Wednesday 1 October 2014

Travel > sweaters

#oldootd
#oldootd
#oldootd
#oldootd
The extent of the situation. The only thing missing is the big box of sweaters that lives under my bed during the warmer months and my entire vintage stock which is off-limits, but definitely not an excuse.
I've done a lot of talking over the past few months, but not a lot of doing. I've flirted with the idea of documenting all my purchases here and shaming myself into frugality, but gave up before even starting because I thought it would be too much work. Why not just become frugal? Isn't the idea of being careful sufficient? As I'm still writing about it, well, no, it isn't for me. I needed to find a way to keep my good habits up, but also support from peers: there's no fun in getting rid of a habit that brings you some kind of pleasure if there is no challenge or new pleasure to replace it with. This idea of a challenge is very motivating to me, and when Stevie posted this, it was all I needed to really start acting towards my goal.

You see, I really, truly want to visit the UK next Spring. I received some traveling money from my parents for my graduation, and I'd like to built up on that fund especially as I've had to take a bit from it to pay for mundane things. I felt very guilty doing so, and I really want to push myself to keep my eyes on my great shiny traveling goal. Traveling, and the knowledge I can be resolute enough to save up to do so will be much more gratifying than any new sweater, no matter how fluffy or soft (here, I'm picturing an actual sweater from work I've been coveting, oh dear).

I put together a few rules to keep myself in check especially as shopping is part of my job. I do some buying for both the vintage shops where I work and the online vintage shop I own, and not mixing shopping and professional buying will probably be the most challenging aspect of keeping to my new resolution. There's a few things that, should they appear, I won't pass up (the perfect grey cardigan and a pair of dressy pants come to mind - my finickiness regarding both is enough to maintain my integrity towards my goals), but I won't actively seek out or buy anything online as I tend to do. High street stores are not a danger with me, but the low price vintage shops where I work can be incredibly tempting and I will have to prepare a lovely mental slideshow of various UK locations to keep me afloat on the bad days. Or maybe I should make myself a travel tip jar, in which could I tip myself on days when I feel like I need to be rewarded? Stevie talked about star charts in her great *motivational* post about her frugal goals, and I plan to start one for myself - total Camille-bait.
But before all else, I need to be honest with you, or I'll feel like an impostor: I sorely need a few pairs of black tights and will not refrain from procuring them, travel tip jar or not.

It felt very good to check today as a successful day in my diary, and I think the experience will provide me with an undeniable proof to a theory I've been harboring for quite some time: that I'm actually always wearing a variation of the same thing.

Stevie and I have already started documenting our (one) daily outfit(s) on instagram under the tag #oldootd, and I'm looking forward to seeing what Fiona comes up with. You're very welcome to join us - there's nothing like company to keep (my) motivation up!

11 comments:

  1. oh good luck! A trip is always worth saving for! We've just returned to NZ and are trying to find our feet again, my boyfriend already has a job so we don't have to worry too much...and ohmygahd I had forgotten how amazing oppshops (charity shops?) are! I have had such success and we don't even have a house yet. Working at a vintage store must be the most challenging thing for self will on earth!
    I've been meaning to ask! Did you get around to reading Brideshead Revisited? I read during our vacation time, and I have to say I found it a little boring. There were definitely some good bits, but the main character was a little dull for me and something about the other characters just didn't click in a way I would like. But! I can totally imagine it is amazing for tv and have plans to watch the mini series!

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    1. Yes, I read Brideshead! But it wasn't my first Waugh book and I had already seen the amazing mini-series (to which you should give a try!), so I knew what was in store for me - I understand it's not everyone's cup of tea.

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  2. Loving your updates via Insta. We should meet up in London or something! That would be so cool.

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    1. Thanks Joy! I would love to - I was thinking either that, or if I could try and hop to Vienna... We'll see how much I can save up!

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  3. Totally feel your pain. The documenting aspect is where I get lazy. Try it though! You'd be surprised how revealing it is ;)

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  4. I find it hard to pass by charity shops or vintage markets, without that frisson of 'oh, but what if I missed something spectacular?' I have attempted to pare back my wardrobe over the summer though and have stashed stuff away to sell on at a later date. I just hope that when I unpack it again I don't try to reclaim it!

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  5. Oh this is weird. I've been starting to sell things I don't wear, and finding the whole process of ebaying lonely and frustrating (sold an APC hat for £2.19 today - whoo! I would really have rather given it to someone or to charity), plus I'm really attached to some things, but I basically wear Acne jeans and a striped top every day so... I think I used to think that I was keeping some kind of really important archive of designer clothing - that no one ever saw or even knew about and I spent loads of my time / energy maintaining.

    I've already donated loads of stuff to charity and to friends and the things I have left, which is an overwhelming lot, all with big ol' designer labels (mostly because I've worked for the brands), which makes me feel I have to sell them and I need to if I want to be able to buy even one new thing. I really don't want to convince myself to keep things actually as I need the space, but your experiment is veeeery interesting and makes me feel less alone in drowning in never worn clothes that take up so much space that I can't fit any of the clothes I actually wear into a wardrobe - they just hang around... Am I a terribly extreme case?! Probably need therapy for my clothes addiction. Good luck!

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    1. *Several months later* (Sorry about that!) I share your feeling when it comes to the idea of maintaining some kind of archive. I've purchased a number of things since the beginning of the experiment, but letting go of items, and of the idea that no, I don't need to own garments from every decade of the 20th century just in case that what, I'm cast in a period movie and they don't give me a costume? And I wear breton tops and jeans almost every day too! There must be something in there...

      Good luck with dealing with all your things - I know how difficult it can be.

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    2. *what I meant to say is that letting go of items has been easier since the beginning of the experiment, as I've been enjoying the pieces I actually love more, and been more detached from the items I never wear. Plus, I know I never wear them as I have the IG pictures to prove it :)

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  6. I'm really enjoying your bits on fashion and i like your view on vintage finds - keep posting! xo

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  7. Thank you, Nicky! My posting may be only occasional, but I do love this space and am not ready to give it up :)

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