Best of the Sale
Happy New Year everyone! Hope you had a wonderful festive season. First post of the year, exciting! And I can't believe I actually started blogging a year ago... Double celebration it is then (I might put off detox for another few days).
On the other hand, January is like the worst month of the year for me (followed closely by July). With everything on sale, a million emails in my inbox yelling temptation at me, for a shopping junkie like me it's impossible to resist the sirens' calls to buy yet another pair of shoes or a handbag that I will hardly ever wear... With every 'add to bag' click I get a quick shot of dopamine. Yet, a few weeks down the line, looking at my bank account I get cold turkey sober.
So this post is meant to be contrary to my natural, neurotic instincts, eg aiming to pick out those wardrobe essentials that are worth investing in during the sales (not random grabs just because it's 50% off). I am not suggesting anything from the (proper) high street, not because I would discourage you to buy at cheap prices but simply because stocks disappear within hours if not minutes so it's pretty meaningless to try and list up the best of their sales.
Instead, looking at my usual go to mid range brands (French mostly but not just), I have carefully selected what I would likely wear all year round (jackets, blouses, jeans and trousers, dresses) and for many seasons to come and therefore what I believe to be safe, lasting and, let's just say it, sane purchases in these rather irrational shopping period.
Jackets
Claudie Pierlot Versailles Blazer, £189 (used to be £315) - absolutely perfect for work but also incredibly cute over a pair of jeans and worn with a white tee or shirt navy/black is just the chic-est combo
Zadig & Voltaire Volly Velours Blazer, £189 (used to be £315) - who does not need a black velvet jacket? I certainly did and this is one of my only few sale buys (I promise, currently taking my pills) which I ended up with after returning an impulsive purchase (crazy sparkly dress which I was going to wear in two years time at an imaginary costume party when it would not fit anymore). Trust me it's a safe choice.
Knits
Ba&sh Dalton Jumper, £136.50 (used to be £195), also in navy and white but limited availability... - Bought this one a couple of months ago at their private sales, and have been consistently wearing it which is a good sign. It does have hair but can be pretty much fixed with hairspray (good old grandma method)
Princesse Tam Tam Cozy Boatneck Jumper (also in forest green) 100% cashmere, £66.50 (used to be £95) - so weirdly, this was under £50 a week ago when I bought it (I promise there is not much more than the velvet jacket and this jumper) and they put the prices up since then. Shame but I am still flagging it though because it is so hard to find pure cashmere at less than £100 and since I have worn it and washed it once already I can testify it is not bad quality. And honestly that cobalt blue...
Same brand, same fabric but a broader range of colours and an interesting shape, reversible V-neck. I am not usually one to wear v-necks but worn back to front that's a totally different story. And I also love this powder pink. Looks rather salmon pink (which I really don't like) on this pic but it isn't in the flesh, a much softer, milky shade of pink. And it's on at £55.30... Cozy V-Neck Jumper by Princesse Tam Tam
Tops
Rebecca Taylor La Vie Long Sleeve Gauze Lace Top in chalk, £95 (used to be £175) - I have never regretted buying white victorian style (ok, let's say inspired) lace. You can never go wrong with that sort of shirt, tux style at work or with blue flared denims during the weekends.
Comptoir des Cotonniers Denim Shirt with Tie Collar, £57 (used to be £95) - Love a pussy bow on everything and this denim shirt is pretty cool worn with a mini skirt, shorts or a pair of jeans. Easy wear...
Princesse Tam Tam Flirt Cami in Abyss Blue (also in blood orange and milky pink) 100% silk, £29.40 (used to be £49) - Silk camisoles have become as necessary as underwear to me (possibly more important than bras which I am finding hard to tolerate as I get older, strange). So at under £30, which is less than a third of a Zadig cami, that could be your best buy for the next 5 years.
Bottoms
J Brand Suivi Crop in Allegiance, £95 (used to be £250) - One of my favourite jeans brands. Yet, I have never bought anything from them at full price (£250 for a pair of jeans, really??).
M.I.H Jeans Coler High Rise Cropped Velvet Flared Trousers, £147 (used to be £245) - My other favourite jeans brand although these are not technically jeans, I know. But anyway, MIH Jeans have the greatest cuts and the most comfortable jeans (along with JBrand) and velvet, cropped and flared is just so perfect.
See By Chloé Mid Rise Flared Jeans, £135 (used to be £225) - Have been in love with those romantic flares for a while now but have bought a similar style from MIH a while ago so trying to be good...
Dresses
IKKS Two-Fabric Dress, £65 (used to be £130) - What you need when you don't know what to wear to work...
Maje Denim Dress with Velvet Details, £99.5 (£199) - Because I love denim dresses which make me feel a bit more free at work (possibly under the wrong assumption than it's like wearing jeans only it's allowed any day of the week).
Something extravagant?
Chloé Hudson Cross-Body Bag, £1,099 (used to be £1,570) - I blame my obsession with this handbag on Figtny. She is been wearing it as part of her monochrome looks and she has made it look surprisingly timeless.
Gianvito Rossi Suzie Suede Platform Sandals, £327 (used to be £545) - the most comfortable shoes I have ever worn no matter how high the heel, worth the investment and this particular style can be worn in all seasons (and would work wonders with the See By Chloé flared jeans for example...)