November Budget

How did you fair this shopping weekend? Were you good and bought gifts for others, or were you indulgent and bought things for yourself? Admittedly, I did try to get the bulk of my holiday shopping done, but the draw of a sale was, as per usual, too much for me to resist. None of those purchases are included in this list however, as they haven't arrived yet and I tend to return almost as much as I buy.

Banana Republic Navy Satin Button Blouse, $26
Madewell Floral Midi Dress, $35
Express Faux Leather Paperbag Waist Pants, $38
Banana Republic Brown Ribbed Cardigan, $40
J.Crew Giraffe Print Pants, $49
Madewell Denim Chore Jacket, $60
Tagliamonte Gold Plated Cameo Earrings, $40 via TJMaxx
Bod & Christensen Leather Skirt, $69 via Marshalls
Bozzolo Green Short Sleeve Bodysuit, $10 via TJMaxx
Akola Raffia Earrings, $17 via TJMaxx
Old Navy Brown Rib knit Wrap Dress, $20
Cote d 'Argent Paperclip Chain Necklace, $30 via TJMaxx
Gorjana Maya Necklace, $15 via TJMaxx
Golden Cleff San Marco Ring Ring, $50 via TJMaxx
Max Sport Black Wrap Sweater, $17 via TJMaxx
Mango Knit Tee, $20
Express Twisted Buckle Belt, $16

Sunny Afternoons

The days are shorter, the trees now bare, temperatures slowly erratically creeping lower. Never before have I witnessed a town bustling with outdoor diners in the middle of November, everyone trying to capitalize on the warm, sunny afternoons when we are graced with them.

I eavesdrop on restaurateurs recounting their tales of trying to secure heaters for their patios and the cutthroat Facebook Marketplace transactions. I observe the neighboring diners, who brought blankets, making a mental note that is a good idea. I lament how quickly my coffee has gotten cold (which isn't long enough even when indoors.)

As long as the sun shines, it's warm and beautiful, but once it sets and the evening chill settles in, the illusion of "dress weather" fades. At such time, it's best to have a furry layer on hand, or be ready to call it a night at 4:30 p.m.

The Rundown
Leopard Wrap Dress Poshmark similar
Cream Open Knit Cardigan Ali Express
White Caned Pumps Just Fab
Monogrammed Bucket Bag c/o Marley Lilly
Cream Wool Fedora Goorin Brothers similar
Gold Croissant Ring Etsy
Thin Gold Ring Etsy
Sunglasses "Meteor" Ray-Ban c/o TJMaxx

Velvet Pants

Sometime early pandemic I decided I'd waited long enough (almost three years) to get this pair of velvet pants, and when I saw them at ThredUP I bought them. However, I bought a size small and it turned out I needed the medium. I managed to resell them on Poshmark (at a loss, of course) and then purchased the medium from another Posher who wasn't too open to price negotiation, so I paid more than I did on the first pair. Then in my typical fashion, I managed to not wear them for five months. Turns out that styling them in my imagination was a lot easier than in reality.

Hopefully I can come up with a few more ways to style them before another year passes.

The Rundown
Pearl Button Cardigan Aritzia
Velvet Wide Leg Pants Joie via Poshmark
Woven Toe Cap Slingback Pumps Pons Quintana via Marshalls
Brown Croc Bag Loeffler Randall similar
Twisted Hoop Earrings Thrifted similar
Necklace S.V. Decker
Aries Pendant Necklace Mejuri
Thin Gold Ring Etsy
Sunglasses "Nina" Ray-Ban
Midi Stackable Diamond Ring c/o AUrate New York
Gold Croissant Ring Etsy

Rust Pleated Skirt

 

The Rundown
Bodysuit Abercrombie
Pleated Skirt Banana Republic
Woven Sandals J.Crew
Bamboo Handle Croc Handbag Persaman via TJMaxx

Caught a Light Breeze

The calendar pages of 2020 are blowing away, this year that seemed like it was going to stretch out forever is reaching its end sooner than imaginable. Not much is going to change the moment the clock strikes midnight on December 31st, but for a renewed sense of hope and the promise of a new year bringing better things than the last. 

That's what I'm hoping for anyway.

The Rundown
Navy Floral Jumpsuit J.Crew similar
Cream Denim Jacket Banana Republic
Brown Wool Fedora H&M
Slide Sandals Nine West similar
Caning Bucket Bag Tommy Bahama via TJMaxx
Woven Belt Thrifted similar
Loop Earrings Mejuri
Circle Necklace Gorjana via TJMaxx
Blue Topaz Stacking Ring Hirajule via TJMaxx
Thin Gold Ring Etsy

Italic

Luxury for less has always been the guiding principle of this blog. Lots of things have changed over the years, but I still get excited over a beautiful, quality bag at an attainable price point. So how about a calfskin leather bag made by the same manufacturer as Prada and Miu Miu for $170? If you can live without the designer labels but still want quality, Italic is the company to put on your radar.

Italic is like a direct to consumer brand, only minus the brand - the membership based site is about enabling products to be purchased from the manufacturer at cost. Eliminating the brand removes packaging hallmarks we often associate with luxury goods - the glossy box with a magnetic closure, pieces swaddled in tissue emblematised with logos - but do we really need them?

 

Not just limited to bags, Italic is home to coats from the same manufacturer as Alexander Wang and Armani, shoes sharing a manufacturer with Chanel and Prada, even housewares and bedding from the same manufactures as All-Clad and Frette.

 

Italic's membership costs $120 a year, but considering they sell everything with zero markups, they aren't profiting on product sales, and most members break even on the cost with a single purchase. With the holiday season approaching, I can't think of a better way to gift a cashmere sweater that could retail at $400 for only $65.

The Rundown
Cream Denim Jacket Banana Republic
Cream Sweater Tank Banana Republic
Rust Wide Leg Pants H&M similar
Cream Booties Aerosoles
Green Mini Trunk Bag c/o Italic
Earrings S.V. Decker
Necklace S.V. Decker
Gold Snake Chain Vintage similar
Thin Gold Ring Etsy
Chevron Ring Etsy via Silver Canyon Jewelry
Sunglasses "Meteor" Ray-Ban c/o TJMaxx

Italic provided me with the bag for this post. Thanks for supporting the brands who support Chic on the Cheap.

Flippy Skirt Friday

 

The Rundown
Leopard Print Pleated Skirt Banana Republic Factory
Linen Top H&M
Croc Mules Lulus
Chain Strap Bag Thrifted