My Purchases in H1 2024: Where Are they Now?
Expectations vs. reality, Cost per Wear, and Some Takeaways
I must say, this year I believed I’ve been a fairly conscious shopper, keeping my impulses (with a few exceptions) at bay. I’ve largely followed the rules of never buying anything on the spot (only after waiting at least 24 hours, and usually much more), trying to make sure there is a chance to try the piece out in real life (of course, it is not often possible with Tibi pieces), and really considering if the piece has a place in my wardrobe. I also focused much more on color this year, and that is reflected in my shopping.
However, once I started listing the pieces I actually bought, I was mildly shocked. January was one big shopping spree, and in total, I bought around 23 pieces during the first half of 2024. I find this tracking really shows the mismatch between feeling and actual behavior, as well as allows adjusting expectations on the wears you will get from your pieces.
I’ve also sold around 10-12 pieces during this period, mostly Tibi and The Curated pieces that have value but I do not wear, so the net addition is lower. However, as I do not track that quite as well, they are not listed here.
In general, I am targeting a cost per wear of less than 3 USD (CPW, cost divided by number of wears). For some purchases, not enough time has passed to properly calculate it, but initial signs of how much wear they will get are already seen - let’s dive in!
January: Fashion Sale Month
January is the month of many sales, including the Tibi semi-annual sale, and it is usually tempting to buy a lot. I reduced my purchases from last year but still acquired 5 Tibi pieces throughout January and February, as well as 5 pieces from other brands.
Tibi Boiled Wool Fitted Blazer - 7 wears, 67 USD CPW
I fell in love with this blazer shape since seeing it on a runway in a Tibi fashion show. This is the second iteration of this blazer in a cardigan-like material. After thinking I would not be able to get the blazer in the compact stretch material (spoiler alert - I did get it in June), I decided to get this one - and did not regret it! It is my go-to for every winter business event. The CPW of the blazer reflects the number of business events in my life rather than my love for this blazer.
Soft Lambswool Crewneck Easy Pullover - 18 wears, 13 USD CPW
One of my style resolutions this year was to wear more color, and pink is one of my favorites. I got this sweater and wore it quite a bit. It is a bit harder to style than a neutral, but still gets a pretty good wear - I am happy with this purchase overall.
Mock Neck Unisex T-Shirt - 7 wears, 11 USD CPW
Tibi T-shirts are incredibly soft, a pleasure to touch, and just the right amount of relaxed. I was very curious to try it out as T-shirts are my go-to for daily WFH life. I have not worn this T-shirt as much as I was planning and not sure why - could be the color or the slightly longer length.
Italian Sporty Nylon Pleated Short - 5 wears, 40 USD CPW
I do not have many shorts, and in my head I wear these all the time. The actual number of wears is quite low - just 5, which I am a bit surprised about. I had a bit of doubt about these shorts, but then embraced them after a few encouraging words from Tibi fans. It is still early days of summer, so likely they will get more wear.
Jil Sander Purple Oversized Wrapped Sandals -15 wears, 16 USD CPW
I stocked up on these sandals for summer during the winter SSENSE sale and did not regret it. They look great and have a soft purple color that adds to my outfits. I am a bit concerned with them getting too dirty, which is easily seen on a light color, so I am moderating wearing them a bit. However, they are one of my go-to sandals and I am sure they will get much more wear over time.
Levi’s 501s Jeans - 26 wears, 4 USD CPW
These jeans are my go-to and I have a similar model in blue. I was desperate for gray jeans so I purchased them to have something to wear in winter. They have been worn quite actively as you can see. I recently changed size and they are a bit too big right now, but given my love for gray jeans and frequent weight fluctuations, I will probably continue wearing them during the colder season going forward.
Tibi Nylon Shorts - 2 wears, 45 USD CPW
I found these shorts on The Real Real, but with shipping to Europe, the cost still added up. Nevertheless, one thing I did not see in the picture is that they have snaps on the side, which makes the look much more sporty than I thought, and needs careful styling. I believe this is why I have not worn them as much, and the rest of the summer will be a true test of their success. If I still struggle to style them, they might go to resale after summer.
Uniqlo Dry-Stretch Joggers - 23 wears, 1.5 USD CPW
I discovered this jogger via The Creative Classicist and it really is a very good jogger. The waist is pretty high, and the overall material just does not wrinkle and stays pretty smooth. Whenever I see the number of wears clocked in by a sweatpant, it really shows my WFH lifestyle - sweatpants are a daily go-to for me, period.
Cos Pleated Wide-Led Trousers - 2 wears, 29 USD CPW
I got these trousers at Cos after careful consideration and multiple try-ons. I loved them! The pattern, the pleats, the wide leg - all of it just looks amazing. Why just 2 wears? The material is somehow too hot for full summer, but the pant drags for spring and autumn seasons which can often be wet. Every time I wear these pants, I love them though - I will make an effort to try more often going forward.
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