what I bought in November

an eBay bonanza

After somewhat of an eBay spree this month—as well as all the gifts I’ve bought and anticipate buying before the end of the year—I’m contemplating some type of clothing “no-buy” at the beginning of 2025. There’s a lot of “no-buy” discourse on Fashion Substack, and I enjoy reading all of it! I think whatever constraints and strictures feel difficult but not impossible is probably the most effective way to challenge yourself to shift your shopping habits. The new year seems like a good time for me to at least interrupt my clothing purchasing cycle, as I definitely have more than enough cold weather clothing and don’t feel the same type of helplessness I feel when I stand in front of my closet during the summer months. So enjoy the last couple “what I bought” posts of the year, because I’m hoping not to do them for at least a few months starting in January! =)

the Tory Burch sweater I rented and liked, the Charter Club sweater I bought on eBay, and the slightly different in-person color of the Charter Club sweater upon receiving it

Charter Club cashmere sweater (via eBay): I rented and liked this Tory Burch wool polo shirt/sweater hybrid earlier this year, but I didn’t love it enough to want to add it to my wardrobe permanently.¹ (A minor quibble.. I don’t like an embroidered logo and I feel like Tory Burch does this often… it only feels appropriate on activewear to me.) It did, however, remind me that this style of sweater (collared/polo-esque) exists, so I went on an eBay hunt for secondhand collared sweaters. I ended up narrowing down the search solely to cashmere, because I’ve occasionally been surprised by the texture or weight of wool clothing that I’ve purchased without touching beforehand. This Charter Club sweater is a little darker and more muted than it looks in the photo, but it fits perfectly (better than the Tory Burch one), and I would love to find it in another color as well.

how I’ve styled this rugby shirt so far and what I’d like to style it with

GAP rugby shirt (via eBay): This is another eBay purchase inspired by a rented garment that I liked but didn’t love (seen in this week of outfits roundup). There’s something so charming and childlike (hopefully not childish) about this color combination, and I’ve enjoyed pairing it with an oversized leather jacket and boots. I’d like to try styling it with a Bridget Jones-esque short skirt and tights, but that may have to wait until I actually own a short skirt again.

Nike rugby shirt (via eBay): This was another item that came up in my rugby shirt search that I became oddly fixated on. Somehow I forgot that "swoosh” refers mainly to the Nike logo, and not necessarily the sound of a basketball going through a hoop… I had just started working on this post and basketball was clearly on my mind. So this is kind of like just wearing a giant Nike logo in the middle of a rugby shirt… but hopefully cooler? I think I can make it work! If not, it becomes a winter sleep shirt, which is also fine.

my current pair and the replacement pair!

Sam Edelman boots (via Poshmark): My original pair of these boots has have seen better days, but they’re still very comfortable and mostly functional. However, the sole is beginning to separate from the upper, and I’d rather avoid walking around with my heel exposed to the elements if possible. Sam Edelman doesn’t make this style anymore, but I found a few pairs on Poshmark and eBay in my size and went with the least expensive pair that were also new in the box.

a small sampling of the many times I’ve worn these jeans since renting them in April

Agolde jeans (via Rent the Runway): By now these jeans have proven themselves as a multi-seasonal, versatile item in my wardrobe. I said if they ever were available for me to purchase under $100, I would do it—and I did.

the napkins and the tulip candleholders already pulling their weight for a dinner party!

Tulip candle holders (via eBay): Every six months or so I have the desire to spruce up my home / add more *~*stuff*~* like this, which I mostly don’t need and don’t have room for. I just really love tulips!

West Elm napkins (via eBay): I’ve been trying to make an effort to have more people over for dinner more often. I already had a set of four of these napkins in “wasabi,” and now I have four more in this pretty light blue. They were still in the packaging—it’s like I got them straight from West Elm! I’m watching a couple other sets on eBay to make sure I always have enough cloth napkins on hand, though having 12 people over for a proper dinner in my apartment is unlikely, square footage-wise.

Here’s a cozy and size-agnostic selection for you from my RealReal obsessions—save me from the Guest in Residence cashmere dickey! Or buy it for me!

Clockwise from top left, sort of: Janessa Leone cashmere beret, $126; Ermenegildo Zegna cashmere scarf, $53; Guest in Residence cashmere dickey, $111; Acne wool scarf, $63 ; Missoni wool blend snood, $108

Any purchases—clothing or otherwise—that you’re feeling good (or bad) about this month?

1. My friend Kara just expressed her enthusiasm for the Tory Burch sweater in such definitive terms that I’m reconsidering returning it, though!