How do you prevent your wardrobe from accumulating ever so slightly different black pumps or pants? You have to be very, very diligent. Your brain is programmed to buy what you like and what you feel comfortable with. That's why it's so easy to end up with two items that look kind of the same. Like these brown, strappy heels I purchased a couple of weeks ago. I was so excited to wear them. Until I realized that they look an awful lot like a pair of strappy brown sandals I already own.
Image: New shoes (left) and old shoes (right)
Why should you avoid duplicates?
Having multiple items that perform similar functions can be a huge waste of money and time. You don't need five pairs of basic black pants. No really, you don't. Two pairs, one dressy and one casual, is more than enough to cover your wardrobe needs. Having more causes you to wade frantically through piles of clothing as you attempt to get ready for work. Having more disrupts closet clarity. Ha, in most cases, you end up wearing the same two pairs of black pants anyway. You could have spent that money on something you really needed. Or saved it for something you really wanted.
Why are these shoes considered the same?
When one of my friends saw these sandals sitting next to each other, she commented on how cute they were. I quipped back, "ah, they're the same so I'm taking the wedges back." She looked puzzled because in her mind, they were completely different shoes. But are they really different? I would love to keep the wedges. I mean, they were only $15 and that's a tough deal to walk away from. But when I paired the wedges with a printed strapless dress, I decided to wear my old pair of brown strappy sandals instead. (Which I had conveniently forgotten about when I bought the new pair.) My logic is this: why own two pairs of shoes in the same color that serve the same purpose? I could use the money spent on the second pair to buy a much needed replacement for all of the pumps that are now too big for me.
So alas, these lovely sandals must be returned. And while I'm there, I'll just saunter over to the shoe department and see if there's anything there I can use.
So true Nosh, I am dealing with this dilema when I noticed that I indeed have 4 pairs of black pants (though one pair in velvet doesn't count) that I could pare down to 3 (short, long, velvet) I literally have 10 v neck merino or cashmere sweaters in different colors and numerous other dupes. One reason is because I hate laundry and dry cleaning takes a while so I am a self sustained clothing island for a month until I have to wash, but the other was I really did waste money and time. Very brave of you to take back the wedges that were on your mind and in your heart and did I hear that you have extra pumps laying around?:-) I'll even pay for shipping:-)
Posted by: Mo | March 10, 2010 at 01:27 PM
Hey Mo! I hear you on the disdain for laundry. But that's how it happens. Before you know it, you have 10 v-neck sweaters. The next time you reach for another v-neck, play these words in your head in a non-ending loop, "Stop! Back away from the v-neck sweaters."
As for my shoe crisis, yes it's true. I have several pairs of shoes that are officially too big. They're all size 9 or 9 1/2. Red kitten heel Coach pumps. Black Ellen Tracy pumps with gold buckle. Several pairs of Sigerson Morrisons. All too big! So sad.
Posted by: STYLEnosh | March 10, 2010 at 02:14 PM
That is totally sad *moment of silence for the loss of any shoe*
If any of your shoes decide that they want to relocate to the pacific northwest please let me know:-)
Posted by: Mo | March 10, 2010 at 08:03 PM
I guess you both are right.
I have too many duplicates.
I will say that I will have the exact same shoe in the same color SOMETIMEs,in the evnt one pair just wears right on out( just a few pair and whenever I see pairs that I love like that)
Posted by: The August Deed Company | March 11, 2010 at 01:29 PM
Mo, you got it! I will let you know which one of my shoes will be entering the owner relocation program! lol
Posted by: STYLEnosh | March 11, 2010 at 05:01 PM
Hey August Deed! Okay, you got me on this one. The only time I've ever heard of someone buying the same shoe in the same color is if they have a ridiculously difficult shoe size and they have to buy what they can when they find it. Actually, they may buy multiple colors of the same shoe but not the same color multiple times! How often have your shoes been "worn out"? I'm giving you the side eye right now. lol
Posted by: STYLEnosh | March 11, 2010 at 05:06 PM
Yes,girl--I wear a size 6 Narrow.
Posted by: The August Deed Company | April 02, 2010 at 03:00 PM
Okay August Deed, a size 6 narrow shoe is definitely hard to find. Especially if you're trying to stay away from the grandma look. lol So yes, you get a pass. The side eye is officially removed. :)
Posted by: STYLEnosh | April 02, 2010 at 06:18 PM