As you’ll probably know by now, I have a few shopping rules I try and stick to when buying something new. The main one being a 30-day cooling off period; a simple trick but more often than not, it stops me from suffering buyer’s remorse. Generally at the end of the 30 days the item is still available, and if I’m lucky, I might snag it at a discount. But sometimes, I end up missing out on items that have really caught my fancy.
Pictured above: Arket Oversized Trench Coat
Case in point is this gorgeous short oversized trench jacket from Arket. I recently placed my first order from the brand (which you can check out in my latest video), as I was curious to find out more about the quality and the fit. Funnily, I’d been making shortlists of items I loved on the site for months. I’d been contemplating going through the process of using mail forwarding to get a few basics, so I had a good sense of what would be worthwhile additions to my closet.
It was as I was placing my order (after finding out they now ship to Australia!!), that I spotted the jacket in question. A smart-looking shorter style jacket – that isn’t a blazer – is something that I’ve felt is missing from my wardrobe, so I immediately bookmarked the page to revisit it later. You know, after a month had passed. And also after I’d had a chance to assess the quality, given that it’s a bit of an investment.
It’s not quite a month later yet, but the jacket is still on my mind. I feel like I have social-distancing and self-isolation to blame for putting these wants into hyperdrive. But already, I can see that it’s sold out in all the smaller sizes. As luck would have it, I’ve probably missed the boat on this one. Knowing me, I’ll probably check back intermittently to see whether it restocks, while keeping a close eye out for any alternatives.
Given I don’t always end up going through with these wishlist purchases, I thought I might start to share them a little more frequently. Particularly, I’d like to focus more on those that don’t make the cut, and explain my rationale. It’s easy enough to go through the list of why we want to buy something. There’s a certain glimmer that comes attached to new purchases. So finding those reasons why not to buy it doesn’t necessarily seem like an appealing exercise. It’s been an interesting experiment to say the least…
Love the idea of sharing why not!
Author
Thanks for the feedback Julie – I always find the psychology around why we do or don’t buy so fascinating, so figure it’ll be an interesting exercise for me too as an insight into my own purchasing behaviour 🙂
I like how reflective an exercise it would be, because I would personally be likely to ‘avoid’ being interested in similar items then. I often find that I have to get my hands on the item/trying it on before being able to let it go.
I fell in love with the Arket jacket a few months back, but couldn’t justify the price tag being a student. Instead I got this one from H&M, as an alternative https://m2.hm.com/m/da_dk/productpage.0853327001.html
This is definitely a piece to consider: I love the shape and the color. Just perfect!
xx
Eli
Curly Style
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Crossing my fingers that it ends up coming back in stock, but otherwise will be looking for an alternative! x
Author
Crossing my fingers that it ends up coming back in stock, but otherwise will be looking for an alternative! x
I bought a short trench about 5 years ago and I still wear it constantly in the colder months – when you’re getting on and off public transport it works so much better than full length.
Congratulations on the arrival of your baby boy!
Interesting. Years ago I owned a classic trench coat from Banana Republic. I loved how it looked in my closet but I NEVER wore it. After a few years of storing, and then moving, I got rid of it. Fast forward and every year every blogger I follow features the trench coat. I save pics on Pinterest. But I tell myself – nope, you don’t wear the trench coat. I’m wondering if it’s a fit thing, or a texture thing or….something but so far have managed to resist purchasing another. I think for me, it fits in ‘no mans land’ between casual & dressy, light & warm. If that makes sense? If I need casual cosy I’ll reach for my patagonia nano puff, if I need casual light I’ll reach for my field jacket or denim jacket, if I need dressy I’ll reach for my blazer, if i need dressy warm my wool coat…..I literally have no occasion for it. I live in the burbs now but even in the city I never wore one…..
Author
I think part of it is also the idea of shopping for your fantasy self? I see lots of items which look incredible on others, but I just don’t love how they look on me or they don’t feel “right” when I put them on, if you know what I mean?
It’s essentially a lightweight jacket option and if you have others that fulfil that purpose and that you feel great in, then I can understand why you aren’t reaching for it! 😀
it’s back! https://www.arket.com/de_de/women/jackets-coats/product.short-trench-coat-beige.0986835001.html
Author
OMG I saw! So so so so tempted. Maybe after pay day….