The one PLEATS PLEASE you haven't seen before
cheatday, baby!
If you follow this newsletter closely, dearest TIDBTW community, you know there are strict rules that apply. Five new clothes and five pieces only (vintage counting as “new” to my repertoire, too) is what we’re talking about in 2024. At the moment I actually am really feeling the mental benefits of this challenge, a somewhat general huge relief and a cheeky new relationship with my wardrobe. However, I did add a rule that allows for a little space to breathe – preferable through your friends’ closets. Swapping clothes!! Legal, sustainy, I told you so:
The idea to swap an item is as old as fantastic: no cash needed, you see what you get and the value is really whatever you attach to it. I remember very cute get togethers with my girlfriends where we brought entire suitcases full of stuff that switched owners. Not exactly a wardrobe cleanse, but an update for sure. So today, I will tell you a little bit about two (!) wonderful garments, that found their way into my life. And there should be zero remorse! Yet it feels a bit like cheating. Here is why.
A very good coat
Do you remember when I told you about that incredible secondhand / charity shop we came across in France? Thanks to Julia and her research, my heart will forever beat faster thinking about all the treasures we have found. And will continue to find I suppose! Because we’re definitely going back. As we did a few days before returning to Berlin, showing the place to another friend visiting. Streaming through the racks, originally to guide her around, my hand landed on some menswear, circa 2005. A perfectly oversized (for me) black coat.
Now that I’m writing this down for you I got slightly distracted because this HÉRMES bag (a very very generous birthday gift by my mom-in-law, more on her and birthday suprises later) is really so unexpectedly fun and easy to style. If you are looking for clarity in your work life, this is you. Beware of heavy laptops, these handles are fragile. I learned the hard way.
But back to the coat! It’s not the BOBKOVA AW24/25 dream I’ve been craving and continue to want. There really is no compromise to that floor length and elegant line. But this abandoned coat spoke to me, not only via 80% wool, 20% cashmere. As I put on, it was a fit. I knew we would walk out together.
And here was my dilemma: was this worth a purchase? Can spending 1 € be as meaningful as coming up with the average €€€ it needs to buy a long lasting, high quality designer piece?
Will I end this year with two items of my five being long black coats? Possibly and rightly so! This is my wallet and I repeat if I want to.
But there was my friend, still by my side in the charity shop. Before I could seal the deal in my head, she took the coat and walked towards the cashier, “this is my birthday present for you and we do a swap!” And just like that, we solved all my problems.
When I got back to Berlin I took a deep dive into my closet and found what I was looking for: a delicate little BASERANGE longsleeve. Worn once despite the beautiful overlock stitch, the eggy shade just somehow not right for me. Is has since been swapped for the coat. Happy end.
The color and form I didn’t know I needed
If you found yourself close to falling asleep, having bonded with a newsletter person that is serving you long monochrome coats only – thank god there is my mom-in-law. Just as I thought I was performing pretty well, my birthday hit. And she delivered.
So it turns out she thought if she would give me her worn clothes, they wouldn’t count! So clever, so kind and so empathetic for my challenge. But oh so risky, as she didn’t know that gifts do register in my books (see rule XY here). She wanted to be helpful. Here’s what she got me:
PLEATS PLEASE by ISSEY MIYAKE everyone! My first ones to be precise. Is it the color and shape I’ve considered for myself? Not exactly. And ja, I can see the look on your face. It is bright! I know this image doesn’t scream confidence, but that is merely because I’m feeling pretty self conscious about my thighs since pregnancy, which is something I wish to unlearn. Or normalize. Or equalize in the way that I wear a thing and have thighs.
But the more I put this on, I can see this set go places!! Somewhere lightheaded, somewhere summer. I love the idea to show some belly again. Not for the sake of abs or a baby bump, but just because there’s a belly that deserves air time. So while this outfit is pushing my boundaries and could benefit from accessorizing with tiny sunglasses and a giant virgin margarita, I’m very confident you and I will revisit this look and agree on general goodness. Let’s call this back in, circa July / August.
I will see Debbie this week in London, as we head to England for two weddings and the opening of her art show. And I have a surprise for her, something to swap for her pleats. Because I’m not ready yet, to put these down as my 2/5. Whether she’ll like it or not, I will pack it nicely :-)
The thing I didn’t buy this week
So what I’m trying to say here, this challenge is hard. At least for me and even if I feel like I’m doing great, greater things come my way. Which is why a cute little swap here and there makes sense for everyone – and doesn’t burn resources, doesn’t produce anything new. Apart from a new hot connection. Whether you want to call that cheating or just nature’s balance reinstalled, I’ll leave up to you.
In other news, I walked into the nicest pair of loafers, as I accompanied my friend to Harth Vintage. Oh how I love a sloppy funny shoe:
Well, I didn’t get them. Tried them on, not long enough to feel if they actually fit and left the store. For now. When it comes to shopping, muscle memory is real. Still thinking of you, dear Miistas. If we belong together, we will meet again. xoxo
Things I didn’t buy: 1
I don’t dare to ask the shop if they are still around:
MIISTA Airi Black Loafers: 249,00 (at Harth) - 390,00 €