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I have what I’ll call an “occasion shopping” problem. I don’t necessarily mean a formal occasion, I mean any specific activity. A first date, a holiday dinner, a vacation, a class — I don’t shop by season or necessity, but rather on impulse, with a specific occasion in mind. (Which I know is neither savvy nor fiscally responsible and goes against every guide to wardrobe building Fashion’s ever published.)
So while Meredith dove into the things she bought from editing Racked stories this year, and Tiffany listed the best and most practical, I’ll go in the opposite direction and tell you the totally silly things I bought because I had a thing to go to that demanded a new thing to wear (in my head) — or just because it made me feel really great when everything else was on fire.
Marco De Vincenzo Velvet-Trimmed Ruffled Satin Sandals
I bought these ridiculous shoes for myself for my birthday because they are so goddamn beautiful. If I lived in a house instead of a tenement apartment, I would display them on a shelf. They look like what I imagine Marie Antoinette wore while lounging on a brocade chaise nibbling at tiny sweets; I wear them to dive bars with jeans.
Patagonia Women's Re-Tool Snap-T Fleece Pullover
My first sailing lesson was the last before the Hudson River schools closed up for winter and I was sure I’d freeze tacking and jibing my way up to the George Washington Bridge. I’d just finished reading the New Yorker’s Yvon Chouinard profile and needed a Patagonia to keep myself warm on my treacherous journey (lol). It’s worn to yoga, the grocery store, everywhere but dinner and work, basically.
Liven Lightning Bolt Earring
The occasion here was pure emotional panic — a breakup before I started this job. I probably should’ve gone for a run to calm myself down but instead I bought a lightning bolt made of tiny diamonds. And then I felt great. I wear this every day.
Forever 21 Flat Hoop Earrings
I went on a sailing trip in the spring with a bunch of friends and my sister and had a real vision of what that should look like: flowing white linen topped with gold hoops. In reality, it was the same oversized button-down over a bathing suit every day. I never wore earrings (or even shoes) on that trip, but do wear these all the time now.
Carharrt Men’s Midweight Cotton Union Suit
Because I’m going camping for NYE and I saw this on Amazon and it looked like a thing you need for camping. Told you this is a real problem. I will never wear this again.