AUGH, I did it again.
After cleaning out my closet and organizing it according to color and garment, I panicked when we hit a warm spell and purchased a variety of inexpensive cotton garments that don’t go with anything. Two big cotton swing tops with pockets, one in mango pink/orange and one in lime green. A short-sleeved hoodie in blazing ocean/teal blue. Two skirts from Target, one in black, one in a blue print:
Yes, the tops will be good summer shirts for kicking around in the garden, walking the dog, going to the gym, but wouldn’t it have been wise to be able to wear them with the skirts as well? A goal in building a good, working wardrobe is to do so mindfully, planning and strategizing so that items can be used in many ways.
It’s ridiculous, this cry of “I have nothing to wear!!” I could have easily worn the same outfits for weeks and not succumbed to the insecurity of having “nothing” to wear. It also seems worth saying that “I feel like I look bad in everything I own” is NOT the same reality as having nothing to wear.
My advice? Avoid my mistake. Buck up, stick to the few pieces you feel okay in, adopt a sort of uniform of black pants, white blouse, cardie/jacket and cute accessories. Get a pedicure and resist the urge to buy clothes –even clothes on sale — until you have determined what you need, if you really need it, and what you might get more use out of that you already own. Don’t let a change in temperature freak you out.
Good advice! I have done this a number of times, myself, and always end up regretting my hasty purchases.
Since your recent post on skirts, I’ve been hunting for one that could be worn without {shudder} pantyhose, but would be dressy enough for work. Found it! A Grace Elements black skirt with a soft flare, and workhorse polyester fabric that reminded me of slacks. Can’t seem to locate a photo on the web. But I was all proud of myself when I bought it.
I bought myself some bright cardigans, one hot pink, one lime green and another a bright turquoise. They are lightweight and brighten up my wardrobe. I have wore then with jeans and t-shirts, a soft blouse and dress pants and have gotten so many compliments 🙂 Thanks for all your posts -past, present and future!
So despite having plenty to wear, I needed a springy lift, so don’t regret my purchases.
Actually, PB–do you have a tee or shell that is the blue in that skirt? I would SO wear that with lime, with the top as a jacket over.
Maybe not with an orangey-pink. A little too ‘Howard Johnson’s’ for me.
Did you keep the tags? If you don’t like what you bought, I say return whatever you can.