edit, delete and acquire

[kate spade essex small scout | orig. $295 | purchased $162]

This is the second of my quality purchases this month, only bought in a bright spring red. I've been eyeing this bag for about a good 9 months now, when it first came out and everyone and their mother was coveting this bag, and it's cheaper look-alike by the cambridge satchel company.  after months of being sad that it was either sold out or a bit too expensive, it finally went on-sale for the post-christmas sale - and it was too good not for me to snatch up.  It's coming tomorrow in the mail, and boy am I going to pee my pants when I finally hold the beauty in my hands.

So after my post yesterday, I read a couple more articles at closet curating, and had a couple more glances at my improved, but still, busting at its seams wardrobe.  So I said to myself, "Phebe, this is the year of no excuses.  No excuses not to wear what you love every single day."  Because knowing my shopping habits, what I love six months from now will probably delete yet another good 30-40% of my existing wardrobe.  While certain pieces I know I will love years and years from now, others I have less confidence about how long they will keep my affections.  So time to wear them before they become unloved like ex-boyfriends.  

As I ruthlessly cut certain things from my wardrobe, including some dresses with tags still attached, items I wore once and thought I could pull off the trend, sweaters that were too plain to have a place in my wardrobe - I started noticing elements of my personal style that have remained consistent over time.  Some that were trends and stuck with me, others that highlighted the parts of my body I don't hate, and a few that spoke to my personality and lifestyle.

1) Socks + Shoes combination.  I wear cute socks with everything - ankle socks with platform sandals, knee high socks with some ruching with ankle boots, thigh high socks with heels, etc, etc.

2) A disdain for denim.  You will not find a single denim piece of clothing in my closet.  The end.  The color, the texture, the wash, the fact that it's the "American casual staple" turns me off like a guy with a pedo-mustache.  Just no.

3) Short skirts with an A-line/Circle silhouette.  I like my waist, think my hips + butt are too fat, and kind of love the shape of my legs from mid-thigh down.  These are the perfect solution.  And they're cute and work well with all seasons.  Yes, I've taken to some of the tweed and sweater variety for the colder months.

4) V-Neck t-shirts and loose crop tops.  These are just flattering, and add an appropriate casual touch to any outfit - be it with jeans, with my skirts, or over a dress.  Bonus points if it has an interesting design.

5) Shrunken, chunky sweaters & cardigans.  The perfect candidates for hiding a few extra pounds of fat in the winter and make you look like the coziest thing on the planet even though you're itching in the 100% acrylic material.

6) Sleek shirtdresses.  Love a sophisticated long button-down with either interesting draping, cut, or beautiful tailoring.  I recently got a khaki-colored one from liquid new york (sold by Barney's) that doubles as a glamourous long vest.  

7) Architectural heels.  If they're minimalist in color and ornamental bits, then it better be a killer design.  If they've got some kickass buckles and hardware, then a more subdued color and shape will do.  Or anything Alexander Wang makes.  Though I'm loving Balenciaga, Jil Sander, and Acne as well.  My taste in shoes is kind of on the opposite end of the stick from my taste in clothing.

8) Small cute bags.  I have a pretty embarrassingly big, recently acquired collection by kate spade.  Doesn't help that the boyfriend spoils me by buying me them every now and then (not complaining, i promise!).  I'm a small bag girl - not enough shit to fit in something larger than the length of my hand.

How all these little bits and pieces of what I adore translate to my personal style - I don't know enough words in the English language to make the connection.  But knowing what you like is a good step in not making poor choices in shopping.  After donating a good 40% of my current closet, I've learned a couple of lessons.  For one, if it's a trend or an "of-the-moment" love - like all my baggy v-neck sweaters, only buy one.  Will save donating $500-$600 worth of things to Plato's.  At least I made a total of $215 back.  $116 to that shitty cop in Missouri that pulled me over for speeding.  And on that note, I think this blog entry just hit a sour note.