I LOVE these shorts. They are decadently HIGH-WAISTED and that is everything to me right now. I want them in white but they’re sold out now. I sized down a size. My original inspiration was these by The Great.
I’m such a minimalist. I go for solid black… or white. So explain to me why I chose these crazy patterned shorts? Other than they had them in my size and they were flattering. Uh, also, they match the weird sports bra I bought back in June.
Ha ha. I bought this to go with the above shorts. Only it’s not a sports bra. It’s a swim top. I actually found the matching bottoms but they were a no-go. So, I figured, this was a two-fer. I can wear it to workout in or to swim. (I had not yet realized I had already bought the matching Icon Clash Bra.)
That’s it! One pair of shorts and one workout outfit. And workout clothes don’t even really count when we’re talking wardrobe additions, right? Right?
I keep looking through my closet and browsing online and I keep coming back to the thought that: I DON’T NEED ANY MORE CLOTHES. Sorry for shouting. I could have just bolded or italicized that. Maybe I’ve just been too busy to shop. Cleaning out the basement, going to the beach, kids starting back to school, training a puppy. I’m just living my life, you know?
But, here are a couple very carefully selected items I might buy this Fall.
I’ve been wanting these for a while. It would be a splurge. I’ve heard you can give them your measurements and they will work with you to find the perfect fit. Did I hear that from another blogger? Or did I dream that?
Last winter my friend Annie went on a clog-buying spree. As the boxes piled up and the obsession grew, it became so ridiculous that I had to document it. But the post ended up never being published. Now seems like a great time to share what Annie and I discovered about clog boots.
There were SO MANY clogs that came and went—boots, sandals, mules. Annie started ordering them in my size too and we had a couple try-on sessions. Then she started getting them for her daughters… I’m not sure how many pairs she decided to keep. I’m afraid to ask.
The original “need” was a pair of mid heel clogs. Annie ordered a variety of styles including these Swedish Hasbeens. Aside from being very pricey, she found them to be so big in the ankle that even with wool socks she could still fit two fingers into the back of the boot and her foot almost slipped out of the boot when walking. She ordered her usual size 37. The website said they run small and to order one full-size up, but she ordered her normal size and they were too big. And that’s before any stretching that is normal with a leather shoe. Also, Annie said she ordered them in blue as well as black and found the black ones were a little bit bigger than the blue ones even though they were both 37s.
The Hasbeens that I tried on were all so narrow on my wide feet that I did have to size up one full size. So, a big thing we learned is that based on the brand, sizing is VERY inconsistent.
The next batch included these Free People clog boots. Annie liked these better than the Swedish Hasbeens because of the adjustable strap. I prefer a more sleek silhouette.
Eventually Annie found these Patrica Nash clogs which she said were a big improvement from the Swedish Hasbeens boots. The price was way better too. The only problem was deciding between green, natural, black and navy!
If I were to buy another pair of clogs, I think I would definitely get a pair of clog boots next. (Or maybe some classic black Doc Marten boots?) Here’s my round-up of the ones I like now.
It’s amazing how well my #lowbuy experiment has gone so far this year. I first heard about the idea from Signe at UseLessWardrobe.dk. The goal is to commit to a year of limiting clothing purchases, to buy second hand, sustainable or not at all. It has really changed the way I think about new purchases and how I spend money in general. Here’s everything I’ve added this year:
JANUARY
Leopard Sweater | J. Crew (used from Poshmark) $39
I bought this sweater over a year ago (full retail: $89.50) and decided I didn’t love the way it fit so I returned it. Then, in January, I found it on Poshmark and decided it was a good deal and would be a good addition to my wardrobe. I had been wanting a leopard sweater for a while. It turned out that the seller had machine-washed it (on gentle, but it was hand wash only) and had shrunk it. I decided to not make a big deal out of it. I kept it and never wore it. I’ve since donated it. Such a bummer, but it really reinforced the idea that buying clothes does not me happy.
These clogs were a really good purchase. I already had one pair of clogs, low heel, in navy and wanted a higher heel in a lighter color. I waited a long time before finally decided to buy this second pair of clogs. I really adore clogs and wear them all the time. It feels good to choose something you love even though it isn’t necessarily trendy, and to learn what your true style is. This was my first time purchasing from Lotta and I would highly recommend them! #cloglife
Another thing I had been wanting for a while is a pair of white jeans. I looked a a lot of options, ordered and returned one pair from Madewell and then tried these from the GAP and they were perfect. I am happy to see styles moving from skinny to strait. I love the silhouette of the high waist and wider, cropped leg. And they are so comfortable.
Okay, so, as soon as stores opened up, I went shopping with my daughter and although I had previously pinned this on my wish list board, it was kind of an impulse buy. Did I need another dress? No. Another navy colored dress? Definitely no. But I love it. And I reach for it all the time, which in my opinion is the best indication that something was a good choice.
The Haul | Nordstrom Rack $86
So, everything had been going great… then I went to Nordstrom Rack with a friend when they first opened back up. I grabbed a bunch of things, then learned I couldn’t try anything on, so I decided to just check out and try them on at home. I paid for my haul and then they stamped my receipt, “FINAL SALE.” I could have died. I had no idea they were having a clearance sale. I wasn’t paying attention. I was not happy. I didn’t feel excited that everything was 50% off. I just felt sad, like, I didn’t need any of this stuff and I don’t even want it in my closet. So, I accidentally added a Nike sports bra, a Calvin Klein bralette, 4 Madewell t-shirts, a white Madewell cardigan and a pair of camouflage pants! They all fit me fine and I will use them, but I wish I had never gone on that shopping trip.
That’s all. That’s what I added. I am amazed how little I bought, and more so, how little I wanted to buy! It has been such a transformation. (Granted, the pandemic was a big contributor to my not shopping)
I now know, that when I really focus on what I truly want, and what clothing is really me, it’s very minimal. I enjoy the good choices, and I enjoy what I already have.
I finally ordered this pair of clogs, the Lotta from Stockholm “High Heel Classic Clog Tan” on March 11th and they arrived, all the way from Sweden, on March 21, so 10 days. (I might have checked the tracking number multiple times…) I have been pondering this purchase for a very long time, being very intentional about what I add to my wardrobe.
I almost didn’t buy them. Before I did, because I would be paying for shipping both ways, and didn’t want to buy the wrong size, I emailed the company. They emailed me right back!
Hello,
I’m wondering how narrow these are. I usually wear a US 8.5 because my foot is sort of wide, but fit well in a 38 in Troentorp and Birkenstock.
Thank you,
Leigh
Hi Leigh!
Thank you for getting in touch!
The general width of the widest part of the highwood shoe is 8cm (the ball of the foot) and the narrowest part (just by the heel) is 6.5 cm. Depending on the size of the shoe, this will vary by a couple of millimetres but is generally similar.
The general width of the widest part of the Lowwood shoe is 9cm (the ball of the foot) and the narrowest part (just by the heel) is 7.5 cm.
This is not the best style for a wide foot. If you would like a high heel, the Highwood clogs will fit better than High Heel Classic even if the base is exactly the same.
Do let me know if I can do anything else for you!
With kind regards,
Sol
I sort of decided then I wouldn’t get them. But then they kept calling to me. My desire for them never went away. If I was going to buy one new thing this season, it was a second pair of clogs. So, about a month later, I measured the width of some of my narrower shoes and decided that the “highwood” clog would fit me. Oh, my gosh. When they arrived and fit me perfectly, I was so thrilled! I really like to live on the edge. Haha. I love them and they are everything I have been wanting: classic style, brown leather, mid heel. (They are only $76.38 + S&H and run true to size.)
Before this pair, I bought the Troentorp Da Vinci in Dark Blue. I’ve had them for a year and a half and have worn them so much that I need to get them resoled. I was advised by a fellow clog-lover, “if you get them resoled before you get down to the wood, they’ll last a lifetime.” I had planned to take them to the cobbler right after I received the new pair but then we went into lock-down due to COVID-19. The Da Vinci are amazing. I love that they make me taller without being a high heel. I knew that my next pair would be a higher heel and the “High Heel Classic” are more like a mid-high heel and they are equally comfortable. My favorite thing about clogs are wearing them while I’m cooking. It’s no surprise so many chefs wear them. There’s something about them that give me confidence in the kitchen. But I do get nervous about spilling food on the new ones.
I’ve been wearing them for about a week now—mostly indoors. Yesterday I wore them to go to the grocery store. They are so comfortable, needing no break in period. They are so perfect.
Here are the ones I got plus three others I considered. I hope you have a chance to get yourself a pair if you’re looking.
Well, I’m ticking through my to do list. “Write blog posts” is one item. It’s something I never seem to get around to. I have a lot of time on my hands these days and you would think I would do it. But here’s the thing, I don’t get paid to do it. Also, there are usually more (seemingly) important things for me to do. Plus, who cares? Well maybe a few people. I mean, I care about clothing and outfits and such. It’s a beautiful diversion and I especially feel good when I see other people making conscious choices and sharing their personal lives.
So jeans. I have a lot of jeans. But no white jeans. And since the beginning of the year I have been on a low-buy challenge which has been really good for me. To date I’ve bought only one sweater (which I didn’t end up keeping) and one pair of jeans: the above pictured jeans from Gap. They were the second pair I tried on. (The first pair were from Madewell and they did not flatter me!) I ordered these white jeans on a whim when I was buying some things for my daughter on Gap.com. They looked promising—high waisted, off white, straight leg… When they arrived, I was instantly in love. They fit so well in the butt and the waist. So comfy! And, I love the button fly. They were exactly what I was looking for. I couldn’t believe it could be that easy. Plus, with discounts and all, they were only $41. The only thing that would have been better is if they were from a sustainable brand.
If you’re looking for versatile addition to your wardrobe, I think a pair of high-waist, straight-ish pair of white denim could be just the thing. I really don’t know if shopping for clothes is where anyone’s head is at right now. I bought these at the very beginning of March and haven’t really worn them much. Yesterday I pulled out all my Spring/Summer clothes and packed away all the Fall/Winter clothes. It was a first-day-of-spring activity I had been looking forward to. It was very satisfying. And my new jeans look very pretty hanging in my closet. I hope you are holding up under these scary times. I hope you’re keeping it really simple and finding things that make you happy. And reaching out to others however you can.
Tissue Turtleneck: J.Crew | Jeans: Lucky Mid Rise Ava Super Skinny Jean | Clogs: Troentorp Da Vinci in Dark Blue
I’m wrapping up my series on new clothing purchases with the last month in 2019. I’ll be creating some new content for 2020 — things like responsible consumption, second hand shopping and styling old clothes in new ways. Here’s what I added in December:
DECEMBER $82
Madewell beanie — $22
I am in love with this hat. It’s so soft, and of course I totally have a thing for dark forrest-y blue-greens. It’s cozy and warm. If you’re looking for the warmest hat, I recommend this wind-resistant fleece-lined one from LL Bean
Lucky Brand Jeans black skinnies — $60
These were sort of an impulse-y buy. One day I realized I didn’t have a pair of black skinny jeans and I needed some. I went over to Banana Republic, and then Lucky, and found the perfect pair. You know you’ve made a good choice when you wear them immediately and then for like 4 days in a row.
My name is Leigh. I am a graphic designer and a photographer. I love minimalism, danish modern decor, clogs, books, and art of all kinds. I strive to live a healthy life and promote sustainability.
