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of now just your wardrobe, but your anxieties and desires too. What holds you back from wearing the garments you don’t reach for? What is your dream for your wardrobe?
Then, make yourself a list of things to covet in order to fill the gaps in your wardrobe. Think especially about laundering—clothes are easy to wear when they are easy to clean. Be patient—buy better and buy less.
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Look at the six items you actually wear and note what you like about them: is it the color, the fit, the style (casual, formal, eclectic, etc.), brand, season, and fabric.
As an example, I feel most confident in structured, classic modern outfits— I look for all organic materials (linen, cotton, silk), I tend to stick to a few favorite brands for basics, and I keep a list of what I need to replace/what’s missing in my closet so I don’t impulse purchase vintage t-shirts when I need a fitted blazer.
Thrift stores are really great for exploring your style— so are mood boards. When you see an outfit you love online, take a picture of it or note what about it was interesting.
One thing that I think goes overlooked is underwear— a well fitted bra really changes how clothes, especially shirts, hang and feel. You’ll only wear an outfit if the underwear you wear it with is comfortable. So if you have a dress you love, but aren’t wearing it because it either requires shapewear that makes you uncomfortable, or a nude/backless underwear or bra that you don’t keep in your closet, you’ll get less wear out of the item.
Additionally, know your measurements. Your body size is neutral, but language around sizing isn’t, and it can be discouraging to shop when you have a vague idea of your sizes and end up needing to size up or down. Get a soft tape measure, and get your true waist, hips, bust, shoulders, inseam, and rise. I have a very high rise to my natural waist, and knowing that helps me shop for pants and skirts with less frustration over fit.
Lastly, it’s okay for it to take time— curating your style and wardrobe should be ongoing and thoughtful; a fast fashion haul won’t help figure out what you like outside of trends, and those clothes tend to break down quickly. If you can, try to buy well made versions of your staple items— resale and thrift stores are a great place to find real leather jackets, upscale basics, and one of a kind pieces that you can’t find elsewhere.
Jun 23, 2024
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preface: i am waging a constant war against owning stuff and clothes are the biggest culprit, this does not apply to those of you who don’t care about that. pls continue doing whatever the hell you want & be happy
anyway yeah it helps with not owning so much shit to have a philosophy about what kind of stuff you want and why, keeps the bad purchases to a minimum
personally i think of things as everyday shit, fancier/special occasion shit, and things that can be both. i try to own as much of things that can be both as possible and as little of the special occasion shit as possible. i’m a fairly aggressive uniform dresser which helps (same silhouettes changing specific items depending on weather & season) but yeah it just gets so easy to think ok in this one incredibly specific situation i’d wear this thing but in reality no you never will wear that thing give it up to someone who will
Aug 16, 2024
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Lately, I’ve been trying to reconcile my love for fashion and my cynicism around overconsumption culture & its negative implications and detriments to our plant.
I made a commitment to myself to drastically decrease how much I buy, and I ask myself these questions whenever I feel the urge to buy purchase items that are not considered needs:
What void am I trying to fill? Is it a lack of purpose, a weak sense of identity? What about this item do I like and is there longevity in its qualities or is it fleeting? Is this just a short term dopamine hit? How can I be creative with what I currently have? Will I love this a year from now? How is this trend connected to our culture at large and am I just a victim to a broader marketing campaign?!
Another thing I have found helpful is to gather my favorite pieces that I currently have, and think of what specifically I like about them and why I wear certain pieces so often: Comfortable to the touch, practicality, versatility with my everyday lifestyle, unique silhouettes and texture, and neutral colors
Keeping these things in mind really help me to make more informed purchasing decisions. Some books I’m currently reading that relates to this topic are:
Deluxe by Dana Thomas
The Day the World Stops Shopping by J.B MacKinnon
Feb 13, 2024
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recommending this to God
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Air out Ur home! Enjoy the sounds of the street! Spring is coming!
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I too want to contribute to banana discourse
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