I loved reading Angeline’s post chronicling her shopping eras–totally identified with each one–and got stuck reading over and over again the question she posed: “how much is enough?” Like most of you, I am able to participate in TGAAD precisely because I have not properly answered this question in the past and have gone way past “enough,” which allows me to diet–without cheating even once I am proud to say–without suffering the hardship of not having something to wear. I always do!
But what happens when you spill toxics on your favorite duds, or your essential Converse wear a hole in them? Over time, if we all stayed on TGAAD forever we would end up naked or in rags, and obviously neither are acceptable solutions for us fashion forward ladies (and gentleman!), our friends, families, and employers. 
So I am trying to envision post-TGAAD life, and how I am going to take lessons learned from this experience and change my relationship with clothes/shoes/accessories going forward. Personally, I’d like to focus on my clothes as a tool to accomplish my life goals, and get away from using shopping as an addictive treat. I’d love to see a standard set of rules or guidelines that I can live by for “how much is enough” that can be customized depending on needs and lifestyle. Then you know right away if you need to go shopping, and what specifically you need to buy. It would take all the wasted time and money out of shopping. My initial thoughts are that maybe the list should be one outfit for each day of the week that you do an activity:
office job (5 days a week) = five each of mix and match pants, shirts, sweaters
swim (1 day a week) = one swimsuit
etc. etc.
Any takers? Anyone want to post a proposed set of rules for “enough”?
Loading ...
Great question (if I may say so myself).
I know I said I have enough, but I’m not sure how I would quantify that. Five pairs of work pants, one for each day of the week, sounds great in theory, but I know that would never satisfy me (and I have plenty more).
I think the threshold might be more subjective than just x number of pants, x number of tops. There are some must haves I would suggest for any woman working in an officeplace: black trousers, LBD, suit, sheath dress, cocktail dress, pencil skirt, trench coat (I could go on and on). But maybe it just comes down to realizing that, even if you don’t buy anything new this month or this year, you can rest assured knowing you can be fully clothed every day.
I’ll keep thinking on it and get back to (all of) you, though! Would love to hear others’ thoughts as well.
-Angeline