Simple Living: Chapter 12 Summary
Tuesday, August 24th, 2010From The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Simple Living by Georgene Lockwood, 2000.
Chapter 12: Fashion: Trends or Tyranny
“Beware of all enterprises that require new clothes.” Henry David Thoreau, Walden
The Least You Need to Know
- Becoming conscious of how the fashion industry works and what messages underlie clothing advertising can simplify how we decide to dress.
- Developing a classic style gives you a framework for building a wardrobe and a ready pool of used garments to work with.
- Learning how to care properly for your clothes will help them last longer and look better.
- By simplifying your grooming routines and making some of your own products, you can save money and time.
Some Ideas to Get You Started
- To become more conscious of the messages underlying the media depiction of fashion, go through a fashion magazine with new and critical eyes. What’s being used to sell the clothes? What kind of body image is being presented? What kind of character do they seem to be promoting? What is the overall image of the models in the ads? What is the idea of beauty being presented? Ask the question “If I wear this, I’ll get what? For even more eye-opening food for advertising thought, point your browser at the web site about-face.org and read on.
- Not sure how to find your won personal style and flatter your figure? There are books to help. Although some are written by “image” consultants, the basic concepts are there. Look for the basic principles and you can’t go wrong. Three recommended by the author are Looking Good by Nancy Nix-Rice and Pati Palmer; Flatter your Figure by Jan Larkey, and Always in Style by Doris Pooser.
- Look up thrift shops in the phone book and make a list in a notebook. Visit each and note their hours, special bargain days and regular policies. Also keep a list of your family’s clothing needs and sizes. Visit regularly, take advantage of special bargains, and stick to your list.
- Take heavy items like blankets and comforters to the coin-operated laundry to wash and dray. Their larger heavy-duty machines are built to take the load, and you’ll add life to your laundry appliances.

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