I am getting ready to pack up my apartment. I have been going through my closets, dressers and anywhere else I have managed to store clothes to see what, if anything, I can get rid of. For me, it is so hard to edit my wardrobe. When I come across a piece of clothing I have not worn for sometime, I hold it up and envision the endless possibilities of how it could be styled. Maybe I will come across the day that calls for a cropped midriff barring stripped long sleeve sweater. (The midriff is making a comeback mind you.) Then reality will set in as I try to the article of clothing on. One cannot keep items out of guilt merely purchased on a whim. Even an item’s bargain price does not justify it taking up space in my closet. $20 Marc Jacobs pants at Century 21, apparently it was $20 too much. The next step for the dregs of clothing will the donation bin.
How much of our wardrobe do we actually wear? Looking online, I came to see that even with clothing, we follow the 80/20 rule. In essence, we wear 20% of our wardrobe 80% of the time. This leaves a substantial amount of our clothes that are worn only on the slim occasion. Not to say this deems these fabulous items unnecessary, they just get very little rotation. I would account for this by our favorite and staple items that we wear again and again because they anchor our wardrobe. Some of the items that are worn less, are the high end extraordinary purchases, for some even couture items, that could not possibly be worn around the clock as they are only acceptable for those special occasions.
I continued to sort my items. The donation pile did not become as big as I would have hopped for. For the most part what ended up in it were items that didn’t fit, or was no longer my style. What mood was I in when I bought a crotchet magenta one-shoulder sweater? Or when I bought baby blue hot pants that could have fit a 16 year old? Going through ones clothes is a trip down memory lane. I am able to recall where every item was purchased, the price, if it was a gift, who it was given to me by and usually the occasions I wore it at.
Since the recession, I have come across numerous articles about “Shopping in your Closet” as many are currently strapped for cash. I always thought this sounded like such a depressing way to “purchase” new items. Well I now must give credit to those who have written these articles; for I found a ton of items I did not remember having due to the overcrowding and random places I was storing my clothes. What an inexpensive way to shop!
Essentially, how much do we need in our closets? Asking this to any fashionista and there will be no cap on the amount of items. Closet space be damned, we will find a place to put those clothes, even if it means storing some at friends or paying for a storage facility. One can never have too many clothes. So I’m off to the consignment store, where I am sure to see someone else on the street in the upcoming weeks in my old clothing. There may even be a twinge of angst for wanting my items back if I see that they styled in a new cool way. Maybe we can make a swap. Out with the old and in with the new. Fall is right around the corner and I am definitely going to need some clothing to supplement the season.
-Oriana DiNella
0 Response to "Running in Converse: Packing"
Post a Comment