So I have gotten many comments from friends/family about my clothing diet. The comments have ranged from, “Oh, isn’t that interesting….” (Yes, I believe the intent here is self evident) to “Don’t you think it’s a little hypocritical to continue to buy accessories, handbags and shoes while allegedly changing your consumption habits” (for the record, I kind of agree and am struggling with what to do about it) and, “Does this mean you won’t come to the trunk show at my house next week, I was counting on you!” Yes, you and Visa–sorry to let you both down.
Meanwhile, everywhere I look (Sunday’s LA Times, yesterday’s San Francisco Chronicle) there are articles about people overspending, negative consequences of this habit and how retailers are now having to “get local” with their approach to luring consumers in. Honestly, I feel like I am on information overload! The funny thing is, in many respects I find myself thinking more and more about shopping; all of the shopping I have done, the shopping I could be doing now and what it will all mean for my consumption habits in the future. The great news is that I feel like all of the time I am thinking about this subject, I am not necessarily thinking about things I could be buying but rather what it all means and how it all got to be so important in my life to begin with. More on that later but my primary thought is boredom.
Since starting my clothing fast many things have happened in my life. I had a birthday and NO ONE bought me a single article of clothing, much to my dismay, I joined Weight Watchers because the dozens of cute things hanging in my closet aren’t just going to drape themselves kindly over the extra ten pounds I have been toting around. I got a job. I didn’t look for this job, it actually showed up in my inbox in the form of an email from a friend and former co-worker. He wanted someone to solve a glitch in his business and he kindly recruited/drafted me. How does this pertain to TGAAD you are half wondering while considering why you are even reading this to begin with….well, I have had to dress myself respectably since the job showed up and so far, it’s been great. I am not even wasting any brain power by contemplating what item I am “missing” from my wardrobe that I can’t live without. I simply go into my closet and choose from the vast array of things already there!!
If anything, TGAAD has me thinking a little more about what I AM going to wear in a good way. I am trying to dress outside of my general guideline of “if it is contains some percentage of lycra and I can ride my bike to get the kids to school and not look like a giver-upper (of the sweatpant variety) or have a camel-toe then that’s my outfit!!
A little over two weeks in and I’d have to say instead of just being an unconscious consumer I am turning into a little more of a conscious dresser. This is a good thing. No more excuses about why I can’t wear the totally cute, strapless sundress that I bought at Anthropologie* because I don’t have anything to wear it to–forget it! I am just going to wear it to show up at my life!
* It was on SALE!!
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Cin,
I LOVE some of your comments about boredom and how the shopping focus became so important in life. These are the thoughts that intrigued me about the whole diet. I’m looking forward to hearing more about your thoughts on this throughout the year.
But most importantly, congrats on the new gig!
Cin–you are funny. I love this post. Self reflection is what it is all about isn’t it. I am coming to the conclusion that…I am not my clothes. But I may be my shoes.
S