It’s possible that the “Spirit of the New Year” – resolutions and such – is nothing more than necessity masquerading as some supernatural inspiration that only comes once a year, right after Santa.

Either way, I like it, and as long as it’s all progressive – I have no complaints.

Well, that’s not true. I do have complaints. I’m dissatisfied with my life value. In other words, the amount of work I’m putting into my life right now is not worth the result. Make sense? I’m doing the life-equivalent to hamster-wheeling. Not good.

So in the last few months – via Getting Healthy, and otherwise – I’ve been making some changes. For one, I got a new job at a publishing company. It’s not a call center, it’s not a restaurant, it’s a publishing company and it’s a lot more “up my alley” than sausage demonstrating (and, yes, I have been a sausage demonstrator. Read as: my last steady job). So, in the same vein, I have to examine my #2 passion, as well – clothing, obviously.

Yes, I am taking this supernatural inspiration Claus to my closet. …Claus-et? No, too far.

I’m dissatisfied with my clothing value. I am either paying too much for stuff I’m not wearing often, or I’m paying too little for things I love that only fall apart. This isn’t good!

So I’ve completely gutted my wardrobe, taken inventory, inspected fabrics, seams, notions… It’s time for a 2010 Overhaul. I’ve created a list, not necessarily priority-based, of all the items I “need” (meaning “hardcore desire and can justify the purchasing of… oh, & would improve my quality of life to a noteworthy degree”) in order to feel like I’ve got a solid wardrobe on my hands – more importantly, one that will last for years with minimal investment and upkeep.

1. A Quality, Versatile Handbag
Must go from work to… not-work easily. Must go with pretty much everything. Must be able to hold pretty much everything, including my laptop & cookies. Must be under $120. This has to last me for > 2 years.

2. A Remarkable, Classy Winter Coat
Do you want to know what kind of professional attire I currently wear to work? A gigantic, puffy, nylon (yes, it makes the “nylon-rubbing-together” sound!) coat that hits the top of my hips, with a furry hood. This is my professional choice. Nay, it is my only choice. Therefore, I must find a beautiful, elegant coat that is preferable duster or trench length. I’d like for it to be wool, lined with a natural fiber, and have the construction of the Coliseum. Or at least something that will last me > 5 years. Must be under $200. (Yes, I’m upping the price because the materials I “require” are more expensive!)

PS – It’s 5 degrees as I write this, and that’s only scratching the surface of a Chicago winter.

3. Go-With-Everything Black Heels
You know the ones I’m talking about. They look good with mini dresses, leggings, trousers, maxi dresses (!!!), and jeans. No more than 3.5″, platform preferable, must not cost more than $100. These will last me > 1 year. Hey, I wear my nice shoes.

4. High Quality Jeans
…in spades. I mean it. Since I’d been able to, I’d bought my jeans at Target until about a year ago. Not kidding. Once I was introduced to the world of good denim, I’ve not bought one pair. Why? A combination of my size, and my standards. Premium denim brands don’t seem to offer my size, which is a 14 or 34-36 in jeans, depending on where. However, once I met my Thimbler Jeans, a custom made pair sent to Jen & me for review at TD, I was kind of googly-eyed over denim. So, if they have to be custom – fine. But I’m not paying more than $100 for them, and they’d better last me > 3 years.

5. Multi-Situation-Appropriate Tops
This means, in short, that the tops I wear to work must also be good at going out for drinks, meeting a friend for coffee, going to the grocery store, and doing out to dinner. And whatever else I feel like doing. So, they have to be gorgeous, I must be crosseyed in love with them, and they must be the epitome of versatile. Because of the high criteria here, I’ll “need” fewer of them. This will allow me to spend no more than $100 on each, and it will last me for  >3 years, with good care (which I may have to learn).

6. Un-Snow-Boot Snow Boots
Remember what I said about my coat? The whole “opposite of professional” thing? Well, take that story, delete the piece about the coat, and replace it with the terms “gigantic rubber boots”, and you see my problem here. Knee-high boots are perfect for snow, but I really am not into the idea of carrying other space-consuming shoes in my purse to change into after I arrive. Plus, who wants to be the kid sitting in the stairwell, pulling their boots off, socks, etc…? Not me. I need decent-looking, weather-surviving boots (flat to 1.5″ heel for walking) that can be worn with dresses, leggings, jeans, pajamas, whatever. Must be less than $150, and last me for > 5 years. Oh yeah.

•••

I’m going to replace my “Wish List” page (in the sidebar, on the right!) with this list, as it’s more important than wishes at this point – it’s dire. I’ll update as I acquire each piece!

I should also note that this list is really only looking ahead the next 3-4 months. I will continue to add to it as the weather, and my needs, change. On a similar note, this is a guilt-free list. This is the product of crunching the proverbial numbers of my knowledge of clothes combined with my own personal needs and style. Anything on this list has officially been removed from the previously popular “Wannnnnt, but shouldn’t…” list and only the “I deserve, and will have” list – without a droplet of shame! If it improves my quality of life, how could it be superficial?

What do you “require” or “need”, fashion-wise? Do you have a list?

Image via WeHeartIt

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