Winter 2023 Wardrobe Additions

By some miracle, I survived the winter without going over my clothing budget, and I managed to only add seven new items (plus two items in new sizes) to my wardrobe. I think that I’ve been too distracted by planning our trips this year to get sucked into browsing websites and placing orders. That’s the trick… I just need a distraction! Ha. And to constantly ask myself if I’d rather have the thing or if I’d rather have money to spend on flights/hotels/exploring.

Here’s my first clothing budget update of 2023: everything I added to my wardrobe this past winter! (I’m adding all of my 2023 clothing purchases to this Pinterest board. Are we friends there yet?!) I also shared what I tried and returned and what’s coming up for spring!

READ NEXT: Fall 2022 Wardrobe Additions

Winter 2023 wardrobe additions | how to keep a clothing budget | style on a budget | Cotton Cashmere Cat Hair

Winter 2023 Clothing Budget & Wardrobe Additions

$600 (quarterly budget) = $600 - $374.50 ($190 December + $44 January + $140.50 February) => $225.50 left over

Items I added to my wardrobe:

I bought this neoprene fanny pack thinking it’d be perfect for our cruise…and I was right! I debated between this and the phone sling but am happy I bought the fanny pack; it’s slightly roomier and the card-sized hidden pocket on the back was the perfect place to stash my SeaPass when I was out and about. The camel color is also a great brown! I did stain it (lol, sigh), so wish me luck as I attempt to clean it.

One of my younger brothers was so sweet to gift me this light grey sweater for Christmas! I’m wearing it as I write this post. As the name suggests, it is SUPER soft, and the fabric is also quite stretchy. It’s TTS for me (size small)!

I realized on the flight to Houston for our cruise that I forgot to pack a pair of sunglasses, so Korri and I went to the Galleria (a giant fancy mall in Houston) to pick up a new pair. I tried on tons of Quay styles but in the end went with the Le Specs Liar Liar. They are quite similar in shape to the Air Heart style I own in three colors and love. I just love a big cat eye!

I used some Madewell rewards on this dress in vintage mulberry. I wanted a new dress for the holidays since my dress collection was basically cut in half due to pandemic-related weight gain. I ordered size small, which fits but is a little loose around the shoulders and bust. A size XS may have worked out better.

How cute is this cardigan?! I LOVE the green color. It’s so different from everything else in my closet. It’s also super soft and stretchy (the material is similar to the J.Crew Factory sweater). I ordered size small and the longer sleeve length is great for me and my long arms. It’s perfect with high rise jeans and pants!

  • Madewell Tie-Waist Huston Pull-On Crop Pants in Stripe (not pictured | seen here | used Poshmark credit)

I already own and love these pants in size XS (purchased fall 2019) and decided to buy the next size up when I found them on Poshmark. My pair shrunk in length in the wash, and the size small is the same length. I wish they were longer, so I’m considering having the hem let out a bit by a tailor.

I love this style so much that I ordered it in black! (I already own it in sedona and bone.) I wear a size XS and find that it fits my broad shoulders well without being tight. The sleeves are also full-length on my long arms.

  • Old Navy High-Waisted Rockstar Super-Skinny Built-In Warm Jeans (not pictured | seen here | used Poshmark credit)

Below, I mentioned the Old Navy black warm (fleece-lined) jeans I purchased when they were 50% off. Neither of the sizes I ordered fit, but they helped me figure out what size I do need, so I turned to Poshmark and found a brand new grey pair of warm skinny jeans! The rise is a touch lower than I prefer, but size 6 petite is spot on. They are very cozy on the inside!

  • Zella Restore Soft Pocket Joggers (not pictured | seen here | paid $44 | originally $69)

I found myself browsing Nordstrom and saw that these joggers were on sale and in stock in the next size up (small), so I grabbed ‘em. I have them in XS (and a different color in size small) and find the small much more comfortable. They’re one of my favorite pairs!

Items I tried and returned:

I ordered these jeans in two sizes, 25 and 26, after reading reviews that they ran big/were quite stretchy. The 25s fit but weren’t comfortable to sit in for long periods of time. The 26s are much more comfortable on the waist, but I don’t love the fit through the legs. They also bag out quickly at the knees. Because of the straighter leg, they don’t feel as cozy on the legs as my instacozy skinny jeans. They’re also long on me. Long jeans are easier to tuck into boots, but they’re not skinny and I don’t know that I like the bunchiness around my ankles. I didn’t love them so both sizes went back.

I honestly can’t remember why I ordered these jeans. I think I’m just frustrated that only 4-5 pairs of jeans I currently own are comfortable to wear for long periods of time. Plus, I love my other pair of Roadtripper skinny jeans! The stretch on them is the best. These were just not special; the wash wasn’t exciting and was too close to other washes I already own. I also purchased them in petite and think the regular length would have worked better. Petite felt too short and I wanted to pull them down.

I love the brown color of this flannel so much and it’s entirely the reason why I bought it in the first place. But then I put it on, and while it’s lovely besides the dropped shoulder seams giving me linebacker shoulders (I ordered size small), I realized that I don’t wear my current flannel shirts as often as I think I do. I like the idea of owning a closet full of flannel shirts, but I just don’t wear them as much as I do sweaters. Because of that, I returned this shirt.

I’ve heard great things about these jeans, so I snagged them at 50% off. The fleece lining is so nice for those super cold winter days! I ordered two sizes based on what was left in stock at the time: 4 regular and 2 petite. Neither one fit (I couldn’t even get the 2s over my hips), so I figured size 6 petite was my size.

What’s on deck for spring:

I’m ready to get out from under my security blanket, Madewell, and try a new brand for curvy jeans. Abercrombie really had a glow-up in recent years! I’ve heard such great things about their curvy denim styles and am ready to pounce when they’re on sale again.

I have almost purchased these denim jackets SO MANY TIMES! I just cannot get myself to commit to one style (the Merly is more oversized and longer than the Bailey). I think I just need to order both and see which one I like more and eat the cost to return one of them. Or maybe I’ll like both and keep both? Ha! I’m also hesitating because I’ve never had a truly comfortable (and soft!) denim jacket in my life so I’m worried these will be the same way even though reviews suggest otherwise.

Ugh, someone is going to have to stop me from ordering this suede moto jacket, lol. It’s so gorgeous! I bet I would not wear it enough to make it worth it (the light green is likely too challenging for me to style), but it sure is pretty to look at.

I was actually going to purchase this in their most recent sale and forgot to buy it before the sale ended! Boo. I’ve been eyeing this style ever since it was released. The woven exterior looks so luxe to me, and I love the almond color—it’d be a great neutral for the spring and summer, and I bet it would develop a beautiful patina with time.

I’m drawn to these sandals (a flagship Nisolo style) in desert rose because they look like they would blend into my skin tone well and be the perfect neutral to wear with anything! I’ve also heard great things about these shoes since they made them more comfortable a few years ago.

budgetKimi, Cotton Cashmere Cat Hairwinter2 Comments