I don't usually put together or share wishlists. I don't want to tempt myself to buy what I don't need or encourage others to shop spontaneously. Yet recently it was proved to me just how useful having a wardrobe wishlist can be, especially when it comes to making more thoughtful purchases.
I keep my wardrobe pretty streamlined. I have enough clothes that I don't get bored with having to wear the same outfits all the time. But not so many that I feel swamped by choice. When I lose an item of clothing, I often need to find a replacement especially when it's been such a heavily worn piece. This is when having a wishlist has proven to be exceptionally helpful.
On a recent holiday to Lyme Regis, I realised my linen dress (the only dress I'd packed for the trip!) had developed a huge hole. It could be fixed but it wouldn't be a dress I'd be wearing out of the house ever again. It was a dress I had worn repeatedly, week after week, ever since I bought it two years prior. I'd included it in multiple capsule wardrobes and travel packing lists. It was one of those easy-to-wear items that are super versatile. I'd found numerous ways to style outfits with it too. So it was a shame that after only two years of wear (albeit frequent), the dress could no longer be part of my all-seasons capsule wardrobe.
When it came to replacing the dress that had worn out, I briefly considered repurchasing. Maybe in a different colour or slightly different style. On consideration, I realised I wanted an entirely different fit than the one I had before. While I loved the dress and wore it to death (quite literally) the style was a little frumpy. The long sleeves that I always rolled up, high neckline, awkward waist, and loose fit made the dress feel rather sack-like at times. Plus linen isn't all that durable.
Keeping a wardrobe wishlist meant I already had a few options for replacing the dress I'd lost. The contenders were: a wrap dress from Linen Fox (£75), a field dress from Everlane (£137), a midi dress from Pretty Lavish (£58), a shirt-dress from Gentle Herd (£77), and a wrap midi from Faithfull (£320 £65).
I find shopping for anything overwhelming and can fall victim to decision fatigue. Having these options ready and waiting meant I wasn't faced with the arduous task of trawling through online shops last minute. It meant I was less likely to make an impulse purchase and be more intentional with my wardrobe choices.
I ended up purchasing the Pretty Lavish dress. I found the dress in my size, pre-owned but not pre-worn, on eBay. The dress has a flowing silhouette that maintains structure from the heavyweight cotton and fitted top half. The deep v-neck line, puff sleeves means, and split hem makes are really what make this dress ideal for most occasions. I've already worn it countless times.
I'm uncertain whether I'll be buying any more of the items on my wishlist. If I do, I'll definitely be shopping second-hand for them before considering new. The fact that I found the exact dress I wanted second-hand, proves yet again that the things we want can often be found pre-owned if we take the time to look for them; and that having a wishlist enables us to make more considered purchases.
