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Feature article: Grandma's Rules
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Grandma's Rules
Back in the days of your grandmother, or maybe your great-grandmother,
clothing was different. Sure, they never wore minis, they wouldn't be
caught dead in bikinis, and never experienced the thrills of spandex,
velcro or wrinkle-free. But they had one important lesson: less is
more. As in...
- Wash less, wear more
Back in the day, both Grandma and Grandpa wore the same clothes day in and
day out. They wore it carefully, and tried not to get stains on their
clothes. They dabbed at them gently when they did. They wore outwear that
kept off the mud. They wore their clothes the whole week, and washed it on
one day.
Imagine how much more mileage you could get if you did this: you could
wear your favorite jeans every day of the week with a different top, or
always look perfect in that crisp white shirt. Try wearing your own
clothes gently and carefully - always with undergarments to prevent
staining and perspiration, and change into something more casual (even
your pjs) right when you get home.
- Buy less, have more
Grandma owned only a couple of nice skirts that maybe she made herself.
She had a pretty blouse and perhaps a couple of pairs of pants, a hat,
gloves, and sensible shoes. Grandpa had a nice tailored shirt or two he
wore all week. When they got new clothes as gifts, they mostly gave them
away.
The average person wears about 20% of the clothes she owns. Instead, if
you were to have a few clothes you wore all the time, wouldn't that be
a better use of your closet space and money? So, purge that other 80% and
stop buying clothes you don't need.
- Show less, reveal more
Grandma mostly wore long or half sleeves, and skirts never made it
above the knee. Cleavage was at most a suggestion, and she never ever had
a visible panty line. She always wore clothes that fit her body - and had
them altered when they didn't.
You don't have to be a prude - but sometimes wearing clothes that skim
your body without revealing skin is sexier. When showing off one thing
(arms), keep the rest conservative (a knee-length or longer skirt and high
neck). That would be very Jackie O.
- Toss less, fix more
When a button fell off, a hem fell, or a sleeve ripped, Grandma mended
it. When a glove got stained, wine spilled on her dress, or her skirt got
mud on it, Grandma washed it gently by hand with soap and hung it out to
dry. When Grandpa's shoes got scuffed, he shined and polished them.
Taking care of your clothes makes them last longer. Why do you think those
vintage clothes are still any good today? Most everything we own now isn't
just low quality, it's usually badly maintained. So whenever possible,
wash gently, line or air dry, treat stains fast, and polish and defuzz and
everything else. Especially for those favorites.
- Obsess less, love more
Grandma never stood two hours in front of her closet wondering what to
wear. She chose things she knew she could wear and wore them with pride.
She loved her favorite cotton blouse and her gorgeous cashmere
shawl. She delighted in the colors of the few silks she owned, and wore
what she owned with glee.
When you have clothes you love, you want your closet to call for you. Find
the things that make you want to jump out of bed to wear them, then choose
what's most practical for that day. Enjoy that crisp white shirt and lemon
meringue pants. Indulge in your favorite comfy jeans and your hot pink
tshirt and turquoise cardigan. Find your closet favorites and wear them
again and again.
Grandma and Grandpa would be proud.
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