Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

Today I participated in my first "fashion exchange" that a group of moms in the neighborhood have been hosting for a while. The concept is this: bring at least 3 items which are in decent shape, but they don't fit, or you just don't wear them, or whatever. The hosts sort through everything and hang it up in a semi-organized fashion, and then at a set time you come and try things on and take what works for you.

I had read about these going on before, and even thought it would be fun to do with friends (of course, you need friends about the same size as you), but I hadn't ever gotten organized to be a part of it. But this time around I was overdue to go through the closet and weed out the forgotten and ill-fitting items, so I had some incentive to do so.
Turns out, it was great! There were a ton of clothes to choose from, everyone tried things on to be sure that they worked and when they didn't you could turn to someone nearby and say "hey, do you want try this one, I bet it would work for you." I got rid of some perfectly good clothes that will be a better match for someone else, and I left with a bag of spring stuff for myself. No cash or credit required. Now that is a good way to shop!

Dressing Down

This morning when I dropped off my daughter at her school, I got some compliments on my outfit. The teachers there could tell that it was back to work for real for me today (as opposed to off to the gym, or off to work but alone in my office). But one comment hit me the wrong way. A teacher that I really like told me I had the “perfect teacher outfit.”

I shouldn't be insulted. I shouldn't really even care what someone says about my clothes, because in general I don't really care very much about clothes. Which is probably apparent give the way I typically dress. But, today, I cared. I chose carefully, and felt satisfied with the result. Over the summer I went through my closet and weeded out items which I don't wear. Some didn't fit, some just didn't work, some were alarmingly old and had gotten lost in the mess. So, now my closet is actually a place I can find what I am looking for. Very satisfying.

I also decided to upgrade a little bit in terms of what kinds of clothes I might wear to work. Not really in price, but rather I thought I might not wear jeans every single day. So I went through my skirts and dresses and dress pants and found some things I can wear to look a little more like I made an effort.

Today's outfit was chosen because it is the first day of school, among other reasons. I wanted to look nice, and show a little effort. To me, “perfect teacher outfit” does not match what I had in mind. It calls to mind long jean skirts and sweaters that tell a story. Glasses on a chain and jewelry in the shape of zoo animals. Most of the teachers I work with are much better dressed than I am, and these images I am describing are things I don't actually see very often. But when you see them, they scream out “teacher outfit.”

At the end of the day, I am happy with what I chose. I felt comfortable but not too casual, and it worked for what I wanted. I just have to remind myself that ultimately I just don't care enough for clothing choices to matter. Even when I do step out and try to care a little bit.