Clothes Maketh the Wo(man)

In my new novel, due out soon - (see that? A little heads up!) one of my characters wears an interesting selection of clothes. The reason for this is lack of money, but also because for her, what she wears is not as important as who she is.

In this time of Marie Kondo telling us to keep only those things that speak to the heart; others telling us we only need a capsule wardrobe, and still others who remind us that the garment industry is the second largest polluter in the world, it’s easy to be confused.

Marie Kondo would not approve of my wardrobe and it’s certainly not a capsule! It’s a hodge podge of styles, colours and vintages. I like to wear jeans in winter and dresses in summer, but I also have everything in between. I’m not a good op-shopper. Can rarely find something that works. But I have a friend who works at a local op shop and she often brings me a dress that she thinks will fit. They usually do. It’s great to have a dedicated shopper!

I simply cannot throw things away. Not if they are quality, or if I have loved wearing it before. Recently I was looking for something to wear to an event and came across a waistcoat I had had made 27 years ago. It was perfect. That’s an advantage with age. Your wardrobe expands. I’m a fixer of holes in clothes, a stain removerer, and a button replacerer. I have a chest filled with clothes that I may never wear again, but I have been able to lend or give items to others.

I wish I had known when I was younger that styles may change, but they are usually recycled too. I would have kept that lovely purple dress. And that jacket that went perfectly with jeans. I wouldn’t have sent so much to the landfill. Even though some clothes don’t fit right now, that doesn’t mean they won’t fit in a few years.

I’d get bored with a capsule wardrobe. I like variety, colour, textures and patterns. Sloppy around-the-house clothes, going-to-see-the-aged-auntie clothes, coffee-with-the-girls clothes, and dressy clothes.

My clothes don’t maketh me, but they help to identify me.

P.S. The dress I am wearing in the photo is one my friend found me. My younger sister isn’t a fan of my florals.