What I Bought in January

The monthly post where I share reviews on the things I bought.

This month could be more appropriately called, “What I Returned in January,” cuz yeah…pretty self-explanatory. Not a successful shopping month.

What I’m CRAVING is low-saturation, cool-toned pastels (of course I am), AND hot pink. Ha. Just to be contrary.

I can’t follow my OWN rules…how could I ever be expected to follow anyone else’s (#BettyeBreaksTheRules)?

I feel like I’ve shared this picture 17,000 times but…

This picture…this LOOK…grabbed me So Hard. And WILL. NOT. LET. GO.

The crewneck is so classic and simple…but combined with the sort of irreverent juxtaposition of that shocking fuchsia?? LOVE. And the whole outfit: the cropped black slacks and loafers?? I’ve been obsessed with this look for months. So I’ve been searching far and wide for something comparable that is NOT $780…and is in my size.

J Crew has something extremely similar…

But ever since I first found it, it’s been sold out in my size. It’s in my Shoptagr in case it comes back in stock, but at this point that seems doubtful cuz their new arrivals are pretty springy.

Anyway, this look and my current love affair with sherbet colors have been responsible for all my clothing purchases this month.

AE Oversized Dreamspun Crew Neck Sweater

Isn’t this dreamy? That soft soft aqua blue is like a cloud. That’s just the vibe I was looking for.

The sweater came. The color was just as it looked online. It was So Soft. I put it on. It wasn’t even long enough to reach the waistband of my pants! It was SO SHORT. It was like an EXTREME crop.

The picture gives absolutely no hint of cropped-length-ed-ness. I was so disappointed. I tried it over both a white tee and a white buttondown, but the proportions were not good. There was too much white at the bottom because the sweater was So Short.

I know that my big body parts take up some length in clothes, but I’ve never seen anything like this. Sadly, it has been returned.

And this is what I ended up with instead (below). I bought this blue sweater that’s the same as the olive one that I love. I was concerned about the color, from the pictures online I was afraid it would be too strident. It is a stronger color than I really wanted (compare with cloud blue sweater above) but…I love the sweater itself so much, and it will be useful in my wardrobe.

TREASURE & BOND CREWNECK PULLOVER

 

Style & Co Plus Size V-Neck Cotton Sweater

Sticking with the “sherbet” color theme…this sort of dusty-aqua-mint green color appealed to me, but (there’s always a but) the fit was not good – too snug overall – and the knit was too thick and not pliable. YES I AM A PAIN IN THE A**. I do not deny that. But I know the kinds of things that will hang in my closet, unworn. So now I’m starting to pay more attention to how knit (weave?) affects fit and I know that thick yarn (?) is not generally going to be my jam. I’m already thick. Thick + Thick = Michelin Man. So back it went.

Alfani Plus Size High-Low Dolman-Sleeve Sweater

Back on the fuchsia sweater hunt…I knew this was not exactly what I’m looking for but thought it might be a viable alternative til next year when hopefully the J Crew sweater will be restocked. But (see?), the color is not right – too violet (towards the purple side of pink) and the fit not great. The knit/drape was better than the mint sweater above, being a rayon/nylon blend. But one out of three doesn’t cut it. Back it went.

Ideology Plus Size Thumb-Hole Hoodie

I bought this in black, part of my black and grey hoodie quest. And it was So Close. The material was a delight. Mid-thin, stretchy, soft, it just felt nice on the body. It was just a little too snug through the tummy…and I want to be able to layer things under it and I just knew it was not going to work for that. Back it went.

Yes, I’m the Queen of Returning. And I kind of hate that, I know how wasteful it is but…I just don’t know how to avoid it. But it’s part of why I shop mostly from the same brands (Gloria Vanderbilt, Old Navy, etc) – once I know their sizing is good for me, the likelihood of having to return things decreases. And there are just too few brick&mortar options around…not to mention how much I hate “physical” clothes shopping.

Land’s End Cashmere Lined Leather Gloves

Yay, a win! These are the black version of the cognac gloves I bought last year. I’m wearing my black coat so much this year I wanted a pair of black gloves…as well as a second pair of gloves. When I try to keep switching one pair of gloves between multiple coats, I usually end up somewhere with no gloves.

I’m not a very successful adult.

So, out of all that, I only kept the blue Treasure & Bond sweater and the black gloves.

I’ll try to remember to photograph the things I buy that get returned. That’s probably more helpful than just the retail site image. I’m usually so ucch disappointed that I stick the thing back in the bag immediately to return it next day and get my refund initiated. But I’ll make a point of doing that going forward. I’ve only got 17 tripods and cameras set up in the living room At All Times, how hard can it be to take Yet Another Picture?

I’m feeling a little desperate for something fresh and new in my wardrobe. At this point in the winter so many outfits are feeling samey-samey and I’m bored. First world problems, for sure. I’ve been pulling things off the “to sell” rack just to have something different!

Oh well. The hunt(s) continues.

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