It’s the end of another year, my friends—a time to take stock of all that’s happened in the past 12 months and try not to be horrified that everything we do is being tracked in detail by huge corporations and repackaged as colourful, meaningless data points. (Apparently, I listened to 69,416 minutes of digital music, and the longest book I read was 920 pages. Huh.)
It’s also time for my own totally unscientific year-end review of the happenings in my closet. As I noted last year, this is the last thing you need, but whatevs. I’ve decided to make it an annual tradition because I’m a memoirist, and sorting through memories is what I do.
Item Most Worn
The hands-down winner is a Babaa cotton cardigan I splurged on at the beginning of March and have worn at least three times a week since. It is slouchy, all-season and surprisingly versatile—and it fits my three words well.
The only complaint I have is that it’s impossible to wash because you can’t throw it in the dryer and takes approximately 80 hours to dry fully on a rack. But you can’t put it on the rack until you roll it in a towel first to absorb the excess drippy water. And sometimes it takes two towels because the first one gets so waterlogged it can’t absorb any more. So mostly I don’t wash it, but don’t tell anyone.
Best New Item
In 2022, I bought five brand-new clothing items: the cardigan mentioned above, a blouse, a sweater vest, a pair of jeans (wha??), and a visor. All have earned my allegiance in one way or another, but the sweater vest wins my heart for being less unwieldy than the cardigan while still keeping me warm. A young, fashionable woman also complimented it once on a Zoom call, so. Note: I have never washed this vest, but don’t tell anyone.
Biggest Secondhand Score
This year I also bought four pre-owned items: two pairs of wool pants, a wool cocoon coat to replace this too-tight one, and another jacket I’ll talk about under “Most Regrettable” below. The wool coat is probably the biggest score because it was pristine (with tags still on), but cost 40% less than buying new. I’m not clear yet on its true value to my wardrobe, though, because all year it has been either too warm or too cold in Calgary to wear it. On the plus side, I’ve never even had to consider washing it.
Most Regrettable, But Possibly Redeemable?
A few months ago, I watched all of G.L.O.W. again, which sent me into a spiral of 80s nostalgia that included revisiting Working Girl, the classic workplace comedy ostensibly starring Melanie Griffith, but actually starring the wardrobe of Sigourney Weaver’s character in that movie. I became obsessed with big 80s coats and found a vintage one online. It is a cool, bomber-style Michael Kors houndstooth wool jacket, but it arrived in shabby condition with big snags on one arm and a stain on the other. It also smells kind of funny? I was disappointed because I thought I was buying from a reputable seller (not Poshmark), but I haven’t given up hope yet. Over the holidays, I’ll try laundry stripping it—finally, something will get washed!—and mending the snags with a darning needle. Fingers crossed!
As I’ve done previously, I’m taking a month off from this newsletter to give myself an end-of year break. I hope you have a restful and nourishing time during the holidays. Let’s all fill our wells and meet back here in the new year?
:) Teresa
What is happening even?? Closet Dispatch is a free, limited-run weekly newsletter by Teresa Wong.
I always enjoy Closet Dispatch! Thank you, TW! My favourite purchase this year was a cozy knee-length black hoody (with pockets!!) from Walmart. It fulfills ONE of my three style word requirements (it is Functional, but definitely not Fun or Colourful). Actually; when I consider my purchases post-2020, I haven't bought anything that ISN'T black, so maybe it's time to find three new words to go with this GothLite phase in my wardrobe... or to hammer home the reality of my aspirations. How about: (has) Pockets, (is mostly) Cotton, (can go in the) Washer-and-Dryer? That feels right. ;-) Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Enjoy your downtime and will see you here, creatively recharges, in the new year!