It’s spring and I’m loving all the cherry blossoms and flowering trees. I’ve started to wash and pack away my warmer sweaters. I pretty much only wash my cashmere and wool sweaters once a year — when I’m cleaning them to store them away. (More on clothing cleaning and storage here.)
With the change of seasons, I thought it’d be a good time to check in on my consumption. While I didn’t set any specific shopping goals for this year, for the past five years I’ve aimed to have a low buy year. And 2022 is no exception. So far, I’m doing great. In the first quarter of this year, I’ve only bought two pairs of Everlane Original Cheeky Jeans in different colors, which I reviewed here.
I’ve also been slowly going through my wardrobe to weed. So far, I’ve removed 10 items from my closet (12 if we’re counting jewelry). As I purge, I keep a list and write down the reasons why I’m getting rid of things in my wardrobe. “Doesn’t feel like me anymore,” is one of the top reasons lately, along with the usual issues with fit. One thing I learned this time around is that while I like the idea of jackets with asymmetrical collars, I don’t like to wear them in real life. I decided to sell two jackets with this design.
I also started making a spreadsheet of all the items in my wardrobe. And honestly, I’m not sure why. I didn’t start the spreadsheet with any specific intention (like tracking wears). I just like making lists, so I guess it’s a natural thing for me to start a spreadsheet. As I’m listing each item, I categorize it not only under a broad category (like pants or skirts), but also a subcategory (casual? special occasion?). It’s another way of seeing what I have by quantifying things.
As we approach summer, I suspect that my shopping will pick up. Coming from San Francisco, where hot days were not common — they did happen, but when they did, they felt like freakish global warming events — I don’t have much in the way of cool summer clothes. I’m not well prepared for hot, humid NYC summers. (Guess I better shop for AC units too.) I’m also yearning to add some fun pieces, like colorful dresses. But I haven’t come across anything that’s really calling to me yet. Yes, consider this an invitation to drop links to dresses you love.
Welcome Objects 2022 Wardrobe Count To Date
Additions: 2
Number of Additions That Are Secondhand: 0
Subtractions: 10
What I Read & Watched
Ikea is making its secondhand furniture business permanent in the U.S. after a successful pilot program. The program applies only to used IKEA furniture (but not to beds, upholstered items, lighting, and various other items). I’m glad to see them doing this. It keeps things out of the landfill and promotes reuse. As one person interviewed in the article says it probably won’t impact Ikea much financially either way, but it provides a customer benefit.
When I moved recently, I sold or gave away a lot of my furniture, a good deal of it Ikea. But I would have considered taking part of this program. It would have saved some hassle of trying to get rid of things one by one. Sellers get store credit, not cash, for their wares. But I don’t mind. I mean, when I landed in Brooklyn, I ended up at Ikea to buy all sorts of things, including plants and food.
Speaking of Ikea food, here’s a more in depth story about an Ikea store with a rooftop restaurant and how the company continues to evolve. The subhead asks, “Will a vegetarian-leaning menu and rooftop terrace take Ikea from a furniture store to a full-on lifestyle brand?”
I also saw Everything Everywhere All at Once in the theater (mask on) and I haven’t stopped thinking about it since. I loved it so much. It’s a blast, but also heartfelt. This is the immigrant family representation I didn’t know I was looking for!
Ooh, you’ll most likely want an AC unit for summer, I think! It gets very hot and humid and those temperatures tend to last for a very long time each year.
I still need to find time to go watch Everything Everywhere All at Once!
On it! Ordered some AC units. I’m a little scared about the humidity. I loved Everything Everywhere so much that I think I’ll see it again.
How do you store your sweaters that have been worn but aren’t going to be washed yet? Separate bins?
That’s exactly what I do. I store clothes that I’ve worn separate from clothes that are clean.