Monday, January 2, 2012

Managing Monday: Clothing Challenge

In the last few years, as I have turned to dressing more professional in my daily life, I have become interested in fashion. Fashion that this simple girl can pull off and look sharp. I love putting outfits together using complimentary colors with little splashes of individuality. Which leads to...

Weekly I have what my husband calls a "clothing crisis." Weekly. Not an exaggeration. A clothing crisis (if you're not familiar) consists of me saying something like: "I don't have any clothes!" and then trying on several ensembles that I have worn together before with nothing working to my satisfaction. As you can imagine, this creates a huge mess in our bedroom, and then more stress at the end of the day when I have to clean it all up again (or depending on how much time I have-- I may throw it in the closet floor, also NOT good).

We have a modest walk-in closet. Sweet Hubby's portion is about 1/5 of the whole closet and I have the rest. Ridiculous.

Every year that I can remember in my childhood, my Mom insisted that I try on all the clothes in my wardrobe and get rid of things I haven't worn in months. As an adult, I have continued this practice, but I still manage to have WAY more than I need. Part of my problem is that I will buy something (for a good deal) that I really like, but will not have a plan for how or with what to wear it. So, it sits. This has to stop. I meet people everyday in my work that do not have enough, and my cup runneth over. Not to mention, I waste money on retail therapy that could be spent in more effective, useful and loving ways.

My friend and fabulous wedding Photographer, Sarah wrote about the clothing challenge in her blog here. It struck a chord with me, and so I am taking the challenge and adding a piece to it. In short form it is this:

For a whole year, I will resist the urge to buy new clothes unless I have a gift card (currently I'm looking at $50 to Old Navy thanks to my awesome twin-in-law and $20 of Kohl's cash). Thrift store shopping is something I used to do and I need to get back to taking advantage of other people's cast off styles. I'm going to add to the challenge that if I do bring a new item home to my closet under the rules, I will take something out. So, I have to love the new-to-me piece more than I love my least favorite thing in the closet. This will require some serious thinking and planning on my part. Its about time.

Today I am thankful for: this sleepy puppy curled at my feet. She blesses me.

5 comments:

  1. 1) Love this topic.

    2) Love "twin-in-law."

    3) Let's thrift shop together.

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  2. What a great idea, Sarah. The type of wardrobe I need has certainly changed with retirement. I'm always trying to think of creative ways to use what I have without buying just one more piece. It does take some time, and when you're working it's easier to buy!! I am motivated...thanks:)

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  3. Great Idea! I think I might be up to the challenge! Maybe what you "cast out" of your closet can be Sold to someone else doing the same thing! Love the New-to-me idea! Good Luck!

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  4. A few years ago there was a woman who blogged about her experience/experiment/statement/ of wearing the same outfit everyday for a year. It was called the brown dress project. You would enjoy it.

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  5. Love this! So glad somebody will be joining me :)

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