Apparently, in an article I'm now unable to locate, Michael Kors had this to say about the contents of a woman closet:

<quote>70 percent of the clothes you own should be meat and potatoes. 30 percent should be icing and fluff — that’s colour, pattern, shine, accessories. Too many women get the proportions the other way round, then can’t figure out why they can’t get dressed.</unquote>

But thinking about my own purchasing preferences, I wonder if he has it the wrong way around... Shouldn't at least 50% of your wardrobe be veggies, rather than meat and potatoes, to keep you sane and healthy?

By that I mean garments and accessories that are:
(a) vital --- fresh (up-to-date) and vitamin-packed (practical, enabling of functional daily life, whatever your lifestyle may be)
(b) colourful --- yes!!! and not just one colour either!
(c) varied in texture --- how long can you do mashed potatoes with mashed carrots with mushy peas and pureed eggplant and creamed corn and pumpkin soup/pie on a daily basis, eh? Wouldn't you long for a bite or a crunch before the week was out?
(d) nutritious --- this I define as speaking to the soul and heart: something that boosts your confidence, aligns with your ethics, furthers your life goals (NOT breaking your budget!)
(e) eaten simply cooked or raw --- to me this implies pieces that stand on their own, like a great dress, without need for a lot of accessorization (unlike the mashed potatoes that need their butter and the steak that needs its sides)
(f) if possible, organic or otherwise ethical --- not a necessity, but I feel less guilt if my cotton T-shirt hasn't dehydrated or poisoned the land, burnt any children alive, can biodegrade readily (did you know some man-made fibres actually break down FASTER than cotton jersey?)

I say there's bound to be enough soothing (simplicity, classical lines and patterns, organic textures) and hefty (wardrobe workhorses) in a balanced platter of veggies for most of us, without needing added carbs for many of us on a diet (budget).

But we all like a potato or two, a really nice crusty hunk of bread, some fragrant rice, a little biscuit with our tea or a pudding --- so let's put that at 25-35%. This is the luxurious basic, often neutral to taste but at its best, of superior texture. The statement white shirt, the grey cashmere layering sweater, the premium jeans, the exquisite undies, the snakeskin shoes and croc clutch, the fur vest or collar that goes with everything. You *could* get more spare versions in many colours, but these are so much more comforting and easy to fall back on. No one ever needs urging to eat their potatoes!

And then there is protein --- essential building block of life(style) that ties you together, without which you become low energy and blue. Here come the workhorses, about 25%, though most of us get more than we strictly need and you could go as low as 15%:
(1) This could be meat (that's amped up, high-density but versatile statement pieces that make you drool, they're *that* savoury --- like a killer pair of boots).
(2) Or it could be the ovo-lacto-vegetarian mix of medium-sized whimsy, plus subdued accessories (conservative gold or silver studs) or basic layering pieces (camis! cardis!) that go with everything. Not highly visible themselves, though sometimes they can stand on their too (a trendy colour or pattern, a particularly clever or beautiful design). Different moods of jewellery and watches are like flavours of cheese --- everyone's taste is distinct, and there IS something out there for everyone, from Velveeta to Morbier. Go-to stripes and cute polka dots are like an egg done your way, enjoyed by and useful to most, but also very versatile and customizable.
(3) They could even be vegan protein options --- the 'boring' lentils you hardly notice (the basic black shoe, the simple but sturdy tan handbag, the camel coat, the nude or black sheers), but without which your wardrobe is broken. Sometimes, it requires a deal of engineering and convincing for the average person to try the vegan option and get it right --- the really good AND gorgeous bra is my tofu or seitan; I *can* function without it, and there are humbler (bean-y 'budget') options, but once you're hooked to the superior support and separation and comfort, you wonder how you did without.

Disclaimer: I don't actually shop this way. I'm lean on the carbs right now, and a little bit unsteady on the protein --- true of my diet as much as of my closet. But I think this is my ideal formula to shop by.

What's your fashion diet like?