A new year undoubtedly means new things, and while I had resolved to more than halve my total purchases for 2013, consumption once again managed to get the best of me. Proving to myself once again that the classics are almost always best, my five favourites for 2013 are below.
//Porselli leather ballet flats – After years of being completely and utterly convinced that I was not quite delicate enough for a pair of ballet flats, I found myself pre-ordering a pair from Porselli. Deliciously supple, yet far hardier than I could have ever imagined, these have surpassed my expectations and more, so much so that I’m already contemplating a third pair.
//Glassons black muscle tank – This just so happened to be my last purchase of 2013, but it has become a fast favourite. I longed for a simple black muscle cut tank (a grey one wouldn’t go astray, either), and managed to find one, 100% cotton at that, during a casual browse through Glassons. So good that I bought a back up, just in case.
//Cuyana leather tote bag – Virtually indispensable during Fashion Week, this bag seems to hold everything plus the kitchen sink. The leather is soft, yet not so soft that it loses shape, and the quality has held up remarkably since purchasing it. I’d spent some time tossing up between the Cuyana tote and the Madewell transport tote, which seem to have negligible differences.
//ASOS stripe coat – One of those pieces I’d initially glanced over, and once it was unavailable in my size, spent weeks scouring the internet just to come across one in my size. Well, because, stripes. While it’s long sold out, ASOS have brought back a similar style for those interested.
//Isabel Marant dicker boots – I’d always had the intention of replacing my taupe pair of dickers for a colour which was slightly more versatile. After finding out that these were being stocked locally at Workshop, I jumped at the chance to purchase them, and they were just how I remembered. Incredibly soft suede, and perhaps the only shoe that I haven’t had to ‘break in’.
Shop my five favourites:
cute purchases!
http://glamourgirl-bg.blogspot.com/2014/01/happy-birthday-to-me_6.html
i am totally with you on that Cuyana tote! i first bought it in smokey blue, which is such a nice shade of powdered blue but unfortunately it arrived with a raw interior (different than pictured) I do agree on the leather though, I love it! So I bought a second black one.. and now looking at your tan one again I’m actually tempted! By they way their alpaca scarves are heavenly too.
Author
Was the colour off or was yours not meant to have a raw interior? I think the raw interior is my only gripe, as I’d prefer something lined – I had an accident the first time I used it, with a white skirt I’d placed in the bag to change into. The raw leather rubbed and the dye transferred onto the skirt. Thankfully I was able to wash it out but you can imagine the drama on day one of Fashion Week LOL.
Oooh I’ve never considered the scarves, might have to take a second glance come winter time 🙂
the interiors are raw on all their bags – i kind of wish it were lined as well, didn’t think of the dye transferring! i guess you can always use the bag it came in as a makeshift liner 😉 the smokey blue showed a blue raw interior and a blue exterior on the website when i got it – it looked really good being entirely in one colour! but it came with a pale straw coloured interior, something about a manufacturing process that affected the entire batch unfortunately, they were nice about it and gave me a partial refund though, and they promised the rest are as shown so i bought my second 😉
Author
I wish it were lined too – I think I’m going to keep an eye out for an alternative, will let you know if I find any, but using the dust bag as a liner is a good idea! Wow that’s great they did that – I found their CS was excellent, I wanted their tote to take with me to Fashion Week and when I emailed them they were so helpful and ensured that I received it well ahead of time which I appreciated hugely 🙂
Woohoo, these are all definitely great buys! I should figure out what my best buys of the year were…probably pretty similar to yours in the fact that they will be basics (but probably colored ones like my MJ bag)
http://www.closet-fashionista.com/
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You should do a post! I’d be interested to see which your top picks are (I’m betting something Chanel and those Burberry loafers)
All of these are really lovely and versatile pieces. 🙂
x Satu
Indie by heart
That Asos coat is so rad! I really need to do this post on my blog too… found is great last year for assessing my (lack of) shopping skills and finding needs and gaps in current wardrobe.
Really reeeeally want to get me some dicker boots in that beat colour!
And I will email you soon re: New York and life etc but have been feeling pretty flat and uninspired (post holiday blues?) as of late and have been avoiding the computer… hence no blogging either… will get round to it soon!
XXX
Author
You were so well behaved for 2013, I must admit I’m hugely impressed! With my move to Sydney about 5 weeks away, I still can’t help but look at things and add stuff to my eBay and Trade Me watchlists.. not to mention that the new season comes out JUST before I leave. So I’m not too excited about having multiple laybys going but oh well, hopefully the job hunt won’t take long!
I don’t wear my dickers near enough, but they’re so incredibly comfortable. I have a feeling they’ll get more wear this year.
Yes please – looking forward to hearing all about it! 🙂 xxx
Awesome purchases! I love ballet flats, but I love comfy ones. Those look absolutely grand. I’m also loving that leather tote! It’s so sharp. A blogger friend of mine loves Isabel Marant designer wear. She has some boots just like yours. She loves them. Thanks for stopping by my blog. I’m following you via bloglovin.
http://www.averysweetblog.com/
I still love that ASOS coat on you, I always do the same too – pass things by & then as soon as I can no longer buy them it becomes something I NEED… Then I spend months trying to hunt that thing down on ebay .etc! Crazy logic! The Glassons tank is pretty much perfect too, don’t blame you for getting a backup! 😉
That stripy coat is awesome! Love these picks, some really classic pieces here 🙂
Maria xxx
I really like the look of the Porselli flats, but I just can’t bring myself to pay the price. Are they hard wearing?
Author
Surprisingly, yes. I thought that they looked incredibly delicate, but in person the shoes have a strange lacquer (in between leather and patent) which seem to protect them. I’ve had mine TOPY’ed and my cobbler couldn’t help but comment how well that they were made – he said he often didn’t see shoes like that, and he’s something of a perfectionist. I think they’re worth the money, when all things considered the Country Road ones aren’t much cheaper, and are of far lesser quality. My mum actually ended up buying a pair and loves them – which I think says a lot! 🙂
Thanks 🙂 how are they size wise?
Maybe they can be my next flats purchase…
Author
They fit true to size. Both pairs were slightly snug when purchasing but stretched out fairly quickly, and now rank among my most comfortable shoes to wear.
Hello
I just purchased a Cuyana Tote!!!
I’m so excited and can’t wait to receive
this bag!
Thanks for your great blog.
It’s short, simple and sweet!!
Love it❤️
Patsy
Author
Ah that’s so exciting!! What colour did you choose? xx