End of a Challenge

So, the year is new and my Buy No Clothes for a Year challenge is over.  The goal was to go for a whole twelve months without purchasing or actively acquiring any clothes, be they brand new or second hand, with exceptions for underwear and any items necessary for work. And I’d say, more or less, I was successful. The only clothing purchases wear a pair of trousers for a job interview, a pair of jeans to wear to my neat-casual dress-code job, and a dress. The dress is the one item that walks a thin line; ostensibly it was for work – and I did wear it first to a job interview – but it felt more like I was buying it for the pretty. The fact that it could be worn to work seemed a little like an added benefit. BUT I did wear it to work (in fact so far, I’ve only worn it to work) and all three items were op-shopped, too, so I feel pretty good about it all too.

Somewhere around about September, I started to get veeeeery bored with what was in my wardrobe. Favourite, basic, comfy items like my jeans and long sleeved black tops were starting to wear out and look quite ratty and I was feeling quite frustrated with the lack of variety. This was when I started to get a bit experimental with some of my outfits, and also started chopping and hemming various other items just so I felt like I had something new to wear! Also about this, my very stylish sisters cleared out their wardrobes almost simultaneously, and without asking I ended up with a few staples and pretties to freshen my wardrobe and give me the boost to stay out the last few months.

The most successful part, however, wasn’t about whether I did or did not slip up, but it was more about my attitude to clothes. I’ve always loved to dress up, of putting on a persona with my clothes, and for me dressing had become inextricably linked with who the world perceived me as. I was getting too caught up in questioning whether I was giving the world the right perception of me through my clothes, especially since moving to the inner northern suburbs of Melbourne, a very style conscious area. In short, I was stressing too much about my image, and felt that that problem could be solved by the next trip to the vintage store (which of course it never was!). So the year just gone was about stepping back from my interaction with the ‘perfection myth’ sold to us by advertising in its many forms and learning to be satisfied with what I have.  I hadn’t realised until last year that I felt a pressure walking into, or even past a clothing store, a pressure to consider the options, weigh them up, contemplate which items I liked and which worked for me and which sold the world the image of me that I wanted it to see. The first time I walked past a clothes store and I wasn’t allowed to consider the clothes, I was surprised by the sense of relief that I felt. Over the year, that sense of relief has turned into a sense of freedom, and that is the success of this clothing challenge.

Having said all that, I wet op-shopping last Wednesday, and got quite a haul. Wanna see?

A lovely, warm green woollen coat to replace the cheap, polyester one I have been wearing.

A cute silk cropped jacket that Dom picked off the rack for me. It fits me very well!

I was very happy with this purchase: a dress from Cue. Not only is it second hand, but originally, it was made in Australia from Italian made fabric. It looks to be very well made, it fits me well, and will be quite versatile. I bought it with work in mind, but I think it'll cross into the after five category quite nicely. And all for twenty bucks!

Now this is one that has nothing to do with work!  A party frock all the way, coloured tights some ankle boots. I think I'm going to wear this to the Sisters of Mercy gig in February.

A light summer frock. I'd wear this over swimmers if we were closer to the beach, and if the weather seemed at all like anything approximating beach weather.

Doesn't look much on the hanger, but this is a pure wool, tailored skirt. Found this in one of the up-market 'burb Vinnies. It's a touch more corporate than I'm used to, but I'm sure it'll come in handy for the new job.

A few basic tees. Mostly from horrible brands like Dotti and Supre with poor ethical and quality track records that I wouldn't ordinarily touch, but second hand, that's less of an issue and they'll be good for layering.

A nice vintage jumper.

A good top which again will cross well from work wear to casual wear.

Another Dom selection. I think it's intended to be a men's vest; it's quite long, but worn over jeans, possibly with a belt around the middle, and I think it'll look quite dapper.

Another possible work dress. I think it might be home-sewn, cos I can't find any tags. Too bad I didn't find this one while I was still at the kinder -- it would have been great for orange day!

I think this is a work dress. It looks quite stylish over tights with a scarf and possibly a belt. I don't think it's quite me outside of office hours though...

And finally, a comfy, cotton knit bath robe for keeping decent around flatmates.

All in all, not a bad day's shopping. Dom got a fair few things for himself, and we picked up a few things for the house as well. Far more shopping than I've done in quite a while.