The want-y monster rears its ugly head again. I was this close to buying an iPhone today, because I felt like it. Do I have the money for it right now? No. Do I want to wait? Oh, hell no.
I figure this overwhelming desire to buy something would come back now that I’ve stopped buying clothes. I ask myself all these questions, like do I need it, do I have to buy it now, and the answer is always a resounding no…and yet I must have it.
I would so fail the marshmallow test.
Is it possible to have so many clothes that the overwhelming choice is as bad as having no choice at all?
If my closet inventory has taught me anything, it’s that I don’t lack anything. I have a great wardrobe, I have some great pieces and I dress well every day. But still some days I open my closet and stare at it like I have nothing to wear. Maybe I’m better off with only a few choices, so I know what I have, and I’m able to remix better.
I used to work with a very stylish girl who wore the same few pieces (a black cardigan, a button-down shirt, a skirt) every day, and she always looked great. Stacey and Clinton in their book Dress Your Best stress quality over quantity:
Instead of buying five sweatshirts at thirty bucks apiece, buy one cashmere sweater that fits you wonderfully. So what if you wear it a couple of times a week. Your coworkers aren’t keeping track of your wardrobe. And if the are, they should be fired because they’re not paying enough attention to their jobs. What matters is that you look good in your clothes, not that you have seven different-colored sweatshirts for every day of the week. (pg. 11)
I used to notice that she wore the same pieces all the time, but I didn’t hold it against her. In fact, I think that’s something I should try.
But now that I have this huge closet, could I really go back and try that?
(Bonus points to anyone who recognizes the title as a line from the movie Monsters Inc.)
Note: this is my fall/winter wardrobe only.
Jesus. It all becomes rather appalling when it’s actually all written down with numbers attached, and I’ve even put together yet another bag for charity. With this amount of volume, I could have 4 weeks worth of different outfits. It’s actually kind of obscene.
And yet, I’m missing some key pieces: a good jacket/blazer (but I don’t like jackets, I much prefer cardigans) and a LBD. If I must shop, shop for those?
Usually when payday rolls around, I think, woohoo! What do I get to buy this week?
No more.
Stick to the budget. Try to buy groceries once. Be happy with what I have in my closet.
Coming soon….what exactly is in my closet?
My name is Rachel, and I’m a shopaholic.
I love clothes, shoes, jewellery, makeup, hair products…
I’m pretty much a typical girly girl, but I’m not a princess. I wear skirts all the time, but outside of work I tend to live in lululemon yoga pants and running shoes, a habit that I’m desperately trying to break.
I’m a firm believer of buying quality clothes, even if they cost more. I’m a self-acknowledged fashion snob—I don’t thrift, I don’t do vintage, I don’t shop at H&M or Target/Wal-Mart.
But the end result is that I have a huge chunk of consumer debt, and I need to figure out how to be happy with what I have (and really, who I am) so I don’t dig myself in any deeper.
I’m 31 years old, I have a B.A. and M.A. in English literature, I work in telecommunications in Toronto, and other than my love of fashion, I’m a lover of words and a foodie with allergies.
Initially I planned to write a blog about how I’ll give up shopping for a year, but after 10 minutes of laughing hysterically on the floor, I gave up on that idea. I know myself and what I can do; I can’t give up shopping entirely, but I can learn to be happy with what I have and get out of debt.
