The Items that Got Away

[bluepirate]

I waver between sensible and impulse buying, sometimes depending on the time of day, and whether I'm in the vicinity of a glass of wine. I recently dropped £250 on a totally impractical pair of boots at 11pm on a Friday because it's just too easy to access Vinted from my phone when I'm in a devil-may-care mood. It was daft and I've only worn them once, but I'm not sorry.

But in the past I've also hesitated, and lost the item forever. Sometimes I've left it in the digital basket and come back to find it forever out of stock. Sometimes I've saved a picture, and now I forlornly image-search to find traces of the fashion prize I wanted.

I'm thinking of things that I couldn't justify spending that much on, at the time, but which I've never forgotten. I still look for them now, but in some cases I don't even know what to type in as a description: I just have the vague memory in my head, and wish I'd been rash and bought it at the time, because it's been on my mind ever since.

Am I alone or do you still mourn the things you never bought? I have a little list, myself - how about you?

I know Gowlett, if I'd realised cotton velvet was going to vanish from even the poshest end of the high street, I'd never, ever have let them go. I cannot stand the shiny stuff that's replaced it.

a bias cut leopard slip dress which was reversible and had red on the inside.
From George at Asda circa 2000

I regret it weekly

Yes!

A black and white striped mohair jumper that H&M had last year. I loved it, but discounted it initially as I thought it would be itchy. A friend bought it and it was soft and snuggly and lovely so went to order it. Of course it had sold out by then.

A dress that I bought for my brother’s wedding. It was the most perfect occasion dress. Worked with everything, could be worn anywhere. It’s just vanished. I think it might have got put in a charity shop bag by accident.

I had a midnight blue cotton velvet blazer that I found in a charity shop in 1987, and I mourn that I no longer have it. I'd never fit in it now as I was a skinny student and am now quite a fatty, but I'd sit and stroke it and remember the fun I had in it.

Urgh, the shiny velvet… I got a velvet blazer in M&S last year in two sizes, and when sending one back size was not the deciding factor! One was markedly more shiny (it was nearly slick!) so that one went back. The one I kept was acceptable. But still nowhere near the good velvet. The matching trousers… Don’t talk to me! I don’t want a shiny velvet arse, thank you. They went back, too! I was sorely regretting the old St Michael pair I’d given away, not long ago.

I have a huge coat collection, but I’ve noticed that my trusty khaki shacket (H&M, 8 quid) is gone AWOL… I’d nearly swap all of my coats for it. Hoping it turns up down the back of DH wardrobe, or in my Mum’s. Don’t know what I’ll do next summer…

Thank you @SirVixofVixHall -that is very helpful to know.

Cotton velvet blazers in Zara at the moment ! A navy one and a dark green. I was amazed that they weren’t polyester .

Thank you SirVix!

Oooh, dark green. Must have a look in Zara! I never shop there. I had a gorgeous dark green Oasis velvet jacket years ago… It got too small, or I got too big! It was a little beauty.

Just to add that I've commissioned a copy of that McQueen embroidered skull t-shirt from my local celebrity seamstress and I will be happy to show it on here when it's finished!
Not cheap at all but no more expensive than the original, and this will be a unique, hand-made one-off.