‘Greed is good’, a classic line from Gordon Gecko in that famous capitalist movie ‘Wall Street’ – but how much do we really need?

An unquenchable thirst.

We are living in unprecedented times, a global pandemic, a war, an escalating cost of living and a general unaffordability of life like never before. Covid enforced isolation, working from home and those hazy afternoons on the veranda have presented the perfect opportunity to reflect. What should I be buying next, what outfit, shoes, fragrance, book, tie, jumper, overcoat, something, there must be something? The need to make a purchase burning away like an unsmoked cigar in the humidor.

Oddly I have come to the conclusion that I don’t really need to buy anything, I’ve everything I need, a wardrobe full of shoes and coats and cords and more cords. Every season there always used to be something new, a look I wanted, a look that takes months of research, googling, late night calls to somewhere far off to confirm an order or check on a size. Somewhere, that I can only read about on Instagram or watch on a youtube clip today.    

I am aware that there seems to be a trend right now to embark on that great wardrobe cull. As they say, ‘if in doubt, chuck it out’. I really don’t subscribe to this at all, not even in the slightest. I’ve never thrown anything out and most certainly never intend to. Each pair of shoes, each tie each suit has a story behind it, like a diary without words, perhaps in the same way that albums or songs are a reminder of a time or place in our lives. Given this, my wardrobe is a story of my journey, one day it will be passed to my sons. Infact that day is coming sooner than I am ready for, as my favourite trousers and jumpers are already vanishing from the closet without explanation.

The wardrobe – when is enough, enough?

So often have I uncovered a piece of clothing that I used to wear, that now for one reason or another has been discarded towards the back of the closet. Each time I have been delighted with my find, whether it be the Gucci snaffle loafers, shawl collar cardigan or Swedish winter coat.

I can’t help but think in these times, that standing back and having a real look through your wardrobe might just provide some hidden gems, not least be a solution to the rising cost of living and thinking about that word that appears everywhere these days, ‘sustainability’.

I’m not suggesting that the pursuit of ultimate style should be compromised by not making those all-important purchases, however what I am saying is that quite often we have the necessary ammunition to dress impeccably without the need to go and buy something new. So often I hear, argh why did I buy that, it’s dreadful, what was I thinking? Of course, not every piece in the wardrobe is going to be a long-lost style shaker, there are some pieces that just no matter what cannot be resurrected.

To avoid this problem;

• I always think long and hard before committing to a new piece;
• consider how likely is it that I will wear it when I’m old (really old!!!);
• can I wear it in both summer and winter?
• will I always love it not just today, but does it rock?

What I never ever think about.

• what anyone else thinks!

A label that I am loving right now.

FE Castleberry for his electric mix of colour, textures and fabric. I’ve been thrashing the FE Castleberry designed Kirk Originals glasses this year. Perhaps they will turn into a style gem for my boys in the future.

FE Castleberry has been a catalyst in encouraging me to look at my current wardrobe and to explore how I can combine styles to create a new look. Very inspirational.

If you can’t do it in style – don’t do it!.