(via elliebalfe)
The heading of this topic is kind of misleading – I don’t like the expression ‘shopping’ as a human activity. It is just a less fancy word for consumerism. I, however, am not bringing up this subject in the matter of the holiday shopping lunacy, which is an activity I’ve never participated in. Rather, it’s a subject that I am apt to dwell on after every purchase I make. Seeing that I can’t bear shopping, I often find myself pondering on how I actually manage to obtain new additions to my wardrobe. That said, I am by no means an avid shopper. In fact, I only allow myself to indulge in maximum 5 pieces a season. Sometimes, I may not buy anything throughout the season because I want perfection, not fast fashion.
At times, the ‘shopping’ part is a mystery to me, as if the entire process is being run by my subconscious. Perhaps it is because I am indeed purposeful? Or maybe I’ve managed to develop a fairly handy shopping skill? I don’t like it though. I want to control the shopping process as I can sense distrust in my way of adding new items to my wardrobe. It’s kind of like wardrobe anorexia.
It takes a lot of effort to plan each possession in terms of clothing. I am making every endeavor to execute a wardrobe that doesn’t require annual replacements according to the fleeting fashion and trends. I create a lot of lists in order to filter out needs and desires. Yet some of the lists are as fleeting as fashion. Often, I find myself eliminating several garments from my lists. That’s why I prefer to wait a couple of months, sometimes years, before I settle for a garment. For instance, I’ve finally found the ideal pair of flats, made to perfection. But I am not confident enough to settle because I don’t want to end up with a regrettable item that I have to sweep out. In other words, I am completely aiming for a wardrobe that doesn’t need any purges in the future – a wardrobe that I’d never question again.
I never, or hardly ever ‘go shopping’ – the most boring activity ever. Personally, I think it is such a waste of time as well as regrettable impulse purchases are most likely a result of shopping sprees. Instead, I rely on formerly tried labels. Be it Isabel Marant or COS, these are labels that I am absolutely firm to. Every single piece of clothing that I own from Isabel Marant, is dearly loved and considered a wardrobe staple.
I feel quite abnormal, as I reckon that shopping is neither pleasant nor thrilling. But I do think the whole process behind a consistency in wardrobe is rather exciting. Luckily, I’m not capable of empathizing with the average consumer’s outlook towards clothing and shopping any longer.
On the other hand, I suppose that I have developed a bit snobbish attitude towards fabrics. I try to go for mere natural fabrics, which is the opposite of what one can find in the fast fashion stores. Explains why I’ve reduced my trips to Zara.
Today I received my most recent investment. A tweed-ish wool jacket from the Isabel Marant f/w 2009 collection. I’ve been searching for this particular jacket ever since I saw the red version on the catwalk. A part from the silver zippers that are hardly noticeable when wearing the jacket unbuttoned, everything about this piece of clothing is just perfect. In fact, I prefer this this jacket without the zippers, but these jackets are so rare that I couldn’t let it pass by.