ZARA winter sales haul

This is my Zara loot from this season's sales. Just my Zara loot, that is. I also scored numerous things from other shops, which are still to be posted. I have to start from somewhere, right?

THE TOPS

Grey mélange cropped sleeve sweater
Made from really fine, 100% wool fabric with zero itchiness. I don't know how they did that, probably magic. It is the sweater you saw me trying on inside a Zara fitting room back then.


Graphic print t-shirt
Only after I got home, I realised that the greenish-black graphic print I initially thought was totally abstract, is actually the picture of a pug. I'm more of a cat person, but I'll try to ignore that fact for the sake this t-shirt.

And have I mentioned the back is made of grey knit fabric? Yes.


Magenta sweater
The label says 70% silk, 20% cotton, 10% cashmere. That means it's so soft I want to sleep with my face buried in it. It also means I'll probably have to wash it by hand, but that's a sacrifice I'm willing to make. Plus, it's the perfect shape: Loose enough for my liking, a nice V-neck (not too wide, neither too deep) and cropped sleeves that mean I can wear it with my button-downs, with their sleeves casually pulled up. Thinking of librarian-chic outfits already.


Extra long camel cardigan
I own this cardi in anthracite grey as well (barely seen here) and once again, it was its softness, along with the easy-to-wear cafe au lait colour, that won me over. Well, at 70% silk and 30% cotton you can't go wrong. And yes, I admit I have an obsession with fine, soft fabrics.


Beige canvas cropped jacket
This was a totally compulsive buy, but one I'm not gonna regret, me thinks. I have avoided cropped jackets for so long, positively sure that they just don't flatter me, and only recently it downed me that I was just DOING IT WRONG! Expect many style experiments with this, come spring.

THE BOTTOMS

Charcoal grey masculine-look slacks
I love to use the word "slacks" instead of the american "pants" or the british"trousers". I first came upon this word while reading Lolita, where in the first chapter it reads "she was Lola in slacks". Mind you, I only understood its meaning after a couple dozen pages. Anyway, I got these slacks a size up on purpose, to make them look even more laid-back and masculine. Androgyny is on my to-do list this spring.


Light grey wide-leg slacks
Much alike the above pair, this one is actually a lot lighter both in matters of colour and fabric density, so it will have to wait another couple of months. But, when worn, man I tell you, it's so Great Gatsby-ish, I get a compulsion to hide my liquor.


Charcoal grey flannel shorts
Erhhm, yes. These a shorts. Made from flannel. Shorts for winter. I'm not sure if this experiment will succeed, but I'm willing to give it a try. Maybe with an oversized sweater, wool knee-high socks and wellies? Cause I'm adventurous like that.


Black jersey maxi skirt
I haven't done the maxi skirt thing for a decade. And even back then, it was denim. Which I'm not sure actually if it's supposed to be a good thing or something that I should never mention again here. BUT, I actually didn't buy this one to wear it as a skirt. The elasticized waist is the perfect width to fit my chest, so it will make a great loose strapless summer dress, belt and all. Nice.

THE SHOES

Grey suede ballet flats with silver studs
I know I already have too many ballet flats. And too many grey shoes. BUT I love and wear them all, hence they're destined to fall apart. So, when I can get real leather suede grey ballet flats for 10 euros down from 40, why say no?


Brownish grey leather boots
I'm in love with these. I was skeptical at first, as at 25% off they were still a bit expensive, but I went ahead and bought them anyway and have been wearing them almost every single day since. I just love the colour, the quality, the calf height, the metal details and well, quite about everything about them!



Conclusions?

Yes, I know this is lots of stuff. After big hauls like this one, I tend to stand back looking at all the carrier bags and wonder "gee, I did it again, didn't I?" But then, I remember that almost three quarters of my wardrobe consist of stuff I once got on sale for 20, 50 even 75% off. Without the sales I wouldn't be able to own my Chie Mihara heels, Camber kicks and Vialis sandals, my trusty Inci boots, my floral-lined Insight coat, my Luella clutch and just about everything I continually wear and love. The sales have always been a tool for me to build up my wardrobe to a point where I can say with certainty that I have all my basics covered. That way, I tend to only buy stuff when I need to replace something I wear really often and is bound to be destroyed, when I see a real bargain or when I want - and afford - to make a designer investment.

I love the sales. The rest of my sale buys are to be posted soon...