I Broke My Shopping Fast
Here's what I bought.
Hello there, beauts. Another dispatch from tech! We are deep in it now; I have no life whatsoever; it’s very exciting.
Most years, during the months of January and February, I lose all desire to shop. It is not a New Year’s resolution! I do not participate in NYE resolutions; I think 365 days is too long to commit to something new without trying it first (I prefer 30 days, which is enough time to form the habit if it wants to be formed, but not so long that it feels like a punishment). Furthermore, my shopping fast is not inspired by sadness! Even though January and February are sad months (sorry to say it to my Caps/Aquarius/early Pisces friends).
The reason for the purchasing pause is that every January, when I come back from the holidays and find homes for whatever gifties I have been blessed with that year, I am really struck by all the abundance I am living in, and even, shall I say, overwhelmed by all the STUFF? Maybe this is a feeling unique to living in a small apartment? [My lil’ 3-year-old BFF—I babysat her during the pandem when she was a wee 6 months—recently visited our apartment for the first time, and asked: “Why is it so small? Where do you sleep?!”] This feeling usually inspires a little bit of house clearing—literal and energetic—and also, in a really nice way, a feeling of contentment with what I have. I don’t need anything new! We are good!
But then March comes along. Spring, that cheeky lady, starts winking in the distance. And I, this newsletter’s protagonist, enter a tech process for a new musical that takes up a significant amount of my brain power, such that deciding what to eat on my dinner break maxes out whatever willpower/decision-making ability I have left.
And yet, I have to get dressed! I am still ME—just the busiest version. Sometimes, when time is tight and the bar is low (casual workplace, plus it’s very dark in there LOL, so I’m really getting dressed for myself), a small infusion of NEW BASICS really makes the getting dressed process so much easier. IDK, maybe that is because I am an American consumer? But possibly you are too? Regardless, I broke my shopping fast, and I am pleased (so far) with the new recruits. So I thought I would share the few things I picked up this month, in case they are of interest to you. Okeeeee?
1.) Sunday Best Dream T-Shirt
This is a great little cropped t-shirt! I like the cap length on the sleeves, and that the shirt itself is kind of boxy. Boxy tees are not for everyone, I know, but I personally enjoy a t-shirt that is not tight whatsoever. I like to be in total energetic agreement with myself if I decide to wear anything body-con. T-shirts are for freedom!
I got this one in navy blue, and I liked it so much I got another one in “Light Birch” (lol). I sized up one size (see above note re: freedom), and I am very pleased with the fit.
Also, if the black pants above happened to capture your interest, may I introduce you? They are the:
2.) Luxe Lounge Tomorrow Pant
I really really like these paaannntttssss. They are very soft, with a slight rib, and I sized up because I wanted them to fit a little long (and they looked a little short on the model in the picture). They feel very dress-up-or-downable!
3.) Comfort Colors Men’s Crewneck Sweatshirt
I mentioned this in my breakdown of how I get dressed for rehearsal but, for me personally, a little color goes a long way when the bod is tired. Also, this sweatshirt, which I ordered in “Orchids” (lol), is gently in one of our team colors for Suffs. Merch-without-being-merch? I sized up again (a theme!), and the sweatshirt being slightly too big is giving me the vibes of having borrowed it from someone else. I couldn’t tell you why that makes it better, but in this case, it kinda does.
4.) Steve Madden “Dreaming” White Leather Flats
I finally did it. I bought flats. Ugly-cute flats have been on my list since last July, but first I had to sort through my feelings on balletcore, and follow through on a multi-month loafer journey. I knew I wanted white because spring is springing!, AND ALSO I tried on the sparkly black mesh version, and they were a little tooooo trendy for me. If it’s not snobby to say, they are too obvious a dupe of the original. (But a pretty good dupe! No judgment if you want to snatch ‘em!)
I’ve been a Steve Madden girl since I was like, twelve. (These, which have now made their triumphant return, were a particular favorite of twelve-year-old me.) They didn’t have half sizes in the store, so these babies are en-route, but I’m sure they’ll soon be coming to a Costume Change near you!
And that’s all, tra la! I hope you are having the most beautiful Monday. XOXO.
Costume Change is a styling newsletter (vs. a shopping newsletter). There’s no spon-con above—any references to clothing/shoes/shops, etc. are purely honest-to-goodness recommendations. As always, I hope that Costume Change first and foremost provides you with inspiration to re-style inside of your own closet. Thanks for reading, and reminder to keep those comments kind!