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Not that it's related, but I am tickled by the dual names for Stove Top Dressing and Stove Top Stuffing. In some parts of the country it's called stuffing, but in other parts people prefer the word "dressing" and think "stuffing" sounds sort of vulgar.
So today I want to talk about clothes. I've been thinking about how many clothes I should own, because I don't think the answer is "discard clothes until you have the right amount." It's like throwing things off your plate until you reach the correct number of calories-- it's a good strategy only if everything there is equally useful to you.
I have certain outfits that I actually love washing because I'm excited about wearing them again. They're flattering, modest, useful, and expressive.
So, I'm asking myself-- why can't EVERYTHING I wear be that way?
There's a technique for culling your clothes out that begins by saying "Turn your hangers around, so that you have to push them away from you to take them off the hanging bar, then when you hang an outfit up after washing it, turn the hanger the right way. That way you'll know what you really have never worn."
This is a great technique for people who actually wash their laundry and hang it up. I definitely salute them.
Anyways, a better question that I've seen, for clothes and everything else, is "How much is enough?"
Why can't I want... wait. I can!
Somehow, I got caught up in "get rid of what you don't need or want" and never noticed that it's about "own what you need and want." Make it, own it, use it... and love it.
Maybe there is an abundant sufficiency in all things, even in this?
So today I want to talk about clothes. I've been thinking about how many clothes I should own, because I don't think the answer is "discard clothes until you have the right amount." It's like throwing things off your plate until you reach the correct number of calories-- it's a good strategy only if everything there is equally useful to you.
I have certain outfits that I actually love washing because I'm excited about wearing them again. They're flattering, modest, useful, and expressive.
So, I'm asking myself-- why can't EVERYTHING I wear be that way?
There's a technique for culling your clothes out that begins by saying "Turn your hangers around, so that you have to push them away from you to take them off the hanging bar, then when you hang an outfit up after washing it, turn the hanger the right way. That way you'll know what you really have never worn."
This is a great technique for people who actually wash their laundry and hang it up. I definitely salute them.
Anyways, a better question that I've seen, for clothes and everything else, is "How much is enough?"
- One outfit isn't enough.
- Two isn't either. I have to wash mid-week. For the same reason, three isn't.
- Seven outfits is a start, but there are different seasons and I can't use a two-layer system to go from 105 degrees down to 15.
- The two-layer system does get me through 9 months of the year, though. So that's 7 for spring/summer/fall, with a few addons, and... what for winter? Extra shirts and some tights? A couple of sweaters?
- One of my "big dreams" is to have five beautiful handmade sweaters, all different. I figure it'll take me a year to get each one completed, between projects.
- I want long skirts that look good on me-- this will mean gore construction (er, cutting panels, not the blood-and kind) but I think I'm ready for it.
- Why can't I want everything in my wardrobe with the same fervency I want these things?
Why can't I want... wait. I can!
Somehow, I got caught up in "get rid of what you don't need or want" and never noticed that it's about "own what you need and want." Make it, own it, use it... and love it.
Maybe there is an abundant sufficiency in all things, even in this?
