budget,  fashion

2020: Shopping with a purpose

December 30, 2019 /

I would lie if I said I would not buy anything new in 2020 apart from thrifting. While I will probably go thrifting every other month, I do have a short list of items that I would like to purchase this coming year.

How to decide what I need or want?

Since I do not have an overflowing closet and I am constantly reassessing my closet, I have a good idea of what I am lacking or would lack to replace:

skirts: I would like to wear skirts more and most of my skirts are maxis. Right now maxis are not calling my name much and while I will keep the ones I have, I would like to add some more variety especially for fall and winter. I did buy 2-3 skirts that I love in 2019 and would like a few in similar styles. I have been following some modest fashion gals on Instagram that have been quite inspiring and have introduced a couple boutiques with cute and affordable skirts. Here are my favorite 3 from last year:

My Modcloth skirt (bought on clearnace for $17):

White House Black Market skirt (thrifted $1)

Goodwill skirt ($5)

As you can tell by my favorites, I do not typically spend extraordinary amounts on my skirts.

  • black jeans: I probably will wait till next fall or the July Nordstrom anniversary sale to pick up a new pair of black jeans. Mine are an Old Navy pair that have lost a lot of their color which is a reason I do not wear them very often
  • a kimono: I have a couple kimono like cardigan but I would love a bright kimono
  • a red top, a turquoise top, a white top with fun details
  • wedge black sneakers: I actually ordered a pair of Linea Paolo Felicia camo wedge sneakers/booties this weekend so that is off my list. I think they will be fun and versatile year round addition to my shoe collection.
LINEA PAOLO Felicia Wedge Bootie, Main, color, CAMO PRINT SUEDE
Felicia Wedge bootie

How do I stick to my list and not get tempted and overspend?

  • self control! LOL! Keep accountable for your purchases: if you are making impulse purchases why is that: are you bored? are you sad? are you angry? are you jealous? Impulse purchases are often based on emotions.
  • keep your big goal for not overspending in mind. In my case, it is saving for vacations and putting money aside for the future in our savings account.
  • try to recreate oufits with items in my closet instead of copying exactly what I see: reading fashion blogs can be a tempting and expensive hobby.
  • shop my closet: I love finding new combos and having clothes that I love in my closet helps me shop my closet and enjoy the experience: goodbuy ill fitting clothes or outdated/stained clothes.
  • HAVE A PLAN!

So there you have it! My plan for clothes shopping for 2020. Typically what I find thrifting is unexpected and not really on my list but usually those purchases do not impact my wallet much since I like shopping the $1 day and I do not go thrifting very often.

It will be interesting for me to see at the end of 2020 what my purchases have been and reflect on what I bought and why. What are you plans as far as clothes shopping this year? Any specific purchases in mind?

A bientôt!

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39 Comments

  • Joanne

    December 30, 2019 at 6:53 am

    It sounds like we’ll be putting quite a bit of money into our house this year so I’m hoping to keep the rest of our shopping to a minimum. We have plans to add some solar panels, change out the flooring in our two oldest boys’ rooms, and I think we need to replace a few leaky faucets too.

    • mimifce

      December 30, 2019 at 8:34 am

      Sounds like a worthy plan. I think it make a big difference when you know what you are saving for. I also like to track it on paper to see how close to our goal we are getting.

  • Ellibelle

    December 30, 2019 at 3:48 pm

    The skirts you found are gorgeous I especially love the striped one from WHBM you found for just $1.
    There is really nothing I need to add to my closet, but I want to get a new black puffer coat and will be looking for one at the end of the season.

    I’m always tempted to buy new tops, following fashion blogs doesn’t make it easier 🙂 Maybe I’ll make more time for Goodwill next year. I love going there with my husband to look at all the decorative items and always find cute handbags but it’s time consuming to look at their clothes.
    Ellibelle’s Corner

    • mimifce

      December 30, 2019 at 4:47 pm

      Yes! I was at JC penney with my mom today looking at the clearance rack for her and there was so much it was just overwhelming. We ended up picking a couple tops at Ross. I need to have a plan when I go searching. Or just stay away from the stores, lol!

    • mimifce

      December 31, 2019 at 1:22 pm

      I really makes a difference when you feel good and pretty in something! That is why I need to really pay attention when I try on clothes and not impulse buy!

  • jess jannenga

    December 31, 2019 at 10:41 am

    Happy New Year Mirielle!
    I’ll be back blogging on Friday, just needed to recover from our trip. I enjoy seeing you in this yellow floral skirt! So pretty and wow, unbelievable price! I should go to some of our Goodwill’s here. I like your list of items and i need tops too.. but will look for a sale. Those wedge sneakers are cute! I wanted a pair and got a pair for Christmas from Dolce Vita. I look forward to seeing you wear them
    Jess xx
    http://www.elegantlydressedandstylish.com

  • Mica

    December 31, 2019 at 4:50 pm

    You know I love that yellow skirt! I would like to add more skirt lengths to my wardrobe but with my days revolving so much around the boys and their little needs right now I need a longer skirt with all the bending over and sitting around on the floors haha! 🙂

    I don’t have a goal of pieces I want to add to my wardrobe this year – but I do want to spend less this year than I did last year! 🙂

    Hope that you have a happy new year and 2020 is off to a great start! 🙂

  • Jill James

    December 31, 2019 at 8:35 pm

    Happy New Year Mirielle. All good suggestions for keeping the impluse buys in check. I have also resolved to play in my closet more and come up with different combinations.

    • mimifce

      January 1, 2020 at 3:24 pm

      I really didn’t feel deprived this past month with 1 purchase at the beginning of the month and 1 at the end so I am hoping to do well. I think keeping a list and dollars spent on clothes will also help me in check.

  • Laura Bambrick

    December 31, 2019 at 11:21 pm

    These are great goals! I try to be purposeful with my spending, but it’s fun to have an impulse buy every once in a while! Love the skirts you got this year! Hope the shoes you ordered work out!

    • mimifce

      January 1, 2020 at 3:22 pm

      I am sure the impulse buys won’t stop completely and I am ok with them as long as they are good buys!

  • Gail

    January 2, 2020 at 3:51 am

    A good plan Mireille. I love the colours of the Mod Cloth skirt – a real stunner. I am also planning to spend a lot less on clothes this year. Thanks for joining #WowOnWednesday!

  • Fonda @Savvy Southern Chic

    January 2, 2020 at 8:05 am

    Wedge sneakers are on my wish list too! Lately I’ve been replacing things that are good staples but worn out, like sweaters that were pilled and picked beyond help, and I’ll continue to shop purposefully in that way. You have some great thrift finds on skirts. I had to stop thrifting. I bought way too much on impulse, and even if it was only $1, it was $1 wasted. If I have a specific need, I will check Thred Up and some thrift sites first.

    • mimifce

      January 2, 2020 at 4:07 pm

      That is my hope for this year: to be much more intentional with what I get. Some of my $1 buys this past year only made it through a wear or two before being donated and I am finally coming to the realization that I do not like button down shirts at all. I will keep a few of my flannel shirts but am giving my chambray ones to my mom!

    • mimifce

      January 3, 2020 at 7:11 pm

      Thanks, Nicole! Always like to see your outfits especially that you have to deal with different weather!

  • Shelbee on the Edge

    January 3, 2020 at 1:41 pm

    These are great tips for shopping on a budget in the coming year. I am terrible as I love all things fashion. I am easily tempted and always go over budget. No matter how hard I try to simply stay out of stores, when the shopping bug catches me, I am doomed! I love all of your cute skirts and look forward to seeing what you find in the new year! Thanks for linking up with me.

    Shelbee
    http://www.shelbeeontheedge.com

    • mimifce

      January 3, 2020 at 7:04 pm

      Thanks, Shelbee! I am planning to wait till February to shop. Still recouping from Christmas! It helps me that I know that what I don’t spend I put in savings. I definitely sometime have a hard time staying in control as those camo booties got me!

  • Karren Haller

    January 5, 2020 at 2:33 pm

    Your skirt is giving me inspiration for this spring and summer, they would be cooler in our desert heat. Thank you for sharing on Oh My Heartsie Girls Wonderful Wednesday. I hope to have you join us again this week!
    Happy New Year!

    • mimifce

      January 6, 2020 at 2:44 pm

      Thanks, Karen! I try to every week. Will be glad to be back to a more regular schedule this week. Happy New Year to you too!