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This post is essentially part two of Sunday’s newsletter, ‘A Stylist Told Me What To Buy This Summer’. I mean, what can I say? I took Reva’s advice! You might have only read that post two days ago, but I wrote it almost a month ago, so in the background I’ve been doing my homework like the teacher’s pet I am. I came, I saw, I purchased (and returned!!).

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If you need a reminder, we spent an hour combing through my wardrobe for gaps, and she left me the following shopping list:

Some sort of red slide
A refined black strappy sandal
A true black ballet flat
A black and white baby tee

Here are my notes on each:

RED SLIDES - I haven’t found the ones. My dream pair would be the Gewl’s Chiara Flats*, which I think I spotted on Kelly, but alas, they do not ship internationally. I tried these from Reformation*, but they felt boat-like and stiff. These look fun if they were available in my size*. I’m eyeing a few secondhand pairs too, but am keeping my cards close to my chest because they are a rare find - sorry!

BLACK STRAPPY SANDALS - Reva offered some suggestions, but I knew in my heart of hearts what pair to order because I’d been eyeing them up for the best part of a year - these Emme Parsons ones*. See my notes below.

A TRUE BALLET FLAT - Reva had pointed out at our last styling session that a pair of black ballet flats would add some much-needed softness and femininity to my wardrobe. I ignored her, haunted by the smelly flat days of my university Alexa-Chung-inspired years. This time around, though, I listened. What’s the worst that would happen? I’d end up with a load of returns? I ordered the Aeyde Black Tiby Ballerina Flats* (OOS - try these*!), and welp, you already know the rest of the story. I’ve worn them practically daily since they arrived. She was right.

A BLACK AND WHITE BABY TEE - We realised halfway through the session that I already had the perfect white baby tee that I’d forgotten all about - the LESET Nando Slim Fit T-shirt*. However, I haven’t had much luck with the black version, and I’ve realised that nothing makes me feel worse in my body than baby tee shopping. Too much sausage meat and not enough sausage skin, you know? Therefore, I have paused my search for now and will just make do with the white.

You’ll see from my list below that, naturally, I have expanded from the list originally set by Reva. I have, however, tried to keep the principles that we spoke about front of mind:

Stop buying repeats. No exemptions, no excuses. The way the Nando Tee in Black* is testing me!!!

I need to think more about the ‘why’. I need to dig into what new purchases are actually bringing to my wardrobe.
To have more fun with shoes. I’m wearing less jewellery than ever before, and I wear the same three bags on repeat. But shoes? Shoes are where I add a little funk.

If you’d like a 20-minute-long video of me chatting through my new buys, then today is your lucky day!? Not got time? Don’t worry, I’ve written it all out for you below…

Find everything I wore and mentioned in the video linked here*

PURCHASE ONE - Matteau Silk Slip Dress* - I wear a size 4, which is their equivalent to a U.K. 12

This wasn’t on Reva’s original list, but I picked it up for my recent holiday as I’ve wanted a dress in this shape ever since I tried on the midi version for a NAP job I shot last year. Although I don’t *love* to categorise an item as a ‘*holiday piece’*, I can imagine I’ll wear this dress most often then. Did you catch my newsletter from my three-day girls’ trip? I wore it every single night.

BUT, I played around with styling, and I think there’s a way to make it work more as a chill weekend piece for me when I wear it with an unexpected bag *(not textured or raffia)*, a shirt around my waist*, and a long pendant*.

Some alts for you, from L-R: satin chemise*, silk slip*, love the neckline on this one*, and this feels like a great wedding-guest option*.

PURCHASE TWO - Emme Parsons Susan Sandals* - I find Emme Parsons shoes run true to size

These shoes are every bit as beautiful as I knew they would be*. *A work of art!!*

They just make whatever you wear with them feel 110% more elegant. Someone invite me out so I can wear this exact look *immediately*.

…even when it’s just a tank* and pull-on trousers* (*these are your best bet for a dupe for the trousers*)*.

I wanted to see how they looked with a baby tee* and jeans* and *surprise, surprise*, I loved it. They really help to dial the knob from sloppy to polished.

There truly isn’t an outfit they don’t work with - *I could have kept going!* But big tee*, little shorts* and barely-there sandals is a combo I can get behind.

Some alts for you, from L-R: a good sturdy option*, similar strap placement*, I’ve always loved these*, but last season’s Emme Parsons style on The Outnet is the best deal*.

PURCHASE THREE - Aeyde Tiby Ballerina Flats* - I can usually go half a size down from my usual in Aeyde shoes

The ever-so-slightly squared-off toe means that I can wear these with *anything*, and they still elongate the silhouette. My favourite way to wear them, though, is with shorts and a long-sleeve. It always reads a little Parisian to me. Tote linked here*.

I could have tried on a slew of outfits here, but the proof is in the pudding. There were already like, 10 outfit selfies from where I’d worn them so much since I got them!

Some alts for you, from L-R: I found the suede version on sale here*, these have a similar shape* and I like the toe on these*.

PURCHASE FOUR - LESET Yoko Mini Tank Dress* - I’m wearing my usual, a medium; it’s ROOMY!

Again, not something off the list, but the weather in the U.K has been *wild,* and since I grew out of practically all my dresses *(I’m experiencing mid-thirties boob growth!?)*, a light and floaty dress was very much needed in my wardrobe*.

Layering with a shirt* is always a good idea if you’re feeling a little exposed. I like how the shirt and the dress are practically the same length; it makes the shirt feel more like a jacket.

And sometimes it’s best to keep it simple. I see myself wearing this down the beach at the weekend.

This one is a pretty tricky one to dupe because of the fabric, but I have three options for you - here*, here* and here*.

PURCHASE FIVE - Matteau Broderie Tie Blouse* - Again, I’m wearing a size 4 here, which is equivalent to a U.K. 12

The most ‘*out of my comfort zone’* piece I’ve purchased recently*, but just like the dress, the recent heatwave made me rethink my top choices. *No one wants to be wearing a cotton baby tee when it’s over 30℃!!* To ease myself in, I wore this out last weekend with jeans.

Paired with black, it feels like a fancier summer option in my wardrobe.

Parties, festivals, BBQ’s, fancy parent engagements for my little one - I’d feel comfortable cracking this out and just switching up the bag to add a bit more warmth and/or colour.

The most important test of all: does it work with my DONNI Cargo Pop Pants*? YES.

Another tricky one to dupe, especially in black, but these feel similar: textured waistcoat*, tie-front blouse*, a brown tank option* and another tie-front blouse*.

Overall, I think these five purchases tick all my boxes. None are repeats, and each feels like it adds a particular tool to my styling kit or performs a function in my wardrobe that was previously lacking. It’s just the ‘fun’ element that needs a little work, huh?

Thanks for being part of The Wardrobe Edit. If you like what you read, I’d truly appreciate it if you liked, shared, or left a comment - it makes all the difference.

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