🎁 It’s gifting season! 🎁 Explore our favorite picks for everyone on your list. ENTER THE GIFT SHOP
It’s easy to fly through life by the seat of your pants. I've always tended to move too fast, a sentiment that I know many people share. Back when I worked in restaurants, we’d say, “Everyone’s in such a hurry to relax.” And it’s true: everywhere you look, most people are in a rush—to the store, to work, to dinner. It’s endless. What ends up standing out the most is not who’s in a hurry, but who’s taking the time to move slowly. I know you notice them, these people who seem to vibrate on a completely different frequency. It’s hard not to take note when you find someone who’s actually looking up at the sky, listening to the birds, touching the earth. If you’re like me, as you probably are, you may have also noticed a common theme regarding this section of the population: They are dressed impeccably well.
I don’t mean they’re wearing designer clothes or grasp color theory in a way most people can't, but their outfits are as intentional as the moments they take to observe the things most people miss. It’s unlikely they’ll be wearing the latest trend, especially in the age of Instagram, where every scroll reveals a new fashion statement. So, what can we learn from those who dress for themselves, and how can we begin the practice of self-discovery in a hive-mind era? Here’s what I’ve learned:
A couple of weeks ago, I pulled out every piece of clothing I own and laid it on my bed. I made three piles: tried-and-true, indifferent, and donation. Things need to get worse to get better, so I recommend sorting with abandon.
This is most important for piles two and three. I suggest trying on all the clothes in your donation pile just in case…you never know what may inspire you! Some other notes:
If you need to lose weight for something to fit properly, let it go.
Feeling like an imposter while wearing a piece? It’s time to say goodbye. Clothes should reflect you, and you should always feel like your best self.
Too dressy? Get creative! Life is short, wear the frills on a Tuesday.
Do you like it but don’t have anything to wear it with (and therefore never wear it)? Try it on with every possible match in your wardrobe and see what works. But, I urge you to only buy clothes that add to your collection in the future, not clothing that makes you feel the need to buy more stuff.
What sets the pieces you love most apart from those you don’t? If you aim to build an intentional wardrobe, this step is crucial. Don’t rush it! For me, the common denominator wasn’t quality or color, but the overall fit. Turns out, I don’t like to wear form-fitting clothing, but I looooove to buy it.
How many times will you purchase and donate different versions of the same thing?
Drop off those jeans at the tailor and finally get that hole patched up.
Have a stubborn stain on your favorite shirt? Consider dyeing it! You can try this at home à la Rit Dye or enlist the help of an expert. I strongly suggest Suay in Los Angeles—they offer community dye baths with new colors every month, and you can mail in items if you’re not local to the area. It can take some time, but breathing new life into a long-loved item is worth the wait.
Turn your old favorites into new favorites on Garmentory. We accept listings for gently worn men's and women's clothing, accessories, and shoes on our resale platform, The Loop! Earn up to 85% of the sale price in Garmentory store credits. Earn 70% when you opt to cash out.
For the rest, find a donation center near you. We suggest a nonprofit organization that provides free clothing to those in need.
This is the hardest part.
Run with what’s left for at least two weeks, preferably more. This will force you to wear those pieces you love but keep on the backburner, and play with new pairings that were never considered in the past. While you’re getting dressed every day, keep a note of the items you wish you could grab.
Go through your list with a fine-tooth comb and weed out any items you only wished you had once. For those pieces you wanted multiple times over the past few weeks, prioritize them based on how versatile they are. Only buy what you need.
Put the phone down, turn on some music, and get dressed for yourself. Whether you work from home, in an office, have kids, or live alone, turn the art of getting dressed into part of your day that is just yours.
