Because you can't have depths without surfaces.
Linda Grant, thinking about clothes, books and other matters.
Pure Collection Ltd.
Net-a-porter UK

Sunday 6 January 2008

Not my new year resolution

A nobler person than The Thoughtful Dresser spent 2007 buying no new clothes.

Resisting, you see, is empowering. You feel as if you are carving out your consumer choices rather than giving in to the same desires that drive everyone else. As for what I wear, I’ve not once felt defeated by a lack of choice. Oddly, that happened more before I stopped shopping. Perhaps now I give more time to it, thinking about various outfits while in the shower, or eating breakfast. I spend evenings every month going through my supply, pulling forgotten numbers from the bottom of the wardrobe and teaming up different bits and pieces. As with food or travel, a degree of constraint can make you more creative.

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

I pretty much agree with this - my shoe and clothes wardrobe is fairly small. I know what works for me and I stick with it, and I take from current trends only what I know I really pull off. But I'm not claiming any ethical virtue; I just hate cleaning out closets! Usually I decide what I want in advance and then go look for it. Sometime there is delayed gratification; I spend way more time in dressing rooms than I do at the register, but at least I know I’ll really wear something once I buy it.

Anonymous said...

Oh dear,I´d like to be able to spend a few months without buying anything concerning clothes,bags,makeups and interior design stuff.I actually have thought about this a lot.Actually everytime I come home without something new,I feel really glad.I´ll start next week and lets see what happens.

Anonymous said...

Declared a Clothes Diet for 2008. I find only a few days in, I'm enjoying what I have so much more. There are things as yet unworn, so really they are new. Will let you know when the going gets tough.

Anonymous said...

Took inspiration from this article to make my own resolution: not to stop buying clothing altogether in 2008, but to only buy from companies that aren't connected with labor rights violations, or to buy secondhand.

Marlène said...

What your blog has done Linda, is to heighten our awareness of the idea of aquiring the highest quality we can afford. Automatically, we will be buying fewer items, deriving infinitely more pleasure and if necessary, keeping up with fashion trends by regularly changing smaller accessories. If, however, we feel we need to take control of our lives by buying nothing or only essential items, that is another question which has little to do with fashion and everything to do with the joy of self-discipline.If size 16 (UK) or over is called for, my argument is redundant because one becomes an opportunist shopper, grateful to find something which fits and appeals.

Anonymous said...

I have by experience learned to avoid sales. I find this a great way to actually save money. The best stuff exists no longer when the sales begin and somehow you start thinking that wow this cheap-I´ll buy double.Then in the end you turn out with things that are not so trendy anymore and that you have more you´ll ever need. So the advice is simple:skip sales. Another tip is to dress in your bests when you go shopping. You will soon realize that there simply is not so much you really like more. Tip three is to stop going shopping-do something else instead. Last but not least don´t take your credit cards along !