Went to the local shopping centre to buy fish from the fishmongers. Biiigggg mistake. Came out with a pair of black cotton/lycra leggings from Target, teal merino wool cardigan (50% off) and a Bonds fleecy hoodie (70% off). Haven't impulse-shopped like that in a long time, but in my defense, our house didn't sell at auction last week and my nerves had to have some outlet :-) Plus, I needed the leggings for bike riding, as I've ripped a good pair of pants (I refuse to wear those ugly clip things), and I didn't own a cardigan OR a hoodie. I'd rather not slob around in my fleecy dressing gown in the evenings; it's not a good look, so the hoodie is a good thing. Cardigan is beautiful, and I'm getting rid of a ratty cotton jumper in its place.
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Posted 7 months ago #
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i don't really own seasonal clothing....it's not really needed in our climate if your clothes can layer.
my whole wardrobe sits out permanently, and i wear more or less items as the temperatures dictate.
(i've got some long single knit silk underwear that is perfect to turn almost any outfit into winter clothes....how i wish i'd owned it almost 2 years ago when i was in korea in winter snow, with the most unsuitable clothes ever).my clothes are holding out fine so far and it's heading to 3 months.
i have window shopped a few times, but it always boils down to knowing i can manage quite well with what i've already got.Posted 7 months ago # -
Ack - I fell off the wagon. In my defense, I partially switched seasonal wardrobes and donated 3 pr shoes, a skirt suit, about a half dozen t shirts, and 2 pr tights that were shot. Then I went shopping Sat. and bought 1 pr shoes (to die for pony red heels with red patent-leather trim), 2 long-sleeved tees (I live in them in the winter) that were bogo 1/2 off, a tunic top, and 3 pr leggings. Today I ordered (we'll see how it fits/looks) a dress (I've been looking for a red dress for ages). The good news is that I received a monetary award at work today, which more than pays for what I spent! LOL. I really am making progress in decluttering my wardrobe - really!
Posted 7 months ago # -
Bummer about the house, lazycow :(
Posted 7 months ago # -
i've decided i need a carrot-type incentive, apart from just saving the planet and bucking the trend to consume ever-more-disposable-garments.
i've promised myself that if i get through the next almost 9 months with no-new-clothes....then i get to have some selected things custom made for me in silk jersey.i've got the clothes and the silk all picked out already :P
Posted 7 months ago # -
I have only had 2 things made for me in my adult life 1) a local designer designed my wedding outfit, and 2) I had a top I LOVED (perfect cut for me, bought cheap in a market in Provence and therefore not possible to get another)copied at a little tailor shop down the road, in material I already had (was a huge wrap-around skirt that I never wore but loved the material, a colourful silk/linen blend)
I don't sew at all, so my question is for bandicoot or for others who regularly have clothes made: where do you get patterns? or do you have items to be copied like my top? When you have something made, do you bring your own pattern to the tailor? your own material? If so, how can you find beautiful fabric?
I just made a foray into a local fabric chain store and saw a lot of polyester and generally unattractive material. I can't imagine being able to get nice fabrics at these places, or am I not looking hard enough?
lastly, I realize we're all in different places, so I am merely curious about others' experiences in general: how does having something made where you are compare pricewise with something off the rack where you are?
Posted 7 months ago # -
djk, last oct i found an australian brand of off-the-rack clothes that suited me down to the ground.
i stocked up!
for fifteen years prior to that, i had my clothes made in bali.
i had a real routine there....i'd fly up, arrive late, arise early.
off to the wonderful fabric shop in denpasar (duta silk house), then on to sulawesi st to poke around the dozens of fabric shops there, and always buy at least one proper batik sarong.
in the afternoon, i'd head to my tailor with the fabric, and the shirts and trousers would be ready to pick up by the day i left for home.
my tailor cut her own patterns off my samples, so i had the same basic shirt and trousers, with minor embellishments, for years.i've also bought terrific clothes off etsy.
and etsy is where i shall be turning for my silk jersey wardrobe....i want to work with someone who will allow me to source the fabric.
why silk jersey? it is durable, it always looks good, and the colours don't seem to fade.
it breathes, it travels well, it is always comfortable to wear.the price of this?
my bali clothes had expensive fabrics in them, but basic tailoring, so i'd say they worked out slightly less than what i'd pay at home for similar.
they usually lasted for ages.
the off-the-rack stuff i started buying last oct is a little expensive, but not insane....and they have frequent good sales.
however, the clothes are disposable....things pill and wear at the drop of a hat. but the designs are great.
the silk jersey will be expensive, no way around it.
but i am hoping to balance that by having a really minimalist wardrobe of things i absolutely adore, which will last a few years.Posted 7 months ago # -
@djk - I used to have clothes made for me, and I never had to bring a pattern. The woman I used to go to was fantastic. I went to her shop, described to her what I was looking for. She would either bring out some catalogues or sketch something herself, we'd agree on the design, and she'd take my measurements. Then she'd tell me what kind of fabric would work best, how much of it I would need and where to go look for it, and I'd buy my own. Then she'd make her own patterns from my measurements, and we'd have several fittings until I was happy with the result.
As for price, clothes were usually a little more expensive to have made than to buy; however, I only had them made when I couldn't find anything I liked or that fit me properly, so it was always worth it.
Posted 7 months ago # -
Donation pickup is today! At least 3 bags of clothing, half dozen pr shoes, an old kids' Scooby Doo sleeping bag, etc. In addition, when I finished (finally) moving my seasonal wardrobe, I realized I already had leggings in the colors I bought last week, so they're going back! The dress didn't fit like I'd hoped, so that's going back, too. Therefore, only keeping the shoes and the 2 long-sleeved tees from my shopping expedition. I'm satisfied.
Posted 7 months ago # -
thanks bandicoot and Anita! I am a bit envious about popping over to Bali, bandicoot! sounds fabulous.
I do think it is a good idea to have some pieces made as I tend to be hard to fit and I have clear ideas about what I like. Usually the cuts I like in the shops are in fabrics I find unpleasant to wear (mostly because most of it is of fibre which makes me pour sweat; I am an overheater in general!). Natural fibres alone are wonderful but some need more care than I am willing to give them. My favourite clothes are blends of linen and silk, or wool/cashmere and silk. They breathe, don't need ironing, work in all weather alone or layered, and last forever. However, it is so so so so hard to find fabric like that in a cut that flatters. Hence the thoughts about getting a few things made.
thanks again for the info!Posted 7 months ago # -
loves beautiful, top quality fabrics? check.
fussy about fit? check.
not a conveniently standard shape or size? check.
want some input into design? check.
it's time to start a beautiful friendship with a tailor!
added bonus: you can see that your clothing isn't being produced by sweatshop labour.Posted 7 months ago # -
I am waking this forum up because I had a surprising revelation. Last weekend, I packed up my Summer clothes and returned them to the roof. Although I had committed to this challenge, I remember writing about how I needed some more Summer tops and a dress to wear to the Melbourne Cup. I went shopping and purchased one top.
Then mum got sick, and I was so busy with her illness that I didn't get around to more shopping. I had no interest in going to the Cup, so I never did buy a dress. When mum died, my wardrobe was the least of my worries. So Summer came and went with no further purchases. I was pretty well set for trans-seasonal clothes and I got my Winter ones down last weekend. I think they will do without further purchases. So without thinking about it, I have gone from mid July 2011 until now and have only purchased two scarves and a shirt.
I am amazed that I have got through with so few clothes and almost no purchases. I have to say that the sock and undies draw will need a top up soon!
Posted 2 weeks ago # -
jtt, quite a wonderful realisation, no?
to see how little we really do need. very liberating.my clothes are holding out.
some things are pilling and looking a bit shabby, but there is life in them yet.
and other things might hang on for another year.i have been more careful with my clothes, that is for sure.
and the real wake up for me has been PACKING for travel.
with a small controlled wardrobe, it has been so much easier.
i just got back from four days of city life: walking miles, restaurants, a business meeting, the theatre... with just two layered outfits ( trousers x 2 , tunic x 2, long sleeved silk T x 2, cardigan x 1, silk long johns x 1, pashmina x 1 and some simple earrings).next weekend i am heading off on a 10 day sales trip south in a car... with limited space...so i have to now consider what to take for a chillier climate with overnight laundry opportunities.
Posted 2 weeks ago # -
Sounds like your packing is down to an art, bandicoot!
My favourite packing is for warm weather--silk is so great as it packs so small. Love that!JTT, that's amazing! When you haven't bought anything for so long it makes you appreciate the quality workhorses in the closet, doesn't it?
Posted 2 weeks ago # -
I am doing well on this challenge also. But like Jack, my socks and undies will need topping up before too long. Otherwise a few new things have come in as gifts, and many things have gone out! I've been considering what I will buy once the year has passed, but aside from the socks/undies, what comes out on top are jeans and a new (smaller, yay!)bathing suit.
Posted 1 week ago # -
You are right djk. A couple of years ago, I made the decision to buy the best quality I could afford and these items have been really durable. I usually get rid of items that are worn and unsuitable when I pack up the clothes at the end of the season. I did not need to discard any items this year.
Pkilmain, did your grandmother ever tell you to always wear nice undies in case you were hit by a tram and were taken to hospital? I always thought that shabby undies would be the least of my problems if it happened! Roll on 1st of August - a new lingerie shop has opened in our neighbourhood........
Posted 1 week ago # -
Since DH was laid off a year ago (I hate writing that), I've only bought underwear and two new bras. There were a few times when I would rail about not being able to just go out and buy something, but thus far *knocks wood* I haven't been confronted with a situation that my wardrobe couldn't handle. A pair of jeans would be nice, and I need something to wear for formal occasions; my dad's illness has brought that home to me.
But right now what I've got is working for me.
Posted 1 week ago #
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