Would I buy these again now i'm earning less?

Receipts, the best investments, dupes & what's really worth the 💸

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People talk about forever wardrobes, buying less but better (myself included), and I’m often curious did I truly invest in pieces that will last a lifetime? Is that even possible? Only time will tell, but it’s one thing to say you’d buy something again when you have the money and the means, but what about when you don’t? What about when your life circumstances shift and your disposable income dramatically shifts? I spoke about my decision to walk away from my business here, and instead return to my writing and other artistic pursuits.

It’s been fascinating (and humbling) to have the understanding that $10,000 is an insane amount of money, and also… not a lot of money depending on how much you have in your account at any given time. Money is subjective, what is a lot to someone is pocket change to another and vice versa. Deciding what’s worth the money more times than not comes down to your personal relationship to money, and how you perceive value/worth.

When you suddenly have the financial means to buy certain things that a past version of you could only dream of, it’s hard not to get ahead of yourself. Initially, the high was dizzying, but as time went on, the experience became anti climatic, and there were more times than I care to remember where a luxury item left me feeling underwhelmed. If i’m honest with myself there are some things I bought just because I could. I love clothes, and I appreciate craftsmanship and quality design, but in a world where more and more luxury brands cut corners, while increasing the price on what feels like every other quarter, I had to ask myself, when is enough, well… enough?

What constitutes ‘enough’ when it comes to our wardrobe is probably a seperate piece in itself, for the fact that bodies change, our tastes evolve and while i’d love to think I have as close to a forever wardrobe as is humanly possible, certain pieces will wear out beyond repair. And this isn’t me saying i’m never going to shop again, but my year long no buy did change my relationship to shopping in a life altering way.

To date I’ve sold over $6,000 worth of items from my wardrobe that in the past I would have kept as credit to buy more stuff. Choosing to focus on your art full time is a privilege few can afford. That $6000 has given me the gift of time to pause and weigh up my next move, and that is what I value most at this current moment in time.

In case you're wondering, I started my no buy before my financial circumstances changed because I already had a suspicion that I didn’t need anymore stuff but instead to learn how to get more creative with what I did have. I learnt how to live with less, and experienced first hand, which pieces genuinely do work the hardest in my wardrobe, irrelevant of brand or cost. My understanding of quality and perceived value has also shifted now i’m earning significantly less, which is why I hope this piece is helpful.

Everything I’m sharing was purchased by myself. And while i’m scared to share the prices I paid for certain items, I think it’s important I do for context. For each item i’ll be answering the main question, would I buy it again now i’m earning less? Eg would I save up for it, do I think it’s worth the price tag from the lens of earning more and earning less, and what do I think of the quality/wearability after owning them for several years? Maybe I should do an update every couple of years on these same items? I’ve also included a video with close ups exclusively for paid subscribers so you can see any wear and tear up close.

1. The Frankie Shop Blazers

The Frankie Shop Gelso blazer in grey above

The Frankie Shop Blazers are pricey when you consider that most of them are not even made of silk, cashmere or wool, but more times than not polyester. However, I do think they make some incredible shapes and cuts and I do love the Gelso blazer (I paid $350 for mine) and the Tansy blazer (I paid $285 for mine, currently out of stock). Both have held up surprisingly well, given that they are both over two - three years old. There is no loose stitching or change in shape. But would I buy it again now? No, no I wouldn’t. The main reason being, there’s so many great oversized blazers, that are infinitely better quality waiting for you in the mens department of the thrift store. Most of my men’s blazers I’ve purchased from the thrift store have cost between $5-$30, for pieces that were tailored, or made of premium fabrics. I will still wear the hell out of my Frankie Shop blazers, but now i’m making less, I would go the thrift store route.

My thrifted mens wear blazer in pure wool, I paid $7 for.

Above: The Frankie Shop old Linen blazer (I think I paid about $250 for this) and below the tailor made linen blazer I thrifted for $20.

2. Toteme Trench Coat

I bought my Toteme Trench Coat when the price was around $800, about three years ago. This piece is something I would save up for and buy if I didn’t already own it because of how beautiful the cut and quality are. Can you buy something similar for less, i’m sure, but of all the trench coats I tried on before buying this (at both less and more expensive price points) nothing made me feel as incredible as wearing this piece did. The length is perfection, the quality is incredible and I actually love the fact it isn’t belted. It has the perfect amount of slouch in while still creating the boxy shape I want from a trench coat. When it comes to trench coats, so many high street brands do them, this Uniqlo offering is one of the nicest looking trench coats i’ve seen and is less than $60! If the Toteme one was out of budget then I would be tempted to do the Ebay route, and look for a second hand Burberry one.

After the paywall, i’m sharing other items in my wardrobe that I get asked the most questions about, plus there’s a video where I share the items up close with my thoughts.