The Apparel Diet and other austerities

While I agree with the comments on my previous blog that beauty comes from within, few of us live as if we believe it, It IS hard to believe in our society which puts so much emphasis on appearances. We not only assess our physical attributes and especially our weight almost constantly, most of us stuff our closets and drawers with far more clothe than we need and many times with lots of clothes we don't even wear.

Today's NYTimes had a long article about two groups of people trying a new approach. One group has been "dieting" since last September. Approximately 150 women and a couple of men, agreed to go on an "Apparel Diet" and not purchase any new shoes or underwear for a year. I could easily go on that diet. I used to purchase new underwear any time I saw a good price, not because I have an underwear "thing" but because I didn't want to be forced to do laundry just because I ran out of underwear. So I have a drawer well stuffed with underwear and always have other reasons to do laundry before the drawer is empty. Also I have plenty of shoes. But I admit to giving thought to the end of the summer sales as my black sandals are badly scrufed and need to be replaced. This seems a reason for probable purchase.

Another group called Six Items or Less [sixitemsorless.com -- if you want to join or read their statements] have decided to wear only six items which are already in their wardrobe [not counting shoes and underwear] for an entire month, no matter what kind of events they attend. They are discovering that, although occasionally they might feel inappropriately attired, no one really notices or seems to care what they're wearing. I think this is true. We go on and on about "nothing to wear" when, of course, we have plenty to wear we just want something that will make us feel beautiful or at least invitingly attractive for wherever we're going. As these people reported, it really doesn't matter. Try it, you'll see for yourself.

So we're back to the comments about my previous post -- the beauty isn't on the outside whether it's the body itself or the clothes covering it. We've been fed a tall tale by the apparel industry and we've displaced our feelings of emotional neediness to closet neediness.

But, gee, I do enjoy fabrics of many sorts, designs of many sorts, textures, styles, cuts, embellishment -- mostly I know very well they don't make ME more appealing or attractive but I like them for their own sake. I've convert a part of my love of fabric, pattern, color, texture to quilting. Still I adore clothes -- I have some that are 20 years old and may way them only a time or two a year but can't part with them. No justifications except the sensual pleasure they give me.