Worst Sartorial Purchases of 2014

Since I budgeted/kept track of my purchases for most of last year, I thought looking through each purchase and noting my worst purchases (as well as best purchases, of course--keep an eye out for the next post!) would be useful to see how well I was doing at limiting impulse purchases that don't work for me in one way or another. I ended up finding eight items that I would not purchase over again if I could redo 2014. Hopefully I make smarter purchasing decisions this year!

H&M Striped Tee {purchased March 2014}
Original posts: top left / top right / bottom left / bottom right

While there isn't anything inherently wrong with this tee, I purchased it right when I saw it without a second thought because I had been looking for a tee like this. I wish I would have purchased a larger size; it's a bit too tight for my taste. I would have also preferred a red striped tee with stripes everywhere, not like this one with the lack of stripes on top. I ended up buying a similar tee from J.Crew Factory later in the year that better matches what I was looking for.

Sole Society 'Bethanie' d'Orsay Flats {purchased March 2014}
Original posts: left / middle / right

I love how these flats look, but I don't wear them as much as I thought I would. (I've worn them once since the post on the right.) They're not the most comfortable (simultaneously feeling too small and too big, which is a problem I had with my other pair of d'Orsay flats). I also had a harder time creating outfits with them. I wasn't expecting that at all because they are beige and gold, but I find that I reach for my sand J.Crew 'Cece' ballet flats before these. I've held onto them for the purpose of variety, but now I'm seriously considering selling them.

Francesca's Top {purchased March 2014}
Original posts: left / right

This was another impulse purchase. I walked into the store, spotted this top on the sale rack, tried it on, thought it would be a good addition to my wardrobe...and then I bought it. I think I would wear it more if it wasn't so long, but it's also a bit tight in the shoulders and the fabric is weird and slippery. I wouldn't buy it again now. I can feel myself ignore it when I look through my closet and put outfits together, so I have a feeling it won't be staying around too much longer.

H&M Striped Crop Top {purchased May 2014}
Original posts: left / right

I can't fault myself too much for this purchase because I wanted to try the crop top trend, and spending a mere $11 at H&M was the best way to try it out without feeling bad about how much I spent. I ended up wearing this top only twice--both times were photographed for the blog--and then I managed to shrink it somehow so I'm not sure if I will wear it again. It shows more of my stomach than I am really comfortable with. Oh well! I now know that I do enjoy the trend a bit and I've taken a liking to cropped sweaters and other, slightly less cropped tops.

Carrini d'Orsay Flats via Hautelook {purchased July 2014}
Original posts: left / right

Ughhh, these shoes. I should have known better than to buy $16 shoes on Hautelook--that never ends well, does it? (Luckily, I only paid $6 because of credit I had on my account. But still.) Holes appeared after the first time I wore them (look on the left), but I was determined to wear them at least six times to end up with a $1 cost-per-wear. I wore them the second time--the look on the right--and they were flapping off my feet by mid-morning. It was a terrible idea to wear those shoes, especially because I had to walk around a LOT that day! I informed Hautelook of my misfortune and they were kind enough to refund me with store credit, so now these sit in a donation bag waiting for a new home.

Gap Eyelet Dress {purchased August 2014}
Original posts: left / middle / right

I was so excited for this dress, and I spent more on it than I would normally. However, after I wore it and washed it the first time (following the care tag), it shrunk SO much in length. You can really tell in the difference between the left look above and the middle and right looks. I now can't wear it to school without being in major danger of flashing someone. It's now not at all what I wanted it to be, and I'm bummed because I was hoping to have it for at least a couple of years if not more. This was probably the most disappointing purchase.

J.Crew Factory Tank Top {purchased May 2014}
J.Crew Factory Button-down Shirt {purchased September 2014}

These were two purchases never featured in an outfit post. The tank top I've worn once or twice, and I have yet to wear the shirt. I'm determined to plan outfits with them this year because I do love them. I admit that the tank top is a little bit low for my liking, but it's a nice layering piece...and it was only $5. Every time I go to wear the shirt, it feels too formal. My goal this year is to not give up on these pieces and wear/feature them at least once (more, hopefully!).