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| Finn Rocker from Anthropologie, currently an item of desire |
In a similar vein, I created a "Tracking" bookmark on my web browser, where I keep links to things that I think I want. What I've found is that after a few weeks, most of those items no longer even register with me. It's been useful for me to put these items "on hold" as I think further on them and go about my day and see if I keep circling back to them. Surprisingly, I usually don't.
I wonder if it's a little like falling in love. There is that initial rush and excitement that makes it seem like the love will last forever, but ultimately if there's no innate compatibility, you can't wait to be rid of it. Lol. Though maybe that's the source of my current sartorial and past romantic problems: I tend to hang on to things far too long.
P.S. I'm assuming that most are familiar with the TFS 4-5 Piece French Wardrobe thread. There's also now a Recovering Shopaholics thread, and over on TPF, a thread about Closet Purging. The latter two offer a few more perspectives on making a more functional and restrained wardrobe, viewpoints I'm enjoying sifting through this rainy weekend.
I feel that way about Laws of General Economy around. I keep quite a lot of my mistakes around, just to remember what NOT to do. It's been quite helpful - a particular dress flashes to my mind everything I find myself eyeing one in a shop. It helps to refuse to shop every time I get that "I'd like something new" urge. Mistakes are guaranteed when I'm determined to buy something for no reason.
ReplyDeleteI think taking time to appreciate the clothes I already own also helps me to stop craving new things.
That's such an interesting way to remind yourself about what not to do, by keeping stuff around. That might be a good approach for me, too. I tied some pink yarn to the hangers of things I was thinking about selling/getting rid of, and I find helps me to stay a bit more focused on what actually works. I have the stuff still just because I haven't gotten around to listing things yet, but it's doing the same thing for me as it does for you.
ReplyDeleteyes, Topshop and I embarked upon a similarly impulsive fling which lasted quite some time, and yet now, in retrospect, I cannot fathom what exactly had attracted me. But Topshop is an unfair example, because at least I still trust their jeans and shoes, unlike the other 99% high street stores. And I still have no clear concept of what 'woke me up'. Perhaps the last insult in acrylic which sagged before first wash.
ReplyDeletePrioritise - slow down - wait: this became my mantra. And luckily I have managed to persevere without a single fallback or error since. Not sure why! But maybe you can reach appoint of absolute over saturation. I for one certainly did. And contrary to what it might seem, the more hesitant, mindful approach to shopping is far from boring or limited. I am finding that I actually enjoy searching and lingering over an item for quite long periods of time, and tend to feel happily fulfilled when I do go a had and make a purchase. This happened recently with a pair of apc boots, which I had been mulling over for months. This new approach renders things somewhat magical (however silly that sounds!), and ten times more precious.
I was intrigued by the purse forum thread - it finally made me join up, but I dare say I'll never contribute. It always fascinates me how this process occurs, how so many of us now desire to take a more thoughtful approach to dressing and shopping. It is occasionally referred to as an irritating trend, but if so, it cannot be a bad one, for anything which encourages mindful consumption can only be a positive thing, surely.
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Little Ghost, It's so hard to find sweaters that hold up. Right now, I'm most enamored with vintage Woolrich sweaters. Not exactly chic, but it fits my style.
ReplyDeleteI think waiting does impart the object of desire with some specialness. For that same reason, I love to get things in the mail. It reminds me of being a child a getting letters from a distant penpal.