Lately, I’ve been really feeling the weight of having “too much” in my life. (Yes, I realize this is one of those “first world” problems. Bear with me.) Despite the fact that my closet is bursting at the seams, I never like my options when I get dressed in the morning these days, and despite the fact that my bank account demands a respite, I can’t pry my eyes from the daily deluge of sample sales and Shopbop markdowns, of always looking for something new to add to my already-overflowing closet, of never being quite perfectly happy with what I already have.
Don’t worry, I’m not going all cold-turkey bonkers on you. But I do think there’s some value in maybe culling the noise a bit. Some value in not worrying so much about the “next big thing”, and just buying what feels exactly right, what you genuinely love and can’t wait to wear, not just own. And so, I’ve started making a real effort, friends, to look for…well, if not “perfection”, then at least simplicity, timelessness and either elegance or utility in what I buy.
So, when I came across Cuyana‘s site recently, it really resonated with me. Their tag line? “Fewer, better things.” They’re all about finding you the ideal version of a few key staples, and helping you “live a life of inspired simplicity.” It’s like Walden for shopaholics! And if you do find something you love, that you can’t wait to wear, they’ll send it to you…complete with a prepaid box to return a few things from your own closet that you don’t love (which they’ll then donate for you). 
I’m not sure if it’s paradise, but the idea of spending my summer lazing about in the perfect silk boyfriend tunic, carrying one classic tote, and vacationing with a simple-yet-stylish weekend bag sounds pretty close.
Am I alone here? Or have you been feeling the pangs of “too much” too?
Hi! I love this post and will have to check out the website. It’s really difficult to turn it off and maybe even unrealistic for someone like me, who finds a lot of pleasure in these things. But I’ve found that being conscious of it was a huge step for me. It forces me to think about why I’m looking for things… do I actually really want this item? Will I wear it? Or, am I just bored and want to feel the rush of buying something new? Which, I think, is fine once in a while, but I can go overboard very easily.
I was reading a post today, where, in the same vein as your post, a woman inventoried her entire wardrobe (http://www.assembledhazardly.com/)…don’t think I have the patience for that, but I found her post interesting.
Jocy: I totally hear you. It’s easy to get so caught up in the “wanting” that you stop thinking about whether you actually care about “having”. Off to read that link now…!
“…what you genuinely love and can’t wait to wear, not just own…” That’s great advice, and something I am going to keep in my while shopping. Thanks for your wisdom. 🙂
Annika: I’m so glad that resonated for you. I’m really forcing myself to listen to the distinction between coveting and curating. I don’t have to own every beautiful thing I see. (Man, that’s still hard for me to say!)
OH MY GOSH! I have literally been feeling this since I was about 9 years old. I’m content for a while, and then it hits me like a brick wall. One morning I walk into my closet and just start sobbing into heaps of fabric because I have nothing to wear. Then I realize that it’s possible that I might have too much… and that it’s completely unacceptable to wear last season’s fad over again (then I wonder why I even wore something in the first place). I will definitely check out this site! I have been better about building my wardrobe lately, incorporating pieces that can be mixed with different outfits and that are more “classic”. Thanks for the read!
Sara: It’s the worst feeling, isn’t it? When I’m feeling particularly frustrated by my closet, I’ll try this trick I blogged a while back, but honestly, I think the solution really does lie in just having less, even though that’s much less fun.