SHOPPING IN YOUR OWN CLOSET
One of the best jobs I get as a personal shopper is a call for a closet overhaul. First of all, it’s so much fun to go through someone’s closet and clear it of the excess; the outdated, the inappropriate, and the just plain bad. As you can imagine, it’s a lot easier to clean out someone else’s closet than your own since you have no emotional ties to any of the items (“But I wore that to so and so’s fraternity formal!” . . . “Um, that was 12 years ago . . .”)Once you clean out a client’s closet, the fun continues when you put together fresh, new ensembles out of what they have left. You’d be surprised at how many new outfits you can put together once all the unwearables are removed. Usually, with just a few classic staples added to a wardrobe, you can inexpensively create several new ensembles from what’s already there. Some magazines will have you think that you need a whole new wardrobe for every season. That’s just not true! Sometimes you just need a fresh take on what you already have. I’m hoping that’s going to work for me as I embark on this new fashion journey . . .
FASHION EXPERIMENTATION
Confessions of a Shopaholic; a great book and the story of my life. I’ll admit, I’ve accrued way too much credit card debt ALL due to my habitual shopping. Can’t help it! I love fashion! However, I have decided that as of July 1st, I will not purchase any clothing for at least 6 months. Yikes, I know! I am nervous, but genuinely excited about the whole experimental aspect of it all. WHY?!
Several months ago, I came across a blog by a fashionista in Nashville who was doing a similar experiment (I’ve not since been able to find that blog, otherwise I’d give her the props she deserves. When I track it down, I promise to give her credit!) Anyway, she is much more brave than I am because she has given up shopping for a full year. I simply can’t commit to that much time, but I was inspired. If I feel comfortable on February 1 to extend my experiment, I definitely will (I think it would be cool to experience a full seasonal fashion cycle,) but for now I can only deny myself for 6 months. Additionally, I’m hoping to save a lot of $$ and cut down my debt. That’s a pretty great reason, IMO (and in my husband’s opinion . . .)AM I READY?
I actually have a pretty solid wardrobe – would you expect anything less from a professional shopper? I’ve got like 30+ dresses, and tons of tops and pants in a variety of fits and styles. I just can’t gain or lose any weight, which shouldn’t be a problem since I forbid my body to gain 5 lbs, and frankly, my body forbids me to lose 5 lbs.I did have to stock up on a few things. I hit the Gap for some classic "Long and Lean" jeans-always a perfect fit. I already have plenty of skinny jeans; high and low end, so I just needed a couple of classic fits. I also picked up a pair of white jeans, which can be so versatile. Can’t go 6 months without them so I had to pick up a couple pairs of black leggings. They are a personal staple and style-wise they're not going anywhere anytime soon.
And the day is not over. I can totally hit the stores before midnight, right? 2nd Street in Little Tokyo has several cute shops: No. A, Kimski Vintage, and one of my all time favorites, American Apparel. I may just have to make a stop on my way home (it's not cheating!)
Well, here goes . . .
