This weekend, I snuck over to Chicago to be part of Anne's fella's surprise party, and I fell behind on reading and commenting on everyone's awesome blog. I really missed Blokey, the kitties, and Brooklyn, so it's nice to be back and catch up on work and play.
Wow, I am so impressed with all the great feedback from Friday's post. I agree that the 6 or fewer pieces in a month is probably undoable for many people (mom's especially), but since I don't go to work daily in a very professional environment, it won't be too hard for me. And I will break it for a wedding and some international travel in late August, but I'll do my best otherwise. Right now I am trying to figure out which 6 pieces might be the most versatile, but maybe I'll bump it up to 7 or 8 pieces.
Which brings to the question of what would be the point of documenting these outfits? Well, I could try to be creative with accessories. Although I don't have loads, I do have some. I could also chronicle the way that having only a few pieces could affect my daily planning and activities. And see whether or not I could do it.
A few folks asked why I wasn't doing the 30 for 30 challenge. I am doing that because I work from home and it wouldn't be a challenge to limit myself when only a few friends and shopkeepers see me on a daily basis (and Blokey, who probably owns about 30 articles of well chosen clothing. And maybe 50 pairs of underthings). I'd like to participate in something like a 30 for 30 during the semester, even though I only teach twice a week. That would be more of a challenge, with 90 odd students looking at me for about 3 hours a weeks.
A few awesome bloggers (Cynthia and Style Underdog) are also committing to the Great American Apparel Diet. Even though I've had my own shopping diet for a while, it hasn't been an all out ban. Jesse.anne.O has also started a several month shopping ban. Since I mostly limit my blog reader to folks who also try to remix and limit their shopping, I also want to commit to a stronger shopping ban. While the Great American Apparel Diet will be officially over soon, my last purchase was the crinoline (on July 13). So I will also try to not buy anything between now and July 12, 2011. Which I know will be very hard, but Blokey and I have really clear financial goals (in light of possibly getting kicked out of our apartment soon), and not buying clothes will very likely help.
Everyone sets up their own rules, so I will allow myself to buy spend money on repairing/tailoring things I've got (especially shoes), replenishing my underthings (I count tights, shirts that only work for layering), and swaps. I would love to do temporary/permanent swaps with anyone else who is up to this (or a similar challenge). I can also continue to sew, and I still have fabric left over from a few project to whip up a new, versatile piece every now and then.
And this brings me to a final question: what will be the point of this blog if I am not consuming? And what is the end goal for my wardrobe? I am hoping to be able to really focus on the pieces and styles in my wardrobe that really speak to me, so I can have a well edited wardrobe and a clearly defined style, with some good use of accessories. While I may never become Rev. Billy, I can maybe get a little closer to bringing my spending habits better in line with my ideals.
Boy's western Shirt: Montgomery Ward, vintage via Ebay
Shorts: Levi's cut off DIY
Shoes: via Heavenly Soles, MPLS
Hope that you had fun in chicago! I am intrersted in seeing what you pick for the challenge.
ReplyDeleteIt seems that ( for me at least) the point of style blogs is to style with what you have and not about always buying new things to wear. While I do love to shop - I have cut down a lot and am finding it fun to learn to re-mix what I have which means that anyone who reads my blog will see the same short 8 different ways : )
I do at times wish that I could be more like my hubs who does not have a lot of clothes yet always manages to look appropriate. Why is it that he can wear a button up top and dark jeans for a casual day out and to a nice dinner and not look out of place- but if I went out to a nice dinner in the jeans and top I wore for a casual day out it would be a faux-pas?
I often wonder about this it's like we have so many clothing 'parts' that are suited to certian occasions.
I grew up in New England and it seems we had clothes for every thing/occasion/even. Easter dresses Christmas dresses shoes boots for fall spring and winter. Coats for each season differnt hats and gloves and scarves and sweaters. I had school clothes and play clothes and dress clothes amd a bath robe and a bed robe - bath slippers and bedroom slippers. We had dinner clothes and lounge clothes. It was kind of a nightmare as a kid wearing the wrong clothing item wolud often get me in trouble.
This is extreme I realize - for most womet he following is true - You wouldn't wear the dress you wore for an evening out on the town to a morning brunch or the other way around.
Which makes it difficult to whittle down your wardrobe.
Though I am trying!
I would love to participate in something like that for the semester, but I teach four days a week and share my blog with other authors so it makes things like that a bit more challenging. I'll have to think about this.
ReplyDeleteI am currently on a shopping plan rather than a ban. I haven't been shopping all summer, but I lifted the restrictions while traveling in Italy to buy a couple of items. Clothes make the best souvenirs anyway. I've told myself if I can find a couple of items that I will need (for a colder winter) and for running on the cheap I can buy them, but other than that.... nada.
I know what you mean about playing catch-up - where did this weekend go, and how is it already Monday? But thanks again (and again and again) for coming!!!
ReplyDeleteTo answer this: "And this brings me to a final question: what will be the point of this blog if I am not consuming?"
I never really understood a fashion blog to be based on buying new things all the time, but rather to find new and exciting ways to work with all of the things you already own, while perhaps adding a new piece here and there. The fact that you could be accountable here for a shopping diet would also be pretty helpful to said financial goals.
I agree with Anne. I certainly buy new stuff frequently, and there was a period in my blogging cycle during which I felt PRESSURED to procure new stuff as a way of "keeping up." But the longer I write and read, the more it becomes clear that most blog consumers want to see creativity ... and that can take many forms, including remixing a small group of pieces.
ReplyDeleteA year is a long time, and I salute you, Rad!
I think it will be really interesting to read your thoughts on remixing a set number of garments. You don't need to consume to be stylish, and even though I am ineterested in reading all sorts of fashion blogs, I get the most inspiration from seeing people remix the same pieces more than once.
ReplyDeleteI think there's plenty of point in blogging what you wear/do during a ban. Of course there's the creativity thing. I plan to challenge myself in a few ways -- I'm up for a 30 for 30 in fall, but I'm also going to do some different things like, removing the items I have relied on most heavily over the last 60 days and seeing if I can push myself into a different "wardrobe space".
ReplyDeleteBut, I honestly do not know if I am going to be able to make it through a ban, because for years I've had the habit of giving myself presents at trying times. Getting myself to stop, breathe, and appreciate what I do have while not racking up further debt at those times (for there will still be trying times this year I'm sure) is the main point. So there will be some suspense as well.
Anyway, it is awesome that you and Style Underdog are going to do this too.
I agree, Rad, that the point of a style blog isn't about showing new stuff that you bought--it's about putting together what you have in creative, stylish ways.
ReplyDeleteI think the shopping ban should exempt thrift stores. On Friday I spent $55 at Goodwill and got a cashmere Jones NY sweater, two 100% wool Izod sweaters for my son, three pairs of pants (Ann Taylor, Express, and Dockers for my husband), two new GAP tee-shirts for my husband, a Jones NY tee, a Carol Horn dress, a St. Tropez West tee, & a pair of turquoise Sparkle & Fade leggings, all in mint condition. And it was for a good cause.
Welcome back, Rad! I'm definitely up for the 30 for 30 challenge this fall, and I MIGHT be up for the year-long shopping ban, too. But I can't start yet as the last few years have worn out some key remix pieces that must be replaced, first, or I'll be teaching in summer tops come January in when the temperature here goes way, way, wayyyyyyyy down.
ReplyDeleteAlso, I agree with others who've indicated that remixing and creativity is what we read fashion blogs for (gah! bad sentence - sorry). Even though seeing other people's clothes occassionally gives me the big shopping desire. How will you fight the desire? (I like Cynthia's plan re: avoiding the debt and finding relief/rewards in other ways. But sometimes the desire is BIG.)
Rad, I think that the beauty of the shopping diet is the part whereby you make the rules. So, for instance, you could say that you will sew, but you will only get the fabric from your stash, so that you are not spending money. Or you could set a monetary limit or a location limit, a la Charlotte's thrift store argument. And certainly, I think that demonstrating the ways in which you pair your limited number of items will make for great blog reading!
ReplyDelete@LaFille: I grew up with designated clothes (play clothes, school clothes, church clothes) so it's a learning process for me too!
ReplyDelete@LHdM: Maybe you could just do occasional posts, like 2 outfits a post, so it would just be 2 remix challenge posts a week, not four? It'd be great if you participated in any way you could. Also, sounds like your Italy buys were smart.
@Anne and Sal: I feel pressured to buy and be new too, but I fear that I'll get really boring. Maybe I'll have to do more cartoons.
@Rebecca: I think the most I can contribute if I do 6 items or fewer will be thoughts. I hope they are interesting.
@Cynthia: Maybe making a list of ways to reward yourself in ways other than clothing might be a good start? I was thinking: a movie, making a nice meal with new ingredients, a lady date, a workout, a day trip, a good book from the library, a haircut?
@Charlotte: I love thrifting so much that I bring back garbage bags of stuff that I still don't need. I will definitely thrift again when all is said and done, but I want to be in the mindset where NO adding to my already very large wardrobe is allowed. I mean, I really have a lot of clothes, and most of my fall/winter stuff is in suitcases packed away because the little closet can't handle them. Sounds like you made a good haul, though!
@ADubs: the 30 for 30 Back to School will be awesome. And you can always do a modified shopping ban. It's all about your own needs.
@AFtK: I have a limited stash, but I will try to keep my fabric purchases to a minimum! Thanks for the encouragement.
Okay, my response to this concept, or at least the first half of it is up and ready for you, Rad! Please note that despite everything that I said and will say on the subject, I totally support you in this endeavor!
ReplyDeleteOh, and I have some fabric stash that I might be willing to share, if you would like. Since really, I only pretend that I can sew!
ReplyDeleteI love this idea - and what I really like about the GAAP is that there's no underlying mission statement other than the action so you can adjust your rules based on your goals/value system, which means you'll have more buy-in and probably be more successful at it! (I also pick up tons of free/thrift store clothes and my rules would also exempt thrift store shopping for that very reason - it's not about the money there; it's about closet clarity.)
ReplyDeleteIt's funny because with the amount of rewearing I do with AA skirts, 6 should be a no-brainer for me but I do switch the tops around a bit since I rarely do laundry.
And I agree with everyone above. My FAVORITE blogs are people who remix well. My LEAST favorite blogs are when everything's new, exclusively-storebought or worn the same all the time.
Also I totally want to hang out with you in this outfit and me in the faux-Trixie Belden outfit and do stuff in the woods!
ReplyDeleteYes, definitely do more cartoons!
ReplyDeleteReally fast....the 6 items, I know what to use...I'm going to do a "side" challenge for the 6 but it is a secret till July 31...I WANT TO TELL YOU...ugh, it has been in the back of my mind since I read the article...this is killing me!
ReplyDeleteok, back to the rest of your post.
Whew, ok, I finished reading your post. First of all, I enjoy your READING your blog. Your clothes brought me here in the first place, but it is what you say and how you feel that keeps me coming back, even in your comments.
ReplyDeleteSecond, I look at blogs for their remixing, creativity, and inspiration. The more, the merrier. I had the same worry about "why blog" when I decided to proceed with my secret plan. I think the challenge will just make it more interesting. Remember, there is no limit on shoes!!!!!!!!!!
So, word on the street is I'm doing the GAAP. I haven't signed up yet...still need to convince myself I can do it. Will we be GAAP buddies? I'm not going down this road alone!
I'm really interested in your giant wardrobe suitcase stash...because I'm nosy like that. I mean, how giant is it? Because it's been so hot for the entire time I've been engaged in the style blog world, I feel like you've actually only seen a very little bit of my wardrobe and vice versa.
ReplyDelete@Jesse: I don't know if I am any good to wearing pieces differently yet, but I am trying. Also, let's have a Trixie Belden adventure, when it finally cools down (like consistently below 90). Since we're not shopping any more, maybe it can be a bike adventure.
ReplyDelete@Cynthia: There are two suitcases, both bigger than carryons- one in the starge above my major closet, and one in the bedroom closet, that are storing my tweeds, my wools, my tights, my layering pieces. Augh! So much clothes.
@SU: Sorry if I jumped the gun on your possible GAAP diet. Because I told Blokey already about it, so I am committed. Until July 13, 2011. He said that it was cheating to count these weeks that I've not shopped when I wasn't being deliberate, but he can take his ethics and shove it. He is pleased though, with the general vibe of the whole thing. I'm not sure if I will allow myself shoes, because they might be a gateway drug (i'll buy shoes, and realize I need to buy new clothes to debut the shoes, etc.) but I might allow replacements.
oops, I mean one in the storage area above my closet (in the office).
ReplyDeleteSo you're going to do it! Please please document it! I think it would be neat to see all thirty one photos in one post at the end.
ReplyDeleteI am so tempted but I am wondering how you are going to handle things like outerwear? As I contemplate doing it in August, I am thinking maybe I won't count tank tops or jackets. Having only one tank (which I wear more like underwear) would be really hard to do in the August heat without doing a ton of laundry.
And jackets. It seems like counting one would be a waste of an item.
How are you going to manage the particulars? Share, please!
I LOVE this look, lady! It looks so effortless, yet fits you well and is a pulled together, casual look.
ReplyDeleteYes, definitely do more cartoons!
ReplyDeleteReally fast....the 6 items, I know what to use...I'm going to do a "side" challenge for the 6 but it is a secret till July 31...I WANT TO TELL YOU...ugh, it has been in the back of my mind since I read the article...this is killing me!
ReplyDeleteok, back to the rest of your post.
I love this idea - and what I really like about the GAAP is that there's no underlying mission statement other than the action so you can adjust your rules based on your goals/value system, which means you'll have more buy-in and probably be more successful at it! (I also pick up tons of free/thrift store clothes and my rules would also exempt thrift store shopping for that very reason - it's not about the money there; it's about closet clarity.)
ReplyDeleteIt's funny because with the amount of rewearing I do with AA skirts, 6 should be a no-brainer for me but I do switch the tops around a bit since I rarely do laundry.
And I agree with everyone above. My FAVORITE blogs are people who remix well. My LEAST favorite blogs are when everything's new, exclusively-storebought or worn the same all the time.