While it’s not quite the end of the year yet, the dark days are drawing in, the Christmas decorations are out in stores and I’m getting that familiar urge to reflect on the year gone by. The last few months of the year are the perfect time to check in with any resolutions you made back in January to see how you did (as long as you didn’t give up months ago). This year I set myself one big goal, rather than lots of little ones. I focused in on my impulse to shop as a past time and wanted to move towards a more sustainable relationship with my wallet and my image. So I pledged in a blog post:
Largely, I think I did pretty well. I have to admit I didn’t completely hold true to the absolutely no buying rule. I was gifted a t-shirt and some new hiking boots for my birthday and I picked up a jumper, because I struggle to say no to good knitwear. But otherwise I’m calling it a success. I’ve definitely not shopped in the same way I would have without this resolution looming over me.
As I said in that January blog post “My wardrobe has never overflowed. My spending has always been within my means. My style isn’t exactly vogue-worthy. Yet still, at the end of 2018 I realised I always had that tickle in the back of my mind that made me want to shop.”
I think through this year I’ve felt that tickle fade away. I’m no longer browsing clothes stores when I’m bored. It’s much rarer that I will think to myself ‘I need this thing’.
That said, there are a few things I would like as I come to the end of this year, because I’ve learned what in my wardrobe I truly love and what I don’t. Despite only having the same items in there all year, there are some things I’ve barely worn or worn begrudgingly. So, there are a few things I’ve started to get rid of. I’ve learned I really value comfort if something is slightly itchy, a fabric that makes me sweat or cut in a way that I can’t move around in, no matter how much I like how it looks, I won’t wear it. As much as I like the idea of light colours, I spend my days filled with anxiety that I’ll spill something, so actually getting wear out of those lovely light pieces. These are the edits I’m making.
I’d like to add in a few more long sleeve darker cotton shirts, because I’ve worn my navy shirt almost every week that wasn’t over 30 degrees this year. I’m also looking for some simple summer dresses, because I loved wearing my gingham dress this year, but I can feel its jersey fabric pilling to a level where I fear it will have holes next year. One thing I didn’t include in my original wardrobe audit was my loungewear. I’ve realised just how much I live in sweatpants Friday through Sunday. As comfy as they are, I tend to feel uncomfortable venturing out in them, especially if I have to see someone and then I’m resentful of getting changed. So, if I can find them, I’d like a casual elasticated trouser that I’m comfortable in whether I’m sat in my armchair or at my desk in the office.
Those learnings about what I actually wear came alongside a realisation that the more I wear something the more I love it, for example I’ve found a new love for my black chelsea boots. There are definitely things I might have given up on without this challenge, that are now new favourites.
I’ve done my best to look after those new favourites sewing up holes and conditioning leather shoes. I’ve taken a lot of pride in those repairs, they’ve made me appreciate what I own as well as what I am capable of far more than just buying something new ever would.
So, moving into next year I want to try to keep my consumption low, but try to have a more measured response to curating a wardrobe that really works for me with items I love so much I’ll repair and wear time and time again.
