Apples, Bananas, and Pears…Oh My! (Thoughts on Body Shape)

Recently several friends have asked if I’m still “doing that closet thing.” I am! I’ve been dressing with a limited wardrobe for over a year now, and I can’t imagine going back to my packed closet.

I haven’t written about it lately for a couple reasons. Most of my time has been spent getting my vintage-selling business off the ground, and my blog has languished a bit in the process. But my main reason for not writing about my capsule wardrobe is that I don’t think about it much anymore; this is just how I dress now.

Yesterday marked the end of my three month winter collection. Quite a few pieces carried over from fall, and I added some lovely new (and new to me) finds. I haven’t documented my looks or taken any bathroom mirror selfies this season. I’ve just…gotten dressed.

Capsule dressing has become a way of life for me.

While I haven’t been thinking much about my clothing lately, I have been thinking about fashion and how we choose what we wear. When I decided to try Project 333 last March, I first began researching, looking for any tips on capsule wardrobes, pinning lists of “must haves” and trying to figure out what I “needed” in my closet.

One type of advice that seemed to pop up again and again was the ubiquitous “How to Dress for Your Body Type.” If you’ve ever flipped through a style magazine or scrolled through the Women’s Fashion category on Pinterest, you’ve certainly encountered one of these articles or infographics. Perhaps you found it helpful.

I found all this body shape dressing advice…interesting.

If you are somehow unfamiliar with these types of articles, here’s the overview:

  • You compare your body visually or with measurements to various geometric shapes or fruits and see which one is the closest match. You might be a pear (smaller on top, bigger through the hips and thighs), an apple (larger bust, fuller waistline), a banana / rectangle (straight up and down), or, if you are very fortunate, an hourglass (evenly proportioned bust and hips with a defined waist).
  • You read and follow the advice for selecting the silhouettes and styles that are best suited to your particular shape.

For a long time I read these articles without questioning why they sparked a twinge of shame in me. I have never struggled with serious body image issues, and I generally feel good about how I look. But something about these articles left me feeling like I didn’t measure up.

As I researched in preparation for building a capsule wardrobe, I began to notice this little shame monster and question what might be behind it. As I read more of these body shape articles and how they advised I dress my body, I noticed some common words and themes emerging:

  • conceal
  • avoid drawing attention to…
  • trouble areas
  • problem areas
  • slenderize
  • camouflage
  • create a ________ silhouette
  • even out your body
  • offset
  • create curves
  • de-emphasize curves
  • give the impression of…
  • create the appearance of…
  • give the illusion of…

Notice anything?

Here is what one article had to say:

“The key to dressing a pear…is to create a balanced, hourglass appearance.”

Um, what?!? The key to dressing my body is to make it look like I have a different body? That can’t possibly be right! What if I actually like the body I have?!?

Mathematically, if we are going by bust-waist-hip measurements, I am a pear. And here’s the thing: body shape does not necessarily correlate with size. No matter how much weight I gain or lose, I will never be a rectangle or an hourglass. That is not how my bones are built. And I will not accept that my “pear-ness” demands padded bras and empire waist dresses in order to be presented acceptably.

There are parts of my body I’m more fond of than other parts. I will always prefer to show off my shoulders more than my ankles. And I do love a wide belt, which I guess emphasizes my waist. But I refuse to believe that the best way for us to dress as women is to conceal how we are shaped, to camouflage ourselves, to create the illusion of something else.

I hope I can make fashion choices that reflect more of who I am at the core–a creative individual, a crusader for freedom and redemption, a woman for whom “pear” is not a defining characteristic. I hope we all feel free to make those kinds of choices.

You are more than your dress size.

You are more than your bust line.

You are more than an ankle or a shoulder or a silhouette.

You are more than a number on a scale or a fruit in the produce aisle.

I may not fit in the “lucky you, hourglass” category, but I feel “pear” is not the right word…I’m going with POWERGLASS! It sounds like a superhero shape that has more to do with my heart than my body.

************************************************************************************

What are your thoughts? Have these articles simplified shopping for you and helped you find things you feel great wearing? Am I completely overreacting? Do you have a superhero shape? I’d love to hear from you!

Capsule Wardrobe: Top 14 of 2014

Since I began dressing in a seasonal, 33-item capsule wardrobe in March, I’ve noticed certain clothes emerging as most-worn favorites. Some of these items were worn so much that I ended up replacing them along the way.

This is by no means a list of must-haves, but these pieces all saw a lot of wear, and they’ll form the basis of my year-round capsule wardrobe going forward.

Dark wash skinnies, chambray shirt under wide stripe sweater

Dark wash skinnies, chambray shirt under wide stripe sweater

1. Dark wash skinny jeans.

I wore my last pair so much that I replaced them this fall with a high waist version. Other styles (straight leg, wide leg) are growing in popularity again, but I still like my skinnies best. They make an oversized sweater and sneakers feel polished, they work cuffed or long, and they compliment heels as well as they fit under boots. I’m a fan. I liked the flap pockets on my old ones, but my new ones are stretchier for an even better fit.

2. Chambray shirt.

After months of searching, I finally found the perfect one at the thrift store. I layer this under sweaters, over tops, wear it tucked or untucked, tied or belted, with a skirt or jeans…it’s incredibly versatile. My version has button tabs so I can roll up and secure the sleeves in warmer weather.

Chambray shirt with pleated silk skirt, black tights, and black suede ankle boots

Chambray shirt with pleated silk skirt, black tights, and black suede ankle boots

3. Chambray shirt dress.

This was a full-price purchase more than two years ago and has been a three-season wardrobe staple for me. I loved wearing it with sandals in the summer and with leggings or tights and boots in the cooler months. Before I found my chambray shirt, I would fold and tuck this one into skirts or pants.

4. Striped shift dress.

The first version wore out and was replaced in the summer. Both were found at the thrift store. This was another three-season piece with plenty of layering and styling possibilities. It will retire briefly for winter and likely return for my spring capsule.

Striped shift dress under sleeveless trench

Striped shift dress under sleeveless trench

5. Brown braided belt.

I purchased this braided leather belt with brass buckle in the men’s department of the thrift store, so it has a long tail to knot or wrap. Since there are no holes it can be buckled anywhere and works with a variety of outfits. It was my favorite accessory with my striped dress or jean shorts, which brings me to #6…

6. Denim shorts.

I already had a couple pairs of flowy shorts and was on the lookout for something a bit more casual and structured. It took a while to find denim shorts that weren’t distressed or cut offs. Oh, and they had to be the right length! This secondhand find made the hot month of August so much more bearable!

7. Rust boyfriend cardigan.

This lightweight sweater is just my color and goes with more than you might expect. I like to be prepared for cool temps, even in summer (wishful thinking?), and this folds up small enough to fit in my purse. It adds no bulk under a jacket and works under or over a belt.

8. Navy cashmere sweater.

One of my few “dry clean only” items, this vintage find was probably my most-worn piece this fall. I especially liked it over button down shirts.

Navy cashmere over plaid with jeans and over stripes with leggings and boots

Navy cashmere over plaid with jeans and over stripes with leggings and boots

9. Purple dolman tee.

This lightweight long sleeve tee feels perfectly, casually comfortable with jeans or shorts and makes a great base for a scarf or necklace.

10. Bronze swing tee.

After beginning my capsule wardrobe and taking a shopping hiatus, this was one of the first pieces I bought. I had scouted it online and love the sleeves and neckline. It’s an interesting basic.

11. Brown boots.

I replaced my falling apart synthetic boots with these Frye leather boots (purchased gently used for 80% off retail!). I did have to stretch the calves a little in a really un-glamorous process involving screwdrivers (seriously DIY), but now they are a great fit with tights or jeans. They cost more than Target boots, but I’m glad I waited for a deal and made the investment. I plan to have these for years to come.

12. Brown leather sneakers.

Another pair of Frye shoes, these were a gift and purchased new. They are super comfortable, work with laces or without, and I like that I can chase my daughter around the playground in shoes I also wear around town. These are a very “me” substitute for gym shoes.

Faux leather jacket, chambray shirt, dark wash skinny jeans, brown leather sneakers

Faux leather jacket, chambray shirt, dark wash skinny jeans, brown leather sneakers

13. Faux leather jacket.

I added this piece for fall, and I love it! I had planned to save up for a leather jacket, but this synthetic version works better for my life right now. I don’t worry about wearing it in the rain, working setting up vintage displays, or playing with my daughter. I’ll still save up for the real thing at some point, but in the meantime the pleather is perfect.

14. Songbird Glory jewelry.

Technically jewelry is not part of my capsule collection; I don’t count it in my numbers or swap it with the seasons. But I did find myself reaching for these pieces most days, and not just because my friend makes them! The stamped metal cuffs go with everything and feel like a signature look for me.

Whew, you made it through the whole list!

What were some of your favorite or most worn pieces this year?

Note: I included links to the exact items or similar ones when necessary. You can see my actual wardrobe (on hangers or worn by me) here, here, and here. Much of my clothing was purchased secondhand or in previous season/years, so some links point to sold out or unavailable items. Visible prices are no indication of what I actually paid.

Project 333: Some Fall Outfits

Now that I’m in the home stretch of my fall Project 333, I thought I’d share an update. This three month term began October 1st and ends December 31st, and so far temperatures have spiked into the 90s and dipped into the 20s Fahrenheit. That’s quite a swing to manage with around 33 items of clothing…

So I’ve cheated a couple times. I had to temporarily pull out my big vintage fisherman sweater and my Sorel boots, and I’ve realized I really don’t have a warm coat or many sweaters left. I’m well equipped for most Southern winters, but last winter (and several days of this one) have pushed my mild winter wardrobe to the brink. My pieces consist primarily of lightweight “fashion jackets” that do little to actually thwart the cold. I’m keeping an eye on the thrift stores for a few warmer pieces, and until then I’ll pile on the layers. Thankfully, most days have lows in the 40s-50s, temps that are comfortably manageable with what I have.

I’ve also decided to keep a few spots in my closet for vintage favorites. My small collection of vintage dresses contains more statement pieces than basics, so I haven’t figured out how to fit them in a 33 item capsule collection. But there are occasions that call for a statement. I’m bringing in a few of these pieces as a sub-collection.

This season I have replaced a few items that no longer work. I bought a new pair of dark wash, high waisted skinny jeans since my others were wearing out and getting a little pointy “tail” in the back. Do you know what I’m talking about? Once it happens, the pants are pretty much done. The old jeans moved on to the “lounge wear” category (or more accurately, the “work wear” category when I’m setting up vintage displays or sorting through things in the garage).

I also ditched the charcoal skirt. I didn’t try it on before including it in my collection (lesson learned!), and it doesn’t fit well at all anymore. I still wore it once, but I immediately pulled it from my closet after seeing the baggy, saggy selfies. A plaid skirt (found on super sale!) has taken its place. While not as versatile, the new skirt is a fun piece that fits my style well, and I expect to wear it plenty this winter.

Oh, and I added a couple new pairs of shoes! I’ll share my accessories at some point.

When I did follow the rules, which was most of the time, I took some bathroom mirror shots to show how I put everything together. Fall clothes are my favorite, and they’re the easiest for me to wear. I really love these clothes, and I don’t have to think too much about them or work too hard to make outfits. I’m wondering if those two things aren’t related, and maybe that’s actually the crux of capsule dressing: effortless style.

Here are some outfits, cheats not included:

Hark at Home - Fall 2014 Outfits

 

Do you have a favorite season for dressing? Have you found a way to incorporate statement pieces in a capsule wardrobe? Are you ready to try this in January?!?

Out of Darkness: The Power of Aesthetics (and Art Prints Presale!)

Now that I have been dressing with less, giving things away, and choosing quality over quantity, I have had a realization: aesthetics are powerful. Since paring down my wardrobe, I feel more confident in my clothes. As I thoughtfully add, subtract, and rearrange things in my house and my closet, I find I feel more at home. A thoughtfully designed space can create a sense of peace and welcome.

Recently I had the opportunity to collaborate with View Along the Way and E G Allis Photography . These two talented women have designed a room for a safe house with Out of Darkness, a non-profit committed to fighting sex trafficking in Atlanta, and I created some hand-lettered art for the project. Kelly’s thoughtful design decisions have transformed a room into a place of peace and welcome for women on a healing journey.

Here are the pieces I created:

It was an honor to be a part of this project and contribute to a space where redemption stories are unfolding.

Designed as a diptych, these two pieces are offered as limited edition archival prints. They are available for preorder now through November 30th and will ship following completion of the presale. (Edited to add: prints are now in stock and available in my Etsy store.) For each print ordered, 20% of the purchase price will be donated to Out of Darkness.

What Ifs and Why Nots

When I first started cleaning out my closet, I faced some strong internal resistance. My dialog (because don’t we all talk to ourselves about these things?) sounded something like this:

What if this comes back in style? I should probably keep in just in case…

What if I gain or lose ten pounds? Even though it doesn’t fit now, I might need this size one day…

What if the weather gets unusually hot or cold? I’d better be prepared…

What if I get invited to a formal event? I ought to hold on to this prom dress…

Wait, what?!? Does this sound familiar?

My crammed closet back in March, right before I cleaned it out and started Project 333

My crammed closet back in March, right before I cleaned it out and started Project 333

For years, I catered to the “what if,” and I think this was the primary cause of my crowded closet. Even a serious shopping habit can be offset by ruthless editing, but I had a math problem; I kept adding without subtracting. There are benefits to being prepared, and holding on to things seems like a money saver. If I already have it, I won’t need to buy it…right?

There is a certain comfort in having a stock pile of clothing (or anything, really), but life rarely shakes out exactly the way we anticipate.

In reality, I will want to buy (or rent, or borrow) a new dress if I happen to be invited to a formal event. If I lose ten pounds, it could very well be during the winter, and those tiny linen pants will be of no use. I could gain ten pounds in the summer when those next size up corduroys won’t be wearable. In either of those cases, I would probably want to get something new to embrace my new size. Unusually extreme weather only lasts briefly, and I could probably manage a few days of snow by piling on lighter layers. If something comes back in style, there is little chance of me wearing the trend again and in the same way.

Last spring I found a piece of advice that made letting go seem a little easier: store it at the store.

My clean summer closet and a fraction of what is no longer in it, loaded up for the thrift store

My clean summer closet and a fraction of what’s no longer in it, loaded up for the thrift store

Store it at the store.

This one little sentence gave me some ammunition against the “what if” onslaught. I first read it here on Apartment Therapy, and this article on Untitled Minimalism expresses the concept well.

I decided that if “what if” was my main hesitation in letting go, I would store at the store instead of in my house. If I could get a similar item for less that $20 in less than 20 minutes, I would definitely store it at the store.

I recently had an unexpected opportunity to test the efficacy of the 20/20 rule. We needed a roasting pan (and by “we” I mean my husband, who is the chef in our home). When I went to look for the pan, I realized it had been in the drawer of our old oven. We had gotten new appliances, and I forgot to check the drawer before the old ones were removed. Since dinner depended on a roasting pan, I stopped by the thrift store and found one in pristine shape for $5. The errand took less than 20 minutes, including the time it took to wash the pan.

I didn’t intentionally give away the roasting pan, but I saw how it might not be so terrible to find myself unprepared in one of those “just in case” moments. After that experience, I used the 20/20 rule as inspiration to give away some books I have already read, some art supplies I haven’t used in the last three years, and some extra plastic kitchen utensils that were taking up drawer space. I decided two slotted spoons were plenty, and in the unlikely event that I needed more, 20 minutes and 20 dollars would be more than enough to make that happen.

If the item is easily borrowed, I can also store it at the store. I don’t need to hold on to that heavy carry on luggage with the marginally functional zipper; I have another one that works perfectly, and I can borrow one from family if I ever need two at once. Friends often borrow serving pieces from me. I like to entertain and have a large collection of vintage dishes, so these items are not burdensome for me to keep. They bring me joy and serve a purpose, and I’m happy to share them. My friends could “store those at the store,” in a way.

In the process of minimizing, I found things I haven’t worn or used in years, things I was unlikely to wear or use in the near future. These are things I wanted to let go of, but I held on to them out of fear…because really, for me at least, the core of “what if” is fear…of insufficiency, inadequacy, of not enough. I no longer want fear as a motivating factor in my life. I don’t want fear deciding what stays in my closets or cabinets or drawers.

So goodbye, dress that I kept because I was afraid I might need to wear it one day! That dress took up space. It occupied physical space that I would rather use for something I enjoy wearing often, and worse than that, it wasted emotional space. I want to spend more energy living my life in the present and less effort planning for what might be.

Now when I consider getting rid of something, I ask, “Why not?” If the answer is that I really love and/or use said thing, then it stays. If not? Add it to the giveaway pile. I’m pretty sure I won’t miss it, and if I do, it’s probably stored at the store.*

 

Do “what ifs” interfere with your attempts to simplify?

Are your “what ifs” motivated by fear or something else?

What could you store at the store instead?

 

*So far, this has only backfired one time that I recall. One summer I gave away my favorite fleece lounge pants. They fit well and were broken in to perfection, and they were the most comfortable thing I had for wearing around the house. In a fit of ‘roid rage (I had to be on prednisone and was having mood swings and hot flashes), I cleaned out my dresser and donated some things, including my beloved lounge pants. In that moment of heat and bloatedness, I couldn’t imagine ever wearing them again. Whenever the weather gets cold now, I do have passing thoughts about those fleece pants. Maybe this year I’ll find a suitable replacement. So…usually “store it at the store” is helpful, unless you are medicated…in which case, best not to make any rash decisions. 😉

Project 333: Capsule Wardrobe for Fall 2014

Today is October 1st, a day I have eagerly anticipated for at least the past two weeks, because today begins a new round of Project 333! This will be my third cycle of the minimalist fashion challenge, and I am looking forward to trying a capsule wardrobe during my favorite season.

If you are a new reader here or are unfamiliar with Project 333, here’s the one sentence summary: live for three months with a thirty-three item wardrobe.

It is radical, but it is not militant.

When I tell people about Project 333, the most common response is, “Wow, that’s so cool! I could never do that!” I get it. That’s how I felt when I first heard about Project 333 as well. I love shopping and have an eclectic sense of style, and I thought this sort of challenge would be great for people who didn’t like to shop and preferred monochromatic outfits. But sometime over the past year, a metamorphosis took place. I transformed from a curious observer into an impassioned participant.

Finding blogs and pins of capsule wardrobes (both actual and aspirational) inspired me, but here’s what finally won me over to Project 333: it is radical, but it is not militant. The rules are offered as guidelines, a structure within which to challenge yourself. They can easily be adapted or omitted or ignored. There are no grades for perfection, no awards given for adherence, and no shame or consequences for mistakes or even failure. It’s just a practical, doable set of steps to try out dressing with less.

So I adapted and adjusted and made it work for me. It’s my Project 333-ish.

And here are the clothing items I’m including for fall:

Hark at Home - Fall 2014 Capsule Wardrobe

 

Left to right from the top:

Row 1: Green Button Tank | Striped Tank (*T) | Asymmetrical Black Tank (V) | Blue Striped Tee (T)

Row 2: Bronze Swing Top | Wide Stripe Knit Top | Purple Dolman Sleeve Tee | Navy Cashmere Pullover (*V, T)

Row 3: Plaid Button Down (*V, T) | Chambray Shirt (*T) | Plum Vest (*T) | Black Cashmere Cardigan (*V, T)

Row 4: Rust Cardigan | Blue Knit Moto Jacket | Brown Barn Jacket (*T) | Plaid Coat (V, T)

Row 5: Faux Leather Jacket (*) | Skinny Jeans | Straight Leg Jeans | Green Jeans (*T)

Row 6: Charcoal Skirt | Rust Pleated Skirt (*V) | Purple Convertible Dress | Sleeveless Trench Dress

Row 7: Striped Shift Dress (*T) | Chambray Dress

The asterisk (*) marks new items added to my wardrobe, the (V) signifies vintage, and the (T) means the item was thrifted.

In case you’re counting, that comes to 26 items. I’ll include my shoes (which bring my count closer to 33-ish) and selected accessories in a later post.

If you’ve been contemplating taking the plunge into capsule wardrobe land, now is a great time to start! The seasons are changing, the temperature is dropping (at least in my hemisphere). Nature is undergoing a wardrobe makeover and heading toward minimalism. There are so many good resources to encourage and inspire you (like this Project 333 Blog Tour, in which I’m grateful to be included).

It does not have to be all or nothing. If you aren’t ready to have a closet quite this small, why not try packing up ten things and seeing if you miss them at the end of three months? Or donate one thing you’ve never liked wearing. Or try wearing thirty things for one month. Or spend hours browsing capsule wardrobes on Pinterest—hey, it’s inspiring! If you’re wanting to do this but have hesitations, just start somewhere. You might find, as I have, that less can feel surprisingly satisfying. In the meantime, “Yes, it is cool. And you could totally do it.” At least that’s how I answer my friends.

Capsule Wardrobe: End of Summer Assessment

Project 333 Late Summer Outfits 2014

Project 333 Late Summer Outfits 2014

For the past two weeks, my toddler daughter has been asking if it’s fall yet. Every time she’d see a leaf float down into the yard, she would cheer, “It’s FALL!” And now it finally is!

Like my daughter, I’m ready for a new season. At this point in the year (and in my three month capsule wardrobe), I’m itching for a change. Fall is my favorite season, and the corresponding clothes are a big part of that.

As October approaches, I am assessing my wardrobe from the last season and deciding what stays and what goes. Wearing the same 30-something pieces of clothing for three months has taught me some things about myself.

“Sporty” is not a word I would ever use to describe myself or my style, and with that acknowledgement, I’ll be sending my floral track pants and my printed sweatshirt on to new homes. Those outfits felt a bit more casual than I like, and wearing heels to dress them up was impractical for my daily life. No big deal–I spent less than $15 to try out the look, so I don’t feel guilty about consigning or donating the clothes.

I’m also ready to admit that there is a certain length of skirt I will not confidently wear without tights or leggings. I had one such skirt in my summer capsule, and though I wore it often in winter (with tights), I didn’t wear it once in the past three months. That’s okay, too. I’ll skip this skirt for my fall collection and maybe bring it back when the weather is consistently cool enough to wear tights with it.

Several things have also worn out after three (or in some cases, six) months of regular wear. I have already replaced my striped tee, and I’ll be swapping my striped dress and striped tank for my fall closet. Hooray for new stripes!

I bought the (nearly) new striped pieces from the thrift store, and I spent less than $25 on all three of them.

Other retiring pieces include my black crochet top tee (too faded), my beloved beaded sandals (falling apart, and I’ve already glued them back together twice), and the light wash jeans. I usually wear dark wash jeans, but I thought a lighter wash might be nice for summer. So many fashion bloggers made them work, and I felt inspired to give it a try. I paid less than $8 for those secondhand Anthropologie jeans, and it was worth it to discover that I do actually prefer a darker wash.

With the change in seasons, the worn out pieces, the mistakes, and the items I’ve been wearing regularly for months (some since March!), I am packing up or giving away almost everything in my summer collection. Some of the pieces will go in the drawer until it’s time to reassess next spring.

I’ve had some hits and misses in my wardrobe choices this summer, and I feel like I have a clearer understanding of my style. For summer, I included some pieces that I liked but weren’t my favorites; they seemed like necessary basics. For fall, I’m ditching that philosophy. I pretty much love every single thing that will be in my closet from October to December. I feel happier with my closet overall, and I’ll be interested to see if I miss those basic pieces. In the meantime, I’ve started putting outfit ideas together, and nearly all the combinations–even the weird and quirky ones–feel especially like me. I can’t wait to share them.

So…October (and thus a new season of Project 333) starts in a week. Are you ready to try a minimalist wardrobe challenge?

For the Love of Vintage

harkathome-transistor

My love of vintage started early. When I was six or seven, my dad gave me his old transistor radio. He showed me the dials, and we tuned in to hear The Beatles’ “Yellow Submarine”. That was the only music I ever heard through that little radio; every time I’ve flipped it on since, I’ve only gotten squeaks and squeals and static.

This object became a treasure for its nostalgia and its aesthetics. With its candy apple red plastic and shiny silver speaker, the transistor looked so different from the functional 1980s clock radio we had in our house. Hearing that one song over the airways became a magical memory. I also remember my dad telling me about hiding this radio under his pillow and secretly listening to rock ‘n’ roll when he was a child. When I see this radio, I see a story.

harkathome-books

When I was nine or ten, I went with my mom to a large antique market and made my first vintage purchase. I found these tiny leather books that captured my imagination. They were small and beautiful. The embossed leather covers and the smooth printed pages felt important. With my mom’s money, I bought them and began my vintage collection and discovered my interest in thrifting.

As I work toward simplifying my home and my life, I am considering the form, function, and significance of my possessions. The more I clean out and donate, the more I can appreciate the things that remain.

These pieces obviously hold meaning for me. They will stay in my home, not tucked away in a closet but displayed where I will see and enjoy them. I will continue to clean out and donate to make space for these things that are important to me.

Vintage items, even those not as sentimental as my radio or books, intrigue me because they have a built-in history. The unknown story behind these things piques my interest. Often the forms of vintage items bring back memories. I feel an attachment to history and humanity when I buy vintage.

Buying secondhand also carries an element of redemption. I appreciate discovering forsaken or forgotten things and giving them a new life.

Some of my favorite pieces are four oil paintings, all made by the same artist in the 1950s. This man was not famous and was likely a hobbyist, but his work spoke to me when I found it at a thrift store. I wish I could express to the artist that his work is being enjoyed more than half a century later.

This is how buying vintage and simplifying coexist for me. As I bring in new (old) things, I let go of things that are less beautiful, less interesting, or less important to me. Some of these things (the transistor radio, the books) will stay with me forever. Others will remain in my house for a season and then travel on to someone else. This refining ebb and flow allows me to collect without becoming overwhelmed. Rather than dulling my space or my life, simplifying spotlights what’s important and makes space for the interesting and the beautiful.

**********************************************************

P.S. I love helping other people incorporate interesting and beautiful vintage treasures into their homes and lives. If you live in the Atlanta area, come shop at Salvage tomorrow. It’s a one day event, and I’ll have a booth there (Hark at Home) along with another forty or so vendors selling vintage and handmade.

HarkAtHome-salvage

Adding, Subtracting, Replacing

One thing I love about Courtney Carver’s Project 333 is her careful clarification that it is not a “project in suffering”. The rules are there for you to follow, modify, adapt, or ignore. If something wears out, replace it. Swap things that aren’t working. It’s a great system and starting point that can be adjusted to different climates, lifestyles, and body types.

I deviate from the rules of P333 by not counting my shoes and accessories (or my outerwear in colder seasons–I count sweaters and jackets that would be part of my outfit but not coats that I would only wear out in the elements). I include up to 33 items of clothing and 8-10 pairs of shoes. In my summer collection, I have four belts, three scarves, and a selection of jewelry (though I generally wear the same 5-10 pieces). Obviously this ends up being much more than 33 items. I may try a strict 33-item wardrobe in the future, but for now this system works for me. It has helped me ease into a lighter way of living.

I also still do some shopping while participating, though I try to focus on finding specific items rather than impulse buys.

I mentioned in an earlier post that one top has left my collection, and I’ve added in one dress and one pair of jeans. I also left some space in my original count to add a few things. My galoshes are also falling apart, so I’ve swapped them for some brown loafers that will work for rainy days.

After my initial closet clean out in March, I realized I no longer had a green top in my wardrobe. Green is one of my favorite colors, so I’ve been on the look out for a flattering and versatile top to fill this color hole. This month I finally found one! It cost a little more than I wanted to spend, so I left the tags on while I considered. Then something lovely happened: it went on sale! I was able to get a price adjustment and receive about a third of the cost back, and now I feel great about my purchase. This is a year round shirt that I can wear under or over things, buttoned, tied, tucked or untucked. It’s the perfect shade of mossy, forest-y, olive-y green.

I feel a different sort of delight with this purchase. Rather than the adrenaline rush of spending money and acquiring something new, I feel something more akin to when I finish a project or complete a household chore. It’s satisfaction, not velocity. I think I’ve discovered a different kind of shopping.

HarkAtHome-AugustAdditions

August additions: green top, striped tee, shorts

This week I’ve made two more purchases of this sort. I have been looking for some jean shorts that fit the following criteria: not cut off or distressed, not too short or too long, mid-rise, dark wash, good quality, inexpensive. After months of scouring the thrift store and trying on plenty of duds, I finally found some that fulfilled all my requirements! So these are going into my capsule wardrobe, and just in time, as temperatures are in the high 90s Fahrenheit this week. Jeans are starting to get a little too hot and sticky most days.

I also had a top hit the wear out point. My blue and white striped tee (J.Crew, purchased at the thrift store over three years ago) was already starting to fade, but this week it got a hole. Goodbye, striped tee. It survived longer than I ever expected, especially considering I wore it when I was nine months pregnant. I don’t know how it returned to its original size after so much stretching! But now it’s done. Stripes are a staple for me, so I knew I wanted to find an alternative. I bought a blue and white more subtly striped Gap tee from the thrift store, and it will be replacing my old one.

I am about midway through this season of the project, and these adjustments help my closet feel fresh and interesting.

The best thing about my new additions, though, is that they inspired me to remove some things. I filled a shopping bag with clothes and accessories to donate, and I love that clearing out is now a part of the shopping process for me. Shopping involves maintaining my closet, not just endlessly growing it.