April 25, 2013

Yes - I am packing again.

I counted. Since last March I have been on at least 20 trips (possibly a few more). And that doesn't count the month of February last year, which I spent with my mother after she broke her ankle.

Granted, most of these trips have been short visits to my mother (3.5 to 5 hours each way in travel, depending on time of day and means of transportation.) But for me, a short trip can be just as disrupting than a longer one (if not more so).

This time, I am off to Banff again for a short writing retreat. And thank to YLF, packing has been a breeze. I know what I'lll be doing, I know what the weather will be like (more or less) and I feel as if I'm well prepared for it all.

Counting up the travel time has also reminded me why I actually do need a decent sized "smart casual" capsule as well as a more casual "work-at-home" capsule. With so much time out and about, a couple of leather jackets seem perfectly justified. :-) Ditto all the other items I put into my suitcase this trip. Yes, I need my comfy pullovers and jeans. But I also need something with a bit more flair.

I had been feeling vaguely guilty about all the shopping I've done this year. I can afford it. But never having spent more than a couple of hundred dollars on clothes in a year prior to YLF, I wondered if I was being extravagant or foolish. True, I had genuine needs after substantial weight loss. But surely the buying spree has to stop at some point?

I want a fairly small, efficient closet, yet having started from scratch, without a clear sense of my own style, and having had numerous purges even in my time here on YLF, I've sometimes been unsure where to draw the line -- either from an ethical or a practical standpoint. So...I would purge something because it wasn't quite right, but then feel guilty if I bought a better replacement, wondering if I really would get my CPW out of it. But now I am feeling a little less guilty. It turns out, I really do wear the heck out of my beautiful clothes!

Max is sad to see me go!

Posted in the Dressing category

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27 Comments

catgirl replied 10 years ago
Wow, you are a traveling fool! I love your wardrobe and that you USE it, Suz - that is the most inspiring thing of all.
Carole replied 10 years ago
It takes a little while to adjust to the new mentality around building a smallish wardrobe with fabulous pieces, doesn't it? I have stuggled with guilt and abolishing bad shopping habits, but I am getting better. You have been such an inspiration and I so appreciate your communicating with us the steps along the way. Have a wonderul trip with your beautiful travel capsule.
Ingunn replied 10 years ago
You seem to be doing everything just right, and you are such an inspiration. I don't see any reason for guilt whatsoever in regards of your well curated and -deserved wardrobe, so I'm glad you are coming around to the same conclusion. Have a nice trip, Suz!
Beth Ann replied 10 years ago
Hope the writing trip is productive and inspiring! As for your closet, I'm sure you spent more initially, to rebuild your wardrobe, but now you're spending more because you realize the value of quality pieces. What little I've read leads me to believe that DH is supportive of you in this. Perhaps it even makes him happy to see you taking some care of yourself, evidenced by your new style.

Ask yourself how you would counsel a close friend if they approached you with questions about spending on a wardrobe. My guess is that you would recommend financial openness and responsibility, but also encourage her to find joy in what she wears, and to purchase items that are worth the expenditure.
Runcarla replied 10 years ago

When I was a teen, my mom attended an artists workshop in Banff. We lived in the Maritimes at the time, and it was a big deal. She had a wonderful time, and came home overflowing with inspiration.

Have an mazing time, Suz.

Poor Max.
rachylou replied 10 years ago
Awesome.

20 trips you say? Boy, I'd just keep a suitcase packed... hehe. And I used to, too.
replied 10 years ago

gosh, I think you might have me beat.
I am so happy your work has paid off.You have an amazing wardrobe.
Are you still coming to NYC in July?
Kristin SF replied 10 years ago

Thank you for sharing your style journey with us, Suz. It's been such a great learning experience.

My cats love to sit on our suitcases too, when we are packing. They just know, don't they.

Is your Equipment blouse out of stock now? I have a 16-year-old chocolate and we lost our seal point last year. In other words, I need, want, and must have this shirt! ;-)
Sveta replied 10 years ago
You are a travel pro now! I remember the anguish for packing for Banff last year - and this year it is a no-brainer. Well done, Ms. Suz!
Transcona Shannon replied 10 years ago
I think you have a beautifully curated closet that is just the right size for you Suz. In fact, I admire how your items all work so well together - I still feel like I have a few items that only work one way and still make too many purchasing mistakes IMO.

I can relate to the buying and wondering if it's too much. I'm having that conversation in my head tonight actually, after ordering the Helmut Lang dress...

My kitties love suitcases and packing - I think they look at it like another type of box - lol!

Have a great trip and retreat. Catch you when you're back.
Glory replied 10 years ago
Have a great time Suz.
rae replied 10 years ago
Oh, Suz, this post totally resonates with me! I also found YLF while spending only a couple hundred per year... and to think I was getting so much "more" clothes for those hundreds, too. I am still feeling very guilty for purchases - even the "freebies" when I resell on ebay or Buffalo Exchange. It is tough to know where to draw the line! In a way, endless editing sort of comes with the writer gene, but even writers have to send things to press at some point.

It's great that your "published" looks are making your travels less stressful. All the hard work is totally paying off, and I'm sure you won't feel the need to purge and rebuy as much in the future.
Angie replied 10 years ago
Cute pic!

I know you will, and already are, WEARING THE HECK OUT OF YOUR BEAUTIFUL CLOTHES. xo
Jaime replied 10 years ago
Suz if you just compare your confidence and satisfaction with your wardrobe (and packing skills) now with how you felt about it last year, you will see the payoff mentally and emotionally has been more than worth the money spent. Plus, in case it is not clear, your style has gone through the roof. I think Angie is a wonderful role model for keeping a tight but updated closet. She shops judiciously and if you look at her outfit posts is often referring to how she mixes a new piece with old favorites. But of course you don't need me to tell you that!

And have a great and productive trip!
bj1111 replied 10 years ago
max should just jump in the suitcase with the other kitties.
replied 10 years ago
Have a wonderful retreat! I can't wait for the debrief of how your clothing choices worked out. :)
Suz replied 10 years ago
I know, BJ! I would love to take Max with me! I'll bet he could catch a few chipmunks....probably against the rules in a National Park and nature preserve....

Shevia, thank you. I was thinking along those lines, too. It was so much easier planning and packing for this trip than for some of my earlier ones. Granted, this one is a little easier in that I will be in one spot with a short jaunt to Calgary (so need just a couple of city outfits.) The China trip was a challenge because of the wide temperature variation, multiple activities, and different locales.

Angie, thank you! Your example has helped so much! What Shevia said.

Rae, your writing is as well presented as you are! Someday you are going to combine these loves. And yes, I have noticed you investing in more pricey pieces....but I think they are, quite literally, that --- investments! Not in the way we sometimes talk about investments...i.e. something you must keep for at least a decade or it wasn't worth it. But for your career, you need to look extra fab.

Shannon, Glory, Sveta, thank you!

Kristin, I think you might be able to find the blouse on ebay for less money than I got it! It came back into stock into a couple of sizes after I'd already made my order. (Mine was on sale, too.)

Zapotee, yes, I am coming in July to NYC!! Just for a few days, but the meetup must happen!!

Rachylou, sometimes I do keep a suitcase partly packed!! Or at least I keep it open while I do the laundry.

Carla, Banff is a magical place for artists. I have been there before several times and I always get productive work done there.

Beth Ann, thank you. You're right that Mr. Suz is pleased. (Ummm..mostly. He does sometimes look askance at the packages piling up in the hallway...)

Ingunn, thank you! I am honoured. You are so inspiring to me!

Carole, Una, same for you! The two of you always WOW me with your fab looks.
nancylee replied 10 years ago
Have a wonderfully productive writing retreat, Suz. You'll look fabulous no matter how much writing you accomplish. ;)
Joy replied 10 years ago

Your musings and wardrobe are a Hugh inspiration. Have a wonderful time.
replied 10 years ago

Warming up engines then...
sarah replied 10 years ago
You're a pro, Suz! You can do no fashion wrong...
qfbrenda replied 10 years ago
It's such a trade-off.... having a small wardrobe might help you wear your things more often, but that leads to everything wearing out faster. So... it's all a pro and con game. :) As long as you are wearing what you have and can afford the clothing budget, it's all good. I'm glad to hear that packing has become much easier for you!
ManidipaM replied 10 years ago

Suz, loved this post. You are always so spot-on with the assessments and introspection, sometimes---despite our different styles and body types---I feel a little guilty that you seem to be doing so much of my homework for me and I just get to piggyback on your perceptive musings! :-D

This post especially resonates with me because, even with very different particulars, I've increasingly had similar requirements of travel and work-at-home capsules from my wardrobe, plus had to deal with the guilt of purchasing (at all, never mind purchasing right and going through a bunch of wrongs to get there) last year from the ethical as well as the personal satisfaction perspectives.

Thank you for another lesson to remember and reinforce!
lyn67 replied 10 years ago
Suz, your wardrobe is so well currated, no wonder you now have a light time packing! Always loved your disciplined and well thought decisions and it pays off! Love Max on the suitcase, how about packing him, too:-)
Mona replied 10 years ago
You are such an inspiration to all of us here at YLF. The way I look at it is, that it is all a part of your style journey. THere will be days when you will feel guilty for spending too much and then there will be days when you look at your wardrobe and feel satisfied with all the great pieces you have added to it.
Have a great trip.
Lantana replied 10 years ago

Suz, your threads are always such a pleasure to follow. So pithy.
I am packing again too. I am going bush for a week and thanks to YLF will be wearing denim on denim - with flair. Ta da! I'll be posting the evidence when I get back, there's no coverage where we're going.
I won't be leaving my Max behind though, he's my DH.
I hope you have a wonderfully creative retreat.
krishnidoux replied 10 years ago
Suz, that is fantastic!

Thank you for bringing this point up about spending for clothes.

You are a busy woman. Right now in your life you need to feel safe on that front. And you have a extremely beautiful, efficient and well articulated wardrobe! Most of all, it reflects you, it puts you forward, not the clothes.

Yes, this will entail some spending. But know that it is not lost in frivolous self indulgence. It's not because it makes you feel good that it is not also useful for you right now in you life. Example I can think of:

- The confidence factor, which takes a big weight off any woman's shoulders;

- It makes you more present to others who need you such as your DM or DD;

- It makes you more open to travelling (packing being easier) which obviously is something you need and like to do in your life;

- It does have an effect on how you present to others and on your professional life.

This said, Suz, I am at a similar point in my style journey. I don't feel comfortable buying at the rate I am.Me too, had to adjust to weight changes. But I wonder, when is it enough?

Pix-Elated

On the road again

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