I’m thirty.
This isn’t news, really, just a jumping-off point for my recent focus on personal style. I’m thrilled to be thirty and my entry into this new decade is good enough reason as any curate my closet.
In a dream world, Duchess Catherine would pass her hand-me-downs to me. And they’d fit. I love that girl.
While Duchess Middleton can do no wrong, her general style is too fancy for me. This doesn’t stop me from trilling, “Look at me, I’m like Kate Middleton!” whenever I’m wearing a dress and heels.
I’ve soaked up Design Mom’s guide to layering like the French. I love Rachel’s three piece rule. I also have no real shame in recreating complete outfits I see in catalogs. I mean, someone put that outfit together because it looks good, right?
I jokingly call this my “style revival” but it will be a slow transition. I’m not looking for a major overhaul, just a shift in thinking.
Put simply, I vow to know what I want BEFORE I shop for it.
Sounds basic, no? Regardless, it’s kind of new to me. I used to mindlessly wander stores (physically or online) and buy things because they were on sale or I was bored or whatever. No real thought. Heck, when I first moved to the city and had no friends I’d wander through stores on the weekends just to have something to do. I was never one for huge shopping sprees, but slow mindless shopping can fill your closet with things you don’t really love.
Now, I’m looking at pictures of outfits I like and trying to breakdown WHY. Then, I shop for specific items like nude flats or a purple gingham shirt.
This book (which I haven’t actually read yet but fully intend to) inspired me before it even came out thanks to this snippet in Slate. To sum up, there’s no real local demand for your cast-off clothing. Sad, I know. I always feel better after I donate clothing because I love the idea that at least someone will get use out of an item.
But what if they don’t? What if that infrequently-worn sweater just ends up in the trash?
Certain retailers who shall remain nameless churn out “disposable” fashion: cheap, on trend, and designed to last one season. Is disposable fashion really in keeping with how I live the rest of my life? No. From here on out I intend to invest in classic pieces I will have for years.
Sometimes I use this blog to make my intentions public and keep myself accountable. This is one of those times.
My husband and I just rearranged some furniture to gain me more dresser space (moving a dresser that was mostly full of my clothes from our daughter’s room to ours) and took the opportunity to do some purging. We have enough in our donation heap to fill about three good-sized trash bags, and my drawers are still packed (and I thought I was being ruthless!). I’m planning to do another sort this afternoon, culling everything that I isn’t perfect and flattering – no more keeping the not-quite-right shirt despite the fun pattern! I think you’re right that this problem is solved before the stuff makes it into the house. I read that article on Slate and feel weird about donating stuff now, so I’m planning to bring our bags to a women’s shelter I used to work at, since I know the donations there are actually worn and are used in our community. Here’s to more deliberate purchases in the future, to avoid having to do this again!
I too am trying to buy more deliberately. I’ve been on the cheap and disposable side with shoes for way too long, but this fall I bought a more solid pair of shoe/boots that should last me for awhile.
Although I will say that I still fall prey to wanting trendy or cute t-shirts and tops … and you know where I go to buy them? The thrift store. I love our local Savers.
So there may not be a huge demand for secondhand clothing, it’s true… but at least I can feel like I’m not perpetuating the “cheap clothes” cycle. I think.
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