by Brigette Mashile
For many years my mother has lived alone. This is because all four daughters went to boarding school and tertiary institutions in other cities; and her husband has also always worked in other towns. We each came back home for holidays, big events, etc, but my mother is the most common human in this house. I think this is the reason why she has her clothes in every bedroom cupboard! I am trying to find a respectable reason why my mother has too many clothes…
We have been telling her to cut down on the wardrobe. In the beginning she fought us of course, and then since I am stubborn, I kept going and I am happy to report that I have won. A few weeks back she sat down to look in every room at her loot and what she could let go of. Now, uhm after my mom did this, I realized that I too have a lot of clothes! You see, now that she has removed her rock from my view, I can see myself in the mirror. I am in shock because I clean my wardrobe every 3 months, I shouldn’t have that many clothes. But I do. And I am wondering why?
1. Maybe because I make clothes for my business!
This should be the obvious reason. Hmmm but I do not make myself clothes that much, just like a doctor does not heal themselves, I fail to clothe myself. But alas, I have a lot of items and 95% of them are my brand, Roka Roko. I have a rule that if I have worn something once or twice, I should give it away, this has helped to keep my stock low. My second rule is that I only hold on to fabrics I know I will never find again; maybe I have found way to many of these in the recent years. To manage both these rules I need to make myself less clothes.
2. Maybe I am my mom!
I mean, I am her first born. I did get first row tickets to her life as her first born daughter. I have watched what she wears, how she shops for them, where and when. Her dress sense has influenced my creativity and what I know as perfection when it comes to clothes. So, maybe I just love clothes just like my mom. I should also mention that we both love dresses; our cupboards are just dresses and dresses and 1 skirt here and there. Maybe my mom and I should do this cleanse and learn how to horde less together.
3. It is my coping mechanism
A coach last year told me that my sewing could be a coping mechanism. Or rather my escape. It made sense as I can make anything in any state of mind. The moment I sit at the machine I feel better, I forget the world and concentrate on the project at hand. It has saved me from a lot of anxiety, stress, and difficult days. In my time of stress, I opt to make myself things, or my daughter or my mom. You see this issue is just continuing LOL! Do I find a new coping mechanism or find ways to manage this one I have. I mean, I love it. I do not foresee myself ever not stitching. What to do, what to do ….
If you are like me and have a lot of clothes; or bags, or shoes, or sunglasses…. ma’am I see you. And I do not judge you. But I do believe if it is creating other issues like taking up space in other people’s wardrobes, or you are spending too much money on them, or you simply have items you haven’t worn in a year…then do something. There are a lot of ways to sell your preloved items today or give them away. The truth about fashion is it is not going anywhere, there will always be something new and YOU WILL ALWAYS WANT IT!
Brigette Mashile is the founder and creative force behind Roka Roko, a custom fashion design business based in Johannesburg, South Africa. The company passionately delivers quality tailored and trendy fashion to make their customers happy, and specializes in styling women by creating unusual combinations with fabric, culture and style. Brigette has a Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of Witwatersrand and a Fashion Diploma from Studio5 School of Fashion. She’s a former fashion buyer for a major retailer in South Africa, and an international direct selling company. She’s been passionate about fashion since the age of 10 and gained invaluable experience in the fashion world running informal fashion creation businesses until the day her own Roka Roko brand was born. Find out more by visiting the Roka Roko website www.rokaroko.co.za
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