Tiff, you’re my total hero. Working in a gorgeous boutique while doing the Rule of 5 shows nerves of steel. Today I was in Paris which always gives me a kick up the fashion arse because Parisians dress like they made a whole series of great choices when they got dressed that day, and since the pandemic the number of choices I’ve been willing to make in the morning has gone down to about 2 (and sometimes 1). I sat in a cafe making silent promises that this autumn I’ll finally shake off my pandemic laziness and start dressing with consideration again. I know I could keep the promises by visiting Liberty for some lovely pieces in tissue paper but i also more secretly know that would only be a gesture to a bigger question about the way I want to step out in the world and who I want to be and actually bothering and caring, a habit I have (ehem) slightly slipped out of. So this Secondhand September I’m going to focus on the joy of choosing, and knowing that’s not the same as buying new stuff (but easily confused with it). Definitely the only reasonable course of action when the world’s on fire but as you always say, we don’t have to pretend it isn’t still so so hard.
Yes! Choosing not shopping. So good. French girls mail it - that oversized blazer, skinny Jean, blouse, chic bag look is so well CHOSEN. It's almost a uniform. Substack writer Leandra Medine Cohen (The Cereal Aisle) says your wardrobe needs to be 80% uniform, 20% personality). Quite a good guide...
CHOOSING, so much more cool and calm and considered and ZEN than shopping and buying and 'must have'-ing.
I also need to stop dressing like a farm worker, I have got too used to it, occasionally I turn up to properly smart things and am so comfortable with dressing like a farm worker that I even don't care being surrounded by women in spenny van-fresh top to toe Net a Porter.
Well, maybe you can be both at the same time? But yes, that's me very much so. But then I got to Northumberland and look like I'm fresh off an Old Bond Street shopping spree so it's a lot of context. Which I guess is what Tiff is struggling with
So true, context is everything. That’s where les Parisiennes have it easier as they don’t leave Paris very often. Or Paris doesn’t leave them, they take it with them wherever they go
If one isn't overawed by their overall Emanuelle Altness, they can look a tad blando away from their set and setting. Anyhow, hiyaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa Jess xx
I love secondhand and use it to provide the “newness”/ novelty. I found my self looking at 90s style khaki flight jackets today and realised that they will be easy to source secondhand, so am scouting eBay. But buying secondhand fast fashion is just enabling someone else’s fast fashion habit - and of course, overall consumption continues to rise. I think footwear is a great buy, we wear on repeat so much more than eg a shirt. And my flat sandal solution came from Amazon this year I’m afraid - already worn 30 times and leather.
I'm going to write about the Primark bra on Tuesday which I think is the same as your Amazon sandal. Making something last is everything. Also I bought one of those khaki flight jackets from the high street about 5 years ago and wear it on and off all the time. I had it on every day last weekend at the festival. Really useful and a wardrobe keeper. (Also - pockets!)
As you know I’m a post grad researcher looking at sustainable fashion. At my last supervisors meeting I apologised for some item of clothing that was high street, and she asserts that it’s the use of the item that matters. No point buying secondhand if it just sits in the closet - you’re just hoarding resources
If you can buy a bit more second hand, I think it's totally doable, the second hand, jumble, vintage restrictions do make it hard. I am afraid I ignore your dictats on that front, but totally embrace the 5. Going to spunk my 3 on a top quality singlet I think, not sure second hand will give me the white I need
A few times in the past I have actually bought nothing all year. It is actually easier as you aren't looking to choose something to be your number 4 or whatever so you avoid shops. But if everyone did that the economy would crash!
Tiff, you’re my total hero. Working in a gorgeous boutique while doing the Rule of 5 shows nerves of steel. Today I was in Paris which always gives me a kick up the fashion arse because Parisians dress like they made a whole series of great choices when they got dressed that day, and since the pandemic the number of choices I’ve been willing to make in the morning has gone down to about 2 (and sometimes 1). I sat in a cafe making silent promises that this autumn I’ll finally shake off my pandemic laziness and start dressing with consideration again. I know I could keep the promises by visiting Liberty for some lovely pieces in tissue paper but i also more secretly know that would only be a gesture to a bigger question about the way I want to step out in the world and who I want to be and actually bothering and caring, a habit I have (ehem) slightly slipped out of. So this Secondhand September I’m going to focus on the joy of choosing, and knowing that’s not the same as buying new stuff (but easily confused with it). Definitely the only reasonable course of action when the world’s on fire but as you always say, we don’t have to pretend it isn’t still so so hard.
Yes! Choosing not shopping. So good. French girls mail it - that oversized blazer, skinny Jean, blouse, chic bag look is so well CHOSEN. It's almost a uniform. Substack writer Leandra Medine Cohen (The Cereal Aisle) says your wardrobe needs to be 80% uniform, 20% personality). Quite a good guide...
CHOOSING, so much more cool and calm and considered and ZEN than shopping and buying and 'must have'-ing.
I also need to stop dressing like a farm worker, I have got too used to it, occasionally I turn up to properly smart things and am so comfortable with dressing like a farm worker that I even don't care being surrounded by women in spenny van-fresh top to toe Net a Porter.
But then every now and then you dress UP and it's great!
Of course, it's gorgeous to dress up. It feels fantastic. Dressing like a farmer isn't a positive hahahahahahhahahah
Yeah I think I’m the liberated one but I’m actually the scruffy one.
Well, maybe you can be both at the same time? But yes, that's me very much so. But then I got to Northumberland and look like I'm fresh off an Old Bond Street shopping spree so it's a lot of context. Which I guess is what Tiff is struggling with
So true, context is everything. That’s where les Parisiennes have it easier as they don’t leave Paris very often. Or Paris doesn’t leave them, they take it with them wherever they go
If one isn't overawed by their overall Emanuelle Altness, they can look a tad blando away from their set and setting. Anyhow, hiyaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa Jess xx
I love secondhand and use it to provide the “newness”/ novelty. I found my self looking at 90s style khaki flight jackets today and realised that they will be easy to source secondhand, so am scouting eBay. But buying secondhand fast fashion is just enabling someone else’s fast fashion habit - and of course, overall consumption continues to rise. I think footwear is a great buy, we wear on repeat so much more than eg a shirt. And my flat sandal solution came from Amazon this year I’m afraid - already worn 30 times and leather.
I'm going to write about the Primark bra on Tuesday which I think is the same as your Amazon sandal. Making something last is everything. Also I bought one of those khaki flight jackets from the high street about 5 years ago and wear it on and off all the time. I had it on every day last weekend at the festival. Really useful and a wardrobe keeper. (Also - pockets!)
As you know I’m a post grad researcher looking at sustainable fashion. At my last supervisors meeting I apologised for some item of clothing that was high street, and she asserts that it’s the use of the item that matters. No point buying secondhand if it just sits in the closet - you’re just hoarding resources
Yep very true. And not so fun or silly. Hi Kate 😊😊😊
If you can buy a bit more second hand, I think it's totally doable, the second hand, jumble, vintage restrictions do make it hard. I am afraid I ignore your dictats on that front, but totally embrace the 5. Going to spunk my 3 on a top quality singlet I think, not sure second hand will give me the white I need
A few times in the past I have actually bought nothing all year. It is actually easier as you aren't looking to choose something to be your number 4 or whatever so you avoid shops. But if everyone did that the economy would crash!
I'm quite in awe of that. I need some freshness, some newness, some relevance. Not finding it currently in arts and literature!
Perhaps Capitalism needs a few fails for us to rethink the model of our entire existence.
Those Gabriela Hearst boots are front runners right now