Category / Shopping

the things we do for fashion
By On In Shopping374 Comments

This weekend I was catching up with my favourite bag forum and my jaw dropped reading some of the stories on the Hèrmes forum. Now, I’m not even into anything Hermès (I don’t even know how I got there), so that might explain why some of the things that were discussed are completely foreign to me but still, I’m surprised by the things we sometimes do for fashion. For example, who knew that you have to spend thousands of dollars on all kinds of accessories to earn the trust and respect of a sales assistent in order to finally get your hands on the iconic Birkin bag? Or that women actually wait in line for several hours, day of after day, during their stay in Paris because maybe you’ll be one of the lucky few today that will be offered a Birkin? Admittedly though, I’ve done some silly things myself in the past.

I have done things such as setting my alarm clock at 6 in the morning hoping H&M would finally restock that coat that I had been lusting over for weeks. Another time I sat behind not one but two laptops and the app on my phone when the H&M x Isabel Marant collection launched. It was impossible to get onto the website, so I finally ordered over the phone. And let’s add the purchase of my Mansur Gavriel bucket bag as well. I spent an entire day refreshing their website to order said bag. Oh, and I paid an additional $100 for international shipping. Seriously, what was I thinking!?

The examples above are obviously shopping related, but let’s not forget the physical pain that some of us put ourselves through for the sake of fashion. Granted, that’s nothing new because women have been suffering for style ever since the early Middle Ages; foot binding, corsets, heels that are much too high etc., but it never ceases to amaze me that we continue to think that it’s okay to be in pain as long as we look ‘beautiful’ or ‘fashionable’. Personally, I think the best way to look good is to feel comfortable with yourself and the clothes that you are wearing. Nobody needs a pair of sky high heels to look gorgeous.

Any thoughts or embarrassing stories you would like to share?

the-art-of-giving
By On In Shopping797 Comments

This gift guide may seem a bit early for some, but not for us Dutch people who also celebrate Sinterklaas on the 5th of December. I always enjoy the festive stuff that comes with the holiday season. The food, decorations (can I put up my christmas tree already?) and gifts of course. Above you’ll find a few things that I wouldn’t mind receiving, so consider this guide a personal wish list as well. Some items are affordable, others a bit more expensive. But you should be able to find something similar for a much friendlier price.

1. H&M paddle hair brush (€7,99). This hair brush comes in two sizes. The smaller one is perfect for carrying around in your bag in case of emergencies. If you have a little more to spend though, you can never go wrong with the iconic Mason Pearson brush ($190). 2. Diptyque Scented Oval ($45). I’m sure most of us are familiar with Diptyque’s scented candles and perfumes, but why not take it a little further to your closet or drawer? 3. Byredo Gypsy Water oil roll-on ($78). That’s a lot of money for such a small amount right? But with perfumed oils a little goes a long way. Fresh yet woody, this oil is inspired by smoky campfires and pine forests with hints of Bergamot, Amber and Vanilla. 4. Yves Klein framed art print ($236). Allposters.com (or .nl if you’re from the Netherlands) offers a wide range of posters and prints. My personal favourites are the art prints, such as the one above. It’s so easy to order a beautiful print and frame it yourself. 5. Various Projects key tag ($15), for the best selection of clean and simple key tags. You can choose from an endless amount of options but you can also customise your own tag.

6. Fashionology tiny silver hoop earrings (€10). I’ve said it before and I will say it again; I love delicate jewellery. I’ve been wearing the same silver studs for over 4 years and these hoops would be a nice change. 7. A.P.C. room spray ($35). Perfect for those of us who are not that much into candles (or are likely to burn their house down). Toumbac is my preferred scent of the four options with fleur d’oranges as a close second. 8. Smythson Panama notebook ($80). A great gift for him or her. A luxurious leather notebook with embossed gold lettering. It doesn’t get more extravagant than that, I guess. Of course Moleskine offers great and practical notebooks for just a fraction of aforementioned price. 9. Fashionology tiny tag necklace (€50). A solid sterling silver necklace for everyday wear. 10. Comme des Carçons leather wallet ($197). I’ll be the first one to admit that it’s a hefty price tag for a wallet. But trust me when I say that these are indestructible and will last you many years. I already own the one pictured above and I highly recommend it!

Do you have anything on your wish list for Sinterklaas or Christmas?

everlane
By On In Shopping370 Comments

Oh dear, it seems as though Christmas has arrived early in the form of temporary international shipping by Everlane. From today until Sunday November 22, Everlane is shipping to 50 countries for a flat rate shipping fee of $15. Truthfully, I’m excited and slightly bummed at the same time. I’ve been contemplating a purchase for months, maybe even a year already, but now that I finally get the chance I feel a bit overwhelmed. I just spend a good amount on my A.P.C. bag and I would feel terribly guilty to spend yet another large sum of money on clothes etc. And also, if I do decide to make a purchase, what am I supposed to get and which size do I need? It’s all so good!

One of the things that’s on my mind is their cashmere turtleneck. Remember, I posted one in my fall/winter wish list post. The price seems quite reasonable but I like my sweaters a bit oversized and the large size in black is all sold out. So now I’m wondering if I should get it in medium. I compared the measurements to my Uniqlo sweater, which I find perfectly oversized, and it seems as though the Everlane sweater in medium is even a tad larger in the chest area. Should be fine right? Ugh, sometimes I hate shopping online especially when it’s so difficult to return something and I’m not sure about the sizing. At least I still have a couple more days to decide. For now I’ll leave you with some of my favourites. Oh and please let me know if you have any recommendations!

a.p.c.-half-moon-bag
By On In Shopping471 Comments

Ah, the A.P.C. Half Moon bag. If you have been reading my blog for a while now, you probably know that this bag has been on my mind for quite some time. Heck, I even mentioned it in my very first blog post. Did I need it? Honestly, no. But clearly, I lack a considerable amount of self-control when it comes to bags and also, it’s absolutely gorgeous! I’ve been carrying it for two weeks straight and even though the design is quite simple, it’s gotten a lot of compliments already. It’s also a lot sturdier than my Céline trio bag and less prone to scratches. So I feel much more relaxed carrying this little one. Now that I finally added this beauty to my bag collection, I can’t think of any other bag I would like to own (except for the Céline box bag, which is not even remotely within reach, but a girl can dream, right?).

On an entirely different note, my grandmother asked me what I would like receive for Sinterklaas (a Dutch holiday somewhat similar to Christmas) and I’ve been thinking about asking for a Tiffany bean necklace in the smallest version. I think it would be nice to own a piece of timeless jewellery that will remind me of my grandparents. That said, I also love the Diamonds by the yard necklace, but it’s a lot more expensive so I would definitely offer to pay part of it myself (I could never accept such an expensive gift). What do you guys think?

Wearing: bag: A.P.C. (€325), coat: Filippa K Dean coat (last year), Turtleneck: H&M (old), Pants: Uniqlo x Lemaire (on sale for €49,90)