Happy Monday!
This week is all about simple, daily outfit inspiration — and enjoying the winter for a while longer, even though I’ve got spring (shopping) fever like you wouldn’t believe.
Oh yes, I 100% still get shopping fever sometimes.
(And I don’t mean productive shopping, where your purchases are pre-planned and thought-out — I mean the unproductive kind, where you buy sandals that you can’t wear for another six weeks, just to stick it to … the cold weather?)
When this happens, I feed myself quotes on contentment. Like:
“There are two ways to get enough. One is to continue to accumulate more and more. The other is to desire less.” — G.K. Chesterton
The next thing I do? I find something in my closet that I haven’t worn in a while, and try to style it in new ways.
Like these white Veja sneaks! In last Thursday’s post, my friend Jessica from Hej Doll mentioned her Veja sneaks as her top travel shoes. I have the same pair and it reminded me that I need to stop avoiding them.
They are still nice and clean, so I’ve been avoiding them because I might “mess them up”.
This is nonsense and I know it. I’m always afraid to “mess up” my shoes, but I actually wear them more once they are a little worn in. So it’s time to get ’em messy and get it over with.
Anyway. Other tips on resisting the spring shopping fever?
• Unsubscribe from retailer email lists with Unroll.me.
• Take a shopping hiatus for 10 days and try a 10×10 remix.
• Avoid browsing online and replace it with something fun like going for a walk, rearranging a room in your home, watching your fav show, or playing with your dog.
• Take it as an opportunity to learn something new about your closet. An easy way to do this? Grab my free downloadable wardrobe planner and fill out the first two pages. That’s all — you don’t have to commit to the whole thing. It’ll prompt you to list out pieces you own and love to wear, and pieces you own and never wear. By diving deep into why things do or don’t work for you, you’ll learn more about your style and your shopping habits.
So tell me, are you feeling the spring shopping urges? I’m in this with you! Got any tips to add to this list? Here’s to being present with the rest of winter and enjoying what’s in front of us right now.
xo,
• • •
Liked today’s outfit? You can shop it and support Unfancy at the same time by using these affiliate links:
01 | Sweater by Topshop (Fit note: I’m wearing a 6) | similar for less
02 | Black jeans (old by Joe’s Jeans) | similar (made responsibly)
03 | Sneakers by Veja (made responsibly + on sale)
04 | Bag (old by Marc Jacobs) | similar for less | similar (made in USA)
05 | Sunnies by Ray Ban
Love these shoes! How do you know what size to order? I
wear an 8 1/2. Are these true to size?
Hey Kathy, I found that they’re true to size. I ordered my usual size 38 (or Women’s 7) :)
I have both white and silver Birks in my “cart” online and it’s early February outside of Philadelphia. Wouldn’t wear for at least 3 months but trying to unconvince myself they won’t sell out haha! Love your blog! Will be doing the planner for spring!
Oh Jen, I understand! They’ll either sell out or go on sale! Hard to tell which way it’ll go, though. ;)
I’m definitely feeling the shopping bug, but I’m avoiding it by going through my spring wardrobe (even though it’s snowing outside…bleh) and starting to build my spring capsule and determine what outfits I can make with what I have and what items I’m going to need to purchase to replace what was thrown out in the great purge of 2017. I can still think about the shopping, I just can’t do it yet until I have a better grasp on what I need. I’ll just have to settle myself with having fun building outfits and making lists! I do love a good list…
Great advice there, Kelly! Planning the Spring wardrobe is a great way to see right in front of us what we actually need. :)
I scratched my spring itch with a spur of the moment purchase of a spring dress from the charity shop (100% silk, $5) and the more considered purchase of a pair of clogs I have been wanting for over a year and found on offer. I figure I can wear them with socks for the last few weeks of winter too. I got my spring clothes out of storage and figure I don’t need to make many other purchases which feels good
That’s a great idea! Maybe I should pull out some spring things to help me realize that I don’t need anything new. :)
Love that, Rachel. :)
Greetings! What a blessing for me to have discovered your site. As a fashion lover with a limited budget, i try to never make a buying mistake.lol! My husband and I are moving so while my things are in storage, I found it necessary to have a limited wardrobe. Your capsule concept is timely for me as we are downsizing(kids are adults) and want to live smaller,simpler,and travel more. Minimalism is creeping into all areas of my life, preferring my favorite and best only. Could’nt make it though,waiting till March to buy. Blew a gasket this week buying sale items I have been watching! I need to pray more during these urges! I am a stylist and designer,and have been sharing your site with others. All this to say, good work,keep sharing,your talents are an inspiration and God Bless You? ~ Lisa
God Bless You ! ?
Haha, thanks Lisa! xo :)
Yep, I’m right there with you…
in fact, I just added TWO pairs of boots:
-a 2nd hand (via-ebay) Frye mid-calf Maxines
-a pair of Red Wing “Harriet” heeled chelsea boots (Made in the USA!!!!) that I’ve been saving for …$20 a week…since the fall!)…these are the holy grail of chelsea boots, I’m telling you
Can we say, shopping hiatus?! Yikes, those Red Wings are officially the most expensive thing in my whole house!! That’s a fact!
My tip is to WRITE IT ALL DOWN in ONE PLACE. I’ve been keeping a style journal…just a simple journal that I use to write it all down…what’s coming INTO my wardrobe (boots, apparently!) and what’s going OUT and WHY (so I can figure out what I’m doing wrong)….what I paid for it…and a list of EVERYTHING in my winter wardrobe (so I can keep track of what I’m wearing and what I’m not with a simple tick mark each day)
Just having it ALL WRITTEN DOWN is eye opening and a great place to start (I think). It also gently reminds me of my pledge…to shop all ethical, all sustainable, Made in the USA or second-hand ONLY
Holly J
http://closetmatters.blogspot.com
Love the idea of a style journal! It would be a great place to channel my energy instead of actually shopping.
I just gave in to the shopping bug. I bought a dress from MimuMaxi because I couldn’t stop thinking about feeling cozy in cloudy, rainy and sleet-y end of winter/spring days…I feel kind of bad because I know I don’t it and kind of not bad because I know I will wear it.
Check it out here:
Resolution check in – http://wp.me/p7K4R6-3t
My resolution this year was not to but ANYTHING this year because I already have a lot. Womp womp. Maybe I should have set a more realistic goal like 1 item per season. On the other hand…I bought nothing in 2015 so it’s realistic in the sense that it has occurred.
Anyway, back to your comment… Go for the boots! I bought Frye engineer boots 2 years ago and expect them to last 10 more years at least. That’s frugal, not wasteful or impulsive.
I’ll be wearing my Made in the US Red Wings all week long! I’m trying to style them in 5 different ways…so excited!!
The Frye boots are second hand and fit like a glove. They do need a minor repair…one of the boot pulls pulled off. It’s not very noticeable though.
The style journal has been eye opning and its really simple to do. I wrote about how I set mine up this week. It’s messy but I’ll snap some photos tonight.
closetmatters.blogspot.com
Holly J
The style journal really is a great idea, Holly. Sometimes it’s easy to forget that we actually purchased itms not too long ago (or just got Christmas gifts that need to be used!) The journal is a prefect way to keep it all in one place. I like that :)
I have a style journal, too. At the end of a season, I note any gaps, so from last year, I will have a list of possible spring buys, that I can reappraise this year. I also note down any worthwhile purchases and stuff that didn’t work. Last year, I bought bright spring jumpers that I had really wanted and promptly ended up dyeing them neutral, as I felt they were too bright! I’d rather get the colour somewhere else.
Spring is realistically a few months off in the UK. Most of the spring stuff in the shops is more likely to be worn in summer here. Fantasy spring.
One thing I’ve found with white sneakers is that leather versions actually end up staying way nicer than canvas ones – they are a lot easier to clean! I wear mine all the time, and they no longer look brand new, but they hold up really well.
This is really a good tip to wear a piece we own already a while to style in a new way! I really like it how you styled your sneakers – and it makes me smile I’m wearing today nearly the same look. Only my trousers are grey :)
xx from Bavaria/Germany, Rena
http://www.dressedwithsoul.com
These are great tips. And I’m a fan of Chesterton but never heard that quote, so thank you! xx, Marie
I love your too true quote: and choose to work on desiring less. Meanwhile I still have plenty of clothes that give joy, and it’s still heavy winter here! So No real burning urge to buy buy buy yet. But! thanks to your inspiring 10×10 project, I’ve already sorted through last year’s warm weather closet! And happily match up clothes (mostly tops) in groups that work together. To stay content with my lot in these last lovely weeks of this season, I did the same: pulled together five wee outfit cells for the next five weeks. It’s working! I do confess though: sadly wrecked a lovely cashmere cardi and replaced it with a fabulous thrift find to see me through. No guilt!
You do what you gotta do, Hanni! Love that you’re challenging yourself! :)
Love your blog! This entry is so timely. I was just eyeing up a pair of sandals. I live in Wisconsin and won’t be able to wear them until June. Maybe?
I am also a very skilled online shopper, which is not always a good thing?
So, I plan to do the first two pages of your capsule wardrobe planner and stop accumulating random stuff.
Also, I have switched to cash and given myself an ‘salary’ each month. Makes me think a lot harder about if I really want/need what I am about to buy.
Thanks for all of your work!
Faith, I love your suggestion about a cash allowance! I don’t know if I could do it, but that would keep a lot of us in check, I’m sure! :)
Thank you for this post!! I am in aggressive penny-saving mode right now and am trying oh so hard to limit my wardrobe purchases for the next six months (and maybe longer)–but I’ve never had a good strategy to employ at those really tempting times (new seasons, end of last season sales…the list goes on!). I already feel better after reading this. I printed out your capsule planner too in hopes that it helps me focus on the things I have that I love! Thanks again for this!!
Woohoo! Hope it helps, Court. Cheering you on! :)
I’ve discovered that I tend to shop online when I have just a few minutes free and want to relax and “escape”. And, I think, acquiring clothing is only a small part of it. It’s the “challenge of the hunt” and the satisfaction of feeling like I’ve found a prize and made my life a little better.
So I try to have a simple project I can work on when I get a few minutes to relax and escape. Genealogy scratches the “challenge of the hunt” itch. Baking, sewing, or crafting something scratches the “prize” itch. Going for a walk, drinking a cup of coffee or tea, or even coloring a picture and feel like a little escape and treat.
All great suggestions. Thank you, MK! :)
I love the sneakers in this look! And yes, I have spring fever alright, but decided to do a no spend challenge this month because a) I’m saving for a trip b) February is a short month and c) it’s still going to be cold come March, so I wouldn’t be able to wear my new spring clothes anyway!
http://www.insearchofsheila.com
Stick with it Sheila! :)
Hi, thank you for posting this at the right moment.
I feel the shopping fever, too, and I even bought a spring blouse and pants on Saturday, haha!
So, what do I do when I don’t want to give in?
I try to stick to my goal of shopping the real shops and do less online shopping because online shopping is something I can do anytime.
I also try to shop my closet when the urge comes up: try styling items that haven’t come out much this winter in a new way or test-wearing some “maybe” items to see if I still like them. If one piece has to go, selling it on eBay is a fun activity that keeps me from shopping. And I try to remind myself that the empty space does not necessarily need to be filled with a new item.
Good ideas, Tina. Thanks for sharing :)
I copied your quote from Chesterton…..and just received the tights from Girlfriend Collective. More and more I appreciate your classic, pared down way of dressing. Also, you seem to enjoy solid colors, as do I. I listen to spotify regularly now, thanks to your mentioning of it a while back.
FYI, a Magic Eraser does a spectacular job of cleaning white leather sneakers. My daughter has a pair of Adidas bought in the fall that still look nearly new despite the face that she wears them 4-5 days a week. And she spends less than 5 minutes every 1-2 weeks.
Good to know! Thank you for the tip, Jori! :)
I just love this! This post goes against what so many other blogs sell and I am grateful for it. Great, practical tips for the real woman. xo
I was literally browsing sandals and spring clothes on-line and clicked over to your site to see if you were talking about spring yet.
A big whopping thank-you for this post! Glad to know I’m not the only one struggling with this :) No need to buy anything else when I already have un-styled pieces in my closet, and a ThredUp bag waiting to be filled and sent off.
Oh and that Chesterton quote was perfect.
You’re definitely not alone Kelsey! Hang in there ;)
Thank you for the inspiration! I have another quote, but I don’t know who said or wrote it: “The wealthiest person is not the one who has the most, but the one who needs the least.”
To avoid the wants, I avoid going to the mall, avoid on-line temptation, and do what you suggest also: do things for others, tackle a long-awaited project, learn something new, and shop your spring summer clothes like you’ve never seen them before. I keep the past season’s clothes separate, so I haven’t seen them for a few months.
That’s a perfect quote, Elaine. Thanks for sharing! :)
I’m having a spending ban this month. Definitely going to try unroll.me to get rid of some of the temptation
– Natalie
http://www.workovereasy.com
It helped me a lot, Natalie! Hope it works for you too :)
I’m finding the old saying “make do and mend ” really helpful. I just ask myself “can I make do?” And the answer is almost always Yes. It slows me down to thinkn much more carefully about those want-based purchases.
Allison, I love that too. I’m sure most of us would answer “yes” almost every time! :)
I think you are right to be aware of the shopping fever, but I must say, I find it sometimes works against me to wait until the season to purchase a particular item (e.g. sandals, white jeans, wool sweater) as items tend to sell out if one is a popular size.
Hey Emily, that can be so frustrating! I think if you really, truly need something, there’s no shame in adding it to your wardrobe before it sells out. I am just trying to be intentional about my purchases and not get too caught up in the “Spring Must-Haves”, you know? :)
I’ve been wanting to try the 10×10 challenge and think I might soon! The other week I actually wore the same sweater five days in a row (in five different ways) in an effort to re-work my closet and get creative. You can check it out here if you’d like. :)
https://wonderlandsam.com/2017/01/23/one-piece-five-outfits/
Hey Samantha, I hope you do try the 10×10. It can be a challenge, but I always learn something. And cute looks on your blog, BTW! :)
Thanks so much Caroline for giving us concrete steps to follow when we want to be happier with what we have. I for one loved the 10×10, and found it to be a fantastic way to experiment with what I already have. I’m planning on doing one in each season! It’s the perfect way to battle the mid season blues, when all I want is the next season (and new things!).
That’s great, Heidi! It’s always a learning experience! :)
I love this post…. however, knowing your in Abilene, I will say our TEXAS WEATHER IS NUTSO! It makes it REALLY hard not to have 2 sets of clothes out. It was literally a high of 39 one day last week and 90 is supposed to be the high this Saturday. (I’m in Wichita Falls). I mean honestly. I don’t mind either temp – but both in a week is really trying my patience! GRRRRRRRRRR
Ugh Kristin, I know! It has been all over the place! And while I like the weather either way as well, it can be really tough to stay mindful of the current season when it’s flipping around on us like this. Sheesh!
Very timely. I just had the shopping itch last Friday, but I definitely scratched it. But I go to a fabulous thrift store that is organized by color and always look for the same thing- printed blouses that go with red pants. It’s very difficult!! So perhaps a suggestion is to channel your energy for something specific and enjoy yourself (aka go in person, don’t shop online).
Hey Coral! I agree! Channeling your energy to look for one specific item that you need is a great way to scratch the itch without getting caught up in the spring fever. :)
Nooo, I needed this today! I went crazy on Thred up and bought three tops! Slipped through my unroll me somehow…
Haha jujubee! It happens to the best of us! :)
What a wonderful quote!
I’m currently on month 6 of a year long shopping ban. My spending habits had gotten out of hand and I realized I didn’t need all the things I was purchasing. The ban has been a lot easier than I thought it would be and I have learned so much! I appreciate your remixes and simple style as they’re great inspiration for working with the wardrobe you’ve already been blessed with. Have a happy day!
How timely, I definitely have the itch to shop these days! I find that just doing a good spring cleaning of my closet will often be just as satisfying as buying new clothes. And I don’t unsubscribe from all emails, I filter them to my trash folder. That way they’re still there if I NEED something and want to know about current deals, but I have to look for them.
I just committed to three months of no shopping! I realized I needed to take a break from shopping when a package arrived and I couldn’t remember what I had ordered! I’m looking forward to “shopping my closet.”
Wow. Unroll.me is amazing! I’ve seen you mention it before but I took the plunge today! My jaw almost dropped when I saw I had over 150 subscriptions! That’s way less distractions and shopping temptation in my life. Now it’s under 40 subs and that includes fave bloggers.
I just barely found you and I love you already!! You are so incredibly refreshing in a blogosphere that is completely about accumulating more and more rather than about being satisfied with what you have and desiring less. Plus I love how effortlessly put together your style is.
I love the practical advice in this post and how it summarizes lessons you’ve already learned in one place as a gentle reminder. I really needed this today as I’m feeling the contagious change-of-season shopping fever coming on. I’ve never commented here but am an avid reader of your site and am so inspired by it! Also loved that you quoted Chesterton…
One thing that has worked with me is to change up your look. It is so easy to fall into a routine of hair and make-up, that you never try new things.. something I am seriously guilty of. I decided to mix up my hair and go a bit blonder at my last balayage. I also decided I was going to try a new make-up look and have start to opt out of using eye liner, and have started playing with lip sticks. My go to is MAC matte Velvet Teddy. It has kept things interesting and I’ve been able to avoid online shopping and frivolous spending. Also, I have gotten a lot of compliments on my ‘new’ look! :)
A bit ironic since this post is about not shopping, but I love your sweater (and have been searching for several months for something like it) so I followed the link the H&M. Ended getting the grey sweater, another sweater in mint green and a pair of grey pants (to replace mine that are falling apart).
I love this post and your blog. I hope y’ou ll never stop :)
Love your blog! Great tips. I usually find styling outfits for spring a little difficult for me. With winter you can layer and add loads of accessories. I’ll go through my current spring clothes to see what outfits I can create.