The first reassessment post of this year had straddled the pre-pandemic and pandemic times. For most of that period it was also uncertain whether events would be going ahead, so there was still a bit inside of me that really felt that it was worth at least trying to avoid purchases. This installment covers a time period that was fully within the lockdown months, when not only it was obvious that all the events I had planned wouldn’t be going ahead when originally scheduled, but that we had to be more responsible about our shopping habits. Did that actually happen? Or did I let the lack of events encourage me to buy more? Let’s find out.
New additions
I’d very much like to think that I remained responsible and curbed my spending. As I’ll say again at the end, almost all of these purchases did survive the 48-hour waiting period, so at least they are not impulse buys. But will there be a lot of those?
- 2 blouses (both Classic in lavender)
- 1 pair of bloomers (Classic in ivory)
- 1 cardigan (Classic in green)
- 1 pair of boots (Classic in brown)
- and 9 sets of accessories (1 Classic necklace, 2 Classic wooden brooches*, 1 Classic hat in ivory, 1 Classic bonnet in wine, 1 pair of Sweet pearl earrings, 1 Sweet brooch in pink, 1 Classic country hat, 1 Sweet tricolour ring*).
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Click to enlarge.
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And there we have it: a definitive answer that I can curb my spending if I really want to. Trying to not be
that person over the lockdown period helped ease me into spending less and buying only with the money from my PayPal. Although those two lavender blouses may seem like such frivolous purchases, I have come to terms with the fact that my
Flower Garden JSK is more lavender than actual grey and that I’d like something more to match this piece. At the same time, I think we also have proof that no matter how many times I tell myself “no more brooches”, it just will not work.
Possible new looks
Although I intend to wear the bloomers as ouji pants (and they are actually super long, almost to my ankle!), I also always wanted some peeking bloomers. So why not these ones? Sure, it’ll actually be a challenge to roll them up without too much awkward bunching, but they are one hell of a peek! Also, as anyone actually involved with lavender could’ve told me, the lavender blouses I got do not match the dress I bought them for. But that’s ok, as seen on this example here, I still think that I can make them work with
something. Predictably, the item I’m most excited about is the cardigan because who would I be if I didn’t get most excited about a piece of adorable knitwear?
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At least this blouse matches something...
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Still a work in progress, but I like the double gobelin!
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Two headbows because they both match and I couldn't decide.
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Replacement and need list progress
Lads, I did it! I finally found a wine red bonnet that I liked and was able to purchase. Of course I then had to “ruin” that perfectly complete list of needed items by adding more, but such is life, eh? Although I guess one thing off and one thing on isn’t that big a deal considering
where my need list was only six months ago. I realised that although my wardrobe is embracing pink more, it is more so in a classic way, which I don’t have the shoes to match. So a pair of elegant pink heels that I can actually walk in would help my wardrobe go much further. At the moment, however, it’s not so much of a priority and I would rather purchase something offbrand, maybe even second hand, so I’ll only turn to lolita brands if I find something that really captures my heart - or if too much time passes without me finding anything suitable. Though I guess first I should figure out what shade of pink I really need the most.
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My lolita wardrobe needs as of June 30th 2020.
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As for the replacements, I really did try to limit my purchases over lockdown. Not only because it was the socially responsible thing to do, but also as I knew that many of my temptations were a result of boredom/lack of social activities to distract myself with. Of course, the other side of that coin is supporting local businesses and independent creators who rely on that additional income for their livelihoods. In the end the balance between the two that worked best for me really favoured new purchases over those very specific replacements. As such, I am at the exact same point as I left
the last reassessment post. I
almost replaced the wine shoes, but then I lost the auction by being too much of a cheapskate.
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My replace list as of June 30th 2020.
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Current wishlist
Another area that stayed the same bar a few additions. This is simply what happens when you look after some pretty specific pieces and/or within a fairly specific budget. Although I can’t say that I’m that sad over not making a dent in this wishlist. It’s a long-term commitment, not a short-term target with a deadline.
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| My wishlist as of June 30th 2020. |
New Year’s goals: progress summary
Well, lockdown has been hard on that area in particular.
- Did I set up my PayPal for lolita and only make lolita purchases using cash stored in it: yes, it's going alright with that. Again, plenty of temptations to use other things, particularly PayPal Credit, but I've not fallen on that yet. The only exception, for obvious reasons, was when making purchases with Wunderwelt store points.
- Did I wait at least 48 hours before buying something from outside of my wishlist: No. I have had an impulse purchase very soon after the previous reassessment post went live. In my defence, it was to support a friend with their own brand who suddenly had a big vet bill and none of the usual conventions to fall back on the income from that. However, everything else above has been after the 48-hour cooling off period.
- Have I prioritised events over purchases: it was very hard to, given that this quarter was the height of Coronavirus pandemic. There were no events to incur any costs on and shopping for lolita felt like the only way left to us to enjoy the fashion. Not knowing when all the travel and going out restrictions would end meant that I couldn't even book something for later in the year, so that I could prioritise that instead. Having said this, as my overall purchase list is hopefully a testament to that, I managed to avoid indulging in too much shopping, which is what this goal was in big part about.
- Did I organise another Man Meet and OT-Tea Party: well, flop again as Man Meet has had to be postponed (I offered to keep it as a virtual meet, but everyone voted in a poll to move it). Part of me wants to make it into a bigger meet than it was originally going to, a sort of Lads Reunited: Velvet and Alcohol Debauchery edition in honor of some very gay male icon, like Oscar Wilde. I'm not sure if Leeds is posh enough for that, this would've been the perfect meetup if I were still in Oxford where I know exactly the places. (Think The Riot Club, but without actually being entitled dickheads). For the time being OT-Tea Party is still on the cards as planned, but with so much on hold I did not dare to make any more plans. Hopefully it'll be alright though.
Honestly? It's been a drab quarter for most of it. We had some lovely weather, but had to stay home, so many opportunities for picnic, hanami and other outdoorsy meets were wasted. Although the community did well by putting on loads of virtual meets, I feel like the novelty quickly wore off and people began to miss just being together and being frilly outside of their own homes. It’s a pretty depressing note to end the post on, but it does sum up those three months for me. Even though I tried to make up for it by wearing lolita loads, dressing up with nowhere to go is more fun when it’s a choice and not the only option available.
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