If you’re of a certain age, you’ll remember back-to-school shopping. The tags were off as soon as you got home. And even if it was still summertime hot, the prospect of wearing the new wool kilt, Peter Pan collared shirt, and saddle oxfords was almost impossible to resist. It was unthinkable that any, much less many, new purchases might never be worn. But all this happened when we entertained ourselves with things other than shopping. I’d make the case that shopping isn’t that much fun if you don’t enjoy your purchases enough to wear them even once.
But many are of a different age and the words 'back-to-school shopping' sound a little quaint but mostly antiquated. In a recent Wall Street Journal article about “virgin” clothes, several women offered reasons why they had things in their closets that were not only unworn, but still tagged. Very recent purchases could get a pass, but that’s not what this story was about. We’re talking about clothes that had been hanging around (literally) for long enough that they shouldn’t be called virgins. These women’s excuses (more charitably called answers) were honest and insightful.
From the ‘Careful Shopper’. She bought the perfect dress, not for one particular event but for many future occasions. These occasions hadn’t come along yet but they would. Her motto –“Be Prepared!”
From the ‘Aspirational Shopper’. She bought a dress that was obviously too small as a motivation for shedding pounds.. The carrot was missing the stick! Her motto- “Optimism should be tempered with reality.”
From the ‘Alternate Reality Shopper’. She bought harem pants that looked fabulous on the runway model but were decidedly less fabulous on her. Her motto- “Call me gullible.”
From the ‘Closet Chaos Shopper’. She bought lots of things, willy-nilly and eschewed any sort of organization. “What’s a return receipt and who has time?” Her motto-“ Call me crazy.”
And what about clothes that have been de-tagged but still never worn? Maybe a bit better, but only a bit. There is nothing virtuous about virginal vestiture. Take stock of your closet. Tagged or tagless, with few exceptions, if you haven’t worn it, it probably should go. Admit your shopping missteps and learn to step more carefully.
If the shoe fits, wear it. Please!