The Clothing Collector

I have always loved clothes. As a young girl in Europe my mom used to take me shopping on Saturdays and taught me the fine art of feeling fabric- the lust of a good wool gabardine or the delight in a shimmering taffeta. Her sister (my favorite aunt), with whom I would sometimes spend summers with, furthered the love of frocks as we would troll the racks of Loehman's in Connecticut looking for a deal. Therefore, it's not wonder that my life long love of beautiful clothes and a good deal came to pass.
Standing in my overstuffed and woefully disorganized closet a moment ago I realized I love to collect clothes. It's ironic, because most days find me in jeans and an Old Navy tshirt since I work from home and have a drooling baby. When the occasion does present itself to look hip and pulled together, invariably I panic despite having such a variety to cull from.
In my early twenties, I developed a propensity for shopping for the life I didn't have but would like to have. I would buy sassy little outfits perfect for sunset cocktails in San Tropez or ball gowns for god only knows what. My late twenties were all about cute little club clothes the better with which to impress my friends as we hit the Austin scene. Just like the line in the JC Mellencamp song goes, "All the girls walk by, dressed up for each other".. men are often so oblivious to clothing but your girlfriends can appreciate the cuff on a sleeve or the nap of your velvet!
Interestingly enough, when I met my husband on the cusp of 30, he later told me that the only negative factor he viewed in me is that I always wore pants and no dresses or skirts. Ha! Clearly he didn't delve deep enough into the dark recesses of my wardrobe.
Amusingly enough, now that I am in my late 30's I actually have occasion to wear ball gowns several times a year for work events, but of course all the ones I snapped up in my twenties don't fit my rubenesque mama figure so of course more shopping must occur.

My closet is an interesting jumble of maternity clothes, business suits, mom clothes and of course the whole wistful section of my prebaby size winking at me. I love it all and someday hope to have it organized and all wearable. Meanwhile, it languishes awaiting it's next adventure. Onward!