February Report
What I bought, returned, and let go of...
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I know there are technically a few days left in February, but I’m more than ready for this month to be over — so let’s just pretend, shall we?
Here’s the recap of the month, where I share what I bought, what I ended up returning, and what I let go of.
Let’s jump in!
What I Bought This Month
Continuing with the mindset of buying less but better, I’d call this month another win. Here are the three things I bought, whether I kept them or not, and why.
1 — Massimo Dutti Black Ballet Flats
I actually didn’t shop at all for the first half of the month — I was more motivated to do a bit of a clean-out instead (more on that later). When I did, I got rid of my only pair of black flats because they were just too snug for me (something I decided I’m not willing to accept anymore), so I knew I needed a replacement.
I waited to try these on in store, and wow — they were so comfortable. I ended up buying them on the spot because of it. But once I got home, I started wondering if I had settled for the fine or let’s say more reasonable version of what I really wanted, since the ones I’d had on my radar since last summer were the Bala flats from Soeur. So I decided to order the Soeur pair to compare to make sure I wouldn’t regret not getting the “real” thing.
2 — Soeur Bala Flats
Online, the difference between the two pairs looked more subtle, but in person, they’re clearly quite different. Here’s a side-by-side comparison:
The MD flats are great — I truly have nothing negative to say about them. The quality feels amazing for the price, and as I mentioned, the comfort is slipper-level. And yet, I suddenly couldn’t shake the feeling that they weren’t quite it. They’re the kind of ballet flats you can wear and forget about — almost invisible, which definitely has its place. But lately, I’ve been craving pieces that feel a bit more intentional.
When I first tried on the Soeur pair, I instantly felt cooler (for lack of a better word). The slightly squarer toe box and the higher vamp really make a huge difference (at least for me). Of course, the quality is great too — as it should be at double the price — but for me, it was really about the shape.
Unfortunately, the excitement didn’t last long. At first they felt fine, but as time went on, the discomfort set in. I know everyone raves about how comfortable they are, so it’s probably just a me thing, but I have a higher arch, which meant the high vamp was digging into the top of my foot. After a few hours, the seam was practically imprinted on my skin — let’s just say I was more than ready to take them off.
I loved the look so much that I almost convinced myself they’d stretch with time and wear — but thankfully, I came back to my senses. I had literally just gotten rid of my previous pair for being too tight.
The next day, I tested both pairs again with a few different summer bottoms to see which I preferred — I was kind of hoping the MD pair would turn out to be better.
I know both pairs work, but trying them in different scenarios made it clear that I preferred the higher, straighter vamp of the Soeur pair every single time — so I couldn’t justify keeping the MD pair either.
After all, this year is about not settling for just fine!
Verdict : Return both!1
3 — COS Bright Blue Shirt
Something very exciting is coming for us Canadians… a COS website! It was about damn time.2 For now, they’ve just teased the launch, but since the end of January we haven’t been able to order online or even check what’s in stock in Canadian stores — meaning I’ve more or less stopped browsing, since I usually like to spot something online first and then go try it in store if it’s available in my size.
All that to say, I had no idea this shirt was in store (or even existed), and when I walked in, it was the first thing I saw — the exact shade of blue I’d been looking for (!). Of course COS had to make it (is anyone surprised at this point?). I tried similar ones before but didn’t like any of them enough to commit. But this one? Yep, perfect. So happy with my first spring purchase.
I’ll definitely be referring to this great post by Ardas Chandra for styling ideas once the weather starts cooperating.
Verdict: Keep!
What I Let Go Of
As mentioned earlier, I wasn’t really in a shopping mood this month — I was more focused on doing a small closet clean-out. I only went through my fall/winter wardrobe since my spring/summer pieces are still in storage boxes, but I’m excited to continue the process when I switch my wardrobe for the new season. Here are the items I got rid of this month:
1 — Aritzia Denim Forum Remy Jeans
Yep, these are the ones that showed up in 5 of my 8 worst recent outfits. I really tried to make these work but I just couldn’t. I felt off every single time I wore them (which was 13 times since purchasing them last October). It hurt at first since they were a recent purchase, but if I’m being honest, I feel much better now that they’re gone.
In the end, they taught me a good lesson: settling for something comfortable but that isn’t exactly what I want just doesn’t work.
2 — Levi’s Denim Overalls
Another item I tried to make work, but they just never felt like me. The fit was great (which is why I bought them in the first place), and while I love the idea of overalls, they always felt like a costume on me. I thrifted them for a few dollars a year ago, so at least I’m glad I was able to test the idea without investing much money. They’ve already been resold on Poshmark, and I’m happy someone else will get to wear (and hopefully love) them!
3 — Sezane Emile Cardigan
I remember how excited I was when I found it in my size, brand new on Poshmark. I’m sure most of you remember — it was the cardigan of the moment at the time (2023–2024), and I just had to have it. Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to try it on before buying it, and I don’t think I was ever really in love with how it fit me. It was warm and cozy, so I wore it a few times (*opens Indyx… 17 times, actually!) on cold winter days, but that was more out of practicality than genuine love.
As a knitter, I already have plenty of knitwear — including pieces I like more than this one — so I couldn’t really justify keeping it anymore.
Thankfully, it sold on Poshmark in less than 24 hours — which means I can now reinvest that money in something that will actually serve my wardrobe better.
Lesson: Don’t buy things you can’t return if you haven’t tried them on first.
4 — COS Mary Jane Flats
Another item I was so happy to find secondhand — on ThredUp this time. Unfortunately, I didn’t read the sizing correctly, and they were a size too small. ThredUp purchases aren’t as easy to return when you’re not in the US, and they kind of fit me (read: I could put them on), so I kept them.
I even wore them 16 times, which is wild considering they are too small for me — especially since I’m always the first to say that comfort comes first. Same lesson as the cardigan, really. And I also realized I’m not a fan of the thicker strap, which is why I’m now looking to replace them with simpler black flats.
5 — Madewell Mock Neck Sleeveless Top
I know it’s more of a summer piece, but I kept it in my fall/winter wardrobe, hoping I’d wear it layered under knits, but I didn’t. I purchased this top before a trip last year with the intention of creating a monochromatic outfit with linen pants for some family photos. I wore it as planned during the trip, but never really again… well, three more times.
Lesson: I just don’t really like how sleeveless mock necks look on me.
What I Learned This Month
What’s been an “ah-ha” moment for me, looking at what I let go of this month, is realizing that I really do wear all of my things. I know that sounds like a good thing — even the ultimate goal for many people — but the problem is that I’ll wear clothes that don’t make me feel great (or even shoes that don’t fit!) just as often as the ones I love, simply because they’re right there in front of me.
Why do I reach for the jeans that don’t make me feel good when I have another pair that does? Why do I try to make overalls work when they make me feel like someone I’m not? I’m not saying it’s wrong to give your clothes another try before letting them go — but I do tend to push things for too long instead of simply accepting I made a mistake and moving on.
What sparked this spontaneous clean-out (and shift in mindset) was a Let's Get Dressed podcast episode with Allison Bornstein that I recently listened to. Allison was talking about being postpartum and reassessing her wardrobe, and she said something that really stuck with me: some clothes were asking too much of her — asking her to be someone she wasn’t (or wasn’t anymore) — and it was okay to let them go.
As a mom of two kids under six, I already have very little mental capacity or energy left at the end of the day — so it really resonated. It felt freeing to look at my closet through that lens. I’d much rather invest my time in making the pieces I love work than trying to make everything work.
Buying less but buying better should also mean keeping less — and keeping only the best (or at least, that’s what I’m aiming for now).
So that was February for me: only one purchase (pats myself on the back) and some great lessons to carry forward!
What about you — did you learn anything about your style this month? Or add something fun to your closet? Tell me all about it!
If you enjoyed this post, liking, sharing, or subscribing (for free!) would mean so much to me. Thanks for being here!
For some reason, both pairs were surprisingly hard to return. I’m not sure if it says more about the shoes or about me — but I’m glad I did. If you know of anything similar to the Soeur pair, please share.
Until now, ordering meant going through the US site and paying astronomical taxes and duties, which made shopping in store the only real option — not ideal when there are only two locations in Quebec, the closest nearly an hour away.
Those posts are my favorite to read, keep sharing them. I have a hard time letting pieces go, I will listen to this podcast episode. I loved the blue shirt on you!
The Soeur flats look exactly like the Everlane Day Glove - have you tried those??