11 January 2013

Mistake of 2012

I did pretty well in 2012 in terms of limiting my shopping and buying well. I made a few mistakes, but the biggest one was buying this herringbone coat from Mango back in November. It looked so enticing on the blogs, so Marant-esque in its oversized look, but at a ridiculously low price of $50. I thought, if this coat is so popular, it must be good quality. Yes, wishful thinking.

Mango Herringbone Coat
There's no Mango here in Denver, so I ordered it online without ever seeing it in person. It arrived in the mail and was a total piece of crap. Except for a small lining below the collar, it was completely unlined. The material was rough, thin, and shed little white pieces all over. Fortunately for me (and unfortunately for someone else), I was able to sell it on ebay.

It's tough because Denver is pretty limited in terms of shops, so I have to do a lot of shopping online, based on reviews, company reputation, and just cross my fingers. I look at the measurements and measure my own clothing to figure out my size. It's very hit and miss. I'd like to say I want to cut out online shopping all together, but it's just not feasible for me, and some things have worked out wonderfully. I appreciate when stores have free return shipping, but that is rare. Sometimes it's just a big hassle too.

Anyone else have this problem? How do you manage?

15 comments:

  1. I have the same coat and I know it's been hit and miss for a number of people but it has worked well for me and proven to be quite a versatile piece. I knew for the price that it would not be fantastic but it is good enough for my uses and I don't have to be careful with it. I find that the more expensive an item is, the less wear I get out of it for fear of spoiling it. Online shopping has its plus points because at least you have the luxury of trying on in a comfortable atmosphere with an assortment of clothes from your own wardrobe to find how well it slots in. I'm lucky enough to have most shops on the high street for me but for some brands like COS - I have still held back because I'm unfamiliar with their sizing.

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    1. Sue, thanks for chiming in about the jacket. I'm glad it worked for you and hope I did not offend you with this post! I just saw your blog and it does look great on you. You have a good point about the quality for the price. I think I was having some wishful thinking in hoping it would be higher quality than it was. And I feel the same way about being able to wear things more comfortably and without worry when they are less expensive.

      And yes, it is nice to try things on in the comfort of your own home and closet with online shopping. I have definitely done that to see if the item would work with what I have. Also, I'm realizing I've made mistakes not just online but even buying things in store, so I guess it's not just an online thing.

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  2. Pret a Porter P, I didn't realize Marant didn't line her jackets - that's interesting and good to know. I like your tip about ordering a bunch of stuff to try on and returning the rest. I'll keep that in mind. I think I just have to accept that most of the time I'll be paying for shipping to get the styles I want.

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  3. do you know, I bought the same jacket and I'm never sure how I feel about it! sometimes I put it on and love it, and others I put it on and wonder why I didn't return it...

    I think it's a bargain for the price, but I bought it in a small thinking it would fit nice and loose, and in actual fact it's a little too big on the shoulders. it also has a sewing fault in the seam on one side of the shoulder which makes on side look slightly ruched up, and one on the hem at the bottom of the back which makes it stick up... I emailed Mango about it (I also bought it online) but their customer service leaves a lot to be desired, and I never got a reply -- fortunately I'm not that bad on the sewing machine, and these are both things I may be able to fix. so I decided to keep mine and alter it to fit slightly better. I'm determined to make it work, because I keep seeing it on other people (ie. Sue) and it looks awesome!

    I know what you mean about the fabric - it is a little thin - fortunately for me I like rough wool, so the texture isn't a problem. I also think it's quite nice sometimes to have a lighter jacket and be able to layer up with a jumper.

    overall I think that if this is the biggest shopping mistake you made in 2012 you definitely did well, my mistakes are usually a lot more expensive, and non-refundable! (usually from ebay) -- and you managed to sell it on; good result all round in my opinion! :)

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    1. Fen, I know what you mean, as I did like how it looked on me. But similarly for me, I got an XS and it was still slightly bigger than what I was looking for. But I am surprised by how many issues yours had - sewing faults and all! That is too bad. The one I had was fine in that regard. I agree with you that it is a perfect lighter jacket. For me, I just didn't like the itchy roughness of it.

      I'm jealous of your sewing skills. I'm sure that comes in very handy. I used to have my mom hem and do minor fixes on my clothing, but we're no longer in the same city.

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  4. Oh no how annoying you didn't like it - I bought it and really like it...though I do have to wear long sleeves underneath as it rubs x

    http://heidi-likes.blogspot.co.uk

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    1. Heidi, thanks for your note. I'm glad you like it, and if I kept it, that's what I would've done too - wear with a long sleeve.

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  5. It just goes to show you that what works for one person, might not work for someone else. You just never know about a garment until you see it in person.

    For a number of reasons, I feel that jackets and coats should be lined. I know people rave about IM, but the quality and materials are poor. Sometimes I'll admire the cuts and then I remember that I know better and in the long run I wouldn't be happy with the construction. It's shocking for the price.

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    1. Lindsay K, it is quite shocking for the price, that IM doesn't line their coats or jackets. I preferred lined coats or jackets as well. I'm curious about your thoughts on the quality of IM shoes and especially the cult Dicker boot. Do you feel quality is poor across the entire line, or relegated to certain items like coats?

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  6. LN, I am sorry it didn't work out for you. I too can't take jackets that are unlined. Lining with poly doesn't work for me too (it's like wearing a plastic bag beneath the jacket..not breathable)

    IM jackets, as many have pointed out, are mostly unlined. I guess if you are layering for winter, it doesn't really matter that much in terms of itch factor. But I don't touch those since there is no winter where I live. I love Marant's older linen jackets though. I find them very well done, particularly along the seams and how robust the jackets are. It has a worn-in, casual feel.

    Speaking of Mango, it is a hit or miss most of the time. I havent stepped into a store for many years until over the new year, I got a pair of dickers inspired boots. Those worked out very well for me.

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    1. Eileen, I saw the boots you got and they look great. I've never really lived near a Mango so I wasn't familiar with their products. I really went off of what I read on the blogs. I've had success in finding something that worked for me through blog reviews, but this time just wasn't one of them, I guess.

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  7. Yay you're back with another post! I always check to see if you write anything new.

    I'm on the fence about lining- don't get me wrong, when I studied fashion and learned how to sew, lining was not a superfluous item on a dress or jacket. However I have to pull out the Humidity card and say that the lining makes jackets and dresses extremely hot here in Hong Kong so I often find jackets that are unlined to extend the CPU. Alternatively I look for bias trim binding on all the seams that finishes off the interior of jackets nicely so when the wind catches my blazer and reveals the inside, it's streamlined and a cool added detail.

    I personally do not like Mango and they've shut down quite a few stores in Hong Kong- the quality in reflection of their prices aren't worth it.

    Sam
    http://www.samishome.com

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    1. Sam, ha, we live in polar opposite climates. There is zero humidity here in Denver. It is extremely dry. I had to change out my entire skincare regime this year because my skin is flaking off and I even had a small rash on my cheek. Winters are cold here, and fall/spring evenings get temp drops, so that added lining is nice. Plus I don't like the scratchiness on my skin. I feel like if a jacket is lined it's more versatile because then I can wear it with just a t-shirt underneath in warmer weather too. Otherwise I have to wear a long sleeve. Yeah, I don't think I'll be going back to Mango...

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  8. may i ask you the font you used for the title of the blog :)
    its amazing :)


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    christian | my blog : www.christianyuen.blogspot.com

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