Search: label/purge

It took me a long time to get an iPod.

Minneapolis is a car town, and riding the bus to work would take at LEAST three times as long as driving. So I drive. So I didn’t need an iPod for my commute. For years, I would just listen to whatever was on TV while working out, using an ancient Sport Walkman with a cassette player. So I didn’t need an iPod for the gym. I have a very musical mind, and often can’t concentrate on word-related tasks when a familiar song is playing. So I didn’t need an iPod for the office.

But when Husband Mike realized that he’d overbought and really just needed a Shuffle for himself, I greedily snapped up his giant, spacious video iPod. And have loved it with all my heart ever since.

Here’s why: I can put MY ENTIRE ITUNES LIBRARY IN IT AND STILL HAVE ROOM. I can take it to Chicago with me, and when my parents complain about needing new music, I can play them some Eels, and some Over the Rhine, and some David Byrne, and some Blitzen Trapper until something strikes a chord. When I hit the gym and there’s nothing on TV that I want to watch, I can hit “shuffle” and time my bike pedaling to the beat of whatever song comes up. I have options at my disposal at all times. Lots and lots of options.

And although I advocate regular purges, encourage discarding items that don’t fit or flatter, and champion the creation of organized closets … I feel like I might be able to make an argument for and abundant, option-filled wardrobe.

Now. Before I dive in, here are a few things I’m NOT saying:

• Not saying that quantity is more important than quality
• Not saying that a small, well-edited wardrobe isn’t a fantastic feat and a highly versatile asset
• Not saying that we should spend ourselves deep into the vortex of debt in order to procure gobs and gobs of clothes
• Not saying that supporting fast fashion in the interest of amassing options is a wise move

What I AM saying is this:

I am definitely not a wealthy woman, but I have a lot of clothing, shoes, and accessories. I don’t drink, smoke, cook, knit, scrapbook, wear makeup, get regular manicures, collect things, go to the symphony (much), ski, sew, color my hair, or really do anything else that requires a constant influx of cash. I write several blogs, I bike, I read, I sing in a band, I hang out with my amazing friends – none of which is super expensive. Therefore, most of my mad money goes toward clothing, shoes, and accessories. Mainly thrift and mid-market brands, no designer stuff. And since I’ve stayed within a 10 pound radius of the same weight for several years, since I’ve stopped buying crap that doesn’t flatter me or doesn’t suit my style, and since I’ve started becoming more experimental with my look, I’ve been retaining more than purging for some time now.

And – for someone like me who feels inspired and liberated by a bright, broad, fascinating array of options laid out before her – I’m really enjoying having a large, diverse wardrobe at my disposal. I love knowing that when a coworker gives me a gorgeous vintage skirt with a bright floral pattern on it, I’ll be able to match it to one of my layering tees and a sweater. I love being able to explore sequins and lace and ikat and ombre because I know that I have a platform of beautiful basics onto which I can splash these accents. I love being able to take a white tee and jeans and turn it into a fantastic, eye-catching ensemble with one of my beloved pairs of shoes and a huge, statementy necklace. I feel fortunate and abundant. And I simply love having options.

You all know I’m an addict, so this may sound like a scary statement for me to make. But here’s the thing: The shopping ban, as frustrating as it’s been at times, HAS made me appreciate the abundance of my wardrobe as it is. When I’ve gone out thrifting on weekends, wishlist in hand, I’ve seen quite clearly that there is NOTHING I need. Not a thing. Everything on that list is, in fact, a wish … and if it never makes its way into my closet, I will not suffer for a single moment. I am lucky to be able to acquire and embellish the amazing collection that I already possess, and that has made shopping even more fun. But it has also – very slowly – begun to dull the obsessive edge to some of my shopping urges. I can look at images of things that I adore completely, and understand that “want” and “must procure” are not the same. That “like” and “need” are actually opposites.

BECAUSE of the bountiful, beautiful wardrobe I already have, I am better able to dress creatively, express myself through style, flatter my figure, pull together an ensemble for nearly any occasion in minutes, AND be more discerning about my purchases. Because I know I already have, I can observe my want with a slightly more scientific bent. Because I am hip-deep in options, I feel lucky and creative and excited whenever I get dressed.

Controversial, no? What do you think of all this? Is it a giant rationalization that I should abandon, while paring my overstuffed wardrobe down to essentials only? Is it spot-on, and you hope to someday feel so lucky and excited by your options, too? Is it a dangerous philosophy that encourages overconsumption? Tell me.

Image courtesy SewPixie.

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