2014 spend analysis: Dogs and Stars
Regular readers know I track personal spending with the focus of a scientist at CERN, not for Nobel glory, but for insights that add extra oomph to my budget. In 2013, I needed new clothes or costly alterations, an expensive reward for losing weight. I was relieved not to have to do it again (in either direction) in 2014.
You are probably more interested in the mistakes than the superstars, no? In descending order of egregiousness, here are the top three blunders:
Walk of shame
Mistake #1: A skirt for work... but I don't.
A skirt, bought while on a trip to Toronto, at a boutique I frequented when I worked full time. I'm tall, so can wear mid-calf length, but now I don't wear skirts for the few occasions when I still work, and this one requires dry cleaning. I was overcome by nostalgia for clothes I wore five or ten years ago.
You can see the tag, upper left, still on. I am cringing with embarrassment, but if this saves somebody a couple of hundred bucks, I'm posting it and then it will be sent to a friend.
Mistake #2: The sheddy sweater
A grey wool Donegal-tweed J. Crew sweater got compliments but shed copiously on everything, but especially black pants, which looked positively furry, and the lining of every coat. The wool blend does not delight, and how many times do we have to learn that? It was on sale, but I ended up buying another grey sweater (described below), so it returned poor value.
Mistake #3: One-season shoes
Aubergine suede and black leather Chie Mihara shoes, about $160 on sale last July, reduced from $400. But in fall I forgot about them and by snowy winter I wear slippers at home, boots outdoors, and carry lighter-weight shoes to friends' homes. Perhaps these extremely well-made shoes might get their fall wear, come next September. Still, a one-season pair is a mistake.
Stars: From the unexciting to unexpected
1. Grey cashmere v-neck
Three months after buying the J. Crew shedder, I bought this cashmere v-neck. I shot it in full boringness, below, because that's how it looked in the shop. It's so easy to disqualify these unassuming workhorses, and yet, the plainest piece invites us to truly use our accessories. Cashmere season is seven or more months long in northeastern Canada so colours beyond the deep-darks are useful and mood-elevating. Also feels infinitely better against skin.
Yesterday, I wore it with fancy-coloured Tahitian baroques, vintage emerald and diamond pin, antique diamond lavalière, and (not shown) a wide orange, grey and pink enamel cuff with Indian motif.
2. Vintage Italian mohair coat
On a mid-December shopping expedition with a girlfriend, I snuggled into the supple, light warmth of the Tina Turk mohair coat at left.
The muted plaid would relieve my solely black winter coats, from leather to duffle to puffer. While she tried on dresses for a party, I debated. Girlfriend said, "Buy", but I thought that coat was insufficient for our frigid winter winds, so, at over $800, I called it an expensive 'extra' and resisted.
Days later I dropped by a vintage store, checking for a gift a son wanted to give, and found this secondhand Italian mohair coat, for $45.
I brushed the surface gently to remove minor mats, reviving its luxurious loft, and there was no other sign of wear. I've worn it on days when a puffer is too heavy, and come late winter, when a raincoat is still too light, it will be at hand.
For the last several years, I had visited vintage stores only to accompany young relatives and visitors. Now I see it pays to look, especially if I have an article in mind; I just might hit a lucky strike.
3. 2014's big spend: jewelry renos
I've described how a talented jeweler restyled twenty-year-old emerald earrings into two new pairs and, later in the year, made a pearl/moonstone pendant to update a gold chain.
The total cost was about $2,000 (my contribution of some scrap gold lowered the cost.) I feel especially satisfied when I check prices for new jewelery of comparable quality.
Is my affinity for such projects why I receive more mail about jewelry renos than buying clothes?
Reviewing all the buys, I give myself C+, a long way from the A I shot for. Dammit, that skirt! Even though I've about squashed the sale/special offer bug, when oh when will I learn to buy (only) clothes for my present life, not my old one?
Do you analyze your buys? What have you learned in the past year or so?
You are probably more interested in the mistakes than the superstars, no? In descending order of egregiousness, here are the top three blunders:
Walk of shame
Mistake #1: A skirt for work... but I don't.
A skirt, bought while on a trip to Toronto, at a boutique I frequented when I worked full time. I'm tall, so can wear mid-calf length, but now I don't wear skirts for the few occasions when I still work, and this one requires dry cleaning. I was overcome by nostalgia for clothes I wore five or ten years ago.
You can see the tag, upper left, still on. I am cringing with embarrassment, but if this saves somebody a couple of hundred bucks, I'm posting it and then it will be sent to a friend.
Mistake #2: The sheddy sweater
A grey wool Donegal-tweed J. Crew sweater got compliments but shed copiously on everything, but especially black pants, which looked positively furry, and the lining of every coat. The wool blend does not delight, and how many times do we have to learn that? It was on sale, but I ended up buying another grey sweater (described below), so it returned poor value.
Mistake #3: One-season shoes
Aubergine suede and black leather Chie Mihara shoes, about $160 on sale last July, reduced from $400. But in fall I forgot about them and by snowy winter I wear slippers at home, boots outdoors, and carry lighter-weight shoes to friends' homes. Perhaps these extremely well-made shoes might get their fall wear, come next September. Still, a one-season pair is a mistake.
Stars: From the unexciting to unexpected
1. Grey cashmere v-neck
Three months after buying the J. Crew shedder, I bought this cashmere v-neck. I shot it in full boringness, below, because that's how it looked in the shop. It's so easy to disqualify these unassuming workhorses, and yet, the plainest piece invites us to truly use our accessories. Cashmere season is seven or more months long in northeastern Canada so colours beyond the deep-darks are useful and mood-elevating. Also feels infinitely better against skin.
Yesterday, I wore it with fancy-coloured Tahitian baroques, vintage emerald and diamond pin, antique diamond lavalière, and (not shown) a wide orange, grey and pink enamel cuff with Indian motif.
2. Vintage Italian mohair coat
On a mid-December shopping expedition with a girlfriend, I snuggled into the supple, light warmth of the Tina Turk mohair coat at left. The muted plaid would relieve my solely black winter coats, from leather to duffle to puffer. While she tried on dresses for a party, I debated. Girlfriend said, "Buy", but I thought that coat was insufficient for our frigid winter winds, so, at over $800, I called it an expensive 'extra' and resisted.
Days later I dropped by a vintage store, checking for a gift a son wanted to give, and found this secondhand Italian mohair coat, for $45.
For the last several years, I had visited vintage stores only to accompany young relatives and visitors. Now I see it pays to look, especially if I have an article in mind; I just might hit a lucky strike.
3. 2014's big spend: jewelry renos
I've described how a talented jeweler restyled twenty-year-old emerald earrings into two new pairs and, later in the year, made a pearl/moonstone pendant to update a gold chain.
The total cost was about $2,000 (my contribution of some scrap gold lowered the cost.) I feel especially satisfied when I check prices for new jewelery of comparable quality.
Is my affinity for such projects why I receive more mail about jewelry renos than buying clothes?
Reviewing all the buys, I give myself C+, a long way from the A I shot for. Dammit, that skirt! Even though I've about squashed the sale/special offer bug, when oh when will I learn to buy (only) clothes for my present life, not my old one?
Do you analyze your buys? What have you learned in the past year or so?
Comments
Love the shoes you see as a mistake. And my favorite (besides the beautiful earrings) is the vintage coat, which in the photo looks even more gorgeous than the new one.
Very impressed by the small NuMBER of purchases also. I can learn from that.
Was that the vintage shop on St-Laurent in Petite-Italie, or another?
Wendy in York
Anonymous: I take your intended complement and still, that's $700 or so that could have been spent more wisely, which is not pocket change to me.
frugal: Very small number of purchases though I did buy some lingerie not shown, a pair of gym hoes and 2 prs of straight legs jeans, my tried and true Talbot's.
Never thought about complaining to J. Crew, and should have.
lagatta: It was as if I was hypnotized in that place, usually the care tag about the first thing I look at!
Mme: Absolutely; my clothing budget is a fraction of what it was when I worked, and also my closet space is far smaller. On one hand I find it fun to try to get value •and• quality and on the other, mistakes can't be "buried"!
lagatta: No, it is on St. Zotique.
Yep, know where that one is. I've never found anything there, but it is the luck of the draw. Yours will look just splendid at a neighbourhood Italian café when its a bit warmer.
lagatta: With my moth problem I've had to be very thorough on the drycleaning. They love wool, usually the better stuff gets hit first.
As for the mistakes, it's so hard to buy for our actual lives...not sure why that is. I still make those mistakes. And maybe it's not too late to return that sweater. I bought cashmere from Talbots, perfect colours and style but they shrank significantly. I took them back and they refunded me. A pleasant surprise.
Your coat is a fabulous find....now you've inspired me to go shopping !
BTW I like your thrifted coat even better than the Trina Turk!
Laura H: I bought it in fall 2014, I think it's too late! It is not unworn, I just don't like how it sheds.
hostess: You are a shopper, hostess, and do require inspiration from me ;)
The skirt has sat unworn and I've gone to many a dinner out. It's just not the thing I reach for. Not worn once in a year tells me something.
LPC: well put re "alternative impulse toward beauty".
bomm: In my former life, I needed mostly "business casual" so I would have worn it to work. Note tag still on after one year (and we do go out!) That tells me even though it is beautiful, time for a life with someone else.
Rita: I hope so! Have to put them out on the rack where I see them.
Your new look is simply stunning.
Wunderbar!!!
Also, I love those shoes! .... And the combination of the pearls and the sweater is sublime.
Folk like me sit out here lost in indecision and ignorance, dontcha know. ;)
Helen
To say nothing of travelling to places where there is civilized weather...
Cathy Wong
and I'm with Barbara~your new look is stunning!
I too am letting my salon-assisted blonde hair revert to natural - light silver. I feel it is time to finally "own" my look.
Lynne
I think I might do a bit of an audit on my blog as it's a good idea. It's hard to remember what I bought in the last year, though as my real winning buys are still going strong some years on.
One of the best purchases I made last year was at the Bompard sale - a light heather grey off-gauge stole. I wear it constantly in place of three or four itchy and less nice ones in my wardrobe which will go to people who appreciate them more than I. Cheers for the unexciting grey workhorses of this world!
I have a pair of Chie shoes which have barely gotten worn. Lovely quality and snagged at a great sale price, but for some reason not the ones I gravitate toward. Off they go.