Sunday 6 April 2014

Making do and quite liking it



When we were away on our little break in Scotland, I had something on my mind: a wedding. No, we didn't run off to Gretna Green. We'd been invited to one held on the day after we returned and the stress of what to wear was getting to me. Yes, really. So during our afternoon in Edinburgh I took it upon myself to buy something new, glamorous and wonderful.

The whole process wasn't fun at all. I had an hour to myself and could almost hear the clock ticking in my ear as I darted about. First stop: Anthropologie. I'd read about this shop and had never actually been inside. It was heavenly: beautiful home accessories, jewellery, clothes, gorgeously scented candles... and all were eye-wateringly expensive. So I headed up and down Princes Street, rushing in and out of shops and seeing precisely nothing, all the while glancing at my watch and getting more and more down about the whole thing.

When I met up with Jay and Joe in the castle gardens I was in a thoroughly bad mood, tired and defeated. That didn't stop me dragging them around a few more shops before we set off back to the cottage though. Sharing the misery.


That evening, I had an epiphany. I realised that - wait for it - you don't have to buy something new for each social occasion you attend. Not even that frothy, gauzy dress (three figures) in the sweet little boutique that I'd spotted. Fact is I'd probably never wear it again. I didn't actually know anyone at the wedding anyway, it being the nuptials of an old schoolfriend of Jay's who now lives near Newcastle.

I also have some beautiful things hanging in my wardrobe, bought when I had more disposable income and fewer responsibilities. Expensive things. Things I keep 'for best' (and I started 2014 promising this wouldn't be something I did any more).

So instead of buying a new and impractical frock, I decided to wear a lovely beaded top to the wedding with cropped, cuffed trousers, dangly earrings and patent heels (all languishing in the wardrobe back at home and wondering when they'd see daylight again) and instead I picked up a few little souvenirs in Peebles. Things I'd wear again and again. Versatile things which would remind me of our holiday every time I wore them. Like the pink 'Make do and Mend' scarf with pictures of sewing machines and food stamps on it, bought from a haberdashery on the main street. And the long string of beads I spotted which look just like rowan berries (they are, in fact, real berries). 

These are things which I'll keep for ever and wear all the time with different outfits. And I spent far less on them than I would have done on a whole new get-up for one day out.

You see, despite our best intentions, sometimes the pressure to spend overrides all those sensible resolutions. I no longer buy fashion magazines. I dress how I like, often with one statement - a piece of jewellery, red lipstick - and that's all it takes. A bit of perfume. A scarf. Whatever. And the more unique, the better (probably why I'm keen on charity shopping or making things).

I felt great at the wedding and even picked up a compliment or two on my old blouse. It was a beautiful day with good food, music and company, a red double decker bus and lots of spring sunshine.

No more 'must buy something new' silliness for me...

22 comments:

  1. I love your purchases :)

    I am with you in the dilemma of what to wear at a wedding and buying a new outfit or not. We are going to a wedding this year, an old school friend of mine. The last five weddings we have been to I have been pregnant! All the more incredible as I have two children born four years apart! I would love to have a new dress this time but the thought of shopping with two children in two fills me with dread, dh is even worse......I am thinking of making something but not sure that will happen. I expect I will do the same as you......

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  2. Hello! And thank you for visiting and commenting.
    I hope you have some hidden treasures in the wardrobe... as for clothes shopping, I was surprised how much I hated it (considering I used to love it). And I didn't even have the little one with me!
    Good luck and at least this time around you'll be able to enjoy the champagne. Always makes things better :)

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  3. I am glad you enjoyed a stress free wedding in the end. Shopping can be really tedious if you have something in mind that you want/need. I find the spontaneous lucky finds are more lasting. I love your beads. I have some gems hidden away in my wardrobe I have put on a lot of weight and might have to loose some before dusting those beautiful dresses off.... Cx

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    1. That's what I thought - the trousers hadn't been worn since pre-pregnancy in 2012 but miraculously they fitted! I was nervous about having a little trying-on session but turns out it was OK.
      Still trying to lose a few pounds though, and it isn't easy!
      S x

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  4. Well done you for looking fantastic (and more important feeling fantastic) without buying new things. This was a very inspiring post, I'm a big fan of not buying unnecessary things.

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    1. Me too, but I still sometimes fall into that old way of thinking. Going through your wardrobe and unearthing things can be fun though - a bit like getting the Christmas decorations out after another year and rediscovering all your favourite baubles :)

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  5. I find that shopping for an 'occasion' adds more pressure and always leads to feelings of inadequacy and disillusionment. Finding the odd thing I like every now and again that goes with other things in my wardrobe always lifts me...and if in doubt I can buy a scarf. They don't have to be expensive, it doesn't matter if you've put on or lost a few pounds and they don't hurt your feet. I've found that even when i don't have the girls with me I really don't enjoy shopping or browsing for clothes like I used to as well. Now put me in Salt's Mill home shop and that becomes a different story!!! I'm loving your beads....bet you feel fab at the wedding - have a brilliant time!

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    1. I agree with you on the scarf thing. Earrings too. Not so much shoes though - I have broad feet and too often end up buying silly ones which end up crippling me after half an hour.
      Strange how clothes shopping sprees used to be a major treat and now it's just tedious. It just seems so wasteful somehow these days.
      And Salt's Mill - that's on my to-visit list. I've only ever been past in the car and would love to go x

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  6. Hello Sarah:

    Too often we are all under pressure to make purchases for some reason or another which are seldom, if ever, totally necessary. We can well imagine the panic going around Edinburgh in search of something to wear with only an hour to spare. How sensible to have taken something already in your wardrobe and we are certain, from all that you say, that you will have looked most stylish and elegant.

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    1. Thank you! It is lovely to revisit clothes you bought many moons ago and have barely worn because they seem too glamorous to wear every day. They are true investment pieces and are a pleasure to put on again. I only own a few but they make me feel wonderful when I wear them.

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  7. Your outfit sounds gorgeous (and you had me going there for a minute, thinking you'd gone and done the deed without telling us!). I can't count the times I've wasted money on an item of clothing I didn't even particularly like, bought in the last minute panic of 'I have nothing to wear and I need something. Anything.' Love the scarf and beads.

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    1. Ha ha! I think the wedding - when it eventually happens - will be super low-key (but perhaps with a big party afterwards). Gretna Green is very tempting.
      That 'nothing to wear' panic is so silly, isn't it? And completely untrue. I always realise just how many clothes I do have when I tackle the mountain of ironing, and swear there won't be any more purchases! Maybe accessorising really is the answer x

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  8. Your outfit sounds lovely, and I'm sure you looked amazing! I love that you were able find some things that you would wear again and again...love the berry necklace!

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    1. Thanks Emily! They had lots of the necklaces and I was torn between three colours but went for the one that first spoke to me... I'm just a bit worried the little one will break it (he's in that inquisitive, grabby phase!)

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  9. Sarah,
    Thank you so much for visiting my blog and leaving me a comment because it means I've discovered you and your wonderful blog! I bet you looked stunning at the wedding! Gina x

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    1. Hello Gina! Thank you for your lovely comment. Mornings are always a bit hectic around here but this afternoon (during the toddler nap) I'm planning to have a good look at your blog - I love the look of that skirt you made!
      S x

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  10. Love this post Sarah ... I too am in a bit of a quandary regarding an outfit for a special occasion ... our eldest makes his First Communion in May and I am wondering what to wear ... I think I will be following your lead and reinventing something I already have or buying something which I will get lots of wear out of again ... I have grown to dislike clothes shopping especially this pressurised type ... your outfit sounds lovely and your new accessories are gorgeous ... Bee xx

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    1. Thanks, Bee! I'm glad I have one or two things I love wearing (even if they're not new). I have to break that ingrained notion that new occasion = new outfit.
      I hope you find something you feel good in, new or otherwise. And if you do have to go shopping I hope it's bearable - maybe treat yourself to lunch :)
      S x

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  11. Good for you! And I bet you looked stunning x

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    1. Thanks, Annie... I can't believe how much I've grown to dislike clothes shopping. Maybe now I'm a bit older I've found better ways to spend my time (and money).

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  12. Oh, I know that feeling...whenever you have to buy an occasion outfit you can never find the right thing, and when you do, it's £300...been there. It sounds like you did the right thing. Over the last five years I've worn the same dress to three weddings and one christening, but with different shoes, scarves, bag, tights etc. Different people at each one, no-one knew but me. :-) x

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    1. Same here! And to be honest, I'd be hard-pressed to remember whether other people had recycled their outfits either... at least with old favourites you know you'll feel confident and, just as important, comfortable!
      It also justifies nice little purchases by way of accessories - so much nicer to shop for x

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