It’s been a busy few months in which I lost or forgot a number of deadlines including the dentist and the 2025 winter wardrobe update. But, as they say, better late than never. Especially with the summer plan coming up.

2025 winter plan recap

I didn’t need to buy anything, but I wanted:

• a dressy winter shirt, say $150
• 4 or 5 t-shirts, say $200
• pair of sneakers, say $150
• socks and undies, say $100
• the post-mastectomy alterations $200

And I wanted them for $1,000.

2025 Winter Wardrobe Update

I was quite lazy about it and did the bulk of my shopping on-line.

As and when I thought about it, which I don’t recommend, but nonetheless did.

As Mum used to say, “do what I say, not what I do.”

2023 Winter Purchases (including postage)

• Out of vanity, three pairs of well-fitted track pants on sale for $102. Very happy with these.
• Fun yellow sneakers with green cartoon pickles on sale for $153. These turned out to be so comfortable they’ve become my favourites.
• New wide foot thongs (or flip flops if you must) on sale $25.
• New ugg boots on sale $169. Not quite so wide, and taking an uncomfortably long while to stretch.
• Comfy undies $154.
• Three pairs of stripy socks $69.
• Pure wool beanie $39.
• And, I had lots of fun creating my own t-shirt line!

All up, $819 against a budget of $1,000.

I bought more than I planned, but at least I came in under budget.

It seems to me, everything seems to be getting more expensive, and I’ve been mimicking my mother with cries of “how much?”

I could understand the expense if I lived in the US with all the tariffs topping up willy nilly.

Though I suppose wages are increasing, power costs are increasing, the materials that go into making the products are increasing and we’ve reached the point where business can’t contain the costs any longer.

I cite myself as an example having recently changed my books prices to cover my costs.

2025 winter wardrobe update learnings

I admit I haven’t been keeping in touch with my wardrobe as such, though I have unpacked all my clothes now – washed and stored in the appropriate receptacles.

I even managed to send some more to the charity shop, but still haven’t got to the dressmaker for the alterations. Her shop is very cold, and I’d prefer the weather to be warmer because the little space heater she uses doesn’t really help the situation.

I’ve always worn 20% of my wardrobe 80% of the time, so to that extent, I’m doing fairly well – replacing frequent wears and leaving the princess clothes in the shop where others can find them.

I’m tending to dress less formally these days, so my usual street outfit is jeans and a t-shirt, with the pickle sneakers. And my usual home outfit track pants, a t-shirt, and uggs.

I do have a couple of dresses in the alteration pile…

With that in mind, I’m not sure I even need a dressy winter shirt, but maybe something will change by March when it’ll be time to plan for winter again.

Note to self: your fleeces are getting thin, so buy new ones next year.

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The T-shirts I made

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