Ever Find Yourself Down about Clothing

[Biscotti]

Does your obsession ever get you 'down in the dumps' so to speak? And you just feel like giving up, but you know you can't because you don't want to look like ****?

Lately I've been going through my closet, through **** that doesn't quite work, and I've added up all I've spent on items that don't work. ****, it's a lot of money: talking several months worth of money. And then there is a possibility that I may not get an item I ordered from overseas. I'm feeling blue.

Does this ever happen to anyone else? All I know is that I am never going to make another purchase unless I know 100% that I will love it; I guess it is just an awkward phase.

 

[ahjota]

I did a similar tally a few months ago, but I didn't feel down about it. Just chastised myself for about five seconds, then moved on. I am more selective in what I buy now.

 

[AntiHero84]

You sound like my girlfriend.

 

[erdawe]

You're probably trying to too much too soon, posssibly buying more polarizing pieces too early.

 

[bluemagic]

It should happen to every somewhat introspective person.

 

[robbie]

chalk it up as knowing the difference, you can't do better without making mistakes... they are gifts.

 

[Caveat]

Originally Posted by Biscotti

All I know is that I am never going to make another purchase unless I know 100% that I will love it;

Let this sentence be your guide IMO.

I have only recently started rebuilding my wardrobe with quality pieces, replacing a lot of stuff that was just okay, but not great. I have really gone a little overboard in the last couple of weeks, buying more stuff online than I really need. I received a couple of items that I wasn't real sure about. In the past I probably would have said ******* and just got them. But since I have been ordering so much, I am able to really see the difference between something that is just okay and something that blows me away and suits me perfectly. Don't ever settle on anything. Whatever piece you are looking for, there is something out there that is perfect for you. And hopefully it will be on sale.

 

[Ludeykrus]

No, since I steal most of my clothing from weaker bums.

And I can't post WAYWT's and for-sale clothing due to a stolen camera. I guess karma caught up to me.

 

[skunkworks]

There's no point in compromising about something you buy if you would replace it without thought if you found something better. I have made this mistake too many times.

 

[unicornwarrior]

when I find out how much I spent on items that didn't work out, I only wish I had the money to spend on other things. Otherwise, what can you do?

I would be less in the metaphorical "dumps" if every piece of clothing I wanted and dreamed of was always available in my size and I always had a lot of spending money. Alas that's not the case, so it's best just to go for whatever you can and just enjoy it.

you're supposed to remember that clothes are fun as a hobby, but you're still supposed to go out into the world and do something while wearing them; don't sit in your closet obsessing!

 

[AntiHero84]

I suppose the same thing happens to me with music. Maybe not in the same way as dropping a bunch of cash, but sometimes I'll just sit and look at my CD's/Itunes. There's a ton of stuff to listen to, but I'm not really inspired to put any of it on. Usually, I'll just throw something decent on and wait for inspiration to hit. Before I know it I'm finding tons of new bands, or even old CD's to listen to.

The analogy might sound far-fetched, but I believe the same thing happens with a person's closet. There's so many good things to wear, but for whatever reason, the combinations don't seem to peak your interest. Just throw on some old stand-bys and wait for your inspiration to come.

 

[JO3B]

you guys should probably just think a bit more before making major purchases.

this all seems kinda silly.

clothing should be more about comfort then thought.

 

[MiniW]

Originally Posted by erdawe

You're probably trying to too much too soon, posssibly buying more polarizing pieces too early.

this is a great quote, I was doing this exactly a few years ago and clothing was a series of ups and downs. My mentality was that I have got to get the SPECIFIC shirt, coat or pair of shoes from a certain designer from a certain season! Goddamnnit! If I could not get it, I was upset, and if I could get it and it didn't fit or the quality was not as great as expected (which was the case a good majority of the time), I was still upset. So only on rare occasions was I happy about my purchases even though my closet was already full of stuff other people would consider nice items.

Now I appreciate less expensive, but still well made items. And from designers/brands that are not so out there so that the clothes will never feel "dated". In general I am a LOT more happy with my purchases in the last 1-2 years than I was before then.

 

[TyCooN]

All the damn time.

 

[AJL]

Obsession:
Compulsive preoccupation with a fixed idea or an unwanted feeling or emotion, often accompanied by symptoms of anxiety.
A compulsive, often unreasonable idea or emotion.

The very word obsession connotes unhealthy thoughts and feelings. For as long as I can remember I have harbored one obsession or another, almost all involving large expenditures of cash. Clothing is one that I have taken a breather from in the past and subsequently returned to.

You are searching for an ideal that doesn't exist; you will never really find your holy grail. It is good to step back and take stock of what you have vs. what you think you need. Though it may seem anathema to suggest here, it's not a bad idea to take a break and just wear what you've got for a while. As "shocking" as it may sound, I've taken breaks from buying new clothing for not just a month at a time, but for several years, and I anticipate doing so again in the future. Kudos to those of you who can actually establish and maintain a modest clothing budget (or for whom cost is no object), but I for one cannot (and I'm not a kid) and it is at the peril of all other aspects of my life and lifestyle that I continue to spend wantonly. Sorry if I've harshed your mellow, but you asked.