071. RECEIPTS: An Art Teacher in Rome on Investment Buys, Untrended Style, and Italian Knitwear.
A New Mid-Week Shopping Column.
RECEIPTS is a mid-week column for subscribers of Every Body Gets Dressed. In it, I ask individuals outside the fashion industry about their shopping budgets, spending decisions, and how they balance investment buys with more affordable ones. We discuss the brands that delighted them and those that disappointed them. In under 5 minutes, the column brings you impartial takes on the most hyped-up products in fashion, beauty, and beyond. You can find past editions of this column here. If you want to suggest questions for the interviews, or if you’d like your own answers to be featured in the column, you can drop a comment below or reply to this email.
Today, I speak to Louise, a subscriber to this newsletter with exquisite taste and a penchant for quality pieces that last. I’m very grateful she put brands I love (like Grenson and Mimi Holliday) back on my radar.
What is your job, and where do you live? I’m an elementary art teacher at an international school, and I live in Rome, Italy.
What percentage of your salary do you spend on fashion? I'd like to say it’s 10%, but it’s probably 20% or more.
What's your approach to budgeting? Chaotic with good intentions. I usually have a figure in mind for what I consider reasonable for a great-quality item. Sometimes, I manage to save and other times I end up splitting that budget across several more affordable pieces.
Define your style in five words or less. Untrended. Minimal cuts. Maximal patterns.