These are my Confessions… (Uncategorized)
I know I don’t usually talk about my innermost thoughts and feelings in this space, but I really need to get these words in front of me and out of my head. Right now, I’m feeling a bit “anti-fashion.” I’m over the influx of what’s supposed to be new/hot/trendy. I’m over the “chic-er than thou” hierarchy that exists within the industry. I’m tired of being dictated to and directed and of having Alexa Chung/Erin Wasson/(insert your favorite model here) shoved down my throat. But more than anything else, I’m completely over stuffing my closet to the gills with things that, at the time, I just HAD to HAVE.
CONFESSION: at present, I’m considering writing down every single possession of mine and reducing it by half. I’m taking a very sideways look at the things I like and really reevaluating my level of like. In theory, I’m vowing to ditch everything that I don’t absolutely love. In fact, I love too damn much and my closet will probably still be stuffed to the gills. Ugh. Note to self: be more cut-throat.
Despite this feeling, I realize that I am still very much a consumer. I’m a mixture of a self-loathing and self-celebrating consumer (depending on the purchase, of course), but indeed a consumer. Although I’d rather cater to the minimalistic, ascetic side of my personality and dedicate myself to eliminating debt/establishing an emergency fund/being fiscally responsible and all that shit, lately, I’ve been spending more money. Yeah. Fuck this recession.
On this point, I will give myself a bit of credit. I’ve managed to (mostly) avoid the trap of fast fashion and spending money on things that I know I’m not going to love for more than a few months. In trade, I’ve spent money on items that I think are absolutely amazing and that I’ll get some serious wear out of (see the Herman Munster wedges of amazingness that made it into 3 of the last 4 posts). Sure, those Draped Harem Pants from Twelve by Twelve may look cute, but I’m sure the Pleasure Principle dress that I narrowly managed to score on Shoes and Your Mom will give me exponentially more pleasure in the long run. Does this mean I’ve finally “grown up” stylistically? That I’ve learned that an investment piece is better than a cheap fix? Probably not. I’m just tired of throwing my money away on shit that is “supposed” to be cool. The same day I got those Acne shoes, I also picked up that navy blazer from the Salvation Army for $6. Just saying.
CONFESSION: after paying off all of my credit card debt and not charging anything for 5 months, I managed to rack up a full month’s rent in one day. ONE.DAY. I probably could have waited and paid cash, but delayed gratification is SO not my style. Then again, neither is about 90% of what I see in stores/magazines/the blogosphere. I’m not knocking anyone mind you; my perspective has just shifted a bit. I still <3 all of my blogger buddies like play cousins and follow more than a fair share of blogs in general.
Speaking of, I don’t really know what I’m doing with the blog anymore. When I think back on why I started it in the first place (honestly, it was because I was tired of dressing like a boy in junior high school and was in the middle of a MAJOR (and in hindsight, highly unnecessary) spending binge), I think I’ve accomplished my initial goal. I’ve also happened upon a couple of very fun side hustles and met some very cool people in the process. Now, I’m wondering what direction to go in. If you haven’t already noticed, I’m not going to be up on (insert city) Fashion Week, posting Polyvores of the outfits I wish I could wear to places I’m not going, or giving you incredibly photographed outfits against serene landscapes. I live in Koreatown…in Los Angeles…let’s be realistic. What you’ll probably get is whatever is in my head space…”anti-fashion” related or not. Sure, my own sense of vanity will keep me doing my semi-regular outfit posts because…well, because I’m vain like that, but the other content is going to be a complete toss up. This should be interesting; do stick around.
First up, my buddy (overshooting, but I’ve seen him enough times that I couldn’t call him a random dude) Tiron just dropped this video for “Throwing My Money” off of his mixtape Ketchup. I think it sums up my feelings quite well…
Shoes, shoes, shoes, shoes…shoes I do adore…
Video posting aside, I guess the crux of this post is that I’m finally comfortable with taking WendyB‘s advice and wearing what I want without putting much stock in any outside influence. YAAAAAAAAAAAAAY.
Now if I could only get a plan together to re-rid myself of revolving debt…
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21 Responses to “These are my Confessions…”
I totally know how you feel. I was just thinking that the other day.
.-= Caress Lepore´s last blog ..Costume Party………….President Barack and First Lady Michelle Obama =-.
Yeah, I feel you. I only look at fashion magazines/blogs/whatever to figure out how to wear things, not what to wear. That’s why I like Lucky Mag. Plenty of info on how to put an outfit together, but none of this “wear this to get a man” or “how to lose weight while eating bon-bons” crap. I’m getting off topic, but you know what I mean. I just came from Goodwill myself. I spent $77. For me that’s A LOT! But its better than going to the mall and buying all this stuff that I don’t really like, but feel I should buy because…well, I don’t have a good reason, but I’ll look cute and people will think I’m cool and stop thinking that I’m weird–maybe.
I don’t know what I’m talking about anymore, but I love the blog and would love to see different outfits even if you haven’t bought anything “new.” Wouldn’t want to be a debt/self-sabotage enabler, or something…
It seems like you & I are in the same place; the whole time I was reading this I kept nodding & saying, “Preach, Girl!” in my head. There are SO many things I couldn’t say in my latest post that you have said right here. I’ve come to find out — the hard way — that it’s dangerous business being a fashion blogger. Like you, I started out as it being a fun little thing to do when I was all dressed up & no where to go. & then of course, you have the A-List blogs that completely leave you awestruck & intimidated & you feel like you have to COMPETE with them, or at least come slightly close to being that awesome… I could be speaking for myself, but not only have I been sucked into the whole image of being a “fashion blogger” — dressing to the 9s to just go to the damn grocery store — I’ve also fallen into the trap that I NEED MORE SHIT. Shit I only wear once; shit that gets lost in my closet, never to be seen until I start purging out of guilt. It’s absolutely rotten… & not at all what I envisioned for myself.
Okay. Damn. This comment is out of control.
I guess I just wanted to tell you THANK YOU for your honesty. Thank you for keeping it real, & whatever you decide to do, I will still read you. Simply because you’re a better influence on me than most of the fashion blogs I follow daily.
Oh, & so sorry for leaving such an emotional, all over the place comment. It just spoke to me.
<3.
.-= Ev`Yan || apricot tea.´s last blog ..literary laryngitis. =-.
Ok, I LOVE this post. So honest. I love following “fashion” bloggers even though I’m not super into the industry or on the hottest trends but I still find inspiration in it. I’m a writer and not a designer, but I find inspiration in all art, so I try to “consume” as much of it as I can – even if it’s just through my eyes and not my wallet. I totally don’t have the money to live the fashionista lifestyle, but I love your blog because it gives me an idea of what I can do with what’s already in my closet since you put things together in such a unique way. Plus, I love to see your thrifts shop finds. Plus plus, you’re fun, quirky and cute too! So wherever you go with your blog, I shall continue to follow. Weee.
.-= Linda´s last blog ..Strong is the new scary. =-.
I am so with you at the moment. I think part of the issue is that the dominant trends right now are feeling kind of stale, so I’m less likely to get excited about new shapes and colors and concepts. Go with your gut and post what you want, and I’ll still read!
.-= Hannah´s last blog ..The Preppy Handbook =-.
You go girl!!!
.-= Lenya Jones´s last blog ..New diggs Old clothes =-.
I completely agree. I’ve been on a self-imposed shopping ban (with minor slip ups right before fashion week). It’s nice to step back from the situation and reassess your wants versus your needs every now and then. Reading so many blogs makes me want certain things. But do I need them? Not likely.
.-= dreamsequins´s last blog ..Wishlist Wednesday: House of Holland Chubby =-.
I <3 you. That is all.
I have Usher stuck in head now.
Anyways.
I have no sense of style yet, so I’ve never suffered your plight. However, it doesn’t stop my impulse buying. I hate when I catch myself looking into a closet full of stuff and going, “hmmm….I think I need to buy more of this, and that…oh, and new shoes, too!” Like I’m really ballin’ like that. No. No, I’m not. I need to stop it.
Since it’s fall, I am giving half of my old stuff to the Salvation Army. Of course, it will have to be pried from my claws, but it’s going to a good cause.
*pumps fist in the air*
Go ahead girl! I think we’re blog play cousins because I love your style and individuality. This recession is real. I think that you are *gasp* growing up and looking towards the future and being respobsible.
I say that as I look down and it says my last post was Swagg’s Fave Fashion Week Finds. Am I being oxymoronic? No. If it were up to me, the blog would look way different. It would be all Doc Martens and underground artists. I think it is important to have an eye on what is going on the world. Fashion is art. BUT me and Swagg always fight on the content we produce because fashion is also about affordability and finding out what works in your closet by having the imagination to put it together in a way that blows someone else’s mind.
(sorry for the thesis)
I’ll end it by saying…yay for you. I do love your fashion posts and all you do. you rock!
.-= Felicia´s last blog ..Swagg’s Fave Fashion Week Finds! =-.
Blah I know fashion spending can get messy. >.<
My goal is always to decrease what I own. So far, I’m pretty bad at it. It’s tough when you have things that you love but never wear, shoes which are on the verge of falling apart but never quite do it and magazines which you think you’ll cry if you get rid of them (I also save artful catalogs). I’ve got to do better.
.-= Aja´s last blog ..Watch The Waves – Taken By Trees =-.
I completely feel you too. It’s really tough, because sometimes I feel I am drowning in clothes that spill out of my overstuffed closet, but when I go to clean it out, there are so many things I would never dream of giving away… Tough, tough. But I do agree that you should wear what you want and not what you think is cool and trendy – which is why I love vintage, because the pieces I get usually stand on their own and aren’t part of a trend, and thus don’t go out of style because they can be timeless – which is why I would wear something made 20 – 50 years ago today and not bat an eyelash.
i been saying this for the past month. i feel ya, homes. but i’ve realized that lately, my pocket and my eyes are speaking two different languages–in the best way possible. no longer am i in the ‘oh god i NEED THIS, i wonder if i can borrow the bills i’ll need to pay for it, reshuffle my finances for a month, wear it once but be completely orgasmically satisfied in the next few days’. rather, i’m in the, ‘oh, that’s cool. don’t need it. won’t wear it. dope though’ place instead. and i REALLY like this place. my closet is jammed. and i live in NEW YORK.
fashion week coverage is irking me. i realize im just not THAT type of girl/blogger. i love me some a-list design anytime, but i’m not from that world; however, nor am i from the hipster/lookbook/i’m too cool for my own damn self sometimes world where ‘effortless’ chic is followed by a barrage of followers and intertube popularity. i think that’s what i was seeking when i started my own blog. i wanted a place to vent, to feel pretty, and not just be gawked at on the street. i’m now comfy in my skin, in my wardrobe, and while i’m content to make the occasional addition, it’s just not a NECESSITY anymore….and like apricot, i’m rambling on as well…
BEGGING YOUR PARDON, but thanks for getting the reality check across to so many of us. we appreciate the commiseration.
werd, yo.
.-= pennerad´s last blog ..Stylephile: The Glamorous Eccentric =-.
girl, YES.
i hate that so many ppl are SLAVES to whats popular not only in fashion, but in all aspects of life, generally. gossip/celeb magazines are ppls bibles and ish. sick. i see it as another form of mind control.
.-= karrie b.´s last blog ..this was me… =-.
I think a lot of people are re-thinking their spending habits…I’m more with you – I definitely believe in saving up for good quality shoes if nothing else, and I catch clothing on sale when I can, I just spend more on shoes because they’re my favorites (and it’s a lot harder to find a comfortable heel than a comfortable skirt!). I’m trying really hard not to buy anything unless I absolutely love it, regardless of cost/quality – I want to start building a wardrobe that I’ll still have pieces from in five years. Like I said on Twitter, my style has changed a LOT in just the last 2-3 years, and I used to be really bad about absolutely ruthlessly editing my wardrobe every few months, so I’ve had to re-build it almost from scratch several times.
And I LOVE your style! You are so unique & awesome, way better than trendy stuff
.-= Michelle´s last blog ..Links a la Mode: Sept. 24th =-.
Just as long as you stick around, I don’t care what you plan to place in the entries of your blog. The content is always interesting, so I’m certain I’ll keep coming around. Kudos to you for re-evaluating your life and spending habits; I’ve been doing that lately myself (as you know). It feels so good to have less bills to worry about and lower monthly minimums on my credit cards… Take it one day at a time lady, you’ll evolve ultimately
.-= trE´s last blog ..all about Jernee =-.
I know exactly how you feel. After taking fashion blogging pretty seriously with classytrash, and finding what about fashion really makes me happy – I realized that I’m actually very anti-fashion. Everything is about mass consumption. Consume, consume, consume, pay off debt, consume again. And I don’t like fashion that way. I like art, in clothing, in life – whatever medium. And fashion these days is very “consumer” oriented. Anyway, I don’t know where I’m going with that except to say that I’ve never really recovered from my anti-fashion stance and I think that’s okay. I sort of think it’s pathetic to try really hard at something you love, that is innately subjective. Keep doing what you do and what makes you happy. No one and nothing else matters
xoxoxo
im guessing the rent amount day was the same day you bought the herman munster shoes…:)
and if i am wrong, stck the ccs in the freezer……………
xo chauss
.-= chauss´s last blog ..ckparis and vintage levis jacket =-.
Alicia, wow I have been out of town and can’t believe I didn’t read this sooner… being a “fashion blogger” can be dangerous (to ones wallet as well as self image) and it was so nice to hear someone that I look up to in the blogosphere to write some of the same things that I have been thinking about. Thanks for you honesty and whatever direction you take Instant Vintage, I’ll be following!
.-= Alex´s last blog ..The Legendary Beast =-.
I completely can relate to your post. I just stumbled on your blog a day ago and have been going through it non stop..I’m visual and need something between all the clerical stuff during the 8 hr work shift. I enjoy your entries, they’re funny, enlightening, and quirky! I remember a time where I use to post daily on thefashionspot and document my outfits and shop (albeit thrift stores but hey, it adds up too!) – soon I was just so envious of what I didn’t have or couldn’t have. I just had to cut it off one day and turn a blind eye to fashion.
I still enjoy fashion a lot today but it’s a more healthy hobby instead of an obsession. We’re allowed to step back whenever it’ll help us process things better. I think you’re doing just that.
.-= Autumn´s last blog ..Are we Curl Obsessed Love snapshots =-.