Thursday, May 14, 2020

I was looking in my closet longingly at my summer clothing and thinking about a time long, long ago when I went places. I have shown you some new black and white tops that I purchased this season. I am excited to wear those somewhere besides to a Zoom call. But, an idea for a post was born as I decided to evaluate what got the most wear last season. Why did those things get the most wear? What can I learn from those purchases?

Like many of you, I am a work in progress. I am always trying to be a smarter shopper. I want to buy work horse clothing. I want to look back and say that I got my money’s worth out of a particular item. I think I have to come to terms with the fact that my style might change from summer to summer, though. Maybe I should take the capsule approach and have a small selection of in style items I just love. I am a big believer in taking stock of what you have every season and decluttering what isn’t working to make room for what better suits you.

I hope you enjoy today’s post and maybe it will inspire you to reflect on what you loved and wore last year. If you have been reading my blog for awhile you have seen all of these items multiple times and you have heard me rave about certain brands and styles. Another interesting facet to evaluate is the brands of your favorite items. I try to wash in cold and line dry, by the way. I really think it helps to extend the longevity of your clothing. I need to get a drying rack situation in my new mudroom.

This first item was a total stroke of luck and kind of an impluse purchase. I ordered this cactus off the shoulder or on the shoulder top from Amazon two years ago I think? I took it to my sweet tailor after seeing myself in photos. It didn’t hit at the right place on me but the quality was good enough and the price originally was only $16 I think so a $10 upgrade made sense to me. It looks so much better at this length and I was super happy I did it.

Verdict for Summer 2020: It has held up well and I am excited to continue wearing it!

The next two tops are Target Universal Thread from two summers ago and they are identical, but one in black and one in navy/white stripe. The black is a better fit. It is a size smaller than the blue. I wish I had gone back and bought a duplicate in the correct size in each of these tops. They are knit and soft and they are just the perfect top to throw on. I wore the black with printed bottoms and fun earrings usually.

Verdict for Summer 2020: Still love and will still wear, but lesson learned. Try on two different sizes while the stock is still available or if ordering online, order two different sizes. And, if you love something enough, consider duplicates especially if it is a timeless style.

And, here is the navy. I wore this white white jeans or white skirt mostly. Navy and white are some of my signature summer colors and this was an easy outfit to throw on that looked like I had made more effort! And, since this will be the third summer for these and I’ve worn them so much I am happy to say that I made good purchases!

This next item I bought last summer and it is the more expensive Target Knox Rose brand. I just thought this was so cute. I didn’t end up wearing it as much as I thought because it is a pretty memorable top. Also, it’s not knit and maybe it’s a little more fussy than knit. It is red, white, and blue and would look great for Memorial Day and 4th of July, though.

Verdict for Summer 2020: Excited to wear it!

This butterfly top is from Old Navy last year and I just thought it was so cute. I have already worn it once this year for a virtual class I taught on a warmer day. I don’t love it as much this year, but I still like it.

Verdict for Summer 2020: will wear it. It looks cute with black shorts and big earrings to go somewhere.

This last top is also from last year Old Navy. This is what I consider more of a school top because I would always wear it with my pink 3/4 length sleeve cardigan or my yellow cardigan. I am not as excited about florals this year as I was last year for some reason.

Verdict for Summer 2020: I might wear it this summer but I will hopefully wear this to school if we get to go back in August. I will hang onto it.

What are you most looking forward to wearing from last summer?

Has your style changed?

I would say go ahead and wear it now for that Zoom call or meeting. Heck, put it on to go pick up take out. Our clothing should be for ourselves and not for others’ benefit anyway.

Quick Recap:

6 summer tops

Amazon – 1

Old Navy – 2

Target – 3 (2 Universal Thread/1 Knox Rose)

Amy