Low Buy 2022: January Check-In

One month down into my six month low buy, and I wanted to get into the habit of mirroring my updates on my YouTube Channel here on my blog. Just like in my video update, I’m going to split this post into a few key topics; shopping triggers, things that have been giving me joy, what I bought and how I spent my January budget, what gifting I received, and ending on some thoughts about the quiet luxury “trend”.

SHOPPING TRIGGERS

Historically, when I look over my purchases from the past five years, there’s a key trend. I shop the most during January and February. As an emotional shopper, it’s easy for me to see the connection here; and it’s quite a personal reason. For those not aware, I lost my mum to cancer almost seven years ago. It was in late January I learned she was ill. I organised flights and spent my birthday weekend with her, and a fortnight later she was gone. Even now, after all these years have passed, that timeline is still something I can’t wrap my head around. I was still processing the very fact that I’d be losing her the day she passed, and the grief still washes over me like big waves this time of year. 

To try and suppress those feelings of grief, I’ve always turned to shopping as a distraction tool. And I’m fully aware that this isn’t healthy. A new purchase might give you a rush; a dopamine hit for a moment. Again those feelings arise when it arrives at your door (if you’re online shopping), but they fade quickly. Then you’re left with those some feelings you were trying to ignore. Trying to do things a little differently this year, I’ve reflected a lot on all the good times I had with my mum. Shared stories with my yiayia over FaceTime, and instead leaned into any grieving feelings I had than shy away from them. 

That said, I still found myself mindlessly scrolling (often on The Real Real). But unlike previous years, I didn’t turn to shopping as an aid. A minor accomplishment but it’s felt like a big step for me. 

GIVING ME JOY THIS MONTH

So let’s chat about how I’ve been spending my time. I’ve been trying to put a bit more of a focus on self-care, or at least doing things that I enjoy. The first has been getting myself back into the habit of reading. Two years ago my husband bought me what might possibly be the best gift I’ve ever received; an Audible subscription. With a toddler, it’s almost impossible to sit down with a book, and in the evenings I’m finding I’d rather switch my brain off than concentrate on words on a page. Listening to a book while cleaning, taking a walk, or just resting has been a huge joy, and since the Christmas break I’ve really pushed myself to get back into that. I started Shantaram by Gregory David Roberts in January, and have been enjoying it so much so far. It’s a true story, detailing Roberts’ journey through India following his escape from prison in Australia. I especially love the way that he champions the culture and people in India. It’s a hefty tome (my friend has the physical book), so a month on and I’m just a little over a quarter of the way through.

The other thing that I’ve really picked back up again is playing on my Nintendo Switch. I’ve been a gamer since I was a young kid, and have found especially in my adult years that it’s a way to relieve stress and anxiety; which speaking of, has been proven too (as if you needed an excuse!). I made the most of the pre-Christmas and Boxing Day sales to snap up a few titles I’d been wanting to play and have slowly been making my way through them, in addition to my latest purchase, Pokemon Arceus. 

WHAT I BOUGHT THIS MONTH

So before I chat through how I spent my budget, I wanted to run through the other purchases I made this month, as a bit of a general overview.

New underwear | One of the first things I purchased in January was a new underwear set. I flagged in my initial Low Buy video that much of the undergarments that I owned were starting to look a bit worse for wear, so this was one of the few exceptions I allowed myself. I actually thought I was going to have to buy a second “tank bra” (I wear this one from Everlane like a crop top when it’s hot) after misplacing mine after our New Years holiday at the coast, but it had thankfully been packed away in my husband’s bag rather than my own.

Storage Tubs & Books | With our home renovation (hopefully) looming, we’ve been starting to think about how we can be on the front foot. So I wanted to order some storage tubs to pop in some belongings we aren’t using right now. To qualify for free shipping you needed to spend $65 (or pay $40…), so I also added a couple books for our son to my cart before checking out.

Office supplies | I had to buy a few minor office supplies, mostly for the running of mīere. I purchased sellotape, A4 printer paper and compostable mail bags.

Gifts | Our youngest nephew turned one in January, so we purchased him a birthday gift. I also bought a present for my girlfriend Patti’s daughter who turned two. We’re attending her bday party this weekend. Which, on that note, Patti is sharing her own financial journey on IG and you can follow her HERE – she’s such an inspiration!

Bobo Choses Tee | I tend to buy a lot of our son’s clothing when there’s a sale or occasionally will opt pre-loved. I spotted a sweet Bobo Choses tee pre-loved for $20 so decided to buy that for him to add into his wardrobe rotation.

West Elm side plates | The final (non-fashion) item that I purchased were some new side plates. We have this beautiful stoneware dinner set from West Elm, and a number of the side plates had broken. I purchased a few (on sale) to replace the ones we were missing.

HOW I SPENT MY BUDGET

Okay so, the juicey part. How did I spend my budget this month? Did I buy anything? Did I go over? The answers are yes, and yes. I purchased two items, and went over budget – just – by $10. Just focusing on the numerics here, I’m not upset at myself for going over. Because of the current state of affairs with omicron, I’ve not been catching up with friends or dining out. This is something I’ll usually allocate a small portion of my discretionary budget towards, which mostly went untouched in January. So, I was content with the idea of $10 of that money going towards these two purchases.

I’d actually intended on trying to focus my first purchase of the year on Australian brands… but was swayed in a different direction when I received an email that Net-a-Porter’s sale was now up to 80% off. It felt like a good time to check and see if any of the items I’d bookmarked in late 2021 were discounted. And, they were. Starting with…

Totême camel oversized split hem tunic | My first buy. My style has become a lot more casual since the pandemic began, so I’ve put a heavy focus on leaning into that. Items that are comfortable yet still feel “chic”. I envisioned myself wearing this loose with slip skirts, over dresses, or with straight leg jeans or leggings and a low block heel. Perfect. I also thought it might be a good alternative to a beautiful COS cashmere knit I have. While I’m not in the game of actively seeking out replacements for things I already own, I’ve been thinking that the undertone of the COS knit isn’t as flattering against my complexion. 

I was drawn to this knit because it’s primarily made from merino wool, with a percentage of camel yarn and polyamide. Merino is such a great fabric choice for the cooler months (and actually works for summer too), plus the fine nature of the yarn means you can typically rely on it to be comfortable against all skin types.

So a couple of things; it was a little longer than I anticipated (at 172cm this comes up just above my knees), and also I think I’d expected the yarn to be softer. That said, from a purely utilitarian perspective I can really see how this will be a worthwhile item in my closet. Something I’ll reach for readily over the cooler months as a layering piece. And scoring it for more than 50% off, I was pretty thrilled with that.

Aeyde light grey strappy sandals |The other item I purchased with my budget this month were these barely there sandals from Aeyde. Originally I’d been looking at these sandals from The Row, but the price point definitely had me thinking twice. These are such a similar alternative, and actually satisfied the desire for a silver shoe, which I’d long had on my wishlist to buy. While they’re a pale grey, they still give me that same feeling that a silver metallic shoe would. But perhaps more wearable. Again more than 50% off, and I have been impressed by the quality and how comfortable these particular shoes are.

Celine oversized cashmere sweater | While not technically part of my January budget, I did also want to include this final purchase here. The item I allowed myself as an exception for my birthday. For years – and I’ve talking, 5 or 6 here – I’ve been dying to add this knit to my wardrobe. I tried it on twice in store, and kicked myself for not buying it when I had the chance. Super thick, luxurious cashmere. A boxy, oversized shape. Something that’s timeless and I can see myself wearing for years. Safe to say I got lucky; I found it pre-loved via Vestiaire and decided to just go for it. Having recently sold a pair of designer shoes I wasn’t wearing, and having money set aside already, I didn’t feel the pang of guilt I otherwise might have. Looking forward to finally receiving it in the post!

GIFTING I RECEIVED

Let’s briefly touch on gifting – and I’m curious to know if you’d like me to continue including this in future updates? I had two paid campaigns which I worked on in January, then received two surprise skincare packages, and selected two pairs of shoes via PR for review.

Everlane | As usual, I worked with Everlane this month on a YouTube video. Part of this partnership includes an element of gifting so I’m able to try out new styles and incorporate them into my wardrobe. I picked out three items this month; the Alpaca Waffle Stitch Polo in snow and the stripe, the Tissue Turtleneck in White, and the Navy Varsity Bomber in Navy/Black. 

Ceres Life | I also did some work with Ceres Life on my Instagram, promoting their new organic cotton poplin shirts and ecovero bike shorts. I don’t tend to share too many sporty outfits, but coincidentally this is pretty reflective of a go to look I’ll throw on for running around the house after our little boy. The items I received were the poplin shirt in white and brown stripe, and the bike shorts. 

Boden | Boden’s a brand I’ve been wearing for a few years now, so when the team asked if I’d like to pick out any pieces I had a quick browse and spied two pairs of shoes that seemed right up my street. Primarily as they felt like more affordable versions of designer shoes I already own. And you know me, I’m always on the lookout for good alternatives that won’t break the bank. I picked out these tan leather slides which are an alternative to the YSL tribute slides, and these black leather loafers as an alternative to the Gucci Jordaan loafers. 

Beauty | I’m essentially on a replacements only no buy for beauty, but did receive a couple of surprise items in the mail. Firstly, my favourite body care brand Nécessaire launched a deodorant gel . Then I also received the TULA Skincare range which has recently launched at Mecca. 

QUIET LUXURY

Ending things with some thoughts on a current trend; quiet luxury. I’ve seen a number of online publications refer to this. Typically, it’s associated with brands like The Row, Khaite, Raey, Toteme et al. The trend essentially centred around adding luxurious high end “basics” to your closet. Next to any other item in your wardrobe it won’t scream designer or luxury, but it should feel it when you wear it. Down to the cut/silhouette, craftsmanship and quality of the material.

Now I have to say I had a few immediate thoughts when I saw this was a trend. Firstly, I was reminded of when I first adopted a capsule wardrobe (or something like it). Culling back everything I owned, and replacing my basics with more expensive iterations. Spending over $120 on a simple singlet or t-shirt. That became the norm for me, despite being on a limited budget and in my (very) early twenties.

The other thing? That it felt ever so slightly pretentious. Perhaps I’m wrong here, but the ways in which I’ve seen it shared have often come across that way. As though these brands are more superior, but in my experience, you can often buy items from mid-priced or lower-priced brands which are just as good. Sometimes, even better. 

To illustrate the point, I wanted to chat about a Boxing Day sale purchase I made. Neelam Ahooja who I follow on IG shared in her stories that Saks had a huge range of The Row for 50% off. I’d had my eye on the Sibem sweater – a serious basic if there ever was one – for months. Naturally, I was curious to see if it was included in the sale. Especially as I’d toyed with the notion of buying it full price back in November. It was, and after a brief discussion with my husband who encouraged me to make the purchase, I decided to splurge on it. 

50% cashmere and 50% wool, my expectations were high. All I’d heard about The Row knitwear was how exceptionally beautiful it was. While I have my fair share of incredible knits, I expected this to be a bit of a unicorn in my wardrobe. That one very special piece. So to say I felt underwhelmed when it arrived is a bit of an understatement. The cut and fit is great, just as I expected. It’ll be an easy basic for me to reach for over A/W. But I expected the fabric to be softer. Which while plush, has a slight rawness to it – perhaps down to the type of wool yarn used. This in part highlights one of the downsides to online shopping; it lacks that all important tactile component, which is often a big feature in whether we like or love something.

In retrospect, I probably would have been better off choosing to splurge on the Anine Bing Rosie Sweater, which is a similar cut and style. But it’s very thick, and made from 100% cashmere. 

While style is always a factor, one of the things I ultimately seek out in my knitwear is softness and comfort. And I expected this sweater to stack up against all the beautiful knits I already own (and then some). Seeing it fall short definitely lowered my expectations of the brand. And it’s possible it’s just this one piece, but the point being? There are so many incredible mid-priced brands which will provide the same function in your closet without breaking the bank. Though if you have the money to spend on higher-priced items, that’s also great. For me, it’s about balance. Spending where it makes sense, and it’s safe to say you’ll still see me in my fave H&M trousers and Uniqlo knits. Nothing’s changed here.

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A bit of an essay, but that’s it for my January update. I’d love to know how your Low Buy is going, and also if you have any feedback on this format. Anything else I should include? Anything I should exclude?