Restraining Order
There's got to be some great irony that on the morning after watching Confessions of a Shopaholic I find myself staring down the stacked heel of a Louboutin platform bootie from the upcoming fall '09 collection. (Please tell me you a re dying as I am over these bizarrely gorgeous, yet slightly s & m wonders! Yowza!)
Wasn't the point of that movie that (spoiler alert) Isla Fisher turned her life around by letting go of her material possessions and discovering the difference between cost and worth? I'm fairly certain that this was the message behind this cautionary tale. But I personally found it hard to concentrate on anything but her astonishing wardrobe. Yves Saint Laurent, Prada, Gucci and Lanvin....it was almost too much to handle, people! Can I get an amen? Pair that with her incredible hair, gorgeous face and undeniable cuteness. This movie veritable feast for the eyes.
But back to reality (slap! slap!). The point of my post is that I really related to her penchant for doing whatever it takes to partake in a sale. We (or at least I) certainly do covet things. Shiny things. Pretty things. But (at least in my case) a select number of quality things. I don't tend to buy "disposable" clothing. I invest in the best I can afford. And if you adhere to the "two for one" edict I employ you won't find yourself in in this situation.
Two for one is this: for every item you buy, you must get rid of two things you already own. Buy a new cashmere sweater? What two items that you already own can you part with? Trust me...you start whittling your wardrobe down to the quality items fairly quickly. It will show you what you truly love and what you simply wanted to possess. Focus on fit, quality and "cost per wear" and you'll keep yourself on track. And this is only a small part of my approach to investing in fashion and intelligent wardrobe building. And yes, you did just read the words "investing" and "intelligent" in the same sentence with shopping. Let me explain...
Remember Coco's sage advice that you should remove an accessory before leaving the house. The same rule should be applied to those things you own and the things you covet. It's about paring down. It's about avoiding waste. It's about selection. Wise selection. You see... you really CAN have quality items if you'll stop wasting your cash on cheap things.
I see it all of the time. Girlfriends with closets filled with sub-par items who say "how can you afford those jeans?" Simple...I didn't waste my money buying seven cheap pairs of low-quality denim that don't fit nearly as well. They bought seven pair. I bought a pair of 7 for all Mankind. See the difference? I invested while they spent. True, they've got a closet packed with clothing. But mine is a well edited collection of pieces I adore. Ones that fit. Ones that will last. And the last thing I want is to be faced with a closet full of cheap clothing that isn't flattering or durable. Quality over quantity.
But don't take my word for it. You should immediately read Grechen's article which sums up her (and my) approach to wardrobe investments. I couldn't possibly say it better than she does in this post. Read it. Absorb it. Live it.
I absolutely agree. I try to follow the two for one edict, but it's not always the easiest thing.
And coming from a girl who is wearing her favorite pair of J Brand jeans right now, the benefits of high-quality denim are beyond belief. Thanks for writing this!
Love,
JP
denimdebutante.com
Posted by: Jaime | July 08, 2009 at 11:08 AM
I cannot believe that I still have not seen this film. what is wrong with me?!
following this little rule is not the easiest thing for me since I'm a hoarder and can never seem to get rid of anything...ever. But I'm trying really hard bc I just don't have the space and there are people who need my gently worn but no longer used clothing more than I do...I always give it away to charity or my local church.
and yes...those booties...I'm dying.
Posted by: Chessa! | July 08, 2009 at 11:57 AM
i just had to LOL at this statement: "yes, you did just read the words "investing" and "intelligent" in the same sentence with shopping" - it's frustrating how many people still believe that if you love to shop, and have nice things, you're shallow & stupid.
you TOTALLY prove them wrong :)
and thanks so much for linking to my article, i had to go back and read it...
Posted by: grechen | July 08, 2009 at 01:41 PM
I learned these edict rather late in life but I have been trying to implement it since. Buy half as much; spend twice as much.
Posted by: Tina Lane | July 08, 2009 at 02:14 PM
That's it exactly, Tina. Buy half as many, pay twice as much and it will last four times as long. That's it!
Grechen, you, my dear are an inspiration. Keep up the great work!
Posted by: franki durbin | July 08, 2009 at 02:29 PM
Just saw the movie! And I love the two for one..however, yesterday I bought two pairs of jeans when I didn't even need one so sometimes the equation is off. haha. But Earl had a great pair and so did Seven...whats a girl to do? Great post.
Posted by: JennyMac | July 08, 2009 at 05:05 PM
As I get older, I'm learning it is better to invest in fashion rather than buying one of every trend. Thanks for keeping me honest.
Posted by: modernmommablog | July 08, 2009 at 09:57 PM
great blog! I love the layout, it is really simple and clean.
Posted by: renee anne | July 09, 2009 at 07:39 AM
This was a great movie- and her closet made me hyperventilate. Can you imagine?? I still laugh thinking about her rainbow bridesmaid dress too...
Posted by: Kristen Sara | July 09, 2009 at 08:48 AM