The Great American Apparel Diet

So lately this saying has been on my mind as I've tried to save and be frugal: “Use it up, wear it out, make it do, or do without." I have an inkling it's from the WWII era.  A simple google search could confirm or deny this inkling, but I'll leave that for the really interested people to look up. 

I've made a few changes recently in an attempt to be frugal and save money.  The hardest has been an unofficial commitment to The Great American Apparel Diet.  It's not a caloric diet.  It's a spending diet, found here: http://www.thegreatamericanappareldiet.com/

Diet followers pledge not to buy new apparel for a year.  I learned about this (I think) at the beginning of August.  At that time I had not made any purchases since Memorial Day, so I thought since I've already started by accident, I might as well continue for a whole year.  I'm not an official dieter, but I liked the idea, and have decided to stick with it.  I also felt justified because I already wear clothes that are quite worn--a quick skim of my closet and drawers will easily show about 1/3 as hand-me-downs.  Another inspiration for wearing the same things over and over again is my host mom in Paris.  I remember being baffled to see her wear the same pink sweater several nights during the week at dinner.  If a fashionable French lady can do it, so can I.   

Though I have to admit that I have been craving a little something new in my closet.  Lucky for me, a couple weeks ago, our Church had a huge clothing exchange.  People brought clothes to donate and people came away with free clothes.  I was able to acquire new clothing items without buying anything, which would break my diet.   

I want to spend less and I want to be more conscious of what I am spending.  I want to be happy with and use up or wear out the clothing or apparel which I already own.  [Side note: this idea of frugality in apparel has also caused me to reflect on the difference between being fashion-conscious and having your own sense of style.  Lately, I'm of the opinion that having your own personal style is so much more important than following fashions.  That said: I will continue to track trends in the fashion world for stylistic inspiration.] 

My one regret in starting this diet is that I have slimmed down a tad and now I have several clothes items that are ill-fitting.  I also gave away a few bagfuls of clothes that came out with my truck last summer.  I might have held onto some of those items a bit longer if I knew I was going to be getting down to the nitty gritty in my closet. 

So if my clothes start to look a little threadbare or if I seem to wear the same things over and over again, you know why.

beck