Do wet want some new challenges in August?
How about wearing one non-black neutral per week (whatever is a neutral for you)
How about wearing one non-black neutral per week (whatever is a neutral for you)
2025 Resolution: Shopping my own Bag and SLG Collection
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Yes, it’s cotton fabric with cut work, embroidery, usually in the same color as the fabric and sometimes with some lace detail. You make an excellent point about stocking up on favorite things while they are in fashion because that’s when you find a good variety. And as you noted, some years there will be nothing. Case in point: eyelet pieces.
Some eyelet pieces are a summer staple for me, especially cut work skirts and tops in white and navy blue. This year I’m seeing many colors like yellow, emerald green, red, black, pink and lilac. I first added white and dark blue in classic styles because to me, they’re timeless pieces to be worn for several years. I’m still debating a few colors and will probably add some more color over the summer. We’ll see.
Regarding midi dresses, I find them super comfortable and effortless to style. Some years, depending on what’s in fashion, midi dresses are not always plentiful. However, currently they’re very on trend so I am stocking up big time. I will however be wearing them even if they cycle out of popularity.
When I style midi dresses I make sure that they are not too long (they need to be the correct midi length) and they’re usually sleeveless or have short sleeves. Agree, there are so many pretty cotton blouses this year. A style that would look good with a variety of skirt lengths and shorts is a sleeveless top or one with very short sleeves. Ideally, the length should be longer than a crop top but not too long. These have worked best for me in terms of versatility.
Yes, it’s cotton fabric with cut work, embroidery, usually in the same color as the fabric and sometimes with some lace detail. You make an excellent point about stocking up on favorite things while they are in fashion because that’s when you find a good variety. And as you noted, some years there will be nothing. Case in point: eyelet pieces.
Some eyelet pieces are a summer staple for me, especially cut work skirts and tops in white and navy blue. This year I’m seeing many colors like yellow, emerald green, red, black, pink and lilac. I first added white and dark blue in classic styles because to me, they’re timeless pieces to be worn for several years. I’m still debating a few colors and will probably add some more color over the summer. We’ll see.
Regarding midi dresses, I find them super comfortable and effortless to style. Some years, depending on what’s in fashion, midi dresses are not always plentiful. However, currently they’re very on trend so I am stocking up big time. I will however be wearing them even if they cycle out of popularity.
Agree, there are so many pretty cotton blouses this year. A style that would look good with a variety of skirt lengths and shorts is a sleeveless top or one with very short sleeves. Ideally, the length should be longer than a crop top but not too long. These have worked best for me in terms of versatility.
I forgot to say.
If you don't find wide leg or barrel jeans the first place, doesn't mean they're not right for you. There are many wide-leg types (I din't get on with front creases or too 'drapey' but everyone is different. Barrels can splay too high, too low or too wide but you definitely need crisper structure, so you may want to buy heavier and wear later in the year. Have fun.
You may want to hang on to your skinnies - coz they are back and they also work best under boots.
Stats
May 2025
bags in 1
bags out 2
SLGs in 0
SLGs out 0
YTD
bags in 4
bags out 4
SLGs in 2
SLGs out 8
The one bag in was ordered in April but not received until May so I counted it this month. Other than that, I bought a pair of purple suede sneakers and a swimsuit I haven't yet received.
I also ordered a stepping stone for the garden which just got here yesterday. It's already installed and I like it. I may get another one. I haven't decided if I need another or not. I got it so I could reach the pool pole hanging on the fence without stepping in the dirt. They don't sell decorative stepping stones in stores around here so I got it on etsy.
I'm back to swimming every day. We've already had a couple of days in triple digits.
I carried 12 bags in May. I didn't do very well on the challenges but I bought some shelf organizers that keep the purses separated and upright. I can't use them with the bigger bags, but on the shelves I did use them, it looks nice. Now I'm debating if I still need to keep those purses in dustbags. It would look so much nicer if they weren't. I would like to figure out a way to keep the larger flatter bags like Bals stacked neatly. I have some purse hangers but not very much room in the closet for them.
I mostly carried newer purses this month, including the new bags in, and purple bags to match my new purple shoes.
May 2025
bags in 1
bags out 2
SLGs in 0
SLGs out 0
YTD
bags in 4
bags out 4
SLGs in 2
SLGs out 8
The one bag in was ordered in April but not received until May so I counted it this month. Other than that, I bought a pair of purple suede sneakers and a swimsuit I haven't yet received.
I also ordered a stepping stone for the garden which just got here yesterday. It's already installed and I like it. I may get another one. I haven't decided if I need another or not. I got it so I could reach the pool pole hanging on the fence without stepping in the dirt. They don't sell decorative stepping stones in stores around here so I got it on etsy.
I'm back to swimming every day. We've already had a couple of days in triple digits.
I carried 12 bags in May. I didn't do very well on the challenges but I bought some shelf organizers that keep the purses separated and upright. I can't use them with the bigger bags, but on the shelves I did use them, it looks nice. Now I'm debating if I still need to keep those purses in dustbags. It would look so much nicer if they weren't. I would like to figure out a way to keep the larger flatter bags like Bals stacked neatly. I have some purse hangers but not very much room in the closet for them.
I mostly carried newer purses this month, including the new bags in, and purple bags to match my new purple shoes.
I love skinnies with boots. That's mostly what I wear during the winter.
I will never give up my skinnies because I like wearing knee high boots.
JUNE “SHOPPING YOUR CLOSET” CHALLENGES
- Dressing Diversity: Wear bags that differ along a spectrum of style such as four different colors, four different shapes, four different brands, etc.
- Forgotten Favorites: Wear one of your least used bags at least twice this month
- Locked Line Up: Enjoy a month of no ins. Refrain from buying any bags or SLG’s.
- Negate the Neutrals: Help your bag rotation and ability to restyle your bags by focusing your wear on lesser used colors. Resolve not to wear bags in one of your staple colors such as black, brown or taupe for one month.
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Congrats on the swimming. I wore a jacket today and was still cold. Lol
May stats
Nothing out, but
2 bags in.
Both aren't designer and certainly didn't break the bank.
Irresistable red and chrome vintage clutch from the fleemarket.
Angi Venezia shoulder bag from the church charity shop.
I wore it today. It's really practical: huge capacity, lots of internal compartments, sits great on the shoulder, ( fills up the supermarket cart' s kid seat.) The magnetic closure is so strong the bag seems to close itself.
The third bag I bought doesn't count. It was a huge black no name suede hobo with croc embossing. I gave it to DD who seems to really enjoy it.
What else did I buy? Oops, several pieces of clothing and several pairs of shoes. All from the fleemarket or the charity shop. Most clothes already underwent some kind of alterations, repairs or scribbling.
I finally found really great ballet flats, too. The brand is called Mania. I wouldn't be willing to buy them full price, though. Not my league.
Nothing out, but
2 bags in.
Both aren't designer and certainly didn't break the bank.
Irresistable red and chrome vintage clutch from the fleemarket.
Angi Venezia shoulder bag from the church charity shop.
I wore it today. It's really practical: huge capacity, lots of internal compartments, sits great on the shoulder, ( fills up the supermarket cart' s kid seat.) The magnetic closure is so strong the bag seems to close itself.
The third bag I bought doesn't count. It was a huge black no name suede hobo with croc embossing. I gave it to DD who seems to really enjoy it.
What else did I buy? Oops, several pieces of clothing and several pairs of shoes. All from the fleemarket or the charity shop. Most clothes already underwent some kind of alterations, repairs or scribbling.
I finally found really great ballet flats, too. The brand is called Mania. I wouldn't be willing to buy them full price, though. Not my league.
May 2025 stats
Got a small Celine pouch to hold my jewelry when I travel.
I don’t like jewelry boxes, they don’t seem to hold things in place. Some jewelry cases or bags are too big or bulky.
I already lost a pair of Alexander McQueen earrings on my Asia trip earlier this year and that’s because my husband and I weren’t great at keeping track of our small items.
So I wanted a designated SLG just for jewelry.
Got a pair of white Mules at the YSL private sale. Got a YSL tank top, not on sale, retail price. Got a Courreges t shirt in their sale as well.
Got a pair of cheap heels for the wedding I’m attending later this month. Mainly because it’ll be on a natural reserve and everything is outdoors, including the dining. We were warned that there would be a lot of grass and dirt.
Got a dress and a bolero for the wedding. I unfortunately had to change the Ralph Lauren dress I initially talked about earlier this year because the dress code was: cocktail, knee length or midi. My Ralph Lauren dress is floor length and I don’t want to cut it. So I went for something else. Oh well, still love Ralph Lauren dress and will definitely wear it sometime this year.
Got my fragrance for this year! Took a little while. But I fell in love with the Kilian liquor collection and got Apple Brandy and I love it! Love the bottle too haha.
- 0 bags in; 0 bags out
- 7 / 14 bags used
- most used bag: Celine triomphe Boston bag
- SLGs: 1 in / 0 out
- Accessories: 0 in / 0 out
- Shoes: 2 in / 0 out
- Jewelry: 0 in / 0 out
- Clothes: 4 in/ 2 out
- Other: 1 fragrance
Got a small Celine pouch to hold my jewelry when I travel.
I don’t like jewelry boxes, they don’t seem to hold things in place. Some jewelry cases or bags are too big or bulky.
I already lost a pair of Alexander McQueen earrings on my Asia trip earlier this year and that’s because my husband and I weren’t great at keeping track of our small items.
So I wanted a designated SLG just for jewelry.
Got a pair of white Mules at the YSL private sale. Got a YSL tank top, not on sale, retail price. Got a Courreges t shirt in their sale as well.
Got a pair of cheap heels for the wedding I’m attending later this month. Mainly because it’ll be on a natural reserve and everything is outdoors, including the dining. We were warned that there would be a lot of grass and dirt.
Got a dress and a bolero for the wedding. I unfortunately had to change the Ralph Lauren dress I initially talked about earlier this year because the dress code was: cocktail, knee length or midi. My Ralph Lauren dress is floor length and I don’t want to cut it. So I went for something else. Oh well, still love Ralph Lauren dress and will definitely wear it sometime this year.
Got my fragrance for this year! Took a little while. But I fell in love with the Kilian liquor collection and got Apple Brandy and I love it! Love the bottle too haha.
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This month’s challenges are pinned to the thread. 
I just looked at the challenges and I feel seen! I need to keep exploring color pops with my lesser used bags to help me further refine as I shop my current closet. The black leather brigade needs to take a rest.This month’s challenges are pinned to the thread.
Great challenges!This month’s challenges are pinned to the thread.
I would like to skip black bags with the exception of rainy days. My best rainy day bag is black.
Your mules make me turn green with envy. They are gorgeous!
Getting cheap heels for the outdoor wedding is very sensible!
Wasn't this the great advise of the southern belle grandmother to her granddaughter in one of the Anne Rivers-Siddons novels? Buy party shoes at Tesco...
Have you considered getting the clear plastic heel caps that help avoid sinking into the grass? ( For comfort, not for cheap shoe protection.)
I've been pondering the shoe question for my daughter 's wedding on Saturday for months and meanwhile have given up on wanting to wear really special shoes.
The never worn Ferragamos I bought, the vintage TvH, even the Schutz platform sandals are back on the display shelf.... None were expensive, but they are too prescious to be ruined within a few hours. And they would be a challenge to walk in.
There's gravel in front of the church, grass outside the location and I have to drive. Watching the youngest bridesmaid being barely able to walk in her ( stunning!) platforms at the registry office wedding kind of cured me. It's no fun to hobble and stumble around.
For now my choices are my beloved and trusted 30 year old heels that have been through the trenches - on the beach, even on mountain hikes, repaired over and over and/ or satin ballroom dance shoes from the fleemarket.
Oh, what a shame your wonderful Ralph Lauren dress doesn't fit the dresscode. Hopefully there'll be another occasion to wear it, soon!