What apparel would you pack for a trip to a deserted island? August 27, 2009

The diet starts in six days.  It reminds me of the old game “desert island.”  What would you take if you were stranded on a desert island?  When we play it we usually talk about the options in the book, music, food category but now…it’s apparel.  I asked several of our participants what they’d be buying.  Several have their eyes set on something already and others have made their purchases.  “It’s like packing for a year,” said Rebecca Kotch, who is convinced she can “do this!”  Below are a few must have items from various diet girls.

This is what we’re buying…

Jacky is buying the  Theory “Meet Aceline” Leather Vest with Belt from her favorite online source: Bloomingdales.  I can wear this iteam all year, regardless of the season.  It will be my staple item.  In Southern California coats are more of a “whimsy” item.  But a leather vest–now that’s one practical purchase.  Granted it’s $655.00 smackers but I am going to get it down to a penny a wearing!

 

 

Sally has purchsed a snappy crisp black blouse and several long sleeved t-shirts from J.Crew .  She also bought a jean jacket at Anthropoligie and a long gray sweater with a belt, .  Both are must have items for the fall and will take her anywhere.  “I am going to wear that black blouse a lot.   And I am going to live in those long sleeve t-shirts!  Nothing impulsive about these purchses. 

   

 

 

 

 

 

When I asked Kim Clements what she was thinking about buying before starting the diet she responded in her signature “very organized” style.  She gave me a thorough accounting of what she has purchased in preparation for deprevation.   Here’s her list:  Just purchased Three black Cashmere Tees from Lands End. Have my eye on a Sweater coat from Eileen Fisher – just deciding which color. Ordered 2 pair of white Brooks Brothers pajamas with navy blue piping…. all cotton, so soft, too soft for men that’s for sure… and they make me think of Cary Grant and Katherine Hepburn! 1 new pair of grey patent leather clogs from Show Pony . Two white t-shirts with xtra long sleeves from American (mildly porn-ish) Apparel. Hate their ads but love their tees. And two black v-neck base layer shirts from REI.

August 26, 2009

OK…I’m now worried I’m going to be very cold this winter! I have  little to no sweaters (as menopause has left me climatically confused!). So I think I’ll take a quick ride to Target and get me some warm winter gear – real cheap! God help me!

The Great American Apparel Diet Starts in Seven Days August 24, 2009

The Great American Apparel Diet, no limits on portion size!   Wear as much as you like (as long as it’s not new).  Devour your closet until you are satisfied, not stuffed.  Chomp through your drawers until you are brimming not bloated.   Within days you will feel lighter, brighter and more confident.  In one small year (that’s 365 days, 8,760 hours) you will be satiated without the unwanted weight of debt, overstuffed closets and apparel hangovers.  Start September 1st—your wallet and your sanity will thank you. 

 What you can and cannot consume on the Great American Apparel Diet

Let’s first discuss the things you can guzzle without guilt:

1. Clothes currently in your closet, on hooks, in your drawers or on your floors.  Go crazy, gobble them up as long as they are not new.  Allow me to dissect the semantics of the word “new.”  New is anything thing that resembles a complex carbohydrate (something you pay for).  An item is “not new,” if it something a person gives you.  Now, this can be complicated for you late night snackers who don’t think midnight calories count.  Do not, you can not write a check to your husband or best friend and give them instructions or a wish list for your “must haves.”  Those calories do count and technically once you go there you’re off the wagon and you’re likely to roll chubb-ily downhill. 
2. Footwear (technically boots that morph into a skirt are suspect and are considered apparel).
3. Accessories.  I will refer to Webster on this one:  Noun: an article or set of articles of dress, as gloves, earrings, or a scarf, that adds completeness, attractiveness, etc. to one’s basic outfit. 
4. Underwear—every girl should have a great pair of underwear on at all times and I will say no more.

 Now let’s discuss those nasty items that are sure to leave you bloated and disgusted with yourself:

1. New clothes, the ones you pay money for (this includes outerwear, athletic wear and Halloween costumes). 

 My Big Fat Caveat

There are two women who have signed up for the diet but can only commit to a portion of it.  Now I do not encourage this, in fact I frown on it, however, I am hard up for participants so I will make this one exception.  They (Jeanine and Cindy) have decided to only buy from consignment and thrift stores (BTW I learned today from a young woman that to “thrift” or to go “thrifting,” means to go thrift store shopping).  So those girls will probably be doing an exchange for money but do not fall under their influence.  We commend Jeanine and Cindy for setting their bars low, and for trying as hard as they can to make the year long commitment.