Atomic fashion fantasies

So my mom complimented me on my purple shirt and scarf combo the other night, and I uncharacteristically refrained from saying, “Thanks, I got it at Salvation Army.” At the time I thought that was a sign of progress, because I feel like I can never just accept a compliment  without revealing some backstage insider information that somehow diminishes what’s on stage. My pride in finding cool stuff that costs next-to-nothing is often interpreted with suspicion by the audience, especially when my mom is in the front-row seat.

Reviewing the game film of this encounter, I now think I should’ve spoke up. Defended the dignity of gently-used clothing. But at the same time, I also harbor this fantasy: What if, as I remake my smaller-sized wardrobe from secondhand garments that span the globe as well as generations, I could quietly rack up enough compliments so that one well-timed revelation had the impact of a hundred smaller ones?

Just a fantasy. But it’s fun to think about.

No more ogling wardrobe circulars

One of the advantages of the no-new-clothes pledge is that I no longer waste time looking through the weekend clothing ads to see what’s on sale at Kohl’s or Target or wherever. Those ads always look alike to me anyway, and besides, it’s not like they advertise what’s on the clearance rack, which is where I‘ve traditionally done most of my shopping.

By the way, I forgot to post my January clothing purchase totals: $2.14, including tax, for one shirt and one scarf purchased at Salvation Army. (I'm wearing them to work today, as it turns out.)