My fashion trap

Hi lovelies,

Today, I world like to talk about my style journey, where did I started and where am I at the moment?

Back in my childhood my parents bought my clothes and shoes- usually before school year, for Christmas, namedays or birthdays we have received some clothes as well. With my siblings we have had a lot of local made items from the market or from small boutiques (there were such a great quality), then some from Chinese stores and later on from Shopping Mall brands. I did remember when the mall opened in my hometown it was full with local businesses back in 2002, but by 2010 most of the stores where Fast fashion brands there.

Being in high school I did not really spent my time at the mall, it was bare that I did shopping without my parents. So I was not such a huge shopper addict back then or I just had so many other things to do: studying, training and volunteering.

As I went to college and moved to Budapest with my friends we loved English secondhand shops and the sales at shopping mall. Thanksfully we did not had so much money to afford so many things from H&M or Zara and I was too proud to ask some extra money from my parents… Even in this case we consumed a lot of fast fashion :english secondhand stores was full of Primark clothes with tag, it was rare to find something real bargain and of course the sales at Mango, Zara and H&M. Honestly I am not assamed of myself, because we were just uneducated in this fashion trap.

Then I went for my Erasmus semester in Portugal, for that of course me with my friends bought quite a few new pieces at Zara- lots of these items are so memorable to me due to Portugal and still have them- before to go, but I had to pack my life into a 35 kg suitcase, so I was not aware of but that was my first capsule wardobe ever. During this 5 months in Portugal we went to Primark a few times, that was the point when I realized all of the English Secondhand shops are so over priced in Hungary, as most of the items were even pricier than new at Primark. As I had to be careful not to overweight my luggage I bought maybe 10-12 items.

Returning back to Hungary, I decided not to go to these girl sessions of secondhand stores and fast fashion sales, slowly these bit toxic relationships ended. After college I have strated to work at a hotel as a receptionist, which took me back from wanting to go to crowded places after work such as shopping malls and honestly I had a uniform so my clothes lasted longer, even if they were fast fashion.

Then I started to shop with my boyfriend (then husband) who were always had the same local stores such as Heavy Tools for his Polo T-shirts and shirts, Tisza for shoes, Levi’s for jeans and Mountex/Dockyard stores for anything else (they do sell Patagonia, The North Face etc.). He barely shops any fast fashion stores – might be if only needed something to use for bare occassions- I remember he was shocked how cheap is Zara and H&M and how fastly wore out everything from fast fashion stores. His mother used to work Mustang when he was young, so might be he was not aware but he often told me by touching a garment how cheap it is. I do remember how he was convincing me buying my first ever pair of Levi’s (which I accually still have).

As I was not educated in this field, I was still shopping fast fashion. As I did not wanted to spent all of my salary on clothes I must not be a such addict, for example I did not had any unused tag on clothes, but I still had quite a few wore onces.

So 2 years ago I have decided to educate myself and creating a wardrobe that reflectmy lifestyle, which contains 100% I love and carefully curated- it is like a strategy. So 2021 was my second year of low buy. I learn a lot along this journey: sometimes it is hard but I have never thought about thinking about my style can be that liberating.

Come and enjoy how I do build my wardrobe in the next year as well.

Creating my ultimate wardrobe: Accessories

Hi lovelies,

This is the third post in the series: after lingerie and very basics, please welcome accessories. They are small but impressive part of every wardobe: they can change your whole appearance instantly.

My aim is not to share a lot of luxury items, I rather stay realistic to be able to follow and some of the items still exist in my closet, others are on my wishlist.

Please note what is affordable to me, might not to everyone, I want to educate and do not want to judge you.

Tote bag: can be a leather or faux leather, but if you take my advice try this Longchamp Le Pliage bag- I have it for a few years and it was worst every penny: huge but you can store it floded, even can use it as an extra bag.

Mid-Sized Black Bag: I do suggest to have a work bag- I am budgeting for this Polene one as it is seamlike the perfect for me: mid-size, leather and crossbody…

Bucket bag: I used to own a green one, every I loved its size, I cannot made a great use out of it as the color was not the best to use in my everyday life, so after the Polene one, this is the next.

Black evening bag: I have one from a local designer, but that is the one if you have the budget you can go for more high-end like a classic Chanel flap.

Light summer bag: when you wear lighter colors it is a great otpion to go for a lighter mid or small size bag- mine is also from an other local designer.

Backpack: more sport days it is ideal to have a one, even you can charge it with your loved ones. Kankens are so great , 16 l size backpacks for leisure or city walks too.

Belts: it is a great idea to have a two colored classics belt, like this Kazar one, but my eyes on this Isabel Marant waist belt for a while to wear it with dresses, coats ect.

Leather gloves: also a must have during winter- classy, elegant and keep you warm- try to find a great local option. Best if the color is match with your winter coat or you can not go wrong with a classic black.

Scarf: Twilly is great as a hair, bag accessorie or using it traditionaly arround your neck, a nice silk one elevates your style. Silk scarf for the transitional seasons with demin or lether jacket or with a trench coat, while a thicker wool or cashmere is so great for the winter.

Hats: I thikif you have these 4 you have everything for the whole year.

Sunglasses: find just one perfect for you- I do not think I have to expalin why.

Creating my ultimate wardobe: The very basics

Hi lovelies,

This is a newest update on my “Creating my ultimate wardrobe” series. Lastly you were able to read my underwear issue, now lets move one and get into the closet.

Maybe it is the most boring story, so many people write about what are the basic of the basics, the ultimate foundation of their wardrobe, which they can wear all year arround.

Maybe it is the most boring story, so many people write about what are the basic of the basics, the ultimate foundation of their wardrobe, which they can wear all year arround. These are money worsty investment items.

I wanted to be more honest and specific: I do not include any seasonal items like a roll neck top or demin short, neither accessories- these are very personal of course the later on I will share a key piecs list – nor outwears – these are ready climate dependent items, really depends on were you live in the Earth.

My favourites will be shared in the links- not affiliate

Sleeveless tops: summer they can be a top, in the other seasons a layer. I do prefer black and white silk camisoles and nude cotton body.

Tees: can be plain or with any graphic on it, but I think you can make out the most from the plain ones: Black V-neck and white crew neck.

Long sleeve: can be worn as a pulover during summer nights or a layer under a pulover in the winter months. I do love that breton.

Shirts: you need a white botton-up from cotton and an other one from silk.

Black blazer: a great wool one is timeless, it can be smart, outwear or casual and long the lastest.

Jeans: you need at least two: light and a dark– cut it does not matter, find the one which best suits you. Skinny jeans are not in the fashion anymore, however I do suggest to keep one to be able to wear them with boots… remember how hard it was to tack in bootcuts and wide-legs in the past.

Black smart trousers: there are days when we do not want to wear jeans or just simply need to wear something more elegant.

Cotton leggings: opposite of the smart trousers, but once you arrive home or going for a walk with your dog etc. you need some comfy trousers, which is not a loungewear.

Black skirt: even if you hate or never wear skirts, try a black one – it is femine, elegant and smart.

Black dress: a stample truly- try to find the one which is good for any occassions or to the office– of course you can expand the collection with different versions for other weather conditions too.

Please note I have linked some high end and affordable options (what is affordable for me, might not for you). Serie is to be continued soon and I also have a lot to work on my basics…

Xoxo,

Fast fashion issue

Hi lovelies,

For a while I am trying to upgrade my wardrobe in a more concious way, I am working on to select the best pieces to have and to build a funtional closet for myself. Recently I have started to track it by registation all the items into an excel file and also by creating it in this virtual place too.

I had to realize, that like most of you I do have a lot of fast fashion items which made of polyester and other not so great materials. Earlier this year, I have take quite a few to the selective textile bin and sold some never or rarely used of them:

So since April I have sold 9 items, their original value together was arround 200 EUR, now I can made out of these ca. 90 EUR, which is pretty good, but I have to admit that the Rouje bag (which was a gift next to a purchase) and my husband’s Oneill short were the only ones, which worst more than 10 EUR on the resale market- all the other fast fashion items has no resale values.

Fast fashion is like fast food. After the sugar rush it just leave a bad taste in you mounth.

Livia Firth

If you want to read more about what is fast fashion I do suggest to read my favourite source: Good on you.

Will I buy fast fashion in the future?

YES, I want to be honest with this topic. I am not is a position to be able to buy every single thing from eco friendly brands, but I try to make better choices, like Vivienne Westwood said:

By the way here you can find my Vestiaire, where I have put many items used only once or twice, even my favourites which I am not wearing so much. Recently I have so many changes in my life, which is indicated to change my wrdrobe too.

Xoxo,

Low buy update 2021-1

Hi lovelies,

This is my first low buy update of the year, yeah I have promised to only writtig a haul once as last year I have learnt a lot how to manage my things effectively. This first half year was really hard for me, might be later on I am going to talk about my health issues, but I am not so ready to tell our full story since March so stay turned and comment if you do wanna hear.

I have started my year to focus on my health: I did 12-weeks Robert Heatherson’s workout program and also her monthly calendar, now I hve started her 6-weeks low impact, to get back a bit of shape after all this sh*t I went through. Generally, I do eat healthy for a while, I did started taking supplements too.

Makeup:

Finally I have finished up my travel sized Hourglass Ambient Bronzer and my Cover FX setting powder. I have decluttered my last MAC lipsticks, expired and old pallettes, mascara. I made two purchases form Cultbeauty, which you can see below. I have repurchased my beloved items: glow tonic, Better Than Sex Mascara and later on The Airbrush Flawless Setting Spray by Charlotte Tilbury (due to the size and it is not glass package I prefer the travel size). From the drugstore I have bought some Catrice products: brown and black eye pencil, waterproof eyeliner and Trend-it-up brown mascara.

Clothes and Shoes:

As I have started my closet inventory I have really find out that I do have a lot of clothes, which I just simply do not like and want to upgrade them. I imagined, wrote and decluttered I am going to share soon.
– Nr. 1.: Espadrillas from Lasocki, in light grey(EUR 38): it was a long time to find the perfect plat one, which is leather inside….


– Nr. 2: Slouchy white trousers from Mango (EUR 36): for a while I was looking for white jeans, but I have realized that I am the kind of girl, who always love white jeans on other, but when it is comes to try on I usually hate it on myself, so I have realized I hate skinny white trousers, so I need a bit looser fit…
– Nr. 3: Leopard print midi skirt from Sissy Boy(S)- Vestiare: this is an other I am not sure of it, then I realize I rather go for something similar to the leopard print (once I had a balerina which was so cool): beige- navy skirt:


-Nr. 4: Black Wool trouser suit from Barbara Bui (EUR 36)- Vestiare: so ligh weight basic, I took it to the tailor so will show it later on too.


-Nr. 5: Gabinette dress from Rouje(EUR 36): I was hunting for their red Gabin or Gabinette dress for a while, then I purchased it for the site, as it is even more expensive secondhand, which is crazy. But I can understand the hype of it: I love love love, wanna wear it everyday: great cut, best viscose dress I have ever had.


-Nr. 6: Sezane Barry jumper in Bottle Green (EUR 36) from Facebook Market place. I really wanted it so I was so lucky to find it, similar to Gaspard softness.

Anything else:

Anuschka Rees The curated closet book and workbook- it is a useful book to figure out your style and to create a better wardrobe, which I am going to do soon.


Skillshare: it is a so good platform to learn:).

I hope you have enjoyed. Stay turned!

How to have a great wardrobe?

Hi lovelies,

Today post I want to talk about how to update your wardrobe, how to achieve to have a cohesive style on a budget. I was always jealous to a lot of women how chic, femine and beautiful they are and I always looked at myself as a grey mouse: I can not afford it, I cannot do it.

Photo by Dominika Roseclay on Pexels.com

I was totally wrong…

I was stuggled to dress up, when I saw myself in the mirror in my 50 EUR Zara dresses I was pissed off . So I have started to read, to watch and to search for a solution: I have read Anushka Reiss The curated closet book and she teach a lot to me:

  1. LESS IS MORE: I do ot need a lot a clothes,they have to be carefully selected and quality.
  2. IDENTIFY YOUR OWN STYLE: I do not need to follow trends to look stylish, know what I feel good in is a way more important.
  3. DRESS TO MY LIFESTYLE: have several capsule wardrobes according to the daily activities and spend the most on, which I am doing the most.
  4. KNOW YOUR COLORS: select a few, which fits to your own personality, you can not look good in everything.
  5. ACCESSORIES: having a great bag or jellews can elevate your style.
  6. TAILOR: fit your clothes.

So I have started to write my closet inventory and I figure out a few things so far:

  1. I hate polyester close to my skin, so I want to get ride off any polyester tops and dresses.
  2. My favourite materials are the naturals like silk, linen or wool, but I also love viscose.
  3. Oversized cut is cheap looking, do not really flatters me, so I will get ride of most of them.
  4. I need to invest in silk scarves, fine jewels and quality leather bags
  5. I would love to declutter most of my fast fashion items as I can not make a use of.
  6. Upgrading my wardrobe will take a long time so I have to be patient and do not get into the fast fashion trap again.
  7. Secondhand is pretty cool, I can find gems on Facebook market place and Vestiaire for a fraction of price.

I might need to start from scratch….

Photo by Max Vakhtbovych on Pexels.com

My closet inventory is coming soon…

xoxo,

How to budget effectively?

Hi lovelies,

I have not written for a while due to some personal issues, but it does not mean that I did not write anyting for you:

After a plenty of time and work of planning, designing, I am glad to say that my Budgeting pdf with a helpful excelsheet is out!

Have you ever thinking about where all you money goes? If yes, do not forget to read and share my short guide to personal budgeting. Let’s achive a more conscious life together.
Free download available on my homepage. Yes, youdo not need to subscribe or anything just click here

Xoxo,

Big Announcement
Photo by Karolina Grabowska on Pexels.com

PS: I am also hardly working on my YouTube, so stay tuned!

Spring cleaning and organizing challenge

Hi lovelies,

I can not belive that 3 months has been already passed… We are in the middle of a lock down like last year, but I am hoping the best for all of us and courage you to be positive (not your PCR) and look ahead, try to appriciate small things, for example I am sitting at our balcony, sun is shinning.

So tomorrow is April, officialy spring so it calls for a home cleaning and organizing challenge! If you work like me, you might not have a whole day for deep cleaning or just it is too much or just you are not in a mood of… this challenge going to work for you. We are going to do by-by day activities, so download it to your mobile and have a look everyday.

Start with your “frames”: windows, doors and do it like a pro from the ceiling to down, then clean your bedrooms and personal area, bathroom, kitchen, living room etc. Take care of your plants and have fun.

February update

Hi lovelies,

I have not posted for a while, now I am here to explain why…

The short answer is I was sick and also I was thinking and learning a lot in the past month.

Yeah, I have got Covid, so I was weak as can not walking more than 20 minutes despite the fact that I was regulary trained before of it. I am still not feeling tastes and smells so well, but I am really greatful for my body to be able to cure it.

I feel myself motivated more than ever.

So what are the news:

  • I am nearly finished my budgeting sheet, so it will be available to download in March.
  • I am also started to work on my wardrobe program, which I am going to share in a few weeks too.
  • I am going to start YouTube, to have better content for you.
  • I have establisted my newsletter, which I promise I will only send ones in a month. So if you interested join below.
  • I hope you are interested in my Better style from less project.

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September no buy

Hi lovelies,

So there was a really great initiative in this month by Oxfam’s Second Hand September:

Throwaway fashion is putting increasing pressure on our planet and its people – it’s unsustainable. Every week 13 million items of clothing ends up in UK landfill. And did you know it would take 13 years for one person to drink the water needed to make one cotton t-shirt and a pair of jeans? Choosing to shop second hand can help.

Join Second Hand September and pledge to shop only second hand for 30 days or more. You’ll give clothes a longer life by keeping them from landfill. And by shopping with Oxfam, you’ll be reinvesting your money into helping the poorest people on the planet earn a fair living and beat poverty.

Oxfam
Photo by Burst on Pexels.com

I can truly agree their aims and commitment; however, I did not participate as I was decided to do a no buy September in my low buy year at the very beginning of 2020 so I wanted to keep my process going as it planned. I also think that the best second-hands are the ones which you already have in your wardrobe, so I decided to switch my autumn pieces on the 18th September and tried on everything, decluttered a bit, took the good ones to the charity shop. I think I can say I have shopped the rest of my wardrobe, which was so much fun: paired summer clothes with jackets, but suddenly the weather changed…

Photo by Artem Beliaikin on Pexels.com

The biggest challenge was the wedding, which we were invited: I was so fed up with tights and also it was too cold to on repeat my navy dress without it and I did not want to change clothes too (I was not the bride, nor the bridesmaid so I felt impropriate to change), so I borrowed a jumpsuit from my sister. Story wise it was the first wedding, which we were invited since the pandemic, it was so strange wearing mask while dancing and the events spun faster as all had to finish by 11:00 PM.

Still without any “extra” spending, I was just hardly come out of my salary due to my budget system as I had to spend quite a lot of health exams. Yes, even if we have a state health care system it does not covers a lot… I will do update on it when I feel ready to share.

Photo by Karolina Grabowska on Pexels.com

I was figured out to update my wishlist which you will always find on my main page as well. I have just started to improve my blog, so really hope that you will enjoy it more.

Xoxo,