If you're anything like me, you watched (and tried not to drool) during every aesthetically-pleasing episode of "Tidying Up with Marie Kondo" back in quarantine. It seemed to come at the perfect time, right when we were getting back to basics and caring more about what was in our closet... probably because we realized - after months of not wearing real clothes! - that we didn't like most of the stuff we had anyway.
With every changing season, I look forward to "The Purge" that comes with switching my closet over from summer to winter, winter to summer. Although I've never been a big shopper (some of my favorite items are things I bought 10 or 15 years ago!), I'm not proud of what I'm about to admit: I used to get rid of *entire garbage bags full* of clothes. I'd roll up to the Salvation Army or to the containers next to the market and proudly drop them off, thinking I was doing something good. That was back when I was completely unaware that 84% of the clothes we donate ends up in landfills or incinerators. Before starting Gold Coast Dyes, I would throw out items that were permanently stained, but now a trip to The Garage and a little dye makes them good as new.
Even still, I follow Marie Kondo's rule that if I haven't worn it in a year, it has to come out of the closet. This practice forces me to *really* think about what I buy when I do actually shop and over time, I've noticed that I get rid of fewer items as I hone my personal style and make better choices. I research where my clothes are made and who makes them, buy higher-end classic items that will last forever, say no to fast fashion and yes to handmade, desperately hunt for the perfect vintage, and learn how to shop my own closet by combining items in new ways.
My personal shopping habits transfer over to what I do at Gold Coast, too. In an effort to practice what I preach, my upcoming Indigo Drop (the third one ever!) features vintage and upcycled items from my own closet that I've been collecting over the last few seasons. If you've been following me on social media, you know that running an indigo batch is a long labor of love, a scientific process that is equal parts mess and amazing-ness. I've carefully separated out items that are in perfect condition and worthy of being worn by you! It will also have a series of new napkins and canvas totes, and a restock of everyone's favorite rayon silk robes and scarves.
Indigo Drop #3 launches Thursday, September 15 at 4pm. See you there!
