It has been over 2 months since my last post. Since I am in Oslo now, I cannot get my dose of retail therapy from my favorite US retailers on a regular basis. During the months between July and December, I spend time "window shopping" online and building my wish lists and wait patiently for a good promotion. The one good thing about living abroad is that I spend less money on impulsive shopping. Everything I buy, I would be able to pick-up until my next return to the US.
While I stock up my virtual closet, I do, however, visit the Nordic brand stores. One brand that I have grown to like over the years is Filippa K. This brand produces simple and elegant pieces of high quality, and the price points match the quality level. I cannot really compare prices between the US and Norway, as everything in Norway costs more. If I was not used to the price points in the US, I would dare to say that I get some good deals at Filippa K, especially during sale seasons. I am petite and smaller compared to the average Nordic woman. Walking into Filippa K during sales feels like they are hosting the sale just for me as they always have an abundance of XS.
This weekend, I purchased the Lambswool Pullover in Grass color. The color is brighter in real life and is a great strong, autumn color. My mom advised me that wearing this color green can drain colors from my face. I will have to remember to wear some bright lipstick so that I do not look pale and green. I have very sensitive skin and cannot wear wool directly on my skin. However, wool is essential in the cold winter months, and I plan on wearing this sweater over Perfect or Oxford boy shirts from J. Crew. I am not a fan of the jeans that is paired with the sweater on the model. Luckily, I have Minnies and Cafe Capris in a rainbow of colors that I am sure I will be able to find pants to match.
While I stock up my virtual closet, I do, however, visit the Nordic brand stores. One brand that I have grown to like over the years is Filippa K. This brand produces simple and elegant pieces of high quality, and the price points match the quality level. I cannot really compare prices between the US and Norway, as everything in Norway costs more. If I was not used to the price points in the US, I would dare to say that I get some good deals at Filippa K, especially during sale seasons. I am petite and smaller compared to the average Nordic woman. Walking into Filippa K during sales feels like they are hosting the sale just for me as they always have an abundance of XS.
This weekend, I purchased the Lambswool Pullover in Grass color. The color is brighter in real life and is a great strong, autumn color. My mom advised me that wearing this color green can drain colors from my face. I will have to remember to wear some bright lipstick so that I do not look pale and green. I have very sensitive skin and cannot wear wool directly on my skin. However, wool is essential in the cold winter months, and I plan on wearing this sweater over Perfect or Oxford boy shirts from J. Crew. I am not a fan of the jeans that is paired with the sweater on the model. Luckily, I have Minnies and Cafe Capris in a rainbow of colors that I am sure I will be able to find pants to match.
While I made some damage to my savings at my local Filippa K, I also took advantage of the 25% promotion at J. Crew. I am stocking up on cosy flannels, (Perfect Shirt in Buffalo Check and Perfect Shirt in Black Watch) and using this opportunity to try J. Crew's cashmere sweaters (Collection Cashmere Bateau). I am also looking forward to trying out this outfit from Madewell, but without the hat.
I might not be able to wait and will have to ask to have my recent purchases shipped to me before December.
If you have tips for what I should include in my virtual closet, please send them my way!
Love the color of the sweater!
ReplyDeleteI always order from jcrew and get it shipped to germany,they have a promotion with free shipping,no duties right now.It works great for me.
Hey Ina! I know I can have J Crew ship to Norway, but I would have to pay so much for customs. Norway has some crazy high customs fees, and I am not sure how much more I would have to pay once the goodies get here! My saving grace is my mom who sends me must-have items in "care packages." i am expecting one such package soon!
ReplyDeleteFillippa K and J crew - you must be Nordic other half!
ReplyDeleteJ Crew are covering some of the taxes just now, do a mock checkout, once they estop i won't be ordering anymore. I'm just across the water from you in Scotland.
Hey Tabitha - I am trying to be more Nordic and less American, but nothing beats shopping in the US. How is it in Scotland? I have never been!
DeleteVAT in Norway is super high, so I got such a shock when I did a mock checkout. The prices were already higher with the inflated exchange rates, and at check out, they add 25% VAT, Norway's standard rate. I could not do it!
Coffeeshopand Funny Faces-I'm the Unknown who traded comments with you about the mint sweater! How lucky you are to be in Norway. There are some fantastic designers in Scandinavia. And of course food there is so good.
ReplyDeleteTabitha-I hadn't realized you were in Scotland. My husband is Scottish and we get over at least once a year. I really love Ness for coats and jackets-I keep expecting to see something of theirs pop up at Anthropologie.
Hey there, the mysterious Unknown. :o) Thanks for stopping by my not so well kept blog. Moving to Oslo was a little surprise from life, but a good surprise. Swedish and Danish designers are very good, but I wish they make petite sizes. I am not built like a Scandinavian (I am Chinese, at 5'1). Therefore, I stock up when I visit my parents in the US. I also stock up months before I actually arrive in the US. One perk about being abroad - I can actually wait for sales and there are no b&m store temptations.
DeleteI'm so sorry I show up as Unknown! It's a mystery why this happens on Google . . . anyway, I'm half Asian and inherited enough Asian genes to understand the situation of which you speak. ;-) FYI--I had to send back the diamond mint and navy sweater. Waaaaaaay too big. I don't even think I will get the XS. I hope your Cashmere Cable arrived and that you love it!
ReplyDeletehi judy,
ReplyDeletei just saw your post over on the JCA thread and when you mentioned you live in norway i followed through to your blog. when i read this post i just had to comment because i too am a north american (canadian though) living in norway (arendal) for almost a year now, and i do the exact same thing! i have compiled my wishlist over the last many months and now finally have everything waiting for me at my family's home in canada where i'll be going in just a few weeks for the holidays. like you said, it was nice to be able to wait for things to get to the lowest price before purchasing and the whole process completely prevents impulse buys (except for now maybe when i know i will get it so soon.. ;)
anyways thanks for the tip about filippa k! i haven't checked them out yet (i've pretty much ignored scandinavian clothing retailers altogether for fear of the prices), but i will now!
cheers!
Hey Rebekah!,
DeleteSo good to know there others that have the same shopping habits as me. One big issue is that since I don't see what I buy right away, I forgot how much I have actually ordered. I spend a good number of hours opening cardboard boxes when I get to my parents' house. I also do some returns, and I think J Crew thinks I am some kind of nutcase that returns boxes at a time.
With Filippa K, I also wait for sales in between seasons. They offer about 40% to 50% off, and when that happens, the prices are almost affordable. The quality is great and the pieces are classics.
I do need to get back into this blog. It has been over a year since my last post.
Hope you are enjoying Norway. How is Arendal? I have never been.