The List
About six years ago I thought about getting a star tattooed on my foot (how original, I know). My brother looked at me and said “Before you do something stupid, why don’t you write that down. If you decide in 6 months to a year that you still want it, then get it.” I followed instructions, and low and behold, six months down the line I had absolutely no interest in getting a star on my foot. Phew!
Since half of my job is exploring new collections and testing out trends, my “must have” list grows like nobody’s business. To avoid impulsive purchases, I’ve decided to take my approach to shopping much like the way my brother told me to handle the star tattoo. Every time I think of something I want to buy — which is pretty much every 5 seconds…kind of like the way men always think of sex — I jot it down on my iPhone and if I decide that in a couple of weeks or days I’ll buy it (given that I have sufficient funds in the bank…).
I’ve only just started this new approach so we’ll see how I do, but I’m hoping it will prevent me from having those moments where I look in my closet and think “why the hell did I buy this fun fur green romper with nipple tassels?” Not that I ever owned something like that…
That’s actually how I have been shopping for a few years now. I call it the “Two Day Sweater Rule.” (The name I stole from Gilmore Girls, because Lorelai talks about a sweater she has wanted for two days.) I think of things I want, make either a real or mental list, and if I still want them in a few days, I can buy them. (If I have the money.) It’s REALLY helpful when I go window shopping, because I want to buy everything in the store, but if I like something I have to wait at least two days before getting it. It’s saved me a bunch of needless purchases.
Kenzo sweater? I really don’t get why there is such a fuss about that kitschy little jumper that everyone seems to have…
I cannot LIVE without lists. Seriously, my iPhone is jam-packed with lists for everything from beauty prodz to buy (classified by store, of course) to fonts to download to canned food flavours my cat likes. I hate standing in front of a product on sale and trying to remember if I read that it was awesome or terrible. I don’t have a data plan, so I can’t look it up on the spot and lists are my saviours!
I never write the things I desire down, but I know that if I keep thinking about this or that it is probably in my best interest to go buy it because I know I’ll love it. Fortunately, although I have that weird addiction to shopping like those who are addicted to drugs, I am very focused when it comes to shopping. If it is not exactly what I want I do not waste my money on the next best thing (or I just ask my talented mother to make me it.)