Aug 15
When I go on my apparel “diet”, I will NOT miss struggling with shopping for clothes! I will not miss trying on clothes by designers who apparently never learned how a woman’s body is shaped. I will not miss trying on jeans where the rise is barely above the tops of my thighs, where the fabric has a ridiculous wrinkle or print, where the clothing is so poorly-made that it won’t last one season. I will not miss trying on overpriced, trendy clothing where I appear pregnant, overstuffed, disproportionate, short-limbed – and did I mention pregnant? I will not miss feeling bad about my body because clothing doesn’t fit. I will not miss worrying about the money I spend on alterations that are necessary just to make even well-made clothing look good.
I will enjoy what I already have, that DOES fit, and I will feel good about my body.
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Tagged with: apparel, diet, self-image, shopping
Aug 12
I’m sure I’m not the first person to link to this article in the NYTimes, but I wholeheartedly agree with it! One reason I decided to do the Great American Apparel Diet was so that I could “step off the consumer treadmill” and re-evaluate what I really want to spend my money on. There are certainly possessions, even articles of clothing, that have brought me great joy in the past, but there are many other intangible experiences that have been a delight. I’d like to make more room in my wallet, and my life, for those.
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Tagged with: apparel, Consumerism
Nov 09
It’s official – I made it through Week One and I’ve only got 51 more to go. What was I thinking? I wonder especially because I’m neither a frequent shopper nor much of a fashion follower. I ended up with a subscription to W magazine last year and every time it arrived I thought, “What am I going to do with this?” My husband and I joked that it was sent by my mom or brother as a subtle reminder to step it up a notch, but regardless, I enjoyed my fashion peek while it lasted.
So how did I get through the first week? I told my oldest daughter, Margaret (she’s seven going on 35), all about the “diet” (not a top 10 word at home, but I made an exception) and she kept me honest over the weekend. We went shopping for her new sneakers and leggings at three stores (Target, the Gap and Macy’s). I kept stopping to admire random things that I wanted to look at and maybe, even purchase. Um, but that’s right, “You CAN’T” she reminded me at EVERY second, glance or even, “ooh, isn’t this cute!” comment.
We made it through shopping hell, but not without a million questions, “Can you get new shoes? What if your feet grow? How about underwear or bras? Your socks – you love socks and (most important), can you buy ME new clothes?” Yes, yes, and yes. Thankfully, Margaret doesn’t need anything right now, because she is all business about the apparel diet.
I was left thinking after we got home – Why the sudden urge to purchase? I wish I were 2 or 3 sizes smaller (third baby = 3x the weight) and have enough “big girl” clothes to last until I am 60+, but I kept seeing things that would be perfect for the fall/winter and hell, even for a tropical vacation (that we aren’t taking!). The shopping trip left me with some “consumerish” things to think about and more important, a lot more money in my bank account. Thanks Margaret!
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Tagged with: apparel, macys, sneakers, Target, The Gap
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