Reversing Regrets
I am a die-hard list person and alongside my lists of items bought over the years is a list of regrets. Thankfully, it’s a short list, but I still feel guilty when I look at it. I equate ill-considered purchases with wasted money and keep a running tally to remind myself to be more thoughtful and realistic before I commit to a pricey item.
The four pictures above are of purchases that top my list of regrets. However, one thing I’ve learned these last few years is to try to reverse my thinking on my mistakes and make lemonade out of lemons. So, I took out the Céline clutch and started carrying it. My assumption that it is cumbersome and heavy was quickly replaced by the realization that it holds a lot and is great in lieu of a shoulder bag over a bulky coat. Off the list it went. Next, the Prada dress that I could not live without and have only worn once because it grazes my ankles (it was produced much longer than shown), is going to the tailor. I’m confident that when it’s the same length on me as on the model on the runway, I will wear it often. And, the color skews brown, not grey, which is a nice change in my wardrobe. The Chanel headscarf, that makes me feel like the Flying Nun, and the insanely high Saint Laurent boots are still a challenge. I’m working on those.
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Interesting read! As for the final two items- could you try the headscarf around your neck, cowboy style? Or fold it a few times for more of a headband look? Would shaving a bit off the heel of the boots make them more wearable? The boots seem like the most difficult challenge of the bunch…
I couldn’t agree more. I still have the pair of Prada blue sequin almond toe pumps (Dorothy called and she wants her shoes back) to remind me of the slings and arrows of an impulsive buy. So glad to see that you’re trying to make some of them work. There’s always resale. I’m sure someone would be happy to call those boots or that scarf their own.
I wish you would part with the Prada dress instead. I would buy it from you in a heartbeat!
I’d scroll through some old photos of Jackie O. to get scarf inspiration. But I immediately thought crisp fall day and a drive in a convertible with big glasses!
I too love the Prada dress. It’s going to look fantastic shorter and maybe shorten to bracelet sleeves!
I think shortening the dress will be fantastic and I love the clutch. But the scarf and boots are in such new condition, you could sell on TRR and make a fair amount of money back.
The problem is I love the boots in theory and as a beautiful object. But, you’re right, they can’t be altered and I should sell them.
You can cut down the boot – the way you did with the Manolos a while back. The headscarf – just use one of your smaller headscarves as “pattern” bit are easy to fix.
Alas…some things are only meant for the runway, not IRL…
Well said
Agree with comments saying perhaps the scarf could be folded like a twilly or neck scarf but the boots don’t work as a door stop, someone else will love them. Coughed up a laugh at the Flying Nun reference. Also have a black leather clutch I used to love, will have to take it out for a spin.
I am so impressed with your taste and discipline that you have so few regrets. Well done!!!
And I talked you into buying the boots! I still think they are fab!
I didn’t need talking into, and you give me invaluable feedback — always.
I bought the Prada dress after your post. I love it. Glad to hear you are altering it if that is the issue. It’s a great dress! I thought it looked beautiful on you in your post!
Thank you, Kim.
I have the boots, too, and also adore them as a beauty object but don’t wear them much. I have a pale dusty pink silk Calvin midi skirt that I pair them with, and a sweater. But that’s the only look I’ve got for them :/
I have a list like this too but it’s much longer! One item I cannot part with even though I never wear it: a Velcro fantasy tweed jacket from Lagerfeld’s data center collection . . . I don’t wear patterns; what was I thinking? Anyway, I have used my list to distill some “rules” about what gets worn and what doesn’t. Like: “you don’t wear patterns.”
The color of the dress seems enough of a reason to keep it, imo, I would think it would look great with your fair coloring.
Actually, I think that color would look good on every shade of skin and hair. And, the simple style really makes it a keeper.