This is the time for my fashion review (or shopping review) of my year 2023. It’s the 4th year I’ve been doing this exercise, listing everything I’ve bought (and received as gifts) in terms of clothing and accessories/jewelry during the past year. This allows me to assess my consumption but also to shop with mindfulness (as I note each purchase on my phone as it happens). Let’s see what 2023 brought into my wardrobe!
13 NEW ADDITIONS in 2023: 8 PURCHASES and 5 GIFTS
In comparison with previous years (2022: 9 acquisitions including 5 purchases, 2021: 13 acquisitions including 7 purchases, 2020: 8 acquisitions including 3 purchases), I remain consistent in my consumption, which remains fairly stable and reasonable. That said, I can’t claim that my 2023 acquisitions are 100% essential: there’s utility, comfort, unexpected favorites, but also a bit of disappointment in some things.
I will now describe these new additions in detail, starting with my purchases and finishing the list with the gifts received.
CONVERSE LEATHER SNEAKERS
Sneakers Chuck Taylor All Star Leather ox CONVERSE
Purchase date : May 2023
Why I bought them : To replace my old leather Converse, worn throughout all seasons for 10 loyal years, which were starting to wear and detach in several places (I still keep the old ones for concerts, festivals, on muddy and dusty grounds).
My daily use :I wear them year-round as leather Converse, in my opinion, are life! No worries about cleaning the canvas (I even have white leather ones); I can wear them like classic sneakers without fearing the weather.
However, I’m somewhat disappointed with the quality of my new Converse, as the lining at the heel is already tearing after only 8 months of use. The finishing quality is not the same as my 2013 pair, which is a shame. We’ll see how they hold up over time! Useful replacement acquisition but with mixed enthusiasm.
2 UNIQLO BUMBAGS
Bumbags UNIQLO
Dates of purchases : May 2023 (black one) and July 2023 (off white)
Why I bought them : For convenience when attending concerts (bumbags are life too!) and to have a large storage capacity in a small volume. I initially fell for the black model but later realized it would be nice to have a lighter one to match other outfits.
My daily use :These bumbags are magical—so much so that you see them everywhere, on everyone, but it doesn’t bother me because it has a fairly generic design. I find it easier and more often to wear in spring/summer than in winter, but for me, it’s an absolutely ideal accessory to keep my hands free during a concert or a stroll (without pulling on the shoulder!).
JAPANESE PYJAMAS
Pyjamas jinbei like bought at KIMONOYA PARIS (11 rue du Pont Louis-Philippe PARIS 4)
Date of purchase: September 2023
Why I bought them: I wanted to buy a quality pyjama, preferably in the style of “Jinbei (甚平).” Usually, Jinbei pants are quite short, which didn’t really appeal to me. I discovered that there were Jinbei with long pants at the KIMONOYA store in Paris. They are not cheap, but they are made in Japan. I liked the simple (even austere) design of this one.
My daily use : I’m satisfied with the “ryokan” at-home feeling that transports me to Japan when I wear my pyjama. The fabric is quite thick, so it might be a bit warm in hot weather, but for winter and mid-season, it’s entirely appropriate (I might need to find a kind of Japanese indoor coat to complete the set).
2 VINTAGE LEVI’S JEANS
Vintage jeans 501 LEVI’S (bought at Chloé’s NUMÉRO DEUX)
Date of purchase : October 2023
Why I bought them : Inspired by my colleagues Anne, Deedee and Géraldine finding their ideal jeans through Chloé from Numéro Deux, I wanted to try the experience since I’ve never been fully satisfied with a pair of jeans. Knowing that Chloé manages to find vintage Levi’s jeans and then has them altered to fit perfectly, I took the plunge, like any regular customer, and was not disappointed.
My daily use : I wear both of my jeans (one black and one blue) all the time; they have a loose and comfortable fit. I no longer need to own many different jeans: these fulfill all my expectations—vintage and high quality, what more could I ask for! (I might consider getting a white pair in the future since my current one from Uniqlo is starting to wear out.)
MADONNA CELEBRATION TOUR TEESHIRT
Teeshirt Like A Virgin The Celebration Tour MADONNA
Date of purchase: November 2023
Why I bought it : A completely unexpected purchase, driven by the excitement of experiencing the 2 best concerts of my year (or even my life!) during Madonna’s Celebration Tour. I wanted to keep a memento by choosing this reissue of the 1985 Like a Virgin tour T-shirt (with a nod to the retrospective event, printed on the back).
My daily use : Since I bought it in late autumn, I can’t say I wear it every day in these winter temperatures, but I know I’ll use it with pleasure at festivals/concerts or even this summer with a casual look. I actually find the T-shirt’s quality quite good compared to the usual concert T-shirts sold.
BLUNDSTONE BOOTS
Boots Classic Chelsea 558 BLUNDSTONE
Date of purchase : December 2023
Why I bought them : I mentioned here that I was looking for rain boots due to the predominantly humid Parisian weather. My quest has not stopped since: I tried many models, but none were convincing enough for me (cute but uncomfortable Hunter ankle boots—should I mention that my feet are very picky about comfort, especially with age, okay Aigle boots but the logo too visible(=same for Hunter)… until I saw these Blundstone boots on an Italian tourist in December. I asked her about the model she was wearing and where she bought them: Lucky me ! She acquired them the day before at a store in Les Halles (Sagone, 21 rue Mondétour, PARIS 1). So, I went to try them on (= this is what we call real-life influence! hehe) and adopted them!
My daily use : I walked the streets of London non-stop with them, in the rain and in Paris too. These boots are made of water-resistant leather, allowing better breathability than rubber while maintaining good waterproofing. I later saw that there are even more waterproof models of Blundstone boots (with a blue tag), but I am satisfied with these in terms of comfort, waterproofing, and the versatile design. I will keep you posted on their durability over the years.
ATELIER PARTICULIER BELT
Suede belt ATELIER PARTICULIER
Gift date : March 2023 (Late Christmas gift from my friend Lionel)
My daily use : I wouldn’t have thought to invest in a beige-colored belt, but it seems that my friend Lionel has a stylistic flair and anticipates my desires! This belt is simply perfect for elevating a simple outfit and giving it a touch of chic. I’ve worn it on multiple occasions with different outfits. A very good find!
2 ELOÏSE FIORENTINO EARRINGS
ORIGINE and MARÉES earrings ELOÏSE FIORENTINO
Date of gift : June 2023 from the creator
My daily use : I own several pairs from the creator for several years and love them. This year, I was fortunate to receive 2 new pairs: large, delicate golden hoops, and this more imposing model. Elegance, simplicity, and refinement: definite values for me.
DUNST BLAZER
Blazer unisexe “Button heavy wool jacket beige herringbone » DUNST
Date of gift : November 2023 by Dunst
My daily use : I had the chance to be invited to discover this South Korean brand during an evening in a Parisian pop-up store. I was greatly impressed by the lookbook silhouettes and style, especially this unisex beige-gray blazer. It’s warm, the composition is decent (50% wool), and its cut allows me to update my boyish looks a bit. I’ll keep you updated on its quality over time.
DUNST GREEN SWEATER
Green sweater DUNST
Dateof gift : November 2023 by Dunst
My daily use : I thought the green color would add some spice to my looks (I don’t own a green sweater, knowing that this color can harmonize wonderfully with camel, beige).
A slight disappointment when I took a closer look at the composition of this sweater since it contains only 5% cashmere and 27% wool—far too little for a sweater called “essential cashmere”! I haven’t worn it much yet, but I have some doubts about its longevity. I didn’t pay enough attention to dissect the composition, so I’m much less convinced by this item than the blazer. It goes to show that, within the same brand, one must stay vigilant… but to be continued!
TO SUM UP
Even if this fashion review turns out to be quite satisfactory for me, I was disappointed by a few acquisitions due to lack of vigilance (Dunst sweater) or a decline in the level of attention to finishing details (Converse). Despite shopping consciously and accepting only gifts that please me (in terms of “influencer” gifts), one sometimes has to face missteps! It will teach me to be even more vigilant in the future.
In any case, I believe I can wear everything that entered my wardrobe in 2023 frequently. The question remains whether the quality will endure! Looking ahead, I don’t really have clothing/accessories left on my ideal wardrobe wish-list and am content with what I already own, so I’m crossing my fingers to maintain more or less the same body size and tastes over the years.
The “shoes” category might become challenging for me, as some ankle boots or slightly more “dressy” shoes in my possession become uncomfortable (thank you, hallux valgus): I might need to update my shoes in the future. But otherwise, unless there’s a great love-at-first-sight moment, I don’t plan to invest in other clothing.
And you? How have you analyzed your fashion review for the year 2023? (English translation by Quiterie)
