| Earrings – Judith Jack, Pendant – Etsy, Sautoir – Whitney Ingram, velvet skirt, crinkled silk skirt, knitted wool lace skirt and beaded sweater – Eileen Fisher
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After I took the photograph of my grey clothes a couple of days ago, I was so happy with it that I decided to take one with a few of my black garments too, and I realized something:
For some reason, once we get clothes or accessories home, in our closets, we don’t see them as the same wildly desirable and outrageously beautiful things that they were BEFORE we bought them. And that’s absurd. The items are unchanged, but our perceptions are skewed to leave us feeling as if we are always lacking something…
What if I took some time to assemble my most beautiful things in vignettes like the one above, and took some pictures of it, as if it were going to be in a catalog or an online store? And what if I kept these photographs – on my phone, or my computer, or even on pieces of paper? And what if I looked at them, from time to time, when I get that irrational sensation that THAT STUFF is so much nicer than MY STUFF?
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hi
its called Cognitive dissonance….
To (very loosely) quote C.S. Lewis: the most intense joy lies in anticipation. Had not thought of it in a while.
I also remind myself that I can look at things in stores, admire hem like they are in a museum and then having apprecaited theri beauty or style: leave them there.
Handbags are displayed in stores in museum-like cases, lighting and all. At home, they look worse, mixed among all my other stuff. Catalogs show items similarly staged. At home, the tee shirt is just a tee shirt.
That's why I like shopping at thrift stores! Items always look better at home.
My things usually look better once I get them home, when they are not surrounded by other shiny things in the case- and I agree with your permise, too. ("Familiarity breeds contempt"?)
There's another good reason for documenting your jewelry or other valuables: proof, in the case of theft or other loss, that you owned the item. Good idea to record any serial numbers too.
Consider the wealthy celebrity (Kardashians, I'm looking at you!): Their closets are built and arranged to look like beautiful upscale boutiques. Is there more to this than self-indulgence, as I have long been thinking? Maybe they're reminding themselves that these things have intrinsic beauty, as well as value? Thoughts?
I agree that we need to display our things beautifully so we can see them when selecting outfits. My husband built me a beautiful piece to display all my bracelets and necklaces. It is inspiring to see them and then build an outfit around one. When they were stuck in a drawer, I rarely wore them. The same is true for my scarves.
There is a great app called Stylebook that allows you to upload pictures of your clothing and accessories. Then you can build Polyvore type "Looks". I have been amazed how beautiful my things look as I have taken pictures of them.
So true. So true. I am glad I am not the only one suffering from this mental condition!
Yes, this is the same for shoes. I have been having so much trouble finding comfortable, good looking shoes. In the stores they are beautiful and feel great when I try them on, then I bring them home and actually wear them for some length of time only to end up with torn up, blistered and painful feet. Coco Chanel was right: Luxury isn't luxury if it isn't comfortable (or something like that) :)
I agree. I have lately been finding a couple of pairs of nice shoes, that don't leave me limping, and after wearing them for a few days to prove they are comfortable, I immediately buy a second pair and also other colors of the same style. Future shopping done!
Very true!
this is worthy of a place in your book–perhaps a philosophical interlude?
Agree! Sometimes when tempted by yet another piece of fabric, I go into my sewing studio and look at my collection. Usually I have something similar and just as nice sitting on my shelves.
You are right. This has happened to me many times. Thankfully is happening less because I am trying to keep things simplified with many mix and match items. I try to remind myself to visit my closet before I hit the "buy" button. I especially need to do this when it comes to handbags. ; )