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Are you collectors?

Katerina

Veteran

Dear Fabbers,
I am working with getting my wardrobe to a digital form - taking photos, collecting stock pictures of items I am shopping for and organizing everything into categories. I have a rather large wardrobe, so it is a large work in progress. The numbers of wardrobe items are unevenly spread across the categories. I have a very large number of accessories, including bags. A lot more in proportion than I have clothing. Footwear is the smallest category. Gear is also small - but I don’t really count that here.

This brings me to the actual topic. Some of my wardrobe items I buy strictly as utilities. Mostly trousers and tops/blouses. I have very few sweaters - also basics. Items in these categories I buy when I “need” them - mostly to replace what has become worn out etc. I edit these categories frequently. Then there are categories where I am more of a collector. For example scarves. I look for interesting unique scarves regardless if I need them, because I probably really will not need any more scarves for the rest of my life. I can acquire scarves that are not in my colours or which I know I will not wear much, but for some reason, I simply want to have them in my collection. I almost never get rid of any scarves, apart from when I give some to people that love them and wear them better than I do. There are also categories which are somewhere in between. Like leather jackets.
My question is - when it comes to your wardrobe, are you a collector at all? And if so, of which category or kind of items? Is there a connection between this and the wardrobe functions/categories - if it is a question of essentials, statement pieces, completers etc.? I am very interested in your thoughts on this.

General

42 replies

Latest reply was from

AJ

Veteran

Yes, you have a fabulous collection of scarves and how thoughtful that you gift some to others on a whim!

Statement earrings and coats are my weaknesses. I buy them if they spark joy when I see it and most times I do not have a need for it. I am trying to be better about the coats/jackets because my dominant season is HOT summer, so cold weather is such a short time.

Since my summers are so hot, statement earrings add that pizzazz to my two piece outfits; so the more colorful, the better.

My coats and jackets are more neutral, but they add a tailored structure and crispness to my casual wardrobe that is mostly comprised of jeans and slightly dressy tops.

Katerina

Veteran

AJ - statement earrings can entirely change an outfit and are a perfect third piece in the summer. I totally understand why you love getting colorful earrings. And they are not that difficult to store I love jackets and coats too.

Anonymous

I have a collection of bags that I will never, ever purge. That would be the only category that could be called a collection.

Even if your scarf collection is vast, I would still suggest you take the time to upload images (maybe five a day or every time you wear one). It memorializes your collection.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Oh my yes, I am a collector when it comes to scarves and jewelry, mostly statement rings. I even bought two rings in NYC last week, even though I do not need them! One from a local artisan, another from a shop that carries goods made by women in African nations. Neither was expensive at all, but unique and a great memento of a wonderful trip.

cjh

(website)

Veteran

Great analysis. I do collect earrings and necklaces. My bracelet collection stopped growing due to just never finding really interesting bracelets much anymore. I think you could say I have a scarf collection, but it doesn’t move me like the jewelry.

Runcarla

Veteran

I am an off-and-on again collector of striped tops - specifically mariner type tops, but a good sweater will do as well. I say off and on, because my tops eventually wear out and it can be hard to find a good replacement. The collection isn’t really out of control, I have had as many as a dozen striped tops but currently I’m at an all time low of 3! These days I’m holding out for really fab, and not just any old stripe/mariner.

nemosmom

Veteran

I have a small but sentimental collection of jewelry. I keep it all, even though I don't wear it all (or much of it, really). I find it hard to resist buying a fantastic jacket or skirt, even when my lifestyle doesn't allow me to wear them as often as I would like. I am a hoarder of jeans... so many different cuts, washes, lengths...

Hats off to you for digitizing your wardrobe! I've been trying to put all of mine in Finds; I think I am about 90% finished - a lot of work, but totally worth it, I think.

Katerina

Veteran

Sterling, thank you for the advice. You are right, it would be great to have everything uploaded. I started slowly with the scarves and I take a few at the time. I am a terrible photographer, so the pictures are pretty bad, but at least I will have a better overview.

Janet, you have an amazing collection of statement rings, it is such a fantastic signature element of your style. And I also love your scarves. Travel souvenirs which are wearable collectibles are the best! I also love shopping for accessories when I travel.

CJH, fun to hear about your bracelet collection! And interesting that you cannot find any interesting so often any more. What do you think it depends on?

Runcarla, that is an interesting category to collect. Mariner tops suit you and your style so well, fabulous that you collect them. What are the parameters for the collection? Any particular styles or makes you prefer?

rebekahphoto

Veteran

oh yes. lots of collections I collect scarfs and have for years! I have not counted, but i imagine over 100? all types, and as I love fabrics they are great travel companions and souvenirs. I also have a large college of Jewelry, many rings and pendants. Large turquoise, amber and artist made. Many from travels, family, and gifts.

And coats! My grandmother loved coats, (as does my mom) so I think the collecting gene runs in the family. I have some of my grandmothers leather coats she wore in the 60s, they are super fab. She worked in a departments store so always was interested in fashion. I have a whole closet of coats of all kinds, & love wearing the fun ones out! Husband still says I have too many !

I also collect cookbooks, photo books, cameras, fine art, natural objects (feathers, bones, shells) and other things as well. As an artist many of these objects are inspirational and also I just appreciate the form and beauty of them!

The Cat

Veteran

I wouldn't call myself as a collector, as I try to live a simple life without too many things. However, I do have many necklaces, scarves and reading glasses--and often find myself looking for a new one. Mine are generally inexpensive (though they might not look so), and I often use them to add some colour, fun, variety or cohesiveness to my outfits.

Anonymous

I used to be a collector, of leather jackets, purses, jewellery, (I suppose I still "collect" in that category but I try to wean out things quite regularly ) and scarves, but an evolving change in my personal values and philosophies around accumulating things - any things- has changed my approach to this. It's still very much a work in progress, and I'm certainly not as "perfect" here as I wish I were, but I no longer consider it a badge of honour to have a ton of anything . I still have a large jewellery collection and it's probably my remaining weakness in this regard. Scarves? I will only buy top quality ones that add something to my wardrobe, not just random pretty colours and prints ....as I once used to do. Just me and my personal approach to things now

DonnaF

Veteran

Scarves. Dozens of scarves. They are never too small, but admittedly sometimes too big. And you thought I’d say stripes, lol?

Runcarla

Veteran

I’ve been musing over one of your comments. Specifically the one about buying scarves ‘not in your colours’ that you think you might never wear. It made me think of an elaborate costume jewellery necklace that Inonly wore once, but that inspired a complete capsule of clothing items! It was just a beautiful combination of pale blue, and emerald coloured stones, in tarnished silver. I kept t for a long time as a ‘beauty piece’. I still have a broach I purchased at an antique store. It is too heavy for most fabrics, but like the necklace described above, it is a pretty piece of bling that sparks joy when I open my jewellery drawer. I don’t think of it as collecting per se.

Regarding mariners and stripes... For the traditional mariners I am looking for durable quality fabrics (high cotton content) in the traditional navy/cream and for stripes in general, I tend to gravitate towards bright colour combinations.

Anonymous

Definitely scarves. They are a favorite travel souvenir and hardly a day goes by without a scarf. I wear all sorts and sizes and often double up in winter with an indoor scarf with my outfit and an outdoor scarf with my coat.
I also feel like I have a collection of footwear and socks. I need to keep my feet happy so never wear the same pair two days in a row. I often wear up to three pairs of socks in a day, so that can mean that I need to duplicate colors. Smart wool that is not padded is my favorite, Another favorite is metallic socks.
I have a real collection of old campaign buttons which seldom get worn.
I like certain motifs in jewelry like flowers, dragons, leaves, and snowflakes.
I also have a small box of American Indian beaded jewelry that was given to my mother by students or their parents when she taught elementary school on an Indian reservation. They remind me of her, her bravery and adaptability. She was sometimes threatened at knifepoint if a parent did not like a child’s reportcard.

Echo

Veteran

I collect Alexander McQueen scarves. I also have a very difficult time getting rid of any footwear. And I have a serious issue with toppers lately. I have so many - too many - I love. I cannot bring myself to get rid of them, because when they are needed they are perfect, but they are so rarely needed that it seems a shame to have them taking up space.

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

Yes! I am a big collector and I am just coming to grips with this due to a massive inventory rehaul I am working on right now. I collect across many categories but mainly vintage designer clothing, silk scarves and vintage Israeli silver. I.e. things I have found at thrift stores of the years and could not resist but do not necessarily wear. I also have a huge wardrobe of things I do wear but that is another story.

Jenn

(website)

Veteran

I could pretty much write exactly what Lisa P did. I find the minimalist philosophy harder in aspects of my life outside my wardrobe, though. My biggest weaknesses are books, art, plants, and throw blankets.

Jenni NZ

Veteran

I guess I became almost a collector of shoes in my own mind, I felt it was becoming ridiculous even although I am aware of others on the forum who had more. Because I am a tightwad and because I worried about my privilege ( much less than I used to before 2008 which was when I left the church) I felt pretty uncomfortable about it and the huge pleasure the shoes gave me was somewhat tempered by guilt. Being up at the 50-pair level did worry me, and although it has only pulled back to I think 43, because I edited some out and have bought better in the past 2 years, I feel better about it. I still have a small number that really are too high, and I let them stay for more of a collector’s reason: prettiness. Some are almost for costuming reasons. The rest, I feel better about because I am actually using them. Also my lovely new wardrobe has easy space for them so they don’t seem to take over the house any more!
My other collection would be earrings. I don’t feel bad about them because they take up much less space and are also generally inexpensive, only a tiny number are actual gems. They are an important way I keep my look updated so I have many colours plus a fair number of metallic ones for those few colours I don’t own.
For clothing, I’m not very interested in collecting. We do enjoy fancy dress so we have a separate storage cupboard to keep a range of fancy dress items, but otherwise the forum is probably aware that I am working hard to make all my clothing something that I aim to wear at least 30 times each.
I do try not to judge on this matter. I’m trying to be environmentally aware, etc etc, but I don’t want to be preachy about it. Of all the injustices in this world the fact of some people owning a lot more clothing than other people is not the most important. I work very hard in my professional life to reduce health inequities in the population so I try to give other fashion lovers more of a break regarding this matter unless I’m honestly asked if some collection is crazy big in which case I may reply with my truthful opinion!
I have a brother-in-law with a large guitar collection and my DD2’s new boyfriend’s father has a large bicycle collection, it’s just human nature isn’t it to want to collect your favourite things?

Anonymous

I have a very large amount of jeans but I would not say I collect them, if they fit I refuse to part with them and figure I will always wear them at some point.

I own many different belts, I would say I collect those because although many are for fashion or fit if I’m at a store and see a cute belt I like I will buy it, even if I don’t need it. To me they are all unique looking and whether it’s for my pants to stay in place or for enhancing an outfit I’ll always find a reason to wear one

Jane

Veteran

I’m trying to avoid collecting; I’m not sure why but I feel uneasy about having too much ‘stuff’ and it becoming too important and time consuming to manage. I didn’t use to feel like this - so I’m hoping it might be a passing phase!

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Katerina, your collections are a huge part of your timeless, signature look! I adore your scarves, jewellery, bags, and jackets! You always have the right items to experiment just a tiny bit while also retaining your personal style. It's brilliant.

Books are what I collect, and I have hundreds and hundreds of them -- and that is with regular yearly culls! I also collect art.

I'm not really a big collector of clothing. I definitely feel a strong pull towards purchasing footwear and jackets, and also to a slightly smaller extent, jeans. But I also edit these items regularly, so I don't really end up with more in one season than I had in the last. I do, however, enjoy the odd vintage purchase, and when I find a lovely vintage piece, it is very, very difficult for me to let it go. These pieces represent a small but significant part of my wardrobe, and may come to take a bigger place in the years to come as I focus more on second-hand shopping.

rachylou

Veteran

I suppose when it comes to being a collector, it’s really paintings for me... and Pez candy dispensers... but these are foisted upon me at Christmas, lol.

Clothes not so much... but when I really like something, I admit to moving it into a ‘preserve’ category. I start wearing the thing less and saving it for special moments.

Katerina

Veteran

What a great reading, thank you ALL for sharing your views and telling about your favorite things. Thought provoking.

Just one thought - I think the “collecting” of a specific kind of things is a personal interest and in line with personal preferences, which also, as Lisa P. said, can change with time. To me, collecting in the true sense is as much about editing and curating as it is about accumulating. There should be parameters. Not just random accumulation. I am by no means perfect and I fall for pretty things outside my “parameters” all the time, but in an ideal world, I would follow my rules
Collecting and consumption are not necessarily the same thing. Lot of people consume a lot of clothes, but they do not collect them. Isn’t it what “fast fashion” is criticized for? Fast purchases, fast purging and then new purchases again. Some “collectors” purchase second hand. Collectors keep their things for a long time. Hard to know which has a bigger impact.

Jenni NZ

Veteran

That’s a good point Katerina. Keeping collections for a long time may not have as much impact as churn. But it’s going to become more of an issue in Western countries I feel as the oldest generation lives longer and longer and then the next generation’s houses are already full of stuff then there is a house lot to clear... we’ve discussed in Off Topic previously.
I do love your beautiful scarves- to look at. I’m not personally a scarf wearer.

Style Fan

Veteran

You have a beautiful collection of scarves Katerina. I collected books. When I was about ten I bought an old hardcopy edition of 'Pride and Prejudice' in a used bookstore in Temagami where I was living at the time. I still have it. I also have some leather-bound books including 'Sonnets from the Portuguese' (1916) that belonged to Mr SF's grandmother. I also collected books for my work. I had to put a stop to this due to space limitations.
I also collected small boxes. I have all kinds of those which I use to display.
I have jewellery made by artisians and I still occasionally buy some. I might receive some as a gift from Mr SF or a family member.
Mr SF and I collected art but we have stopped. We have run out of space and are planning to downsize.

Cee

Veteran

Mostly aches and pains !!

Katerina

Veteran

Jenni NZ, that is a good point. Things are not passed on in generations as they used to in the past. But that would be a whole new topic.

Oh Cee!

SarahD8

Veteran

For me it’s cardigans of course, and to a lesser degree scarves. I get a literal dopamine hit from shopping for knitwear, so that’s something to watch out for....

I do edit those collections. I will remove items that aren’t my colors or are sufficiently impractical that they just don’t have a place in my wardrobe. But I will keep things that are infrequently worn if they otherwise tick the boxes.

Most of what I buy in these categories is secondhand.

I think that for people who find some creative outlet in personal style, wardrobe collections can be a bit akin to having art supplies lying around. On the one hand, yes, creativity comes from constraint. On the other hand, creativity comes from surprise. So, if your wardrobe is so tightly curated that you know everything that each piece can do, it’s tough to experience that surprise without going shopping. A little bit of slack in the wardrobe— oh, I haven’t worn this scarf in a long time but look how perfectly it goes with this sweater— can accomplish that. At least, for me.

notsaf

Veteran

I do not collect, but rather curate, which means letting go of things regularly and keeping on hand what I need and want. This works for me and stops me being too precious about my wardrobe. I’m a believer in using clothes, even if it means wearing them out, and moving onto the next. But I see the appeal of collecting: I collect antiquarian books.

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