You know those matching furniture sets? The six- or seven-piece combos you see for sale in newspaper ads around the holidays? Everything matches. The quality and materials are universal. It all fits together perfectly.
Too perfectly, if you ask me. *insert side eye*
Those sets work for some people. If it’s your thing, great. There’s an option for everyone out there. I happen to be Team Mismatched, and the same applies to my apparel. In an ideal outfit, I want a little high-end with a few budget items, some new mixed with some vintage, a bit of boho with some edge. Pretty much like this.
Currently wearing… Donald Pliner Portia Boots c/o Soft Surroundings | Free People tunic | Secondhand coat | Vintage brooch and earrings | T.J.Maxx handbag
When I unboxed these boots on Instagram, I mentioned the tactile quality difference compared to many boots you feel on the market. One touch and you know these babies are made to last — and since I don’t do many heels these days, that’s exactly what I need in a boot. I’d personally like to give this pair a pat on the back but I’m not sure if that would be the sole or the side, so I’ll skip it for now.
This autumn outfit hits all my targets. It shows some skin without going wild in the cold. I hit a few trends while balancing it with my forever favorites. And I felt comfortable wearing it because my supporting items were top-quality pieces made for the long haul.
So what’s worth the money to me? Let’s break down my budget.
Where I Splurge…
- Leather goods
- Versatile shoes
- Quality outerwear
- Bras
- Denim
And Where I Save…
- On-trend apparel
- Non-leather handbags
- Statement jewelry
- Plastic sunglasses
- Weather-related accessories
Funny enough, those splurge items are ones I also hate finding; it isn’t related to the price, but I’m so picky about things like shoes and jeans I can’t stand being on the hunt. That brings me to one of the best parts about splurging: If you do your homework right, you should be selecting pieces that will last significantly longer. Case in point? I use to go through 2+ pairs of cheap pleather boots per season. I’ll report back when these Soft Surroundings boots start to age, but to be honest I don’t foresee that happening soon.
Where do you splurge and save? Tell me what’s on your list in the comments or on social media!
Your boots are very nice!