Stylish Thoughts on… Shopping your Closet
7 Jan
We’re in a recession, whatever that truly means. Fashion has bitten the bullet and has had to scale back in order to continue to grow. Your closet has slammed the brakes and now you’re staring down your wares plotting on how to get those new caged heels into your rotation. Damn it, times are rough. The term “Shop Your Closet” is being thrown around more than an Asian hooker on a Saturday night. Eyeing those Louboutins at Barney’s, stop and “Shop your Closet”. Nothing to wear to that cabaret, “Shop Your Closet”. Well, I’ll be isn’t this a bright idea.
Shopping your closet simply refers to getting the most out of the things you already own. In such tight economic times when purchasing a new dress or pair of shoes at a whim is out of the question, what you already own can be the salvation to your fashion crisis, or so experts say. Teri Agins, Wall Street Journal fashion writer, writes about hiring personal shoppers or independent stylists to show you how to pair items in your closet to create new looks. This begs the question, if you have money to hire a stylist, why not just buy the new item you’re lusting after?
“Shopping your closet” is smart when you have a quick night out. But in lieu of spending money entirely I think it’s safe to say it won’t be a quick fix. Isn’t the reason we shop because we deem we have nothing to wear or how about the fact that most fashion lovers love having new things. By all means if you have 5 pairs of black pumps, shopping for another pair would be ridiculous and you should stick to what you already own. But not buying a vintage turquoise sequined sweater unlike anything you own, well by all means shop the store.
Consumerism and spending money in this recession will help more than hoarding your coins under your mattress while you wear that LBD yet again. If the choice is between a new necklace or the rent, than the problem is far bigger than “shopping your closet”; try “selling your closet”. But for those with healthy bank accounts (not a small feat right now, you are applauded) then by all means, Shop the mall, Shop the Barney’s, Shop the sales and Shop responsibly. Take stock of what you own and go forth and build upon it.
What are your thoughts?
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I totally agree that those of us who are lucky enough not to be affected by the downturn in the economy should keep (responsibly) spending! But I also think there is room to make your closet work harder for you. I wrote a similar post on this recently: http://lifeinfashion.typepad.com/life_in_style/2008/10/shop-from-your-closet.html
It is very relatable to this one!
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I totally agree, I have been living by this since last year. The only dress I bought last year was my wedding dress! I just had to realize that I am not a celebrity with millions of dollars so there is no reason why I am buying dresses to wear once. I think something even better is to “Shop your Neighbor’s Closet” or “Shop your Sisters Closet.” If your blessed enough to have friends your size go for it, Then you both have double the choices and even if you don’t wear the same size a least you can swap accessories:)
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I like that “Shop your Neighbor’s Closet”… I do that often… friends always have great pieces that you can borrow.
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“Take stock of what you own and go forth and build upon it.” ? Yikes! I can already feel the collective self-esteem drop a notch.
Fashion is not about buying lots of stuff, but a form of self expression. Real fashionistas can express their inner beauty by creatively putting together outfits without breaking the bank.
Even if you feel the need to shake things up, it is possible to reinvent yourself without going shopping. All you need a little ingenuity. Whatever happened to that?
I agree that consumerism is what drives our economy but I don’t see how rushing out to buy stuff is a solution to our economic crisis. Maybe a better solution is out there. Again, a little ingenuity please.
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@ 1silly goose: I agree that consumerism and spending lots of money is not the solution to the economic crisis or a style crisis, in the same way that I believe being scared to spend is not the best way to aid in conservation.
Shopping your closet should be a regular staple of any fashionista true indeed, but the way it is being touted now is as a means to deal with the recession. If you have the means to buy something by all means do. This recession is scaring people into believing that shopping is bad, when it isn’t.
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This “economic state” has truly placed a damper on my retail therapy sessions. But I have to say honestly, that is requiring me to use a style muscle that I haven’t in a while: INNOVATION! Although I do miss popping the tags off a new dress for any and every event; I have found a similar joy in remixing the awesome “fits” that I already own?
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@ Shoe New: Yes innovation is key! Instead of saying you have nothing to wear, pair items together that you wouldn’t normally wear together. You can create an entire new look for yourself.
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I think the concept of shopping your closet is not just a counter to recession, but a new way of thinking. It’s not a bandaid or quick fix that you practice at the end of the month while waiting for your paycheck, but a new lifestyle where you determine that I only need x amount of clothes and not waste as much.
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Ms. Thought Reply:
May 24th, 2010 at 1:15 pm
@Jessu: I couldn’t agree more. And as I get older I realize that buying more stuff isn’t the answer to having great style.
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