I’ve been making a concerted effort lately to try to acquire less – there seems to be a similar wave traveling through the vintage community, where a lot of ladies are trying to tamp down the feverish feeling of constant hoarding. We’re taking look at our wardrobes to hold onto the pieces we truly love, and part with those that we may have bought due to some combination of dopamine, FOMO, and vintage fever. I think it happens to most newbie collectors – the passion is fresh and the speed with which items fly off of the cyber shelves leaves many of us clicking “buy” before taking a breath.
Don’t get me wrong, it would be foolish to think I could go cold turkey (cause huntress gotta hunt). But, I’m really trying to be much more intentional in my purchases. Taking breath and a pause to see if the moment of lust will pass. I mean, most of us love vintage for her history and her stories, but also the fact that we’re not creating more waste in the world. Which also means taking a good hard look at ourselves every now and then and trying to resist the need to simply acquire.
For me, this new resolve also means turning to my existing wardrobe to find the unrealized potential already lurking within. To remix, find unique combinations of things, and try to remind myself of the joy that exists in a style that is solely mine. With a strong nip in the air, I’ve definitely been inspired to start to layer it up. Although I have a stock standard response in cold weather to reach for my tights and a cardigan, I started to wonder if those sad, neglected vintage sundresses couldn’t enter the sartorial rotation despite the number on the thermostat. And once I did, I saw a whole world of dresses and blouses that needed an introduction.
Enter this most perfect Gwen blouse from Modern Millie – from her billowing sleeves to graphic polka dots, there is so much print mixing potential here (polka dots and stripes are kind of my neutrals). And her eyes locked across a crowded wardrobe on this rose-printed sundress that finally had the few hours she needed with my sewing machine, and it was love at first sight. The best part of how this look came together – it got me exited about things I already own, with sundresses that could find their way to the forefront in winter. And just like that, the wardrobe feels fresh, without having to lift my Visa card….
We are headlong into the Spring semester and headlong into the madness that comes with it. In addition to being absolutely mad at work, I’ve also been feverishly working on a number of sewing projects (there is so much unrealized potential hiding in my sewing pile, I can’t even tell you). If you’ve been following my IG, you’ll know I have a really exciting one coming up next week featuring a new collaboration, and a million other ideas percolating.
Acquisition can be a tricky thing – it can be hard to resist that feeling of excitement you get when something new (or something old, but new to you) comes towards your outstretched arms. But instead of just hitting “purchase,” what if we took a look at what we can let go of? What we can create? Or what magic may exist in finding new ways to mix up the things we own…
Any bad habits you’ve been trying to break lately?
xoxo
Outfit Details:
Gwen Blouse: Modern Millie
Dress: vintage, OLL (similar modern or vintage here, here & here)
Belt: Alannah Hill (similar)
Handbag: gift, Betsey Johnson (similar)
Shoes: WHBM (similar here & here)
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Any items marked with a “c/o” (courtesy of) a retailer mean I was provided with an item for free in exchange for a review and/or feature on my blog. I always provide my honest opinion of any item I’m reviewing, regardless of whether it was sent to me as a courtesy item or if I purchased it myself. In addition, this post may contain affiliate links. This means that if you click and/or make a purchase through certain links or ads on this site, I may make a commission from that click and/or purchase at no cost to you, which helps with the day-to-day running costs of my blog.