Last year’s fashion review was a good one for you… and for me, it was useful to get an idea of what I really consumed during a whole year and to know if my acquisitions were judicious or not.
I’m repeating the experiment for 2021 by listing all the clothes and accessories that have entered my wardrobe. Let’s go for the complete list!
13 novelties in 2021 : 7 purchases and 6 gifts in 2021
In 2021, I made more purchases than in 2020 (7 instead of 3 in 2020). Perhaps the semblance of a social life back and the fact that I didn’t accept any fashion partnerships in 2021 may have had an influence too?
As far as gifts are concerned, I will detail each one below: they come from friends (on my birthday) but also from fellow bloggers work that I wanted to support as I liked their creations.
For the birthday gifts, I was not able to “control” these entries in my wardrobe (that said, fortunately my friends know my tastes and my desire to consume sustainably!) but for the rest, it was done in all conscience because I thought carefully before accepting the gift.
THE APC KHAKI PARKA
Parka “Gertrude” APC
Date of purchase : January 2021 (during the sales)
Why I bought it : As mentioned in the conclusion of the 2020 review, I had been looking for a khaki parka with a hood and a minimalist design for a while. I came across this APC “Gertrude” model during the winter sales and despite the relatively high price (even at a discount), I didn’t hesitate as I already have quite a few accessories from this brand and I am satisfied with the quality over time. The cut and the look were also what I was looking for: Bingo!
My daily use : I wore it a lot in 2021 and still do now, when the winter/autumn weather is uncertain and I don’t want to carry an umbrella with me. It’s light, warm, waterproof and yet urban/stylish: For me it’s a winning and hopefully sustainable purchase.
APC DERBIES
Derbies “Ambre” APC
Date of purchase : January 2021 (during the sales)
Reason for purchase :To replace my patent Dr.Martens derbies (I’m telling the story about them here))
My daily use : I wear them quite regularly but I got used to wear slippers/sneakers almost non stop since lockdown which means that I often prefer sneakers. That said, when I want to go for a more preppy style, I happily wear them. I like the way they look and are a good (although more expensive and non patent) alternative to my beloved Dr. Martens, which have become strangely uncomfortable.
THE HAWAIIAN SHIRT
Hawaiian shirt (second hand purchase)
Date of purchase : August 2021
Reasons for purchase : same as for the khaki parka, it was on my 2020 wishlist. I found it by chance while browsing on Etsy. It’s second hand, from Honolulu with a pattern printed in Japan: What else?
My daily use I haven’t had the time to wear it much yet as I found it at the end of summer 2021 but I’m planning to wear it during the next summer season. I’m delighted with the look and authenticity of this item.
THE COLORFUL STANDARD TEE-SHIRT
Tee-shirt Classic “ivory white” Colorful Standard
Date of purchase : Spring 2021
Reasons for purchase : It was originally intended for my darling, but I made a mistake with the size and colour (I thought I was ordering a white colour and chose “Ivory white”, but it turned out that Ivory white was closer to an off-white than a white, and that the shirt was too small for my darling (I predicted a M size, when he would have needed an L)… Add to all this a monumental laziness to send it back, I thought I would inherit it.
My daily use : A blessing in disguise (I swear I didn’t get the colour and size wrong on purpose!), I wore it quite a few times during this spring-summer. A straight cut, cream coloured t-shirt is finally useful in my wardrobe. The quality is pretty ok (organic cotton, made in Portugal) but the fabric is a bit too stiff and wrinkly. Good but not perfect.
TEVA SANDALS
Sandales “Midform Universal leather” TEVA
Date of purchase : Summer 2021
Reasons for purchase : Probably due to the fact that I’ve seen them for a few years on instagram on some pretty stylish instagrammers. I was seduced by their “urban hiking sandals” look. I almost fell in love with a similar model at Mango but after thinking about it, I thought it would be better to invest in the originals (even if ethically, in terms of manufacturing, I’m not fooled, it must be same same).
My daily use : The dye of the leather rubbed off on my feet at the beginning but after waterproofing them (inside the straps), this does not happen anymore. The comfort is as convincing as my Birk’ with a better foot/ankle support. I will happily wear them again next summer, alternating with my Birkenstocks.
THE LACK OF COLOR BUCKET HAT
Bucket hat Lack of Color (déjà porté en été ici)
Date of purchase :Summer 2021 (Sales)
Reasons for purchase : A family trip to La Samaritaine during the summer sales. A nice discount, its off-white colour and the quality of the fabric.
My daily use : I wear it mostly when it’s hot and the sun is shining. But a bucket hat for a winter look can also work (proof is in these pictures, if you like bucket hats).
THE NISHIGUCHI KUTSUSHITA SOCKS
Socks Nishiguchi Kutsushita
Date of purchase : Autumn 2021
Reasons for purchase : A trip to the Boutique Générale in the Marais after having a curry at Pontochoux. I wanted to invest in “made in Japan” socks.
My daily use : Grey is one of the colours I wear most often. These socks are a great wardrobe staple and keep my feet warm.
THE H&M HOODIE
Hoodie H&M
Gift date : January 2021 for my birthday
My daily use : I wouldn’t have bought this hoodie on my own given the provenance (I avoid fast fashion stores as much as possible) but this gift initiative was a winner as I wore it a lot in 2021. It’s a pastel yellow colour that I didn’t have. After washing it several times, the quality is pretty good (no lint or “cheap” look) even if the composition (cotton polyester) and the manufacturing conditions are not really perfect.
THE LEOPOLDINE CHATEAU SOCKS
Socks Léopoldine Chateau
Gift date : January 2021 for my birthday
My daily use : I haven’t worn them yet because they were given to me “to embellish my outfits to go to Disneyland” (thanks Jérémy :-)). I went to the park several times in 2021 but the weather was maybe not mild enough (or too hot) for me to wear them. They are not the style of socks I wear on a daily basis but for a visit to the Disney park, they are just what I like (for a Minnie Mouse inspired look!). So I’m waiting for warmer weather so I can pull them out and do them justice!
THE FABIEN AJZENBERG BRACELET
“Carmen” bracelet Fabien Ajzenberg
Gift date : January 2021 for my birthday
My daily use : I wouldn’t have bet on this bracelet with big links to wear on a daily basis but it turns out that I wear it very often! (Thanks Lionelou <3) It brings a touch of sophistication to a basic outfit and doesn’t hinder my movements despite its imposing appearance. Good choice!
THE MONSIEUR PARIS NECKLACE
Necklace “Henrietta” Monsieur Paris
Gift date : September 2021 (=my surprise 40th birthday in 2020 (postponed, for… you know what))
My daily use : I wear it every day since it was carefully chosen by my friends for my 40th birthday (celebrated 1 and a half years after the real date) but also because I find that its sobriety and elegance go with any outfit. A great sentimental value in addition to being a piece of jewellery perfectly suited to my taste.
THE LES SUBLIMES T-SHIRT
Tee-shirt Les Sublimes worn in June 2021
Gift date : June 2021 by Anne, creator of the brand Les Sublimes.
My daily use : I accepted Anne’s gift with pleasure because the cut of this white t-shirt is really my favourite for a basic. It’s crew neck, straight, loose, it’s perfect. The quality is there (the cotton is so soft!), which doesn’t spoil anything. This t-shirt ticks all the boxes of the ideal purchase.
THE MANGO & SALT x MANORA BIJOUX EARRINGS
Gift date : October 2021 by Victoria of Mango & Salt, for the launch of her collaboration with Manora Bijoux
My daily use : I wear these earrings very often because they are space saving, light, graphic and elegant. Victoria was right when she offered to give them to me and I am flattered that she thought of me. These earrings, besides being to my taste, are useful and part of a more than honourable approach (the profits being donated to the league against cancer).
My assessment
The entries in my dressing room were more numerous in 2021 than in 2020 (13 against 8) and some were not voluntary (gifts) but each new arrival found its place and I do not regret any purchase (or unsuitable gift!). Everything is appreciated and I am pleased with the quality of everything that has come in this year.
As for the Leopoldine Chateau socks, it’s the perfect example of an accessory that is not “useful” but which I am delighted to own to bring variety to my outfits worn on my next visits to Disneyland. For me, dressing to match the atmosphere of the park is important. It gives me a “spark of happiness” (so special to Marie Kondo).
What I find useful/pleasant for me will not necessarily be so for another person with a different hobby and lifestyle than mine. So it’s hard to model your own fashion assessment and clothing needs on someone else’s, in case you want to compare.
Having said that, following my 2020 review, I can consider my wardrobe to be optimal as I have found everything I had in mind in my ideal wishlist (I might add some stylish and comfortable rain boots to that wishlist).
I don’t feel the need to buy anything new, but it might still be possible to have a crush in 2022, and I will maybe receive gifts from friends and family, not to mention the clothes/shoes that may need to be replaced if needed. We can check all this for 2022 at the next review in a year’s time!
On you side, any newbies in 2021? (English translation by Quiterie)
