The Great American Apparel Diet

no buying for one year

My year of clothes dieting was over July 31st, so tonight, 5 days later, my husband asked me what we were going to do for fun. I suggested we go out and walk around the outdoor mall, thinking I could start scoping out the clothes scene and plan for my 1st post-diet purchase. We drove around trying to find a parking spot, passing Banana Republic, Macy’s, Dillards, Ann Taylor…and in the end, I decided that I wasn’t even interested in the exercise of shopping, as I had originally thought. It didn’t even sound fun…so, we ended up dining instead! I may try a lower level of commitment first…thrifting, just for the sport of it all.

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I just found Obsessive Consumption, in which an illustrator makes drawings of her daily purchases via this blog, which discusses it interestingly.

For those of us who may be doing the Diet for spending-awareness purposes, I thought this was an interesting way of becoming more insightful on purchases.

If I had to draw each and every thing I bought… Or even if I had to draw everything I ATE! I don’t keep up with my accounts, especially since I’ve automated them (I have a mint.com account and never look at it). Maybe s/thing like this is what I need? Medatively drawing a bit everyday, mulling on “gee, I did not need to ’consume’ three bars of chocolate,” but also being able to relish some things in a new way (”gee, this was a really great gift I found for Mom”).

A year of my life in stuff. Scary thought…. But does it need to be scary?

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I was weak. I’ll admit. I had been doing so well!

Not really.

I’ve bought more shoes since starting TGAAD than I have in the last few years combined, I’m pretty sure. I’ve bought now THREE pairs of boots since September, plus shoes that replaced broken shoes, PLUS the “OMG they fit!!!! must buy!!” (at a 5~5.5 it’s really hard for me to find shoes that fit that I like)…. minus the OMG-they-fit shoes I ended up giving away to my similiar-footed friends b/c I was just never wearing them, or they started to hurt after coming out of their winter-hiberation.

Yesterday, I went to brunch with some galpals I hadn’t seen in a while right next to a shopping center. And one needed new shoes (she’d lost her good flipflops during some baggage loss), and the other needed a dress to wear to a wedding.

So I also bought some shoes to replace a pair of wedges that are breaking down due to getting caught in sudden rains and also another pair of boots that I don’t need, because they were just too cute, and too much on sale. Of course. I thought this was enough to sate my shopping hunger. Wrong.

I tried on some clothes to see what they would look like while my pals were also trying on new looks. I discovered that I actually really like ruffles, and planned on busting out the sewing machine to hack some old tanktops to recreate the look this weekend…

and then came the skirts.

For work… they look so nice. and were on moderate sale. but would be a great “other” option to my Ann Taylor dry-clean-only power skirts. And I’m so bored with my other skirts, and they don’t make me feel good. And it’s hard to accessorize a skirt. My old skirts make me feel OK, but these nice, new, trim pencil skirts made me feel good. And they fit. (I’ll admit, I’ve been tempted to buy thing before, but never could, b/c they weren’t in my size.) So I bought them.

New clothes!

BUT now I’m also really excited about the new season starting, the old summer clothes I can bust out again, and the modifications that I can’t wait to make to recreate and update some old garments to make them actually wearable.

I’ll be good again now!!

Onward!!!

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Part of the reason we live in a disposable apparel culture is that we don’t take the time or make the effort to take care of the clothes we own.  I remember as a kid my mother hand washing her favorite items.  This was long before people sent everything to the dry cleaner, which by the way can ruin a wardrobe if you are not careful. My mother’s special “delicate” silks and jerseys would hang on the shower rod in our bathroom or on the floor laid flat to dry.  I can’t remember the last time I hand washed something.  My mother, by the way is a fashion icon at 72 years old.  Her wardrobe can go up against anyone’s wardrobe anyday.   Most of what’s especially beautiful in her closet are those things she has hung onto for years.  So that brings me to this…how do we modern girls learn from the generation before us about taking care of what we already own?  Here are some basic principles.  Please add on your own and I will post them too.

Tips for taking care of the clothes you already own:

• Avoid dry cleaning as much as possible. The chemical process strips down fibers in clothes over time.
• No wire hangers!
• Wash rougher pieces together like jeans, and softer ones like cotton dress shirts on their own.
• Use the gentle cycle as frequently as possible with a gentle detergent like Woolite.
• Wear your clothes more than once before washing them. If a stain is small, spot clean with seltzer water or a reputable spot remover.
• Remove clothes from the dryer and hang them up immediately.
• Don’t use the dryer if you don’t have to.  A clothes line or a shower rod make for good “air drying.”
• Pay attention to what you are ironing and look at the instructions for recommended iron settings.

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I went “shopping” last weekend in Port Townsend and now I am in Vancouver on Robson Street (The Listel Hotel) and I even stopped in Fairhaven on the way to Vancouver and popped into a vintage store……I didn’t buy a single thing!!!   Over the last two weeks I looked at vintage dresses, shoes, tops, everything.

What I did get however is a “present” that my BF bought for me from a vintage store on Commercial Drive (Vancouver).  Wait!  It’s not clothing!   It is a rosette type pin to wear with that vintage dress I admitted to buying a few weeks back.  It has a hair clip on it as well as a pin for clothing.  I like the idea of wearing it two ways.  I immediately put it on my hat.

So at the end of February, two months into the diet I only fell off the wagon just once.  I still allow my self to go “shopping”.  But I haven’t even come close to buying anything else.  I know, I know, why do I even tempt myself.   It’s because I like “the finding” part of shopping.  I even tried on two bras (still looking to replace the beige one from December) but didn’t buy them.  I forgot…underwear is an exception to this diet right?

We are leaving Vancouver in one hour to head home to Seattle.  When I am off this diet (and when it’s warmer-  4 inches of snow yesterday!) I will return to this town and others like it.  I vow to be more selective with purchases, have an intention before shopping, and buy quality pieces I love and can wear often.   I can’t wait!  But first I am taking this time to learn about myself and my clothing needs.

I am hoping to meet with a wardrobe consultant later to find out what key pieces I should have in my closet for a 42 year old Seattlelite.   Any ideas?

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All right ladies, thank you for all of your votes on our last poll! It looks like the majority of dieters buy their bra’s at department stores and specialty retailers. Not surprising, how can we resist when Victoria’s Secret sends out those handy coupons every couple months…lesson learned once they get you in, you’re never getting out without a little pink bag in hand and a lot less in the bank account! So now that we’ve established where some of this purchasing is happening, here at TGAAD we’re curious as to how you are making your purchases these days. The terrible question we hear time and time again: ”Will that be debit or credit miss?…umm could it be free? Nope ok, it was worth a shot!” Part of my financial management plan has always been to only purchase clothing on debit as to avoid those impulsive spending sprees prompted by various circumstances such as: the winter blues, a bad day, oh a sunny day in February I should probably buy some shorts to get prepared for all of the upcoming sunny warm days in Seattle, half birthday gift from myself to myself (I’m really so thoughtful), etc… we’ve all been there before! So we come to our newest poll: What method of payment do you typically use to purchase clothing? Enjoy!

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It is post -holiday blues time for me. But that is no excuse for my poor showing in this important endeavor. I joined the GAAD right before Christmas and since then I have had 3 slip-ups. They all occured at the same place and under similar conditions. Maybe I can learn something by examining what led to breaking my commitment. The place: my favorite discount store. A place where designer clothes are discounted 70 to 90%. A hodge-podge of exquisite things marked down so much as to be a “steal”, and ugly, out-of-date, or slightly (or mightily) damaged monstrosities that no one would be caught dead in. I love “the hunt” – the excitement I feel looking through racks and racks of clothes looking for “the deal”. During the dead of winter there is still a line outside the store of avid shoppers waiting to get in. When I get near I feel my heart beating faster. I even got in a car accident months ago right in front of the store. I was driving recklessly while trying to find a parking spot. Every shopper knows the pitfalls of this kind of shopping. Overly excited, I have purchased clothes I have never worn, or things that do not work with my lifestyle. Designer labels(especially French and Italian) can make me choose an ill-fitting or unbecoming garment just because I think it must be fabulous. When I see that I have saved $1,259.00 (they print this out on my receipt) I feel vindicated. 90% off!  No bargain if it sits in my closet and is never worn. I always tell myself  that I can sell it on eBay if I don’t wear it, but I always end up losing time and money. It’ a self-defeating habit that I must break. Yet whenever I am in the vicinity of this particular store I find myself on auto-pilot and before I can talk myself down I am inside. Once in, I feel I have to purchase something or the trip was “a waste”. The rationalizations and excuses I make are legendary.

  So, in one month I have spent $120 despite the fact that I do not need anything except a savings account. I have purchased 2 sweaters (one of which I will never wear), 2 t-shirt dresses (practical), and a summer dress(cute but impractical).

I am a psychologist and supposedly a mature woman. I should understand an addictive behavior when I engage in one, and be able to do something about it. Alas, I have not been successful. Any ideas?

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So it’s official:

I’M FREAKING OUT MAN!!!!!

As i get closer to to my start date, I’m getting more and more nervous, anxious, doubtful… that I will be able to actually start and finish this challenge.

So nervous that I bought a pair if True Religion jeans yesterday morning… Blarrrgg. I’m doomed!

My friend and a fellow dieter mentioned taking an inventory of my clothes. So I did, and I’m disappointed with the choices I am left with. I cant help but think this diet could have been a whole lot easier if I had made rational, thought out purchases when buying my current wardrobe. Instead of the “Oohh! This is pretty, Oohh this I cute” approach I inevitably ended up taking. Double Blarrg.

Another thing that bothers me is the fact that it’s not a really great wardrobe as a whole. Sure I have some fantastic individual pieces, but most of it is just, well, blahhh..uninspiring, really. Which is rapidly decreasing my confidence.

Update* I had another meltdown last night and ended up purchasing 2 button down shirts, a lovely striped hoodie, and two pairs of jeans [one for me and one for the bf..] from Abercrombie.

I KNOW!!! I’M A HORRIBLE PERSON, 100% HORRIBLE!!!

… on the bright side, I haven’t bought anything today! Baby steps…baby steps.

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Hope everyone had a glorious holiday (whatever you’re celebrating) filled with lots of fun, family togetherness (often NOT so fun!) and just happiness in general. I know the holidays are hard for many — I lost my mother 3 years ago, so it’s not as great as it once was — but I had a restful 4 days off work and spent most of that time at home with my husband and kitties.

Now for my dilemma — do I spend the Christmas $$ my boss gave me to buy clothes (since I can’t spend my own $$), or do I continue with my “good girl” act and stay out of the stores? (And trust me, this is an ACT!)

It’s been easy so far mainly because I’ve simply stayed away from the mall. However, shopping was my main source of enjoyment and entertainment, and I’ve noticed it’s getting ever harder to be good. I haven’t missed buying something new yet probably because there was shopping to do for others, but now that’s over with and the sales have all started, and I’m pretty sure there’s a ton of things I want (but don’t need). Is that what this comes down to? Is there something inherently wrong with WANTING things — is it just greed and gluttony that causes me to own 20+ pairs of black shoes? If anything, this diet is great for looking inward and asking questions about my values (or lack thereof).

Today I’m wearing a skirt I bought in probably 2008. It’s a light gray cabled sweater skirt with a wide cuffed waist. I literally cut the tag off it this morning, and it’s made for a darling outfit with a black long-sleeved turtleneck, black tights and high-heeled black leather boots. But seriously…why haven’t I worn this before? Why has it taken me almost 3 years to put this outfit together and wear this?

While I was looking for something to wear last night, I pulled out a tried and true sweaterdress (the weather warrants it here in ATL today), but realized I’d worn it within the past month. It reminded me of that statement about how we only wear 20% of our clothes 80% of the time. I’m determined to continue to be good and stay on the diet, and heaven knows my savings could use the extra $$ much more than my well-clothed back.

Huh. So much for my “dilemma.” Problem solved…

Happy New Year!
Lori

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