Tuesday, March 11, 2025

I can’t decide if I get more excited about spring or fall clothing shopping, but I think it’s spring. We’ve just come out of all the dark colors of winter clothing and everything seems so fresh and so bright, you know?

And, this is the perfect week for this post – we are looking at highs from 64-71! It’s gonna be hard to keep the kids focused, but I will take it over the cold we have had this year.

I feel like my whole life has been a lesson in how to shop well. My mom said that from day one I was obsessed with my shoes. She dressed me really cute but she said I always favored my shoes and wanted to wear new shoes out of the store. My mom taught me to bargain shop and sometimes that can be my curse. I’ve had to learn that quality is often the best bargain because the cost per wear goes down.

Now, I want to have a smaller wardrobe of stuff I really love and feel good in.

Shoes:

I am going to be wearing sneakers to school for the most part for the rest of the year. My feet and legs are no longer willing to take the abuse I have dished out for 31 years. I recently got properly fitted and I am in a wide! I guess the old Flintstone feet spread out. With my wide leg jeans, you really can’t see much of them, so no problem. These are shorter jeans and they just look weird to me now.

These are New Balance 860s. They aren’t that ugly and I went with what felt the best. My feet are so happy!

I recently picked up this nice neutral flip flop from Target and have been wearing them non-stop at home and on weekends.

And, I still love these even though they start hurting a little bit after 5 hours. They feel fine most of the day but then hurt by the end of the day. I guess it’s because they aren’t wide.

Other than that, I will need to inventory my summer sandals and see what I still want to wear and what still fits. This new wide foot measurement may be just the ticket to helping me feel more comfortable in my shoes.

I was ruthless with spring and summer tops. I have 3 bags ready to be donated. I decided they are too old (and some are fast fashion) so my consignment shop wouldn’t take much.

I think I will still wear all my fun printed palazzo pants.

I’m really into butter yellow! I love Aerie’s quality. I purchased this and have worn it every chance I get. It’s like a feminine sweatshirt with boho ties. It runs big. They also just recently recommended it on The Big Boo Cast but I had it first! Ha!

I also purchased this fresh yellow stripe from Aerie.

Underneath is a fisherman core aesthetic inspired graphic tee from Old Navy. I also purchased a green with white trim athletic skort from Old Navy. I find skorts great to walk in or just to look a little bit elevated when you are casual. They have bike shorts underneath and there is a pocket for your phone!

See..the shorter jeans just look weird to me right now.

I’m into graphic tees with cardigans over them.

I’m into gauzy fabric still.

I’m into blouses with jeans and jean shorts, too. I might buy a new longer pair of jean shorts but shorter is more flattering on my leg. The longer length looks more modern to me.

For jeans, I am at the point where I am only wearing my Halaras. They just look the best. I have them in medium denim, light denim, and light black. I am wondering if I will wear the light black in the spring, but I think I will with some blouses that have darker colors.

I have found and loved things from TJ Maxx, Walmart, and Target, but I can get swept up with the price and quantity over quality rather than it being the perfect item for me. So, I do try to limit how much I look at those stores or websites.

I like to check a couple of boutiques from time to time and my favorite brands are Umgee and Entro. I can usually find dresses for $39. I will pay up to $50 if I really, really love the print. I think some people think boutiques are out of their price range, but have you seen Target’s prices lately? They ain’t cheap anymore.

Here is a recent Umgee purchase:

I loved the print and the colors and have a hot pink cardigan that will work with it. I paid $39. I also found a really pretty salmon colored dress last week and paid $39 for it. Dresses are hard to fit me sometimes so I like to buy them when I find one that works.

Shopping for:

White linen drawstring wide leg pants

New swim cover up

More lounge/casual clothes for home – my selection is really old and horrible

New summer sandals that are both comfortable and cute – not sure what I want yet

That’s all I can think of now!

I am trying to do more in person shopping. I feel like I make less shopping mistakes that way. If I can touch the fabric (big deal for me!), try it on, and avoid returns I am happy to shop that way.

I do not believe in waiting until your body is perfect to try to wear what you like and what feels good. I believe we are always worthy of things that make us our most confident selves. And, it helps you so much to look and feel good on your journey to a more healthy self. Can I get an Amen?

What are you into right now? Shopping for? Any brand or store recommendations for me?

Amy

27 thoughts on “Spring Shopping”

  1. I love that new spring dress! I have quite a few Umgee brand things I have pinned to a Pinterest board I’m looking at for spring. I too am more willing to pay slightly higher prices for quality pieces that last but don’t know of any local stores that carry my favorite brands!

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  2. Amen! Love the yellow and your graphic t shirt collection. You talking about shoes just reminded me I didn’t purge my shoes when I did my closet purge. Oops. I will do that this weekend. Hadley and I were in Target last week, and I saw a couple of “birk” type sandals that look cute. I gotta get my dogs looking right! Maybe I can do that this weekend too.

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  3. Amen from me for sure! In fact, I think a lot of the time when we by the right clothes that actually fit our bodies correctly we realize we look pretty darn good!

    Target is definitely not cheap anymore, I was surprised at some of their prices. I would check Banana Republic Factory or JCrew Factory for linen.

    I’m with you, I want fewer but better things in my closet!

    xo,

    Kellyann

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    1. Yes! So true! My sister’s boyfriend has been telling her to stop hiding and wearing all drapey stuff. I ordered her Halaras for her bday!
      No, it is not! Good ideas for linen.

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  4. This was fun to read! I loved the story your mom told you about your shoes. I agree about quality over quantity; though I don’t always live by that rule. I love the Shein dresses I bought last summer and am looking forward to wearing them again this year. Even though I like the fall more than spring, I enjoy shopping/dressing for spring, because I’m ready to wear lighter and brighter clothing. I may wear a dress today! It’s warm here, and I’m ready for it!

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  5. I love the color. I just got a spring Stitch Fix box and it was not very springy in color. I did keep a cute navy cotton pullover sweater which will be good for evening boating and a pink three quarter zip that was super soft so I couldn’t pass it up. I need sandals, cover ups (I live in one mostly in the summer because I’m in a swim suit most days), new swim suit, and a shorts refresh. I have trouble finding dresses but definitely need to add a couple to my wardrobe. I feel like spring/summer clothes take more of a beating because they get washed more. I wear NB for walking because I need the arch support they provide. That’s another thing I need-new tennies for walking. Have a great day!

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  6. This post is making me giddy- I agree with you- fall and spring fashion shopping rock- it is tough for me to decide too but I think the psychology of spring rebirth and hope push it to #1 🙂 Love your spring colors!

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  7. So I ended up liking the white linen wide leg pants from Old Navy: I tried several of them (they have straight leg ones too) since they have different styles and I am pleased. Wide, but not too wide, no drawstring, and while you see the pocket, not really see through if you wear nude undergarments. I actually went ahead and ordered the tan since I do love mine which I feel are too wide. I also went to Francesca’s yesterday and got a white peasant skirt to replace the one my mom gave me last year which was ok but had a little stain and was little tight. Those were my retail purchases for spring. Now I plan to only thrift. I have started to wear wide shoes too: I have a bunion on one foot. I think I have a great shoe collection for spring so I do not plan to add any.

    http://www.chezmireillefashiontravelmom.com

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  8. You should check out Natural Life clothing (they have an online website). I bought a Natural Life dress at Goodwill and love it! It is thin and requires a slip but is so cute and very boho! I think that brand might be sold at boutiques too. I agree with you. I really prefer to shop in person. I have given up buying clothes on Amazon because I never love the fabric or fit.

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  9. Target prices are out of control. I struggle shopping there anymore. My daughter has been looking for an athletic dress that is affordable and I saw they had some but they were $50 and I didn’t even like them. For that much, I would rather spend more and go to Altar’d State or Lulu.

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  10. Yellow is such a good color for you! Yes to comfortable shoes. I looked at Marshalls for some spring clothes the other day, but didn’t find a lot. At this point, I feel like I am good on my spring clothes, but I always like to add one or two new items each year. I have purchased a few new dresses, but mostly from Amazon.

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  11. Amen for sure to dressing how you want to no matter where you are on your journey to healthy living! I like shopping for spring more because there just aren’t many days we can wear true fall/winter sweaters here in Texas. I need to weed out my closet a little. If I don’t reach for it, it needs to go. I need to check out Umgee brand! You are so right about Target prices. Hope you’re having a good day.

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  12. Hello Amy,

    I am so sorry for the loss of your mom. My mom is named Joyce, 84, lives in Madison, SD and is a member of United Methodist church, retired teacher and in Delta Kappa. My mom quilts and I think our moms would have been friends. My oldest brother died in 2009 and I am the oldest now and only daughter and not looking forward to the death of my parents as will be a lot to deal with. I am thankful my brothers and I get along and will help each other. I am one of the women going through divorce after 30 years of marriage, I shared earlier and have been in contact some with Jen as was so sad to hear about the loss of her marriage. We were loving wives and did not deserve this betrayal. It makes me sad to hear of other woman going through this.

    I am so excited to read of your retirement. I just lost my job yesterday and divorce should be finalized in the next week or so and am trying to figure out finances and health insurance. It is all emotionally exhausting. I am hoping to find something 32 hours with good benefits and hours. I was working as a licensed alcohol and drug counselor and working T-Th 12-10pm and so exhausting and isolating. Not good for my physical or mental health as so much sitting and I need to get back to the gym. As you know change and grief are exhausting and I am not an extrovert so don’t do well being social on a good day. I joined a women over 50 group and it is good. I am going to reach out more now and try and be better about getting together with friends. I love how you prioritize this and love your friendships.

    Thank you for being so willing to share and keeping you all in my prayers.

    Christa Welbon

    Christa

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  13. I have always found that if my feet are comfortable I am a happier person. I am all about comfort over style now.
    I would love to be able to wear yellow in the warmer months but where we live, surrounded by fields the flies flock to anything yellow. I love a graphic tee and that dress is so pretty.

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  15. I remember buying my first pair of ugly sneakers. I still have them and wear them to work out in. They’re Brooks, but I don’t know the name. I did splurge and buy a couple of spring cardigans. I would have to say I shop as much in every season, but I did really well in February. I was trying for a Frugal February and made it to the 21st! Old Navy really is so good! I have three very close and check them out regularly. I love their graphic tees! Love the patterned dress…you always look so good in them.

    https://marshainthemiddle.com

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