Thanks to my no buy 365 day wardrobe challenge, I have a lot of data already on what I’m wearing and what i’m not. Granted there are seasonal considerations that mean certain items haven’t yet had their chance to shine, but the quiet that has came from reducing my consumption in a bid to enjoy the quality items I already own has shed a lot of light on the items that are no longer serving me. Most of these items I will be selling, I just haven’t yet decided the best place to sell them, but I will keep you posted.
Chanel Dad Sandals
Never has there been a shoe I have gone so back and forth on, than my Chanel Dad Sandals. There was only ever one style and colour way that I had my eye on, so when these came up on The Real Real I took the plunge. I think i’ve had these over a year and a half, and there’s two reasons they will no longer be a part of my forever wardrobe. First up, they now rub where the strap does up on my ankle, we’re talking blisters both sides. If i’m wearing them as a WFH outfit there’s no problem, and because I live in LA that means you drive most places, I can get away with wearing them. But I didn’t buy these to wear in car journeys. I wanted them for walking in, but anything over 10 minutes, and I blister. The second reason is I also own the Toteme Gladiator sandals which when side by side, I actually prefer. I loved how the Dad sandals looked with slouchy trousers and that’s mostly how I wore them, but having the Toteme ones has made me more sure it’s time to part with the Chanel ones.
Dear France’s Chase Mule Cream
Ok so this was a classic case of I have it in black, and wear it all the time, I should get the cream! (A principle that usually works in my favor, but alas not this time) Again, I waited to find these on the pre loved market and while they were an amazing price, I just haven’t reached for these. My black chase mules have had a lot of wear and I enjoy their classic 90’s mule shape, but the cream just don’t set my heart on fire the way the black ones do. Since buying my Off white Toteme Sandals prior to starting this challenge, I’ve worn those so much more than these Dear Frances ones so I feel good about letting these go.
Black Prada sunglasses
If there’s one person who can influence me when it comes to sunglasses, it’s Alexis Foreman. I remember the first time I saw these on her and without hesitation, I found them in my cart. I fell for the hype with these, and while that’s not a problem if you genuinely love something, I think in hindsight I needed to wait it out before jumping on these. The reason I know this is I fell out of love for these very quickly. It actually surprised me how much I fell out of love with these. I have a tortoise pair of Prada sunglasses that I adore but these ones I just feel ‘meh’ about. Lesson learnt, take your time when something is having a moment to see if it really feels like you, or you only want it because everyone else has it.
Anine Bing Tote Bag
Now this bag has earned its stripes, because I did love this bag once upon a time and it has had A LOT of use. I bought it with the intention of using it for travel, for flying and those occasions when you need everything but the kitchen sink. I think I bought this maybe 6 or 7 years ago, but it has seen little, too no action for the past 3 years thanks to the fact I bought the Celine Seau Sangle Bag. This bag has a slimmer, more vertical profile and is very comfortable to wear. It’s the bag I use when I need to take my laptop, and its often the bag I use to travel with for flights etc. The Celine bag has a more grown up feel, with less bells and whistles but it definitely feels more timeless. The cost per wear of my Celine bag has outgrown that of the Anine Bag in a shorter time frame, so it makes sense I no longer need the Anine Bing one.
Carolina Herrera Doma Bag
I still love this bag, and it feels unfair to say it was a regret, but I always knew this bag was the ‘buffer bag’ while I saved up to buy my Vintage Hermes Kelly (which understandable has taken me MANY years). What I loved about it was the fact it didn’t rip off the kelly in a way that a lot of other brands do. It has its own thing going on, and I loved how lady like it was. It went with so much of my wardrobe, but as I expected, once I got my Kelly I haven’t worn it since. The only part of the bag that was disappointing was the long detachable strap that came with it, it seemed to wide for such a lady like bag and because of this I only ever wore it as a top handle bag.
Celine Medium Triomphe Belt
This was a panic buy, there’s no other word for it. I went into Celine with the intention of buying the smallest triomphe belt, but it had sold out… everywhere. I remember trying on the medium with the knowledge it was the last one they had in store, and with zero mediums online, I panicked. Next thing you know, it came home with me. Oops! I do like this belt, but it’s not the smaller one, and that is another lesson, when it comes to a forever wardrobe its best not too settle, especially when you know something isn’t the thing you actually wanted, especially when its the same price point. I also think when I bought my reversible Hermes H belt that felt more me, plus its reversible so it gets so much more wear.
Chanel Vanity Case
I wanted to be mad at myself for this, but that doesn’t help anyone and the the truth is we all make mistakes, myself included. The mistakes are a big part of building a forever wardrobe, and are key when you’re trying to find the items that really feel like an extension of your true self. It was my birthday last year when I bought this, and when I look back I was feeling a little lost, and I really thought this would ‘fill me up’. I had made the most money I had ever made in my life, and the girl who lived in a room she couldn’t stand up in as a struggling makeup artist (true story) was saying this would make her happy. I do love this piece, but I haven’t used it the way I thought it would, and for the most part, I just don’t think the quality and craftsmanship is there when it comes to most Chanel bags. It feels underwhelming. Maybe its because it didn’t have the effect I wanted when it came to how I expected it to make me feel. I took more about why i’m selling it in the Youtube video below, but needless to say, that money would be better spent on an item I genuinely want, that will also get a lot of use.
I’m curious what’s been your biggest regret or disappointment in your own wardrobe?
Thanks for reading and for being here,
Harry x
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