Lessons Learned From a Year of No Shopping

by Lynda Harm

My “fashion fast” was a cleansing exercise that tested my will power, put my closet to the test and thoroughly disrupted my routines. I made it through a year without shopping, but I can’t wait to shop again. Now, I have a Closet Clarity Plan that organizes what I own, what I need, and what I want. I plan to use it every time I buy anything to wear. Here’s what my year taught me:

• I don’t really need a new outfit for every important occasion because the occasion is usually more important than what I’m wearing.

• I took the 80% of my closet that I rarely wore and figured out why. Usually it was fit. I found a tailor for the stuff worth saving and donated the rest.

• The items that didn’t make the cut were mainly outdated skirts and impulse buys.

• There were a few “sentimental pieces.” I had a belt made from an outdated evening gown I was attached to. I wear the belt all the time. This made it easier to let go of the gown.

• Because I needed to see everything I had to work with before getting dressed, I reorganized my closet very early in the year.

• The items I wore the most were black pants, cashmere sweaters, a pair of flat black boots, a slim skirt, and white shirts. I wore pearls a lot, a pair of stud earrings, and a cuff bracelet.

• I wore high heels! With everything. It felt good, especially when I was wearing casual clothes. Jeans and heels made me feel great!

• My footwear wore out first. It seems shoes take a lot of wear and tear especially when there is no new blood coming into the rotation.

• I wished I had a good suit. I vowed to get one after the fast and shop for it like it was an investment.

• Instead of going shopping I went for facials and hair appointments. I felt great when my hair looked good.

• I discovered that no matter how long I had something and no matter how many times I’d worn it, my husband would still ask, ”Is that new?” To which I would ALWAYS reply…”This old thing?”

• I worked out more. Now I feel better in whatever I wear and I look better in nothing too!

• I thought about my constant struggle to fight aging. I decided to love my body and my age and just get on with it. I’m not the same person I was 30 years ago so why do I need to look like I did then?

• I thought about those who have less than I do, and I tried to use my time and assets (clothing, money, talents, experience) to help others in need.

• My best accessory is still my smile.

• If I didn’t wear it this year I’ll never wear it!

• What I’m buying first: A leopard printed trench coat (I love the one from Doncaster this season, it’s expensive but I know I’ll wear it many many times), a new pair of flat black boots, and pair of nude pumps.

READ MORE:

Advanced Style: Fashion Week Party 2011: PHOTOS!

Fashion’s Night Out: In Pictures

Fashion’s Night Out: What is it?

Building a Core Wardrobe

Getting Dressed is Easier When Less is More

Feed Your Fetish; Shoes To Sigh For

Seasonless Style: What to Buy Now & Wear All Year

Posted by drake in Blog, Fashion & Style Tags: fashiion fast, What I learned frm a fashion fast, what I learned from a year of not shopping