as baggy jeans, so you could still get away with them even if/when the trend fades. But the fit? It just wasn’t working for me. As someone who has been exclusively wearing high-rise jeans for the last couple of years, I couldn’t get over the mid-rise. And the shape of the jeans wasn’t anything special on me—it didn’t look bad but it wasn’t a 100% ‘yes’, either. So, I returned.
For what it’s worth, the jeans look amazing on Justine (she kept them) who’s slightly taller than me, so maybe that makes a difference? If anything, I’m still glad I ordered them so I could finally try on a pair of barrel-leg jeans and put them to rest.
Red off-the-shoulder sweater
As soon as I saw the red Leandros wool cashmere sweater online at Aritzia, I was instantly drawn to it. It reminded me of this photo of Jennifer Lawrence’s outfit that I haven’t been able to get out of my head. Although her sweater is a lot more oversized, the off-the-shoulder style and vibrant red colour were exactly what I was looking for.
It was one of those pieces I just knew I would love and I was right. The sweater feels so soft and luxe and hangs beautifully. It fits loose throughout and then tapers at the bottom and sleeves, which gives a chic, slouchy look without leaving me feeling like I need to constantly readjust myself. The only downside is that the sweater does shed a bit, which I’m fine to overlook because I really do love everything else about it.
I tried to wait for Black Friday to get a discount but the sweater kept selling out, so I snagged it once it restocked and to be honest, I have no regrets paying full price. It’s definitely worth it to me.
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Love your Was it Worth it Posts, too! It's nice seeing the thought process behind your purchases. If you ever decide to give barrel leg jeans another go, Nelle Atelier makes a great pair for petite frames (under 5'4"). The Everlane Way High Curve in the shorter inseam is pretty good, too (Especially the white pair in the summer). They're high waisted so the proportions are better if you're not on the tall side. I tried so many barrel jeans and it's totally like Goldilocks trying to find the right pair. Most didn't work, so it's definitely tricky finding the right one. Love the red sweater on you!
I always love your Was it Worth it posts because you show the good and bad (maybe not “bad” but just “not right”). Anyways you seriously scored on knitwear and I’m glad to hear that the H&M premium delivered, I can never get to it before it sells out but I want to based on how much people love it.
Your red sweater makes you look like such a bombshell!!