How I Filled Three Wardrobes

Opportunities from a complete wardrobe addiction. Image: iStock.

There comes a time in every woman's life, when she realises she might have a lot of clothes. It is a moment in which the question becomes, "What now?" Some subjectively call such as wardrobe, "Too many." I call it an opportunity. 

My epiphany came when I suddenly had filled three closets. That's right. Not the normal one, not an indulgent two, but an abundant three.

It started with acquiring that wardrobe space. I share a walk in robe with my fiancé. More garments squeeze into the built-in closet in the spare room. That same amazing partner contributed an external closet, like the sort that would otherwise take someone to Narnia. Suddenly there were three closets. I was not complaining. It was more just amazement.

From having the space then came filling it. This was easier than it sounded. Collecting clothes is a joyful hobby. Apparel and accessories appear in all different styles. I kept all my clothes since early adulthood. All sorts of pieces occasionally emerge from deep corners of rails and draws.

First, there are the classic casual items from my undergraduate days. A day off is the perfect time to pull out a crochet top or printed “peace” tee shirt. And maybe one day I might fit into those super skinny jeans again. At least the new extensive collection fits, as the latest pairs of pants are a size up. The more the merrier.

Then the dresses accumulated in the few years after graduation. Such a mix developed for all sorts of purposes. I had freedom to dress for business meetings, smart casual gatherings, cocktail parties, rare night club outings, free spirited hippy phases… Everything justified another dress. They were all bargains or value. Each treasured piece was another creative expression of my individuality.

How did that then fill up three closets? By the way, did I mention the three sets of draws? It was piece by piece. Behaviour can gradually creep up on us quite unexpectedly.

Shopping became like a weekly hobby. Just one or two more favourites would be added like routine. Weekends triggered me to visit the shops like a loyal dog during a Pavlovian style conditioning.

Retail therapy is also a genuine form of stress relief. Nothing felt better than posing in front of the mirror. The right fit and style would be carefully selected. Prints and colours varied for more novelty. It was always just one more.

Next thing I knew, my three wardrobe closets and three sets of draws were full. I could squeeze and cram occasional coat hangers with light thin extra clothes. But it was a struggle. It was time to look for a solution.  

Some people would start giving their clothing away when there is too much of it. Charity is certainly one solution. And a bag or two definitely got filled after picking out a few bits and pieces from the wardrobes. This culling barely made a dent.

A serious realisation came to me in the past while. Perhaps I should stop shopping just for myself. Maybe other people would enjoy creative colourful clothing as much as I do. If items are such great deals, such value, why buy just one? There had to be a commercial answer to this situation.
  
An online store seemed like the perfect solution. e-commerce is actually easy to implement. Don't get the wrong idea. I am not selling my actual wardrobe. At all. Not even on eBay. Some of my clothes might end up donated in charity bins. But every outfit is a memory I want to hold onto. It is time to help others to make memories with their own new delightful styles of fashion.

The idea is that I enjoy the hunt and gather of shopping so much, I may as well do it for other people in the form of a retail outlet. These brand new garments and accessories would be easily accessible for friends and followers who want to try my wild style. New products are continuously coming in to the new store Hourglass Apparel Australia.  

Now that artistic shopping addiction can go to good use, for a store instead of a wardrobe. It's the same behaviour with a new expression.