Spring 2021 Wardrobe Additions

This past spring, I noticed that I shopped in batches. Almost like binge shopping. I’d place a bunch of orders, then I wouldn’t buy anything for a couple of weeks or so, and then I’d place another batch of multiple orders. It kind of makes me wonder if my cycle has something to do with my desire to shop…? The smart thing to do would be to journal about it so I could figure out my tendencies, but I’m terrible about journaling.

Anyway…brace yourself, because this is a long post! I actually ended up about $200 over budget, and it’s been a while since I was that far over budget (Poshmark sales have been super slow the past few months). I don’t know yet what I’m going to do about it. I’ve been thinking for a while about adjusting my budget so I have more flexibility to spend with smaller, ethical brands that have higher prices and don’t do the sales like the major retailers do. I just don’t know what to do yet! Here’s everything I added to my wardrobe this past spring in the meantime.

READ NEXT: Winter 2021 Wardrobe Additions

Spring 2021 wardrobe additions | how to keep a clothing budget | style on a budget — Cotton Cashmere Cat Hair

Spring 2021 Clothing Budget & Wardrobe Additions

$500 (quarterly budget) => $805 ($390.50 March + $304 April + $110.50 May) - $50 Everlane credit - $56 earned from Poshmark sales = $699 => $199 overspent

Items I added to my wardrobe:

I love a good basic tank, and I love ABLE, so I ordered the Anika in two colors. Annoyingly, the colors in the same size (small) fit quite differently, but I think it’s due to the makeup of each tank; the white tank (which is more of an off-white) is a cotton modal blend and is much stretchier/looser/slightly longer than the grey tank, which is a cotton poly blend and fits much more snugly. The white tank came with a stain on the back of one shoulder which has been difficult to remove, too.

I absolutely fell in love with this print when I saw it. I first ordered this blouse in size XS but exchanged it for an S for more room in the shoulders. The S really doesn’t feel that much different but it is slightly boxier. The fabric is amazing, though—it’s Amour Vert’s version of washable silk (it’s plant-based but feels fairly similar)! It’s lightweight and airy!

These joggers really are a dream! They’re silky soft and loose; I took size XS and they’re great. I wouldn’t wear these out to run errands but they’re perfect for lounging and when I was WFH. (Hopefully I’ll work part-time WFH again soon so I can wear them more!)

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.) I love the looser fit of this tee, and even though they’re thin, they’re really not that sheer. I wear them with nude-to-me bras just fine.

I fell in love when I saw this shirt pop up on Instagram! I debated between sizes XS and S. I don’t like when the shoulders are tight, so I opted for S. It’s pretty oversized in the body but in a cute way, I think? Haha! I’ve yet to wear this shirt out but plan to once it cools down!

I ordered these elastic waist shorts in two colors, fern and blue stripe, both in size 2. I ended up not loving the fern as much as I thought I would and instead kept the blue stripe because I think they hid wrinkles better. I do wish I had sized up to a 4 for a little more room in the hips.

I love my first pair of day crossover sandals so much that I ordered a second pair in this pretty ivory! I’m not generally a fan of the square-toe trend, but these have rounded edges so the square isn’t as aggressive. I don’t mind them! I purchased them in size 7.5 like I did my first pair (I’m typically a 7) and they fit fine but I think a 7 would have worked too. Love these!

I couldn’t resist the heather fern colorway of this blazer that I already own in heather grey and heather khaki. The color is rich and lovely! This one fits just like the others and I took size XXS.

I knew I had to have this hat for our national parks road trip! It does fit a little big (hits my ears), and the inside tag makes a weird crinkly sound (why?), but I’m still a fan.

Are you even surprised when you see me add another green garment to my wardrobe? LOL. I ordered these shorts in a size XS like my black pair, but these feel a little snugger after being washed. It’s not a deal breaker but I definitely notice it. I think a small would have provided a looser fit around the hips and legs and an overall more comfortable fit.

I love baseball caps but was in need of a structured hat to protect my neck. Enter the sunhat! I love this one because the brim is wider than a bucket hat so it’s most definitely not a bucket hat, haha. It fits me well in size S/M. The one weird thing is the tag is on the opposite side of the buckle. I like wearing the buckle in the back so the tag ends up at my forehead.

I ordered this gorgeous navy rain jacket in a size small, which is a little big on me in the body and even in the sleeve length, which is usually where items tend to run small/short because I have long arms. The drawstring at the waist helps to make it not look so big, and I have enough room for layering if needed! And I love that it doesn’t have the traditional rain jacket noise.

Vuori joggers are expensive, but I can see why. They hold their shape well if you wear them multiple times between washing, and they look good as new after being washed. The fabric is soft and easy to move in. They’re a great lightweight jogger for the warmer months. I opted for a size small; reviews are mixed and some folks preferred to size down and some preferred to size up. The size small is slightly loose on me but in the most comfortable way. The waist would be slightly big if not for the drawstring. Might try an XS next time to compare!

Items not included in clothing budget:

I was pleasantly surprised by these bras! They’re compressive but not restricting, and I’m a big fan of the longline fit. I opted for size small. For reference, my bust measures approximately 34” and I’m a 30DD bra size. The white isn’t see through, so that’s much appreciated!

I love this tee! it was a totally frivolous purchase; I wanted to bring it along on our national parks road trip. Because it likely won’t make an appearance other than in the occasional activewear outfit, I didn’t include it in my budget. I ordered size XS but definitely should have gone with at least a small; it runs really short, and I’m a short person!

Items I tried and returned:

As mentioned above, I returned the fern pair of shorts because they seemed more prone to showing wrinkles. They also gave me major Girl Scout vibes and that’s not quite the look I’m going for. Bummer because the color is gorg!

These shorts seemed like a slam dunk: linen AND pull-on?! Unfortunately, they looked really strange on me. The crotch seam was crooked and they billowed strangely from the waist. Sadly, these were returned. (I ordered the clay color which seems to no longer be available; maybe the darker colors are better?)

I ordered two pair of white skinny jeans because I missed having a pair of white skinny jeans that fit—one curvy style and one regular, size 26 petite. The regular style was cancelled, and the curvy style shipped. And then I received this non-curvy pair in size 27 regular, which was not what I had ordered at all. Lol. I tried them on anyway and yup, they were to big in the waist and too long in the legs.

I had high hopes for these jeans…until I read the reviews, and then I ordered them anyway. I love the wash, but that’s where the love stopped: they were too big in the waist (not sure I can go back to non-curvy styles anymore) and too tight in the thighs. They slid down when I sat down. Bummer!!!

I most definitely did not need any more leggings, but I ordered a couple of pairs when they went on sale at Nordstrom because Zella makes some of my favorites! This style in particular is my very favorite of all of my Zella leggings. That’s why I was so bummed that this new pair (I ordered the olive branch color) didn’t work: they felt simultaneously like they were too tight and yet were also going to slide down, and there were weird spots on them that looked like maybe oil stains? They also showed every lump and bump. I even went up to a size small (my black pair is size XS and still fits perfectly) and they still didn’t work. Oh well!

Also ordered this style in pink mauve, size small. I liked these better than the first pair of leggings, and the color is so pretty, but they still felt pretty tight and showed every lump and bump.

What’s on deck for summer:

This blouse was love at first sight! I’m trying to pay better attention to the items that I’m immediately drawn to. Those almost always end up being the best purchases, even if they are a little impulsive.

For something a little different than my usual, I ordered this linen blazer! It’s a longer silhouette than I’m used to, but I actually really like it, and the color is great, too. It’s not that oversized and size small is fine on my broad shoulders.

These are the perfect neutral and understated summer sandal! They’d make great wedding guest shoes (I ordered the earthen sand color, which isn’t too yellow—that was my fear). They’re super comfy, even with the small heel, and fit TTS.

This wash is really similar to the curvy skinny jeans I bought last year, but I ordered these in the next size up for pandemic reasons. (Also bought my regular pre-pandemic size to try both since some folks say they run large.) My jeans buying saga continues…sigh. Fingers crossed these work for me!

Did I need yet another pair of sandals? No. Did I order more anyway? Yup! Apparently I was in need of a sandal refresh (I also had some Nisolo credit waiting to be spent). I ordered the flatform sandals in bone, size 7.5. They are borderline too small; my heel is right on the edge. I worry that going up to an 8 will make them too long in the front. Otherwise they’re cute! It’s a different style for me and I’m into it.

Ah yes, another pair of sandals! I opened an email with these clog sandals in desert rose front and center and had immediate heart eyes. I ordered these in my true size 7 and they fit TTS!

budgetKimi, Cotton Cashmere Cat HairspringComment