One huge perk to shopping less (apart from being better for your wallet, the environment and garment workers around the world), you stop looking like everyone else!
I can’t tell you the number of times I’ve worn the same H&M or Zara dress/shirt/shoes/etc. I don’t find this embarrassing because growing up with an identical twin, I’m used to looking like someone else. But I still like thinking my style is somewhat unique and not just a slave to trends.
Avoiding the high street shops/the mall, I really am hard-pressed showing up some place dressed the same way, even as Cath!
I also tend to get more compliments on my less trendy clothes. For example, I got this idea stuck in my head that I really wanted to take black pen to a nice crisp white shirt (who doesn’t?). So I bought a $3 white button-up at Goodwill, gave it a wash, and took a fabric-safe black pen from my local art supply store and went to town.
It’s a little weird, and I still haven’t worn it to the office, but it’s one of my favorite things in my closet.
I have never felt the need to draw in my shirt, but love yours! My sewing machine has some fab fancy strich settings, butterflies, glasses, music notes, etc, and I was recently thinking of using then to embellish some of my clothes.
Oh my gosh, Michelle, you totally should! I actually originally got the idea stuck in my head to do this because I saw an embroidered shirt (and thought it was ink). I can’t sew, but if I could, I would try embellishing my clothes that way too.
xoxox,
Lar
How cute! I am currently on a shopping diet… for various reasons, and your DIY has definitely inspired me to explore modifying apparel!
Thanks, Laura! You’re so creative, I know you will come up with the most marvelous things!
xoxo,
Lar
so cute & quirky! <3
Thanks, Diane! xoxo, Lar
I freakin’ love it! See, this is something I would never think of doing. You are so creative! I want a Lar-design shirt – and I would totally wear it to work!
I also really to start shopping secondhand when I need something. Like I’m really low on the blouse front and keep scrolling through Zara.com, H&M, Asos.com – you know, the same old same old. Nothing is inspiring and after a while it all looks the same. I really need to go second hand shopping with you!
xoxo, Cath
You so sweet, Cath! I always think you are the better second hand shopper! But next time we are together we should embellish some Goodwill shirts you can wear to work! I know what you mean too. I feel like a lot of time when I go shopping online, I don’t feel particularly inspired by what I see. The stuff is pretty and trendy, but doesn’t make my heart sing like a hand-drawn shirt ;D xoxox, Lar