Was it worth it?
02: Thoughts on previous purchases including the Staud Soleil top, AGOLDE jeans and an oversized black blazer for the Fall.
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?
It’s been a while since my last newsletter, so I’m covering quite a bit in this one, including some not-so-recent purchases from the summer.
Last month was busy with writing—not the most fun kind (this newsletter), but the kind that pays the bills (copywriting). So here we are in September. I’ve been taking inventory of my wardrobe to figure out what pieces I can transition into the Fall and what I might want to add. A brown sweater, navy sweater and pair of boots are on the top of my list. In the meantime, I’ve been getting by with some of the pieces below sensible enough for this in-between weather.
Staud Soleil camisole top
This black and white contrast trim top was one of my favourites to wear this summer because it felt dressier than an ordinary black tank. I wore it a lot—and still am, underneath blazers and cardigans lately. When I was looking for a contrast trim top, I wanted something that was subtle and looked delicate and classy. This Staud Soleil top was everything I hoped for, and the material felt luxe and stretchy, which was a nice surprise.
It was sold out in my size almost everywhere online, but I somehow stumbled onto the last one (on sale, nonetheless) on the Saks Fifth Avenue site. The Saks site seems to always be having a sale, and I’ve gotten lucky with finding the odd piece on it that I couldn’t get elsewhere.
Since this J.Crew sweater blazer caused quite the commotion last week, I’ve been wondering if we’re going to see more contrast trim styles this season.
A light blue button-up
I had a classic blue button-up (like this) on my wishlist since spring but could never find the “right” shade or fit. While I usually go to Zara for button-ups because I like how their oversized ones fit me, I couldn’t find a blue option that matched what I was looking for.
I saw this Wilfred Free Sail Poplin Shirt in-store at Artizia during their Clientele sale, hanging between a random assortment of jeans. It was the perfect blue and fit pretty well. My only wish is that it was slightly more oversized (I would’ve tried the next size up had it been available.) I do like that it’s poplin—I tend to prefer it over an Oxford style because it looks more relaxed and less heavy/structured.
Untucked or tucked in, buttoned up or buttoned down, I’m a big fan of a crisp blue button-up.
Zara oversized black blazer
Last year, I bought this oversized blazer in Khaki after seeing @sincerelyjules wearing it. I loved it so much, which is why I decided to get it in black, too.
A black blazer is one staple I’ve been missing in my wardrobe until now. For the longest time, I found blazers tricky to wear. I’m 5’2” and any oversized ones would typically swallow me up. The length and fit of these Zara blazers give the right amount of boxy and oversized for my frame without feeling overwhelming.
I’m excited to wear this black blazer through fall, over dresses, and more casually with a white tee and jeans.
AGOLDE 90’s Pinch Waist Jean
Speaking of jeans, it’s one category I don’t mind investing in. I find that good quality jeans are more likely to keep their shape over time, so they last a couple of years. I got a pair of AGOLDE Riley jeans three years ago, and I’m still reaching for them all the time.
For the Fall, I wanted to invest in a darker pair and went with the 90’s Pinch Waist Jean that everyone seems to love in the wash ‘Range’. While I liked the wash and high-rise, the full-length, straight leg wasn’t flattering on me. They worked well enough with heels but shortened my legs when I tried them on with runners/flats, which was the deal-breaker since I’m more often in the latter.
I ended up sending them back and buying another pair of Riley jeans in the wash ‘Silence’ (I’m wearing them in the pic with the black oversized Zara blazer.) They’re cropped, which ends up being almost full-length when you’re my height, and they have a slimmer leg than the 90’s Pinch Waist. Also loving that they’ve got more stretch to them than my previous Rileys, so they’re actually pretty comfortable as far as jeans go.
Zara striped cardigan
This is one of those cardigans that doesn’t look like much on a hanger but looks so pretty on. The combination of stripes and dainty pearl buttons caught my eye at first—once I tried it on, the soft material and vented cuffs really sold me on it.
Oversized blazers and shirts aside, I’m often drawn to pieces that are a bit more streamlined and feminine, like this cardigan. It looks really elegant buttoned up, worn with black trousers and ballet flats, but I also love wearing it unbuttoned over a white tee.
Some recommendations:
There are so many benefits to buying secondhand, but I rarely have the patience to sort through the chaos on sites like TheRealReal. I’m not looking for anything in particular right now, but when I’m ready to invest in a new(ish) handbag, I’ll be using these tips from
to help me find a hidden gem.Sometimes you need a reminder you have enough. For weeks, I had a pricey pair of satin pants on my mind (and in my cart), and then I came across this previous post from Allison Bornstein that reminded me, “You can do with what you have.” It saved me from splurging on something that may not be worth it for how much use I’d get out of it. I took a screenshot of her list of questions to ask yourself when shopping and shared it here in case you need a reminder, too.
Getting caught up on all your posts - so good!!