i have always realised that i have a lot of clothes. somehow, i have always managed to have a lot of clothes, even going back to a time when i was relying on family members to buy them for me.
despite the fact that i am aware of this, there are times when it seems much clearer. those times are when i am doing what every decent canadian does- weeding through my closet to find stuff that doesn't fit, doesn't suit me, or that i'm unlikely to wear for other reasons and assembling it for delivery to a charity. when this happens, i end up pulling everything out of the closet to examine and then i pass judgment.
there are three categories: 1. bound for charity; 2. keepers; 3. things i'd forgotten and want to keep, but which are in dire need of a trip to the dry cleaners.
after tonight, i have one full garbage bag of clothing to go to good will, another full garbage bag to go to the dry cleaners (that's going to have to happen in shifts) and my closets are still full. yes, that's right, closetS. i was forced to contemplate this while trying to force an overstuffed crinoline into the tiny space that remained.
the problem is understandable: not only do i like clothing, but i have, over time, cultivated a certain look and i like to keep up appearances. that means that i tend to buy distinctive looking items. if you live in jeans, you can wear the same pair four times a week and no one's going to be the wiser. if your wardrobe features things like an ultraviolet skirt with leopard print lining and a fringe of tulle around the bottom, it's going to be a little more obvious when you pull a repeat close to laundry day. such are the obstacles faced by those of us who don't enjoy blending in.
as i surveyed my closet, i considered the future. my eyes fell on the floaty, gauzy black shirt section, each piece with its own distinctive points. i know that i will require more space and sooner rather than later. i know that there is precious little i'm willing to part with now that i have culled and that i will soon have to look at converting a bedroom. eventually, i'm going to be sitting at this computer and there will be clothing hanging all around me.
but the fact is, there is something satisfying about looking in the mirror and seeing yourself wearing something expressive of the person inside and looking like no one else. i'm sure i can find a larger apartment if i need to.