Winter 2021 Wardrobe Additions
You may have noticed that my winter budget post didn’t go up at the end of February/the season like it has in the past. I purposefully moved it back a month to align better with the quarters of the calendar year so that I can more easily write a full budget recap at the end of the year. We’ll see how this works out! It feels super weird to be writing about my winter budget in March, haha.
Winter is always a shop-heavy season for me. I tend to spend way too much during the holiday season (so! many! sales!) and then back off a bit in January and February. This past winter was no different. I basically blew through my entire winter budget in December but luckily had gift cards and earnings from Poshmark sales so I didn’t go over budget with my January and February purchases. I only purchased one item in February and used a gift card on it!
READ NEXT: Fall 2020 Wardrobe Additions
Winter 2021 Clothing Budget & Wardrobe Additions
$500 (quarterly budget) = $997 ($551 December + $361 January + $85 February) - $75 Everlane credit - $85 Madewell gift card - $337 earned from Poshmark sales => $0 left over
Items I added to my wardrobe:
Amour Vert Russo dress in mulberry (seen here | paid $111 | originally $148)
I love the gorgeous holiday red! I ordered size XS after previously trying a different color and size and it fits well, just a little bit loose around the chest. It’s a great WFH dress; it’s not the easiest to walk/move around in due to it being narrow around the hips.
Elizabeth & Clarke Kimber cat print tee (seen here | paid $25 | originally $50)
I saw this tee and just knew it had to be mine. There’s a cat peeking out of the pocket!!! I will say that it runs really big—I ordered size 0 and it’s still quite oversized on me.
Everlane Belgian waffle henley in ReCashmere (seen here | paid $140 | originally $155)
I purchased the heathered clay color, size XS. I’m typically an XS or S in Everlane sweaters depending on the fit; the item details said this one ran oversized, so I stuck with XS so it wasn’t too oversized and that was the perfect choice. It’s beautiful in person—and SO soft (made from 100% recycled cashmere)!
Everlane ReNew slipper (seen here | paid $45 | originally $50)
I purchased these slippers in black. I like that they’re lined with plush fleece, but they make my feet cold sweat and aren’t super cozy. I purchased my true size 7 and my heels hit the edge of the slippers but there is still room at the toes; I think it’s because of my high(er) arches. If I shove my feet in, there’s space at the back, but my feet don’t stay like that when I walk around. If you have high arches and are between sizes I’d suggest going up (but you might also trip over yourself when you walk like I tend to do while wearing slippers lol).
Everlane cashmere crew (seen here | paid $74 | originally $100)
I already own four other colors of this sweater and it’s just a great basic cashmere sweater. I anticipated this color (called whiskey) being warmer/brighter, but it’s more of a muddy brown. It’s not terrible, just not what I was hoping for based on the photos! I purchased size small.
Everlane curvy authentic stretch high-rise skinny jeans ankle length (seen here and here | review here | paid $72 | originally $68)
It was past time for me to give Everlane’s curvy denim a try—and they’re fabulous! I needed a new pair of dark wash denim for whenever I’m back in the office, and these are it. I ordered size 26 in the ankle length and they’re a perfect fit. Love ‘em!
Grana moving rib v-neck sweater (seen here and here | used credit | originally $205)
It’s been a minute since I ordered anything new from Grana. I spent some credit on this cashmere sweater. I ordered it in green, because you know me and how much I love green! It’s a different green than the other sweaters in my closet so I figured it’s different enough. Haha. I ordered size S and it fits well, though it does hit me at the widest point of my hips.
Grana organic pima v-neck tees (not pictured | used credit | originally $35 each)
I used up the rest of my Grana credit on five v-neck tees for myself (plus a bunch of tees for Korri). I love my white Grana pima tee from a few years ago so much that I wanted to have some more. I selected tees in black, white, navy, vintage indigo, and terracotta. Grana changed the fit on their products, so I ordered size small in the new tees (my old tee is size XS).
Madewell curvy high-rise skinny jeans in Cordell wash: Heatrich denim edition (seen here and here | paid $85 | originally $135)
I’ve been curious about Madewell’s Heatrich denim for a while and finally snagged a pair on sale. I ordered these jeans in size 25 petite; some reviewers said they ran 1-2 sizes big so I took a chance on the smaller size because 26 petite wasn’t available. They’re not as tight as my other size 25 jeans but a 26 probably would’ve been a little more comfortable, especially because they are a curvy cut. The interior is softer than Madewell’s regular denim and add a little bit of extra coziness in cold weather.
Marine Layer Manchester faux fur bomber (seen here | paid $140 | originally $210)
I receive Marine Layer catalogs in the mail and spotted this jacket while browsing through one from last fall. I kept an eye on it and pounced when it went on sale. I just adore this jacket—it’s so luxe! AND SO SOFT!!! I ordered a very similar jacket from Anthropologie a few years ago that didn’t work out so I’m thrilled to have one that fits. I ordered size XS and while I can’t layer thick sweaters, it’s fine with thin sweaters and tees. It’s not a terribly useful jacket; it’s not warm for winter and it’s not for wet weather, but it makes me happy so ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ ! Ha! I’m trying to pay closer attention to when my gut feeling tells me I’m going to love something.
Naadam signature ribbed cashmere beanie (seen here | paid $45 | originally $75)
I ordered this beanie in merlot because it looked so warm and cozy. It’s a nice standard beanie, and I like that I can make it fit snugger on my head by folding over the hem.
Naadam cropped fleece sweatshirt (seen here and here | paid $38 | originally $95)
I ordered this sweatshirt in heather burgundy, size small. I anticipated it fitting a little more oversized than it did; it fit quite cropped, and the sleeves were just a touch short on my long arms. Then I washed it according to the care instructions and it shrunk even more, and now the sleeves hit at a length I don’t like and it’s most definitely something I cannot leave the house in because it’s so cropped! I’m quite bummed about that development.
Naadam fleece sweatpant (seen here and here | paid $57.50 | originally $115)
This sweatpant in heather burgundy matches the cropped fleece sweatshirt. I ordered size small and it has an oversized fit so I wish I would have gone with XS. I have to fold the sweatpant legs under since I’m short and they fall at an awkward length on my legs/feet.
Naadam essential $75 cashmere sweater (seen here | paid $75 | originally $75)
This sweater is comparable to Everlane’s $100 cashmere crew, so of course I had to order one—for science! I actually really love this; it’s quite soft, and the olive color is gorgeous. I opted for size XS after reading some reviews that said it ran big, but I might try S next time just for a little more wiggle room. I find I’m pulling down the XS a lot.
Outerknown Sierra flannel shirt (seen here, here, and here | paid $89.50 | originally $128)
This was my first purchase from Outerknown, and I’m quite impressed by the quality of this flannel shirt. It’s thick and soft! I ordered the marine edie plaid colorway in size small and it’s slightly oversized in a good way.
Items not included in clothing budget:
Ugg Fluffette slippers (paid $74 | originally $90)
I let myself add another pair of slippers without it counting against my budget since I don’t buy them all that often. I think I’ve worn these just about every day since they arrived; they’re so comfy and keep my feet warm without making them sweat! The fluff is already getting smooshed down but such is slipper life. I bought them in navy and took my true size 7.
Items I tried and returned:
I ordered this dress in size small before the mulberry was released and didn’t like it on me. The small was too big, and the color totally washed me out. Plus, I prefer the “luxe fleece” of the mulberry—it’s brushed on the interior and smooth on the outside, and the camel is Amour Vert’s “nouveau fleece” which is the opposite and not as cozy.
What’s on deck for spring:
This tank is included in ABLE’s online warehouse sale. I ordered it in white and grey, size small. I already have a very similar tank in white from Everlane but that one fits pretty snug and I’d like something looser. Fingers crossed the ABLE tank fits and isn’t sheer!
I absolutely fell in love with this print when I saw it. I first saw the dress, which is absolutely stunning but not in my price range. When I found the tank, I thought about it for about a day before hitting purchase! I do wish I had ordered size S instead of XS; I can be either size in AV items and I’m worried a bit about shrinkage causing the shoulder width to tighten. The fabric is amazing, though—it’s what AV calls washable silk (it’s plant-based but feels fairly similar)!
These joggers really are a dream! They’re silky soft and loose; I took size XS and they’re great. Not sure that I’d wear these out to run errands but they’re perfect for my remaining WFH days.
I’ve been keeping an eye on this top for a couple of months now and I think I will buy soon now that it’s on sale. I’m debating between a size small and size medium because it seems like the arm length is a bit short, and one of the reviewers mentioned it being quite snug.
I love this cut of tee and already own a box-cut pocket tee in white, size XS. I ordered the new organic cotton box-cut tee in two colors, white/scarlet stripe and white, size small in each. (Had the seaglass stripe in my cart too but it sold out.)
Who can say no to elastic waist shorts? Not me! I ordered these in two colors, fern and blue stripe, both in size 2. Not sure if I will keep both but we’ll see.
I fell in love when I saw this shirt pop up on Instagram! I didn’t order it immediately so of course now it’s on backorder until May. I didn’t know whether to go with XS or S based on the slightly-oversized-yet-cropped fit. I don’t like when the shoulders are tight, so I ordered S. I’m hoping it’s not too oversized in the body.
Like I said in this post, I couldn’t resist the heather fern colorway of this blazer that I already own in heather grey and heather khaki. I cannot stop buying green articles of clothing! It’s all I want to wear.