Clothes are important. I am a hippie(ster) and I love clothing. When you present yourself well, your mood can be altered. Clothing can reflect who you are (and please stand up straight) and communicate things without words. It can also be about respect, or disrespect. Showing up to class in sweats or a see-through tank-top with your lacy bra showing through is disrespectful. That's right. You're paying thousands of dollars to wear sweatpants? No way.
Shopping is hard when you realize that you are broke, and can't afford clothes at new stores. And then when you've squeezed local thrift stores dry for a dress to wear to your cousin's wedding, but can't find anything. Shopping for me is a challenge. Sometimes I go off the rails, but usually I am ethical about where I get my purchases.
I have a lot of criteria when I'm shopping:
- I generally don't buy "statement" pieces because they are not good investments. Fads come and go, but neutral staples stay forever.
- Accessories? I can make those myself.
- Are they well-made? Could I make it myself?
- Do I "love" it? If I'm not sure, I let it go.
- Aaand... Is it unique? That's mostly when I'm shopping at a thrift store, but I don't like to buy the exact same thing as everyone else.
First stop, thrift stores. Normally I have really good thrifting skills and it is one of my favourite activities. The key is to look at the fabric once you have the category of item. I have found many gorgeous things that way. don't get discouraged, there are always more thrift stores to look at. Usually cheaper ones. However, I haven't had much luck this year at my favourite Waterloo ones in finding the specific things I want.
Then, I go to stores whose ethics I have agreed with. This is a difficult process because there are stores like American Apparel, which don't use sweat shops but then... "Let's use POORRRN!" Not okay with that, but the quality of the clothes is great. (If you're going to spend lots of money on clothes, make sure they are a real investment. Like I wear my $80 black stretch jeans from there a couple times a week and have for almost 2 years because they go with everything.) A commerce report from last year said that Old Navy and The Gap are super ethical. I checked their Corporate Social Responsibility Report, and it seems pretty legit. But I still don't trust it that much. I generally go to indie stores instead of chain stores because probably use fewer slaves. That was a joke. Seriously, though, supporting local business is great.
And then, I get gift cards for Christmas and my birthday to stores I did not ask for. [It's several months away, but I love Lululemon, Call it Spring, The Body Shop, and Lush.] I got many cards for Forever 21 this year, and I ended up being okay with it. I have two blouses, a LBD, a cute purse, and beautiful earrings. I can't let the money go to waste because I don't support the company's ethics, right? Yikes, hypocrisy.
I love shopping. I shop to celebrate being happy, I shop when I'm depressed. Am I angry? I'll buy something. I feel let-down when I don't find something I like on a shopping trip. That's bad and I understand that. But while my back is so injured, I can't do anything I like. I can't play sports, do yoga, RUN, sing, sit, lie down, stand up... Spending the money that should have gone towards tuition is a bad idea, but makes me feel happy. Every time I wear those things, I remember all the great stuff that has happened while I've worn it.
Spring Wishlist :)
Dress for the wedding/banquet:Green? Mint is really in right now, that could be cool. Backless, low-back, or cut-out on the back.
Flared from the waist, 50s style.
New high-waisted jean shorts. The ones I wore for the past two years have shrunk
Long silver ring for my index finger
More chiffon. Always.
Black maxi skirt- I'll probably sew a bunch in different colours.
Liquid leggings.
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