How to buy less, buy well and always have something to wear.
Notoriously disorganised? Read on...
For today’s newsletter, I have partnered with Carted, the smart shopping app that allows you to organise, compare items and access sales all in one place. Rest assured, no products are sponsored or gifted; I just enlisted Carted as a shopping P.A to help me organise all of my screenshots and tabs (both the digital and the mental kind!).
From coveting the style of chic mothers for my series, What Mums Wear, I have unveiled a common thread among them. I say 'mothers' specifically, as time tends to vanish when rushing ourselves and our kids out the door each morning. So, what is the thread? Planning. Not only outfits but also purchases ahead of time – looking effortless does actually require effort, and it is that effort that goes into the planning phases that will really help you identify what staples are missing in your wardrobe, which trend you’d like to dip your toe into, and what pieces need updating each season.
I have grown to love getting dressed (again) and do not want to lose myself in a sea of Lululemon’s (again) once baby number two arrives in 10 weeks. Unfortunately, I am not naturally an organised person, but in an attempt to be more systematised for the sake of my own sanity, I am choosing to streamline the parts of my life that I can, and I have been busy planning outfits for postpartum and beyond. If you are anything like me, read: disorganised and often ad-lib when it comes to most things, including selecting your outfits, then you are probably familiar with horror stories such as an item selling out after weeks (if not months) of sitting on your wish list in your mind, paying full price for something that was 20% just 24 hours ago, spending extra on shipping and the nightmare that is the last minute road trip across town to a random boutique because you need that dress for your cousin's wedding which you've known about for 6 months but left it to the eleventh hour.
Now, if this sounds like you, then welcome. Wow, I have found a solution for you and the other hot messes among us. It's easy, does all of the organisation for you, it's free, and it's called Carted. A smart shopping app that allows you to delete all screenshots, close all tabs and mental notes, and instead save all of your shopping links in one consumer-friendly place.
When I first heard of Carted, I was intrigued to learn more. Especially as my lists of fashion items, postpartum necessities, and baby things grow as rapidly as my heaving belly. I needed a shopping P.A. to help me plan out my purchases – and that’s where Carted fit in. Not only that, but the clever app keeps track of what is on sale (brilliant), out of stock/back in stock, and what I have purchased. But what I value the most about this app is the freedom it gives me to shop anywhere. Whether it's a marketplace like Amazon (where finding something again can be a labyrinth), a second-hand fashion site like Vestiaire (my current obsession!), or a one-of-a-kind piece from a smaller brand or local boutique, I can choose where to spend my money. This flexibility makes my shopping experience more enjoyable and empowers me to support the brands and sellers I believe in.
I am not much of an impulse buyer, and I like to do my research and find that Carted acts as a home for pieces I have my eye on but may not need right now.
Here’s how I’m using Carted to stay organised –
I always start by seeking inspiration from runway shows, Instagram, Pinterest, or people on the street; then, I shop my own wardrobe. I search for the pieces I already own that fit the brief and identify any gaps. After I do this, I basically save every item I see and like or think I will need in Carted. Then I pop them into a list so I don’t forget! At the moment, I’m deep in planning mode for the birth (Hospital Bag List), and I’m already thinking of postpartum and seasonal fashion fits (Autumn/Winter and Spring Summer Lists).
It takes time to curate what pieces to invest in each season and which trends are worth trying, like those perfect elastic-waist cherry red pants on my S/S List below (that Carted has notified me are currently 40% off), a v-neck cashmere knit that looks like Totême but is from a small Australian brand, vintage Celine loafers in my size that come around once in a blue moon, and The Row jelly dupes for S/S that are bound to sell out.
I’ve created my own moods below with shoppable items taken directly from my lists—I don’t have the time or patience for dreamy scenarios, only to realise that a particular piece was sourced from a Paris Flea market back in 1995!
Here’s a sneak peek of a few of my lists –
As you can tell, I’m a little obsessed. Have you tried Carted yet? I’d love to hear how you are using it. If not, feel free to comment below and ask any questions about the app. If you would like a little sticky beak into what’s on my other lists or a particular product, comment below.
May I ask where(app?) are you creating the moods? So much fun!
Love this!