Love, P
March 13, 2010
Confessional #1 - Video #6
After visiting H&M for my post Letter #3, I found myself wondering about what the after-effects of a year of Fashion Rehab will be...
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Pages
stylishly social 365FR
"Lust or Must?" Click below to vote!
Nixon Time Teller Watch
365 FR wins a 2011 Canadian Weblog Award!
365 FR Tweets
Followers
Love 365FR on Bloglovin'
365FR via email
Enter your email address:
Blog Archive
-
►
2011
(122)
-
►
September
(9)
- The Fashion Pit - Charlotte Olympia Cat-Face Wedge...
- Lust or Must? J. Crew Edie Purse
- P's Picks - Best Dressed from the Emmy's
- The Way We Wore - Date Night Daydream
- Lust or Must? Swedish Hasbeen Boots
- Closets & Cocktails with L-A from Fashionable Peop...
- Independent Fashion Blogger's Conference
- Lust or Must? Les Halles Skinny Jean
- Closets & Cocktails with Ally from Fashionable Peo...
-
►
August
(8)
- Lust or Must? Catherine Manuell Luggage Set
- If I Were a Rich Girl... Jimmy Choo Shoe Bag
- Closets & Cocktails with Jewelry Designer (and Blo...
- Lust or Must? Vince Camuto Cosa Bootie
- Closets & Cocktails with the girls from Wanderlust...
- Lust or Must? - J Crew Wedges
- Closets & Cocktails with On the Racks
- Lust or Must? Helene Berman Trilby Hat
-
►
July
(10)
- Closets & Cocktails with everyday to runway
- Lust or Must? - YSL Mascara
- Closets & Cocktails with Style Saveur
- If I Were a Rich Girl... Wendy Brandes Ring
- Closets & Cocktails with Grit & Glamour
- Lust or Must? Banana Republic Turnlock Bag
- A's Picks...For the PERFECT Shift Dress
- Closets & Cocktails with A Haute Mess
- Lust or Must? - Gorjana Gold Rope Bracelet
- Lust or Must? French Connection Jumpsuit
-
►
September
(9)
365 Fashion Rehab Nominated!
Blogs We Love
Search This Blog
365 FR is Delightful!
15 comments:
Perdy darling I LOVE this video.
I am so proud of the two of you -- that you will have gone a whole year without shopping!!!
That's AWESOME and I don't think I could have done that.
And it's Awesome come what may when the year is over.
Here's a suggestion and no doubt you have thought of this already.
1. Buy only at a store where you can get a full cash or cc credit card REFUND.
2. Now maybe I've been watching too many reality shows on tv. lol!!
But I think it's very easy to get overwhelmed in a store particularly in spring when winter is dreary and dark and the spring clothing is bright and energetic and exciting.
So I would decide say "I will buy 6 or 7 items (whatever you decide) and I will take them home where I have TIME to really look them over and decide to keep say my 2 Favorites --after a good time in a more Peaceful setting reflecting on what TRULY "zings" and what really fits into my life style and budget.
Look at all the gorgeous things that you passed by this past year and you were fine!
You and Ali could even show them to each other on Skype and/or you can also show them to your other friends and Mr. Darling, and get some help deciding which items to keep.
You know all those reality shows are all about ELIMINATION and there is only one winner.
I think we all tend to buy on impulse and there is an addictive "high" to the experience and the stores are actually designed to entice you to buy, buy, buy but you CAN RETURN THINGS.
Don't get too upset if at first (as in H&M) you are like a kid in a candy store after May 15.
I think really that is to be expected, but if you buy from a company that has a full refund policy within a reasonable amount of time, then I really think the wise woman that you are will be able to help the "kid" calm down and winnow things out.
xxxooo
Okay, here is the thing: I think you are being WAY too hard on yourself, but I also know I would feel exactly the same way if I were in your shoes, given your trip to H&M.
I have lots of opinions about H&M (about everything, really-- I'm quite insufferable!), one of which is that the entire store and all its marketing machine are like the Sirens in The Odyssey. You and A are like Ulysses/Odysseus, chained to the mast and hearing their song, but unable to respond. (I'm an English teacher-- it's all about the literary links for me-- sorry. Occupational hazard.) I often find myself in H&M and buying a TON of things because they are cute, cheap and on-trend. NOT BECAUSE I NEED THEM. And, sadly, NOT BECAUSE THEY ARE AGE-APPROPRIATE. And I very often feel sick to my stomach and wracked with guilt afterwards. It's worse when I actually keep the crap and don't reverse-shop it. LHR is MUCH better at resisting the lure of H&M than I am, which only adds to my guilt, believe me. But I'm like an addict and I keep going back for more, no matter how much I recognize the self-destructive nature of the cycle.
Here is what I think I should tell you, though: Since I have started to follow you and A, I never buy ANYTHING without asking myself, "What would the 365 Fashion Rehab girls do?" "They would walk away," I invariably answer myself. I kid you not. I have NOT bought a lot of things I otherwise would have, all because I feel like I should try, in my own pathetic way, to live up to your example. I am really trying hard to curb my consumption-- not only on clothing, but also on homewares, etc. (I am a decor junkie and my partner and I have been renovating our 85-year-old house for 7 years, so the temptations are many...)
So, maybe there are two things you can take from your unsettling trip to H&M this week:
1. H&M is like a casino: it is designed to get you to part with your money. Full stop. You are only human and must withstand, alone, the full force of a global retailer who is very, very, very (frighteningly) good at what it does. Cut yourself some slack. (Or go to the Dufferin Mall branch-- much easier to resist! LOL!)
2. Maybe you felt like you have not grown the way you had hoped you would, but I suspect you are wrong. First of all, you really are an inspiration and if your readership is as affected by your experiment and your example as I am (again, I suspect I am not alone), then you have made a huge difference in terms of getting people to look at their consumer habits and change them. I imagine that the long-dreamed of spree on Day 1 of Post-365 Fashion Rehab will not be the glorious rush it currently promises to be. I bet you will be soberer and clearer about buying only what you need and/or only things that truly feed your soul. As we say in French, "Courage!"
And don't be so hard on yourself. :)
hey ladies! i've been following your blog since the toronto star article and i'm hooked.
even if you're worried that YOU haven't changed your bad shopping habits, i can say with confidence that your blog has changed mine. i shop out of necessity...not boredom. i buy things i love and not things i like. and just because something is on sale for 40-percent-off-limited-time-today-only...i know i will make it through the night without it.
chin up P - rehab is almost over! and you've become a more conscious, responsible AND smart consumer because of it :)
keep up the great work!
-shannon
Don't be discouraged, P!!
I want to tell you and A that what you guys are doing is helping me a great deal. I am seeing clothes shopping in a whole new perspective! I no longer buy just because things fit and they are on sale, I really think about how practical it is to my life and how much I really need it.
I have a secret too. Whenever I see something I like, I'll try it on, and take a photo of myself in the dressing room. By doing that, I've satisfied my desire for that piece of clothing, and I walk happily out of the dressing room, with a sense of triumph: I've overcome this addiction, I'm so proud of myself!
It's been 2 months since I haven't bought anything and I have you guys to thank!
R
Awww! The Mater weighs in with good advice a-plenty! Thanks, M!!! You're right. It's good to sleep on things and be able to fall back on a good return policy!
Love&Lunacy, ;)
P
YYZ~
Thank you so, so much for your kind words of encouragement! I will from now on, always think of H&M as a casino and aim to treat it as such (I'm not much of a gambler!)
Merci bien, mon amie!
Love, P
P.S. It's so funny you say that LHR is better at resisting! As is A... I am beginning to think we really are kindred spirits more and more!
Shannon & Rebecca~
You two are awesome! Congratulations on changing your shopping habits for the good! A & I are both incredibly proud of you and are honoured to know our crazy, nuts, bananas project has helped.
I, for one, am already feeling better hearing your advice and words of encouragement. Thank you so much for taking the time to write. And hang in there - I will if you will ;)
Love, P
Fashion 'rehab' love that
Great blog!
xx
Like you have been talking about, I think there is a list of essentials that you need to replace since not shopping for a year. I suspect you both may be more focused in your return to shopping, in trying to "stock up" on those things youve really missed, but like a previous poster commented, maybe you wont be quite as satisfied in purchasing frivolous things.
Would it be possible for you P & A to go shopping together for your first trip post rehab? Shopping with a buddy system may prove to be fruitful. Taking an extra moment to stop and think in the store can do wonders. I think youve learned more than you think right now and will be amazed when you look back at what youve gone through.i wish you the best of luck, hang in there and please let us know whats happening once you both start shopping again.
Firstly, I think you need to give yourself a little more credit. You have overcome many difficult situations throughout this project already and I'm sure you will find the right personal constraint when May 15 rolls around. Look how successful you have been so far! :)
Some of the ideas mentioned above sound like good options but I was thinking of something that you already do. What if you continue your "lust have" lists? Post the item, give yourself time to consider when and where you'll wear the items. Ask for comments (if you want them) and maybe you'll feel better before you run out and purchase, It seems to be working already, why not keep it up?
Good Luck!
Anony~
Are you clairvoyant??? A and I were just discussing how to celebrate the end of a full year without shopping and we both are in full agreement that we should be together!
I hope you're right - that I have learned more than I can tell right now. I guess the proof will be in the pudding!
Thank you so, so much for your advice!
Love, P
P.S. A and are planning a sequel (it's still in development), but we will most certainly be blogging about life after Fashion Rehab! Stay tuned!
just watched your confessional....i don't know if it will help, but you have inspired ME to do a little rehab for myself (not nearly the extent you have, but baby steps right?)and i have noticed a difference in my closet and my wallet!
don't be so hard on yourself, i think if you didn't feel that way you wouldn't be normal :)
you are almost done!!
West Coast Jess~
I LOVE your idea!!! It's true, the Lust-Haves are one of the things people love the most and continuing on with them is genius! Plus, asking for comments, getting feedback from all our Fabulous Fans is kind of like going with shopping with ALL the most fashionable people you know!
Thanks so very much for input - I truly appreciate it!
Love, P
Anony #2~
Thank you so much for your encouraging words! How is your Fashion Rehab going? What's the best thing you've learned so far?
Love, P
hi! i just found your blog today. I thinnk its awesome what you ladies are doing!! I went only a few short months without shopping for my Day Zero [101 things in 1001 days] chalenge but after see this blog i might do it again for a londer time frame. i think too often women/girls shop and but soo much stuff that we simply dont need but we want it so be get it anyway. Dont be discouraged... look at this project from a differet angle...
*How much are you saving since you dont shop?? *What other activities/hobbies have you stated since you're not shopping??
good luck with the rest of your rehab!!! i'm now going to plan my own rehab! thanks =)
Post a Comment