Everything Currently In My Cart
A window shopping purge between friends + tricks for how I limit impulse buys
Most of the time, I am very good at curbing my shopping habits. I’ve successfully gone on many multi-month no buys and love a good 10x10 challenge.
But sometimes all I want to do is shop.
Maybe it’s a side effect of being overwhelmed and this is just one way of channeling stress into something “fun.” Maybe it’s a sign that I need to get off Instagram (where I’m most likely to get influenced). Whatever it may be, I’ve noticed that my urge to window shop has surged and all my typical standbys to get this feeling back under control haven’t panned out. So I thought a fun way to get all of this excess retail energy out of my brain (and my carts) is by putting it all in one space. And, of course, sharing amongst friends.
Below, you’ll find:
Everything I’ve been adding to my carts + why
Additional tips on how I’ve learned to shop with intention
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Reformation: A brand Taylor has worn and loved since 2013 and still wears to this day. They’ve become very known for their wedding guest offerings and girlish dress options while also making strides with sustainability through traceable supply chains, lower-impact materials, and recycled textiles.
Linen Minis - I’ve gone back and forth over my relationship with dresses. Whether I’m really a “dress” kind of girl. The last few years have definitely seen my favour separates purely for their versatility (the near endless ability to mix + match!). But these two mini dresses caught my eye for their rich colour and very wearable shift-like silhouettes. For the days up ahead when I know I’ll want to look cute but I also will barely want any fabric touching my body.
Sharp Separates - A little more up my alley are some polished separates. How good is the colour on that vest + trouser set? I also wore a very similar set to this top and midi skirt combo while in Florence but I’ve found myself wanting something with a higher neck and also a less sheer material. Still summery, but with a bit more substance.
With Nothing Underneath: A new-to-me British brand that has my heart in a vice for their approach to crafting the ideal menswear-inspired button down. A Certified B-Corp with a great approach to materials, ethical production, and traceable supply chains. From a UX perspective, I also really like their unfussy shopping experience of being able to shop shirts by shape (say that 3x fast), fabric, or as coordinated sets. Plus an easy breakdown of each of their shirting silhouettes. Brilliant!
Button Ups: If I had to describe my “feel good” outfit as of late it would be a button up shirt (with perhaps the top three buttons unclasped), wide leg trousers, a flat, and an animal print bag. It’s a combination that I think covers my Three Style Words (minimalist, edgy, classic) with ease. The three colours above feel like my version of “colourful neutrals.” They’re not black or white, they sufficiently act like a noticeable “pop,” but they’re also desaturated enough to be versatile.
And how good is that greeeeeeeeeeeen? You’ll note above that these are two of WNU’s silhouette offerings. The Weekend is a boxy, dropped-shoulder, oversized fit that’s meant to be breezy and drapey. Whereas The Boyfriend falls ever so slightly to the more relaxed side of a women’s classic office-friendly button up that’s loose, but still flattering.
Gap: Maybe it’s the Zac Posen effect (the fashion designer was named Gap Inc’s creative director last year), but Gap has *really* stepped up its game in the last year. When Zac was tapped as the new head of Gap, skeptics thought his resumé as a couturier would alienate the Gap customer. But Harper’s Bazaar’s Brooke Bobb called the appointment the “exciting renaissance” American fashion needed, striking the balance for customers who want the classics and for those who want a fashion-forward zing in their clothes. Zac told the magazine, “For an American brand to invest in having a studio that is creating an artisanal way of developing is pretty unprecedented. It’s pretty cool to be able to develop at such a high level and then make it for such a large audience.”
Denim Blue, But Not Denim: Cotton gauze has really been having a moment as a breezy summer material. I really like its rendering here in a trendy barrel pant. The nature of its wrinkles also gives it a more casual look. But they feel like intentional, good-natured wrinkles that are beautiful and easy. Like laugh lines on a face that’s known joy for as long as it’s lived. Isn’t that lovely?
Glorified Pajamas: I’d say it’s very out of my comfort zone to be so in a comfortable zone. Aka this poplin boxer set that really just looks like pajamas. But perhaps that’s a nod to the “edgy” of my Three Words? I’m, of course, always going to +1 a stripe, but the colour combination feels like something I would be delighted to pull on and marvel at every time I passed a mirror. Dressing for serotonin! Or Sarah-tonin, if you will.
Everlane: One of my all time favourite brands. I have so many of their pieces in my closet and have for years. Their clothes are classic. The quality is wonderful. So naturally, I found myself browsing their latest summer offerings.
Funnel Tank: I like a square neckline on me and found this higher neck and shoulder super flattering and elegant.
Linen Trousers: For those of us who love their pants to come up to their ribcage *raises hand*. Super comfy and breezy, but polished enough for work. I own these in black already and have been on the hunt for a lighter pair in the oatmeal/flax colour family and I am always happy to “if I like it I’ll just get it in a different colour” something.
Bow Sandals: I find summer shoes, particularly sandals, really tricky. I love a delicate, minimalist strap but I find that any thong-style sandal that goes between my toes unbearably painful. Because of this, I always opt for crossover sandal styles that go over the top of my foot - not between the toes. But this type of style can often be clunky / chunky. So imagine my delight when I came across these. Delicately strappy, no toe cleavage straps, *and* with a bow? I will always always always +1 a bow. Yes! The gold satin colourway is also so special.
Arket: For those who have never shopped Arket before, they’re within the H&M umbrella. I’ve found there’s varying degrees of quality in both retailers, to the point where one often needs to dig through the immense catalogue to find the good stuff. But when it’s good, it’s really good — and at great price points.
Linen Trousers: I’m very into the idea of a summery fabric like linen being crafted in a darker, moodier colour like this deep warm purple. These seem like the ideal summer plane pant. The trouser concept is polished, the elasticized weight is comfortable. All this said as someone who also wears jeans on flights, for what it’s worth. Also very into them being completely lined.
Straw Tote: Speaking of flights, I’m currently giddily planning a trip with my cousin around our birthdays that will involve i-island breeze (and lights down low). To that, I love the vibe of this Mary Poppins summer tote. Seems like the perfect thing to use as a personal item on a plane and also to lug around essentials in warmer, sunnier weather.
Now if you’re in a similar situation as me and you’re also after some ways to get slow down impulse buys, here are some of my tips.
Over the years a lot of people have asked me (name that Taylor “song”1) how to develop a considered, curated wardrobe. For me, this has been a multi-part process of getting good at controlling not only what flows out but also what flows in to my closet.
On the “out” side of things, I regularly excise what no longer serves me. I make it a habit quarterly to purge my closet and pass things along to friends / donate / or sell secondhand. Through this regular closet cleansing (and also thanks to Indyx) I’ve noticed that I hold onto things for longer and what I do get rid of isn’t measured by the garbage bag, but more often by a tote bag.
But the “in” is where the real solution lies. By developing habits and employing tools that stem the problem off earlier at the pass, you can stopper last minute or impulse purchases that end up clogging your closet.
How have I done this? I’ve created natural “barriers for entry” that a piece needs to clear before I can click “buy.” I set them up so that they can create fast yes/no calls on items. These barriers not only create a better and more knowledgeable relationship with myself, but I think shopping with guardrails is the key to preventing the dreaded situation of a full closet with nothing to wear.
“Worth It” Material: One of the first things I do when I’m online shopping is I look at a garment’s fabrication. I prefer to veer away from synthetic fibres, especially if the price tag seems incongruous with the materials the item is made of. I’m not against investing in high quality materials or skimping on a trendy piece in a less-than-ideal fabric, but I’d prefer not to spend $$$ on a $ material. A quick check of the fabric composition is a great way to put up a preliminary barrier for purchasing consideration. For reference, my personal preferences are typically cotton, linen, cashmere, or silk. Yours may differ for what sheens or fabrics work for your daily life, aesthetics, and flow.
Add To Spreadsheet > Add To Cart: Another barrier I often employ is time. I’ll add something to my wish list (in the form of a spreadsheet) before I add it to my cart. Giving myself that tiny bit of space has stopped me from so many impulsive purchases. I’ll revisit my wish list often, changing the status of items as the season dictates and will often remove things as my feelings about them change.
My Three Style Words: I’ve worked to get better at knowing what I like by becoming more versed with my Three Style Words. Is it minimalist? Is it edgy? Is it classic? If it checks all the boxes (literally) then it’s likely a good buy that will not just work for me and my style / how I want to show up in this world but also the likelihood that something will easily coordinate with the rest of the items already in my closet. Thereby making outfit building a breeze. “Can I make at least five outfits with this item?” is a question I’ll often ask myself before adding something to my closet. And if I can do so with ease, it’s normally a sign of a good buy.
My Season: Speaking of closet coordination, another way to build a seamless wardrobe is by working within an established colour palette. Doing so automatically puts a filter on what you do or don’t buy and creates a cohesive closet of outfits. Lately, I’ve been toying with the idea of getting my colours done. While I do think you sort of instinctually know what “season” you are by the shades that you get drawn to naturally, isn’t getting your colours done basically an elevated personality quiz? Having raised myself on J-14 and Cosmo quizzes, I’m a sucker for those - naturally. Of course I think you can wear colours outside of your “season.” Fashion rules are arts, not exacts. But I know what it’s like to put on a sweater or a blazer and simply feel at home in it. You know those pieces. The ones that make you giddy when you pull them out. The ones that you reach for. The ones that make you glow and feel like the best version of yourself. And if there was a way to increase the chances that something will make your natural features truly sing? I’m all for it. Psst: I think I’m a “true autumn” but if there are any colour experts out there, I’d love to hear your thoughts!
Phew! I feel a little bit lighter. Now, tell me:
Are you shopping for anything lately? Dish, dish!
Is there something you struggle with in your closet?
Any tips you have that I didn’t cover that you swear by?
It’s the “I Know Places” (Voice Memo) (2014)
I started using Indyx after you recommended it and I LOVE IT SO MUCH! It is so helpful to piece together my outfits and identify which pieces just weren't working in my wardrobe and why. Also it's like... really fun?!? I started using it as a 'barrier of entry' tool as well. If I'm considering a purchase, I upload the piece into my Indyx and I play around with the outfits I can make with it, and if I can't seamlessly create X# of outfits, I don't buy! It takes all the impulse out of the decision and has really helped me move more toward a sustainable capsule of pieces that really work together and work for me.
I couldn’t agree more about the fabric and color barriers to entry! Those are core parts of my system too. Fabric weight in addition to quality is also very helpful.
Lately, thanks to Indyx, I’ve realized I have investment opportunities in accessories! I get a lot of wear out of ones I love and don’t currently have much to choose from in my bags, shoes, and jewelry. So I’m looking and shopping with renewed confidence that it’ll be worth the time and money!
I also have found I lack dresses (or separates) for dressy but not formal occasions. I have a few wedding guest options I love, but for fancy dinners in the city, I’m at a loss. So I just bought a gree(eeeee)n silk Ann Taylor dress that I’m in LOVE with and, Sarah, I think you’d just die for it!
Thanks for sharing your thoughts and for the space to share mine as well! I always love the conversations your writing inspires. 💚