Fast Fashion, My Sister's Closet, and Other Binges

So you might remember that when I was packing my suitcase to visit my family last month, I only stuffed it one-third full. It's because when I'm ready to return, I'm inevitably sitting on my suitcase with all my weight, trying to close it. Like this:

I just accrue stuff when I'm with my family. More than anything it's a testament to the fact that my day-to-day living, an ocean away, is fairly mindful. I rarely shop retail, and now, with my Fashion on the Ration challenge, am getting very good at being mindful even about my thrift store and fabric purchases. Even so, Month 3 into the challenge and I feel like I've been on a binge.

Exhibit 1: When you have a fast-fashion loving sister who's your size

I approached her giveaway pile after two friends had picked through it and I only took 1/3 of what was there. This girl can shop. I can't blame her, she does work in retail and gets a discount on most of her clothes. And it's been exciting to see her begin to approach her wardrobe with a level of mindfulness about her body. Though we have the same bust size, she's pear-shaped and is beginning to think about what cuts flatter her.

Exhibit 2: ... And she also likes to buy you stuff

My sister bought me two items for my birthday, a lovely beaded cardigan at The Gap and these lovely heels from the Clark's outlet.

Exhibit 3: The perfect cardigan

I went into this challenge thinking about investing in a few things I'd wear over and over. The shoes from my sister above have already received a great deal of use—the perfect heel for summer. And then I found this cardigan at the Banana Republic outlet, slim fitting, hip-length with a retro-feel from a slightly scalloped edge. I've also worn this plenty. Coupons spent: 5

Exhibit 4: Don't you forget about me

When I was home, I rediscovered some items I received free at the flea market, including a ready to wear skirt and three items that I can cut up for fabric. This is what I couldn't fit in the suitcase last visit but managed to squeeze them in this time.

Exhibit 5: The internets if full of beautiful, generous sewing bloggers

I was luck enough to win this green jersey from the Sewing Princess giveaway. It's such a gorgeous color and every hour I change my plans for it, but it will be a knit dress for summer.

Exhibit 6: Even the classics get passed on

No photo here, but I also took a trip and saw my Aunt the weekend after I returned home. She received a stack of fine clothing from my cousin, who got it from the mother of one of her students (four times removed). What luck!

There was a stack of cashmere tops I couldn't part with. These were all classic pieces that I felt could last me forever: two Ralph Lauren cashmere boatneck tanks in cream and navy and two special occasion wool sweaters that I likely won't wear often, but will be perfect those few times a year I need to attend a wedding etc.

In all, it's just a whole lotta stuff. So what's the grand tally?

Garments in ready-to-wear condition acquired:

Tops 10

Cardigans 2

Dresses 1

Bottoms 1

Skirt 1

Shoes 1

Garments that can be either repaired for wear or can be cut up for fabric: 4

Total: 20

Wow! And 19 of them were free-to-me. I actually think this is why I'm so dead set on regularly purging your closet because I often find myself on the receiving end of clothing generosity and thus an excess of clothes. For a moment I felt bad, that I was going against the very thing I had set out to do this year: to have more with less.

But I'll admit that I feel playful: These are clothes that I can experiment with and pass on to better owners if they no longer serve me after this season. For the gems I keep, they will become an integral part of my wardrobe. It's a low investment way to test out my style hypotheses.

But what about you? How do you work the grab-bag of giveaway clothes into your personal style? And how do you keep your closet in check?

Fashion on the Ration check-in: 5 coupons spent for cardigan, current tally 55 coupons.