The Great American Apparel Diet

no buying for one year

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Hello Everyone!

After reading about TGAAD in October of 2010 I decided to take the plunge in November, and officially joined the website this month. I have been spreading the word to friends & on FB as well.

I have been trying to cut down my consuming for some time- for ‘green’ reasons and personal reasons as well…because I have a HUGE closet! Why? Well, I AM a clotheshorse, been following fashion since I was 11 (I’ve read EVERY issue of Vogue since the 7o’s- that’s a lot of issues!) but the reason my closet is so huge is that I am an Actor & Costume Designer; I run my own small theater company and we never throw anything away! So, whenever I wanted to rationalize new clothing purchases, I would just move some old clothes into the costume stock and voila! now I ‘needed’ something new.

So I have a lot more resources than most to keep wearing my own things, plus I can sew and re-configure old things in new styles- I think I am much luckier (and therefore need TGAAD more) than most.

Here’s my big question: Does buying clothing from Secondhand stores or thrift stores count? I ask because, yes, these things would be ‘new’ to ME, but are not new clothing, and not adding new items into circulation. Also, many of the secondhand items that don’t get bought get thrown away eventually (wasted).

I ask because it has been fairly easy for me to stop buying new clothes- running a theater company is already an exercise in negative income ( add in this economy and there isn’t much money for clothes anyway!). But resisting temptation in the Thrift store has been HARD! I must shop there when I am costuming a show, and its really difficult to resist buying something that is: A) very cheap, and B) is now being used instead of winding up in a landfill.

So, what do you all think? Is buying Secondhand cheating on TGAAD?

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Although I have completed my year of the diet, it has still continued to influence my purchasing. In the last year I have purchased only 3 new items, all after I completed my diet. I have since purchased a pair of running shorts and a top for my upcoming Komen Maryland Race for the Cure. I had been running in cotton shorts and a tshirt, and in the muggy Baltimore, MD it left me soaked and uncomfortable. The only other purchase that I made was a comfortable pair of foldover waistband lounge pants. They were half price and fit like a glove; I couldn’t resist.

Some of the permanent life changes as a result of the “The Diet” are that I continue to read “look books” and fashion articles to discover the trend items and then use what I have in my closet to restyle what I already have. Over the last year I have purchased a a few accessories including this gorgeous belt and a brand new purse. A few pieces of jewelry like this leather cuff, tattoo necklace, and some very chic recycled mixed media pendants. The final and most important purchases were these great brooches that I use to accent my staple pieces like cardigans and jackets. It allows me to wear the same items each week, but feel like I’m wearing something new. I never had enough in the budget to buy clothing and accessories, even back when I purchased cheap clothing on clearance. I have two more planned purchases this year, a black cardigan and one in brown, to replace the ones that I wore so often and for so long that I wore out the elbows and then through the patches. 

What I will continue to do is to always buy vintage, refashioned or recycled clothing first and whenever possible. Etsy, Ebay and local thrift stores are great ways to shop for eco-friendly, inexpensive clothing. If that isn’t possible then I’ll buy handmade to support artisans and crafters who still value quality and creativity. I do love a good one of a kind piece that I know I can wear for many, many years to come.  

The most important lesson that I learned though, is that you can be really stylish without constantly updating your wardrobe with throw-away fashion. Don’t be a fashion victim caught in the cycle of constantly having to buy the newest, trendiest clothes. Buy a few well-made, perfectly fitted items and keep them. Maintaining a healthy diet and  exercise can help you fit into those pieces longer and you’ll be happier and healthier in the end. I spend so little time shopping now that I’m free to pursue all of the interests that I always wanted, but couldn’t find the time, money or energy to devote before. I’ve taken up cooking, running, knitting, crocheting, sewing, downhill mountain bike racing and spending much more time with my family and friends and I couldn’t be happier.

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While I was already committed to buying used or refashioning to help with the environment before participating in GAAD, I have found that I ofteen used GAAD as a reminder not even think about buying anything new. After all, I’d made a promise. As time passed I realized that I was less and less concerned with purchasing new clothes and really enjoyed reworking what I had. I rarely, if ever, felt like I was constrained or missing something. As I move forward beyond the GAAD I’ll try to remember what I’ve learned. I’ll continue to host clothing swaps and will always shop for second hand or refashioned clothing first. But, I also know that a good cardigan is hard to find and I’ll save the shopping for my most essential items that need to be replaced. I look forward to continuing my commitment to the environment and to my budget and buying only whats essential, but to continue to  have fun with what I already own. If there are any ladies in the Baltimore area who are interested in future clothing swaps, please do contact me.  Thanks for the great learning opportunity Sally, and for giving me a reason to stay disciplined and to really practice what I preach.

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Tonight I was with my friend Portia who has been contemplating going on this diet for 11 months now.  I told her that I have decided to extend the diet for one more year, in light of the fact that there have been so many people interested in joining the effort in the past few weeks (here we go again).  When I told Portia it wasn’t too late to realize the benefits of clothing deprivation she hooped and hollered “That’s what I need, a closet colonic.”  The visual made me gag.  She went on to claim, “Deep within my big, fat, bloated walk-in closet there is a skinny one begging to be free.”  Portia, warming to the idea, is going to “think about it,” before she commits.  Let me be clear…I am not doing this for another year myself but I will moderate, facilitate, contemplate and write about life post diet.   

Alright already Portia—stop the squawkin’ and start walkin’ give your closet the future it deserves with a purge, a cleanse a regular down home colonic.  We’re here my dear and waiting to hear how it all “flushes out.”

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I’ve been pretty successful on this diet, though I have had a few “cheats”. I will catalogue them now for full disclosure: 1 pair boots this winter (I actually did not have a pair of boots that were waterproof, and now that I am commuting a few blocks in the snow, they were necessary), a new t-shirt from a state park and a new shirt from a local artisan. I think this is pretty darn good! It’s way better than I’ve ever done on a food diet anyway! Besides the practicality of the boots, the two shirts were supporting things that I want to support. I could have just given the park money, but I like advertising for it. And the artisan was at a local craft fair, so it was a one-time chance.
What’s been the most interesting to me throughout this diet though is how I’ve found a new value system.

When I first started, every day that I walked past Anne Taylor was torture. And I walk past this store every week day. I would stare in and LONG for the outfits in the window. A couple of months ago, I went into the store. I was nervous, and I found I wanted things. But then I looked at the price tags. Suddenly dropping $180 on a new dress “just because” seemed appauling! I used to do this weekly without batting an eye, now it just seems frivolous, despicable even. I saw these cute t-shirts with ribbons and pearls on them, and thought about how much I wanted one. It wasn’t very expensive either. But I realized that I could actually take a pink t-shirt I already own and turn it into this cute be-dazzled shirt. This was especially a good idea because the shirt has a small coffee stain on it, and I have therefore not worn it. But I could turn it into something I want to wear again by attaching decorative items to it!

I now find myself exploring store windows, not with lust and envy, but with a curious eye turned towards “how did they make that”? I am re-discovering my once artistic and creative self, and finding fulfillment. I am also discovering that I have managed to save a lot of money for things that matter more to me, and feeling less stressed out.  It’s nice to be able to walk to work without feeling completely depressed that you “can’t have” that cute dress in the window.  Now I realize that I can have whatever I want, but my “wants” are changing.

Who knew that deprivation would lead to so much gain!?

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We’ve written about companies who engage in upcycling to create scarves, bags, teddy bears, and more. Similarly, our latest spotting breathes new life into cast-off clothing, but adds a charitable twist. Launched by the Ted Noffs Foundation, Sydney-based One Noffs offers local aspiring fashion designers the opportunity to rework donated garments into one-of-a-kind designs, which are then sold to fund programs for disadvantaged kids.

Participants receive a big bag of pre-loved clothing which they have three weeks to remanufacture, either at home or on One Noffs’ in-store sewing machine. A section of the foundation’s second-hand stores will be dedicated to these one-off designs. Each designer receives 20 percent of the sale price and their bio is added to the item’s swing tag.

There’s nothing like one-of-a-kind designs to make consumers feel unique, but add stitch of upcycling, sew in a social cause element and the products become all the more desirable. (Related: T-shirts with a story, and a cause — Salvation Army’s 50/50 project.)

Website: www.noffs.org.au
Contact: onenoffs@noffs.org.au

Spotted by: Gerard McLennan

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A few days ago, Sally came to my shop and gave me a fantastic sweater. She also gave me a blue 3/4 sleeve top…on the tag is says “Anne Fontaine Paris” and that make me feel fancy. Her website is annoying, though. Sorry Anne Fontaine! The wrap around sweater has beautiful flowers on the shoulder and the tag says Taxi CDC. Never heard of that one…doesn’t sound fancy. After going to the website I see it is a recycled clothing company, which I love! Now this sweater is my favorite sweater! I almost wore it two days in a row. This apparel diet is turning out pretty good for me. Thanks Sally! I owe pictures of my Via Spiga faux shearling coat from Bluefly and these two things, too.
Now, off to work on the redesign of my website www.beautyalert.biz because we have three gorgeous doctors who recommend our system!

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You all may consider calling the authorities and having me taken away in a paddy wagon. So here’s my true confession. I’ve found not shopping for clothes to be incredibly easy–partly because I honestly have no discretionary income any more, but mostly because I really did turn a switch in my brain. It’s just not something I really think about any more. (This may change come spring, when the juices flow and the clothes are adorable.)
I’m so much in New Depression mode, in fact, that I did something recently I still can’t quite believe. I have a new roommate (whose name I shan’t drag into this sorry story), and she’s been a delight to have in the house. The other morning, I was making the rounds of all the garbage cans, and went to empty the large-ish one in the laundry room. In it, there were some…clothes.
They were some kind of soft black knit, two pieces, with lots of lint etc stuck to them. But I quickly realized they were a top and bottom to some very cute pajamas–sleeveless top with ruched rows of stitching across the top, and the same rows of stitching across the hips of the bottoms, which end in wide flowy billows. Cute! I couldn’t figure out why she tossed them, except there was a small hole along one of the stitched rows of the waistband–or maybe it’s because they were a bit too big for her, who knows?
All I know is, my first thought was: “These are still good!” I washed and dried them, and slipped them up to my room, where I put them on and thought how very loungey and Joan Collinsy I looked (in a good way). Free pajamas! (the good news) Which I fished out of the garbage! (not sure if that’s good news or not)
Anyway, Roomie does not know I salvaged/recycled her former jammies but they are comfy and I’ve worn them several times. It might be a little hard to explain when I do run into her while wearing them.
My question to you all–and please be honest–is, Have I taken this a little too far?

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