8 Days to Go!

Not that I am counting or anything.... But it has been almost an entire year and I have not purchased one fashion item. It feels like a great accomplishment, and although my blogging has dwindled over the past few months, I have been keeping true to my promise.

I have been really thinking about the lessons I have learned since embarking on this adventure and, for the most part, the experience has been terrific.

But back to those lessons:

1. Sales Come and Go.
When I was shopping previously, I would come head-to-head with a sale, see something that seemed like a great deal, and then rationalize the purchase by saying, "Well, I will never find this product at this price, ever again. Not true. Most stores, designers or not, have sales at least twice a year. And while the product might not be identical, it's usually very likely that you will find something just as great at another time. Don't get sucked into the sale mentality of "I have to get this now, or I may be missing out on a great deal."

2. Don't Impulse Buy.
Be patient when shopping. If you are unsure as to whether you really like a piece, don't purchase it. Ask the sales associate to put the item(s) on hold and go home or elsewhere. If you can't get the product out of your head, go back to the store and buy it. Don't buy something if you aren't 100% sure you can "own" the piece.

3. Think Long-Term.
Most fashion magazines will hate that I am saying this, but don't feel inclined to change your wardrobe to meet the current fads. Fads are fads because they don't last forever. Style is classic, enduring, smart. Find your personal style and stick to it. When shopping, ask, "Would I wear this in five years? Or is it something that is only appealing for this season?" Go with the piece that you will still love putting on in the morning five years from now.

4. Remember: Quality, not Quantity.
American women tend to think, "Okay, I have X amount of cash, so that means I need to get as many articles of clothing possible with my limited funds." On the other hand, most European women think, "Okay, I have X amount of cash, so that means I need to find one, good quality item that is perfect for me." Blowing your fashion budget on clothing that will literally fall apart at the seams in 3 months is not worth your money or time. Spend your energies on a piece that is gorgeous, durable, and works just as hard as you do.

5. Live Simply.
You don't need to fill your closet to the point of combustion. Over-consumption is a major issue in the United States and Americans need to start, not only living within their means, but also start learning when to say, "Enough is enough." Having too many possessions is not a status symbol, it's only indicative of someone who cannot practice self-restraint.

Three Post-Fast Visits I Intend to Make

Doyle & Doyle
Specializing in vintage jewelry, I first heard about this gem from a co-worker in my office's fashion closet. A pair of sisters created this chic and classic vault that sells all types of pieces, many now one-of-a-kind, from necklaces to earrings to rings. A majority of the items for sale were with picked up at an estate sale or other type of antique sale and Doyle & Doyle allows you to reap the benefits of their scouring.
What I am Drooling Over: Citrine and Gold Studs or Garnet and Gold Studs
Located at:
189 Orchard Street
New York, NY
doyleanddoyle.com
212-677-9991

Eryn brinié
This South Korea-based design firm consistently produces one feminine article of clothing after another. Every piece is simple and classic, yet modern and fancy, with ruffles, lace, and quality fabrics. Somewhat like the Gap of Korea, Eryn brinié is going to transform American shopping, with its low price point and exceptional design.
What I am Drooling Over: The Long Ruffle Cardigan
Located at:
501 Broadway
New York, NY
erynbrinie.com
212-308-6134


Madewell
Madewell is another brand created and run by a team of designers, similar to Eryn brinié. With denim, cardigans, and t-shirts, they focus their lines on casual, comfortable items that can be worn until you've worn 'em out. Basically, the pieces alone will never go out of style, so each is a wise investment.
What I am Drooling Over: Any one of their scarves
Located at:
486 Broadway
New York, NY
madewell1937.com
212-226-6954

Could I Have Single-Handedly Prevented the Recession?

The Fashion Fast began as an attempt to do some good--reduce waste, consume less, give back to a charity, and enhance my personal will-power. But now I am beginning to feel bad about my non-shopping habits. Due to the recession, retailers are having a difficult time meeting their sales quotas and saying afloat financially (who isn't right now?), and most are blaming these trials on the fact that the money Americans once spent on shopping has now been tucked into mattresses.

A few Fashion Fast followers have questioned me on this paradox, "Don't you feel bad about not shopping? Don't you feel bad about not injecting funds into a hurting economy?" The answer is no, I don't feel one once of remorse. (And, it's been nearly 10 months!)

First of all, I began the fast before the mass downfall of the economy. Yes, America was already experiencing a recession, but the financial sector collapse didn't happen until a few months after I engaged in my anti-shopping habits. Second, there is no way that I would have bought enough clothing to help curtail the deficits that retailers are seeing on their balance sheets. I used to buy a lot, but not that much. Third, given the economic climate on my own micro level, my funds for shopping would likely have been limited anyway, just like everyone else.

When I think about the empty storefronts and the folding of multiple retail chains, I can't feel bad. The fashion world has been so bloated with retailers trying to sell the next person the same thing as the person before, that it's probably a healthy thing to trim the retail fat.

I want to know though, how have your shopping habits changed over the past year?

My First Post-Fast Purchase

The finish date for doing The Fashion Fast is quickly coming up, so it's only natural that I would be thinking about what my first post-fast expenditure might be. After a year of no fashion or clothing purchases, it will be really strange to start buying for myself again. I don't know how it's going to feel to enter a store, browse, try things on, and check out after not doing so for so long. Sometimes I think that I could go without shopping for longer than a year.... (Someone dare me.)

But after realizing the limited nature of my shoe selection, I have determined that shoes are the items that I miss purchasing most. Not because I have any sort of fetish, but because a pair of uncomfortable shoes can ruin a gal's day. There have been some moments during the fast where I would give anything to run to the closest boutique and pick out a new pair of cute flats, for this simple and sole (!) reason: my feet are killing me.

So, to celebrate the closing of my fast in just a few short months, I intend to purchase a pair of nude, super-comfy, but entirely chic, pumps. Believe it or not, there are designers out there that make a comfortable heel, and I intend to find them!

Of course, this will all happen after my July 15 anniversary date.

8 Down, 4 To Go

It's a few days past, but I have officially met the 8-month mark.

Either time is flying by or I have really gotten this no-shopping mentality down. It could be a combination of both.

How to do the Closet Cleanse

Following my previous post on purging unused clothes and shoes, I was asked numerous times for some tips on how to go about getting rid of the unwanted. Many women fear giving away their clothes. They rationalize keeping the old items around like a no-good boyfriend by asking, “What if it comes back in style? What if I lose weight and can fit into it again? What if I need it for a Halloween costume?”

Gals (and guys), let me put it to you plain and simple: If you haven’t worn it or thought about wearing it in over 8 months- GET RID OF IT. It’s just taking up space.

Another trick—if you have the space—is to toss your unused items into a black plastic bag and store it for two months. If you don’t think about tearing into the bag for that long or can’t even remember what was in there to begin with, then just drop it off at a donation location and use it as a tax write-off. (Yes! You can write off donated clothes!)

Some more suggestions:
1. If you wore it once, decided it didn’t fit right, and haven’t worn it since, then consider taking it to be altered or dyed. If neither of those options work, toss it.
2. If you hate wearing it because the wool is too itchy, the color washes out your face, or it makes you uncomfortable in any other way, toss it. Why put yourself through the misery?
3. If there are non-repairable holes, defects, stains, or other damages, toss it.
4. If you forgot that you even owned a piece, chances are that it’s not a very memorable piece in general. Your clothes should make a statement and not be forgettable.
5. If it reminds you of an ex-significant other, toss it.
6. There is no sense in keeping an item if you’re afraid the style will return and you’ll need the item again. Unless the piece is spectacular or of really superior quality, then it just takes up space. It’s not worth keeping around on the off chance you’ll ever wear it again.
7. Losing weight? If you just had a baby and you are considering another, then keep your maternity clothes. But if you are losing significant amounts of weight, toss the clothes that have become too big for you. It will act as an incentive to keep those pesky pounds off.
8. If you have closets, upon closets of items, try setting small goals for yourself. Determine that you are going to condense 4 closets into one, and you’ll realize quite quickly what you love and what you must have.

Having said this, I would really encourage you to only buy items that are significant building blocks to your wardrobe. It’s not necessary to wear a new or different outfit everyday. Wearing a new article of clothing to match each passing fad only hinders the definition of your personal style.

I also advise that you don’t bother with the over-the-top, flashy items that will likely be out of style in 8 months. Invest in articles that will last a long time and are of a classic taste that you will want to hold onto forever.

Spring Cleaning: The Wardrobe Purge

It reached nearly 60 degrees last weekend, and as a result, I am feeling the spring cleaning bug. After attacking my bathroom and kitchen with some Softsoap and a sponge, I took to my still over-stuffed closet, where I began pulling out all of the items that I have not worn or attempted to wear in the last year. I could not believe the amount of clothing and shoes pulled from the racks and stuffed into a box to be mailed off to my cousins.

I have gone over half a year without shopping and I can still get rid of so much nonsense-- proof that I really do have too much.

Similar at Heart: Sustainable Dave

Imagine not throwing away one article of garbage for an entire year. Yes, that is 365 Days of Trash-- the exact title of Sustainable Dave's (or Dave Chameides's) blog, where he chronicles a life where every ounce of refuse, whether created on the road or at home, is kept in his basement to keep it from ending up in a landfill.

Confining all one's self-inflicted garbage in a small space sounds crazy, right? Well, don't write off Dave, just yet. He's an Emmy-award winning cameraman who just cares about the environment. Nothing wrong with that.

And I am sure the experiment was effective, in that, was your garbage to literally surround you on a daily basis, you would likely be more cautious of what was bought.

So, by the end of his year-long project, he tallied the numbers and it came to:
Trash
30.5 Pounds
Cardboard
19 Pounds
Plastic Bags
4 Pounds
E-Waste
12 Pounds
Misc. Recycling
26.5 Pounds
Paper
69.5 Pounds
9 Pizza Boxes
11 Tetra Paks
153 Glass Bottles
14 Cups
2 Aluminum Cans
64 Plastic Bottles and Jugs
8 Plastic Yogurt Tubs w/Tops
8 Old Paint Cans

Though one doesn't have to hold onto every article of self-created debris (I can't imagine how that would turn out in my 700 square foot NYC apartment), one can be more conscious of what is bought and consumed. And, should you desire to turn your basement or living room, for that matter, into a personal landfill, just check out Sustainable Dave's blog, where he additionally offers tips similar to some given here at The Fashion Fast through posts such as: "Think Before You Buy," "Junk Your Junk Mail," "Stop Drinking Bottled Water," and "Coffee Cups Aren't Disposable!"

Photo courtesy of Leon Chameides.