Nothing to covet…

[OhShiny]

Birthday coming up, I literally have not seen anything to really get excited about and ask for.

Even expensive stuff on offer is cheaply made. Really good stuff is too expensive.

Usually, my wanties board is rammed with clothes, footwear and make up. Blank canvas now…

What have you seen recently that gave you that spark of excitement?

Way too much …

Images variously from Toogood, Erdem, The Elder Statesman, Wales Bonner, The Row - all in my Most Coveted category. I could have added a hundred more.

More …

Variously Phoebe Philo, Sacai, Chopova Lowena, Dries van Noten, The Row (styling rather than actual buying).

I’ve pretty much given up on Summer and am looking towards Autumn stuff now.

I had a look on the outnet and found this, it was the first thing I really liked, the colour is so unusual.
https://www.theoutnet.com/en-gb/shop/product/brunello-cucinelli/dresses/midi-dress/belted-gathered-cotton-blend-poplin-midi-dress/1647597347524060

Did I say it's really expensive

@GettingStuffed How much????!!!! I have wool trousers in that colour, makes such a difference in drab winter.

@BetsyRegards Pleas keep them coming! How do you find your inspiration - look for specific names, colours, categories or just brows until something pops?

My on going wish list includes...
This Hayley Menzies maxi cardigan which is now half price.....I know it's bonkers but I love it!
The new Charlotte Tilbury stick foundation.
The Trinny Plump Up Microneedler skin roller
Sweaty Betty Waterproof long coat

I bought this Maxi dress the other day. It's gorgeous on. I've been miserably looking at it hanging in my wardrobe, waiting for a hot day.

It’s my birthday and, among other stuff, I got this lovely dress from John Lewis, and this M&S top. Both are well made and feel great. I also bought myself teeth whitening from the dentist for £395.00. I would have liked lipstick in a really beautiful case in the one pinkish brown colour that suits me. But that’s one for a shopping trip I think.

Habitual browsing mostly. Lifelong Vogue habit since early teens. Decades spent trying on clothes in fabulous shops, even if no intention to buy. 21st c spent browsing online, discovering new sources.

When I find a new online store and take more than a couple of screenshots of the clothes, I save the site to my screen, and it becomes part of the roster of places I browse fairly regularly or go to first if I need something. So I have dozens and dozens of favoured stores on hand. (I would never ever ‘google a blue dress’ for instance - which is a horrifying thing I’ve seen suggested on S&B.) The list of saved sites evolves gradually - I’m finding it really hard to delete Matches …

@BetsyRegards My mother made hers and mine clothes when I was a teen, some really complex cuts and very well, though nothing lined. Best clothes and wool coats were ordered at atelier. You could even order bespoke machine knitted dresses, cords, etc.

I coveted jeans and other foreign clothes (Soviet Union) - little did I know what a luxury it was to have own unique designs to wear. I used to fall asleep thinking up the next thing to ask her to make. Now have to choose from what there is, I miss this creative effort.

Ah! I’m so glad to know you used the word covet with intention.

My mother grew up in a place where everyone had their clothes made to measure by seamstresses and tailors. She was not impressed by racks of mass produced clothing when she arrived in the UK.

So in my childhood the Singer sewing machine was like another member of the family. My siblings and I grew up in magically shirred and pintucked and smocked madras checked and liberty printed frocks that she seemed to be able to produce overnight. When hotpants happened we had ours (burgundy cord I think) within days. She could also crochet - but our ponchos were ordered from a local crochet and knitting shop. And then it was my tenth birthday and only a denim skirt from Chelsea Girl would do …

But between my mother, my father - who from the time they met as students, would take her up to London to shop in all the most exclusive emporia - and early exposure to sewing patterns and Vogue, fabulously well made clothes feel like a birthright to me. There have been times when I’ve been able to buy almost anything I wanted, and times when I only possessed things in my imagination - but there are always, always things whose existence bring me immense joy.

Current examples from Egg, MiuMiu, Chopova Lowena, Carven, Batsheva.

I would have liked lipstick in a really beautiful case in the one pinkish brown colour that suits me.

@Zebracat have you seen this:

https://www.gucci.com/uk/en_gb/pr/beauty/makeup/lipstick/203-mildred-rosewood-rouge-a-levres-voile-lipstick-p-5861699PLP89203

It’s utter perfection.

@BetsyRegards wow.Thank you so much. If they only had one pinkish brown I would order it, but they have 3 others. They are all possibles. I need to see them in the flesh. But I had not looked at Gucci, and I love the case.

Try the virtual try on, for fun! If you can experience in the flesh that’s obviously best. If you need to order, do it from wherever (not sure, Selfridges or ???) rather than Gucci themselves, as their delivery process is screamingly slow and they sometimes need to be reminded of your order.

But the lipstick … I’ve scarcely touched lipstick since lockdowns, even on Zoom, so I still have the dregs of one bought in 2020. Gorgeous texture. And the case really does feel precious and treasureable. Not bad for an outlay of less than £40. (I’m always recommending them as generous gifts - despite general MN outrage.)

Thanks @BetsyRegards - that virtual try on was such a fun thing to do!! Beautiful looking lippies… good idea about giving them as gifts.

I couldn’t make the virtual try on work, so I just bought Mildred anyway.

Bold move …

dont feel the need to buy, just to buy. Its consumerism to the max. To answer your question I think this is cheery and affordable for the office, may get.

Kind Regards

@Zebracat you could hold yourself over with L’Oréal color riche “worth it” in satin

I kind of agree with pp that it's terrible consumerism to buy for the sake buying if nothing appeals to you. How about something that is a non-thing, like a dinner at a Michelin-star restaurant, or a night at a luscious hotel? Massage, trying a new experience like paragliding or horseriding or whatever.
I think if you really want a 'thing', then maybe up your game on something you already use to a better version - I love candles and nice shower products so I often ask for Diptyque candles or Bumble and Bumble products which I wouldn't normally splash out on.