What you can't see in these photos is that I have a quiet socially-conscious, minimalist angel sitting on my right shoulder, and on my left a persuasive devil who loves consumption and shiny new things on my left. And right now, especially as the seasons are changing, they're at war.You see, I want a new car. I want a new bikini. I want platform shoes. I want 8 more grey t-shirts. I want a pool. I want a new pair of Ray-Bans. Hell, I even want a Gucci fanny pack.
But I also want to do the right thing. I want to not want. I want to be good and I want the way I spend my dollars to reflect my values. But I also don't want to sacrifice my personal style or ditch my passion for fashion.
Fortunately, I've got a few soldiers to help me do the right thing. I've got Liz, who is constantly inspiring me with her never-ending edit. Check out her most recent post in which she details item-for-item her entire wardrobe. I've got Jeremy – who is currently on a mission to create less waste. He's committed to resoling his Red Wing boots for what it would cost to buy them new. I've got my friend Merl who re-imagines amazing jewelry out of vintage finds – she also makes a damn good case for buying used.
I've also got Shop Good – a local shop here in OKC dedicated to carrying high-quality, ethically made clothing, accessories and wares. Jeremy and I became friends with the owners, Justin and Audrey, by basically being their number one fans. I recently had coffee with Justin & Audrey where we talked about not just buying good things but living a good life. We talked about creation vs. consumption and the overlap between the two (we need people to consume the things we create, after all). I left our conversation feeling inspired on approximately a million different levels.
So, I don't have the answers. I don't have a rule book that tells me what's best and I'm far from perfect when it comes to this stuff. But I'm so ready to explore the question and make some changes that make me feel good about the things I create and consume. And I've got some good people around me who are also down for doing the right thing. Who's with me?
I love most of your outfits one way and another but I want to get serious now and ask a really real question...
ReplyDeleteWhat IS the deal with the half tuck thing?
As someone who has three babies (2 c-sections) worth of muscle damage I can honestly say that I lack the stomach to do it anyway. Really tho, I just don't get it and can't say that I've noticed it done that much over here...
Nicole - ha! You know... I don't read many fashion blogs these days so I'm not sure if it's actually a "thing". I personally do it because I like wearing a belt – and if I don't tuck in the belt adds bulk under my top. But at the same time I like the lines a longer shirt gives me. So uh... it's kind of the mullet of top-wearing. I'll admit that it's a bit excessive here and you can even sow how I was trying to figure it out (in the top photo on the left).
ReplyDeleteSo yeah... that's MY deal with it but I can't answer for everyone who rocks the half tuck.
That is brilliant, "the mullet of top wearing". Fashion bloggers the world over, take note.
ReplyDeleteI have one pair of skinny jeans so I don't know why I've even bothered asking, curiosity I guess.
On the actual issue, I think its ok to get new and shiny as long as the old and loved are disposed of in a meaningful way, be it re-purposed or passed on.
I think as long as you NEVER landfill anything that could move on to another life (old clothes that are no good for wearing anymore go to a textile recycling plant etc) then its a chain of consumerism and you can look on yourself as temporary custodian of something. You buy something (and promote local and ethical traders) you know that you'll wear until its thread bare and it has beyond fulfilled its purpose or theres life in it for someone else to love and it becomes a positive cycle rather than just consumerism.
Yes, yes, yes! Thanks for this honest post. It totally sums up what I've been dealing with lately. My solution is so far is editing, buying used, and learning how to sew. Its such an interesting struggle!
ReplyDeleteI LOVE the front/half tuck! I do it all the time and Chase always makes fun of me. But I love it anyways!
ReplyDeletethis couldnt have come at a better time. I've been trying to clean out my closet (in more than one sense) and creating a simpler minimalist wardrobe. Less stress about what to wear, less waste... though most of my clothes are second-hand and i don't remember the last time i bought something new... and i'm finally being able to get rid of some things (though i have strong attachment to everything i own even if it's unflattering or doesnt fit)
ReplyDeletethen in the midst of me trying to change my mindset on material things, I watch the bill cunningham documentary and all I want to do is dress like a crazy person and stick out of a crowd of lemmings.
My issue isn't so much with social issues... as I rarely buy new. I really wanna improve my mindset. my way of thinking that feels like I need to buy this and that. Even though I have enough clothes to dress a small (midget) village.
ok i got distracted and lost my train of thought a little. I guess it's all about finding a balance, doing what makes you happy while also not overindulging or being socially unconscious?
p.s. hiiiii come visit me
p.p.s. why can't i ever just comment with my name and URL? i have to sign into google. is that something u can change?
I was just about to write what KW did. Sometimes I can waver back and forth in a matter of minutes - its crazy! Keeping those positive motivations around is such a help.
ReplyDeleteAmen, sista to both the half tuck (for the same reasons you mention) and balancing competing desires.
ReplyDeleteKathleen you are the best. I've told you that before, right? Probably. But you are. Everytime I come to your little blog and read your recent post I always leave thinking about something...it's usually something different everytime, but your blog is not just a mindless read for me. Yes I do love looking at your photos and your outfits, but it's always something more for me because I leave thinking of someTHING and that's a pretty great thing in todays blog world.
ReplyDeleteThank you.
KW - Oh, I'm interested in sewing too! Or supporting really small scale crafters and makers who are badasses at sewing.
ReplyDeleteHallie - Ha. Front tuck forever!
Emily - I suppose I'm in a place where being socially conscious all the time is a long-term investment in my happiness. I've always been extreme though. And hiiii! I'm rebranding and moving to Wordpress so no more blogger soon enough! The new site should go live in mid-April.
Laura - Yes! I find surrounding myself with people who have similar values makes it all so much easier than when I'm reading magazines, watching Rachel Zoe and going to the mall. Ha.
Carly - You are the sweetest. Seriously... your comments lift me up big time. This post applies to so much more than clothes. I think it especially manifests in the things I want to post about. I no longer want to write about stuff that can be consumed like empty calories.
Saw that Jeremy wants to resole his redwings... check out my husband's company https://www.greenwichvintage.us. He can pick whatever color he wants, for less than a new pair.
ReplyDeleteYour hair.... I dream about its perfection in my sleep (a little weird.. ha, probably) anyways, someday I hope to have dreads like you.
ReplyDeleteKylee
www.ropesouls.blogspot.com
Those same two angels and devils visit me, TOO! Gah, it's a constant moral battle in my mind. I just love pretty things, you know? I love collecting them, looking at them, wearing them. But I also love the idea of living simply and ONLY buying second-hand (or, more realistically, second-hand plus a few splurges on the staples). It's all too easy to get distracted by the pretty, shiny thing we feel the impulse to buy. Struggle.
ReplyDeleteThose same two angels and devils visit me, TOO! Gah, it's a constant moral battle in my mind. I just love pretty things, you know? I love collecting them, looking at them, wearing them. But I also love the idea of living simply and ONLY buying second-hand (or, more realistically, second-hand plus a few splurges on the staples). It's all too easy to get distracted by the pretty, shiny thing we feel the impulse to buy. Struggle.
ReplyDeleteI love your super blonde dreads!! <3 And, I want a pool too :)
ReplyDeleteI subscribe 110% to the fact that buying second-hand clothing is ethically equal in every way to buying eco-friendly/organic and fair trade. And it doesn't cost $300.
ReplyDeleteI learned that finding out which brands and items meet my ethical standards is near impossible - even at beautiful Shop Good some of the answers to my questions are ambiguous to me.
I compromised by buying the ethical new products I know about, buying 2nd hand whenever possible, and remembering that in all reality, I have more than enough clothing and Stuff and don't need to buy anything at all. And I have also ruled that if I REALLY REALLY have a burning desire for a Target item, and I'm unsure if I could get it elsewhere, it's ok in small bits.
Sometimes I feel exactly like my two year old... I want I want I want!
ReplyDeleteBalance.... I try!