language, and yet one that we are culturally cut off from understanding and
enjoying. The consumption society has made us feel that happiness lies in
having things, and has failed to teach us the happiness of not having things.
- Elise Boulding
Having just returned from my girls trip to Vegas, I am giggling a little as I copy/pasted the inspiration above. Las Vegas DOES NOT = Frugality. It was my first visit there, and boy there was much to slow down and observe. So after YEARS of overaccumulating, it is time to make some changes. Like any good addict, I am not going to start my new shop free life until AFTER my birthday, which is this Thursday. So what I am looking for? Opinions friends- what do I really need for my final bender??
We all know the reliability of crew cashmere- but the henley in the jalepeno- so pretty. Or the cinnamon pencil skirt? Toothpick cords? Soon to be high and dry, living a life rich with family and friends- what should I put in my basket by Thursday? Please see pics below for current items in basket. Think of this as your if you were going to live on a desert island question- what new J Crew would you take??
I can feel your high just describing the J Crew items above. You are def. headed into some serious detox my friend! I will support you the best I can. And by gosh, I WILL see you with that damn horse belt buckle on this year!
ReplyDeleteI love the concept: shopping out of your closet! I wish you all the best on your venture. I have no doubt you will come up with some amazing outfits (and I am hoping you will be willing to share them with us!) Take care!!! :)
ReplyDeleteGood for you!!! I think this is SUCH a brave venture, and I wish you all the best! As for your final bender...I really adore the pencil skirt and the peep toes you have shown above. Also, if you really love the jalapeno cashmere henley then I say go for it. Is there anything else you really need or want? Jewelry perhaps? A new bag? I can't wait to hear what you decide on! Have a great day! :)
ReplyDeleteHi, I wish you well for your journey and your blog. A year, really?
ReplyDeleteUnless you have last years' one already, I would definitively go with the pencil skirt, that's a timeless investment. On the other side they will probably make it again next year, so maybe you should grab the Abbey flats while you can? Definitively not the peep-toes ...
Woobie -- I would get the skirt & the flats for sure. If you don't have a patterned pump, maybe that should go in the basket, too. It's nice to have a fabric patterned pump. Can't speak on the cashmere henley. I wasn't a fan of J Crew's cords this year, unfortunately.
ReplyDeleteGood luck and you can definitely do it!
What a cool and experimental idea. I admire your idea (I know I wouldn't be able to do it). I am sure you will come up with some really great outfits.
ReplyDeleteWhat would be fun is to show us your "must haves" in your closet. Items that you know you will build your wardrobe around for the next year.
As for an addition to your wardrobe...can I suggest jeans? Do you have a killer pair yet? I vote for the J.Crew toothpick jeans - I think they will be a STAPLE for at least the next year. I know they are not on your list - but I'm brainstorming here!
I would also say the professor or boyfriend blazer. I see those being MAJOR for both this winter and into the spring. I just want you to get the most mileage out of your new items. I feel that cords, although great, won't get you very far fashion-speaking for the next whole year. Same goes for the red peep toes.
So here is my vote:
(1) jeans
(2) blazer
(3) If I must pick from your list - ballet flats.
Best of luck! I am excited to see your journey :)
First and foremost- thanks for your responses. All of you have inspired a purchase in my wardrobe at one point or another.
ReplyDeleteFFM,I hear what you are saying with the bags and jewelry. The lighter campo was on my mind- I have a gray Foley & Corrinna, a black Coach and brown Coach, so that might be the way to go. Your praise of the ON weekend jean raised my brow coupled with GingerSnaps good point that jeans will go the distance over the next year. Which wash do you like?
Ema- if I confess that I have the ochre pencil skirt from last season and I had already purchased the gray pencil skirt this year, I am thinking that you would vote for the flats- so consider that done. OT- good friends moved to Parma- need to plan a trip (taking the kids)- March or May?
Gigi of CA- I do not have a patterned pump; I have the Lulus and I wear them a lot, so I was thinking a little "hey, look at me" version would be nice.
GingerSnap- thank you for shaking me a little with the focus message. You are right- a year is a long time for a shopaholic. What are my wardrobe gaps at this point? My typical uniform is blazer, pants, flats or cafe capri, heels, sweater. I have several lexingtons from last year- the piped and the solids so I think I can pass on the professors as they look similar. I also have the navy wool blazer with the gold buttons from several seasons back along with the updated one with 3/4 sleeves. The only black blazer I have is the bella I think?? It is wool, ruffled collar and is itchy, so now you have me thinking the black boyfriend blazer- it is on backorder until NOV, but if I order before Thursday I think I grandfather that in (posting my rules tomorrow). As far as jeans go- I have a skinny pair of BR I have had for a couple of seasons, a couple of trouser pairs from gap, and a couple of bootcut from BR that I love, but I think that you are right. I will try out the crew toothpick jean.
P.S. Who is Elise Boulding you ask? It has crossed my mind now that I have quoted her, so I looked up Elise and she rocks.
ReplyDeleteElise Boulding, PhD has been an important peace activist since World War II. Author of eleven books (see book list) and contributor to many more, she built the Peace Studies program at Dartmouth College, and both she and her husband, Dr. Kenneth Boulding, were active all their lives in conflict-resolution studies and in the more important groups that have been working for world peace. Although she has been retired for some time, and was widowed in 1993, Elise Boulding spent the mid-nineties writing Cultures of Peace: The Hidden Side of History (see Source Books). And she still makes her peaceful presence felt in the corridors of power.
I have been thinking about this since yesterday. I think GingerSnap's comment about gaps in your wardrobe is key. I would also check to make sure you have special occasions covered - as that always seems to be an excuse for most of us to fall of the wagon to go out and grab that perfect piece.
ReplyDeleteThe other thing I would recommend would be a few pieces of really fab jewelry so that when you are wearing that gray cardi with jeans for the 20th time (which I do myself), you can change up the look with your jewelry as well as shoes/handbag.
I wish you the best of luck in this adventure. And can't wait to find out what your picks are before hopping on the wagon. :)
Hi Woobie! I personally like the Weathered wash in the ON weekend jeans. They actually seem to have a little less distressing on them, too.
ReplyDeleteSo I need to clarify: your shopping ban is only J.Crew, right? You are allowed to shop at other retailers?
Btw, I think the peep-toes would look great with the pencil skirt (at least they do from the online pics)...that's why I voted for the skirt and heels. :)
I love that you are doing a blog on this topic!
ReplyDeleteI see from the comments you are considering the Campo. I have the mini patent in coconut shell and it is divine. That might be a good one for your last bender.
HeidiG makes a great point about special occasions. They always get me when I am trying to stay away from the Crew... and I'm not very good at staying away so I am very excited to read about how you are going to manage!