Tuesday, January 05, 2010

knowing when to walk away


i found this jeffrey monteiro peacoat for $400 at the LouisBoston sale. it was nice, but it wasn't amazing. maybe i needed a 6 instead of a 4, but it just didn't look as good as i thought it would. the fabric was so soft, especially the lining, but i decided to walk away from it.

the hardest thing about shopping is knowing when to abstain. buying simply for the sake of possession is something i no longer want to do. i have a pair of loeffler randall boots that are languishing in my closet, too precious to 'ruin' with wear, too coveted to sell. it's a hard distinction to make, knowing which pieces belong in your 'collection.' some things, like my marni hummingbird coat, are only worn once a year, but my wardrobe would be incomplete without them. other things, well, i'm learning to admire from afar....

16 comments:

townjuice said...

Did you notice if they had any other sizes on sale, like an 8?

Thanks!

erica said...

nope, just that size 4. i'm sure it was snapped up minutes after i put it back on the rack.

julia said...

I've gotten a lot better about walking away from items I *think* I can't live without. Probably helps not to work in an awesome retail store anymore too, hehe.

Anonymous said...

wow, beautiful marni coat..that must turn heads.

jennifer said...

I know what you mean about learning when/how to abstain, Erica. Also, I feel the same way as you about the Loeffler Randall boots I purchased a couple years ago.

erica said...

oh yes, working retail was really awful for me, too! that employee discount is such a trap.

Monica said...

This coat (on sale at Bird) was one of my impulse purchases - and it wound up being one of my best investments this winter. I think the fit isn't standard (ie super slim shoulders and arms) but I love the snuggly cashmere blend instead of standard wool. The brass hardware is also lovely, reminds me of some of some of the brass detailing you'd see on Mayle pieces.

Jennifer said...

Admiring from afar. Yes, sage words, Ms. Erica.
But what did I do?
Totokaelo Sale? Buy A Rachel Comey Cardigan I've been eyeing forever...yes.
But did I really need the Rachel Comey shoes & Rick Owen's shirt? (Rhetorical question).

Sales are so enticing. Sigh.

erica said...

monica-
i agree, the fit is not for everyone. i think a 6 would have been even harder for me to walk away from, but in the end, that long boxy cut of the coat isn't the best silhouette for me. the soft fabric is amazing, though!

jennifer-
if i hadn't bought new sheets from the frette sale, i would be more tempted by the sales right now. for some reason i'd rather spend money on home goods. a swans' island blanket is at the top of my wish list.

Marti said...

Erica good for you! I have been finding it so hard to walk away from things but lack of money or declined credit cards help. When I was in PHX there were some amazing Elizabeth and James fuschia zipper flats on sale for $150- they fit like a glove but sadly? not enough credit on my BG account - and sadly I walked away.

Unknown said...

...oh too bad!
i think i am getting better (although sometimes i trip) but i insist now only to purchase something if i feel that it is 100% fabulous and something i will truly enjoy!
but sunshine...you must! you have to! wear the loefler randall boots and the marni hummingbird coat more oten...great that these pieces are treated and regarded as special...but allow them to be special on you! enjoy them...don't keep them in "closet purgatory"

Catherine said...

I actually like it when something I've become obsessed about winds up not looking as good as I thought it would. Makes life a lot easier. I've today gone off the Marchesa dress - after trying on wedding dresses yesterday it's just far too risky to buy online without trying on and not being able to return it easily - the bodice might not fit, the colour might be all wrong on me. I actually feel relief!

Lovely hummingbird coat, a keeper for sure.

evencleveland said...

You should wear those boots!

Jeanette said...

You must wear the boots or try to sell them on ebay. This is how I always ended up with item that will just sit in my closet, especially when its an impulse purchase from Gilt or outnet, when the discount makes it look like too good to be missed.

miss sophie said...

i second stephanie and jeanette on the LR boots. i took them to the cobbler to get a thin vibram outsole over the leather outsole for traction, and had my cobbler also build a slight rubber heel as well so it wouldn't get so scuffed. it's not too pricey a fix and my boots have stood up well to wear after the past year.

erica said...

i know, i know, i should wear the LR boots!

i actually had them soled. but my real problem is that i'm such a klutz that i always bang the toe of my boots on things.

it's true, sometimes the discount makes it more desirable than it should be. i'm such a sucker for 70% off.