Something I read at the consignment store today... - YouLookFab Forum

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Something I read at the consignment store today...

catgirl

Veteran

I had a few minutes to browse but walked out with nothing. At least nothing tangible. However, there was a great quote on the chalkboard to the effect that your style is as much about what you deliberately leave behind. leave out or get rid of (hence the consignment aspect) as what you choose to buy.

That really resonated with me. Sort of like the quote about sculpture along the lines of "to sculpt a ____________, just carve away all the parts that aren't a ______________"....

What do you think? Do you reject more than you consider? I feel like my style is starting to be defined as much by what I don't wear as what I do, which is a good thing for polysartorial me!

General

15 replies

Latest reply was from Jaime

Irene

Veteran

A novel (or any text, for that matter) is formed by all the words you decided to use -and all the ones you chose not to include. That's what I learnt after five years of English Literature studying lol

I think it is really true that we ARE what we do and what we don't do, at the same time.

I do reject more than I choose to keep, and I do it more and more often these days -in everything. I think it might have to do with growing up and learning what's best for you, what you really deserve and what you can't live with (and without).

RoseandJoan

Veteran

Thankfully yes, I would be broke and confused otherwise.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Fun question, Una!

I guess this is the definition of refinement.

On the basis of what I dropped off at the consignment store yesterday, I would say my emerging style is NOT:

* ill-fitting, baggy
* dull
* purely practical
* body-concealing
* frumpy

(I realize some of those might be the same thing)

I also looked at, but dismissed, many items, including those that were:

* poorly made of cheap fabric
* wrong colours
* dated (even to my uneducated eye)
* too girlish
* too garish
* ordinary

I came home with nothing. PPP!!

Transcona Shannon

Veteran

I think I need to write this quote down on a piece of paper and take it with me when I go shopping/thrifting!

ironkurtin

Veteran

Absolutely. Style is about honing, so it's about rejecting the imperfect.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Yes! I am learning this more and more. I will sometimes pull a garment off the rack and study it only to conclude that even though it attracts my eye, it's not for me at this phase of my life and style.

It's actually quite liberating in a way.

JR

Veteran

Very good insight!

When I am shopping wisely, I go into a store with a specific goal in mind, and ignore everything else. Except the clearance rack, of course. I always have a "backburner" list: things to be bought when I find the right item at an exceptional price.

deb

Veteran

My mind automatically summed the quote as 'picky'. I think it is good that I am picky because I am able to get what I like and like what I get. I just wish I was picky more often.

Thistle

Veteran

I like this quote, and I think it is true.

I have fallen into the trap of if it fits and isn't uncomfortable, I will wear it. There is so much more to style than that!

bj1111

Veteran

for me, it's defined by what i return!

Caro in Oz

Veteran

Absolutely, I could be such a magpie but always make myself think about what works for me & my life. Poor quality doesn't work, poor fit doesn't etc. etc.
I like the quote "Elegance is refusal" which is attributed to various people including Chanel & Diana Vreeland.

Ornella

(website)

Veteran

Totally!

Style, like everything else, is as much about knowing what you want or like as it is about what you don't want or like (or, in case of the quote - what you deliberately leave behind, leave out or get rid of).

Charmian

Veteran

I find it liberating to return items and drop things off at the thrift store. On the one hand, there's a sense of anticipation/potential ("what is going to take its place?"), and on the other hand there's a sense of gratitude -- purging is a great reminder that many of the lovely items in my wardrobe went through a similar evaluation and passed.

I definitely reject far more than I consider; just look at the number of agonized K/Rs I post!

Laura (rhubarbgirl)

(website)

Veteran

I never used to return things to stores that much; now I do a lot more. Is that being pickier, or more flexible?

*beat*

Today's Zen koan is brought to you by the fact that I'm procrastinating from the book review I need to finish.

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

Yes. I take special pride in walking out of a thrift store, where everything costs less than $2, empty handed. And it happens more or more. (Or maybe people are just giving away less good stuff?)