January Purchases

Because I am inspired this year to save, shop mindfully, and make only investment purchases, I want to keep myself accountable. I thought the most worth-while way to accomplish this would be to incorporate a monthly post on my purchases.

You will remember several of these items from previous posts because I only recommend items that I buy or would buy myself, and I like to compare and style items on my blog when I am considering taking the plunge on a purchase. I couldn’t resist getting this amazing denim dress from Magda Butrym (it is no longer available on Farfetch, but I found the same style in this print on Vestiaire.) The detachable lace collar and thick denim makes it versatile from season to season, and I love dresses that you can wear day-to-night. Buying a dress in a flattering cut that you can wear over and over, will prevent you from feeling the need to always buy more dresses for date night.

Magda Butrym Toledo Blouse

Another Magda Butrym piece. This really has become my go-to brand. I think this blouse is so elegant, and elevates any outfit, whether you pair it with shorts (as they styled it on Farfetch), or with leather leggings when the temperature drops. I bought this with Valentine’s Day in mind, but there are a handful of ways to wear it. The rich color mixed with the luxurious velvet fabric make this a top I will cherish for years to come. I advocate having basics and solids, but I think it’s great to have a small assortment of amazing statement blouses.

Fendi Calfskin Open your Heart Strap

I purchased this bag strap from Fashionphile. The beige and black caligraphy design with the hearts give a basic black handbag a nice accent. I regret not getting the matching handbag, and haven’t been able to find it anywhere else since. However, at least the strap is more versatile because I can use it with any handbag I own. I think it would be a perfect pair with a beige bag as well. This strap is sold out, so I’ve included a few other Fendi strap options below.

Katiana Leather Jacket

I also found the perfect leather jacket…yes the absolute perfect one. Edgy, but still classic. Fitted perfectly in the shoulders and torso. It even has a grained, textured leather that is hard-wearing. This is actually a Romania brand, and though this jacket is a higher price point, I found it at Unclaimed Baggage, so I got if for a third of the price.

Reflecting on my purchases, I actually got more than I thought as I kicked off 2020. However, I have made up for it in February, and am making it my goal for the year to limit my ready-to-wear purchases. And, two of these four purchases were pre-loved, so I will get amazing cost-per-wear. I’ve included two leather jackets below that give the same look but are more accessible.

New Year's Looks

This outfit features a killer Retrofete dress (I’ve had the wrap version on my wishlist for quite some time), a Balmain bag, and a Gucci barrette, that’s worthy of the ball drop on Times Square.

We all want to look dazzling when we ring into the New Year, but whether we wear a sequin gown that rivals a disco ball, or go for a low-key ensemble with subtle sparkle, we should search for an outfit that fits in with our signature style…and our New Years festivities.

And now for more “subtle” New Year’s ensembles…

The advantage to a day-to-night outfit and something more subtle, is that it’s more versatile. The cost per wear for any sequin piece is going to be extremely high. There are only so many occasion where “shining like a diamond” is appropriate.

And on that note, the more formal the item, the less you will be able to wear it, unless you frequent red carpet events. When pieces are only nighttime appropriate or considered “evening-wear”, we are likely to only wear them a few times a year, if that.

One way around this is to make your outfit New Years-ready with a statement and embellished jacket. A sequin jacket will get much more mileage than a sequin dress…consider this…you can wear a statement jacket atop leather dress for a night out, but also with jeans to dinner. I’ve included a few of my favorite statement jackets that would be the feature for a low-key New Years look.

Another shopping suggestion would be to pick separates over a dress. By selecting a skirt over a dress, you can mix and match it with more casual tops and blouses and make it work for more occasions.

A blazer jumpsuit or blazer dress is a great option to still look put together and wear something tailored, but you can make it more fun and festive with playful accessories, like lighting bolt earrings and an iridescent handbag.

Have a Happy New Year as you dress to impress and pop the champagne.

H&M * Giambattista

I am returning this necklace…the letters overlap. The logo concept is lost…

I wanted to offer a review of the extremely hyped collaboration with H&M and Giambattista Valli.

I definitely got caught up in the excitement and put in one order after another of the collection, as one piece at a time went back in and out of stock. There are still a few items that have yet to go back into stock, and those were actually the pieces I wanted the most…

Because Giambattista Valli is known for his couture gowns, the dresses were the hot ticket item.

I purchased two of the jackets…one I am keeping and the other is completely outrageous…not in a good way.

The oversized leather jacket does look very designer, but the arms are made so slouchy and oversized that I look like a linebacker when I wear it…or that I’m trying to achieve a Kanye West/Lady Gaga Vibe. I would literally never wear it. It is unique but not at all practical.

I will definitely be returning the oversized leather jacket. This was one of the pieces I wanted the most…but this just goes to show that it is easy to get caught up in the hype of a new designer launch and buy something simply because it is the “it” piece in a limited edition collaboration.

And when I think of my shopping regrets in the past, I refuse to spend my hard earned money on a jacket that is totally unwearable-I don’t care what collection it is or who the designer is. That is also the reason I didn’t purchase the Kylie Jenner frou-frou dresses that were the first to sell out.

I did manage to get my hands on one dress…the white crystal mini dress with major wedding vibes. I am so lucky to have this…I tried to order the sequin mini skirt and that order was canceled. Another order was lost in transit. But this white beauty is very special, and more wearable than the floor-length gowns in the collection.

Though this show-stopper is more suited for evening and formal occasions, the length makes it more wearable (as far as Giambattista Valli goes.) You could pair it with boots and a leather jacket (or the faux fur white one as shown in the H&M ads.) Because it is white, it is more versatile than a print or colorful dress, and I think in the future I will have an occasion to wear it. While I usually shake my head at investing in party dresses and evening wear, I caved for this collection. I honestly loved so much from this collaboration, but ended up keeping only this dress and the white abdominal-snowman inspired jacket.

You should buy what you love-but also only buy what you will actually wear. I love my purchases (that I kept) from the H&M Giambattista Valli collab, but I only bought 2 items, and those can even be worn together. Shop with caution when you shop limited edition collections and think in terms of costs per wear.

H&M * Giambattista Valli

www2.h&m.com

The coveted Giambattista collab with H&M is launching today at 10 A.M. EST. So put on a notification now, because it will sell out instantly. I’m not sure I will be able to get much from the collection, but I have my eyes on a few mini floral dresses and winter coats from the collection. Because Giambattista pieces are crazy expensive, I do love the idea of having some special pieces in my wardrobe that won’t deplete my bank account.

www2.h&m.com

Also, some of the frou-frou dresses aren’t something you would wear very often…or more than once…I am sticking to my mantra, and not buying any items I don’t see as versatile or wearable, though the Kendall Jenner dresses are a total show-stopper. Everyone is going ga-ga for the pink cupcake dress, but I would NEVER wear that. Even if I was strutting the streets of the big apple, I don’t see myself wearing this.

www2.h&m.com

The hot ticket items for me would be the black mini dresses, a bedazzled mini skirt, and this AMAZZZing leather jacket with white fur. So, when collections like this launch, stay strong and only purchase pieces that resonate with your style (AND THAT YOU WILL ACTUALLY WEAR.)

standard.co.uk

www2.h&m.com

And the collection is now on the website! It just won’t be shopable until 10 A.M. EST, 9 A.M. my time. Now is the time to edit down what you will purchase. Seeing all the pieces and their price tag is good to know before you go in and shop til’ you drop.