Putting the “gal” in Frugal

This past week I gave myself the task of cleaning out my “second closet” in an attempt to take inventory of every piece of clothing that could be hiding in our house. I dusted off my old portable rolling rack that I used in my retail days, shimmied every item out of the closet and onto the line, and saw my life flash before my eyes as the rack began to buckle under the weight of my wardrobe and topple towards me. I can see it now: death by denim. (Sounds like a rather forlorn Country song if you ask me).    

Oh I’m sorry. What is a “second closet” you say? Well, if you have to ask this question that obviously means you don’t have one and you can live without the fear of being ambushed in an avalanche of apparel. 

To answer your question, a “second closet” is a closet that is home to the articles of clothing that have you have decided to keep yet you hardly ever (or never) used. For example, such pieces of second closet fashions can include (but are not limited too) clothing you purchase for a specific occasion that is likely to ever see the light of day (like a down-filled parka incase Texas turns tundra), beloved clothing that at one time or another fit but for some reason shrunk in your first closet (No, I did not gain weight, the clothes shrunk in the closet), old bridesmaid dresses and formal wear, outdated items that might one day be back in style, and of course my favorite…clothing from failed fashion makeovers. 

Right before I turned 30, I had this urge to makeover my wardrobe from top to bottom (or as I call it from hat to hightops). I am not quite sure what brought on this feeling of change. Maybe it was myself just wanting to celebrate the significance of turning the BIG 3-0, or maybe I just wanted a reason to buy more things I didn’t need. All I remember is that I felt that a change was necessary to properly mark this transition into another decade of life. And so, a new wardrobe it was. 

I decided that I would no longer don my black apparel but instead dress myself in all the hues of the Color Wheel. My wardrobe would be more vibrant and kaleidoscopic than Rainbow Brite herself. So I shopped for pinks, purples, corals, and cobalts. And for about a month and a half I dressed like a painter’s palette. Well, I am sure you know where this is going. Call me Amy Winehouse because I too go back to black. And after my failed attempt into pastel territory, the colorful clothes made their way to the “second closet” in the off chance I attempt this trend again.

The concept of this no shopping challenge, especially the no shopping for clothes part of it, is that it forces you to get creative with what you already have. And that means if you get the idea to makeover your wardrobe, so sorry, can’t do it. You are pretty much S-O-L unless you know how to sew, a talent I now wish I possessed. 

While I am (for lack of a better word) ashamed that I allowed myself to spill over to the “second closet” way of life, I am very thankful that I have these extra pieces that I can throw into the mix should I feel that what I’m wearing is getting stale. I do not know if having two closets is the norm for most gals, but I am determined to be frugal and make use of every piece of wardrobe that it warehouses.  

And if it means that old bridesmaid dress makes an appearance at Christmas dinner, then everybody better get ready for a Yule thats Tulle. 

Adios,

Macy