Becca Marriner

Last night I made the decision to scare myself; to do something I had never done before. I sifted through my wardrobe and jewellery box, writing a list of everything I had purchased in the last year. My favourite film, The Devil Wears Prada, played in the background to comfort me through this troubling time, but it’s easy to recognise where this spending habit comes from. Going into this task, I was a bit naive: “Surely I can’t have bought that many items?” But as the list grew, so long that I had to start another page, my smile was fading fast. But of all the items listed, I can say that none were a surprise. There were no forgotten purchases shoved to the back of my wardrobe with the tag still on.

I know you’re wondering how much I must have spent, and honestly? It’s not as heinous as the list would imply. My love for secondhand shopping through vintage shops and Vinted means I get new pieces in my wardrobe and give life to clothing otherwise unworn. Did you know Dr Martens have a service to resole your boots? I’ve had my classic 1460 black boots for over six years and the soles were starting to resemble bald tyres. I sent them off for a spa day, and they arrived home within a week with new soles, new laces and had been polished until they looked new. It was one of the best things I spent my money on this year and below I’ve listed a few more. They are all fashion-related as I try to show my style off a bit more but I would like to highlight the mini salad spinner I bought in April.

Personalised ‘Mini Catherine’ Bucket Bag

Le Nom, 19 Rue des Rosiers, Paris

My trip to Paris in January was shopping-inclined, and I travelled to the city with the dream of buying my first designer handbag. As my friend and I browsed in Le Bon Marché, Le Nom’s pop-up drew me in, and with their Mini Catherine bags, it was love at first sight. There was a row of bucket bags in all colours, but it was the emerald green with a matching velvet lining that called my name. Behind the stall were artists customising each bag with names and initials, each unique to the individual customer.

I followed an example bag when deciding on some custom text. I chose to add, ‘Je m’en fous,’ to the top of my bag in bold, gold lettering. It roughly translates to, “I don’t care,” and I love the irony of it being in such an eye-catching font. If you know me personally, you know that I care very much. Some may say too much. This would’ve been the most expensive item for the whole year at 175€ for the bag with customisation – an absolute bargain if you ask me. But thanks to the lovely tax refund desk at Charles de Gaulle, it was practically a steal. Since then, I’ve added a gold anchor keyring, a nod to my surname, to match the hardware of the bag and make it truly my own.

Green Tulle Skirt

Maurice, 16 Rue Rambuteau, Paris

During my shopping rampage through Paris, I found a gorgeous boutique called Maurice in Le Marais. In essence, it’s a fashion girlie’s dream with different prints, fabrics, and accessories everywhere you look. Slightly hidden on a rack, as there were only two left, was this gorgeous maxi skirt made out of sage green tulle ruffles. I gasped and ran to the changing rooms. I feel like it was made for me, and I wear it basically everywhere. From celebratory meals, days out to Fringe shows or grabbing a coffee and running errands, there is no occasion I will not pull it out for.

Trench Coat

Vintage Désir, 32 Rue des Rosiers, Paris

Honestly? I do all my best work in Paris. I’m aware I have tremendous luck when it comes to vintage shopping, but this coat really takes the cake as I’d been searching for a trench for a while. I knew I wanted a classic style that could be thrown on top of existing pieces in my wardrobe. Think Burberry-esque but without the brown, plaid lining as it isn’t really my thing. I was rummaging around Vintage Désir and caught a glimpse of some green lapels, and started to dig for the coat. It was so worth it as it’s the trench of my dreams. It’s an off-white colour rather than traditional beige with toggles to cinch it in at the waist. My favourite part is the lining, which features tiny hunters wearing sporting coats riding horses – a unique detail I don’t think I would have found anywhere else.

Diamante Jeans

Abercrombie & Fitch

Elevate your basics!!! I know when people say this, they’re typically referring to buy nice or buy twice but still, why wear plain jeans when you can wear bedazzled jeans? These were a special gift to myself this year in celebration of a promotion. I loved the idea of adding a little extra sparkle to my day-to-day, and they were on sale!

Jean shopping is a rare form of punishment, so when I find a style that fits, I will stick with it for years. Topshop’s Jamie jeans were my life throughout school. As an adult, I’ve moved towards Abercrombie & Fitch for my denim. If you’re like me and often struggle with jeans fitting around your bum but then gaping at the waist, try their Curve Love range. Almost four years ago, a very patient sales assistant introduced me to them and I’ve never looked back.

Diana’s Summer Necklace

Recreation Jewels, 20 Thistle St, Edinburgh

With stones in pink, purple, green and blue, the Diana summer necklace from Recreation jewels matches almost everything in my wardrobe. I love the versatility of the piece, either wearing it long or double wrapped to contrast against bold prints. Recreation Jewels has become a new favourite jewellery brand of mine this year. They’re based in Edinburgh and put a maximalist foot forward, which feeds into my colourful style. You may have already seen my TikTok about visiting their store for the first time.

Chunky Llama Cardigan

Szputnyik shop D20, Budapest, Dohány u. 20

I found this cardigan in Budapest and couldn’t believe that someone else hadn’t bought it yet. The amount of detail on it is astouding and I can only assume it’s homemade because of all the thoughtful details. The sun and raincloud on the shoulders, the cacti, the 3D dolls sewn on the front? I was mesmerised.

When I was in the changing rooms, I knew this cardigan was meant for me but she would need a little TLC to restore her to her former glory. I don’t believe the clear buttons match the vibe, and they’re clearly not an original feature due to the lack of buttonholes. There are also a couple of small holes I’ve noticed but they’re easily mended. Clearly, someone had put a lot of effort into making the cardigan, and I am more than happy to keep caring for it for years to come.

Floral Trousers

Jeans and a nice top? How about a white tee and a nice pair of troos? My favourite Vinted purchase of the year, BNWT from ASOS and less than a tenner. This is why I spend so much time scrolling on that app. Ugh, I just feel so cool wearing these trousers. The front crease is actually created with a running stitch down each leg, adding a little bit of structure to otherwise floaty trousers. I wore them to see Wolf Alice in Glasgow in December in honour of my favourite song from their new album, Bloom Baby Bloom.

When I was in school, we didn’t have a uniform (this is baffling to many people), and Hollister tanks and Superdry coats were all the rage. Whenever I got a new piece of clothing, I’d be so excited to wear it to class the next day and show it off. I’ve basically been chasing that high ever since. Because as much as I love shopping, I love my clothes even more. I love trying new outfit combinations and stacking my jewellery as I inch my way closer to Jenna Rink’s wardrobe from 13 Going on 30. So for a lot of people, I might purchase clothes at an alarming rate but I think of it as investing in my hobbies.