it's been nearly a decade since i started this blog, and it feels apropos to reflect on some things i've learned along the way.
one of my biggest takeaways from a number of years of shopping and periodic wardrobe editing is: be your own design advocate.
what does this mean? simply put, it means pay attention to your habits, lifestyle, and personal preferences and how they relate to what works and what doesn't in your wardrobe. this is not revolutionary style advice – "buy for your lifestyle" pops up in nearly every style manual out there. but actually following this through can be tricky.
why? well, one of the reasons is that we live in an aspirational world where the cultural current (and especially the fashion industry) pushes us to always want more. the more unattainable something is, the bigger the cult status.
the Birkin as part of the 111 iconic pieces in MoMA's Items: Is Fashion Modern? exhibition.
(curiously, how is it that this one has a built-in shoulder strap?) [my own photo]
a number of years ago, i definitely had The Birkin at the top of my fantasy timeless/holy grail accessories wishlist. but now, knowing myself better, i'm able to look at it with a more critical eye. is it iconic? absolutely. but if i could afford a Birkin tomorrow, i doubt i would buy it simply because i don't think i'd get real use out of it in my day-to-day life due to its design (the rather fussy opening/closure, the handheld-only carry option, the weight of the bag when empty). it may be the perfect bag for others for those same reasons, but i know it's not the ideal one for me. on an aesthetic level, i can appreciate it as a beautiful (museum) object, but i can appreciate it and many other beautiful things from afar without needing to want it in my life. that's a cool, empowering, liberating feeling.
another reason why "buying for your lifestyle" is challenging is figuring out what gels with your lifestyle takes time – some of my own wardrobe insights took years to really coalesce into an 'aha' moment. that's okay, because personal style is an organic process, not an algorithm or a numbers formula.
i know now, for instance, that a beautiful but delicate bag that i feel like i have to handle with kid gloves is a bag that just won't work for me (case in point: a beautiful vintage 1990s Chanel lambskin bag that i bought, couldn't bring myself to wear regularly, and ultimately sold). my current wardrobe motto is: use all the things. if something feels too precious and i just can't get over that feeling, or if i can't effortlessly integrate it into my daily, carefree life, it doesn't belong in my wardrobe. sometimes, something is just perfect in theory but impractical in real life. case in point: the lovely SC bag (regular size) that i loved, finally got, and eventually sold because the bag was just too big and the weight too heavy for everyday use. whatever the reasons, ultimately the design characteristics determine if something has staying power in my wardrobe.
dear readers, i'd love to hear your experiences in this realm. what have been your biggest takeaways from building your wardrobe?