I (sort of) did (tried) it (kind of)! While I have spent years learning how to declutter, make higher quality purchases, curate a wardrobe for the real me, etc., I had given less thought about setting a finite limit on my acquisitions like TiffanieDarke’s #ruleof5. Informed by Hot or Cool’s Report “Unfit, Unfair, Unfashionable,” Tiffanie quantified a carbon limit for those living in affluent countries. Working with this number this year drew my attention to my motivations to acquire (which are not always noble). I noticed a distinct shift in the types of things I decided to acquire this year, after much deliberation. I also noticed (okay, my spouse noticed) my penchant for storytelling; the many justifications, rationalizations, and otherwise, tall tales I developed and shared with others to explain why this or that acquisition was an “exception” to the rule.
What did I buy?
Technically, I purchased 10 BRAND NEW items this year, about five of which I think should legitimately count. These items included two black silk blouses, one to help me wear a $12 secondhand skirt I purchased in 2022 with no plan and the other for a skirt I’ve owned for 20 years (my beloved peacock gem) that I’ve worn 3 times. That’s right, 3 times. The fact I can remember it is 3 is both remarkable and troublesome. Other items included a wrinkle-resistant white blouse specifically for when I need to go meet with my Dean, an organic cotton grey cable knit cardigan that my wife and I are “time sharing” (so, I really don’t think that should count against MY total), and a green romper my wife purchased for me on our bucket-list trip to Stockholm (so really, that’s just tourism, and technically, a gift, right?). Whatever the case, that romper helped me break out a treasured belt I’ve had for 15 years with few viable options for utilization. Not pictured? A few pairs of high quality sweatpants that replaced some cheap sweats I wore out during my gardening activities (so, given their potential longevity, that shouldn’t count, right?), and two hoodies and a denim skirt from a San Diego secondhand binge with my teenage niece (so, that’s just an entertainment expense, really). And, oh by the way, I rented my work clothing for 5 months this year. Is that cheating? As I added these items to my wardrobe, I stuck to my one-in-three-out rule, donating at least 30 pre-loved items from my closet, which takes my total wardrobe number down to 150 (from 500+).
Reflections
1. Almost none of these items were the result of an emotional impulse.
2. All were purchased with a long-term wearing strategy in mind, taking Alec Leach’s BIFL (buy it for life) strategy to heart.
3. Most are enjoying a high rate of utilization.
4. Some have increased the utilization of things I already owned but wasn’t using.
5. Most are built to last, giving me a potential good wear-to-investment return.
6. Almost all were acquired from brands with a pointed sustainability strategy and a moderate level of transparency about where the thing came from and who made it.
7. Almost all can be passed on to said niece who I think (fingers crossed) will still think they are cool after my long wear.
Having a firm constraint on what I bring into my closet has increased the quality, utilization, and my satisfaction with what I acquire as well as the things I already own. My creativity has been enhanced. I bought NOTHING this year that I couldn’t afford, didn’t have room for, or wasn’t going to wear often… I have NO REGRETS. And, I’m beginning to release my grip on the “never wear the same things twice” rule that has dominated my fashion repertoire. Instead, wearing a well-loved, well-liked garment is a badge of honor. Happy New Year!