Everything I bought, got gifted, and mended so far in 2025
In my fashion rebound era
The good news first: I closed last year’s epic last-minute failure with the conclusion or rather promise to myself to be more strategic about this year’s purchases. And I feel like that is going pretty well. If you want to buy 12 things this year (and no doubt, I will), you gotta start somewhere, someday. The slightly unsettling news is, today is April 3 and so far I’m at 5 out of 12 buys for 2025 already. And the consciously received giftings (I just invented that term) are slowly but surely getting out of hand. Do we need to reestablish a limit? April 3 it is and with that, time for a little quarterly resumé. Please join now and judge me later: here’s everything I bought, got gifted, and mended so far in 2025.
The buys
BOBKOVA floor length coat
You and I, we saw her coming for a looooong time: every since that coat was walking on the runway in February 2024, it was just a matter of savings and nerves. The nerves to preserve this beauty against the rough Berlin streets and playground dates (forbidden!!!).
So after I begged the sweet BOBKOVA team to make this one as long as the model standard (and every coat is made to order in the Kyiv studio) I quickly found myself literally sweeping the hallway. Next I was on my way to a recommended tailor in Berlin Mitte, looks like I’m not so tall after all! In the photo above I’m wearing the coat with my highest everyday boots and it’s one breath away from the ground. So 5 cm had to come off. It just makes so much sense to invest in your favorite clothes and take them to the tailor or a DIY sewing workshop (would have never with Bobkova, sorry) to let them become exactly what you need, depending on each season of your life. Anyway, I will pick her up soon and show you – we will spend a few very happy weeks together before Spring finally properly hits.
Bobkova coat, 972,00 €
GEORGIA JAY FLO (Medium)
I recently sold my Old Céline bag, for a fraction of what I had originally paid (I kept the mini pouch from inside though). Now the smart thing to do would be not to spend it on the odd Uber ride or months worth of oat caps – but to make a meaningful and immediate move with it: I finally got the GEORGIA JAY FLO.
After thinking about her for a good year, she arrived and comes in the perfect soft slouchy leather that simply must age perfectly. Handmade to order. She has the elegance of The Row with the nonchalance of an independent brand; and I wouldn’t be mad if someone said that about me.
She’s the upbeat to every casual outfit, even a sporty one:
GEORGIA JAY FLO (Medium) in black, 434,95 € (before customs)
COS hooded cashmere sweater
It was a grim January afternoon co-working in the lightest place possible: shopping temple Soho Store Berlin (I go for free wifi and the tea). I had just explained to
how my relationships with winter sweaters and knits is very non existent: I spent years in those tight ribbed Merino turtlenecks by Uniqlo and I would wear them to shreds.
Now I either wear layers that are too thin, or a blazer instead that I can’t take off because of said thin layers. I just can’t do knitwear right.
Fifteen minutes later, originally on my way home, my feet magically stepped into the nearest COS store aka badland (actually just as bad as Inditex). Just “for a quick browse”. It was freezing after all. Out of all the possibilities I ended up with a hooded cashmere sweater from COS. It was soft, cute, warm and it was THERE when I needed it. Which is the basic problem with fast fashion. Could I have spend more time on research and responsible sourcing? I’d like to think so! But I made a quick decision driven by a tired mind and an immediate desire to wear a fluffy hoodie and escape into the night. 20 wears later I can say, it does work.
COS hooded cashmere sweater, 225,00 €, I’m wearing medium.
CAES vest in dark grey melange
Back to a more clear headed direction and my actual wishlist from my notes app, I kept refreshing the CAES web shop in February. After getting close and cozy with a Martin Margiela vest in Mid London in early January, the concept of a sleeveless knit grew on me (a start after all). I loved the CAES one right when I first saw it last fall, but my rule of five had restricted my thoughts. Now that it was on sale, I felt like it was our moment.
I wish I had gotten it in a S - I went for a size M – and might still take those buttons in a little bit for a slightly smaller fit. The design, color and fabric are so beautiful, CAES must be one of my favorite sustainable brands on the market at the moment. I love everything they design. I can’t wait to wear it exactly how it is styled on the model, which is maybe a little creepy. But I happen to wear the exact t-shirt for 3 years now and I still swear by it. If I love a styling, I have no problem to honour it by copying.
CAES vest, was 195,00, now 95,00 €, currently unavailable
Oh and by the way that Martin Margiela vest came to find me: it is currently available at Berlin vintage darling Neuzwei. Of course we found a reason to be in the neighborhood and try it on – it looks incredibly great on Arthur, but he kept wanting to close the sides, which this style doesn’t allow. Maybe right now we are not in the action zone of vests that are basically very fine blankets with a hole for your head carried around. Here you go, it’s still available:
A Vinted belt
I actually almost forgot to tell you this: here I tried to outsmart my wish to have one of those damn pretty KHAITE belts. Instead of paying around 570,00 € for the real deal, I went for something that looks remotely similar but in fact, completely different. It’s fine, but too grungy for me, I will resell it. It was stupid! It does count anyway. Was 3,50 €
Total buys in 2025 so far: 5 pieces for 1727,45 €
The gifts
CAES Merino wool jumper & silk trousers
This might sound bias but I really mean it when I say, I have been living in this look lately, especially when off childcare duty. This feeling of a whole new outfit when you do your day, it basically makes you fly. It’s just how my brain works and I have missed that rush. This second parcel by CAES came as a surprise and it could not have been a better one: the Merino sweater just holds itself effortlessly structured and is of a warm, slightly heavier quality that adds some purpose to your posture. I found my perfect knitwear piece! And the silk trousers have that easy going wide fit we all love. Plus, I would have never even thought about silk trousers! So delicate. With an 18 months old toddler there is not much room for delicacy. So I put them on immediately and sent Arthur a photo and sent a thank you note to the brand and maybe even did a little happy dance. I only took the combo off when I left the trousers at the tailor (with Bobkova above) to bring it to absolute perfect length – to go with both flats and boots. As we want our clothes to stick around forever, maintenance is key.
Last summer I daydreamed about this piece and even wrote about it on the newsletter – still I was honestly amazed when I unpacked this sweet sweet present by Arthur on my birthday. As I was still unsure what to wear for a little dinner that evening, it was genius. Something you want to put on instantly is never a miss! It feels dressed but also sexy and like it’s flattering for small boobs as much as bigger ones. For a person who had previously given up bras in 2019 as an act of independence and then wouldn’t wake or sleep without one for probably 8 months after giving birth, going bare again is brave. Breastfeeding and growing a whole person inside your body does something to your sense of ownership. That’s why it’s so special to me to re-connect with that textile-free part of myself. Hera does good. I get the hype now.
I also got the shorts and they are soft, well fitted and just fun! Will definitely take them pool side and on hikes. Wearing a size S in both, Hera top (68,00€) & shorties (34,00 €)
Source by Port key chain in dark blue 47,00 € – keeps my keys and elevator card all cute and organized.
Miller & Marc sunglasses in black with blue water glasses 175,00 €
My first prescription sunnies and I literally wear them day and night. I find the blue very comforting for long computer days.
Trouser Sezane Wide Leg Trouser in Latte, 125,00 € (I’m wearing a 38)
Total of gifts in 2025 so far: 7 pieces for 1089,00 €
Things I didn’t buy this week
A skirt / Trousers combination
Not getting tired of this! I will return to styling my vintage viscose skirt that I bought when I was 14 over my trousers – but there is something satisfying about a skirt-trouser that is actually intended to be worn that way. Paloma Wool still does it best in my opinion:
Flats
My Vagabond loafers and I continue to go strong and they definitely need a bit of love. While till one of the items I get asked about most, I’m ready to add a second pair of loafers, mules, flats to the rotation.
I went into the lovely Quadrat shop in Mitte today to finally try on those Vikele ballet flats I told you about in February.
Turns out I need a size 38!!! The only ones there for now are a sample size 37, meaning, if you have tiny feet, run there now! They are handmade and gorgeous. And I need to be patient until they come out. No big deal, it’s okay, I’m okay. I had only already planned the rest of my life around them.
Then I’m thinking secondhand Tod’s? You know, I once was a patent loafer girl and I saw someone rocking them today with socks and it wasn’t preppy at all.
Or cowhide even? (See what’s happening here..) Good shoes are everywhere:
The Glove Martiniano at Carmen’s also look incredible:
Found these on Vestiaire:
Or these:
And these soft Birk-esk friends:
Ok I give up:
A grey hoodie (& a piece I brought back this week)
I recently bonded with my Filippa K soft sports sweater again (I got it 4 years ago, the styling on the website is so good!) and learned that not all my sweater need to be extra extra oversized. I’m glad I didn’t resell it. Now a hoodie would be nice, I like this Nanushka one:
Here’s how to do it:
A scarf-belt
This is maybe related to the skirt/trouser fixation, but lately I love wearing my clothes slightly off: ever since i started to style my 2008 ASOS silk band in a PRADA-2015- way around my neck (it was a whole thing 10 years ago, see here), I feel ready to build upon that, going to waist level next.
Designer Pien Barendregt posted an upcoming white elastics scarf-belt the other day and I am hooked!!! Wear it as a belt! As a top! As an actual scarf!
Is the style and fabric too baby sling reminiscent for me? Maybe… But I love the white one, the misty color one too and the red and that’s where I get stuck and resign for now. Pien Barendregt scarf-belt in mist 175,00 €.
Current needs: 4 pieces for approx 8-900,00 €
Dear TIDBTW, I have 7 items left to buy with a whole 9 months of year ahead. And 7 gifts in my pocket, too many really good brands have been happening to me. Let’s calm down a little. I know can do this! We just have to figure out how. Xoxo
Disclaimer: This article includes kindly gifted fashion items, which are always marked accordingly.
Total buys in 2025 so far: 5 pieces for 1727,45 €
Total of gifts in 2025 so far: 7 pieces for 1089,00 €
Things I didn’t buy this week: 4
Paloma Wool Trousers with skirt, 235,00 €
Pien Barendregt scarf-belt in mist 175,00 €
Imaginary leather flats - 150 - 350,00 €
Nanushka Cashmere hoodie via Vestiaire 128,00 €
Approx 8-900,00 €
Your year really seems to have started off well – and I love that you’re being so intentional with the gifts you accept, that’s not always easy!
I do have one more question, just because I’m curious: are you planning to bring more color into your wardrobe, or are you happy sticking with your neutral palette?
The BOBKOVA coat 😭