So much to chew on here, Anni! I'm one of your maximalist readers - I have a LARGE wardrobe, that is fluid in nature, and I love shopping (95% of my shopping is in person, and secondhand, FYI).
To address this:
"With fewer items, getting dressed feels like an exercise in thoughtfulness. But Iām curious ā do those with larger wardrobes feel that same connection?"
I definitely feel that connection to my clothes still. Getting dressed for me is a conversation - what I want to wear on a particular day is based on practical things (weather, clients, work, am I walking) but primarily on how I want to feel (happy, energetic, hiding, armoured).
Some of my clothes and shoes have been with me for over 15 years, some 5 years, some are new-to-me. The connections I build are usually around what memories those clothes hold for me ("I wore this to Linda's birthday and had that odd conversation" or "this set of jewelry is one my mom wore in the 1970s."
I shop frequently, but I'm very picky. I try on a ton of things - regardless of price - just to see how they look/feel. Trying things on eliminates that "I want that!" feeling - or, if it is something I must have, then I'll either buy it or stalk it until it's marked down. If I miss out...it wasn't meant to be.
"They are just things." They are! And they need to be used - so I ensure that my closet is set up so that I can see and wear everything, every 6 months (I use the backwards hanger trick). Nothing gets passed over.
I think itās very challenging to have connection to a larger wardrobe - Iām curious if someone can say they have it. There are a few within the large that hold connection, the rest is stuff. I have mentally moved to refreshing and adding thoughtfully, which is NOT aligned to the pace of market consumption, social media, etc. It must be for the cycles that make sense for my life. The practice of ignoring outsideā frenzy has been my biggest (ongoing) learning.
This is so thought provoking Anni - I think I fall somewhere in the middle. I reduced my wardrobe during the pandemic, so it's on the smaller side. I get great wear out of most of my clothes and since I'm trying to buy more thoughtfully, I end up really appreciating any new (mostly new to me) pieces.
This is such an interesting mindset for me to consider; how to look and appreciation but to actively tell myself that I won't be buying it. I already spend a lot of time thinking about my purchases before I make them but I am also too fast to add things to my wislist. I know this isn't *exactly* what you were talking about in this post but it's giving me good food for thought.
As for your question, I admit that having a large closet is something I really struggle with. Both because I have a lot of clothes and because I want a lot of clothes. I see influencers it feels like their wardrobes are massive, no outfit repeating, etc. and I think that's what I want. So I still have some mindset shifting that are needed.
So much to chew on here, Anni! I'm one of your maximalist readers - I have a LARGE wardrobe, that is fluid in nature, and I love shopping (95% of my shopping is in person, and secondhand, FYI).
To address this:
"With fewer items, getting dressed feels like an exercise in thoughtfulness. But Iām curious ā do those with larger wardrobes feel that same connection?"
I definitely feel that connection to my clothes still. Getting dressed for me is a conversation - what I want to wear on a particular day is based on practical things (weather, clients, work, am I walking) but primarily on how I want to feel (happy, energetic, hiding, armoured).
Some of my clothes and shoes have been with me for over 15 years, some 5 years, some are new-to-me. The connections I build are usually around what memories those clothes hold for me ("I wore this to Linda's birthday and had that odd conversation" or "this set of jewelry is one my mom wore in the 1970s."
I shop frequently, but I'm very picky. I try on a ton of things - regardless of price - just to see how they look/feel. Trying things on eliminates that "I want that!" feeling - or, if it is something I must have, then I'll either buy it or stalk it until it's marked down. If I miss out...it wasn't meant to be.
"They are just things." They are! And they need to be used - so I ensure that my closet is set up so that I can see and wear everything, every 6 months (I use the backwards hanger trick). Nothing gets passed over.
Sorry for the long comment! Thanks again!
Enjoyed every word! Sheila, do you also sell/donate stuff??
I think itās very challenging to have connection to a larger wardrobe - Iām curious if someone can say they have it. There are a few within the large that hold connection, the rest is stuff. I have mentally moved to refreshing and adding thoughtfully, which is NOT aligned to the pace of market consumption, social media, etc. It must be for the cycles that make sense for my life. The practice of ignoring outsideā frenzy has been my biggest (ongoing) learning.
Yeah I relate! Sheila's comment was also good to read re connection to a larger wardrobe -) It is possible!
This is so thought provoking Anni - I think I fall somewhere in the middle. I reduced my wardrobe during the pandemic, so it's on the smaller side. I get great wear out of most of my clothes and since I'm trying to buy more thoughtfully, I end up really appreciating any new (mostly new to me) pieces.
Yes, you do have a very thoughtful vibe all around <3
"Try on without any intention of buying"
This is such an interesting mindset for me to consider; how to look and appreciation but to actively tell myself that I won't be buying it. I already spend a lot of time thinking about my purchases before I make them but I am also too fast to add things to my wislist. I know this isn't *exactly* what you were talking about in this post but it's giving me good food for thought.
As for your question, I admit that having a large closet is something I really struggle with. Both because I have a lot of clothes and because I want a lot of clothes. I see influencers it feels like their wardrobes are massive, no outfit repeating, etc. and I think that's what I want. So I still have some mindset shifting that are needed.
I also remember that you are not an impulsive buyer and rarely buy things??
It just takes me a while to actually hit BUY š but I obsessively look at my wishlists waiting for the moment to feel right!