The Great American Apparel Diet

no buying for one year

Day 5 of TGAAD: Today I unsubscribed from all my wonderful fashion emails including, Rue La La, idelli, Bluefly, Boutiques.com, and ShopItToMe.com. Such a sad and lonely day. Actually, not really.

I’m rather relieved to have an excuse to unsubscribe from the dozens of spam messages I receive daily, begging me to shop. On my behalf, I’ve actually purchased only one item and only from Bluefly. Up until now I have been subscribing to the other newsletters, because I figure it’s better to know then not to know.

For the record, I have bookmarked the sites–a year from now, I’d like to remember the fashion companies I subscribed to! At least I won’t be bombarded or tempted for the next 12 months.

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Unbelievably, it’s already been a month (today!) since I last purchased any new clothes. To be honest, I haven’t missed shopping one bit. Of course, it’s the holidays and there are tons of errands/chores which normally wouldn’t interfere with my valuable shopping time, so that’s probably helped. Anyway, I’m thrilled — this is real progress for me!

I’m still going into my closet and finding stuff I completely forgot I had, so it could be MONTHS before the current inventory seems stale. I’m also perusing catalogs and magazines for new ideas which is not only great fun but keeps me on top of trends and keeps my outfits fresh.

When I was a lot younger, I’d get bored and do a closet “inventory,” counting my pants, shoes, jackets, dresses, etc. The numbers were alarming back then, before I had actual $$ to spend (and I had the credit card debt to prove it). I’d be far too embarrassed to do that now. (Why do I feel guilty for owning all this stuff?)

I’m continuing to purge by either donating/giving away as much as I can. The other day, I wore a gorgeous burgundy leather jacket to work that I really like yet which I rarely wear (it was found in a consignment shop at least 10 years ago). It fits beautifully and looked great, plus I got tons of compliments on it. There is a young woman at work (w/ two small children and tight funds) that I give clothes to, so when she complimented me on the jacket, I asked her to try it on. She did, and loved it, and now it’s hers. I wish she could wear my shoes!

I hope everyone is remaining on their shopping diet this holiday season. With all the sales/great deals going on right now, I’ve found it’s best if I just stay at home. I continue to delete emails from my favorite stores without going onto their sites, mainly out of fear that I’ll cave and order/buy something. I also continue to feverishly cling to the fact that I can buy shoes w/o guilt — I’m trying to save that as a “prize” if I get through something difficult and need a reward of sorts. However, I’m afraid when Spring clothes are in the stores, I will fall prey to their allure, but like any important task, I’m taking it one step at a time.

Be well, my fellow non-shoppers, and happy holidays!

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Hey Dieters!

As I’ve written before, I’m not technically on the diet, I help out Sally, but I still keep you guys in the back of my mind when I’m out and about on the town – especially when I’m shopping.

I had a recent “first” that I feel like I should post about.  Let me start off by saying I’m feeling a little bad ass, and it’s totally the pick-me-up I’ve been needing since my last post (if anyone is keeping score, that was the one about the dumb boy). I didn’t spend a single cent on clothes either – come to think of it I didn’t spend a single cent, period.

I was a hair model at a beauty school. I got my hair cut. The cut is phenomenal. Think Keira Knightly in Domino – hotness all over. I got my hair colored. It’s blonde. That’s right Sally, you read that right. I’m now BLONDE. Completely unexpected, totally edgy, still keeping my classy cool (always). It took me WAY out of my comfort zone, but I’m getting a lot of compliments on it, it’s actually growing on me (no pun intended) and I can tell I’m looking at things in a new (positive) perspective.

It’s a bit amusing how my wardrobe looks new and different with a hair cut. With this new cut, all of a sudden I’m getting inspired to pair things together that have a slight edge-y bite to it – no fear!

So for some of you that might be lacking some inspiration or are becoming bored with the “usual” look, help out a beauty school and sign up to be a hair model. They always need them (and are typically scrambling for them), you’re not going to spend a ton of money, and they DO know what they are doing. It might just be the new perspective that you’ve been looking for

Keep on Truckin’

Tawnie

Team GAAD

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After a year of no shopping, and hearing my cohorts who are now at the end of the diet talk about how they are still not shopping, I realize that I love that particular activity. More than ever. The year off only honed my taste level and made me more mindful, focused, and particular when I shop. I am better at it now. During the diet, I could see what fabrics failed me, wore out too fast, seemed like disposable clothes. I took a mental note of that and paid attention to the fact that three cheaply made sweaters are the same price as one great, long lasting one. I would rather have fewer things than things made with the idea that they can be tossed out because the item is so “cheap”.

I love shopping alone, I love shopping with my friends, I love finding out about new businesses, meeting the owners, and telling my clients where they might find what they are looking for. Even my salon on Queen Anne has a series of photos in each room, photos of women shopping in Paris. The photographer, Esther Sirotnik, uses digital film, but does not touch up the images, crop or change them. The shot above is the shot she captured that day. I love it that only the dog is aware. I adore these images (Ms. Sirotnik also has a book called Unexpected Paris) because it captures these women, who are all doing the same thing, but they are from all different parts of the world. The photos really do capture the feeling of why I love wandering through shops, the feel of fabrics, talking to the boutique owners about their businesses, seeing what kind of buyers they are and what they are passionate about.
You can see the photos on Monday, November 8th from 4PM to 7PM during the Olivine “pop up shop” we are having at my studio. Or go to Esther Sirotnik’s website. But I warn you….if you are still on the diet here looking at the photos is like a person off sugar looking at pictures of Trophy Cupcakes.

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According to an article on MSNBC Mall-loving behavior may be linked to our hunting and foraging past.

Women get back to their foraging roots by sorting through store racks — as if scanning plants for signs of ripeness, researchers suggest. 

To read the entire article go to: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/34380445/ns/health-behavior/

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Hey Dieters!

Now, I’m helping out with this blog and not exactly partaking in the one year of no new apparel, but everyone taking on the challenge of not buying new clothes has really influenced my own thoughts about buying new stuff.

Being the young 20 something that I am, I’m in that crazy time of life when I’m trying to get a career started, network and meet new people and (of course) looking to impress some guy so I have things to do on Friday nights besides eating a bowl of cookie dough ice cream…..alone….. again. But recently, there was a guy- and I wasn’t even wearing a new outfit when we met!! I thought it was a good sign. Things were looking solid, then one day out of the blue everything just stopped. No answering of texts, no picking up phone calls, no message replies on facebook. At this point, “confused” would be the understatement of my mental state. 

Shortly after I went shopping with a friend and I was about to go crazy on over-priced Ferragamos, Dolce & Gabbana duds and high heeled oxford style shoes that he had told me he loved seeing on girls.  Just having graduated college, my little checking account would not be able to handle all that. But what did I care? I was hurt, distraught, rejected! I needed the biggest pick me up ever and some strategic move to get him to call me. Then it hit me – how was spending all this time and money going to change anything? Did I actually believe that maybe sporting expensive designer wear would make him all of a sudden pick up the phone, call me, and confess what a huge mistake it was of him to let me go and never return my texts?  And I don’t even think my style aesthetic could include a heeled oxford – I was just considering them because he said he liked them.

So the moral of my story, dieters, is you all have reminded me that this journey is about finding myself and knowing who I am, first and foremost. I have my own kick ass closet which houses my own sophisticated style. And it currently does not include high heeled oxfords.

Keep on Truckin’

Tawnie

Team GAAD

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So it’s only been a month, but I have to say, this is harder than I thought! The temptation to shop is everywhere… Whenever I walk home from work and pass by all these beautiful stores on Fifth Ave, everything looks a little bit nicer… a little more sparkly… a little more AMAZING? Like those bauble necklaces in the shiny storefronts, which I’d normally never pay attention to, suddenly look so NICE. Were they always that way, or am I just in major withdrawal???

Hmm, on second thought… I think I need to find a new route home!

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One month down and 11 to go.  I have to admit that I have had some cheating thoughts after some unexpected catalogs rolled in this week.  I have resisted, and will continue to resist, but today I found myself at the mall over lunch, buying underwear, wondering what the rest of this shopping mecca contained…new sweaters?  Sweaters unlike the sweaters I have at home, perhaps? I do love sweaters.

I quickly snapped back to reality as I stepped into the 85 degree afternoon amidst San Diego’s current heatwave.  Who needs sweaters?  Good thing linen is out of season!

Beyond the linen, the sweaters and everything in between I have found that the reason that I am participating in this, as a personal challenge to make clothing purchases more thoughtfully (and try to, in turn, make all of my material acquisitions more thoughtful) seems to be slipping.  Blame it on a few busy and stressful weeks at the office, or perhaps the arrival of a new season..who knows.  What I do know is that every once in a while we all need a reminder.

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This morning, I found the online address to stop junk mail. I receive at least six fashion catalogs a day, and don’t even peek. I have a friend who I pass them on to who is not on the diet. Stopping junk mail will stop unwanted, fashion catalogs from tempting me.

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I can’t believe how good I have been so far – 40 days of Great American Apparel Diet already ( started July 30th) and barely a few cravings!

Just after joining I went on vacations to my hometown of Geneva, Switzerland for a week where I have been too busy catching up with my family and a few friends I have left there to even think about shopping. Of course store windows still seemed to whisper my name but I always managed to focus on whatever else I had in mind- which usually involved having a good time and simple pleasures.

Speaking of simple pleasure-snatching a couple of nightgowns that used to belong to my great great model aunt in my grandmother’s closet absolutely made my vacations. Just cinched a belt found in my closet and voila!

The following week was not shopping inducing as I mostly stayed by the pool at a friend’s house in Spain. I watched Polo games at the local club every day and wanted a “souvenir-like” polo so I was ready to give in and buy a half priced polo convincing myself that it would be the equivalent of a souvenir from there. It turned out my friend actually grabbed the polo while I was changing back and paid for it along with theirs selection so I am still on and really thankful for my friend who I hadn’t even mention GAAD to.

Overall daily sample sales and sales sites news emails are the most frustrating especially my favorite Shop It To Me as I don’t receive a notification as long as products of brands I like are not at least 70% off . Obviously I thought of unsubscribing from these daily shopping motivators but I decided to keep them for really worthwhile deals on accessories and shoes. Just got to be stronger!

Back to work I am catching up on all the glossies and realize they make me think I want and need some cool new hit items but  I decide I will focus to make do with the tons of stuff that’s in my closet. I am hoping that at some point I’ll be daring enough to try a bit of DIY to groove up some of my boring clothes.

Of course the upside is that I am slowly seeing my savings build up- extremely slowly as I am spending on others things (hello Hamptons weekend!) but it is still quite rewarding.

Today I shopped online – gasp- for the first time in 40 days and even though it is footwear and technically allowed during the diet I really thought about it for a bit before checking out with about $200 charged on my credit card. I hesitated a bit between pink and purple before placing the order but figured I would get more wear out of the purple version of these 80% off Gucci suede boots. My only concern is the nasty winter weather in NYC but as long as I don’t wear them during snowstorms and take good care of them I can definitely keep them a long time.

This weekend I am planning to go to the free Brooklyn store to drop off a skirt and few things that I no longer wear but that somebody else might enjoy.

- Sabrina Bailly
@miss_bb

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