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Why do we keep buying clothes for occasions we don't have, places we don't go and people we aren't? Or, at least, why do I?
My New Year's resolution not to make (because I knew I wouldn't keep it) was "buy less clothes". It was kind of a joke, because I really do buy less these days. The reason is a combination of no room/ no place/ no interest.
I literally have no room to hang or stash anything. We live with a finite amount of closet space. Our dressers have not grown more drawers. The attic, with visions of squirrels chomping away on sweaters, is not an option. I cull and give things away regularly resulting in no more space, just a box of empty hangers— to store.
Do I have no place to go? Of course I go places. I barely have time to stay home and clean out a closet. But do I go to the opera? Gallery openings? Caribbean cruises? Charity balls? No, no and nope. But I have the clothes for them.
I have taken too close to heart my mother's philosophy that if you buy that party dress, you will have a party to attend. Or maybe it was more like "be prepared". It seems to me she was always prepared, but it was because her clothes did double and triple duty and she was a whiz with accessories.
Nevertheless, when I see something that has me adrenalized I can justify a "maybe" event to buy it. It's tough, but the right brain does step in and slap my hand before it reaches the credit card. What I can't do is stop looking. Not that I am comparing myself to the elderly man with an eye for pretty young girls, but "I'm not dead yet".
Sad but true that I have no interest in so much of what I see. Maybe I've been around fashion too long, but it feels like I've seen it all, and this mash up of trends— stripes with lace with leather and a peplum all on the same garment— has got to end. I'm not waiting for something original to appear; I'm actively looking for it, and it isn't there. So what has always been a (little bit of a guilty) pleasure— shopping— is more than a little frustrating. I can't even find something to tell myself not to buy!
Oh this post is RIGHT ON!!!! I see so many outfits presented that just do not make sense. A heavy duty leather moto jacket paired with sequin shorts and bare legs. I guess if you are being chauferred to a club to and fro that would be wearable. If one really dissects these looks they are impossibel to wear in real life in real weather. JCrew so boring with all of the tees with huge costume jewelry necklaces and distressed jeans with sequin blazers. We get it!!! We can put together anything and look stylish so today I have on a blue tuxedo blazer over a black knit cami dress with black fish nets and black combat boots. I have gone with the trends now what is nextt?
ReplyDeleteThanks for enlarging on my rant so descriptively. We are being encouraged to "express our individuality" by pairing A with B then adding C. Hhhmmm...
DeleteLike you, Michelle, I am always looking! But these days I tend to buy less - and I'm determined to streamline my wardrobe (soon!), as I tend to stick to a uniform of jeans, jackets and flat shoes, revved up with something stripy/sparkly.
ReplyDeleteI admire that you have both a direction and determination. Good luck!
Delete"Sad but true that I have no interest in so much of what I see. Maybe I've been around fashion too long, but it feels like I've seen it all ..."
ReplyDeleteThank you for saying this. I've been thinking that there's no such thing as a direction in fashion (except toward lower quality) for quite some time. Just hash, hash, and more hash.
What hits home for me with this post, is the way we can fall into buying for a life other than the one we actually lead. It helps encourage me to spend more time on what I'm about and less on what's on the outside.
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