Written by Maria Sauda
Introduction
I've become accustomed to automatically leaning on fast fashion brands when I have the need for new clothes. I have believed this to be the most convenient choice due to my limited budget, and I have tried to do my due diligence and not contribute to the waste and overconsumption problem that fast fashion creates by carefully selecting pieces I am almost certain will be part of my wardrobe for many years.
Although many of these pieces are still in my wardrobe, I'm becoming disillusioned when it comes to buying new things. Less of the basics I enjoyed buying from fast fashion brands are being made, there is a heavier focus on trends, and the fit of the clothes has become worse. In 2024 I've donated more clothing that I have before and I have been regretting what I've bought just days after purchasing due to the low quality and fit. This year I want to save up for high quality pieces that will stay with me forever, that will elevate my wardrobe and bring more class, since I will be focusing on buying pieces that are timeless! Of course, I never limit myself to one style (I love dressing fancy, wearing street-wear, and wearing unusual things!), but no matter the style I want whatever it is to be high quality.
I now present to you my 2025 fashion bucket list, these are things I want to save up for, as I buy them I will update this list, and I may add new things!
Please note: this list just contains the things I plan on getting that are unique or from particular brands, this list doesn't include basics and pants...because snore...
The Bucket List
Kate Spade - Knott Small Compact Wallet
Status: saving up
I recently got rid of my wallet that I've had for 7 years. I got it at Bershka, it was made of fake leather, and now the plastic started to crumble, honestly it's just gross...I can't use it anymore!
I went to Cropp and I bought a really cool wallet, but honestly it's too big and doesn't have all the compartments I like. I usually use very small purses, so I need a wallet that doesn't take up much space, but still has all the compartments I need.
This is the Cropp wallet, it's so cool! I am going to try and sell it or give it away as a gift.
I was searching online for a wallet that is made of real leather (so that it will last a long time), is small (so it can fit in any of my purses, even micro ones), and has all the compartments I need (lots of pockets for cards, a coin holder, and a bill slip).
I finally found this Kate Spade wallet that seems to be absolutely perfect! The Knott Small Compact Wallet. It's 3.75"h x 4.75"w, made of real leather. I've done some research and Kate Spade leather is scratch resistant and is meant to last you years.
Just look at the compartments inside! It has everything I need.
It's pebbled leather with 6 card slots, 4 slip pockets, a coin pouch, and an exterior pocket. It originally costs 175€ but it seems to go on sale often. I think it will be worth the price!
Carolannie - Rhinestone Puppy Purse
Status: saving up
Alright, so dogs are my special interest, everything I own must have a puppy on it! I already have 2 dog themed purses (3 if you count the Juicy Couture bag with the Highland Terrier logo as a dog purse), but honestly...You can never have too many!
This purse is being sold by the user Carolannie on Holy Thrift, and I think this bag is almost like a tote. I love the puppies on it with the rhinestones, it has a zipper closure, an inner pocket with a zipper, and two regular pockets inside.
My only worry is about the handle. The handle on the other purse I got from Holy Thrift was not in the best of conditions and it is disintegrating slightly, the handle on that one is fake leather, I believe it is the same on this one too. Honestly though, that's not really an issue, the handles can totally be replaced!
I've already purchased a puppy purse on Holy Thrift before, I love this website, it's a marketplace where vintage resellers and designers can sell their clothing. They sell such unique pieces, I have so many things on my wishlist from this website!
Gunne Sax Dress
Status: looking for the perfect one
Gunne Sax was a beautiful clothing brand that sold very unique dresses and skirts. You can check out the Wikipedia page to see the styles they made, but I love dresses in that style! Since they made formal and semi-formal dresses, I definitely want one since I only have one formal dress (and it is not very formal). My only problem, though, is that there are so many beautiful pieces that I can't decide what I want yet!
I love how beautiful formal wear was in the 60s to the 80s, it used to be very sophisticated (from what I've seen in photos and television!), nowadays it is very hard for me to find formal dresses. Most things from fast fashion brands are not my style or simply do not feel comfortable at all. I also feel like today formalwear has become much more toned down compared to previous decades.
I am very much inspired by the fashion of shows like Designing Women when it comes to formalwear, because they dressed in such an elegant and eclectic way. Gunne Sax definitely reminds me of their style, very southern! These dresses are particularly beautiful to me because it really stands out from your everyday clothing or from partywear.
I am a little sick of how nowadays formal dresses are just long versions of party dresses, they lack class (in my opinion!).
Although I don't often attend formal events, I want to have a Gunne Sax dress even just for going on a date, or going to a dinner party with a friend. I like to present my best self when I go out with people I care about, even if it's not a big event!
I've found many resellers of Gunne Sax online, and the price seems to jump from as little as $20 to $200+! Before even choosing a dress, I have to research and see what prices are reasonable for the clothing that you get.
Some people contend that vintage clothing should be extremely cheap, because it is old! I disagree, I am willing to spend a sizeable amount of money on something that is good quality, well cut, unique, and hard to come by, because I know it will last me years.
Ashley Williams - Poodle Baby Tee
Status: saving up
This year, I want to purchase more clothes made of cotton. I took a look at my wardrobe and realized how much of it was composed to acrylic and poliester. It made me very self-conscious because it's not good for the environment, and I am not a fan of how synthetic fabrics feel or look on me.
Ashley Williams is a very chaotic brand in the best way possible, and I've had my eye on their Poodle Baby Tee for about a year now! It's 100% cotton, and I love baby tees. I think this would look really good with blue or black balloon leg jeans.
They also have this precious tank top, super cute!!
Scalpers - Cute Ruffle Shirt
Status: saving up
I found this brand really randomly, I was looking for stores that accept my debit card's points system, and Scalpers was the only clothing store that accepted them. I was looking through it and found this shirt, I'm really obsessed with it.
I especially love how they styled it!!! With the cream wide leg pants and brown boots, it's just so classy I feel like it would be perfect for work.
I really need better clothes for work, I usually show up looking homeless since I have very few sophisticated pieces, but I just don't feel good mentally when I dress like that, if I dress up then I feel more motivated at work! Same thing for studying at home.
Scalpers has other similar tops, but this is the only one that is 100% cotton, the others are blends of synthetic fabrics that I already have too much of.
I would definitely need to buy a pair of white or cream pants to go with these, I really should have a pair for other tops anyways, but this list is for unique clothing I am going to buy in 2025, so I won't be showing the pants I am getting with them
Juicy Couture - Loafers
Status: saving up
Once upon a time (2 months ago) I had the urge to add loafers to my wardrobe, since I want to dress nicer for work. I went to TJMAXX and tried on every single loafer they had in my size, and they were all ugly, the only pair I thought were beautiful were too small for me, but my quest for loafers did not end...
I was on the Juicy Couture website (I really do love everything they make, such a unique brand!) when I saw these loafers and I think they are exactly what I was looking for! They aren't too formal, they are chunky, and the JC logo looks nice. Many loafers I've tried usually have hardware that is a total eyesore, or they have an awful tassel.
The only tragic thing about these is how they aren't made of real leather, but I don't think they will get ruined since I will only be using them at work, for walking on the regular sidewalk, and just indoors in general.
Northern Isles - Grandma Sweater
Status: saving up
Nothern Isles is a brand I don't know much about, but I found many vintage sweaters by them online and I love them! I love grandma type sweaters, this one here is perfect for me.
I only have one sweater in this style and I love wearing it with blue jeans, so I feel like this will be really pretty. I also like the composition of the fabric of this particular sweater, 55% ramie and 45% cotton. Ramie is a strong natural fiber, so I know this sweater will last me a long time 😊.
That is all for now, if I update this list you will see a little "new" icon. This list does not contain basics, pants, and commonplace pieces, I just wanted to show unique or particular brands I want to buy from this year. I might save up for a new MaxMara coat, but I am not sure yet since that would be a bigger investment.
Thank you so much for reading my blog 🩷 - Maria
Question for this post: what are your fashion goals for 2025?