My Favourite Purchases of 2020

Some affiliate links used.
Hello! Happy New Year. How are you?
I totally ran out of steam in December and it's taken me a while to summon some motivation......anyone else feeling a bit like that? Anyway I think I mentioned on my last IGTV video on Instagram that I would do a little review of my favourite purchases of 2020. 
The items that immediately spring to mind are the ones that I wore a lot during that sweet window of relaxed restrictions last summer. These are the pieces that really sparked joy for me and they are things that I would definitely repurchase if I (goodness forbid) I lost everything. 

Dress from Etsy (seller no longer available)Sandals from this Etsy seller

I made a couple of purchases from Etsy over the summer. The dress was the first one. I have to be honest and say that I wouldn't purchase from the same seller again - thankfully their shop seems to have disappeared. I personally had issues which I explained in my IGTV video here. Basically the seller presented as being UK based when in fact the item was being shipped from Asia and although the first few reviews looked glowing when I did a bit more digging and went further into the reviews.....well, I was pretty concerned! I tried to cancel the order and although my request to cancel was confirmed the seller went ahead and sent the item. When it arrived I was thrilled with it so my experience was not all bad. However two ladies contacted me to say that they had issues with sizing and had difficulty obtaining refunds. Etsy is like eBay in that they offer Buyer Protection so I would still buy with confidence from Etsy. It is my hope that the seller was actually removed by Etsy for bad practice. If I buy another dress in this style (another is on my wish list!) I would buy from this seller here. Please do check the reviews for recommendations on sizing.
Now onto the sandals. I can't recommend this Etsy seller highly enough and I will definitely be purchasing the same sandals in the natural brown colour way. These are identical to the Ancient Greek sandals at a fraction of the cost though. I have found them true to size and delivery from Greece was quicker than expected. Give them a follow on Instagram as they do share snapshots of their workshop and how the sandals are produced. They are a very small independent business who I am delighted to be able to support.

Sandals from this Etsy seller
Another piece in my wardrobe that I wouldn't want to be without is this Bershka oversized denim jacket. I'd been searching for 'the one'......I'd kissed a couple of frogs but saw this on a mannequin in store and it was love at first sight. They didn't have my size in stock and so I patiently waited until they restocked online and swiftly snapped it up! It was hardly off my back once I got it. I know it'll be in my wardrobe for years to come. 

Out of stock at Bershka - I suspect they will restock this is spring but here's an alternative

One last item that was a favourite from Spring/Summer 2020 was this Zara linen shirt dress. I'm told that this is a style they do year after year so keep your eyes peeled on the Zara 'new in' section (a bit later in the year obviously!) as they go quick! It's such a classic, the kind of dress you that will take you anywhere and is in your wardrobe for the long haul!

Zara dress - out of season sadly 

I made a lot of good purchases in Spring/Summer 2020. Many basics such as linen boyfriend shirts and good quality sweatshirts. Great foundations for this year and future years! I really drilled down my signature style - mostly due to the fact that we spent so much time at home......I really had the opportunity to settle into my 'style personality' which is a 'natural'. The purchases I am making now suit my lifestyle more than they ever have. 

My most worn Autumn/Winter pieces aren't as exciting I'm afraid. Funnily enough though it's this time of year that a capsule wardrobe really comes into it's own. I do wear the same things on repeat as it's all about being warm and comfortable. My wardrobe is a lot more functional hence I haven't been photographing my outfits and recording what I wear like usually would......there really is nothing to see here. I have been living in roll neck jumpers, jeans, my & Other Stories chunky boots and an old H&M puffer coat......like so!

Alternative to H&M puffer coat

H&M jumper - similar here

Weekday jeans

& Other Stories boots

Bag - past season Primark

So it's with some trepidation that I share my favourite purchases because they are all from & Other Stories.......and they are all black! Boring by my own admission. However on the upside they do all have the longevity factor - they are all pretty timeless. First up is my most used bag this year - mind you......how often have we needed to take a bag anywhere?! I bought this last January. It's still in stock,  I think it's a classic piece made of gorgeous buttery soft leather and for me it's the perfect size for everyday essentials. Nice and secure too!

& Other Stories Bag

This next item was on my wish list for about a year before I took the plunge. While I may not have got as much wear out of the blazer as I'd hoped it's another timeless piece that I know will be a cornerstone of my capsule wardrobe in future years.

Blazer sold out at & Other Stories - alternative here (Mines a size 38)

Past season jumper from All Saints - alternative here

Past season M.i.H jeans - alternative here

& Other Stories boots 

These boots were a bit more of a trend item but I feel they have elevated my outfits - I know I've only really been going to the supermarket so in all likelihood all anyone has probably noticed about my outfits is my outerwear and footwear! At least the boots made me feel 'pulled together'. I think they will have earned their keep by the end of the season but they have been around for a while and I'm sure I will also be reaching for them next year. 

& Other Stories boots (True to size IMO)

I bought this little sweater at the beginning of autumn and reached for it constantly - I knew it was a wardrobe winner right away! The turtle neck makes a nice change to the roll necks I wear consistently when it's cold. This is such a great length with higher waisted straight jeans and the M&S wide leg trousers that I've favoured a lot over the past couple months. Looks fab with a pleated skirt too!

& Other Stories jumper (I bought a small)

And though these are not from & Other Stories I couldn't end without mentioning these! I have waxed lyrical about these before as they have hands down been my saviours throughout lockdown. It's pretty obvious after the year that we've had why they have been my most worn item in 2020........

& Other Stories jumper

Adidas track pants (I sized up to a 12 for a slouchier fit)

Birkenstocks

That concludes my little round-up of my most successful purchases for 2020. Last year was a good lesson - I think it will really shape what I buy in 2021. I do track what I purchase and keep a record of what comes in and out. I sold or donated more items than I purchased and I spent half as much as I did the previous year (2019). There is still work to be done in getting my consumption down but I've already had a January clearout and parted with 23 items so far. 2021 is definitely going to be a year of more intentionally sourced items entering my wardrobe but more about those goals next time!

I will be back to tell you about my wardrobe plans for 2021!

See you soon, Michelle x