The more, the better… Or WORSE!?
This particular line, with the ‘worse’ in red caps from the ‘Times Life’ supplement caught my eye on Monday morning while I was clearing up newspapers from the previous day.
This one I had to read! Making a mental note of it I stashed the paper into my wardrobe. Mind you, the connection wasn’t lost on me!
My wardrobe.. the root cause of all the problems I face each time I’ve somewhere to go, be it a wedding or the mall or even the neighbor’s!
At any given point, for any occasion, I’ve had more choice than necessary, resulting in the perpetual confusion – WHAT TO WEAR??
Here’s what happens every time I have to go out!
Top 1 – “Damn, it’s not ironed!” or “Why can’t the istree waala ever do my tops properly?”
Either I’m short on time or the power goes off!! I must say, they’ve impeccable timing!
(Take off. Dump. Fold later!)
Top 2 – “What the hell!!?? When did this top shrink?? Does it mean I’ve put on weight since the last time!? Shit shit shit!! I’ve become so fat! I’m not going to touch junk from tomorrow! What do I wear now???”
(Take off. Dump. Fold later!)
Top 3 – “Nooo! I just wore this last month! I don’t want photos in the same top! I don’t want to repeat!”
(Take off. Dump. Fold later!)
Top 4 – “I haven’t got the time to go to the parlor! Noway am I going to be able to wear this!”
(Take off. Dump. Fold later!)
Top 5 – “This isn’t going with the jeans at all! Do I change the top or the jeans?”
I grab the other pair of jeans from behind the door. No difference! So I switch over to the earlier one! I look for another matching top!
The pile of tops unfit for the occasion is increasing and so are my frustration and fatigue levels!
The end to this drama is always the same; an uproar – “I HAVE NOTHING TO WEAR”!
That dialogue attracts audience like a moth to a flame, followed by pearls of wisdom that make the situation no better! I’m still confused!
What’s WORSE (if that’s possible!) is to come home tired only to find all those tops lying on the bed inside out and unfolded! Note: If you’re married you miss your mom the most at this point of time and you also get mad at her if you’ve inherited her OCD! So at 2 in the morning I get to setting the wardrobe right only to hear PP utter the two words I dread and loathe “Minimalistic Living”.
Much against my will, I googled the term and came across several blogs on ‘Minimalistic Wardrobe’. Most of these bloggers recommend reducing my wardrobe down to my favourite clothes; those that fit my lifestyle and body right now and appropriate for the season.On further reading, I come across this interesting fashion concept called ‘Capsule Wardrobe’.
It’s a streamlined collection of essential pieces that can be styled in different mix and match combinations so you can create a number of outfits for different occasions. A general rule is to limit the number of items to 35 – 40 which should include shoes, bags and accessories. (Applicable to both, men & women)
The toughest choice to make is to do away with the ones I don’t love 100% but won’t for reasons like;
1) it was a gift;
2) it used to fit me last summer;
3) Damn, I paid a bomb for that one!
I have, however, made up my mind to declutter and I must do it.
So here’s what I do:
I empty the contents onto the bed;
I count the number of items and do the math to arrive at the maximum limit I’ve set;
I set aside the pieces that need alteration;
I take out the ones I’ve consciously been avoiding;
I compartmentalize the entire wardrobe;
Traditional wear,
Casual wear,
Home wear,
Office wear,
Bags,
Accessories.
Two hours later I’ve two bags worth of stuff to donate and two empty compartments!
Next week I go shopping for an entirely new office collection and I’m all excited to look for clothes from the ‘Capsule concept’ angle!
Less clothes, more savings – tick
Less clothes, more combinations – tick
Less clothes, less confusion – tick
Cheers!!
C.A.: Confused Aquarian 