6 things I learned in six months of TIDBTW
And purchase #2 has been made! Plus my favourites from Berlin Fashion Week SS25
I feel like it has only been a hot minute, since I’ve been talking to you, dear TIDBTW readers, but between us lies the entirety of a whole fashion week and then a quick breath afterwards. I often crash hard after working BFW, so its nice to say this season feels different. Instead, inevitably, I spotted a few pieces on the runways that I actually want in time for Spring Summer 24 (aka right now!) and after seeing them, you might feel the same. It’s also time to give you a little insight of what’s on my mind, 6 months plus into the challenge of buying only five things this year. Turns out, this is more of a game changer than I thought. Oh and I got another thing! We are standing at 2 in 2024 with this one, a gift that actually counts. Plus one that doesn’t. So far so confusing, here we gooooo:
Here’s what I learned in six months of TIDBTW
1. A haircut helps
Just as my outfits started to feel really odd, I went to my beloved hair dresser, Taiga, (who is now famous and might stop seeing me) and got the very much needed chop. Which equals the same amount than a new investment piece! But now at least for a while the bob is giving fresh look and therefore even a washed out shirt (not sure how I managed that after owning it for around 5 years..) feels pretty nice again:
On the downside I have since also put weird yellow stains on the Baserange trousers in this photo (worn with an old by far bag). Suncream? Baby porridge? Who knows. But all trousers are precious if your means are limited, especially those you picked up at CARMEN’s in 2022.
2. Postpartum opens up a new closet
I’m not saying this is the same for everyone and it’s definitely not going linear (some days or weeks just suck, fashionwise), but a big part of my wardrobe just wasn’t available to me last year – and now I can wear (most of) it all again. This almost feels like cheating! It’s fun to kind of grow back into ones’ former silhouette and I definitely feel a little more carefree and experimental with what I’m wearing, even if some shapes now feel more comfortable than others. I appreciate what I already have. So this is a major plus this year!!
3. Buying less = financial awareness
Now that all together I’ve spent 300.00 € on new things on 2024 – which were my glasses in February – I definitely have a new sensibility towards buying really anything. I guess it goes parallel with having a child, and earning less money due to Elternzeit, but I’m now hyper aware of where my money goes.
4. Second hand just shouldn’t count (as much)
I do know why I put this rule into place, because for me it wasn’t only about buying new clothes; I would be flying if this challenge came with an unlimited amount of secondhand buys. For me it is about purchasing less items in general. By now I appreciate vintage stores and fleamarkets more than ever. How I miss those carefree strolls!! At the moment I avoid them all together as I’m mostly frightened I might find something I really want*. Six months in, I think buying second hand can be definitely considered thoughtful and shouldn’t be restrained in the same way as walking straight into an H&M. But hey, I made the rules and I stand by it.
5. *Shopping anxiety kicks in haaard
Speaking of the fear of liking some clothes to the extent of wanting to buy them (!!): shopping anxiety is real! I don’t even look at shopping pages or into stores (I might stop by an archive sale this weekend, just as a little test), because in my brain, I’m just not interested. I don’t want to sound too dramatic, but I could probably go without buying anything else more easily than committing to more pieces. Suddenly every decision feels weirdly heavy: Am I going to love this for a long enough time? How much do I want to wear this right away? Does this price feel fair? Is this what’s completing my wardrobe? IS IT WHAT I REALLY NEED!!!!?
6. I could easily end up buying 5 bags and 5 bags only
Ok sth I really do need are bags. If you’ve known me longer than 10 minutes, you are probably aware that I am obsessed with bags. They simply are my love language. So much for grown-up-ness. The current collection by Georgia Jay holds a special place on my wish list.
I ordered from them back in 2018 I think and would definitely do it again. Truth is, I could easily buy 4 bags in 2024 (remember, I already got the glasses..) and be the happiest girl. Ok, maybe I won’t go four bags, but I did promise you a second purchase. Tadaaaa – It is a bag and I love her!
My second purchase, everyone!
Apologies for the rude transition – a few years back I’ve been working with Jérome Studio, a designer brand for leather accessories, made in Germany and based in Berlin. I think I pretty much own a bag out of every drop they launched and cherish every single one. So I was really touched when Jérome reached out to send me one of his bags when he recently closed down the label with his latest archive sale. I went for the giant blue shopper, that I had been eyeing since the launch of the collection in 2022. I love a blue color, it is the softest leather and I think it goes well with everything (will show you). It also literally fits everything. Works every day and weeekends. As gifts count, this one definitely does and I happily accepted it. And I will find a way to use this as a diaper bag.
Did lightning strike as this bag arrived? Maybe a little bit. But not as much as I had pressured myself to believe. I almost felt like I had to finally get a second piece of clothing this year, in order to break the spell of my sacrifice. In the end, besides green requirements, the duration of a pleasant feeling when wearing something is as important – and through that, sustainable – to me. So even if this purchase has found me rather than the other way around, somehow everything was meant to be.
Worn with IDEA shirt, bought last summer at Jogging, vintage parachute low cut Nike trousers, JOHANNA GAUDER jewelry, Monki sunglasses and San Remo market sandals (from 2013). I spoke a little more about this (and two more) outfits on the last THE LISSOME newsletter, the slow style chronicle.
My wishlist from BFW SS25
If I let go of my new friend shopping anxiety for a moment and focus on summer 2025, I can already see a few very exciting clothes on the horizon. Firstly, on a very unexpected whim, I found out that my next sweatpants definitely need to be ODEEH.
How very chic is the tucked in blazer-belt-oversized-sweats look below? I think this might be my favorite color combination on the runway. But then again I think the sweats did come in 5 different color ways. Anxiety all over again!
Not a runway show, but equally moving was the opening of the People pop up and launch of their edition no6 less, which can still be visited and shopped until July 23 at Nella Beljan Gallery. If I have to choose, my must-have piece is probably this beautifully upcycled suit, worn here pre-haircut alongside the crochet bag and ceramic pearls.
People is a social fashion label, where young adults dealing with drug addition, mental health challenges or homelessness find a safe space. Two designers support the young talents in exploring their own expression in creating garments, objects and ceramics. I’m usually blown away by the outcome of this collaboration and this collection has turned out equally amazing. Thinking about it, I also really really love this vest:
We spent a big part of our event day during Berlin Fashion Week hosting two natural dye workshops and although I didn’t get a chance to participate, I learned enough to know that avocado can turn into everything from a soft rosé tone to a rusty light brown. A skill that might come in handy if those white Baserange trousers insist on staying stained.
Apropos smart idea, I fell in love with the AVENIR SS25 collection over and over again. Their finely knitted pieces in white and lavender (think waffle knit polo shirt with matching skirt or bermuda shorts) should definitely accompany me as soon as possible. But I also deeply admired their shirt-skirt and I couldn’t help but wonder if this holds a hack for everyone of us who can grab an extra large button down shirt (or tiny one if you wanna go mini) nearby fast enough:
So easy, so fun! Might open Arthur’s closet and try something similar. Will report back to you on how that’s going. In the meantime, a little cliffhanger for the next edit: My friend brought me this VOGUE merch tank top when she came to one of my events at BFW – she got it for me last year! So much for finding time to meet up in Berlin. Anyway, now I get to wear it every day (apart from the occasional wash) and it doesn’t even count, as it’s so 2023!! Marvelous.
The trousers, on the other hand, tell a different story. I can say this much: They are Sezane. And when we speak next, they might not really be trousers any more :-) Thanks for hanging in here with me. Talk soon xoxo
Things I didn’t buy this week: 2
People striped reworked suit: 580,00 €
People reworked vest: 320,00 €
Things I did buy this week: 1
Jérome Studio Quinn Bag (which technically I did not buy): Was 1040,00€, now 298,00€
Things I did buy in 2024: 2
#2 is such an interesting point. I felt that way at first too but than my body changed and changed and changed and i feel like it does not stop changingf until today. especially denim fit differently any time i wear them, thats also quite annoying haha.