256: An insurance policy for experimental shopping

Buying Bettter.

I tend to assert that taking risks in how you dress is good. But that approach is not without its downfalls. What’s that startup-bro saying? “Move fast, break things, you learn more from your mistakes than your successes, something something…?” They’re right, though. Sometimes you have to try and fail spectacularly in order to advance into deeper harmony with your own taste. But clothes costs money, and that game can get real expensive, real quick.

I recently downloaded the Chrome plugin Croissant (they’re sponsoring this send, but it’s something I’d want to write about anyway), which manifests as an optimistic blue dot that lives in the corner of my browser when I comb the pages of SSENSE, Net, MyTheresa….a whole bunch more. While I shop, the tool (also an app) gives me real-time offers to eventually buy back the product I’m looking at, should I decide to purchase it.

After a couple of weeks of watching the dot churn out dollar amounts ranging from reasonable to generous, I started thinking about how those experiments in style could be offset. The financial risk involved in trying a new brand or chancing on some final-sale outlier might be worthwhile with damage control baked in, should the ideas I’m throwing at the wall not stick.

The time to test this theory out came up when I spotted a cache of deeply discounted pieces from BETTTER on Farfetch. The brand, founded by former Vogue Ukraine Fashion Director Julie Pelipas, has long been on my want-to-try list, though the opportunity to interact with it more intimately through previews or on the rack just hadn’t come up. BETTTER’s pieces are all upcycled from deadstock or salvaged materials—the scale of production requires that the brand remain fairly small in order to maintain its waste-negative mission, which explains why it’s been elusive to me.

Of the pieces on sale (up to 85% off right now…with an extra 20% on some), I decided on a long, flowy button-down made from a viscose typically used for lining suit jackets and a pair of tailored shorts with excess fabric pinned down by additional buttons at the waist and legs. The shirt—down from $315 to $79—promised me a $29 Guaranteed Buyback via the friendly blue dot, and the shorts (now sold out in black but available in tan), once $715 were then $108 and could be sold back to Croissant for $39.

Both the items were marked as final sale, but even if neither worked out and I decided to sell, a purchase that would have cost me $1,030 would only ding my wallet a net $119. It was a risk I was willing to take.

I hit purchase on my two items, and then endeavored to answer the question at the very core of this saga…

To keep, or to sell?

Here’s the story of that process, told through five outfits.

Outfit 1

Bettter Lining Pinstripe Shirt, $79 $315 ($29 Guaranteed Buyback on Croissant) / Bettter Bibi Layered Shorts, $251 $715 ($92 Guaranteed Buyback on Croissant) / Tavenna Black Nappa Sandals, $301 $430 ($111 Guaranteed Buyback on Croissant) / Savette Suede & Leather Bucket Bag, $595 $1,190 ($161 Guaranteed Buyback on Croissant) / Lié Studio The Camille Gold-Tone Earrings, $250 / Sapir Bachar Gold Pearl Figurine Snake Choker, $372

Croissant Buyback Value: $393

Once the package arrived, the obvious move was to try the shirt and the shorts on together. They speak the same freaked-tailoring language and have synergetic proportions, being of a kindred collection and all.

I decided I liked the union and was relieved that they passed the first test. Next up: wardrobe enmeshment as further proof of concept.

Outfit 2

Fforme Zoe Leather Jacket (similar, $4,200; $1,559 Guaranteed Buyback on Croissant) / Bettter Bibi Layered Shorts, $251 $715 ($92 Guaranteed Buyback on Croissant) / / Alaia Le Teckel Bag, $2,700 ($1,105 Guaranteed Buyback on Croissant) / Leset Margo Tee, $65 / Martiniano Glove Shoe in Ivory, $490 / Sophie Buhai Silver Small Everyday Hoop Earrings, $146 $275 / Lara Somnez Nay Ring, $470 / Loren Stewart Domo Ring, $362

Croissant Buyback Value: $2,756

The more challenging of the two pieces, the shorts, had more to prove—I could almost certainly make an oversized button-down work, but a pair of formal, knee-length crops that threatened to further abbreviate my 5’5” frame? Highly suspect!

My first excursion into short-centric territory was thrilling work, actually. A slopy journey from shoulder to knee by way of a ton of dialogue with my adored new Fforme jacket. Check, check.

Outfit 3

Vespertine Avens The Leopard Ruffle Blouse, $394 / Bettter Bibi Layered Shorts, $251 $715 ($92 Guaranteed Buyback on Croissant) / Toteme Black 'The Slim' Knee-High Boots, $814 $1,130 ($349 Guaranteed Buyback on Croissant) / St. Agni Soft Drawstring Bag, $359 / Sophie Buhai Silver Small Everyday Hoop Earrings, $146 $275 / Lara Somnez Nay Ring, $470

Croissant Buyback Value: $441

For my second shorts trial, I was already beginning to have fun with them—two successful outfits in and I was feeling loose with my styling brush. Onto the canvas went a Vespertine blouse I’ve been holding onto for a few weeks, waiting for the right partner in crime to come along. These shorts turned out to be just the boys for the job.

Outfit 4

Studio Nicholson Beige Denali Trench Coat, $616 $1,120 ($228 Guaranteed Buyback on Croissant) / Bettter Lining Pinstripe Shirt, $79 $315 ($29 Guaranteed Buyback on Croissant) / By Far Black Amber Bag, $715 ($264 Guaranteed Buyback on Croissant) / Tove Pascale Leather Slippers, $710 / Erede Hinged Hoops, $3,600 / Tabayer Oera Large 18K Yellow Gold Ring, $2,850

Croissant Buyback Value: $521

With the shorts having all but cinched a permanent spot in my wardrobe, the spotlight turned to the shirt. What could this shirt do that the other dozens of shirts on my racks could not? Well, its brilliant 100% viscose composition—which, like I mentioned, was intended to be used as a lining in suit jackets—made it a perfect under-layer that would not bunch or gather uncomfortably.

Out came my most reached-for trench, from Studio Nicholson, and in went the viscose shirt, doing the job God (or maybe Julie Pelipas) intended it to.

Outfit 5

Bettter Lining Pinstripe Shirt, $79 $315 ($29 Guaranteed Buyback on Croissant) / vintage Levi’s from Front General Store (similar from La Ligne, $195; $46 Guaranteed Buyback from Croissant) / Maryam Nassir Zadeh X J.Crew Metallic Bralette, $59 / A.Emery Kinto Suede Sandals, $160 ($58 Guaranteed Buyback from Croissant) / Gap x DÔEN Logo Tote Bag, $69 / Completedworks Locus of Fortitude Necklace, $370 / Sophie Buhai Silver Small Everyday Hoop Earrings, $146 $275

Croissant Buyback Value: $133

At this point, I was ready to subject the shirt to the ultimate challenge. I wanted to see if it could relax. The one-trick portion of my wardrobe is dwindling the better I get at buying things that I actually hold onto. Pretty sure this is a post-COVID reality for many of us who no longer compartmentalize our dressing and need things that can do both the most and the least.

With jeans, flops, a tote for going to Mr. Berry…and a sparkly bra top because I’m ME…dare I say the shirt flew past muster in the casual outfit?

The reveal

As soon as I placed my order, the shirt and shorts showed up in my Croissant app, which I’d linked to my email address. It reflected the offer first shown to me when I was casually browsing the sale—the number that became my insurance policy for seeking out a greater understanding of my likes and dislikes in fashion in relation to my body and mind.

While I’m obviously keeping them both…did you see them? They are perfect. It’s the best possible outcome of a trust fall into the depths of final-sale shopping. But! Should I change my mind at any point within the next year about either piece, Croissant’s commitment to taking them off my hands for that same, fair price stands.

As far as startup bros and their platitudes go, sometimes you just win by winning.

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