Sometimes Clothes Are More Than Just Clothes
Hello,
It’s extremely hard to find words for everything right now. I was so overwhelmed with the amount of hatred on social media, but also with the amount of opinions based on false facts. There is no truth anymore, only a point of view. I guess we all have to find our way through that. My husband and I and our two dogs arrived in Belgrade, Serbia some time ago, and it felt like landing on a different planet. No sirens, no explosions, just life. It took days to get ourselves back together, and I found how unrelatable fashion became to me but it was also what supported me in times like these. Living through two wars in two years is hard, but I just can’t live without noticing and appreciating the beauty around me, both physical and not, and surrounding myself with it.
It was the second time in my life I packed my suitcases with a fear I would never come back, but it was the first time I thought a rocket could hit our house and I can lose everything I had. Sometimes I envy people who don’t care about things. But I do. Throughout the years I collected certain pieces of furniture, art, books, The Gentlewoman magazines, ceramics, Céline lookbooks, boxes, garment bags and of course, clothes. Obviously I couldn’t pack everything, how do you pack your life in just two suitcases? I also had to take something I would actually wear and walk the dogs in.
Anyway, that was not something I enjoyed doing, but I definitely enjoyed my latest Céline purchases more than usual. Everything good is bittersweet now and shadowed by comparison but also more precious in some weird way. But I will start with the upsetting purchases that happened on the same day.
First thing was the Phoebe Philo order that got cancelled. By the time I received a cancellation email the Peak sunglasses were already sold out. And a few hours later my mom received a package with Céline Pirate sandals (which I had been looking for years and was so happy about) and they turned out to be fake. Thankfully the seller accepted the return, but at that moment, I didn’t care about getting my money back, I just wanted the shoes to be authentic.
And then I got my Céline package with the pieces I bought in September. Do you remember my newsletter about things I regret I bought or sold? I wrote about Céline classic cashmere egg-shaped coat in grey color that I dreamt about and when I bought it I just didn’t like how it looked on me. I think I was more into oversized clothing at that point and eventually I sold this coat to my friend. And here I am three years later buying this coat again! Why would be a good question here, and my reasons were completely different from the last time:
I didn't have any Céline coats (sold or traded)
It was in a different color and fabric (lama wool looked more voluminous than cashmere)
It was being sold for a ridiculous price of €150
Mary-Kate Olsen has this coat and this could be the only reason for me to buy it (Ashley Olsen has it too but in camel cashmere)
So, I bought it not imagining I would wear it nonstop so soon. But it turned out to be very warm and weather appropriate for Belgrade.
Three years ago I was hesitating between that grey coat and the brown trench coat from Fall 2017 RTW collection (look 7 from the runway). I chose the grey one but I never stopped thinking about the trench coat. And I finally found it! Not in brown but in cream, in perfect condition, for €200. I am obsessed with it and want to wear it every day (when it’s not raining). All the little details are gorgeous and the fit is just perfect. Things have come full circle here now that I have both coats.
These mules from Pre-Fall 2017 were some kind of a placeholder for the Pirate sandals from the same collection which two weeks ago I thought I found, but no. I like these too and already have some outfit ideas, though wouldn’t mind them not only in black but in python as well. There are two pairs in size 36 and 36,5 on The Real Real for $225 and $100 (here and here). Still hoping to find Pirate sandals and/or mules too.
That’s all from the things I received, but there are a few more purchases I’ve made after Phoebe Philo’s launch inspired by the new collection. I’ve already shared similar Céline/PP pieces and (sneak peak) bought something from that list. Looking through resale platforms lately was much better for my mental health than checking the news every second. It’s a distraction that works for me.
I hope that we will find a way for peace soon and there will be no more pain on any side.
With love,
Veronika