Lavender Zen

I have been thrift store shopping since I was 12 years old; that’s over half my life time. Growing up poor, but still wanting to look stylish, while expressing my individuality, I found a passion for thrift store shopping. It is a consuming hobby, and one that necessitates a place like Etsy to sell overstock. Having as many clothes as I do can be both a burden and a blessing – a blessing because I can be inspired by something & go to my wardrobe most of the time to fulfill the look, a burden because it’s overwhelming! I have clothing racks in the most random places – winter clothes in the laundry room, Etsy clothing on a rack in the living room, a roll-away rack of vintage dresses within my already full closet. I designate certain chairs within the house to pile clothes upon, and usually put everything away by the end of the week. Well, I’ve been a little behind on this task & the these chairs are now completely covered. Meanwhile, the clothing tide is rising and about to tsunami. Seeing these chaotic heaps of clothing is having a profound effect on my psyche. I haven’t been able to sleep properly for a couple of days, and I’ve begun to question the rationale behind having so many stinkin’ clothes. Would I feel less overwhelmed if I had a simpler wardrobe? I suppose this longing for calm within my wardrobe has led to this post on lavender clothing - a warm, feminine, soothing color.

Be regular and orderly in your life, so that you may be violent and original in your work.
-Gustave Flaubert

You need chaos in your soul to give birth to a dancing star. - Friedrich Nietzsche
(But, Nietzche, what about chaos in the wardrobe – will that breed a dancing star?)

Images of Laetitia Casta, Vogue Russia, August 2010, Matt Irwin, from Fashion Gone Rogue.


Outfits – everything thrifted