it's raining here, so i'll offer these pictures of Charles Ray's work entitled "All My Clothes" done in 1973
A new year means a new notebook for me! It's exciting to have a whole blank book of possibility, but I don't want to forget about all the discoveries recorded in the full notebook about to be set aside. I like to go through the full one + pick out the things worth bringing forward.
I learned a lot about my simple wardrobe in 2018. I tried some new things, wrote down lots of thoughts, made lots of mistakes + learned from all of it. A few of my findings:
::I loved the experience of traveling with only what fit in my (not too large) backpack! It helped that our destination was warm + lightweight fabrics packed small...but I loved what I had to wear. I took only my favorite things + really wore them instead of trying to keep them from harm. The limited number of pieces allowed me to really experience each piece ...from cool mornings + evenings...to sweaty hikes...to wanting to look presentable in museums + shops. I had the opportunity to see how these few pieces could adapt + partner in a variety of ways. Happy success. :)
::I thought about what I really want to wear. My clothes need to function for the life I'm living. (I work from home.) Summer: I found shorts that I liked + comfy sandals too. One of each was enough, but one more pair of shorts would not be too many. Winter: I'm embracing the leggings + found footwear that works with them. In any season, a few pairs of fitted pants easily level up my look + go with the same tops I wear every day.
::I stuck with the fairdare, but I bought most of the clothing that I added to my wardrobe. There were a few good secondhand finds + a couple of successful makes, but I'd like to stretch my creativity through making a little more of what I might need in the year to come. It could help the budget as well.
::Getting things worn is one of the biggest priorities for me in regards to clothing. Patches were added to the seats of a couple of my favorite pairs of pants. Stains were carefully worked out. Hand-washing keeps a few things (like summer pajamas + my short jumpsuit) in heavy rotation. I'd like to choose well enough in the first place + have few enough pieces to wear...that I truly wear out more of my clothing.
::I spent time thinking about versatility + how each new addition must work with lots of the existing pieces. I don't need pieces that are too precious or situation specific to wear often. Each piece must earn its spot. I bought a pair of pants that was fun + fair...but also pricey, didn't work with many of my tops, felt quite casual...but also precious (that price) + bothered me just the smallest bit feel-wise. I was able to get them worn through a charity auction. The purchase was a pricey mistake. It wasn't the only one. I learned from each one.
::My most successful wardrobe additions were (unsurprisingly) the most basic ones. I am quite picky about proportions, fit + fabric...so finding just the right whatever-it-is is an event to be celebrated (with a lot of wear + use + appreciation + care + gratitude!). My favorite wardrobe additions this year are:
-a cozy, just the right amount of oversized, oat cashmere pullover
-a pair of not too low rise, just the right amount of figure hugging, creamy white jeans
-a versatile, breezy, honey-colored, hand block printed blouse
::I realized that my style has remained surprisingly stable. I like pale denim, white, block prints, overalls + soft, natural fabrics. These things make me happy. Hot pink does too, but I can enjoy it on others for the moment. :) I already have happy! :)
::Less, but enough.
Style, but my own.
Always fair.
It feels good to celebrate what went right in my simple wardrobe this year! That recognition goes a long way toward that elusive "enough" + contentment.
Love,
Jane
I learned a lot about my simple wardrobe in 2018. I tried some new things, wrote down lots of thoughts, made lots of mistakes + learned from all of it. A few of my findings:
::I loved the experience of traveling with only what fit in my (not too large) backpack! It helped that our destination was warm + lightweight fabrics packed small...but I loved what I had to wear. I took only my favorite things + really wore them instead of trying to keep them from harm. The limited number of pieces allowed me to really experience each piece ...from cool mornings + evenings...to sweaty hikes...to wanting to look presentable in museums + shops. I had the opportunity to see how these few pieces could adapt + partner in a variety of ways. Happy success. :)
::I thought about what I really want to wear. My clothes need to function for the life I'm living. (I work from home.) Summer: I found shorts that I liked + comfy sandals too. One of each was enough, but one more pair of shorts would not be too many. Winter: I'm embracing the leggings + found footwear that works with them. In any season, a few pairs of fitted pants easily level up my look + go with the same tops I wear every day.
::I stuck with the fairdare, but I bought most of the clothing that I added to my wardrobe. There were a few good secondhand finds + a couple of successful makes, but I'd like to stretch my creativity through making a little more of what I might need in the year to come. It could help the budget as well.
::Getting things worn is one of the biggest priorities for me in regards to clothing. Patches were added to the seats of a couple of my favorite pairs of pants. Stains were carefully worked out. Hand-washing keeps a few things (like summer pajamas + my short jumpsuit) in heavy rotation. I'd like to choose well enough in the first place + have few enough pieces to wear...that I truly wear out more of my clothing.
::I spent time thinking about versatility + how each new addition must work with lots of the existing pieces. I don't need pieces that are too precious or situation specific to wear often. Each piece must earn its spot. I bought a pair of pants that was fun + fair...but also pricey, didn't work with many of my tops, felt quite casual...but also precious (that price) + bothered me just the smallest bit feel-wise. I was able to get them worn through a charity auction. The purchase was a pricey mistake. It wasn't the only one. I learned from each one.
::My most successful wardrobe additions were (unsurprisingly) the most basic ones. I am quite picky about proportions, fit + fabric...so finding just the right whatever-it-is is an event to be celebrated (with a lot of wear + use + appreciation + care + gratitude!). My favorite wardrobe additions this year are:
-a cozy, just the right amount of oversized, oat cashmere pullover
-a pair of not too low rise, just the right amount of figure hugging, creamy white jeans
-a versatile, breezy, honey-colored, hand block printed blouse
::I realized that my style has remained surprisingly stable. I like pale denim, white, block prints, overalls + soft, natural fabrics. These things make me happy. Hot pink does too, but I can enjoy it on others for the moment. :) I already have happy! :)
::Less, but enough.
Style, but my own.
Always fair.
It feels good to celebrate what went right in my simple wardrobe this year! That recognition goes a long way toward that elusive "enough" + contentment.
Love,
Jane
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