The first is never buy on impulse. Well, I think you should always buy on impulse. Of course, I'm not telling you to buy a wedding dress "just in case" or an adorable tennis dress perfect in every way except for the fact that you don't play tennis.
No, I'm telling you to buy that purse you weren't really looking for, but you love it and if you don't buy it, you'll kick yourself forever more. Or that perfect dress you stopped looking for because you thought you'd never find it and now you did.
That wonderful cocktail dress you're tempted to buy? All that's holding you back is you haven't been to a cocktail party in years. Buy it anyway. If you have it, you'll find an occasion to wear it. And down the road when you are invited to a cocktail party, you'll have the perfect dress. Besides, if you wait for the proper occasion and then look, I guarantee you'll never find it.
Some of my favorite things were bought on impulse. I remember going to Lord & Taylor for a dress I didn't buy. But on the way out, I passed the handbag counter and saw an absolutely beautiful (and expensive) black silk satin purse with a delicate gold chain. I decided against buying it because it was expensive and I didn't need it, and I walked out feeling very virtuous. Fortunately, I immediately came to my senses and went back and bought it. It's stunning, and every time I wear it I get so much pleasure.
Another impulse buy I loved for years was a lavender suede jacket that, again, I bought at Lord & Taylor. I wasn't looking for it and wasn't even sure I had enough to wear with lavender. Well, I found lots of things to wear with it, received many compliments, and wore it for years until the drycleaner ruined it. But more about that in another column.
DON’T Toss It
The second rule you should always break is: Never hold on to anything you haven’t worn in a season, or two, or whatever.
Why on earth would you do that? Some things are specific to a certain occasion—and that occasion, like a summer wedding or a big ball, doesn't happen very often. But when it does, you'll have the perfect dress.
I have a lot of clothes. Probably more than I should. I just don't get to wear everything as often as my clothes deserve to be worn. But that doesn't mean I'm going to throw away a pair of flirty silk shorts with lace trim. My weight never fluctuates so nothing is ever too small. The next time I'll wear the shorts may not be until next season, but I know that when I do, I'll love them.
So go ahead, break the rules and enjoy.
Miriam Silverberg is a freelance journalist and owner of Miriam Silverberg Associates, a publicity agency in New York City. She may be reached at silverbergm@mindspring.com
