My favorite clothes act as a visual autobiography. These outfits drum up memories of my travels, unearth childhood nostalgia or remind me of a favorite book.
Take this Dolce & Gabbana dress, which I spotted at Barneys last week.
Instantly, I was electrified with the memories of my Morocco honeymoon. The cheeky oranges teleported me to Jemaa el Fna (the main square in Marrakech), where the fruit juice stalls were sandwiched between henna artists and performing monkeys. The dress’ tile detail perfectly mirrored the weathered patina of the fountains in Fes. And the dress’ posh, ribbon-tied straps echoed the luxury of the only fancy hotel we visited: Dar Al Hossoun in Taroudant, where peacocks meandered by the poolside breakfast buffet.
This swath of silk encapsulated two of the most romantic weeks of my life, so I zoomed to the racks to check out the price tag. While I’m a romantic, I’m also practical: The dress costs more than a round-trip ticket to Marrakech, making this outfit a fantasy until it hits the consignment racks. (Inshallah!) But sometimes the fun of shopping isn’t the buying – it’s the rush of finding a piece that encapsulates the perfect time & place.
Before you buy your next outfit, whether it’s designer or fast fashion, ask yourself: Why do I want this? Is this trendy? Or do I have a personal connection?
Highfalutin? Perhaps. But it’s a surefire way to halt impulse purchases destined for the donation bin. If you pick the items that truly resonate with your innermost inspirations, I guarantee you’ll buy fewer throwaway muscle tanks from H&M and spend more time looking for items you’ll treasure as much as your memories.
